•Fionna•

Right now I'm cursing myself, cursing myself for asking that question, that stupid question I asked myself weeks earlier.

How hard could it be?

I narrow my eyes. It could be hard. Very, very hard. Very hard and impossible considering the fact that more time has passed and we STILL haven't found anything!

We haven't found ONE THING that could possibly point to what the guys are hiding.

How hard could it be? Well, clearly I should stop asking that question!

We're NEVER going to discover what the guys are hiding. Whatever it is will probably remain an irritating mystery for the rest of our lives.

I grit my teeth at the frustration I'm feeling. "That's it!" I say as I throw my hands in the air. "I give up! Whatever it is those boys are hiding, we are never going to find out!"

Marceline shrugs as she leads me to the tree house, one hand holding her umbrella even though the sun is starting to set, the other holding my hand as we walk.

"You're probably right," she says with a sigh. "It's been a month, and we've got nothing. Oh well. I guess that's just how it is. Besides, we've already established it's nothing bad."

A month. A whole month. It's been a month since the rest of the girls and I caught wind of the boys being up to something and decided to find out what it was.

A whole month since then, and we've got nothing. Not a thing. Whatever the guys are hiding, they're really hellbent on hiding it.

Throughout the month, the guys continued acting odd and us girls continued pretending we didn't notice as we subtly investigated them.

I kick the dirt as we continue walking through the valley. "I really thought we'd be able to find out what it was, though," I mumble as we go.

Marceline just shrugs again. "Well, unfortunately we didn't, but that's okay. They're not doing anything bad, so it's not a big deal."

I nod, trying to convince myself to let it go, to just enjoy the fact that today is the day I celebrate my and Finn's birthday. Finn's party will be next week as it is every year, and mine is today as it is every year. Maybe my birthday celebration will take my mind off whatever the guys are hiding.

"You're right, Marce," I say as we arrive at the doorstep of the tree fort. "You're right. It's okay, and I'll just leave it alone and forget about it. Today is my day, and I'm going to enjoy it instead of obsessing over something that doesn't even deserve to be obsessed over."

Marceline smiles and gives me a nod as she opens the front door. "Atta girl," she says as we step inside. Just as she closes the door behind us, the lights all flick on.

Suddenly, all my friends jump out from nowhere. "Surprise!" they shout excitedly.

I give a shout and laugh as Marceline gives me a playful smirk, telling me she knew about this surprise all along. My wonderful friends had obviously planned a surprise party for me. I'll have to make sure I get them to do the same for Finn.

I giggle happily as they all then say, "Happy eighteenth birthday, Fionna!"

"Aw, guys..." I say, touched, my voice trailing off. "Why am I not surprised? Of course you guys threw me a surprise party, and I love it."

Finn beams. "I knew you would!" he says proudly.

Everyone comes up to me and begins congratulating me on being eighteen. I smile and thank all of them, happy to once again celebrate my existence with the people I love the most.

Right after the congratulating is finished, Marshall comes up to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders before he gives me a brief kiss on my lips, though it's passionate and makes me blush all the same. "Happy birthday, baby. Love ya'."

I smile and peck him back, very thankful that my amazing and loving boyfriend is here to celebrate with me. "I love you too, you doofus. Did you help plan all this?" I say with a grin. I already know the answer.

Marshall sheepishly scratches the back of his neck with his free hand. "I might've helped a bit..." he mumbles with an adorable smile that makes my stomach flip just like it does every time he smiles.

"Well," I say, my stomach full of butterflies as I look around the room, "I can tell you guys definitely put a lot of effort into it, just like you do every year. Considering the amount of work you so obviously put into my parties, I'm not exactly sure I deserve it..."

Marshall pulls me further into him even though I thought I couldn't get closer. "Are you kidding? Fi, of course you deserve it; you deserve everything. And, yes, it may take a lot of work to make these parties happen, but let me tell you something," He pulls away and grabs me gently by my shoulders, looking straight into my eyes. "I really love you, Fionna, and I'll gladly work my hardest every year to plan the perfect party for you if it means I get to see you smile like you did just then, when you and Marcy walked in. I'll happily do whatever it takes to see you smile like that, even if it's only once in awhile, because that smile—your smile—means the world and more to me, Fi. Your amazing, beautiful smile is always the highlight of my day, the reason I get up in the morning... it's everything. And it's one of the many, many things I love about you."

I just blink at him, at a loss for words. I feel a blush creep its way up my neck and to my face.

Marshall just chuckles a bit at my silence. "If you want me to keep going, it's not a problem. I have a whole, long list of things I absolutely adore about you, love. I could do this all day."

And then I find my voice. "Marsh...," I whisper, beyond touched. "Marshall Lee Abadeer, that was so incredibly sweet of you just then... You just reminded me of every single reason why I'm madly in love with you, not that I needed a reminder; I never have to remind myself why I adore you," I look up, straight into his beautiful eyes before I lean in for a kiss. "I love you so much."

Marshall lets go of my shoulders and pulls me into him once more, his lips meeting mine halfway. "I love you more, my love. And I never have to remind myself why I do," he says with a wink after he's pulled away. "You remind me everyday without even trying. Not that I need a reminder, either; trust me when I say you could just look at me and I'd fall in love with you all over again. In any world, in any universe, in any version of reality, you could give me just one look and I'd be yours, Fionna Mertens."

And once again I'm fighting off the very strong urge to kiss him silly. "Wow, Marshall, just wow... You are being so incredibly sweet tonight... I don't know what's gotten into you, but whatever it is, I like it," I say with a smile.

Marshall smiles back. "Well, good, because you deserve to be treated this way. You deserve to be treated the best you can be treated," he says before he gives me a playful nudge and gestures at the party around us. "So, happy birthday. You deserve it all, Fionna."

I feel my face grow hot once again before I give Marshall another kiss, a brief peck on the lips. "Well, thank you. I really appreciate it," I say before I gesture at everything around us. "I love this."

Marshall leans into me once again. "I love you," he tells me before he captures me in another amazing kiss.

"Ah, come on, you guys!" I hear Finn call out, sounding disgusted. "You're in public! And we're kind of in the middle of a party right now...! I would say get a room, but we spent forever setting up for this party and I'm not about to let it go to waste!"

I roll my eyes after Marshall and I pull apart. "Shut it, Finn, and just let me enjoy my party," I tell my annoying twin.

