Author's note: Next chapter! Please, more reviews! As of now, I only have three! I hope I'll have more by the time this gets posted. Doesn't anyone care about Bilbo? *sniff* JK, but please review! And thank you, chocoholic and hobbit-girl! Also Queen Sally Sue, of course! Oh, yes, a note- hobbits give presents to others on their own birthdays.

Disclaimer: I only own the Bywaters! Blah, blah, blah!

Chapter Two: The First Kiss

Glory's first trip to Hobbiton was followed by many more, and she took time out of almost every one to visit Bag End. Bilbo enjoyed her chatter, and Belladonna took quite a liking to her. Time passed by, and Glory neared the "tween" years and began to join her sisters in dancing at the Shire's frequent parties. She grew taller, of course, but was still smaller than the usual hobbit. Hom, on the other hand, grew like a beanstalk, and soon he was the tallest hobbit in Hobbiton, Bywater, and even Great Smials. He soon earned the nickname of Long Holm, which Glory teased him mercilessly about.

When the time came for Bilbo Baggins' coming of age party, everyone was rather excited. His father was very wealthy, and sure to have a lovely feast. Glory was particularly happy. She loved Bilbo's parties, not only for the food and entertainment, but because he was one of the only people in the Shire who seemed to prefer her to her sisters. He always had time to stop and talk to her, but never did more than bow politely and wish a "good morning" when he saw Opal, Chrys, or Amy passing by. And it was Bilbo's coming of age party that caused a most unusual occurrence.

On the day of the party, Glory put on her best dress. It was blue, with pale green trimming, and she wore three petticoats under it. She put a green ribbon in her hair, and tucked a daisy into the ribbon, just over her left ear. She was ready long before it was time to go, and passed the time until their departure by making blueberry muffins, wearing an apron over her dress to protect it from the flour that flew all over the kitchen. When it was finally time to leave, she practically ran the whole way.

The party was just as good as had been expected. All sorts of delicious things to eat, and some wonderful presents given out, as well. Glory was standing in the bunch around Bilbo, waiting to receive a gift. Hom was nearby, of course, flirting with Dora Baggins.

It was then that the curious event began. Glory finally reached to front of the crowd, and Bilbo beamed down at her.

"Hello, Glory! Are you enjoying the party?"

"Oh, yes!" she answered hastily. "Very much!"

"That's good. Now, let me see, what sort of present will you be wanting?" He looked through the pile of trinkets that lay on the table before him. "A doll, perhaps? No, I forget how grown up you're getting!"

Glory winced at the suggestion of a doll. She was twenty-one, and had put her dolls away years ago.

"I know!" he exclaimed. "Here you go." In her hand he placed a ring, a tiny silver ring embellished with a silver flower. In the center of the flower was a blue gem. "It's of dwarvish make; my mother found it in the store-room of her family's old house. Tooks have strange adventures, you know. She said it would make a good gift for someone, and now it has!"

Glory stared in wonder and delight at the ring, then slipped it carefully onto the fourth finger of her right hand. "Thank you," she said softly, her usual exuberance quelled by her surprise.

Bilbo thought her gratitude funny and rather sweet, and, without even realizing he did it, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. To him, he was kissing the eleven-year-old that swung on gates, and he went back to handing out presents as though nothing had happened.

The kiss had a very different effect on Glory, however. Despite what Bilbo thought, she wasn't eleven years old anymore. She'd reached the age where most hobbit girls begin to notice boys; thus far, she hadn't joined the crowd, but at that moment she did. For the ring and the kiss made her feel entirely different from the carefree hobbit that had baked muffins just earlier that day. She felt happy, and sad, and crazy all at once; most of all, she felt like the hobbit that had teased her and listened to her chatter had suddenly grown much more interesting in her eyes. For a moment, she stood frozen in place. Then, slowly, she turned and walked back to the tables. This was the curiosity of that day- Glory began to fall in love.

