Wednesday, December 26th

Christmas season was always the best season, at least in Bonnie's opinion. It was a season of cheer and love, for the most part. Most people would see distant relatives or relatives that they rarely saw. In Bonnie's case, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing to only see her extended family once or twice a year. They weren't horrible people, just horribly crazy. Every week there was some new drama, a trade fest of rumors and who's dating who. Most of the time what went around were actually falsely made accusations.

Luckily not all of her family had arrived quite yet. Her mother was actually on her way to pick up her aunt from the airport. She couldn't say she was too excited about seeing her aunt though. The only person she was really wanting to speak with was her uncle Gumball.

Her uncle Gumball was one of the few relatives that didn't partake in the family's drama or gossip. not that he could partake in the gossip, as he was a hermit. She missed him on a constant basis. He was practically half of her childhood, as her parents worked to an extreme amount in the summer. she wondered where she got that trait from.

Great Uncle Gumball lived in a cabin he designed and built himself in an almost untraceable location. The funny part was that no one in the family ever questioned why he lived in the middle of nowhere, then again, he had always been a paranoid nut case. Just a different kind of nut case.

He sat on the couch across the room, reading one of the theoretical philosophy books he so loved. He was entranced by its meanings, nibbling on his thumb nail in thought. That's always how she found him, stuck in the middle of a good book.

He wasn't an old man, he was in his mid-forties, her father's younger brother. He had a short scruffy beard and held laugh lines all over his face from years of joy. He had always been a happy man, even after her grandfather's death a few years back.

It didn't take much for her to leap at the chance of talking to him. They hadn't seen each other since his last visit to town. Sometimes he didn't have the time to come down and see her even when she was in state. He lived off the edge of Ohio, practically in the middle of nowhere. He loved the seclusion, living off the land, reading without interruption.

She sat next to him slowly, not to alarm him.

"Hello Bonnibel," He greeted her, smiling as he dog eared the edge of the page. Though he never liked to be interrupted while he read, he always made an exception with Bonnibel.

"Hey, uncle Gumball."

His light green eyes sparkled in the brightly lit room. "How's California? Everything you expected it to be?"

She nodded, smiling. She placed a hand up to block other's views and whispered, "I might have some exciting news soon, so try to keep in touch."

He raised one of his thick unkempt eyebrows at her, his grin turning into a half-smirk. "You've only been there for half a year. How have you managed to catch yourself-well, actually...I should have known this may happen. You've always had a magnetic personality."

He was always so positive and accepting of whatever she had to say. It was refreshing to have this kind of support from any family member. "Have you talked to your parents?" He kept his voice low.

"I talk to them often, if that's what you mean."

"Sure, sure." He nodded, placing his book down on the side table. "I meant have they told you?"

"About what?" At that moment the door rang, reverberating its sound throughout the spacious living room.

"How unfortunate." Her uncles sighed. "You better greet your guest."

"It's just Goliad and mom." She stood to answer the door. From the darkness of the outside and the designed glass in the door, she saw two figures, but neither looked similar to who she was expecting to see.

It was only when she opened the door that she recognized the two. Her breath caught in her throat. The figure before her smirked, reveling in Bonnibel's surprise.

"Hey, Bon." Her breath turned to smoke in the cold winter air.

The two figures in front of her were niece, Goliad, and her not-girlfriend.

The five year old bear hugged her leg, squealing at the sight of her favorite aunt. Bonnie could hardly register it, but muscle memory allowed her to hug the small girl.

"Hey, kiddo. Why don't you go say hi to everyone?"

"Okay!" was her energetic reply, detaching herself to run inside and cause a ruckus as soon as she entered the Bennett household.

Bonnie stepped out, closing the door behind her. Jacket-less and already freezing, she squeezed Marceline with everything she could muster up. "What are you doing here?" She gaped through cold shivering breaths.

"It was supposed to be a surprise." Marceline chuckled. "You said you wouldn't mind if I came, right?"

"No no, of course, I want you here. I just didn't think you would…actually come here." Bonnie stepped back, holding onto the sides of Marceline's shoulders to examine if she were imagining this or not. "But seriously, what the hell are you doing here?"

Marceline frowned. "I guess they decided to make it a surprise after all."

The door opened, out coming her father. "Ah, Marceline. Seems you made it here safe." He gave an awkward smile. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Me too. It's nice to meet face to face."

