A/N: Dude! Almost a whole year! I can't believe it. I'm so sorry. Bah. Well, I have a month until Christmas; my goal is to finish by then! It's another short one, but . . . I think it packs a few things in. Much thanks to keacdragon (Glad you enjoyed the last chapter!), Nithusa, Narnia Addict, salazarsgoddess, Katrina Clark, & roni2010-tealyellow!

Chapter XVII

"So what was that about?" Charlie asked, when Fia hung up the phone and shuddered.

"My mom. It's her and Bernard's anniversary this weekend, and she wants to ultra-seduce him."

"Oh. Huh."

"Yup."

Mab, wearing the purple and green concoction that she and her daughter had designed for the purposes of this weekend, grinned at Bernard when he opened his eyes.

"We're . . . Where are we?"

"We're at my gazebo. I like to come here to think."

"Oh. I didn't know."

"No one does. I wouldn't be able to think if there were people everywhere."

He sent her a half-smile. "Guess not. I appreciate you bringing me here, Mab."

She scoffed at his formality and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

"I was thinking . . ."

His eyebrows raised warily. This was not good.

"How would you feel about . . . us . . . having a baby?"

Bernard's eyes widened and he swallowed, spine stiffening. Nope. Not good.

Charlie had taken Fia for coffee at the school café between classes.

"Hey Fi?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever think we'll miss it?"

"Miss what, Charlie?"

"This. Normal things. I mean, eventually, I'm going to live . . . up North. And whatever happens with us, you'll be there or with your mom, right?"

"Yeah, probably," she said, blushing at the implication that they might still be together in the far future. "I don't know, I think normal's overrated. But if we do ever miss it, when can always come back for a visit. I don't know how that whole Santa thing works, but surely you could be away from there for a few hours at least."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Hey, Charlie." Fia fought back a grimace at the too-familiar, too cheery, voice. "And Fionna! How've you been?"

"Peachy, Danielle. Just peachy. I'm going to . . . be back, Charlie."

He nodded dazedly as his ex sat down in the seat that Fia vacated.

"How are you, Charlie?"

"Uh, I'm okay. How about you, Dani?"

"I've been missing you. Would . . . Would you want to go to dnner Friday?"

"Actually . . ."

"His girlfriend would have a problem with that. Sorry."

Danielle glared up at Fia, and then looked back to Charlie. "Your girlfriend?"

Charlie nodded, trying not to smile. "You know Fi."

"Oh. Oh . . . Well. I guess I'll be going. Fionna. Charlie . . . You have my number if you ever change your mind."

Fia pulled a face at the other girl's back as she sat down, and Danielle got farther away. Charlie chuckled until he saw his ex trip . . . . on nothing . . . and fall.

Fia snickered and nodded her thanks to someone that he couldn't see.