A/N:

Hey guys.

There's a sequel out, in case some of you are waiting for Tangled for a Flower to be updated.

It's not going to be. :)

The sequel is called Caught in a Dream and it's already up.

Go and start reading.

I'm going to put my favorite moments up in case you wanted something to read.

(By the way, since I've given you guys music to listen to for some chapters, I'm going to list it in Caught in a Dream at some point. The music isn't mine, but I'll name it because that's how I like to roll.

But thank you for reading Tangled for a Flower. I loved updating it for a year and a half.

Now we have another fanfic to enjoy :D

Bold indicates favorite sentences/phrases/all that jazz. Enjoy!

Favorite Moments: The Funnies and Meaningfuls

She suddenly thought back to her vision of-

"Nathan, what would you do if I were to die?"

Nathan frowned, and his hand holding hers chilled noticeably. "If you were to die, I'd. . . You know, follow suit."

Azalea moved away from him and grabbed his hand. His free hand stroked her cheek. "They hit you, Nathan. I'm sorry."

"That's what I get for falling in love with the most beautiful girl in the world." He kissed her nose. "If it happens every day, and I still get to have you just like this, I'd take it anyway, doll."

"Do you want me to sneak you away, doll?" Nathan asked. His eyes were warm. "I could do it, you know."

"No, no," she said. "I deserve this."

"Rapunzel, stop!" I whirled around the best I could, and stood face-to-face with Guy.

He had several guards behind him, and I could see that they held Nathan and Dwayne by their hands behind their backs. Guy looked at me, and then Azalea. "Get her." He pointed at Azalea.

I protested and dove in front of Azalea with my arms out. "Come near her, and I'll run." Guy knew my clumsiness.

Guy and the guards froze.

"I was never very likeable." Dwayne said. He glanced at Azalea. "Except to some."

He grabbed her hand again, and then, once again, they were spinning.

"We're going to fall," Azalea breathed into his ear whenever he got close.

To that, he replied, "At least we'll fall together."

Azalea put her face in the crook of his shoulder, holding her breath. "Nat?"

The world around them was quiet, and when she glanced at the town, she could see many golden lights on. Small fireflies reached out for them, but stayed at the lake shore. Strange white fireflies that looked like more snow flurries falling were bold enough to surround them. Some landed on their skin, but just sat there.

However, their erratic spins made them buzz away, only to come back and hover nearby.

"Yes, doll?" Nathan was warm.

Azalea was whispering as if the fireflies around them could hear. "How did I find you?"

Nathan smiled and chuckled for a moment. He pulled away, and she could only stare at him. His black hair was messily framing his face, and some strands were glowing a brilliant white. His eyes were made dark green by the shadow casted on his face.

His answer was sweet and she didn't feel the guilt anymore. Instead, her heart welcomed the warmth it brought. The guilt was suddenly never in her heart. It had almost seemed like since she had posed as Rapunzel, her life had instantly improved. She was happy now, content with everything.

She couldn't think of anything bad. She couldn't worry about the trial being in a few weeks. She couldn't worry about Jacob still being on the prowl. She didn't worry about Michael and the clouds in his eyes that had never gone away.

Nathan made her feel that way. Nathan made her feel safe. Nathan was here for her every day.

His words soothed the ache in her heart.

"You became a Princess."

"I'm sorry." Azalea heaved herself to her feet and kissed Nathan's lips. "Are we still going to glide?" Maybe he had had enough for one night?

"Yup," Nathan grabbed her hand again. He clutched it tight. "Sorry, doll. You're not getting out of this."

"Eugene?" I poked him. It was becoming harder to sleep. One of the babies nudged my hand and I poked it back. "Eugene?" It was dark in the room.

"I love cupcakes, Blondie." Eugene rolled over. "Cookies too? Aw."

I giggled quietly and climbed off of the bed. I could go check on Azalea and Nathan.

"You spoil me, Blondie. C'mere. I have to tell you something."

I went to the door, and turned the knob.

"Hi."

I burst out laughing, and closed the door behind me.

Eugene chuckled. "Are you tired?"

"No way; we've got to figure out other names." I wasn't ready to sleep yet, though my body protested. "What about if they're both boys or both girls?"

For boy names, we settled on Felix and Pascal. For girl names, we settled on Sunni and Maxine.

Eugene grabbed a book off on the shelves. He sat down next to me, and put his arm around my shoulder. I opened the cover, and turned the page. Eugene kissed my cheek. I saw a rattle on the cover and the name surprised me.

"This is a book for baby names."

"Want to name babies after cupcakes?"

"Frosted Heaven?" I giggled.

"Or Sunny Dreams." Eugene stared at me, evaluating my reaction to his names. "Too cliché?"

"I like Sunny." I held his hand tighter in mine, waiting for kicks. Didn't babies kicked if they liked the name?

