A/N: Now, I don’t know how many of you have read my previous stories, but I always have something odd about their names. For example, in That Look in Your Eyes, there’s Anthrax, a poison, Winter, a season, which is a common enough name, but I use it for my main male character, and Tequila and Vodka, which are alcoholic beverages. In As Long as We Both Shall Live (wow, long title… I think that every time), there’s Souva and Sgefah, both in Old Tongue (courtesy of Jane Yolen—brilliant author), and mean “soul” and “enemy”, which I thought was ironic, to say the least. And now, in this story, the names themselves are normal enough, but how many of you are smart enough to figure out why I used these names as I did, what the significance behind the names are? It may, perhaps, be obvious to a very few, and probably none if I don’t point it out. Not that I'm calling you stupid! It’s just that I've done this sort of thing before (never on a posted story) and nobody’s caught it. Or, at least, they haven’t said anything, but I take that as the same thing. The title, by the way, means “Isn’t it wonderful?” in Japanese.

And now, without further ado, I present my story!

Suteki Da Ne

“Great green gobs of greasy grimy gopher guts!” I yelled absently, washing yet another bowl. The dishes in this place were endless! “Pulverized monkey’s—“ my wonderful song was cut off by none other than my all-time favorite person in the whole world! Not.

“That is the most disgusting song I've ever heard,” my twin brother’s best friend sauntered into the kitchen and picked up one of my freshly washed bowls.

“You had better be planning on drying that, and not using it,” I said warningly, directing the full force of my awesome glare at him.

“Are you feeling alright?” he asked, smirking. But he put the bowl away anyways. I knew it. He’s in awe of me.

“Hey, Balloon-head, your horn’s are growing,” he said, smacking me in the head with the dishtowel.

“Was that really necessary?” I asked, rubbing the back of my head.

“Well duh. If I didn’t, the horns would come out!”

“Too late for you, then,” I told him, turning back to the sink.

She felt warm arms encircle her from behind.

“Lucien, what are you doing?”

“Have I ever told you that you’re the most beautiful woman I've ever seen?” he asked, setting his chin on top of her shoulder. She was too tall for him to place it on top of her head, but she felt sheltered all the same.

“Many times,” she reminded him.

“Well that’s because it’s true.”

“You’re such a flirt.”

“Yes, but I'm your flirt,” he told her, squeezing her slightly.

“That’s true,” Gabrielle sighed, leaning back.

“Hey, Gabri—awh, damnit, guys! It’s bad enough my best friend and sister hafta get together, but d’you hafta do that sorta thing when I'm around?!” her brother, Jesse, asked as he was walking through the kitchen door.

“Hey, at least we’re not kissing!” Gabrielle teased, peering around Lucien’s shoulder at her brother. “Besides, I'm older.”

“What’s that got to do with it?” he practically yelled, looking anywhere but where they stood embraced.

“I've got more right to him than you,” she taunted.

Just as Jesse was about to respond to that interesting comment, Lucien felt it wise to intervene.

“Look, guys, as much as I love the fact that you’re fighting over me, I came over here originally to invite you over for dinner, at my mother’s behest.”

“Why? Never mind, I don’t care. Free food!” Jesse crowed. Ever since they finished college, hunting for a full-time job had taken priority over grocery shopping, and it was starting to show on both twins.

Both were naturally slim, and both had shining green eyes and luxuriant black hair. Gabrielle’s hair was long, past her waist and brushing her butt. Her tan skin contrasted nicely with her pink tank top, which she felt could use some more filling. She also felt her butt was too big, and that every pair of pants advertised that fact.

Jesse had short hair, mostly from years of civil service, but it was growing out again. There was always an impish grin on his face, and his lean body was never still.

“So, you game?” Lucien asked. Both nodded excitedly.

Gabrielle kissed Lucien before he left. A tingle ran down her spin, and she smiled. The feeling from this kiss was the same as the feeling she got from their first kiss. She remembered that kiss clearly, and the memory of it made this one all the more better.

He’d asked her to come outside for a second, and she complied, hoping against hope.

“Gabrielle, I…” he paused, as if searching for words, then continued, “I really like you. You’re adorable, you’re funny, you’re clumsy as hell, you’re smart, you light up any room you walk into, and I don’t think I couldn’t stand not being with you,” he whispered.

“Really?” she asked, but didn’t wait for an answer.

Wrapping her arms around his neck she tilted her head up just as his came down. His lips gently brushed hers, once, twice, three times. Just as she was about to forcefully pull his head down, his lips pressed down on hers and his tongue flicked her lips. Groaning in frustration, she opened her mouth, hoping he’d take the initiative and kiss her! Lucien took the hint and his tongue entered her mouth, slowly at first, testing the boundaries. Finding there were none, he allowed himself to explore. Gabrielle felt the need to do the same. Their tongues engaged in a brief battle for dominance. Coming up for air at last, Lucien grinned timidly at her.

