Battle Of Planets

Chapter 19: Gift!
”It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Winters,” Tyson said with a warm smile, stepping into the house and offering her a bouquet.”Oh, thank you, Tyson,” Mrs. Winters replied, pleasantly surprised. ”How thoughtful of you.”

Nancy smiled, but a flicker of disappointment crossed her face as she glanced at Tyson’s hands. He didn’t bring anything for me? she thought with a slight pout.

”Please come in,” Mrs. Winters said, ushering him inside. ”Dinner is almost ready. Nancy, why don’t you show Tyson around the house?”

”Huh? Yeah,” Nancy mumbled, twirling her fingers nervously as she motioned for him to follow. ”This is the living room.”

Tyson surprised her by wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. ”I missed you,” he whispered softly.

Nancy stiffened, quickly pulling away. ”Hey! Mom’s just in the other room,” she protested, her cheeks flushed. ”Behave! And don’t forget—I’m still mad at you.”

”Why?” Tyson asked, leaning in closer with a mischievous grin. ”What did I do this time?”

”You brought flowers for Mom,” she said, her tone tinged with mock indignation. ”Where are my flowers?”

”Huh? I thought you hated flowers,” he replied, genuinely confused.

”I didn’t mean it like that!” She playfully slapped his shoulder, turning away. ”Forget it.”

As they climbed the stairs, Nancy led him to the balcony where dinner was set. The open space overlooked a stunning view of the city, and a small table with chairs stood under soft ambient lighting.

”There you are. Please, have a seat, Tyson,” Mrs. Winters said, placing a plate of salad on the table. ”Tonight’s dinner was made by Nancy. She wanted to make something special for you.”

”Mom!” Nancy nearly shouted, her face turning red. ”It was supposed to be a secret!”

Tyson chuckled as he sat down. ”Well, it looks delicious. Thanks, Nancy.”

”I-I didn’t do it for you,” she mumbled, her voice barely audible. ”Just eat it.”

The table was filled with an array of dishes that Nancy had painstakingly prepared after school. She had refused to rest until everything was perfect.

”So, Tyson,” Mrs. Winters began as she took a bite of salad, ”how are things going on your end?”

”Good,” Tyson replied. ”I’ve been training and studying all the time.”

Nancy almost choked on her drink, stifling a laugh. She couldn’t help but think, Studying? He barely stays awake in class!

Tyson shot her a warning look and subtly kicked her under the table.

”Ouch!” Nancy yelped, rubbing her ankle.

Mrs. Winters glanced between them curiously but continued chatting.

When dinner was nearly finished, the three of them moved toward the balcony railing as the housemaids began clearing the table.

”It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen the White Ranger,” Mrs. Winters murmured wistfully. ”Tyson, would it be all right if I take a look at your Meta-bot?”

”Of course,” Tyson said, glancing at Nancy, who seemed visibly saddened by her mother’s words. He carefully removed the triangular Meta-bot from his chest and handed it to Mrs. Winters.

Her hands trembled as she held it, the white light flickering faintly. A bittersweet smile crossed her face as she studied it. It was the same Meta-bot her late husband had worn.

Though it now belonged to someone else, the familiarity struck a something deep within her as Tears welled in her eyes ”Can you two—” She paused, her voice breaking.

Nancy quickly grabbed Tyson’s hand and guided him back inside. ”Let her have a moment,” she whispered, her voice tight with emotion.

”Will she be okay?” Tyson asked gently.

”She’ll be fine,” Nancy replied, trying to mask her own feelings.

Sensing her unease, Tyson searched for a distraction. His eyes landed on a door. ”Whose room is that?” he asked, attempting to lighten the mood.

Nancy blinked, realizing they were standing in front of her room. ”I-it’s mine,” she stammered.

”Wow,” Tyson said, his curiosity piqued. ”Can I see it?”

Nancy hesitated, unsure if she should let him in. It was the first time a boy would step into her private space. ”There’s nothing to see... just my stuff.”

”Like?” Tyson teased, a grin tugging at his lips. ”It’s not like I’ll find my photos plastered all over the walls, right?”

Nancy’s eyes widened in panic. Tyson stopped, noticing her reaction. ”Oh my god!”

”Don’t you dare—” she started, but Tyson had already slipped inside.

Her room was spacious, with a plush bed and a large desk. The shine of a lamp cast a cozy light over the room. On her bed sat a large teddy bear, and the faint scent of lavender lingered in the air.

As Tyson’s gaze wandered, he noticed a collection of framed photographs on a shelf. Most were of Nancy’s childhood memories with her parents, but one stood out—a framed selfie of the two of them, taken on their first date.

”Did you frame our—”

”Shut up!” Nancy cried, snatching the photo and hiding it behind her back. ”Ignore this one!”

Tyson burst out laughing, delighted by her embarrassment. He had never seen her shy, flustered side of her before, and it only made him adore her more.

”What else are you hiding?” he teased, stepping closer.

Nancy bit her lip, her cheeks turning pink. ”You know I don’t mind making new memories,” he added with a playful grin.

Her face grew even redder as she kicked his foot. Tyson yelped, dramatically flopping onto her bed.

