A/n: Hi guys! I feel like the best way to conclude this story is after all three parts to bring it home with the 3rd person view. Enjoy! ;D

~ Conclusion: The Third Time's A Charm ~

This weekend was a big one… it had been about a month since the meeting with Baba Yaga and most of the immediate Charming family and they were doing well. Dexter had immersed himself with books as he once had before he lost the motivation to visit his favorite worlds. Darling had decided to take time to herself to figure out what she truly wanted and Daring… well, he made a new-found 'friend'.

As a matter of fact he was currently on his way to meet up with that friend. As Daring rushed he bumped right into her. Knocking her book on the floor. He went to bend down and pick it up when his head hit something hard… oh, it was her head.

"Ouch..." Rosabella rubbed her forehead tenderly. "that's a hard head you've got there Daring." She blushed heavily as he gave her a soft smile also rubbing his forehead.

"So I've been told." He reached down and grabbed her book once more… without the collision this time. "Here. Hey... uh, I was wondering..." He blushed and swallowed what seemed to be a huge lump in his throat. "I mean, I don't know… we're friends, aren't we?"

Rosabella raised an eyebrow. "Why yes, I would consider us as much... I think."

"See, there's something I… uh, wanted to ask you… Rosa." When he used her nickname it made her heart skip a beat. When he said her name completely? Oh boy.

"That would be?" She urged him… hoping it would be what she's fantasized him asking her.

"My siblings and I are supposed to go home for the weekend… and I was wondering if you'd… want to come with me?"

"Come with you… why would I do that?" Wasn't going home to the family supposed to be a family thing?

Daring faltered for a moment. "Rosabella..." Oh gosh, she felt the goosebumps on her skin almost immediately. Why did he have that affect on her? "I'm not really good at communicating but… please, I would appreciate it if you would do me the favor of accompanying me."

She really didn't have anything else planned… any of the books she had on her 'to-read' list had already been read… twice. There wasn't a good enough reason not to join the Charming family dwelling for the weekend. Why not? She enjoyed Darling's company as they were roommates and she thought Dexter was a sweetheart… she respected King Charming… all should go just fine. "Oh alright."

His genuine smile and reaction of joy made her heart soar. "Thank you, Rosa." He kissed her cheek and bid her farewell… leaving Rosabella to slowly reach up and touch her cheek… where he kissed her. Wow, was it hot in here or what? She fanned herself and soon cleared her throat, making her way down the now-empty hallway of Ever After High. How long had she been standing there? Yikes.

"Here it is… our humble abode!" Darling and Dexter exited the carriage after their father. "I have to admit… I didn't think I'd be seeing it again until year-end." She admitted, looking back to her fraternal twin.

He looked bright and full of color today. Today was a good day. "It's nice to be back so soon. Sometimes I wonder if you and mom forget about us." He teased his father.

"With everything that's gone on so far that's very hard to do." He narrowed his eyes at his youngest son.

Dexter gave his father's arm a pat. "Lighten up dad, everything's fine."

"Except for your brother's whereabouts." King Charming was agitated by Daring's lack of being present. "I told him to meet us promptly and he failed to do so. He is coming home is he not? You know how your mother-"

"There's my family!" Queen Charming normally held her composure but after the summer they had… she wanted nothing more than to cradle her children close. It was important for them to feel loved. "I see two recognizable faces… where's Daring?"

Dexter squeezed out of their mother's tight hug just before Darling did as well. "He'll be here later. Let's just say he took Baba Yaga's advice and stopped courting a girl who didn't have his heart at interest."

She wanted to believe that Daring was getting his love life together but he was young still. It made her doubtful. Plenty of the ladies wanted a chance to be near him… though she knew not many of the ladies made him turn his head in return. "Come inside, Clara's been working very hard on dinner and the palace smells simply divine!"

Rosabella's heart fluttered when she felt Daring's head rest on her shoulder. She suspected he hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. The carriage was a good time to catch up on rest but one of them had to stay alert upon arrival. So she took the time to ponder 'what' exactly she and Daring were hexactly. He asked her to come to his family dwelling and he kissed her cheek. It made her heart race.

His head resting on her while he was asleep made her stomach flip-flop. There was not one logical reason why she agreed to do this. Her heart wanted to do it. Her mind was confused. Nothing made sense but it all felt so right. What even was this?

She brushed the blond bangs away from his face and he barely stirred. Was it possible for a guy to be beautiful? Because indeed he was. There were two distinct knocks on the carriage. That meant they were approximately five minutes away from the destination. Rosabella sighed… he looked so peaceful. She wriggled lightly underneath him. "Hey… Daring? C'mon. We're almost there."

