The garden was quiet that afternoon.
Soft sunlight spilled across the stone paths, warming the hedges and the old oak trees that lined the property.
Leah stepped outside first.
She breathed in slowly.
"It's nice out here," she said.
Behind her, Izana stepped onto the path.
He glanced around the garden.
"It's always been quiet," he said.
Leah smiled faintly.
"Quiet isn't the same as peaceful."
Izana looked at her.
"And this is peaceful?"
Leah nodded.
"Right now… yeah."
They began walking slowly along the stone path.
Leah ran her fingers lightly across the leaves of a nearby bush as they passed.
"You don't come out here often," she said.
Izana shrugged.
"I'm usually busy."
"That's a polite way of saying you bury yourself in work."
"I prefer the word focused."
Leah laughed softly.
"Focused."
They walked a little farther.
A small breeze moved through the trees.
Leah stopped near an open patch of soil.
She looked around the garden thoughtfully.
"You know…" she said.
Izana glanced at her.
"What?"
"It would be nice to see more flowers here."
Izana tilted his head slightly.
"There are flowers."
Leah pointed at the few scattered ones.
"Three bushes and two rose plants doesn't count."
"It counted when they were planted."
"That was probably ten years ago."
Izana didn't argue.
Leah walked a few steps ahead.
"There's so much space here," she said. "You could fill the whole place with flowers."
Izana folded his arms.
"And what would you put here?"
Leah looked over her shoulder.
"Are you asking my opinion?"
"I asked the question."
She grinned.
"That's new."
"What is?"
"You asking about flowers."
Izana exhaled quietly.
"Just answer the question."
Leah turned back to the empty patch of soil.
"Well…"
She crouched slightly and brushed her fingers through the dirt.
"I like forget-me-nots."
Izana frowned faintly.
"Forget-me-nots?"
"They're small," she said. "Blue. Really simple."
She stood up again.
"But they're pretty."
Izana nodded slowly.
"And?"
Leah looked around again.
"And white roses."
Izana raised an eyebrow.
"White roses."
She nodded.
"They're calm. Elegant. Not too flashy."
"You've thought about this."
Leah laughed.
"I used to like gardens when I was younger."
"What happened?"
"Life."
Izana hummed quietly.
They started walking again.
"So forget-me-nots and white roses," he said.
Leah glanced at him.
"You're repeating it like you're memorizing it."
"I am."
She laughed again.
"You're strange."
"You married me."
"Fair point."
They reached a small wooden bridge that crossed over a pond.
The water reflected the sky.
Leah leaned against the railing.
"I like it here," she said.
Izana stood beside her.
"You said that already."
"Does that make it less true?"
"No."
She looked down at the water.
"You know what this place needs?"
Izana sighed quietly.
"More flowers."
"Yes."
He shook his head.
"You're very persistent."
"You're very stubborn."
"That's not new."
Leah glanced sideways at him.
"You're different though."
Izana looked at her.
"How?"
"You're calmer."
"I've always been calm."
"You used to be tense all the time."
He didn't respond.
Leah continued.
"You're listening more."
"I listened before."
"Not like this."
He looked away slightly.
"You're imagining things."
"I'm really not."
They stood in silence for a moment.
The breeze moved through the trees again.
Leah leaned her elbows on the railing.
"You've changed since you came back."
Izana's voice was quiet.
"People change."
"Not usually you."
He glanced at her.
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It's not."
She smiled softly.
"I like this version of you."
Izana didn't know what to say to that.
So he changed the subject.
"You said you tried gardening once."
Leah groaned.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"You remembered that part."
"Of course."
"That was a disaster."
"How bad?"
"I killed three plants."
Izana blinked.
"Three?"
"In one week."
He almost smiled.
"How?"
"I watered them too much."
"That seems difficult."
"I was enthusiastic."
"That's one word for it."
Leah bumped his shoulder lightly.
"Hey."
Izana chuckled quietly.
"You shouldn't be trusted with plants."
"That's why I'd let someone else take care of them."
