A/N- Here it is at last. The last chapter! I can't believe it...I also can't believe it took so long -slaps forehead and looks at calendar- Time really does fall away. This chapter might seem really awkward at one point, but remember the warning from the get go :P And the "awkward" moment is actually borrowed from an "awkward" moment in Back to the Future.

The title is based on the song of the same title by the Dizmas. I'm a little crazy and pick theme songs for my stories almost as if they were movies. So basically, if this was a movie and there were end credits, this song would be in the credits!!

Right now, I want to take the moment to thank doodlegirll, BunnyGirl6, bean15, Ember411, and Vixen's Shadow for all of the wonderful reviews! Extra thanks goes to doodlegirll for helping betaread for me :)

Whatever you do, please read the Author Note at the end of this chapter! Now, on to the chapter!"So, sis," Tallulah immediately heard the teasing tone in her brother's voice and wasn't sure she was ready for what he had to say. After all, she had just left Johnny hanging. "Does Carl make a good husband?" Laszlo could hardly hide a devious face as he asked.

If You Love Someone

"What are you talking about?" Tallulah looked at him in bewilderment.

"Well, seeing as the two of you played house the past day or so, I was just curious," Laszlo reiterated.

"Playing house? Lasz, we were taking care of a bunch of kids; it was serious! We weren't playing," Tallulah rolled her eyes, not sure what her brother was trying to make of the conversation.

"Okay, maybe not, but you're going to tell me that you didn't enjoy being the mother role and him being the father role?" Laszlo wasn't about to give it a rest.

"Lasz, sometimes you make me so frustrated. So what if he was the 'father role' as you put it. He was a pretty good one," Tallulah answered, somehow her tone gave away that she didn't even realize she was proving the sideways point that Laszlo was attempting to coerce from his sister. "I mean, he was great with the kids. Better than I think he thought he was. And he only lost his patience once but I suppose that was a little of both of our faults for making hasty assumptions but he more than made up for it. He went out of his way to make sure my lunch date with Johnny went well and…"

There was a long bout of silence and it was clear Tallulah was thinking hard about something. "And…" Laszlo prodded for her to finish.

"And maybe I took that for granted," she answered finally. "I've got to go find Carl." She turned and ran to find the robot, yelling behind her as she did, "Thanks, Lasz! You're still wrong but thanks!"

Laszlo watched his sister go, a peculiar look on his face, "You're still wrong but thanks?" He echoed her words then finally shrugged his shoulders. "Hmm, must mean I'm right."

--Tallulah's Fashion Room--

"You should be proud, Carl," Franny congratulated the robot as they stood in the fashion room. All of the kids were eagerly telling Wanda everything that had happened all at once.

"It was nothing really," Carl answered, several other thoughts already running through his head. "Tallulah did most of the work. I only did what she told me too."

"Well, that's how it always goes," Johnny joined the conversation on his own free will. "But, hey, from the way Tallulah talked during lunch, I think she appreciated you more than you might think. And that was pretty cool of you to hold down the fort in order for Tallulah to go to lunch with me."

"It's something she really wanted. And you could be her big break," Carl answered, an uneasy glint in his eyes.

"Oh, big break is hardly the way to describe it. Colossal break might be more appropriate," Johnny corrected. "Tallulah is really talented."

"Yes, she is," both Carl and Franny nodded.

"In fact, since you all seem to have a lot to do here, I'm eager to get these designs over to my uncle's studio," Johnny patted the portfolio he held under his arm. Tallulah had left out in such a rush that he had taken it upon himself to snag a few of her designs. He was even hoping to eventually surprise her by not letting her know he had taken any, but he knew any good designer would notice something so important was missing. "It was nice meeting all of you. And I hope this is just the first of many more times in the future," he added in a debonair voice.

Carl felt himself growing uncomfortable at the idea of always seeing Johnny Vantino around, especially since he knew what it could lead to. Still, admitting to that would be just as bad as admitting that he had romantic feelings towards Tallulah! He attempted to shrug it off as he watched Johnny leave in search of Tallulah to say goodbye for the afternoon.

"What's wrong, Carl?" Talia had made her way over to Carl, who was now standing alone as Franny had gone over to join Wanda, noticing with her keen innocent senses that something was the matter.

"Nothing, Talia," Carl answered and Talia could tell it wasn't the truth.

"Wanda says that a lie is still a lie even when we just don't feel like telling the truth."