"I thought of it after the sun flower mishap." Eugene explained, blushing. I brushed his dark brown hair from his hazel eyes, a pleasant smile still on my face. The days after the Ball had been hectic.

"S-U-N-N-Y, right?"

"Nope. S-U-N-N-I-." Eugene looked pleased with himself. "What about a boy name?"

"I thought of Felix." I felt a tiny kick. "F for Flynn, E for Eugene, L for love. And I because he's going to have integrity, and X for forever letting me hug him." I had thought of the reasons right before I had fallen asleep. "Because when people hug, their arms make Xs." Eugene nodded at my flawed logic, smirking.

"Forever receiving hugs?" Eugene hugged me and poked my stomach. "Felix, do you like that?"

One of the babies nudged his hand. Eugene's pretty hazel eyes lit up. "Felix it is."

"Sunni likes her name too." I kissed his nose. "She's tired right now."

"Let's go find a book."

"A book?" I was tired from fanning Azalea until Fernidia had tracked down her younger sister.

"I've got to read to them." Eugene led the way to the library. "What shall it be?"

"I like reading books about how to make things." I was smiling. "I want them to grow up knowing how to make cookies."

"The Adventures of David's Mind it is then."

Azalea put her fingers to her neck, staring at Dwayne and Eugene who were watching her with worried expressions. "Dwayne, don't let her put more cold stuff on my neck! It's hot."

"The cold stuff will cool you off." Eugene explained, trying hard not to smirk. It was a good thing I wasn't the only one who found her amusing.

Azalea paused in thought, and her fevered eyes were bright, making her eyes almost appear green. "Olivia?"

Olivia was covering her fingertips with the herb ointment. "What is it, Azal?"

"Is Eugene lying to me?"

"I'm glad you trust my opinion." Eugene grabbed my hand and tugged me out the room.

"Punzie, why am I seeing you so much?" Azalea was sitting up, pushing Nathan's hand away that was offering a wet cloth to wipe her face. "Not that I don't love you or anything."

"Of all the secrets I've had to keep, damn it, why give me this one?"

"Dwayne, if your brother wasn't a bastard then this wouldn't have happened."

"No kidding," Dwayne stood up from the floor. "Anything I can do?"

"Pray for me."

"I don't know any Gods around here."

"Go find Azalea then."

Michael saw Dwayne smile.

"Fold it in half, and put it in your mouth." Adam instructed. He showed them his card: a Seven of Spades. Fernidia folded her card, and placed it in her mouth. Adam did the same. "Now kiss me."

Fernidia arched her eyebrows. "Come again?" What?

"She was a beautiful one, Nat."

Nathan put his head in his hands.

Anna stood up and sat down next to him in Liam's place. She laid her head on his shoulder and stroked his hair. Adam took his cue and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

"She was one of my best friends." Anna murmured.

"She was the love of my life." Nathan couldn't believe she was gone. Oh God, what would he do without her?

"-And then Nathan found out."

Adam looked at Nathan and raised his eyebrows. Nathan explained, blushing. "They were in the living room holding hands and I nearly killed him. I thought he was a stranger."

"You didn't see me on top of him?" Anna asked.

I opened the door and found Nathan sitting up on the floor, his eyes glassy and vacant. "Nathan?"

"What am I going to do?" Nathan demanded in a hoarse whisper.

Liam sat down next to him. "I know how you feel."

"Oh God, do you?" Nathan let Liam put his arm around his shoulder. "S-She was my world."

Liam nodded. "Sarah's my world, Nat."

"I just lost my only flower for my b-bouquet." Nathan's words were an arrow through my heart. "Damn, it's too much."

Someone knocked on our door, waking us up.

I opened it, and was stunned to see Nathan. His eyes were hollow and his hair was messy. Tears were flowing freely from his green eyes.

"What happened?" I went ice cold.

Nathan had to clutch the doorframe for support. The thunder rumbled harder, shaking the floor.

"She couldn't stay with me. She has another man now." Nathan's voice broke.

"His name is God."

"Go to sleep, Nat." Azalea kissed his nose. Nathan kissed her on the lips, and then frowned.

"Fine." Nathan pretended to pout. Azalea giggled at his sorrowful expression. Nathan rolled his eyes playfully, then glanced at the bed. He turned back to her, still pouting. She waved him to the bed, and he sighed.

Nathan walked to the bed, stumbled on his exhausted feet, and fell down. She blinked when his head came dangerously near the wooden supports of the bed. He groaned when he hit the floor. Azalea squeaked in surprise and bent over him. "Nathan? Are you okay?"

Nathan groaned again, and she turned him over. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to stop breathing.

"Nathan?" She shook him. Had he hit his head on the fall? If so, why did he stop breathing? What if he was dead? Her mouth formed an o of horror at the thought.

Nathan blinked a green eye open and stared at her. "Azalea?" He mumbled, his voice hoarse.

"Are you okay?" Relief flooded through her. He was moving at least. "Did you hurt something?"