"Someone responsible."
"Exactly."
She glanced at him.
"You'd probably be good at it."
"Gardening?"
"Yes."
Izana shook his head.
"I doubt that."
"You're patient."
"That's debatable."
"You pay attention to details."
"That's work."
"It's also gardening."
He considered that.
"Maybe."
They left the bridge and continued walking.
Leah stopped again near another empty space.
"Imagine this whole area full of flowers," she said.
Izana followed her gaze.
"Forget-me-nots here," she continued.
She pointed.
"And white roses along the path."
Izana studied the space.
"You've planned this."
"I like imagining things."
He nodded slowly.
"It would look nice."
Leah blinked.
"Did you just agree with me?"
"I'm capable of that."
"This is a historic moment."
He sighed.
"You're dramatic."
"Only a little."
They reached a stone bench beneath a tree.
Leah sat down.
Izana remained standing for a moment.
Then he sat beside her.
"You know," Leah said quietly, "I didn't expect you to come out here with me."
"Why?"
"You usually avoid relaxing."
"I'm not relaxing."
"You're sitting on a bench in a garden."
"That's not proof."
She smiled.
"It is."
Izana leaned back slightly.
"Maybe I needed a break."
Leah glanced at him.
"You did."
He looked at the sky through the branches.
"You worry too much."
"I care."
"I know."
They sat quietly for a while.
Then Leah spoke again.
"You're smiling more."
Izana blinked.
"I am not."
"You are."
"Prove it."
"You smiled earlier."
"That doesn't count."
"It absolutely counts."
Izana sighed.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you married me."
"That again."
"It's a strong argument."
He shook his head.
But this time he did smile.
Leah noticed immediately.
"There it is."
"What?"
"The smile."
Izana looked away.
"You're very observant."
"I have to be."
"Why?"
"Because you pretend nothing bothers you."
He didn't respond.
Leah softened her tone.
"You don't always have to do that."
"I know."
They sat quietly again.
After a moment Leah leaned her head against his shoulder.
Izana stiffened slightly.
Then relaxed.
"This is nice," she murmured.
"…Yeah."
"I wish we did this more often."
"Maybe we will."
She looked up at him.
"Really?"
"Maybe."
"That's progress."
Izana stood after a moment.
"We should head back."
Leah sighed dramatically.
"You ruin every peaceful moment."
"Timing is important."
"Your timing is terrible."
He offered his hand.
"Come on."
She took it.
"Fine."
They walked back toward the mansion together.
As they reached the doors Leah looked back at the garden.
"I still think it needs more flowers."
Izana nodded once.
"I know."
Later that evening, Izana walked down the hallway toward the living room.
Dante was sitting on the couch, reading paperwork.
He looked up when Izana entered.
"You need something?"
"Yes."
Dante set the papers down.
"What is it?"
Izana stood near the doorway.
"Order flowers."
Dante blinked.
"…Flowers?"
"Yes."
"What kind?"
"White roses."
Dante nodded slowly.
"Okay."
"And forget-me-nots."
Dante paused.
"Forget-me-nots."
"Yes."
"How many?"
Izana answered without hesitation.
"A lot."
Dante leaned back slightly.
"…Define a lot."
"Enough to fill the garden."
Dante stared at him.
"That's… a lot."
"I know."
"Is there a reason?"
Izana looked out the window.
"For her."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"For Leah."
"Yes."
Dante slowly nodded.
"…Alright."
"I want them planted everywhere she liked."
"Everywhere?"
"Yes."
Dante scribbled a note.
"I'll arrange it."
Izana turned to leave.
Dante stopped him.
"Izana."
He paused.
"What?"
Dante looked amused.
"You're getting soft."
Izana gave him a flat look.
"Order the flowers."
Dante smirked.
"Yes, Boss."
Izana left the living room.
Outside, the garden was dark now.
But he could still picture it.
Rows of white roses.
Fields of small blue forget-me-nots.
Just like Leah imagined.
For the first time in a long while, the thought made him smile.