DG leaned out the window of the carriage, just to take a peek at Wyatt where he rode ahead. They'd crossed the Crack in the OZ and would be back to Finacqua within a few hours. Satisfied with a few moments to fill her eyes with Wyatt's shape, she sat back again. The maid riding with her gave her a smirking glance, then returned to her embroidery.

The previous night had been a roller coaster of emotions for DG. First the hilarity of the Arts Festival, then the fury, and then finally her conversation with Wyatt, and that flooding feeling of rightness that filled her when she'd told him she thought she loved him, hearing that he loved her too. He didn't mind her hesitation, her less than total agreement to romantic bliss. After all, she was still getting used to the idea. But she liked it a lot.

Certainly, Wyatt's behavior was a major bonus. After that first kiss, they'd shared a few more, but there was absolutely no pressure about it. Wyatt was the soul of patience, apparently. At first, DG had a lot of dumb ideas about "making out" and such, so the slow, comfortable intimacy of kissing Wyatt had required some adjustment on her part. Just not giggling alone was difficult. It was foolish giggling, though, the sort DG always got when she was really happy. When she'd giggle, he would smile and wait her out, or tease her about it.

Not too much later, he'd walked her to her room, giving her one last kiss.

"You planned this, didn't you?" she asked him. He grinned and nodded. She rolled her eyes at him. "Dare I ask for how long?"

"Since about a week after the eclipse."

"Good grief!" She stared up at him, surprised. "That long? I mean…. You….."

He brushed his fingers across her cheek. "Deeg, I was falling for you by the time we were separated in the Realm. I thought for sure you could see right through me when we said our goodbyes at the tower. But you didn't seem to notice. I wouldn't have even considered trying to get you to see me as more than a friend," he sighed and winced a little, "Until my meddling son had to stick his nose in my business."

"So…. I have Jeb to thank?" DG asked with a teasing smile.

"You do that, and his ego will be so puffed up, he won't be able to get through the door," he warned her while she laughed. He drew her closer, not to kiss, but just to hold. "You sure you're alright with this?"

DG snuggled into him. "Not only am I alright, it's getting better every minute."

He smiled, running his hand over her cheek again, and through her hair. "Goodnight, Princess." The warmth of his voice turned the title into an affectionate nickname as he released her. With a last goofy grin, DG stepped into her room and closed the door.

In the morning, he'd greeted her affectionately. He didn't kiss her, because there were other people present, servants and guards, and DG immediately felt like she'd missed out on something. Can a person get addicted to kissing someone? she wondered.

The servants had them packed and ready to go with efficiency, though it wasn't nearly as early in the day as yesterday's start. DG felt like the whole Outer Zone was new and exciting today, and she couldn't help the grin that covered her face every time her gaze met Wyatt's.

"You look happy," he observed.

"I am happy. Very happy." She took his hand and squeezed it briefly. Suddenly remembering her high school English class, she quoted, "O brave new world, that has such people in't." His brows rose. "Shakespeare," she explained. "We should definitely import some Shakespeare from the Other Side."

"If you say so," he agreed, helping her into the car.

"My darling!" The Queen greeted her returned daughter with a smile and a hug. "How did you enjoy the festival?" DG's expression made her mother laugh. "I see. Well, you can tell me all about it at supper."

"Sure," DG agreed. She glanced over at Wyatt, who was speaking to the guards. Servants hurried off with their bags, and the carriage rolled away. DG wondered what she should say about the understanding she and Wyatt had reached.

However, the Queen's wise eyes didn't miss that little glance, and she controlled her amused smirk magnificently. "And Sir Wyatt? Did he enjoy himself?"

DG blushed. "Yeah, we had a great time."

"Excellent. Well, I'm sure you'll want to walk about a bit before supper, to stretch your legs. It's a terribly long and tedious ride, isn't it? I will see you in a little while." She placed a kiss on her daughter's brow and turned to reenter the palace. Just before she did, she caught Sir Wyatt's eye, and gave him a little smile and nod. She looked forward to making the announcement of their betrothal.

Wyatt bowed a little to the Queen as she left, then turned to DG. She smiled at him. "Mother says I ought to stretch my legs a bit, since the ride was so long."

He nodded. "Probably a good idea."

"You wanna go with me?"

"Where were you going to go, down by the lake?"

DG's smile turned a little mischevious. "Actually, I was thinking the hedge maze."

"Oh? Change of scenery? Or…. the fact that it's quiet, secluded, and unlikely to harbor any other wanderers?"

DG's grin was all the reasoning Wyatt needed.

Lavender watched from a window, smiling, as her daughter and the man who loved and protected her wandered off together. After a moment, she went in search of her husband.

Ahamo looked up as soon as she entered the study. "Well?" he asked eagerly. At her nod, he chuckled. "Let them tell us officially before you start making an invitation list," he suggested, and her laugh and blush told him he'd hit the nail on the head. He pulled her into his lap, and they hugged each other in delight over their daughter's good fortune and happiness.

They sat together a moment, and then Lavender said, "So, what happens next for them?"

Ahamo grinned. "Well, there's a saying about it on the Other Side."

"Oh?"

"Yep. And they lived happily ever after."

The End.