A Secret Wish
Chapter 9

Birthday Ball and Wedding Bells

Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake. No Copyright Intended. I do own the story/plot line because I made that all up with me, myself and I. Enjoy :)

The sounds of violins, flutes and other musical instruments fill the palace as I make my way to the ballroom. I walk slowly to get the door a top the grand staircase. I straighten out my gown and sigh, waiting for the servants to open the double door and the announcer to well announce my presence. My hair is up in a braided updo, my tiara fitting perfectly on my head. Small dangling diamond earrings frame my face and the necklace to match, diamonds forming a rose in the middle. Wearing my mother's dress, I feel so amazing. So beautiful in this, today was perfect. Everything just feels so right. I hope this ball is going to be great as well, not like all the other boring ones in the past. Here's hoping. The doors open, I take a deep breath and walk through. The announcer bangs his staff on the marble stairway.

"Now presenting her majesty, Fionna Liliana Renee Aaa. Princess of Aaa."

The guests cheered and welcomed me. I smiled and walked down the stairs like the princess I am and met Marshall at the bottom. He took my hand, bowed to me and kissed it.

"You are gorgeous Fionna, the dress suits you. But for the record, I like you better without the dress on." He said smirking.

I blushed a little as he led me through the ballroom. Gumball was there and he introduced me to his new wife, Ella. It was a little awkward seeing him at first, he was my first real crush and all. He gives me a small smile and wave, I wave back. Marshall sees this and smirks, walking me over there.

"What are you doing?" I ask him.

"Why, just saying hello to ol' Prince Gumbutt." he said chuckling.

I knew that he and Gumball had some past history, Marshall was telling me about it one day but cut it off. I guess they used to be friends until well I don't know, something must have happened between them. Whatever it was couldn't have ended on good terms.

"Ah, Prince Gumball, how do you do?" Marshall asks flashing a sly smile.

"Fine thank you, Marshall Lee." He said casually, pursing his lips.

"Oh my apologies, I am Marshall Lee King of the Nightosphere. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Marshall says politely, giving Princess Ella a kiss on her hand. To that Gumball scowled and Marshall smirked. His scowl ended when he caught sight of me.

"My aren't you a pretty picture, you look beautiful tonight Princess. Happy Birthday Fionna" He grabbed my hand and kissed it in that prince charming way of his.

I smiled, "Thank you Bartleby."

"Happy Birthday, milady." Ella says to me, curtsying.

I curtsy back, "Thank you, pleased to meet you your highness. Bartleby has told me so much about you."

She blushed a bit, rose her hand to hide a small smile and giggled, "Oh my. I hope not to many boring tales."

"No, not at all." I said politely.

So this is the girl that Gumball practically dumped me for, can't blame him, she is beautiful. She is wearing a beautifully designed pink and blue ball gown that fades into purple when the colors come together, decked out in glitter. She even is wearing silver body glitter and her hair is down in tight curls, the right side all clipped to the back in a cute hair pin. She has green eyes and light pink hair, matching the color of her dress.

"I know things are a bit awkward, seeing as how Bartleby was betrothed to you until he backed out to marry me but I do hope things between us lighten up. I would very much like to be friends." Ella said bluntly with a smile.

"No trouble between us, I hope you and the Prince do live a long and happy life together. Being friends would be wonderful. You can have your Prince, I have a King."

I said that in all honesty, I have no feelings anymore for Gumball like that. And yeah, that last bit was a little satisfaction on my part for them both putting me through that heartbreak. I never want to feel that pain again. My heart took a different direction and landed on a vampire punk rock singer. I look up at Marshall Lee and smile, he makes me so happy, I really do love him. The both of them looked shocked by that news.

"Haven't you heard Princess Ella? Fionna and I are getting married next week. It'll be so magnificent, don't you think so Fionna?"

Marshall asked, "Yes, wonderful." I replied with a smile.

We walked away from them because I was being called by other royals and nobles all to wish me a happy birthday and congratulations on the engagement and wedding next week. The music started to slow down a bit, Marshall bowed to me and held out a hand for me to take.

"Will you do the honor in dancing with me, my love?"

"Of course." I said with a smile and took his hand.

We danced and danced to what seemed like forever when in reality it was only a couple minutes. Getting lost in eachother, having this love we share for each other becoming all consuming is all that I could ever wish for. My secret wish long ago was to find a love on my own, a love like the one my parents shared but this love become my own. To know this kind of love is all that I need in this life, I sigh and rest my head on his shoulder.

"Ah hem." A voice is cleared behind us.

