I head out to do some training with Finesse the next morning, but I notice that her mood seems to be down again, which has been very common lately. Juanita is there shoveling manure when I call her over.
Juanita: Good morning, Miss Tami.
Tambara: Good morning, Juanita. I’m worried about Finesse. She seems very sad lately. Have you noticed?
Juanita: I have. I believe she needs the company of another horse.
Tambara: Another horse?
Juanita: Yeah, in fact, a friend was just telling me about a guy who might be selling a quality stallion. Finesse is getting older. It may be time to breed her.
Hmm, so Finesse needs a boyfriend? That makes sense. Even she needs love.
Tambara: If it’s a good horse, I’ll buy it.
Juanita: Okay, Miss Tami. I’ll contact him.
I decide to skip training this morning and head inside for a shower. That’s when I get a video call from Marvel inviting me to the Romance Festival in San Myshuno to meet up with his twin, Opus, and Opus’s wife. I jump at the chance to finally get to know one of his brothers.
Marvel and I arrive at San Myshuno a little after five, just as the festival is starting. Opus and his wife are standing in front of the local Karaoke bar. I notice right away that Marvel was right. Although they are both good-looking, he and his twin don’t really look alike, but from the way they embrace as soon as they see each other, I can tell they’re close.
Opus: What’s up, bro!
Marvel: A lot, Op. Thanks for the invite.
While the twins talk, I introduce myself to Opus’ wife, Mary-Lee, who isn’t who I would have imagined Opus being with. She’s pale with dark hair that makes her almost look like a ghost. On top of that, she’s thin. So thin that if she skips a meal, I can imagine her completely disappearing. Right away, I feel like he could do better.
Tambara: Hi, I’m Tambara.
Mary-Lee: I’m Mary-Lee. You don’t remember me, do you?
Should I? She fills me in after seeing the confused look on my face.
Mary-Lee: We actually went to school together. I was in a couple of your classes, but I wore my hair a different color back then.
If I don’t remember her, she obviously wasn’t very memorable, so I’m not really interested in hearing more. She takes the hint, and we turn our attention back to Marvel and Opus.
Mary-Lee: It’s good to see you again, Marv. Your brother doesn’t fare very well when you two are apart for too long.
Opus grins at her little joke.
Opus: Don’t listen to that. I do just fine. And you’re looking very happy.
Marvel: I can’t take all the credit for that.
Marvel turns and smiles my way.
Marvel: This is my girlfriend, Tambara.
Opus: Nice to meet you! I’ve already heard so much about you. I’m glad you came.
Tambara: I couldn’t miss the chance to meet the twin.
Opus: *teasing* The best twin, but if my brother was able to connect with you, I’d say he’s doing alright for himself.
I take the compliment, though judging by the look on her face, it doesn’t land very well with Mary-Lee. Oh well, as I said, he could do better.
Marvel: The best twin? Since when? Only one of us can be marvelous.
The brothers laugh and nudge each other playfully.
We end the small talk and get started on the main event of the Romance Festival, the drinking of the Sakura tea. Marvel, Opus, and I gather around the cascading drink fountain and fill our glasses. The tea is supposed to put anyone who drinks it in a romantic mood. I don’t really believe it, but I give it a try anyway.
With a full glass, I leave Marvel to give him time to catch up with his twin, while I go off in search of something to eat.
Opus: She’s gorgeous, bro. You said that you met her in Brindleton Bay, right?
Marvel: I was visiting our park, and she was there.
Opus: Wow, so that place finally serves a purpose.
They pause to reflect on Opus’ words. As kids growing up, they had a love/hate relationship with their brother Ajay’s old lot.
Marvel: She’s asked me to move in with her, and I want to, but I wonder if that’s moving too fast.
Opus steps closer to his brother.
Opus: Life is short. Sometimes I wonder if we’re all moving too slow.
They both get quiet, thinking about the loss of their parents.
Marvel: You never really told me what happened between you and Makayla**.
Opus rolls his eyes.
Opus: Here we go.
Marvel: I’m just saying, bro. I thought the two of you were destined to be the next power couple.
Opus looks a little uneasy. He and Marv don’t keep many secrets from one another, but he kept this one out of shame.
Opus: It was my fault. I was all about work, and someone else came along and swept her up.
Marvel: No way, Opus.
