The source of my strength

I ask you...

A/N: This chapter is a lot shorter than recent ones have been. But it didn't take many words for this chapter to get it's point across. In fact, it could be said it only took a single question. It's time for femslash!

Chapter 31: I ask you...

December 22, 2030

Newman-Woods Household

8:00 p.m.

Now that Piece of Cake had ended, Robin couldn't help but feel nervous for no real reason. The dinner she had reserved had hung over the entire day, and now it was finally here. Sometimes, it was a little hard to believe that it three years had already passed. All it took was to recall a memory in her mind and it came back just as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

Earlier this year, Robin had started the project of shaping her future self in the form of a large bust. On that very same day, she and Juniper briefly reunited with their late mentor Constance Courte. During that conversation, Robin shared with the two of them her new goal in life, and Juniper answered this with her own way of supporting Robin, even if they couldn't officially work with each other.

It really struck Robin just then: Juniper is such a smart, kind, wonderful person. Even after the case of Athena's shooting, when Robin was at her very worst- Juniper stuck with her. In the months that followed, Robin shaped all her experiences and wants onto the bust.

Through it all, Juniper would talk to her, give Robin suggestions how to craft the bust, or just let her presence be a balm whenever Robin was frazzled. Slowly, this came to encompass the entirety their shared lives together. Robin had yet to actually finish the bust- as she told Juniper, she might never finish it.

What did happen is that Robin arrived at a conclusion- that she loved Juniper so, so much, that she wanted to be with her forever. Robin began learning how to do metal work for one purpose, and one purpose only. While learning a whole new craft took a while, the fruits of her labor where most certainly worth it. The ring Robin had made was currently sitting in the pocket of the dress she was putting on just for this occasion.

Tonight, at the dinner Robin had reserved almost an entire month ago, she would finally give it to Juniper, and ask her the most important question she would ever ask.

Soon enough both women had finished changing into their special clothing, and met up at the front door. Both of them couldn't help but briefly stare at each other.

Juniper had decided to let her hair down from it's pigtails for the occasion, and while she wore a pair of sunflower earrings she wore no make up. The dress she had picked was almost floor-length, was a bright yellow, had a colorful flower pattern on it's top half.

Robin, meanwhile, didn't do anything too special with her hair, but put on mascara and just a bit of lipstick. Around her neck was a gold heart-shaped pendant, a birthday present from Juniper. Robin's dress came to just above her knees, had a slight dip in its neckline, and was a deep, gorgeous red.

The first one to snap out of it was Robin. She opened the front door, then grabbed Juniper's hand. After locking up, Robin and Juniper made their way to their car, where Robin opened the passenger door.

"After you, my l-o-v-e," Robin said graciously. Smiling warmly and giggling, Juniper got into the car, and Robin got into the driver's seat, starting it up and heading out. This time it was Robin who knew exactly where they were headed, while Juniper could only sit there and wonder.

So despite playfully chastising Robin for this earlier, Juniper couldn't help but ask, "So where exactly are we going, Robin?"

"Somewhere that should remind you of home," Robin said coyly. Then her mood became a little more serious. "I know that sometimes you miss living in the forest."