"Yes, enjoy the party I planned!" Finn says with a huff, but he then clears his throat after he gets a few glares. "Well, actually, it wasn't just me; you guys helped of course! That's what I meant...!"

He gets a chorus of eye rolls back in response. He just awkwardly scratches the back of his neck before he gives me a grand gesture. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get this party started already!"

At that, he gets a chorus of cheers back in response. My brother then gives a satisfied nod, glad he pleased everyone.

Jake hops on the coffee table with a grand gesture of his own. With his paws raised in the air, he happily shouts, "You heard the dude! Let's bring this house down!"

Everyone cheers once again after that until Cake stands up on the coffee table too, waving her paws around. "But not literally—we just had the kitchen redone last week, so please remember that before anyone decides to go bringing down anything," she says before she crosses her arms and eyes Marshall. "I'm lookin' at you, Marshall Lee; I won't have another one of your wild, out of control ragers completely wreck my house. You all had enough fun cleaning up the one from last year, didn't you?"

Marshall turns a pale shade of white as he swallows nervously. "Yeah, I remember that, Cake. I remember that well." So do I; we spent all day cleaning up Marshall's nightmare of a party. I remember that party all too well—it'd be impossible to forget after all that cleaning we had to do and the look Cake gave us when she and Jake arrived back home to find the tree house practically in ruins.

That was one year ago. One whole year ago. It had happened a little while after my surprise party—just a few days after. I remember Marshall had faked sickness just before Cake and Jake left. He then had proceeded to call the Party Gods and got them to invite practically everyone they knew to a wild party that I previously had no idea was going to happen at the tree fort. Within a half hour, the entire tree was packed full of basically Ooo's entire population.

The party quickly became out of control, of course. Several people, including Marceline, got blind drunk and made complete and utter fools of themselves, which I must admit was sort of entertaining to watch, especially since Marcy made a fool of herself by flirting with Gumball in front of everyone.

I giggle a little to myself as I recall that memory. It was a year ago. A whole year. I can't believe that was an entire year ago. So much has happened since then—between then and now. Back then I had just turned seventeen, I was getting ready to be a senior in high school, I was pitifully single and hopelessly in love with someone I never imagined would ever return my feelings, Bubblegum and Marceline were still broken up, Finn was still hopelessly mooning over Flame Princess, Ash was still considered a cruel and incredibly annoying asshole to us, Breakfast Princess wasn't our friend (not by a long shot), we hadn't saved the world yet... So many things were different back then.

Then, a year passed and everything changed.

My friends and I successfully graduated high school. We saved the world. I'm no longer single, rather I'm very happily in an amazing relationship with Marshall Lee Abadeer, the love of my life, the guy I thought would never in a million years reciprocate my feelings. Bubblegum and Marceline got back together and are happier than ever. Finn finally grew a pair and he and FP finally got together. Ash changed and stopped being a cruel, annoying asshat to us, he betrayed Ashley and was a key part in us being able to defeat Flame Prince and Ashley and save the world, and he's kind of our friend now I guess. Breakfast Princess basically told Ashley she could shove it, ditching the miserable bitch and apologizing to me and my friends for how mean she'd been to us, then she happily became our friend, proving we are no longer enemies.

All that craziness happened in the span of a year.

Unreal.

Last year, if someone told me this is what my future would be, I would've never believed them. Most of the things that went down since last year are unbelievable to say the least; I never thought Marshall and I would get together, and I certainly never thought Breakfast Princess would one day be our friend. Plus, Ash helping us and actually being kind...? Yeah, no way. No way I could've seen any of that coming, even if someone told me it was.

Yet, here I am, and I couldn't be happier—I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Good," Cake says, pulling me away from my thoughts, "because you're not having another one."

Marshall holds up his hands in surrender. "I wasn't planning on it."

Cake gives him a curt nod. "I thought so," she says with a small huff before she grins. "Now, come on, y'all! Let's get this party started!"

Finn suddenly throws his hands up in the air. "That's what I've been saying...!" he points out, looking slightly annoyed.

Cake holds up a paw. "Shut up Finn and let's party!"

Everyone cheers as Finn rolls his eyes.

——————————

Fits of laughter fill the room as Ash finishes telling a joke.

"I can't breathe...!" Finn wheezes as he holds his sides, tears of mirth escaping his eyes.

"My sides hurt...!" Marceline snorts as her shoulders jerk up and down from laughing. "Dude, where did you learn that joke? I've never heard it before."

Ash just shrugs as he chuckles.

Gumball gives him a look as he finishes laughing. "Did you make it up?" he asks curiously.

Ash nods, smirking. "I might have."

At that, Dominick gives him a playful nudge. "Well, well, well...," he says in a teasing tone. "It seems our Ash here secretly has an incredibly dirty mind. What does that say about you if you spend your time thinking up these kinds of jokes? And here I thought you were uptight."

Ash's cheeks are tinted pink at Dominick's words before he gives him an obviously fake smile. "I'm only ever like that around you, Dom," he says through his teeth. Everyone chuckles at that.

Dominick just rolls his eyes before he nudges Ash again. "Oh shut up, you know you love me," he says before he smirks. "And, about that filthy mind of yours, I'm not bothered by it. Not at all," He wiggles his eyebrows, leaning into Ash. "Please, tell me more."

Ash's face turns red now as he gives Dominick a gentle but annoyed shove. He rolls his eyes. "Shut it, Dom. Everyone here knows your mind is the filthiest of them all. So don't even go there, you perv."

Marceline shakes her head. "It's no use; Dominick always goes there," she says with a chuckle.

"What can I say?" Dominick says, backing away from Ash and shrugging one shoulder. "It's part of my charm."

Ash snorts. "I'm sure," he says sarcastically.

"I'm sorry," Dominick says, holding a hand up. "All I can hear is everyone gushing about how awesome I am. I'm also having trouble hearing you over your blatant denial that you are, in fact, as obsessed with me as everyone else. It's okay, honey, this is a safe space; you can let your obsession with me show as much as you want."

Ash rolls his eyes yet again and I'm suddenly struck by a very odd thought; in that moment, Dominick and Ash sounded very much like an old married couple. The thought is gone as soon as it appears, though, and I shake my head at myself for thinking something so random and weird.

After Dominick's boasting, everyone laughs once more before Cake suddenly looks up at the clock on the wall.

