A/N: Wow, I am so sorry it took me so long to update! Buuuuuuut here is a pretty long one-shot. :) One thing I didn't say beforehand, but these oneshots - even though technically being new plots - do belong in the same timeline. So, the first oneshot occurred first, this occurred next, and so on with more updates.

Please enjoy! Please review! Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Thanks so much for reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe at all.


"You Smell Nice."


"Bye, Connie!" Steven called, leaning his body out of the van's window and waving wildly.

Despite Steven having already told her goodbye multiple times, Connie still turned around from her front door to smile and wave before she went inside her home.

"Bye!" Steven called again to a closed door before he sat himself down in the passenger seat and buckled his seat belt.

Greg drove the van away as he said, "You and Connie have been spending a lot of time together." Realizing that his comment might have come off wrong, he added, "It's great the Maheswarans are letting her come over a lot more."

"Uh-huh," Steven said as he watched his swinging feet click together. "They really like that Pearl is teaching her sword fighting. They're even gonna enroll her in some fencing classes. They think it'll be good for college. Get her some scholarships."

"I see," Greg responded.

After a moment of silence, Steven blurted out, "Oh! Dad! Connie invited all of us to her violin recital!"

Greg smiled. "That sounds great. I can't wait."

"It's Friday – or Saturday. It's at night! I think maybe…8? It's at the Recital Hall!"

"Which one?"

"Uh…the big – one?"

"Oh."

Steven chuckled sheepishly. "I'll get the details again and write them down. Anyway, Connie says we have to look nice. Not fancy-shmancy, but, like, approachable. Dad! You should wear that blue shirt!"

Greg's eyebrows laced together. "Huh. I wonder where it is." He turned to Steven with a smile. "Don't worry, though! I'll find it – and probably wash it…but then wear it!"

The rest of the drive to the Temple held light conversation, each asking the other to explain how their day went, and music playing lightly in the background.

When the car stopped by the Temple, Steven unclicked his seat belt and opened his mouth to thank his dad for driving.

"Hang on a second, Steven," Greg said before leaning between the chairs into the backseat.

Steven frowned in concern, slightly nervous about why his dad stopped him.

Greg popped back up with a small box duct taped closed. "Here," he said, handing it to Steven, "this is for you."

"For me?" Steven asked, looking over the box in awe. "But it's not my birthday!"

"I know, I know," Greg laughed. "But I thought it was time I give you this."

Steven opened the box as quickly as he could. He pulled out a half-filled bottle of cologne. He gasped and inspected the bottle closely. "Thanks, dad!"

"You're welcome, son." Greg took a deep breath. "You know, that is the same cologne I wore around your mother."

Steven gasped. "Really?"

"Oh, yeah! Dates, hang-outs – the first time I met her, too. I thought you should have it."

Steven's mouth fell open. "Thanks, dad!"

"Go on," Greg said, his son's excitement bringing a large smile to his own face. "See if you like it."

Steven held the bottle up to his neck and pushed the cap repeatedly.

"Whoa!" Greg said, grabbing the bottle from Steven. "Slow down there, squirt. This stuff is strong."

Steven blushed his embarrassment and folded his face into his shoulder. He sniffed his shoulder and then the air. "Wow! This smells amazing!"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah!" Steven then gasped. "I can wear this to Connie's recital! She'll love it!"

Greg's gaze filled with fondness. He said with a smirk, "I think you're right."

Steven connected the last button on his pink shirt.

"There," he muttered to himself. He pulled down the shirt and looked himself over in the mirror. He nodded to his reflection. "I look rather handsome, if I do say so myself."

He heard a car honk.

"Oh!" Pearl said, throwing her hands to her cheeks. "That's Greg." She cupped her hand to her mouth. "Amethyst! Garnet! Steven! It's time to leave!"

"Coming!" Steven called. He looked at himself in the mirror once more, nodded in approval, and followed the Crystal Gems out the door.

"Shot gun!" Amethyst called. She ran towards the van, laughing.

"Amethyst!" Pearl criticized, but she understood the rule of calling shotgun, and she grumbled as she got into the backseat beside Garnet.

Steven sat down next to Pearl and shut the door.

"Buckle up, everyone!" Greg instructed and then blushed, feeling embarrassed that he sounded fatherly towards three beings who were thousands of years older than him. They obeyed him anyhow.