"My head," Nathan sat up, his hair ruffled, staring at her with those forest pools of his. "My head hurts."

Azalea sat on his lap, staring at his black flop of hair. She couldn't tell if he had hit his head hard enough to form a lump. Nathan bent his head down to kiss at the crook of her neck. Azalea stifled a surprised chirp; his sudden kisses distracted her for a moment.

"Hold still." Azalea said, trying to gather her thoughts. Nathan froze, his lips still on her neck, and she gently touched his head with two hands. She rubbed his head, combing her fingers through his hair, searching for lumps. To her surprise, there were none. "Nathan?"

"Mm?" Nathan put his arms around her back.

"Are you sure you hit your head?" Azalea tried not to squirm. Nathan rubbed her back with warm hands that she could feel through her nightgown.

"I'm sure I did; check the middle of my head." Nathan mumbled at her neck. She shivered, and then moved her hands around his head. She pushed her fingers in a little to feel for lumps more efficiently. Nathan sighed, and one of his hands went up to caress her hair.

Azalea then tried to remember how he fell. He hadn't hit the wooden supports, because even though she had blinked, she would have heard the impact. Nathan hadn't-

Nathan's hands gripped her tighter to him when she tried to pull away. "You've figured it out?"

Azalea tried harder. "Nathan, aren't you tired?" What was he doing?

"Not anymore." Nathan cooed.

Nathan's hands gripped her tighter to him when she tried to pull away. "You've figured it out?"

Azalea tried harder. "Nathan, aren't you tired?" What was he doing?

"Not anymore." Nathan cooed, and then kissed her. His kisses always made her see stars, but this time she was seeing snow falling behind her eyelids. His hand left her hair, and joined his other hand on her back. He kissed her again, and then she was struggling to get out of his lap.

"Nathan!" Azalea fell back onto the floor, trying to crawl away. His eyes were dancing green flames, and he crawled after her. She got to her feet and hurried to the washroom. "Nathan!"

Nathan stood up, moving faster than she thought possible. She tried to close the door quickly, but Nathan caught the door before it shut, and closed it behind him. He pushed her against the wall. "I love it when you kiss me." Nathan laid fiery kisses down her collarbone. Azalea gulped hard and tried to squirm from his grip. "One day, you'll never leave the bedroom."

Azalea squeaked and tried harder. "Nathan!" He pushed her back against the wall, chuckling when she squeaked from his shove. Nathan's hands curled themselves in her hair, and she gasped when he pressed his lips to hers again.

Nathan's eyes burned into hers, and she swallowed when he pulled away, untangling his fingers from her hair. He took a step backwards, and watched her.

Azalea tried to steady her breathing, but it came out in rapid gasps. Azalea put her hand on her heart, and gulped. Nathan's eyes crinkled as he smiled, and then he had her in his arms. He stood there, holding her like Liam had held Sage, and his nose was right next to her ear. "Azal?"

"Hm?" Azalea breathed steadily through her nose, trying hard not to tremble in his grip. Nathan held her tighter.

"I'm not done." Nathan walked from the washroom. He set her down on the bed, and then grabbed her waist when she tried to crawl away. He pulled her back to him, and then she was panting. She couldn't keep up with him.

Nathan sighed when she relented, and turned her around. He cupped her chin, and pecked her on the lips. He sat in front of her, and one hand stroked her lower back while they kissed. She was melting at his gentle touch, and then she had her hands around his neck.

"I like spicy things, too. Not just sweets." Nathan said around her lips. She opened her eyes to see his eyes smoldering. He pushed her on her back, and sat on her lap. Nathan pushed her hair from her eyes, and she struggled to remember why she had tried to run. He was so gentle.

Nathan bent down, and she saw that his shirt was still off. "Nathan, where's your shirt?"

"You took it off for me." He pointed to his shirt on the floor and she leaned over to see. "It looks good there, doesn't it?"

She didn't reply, still caught up in something strange. This was what was missing earlier. Nathan.

"Your dress and my pants need to join my shirt. It's lonely." Nathan laid on top of her, not crushing her with his weight, but gently pushing against her. Nathan stroked her lips with his own. Her fingers went up to play with his hair, and she dimly felt her neck aching.

Nathan kissed her harder, and somehow she was rubbing his arms. Nathan blinked hard, and then laid his head on her neck. His warm breath made her shiver under him.

Nathan kissed her harder, and somehow she was rubbing his arms. Nathan blinked hard, and then laid his head on her neck. His warm breath made her shiver under him.

After a few moments, Nathan sat up. He pulled her up to kiss her cheek, and then he shifted to his side of the bed.

"Night."

"Night?" Azalea sat up, confused when he rolled away. "We hardly did anything." Azalea could feel the ache inside begin to flare. "You do all that, and then you say 'Night'?"

Nathan smiled. "Yup." His lips made the p pop.

Azalea put her head in her hands. "You made me think you were going to eat me!"