"She does?" Carl stared at the girl, raising one of his metal eyebrows ever so slightly. "I'm not sure if that makes much sense."

"Sure it does. Just because you don't want to tell me what's wrong. It doesn't mean something's not wrong. It's easy to understand," Talia answered in simple wisdom. "Maybe you should tell Tallulah. She's a great listener and you seem like best friends."

"I don't know about best friends, Talia," Carl said with a small smile. "But you're right, she is a good listener. I just don't know if this is something I want her to hear. I don't even want to hear it."

"Oh," Talia said, as if what Carl had said was enlightening. "Maybe it's what you both want to hear but you can't because neither of you will say it because you're afraid the other won't listen," Talia waxed philosophically, causing Carl to stare at her in utter bewilderment. "I heard that on a movie once," she smiled, patted Carl's hand and then hurried back over to the others.

"She's smarter than all of us," Carl said, the young girl's words having actually gotten through to him. "I need to find Tallulah," he rushed out of the room.

--Robinson Hallway--

"Where could he be? I would have sworn he'd be with Wilbur now that he's back. And he's not with Cornelius," Tallulah walked around the house looking for Carl. "I know he can't still be with the kids. Then again, he is a softy…" she started to say when suddenly someone came flying out of the nearby travel tube and knocked her to the ground. "What the…" she picked herself up and looked at the other on the ground. To her surprise it was Carl. Of course, she had no way of knowing that it wasn't the Carl she was looking for. "Carl, are you okay?" she asked helping him up.

"Crazy, devil tubes, I…" the young Carl realized who she was. "I…I…I…yeah, I'm, uh, I'm fine," he answered nervously. "Oh, uh, are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?"

Tallulah giggled a little, curious about his sudden shyness. "After yesterday's run in with Tiny, it'd take three gunshots to hurt me even slightly, and seeing as my mom is a puppet, I probably have just about the same amount of indestructibility as she does," she joked. She then began studying Carl carefully, noticing that he looked a little different than usual, a fact credited to his still being in the early stages of her cousin's inventive genius. "Carl, I know it's been a rough day or so, but you look more worn than I even feel."

"Well, I, you know, it's just," Carl fumbled, his robotic brain realizing she must have him confused with his other self.

"It's okay. You don't have to explain. I know perfectly well what you probably went through taking the kids on by yourself," Tallulah stopped him before the truth could be revealed. "And I just want to say thank you. I know you did it as an apology, but it was much more than that. I mean, these past twenty-four hours have been kind of crazy, but I think we pulled through pretty nicely. And you were wonderful."

"No, no, I wasn't," Carl said timidly, feeling slightly guilty that he hadn't told her who he really was yet.

"Of course you were. You tried you best to make sure I wouldn't end up like everyone else in the first place. And then you were practically my hero when Tiny fell on me and then again for arranging it so my lunch date with Johnny could remain as planned," Tallulah responded, her heart warming as she spoke of all the things that Carl had done. "And just for being a wonderful friend."

All at once, Tallulah felt her heart flutter for a moment, her cheeks flush and her head spin. She suddenly looked at the robot strangely. Without thinking, she gave Carl a very small kiss before he could react. When she pulled away, she had an even stranger expression on her face. "I, I'm sorry, I just…um, that's not exactly…it was a friendly kiss," she finally blurted before quickly shuffling past the dazed robot.

As for the younger Carl, he had hearts in his eyes and had his antigravity functions been invented yet, he would have most likely been floating off the ground.

Meanwhile, Tallulah was in an embarrassed hurry to find someplace where she could think privately. "What was I thinking!? I'm not in love with him! Why did I even do that? It was like kissing my brother, which is gross considering, but it was so…" Tallulah's confused ramble was stopped as she nearly ran into Johnny.

"Oh, Johnny, I…" Tallulah was now even more embarrassed. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, you were just lost in thought," Johnny said forgivingly. "It's not like you were talking to yourself or something," he laughed and Tallulah laughed along, wanting to hide the fact that she had been. "So, I should be getting back to my uncle's studio. But I just wanted to let you know I snagged a few of your designs to take with me. I picked a few that are perfect for a collection my Uncle's working on at the moment. Do you mind?" Johnny asked, showing her the ones he had taken.

"Of course I don't," Tallulah answered with new found pep, her mind temporarily alleviated from her current situation. "I can't believe you like my designs so well. I mean, I only dreamed this could happen. And thank you for coming along to help out."