"This has been really fun, y'all," she says as she looks back to us, "but it's starting to get late. We've been partying our butts off for hours now, and I have the feeling that everyone's starting to get a little tired and that it might be time to hit the hay."

I look up at the clock as well before my eyes widen slightly. "Yeah, Cake's got a point, guys. Just because we're celebrating, doesn't mean that we don't have things to do tomorrow. And I am pretty swamped from all the birthday fun."

Flame Princess stands up and stretches. "I'm beat too, you guys. I think Finn and I will head up to bed soon," she says with a yawn.

"Same here, girl," Breakfast Princess says, yawning also. "It's about time everyone get home and get some shuteye."

Soon, everyone has echoed Cake's declaration and confirmed that, yes, they are indeed tired. With everyone in agreement, people begin getting up and preparing to leave.

Bubblegum, Gumball, and Marceline have actually started for the door as we all say goodbye before they are suddenly stopped.

By Finn. He has stood up and held up a hand, signaling for everyone to stop. "Not so fast, guys. While I agree with Cake's declaration, no one can leave just yet," Then a smirk appears on my twin's lips. "After all, this night isn't anywhere near over. You guys haven't seen anything yet."

At that, everyone stops and all our eyes widen. Well, all the girls' eyes widen. The guys don't look even slightly caught off guard by Finn's words.

"What are you talking about?" I ask him, an eyebrow raised. "Are there more surprises?" Besides the whole surprise party and all the presents I received, I wasn't aware of any other surprises that might be happening.

Cake gives him a look before shaking her head. She then turns to me. "No, there aren't any more surprises... at least, they're aren't any more I am aware of..." Her voice trails off as she gives my brother a suspicious glance.

Finn just smiles. "That makes sense, considering it's a surprise," he says cheekily.

Cake rolls her eyes at him before placing her paws on her hips. "Finn Mertens, what are you up to?"

Finn just cocks his head to the side, an innocent look appearing on his face. "Nothing. Why would I be up to something? I'm not up to anything," he says, and I notice a slight, mischievous glint in his eyes, but it quickly vanishes.

My eyes widen. Maybe this has something to do with what the boys are hiding.

"Oh really? Then why are you making the face you always make when you're very clearly up to something?" Cake questions him, giving my twin a look that says I'm on to you.

"I told you I'm not up to anything, and I'm not," Finn says, a smirk making its way on his face. "But Marshall is."

"Speaking of," I say, looking around, "where is he? I actually haven't heard him say anything for awhile now..." My voice trails off as I continue looking for my boyfriend who has suddenly, seemingly gone missing.

Everyone else looks around also, beginning to look either curious, confused, or both. Well, everyone except the guys; they just watch us girls, looking nothing less than completely laid back and smug.

"Marshall?" Marceline says, beginning to walk around the room in search of her brother. "Marshall? Where are you, you noob? What on earth are you up to?"

She receives no answer, which means Marshall's not here or he's just ignoring her.

How can he suddenly be gone? He was just here!

I begin walking around with her, starting to get worried. My boyfriend suddenly disappeared and I have no idea where he could have gone. "Marshall! Marshall Lee, where are you? I'm not in the mood for a game of hide and seek!" I call out as I begin frantically looking, searching each room downstairs.

I'm beginning to go upstairs to look when my arm is suddenly grabbed by Finn. That same smug smirk is still on his face as he loops his arm through mine. "Allow me to escort you up, dear sister."

What the... I give him a look. "Finn, what the hell are you doing? Are you feeling okay? Do you know something? Where's Marshall?" I fire off questions at him. This definitely has something to do with what he and the rest of the guys are hiding.

Finn puts a finger to his lips. "Shh, Fionna. All will reveal itself momentarily. You'll see Marshall soon," he tells me.

I frown. "What are you—"

I'm cut off as Cake appears next to the stairs, looking up at us. "Finn, you better tell me what the hell it is you and Marshall and the rest of you crazy boys are up to, or I'm going to force it out of you and you definitely won't enjoy it if I have to do that! And where are you taking my babycakes? What's happening, Finn?" she demands, all in one breath.

Finn looks over Cake into the living room, where the girls are still standing around looking confused and the guys are still looking smug and laid back. "Ready, gentlemen?" he calls, ignoring Cake's demands.

All the guys nod, their smiles even wider. In the group, Jake pumps a fist in the air. "Absolutely!" he says eagerly.

"Definitely," Dominick says with a wink.

"Of course," Ash says after him.

"Ready as we'll ever be," Gumball answers.

Finn smiles again as the girls continue to look as confused as the guys look excited.

"Finn—" Cake starts as my twin begins to pull me up the stairs.

Finn merely gives her a wink. "Trust me, Cake, this is gonna be good."

Before Cake can say something else, Finn quickly tells her "Bye!" before he pulls me harder, causing me to pick up the pace as we climb. Just before I lose sight of the living room, I see the guys stand up and herd the girls towards the front door.

Just as Finn and I make it upstairs, I hear Gumball say, "If you ladies will please follow us, all will reveal itself momentarily. For now, just follow. We gentlemen have something we want to show you all."

As Finn and I turn down the hall, I hear the voices of the girls overlapping each other just as a door is suddenly opened and, a few seconds later, closed. The front door. Everyone left and went outside.

Finn, that knowing smile still on his face, continues to pull me along, seeming to have a specific destination in mind.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Finn, can you please tell me what the hell is going on? This has something to do with you guys' odd behavior, doesn't it? Yeah, that's right, don't think us girls didn't notice how weird you all have been acting lately! We've been noticing for awhile now."

Finn just beams at me as he pulls me along. "I have a feeling this is going to be your favorite birthday present," he says before he suddenly stops. I stop with him.

We're standing right outside Marshall and I's bedroom door.

I keep giving Finn a look as he lets go of my arm. "Why are we outside Marshall and I's bedroom? Why did you bring me here?" I question. I have a feeling I'll be asking a lot more questions tonight.

"You're about to see," Finn says mysteriously before he reaches out and grabs the doorknob, turning it so the door opens, revealing Marshall and I's room.

Everything is the same way Marshall and I left it this morning. Everything is in place, our bed is made... Nothing's different.

Except for the outfit laying neatly on our made bed.

My eyes widen as Finn and I step inside the room. As I get closer, I realize the outfit isn't just an outfit, rather a gorgeous dress—the same gorgeous dress I wore the night Marshall and I had our very first date.

