The sheer, audacious spectacle of Las Vegas was a sensory overload, even for Remy. After a night of surprisingly deep sleep in their quiet RV park oasis, she burst forth into the dazzling sunshine of a mid-May morning, vibrating with an energy that seemed to match the city's frantic pulse. The RV, now a silent observer, waited patiently as they plunged headfirst into the neon-drenched dreamscape.
"Theo!" she shrieked, pulling him by the hand towards a towering fountain display. "It's like a water ballet! A very aggressive, high-kicking water ballet! This is amazing! My list just got a new entry: Number 99: Witness a fountain display that makes me feel like I should be wearing a sequined showgirl outfit!"
Theo chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. He allowed her to drag him, his grip firm on her hand, his eyes scanning not for threats, but for the perfect opportunity. The velvet box, safely tucked into his inner jacket pocket, felt both heavy and light, a constant reminder of the monumental question he carried. He watched her, utterly captivated by her boundless joy, her uninhibited delight in the chaos around them. This was Remy, unburdened, vibrant, alive in a way he'd only ever glimpsed before.
He had considered a gondola ride at the Venetian, or a quiet, opulent dinner high above the Strip. But watching Remy now, her head thrown back in laughter as a busker dressed as Elvis serenaded a group of bewildered tourists, he knew the conventional romantic gestures wouldn't truly capture her spirit. Remy was unexpected. Her proposal should be too. He wanted a moment that was uniquely them, a perfect blend of chaos and profound connection.
They spent hours exploring the Strip, a whirlwind of bizarre attractions and glittering facades. Remy insisted on a picture with a man dressed as a centurion, then debated the historical accuracy of a pirate ship battle with Theo. She was insatiable, devouring every sight, every sound, her blue eyes wide with wonder. Theo found himself grinning more often than he scowled, his previous cynicism melting away under the sheer force of her delight.
Their hands remained intertwined for most of the day, their fingers lacing together naturally. Sometimes, Theo would pull her closer, his arm wrapping around her waist, a silent possessive gesture that Remy returned with a gentle squeeze. They would share a conspiratorial glance over a particularly garish souvenir, or a quiet laugh over an overheard conversation. These subtle touches, these shared moments of intimacy, were the true pulse of their deepening love, a constant reminder of the vibrant bond that had formed between them.
"Okay, Theo," Remy announced, pulling him into a truly absurd gift shop filled with miniature slot machines and light-up cowboy hats. "New strategy. We need to find something truly, utterly Vegas. Something that screams 'this is the pinnacle of human excess!' And then we buy it."
Theo raised an eyebrow. "And what, precisely, is the purpose of this mission, Remy?"
She winked. "For Betsy! To honor her sacrifice! She needs the most over-the-top, glitter-encrusted, frankly tacky tribute we can find. It's part of the new 'Long-Term Vengeance and Gratitude' section of my list."
He found himself laughing outright, a warm, genuine sound. "Fine," he conceded, pulling her closer, his lips brushing her hair. "But you're carrying it."
As the afternoon wore on, and the Vegas sun began to dip, painting the sky in fiery hues that mirrored the city's own internal glow, Theo's anticipation mounted. He was constantly assessing, constantly weighing the opportunities. A quiet moment by a poolside? A dramatic setting at the top of a skyscraper? He saw a street magician performing, then dismissed it. Too public. He wanted this moment to be theirs.
Remy, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in the city's energy. She paused, looking up at the towering, flashing signs of a famous casino. "You know, Theo," she mused, her voice soft, contemplative, "I've always wanted to try my hand at a real casino. Just once. See if I have that beginner's luck everyone talks about. Plus, I bet they have really good free drinks. And possibly, a human-sized slot machine with a giant cherry that pops out."
Theo's eyes gleamed. A casino. It was chaotic, unpredictable, utterly Remy. And it was exactly the kind of setting that could produce the memorable, unconventional moment he was searching for. It wasn't the quiet, romantic setting he might have once envisioned, but with Remy, everything was an adventure. And if there was one thing Remy knew how to do, it was make an entrance. Or, in this case, a proposal.
He squeezed the ring box in his pocket, a powerful surge of excitement mixing with the familiar, unwavering love. His heart pounded with a fierce, joyful anticipation. This was it. The perfect, chaotic, perfectly Remy moment was approaching. He would give her the world, starting with this promise. And she, unknowingly, was leading him right to it.