The closing of a car doors and the crunch of snow underneath footsteps signaled her mother's arrival from the car. She presumably had picked up Marceline and her aunt. Sneaky.

"I really don't understand what's going on here." Bonnie was absolutely dumbfounded. She patiently waited for an explanation as Marceline and her parents gave a cinematically timed laugh.

"Marceline is taking you home Wednesday morning. I thought your father had told you." Her mother chimed in, obviously proud of herself for keeping a secret. For once.

"You bought her a ticket just for that? To pick me up?"

"Actually, I insisted on buying my own ticket." Marceline interrupted. "It's my gift to you. Plus, Carrie here promised me one of her famous home-cooked meals and a showing of your embarrassing baby pictures. I just couldn't let the opportunity pass."

You're on a first-name basis now?

Heat crept up Bonnie's neck and ears. "Why did no one care to tell me about these secret interactions?"

"Because they're secret, numb-nuts."

"And you had talked about her so much that we wanted to meet her ourselves." Her father gave a smile that only Bonnie knew wasn't completely genuine. There was something else here. Something angry underlying in his tone, in his forced smile. "Now come in, I'm sure Marceline's not used to the cold. Don't want your girlfriend to freeze, now do we?"

Shit.


The room erupted with laughter, Jake doubling over and coughing loudly, still laughing.

"Agh!" Finn yelled, white liquid dripping from his nostrils. The room filled with another fit of laughter from everyone yet again. Finn waved his hand around frantically, claiming it was burning, while the other hand desperately tried to catch the oncoming droplets.

Simon came back into the room with napkins, insisting to Finn that it was no problem, that Marshal and Marceline both made messed bigger than that. The twins agreed and chuckled, thinking back on the memories.

Thanksgiving wasn't always like this. Jake and Lady had come over once because their parents living in New York. Their family was here anyways. This time they agreed to stay over along with Garrison, who lived just down the street, and Finn. The new additions only made the house livelier.

Bonnie laid her head on top of Marceline's shoulder. "Am I staying?" She whispered, while the others were distracted with a new conversation.

"It's your choice. You know he doesn't mind." Marceline wrapped an arm around her crush, lightly brushing circles into her shoulder. "Where else would you go?"

Bonnie raised her head to look Marceline in the eyes. "But, do you want me to?"

"Always."

"Right Marceline?" Her brother called, all eyes on her now.

"Yeah, I used to color on the walls with Sharpie. Don't ask what age." She chuckled. Marceline only guessed at the conversation. She must not have been too off. After all, they took her answer with satisfaction and continued on with their conversation.

"There was this one time…" Marceline turned her attention back to the ravenous Bennet sitting beside her. Her eyes glowing in the chandelier's bright lights.

"Later we can go upstairs and I'll sing to you."

"Wow," She chuckled, clinging onto Marceline's arm. "I think that's the first time I haven't had to beg you to play for me."

"Only this once."

"Hey love birds," Marshal called with a smirk. Finn had come back, still holding a paper towel under his nose for the remanence of his outburst. "Simon is starting the fire outback. You coming or not?"

"Yeah, yeah. We're coming." Marceline waved a hand at him, pushing her chair away from the table to stand.

Bonnie jumped up to hold her hand as they all walked outside. Simon was pouring a small amount of gasoline onto the wood. He knew the fire should start out small before Marshal and Garrison decided to make it larger and almost burn down the neighborhood and scaring everyone into submission.

Bonnie and Marceline shared a seat beside Lady and Jake. Jake and lady held hands as well, but unlike the other couple, wasn't making googley eyes at each other.

Marshal and Garrison had already ran back inside to grab food to burn and other items that probably shouldn't have been burnt.

This was family. Bonnie realized this not long after the night had unfolded. All of her friends, no matter how strange were here, were her family. Much more than family actually.

Marceline looked down at her companion with a smile. One of those heartwarming smiles that she rarely wore, that was brighter than the blazing fire in the dark night. She wanted to say something, something sweet that would roll off the tongue and create a beautiful moment, but she was at a loss of words.

There had never been a moment like this in Marceline's life, where the crackling fire and the silence became her musical encore that she begged never to stop or died down.


Tuesday, December 27th

Even though it had been weeks since she had seen Marceline, it was still weird waking up without being wrapped in her arms. Now that she knew Marceline was in the spare bedroom next door, she had to convince herself not to go next door and invade Marceline's space. Not that she would have minded her doing so.

