High above Nexus Spire, anchored in a geostationary location by an OTech drive at the edge of the planet's atmosphere, a domed garden hung peacefully. The location was used frequently by any number of people for many different events which meant that the venue was an expensive one to book. Of course, this wasn't an issue for Del, especially since a majority of the resources used to produce the platform came directly from him.

Vivian was surprised that Del had been able to keep the place a secret from her. Not that Del was actually keeping it secret, he just had a hand in so many different projects and places that Vivian could live her entire natural life and not have time to see everything he had access to.

It was much more than Vivian thought any one person should have, but to his credit, most of the spaces that he contributes to, if not owns directly, are designed for public use, including dozens of other gardens just like this one. As their transport moved in to dock in a hanger below the garden, Vivian couldn't help but feel like she was in an old Sci-Fi movie.

After they stepped off the transport, Vivian and Del were ushered across the hangar by a companion to an elevator that took them up to the surface of the Garden. The elevator doors opened to a breathtaking view of a veridian pasture complete with a few hills and a large oak tree marking the exact center of the garden. The garden was on a gentle gradient, creating a greater view of the atmosphere and curve of the planet below.

"Oh my God!" Vivian couldn't help herself.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" Del replied. His fingers weaved into hers as he pulled her close.

The bright blue atmosphere and main star above provided ample light, but the atmosphere quickly faded to a black starscape. The couple stepped out of the elevator and began walking a white stone path toward the tree at the center. Vivian looked at the grass on her side of the walkway.

"Are there any bugs?" She asked.

"No, not here," Del said.

"Oh, damn," Vivian had a tinge of disappointment, but she was glad that she didn't have to worry about stepping on anything. She removed her heels and began walking beside barefoot in the grass.

"Many of the other gardens have butterflies and bees to help pollinate the flowers, but this one is distinctly insect free."

Vivian had to resist the urge to peel off into the grass and roll around in it like a child would. She kept herself contained and at pace with Del. A companion followed behind, carrying the basket and blanket needed for a classic picnic.

Even though the garden was meticulously temperature-controlled, they chose a spot under the shade of the oak tree for the cool, manufactured breeze. The companion laid out the blanket and basket, then disappeared from sight. Vivian took Del's hand as they took their positions on the blanket.

A plate of finely crafted tuna sandwiches was retrieved from the basket, followed by a bottle of real, vintage, pre-contact wine and a pair of glasses. Vivian raised an eyebrow as she watched him remove the cork and begin pouring.

"What's the occasion?" She asked.

"Today marks six months since we've been living together, and I haven't regretted a moment." Del handed Vivian one of the filled glasses. "I find the time that I spend with you to be the highlight of my life. Even though we've known each other for around 2 percent of our lives so far, I struggle to imagine the kind of person I would be without you keeping my feet on the ground."

A chuckle left Vivian's lips, to which Del raised an eyebrow. She could see his confusion, and she simply gestured toward the view, pointing out the irony of their current location.

"You make a fine point, no words needed." Del nodded his head and laughed himself. "I could have purchased this slot to be used for a public event, or provide it to people who otherwise wouldn't have access. At least I'm preventing other trillionaires from using it for their own purposes, or not using it at all, as is often the case."

"Is that what we're drinking to?" Vivian asked. "Minorly inconveniencing other trillionaires?"

"How about to us, and to our future together?"

"I suppose that's a little more palatable."

Their glasses clinked together and they took a sip of the fine wine. Vivian wasn't much of a wine drinker, nor was Del, but they were both delighted by the rich flavor.

"Mmmm! It's good!" She said. Del agreed with a nod.

"It is! Though, my palette isn't very refined. I wouldn't really know if it was a bad wine, comparatively speaking."

"Neither would I," Vivian said with a laugh.

"Well, I hope it is good for how expensive it was."

"I don't want to know the price, but is there anything special about it?"

"It's a 2020 vintage, so..." Del trailed off, but Vivian was already surprised.

"Wow! So, not only is it from Earth, but it's pre-contact too?"

"That's right. It's aged for over 60 years, which is pretty good, I guess."

"Is 2020 a good vintage or whatever?" Vivian asked. Del shrugged.

"According to the internet, maybe?" He chuckled. "Apparently there was a pandemic that had far-reaching affects on the wine industry, so the quality of the grapes being grown, harvested, and processed varied between vineyards."

"I imagine even the worst stuff from Earth is more expensive than some of the best stuff elsewhere."

"Your imagination is astute." Del clinked his glass against Vivian's and took another sip. "But, I can certainly afford it, and there are much worse things to spend money on."

"How do you figure?" Vivian asked. "I'm not so sure alcohol is very high up on my list of necessities."

"Maybe not the alcohol itself, but the producer pledges a majority of its profits toward restoring and balancing Earth's climate and ecosystems."

"Have you ever been to Earth?"

"Not physically, no."

"Does that feel strange to you?" Vivian's question raised Del's eyebrow. She continued, "supporting a place that you've never seen or been to?"

"Not in the least bit, and I'm sure you'd agree that providing support, financial or otherwise, to people in need isn't something to feel strange about."

Once upon a time, Vivian would have rolled her eyes and called his philanthropy performative, but she had known him long enough to understand that these were his true beliefs, and she loved him for it. She smiled through her glass.

"I didn't mean to criticize... What I meant was-"

"Maybe we should go see it ourselves?"