It took nearly a month for me to be able to get on my feet and move on my own. Every day Cake, Gumball and Marshall would help me out, holding me while I walk. After a while, I got the hang of it, and I was able to glide through the palace like my old self. Of course everything still hurt, but it wasn't a sharp, searing pain anymore. Now it was just dull and achy, like my muscles protesting movement because of their stiffness.

Finally they took those tubes out of my arm, and I was able to stuff my face full of the amazing food that Peppermint Maid had set up for everyone. A week ago was the first time that we all—meaning me, Cake, Marshall, PG and Sam—ate together. I guess Sam just took up permanent residence in the castle, coming on as the lead researcher for Gumball and the Candy Kingdom. Cake's been hanging out a lot, too, to make sure I was doing alright.

Today was Gumball's turn to take me for my walk outside. For whatever lame reason, everyone got all freaked out when I said I wanted to go outside, so I always had an escort. They probably thought I would run away or something. But who am I to argue? The company of my lovers and friends was something I cherished more than anything nowadays.

"So, Fionna, I have to ask… when you were in that other world, and you were watching us, did you see… did you see me and Marshall…" He stuttered and fumbled over his words, his face going hot and his body tensing.

I squeezed his hand gently and smiled up at him. "Did I see you guys interviewing potential wives? Yeah. I saw the whole thing. You two are so mean sometimes, you know that?" I tried to make it sound light and fun, but I think he took it deeper than that.

"I know. I sent apology letters to all of the kingdoms, explaining my situation. Some of them were returned to me, others were replied to with hate mail, but there were a few princesses who understood my blight." He kept his eyes focused on the ground, deep in thought, as we walked together in silence for a minute, enjoying the sunset over the garden, the breeze flowing through my airy dress and loose hair. "Did you see… the other thing?"

I knew what he was talking about. He was asking if I had seen him try to convince the council that he and Marshall should marry. "I did. I think it's super lame that they didn't let you do it. They act like a clone of you and Marshall is some disaster waiting to happen! What idiots." He chuckled a little, though not enough to convince me that he didn't feel ashamed for trying to pick out a new wife. I stopped us and made him turn to face me, his eyes avoiding contact with mine. "Gumball, it's okay. I promise. You did what you had to do."

"It's not that," he said, nearly interrupting me. "It's just… I have a little over a month left to be married and have a legitimate wife for the Candy Kingdom. More than anything in the entire universe, I want that person to be you. But this timing… it just isn't right. After all you've been through, I couldn't possibly expect you to marry me within a month. That's just selfish of me, and heartless, even. That kind of pressure shouldn't have to fall on your shoulders."

I understood what he meant and how he felt. Immediately I was brought back to that place where I was so unsure of marriage that I told him no. And yet, here we were again, with a completely new situation and completely new circumstances. "Gumball, I won't be offended or hurt or pressured if you asked me to marry you in a month. The thought is terrifying, I won't lie, but it's beyond just you and me. This is for the good of the Candy Kingdom." I smiled up at him, resting my palm on his flushed cheek. "I love you. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you and with Marshall. I guess the only thing that terrifies me is the title. And maybe the responsibility, a little bit."

He giggled at that, gently wrapping his arms around me and bringing me into an embrace. Everyone had been extra careful around me so as not to hurt me more than I already hurt, and affection was definitely downgraded for the time being. So this hug was nice in its own, painful way. "You are incredible, Fionna. Truly incredible," he whispered into my ear. Then he pulled away, smiling, and fell to one knee, with my hand in his and his face blaring a huge smile up at me. "Fionna the Human, will you officially marry me?"

I covered my mouth with one hand and turned my eyes away. I know I agreed to marrying him a long time ago, but the vision of him on his knee, the smile on his face, the happiness in his eyes. For some reason, it all connected together in my head. My worries and doubts flooded away with his simple question. I fell to my knees, too, and swung my arms around him, ignoring the dull pain pulling at my muscles. "Of course I will, Prince Gumball," I whispered into his neck, tears starting to overflow in my eyes.

We held each other there for a long time, long enough for the sun to actually set behind the mountains in the distance. When we finally pulled away and stood up, there was just enough light left to get back into the castle without turning the lamps on.

"Is it alright if we announce it?" he asked me, overjoyed and filled with excitement. I can only imagine the pressure that was finally off his shoulders. Not only did he find a queen, but he convinced a woman he loved to be his wife. For him, this must be the ultimate news.