"I was, but I'm saving you for desert later." Nathan rubbed her shoulder. "Had fun?"

Nathan rubbed her shoulder. "Had fun?"

"Why would you do that to me?" Azalea demanded, struggling to comprehend the tears falling from her eyes. Nathan wiped them away with his soft thumbs.

"It was a test to make sure you were feeling better." Nathan looked at her, and the beautiful green fire was gone. "So we can continue next time."

"Nathan Valor Lei Keen, you are the most beautiful monster I have ever met."

"At least I'm beautiful." Nathan chuckled, and kissed her 'goodnight'.

A/N: He was so clever here. xD

She made Nathan lie down. He didn't protest at all, only slightly roll his eyes.

She leaned in to kiss him 'goodnight', and closed her eyes next to him. Azalea was afraid to sleep, but she drifted off.

She was lying down on her back, staring up at the ceiling. She looked around the tiny sunlit room, confused at where she was. Azalea sat up, confused at the vases of white tulips and red poppy roses. She saw paint on the walls, and golden sun flower patterns. The one window in the room had white curtains that were flooding with morning light.

A breath on her ear made her head whip to the side. Nathan was sitting up, his bare chest dewy. "Mornin', Azal."

She looked at Nathan's sparking green eyes, her own beginning to charge with the love that lingered in the air. It was intangible, but she could almost feel it radiating from their skin.

"Morning, Nathan." She looked down to find yellow sheets covering up her bare chest and body. "What's happened?"

"I believe our honeymoon has happened," Nathan smiled. He bent in for a sparking kiss, and her body began to shake. Honeymoon?

Her arms dropped the sheets and found their way around Nathan's neck. She pulled him closer to her, moaning in bliss when his lips found the crook of her neck.

"Nathan," Azalea started, but her mouth stopped forming the words. She moaned into his bare chest. The sun felt warm on her skin and she was panting from Nathan's pleasant abuse.

"Doll, are you okay?"

"Um, can I have your children?" Azalea wrapped her arms around Nathan's body. "Can I have all of them?"

"Sebastian, you're hurting Mother." Dwayne said to Anna's belly. Anna swatted him away with a gentle hand.

"Don't tell him that!" She cried. "He'll feel like a monster."

"He doesn't mean it, of course." Dwayne allowed.

"Dwayne Tecro Fernando-"

"Anna-Beth Lei Keen," Dwayne stuck his tongue out at her, making Anna laugh. Nathan rolled his eyes, joining in with the rest of the room.

Anna-Beth and Dwayne.

The two were made for each other.

Nathan bit his tongue to keep himself from punching the daylights out of Alex's younger brother. "Damn, Alex what happened to you?"

Alex looked at his younger brother with a dry look. "Well, when you get old, you start falling apart." Alex abruptly glared at Alec. "You leave that girl alone, you hear?"

"What girl?" Alec put his hands up. Everyone else sat up, unaccustomed to seeing Alex's mean side. "I don't know who you're talking about."

Alex's glare was ice cold, like staring at a tree caught up in a winter frost. He got up slowly, and gestured for Alec to follow him. Unfortunately they were still in earshot of Nathan and his friends. "Leave Azalea alone."

"Why would I leave her alone?" Alec blustered. "She was a pretty little thing, before Jacob got to her. She was too good to be true, Alex. And I'll tell you this, if I had known getting her drunk would have made her so easy, I would have done it so much sooner." His words made Nathan's blood begin to boil. He almost hated Alec more than he hated Jacob.

David looked at Nathan, watching his eyes narrow dangerously. "Nathan, he's being a bastard, don't listen to him-"

Alec sighed. "She was such a treat, Alex. She hardly fought if you ask me. Well, then again I exercise so she could have been trying all she could and I still would have gotten her. Her screams were delicious-"

Nathan stood up so fast, seeing red. His fist connected harshly with Alec's face, and the entire Tavern went quiet. "You filthy bastard!" Nathan roared. Alec fell down and Nathan began kicking him. "Leave her alone, or I'm going to kill you! You never should have even met her! I swear to God, I will kill you if you ever give her so much as a goddamn look-"

Dwayne yanked Nathan away, only to kick Alec in the ribs. "Damn it, Alec! Piss off and go to hell!"

A/N: Who actually admired Dwayne more? I did. I thought this was great.

Guy sipped his tea. "I can't believe I'm getting married."

Dwayne nodded. "It is an odd experience."

They all sat up, looking at Dwayne with wide eyes.

"What?"

"What the hell. . . You did it already?" Nathan blinked hard.

Liam groaned. "Damn it. Why couldn't you have waited?"

Dwayne scowled. "I love her, why the hell would I wait?"

Alex slapped his hand to his forehead. "Dwayne. . . Congratulations!"

A/N: In my defense, someone needed to back Dwayne up.

I sat up, yawning. I stretched my arms, reaching for the sky, and then looked around the room. Eugene was gone, and his side of the bed was gone.

