Max and Fang are about 20, and Angel's still living with them. The rest of the flock have moved out.

Storybook

I dropped down wearily next to Fang on the couch.

"Long day?" he asked, gently taking my hand. I smiled to myself at the familiarity between us.

"Yeah," I answered.

He squeezed my hand reassuringly. I leaned my head on his strong shoulder, sighing in content.

"I finally got Angel to sleep by telling her a story."

Fang groaned ruefully, remembering long nights. "I don't get what she sees in those things. What was it about this time?"

"I don't even remember," I admitted with a laugh. "Something about fairies."

Fang chuckled, his deep voice vibrating in his chest. "Same old, same old."

"Yeah."

There was a long, but comfortable pause. Fang settled his arm around me firmly, pulling me toward him.

"You know, we could be a story. Us, the flock."

Fang looked down at me with amusement. "Yep."

"If you could be in a storybook, what would you be?"

"Um," Fang pretended to think for a while, stroking a non-existent beard. "A kid with wings." He grinned at me mischievously.

I hit his leg playfully. "Aren't you creative. Besides that, silly boy."

"I'd be a knight," he pretended to strike a pose. "All the shining armor and all that junk."

I smiled. "You'd make a good knight."

Fang returned the smile, touching my face gently. "I know how to rescue damsels in distress, at least."

"Yeah, you're pretty good at that."

"What about you? What would you be? A beautiful princess, locked in a tower?"

"Hm.. I don't know about that. I was thinking more along the lines of a kick-butt rebel girl who disobeys all of the men."

"Now, Max, that's already true."

I mock scowled at him. "Well, then I guess I don't need to be in the stories."

Fang smiled at me. "Maybe not, but now, I'm ready to forego the stories and hit the hay."

I smiled up at him and allowed him to pull me off of the couch.

I woke up in the morning and stretched lazily. With a smile, I rolled out of the bed and headed for the kitchen, still in my pajamas. Angel was sitting in the kitchen, eating cereal.

"Good morning, Angel baby."

"Morning, Max."

I tousled her still curly hair, heading for the cupboard.

"Fang said for you to go out to the living room and look under the pillow on the couch."

I glanced, at her, bemused. "Did he say why?"

"No." She continued eating her breakfast, unperturbed.

I walked out to the living room, pulling my hair into a quick ponytail. On the couch was a pillow Fang had given me for my birthday when I turned 18. I lifted it with a smile. Underneath was an envelope with my name penned neatly in Fang's writing.

I pulled it out and turned it upside down. Something heavy fell into my extended hand, and a slip of paper fluttered to the ground.

I picked up the note, and unfolded it curiously.

Max-

I'll be the knight if you're my lady. Marry me?

I stared the simple silver ring that was in my hand, unable to find my voice for a minute. Then, I slipped it onto my finger and dashed out the door, smiling exuberantly as I yelled.

"Fang!"

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