The air inside the Bellagio casino was a heady, intoxicating mix of expensive perfume, stale cigarette smoke, and the relentless jingle of slot machines. It was a world utterly removed from the vast, quiet deserts they had traversed, a testament to human excess and the eternal allure of a quick fortune. For Remy, it was pure, unadulterated bliss. For Theo, it was a perfectly orchestrated symphony of controlled chaos, a stage set for a very specific, monumental question.
Remy, in a dress she'd bought at a roadside thrift store (a surprisingly chic, emerald green number that somehow perfectly complimented her blonde hair and bright blue eyes), practically bounced through the opulent lobby. "Theo! It's like a giant, sparkly maze! I feel like I need a map and possibly a very large bag for all the free chips I'm about to win!" She grabbed his hand, her fingers warm and surprisingly firm, pulling him deeper into the shimmering heart of the casino.
Theo, in his usual dark, impeccably tailored suit that somehow managed to look both formal and effortlessly dangerous, was an imposing figure amidst the flashing lights and festive noise. He let her lead, his eyes scanning, not for threats this time, but for a tableau, a quiet corner, a moment that felt right.
The velvet box in his inner jacket pocket felt like a burning ember, its weight a constant, thrilling reminder of his purpose.
They drifted past rows of mesmerized gamblers, the clang of coins a relentless soundtrack. Remy paused at a slot machine, its digital screen flashing images of animated cherries. "Look! It's got a bonus round with a dancing pineapple! I feel a connection, Theo. A spiritual one."
Theo chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "You're not playing that, Remy. We're here for something with better odds." He guided her towards the craps tables, where the energy was palpable, the shouts of encouragement and groans of defeat creating a primal rhythm.
Remy's eyes widened, taking in the scene. "Oh! People are yelling! I love it when people yell! It means something important is happening! Like, is that tiny dice? How does anyone even see those?"
Theo steered her to a less crowded table, the green felt pristine under the bright lights. He explained the rules patiently, his voice a low counterpoint to the clamor around them. Remy listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. She picked up the dice, her small hand dwarfed by the translucent cubes.
"Okay," she declared, with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Beginner's luck, activate! This one's for Betsy! And for all the hot dogs I ate because I thought I was on a deadline!" She blew on the dice, then tossed them with a surprisingly graceful arc.
They landed. A seven. A collective cheer went up around the table. Remy gasped. "I won! Theo, I won! Is that... is that good? I think it's good!"
Theo's lips twitched upward in an amused smile. "It's good, Remy."
Remy, emboldened, tossed again. And again. And again. Her beginner's luck wasn't just luck; it was a phenomenon. She was hitting numbers with an uncanny consistency, her cheerful, off-key exclamations growing louder with each win. Chips piled up before her, a glittering mountain. Other gamblers, drawn by her infectious enthusiasm and improbable streak, began to gather, cheering her on. She became the focal point of the table, a beacon of chaotic fortune in the precise, calculated world of the casino.
Theo stood beside her, a hand resting lightly on the small of her back, the other subtly shielding her from the growing crowd. He watched her, a mix of exasperation and profound adoration warring within him. She was an absolute magnet for attention, her uninhibited joy spilling over, infecting everyone around her. He saw the dealers, usually unflappable, exchange bewildered glances. He saw the pit boss, a man with eyes like polished stones, watching her with a mixture of suspicion and grudging awe.
"Oh my god, Theo, look at all these chips!" Remy squealed, picking up a stack of red ones. "I think I could buy a small island! With a very large pumpkin patch! And maybe a hundred narwhal floaties!" She spun to face him, her eyes shining, her body buzzing with excitement. Her arms went around his waist, pulling him close, her head tilting back to look up at him. "This is amazing! This is living, Theo! This is everything!"
Her vibrant energy, her boundless happiness, washed over him like a warm wave. Her declaration, so heartfelt, so unburdened by the shadow that had once loomed over her, struck a powerful chord in his heart. The lights of the casino glittered around them, the shouts of the crowd faded into a distant hum. Her face, flushed with excitement, was utterly beautiful.
He could feel the weight of the ring box in his pocket, a silent, burning truth. The chaos. The sheer, audacious spectacle of Vegas. Remy's boundless joy. This was it. The moment. It wasn't quiet. It wasn't perfectly private. It was loud, chaotic, and utterly, gloriously Remy. And it was perfect.
Theo looked down at her, his dark eyes brimming with a love so profound it stole his breath. He reached into his inner jacket pocket, his fingers closing around the small velvet box. He pulled it out, slowly, deliberately, his gaze locked on hers. Her smile faded, her eyes widening, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the small, dark box. The chaos of the casino continued around them, oblivious. But in their bubble, everything had just changed.