Lovebirds Taking Flight Again! (for CaptainL)

[Pegasus]

William put an arm around Astrid pulling her in as the two just enjoyed this romantic moment between them. These two, at a moment’s glance, seemed to operate on different wavelengths. Astrid, the hardworking wrestler that came from a wrestling family known well in the days of the territories of the golden era and William, the strong, old school-inspired yet idiotic and absentminded wrestler that mainly enjoyed displaying strength for the fans. On paper, it seemed like a complete opposite duo, but they made it work when put into practice. Three years. Three years William and Astrid gave to each other. He hadn’t even asked her to be his girlfriend, but after dating for a bit, they made it official and now, they were set to become a married couple.

It gave William courage that their future is bright and the best wrestling years for them were ahead. William is 38 now, but he plans on going the distance. Maybe even past his 50s as most wrestlers tended to do. Hell, even Astrid’s father retired for a bit and then came back into the ring still showing that determination. Will wants to match that and he’s going to have his future wife next to him just as she’ll have him for her future in LAW and USPW. William took in a breath of relief and turned to Astrid ready to reveal his final surprise of the day to her.

“Well, I want to make that dream come true for us. Of course, while you’re with LAW, you got the apartment you’ve always had. However, when you come live with me, I had purchased some land and a farm for us in Montana. Many animals there. Horses, pigs, chickens, bison, sheep, all ours. Land for Winston to run out in and plenty of work to help contribute to America’s food industry. This is my surprise to you, babe. The ranch has two stories and five bedrooms. We can always have family and your students over for parties and vacation. Nothing better than that.”

[CaptainL]

When Astrid heard William's offer, she held a hand to her mouth with a gasp. He'd really done it! When William had talked about moving to the prairie, Astrid thought that he was talking about future plans. But he had already made all the arrangements! He'd already purchased the land, and everything was already waiting for them, as soon as they were ready. "You...already did it!? W-William, you're...too kind..."

A blush rose in the Norsewoman's face. She began to realize that in all the time she was off promoting the upcoming LAW shows in Europe, William had been hard at work, making sure that his proposal would be perfect. He'd gotten the ring, he'd figured out where to go for dinner, and now he already had their new home ready to move into! Astrid wasn't used to William thinking this far ahead, but he had really outdone himself this time. She leaned closer over the table, reaching a hand across to rest on his own as she looked into his eyes with a warm smile.

"William..." she began, "I had no idea you had already...done all of this. You've really kept me in your thoughts the whole time, even while I was away...that means a lot. You've done all of this just to make me happy, and for that...I have to thank you. I honestly feel bad not keeping up with you as much as I should, if you had time to do all this..."

Astrid chuckled a little at her own joke, but she still glanced away, frowning just a little. William really did mean the world to her, and if there were any doubts he felt the same, this night would put all of those to rest. She felt a pang of guilt in the back of her mind for only now finding out how much he had been up to - had she gotten so caught up in her job that she'd neglected her personal life?

But she looked back at him with a smile all the same. That didn't matter - no matter what happened, they still had a bright future ahead of them, and the thought of living with William on the farm, putting in the work with the animals and the land, felt too idyllic, too peaceful, for her to be sad for long.

[Pegasus]

“I had to do something with my time while you were in Romania and all these other countries. I was working hard in USPW and getting my pay up to buy that ranch. When I met Moni, I put my plans in motion to get the ring and had her use some cash to help a brother out. You deserve this for being such a kind and caring individual. Especially to me,” William stated as he held Astrid’s hands.

William got up and nodded to the violist as he switched from his current song to more of a slow number. William outstretched his good hand to his future wife.

“A dance, ma’lady?” William offered with a cheesy romantic smile.

[CaptainL]

Astrid smiled a little wider, nodding her head toward William as she listened to his explanation. Of course, she thought, it would come back to Harmonia. Ever since she and Molly met in their fateful match, it seemed like the Austrian ex-model had become a part of their family, as close a friend as anyone she knew before coming to Japan. Sooner or later, it all came back to her. Astrid had never worked that closely with Harmonia, but she had no doubts that she would be more than happy to help. And when she heard that she had provided funds for William to buy a new home for them to move into, she didn't doubt it for a moment.

"She did? That's too kind of her...I'm going to have to thank her, next time I see her." She nodded to William, and her hand squeezed a little tighter around his; she scooted closer, closing the distance as well as she could with a table in between them. There, her eyes stared into his, and her body softened, letting the tension out in a long, deep sigh. Already, her head was filled with visions of moving to the country with William, starting a new life, and being happy together. It made her heart beat a little faster just thinking about it - and it was a future she couldn't wait for.

Then, William got up from his seat, and the music began to swell. He offered his good hand to Astrid, and the Norsewoman got up too. "A dance? My, such a gentleman...if I had known, I would've gotten more dressed up." She giggled at her own joke - but then, she took William's hand, setting her other hand on his shoulder and taking care not to apply too much pressure. There, she let herself slowly sway back and forth in tune with the music, but she trusted William to guide her through the motions. As long as they wouldn't lead to him hurting his arm any further, anyway.

[Pegasus]

William and Astrid danced in quite the awkward stances as Will had to make due with his injured arm still in the sling. William suddenly used his free hand to move from Astrid’s open hand to her waist pulling her in. He beckoned her to wrap her arms around his neck and then began to sway his future wife back and forth. The blush on his face told him that he made a pretty sly move and just focused on Astrid’s gaze and smile.

“I haven’t gotten to say this in quite awhile, but….I love you, Astrid,” William replied.

[CaptainL]

There had been a lot of thoughts going through Astrid's head. The fact that she was scheduled to put her belt up against two capable contenders; the fact that Cyber Widow still had it out for her and was willing to go after those close to her in the process; how she was struggling to defend the honor of the Heavyweight Championship when her rivals had called it into question, and forcing herself into more and more daunting challenges each time. But now, when she took William's hand and rose from her seat...she didn't need to worry about that.

Now, it could just be about the two of them, excited to celebrate all the twists and turns their relationship had taken them down, and looking forward to the bright future on their horizon. As she heard the music swell, and as she felt her body sway from side to side, with William guiding her through the motions, Astrid's smile grew wider across her face, and any tension that might have still been there in her eyes softened. She took in a long, deep breath, and as she let it out, all her cares seemed to fade away. All that mattered was that she was here, with William. And when she heard his voice, Astrid nodded her head ever so slightly.

"It really has been too long, hasn't it?" Astrid said. Her eyes grew misty with the hint of tears - not of regret for having not spoken for so long, but of happiness, knowing that despite it all, their bond was too strong to grow any weaker with time and distance - but she blinked those away as she nodded her head again.

"Then...let me be the first person to fix that. I love you."

[Pegasus]

THE END