As I look at it, sweet nostalgia washes over me from that very special night. It was amazing; one of the most romantic times of my entire life. The night Marshall and I officially became boyfriend and girlfriend—the night we made our relationship official. I'll never forget it.

Marshall had taken me to a random spot in the valley and surprised me with the most amazing candlelight dinner. After we ate, he further surprised me with a band that played my favorite song. Marshall asked me to dance to it with him, and so we did. It was the best dance I ever had, so romantic and perfect—even when it started raining from out of nowhere as we danced, effectively drenching Marshall and me and causing the poor band to ditch us, their instruments and themselves having gotten thoroughly drenched also.

At the end of it all, I happily said I'd be Marshall's girlfriend before we shared a passionate kiss under the stars, soaking wet.

I feel my face heat up slightly as I smile fondly at the memory. No matter how much time passes, I'll never forget that night. I fell even more in love with Marshall that night after all, and before then I thought I couldn't be any more in love with him than I already was.

I was wrong, obviously.

"Are we just going to stare it forever? It'd be a shame to waste all this time, considering the fact that we're on a schedule."

Finn's voice snaps me out of my nostalgic period. I blink, looking away from the dress and back at him. I feel my face heat up even more. I forgot he was here.

"Well, why is it here? And what schedule are we supposedly on?" I ask him, putting a hand on my hip and cocking my head to the side.

Instead of giving me an answer, Finn simply nods his head at the dress, obviously gesturing for me to get closer.

So, with another look at my brother, I walk farther inside the room, approaching the bed. When I stand right next to it, I notice something I didn't notice right away—a card sitting on top of the dress.

I curiously pick it up just as Finn appears beside me. Then, I open it and I read it aloud.

"Let's take a trip down memory lane," I read. "Wear me." I turn the card over to see if there's more anywhere else, but there's nothing. So I close it and set it down on the bed next to the dress.

I just stand there, looking at the dress before I look to Finn. I raise an eyebrow.

Finn raises one in return. "Well? What are you waiting for?" he says before he gestures at the dress again, this time with his arm. "Wear it."

Then, without another word, he turns and abruptly walks out of Marshall and I's room, closing the door behind himself.

He's giving me privacy so I can change. Duh.

So, although I still don't have the faintest idea of what's going on, I wiggle out of my clothes and toss them to the side before I carefully pick up the dress from its spot on the bed and begin to put it on.

Once I have it mostly on me, I call for Finn. The door opens and he comes back inside the room.

I turn my back to him. "Can you zip me up?"

"Of course," A few moments later, I feel Finn's fingers zip up the back of the dress. "All done."

I turn back around and give him a thankful smile.

"Okay," Finn says before he reaches inside one of his pants pockets and pulls out a hair tie. "Now your hair."

I blink at him. "Pardon?"

"Turn around," Finn says, and I give him yet another look before I do as he says. Once I am facing away from him, Finn gets to work pulling my hair up.

Moments later, his hands leave my hair. I turn to face him again. He's wearing another smile. "There. I'm sure it's not exactly like how Cake did it, but I think it might be close enough. Don't be too harsh; I did do my best, and I've been practicing this hairstyle for awhile now."

At that, I go to the mirror and look at my reflection. My eyes widen. I look exactly how I looked the night of Marshall and I's first date. Minus my hair; Finn didn't get it exactly like Cake got it of course, but it's pretty close. Frankly, I'm surprised—and impressed—that my twin brother can do a decent hairstyle and successfully leave the rest of my hair free, and he really did do a good job.

My hairdo isn't the best ever, but it's nice and neat and a far cry from anything I ever thought Finn could do with hair.

"Wow," I say as I gently stroke my newly styled hair. "I'm impressed, bro. Nice job."

Finn smiles. "Well, hopefully my stylist skills won't be the thing you're the most impressed with night," he says with another wink before he points down at the ground. "There are your shoes."

I look down to where he's pointing and see the exact same pair of shoes I wore on Marshall and I's first date. I grin before I pick them up off the floor, sit on the bed, and begin putting them on.

Once I have them on, I stand and cross my arms, giving my twin bro an expectant look. "Well? What now?" I question him.

Finn smirks yet again. "Please, do come with me."

With that, he offers me his arm and I take it. Then he turns and I do the same before we leave Marshall and I's room and venture into the hall.

From there we head back downstairs and into the living room where Finn leads me to the front door and suddenly stops, reaching up at the door to a piece of folded paper that wasn't there before. He then hands it to me. My eyes widen, and I slowly reach out and take the paper. Finn clears his throat, clearly his way of saying open the card.

So, I do. There's writing inside it, like the one that was on my dress. I start reading aloud. "Our first kiss together," I read as I see Finn, out of the corner of my eye, suddenly start to point up at the top of the door, "was right here, under this mistletoe. It was undoubtedly one of the best days of my entire life. The greatest Christmas gift I've ever received."

I blush as I finish reading before I look up to what Finn is pointing at and am surprised to see mistletoe hanging from the top of the door in the exact spot it was in when Marshall and I had our first kiss right here, as all our friends shamelessly egged us on because mistletoe is a Christmas tradition.

I smile at the funny and embarrassing memory. To get our friends to shut up, I had pulled Marshall forward and kissed him while he just floated there, upside down in the air, frozen in probably utter shock and surprise.

Then I'd promptly pulled away and told him Merry Christmas as I blushed like a complete fool before I slammed the door in his face.

The days that followed were, as expected and dreaded, completely and totally awkward.

Ah. Good times.

"Remember?" Finn says in a teasing tone, another smirk plastered on his face.

I give him a look. "Yes, I remember. And, for your information, I love that memory."

Finn chuckles. "I'm sure you do, sis. I'm sure Marshall does too," he says before he puts his hands in his pockets. He sighs. "Well, on we go."

With that, I put down the card and he grabs my arm and opens the front door, leading me outside before closing the door behind ourselves.

"Miss Mertens," Finn says in a formal voice, "will you please accompany me on a trip to the Candy Kingdom, as it is our next destination?"

I giggle at his "formal" voice and give him a nod. Whatever it is he and the guys have been planning all this time, I am certainly interested in seeing how it's going to play out. "Of course, brother of mine," I say back in an equally "formal" voice.