I was hyperventilating when I finally made it out of the room. I yanked open the door to the Dining Hall, looking around. Anna-Beth was making Dwayne eat pieces of buttered toast, and Olivia was urgently telling Guy to breathe shallowly so his chest wouldn't hurt as much.

Alex was being fussed over by Stephanie who kept washing his face with a wet cloth, and Diego was nibbling on his own piece of toast, looking at Stephanie with miserable eyes.

Fernidia was giving Adam a back massage on the floor, ignoring his complaints, while Sarah was forcing Liam to drink his tea. Azalea and Nathan were sitting in their seats, looking almost normal, except for the fact that Azalea was sitting on Nathan's lap, playing with his hair.

Candace was pulling David into the room from the other door, forcing him into a chair. She flitted around the room, finding biscuits for him to eat. David turned green at the sight of the biscuits, but forced himself to eat one, a resigned look in his eyes.

Nathan was smiling, but something told me that Azalea had been harassing him much like all of my friends were to their husbands, betroths, and. . . I looked at Fernidia and Adam. They were courting all right.

My Mother and Father were staring at the scene unfolding with horrified eyes. Mother looked at Father, and they both watched my friends worry over their men wordlessly. They almost seemed afraid to speak up.

I almost didn't care at the moment. "Morning, all. Where's Eugene?"

Nathan looked at me and smiled. "He should be coming in any minute; he had tended to Maximus earlier."

Anna-Beth spoke, "Pascal's been looking for you." Anna looked at me, and then Azalea with anxious eyes. "Nathan, wasn't he with you when you went to the-"

"He should be around here somewhere." Nathan snuck an urgent look at Azalea.

Alex grumbled. "Stephanie, let me up."

"Your leg is-"

"It's healing now. Let me up." Alex muttered. "You're babying me. Look at you." He looked at all my friends with sharp eyes. "You're all fussing over your men. They're all fine!"

Azalea glared at him. "They're hurt."

Olivia looked at Guy. "We can't take care of them?"

Alex sighed. "We'll all just be in here, all right. Quit your fussing, we won't move an inch." He looked at Candace, Anna-Beth, and me. "Go get some more sleep, and if I see you three back in here, I'll knock you clear out."

I started, "Alex-"

Eugene walked in the room, the bandages removed from his head. He looked at me, saw the fury darken my face, and quickly took a step backwards. "Look, Blondie, I-"

"What are you doing moving?" I exclaimed. All the women in the room, except my Mother, glared at Eugene, and then at the man they were taking care of. "You're not supposed to be up and about; you're hurt!"

David tried to get out of his chair. "Candace, I'm not hungry anymore." She grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him back down on the chair.

"You're going to eat all of this toast if I have to cram it down your throat!" She nearly shrieked. "Now eat!"

Liam threw David a horrified look and struggled to move away from Sarah. "Let me up."

"No! Drink it!" Sarah handed him the cup back. He put it back on the table and anger darkened her eyes. "Liam Pulcro Kilter, if you don't drink all of this tea. . ."

More protest filled the room. Adam tried to get off the floor, but Fernidia sat on him, enabling him immobile.

Nathan looked at Azalea, and gulped. He remained silent until Azalea got off his lap to get him some toast. He clambered to his feet, and yelled, "Run!"

The men quickly squirmed away from my friends and they all hurried to the door. Eugene lingered for a moment, and then he quickly followed them. Alex was gone as well, and my Mother and Father were watching us carefully.

The entire room was quiet. I sat down next to Anna-Beth, joined by Candace, Fernidia, and Azalea. Olivia stared down at the purple tablecloth.

"Girls?" My Mother asked. She should have stayed silent.

Anna-Beth screamed. "When I find him, I am not letting him out of my sight!"

Sarah looked infuriated. "Ladies, pack up some food. Its man hunting time."

Fernidia managed to giggle, but otherwise we were completely serious. Stephanie was muttering curses under her breath as she began to wrap up fruit and bread in the light purple napkins. Olivia looked at Anna-Beth, who had gone quiet.

My Father warned us,

"Find them, but please don't kill them."

A/N: If I was Rapunzel's father, I'd be very scared.

Azalea eased Nathan on the bed, her heart in her throat. He bit his lips, his face going pale, as he sat up on top of the covers. His side must be hurting, but Azalea was afraid to look.

Fear and anxiety filled her. Would Nathan even want to eat? What if he was just saying he was fine now, but then he'd been dead tomorrow morning? What if the bed was too cold? Should she roll around on it to make it warmer? What if he needed to go to the washroom, put fell on his way there? She'd have to stay up all night-

Nathan sighed in relief when he finally managed to get comfortable, and watched her while she flitted about their room. She went to the open curtains and closed them. Azalea nearly fell as she closed the cracked bedroom door, then did the same for the washroom. She paused, and then opened the washroom door. She got the silver tray and was about to sit on the bed when Nathan's voice broke her concentrated silence.