I turn around to see my father, smile on his face, hands behind his back.

"Pardon the intrusion, but might I steal my daughter for a dance?" he asked Marshall.

"Not at all, your grace." He said, giving me a kiss on my hand before handing me over to my father.

I smiled at my father as we walked out to the middle of the ballroom. He spun me around and bowed to me as I curtsied before we started dancing.

"You look so much like your mother in that dress, Fionna. She would be so proud of you as am I. Seeing the strong, compassionate young woman you have become brings me great joy. It gives me solace knowing that you will be loved and cared for when I leave this world and go into the next." He said with tears brimming his tired, joyful eyes.

I smiled warmly at him, "Thank you father. It means a lot to me. I know we don't always see eye to eye on everything, but I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything. You've always been there for me, looking over me when I make mistakes and comforting me when I get into situations that cause me to get hurt. I love you daddy." I said then kissed his cheek.

"I love you too Fionna."

We danced for a while more, people filled in the empty spaces and it soon became so crowded I didn't know what left from right was. We continued like that for a bit until I started noticing my father faltering in his steps. I hold him up with my arms.

"Father are you alright?" I ask.

"Fine, fine. I just need some air, all this dancing is making me a bit dizzy."

"Alright, let me help you." I said.

I put his arm over my shoulder and helped him through the maze of people and outside to the balcony. He held his arms out on the railing, catching his breath. I rubbed his back and leaned over him concern written all over my face.

"Father are you sure you are alright? I could go call for the doctor." I said, starting to walk away.

"Fionna wait!" He gasped out and then like that he dropped to the floor.

Scared I rushed to his side and held up his head, when he hit the ground he hit his head, I pulled my hand away and saw a small trickle of scarlet run through my fingers. Struck with horror and this heart wrenching feeling, I screamed.

-The Next Week: The Wedding-

I look down at myself in the mirror, dressed in white. My hair is down in golden waves, a crown of white violets sit on my head along with a clear laced vail. My dress in a simple tight fitted bodice that bring out my figure, with a flowing skirt, like water. My ladies tend to the final touches of the dress, my brother awaiting me in the room to escort me out.

Finn walks up to me and hold my hand, "Don't be so sad Fionna. He wouldn't want you to cry on your wedding day, unless those are tears of joy."

I sighed and tried to hold them back causing a lump in my throat.

"I know, it's just so hard to be happy with him gone. He was supposed to be here Finn, he was supposed to see me and give me away. And now….he's gone."

After my father collapsed on my birthday last week, he fell ill for 2 days and passed away in his sleep. We had the funeral that Sunday since my birthday ball was on that Thursday, Finn's coordination was yesterday, Tuesday and today, today is Thursday again. Just like my father told me, in a weeks time from my birthday I would be wed to Marshall Lee King of the Nightosphere. Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life but I can't be happy now. Not with him gone so soon. His absence in this room is magnified and I'm struggling so hard not to burst into tears.

Finn closed his eyes and held my hands tighter, "I know Fionna, his absence haunts me too. But come on Fi, it's your wedding day. You are marrying the love of your life, focus on him and I promise you. The pain from father's loss will lessen as you look at him. Trust me on this."

I sighed and nodded as he took my hand and led me out of the room, Marie handing me my bouquet of white lilies and blue roses. Finn led me through the hallways, out of the palace to the gardens. Guests sitting in white chairs for over 10 rows on either side of 10 chairs per row, all of the royals and nobles from all around the kingdom. Both mine and Marshall's, even Gumball and Ella attended. Marshall standing at the altar, back to me as he talks to the priest and when the murmurs of people come to a stop as they acknowledge my presence, Marshall turns around. His mouth agape for a minute which made me smile at him. Finn was right, seeing that look on Marshall's face was all that I needed to lift my spirits. Blue silk banners were strung all down the aisle, blue rose flower petals carefully fall on the walkway as the little flower girl walks out, followed by the ring bearer. The music starts up and Finn walks me down the aisle. Finn bows a little to Marshall giving me away to him before he takes his place next to Emily, who is now happily pregnant with the future King or Queen of Aaa. Looking at Marshall, seeing him look at me with at loving gaze makes my heart skip a beat. He mouthed the words, 'I love you', to me and I smiled mouthing, "I love you too" back to him. We both shared a warm smile before turning our attention to the priest. Oh how I wish dad could be here but I know he would want me to be happy. And if I know anything he found mom along his journey and there they will stay forever in love, nothing, not even death could separate them, I love you both so very much, rest in peace.