I giggled at his excitement and leaned my head against his arm as we walked. "Okay, but only if you do it wearing nothing but a bow tie on your neck."

He chuckled heartily at me before saying, "You're cute, but you're not that cute. I'll announce it at dinner tonight, and have Peppermint Maid start on the preparations. We'll marry on the day the council demands I have a wife. I think it'll be a nice 'screw you', don't you think?"

"Woooow," I laughed, "my fiancé is a badass now! Marrying me to insult the council! Oh no, watch out!"

He may not have found it as amusing as I did, but he did laugh with me. As we walked up the patio, through the entrance hall, up the stairs and into the dining room, he chatted away about dresses and suits and preparations and times. In all my life, this was the most excited I'd ever seen him.

"Well well well! Looks like the happy couple was having an exceptionally good night!" Marshall announced to the whole dining room. Everyone was already seated and waiting for us so they could begin dinner. Except Marshall, who floated above his chair like the king of gravity, like furniture insulted his being.

Gumball didn't even hear him. He just held me close to him and raised his arm, clearing his throat. "Attention everyone! We have an announcement!" He stopped and smiled down at me, his face nearly unable to contain his excitement. "Fionna has agreed to marry me! We'll be married in a little over a month, on the last day the council will allow me to have before providing them with a queen!"

There was a loud cheer and outburst from everyone. They all stood up and hooted and howled, clapping as loud as they could. Even the cooks and the servants came out to cheer. The whole kingdom probably could have heard.

Peppermint Maid trotted over to us, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Master Gumball, when shall we start the preparations?"

"As soon as possible! I was thinking we could have a veranda wedding, and we'll invite as many people from all over as the palace can hold!" He gently squeezed me before taking a break in his lengthy description of his dream wedding. He gave me a light kiss on the lips and smiled at me. "Fionna, please eat. Peppermint Maid and I are going to plan the wedding." He let go of me then and turned to PM, babbling on in hushed tones about color schemes and cake designs and such as they walked briskly from the dining room, PM smiling and nodding the whole time.

I went and took my usual seat next to Marshalls useless chair, my plate already full with all kinds of meats and fruits. I think I was more excited about the food than the wedding.

"Hey, uh, Fi? Don't you care at all that you're not being included in the wedding planning?" Cake asked from beside me, watching me stuff my face. I looked up and noticed that everyone was watching me.

"Nope," I answered, my mouth full of some kind of delicious meat.

"Really? Not at all? Didn't you dream of this for the longest time?" Cake pushed, cautiously and carefully.

"Not in the least. I don't really care what colors it'll be or who's going to be there. My dream was to marry the guy. I couldn't care less how the wedding goes." I had hardly finished talking before stuffing that chicken leg back into my mouth.

"Ha ha! That's my girl! Straight to the point. Let Gummy deal with all that frilly stuff. It's his thing. You might kill him if you take it away from him," Marshall chuckled from above us, sucking the red right out of an apple.

I let out some sort of twist between a grunt and a "yeah" as I kept eating. Cake eyed me warily, but eventually, she, too began to stuff her face.

Honestly, I didn't see the big deal. So what? It's a wedding. They happen all the time. And besides, Gumball was all over this. I was afraid that if I gave an opinion that didn't match his own, he'd rip my head off himself. I figured it was best to leave those details to him.

What really worried me was what would happen after the wedding. Gumball said that he didn't expect anything different of me, but what about the rest of the kingdom? I would be their queen, so surely I would need to do some queenly things, right? I mean, Gumball couldn't always be there to handle my duties. It was a responsibility that terrified me. If only Gumball wasn't a prince…

I sighed to myself as I thought about it. Gumball is a prince. And my stupid butt just happened to fall in love with him. But, you know what? Whatevs! I traveled to a whole other world for the guy. I froze myself in ice for that man! I could handle being queen. How hard could it be? Right?

Right?

My mood drastically lowered as I thought about it. I would freeze myself in ice a thousand times if I could avoid responsibility. Just the word made me tremble.

You're doing it for Gumball, Fionna. And you're doing it for the Candy Kingdom. All of the citizens here adore you and know who you are. They'll understand when you'd rather go on adventures instead of signing petitions. You'll be fine.

I sighed again, this time more contented. My inner voice was right. I've done so much for those people, and they tell me every day how much they appreciate me and my heroic actions. Surely they won't want me to give up saving their sorry butts from danger so I could listen to them whine, or throw balls, or… or whatever queens do.

Yeah! Things would be alright!

I hope…