After a light chuckle, Greg asked, "Are we all set?" He put the car into drive.

Steven scratched his nose as he looked at the scenery moving out the window. He gasped loudly and shouted, "Dad! Wait! Stop!"

Greg slammed his foot on the brake.

Steven ignored the chorus of questions as he undid his seat belt, opened the door, and ran back into his house. He ran into the bathroom and pulled out the bottle of cologne from the shelf. He remembered his father's words last time, and he spritzed his neck twice with the scent.

When he returned to the van, the questions and criticisms stopped when his scent wafted through the van.

"Dang, Steven!" Amethyst laughed. "You smelled good."

Doug Maheswaran met them in the recital hall's lobby. He looked slightly embarrassed to be seen with them, especially as people gave the group weird glances, but he expressed his happiness that they arrived. "Priyanka is holding our seats."

"Hmm," Pearl muttered, looking around, "I feel slightly underdressed."

"Where's the concessions stand?" Amethyst asked a little too loudly.

"Amethyst," Pearl hissed.

The group followed Doug in a nearly straight line into the auditorium. Steven's eyes grew wide and his mouth fell open as he marveled at the fanciness of the recital hall. He grabbed Greg's sleeve and said, "Connie must be incredible to be playing here!"

Greg looked around quickly before smiling and patting his son's head.

Doug found Priyanka, and the group arranged themselves so the adults sitting at the end and Steven sat among the gems.

"Steven," Garnet said, snapping Steven's gaze away from design of the recital hall. "Have you heard Connie play before?"

He nodded. "Oh, yeah! Sometimes we have jam sessions. She's great!"

A hush fell over the auditorium as the lights dimmed. A quiet gasp came from Steven as his attention immediately hit the stage, scanning for Connie.

"What's happening?" Amethyst asked a little too loudly.

"Shh! Amethyst, it's starting," Pearl whispered harshly.

A line of children dressed in black walked onto the stage and into their seats.

"Why are they all wearing black?" Amethyst loud voice rang. "It's so drab!"

"Amethyst, you stay quiet right now," Pearl's whispered with gritted teeth.

When Steven saw Connie, he gasped loudly and covered his mouth with his hands to keep himself from calling her name.

After she sat down and readied her violin, she looked out into the audience for familiar faces. She locked eyes with Steven.

He kept his arm low but waved.

She smiled at him, and a light blush rushed to her face.

After a few moments, the conductor led the performers, and music filled the auditorium.

Steven couldn't distinguish Connie's violin amongst the other violins, but he kept his wide eyes on her every movement. Her foot tapped the tempo. Her body leaned into her instrument. Her bow flew dramatically away from her body each time her part ended. Her lips pursed in concentration.

"She's amazing," Steven breathed. He didn't know that both Garnet and Pearl overheard him, shared a look with one another, then smiled fondly at him.

After a few sets had finished, Connie suddenly stood up and walked center stage.

Steven gasped, clasping his hands to his cheeks. He whispered, "Connie has a solo?"

She stood, her violin near the microphone. She took a deep breath, smiled out into the audience, and played her piece accompanied by a piano.

Steven thought she sounded absolutely beautifully.

When the recital finished, Steven wanted to rush to Connie. The parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends in the audience had the same idea about their own children, and the auditorium became backed-up.

"Ugh!" Steven groaned, looking the situation over. "I need to see Connie right now!"

Amethyst smirked at him.

Pearl caught this and shouted, "Amethyst, no!"

Amethyst didn't listen. She picked up Steven and threw him to the front of the auditorium, towards the stage. He flew through the air, slightly perplexed on how he ended up there in the first place, and landed on the stage with a thump.

He stood up, rubbed his rear-end, and looked around for Connie. He found her standing off to the side, alone, rubbing her arm and keeping her eyes downcast.

"Con - " Steven started, then he covered his mouth with his hands. He decided it would be better to surprise her. He exited the stage as quietly as he could, with tiptoes and light breathing, alerting many people of his presence but thankfully not Connie. By the time he stood behind her, she had slipped closer to the corner and away from the crowd.

Steven threw his arms around her shoulders and put his cheek to hers. "Connie!"

She stepped back in surprise, off-balanced, and gasped. When she realized it was Steven giggling into her ear, she put her hands on his arms. "Steven!"