"Doll, slow down. I'm really all right." His green eyes stared at her while she bounced across the room.

Azalea suddenly felt her lungs collapse on themselves. She fought to take deep breaths. She had nearly lost him, and he was telling her to slow down. "Nathan, shush."

"Azalea, I'm fine-"

"No, Nathan. I need to do this. You're hurt and I-"

"I'm just telling you to take it easy."

"I don't want you to have to move around!"

"I'm fine, look at me!"

"Yes, look at you. My shining knight in bandages and covered in bruises!" Her voice shook. "I shouldn't have let you run at him."

"He would have killed Eugene!"

"Nathan, I just want you to stay put-"

"Azalea, I'm fine! Doll, I'm okay, just take it easy-"

"Let me take care of you!" She set the tray down, the air in her lungs rushing in and out in quick whoosh sounds. She hadn't realized she was sobbing until Nathan's protests died away. Azalea sat down on the bed, her back facing him. "I. . .I don't want you to get hurt any more than you already are. . ." Nathan went quieter, if possible.

She drew in a deep breath to go on. "Just stay put for me, okay?" She turned to him, tears in her eyes. "Please? Don't go anywhere."

Nathan looked quiet. "Okay," he said. She sucked in another breath.

Azalea looked at Nathan, expecting the flowers' magic to start healing him as well, when nothing happened.

"Nathan?" She loomed over him, panic making her abruptly energetic. "Nathan, can you hear me?" She shook him.

Nathan didn't stir, and she unbuttoned his vest to see the wound still bleeding. She went pale when she saw the deep purple bruises on his ribs after lifting up his shirt.

Everyone around her was awake and dazed. There were gasps of horror when they saw the bruises, and Azalea's mind couldn't comprehend it. Nathan wasn't dead, was he?

"Nathan Valor Keen, if you don't open your eyes. . ." She couldn't go on.

"Azalea," Alex tried to pull her from him. She screamed, crying and sobbing.

"He can't be! He's not dead, he's not!" Azalea struggled to escape Alex's tight grip, inwardly amazed that he was standing. "Nathan, open your eyes! Nathan, please!"

Whiskey, cologne, and perfume filled the air, making her nose tingle like the rest of her body.

Nathan panted around her lips and she gasped as the kisses were making her see the beautiful snow again. She grabbed at Nathan's neck with both hands, pulling him impossibly closer to her. The hand that had opened the door went to her lower back and she was struggling to see nothing more than Nathan's burning eyes.

She fell back and landed on soft cotton: the bed. She arched her back to keep her lips connected to his. Nathan landed on her softly, and she could feel him everywhere. He was in the air she breathed, and the spicy smell made her ache. He was under her skin and flooded her vision.

"Am I supposed to take this off?" Nathan's voice was husky. "I-I. . . Damn, off it goes!"

Nathan blinked hard, and then laid his head on her neck. His warm breath made her shiver under him.

After a few moments, Nathan sat up. He pulled her up to kiss her cheek, and then he shifted to his side of the bed.

"Night."

"Night?" Azalea sat up, confused when he rolled away. "We hardly did anything." Azalea could feel the ache inside begin to flare. "You do all that, and then you say 'Night'?"

Nathan smiled. "Yup." His lips made the p pop.

Azalea put her head in her hands. "You made me think you were going to eat me!"

"I was, but I'm saving you for desert later." Nathan rubbed her shoulder. "Had fun?"

Azalea fell to her knees, unable to breathe.

"Nathan Valor Lei Keen, you are the most beautiful monster I have ever met."

"At least I'm beautiful." Nathan chuckled, and kissed her 'goodnight'.

"Azalea, he's going to be okay," Rapunzel vaguely promised her, sitting down to Nathan's body. She sang the song, her hair placed on Nathan's wound, but he didn't move.

Azalea couldn't believe it. Not Nathan.

Azalea looked at Nathan and quickly pecked his cheek when he came back down. She whispered in his ear:

"I love you."

Nathan's eyes were stunned and they followed her when she walked onto the platform. Jacob was going to show up, and then it'd be over.

"Aw."

"What?" She glanced at him then back to the window. He moved to the bedroom door. "What is it?"

"No more blizzards now." He poked out his lower lip.

"We're going to fall," Azalea breathed into his ear whenever he got close.

To that, he replied, "At least we'll fall together."

"Are we still going to glide?" Maybe he had had enough for one night?

"Yup," Nathan grabbed her hand again. He clutched it tight. "Sorry, doll. You're not getting out of this."

Azalea was sure he was as caught up in their game as she was, and neither looked at where they were going. She took three steps to him the third time and leaned her face up to his like she was going to kiss him-

Azal sighed as she worked, looking at the red dirt in her nails and on her uniforms. She got up to deliver more wet bricks and gave one to a tan hand asking for one.

