All was calm in the house. The bright sunlight of the day outside was pouring in through the windows, and the sounds of birds could be heard chirping, albeit somewhat muffled. Within her living room, Abacus Cinch sat quietly, adjusting her glasses slightly as she read the book in her hands. The room was filled with a great deal of old and ornate furniture, most of which looked as though it had never been used. As for her, she had chosen to sit upon a rather comfortable-looking armchair, dark green in colour. In contrast to how most of her acquaintances would know her, the Principal had not elected to dress in her usual business-like attire, but rather a simple dark-blue dressing gown, complete with slippers. Today was her day off, and as such, relaxation was the order of the day, with her expression reflecting that calm she felt in this moment. However, that sheer silence was broken when she heard somebody coming down the stairs in the adjacent hallway.
"Sunny? Is that you?"
Sure enough, it was indeed her daughter, Sunny Flare, who now came into view in the doorway connecting the two rooms. Like her Mother, Sunny too had decided to not wear the uniform most associated with her. Instead, she was dressed far more casually, with a simple shirt that, like her Mother's gown, was dark blue. Her knee-length skirt was bright pink and her footwear was just a pair of simple Mary-Jane shoes. The girl, upon seeing her elder, offered a genuine smile to her.
"I'm just heading out. Sour and Sugarcoat are waiting for me at the movies."
Considering that, Abacus gave a single nod, returning a small smile.
"Very well then. Have fun, dear."
The young girl nodded back, before then heading off for the front door. It wasn't long before her Mother heard the sound of it opening, then closing. Now alone, she took a moment to inhale and then exhale deeply, as though doing so would help her attempts at relaxation. The silence continued afterwards, broken only by the sound of the "tick-tock" of the clock that was mountain on a nearby wall-shelf. Getting back to her book, Abacus, read a further two pages before, suddenly, stopping. Her eyes drifted upwards, and she appeared deep in thought. Though what she was thinking of, few could probably tell. A minute passed, then two, then three, with her just remaining like this. Eventually, and after letting out a sigh, she closed her book, setting it aside for a moment before getting herself out of her chair. After walking just a few steps, she reached the door of a closet in the corner of the room, and promptly opened it up.
"Let's see..."
There were a number of cardboard boxes, all stacked up on top of one another. After taking hold of her chin and glancing at a few of them, Abacus' face lit up.
"There we are."
Reaching in, she took hold of one box in particular, making sure to lift it out with care. Turning, she pushed the closet door closed with her foot, before then starting to walk over to an old-looking television in the corner of the living room. Placing the box down, she got to her knees, before promptly opening it up. Within were a number of old VHS tapes, with some having a light coat of dust upon them. Inhaling, Abacus blew hard on it, clearing the dust away and revealing the labels that were adorned on the tapes. Her eyes darted from one to the other, and eventually, they settled on one in particular, right in the middle of the box.
"Yes."
She placed her hand upon it, lifting the tape out of the box, and held it in both hands, staring at it intently. Her eyes drifted from the tape, to the television, then back again, and for a moment, she seemed hesitant about something. But then, determination took hold in her, and she walked on her knees for a few moments before finally reaching that aforementioned television. There was indeed a VHS player situated right underneath it, and after some careful movements on her part, Abacus placed the tape inside. Next came the step of her switching the television on, and again, she waited for a short while as the picture came up. The tape had already started, but for a time, all there was on the screen was static. Naturally, this caused some concern for the older woman, but that all changed when, at last, a picture came within view.
"Finally," she muttered quietly.
Upon the screen before her, in an admittedly low-picture quality, was a man. He was clearly an adult, although a young, boyish-looking one. Chestnut brown hair and deep blue eyes, his predominant facial characteristic was the wide smile he bore. As his eyes darted all around the edge of the screen, Abacus stared at him, bearing an affectionate smile as she did so. But, this moment ended when a familiar voice called out from behind this man.
"Jack? What are you up to now?"
The man's smile grew wider, and he at last withdrew from whatever recording device the film had been taped with. As he walked further away from it, Abacus could see the figure who had spoken. It was, without question, herself, looking the better part of two decades younger than she currently was. But, in a manner much more in-keeping with how people viewed her, this version of her was wearing her typical teacher's uniform. Her earlier self stood there, arms folded and looking somewhat dismissive, as Jack walked closer to her.
"Well, Abbey, you do know how I like to do this."
The younger Cinch rolled her eyes, giving a small smile as she did so.
"Yes, yes, recording special days. I know. So..."
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Tell me, Jack...what is special about today?"
The way Jack now smiled made it obvious that this was exactly the kind of question he'd been hoping she'd ask.
"This, Abbey...is the most important day between us yet."
The younger Abacus seemed sceptical.
"Another date?"
Jack shook his head.
"Nope."
Abacus considered again.
"We're visiting your parents?"
Again, Jack shook his head.
"Wrong again."
Sighing, young Abacus raised a hand and nursed her temples.
"Alright...what is happening?"
To that, Jack's face softened considerably, and he, to Abacus' surprise, took her free hand and, in a move clearly shocking to his partner, got down on one knee.
"Abbey...we've been together for a very long time now. And I have cherished each and every moment we've spent in each others company."
The young Abacus watched, silent yet captivated by such words, as indeed did her older self as the tape continued to play. Saying nothing, both incarnations of the woman observed their kneeling partner as he continued.
"There came a moment when I knew, in my heart...that you were the one I wanted to be with, more than anyone else. Your passion for your work, your drive to be so much better...I've never met anyone who could show as much devotion for the things they care about as you do."
His smile widened a little bit, and he held on just a tiny fraction tighter to her hand.
"Abacus Cinch. Will you make me the happiest man in the world..."
He paused for just a moment, before ultimately saying what all could see he was leading up to.
"...and marry me?"
Silence fell in the video, as if the younger Cinch had just been asked something in some strange and foreign language. Her mind was completely blank right now, utterly unable to accept the words she'd just heard. But, after a good long while, her expression of seriousness that she'd been wearing before utterly broke down, and she formed the biggest smile that she had ever had in her life. Tears formed in her eyes, and like her lover, she too got down on her knees. To Jack's shock, she took hold of both sides of his head, before then drawing him closer in a passionate kiss. He too lost himself in this, and when they eventually parted, the tears were now fully flowing down Abacus' cheeks as she gave him his answer.
"Yes...I will."
And that was it. The moment those words had been spoken, the video ended, with black and white static once more taking hold over the image. The present-day Abacus, staring at that now-lost image, now also had a single tear flowing down her cheek, and after wiping it away, she smiled lovingly, reaching out and gently placing her hand upon the screen.
"...And I still would."