When he let her go, she turned around and grasped his hands. She asked, "How was I – "

He answered before the words had fully left her mouth. "You were incredible!"

"Really?" She asked, tipping her head down and blushing.

"Are you kidding me?" Steven laughed, pulling her into a hug. "You were amazing!"

She giggled into his ear. "Thanks, Steven."

When he let go and she pulled away, she was blushing and her eyes were wide.

"Connie? What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" She said quickly. Her voice lowered. "You just…you smell nice."

He blushed. "Thank you. My dad gave it to me – I like it."

Her own blush deepened. "Me, too."

"Yeah?"

She nodded, her eyes matching his and then darting away.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe I should wear it more often? Since we both like it."

She nodded. "That sounds nice."

The Gems and adults made it to where Connie and Steven stood, and each took a moment to congratulate Connie.

"Hey!" Greg said. "Let's keep this party going!"

"Yeah!" Amethyst and Steven cheered.

Doug cleared his throat. "What did you have in mind?"

"Oh," Greg blushed. "I just meant we should go out for ice cream or something."

"Yeah!" Amethyst yelled.

"Ice cream!" Steven exclaimed.

"Can we, Mom?" Connie asked.

"Ice cream?" Priyanka said with her eyebrows knit together.

Connie felt bad for even asking. She tried again, "What about froyo?"

"This late?" Priyanka shook her head.

Doug leaned into her side and said softly, "Tonight should be fine."

Priyanka stayed silent for a moment before nodding reluctantly.

"Yeah!" Connie and Steven started cheering. "Froyo! Froyo! Froyo!"

Connie stopped, gasping. "Mom! Can Steven come with us?" She looked to Steven to see if he too liked the idea.

His eyes lit up with excitement. "Can I, Dr. and Mr. Maheswaran? I'll be on my best behavior!" He repeated the phrase his father told him on the few cases he spent with the Maheswarans.

Priyanka looked away in thought for a moment before nodding.

It took some time to get the group out of the auditorium, what with the children (and Amethyst) cheering and people crowding. Eventually, though, Steven and Connie squeezed together into the Maheswaran car and the gems squished with Greg into his Universe-van.

Priyanka constantly added instructions to Connie from the passenger seat. "Connie, get your seat belt on," and "Connie, use your inside voice," and, once the car left the recital's parking lot, "Connie, you will get the smallest cup of froyo, and you will get vanilla – and only vanilla – and you may only have fruit for your toppings."

"Yes, ma'am," Connie replied, as she did to every instruction. She repeated to show she listened, "Smallest cup and only fruit."

"And only vanilla."

Connie nodded. "And only vanilla." She fell silent for a moment before turning to Steven and speaking with a low voice, "You'll love this place, Steven. It has so many flavors to choose from! There's chocolate, and fudge, cookies and cream, cheesecake – and so many more. It's so nice in there, too. The chairs are all orange – so are all the spoons. And there's like a hundred toppings. There's fudge and cereal and fruit and cookie bits – and like everything!"

Steven licked his lips. "It sounds great! How am I ever going to choose?"

"I'll help you," she giggled. She added, joking, "Or you could just get everything."

He gasped. "Yeah!"

The car drove into the froyo parking lot after that. Connie opened the car door as soon as she heard the click of the car put into park. Steven slid after her, and the pair bounded towards the shop.

"Connie! Wait for us!" Priyanka shouted from the car's window.

Connie stopped so quickly, Steven bumped into her.

"Yes, ma'am!" Connie called to her mother then gave an apologetic look to Steven, who in turn showed his understanding by remaining close to her.

Greg's van parked beside the Maheswaran car, and, after some time, the group, now together, walked into the froyo shop.

Pearl turned to Doug. "Your driving was fantastic, by the way. Very safe."

Doug's gaze shifted towards Pearl and away repeatedly, feeling slight unsure of how to take the supposed compliment, but he said anyway, "Oh, thank you."

Steven followed close behind Connie. She led him to the cardboard cups – he picked the same bowl she did, the smallest one, by following her lead – and then to the froyo machines.

"Ta-da!" She said, holding out her hands.

