Author's note: Thank you to partygirl98, NotMarge, NicoleR85, Guest, KEZZ 1, ZabuzasGirl, Rasha007, kmj1989, Sam0728, and Jinxofthe2ndLaw for your reviews! Rasha brought up a few valid points that I wanted to address, in case of confusion. For one thing, Zoey was all giggly because she was relieved. Hank was making such a big deal over this that she was (understandably) a little worried. So when she saw Beast she was relieved that he wasn't scary and got giggly. I went back and added a word or two to hopefully make it clearer. Zoey called Hank a "teddy bear" to make sure he knows he doesn't scare her. Teddy bears are cute, not scary!

And I hope it was apparent that she is still attracted to him, even when he's Beast. They made out to the point where she had to put on the brakes, which was a first for them. Zoey called him "adorable" to kill the sexual tension on purpose, because it was too much for her at the moment. I know us ladies think "adorable" is a compliment, but men, not so much. So I hope that clears up any confusion! Chapters 38 and 39 are definitely on my list to be re-visited from Zoey's POV :-)

Sharing the News

The next morning it felt like I floated down to breakfast, rather than walked. Of course the others noticed immediately, but for once I wasn't embarrassed by my happiness.

"He's gracing us with his presence," Alex announced as I took my seat.

Usually I would've replied with some sort of glare, but today I just grinned at him and started piling my plate with bacon and eggs. I couldn't be annoyed at Alex today, not after his help the night before.

"And he's eating," Sean observed. "That's a good sign."

I shrugged.

"Well, Hank?" Charles prompted after an expectant pause. They could obviously tell that last night had gone well, but not how well. "Something you want to share?"

My ears warmed and I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the response to my news.

"I showed Zoey the Beast and she wasn't afraid of me," I announced. "And... I'm getting married."

Alex and Sean's reactions were predictably exuberant. Sean let out a whoop of laughter, and Alex thumped me in the back so hard I almost face-planted into my food. Moira and Charles were more reserved, though they still offered warm congratulations.

"We're planning your bachelor party," Alex announced, with a smirk.

I blanched. "No thanks," I said hastily. "I'll pass on having one."

"Why not?" Sean asked, looking wounded.

Because between the two of you I'd be lucky to survive the night and make it to the altar?

"Debauchery in general is not my thing," I replied diplomatically.

The other X-Men looked slightly put out about my refusal, but thankfully conceded the point. I would still keep my eye on them though- I wouldn't put it past Alex to try to kidnap me.

Thank heavens I can outrun him.

"Have you set a date?" Charles asked, changing the subject.

I shook my head sheepishly.

I'd proposed in the heat of the moment, without any sort of plan, and had been too distracted basking in the glow of Zoey's acceptance of me to think of any details afterwards. I honestly didn't care when or how we got married, as long as it happened.

"I'm guessing you don't have a ring yet. Do you need help finding one?" Moira added.

A ring? Oops.

I was out of my depth in that department. Luckily, I knew just who to ask...

"Livie, I need your help," I said, kneeling next to the little girl's seat.

"What's wrong, Mr. Hank?" Olivia asked. Her brow puckered in concern. "Is something wrong with Auntie?"

Um... not anymore? I think?

"No," I said hastily. "I need to buy Zoey a ring, and I was hoping-"

Olivia's face lit up, and it looked like her big brown eyes were about to fall out of her head. "A ring?" she squeaked, sitting up straighter. "Are you going to ask Auntie Zoey to marry you?"

"I already did," I replied sheepishly. My ears started to get warm. "She said 'yes.' Now I-"

Olivia looked horrified. "You asked her already with no ring?"

Why do I feel like I'm in trouble?

"Erm-"

"You're supposed to have a ring, Mr. Hank," she practically yelled at me. "The boy is supposed to get down on one knee and pull out a ring and-"

I'm getting scolded by an eight year old. I've definitely reached a new low.

"I want you to help me, though," I said tentatively. "It's important and I don't want to get the wrong one."

Olivia's demeanor instantly changed at my mollifying words. She puffed up with self-importance. "Ok," she agreed seriously. "I'll help you find the perfect ring for Auntie."

Then she squealed and hugged me around the neck so tightly I couldn't breathe for a second.

"You're going to be my uncle now! I'm so excited!"

My heart melted a little at her sincere exuberance. We were an odd pair, but Olivia and I made a good team. I was looking forward to officially being able to call her my family.

"Me, too, Livie," I told her. "Me, too."

You'd think I would be done getting yelled at for the day. But you'd be wrong.

It was a Tuesday, so in the afternoon I headed over to Marceline's Cafe and Bookstore like I'd been doing for over a year now. My plan was to arrive a little early and speak to Billy before Zoey got there.

An old-fashioned part of me wanted to ask him for his blessing, even though I'd already proposed, since Billy was the closest person Zoey had to a father. I was truly trying my best to do right by her, despite our relationship's strange beginning.