The head looked up and she saw Nathan's green eyes staring at her. He managed a quick welcoming smirk at her and she felt her skin flush. He grinned even bigger and waved her along, winking.

He kissed her nose. "If it happens every day, and I still get to have you just like this, I'd take it anyway, Doll."

"Do you want me to sneak you away, Doll? I could do it, you know."

"I'm n-not going to d-die a-again, am I?"

"Of course not."

"H-how are you sure?"

"Because if you die, we won't be able to make sweet love at night."

"So stick around for me."

"We're going to make sweet love all night."

A bird cooed loudly above them and they both pulled away. "Sorry!" She gasped, but she could still feel the sparks charging through her chin from his gentle touch.

"Sorry, as well." Nathan looked away. "That was out of line."

I think it was very in line. Azalea thought with a strange pang.

"What are you doing?" She asked him when she finished washing her hands. She was about to dry them, but Nathan took her hands in his and kissed her wet fingertips. She blushed and tried to pull them away.

"I want to know something," Nathan's breath was cold on her fingers. His green eyes were smoldering in the gloom as they focused on her gaze. "What do you really look like?"

Azalea breathed out. "I think you can imagine."

"Have you done something you're not proud of?"

"I hid a dress for her."

"Smart." Nathan ruffled her hair.

"What do I call you now?"

"Call me nothing. I feel like nothing."

"You are everything to me,"

"You're not expected back some place, are you?"

"They'll think I got lost."

"Name choosing again?"

She nodded.

"Any ideas?"

Azalea tried harder to hide her wince. "Not many."

"Tell me some."

She glanced at him. "Ava."

"Ava what?"

Azal nudged him, blushing. "I think it might be a nickname."

"What would you have named her?"

"Aza," Azalea looked at her friend's face with blurry vision, "But now I think her name would have been Ava."

Nathan stirred. "Doll?"

"Nathan," Azalea wrapped him in a tight hug, like Rosemary had hugged her. "I need to tell you something."

She told him everything.

Nathan's eyes were dull green pools when she was done, and when she began to cry at the memory, he rocked her back and forth, his composure gone.

"Hi, Nathan." She looked at him, sad all over again that she was pretending to be Rapunzel. "How's it going?"

"You mean how's guarding the most important woman in the Kingdom?"

"What's your name?"

"Nathan Keen."

"I am Azalea Salta Gothel Dixon."

She whispered in his ear:

"I love you."

"I'm in love with the girl in red. Just a warning: Hands off."

"Just remember that I love you, Doll."

Rapunzel stood up, shaking. "Azalea, I-I'm so sorry. He's not healing." Eugene wrapped her in a hug, dried blood near his eyes. He looked at Azalea, and the look of the pity in his eyes made her wince.

Anna bent over her older brother's body, crying. Azalea pulled away from Alex to crouch next to Anna. Azalea could only cry, and Anna put her arm around Azalea's shoulder.

"Let me. . . Try." Azalea mumbled numbly. Not Nathan, not Nathan, not Nathan.

Anna-Beth nodded, and stood up to be caught in Dwayne's arms. Azalea looked up at the sky for a moment, feeling as if the sky was weeping for her lost.

"Flower gleam and glow. Let your power shine. Make the clock reverse. Bring back what once was mine. Heal what has been hurt. Change the fate's design. Save what has been lost. Bring back what once was mine." Azalea stared at Nathan's peaceful face. She looked at her shoulders to see her hair glowing silver. She placed her glowing hands on Nathan's face, and felt his cold skin. Nathan had always been so warm to her before.

"The flowers are glowing." David's hoarse voice made her look up. The golden yellow sun flowers were glowing silver all around them. Michael was on his feet, standing away from the others. The clouds were gone, but Michael looked lost.

She looked back down at Nathan's gentle face, her shoulders beginning to shake as she fought to keep more sobs at bay.

He stroked her hair, and stared down at her.

"You were drinking to forget something sad, weren't you?"

"I'm in love with the girl in red. Just a warning: Hands off."

"Just remember that I love you, Doll."

"Nathan, what would you do if I were to die?"

Nathan frowned, and his hand holding hers chilled noticeably. "If you were to die, I'd. . . You know, follow suit."

"What if we had children before then?"

Nathan frowned deeper. "Azalea, you know I'd stay for the children."

Azalea shook her head. "Okay, Nathan. What if you knew I was going to die? What would you do when it was supposed to happen in the next five minutes?"

"Azalea, you're not dying right now-"

"Nathan, what would you do?"

Nathan's face drained of color, Azalea could see it in the moonlight that shone on them and the rippling waves of the dark blue lake. "I'd keep you away from wherever it would happen."

"What if you didn't know where it would happen?" Azalea started to breathe fast. She started to ask more questions but Nathan quickly stopped her with a kiss.

"Azalea, please." Nathan pleaded. His eyes were shining red. "Don't talk about death."

"How did I find you?"