Despite this momentous occasion, the party went on quite undisturbed. Glory ran about with Hom, gossiped with Dora, and danced a few times when the music began. But all the while, she couldn't think of anything but the ring and the kiss and the one who had given them to her.

There had been food throughout the whole celebration, but the greatest feast came at nightfall. Everyone sat down at the tables and ate an almost impossible amount. Glory was seated on the same side of the table as Bilbo, but several seats down. She got a horrible neck ache that night from leaning forward and sideways to catch a glimpse of him.

She had suddenly begun to notice all sorts of things about him that she'd never even thought of before. He wasn't a dashingly handsome hobbit, by any means, but her affectionate eyes easily picked out endearing traits. His hair was so thick and curly, and it looked so nice when the wind rushed through it and blew it down over his forehead. His eyes were remarkably bright. When he laughed, the noise was so jolly and full. Uncharacteristically, Glory barely touched her food that meal.

The dancing continued when the supper was over. The older Bywater girls never seemed to sit down, but Glory spent the majority of her time standing nervously on the edge of the dancing-floor. She really didn't mind much, but she had to admit it was miserable watching Bilbo dance about while she stood there all alone. She nearly screamed when he danced with Opal, and didn't even look her way.

Finally, she couldn't stand to watch anymore, and she slipped away from the merry crowd. She would have run all the way home to Bywater, if she could, but she didn't like the dark, and it was much too far to go alone. The only place she could think of to go was one that was sure to remind her of her troubles. But in the end, there was nowhere else. So Glory spent half an hour that night sitting on the fence of Bag End.

She didn't think anyone had noticed her departure, so she was surprised when she heard footsteps coming up quickly. It was Hom; he didn't say anything at first, just hopped up beside her.

"Hello," she said, trying to sound as though nothing was wrong and utterly failing.

"Hello," Hom replied. "Whatever are you doing out here?"

"Just sitting."

"Why aren't you at the party?"

"It was dull."

"Dull?!? It's the jolliest party I've been to!"

"It was dull for me. Leave me be, Hom, I don't want any conversation now!"

Hom was surprised. Glory scolded him often, but she'd never sounded so serious before. He hopped off the fence and looked at her in amazement.

"What has gotten into you, Glor? You're as grouchy as if you were…Opal, or Chrys or something!"

"It's not your business, Holman Cotton. Go away and leave me alone!" She meant it this time; her blue eyes were hard and cold. Hom stared at her for a moment, then quietly turned and went back in the direction of the party.

"Fine!" he called over his shoulder. "Be cross if you want to be! I don't care at all, Morning Glory Bywater!"

His footsteps faded away, and Glory suddenly burst into tears. She jumped off the fence and ran after him. "Hom, Hom!" she called. In a few moments, he appeared, running toward her. She didn't stop quickly enough, and they bumped into each other and fell down in the grass. Temporarily forgetting all the changes of that night, Glory laughed and rolled over onto her back, looking up at the stars.

Hom rubbed his head where he'd bumped it on a tree root. "What is it now, Glory?" he asked, sounding nearly as cross as she'd been a moment ago.

She sat up and looked at him. "I'm sorry, Hom. I didn't mean all those things I said." Her face was apologetic and still wet with tears.

Hom sighed. "It's all right. I still don't understand what was bothering you so."

Glory jumped up. "It was nothing important, really. Don't give another thought. Just come along, we'll go back to the party." So they did, hand in hand and just as close as before.

That night as she lay in bed, Glory decided that she'd have to deal practically with the matter of loving Bilbo. (Love was far too strong a word for the youthful admiration that had bloomed in her heart, but at the time, she was sure no other term would do.) Being a pragmatic and adaptable hobbit, she bundled all her new feelings up and pushed them carefully to a corner of her mind. She couldn't go around crying and wailing. Lots of people had been in love before without all this. So she resolved to love Bilbo quietly. It was a resolution she kept successfully- for many, many years.

A/N: A little romance at last! I know this seems like it's going fast, but, believe me, there won't be any quick closure in this! This is only the beginning. If you want to know more, say so- IN YOUR REVIEW, hint, hint! :)