“So does that mean you’re my girlfriend?” he asked, stroking her long black hair.

“Girlfriend is so degrading, but yes,” she laughed.

Yes, Gabrielle sighed, it was still like that. Lucien stepped back reluctantly and left the house shortly after. Gabrielle watched him leave, taking in the long stride, and the way the sun from the windows glinted off his dark brunette hair and glinted off the gold specks in his hazel eyes. Damn, that man was handsome.

“Oh, God, that’s disgusting!” Jesse complained, bringing her back to the real world.

“Well thank you for your opinion, I’ll file that away for future reference,” Gabrielle snapped back, but smiled to take the sting out of her words.

Later that night, the twins left the house, dressed in a flowy, wispy pink sundress and beige slacks and a black button up respectively. They arrived at Lucien’s parents’ house a couple of minutes later.

“Gabrielle, Jesse! So glad you could make it!” Lucien’s father greeted them at the door.

“How come he says your name first?” Jesse asked softly, but without malice.

“Because I'm older,” Gabrielle reminded him, grinning mischievously.

“But not smarter,” he retorted, eyes twinkling.

Gabrielle was saved from answering by the appearance of Lucien.

“Hey babe,” he greeted her, swooping down for another heart-melting kiss.

“That is so degrading,” she whispered faintly.

“And watching that is disgusting,” Jesse supplied.

“Hey man,” Lucien nodded.

Dinner passed without incident, even when Jesse accidentally told Lucien’s mom that Lucien’s dad thought she was fat in the black dress.

That earned him a glare all ‘round, but he didn’t really seem to notice.

After dinner they were all sitting in the living room, talking about nothing in particular when Lucien asked Gabrielle to go outside with him for a second.

“Sure,” she replied, hoping against all hope.

He led her out onto the porch, where the stars could be seen faintly pass all the street lights and lights from the city.

“We’ve been together a long time,” he started.

“Two years,” Gabrielle said, smiling.

“Best years of my life,” Lucien agreed. “And so, without further ado, because my prepared speech flew right out the window when you smiled at me tonight. Even coherent thinking, thinking in general is impossible for me when you’re around, especially now with the moonlight glinting off your glorious hair. But now I'm babbling, and you’re giving me that look that I hope you’ll give me for years to come,” he rambled sincerely, if that was even possible.

Gabrielle couldn’t hold back the happy gasp that escaped her lips as he got down on one knee.

“Now, I know the ring’s not the normal type, but I think that you’ll like it better for it. Gabrielle Roman Vincent, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, my partner, my equal, for now and for ever?” he proposed gallantly, producing a ring box.

Grinning so hard her face felt like it would crack, Gabrielle got down on her knees with him and opened the box. Inside was a sliver ring with faceted hematite surrounded by small peridots.

Slipping it on her ring finger, she admired it for a moment before hurling herself at Lucien.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes! If that’s not enough, then oui, hai, sí!” Gabrielle proclaimed, saying yes in English, French, Japanese and Spanish.

Lucien laughed delightedly and kissed her. That tingle ran up her spin and she melted into him.

When they finally returned to the family in the living room, neither of them could stop grinning. The three left in the room looked up expectantly. In response to their silent question, Gabrielle held up her left hand, proudly showing off her newest jewellery acquisition.

“I'm so proud of you,” Jesse whispered, hugging her fiercely.

“Congratulations,” Lucien’s mom said, teary-eyed.

“Welcome to the family,” Lucien’s father hugged her, too.

Gabrielle accepted their congratulations and her and Lucien escaped as soon as politely possible.

“I hope you realize you’re next, young man,” Lucien’s father said, glaring at Jesse. Jesse gulped.

“Y—yeah. Right. I've got an early day tomorrow, so I should be going!” he left with Lucien’s parents’ laughter ringing out behind him.

Rushing out to his car, he didn’t see the redhead out walking her dog until he knocked her to the ground.

“I'm sorry,” he apologized, bending down and holding out a hand.

As she placed her fine-boned hand in his he felt a tingle run up his spin and looked into her eyes, startled. They were the most fascinating shade of blue…

A/N: Yes, another one (author's note). I'm just putting this here to tell you that this is a repost, and unless you’ve read it already, it won’t matter. All I did was put in the correct title (it used to be Incandescent Love, but I didn’t like having a story called that and then another one called Broadcasting Love, so I changed it) and the other change has to do with a name. Gabrielle’s brother used to be Jerry, but I changed it to Jesse once I realized that it made more sense, tying in with my little “theme”.