At that, Finn laughs before we start in the direction of the Candy Kingdom.

We walk and walk, me probing Finn about what the heck is going on, and Finn dodging all my questions, irritating me to no end.

We arrive at the Candy Kingdom minutes later, around the time it usually takes someone to get there from our tree house.

When we arrive at the large double doors that lead into the kingdom, the usual two banana guards are standing alert in front of the doors.

Before I can even ask them to let us in, they pull open the doors and gesture inside.

"Hello, Finn. Hello, Fionna," one of the guards says with a smile.

"We've been expecting you," the other says, smiling also.

Expecting us? I look to Finn.

He merely matches the guards' smiles with his own. "Thank you, gentlemen. Come on, Fi."

So I just let Finn take my hand as the banana guards open the doors to let us in. Finn gives them a nod and a smile before proceeding to escort me into the kingdom. The banana guards and Finn share one more smile before the banana guards close the doors behind us.

The second I take my eyes off the doors, my eyes widen and my jaw drops.

The Candy Kingdom looks how it usually does—the the citizens' houses all around, the Candy Kingdom palace in the distance, everything around us sugary and sweet. Everything is how it always is, minus the damage the kingdom took from the monster, but some of that's repaired, plus we're all sort of used to that by now; the construction crew and daily volunteers are something everyone's used to seeing by now.

All in all, the kingdom is completely normal-looking.

Except for the strings of lanterns throughout the streets and the many, many rose petals littered on the ground in the form of a pathway. Because it's dark out and the kingdom seems to be empty for some reason, that makes it the perfect setting for this setup.

My eyes still widened, I see Finn smile even wider. I don't respond to his reaction to my reaction—I just continue to gawk at the whole display that wasn't here twenty-four hours ago.

And then, finally, I'm able to close my mouth and unwiden my eyes. Then, I'm able to speak. "What... What is all this? Where did it come from? Who...?" My voice trails off as I turn to my twin, giving him yet another look. I cross my arms. "Finn, what's going on?"

Finn just chuckles. "Now would what be the point of telling you that? It would ruin all the fun."

"Finn—"

"Fionna," he interrupts me, now pointing down at the ground, "there's more."

I look down to where he's pointing and see another card, like the dress one and the mistletoe one. But this card is on the ground.

So, I bend down to pick it up. Once I have it in my hands, I open it up and begin reading aloud.

"Follow the rose petals, bunny," I read. I blush, like I always do, when my special nickname is used. And Marshall's the only one who uses it.

I close the card and turn to Finn again, who's smirking again. "Marshall's behind all this, isn't he? It became kind of obvious after the mistletoe card. Plus, he's been missing this entire time. What's going on? What's he think he's doing? Why is he doing it? Where is he?" I question Finn once again, though I know he's probably going to either ignore me again or refuse to answer—again.

"Jeez, sis, quit asking questions, will ya'? It's ruining the mood," Finn tells me with an amused smile. "Just take it all in, yeah? Just look at it all. No questions, just looking."

So I do; I look around in amazement at the setup that obviously took some work. It's beautiful and romantic, even if I have no idea why it's here. It's obvious Marshall's behind this too, but why would he do all this? Maybe it's an over-the-top birthday gift. Or maybe he forgot to get me a present and this an over-the-top apology. Who knows? I certainly don't.

"Um, hello?" Finn says, waving a hand in front of my face. "Are you going to follow the rose petals or...?"

I snap out of my train of thought before I put the card back down and turn to my twin, giving him a look. "Of course I am. Don't get your panties in a twist, bro."

Finn rolls his eyes at my reply. "Come on, let's just go, already. And never say that again," he says before I smirk and we begin to do what the card told us to—follow the beautiful trail of rose petals.

We follow them all throughout the kingdom, passing through familiar streets and winding around the citizens' houses. As we keep going, the trail does too, never seeming to end. Does it end? This whole thing could be a prank the boys set up just to see me follow an endless trail of petals that leads nowhere like an idiot.

Or, this could be bigger than that. Honestly, with the boys, you never know.

Soon, I notice where the trail of rose petals is leading us—the palace. Finn and I approach it to see the double doors are open and there are no guards this time. I give Finn a look which he ignores before he leads me inside the palace.

We continue to follow the trail into the palace's ballroom, which immediately sets off an array of memories. I've spent a lot of time in this room, partying with my friends and celebrating on many different occasions.

The trail leads us to a random table in the middle of the ballroom. Just one—all the other tables are pushed against the walls. The table in the middle of the room is one of the many tables used for the parties that take place here. I've sat at these tables many times.

As Finn and I approach the table, I see yet another card, this one set neatly atop the table along with a microphone sitting right next to it. I pick up the card, open it, and begin to read it.

"This is where Bubblegum and Gumball's annual New Years Eve Gala is always celebrated, and also where you and I shared our first romantic dance and our first real kiss. Both were amazing and completely rocked my world, just like you do everyday, my love. This is also where I stood on top of a table with a microphone like the lovestruck fool I am and confessed my undying love for you in front of everyone, which WAS sort of terrifying but definitely worth it. It was also one of the best days of my entire life."

By the time I'm done reading, I'm nearly tearing up, incredibly touched. I put down the card and pick up the microphone, the very one Marshall used when he stood on top of a table and professed his love to me in front of practically everyone in Ooo. As the amazing memory replays in my head, I feel yet another blush attack my cheeks and heartfelt tears prick my eyes.

"Well," Finn says, pulling me back down to earth, "by the way you're reacting, I can tell that you probably remember and enjoyed that moment. I definitely do."

I turn and smile at my twin before I put down the microphone. "Seriously, Finn, what is Marshall's play here? What's he trying to do other than be incredibly sweet and make me cry?" I wipe at those tears that threaten to fall. "What is this?"

"How many times do I have to not answer your question? All will reveal itself momentarily, sis. Trust me."

So I once again take every ounce of curiosity inside myself and shove it down real deep so I can hopefully ignore it and just go with the flow. That, of course, hasn't worked even once tonight, but I'll still keep trying anyway. If I don't keep trying, I know the curiosity will kill me.

"Okay," I say, turning away from the table and towards him. "Where to next?"

Finn nods at the rose petal trail, which continues out of the ballroom. "Follow the trail."

So we do, again going wherever the trail leads us. It takes us through the palace and all the way back outside, into the distance.