It was currently nine in the morning, give or take a few minutes. As usual, both of her parents were up making breakfast downstairs. That thought was solidified by the dulled clanking sounds she could hear coming from the kitchen right underneath her bedroom. The smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee wafted from downstairs and through her closed door to tempt her.

After ten minutes of debating whether or not she should wake up her roommate, she decided on letting her sleep in. At least for the next thirty minutes. After that, she'd be too impatient to wait. Also, that may save her from at least one embarrassing childhood story that her mother had definitely planned out beforehand.

When Bonnibel made her way down the stairs she was surprised to see her roommate already sitting on the couch having a conversation with her parents, coffee in hand. She wasn't sure what they were talking about, just that they were all smiling and laughing. Marceline seemed to be enjoying herself.

Oh no, they had more time for embarrassing stories than I planned.

Marceline sat on the couch, silently and patiently listening to her mother's tale of when she had last gone down to the lake. She didn't interrupt once, even as the story lead on for too long of a time and was more boring than you could imagine. Her father tried to change the subject, of course, Marceline objected, attempting to come off as more conscientious than she was. Even though she knew he was right to do so. Her mother's stories were always drolled on endlessly.

Naturally, Marceline was the first one to spot the youngest Bennet coming down the staircase.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Bonnie's stomach did three backflips as Marceline turned to give her the most gorgeous smile. She swore she could practically see hearts drawn around Marceline's face. Even with her messy ebony bedhead, she looked stunning. "I made sure to leave enough in the coffee pot for you to have some."

"Uh...right, thanks."

Her mother's startling scream, "Oh!" and just about made Bonnie almost jump out of her skin. She still wasn't used to how 'excited' her mother got around company. It had been too long since she had last been home. Even when she was going to school in-state, she still lived in the dorms. "Marceline, that reminds me. We are having a few family members coming over for dinner. I promise there will be plenty of food for you."

"As long as there's food, I'm happy." Bonnie heard Marceline chuckle as she walked into the kitchen. As odd as it sounded, Marceline sounded domesticated while her parents were around. Usually, her voice and speech patterns weren't that smooth. Maybe she was trying to avoid sound like her usual rough and punk self to impress them.

Anyone would with how her father had been eyeing her since her arrival. Although he was attempting to maintain a polite and friendly composure, it every so often faltered.

"I hope Bonnibel isn't giving you too much trouble." She heard her father's strong voice as she poured herself the last of the coffee into her favorite mug.

"Nah," Marceline stated casually. "She's pretty cool when she's not giving you the cold shoulder. I'm sure you understand her studying habits."

"Well, she certainly hasn't changed much then. The only time she ever skipped school was to read through one of Steven Hawking's books over black holes."

I'm really not that bad.

"That sounds about right. There was one night where I basically had to drag her away from studying. She hadn't slept much the day before and she looked absolutely exhausted, so I made her go to bed. A few days later she told me she hid a textbook under the covers."

I've done worse than that-I mean it could be worse.

"Bonnibel, you really do get carried away." Her mother began to nag as Bonnie walked back into the living room, planting herself on the couch next to her roommate.

"I can't help it. I'm a singularly focused person. I can't sleep until I'm done with my task."

Marceline gave a shrug. "It wasn't all for nothing. She aced her exams."

"As if she would accept anything less." Her father chuckled.

"Oh, Marceline. I know we didn't give you too much time to visit, but I was thinking we could go out to lunch today. Maybe shop for a little bit?"

"Anything is fine. I'm just glad to be here." Bonnie could tell she was holding back on her eye rolls and sarcastic comments, replacing it with banter and innocent charm that her parent's mild prudishness could endure- possibly even fall in love with.

As long as it worked, Bonnie didn't mind. Her parents approval meant more to her than she would ever admit, even to Marceline.

All she needed was a moment alone with her roommate. The only thing in the world she wanted this holiday season was to be wrapped up all warm and cozy next to her roommate. Certain things were preventing her from that. Firstly, her mother was with them every moment. Secondly, her father was watching their every movement.

And although he didn't want to be rude, he couldn't help but question Marceline's eyes.

She shrugged off his comment and dismissing it with "Oh, my friends always say I'm albino." The subject was quickly let go after that, but it seemed Bonnie wouldn't be getting an answer about that anytime soon.

Marceline did, however, give Bonnie a smile or light-hearted joke when she saw just how desperately she wanted her attention. The musician was unaware of how she was practically a drug to her.