Steven's eyes sparkled. "Wow…there's so many." He read the signs aloud, his voice getting a little louder and happier with each flavor read: "Peanut butter. Cheesecake. Coffee. Birthday cake. Fudge brownie. Cookies and cream. Caramel. Cotton candy. Red velvet. Toasted marshmallow. Cherry. Mango. Lemon. Peach. Strawberry. Blueberry. And chocolate and vanilla. And you can even combine flavors!"

"Well, I know what I'm getting," Connie said, rolling her eyes and motioning her head towards the vanilla. "What do you want, Steven?"

"I…" his voice lightly quavered. "I don't know. There's just so many."

An idea came to Connie so quickly, she threw her hand onto his shoulder and gasped. "I'll be right back."

She left, searching for a worker, and found one behind the counter. She asked him for sample cups.

"How many?" He asked.

She blushed. "Um, a lot, I think."

He blinked at her a moment before complying. She thanked him then rushed back to Steven – only to find him holding a different froyo bowl, the biggest froyo container, and filling it with the last flavor in the line of dispensers into his full bowl.

"Steven!" She gasped. "I was getting sample cups!"

He looked at her sheepishly. "Whoops." He chuckled. "This is okay, though. Now I can really try them all!"

"Oh, Steven," she said fondly, her voice so sweet it made him blush. She shook her head teasingly, saying, "Come on, let's go get toppings." She turned around and took a step forward, Steven following right behind her, then suddenly stopped, Steven running into her back. She turned her head back to him and giggled, "I haven't gotten mine yet."

He grinned in response.

After she had filled her cup with the most vanilla yogurt she felt like she could get away with, she led Steven to the toppings. His surprise and excitement at the froyo flavors fell flat against his awe for the multitude of toppings. He looked down at his overflowing bowl.

"How can I possibly choose?"

She looked down at his bowl and wonder how he would even be able to fit a single chocolate chip. His question, however, seemed to be about choosing, so she humored him. "You could get a little bit of everything?"

His gasped explained it all: he thought it was a great idea, he thought it was possible, and he decided to do it. She followed behind him, watching, as he walked the toppings line. He picked a single topping out of each container and did his best to find a place for it in his froyo. Single pieces of chocolate and butterscotch chips, single pieces of oreos and brownie bits, single pieces of fruit loops and graham crackers, single pieces of strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis. He finished the masterpiece with one stripe of fudge, one stripe of caramel, and a dash of whipped cream, then held up his bowl to Connie in awe, saying, "Ta-da!"

"Well, you did it."

Watching it melt, Steven quickly weighed the bowl and forked over the insane amount of money the everything-sundae was worth. Connie, who had filled up her bowl with fruit ("extra strawberries 'cause they're my favorite!" she said), paid after him.

He stepped out of line and spotted the guardians and parents sitting together at a table by the window. He noted that the number of adults meant no room was left at the table for himself and Connie.

After paying, she stepped behind him and noticed the same thing.

"Here," Steven said, taking a step towards a table for two on the opposite side of the room.

The square white table with bright orange chairs was beside a fireplace, a blaze lightly burning.

"This is perfect," Connie said, landing in her seat with a thump.

Steven moved a little more carefully, concerned with his melting over-filled froyo cup, but smiled up at her when he had seated, she taking the spoon out of her mouth after having already taken a bite of her dessert.

"Go on," she said, her words muffled from froyo. "I want to know what this ultimate flavor combination tastes like."

He chuckled, then picked up his orange spoon, dug into the dessert, and took a bite. He stayed silent.

"Well?" She asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Hmmm," he muttered, then smacked his lips together. "This bite tastes like coffee and strawberry with a waffle cone piece."

"You can tell the flavors?" She asked, grinning. "No way!"

"I can!" His eyebrows rose. "You wanna try?"

She looked over him, making sure her parents weren't watching. She nodded timidly but her eyes sparkled from the excitement of rebellion.

"Close your eyes," he said. When she complied, he scooped his spoon and fed her.

Her eyes opened, and her giggled almost made her spit out the frozen yogurt. He laughed alongside her and watched as she tried to eat quickly so she could to speak.

"I got the cherry!" She finally said.

He laughed, "Congrats! But the flavors!"

"Oh," she brought her hand up to her mouth. "Peanut butter, definitely. Maybe peach? It could have been mango."

"Correct!" Steven grinned.

"Steven!" She laughed. "There's no way you could possibly know if I'm correct!"

"Oh, I know," he teased.