”Wow, your bed is so soft,” he said, pretending to be in heaven. He grabbed a pillow and held it close. ”And it smells like you.”

”You—!” she shrieked, grabbing another pillow and launching it at him.

Tyson’s eyes widened as he fended off her relentless pillow strikes. ”Okay, okay! I surrender!” he laughed.

In the middle of the playful war, Tyson grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down onto the bed with him. For a moment, they lay there, tangled in each other’s arms, laughing and breathless.

Nancy’s cheeks were still flushed as she lay in Tyson’s arms, their laughter slowly fading into a comfortable silence. The warmth between them felt natural, her head resting lightly against his chest. Tyson gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingertips lingering against her cheek for a moment.

”You know,” he began, ”there’s something I brought for you.”

Nancy blinked, her curiosity instantly piqued. ”What do you mean?”

Tyson grinned mischievously, reaching into his jacket pocket. Her heart skipped a beat when he pulled out a small velvet box. Her eyes widened, immediately recognizing it.

”Wait... That’s the box I saw the other day!” she exclaimed, sitting up straighter, a mixture of excitement and nervousness flickering across her face.

”I wanted to be a surprise,” he admitted with a sheepish smile, sitting up with her. He held the box out to her, his expression softening into something more serious. ”Go on, open it.”

Nancy hesitated, her fingers lightly brushing against the smooth velvet surface. Her heart raced as her imagination ran wild. Was this what she thought it was? A part of her hoped it was a ring—just like how Alex got engaged—and yet, another part felt it was too soon for them. Still, her emotions swirled, anticipation bubbling up inside her.

Finally, she opened the box, and her breath hitched. Inside was a delicate silver necklace, adorned with a small triangular pendant—a miniature version of Tyson’s Meta-bot. Her eyes widened as recognition set in; it resembled her father’s Meta-bot, the one he used to wear when he was a Ranger.

”T-Tyson...” she whispered, her voice trembling as she lifted the necklace carefully.

”I thought you’d like it,” he said softly, watching her reaction closely. ”Something to remind you of me... or your father. Or both. Honestly, it doesn’t matter as long as it means something to you.”

Her eyes glistened with tears as a lump formed in her throat. Overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, she flung her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. ”I love it,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. ”Thank you so much, Tyson.”

Tyson held her close, his hand gently rubbing her back. ”Hey now, don’t cry...I hate seeing you in tears”

She nodded against his shoulder, her tears slowly turning into soft sniffles. Pulling back slightly, she looked into his eyes, a smile breaking on her face.

”It’s perfect,” she said, clutching the necklace to her chest. ”You’re perfect.”

For a moment, they sat there, their gazes locked, the world around them fading away. Tyson smiled, brushing a thumb across her cheek.

”I’m just glad you like it,” he said. ”You deserve it.”

Nancy sniffed, playfully wiping her tears with her sleeve. ”You’re so cheesy sometimes,” she teased, though her voice was warm with affection.

”Cheesy?” Tyson grinned. ”Says the girl who has a framed photo of us in her room.”

Nancy gasped, her cheeks flushing again. ”Stop bringing that up!” she whined, lightly hitting his arm.

But deep down, Nancy’s heart felt full—overflowing with gratitude, love, and something she hadn’t quite named yet, but she knew it was special.

A soft knock interrupted the moment, followed by her mother’s gentle voice, ”Am I interrupting something?”

Nancy quickly looked away, brushing the tears from her eyes with a shy smile.

Tyson replied instantly, ”No, no, we’re just chatting.”

Her mother stepped further into the room, ”Alright then,” she said with a small smile, holding something in her hands. ”May I come in?”

Nancy stood up quickly, her voice wavering slightly. ”Yes, of course, Mom.”

As her mother entered fully, Nancy’s breath hitched. In her hands was the familiar Meta-bot... and a small, weathered case. Nancy froze, recognition flashing in her eyes. That case. It had belonged to her father. The one she had been told she should not touch or open. The one that had remained locked away for years.

Tyson’s brow furrowed in curiosity, his gaze flickering between Nancy and her mother. ”What’s that?” he asked,

Nancy’s voice was barely a whisper. ”Mom... is that...?”

Her mother nodded, a wistful smile gracing her lips. ”Yes, sweetheart. It’s time.”

Nancy took a tentative step closer, her heart pounding in her chest. ”But... you said—”

”I know what I said,” her mother interrupted softly, placing a reassuring hand on Nancy’s arm. ”But your father left this for the future. And I believe it’s time for Tyson to have it.”

”For me?” Tyson’s voice broke the silence, his surprise evident. His gaze shifted to Nancy, searching for answers, but she looked just as overwhelmed as he felt.

Her mother glanced at him, her expression gentle. ”Yes. Your bond with Nancy, your role as a Ranger... I think this is what he would’ve wanted. It’s something he left behind... not just for our family, but for the next generation to carry forward.”

Nancy swallowed hard, her emotions threatening to spill over again. She stared at the case, her fingers twitching with the urge to reach for it, yet hesitant.

Tyson, sensing the weight of the moment, took a step closer to Nancy, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. ”What’s inside?”

Her mother smiled softly, placing the Meta-bot and the case on Nancy’s desk. ”Why don’t we find out together?”