Finn and I keep following. We stay silent as we head to our next destination, myself too curious to speak, knowing that I'll just keep asking Finn questions if I do speak.

As we walk, I continue to think about all the stuff that's happened tonight. Obviously, Marshall's behind all of it. What I don't know and what's driving me crazy is why; why would he do all these things seemingly out of nowhere? Is it an over-the-top birthday gift? What's he trying to do?

As these questions keep swirling around and around in my head with no answers, Finn and I eventually arrive to the next destination the rose petals are leading us to: what used to be Marshall and Marcy's cave and what is now Dominick and Ash's cave. As we enter the cave, we notice the house's front door is open and the rose petals continue inside.

So Finn and I follow the petals inside the house. Just as I start to continue to follow the petals, Finn tugs on my arm and gives me a smile.

"What are you doing?" I ask him curiously. "Don't we keep following the rose petals?"

"No, you do for now. I'll be here waiting for you," He cringes. "I really think it's best that you relive this memory by yourself; I would really prefer you do that, and Marshall probably would really prefer that too."

I just blink at my twin. "Um, okay," I say before Finn steps outside the house and I begin to continue on. "See you in a few, I guess."

Finn nods. "See you in a few; we've still got another place to be."

I give him a smile before I keep walking inside the house. Soon, I'm in the living room and I immediately notice a difference—there's a table in the middle of the room, the kitchen table, and there more rose petals scattered around it and candles all around.

I feel myself begin to tear up again when I realize Marshall's recreated our first Valentine's Day together. That day, we'd had a romantic dinner and an excellent time before we...

I instantly feel my face heat up. Before we had sex for the very first time.

No wonder Finn didn't want to come; it definitely makes sense now.

This is an intimate memory, an incredibly intimate one. I don't want anyone else here, either.

This moment was entirely for Marshall and me. Just us. Being very much in love.

The blush stays on my cheeks as I pick up another card, this one set neatly in the middle of the table.

I smile as I open it and read it aloud to myself.

"You obviously remember this one. At least, I really hope you do. I certainly do, and it was the best night of my life. Well, ONE of them—with you, I've realized, there's a LOT of best nights. I can't really have a favorite at this point. There are so many great times with you, so really, I can't possibly pick one favorite; they're all my favorite, although this particular one ranks REALLY high. This was the very first Valentine's Day we spent together as a couple as well as very first night we made love. It was absolutely amazing for me, of course. If it was even possible, that night made me love you even more, which I thought was impossible because I had thought I had reached the absolute limit that someone could love someone else. However, I've realized that, if you're really in love with a person like I am with you, there's no limit as to how much you can possibly love them. That's proven to me everyday I'm with you, because each day I love you a little bit more, which is something I'll definitely continue doing." When I finish reading, I feel a tear trail down my face and I wipe it away.

God, is there a sweeter guy in this universe? I seriously doubt it.

If there's a sweetest guy in the universe, I've claimed him and been dating him.

Can a girl possibly get any luckier? I think not.

I continue to smile as I look around the room, reliving that amazing night. How incredibly sweet and romantic Marshall was, how thought out and beautiful our Valentine's Day date was, how earth-shatteringly incredible he made my first time... all of it.

As I think about it all, I feel myself tear up yet again. Annoyed now, I sniffle and wipe my tears away, trying to calm myself.

God, Fionna, would you quit crying like a baby? You're pathetic.

Maybe I am, but honestly I don't think anyone could blame me with what Marshall's put me through tonight. I've never been more touched in my entire life.

Smiling, I put down the card and take one last look at the room before I follow the rose petals back outside.

I keep following the trail until I'm outside the house where Finn is still waiting. He smiles when I emerge. "I'd ask if you liked it, but from the look on your face... Well, that already answers my question."

I sniffle again, still a little emotionally overwhelmed. "I swear to God, Finn, if someone doesn't tell me what's going on—"

"Someone will," Finn interrupts with a smile, this one seeming even more excited than the others. He then to turns to leave. "Come on, now. Let's go."

So we do, he and I leaving the house and cave to follow the rose petals in another direction.

As we're walking, I notice this time Finn's smile won't leave his face, as if it's permanently glued there. He's been smiling all night, but it was nothing like this; right now he looks like he's going to burst at any moment with... excitement? Anticipation? Happiness? All of the above?

We get farther away from the cave and go deeper into the valley, my curiosity as bad as it's ever been.

So, for that reason, I continue to follow Finn follow the rose petals. I wonder where he's taking me now.

Well, whatever this is, whatever this is about, I'm certainly anxious to find out; if I don't I swear I will explode.

After a few more minutes of walking (which really felt like a million years), I suddenly see something in the distance.

A light.

Well, more like lights.

And people... holding them?

As we get closer, I make out the shapes of several people holding the lights... no, holding fire, actually... candles?

Getting closer, I see that there are two lines of people, each holding what appears to be a candle.

I also see the person standing in between the lines.

When we get even closer, I realize who the "people" are.

My friends, all of them, standing in two lines, each holding—yes—candles.

And in between the lines, holding a red rose, is the very guy that disappeared earlier tonight, the guy that's probably—no, definitely—behind all this.

Marshall.

Finn smiles the biggest I've seen him smile tonight as we continue to get closer. "Well, Fi, all your endless questions are about to be answered," he says with a wink.

As we begin to approach them, I see there's a table about a foot away from Marshall to the side, sporting two chairs and a candle of its own.

And then I realize exactly where we are.

We're not just in the valley.

We're where Marshall and I had our very first date—the very same spot.

It's then I recognize the table and chairs; they were the exact ones used that night, when Marshall and I sat down to share a delicious and romantic dinner.

When we approach everyone, I'm smiling as I notice the tux Marshall's wearing is the exact same one he wore for our date, just like me with my dress.

Marshall smiles back before he holds out the rose. "Welcome, Miss Mertens, to your final destination of the night. You've enjoyed it so far, love?"

I just look at him as I take the rose. "Marshall Lee, what is going on here?" I ask him, desperate for answers to my questions, questions I've been asking all night.

Marshall just raises an eyebrow as my friends all watch me, seeming excited like Finn. "Why, whatever do you mean?"