The whole time she was in Ohio, trying to spend time with family and catching up with old friends, she found herself texting Marceline and calling her every night before bed.

It seemed like the rocker didn't mind, which was fantastic for her. Now she was right in front of her. But her presence was toying with her. It was like putting a poisoned piece of cheese in front of a mouse.

"You okay over there?" Marceline's voice brought her back to reality.

They were currently at the mall in some store that her mother always brought her to. Her roommate was standing beside her, an arm full of clothing that Bonnie's mother insisted she had to try on. A worried expression was glued onto her usually carefree features.

"Yeah, I was just spacing out."

"You sure?"

Bonnie managed a wide grin, bumping shoulders to gain some sort of contact with her. "Yes, silly. I promise."

"Hmm," Marceline hummed, obviously not convinced. "Hold on."

Dragging Bonnie by the sleeve of her shirt, she grabbed a number off the desk and pushed Bonnie into the changing room.

"Ah-Marceline..."

As soon as the door locked, Marceline's lips crashed into Bonnie's desperately. So much so that Bonnie just about fell back against the stall wall. It only took a second for her to react and kiss the girl back with an equal amount of force.

Their lips parted after a few seconds when Bonnie decided to ask, "What was that for?"

"You looked like you wanted me to kiss you."

Her ears suddenly felt hot. No wait...her cheeks too. Am...am I blushing?

Something soft pressed against her neck: Marceline's lips. After a moment she felt Marceline sigh, her warm breath cascading down her shoulder. "Your mom is probably looking for us. Should we go back out there?"

"In a second," Bonnie whispered, guiding Marceline's jaw with her fingers so their eyes could meet. She wasn't usually one for initiating contact. That was obvious by how hot her whole face and neck felt. Regardless, she raised herself up on her toes and met Marceline for a more gentle kiss.


Her father was never good at hiding how he felt, or even what he was thinking. It wasn't just in his angry gaze, but also in her pursed lips and squinted eyes.

He should have been happy. Their family was over. Aunt Lolly, her precious niece Goliad, even reclusive uncle Gumball. Yet the only thing he could focus on was how close Bonnie was in proximity to her roommate. They had kept a respectable distance, but it didn't stop them from giving loving eyes and sly smiles at each other. She couldn't tell how many her father had caught onto, though it must have been enough to attract this much of his attention.

At one point Marceline had even commented, "Your dad is really intense. I'm afraid he's gonna pull out a rifle, clean it and give me the talk. You know, like in every country romance scenario."

Bonnie giggled and playfully waved a hand to dismiss any more of those kinds of thoughts, though she was secretly wondering if that notion was that far off.

They were sitting next to each other on the couch, Goliad sitting on Bonnie's lap as she dealt out cards to play Go Fish. The little girl wasn't taking into account that the couch wasn't the best place to play and the cards would slide off or away from each other almost immediately after being put down.

Scooping up her cards, Marceline commented, "He was much nicer on the phone, I swear. Do you think he knows?"

"Well, he asked earlier if we were dating."

This earned an eyebrow raise. "The way you phrased that makes it seem like you denied it."

"I did, but I was planning on telling him before I left."

"So now that I'm here, are you still going to tell him before you leave?"

"I think so." She sighed, looking down at Goliad who patiently waited for their conversation to end so they could continue to play. "I'm pretty sure he already knows though."

"Do we need to have a strategy meeting about it?"

Bonnie built up the courage to look at Marceline. Her crimson tinted eyes met hers immediately. The look alone should have given it away. Anyone in a two-mile radius would be able to see the feeling exchanged in the two seconds they looked at each other.

"I really want to kiss you." Marceline's words were low enough that only they could hear, but they resonated with confidence.

Goliad's face contorted to what Marceline could only describe as 'ew'. The rocker had completely forgotten the child was sitting in Bonnie's lap and she had most definitely heard that.

"Soon, I promise."

Goliad, becoming sick of waiting, cupped a hand over Bonnie's mouth and proclaimed loudly: "We're gonna play now, okay?"

"Okay. You go first then, Goliad."

"Don't make me wait too long, Bennet. I'm feeling impatient today." She was reminded of how she was suddenly pulled into the changing room earlier that day.

"Bonnie!" Her niece yelled, forcing her attention back to the little girl. "Do you have any twos?"

The night went on like that for a while. Outside of being bombarded with questions from family members and the continuation of her father's stares, Bonnie was confident that Marceline was having a good time. And that once everyone left, she would be making sure to spend quality time with her roommate.