Opus: She wanted to get married and start a family, and I was too busy working, trying to become Dad.
Marvel: I hate to hear that.
Sadness flashes in Opus’ eyes before he stands straighter and forces a smile.
Opus: It’s all good. I’m happy with Mary-Lee.
Marvel isn’t convinced, and neither does it seem is Opus. Marvel was surprised when Opus married the first woman he dated after he and Makayla ended things.
**Link takes you to Tumblr
After grabbing some food from one of the booths, I sit at a bench to eat and sip at my tea, occasionally glancing over at Marvel and his brother, who are deep in conversation. The laughing and joking has stopped, and I can’t help but wonder if they’re talking about me.
Marvel eventually breaks away and walks over.
Marvel: Everything good?
Tambara: I was just about to ask you the same thing.
Marvel smiles his usual reassuring smile.
Marvel: Very good. I was coming to get you so we could visit the Love Guru.
Supposedly, the Guru has the ability to predict the success of a relationship 98% of the time. Like the tea, I’m not sure I believe it, but I’m also very curious.
Marvel takes my hand and leads me over to some guy dressed in odd white and gold garb. Before we can even ask a question, the guy gets very excited.
Love Guru: Ah! A match made to last the ages!
Marvel turns to me immediately, his face glowing and excited.
Marvel: Did you hear that?
I did, and I like what he said, but I wonder how serious we can take this guy. Apparently, Marvel takes it very seriously.
Marvel: Let’s do it. Let’s move in together, but I don’t want to just play house.
Play house? What does he mean by that?
Suddenly, he drops down to one knee.
Marvel: If we do this, we should get married.
My jaw drops. Is this what he and his brother were discussing?
He pulls out a ring, which is so surprising I can almost feel my heart stop. When did he buy a ring? I’m so distracted by it that I take it out of his hand without responding.
I hold it up to the light and examine it, twirling it slowly in my fingers to admire its sparkle. It’s beautiful, and it’s definitely not cheap. In fact, it’s big, and there’s a little weight to it.
Tambara: When did you buy a ring?
Marvel: After our movie date.
I’m shocked. Up to now, everything he’s done has been so measured and calculated. Has he been planning this for a while? We haven’t even exchanged the L word yet.
But eventually the thoughts stop, and I feel the full weight of what he is asking. My heart begins to swell. I don’t need to have exchanged the L word to know that I love him and that I’d give anything to be his wife. I place the ring on my finger and turn back to him.
Tambara: Yeah.
Marvel: I didn’t get to ask yet.
Tambara: You don’t have to. Let’s get married.
Marvel jumps from his knee, and we kiss.
We spend the rest of the evening holding each other close, dancing to romantic music blasting out of the speakers. Marvel’s grip is strong, and I feel as light as if my feet will never touch the ground again.
Tambara: You didn’t just propose because of the tea, did you?
Marvel: I proposed because I love you, and it didn’t take me long to realize that.
I think about it, and finally admit to myself that it didn’t take me long to realize it either.
Tambara: I love you, too!
His eyes light up, and his grin spreads.
Marvel: So, what type of wedding do you want?
I think about growing up and Daddy’s nickname for me.
Tambara: I want a wedding fit for a princess!
Marvel: Then that’s what I want too.
I squeeze just a little tighter as I think about everyone I want involved in planning this thing. Mom and Desi are at the top of my list.
The evening begins to wind down. Marvel excuses himself to visit the restroom, and I immediately pull out my phone.
Tambara: *on the phone* Mom! I’m getting married!
Mom squeals on the other end of the line.
Maia: *on the phone* When do I get to meet him?
Tambara: This week, as soon as possible.
Maia: I’m so happy for you!
Marvel comes out of the restroom and walks over.
Tambara: Mom, I have to go. See you soon!
Marvel: You ready to leave?
I want nothing more than to go home with my fiancé.
Back at home, the moment begins to settle into something even more meaningful than it did at the ranch. We don’t say much; everything we’re thinking is conveyed through our touches and kisses. We undress and settle on my bed, but this moment isn’t about WooHoo so much as just being here beside him.
A line stands out from the song that was playing as we danced: “Love can make you forget your own name. Don’t know where you end and I begin.” I feel it with my entire being. When people talk about what it means to be engaged, I finally get it. I can already feel my soul melting into his.
Song: Sun & Moon by Samm Henshaw
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