"Well, it didn't seem I was needed too much, but what can I say, I'm a great guy," Johnny responded in mock arrogance, although it wasn't quite clear to Tallulah whether or not he meant it in an entirely joking manner. Of course, she didn't need anything else to dwell on at the moment. "No, I actually had a great time. Lunch with you was amazing. Sure it was short, but it's almost like I've known you my entire life. I know completely corny, right?"

"Not actually," Tallulah answered, not sure what to think about his comment. "You might be surprised to find out how many girls actually like to hear those kinds of things. Or maybe you already know that," Tallulah couldn't deny that she was somewhat fishing for any background information.

"Maybe," Johnny more than willingly played along. "Or maybe you're the first girl I've said it to."

"Is that so?" Tallulah raised an eyebrow.

"And meant it," He replied with even more charm than ever.

He was sweet enough, he loved what Tallulah loved, he definitely had confidence; there was no reason Tallulah could think of to not like Johnny. And as they now stood in an awkward silence, she wondered if it were actually possible he was attracted to her. Despite her weird background, despite her crazy family, despite her own oddness. And yet, her heart didn't flutter the same way it had with Carl…but she didn't even want to think of that possibility!

"And what are you thinking about now?" Johnny asked in a more hushed tone, not wanting to completely destroy the moment as he broke through Tallulah's deepest thoughts.

"I…I'm thinking…" Tallulah wracked her brain and finally settled on what she felt she must secretly want. "I'm thinking I'm determined to like you."

"You know, I had the same thought," he responded swiftly yet as sweetly as possible.

"Sounds like we're on the same page then," Tallulah smiled.

"Good. The same page means that we're that much closer together," Johnny didn't blink or hesitate. Instead he grabbed Tallulah's hand to bring her closer.

All the while, Carl was wandering the large house in search of Tallulah. "You can do this," he kept telling himself as he did. "All you have to do is say, 'Tallulah, I'm having these weird feelings. I think I might…might, come on, Carl…I might enjoy your company a little more than, you know, before and I…oh what am I thinking! That's the most unromantic way to put it. Maybe I should just…just…" he stopped in his tracks, wearing an expression as though he'd seen something horrible like a murder taking place.

There before his very eyes was Tallulah and Johnny Vantino pulling away from a kiss. Carl suddenly felt as though his circuits would shut down completely and he fought the urge to pull out his own primary chip after seeing such a thing. He turned away quickly before he could be spotted. "I…I…" He fumbled for words as he hurried away. "At least I saved myself from finding out I how she feels." Carl tried to find the bright side as he sighed and fell onto one of the many seats scattered about the house. "And…and…now I know how I feel about her."

It was the moment of truth for Carl. Seeing Tallulah with Johnny like that made him wish that he had never been invented. He loved her. He knew that now, but he had missed the chance when he had it and now he was beating himself up on the inside. To Carl, it was obvious she wanted Johnny Vantino and he would never mean anything to her more than what he already did.

Lost in his despair, he barely noticed when some of the kids passed by. Talia was skipping along after them, singing as she went, "If you love someone, then let them go. And if they come back to you they're yours," she was gone before Carl could hear any of the rest but it had been enough to snap him out of his meltdown. He began working through all of the scenarios, analyzing his new found discovery.

All Carl wanted was for Tallulah to be happy. He had always wanted that, even before he'd given into his inevitable feelings. But now even his computer of a brain couldn't imagine not being the one to make Tallulah happy. Would letting her go really be the key to finding out if she could live without him…if he could even learn to live without her? Or should he just risk telling her how he felt while it was clear she would turn him down for the smarter choice? The robot let out a desperate huff of air as he continued processing everything there was to deliberate.

"I don't want to let go," Carl finally whispered to himself. He stood up and walked over to the closest window and looked out. Outside he saw Tallulah on the drive, waving to Johnny as he left. He felt his despair mixing with determination and knew what he had to do, at least for now. "But I will. I love you, Tallulah. I will."

THE END

A/N Cont. - Gah! There was kissage! Hope it wasn't too awkward for anyone. I didn't specifically say where the kiss took place, so if that helps anyone...!! Also, don't think that's the end! Poor Carl...he's determined now. So there will be more to come. I hope everyone enjoyed this story and I hope that you stick with the series in the future. Thanks everyone :)