I narrow my eyes at him before I reach over and put the rose down on the table. "Don't you dare, Abadeer. I've had to endure Finn doing that to me all night, I will NOT do it with you too! All night, Finn's been taking me from this place to that, not answering any of my questions," I say, beginning to once again get emotional. "And all night I've been reading these incredibly amazing, incredibly sweet cards that you wrote, and all night I've been wondering what the hell is going on and where the hell you were. He didn't answer those questions either. And now that I've finally found you...," I take a step towards my boyfriend, giving him a pleading look. "What is going on, Marshall? If someone doesn't tell me right now—right this second—I will seriously lose it."

Instead of answering me, however, Marshall just looks to Finn. "She been acting like this all the way here?"

Finn nods, a tired expression on his face. "You bet," he says with a sigh. I glare at the both of them.

"Marshall—"

"Fionna," he cuts me off sweetly, and I sort of want to strangle him (and Finn), "I love you. You know that?"

I just give him a long look before I answer. "Yes, of course. You know I do," I look away from him. "And I love you too, idiot. More than anything in this universe—you know that too."

Marshall smiles, looking like he might... cry? Good God, what is happening? "I love you, Fi. I love you so very much. I love you more than I've ever loved anything. You own me completely—body, mind, and soul—and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll love you forever, Fionna Mertens."

Oh, great, now I might cry too; I'm tearing up AGAIN. I subtly try to blink away my tears again, once again annoyed at how many times I've almost cried tonight. Will it ever end? Do I really want it to? "Glob, Marshall, you make me crazy in so many ways... and I love you more than anything because you do that and because you're you. In fact, you're especially driving me crazy right now."

At what I've said, Marshall smiles again. "Don't worry, bunny. All your questions are about to be answered, and I really hope you like the answers," He gestures around at this whole setup. "I've been planning this for awhile now, and every single bit of it I did for you, to show you how much I love you."

My eyes widen at my boyfriend, so handsomely dressed, at our surroundings that he's worked on, at the things he's saying... Honestly, the most shocking thing in the world could happen right now and I wouldn't notice. "Marshall..." I whisper, kind of at a loss for words.

He keeps going. "I did all this—I took you through all those memories—because I wanted to show you how much they meant to me and how incredibly happy they made me and still make me. I wanted to show you how incredibly happy you made me and still make me and will always make me. Every minute—every second—we spend together makes me happier than anything in the whole universe. I'm telling you, I've never been as happy as I am now, when we spend time together and I get to tell you I love you. I am in love with you, Fionna, and I'd love nothing more than to get to say that to you—every day, every hour, every minute, every second—for as long as you'll have me."

Then Marshall gently takes my hands in his as he looks into my eyes, and I see nothing but love for me in them. At that, and his words, I begin tearing up again, only this time a few tears make it out of my eyes. "Marshall..." I whisper again, and I swear to God I can't even function right now.

Marshall smiles at me the sweetest he's smiled at me today. "I've loved you, I still love you, I'll always love you, and I want to tell you I love you for the rest of our lives," he says, and I feel my throat close up and more tears leave my eyes as I'm finally beginning to realize just what this might be—what all this might be, and the realization has me feeling so dizzy that I may faint.

But I don't faint, and Marshall continues holding my hands in his, giving them a soft squeeze before he lets them go and does something that nearly makes my heart leap out of my chest, something that definitely should have made me faint.

Marshall Lee Abadeer—my boyfriend and the love of my life—gets down on one knee.

I feel all the blood drain from my face as I gasp at what he's just done. The tears leave my eyes faster now, trailing down my cheeks. Faintly, I hear my friends start to buzz excitedly, and I think I even hear Cake and Marceline squeal a little.

But Marshall ignores them, his eyes still completely on me as reaches into his tuxedo jacket and pulls out a small black box.

It's then I notice that he looks nervous.

Marshall swallows before he continues to look deeply into my eyes, now having to look up to meet my gaze.

"I love you with all my heart," he says, still staring into my eyes, "with everything that I am, every fiber of my being, I love you so much. And I want to spend the rest of my life telling you that because I am so incredibly in love with you, it's crazy. You're absolutely, completely, undoubtedly the love of my life and you always will be. You have my whole heart, bunny, and you can keep it forever because it's yours and it's always been yours." Marshall then opens the small black box, and my eyes immediately widen as I gasp at the amazingly beautiful ring that's sitting inside.

I swear by now I'm a complete mess, tears streaming down my cheeks as I try to hold back a sob at what's happening and what he's doing.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to fall asleep beside you every night and wake up next to you every morning. You are the greatest love of my life and you will always have a special place in my heart, for all eternity. You're the one, you've always been the one, and you will be forever. So, Fionna Mertens, will you make me the happiest guy in the entire freaking universe?" Marshall says before he smiles nervously yet adorably and stares deeply into my eyes. "Will you marry me?"

My mouth falls open even more in a gasp and I just stare at Marshall—my beautifully amazing boyfriend, the love of my life—as I process what he said and what's happening.

"Oh my God," I let out quietly to myself, and Marceline and Cake squeal again, only way louder this time.

He just asked me to marry him. Marshall Lee Abadeer just asked me to MARRY HIM.

Oh God.

The thought of being married to Marshall makes me want to squeal out loud and jump up and down and laugh like a complete and total maniac. The thought of spending our lives together as husband and wife has me nearly falling over in a heap of giddy, lovesick happiness.

Marshall Lee Abadeer is the love of my life—he has been for awhile now and he always will be, not a single doubt about it. I am more in love with him than anything or anyone and I'd gladly give up everything I owned if it meant I could have him forever. He makes me absolutely crazy, but in a very good way. I'm so completely, amazingly, and wholeheartedly in love with him that it's insane, but I simply don't care because loving him makes me the happiest girl alive, and spending the rest of my life with him would make me even happier.

So, as I continue to look at Marshall and notice he looks even more nervous now, I close my mouth and smile the biggest and happiest smile I've probably ever smiled all the while my tears still run down my cheeks.

"Yes," I sort of whisper-choke through my tears of happiness.

"What?" Marshall asks, looking hopeful yet scared at the same time. "Was that a yes?"

I nod, emotionally overwhelmed and incredibly touched as my stupid tears continue to flow. "Yes," I say louder this time, continuing to nod again and again. "Yes, it's a yes! One million times yes! I will marry you, you dork! I love you so much, Marshall Lee!"

Marshall's face instantly lights up and he smiles widely, and it's then I notice the tears in his eyes. Tears of happiness, just like mine. My heart does a happy hop at his joy, at the fact that he asked me to marry him and that he's happy that I said yes.

