Heyo, let's just get right into it!

TriceTokushu: Spam away my friend, I love it. I haven't been holding back lately on your story w/ reviews. Dew and Olli are a pair alright, can't say it wasn't fun to write in some new assholes. And yeah, I figured anyone who read Simply Mine and is reading this now might be kind of in shock with Big. Of course, even if they hadn't, that may come anyway.

DoggyPocky: I can understand. Even if Dew and Olli are straight-up rude, sometimes we catch ourselves being rude in some similar sense and are like 'hold up'. The end of the last chapter I'm glad was touching. I wasn't planning on using Wanda in the last chapter but I wrote that blurb when I first started writing the story with no intention of where I was gonna put it and I thought it worked as a good closing to chapter 6.

acorntree1: Ya, the misogyny is bubbling, but these kinds of men would be too proud to admit it. Especially when Caelia literally earned a degree in running a business. At most, they'd probably let her work a small portion but never credit her for anything, but that's not a promise either. Even if Wanda earned her education as a godparent, I think we definitely could tell she picked up her mother's leadership and work mannerisms. But yeah, sometimes her behavior in later episodes is questionable like Cosmo's.

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Wanda made a point of using two smaller boxes to cover the labeled name of her mother's box. She jolted in her work however from a large snort, throwing a smirk to her returned husband who was propped up against a lone box across the room. Limp like a ragdoll as his head arched back with a gaped mouth, letting through large snores in his sleep. She figured if Cosmo didn't wake himself up with the sound of his own snores, the gaps for air would have to.

Watching as a final snore allowed him to jerk awake, she arched a brow as she continued to smirk at him. Cosmo's eyes blinked in wide saucers, taking in his surroundings before looking to his wife's waiting gaze.

"Did I buy all the chips, again..?"

"No," Wanda reached for a plastic bag beside her and lifted it. "You bought a whole lotta chocolate though."

Cosmo readjusted the dishevelment of his tie. "Last time I go to the store on an empty stomach."

"I'm pretty grateful for it, though." Wanda grinned, reaching for a small thing of chocolate and unwrapping it for a taste.

"Mm, you're welcome.." Cosmo said through a large stretch once he gained hovering again. Yawning through a fist, he looked to his wife situated on the floor. She'd been hanging by that specific spot of boxes for a while now. "What're you doing, anyway?"

Wanda chewed the morsel of milk chocolate hesitantly. "Trying to find that blowdryer." She excused. "My other one broke."

"Why d'you need a blowdryer?"

"For my hair."

"But your hair is dry-?"

"Did you remember to get those candles?"

Cosmo gasped with wide eyes, his focus quickly changing as he bolted back upstairs. Wanda in turn pulled out one of her mother's diaries and flipped to the marked page. She chewed profusely on the chocolate as her eyes continued to scan the worded page.

. . .

Roughly a year later, Caelia strolled about a local grocery store with a shopping basket hanging from the crook of her arm. She trailed her eyes along the assortment of cans of soup in looking for her favorite brand of black bean. Though Didi was generally one to do a lot of the grocery shopping for the house, Caelia enjoyed the activity. She recalled once saying to her husband years ago how something about being in a grocery store was oddly therapeutic to her.

She'd just sent in a proposed solution that morning for a fix down at Big's office. Usually, she had Didi send them over to the place as soon as she was done with them. If not, sent through Big, so her husband didn't necessarily directly see all that she sent their way. Around a year ago of hearing those dickwads talk badly about her she'd been a little less persistent about sending things over still. Until she came to common sense that she couldn't let a bunch of corporate saps stop her from what they were too lazy to do while also complaining about those same exact changes that were needed.

Finding a can of black bean soup she was happy with, the pink fairy plopped it into her basket. Proceeding to float down the aisle in continuing on her way before there was a light tap on her shoulder from behind. Turning around, she was nearly surprised by the familiar light blue eyes she recognized. Upon a face that still had its familiar short shag of hair though it was gelled back in a quiff. He wore whitewash skinny jeans with accompanied white high tops, with a darker denim jacket over his white tee and long silver chain and dog tag.

"Finch."

He remained around. At first more frequently as he'd always been since knowing the Oakbelles, and now the Fairywinkles. But within the past two centuries, his presence became more of a group endeavor despite what he and Caelia had said the day she'd married years ago. Finch only ever seemed to associate with Caelia in group settings, never alone. A deep part of her heart knew why, but her mind faltered these thoughts over years of suppressing 'it'. To the point where she was in a state of mind that truly believed all that had happened with them was just a fever dream.

Even then though, Finch's appearance in group gatherings was only ever a few times per year. Sometimes only twice. Sometimes, a good two years or so he wasn't seen at all. But this neither badly nor goodly affected Caelia. He showed when he showed and there was never displeasure in seeing him, always a delight. Distancing themselves wouldn't help that, nor would it go unnoticed by others after being such close pals for too long. They remained friends as they always had, but it differed in a way Caelia couldn't have expected. And after years spent a Fairywinkle, she had a feeling it wouldn't go back to as is again.