She rolled her eyes playfully, saying, "Okay, your turn."

He handed her the spoon and slid the cup towards her. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth with an "ahhhhhhhh" sound. He waited. Finally, the biggest scoop of froyo entered his mouth. He closed his mouth, froyo sliding down from the sides of his lips and down his chin. He wanted to laugh, but it only made things worse. Connie laughed so hard, tears formed at her eyes, and she rocked back and toward him in a rhythm in line with her laughter.

"Here," she said, her laughter dying down into fond chuckles. She picked up a napkin and leaned over the table to Steven. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." She still chuckled, however.

Her nose floated inches away from his. Her thumb lay outside the napkin, her thumb stroking against his cheek each time she moved the napkin against the sides of his lips. Her lips were open, releasing the sweet sound of her giggles and her soft breath, both hitting his face gently. Her hair glided over her shoulders, framing her face. The ends of her hair danced on the top of his hands, tickling his skin and reminding him of how soft her hair felt. She smelled sweet, too. He couldn't place the scent, but it reminded him of flowers right after a spring rain.

"There," she said smiling and nodding, signaling she felt proud of her completed work.

Her hand moved from his face – but that was all. She still remained close, her hair still danced against his hand, and she still smelled good.

He felt his cheeks growing warm, but he didn't move either.

Her smile gently slipped away, creating a nervous line with her lips. She blushed, noticing his own sweet scent of cologne she had smelled earlier. It smelled sweeter now, stronger even, in that moment. She involuntarily took in a deeper breath through her nose and licked her lips.

He panicked. He thrusted his body forward, reaching out for the froyo cup – momentarily decreasing the distance between them, bringing his face quickly in her direction.

Her lips parted, and she sucked in a breath. Her head snapped back, only slightly, but otherwise she froze.

He kept his eyes on the carton, but his peripheral vision caught her surprise. With his index finger, he scooped up the small amount of whipped cream, along with a little bit of strawberry froyo and caramel syrup, and slid it on her nose.

She let out a surprised oh, and her head moved slightly further away.

His stomach dropped, and his eyes scanned her face for a sign that she would laugh. She needed to laugh. He held his breath, waiting, refusing to be the one to break the short silence.

She laughed. It started as a light breath out, then a chuckle, growing into a loud howling laughter. He quickly joined in, skipping the slow build up and instead immediately laughing wildly.

"You got me back!" She laughed out, leaning back into her chair. She wiped a happily produced tear from her eye but forgot about the mess on her nose.

He looked at brown napkin she had used on him. He picked it up and leaned forward. "Let me make it even." He wiped away the whipped cream on her nose, caught her eyes and smiled, then he quickly slid back into his seat, careful not to create another moment to which his panic could cause another action.

He moved so quickly, though, that the air moved around him. She smelled in his cologne, a smell so sweet it brought a blush to her face and giggle from her lips.

Greg called. "How are you two doing down there?"

Connie and Steven looked at his nearly-melted and soupy but still completely full cup of dessert.

"We're almost done!" Steven called back, still keeping his head toward her, hoping his underselling would cause her to laugh.

It did, sending her into a fit of giggles. She ducked down her face and threw out her hand to touch his arm resting on the table.

He didn't get to completely finish his cup. It became a soupy-warm concoction that was just too much quantity to eat. They continued their guessing game of flavors for as long as they could – but the mixture ended up becoming a flavor of its own. They played a new game next, where they excavated the dessert to find the buried toppings. They agreed Connie got to have every fruit piece, and Steven could eat all the fun toppings. They tried once again, after the toppings were all gone, to eat the melted yogurt because they didn't want to waste it. The muddled taste wasn't worth it.

"Next time, I'll just eat it faster," Steven said, pushing the cup away from himself.

She knew that speed hadn't been the problem but proportions and that the real fix was just in using sample cups beforehand, but she stayed silent for his own benefit.

"You ready, Stu-ball?" Greg called. "Connie?"

"We're ready," Steven answered.

At the same time, Connie said, "Yes, sir."

Steven picked up the soggy cup of cardboard. He walked towards the trash can. He slipped the orange spoon from the cup and threw the cup away. "Goodbye, dear friend."

"Steven, the spoon," Connie said, walking just behind him.

He held it up to his face and gazed at it fondly. "I'm gonna keep it. It's such a nice color. And so I can always remember tonight."