Overwhelmed with giddy happiness and my love for him, I launch myself at him with a joyful laugh as I continue to cry like a baby. Marshall barely has a enough time to stand up and catch me.

He holds me and spins me around with with a joyful laugh of his own, his hand holding the box with the ring against my waist.

Then we stop spinning, he puts me down, and his smile is the widest I've ever seen it as I wipe my tears away and he takes the ring out of the box.

I gasp again as I fully take in the incredibly, mind-blowingly gorgeous ring before Marshall gently slides it on to my ring finger, holding my hand like a gentleman.

"You said yes," Marshall says after he lets my hand go. He then looks to our friends and points at me enthusiastically. "She said yes!"

At that, my friends all cheer and clap their hands, smiles on all their faces, some of them are even crying like Cake, who's practically sobbing.

Suddenly, Marshall takes me in his arms again and kisses me so passionately it makes my head spin and my heart flutter. His arms wrap around me once again and I feel the intensity of his love and happiness as he kisses me, and I kiss back with just as much love and happiness. He spins me around again, his lips leaving my mouth as he kisses me all over—my cheeks, my chin, the corners of my lips, my entire face basically—and I kiss him all over as well.

Then, we once again stop spinning and his lips are once again fully against mine, the kiss he gives me this time even more loving and passionate than the last one. I happily give as much as I take, feeling this kiss all the way to my toes.

Eventually we break apart, smiling at each other like idiots, before Marshall lets me go and I admire my ring.

My engagement ring.

Marshall and I are ENGAGED.

My heart soars at the thought as I stare at the beautiful ring on my finger. "Marshall, it's so beautiful..."

Marshall's face lights up again. "You like it?" he asks hopefully.

I give him a look. "I love it. It's the most amazing, incredible, gorgeous thing that anyone's ever given me! It's perfect," I gesture around at everything. "This whole night has been perfect. It's all so incredibly sweet and romantic and... It was just perfect."

"Good," Marshall says before he takes my hand in his. "You deserve perfect, Fionna. You deserve everything I can give you, and I promise I'll do my best to make sure you're treated the best you can be treated and loved wholeheartedly and unconditionally. I promise I'll be the husband you deserve and I'll make you happy. That's my promise to you, my love, and I swear I'll keep it. I love you."

I smile at my too-good-to-be-true boyfriend—correction: fiancé. I wrap my arms around his neck and look into his eyes. My fiancé. Not my boyfriend anymore. Marshall Lee Abadeer is now my fiancé.

And I couldn't be happier about it.

I stare into his eyes just as deeply as he stared into mine, and I hope that my gaze shows just as much love and devotion for him as his did for me. "I love you too," I say back, meaning it more than I've ever meant anything before.

Then we share one more kiss, this one short unlike the other two, but still just as passionate and sweet. Soon we separate, and we both motion for all our friends to come over.

They all eagerly oblige, putting down their candles on the table and quickly making their way over to us, smiling widely.

"Hey guys," I say, wiping away my tears again and holding out my left hand. "Look at my ring! My amazing engagement ring!"

At that, everyone immediately fawns over my new ring, especially the girls, and especially Cake.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Flame Princess gushes.

"Absolutely amazing," Bubblegum says.

"Wow, that's a rock, alright," Marceline muses. "The rest of you boys, take notes."

"OMG, it's absolutely stunning!" Breakfast Princess squeals along with Cake, who jumps at me and wraps me into a huge hug.

"OH MY GOODNESS, BABYCAKES, THAT IS THE MOST GORGEOUS RING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN ALL MY NINE LIVES AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND DAZZLING AND SPECTACULAR AND YOU AND MARSHALL ARE ENGAGED AND THAT'S SO GREAT AND WONDERFUL I CAN'T EVEN—"

"Cake... please let me go...," I wheeze. "I can't... I can't breathe..."

"Sorry!" Cake says, unwrapping from me and standing back with a smile. "Wouldn't want to suffocate you before the wedding!"

Wedding. That word swoops in at me as I re-realize what Marshall asked me and what I agreed to. I look down at my hand once again at the beautiful ring that is now on my previously ringless ring finger.

Marshall and I are getting married; there's going to be a wedding.

Marshall is going to be my husband, and I'm going to be his wife.

And right now he's my fiancé.

If someone had told me a year ago that Marshall Lee Abadeer would one day propose to me and I would be thinking about our wedding because it was actually going to happen, I would've told them they were insane and I would've never believed them in a million years.

But it DID happen and is IS happening; Marshall proposed to me and we're going to get married. I don't even try to fight the idiotic smile that overtakes my face. We're going to be husband and wife.

"Baby?" Marshall's voice suddenly rings in my ears. "Are you okay? You've kind of been staring out into space for a few seconds..." He looks kind of worried, as if he seriously thinks I'm about to take back the yes I gave him and tell him I don't want to marry him after all.

Yeah, as if I'd ever do THAT. "Yeah, I'm fine. Actually, I'm not fine," I say before I take his hand in my own. "I'm great. I've never felt more happy than I do right now. You make me the happiest, Marshall Lee. I love you."

Marshall smiles again before he lifts my hand to his lips. He then kisses it before he brings it to his chest and holds it against there. "I love you," he says, and I feel how much he means it to my very core.

I've never loved this much. I never thought I could love this much. I never thought I'd be loved this much.

Then Marshall comes along and proves me wrong. And I couldn't be happier about that; I wouldn't want it any other way.

Right now, in this moment, just me and Marshall and all our closest friends and family, I've never been happier. This is the happiest I've ever been. Surely I couldn't be much happier, surely there has to be a limit to happiness?

Or maybe there's not; maybe there's no limit to how happy you can be.

When I look at Marshall and all my friends and family, I know right away that's true—if you're truly happy, then there's absolutely no limit to that happiness.

And this moment, I know for sure, is definite proof of that.

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Yet another insanely long chapter. I'm not even going to tell you how many words this one was it's so embarrassing.

Yes, I have a problem, and no, I'm not going to do anything about it because that would require I stop writing which is something I'm never going to do ever.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, because there's still more to come; Marshall and Fionna are getting married! I'm sure you want to see how that goes as well as see how this story ends.

Anyway, thank you all for reading and I hope you'll stick around for more chapters!

-RadipDagger✌️