A/N: So, during my absence this story has reached 20'000 views, 60 follows and 145 reviews and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone, who's been a part of these numbers. It means a lot to me, since this story is what got me into writing. And a big shootout to everyone for being patient with me. I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

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Chapter Thirty-Six – Cinderella

Eve Moneypenny stood in front of an old dark brown brick house on a cloudy afternoon in early February. "You remotely wreck havoc on MI6 for one night and then decide to move houses, but only in the same area. Honestly James, could you try? This is just six streets down on the other side of the park."

"It also happens to the peak of winter, in case you want to pin that on me too."

"You think you're funny don't you?" She shuffled through the doorway with a large box in her arms.

"Funnier than Tanner anyway." James cast a glance over everything he could catch from the doorway before setting Louella down.

Eve gave him a playful shove with her hip, but James was too distracted to play along and he didn't bother to put up a show. Instead he circled the main floor with Louella.

"Daddy, this not home," she stated halfway through and sniffled, "'S not even inside hot."

"That's called heating, Lou. One little switch. But I do agree that it's a bit empty and the couch is hideous." He cast a meaningful glance at Eve, who shrugged.

"They can't buy you a new livingroom filled with leather furniture eveytime you decide to blow up, burn down or abandon your living arrangements."

"I hope Q won't apply that rule to guns or I'll be minced beef."

"What's a man without his gun after all?"

"Mmh, let's leave that box in the kitchen and get out of here. Tomorrow is moving day and Louella needs a goodnight's sleep somewhere she feels safe."

Eve smirked. "Q personally installed and tempered with the security systems. I don't think there's a better secured house out there anywhere."

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James sat on the blue tweed covered couch he hated with Cinderella playing for the 34th time in the background. Louella still managed to be enticed by it in the same way she beamed with excitement every morning she woke up when he was home. James couldn't decide whther he liked being on leave or not. Although he got to spend time with Louella his days dragged by far too slowly.

"I think we should paint the living room walls. White's a bit bland, don'tyou think?" he tried to ask Louella to escape his boredom.

She peeled her eyes from the telvision screen, "Yes! Can I draw mouses on it?"

"Mice? I don't really know about that, but we definitely need a better main colour."

"Blue?" Louella asked, holding out her dress as an expamble. "Or green and pink maybe?"

James looked up at the bleak wall, "So you want blue and green and pink and some mice too."

"The sofa is not pwetty. Maybe we change?"

"Well that's a definite must." Then and there, as Cinderella lost her shoe, James decided that he would for once make an effort to turn his standard issued flat into a home.

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Sarah, Henry and Abby stood on their doormat a week later. James let them in, Henry and Louella rejoicing be reunited with their senseless speed talking.

"So, you decided to switch one brick house for another one on this side of the park. You do know the grass isn't greener, even if you have an extra few square metres of it in your yard."

"Louella begs to differ," he said as Sarah shoved Abigail into his arms to free herself of her coat. James held the baby at arms length for a moment, before he drew her against his chest in the fear of dropping the child on the floor.

Sarah laughed, "She's not actually going to break. You should know. You have a child of your own, or have you forgotten what babies are like."

James handed Abigail back, thinking that he'd never held Louella when she was an infant. "My daughter is not that small and fragile anymore."

"They never do stay that way, do they?" Sarah sighed, "But sometimes it seems to me Henry could injure himself any second, while Abby can't move with enough momentum to cause any damage to herself or others."

"Ups and downs to everything, isn't that what makes the world spin?"

"I've been made to believe it's love that keeps us going-"

"Mummy! Mummy!" yelled Henry, "What the day again?"

Sarah and Henry looked at each puzzled for a few moments, until it hit her. "Oh, yes indeed! Henry wanted to come over to invite Louella over for Valentine's Day next week. Michael and I are going out for dinner and once I explained the purpose of Valentine's day Henry insisted on having dinner with Louella. You probably have your own plans, but we have Felix watching the kids-"

"How did you manage to get him?" James wondered out loud.

"Oh, it's a bet from a few years ago. If he doesn't bother arranging a date or get invited on one, he has to watch the kids. And, if he does manage to romance someone, I pay for the expenses of his date. So far I've had him for three years. But my point was, Louella is most welcome at our place for the evening. It'll give your nanny a night off."

"She already has it off, since I don't have any plans."

Sarah cocked an eyebrow, "Please don't tell me you decided to move a week before Valentine's Day to avoid finding a date."

"Goodness no," James laughed, "But I'll make sure Louella makes it to her date. Although I did hope she wouldn't ditch me for a boy for at leats another ten years."

"Just come with her. I'm sure Felix won't mind a helping hand-" Sarah broke off to peer at the baseboard. "Are those painted mice?"

James muttered, "Cinderella."

"What?"

"Don't ask."

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A/N: Thank you again! Reviews would be highly appreciated :)