"Caelia," he smiled lightly. "I didn't know if I should come to say hi.."

"No, I'm so glad you did." She agreed.

A moment of unsureness passed, as Finch looked down to twiddle with the plastic bag of the loaf of bread he was purchasing. It was harder to converse when you didn't have a group of other people encouraging it.

"Just picking up blackbean soup." Caelia lifted the can.

"As one does."

"How's business?"

He smiled gently. "Working on some projects, I helped a current buyer purchase a bunch of people's work recently."

Caelia nodded. While Finch was continuing on in painting and such, he'd taken on some work as an art consultant on and off over the years to help roll in the money. As well as staying in the field however he could. He'd officially stopped working for the Oakbelles when the kids had pretty much dissipated from their parents' house.

"How're things for you?" He asked.

"Can't complain, either." She agreed. "Big's numbers are skyrocketing, no chance of that slowing down either."

Finch snorted a bit in re-asking. "And how are you?"

Caelia shook her head with a slight flinch, realizing the stupidity of her answer. "I'm good," she laughed. "I've been trying to get my hands in volunteering here and there, and I send work proposals down to his team."

"Oh, I didn't realize you were working directly for them."

"Not directly," Caelia argued. "You know me, if I wanted that, I would've taken a position in my father's company long ago."

"Who knows how that'd affect now."

"Who knows." Caelia laughed lightly.

"I haven't really spoken much to Apple or Windy, have you?" Finch asked, genuinely curious about the women who were once closer friends to him than they are now.

"Windy is doing well. Apple.." Caelia paused as she couldn't really say for sure.

Finch frowned slightly. "Sorry, Cee." He knew she had somewhat of a fallout with Apple over time. So did Windy with Apple for that matter though, as their friend moved towns away and had become so invested in her new life there she eventually faded off from her old life here.

"It's okay," Caelia said, this time laughing a bit more genuinely. "Life progresses."

"Sure does."

Caelia fiddled with the handle of her basket. "Y'know, Finch." She started. "I miss seeing you outside the groups, Big and I would love to have you over for dinner sometime."

He smiled in a way she recognized, and it gave her the reminder that the kid she knew was still very much there. How could someone of that big a personality just fade? Neither of them had changed that much, maybe they matured quite a bit, but their friendship could still run deep if they tried.

"Sounds good." He took a look at his watch. "I'll see you at the Pepperbreeze thing, Cee."

"Oh, great!" Caelia said, waving him off as he hovered away. She hadn't realized he was going to that event. Even if connected as a prior long-term worker for the Oakbelles, he wasn't related through blood nor marriage nor friendship to any of these communal families to necessarily get in everywhere all the time. But he'd risen a good enough reputation being loyal to the Oakbelles, that was for sure.

In pondering over what she just offered, Caelia wondered if a stronger friendship would ever actually be a reality again.

Entering a front office at her husband's factory, Caelia shook her asthma inhaler before breathing in a puff. She tucked the tool away into her shoulder-slung purse as she carried a box of assorted chocolates and came upon an executive desk to where a secretary sat behind. The older fairy of mint-colored hair sported in hanging locs, with matching mint eyes. Wearing a white blazer over her blue button-down and matching beaded glasses and gold hoop earrings as she looked up to the familiar arrival.

"Hello, Mrs. Fairywinkle." She greeted. "Mr. Big isn't here I'm afraid."

"No, he's at home alright. We've got people painting." Caelia said, then holding the box of chocolates forward. "He wanted me to bring these over for whatever reason."

"Oh," the secretary laughed, taking them in return. "For the boys on the new project, they've been cramming all night. Need the blood sugar!"

Curiosity fled over Caelia. "What project, Nebula?"

The secretary grinned from ear to ear. "Well," she placed down the box. "I'm technically not allowed to spill, but since it's you, aw well. We've finally convinced the board to vote on new revenue classification. We're opening another office because of it!

Caelia eyes widened. Big had never mentioned bringing on such a change. "You are?"

"Yes!" Nebula squealed.

There was one flag. "Who decided this?"

Nebula opened the box to take a chocolate. "I believe Dew did."

Caelia gripped her purse, staring forward in wonder as she pondered over how she had a very similar idea she'd propose to Big. The same idea she'd pitched. Her idea that she'd never heard back from. Nearly a year ago.

She'd even had it emailed over to the office. Was Dew not the same one she recalled overhearing talk trash about it?

A navy blue fairy known as Olli turned the corner just then, nodding towards the pink fairy "Heya, Caelia. How you doin'?"

"Mhm." She poofed away in a cloud of pink.