A quick glance around as I stepped inside told me that the shop was blissfully empty for once. That meant no audience for my suit, for which I was very grateful. I was nervous as it was.

"You!" Marceline snarled as soon as she saw me. She brandished a pair of pastry tongs behind the counter.

Um, me?

I froze, unsure of what to do. "H-hi, Mrs. Rivers?"

"Get out of my store," she ordered flatly, marching out from behind the counter.

"Wha-?"

May I add she was still holding the tongs like a weapon?

I backed away from the angry French woman until I felt my shoes thunk up against the wall. Words utterly failed me, and I suddenly found myself wishing for some witnesses to whatever she was about to do to me with those pastry implements.

Trapped! I'm trapped.

"How dare you come back here, after breaking Zoey's heart? Seeing you is only going to bring her more pain! I thought you had more common decency than to show up and-"

Everything I planned to say to Zoey's godparents fled in the face of Marceline's tirade. Now I was scrambling just to recover from my unwelcome reception.

To make matters worse, Billy appeared out of the back room at that moment, obviously notified by Marceline's raised voice. The usually mild-mannered man looked angrier than I'd ever seen him. He opened his mouth to speak-

"I asked Zoey to marry me last night," I blurted, holding up my hands in a peaceful gesture.

This made Marceline pause, though she still held the tongs at the ready.

Do I even want to know what you intend to do with those?

"She called us Sunday and said you broke up," Marceline said suspiciously. "She said she wanted to be alone for a while."

That sounded like a typical Zoey move. If she felt she couldn't hide her depression, she secluded herself because she hated bringing other people down. Even the people who wanted to be there for her, like her godparents or myself. The fact that Zoey had cried in front of me over our break up was a sign of just how deeply it hurt her. Otherwise, she was a rock about that sort of thing- much more prone to happy tears than tears of sadness.

"We did break up," I agreed, purposely choosing to skirt around the details of why. Billy and Marceline were unaware of my second mutation. "But then last night we talked and I proposed and-"

Someone shoot me. This has to be the worst request for a blessing in the history of time.

"She said 'yes,'" I finished weakly. "And I was hoping you- wouldn't mind?"

For a full thirty seconds Billy and Marceline (who was still wielding her pastry tongs) stood silent and stock-still, like bewildered statues, while I waited awkwardly for their reaction.

And then, as one, they burst into laughter- so synchronous that it was actually a little disturbing. It made me wonder if married couples started to share one brain after a certain amount of time.

I couldn't help feeling slightly offended that they were laughing at me. Was the idea of Zoey marrying me that ridiculous?

"I knew it!" Marceline cheered, between chuckles. "Oh, Hank."

She closed the distance between us and gave me a hug, along with a kiss on each cheek while my ears began to burn with bashfulness and embarrassment. Their laughter confused me, and once again I cursed my inability to understand social situations.

At least I'm not being threatened with the tongs anymore, I guess.

"K-knew what?" I asked, as Billy joined us and clapped me on the back.

"We knew you wouldn't be able to stay away from Zoey, kid," Billy explained, while Marceline nodded. She was smiling, so I took that to be a good sign. "You just needed some time to figure it out."

Or as Alex put it, I needed to get my head out of my ass.

"Right. So... you don't mind? I'd really like your blessing," I said hopefully. Taking a deep breath, I continued, "Zoey is everything I could ever dream of and more. I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy."

Zoey's godparents exchanged knowing glances while I tried to keep myself from going to pieces. Asking for approval on such an important subject was nerve-wracking.

I knew Billy and Marceline meant a lot to Zoey, but their opinion also carried a lot of weight with me. I hoped they wanted me to be a part of their family as much as I did.

Isn't it strange, the way love just seems to build on itself? By falling for Zoey I had also met and come to care for her godparents and niece as well. It was almost like loving one person just opened the door to caring for and connecting with even more people. I would've never realized that but for Zoey.

"Welcome to the family, kid," Billy told me, shaking my hand. "Just- take care of her."

"Thank you, sir," I said earnestly. "I will."

A goofy smile came to my face, but I didn't care. I was slowly learning that spending time feeling self-conscious when you were truly happy was a complete waste of time.

"And it might be better if you were the cook in the marriage," Billy added. "I love Zoey, but the girl's a health hazard in the kitchen. Don't tell her I said that."

The three of us were still laughing when Zoey walked in.

She eyed all of us curiously. "What's so funny?" she asked. "Marcy, why are you holding pastry tongs?"

She used them to threaten me with bodily harm.

"No reason," Marceline lied blithely. She stepped in to give her goddaughter a hug. "Hank's just told us. Congratulations, ma petite. Let me see the ring."

Um...

She picked up Zoey's left hand. A hand completely bereft of any rings, and certainly empty of an engagement ring.

"Hank, you went over to apologize and proposed without a ring? I thought you knew better than that!"

And then Marceline smacked me upside the head with pastry tongs.