He must have been in midst of a decent sleep because it was difficult for him to wake. "Mm'kay." He attempted to inch back into the familiar warmth of Rosabella's shoulder.

"I don't think so, sir." She poked his nose and then his cheek.

Almost completely against his will he sat up and stretched a bit. He forgot how long the ride home from Ever After High was. Then again, he did want the carriage to take 'the long way'. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to fall asleep."

She shook her head. "No, no – you needed it." She smiled sweetly in his direction. "So… why hexactly are you bringing me home to your family?"

"I think you know why." He told her softly, but he took one of her hands in his own and caressed it. "Rosabella… I've never felt so natural around anyone in my entire life. I don't feel like I have to hold up this unrealistic facade twenty-four-seven around you because… you get me."

She shifted closer to him. "Daring… it's not just you. I feel like I don't have to… do anything extra to… how do you say this without being offensive? Hmm." Daring's eyes widened. What was she trying to say? "I feel like being natural is all I have to do with you as well."

He smirked. "I thought you weren't going to say that. Offensive? Really?"

She giggled and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not that great with communication either! But hey… we can try together right?"

Daring couldn't keep his gaze away from her lips. "Absolutely we can… together."

As if she sensed his desire she began to close the space between them. Their lips were just about to touch when the carriage door opened and they flew apart from one another. "We have reached the destination."

"Well no shit, thanks." Daring glared at the uniformed man.

Rosabella's face was red as she exited the carriage with Daring's strong assistance. Though she couldn't help but to think about how close his lips were to hers just moments ago. So. Close. She could hardly walk straight on her own. Imagine if they had actually shared a kiss?

"Rosabella… you deserve a more… defining moment. Not uncertainty…" Daring turned to her as they reached the palace doors and he stepped closer and cupped her delicate chin bringing her closer. The sparks that he felt once he captured her lips in a chaste kiss were indescribable. He wanted to deepen it though he refrained. "Rosabella… will you be exclusive with me?"

She couldn't contain her smile. "Exclusive? Ooh, that sounds like it comes with quite a promise."

He returned her smile with one of his own. "It does."

Before either one of them could move the palace doors opened and it was none other than Clara. "Oh my! Look at the two of you… so picturesque! Daring, I knew you were up to something. You're a Charming after all."

His face reddened. "This is Clara… she takes some getting used to."

She waved them in, ushering them towards the dining hall. "Come children, this way. We were just sitting down to dinner. It'll just take a moment to get an extra place set."

Rosabella's stomach lightly growled. "That sounds fantastic, thank you Clara."

As they walked down the corridor Daring grasped her hand and intertwined their fingers. When she was near… he felt like he could conquer the world. As they entered the hall all eyes were on the three of them. Clara leading Daring and Rosabella into the hall. "Daring! Oh… whom is this lovely young lady?"

"Beauty." She spoke suddenly, adjusting her glasses she giggled softly. "Rosabella Beauty, your highness."

Darling stood up to welcome her roommate and good friend. "I knew it. I knew there was something going on between you two."

Rosabella held up a petite hand in protest. "I don't know how you knew when we didn't even know."

King Charming noticed how Daring looked at Rosabella… he recognized it right away. It was the same look he shared with his wife on a daily basis. "Welcome Rosabella, you're in time for a delicious family dinner. Please, sit down and join us."

She and Daring sat down side-by-side and soon plenty of food was distributed. "So Rosabella..." Dexter began as he actually ate his dinner… not just pushing it around this time. "is it safe to assume that you are the object of his affections?"

Daring kicked his brother under the table but received a kick from a heel. Dexter didn't wear heels... and neither did Darling. "Don't be a royal jerk." Rosabella narrowed her eyes towards Daring but grasped for his hand under the table. "Actually, yes it is. We recently became exclusive."

Dexter gave a brief nod. "Exclusive? Hmm. Sounds like it comes with a lot of promise."

Rosabella smirked. "Indeed it does."

"Might I prepare a toast?" King Charming decided now was the best time to give a small speech. "From the last family dinner we had to this one much has changed. It's changed us but only for the better. This toast is to Dexter's wellness, Darling's mature decisions and to Daring's love interest, Rosabella. Welcome to this estranged but loving family's dinner. This toast is to all of us… and to new, exciting beginnings!"

THE END

Well… thank you to anyone and everyone's who followed/favorited/reviewed, etc. this story it means so much to me! I do this leisurely and I'm glad that there's others who get as much entertainment out of my writing as I do, xD I've been itching to do some new ideas but not until I finish up some of my others. I'm glad to say this one is now complete!

Look out for new stories coming to web pages near you! ;D

~ CreativeWritingSoul