Entering the foyer of her home, Caelia didn't so much flinch by the loud demands coming from her husband. Watching as he scolded renovators and painters in passing like it was a regular day of business for him.

"I said I wanted the loveseat in the lounge."

Two fairies, decked in their white overalls and caps, blinked as they each held an end of a white, deep button-tufted couch. "You have more than one lounge, sir."

"Take a wild guess, then." Big ordered, plopping a cardboard box down on the glass table.

The workers stood helpless. "The...lounge on the first floor."

"That'd be the one."

The workers began to take the couch to said lounge just across from the foyer. Caelia approached in giving them a nod. "Thank you."

"No trouble, ma'am."

Caelia rubbed her arms in pondering as she approached her husband, watching him sort through the box as he looked to her.

"Hey," he said. He arched a brow. "You good?"

"Yes," she responded. "What is that?"

He let out a low chuckle, before showing her the contents of the box. She was somewhat amused yet baffled by the mini bottles of liquor that were within and nothing else. She looked to her husband with a judging smile.

"Some new office implements." He spoke happily in return.

She snorted. "If you put a minibar in your home office, I'm not the one dragging you upstairs to our bedroom."

"I'm not my father, Caelia. You know that." Big assured, giving her a playful eye as he put one bottle back in its case. "Might as well have it because I can."

Caelia wanted to smile, but she tried to remember that what'd she'd been upset about. Drawing forward, she greeted her husband in a 'hello' kiss and waited for the painters to make way to the next room over. Big continued to sort through his stock, only to stop in realizing his wife still looked at him expectantly.

"Honey..?" She asked.

"Yes, dear?"

She leaned against the table, tapping her fingers in debate. "Why didn't you...tell me about the new office being opened?"

"Uh, which? We have more than one location." Big said, lifting a small thing of whisky in observing the label. When Caelia removed it from his grasp, his focus was drawn back to her.

"Firo."

Even with his real name on the line, he still looked somewhat clueless. "What's the matter?"

"Nebula told me about Dew's proposal." Caelia said. "It sounds awfully familiar."

"Of what, the new office?"

"Yes, with the classification proposal that I recall sending in."

"Honey," he said. "I told you already...the board didn't give the vote for that."

"But, when Dew does.."

"Caelia-"

She planted the mini bottle onto the glass table with a clunk. Slinging her purse strap further up her shoulder as she stormed to the right staircase in floating upstairs with an irritated scowl.

"Caelia," Big called as she stormed upstairs. "Caelia, come on!"

In an oakwood loft studio, coated with splashes of paint and residue of artist's plaster, Finch sat at a stool before an easel, twisting the handle of his paintbrush in reconsidering his current work before him. A smock was decked over his white tee, He was situated before a large loft window that was opened at the crack, allowing him to feel the summer breeze run gently just through the top of his head and as well hear the buzz of commotion coming from the city far below. The studio was at a relatively high floor, and Finch adored it in a way where he felt close yet just far away enough from the world around him.

He'd long left the studio he'd interned for years before. Once his work was starting to be recognized, he began to work with other artists a little more exclusively. It's what got him into working in art consultation. Through connections, he'd manage to get permission in working on his own art in this studio he'd provided a lot for. It was a considerable hotspot for working artists and an environment where he'd done some of his best pieces even.

Entering the high loft above the main floor, a fairy with thistle purple hair in a clean bob tucked behind her ears with large hoop earrings entered. Her eyes a light plum color as she wiped her hands clean of wet clay with a soaked rag, dressed in high-rise jeans and a large black belt with a white tee v-neck tucked in, situated underneath her own smock. Seeing the cornflower blue fairy down below, she smiled, throwing her rag aside as she made her way down the rough wooden stairs coated with paint stains.

"You know, when I asked that you come join me when I work.." she hinted, coming up behind him as he kept his focus on his painting.

"Sorry," Finch said, completely indulged in observing his dot texture landscape.

She crossed her arms. "You presenting that at the showing this weekend?"

"No, I've got other pieces for that." Finch said, putting his brush down and turning to her in his stool. He gave a shrug of his brows. "If they take it."

"They should, you're one of the best painters in that crowd."

"Thanks, Thistle." He said. "I feel like no one recognizes unique value today."

Thistle drew forward, poofing up a wet rag once more and carefully smudging away the excess paint on his cheek. He watched her do so, seeing that she hardly watched the paint on his face and looked directly into his eyes instead.

"I do."

Finch continued to watch her as removed the rag and dropped it. The rag barely me the floor before she held his face in her hands and her waist was in his, their lips gently meshing together in lingering movements.

Parting softly, Thistle remained close to his face. "Same time, tonight..?"

He continued to hold her hips as her hands traveled his chest, looking to reach underneath. In her slow movement, he pondered if he truly could. They'd been carrying this thing out for well over months now. While he did enjoy it, something was just making him think otherwise now. He remained frozen in thinking as Thistle chose to kiss his jawline gently and trail further. Finch attempted closing his eyes...until a particular pink glossed over his mind.