He turned his head to look at the girl who walked beside him, brushing her shoulder against his, and she smiled at him with rosy cheeks.

Even so, when walking past the cashier, he hid the spoon by his side and kept his eyes downcast as he led everyone out of the shop.

The group stood outside, on the sidewalk, circled around unintentionally. They all knew final words and goodbyes were in order, yet no one really felt sure where to start.

"Thank you all so much for coming to my recital," Connie said, her eyes glancing at every member. Her hands clasped together, and she looked rather shy.

"Of course," Garnet said.

"Happy to!" Greg said.

"No, yeah, it was actually pretty cool," Amethyst shrugged, smirking.

Pearl placed her hand on Connie's shoulder momentarily, saying, "You did very well, Connie."

Her face flushed and her smile bubbled over, she said, "Thanks, everyone."

She looked at Steven – maybe because she kind of expected, or rather hoped, he had something to say next, anything really, but maybe a compliment, for his compliments were her favorite next to Pearl's, but more possibly because it was just the next thing she always did. She would always end up looking at Steven.

His shoulders slightly shrugged, seeming to be at a loss for words. He breathed out, "You were incredible."

Goodbyes would happen next, his words led into it. Each adult, albeit unintentionally by Steven's family and utmost intentionally by Connie's parents, watched the young pair. They could feel all eyes on them, and the air suddenly felt awkward. Both felt confused – Steven rubbing his arm and Connie looking upward – as to what was an appropriate goodbye when adults watched.

Greg and Garnet picked up on this almost simultaneously. They gave each other a side glance, agreeing immediately upon eye contact, and stepped into action. Garnet physically stepped in front of Doug and Priyanka, blocking their view, and asked them about Connie's violin work-ethic. Greg spun around, making a big scene for Pearl and Amethyst who turned their bodies to face him. He rapid-fired questions, which were more or less answered by confused looks between the gems.

The pair then felt at ease.

Steven subconsciously took a step towards her. "Are you still coming to train with Pearl Saturday?"

Connie nodded quickly. "Yes, of course. So I'll see you in two days."

"Yeah," he said, grinning. "I'll see you in two days."

He hesitated for a moment. His first instinct was to hug his best friend, but the fear of her parents' glare and the gems' cheering crossed his mind. He also paused at the feeling of his burning cheeks and the butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

The warm face and tickled stomach had always been symptoms for hanging around Connie, but they had grown much stronger. It caused his hesitation – but then she gave him a glimmer of hope: she put more weight on her forward foot, swaying just barely forward, and her shoulders inched back ever so slightly.

She was inviting him in.

He threw open his arm. He stepped forward and pressed his body against hers, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her even closer. Her hair felt like a cloud against his arms and against his cheek, and her scent reminded him of spring.

The second he was there, she scooped her arms under his shoulders, placing her hands on his back. His tight hold made her giggle into his ear, and his stomach tickled like the first hill on a roller coaster, his favorite part of any ride.

She smelled his cologne again, a scent she realized she loved. It smelt crisp but sweet, strong but soothing, a scent she would expect from Steven. She didn't like how it brought a deep blush into her cheeks, but she liked his scent even more in comparison.

She always pulled away first – she understood social-rules better than he did, and she knew the proper length of a hug – and now slowly stepped away from his pressing body, signaling it was unfortunately time for him to step back and for their embrace to end. He never really ever stepped too far back, however, and this time was no different as he removed his arms around her and just took a single step away, still remaining close to her.

"See you Saturday?" He asked.

She chuckled to herself, seeing as he already knew the answer. "See you Saturday."

She turned her shoulders and stepped away, only to lean into his space a moment after and whisper, "You should wear your cologne then."

She quickly walked away, her face a deep red.

"Yeah?" He asked, but she felt like she was too far away by then to answer.

She followed her parents to her car, and the family was quick to leave, while Steven's slowly made their way to Greg's van.

"Did you have a nice time, Stu-ball?" Greg asked, patting his son's head affectionately.

"Sure did," Steven answered. "Did you guys?"

Greg looked uneasy for a moment but quickly hid it with a smile. "It was fine, I'd say. Glad you had a good time, though."

After a moment, Steven said, "We were right, dad."

"Yeah?" Greg asked, looking down at his son. "What about?"

"Connie did really like the cologne."