I don't remember if I already asked this, but those of you who didn't answer: Does five foot two sound like a good height for Holly? Maybe five feet? Tell me!

Holly burst into Artemis's study, forgetting that she was still shielded. To Artemis it would have appeared that the door had swung open on its own.

He sighed, not unduly worried about it. It was probably just Myles and Beckett being annoying again.

"Beckett, Myles, stop playing with my door," Artemis yelled.

The door slammed itself shut just then and Holly materialized in front of it.

"Sorry, I forgot to turn off my shield." She smiled.

"Holly," Artemis said, unable to keep for smiling also. It was ridiculous to Artemis that he had missed her when she'd only been gone for half a day, but when he saw her, he felt as though some missing piece of him had been returned. He shuddered at the lame analogy.

"I thought that Myles and Beckett were attempting some stupid joke or some sort. They've tried it before, trust me."

Holly nodded. "I do." She walked over to Artemis, sat on his lap and nestled her head into his shirt. "Trouble's mad at me."

He put his arms around her. "That was to be expected."

"But it still hurt. I love him like a brother. I really would have been the most awkward thing to marry him, but I hate to hurt him that way."

Artemis sighed. "I know. I hope he wasn't unnecessarily rude to you."

Holly shrugged. "What difference would it make? He hates me, thinks I'm a disgrace to the People."

"But you aren't," Artemis told her. "You've saved them numerous times from certain destruction."

"With your help," Holly reminded him.

"That isn't the point. You aren't a disgrace, you're a hero and it doesn't matter what Trouble thinks anyway. You made a decision. You can't go back on it now."

"You're biased," Holly accused teasingly.

"Be that as it may, I don't believe that you want to go back on it anyway."

Holly shook her head, splaying her hand over Artemis's chest where his heart beat steadily. "I really don't. I actually feel ridiculously free. I get to live on the surface Artemis," she said, looking up at his face. "It's every fairy's dream. Which reminds me. No. 1 and Qwan know how to make me taller and at this moment, they're working on extending your lifespan."

Artemis nodded. "Good to know. I wasn't keen on shortening your lifespan."

Holly smiled. "I wasn't either." She thought for a moment, playing absently with one of the buttons on his shirt. "Do you think I'll look weird as a Mud Person?"

Artemis frowned. "That's a terrible question to ask."

"I'm curious what you think."

"Does this mean you'll be losing your magic?" Artemis asked, catching the Mud Person phrase.

"No, I think I get to keep it. I mean, do you think I'll look weird being taller?"

Artemis shook his head. "Of course you won't look weird."

"Are you just saying that?"

Artemis shook his head. "Not a chance. You'll still be just as beautiful as you are now."

Holly blushed and looked down. "Thanks."

Artemis smiled. "I don't care what you look like Holly. You'll always be mine, no matter what." He leaned down and kissed her gently.

Holly reached up and grasped the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer. She held on with one hand and wound the other through his raven black hair.

Minutes later they broke apart, both breathing a bit harder.

"I should have come back so much sooner," Holly muttered. "I'm sorry."

Artemis shook his head slightly. "It's alright. I'd rather that you came later than not at all."

Holly smiled. "Me too."

Artemis reached into one of his pockets and withdrew a small, black, velvet box. He flipped open the lid. Inside sat a ring. The white gold band shone and the single, but large diamond that sat in the middle of the band sparkled brightly despite the dim lighting.

Artemis looked Holly in the eyes, seeing her hazel one and his blue one looking back at him.

"Holly Short, I promise to love you and look after you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"