"I.." he pulled back, causing her to look at him. "I can't.."

She paused, before snorting. "What d'you mean?"

Finch removed her hands from his chest and held them. "I can't keep this up, anymore."

"Are you serious?"

"It needs to stop, Thistle.."

She drew her hands from his, somewhat roughly much to Finch's dismay. Though he didn't want to carry on this 'friends with benefits' thing, the loving touch of her hands in his still felt somewhat nice. Finch was relatively closed in his feelings with most of his friends, and he'd long ago cut his toxic parents out of his life. To Thistle, this hookup may have been more casual to her. But to Finch, he was much more using it as an escape to feel something with someone.

Until he was reminded of feelings that rang truer.

"I'm not looking for something like this, you know that." He said, wringing his hands together as he stared down at them.

Thistle watched intently, wondering if he was serious. She hadn't recalled anything that could have made him want to stop. Until she recalled a very brief conversation they had that morning about him having a one on one conversation with someone he'd been distancing himself from for years now.

"Oh, you're freakin' kidding me."

Finch looked up, immediate irritation flinching against his face. "What?"

"Is this because of that run-in with that pink floozy?"

He shook his head, his frustrated eyes watching his feet. "She's not-"

"Ha." Thistle put her hands on her hips. "As if it wasn't pathetic enough. Does one lousy run-in at the grocery store really affect you that much?"

"Don't try and act like you know me.."

"You mean other than based on what we've been doing?"

He looked up harshly. "I guess the feeling wasn't mutual.."

Thistle gave a large laugh of mockery. "OH, you are a class act." She removed her smock from behind her and poofed it away, replacing it with her shoulder bag as she shrugged it over her shoulders. "Find another plus-one to the showcase."

Finch didn't bother to respond as she waited for him to bite back. He just turned in his chair, occupying himself with his painting once more. Thistle drew forward as to continue and get her word in.

"Same old story, whipped for some Oakbelle in over two hundred years and you can't hold it down. Gain some freaking perspective, Finch."

The purple fairy poofed away, leaving Finch in a thunderstorm of vexation.

Caelia breathed in the night air from her high bedroom balcony. Looking onto the neon lights of the vast backyard's chlorine pool as she shrugged her robe tighter around her. With the faint sconces of the outdoor lights basking her in a faint glow, she looked to her wristwatch in considering the time. She shrugged a hand through her bob as to get the curls out of her face from the night's wind, before reaching into the deep pocket of her robe. She pulled out her inhaler and shook it before breathing in a pump as per usual. She'd done it with more frustration than she'd anticipated however, breathing in the air a little too short and quick. She let out a bit of a cough through her fist and shook her head from the impact. She retook from the pump, feeling her lungs ease.

The pink fairy folded her arms back over her body, easing from a gust of wind that flew past her in a gentle whistle. Right now, bed sounded like a really good plan to her, but the night was so captivating in keeping her where she was. She almost would've continued to stare into the same spot of the open air, if there hadn't been a gentle knock at the glass door.

She turned, seeing her husband standing in a doorway with a hand behind his back. His shirt was untucked and rolled at its sleeves from a long day of back and forth working. He drew forward with a hopeful look.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell ya right away."

Caelia raised a sharp brow. "Mhm."

He hovered closer to her, before pulling out a necklace box and opening it. Revealing the diamonds within.

"I'm very sorry..?" He tried with a cheeky grin. Caelia smirked, waving a hand as to move the box from her sight and Big put it down nearby. He floated towards her and snaked his arms to her waist. Caelia smiling as he kissed her endearingly and she sighed gently. He held a hand to the back of her head and parted to smile into her eyes. Turning once more to the view of the garden, Big held his wife from behind in his brawny arms. Caelia rested easy in his embrace, still in wonder of the magic a simple hold had on her. And amazed that the simplicity of a simple night could give her clarity on the most frustrating of situations.

Big had always believed in her as the most competent person he knew. It's one of the reasons he loved her, he'd said it himself. Caelia never wanted to stop trying to put her voice in no matter the naysayers. She figured this would be gone when she left her mother in the dust. But there were a few employees of Big's that Caelia just couldn't help in comparing them to Jessamine. Haunted by the voice of Mrs. Oakbelle in the far back of Caelia's head through these men. And as she learned from the past, there were some things worth letting go.

Maybe it was time she refrained from trying to put her work somewhere where it wasn't appreciated.

To be continued...

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Y'all thought we'd be seeing the last of Finch? Think again, sucka! Again, slightly shorter chapter, but more to come. And yeh, Caelia out 'ere trynna put good forward and it keeps getting shot down. Hope ya'll enjoying still!

~McSgwizzle