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Richard smiled with an nod. "That sounds wonderful to me." He said with a nod. " We can just take off after the wedding...just you and me...." He brought her in closely, kissing her softly on the chin, then her lips.

Richard just beamed down at her and nodded in agreement. "Thats right. No one else..." He nuzzled her nose with his, still smiling. "We'll jut relax... There'll be no interruptions, no drama, no anything but our love on a sandy beach..." He brought her close at the idea of it all, just overjoyed. "This is really happening...its not a dream hm?" He looked down at her as if checking to make sure she was in fact real in his arms, and not some illusion. "How much longer love? Until I can sweep you up and away from it all?" He asked dreamily.

Richard had to laugh at that himself. "Ah- ...Kinda like NOW?!" He growled playfully, scooping her up once again, throwing her over his shoulder. "Come on now Miss Burnheart, lets go get some meat on those bones! I'm thinking somehting nice and fatty perhaps!" He smiled like a fool, carrying her with ease into the kitchen.

Raquel meanwhile, could sleep. She waited until he knew Damian was comfortably asleep, then eased herself from his side. She readjusted her robe, going to pick up the wine glasses, pouring herself one more glass or so as she thought. She picked up Damian's laptop and carried it and her wine off towards her room. She came out just in time to see Richard carrying Lorey off somewhere and just laughed. She loved seeing the two so happy. Though at the same time she was saddened by it. Why couldn't she and Damian have such a carefree relationship? Did they really have that many more ghosts from their pasts haunting them?

She scolded herself for hat thinking though. She and Damian had been noticeably been getting better. For instance, the two had been arguing less. Instead of exploding on the other when a problem arose, they'd been simply talking it out instead of getting upset. She was thankful for that.

But putting all this out of her mind momentarily, she merely shook her head at the playful couple, heading to her room.

She plopped onto her bed, opening the laptop, entering Damian's lovely password, and began going through the art school's website. Fall was getting closer and closer and that meant she had to make her mind up fast.

She had retrieved her glasses and was skimming through the different information about the school. It was truly a prestigious institution, and she knew she'd do well there. But what about Damian? She looked down at the shimmering stone on her hand. "..." She furrowed her brow.

She flopped back on her back, and stared up at the ceiling, sighing. Her mind wondered what married life would be like. Both working their respective jobs, coming home in the evening, having dinner together, raising children- She stopped there. It wasn't as easy to envision as she had thought.

Were they really ready for marriage? I mean, sure they knew they loved each other very much, and that they wanted to be together forever, but there was more to it than that. She knew Damian could support them, no problem, it wasn't that either. It was more like... They weren't emotionally ready to settle down. Poor Damian was willing to give up his search for justice and evidence about his father's death for her. Sure he could say it would be better to jstu leave things be, but where would his peace of mind be? Especially with this new found guilt over his mother.

And what about herself? Raquel knew she had many more battles before she won this war her body had waged on itself. Even if he had said he would stick with her, She didn't find it fair for Damian to have to go through all of that on top of his own turmoil.

In short, if they were married and ran away to Druis, both would have regrets. Not of marrying the other, just of the timeing of it all.

She blinked blankly, still looking up at the ceiling. After a few more moments, it all became too clear. She had made her decision. Then why wasn't she happy?

Richard laughed, setting her down again once they were in the kitchen. "Well then I suppose I'd just have to find a new way to make you laugh and cry out like a little girl hm?" He winked, scrolling through the digital menu, choosing a cup of coffee for himself as Lorey, as well as some fatty but delicious looking pastries.

Richard nodded. "Yes you have, and I like to think so too. I think its what gave me my perception on the world you know? Like I would always be able to see whats up ahead....and sometimes I loved it and it kept me optimistic...like now..." He leaned down and kissed her head. "Others it just seemed to look like endless stretches of emptiness.." He sighed, furrowing his brow at the figurative and literal meaning of it all.

Richard laughed too, taking her in his arms. "Will you do me a favor love? Before the wedding...I want you to just...relax. To just not worry about anything, and just take a day to yourself. Maybe go out on the town for a girl's night or something. Like a bachelorette party! ... Only...Tame..." He added the last part, with a joking stern look.

Raquel meanwhile was just looking at the clock and realizing that it was getting just slightly late. With a sigh, she pushed herself off the bed, robe still tight around her and glasses still perched on her nose. She pulled her hair back into a messy bun as she headed off to the kitchen, just catching the tail end of their conversation. "Male strippers? Good luck finding a straight one...trust me." She sighed though winked to show she was kidding slightly. "Sorry to intrude, I'm just here to grab some dinner for Damian. Poor thing's exhuasted and worn out." She shook her head, trying to smile casually despite everything on her mind. She wanted to talk to Lorey, another woman, about this problem in her head, but knew she'd have to reveal her and Damian's engagement for her to understand the depth of her indecision. So for now, she'd have to rely on her own opinion. Something she hadn't done for quite some time.
Damian's right, She told herself, I need to start relying on myself again. I miss the independence a little i suppose...

Richard laughed, shaking his head as she ordered up some simple dinner, much like what Lorey had for hrself and Damian to share. "What have you been doing to the poor boy?" Richard asked with a hearty laugh as Raquel gave him a coy look.
"Oh you know, the usual. S and M, Handcuffs... boring stuff hm?" She gave him a cutesy shrug as he blushed slightly but laughed nonetheless as she headed back towards the hall. "Oh, By the way, if you need help with a bachelorette party or somehting, I'm your girl. Richard doesn't have to know what goes on." She gave Lorey a half joking wink before disappearing towards Damian's room. She ha left the wine in there, though also wanted to check on him. If he was still sleeping, she'd probably leave his food on his desk with a fresh glass of wine waiting for him.
Though entering the room, she wasn't sure if he were wake or not, so simply went about her business quietly, not wanting to disturb him.

Richard nodded, taking a little bite of his own. "I take that as a good sign." He winked to her as he took her hand, kissing the frosting off. He too though, was thinking if he would have a bachelor party. He did with Rose and it got just a wee bit out of hand. He felt this time if he had one at all, it'd be rather mild and not involve women in any from other than casual. Though even then, who would he have it with? Damian, Enty and Nat? That was not only awkward, but also troublesome.

Raquel looked up at him noting he still looked rather sleepy. "I'm fine. Though you sound exhuasted still. I brought you some dinner though...It'll go well with the wine..." She offered, sitting at the edge of the bed before sliding down to the floor, her back against the end of the bed.