Or so she thought.

When the rest of the family slowly started to leave, she noticed Marceline was no longer right beside her. And that her father was also nowhere in sight.

"Mom, have you seen Dad and Marceline?"

"I think he's talking to her outsi-" As if that was the magic phrase, the backyard door opened and Marceline, holding herself from the cold, came inside. Her father followed close behind. "Guess you don't have to go looking for them now."

It wasn't until Marceline was closer that she saw the frustration on her face. The anger on her father's face as well. And it wasn't only apparent to her. The way her mother's features voiced their concern on her pursed lips and scrunched eyebrows told Bonnie everything she needed to know.

He had pulled her aside to ask for a straightforward answer. This was all because Bonnie wasn't honest and refused to cooperate.

Brushing past her, her father began giving his goodbyes to their relatives. Even though he put on a bright smile, the tension never left his shoulders.

And as soon as the door closed, leaving the chatter from the family outside, her father turned on his heels and looked Bonnie straight in the eyes. They were bright blue and as furious as a raging storm. His jaw clenched and eyebrows knitted into absolute fury. "Why did you lie to me?"

"Do we really have to do this now?" Her mother's question came more off as begging, placing a hand on his chest as if that would calm him in any way.

He threw her hand off of him and took another step forward, throwing a pointed finger into Bonnie's face. Instinctively Marceline stepped forward too, an arm protectively placed in front of Bonnie. "I asked and you lied." His voice began to rise.

"It's complicated. That's why-"

"Damn it, Bonnibel. Stop this incessant lying and admit it!"

Although it was subtle, she saw her roommate's head turn ever so slightly toward her. As if she was wondering what she was going to say. As if she was unsure herself. But she knew. She had to have known that all she wanted was to be with her.

"We're dating, okay?" She blurted out. The mixture of expressions in the room was conflicting. Marceline was concerned but obviously relieved. Her father's neck and cheeks slowly began turning red in anger. Her mother's upturned worried eyes were only in reaction to her husband. She had always been accepting of who Bonnibel truly was. "Is that what you wanted to hear? I am dating Marceline."

"I'm going to bed." His voice was all too soft, all the while seething. "And we will talk about this in the morning."

Her mother followed him as he stomped to his bedroom and slammed the door behind them.

Marceline turned to face her, keeping her head down, no doubt blaming herself. "I am so sorry-"

Bonnie's hands desperately wrapped themselves around Marceline's shoulders, pulling her into a strong hug. Things were rough and awkward. Marceline miraculously obtained tickets to fly to Ohio at such a terribly busy and ridiculously expensive time. Why she would even come if she were only staying for a handful of days? It didn't really matter why. She went through all of this trouble just for her father to treat her like he had.

She wasn't sure what was said and she couldn't imagine what Marceline felt. So the only thing she felt she could do was hug her in as tight of an embrace as she could. As if it would squeeze the stress out of her girlfriend.

"None of this was your fault. I was afraid, and that's why fault for not telling him sooner. I didn't deny it because I didn't want it. I denied it because I didn't know if this was really something you wanted." She hadn't noticed how unsteady her voice had become, how it cracked and wavered as tears streaming down her cheeks and onto Marceline's shoulder. "You are so good to me, Marceline. I'm so sorry that my dad treated you this way."

"Hey, it's okay, Bon. Really." She pulled her in closer and pressed her lips against Bonnie's cheek where her tears fell. "Please don't cry."

"Can we go to bed?"

"Yeah, let's go to bed."

Bonnie hadn't allowed Marceline to part ways with her that night. It didn't matter at this point which room she slept in, so she might as well have fallen asleep in the arms of her girlfriend. And she did.

Sleep came easy, but only because Marceline was finally sleeping next to her again.


Review time!

D3nsei: I decided that it would be more interesting if Bonnie's parents were the unaccepting ones. Except that her mother has no opinion of it, mostly keeps quiet about her opinions. It's a change from the other stories I've read. Just tired of Hutson being the only unaccepting one.

Princesssensei: Why thank you! I try.

Lillix92: I looked more into what little they put about Braco's personality. I don't think he's a huge creep, just that he doesn't stop to get what he wants. He'll probably keep trying and act like he doesn't care. Haven't really decided on that part yet. A lot of people believe if Bonnie and Marceline are together, then Gumball and Marshal should be too. (Or at least my girlfriend thinks so) I do have a plan for how it will end up though.