Nathan smiled and chuckled for a moment. He pulled away, and she could only stare at him. His black hair was messily framing his face, and some strands were glowing a brilliant white. His eyes were made dark green by the shadow casted on his face.

"You became a Princess."

"If you were to die, I'd. . . You know, follow suit."

"Just remember that I love you, Doll."

She bent down to kiss Nathan, her lips aching. When they made contact, he blinked his eyes open.

Nathan sat up, and she saw flecks of her silvery tears on his eyelids. "Doll?" He gasped, and then his body flooded with heat. He wrapped her in a tight hug.

She pulled him in for a kiss, relief making her head spin.

"I thought I lost you."

Nathan smiled dazedly. "Why would I leave you?"

Nathan kissed her lips and she was walking backwards, her hands latched onto his curly dark hair. Moonlight flooded the open curtains –she had forgotten to close them before she left to get dressed- and danced in her vision. Whiskey, cologne, and perfume filled the air, making her nose tingle like the rest of her body.

Nathan panted around her lips and she gasped as the kisses were making her see the beautiful snow again. She grabbed at Nathan's neck with both hands, pulling him impossibly closer to her. The hand that had opened the door went to her lower back and she was struggling to see nothing more than Nathan's burning eyes.

She fell back and landed on soft cotton: the bed. She arched her back to keep her lips connected to his. Nathan landed on her softly, and she could feel him everywhere. He was in the air she breathed, and the spicy smell made her ache. He was under her skin and flooded her vision.

She reached up to fumble with the tuxedo jacket. Nathan pulled the burgundy sash off her waist with a simple tug. She began to unbuckle the reddish pink shirt underneath, and pressed her lips to his again.

"Wait," Nathan spoke as one of his hands reached her corset laces. She went still, trembling at how close the stars were. "I think we're drunk."

"I think so too." Why start a conversation when the stars were right above their heads? Azalea managed to pull back his shirt and her fingers gently stroked Nathan's smooth chest.

She realized he was slurring when she spoke. "I think I need to change clothes."

"Can I take them off?" Azalea felt him sit up. She sat up as well, looking at her, knowing her skin was as red as her dress.

"In that case," Nathan yanked off the shirt and pushed her wild hair back. He leaned in to kiss her, and then they broke into wild frenzy.

She stood up, her lips going to the crook of his neck as he helped her out the beautiful red dress. Somehow Nathan managed to step out of his midnight black pants, and then they were back on the bed again.

Azalea grabbed at his now bare back, her fingers rubbing his skin while she marveled at how soft his skin were. The supple muscles ripped in his arms as he stroked the nightgown.

"Am I supposed to take this off?" Nathan's voice was husky. "I-I. . . Damn, off it goes!" Azalea smiled a drunken smile and her vision blurred as Nathan reached down to move the straps.

Azalea bit back a moan as his too warm fingers moved one strap out of the way. Her face went blissful with pleasure when Nathan bent down to kiss the crook of her neck. "Nathan!"

"Hm?" Nathan didn't move, only suckled at her neck. She arched her back and Nathan nibbled hard enough for her to feel it through the whiskey. She panted and her hands pulled on his hair. The suckling and nibbling continued and she was overwhelmed when the strange need made an abrupt appearance.

"My. . .My turn." Azalea pushed against Nathan. He rolled over and she sat on his lap. She was panting hard, and struggled to get her breath back.

Nathan looked up from her, his hair streaked with white because of the moonlight. His green eyes seemed luminous and bottomless. They sparkled when she bent down to kiss him.

When her lips made contact, everything blurred. She laid down on him and began to kiss him fiercely. He moaned and his hands pushed her against him. He was in her veins. Her skin was burning as they started rolling over. Nathan ended up sitting up, with her on his lap. They bent in for a kiss, and then Azalea hugged herself against him. Her teeth grazed his ear and she whispered,

"Dolls are meant to play with, Nathan Valor Keen."

Nathan blew out a low coo and then he was on top of her again. The other strap was gone, and they were both trying to shuffle out of their undergarments. The whiskey filled the air and the cologne and perfume seemed to grow stronger as they moved. Anna-Beth and Candace had sprayed too much.

Nathan's spicy cologne filled her nose, and they couldn't pay attention to what each other looked like. It was there: the need. And she was beginning to feel like she was burning alive.

Their bare legs tangled together and there was one thought Azalea was thinking. It was all she could think about, and occupied every other thought other than Nathan's warm skin against hers: She and Nathan needed to make love. They needed to do it now.

Nathan gasped when she gently dug her nails into his back. He laid fiery kisses along her collarbone, about to go lower, when someone knocked on the door.

"Damn!" Nathan rolled over. He covered them both with the sheets, and called. "One moment." He looked at her, and she could still feel the heat in her cheeks. She covered her chest with the sheets, and looked at the door.

The doorknob turned and opened slowly.

"Hear anything?" Guy asked.

"Um, no. But that's probably bad." Olivia and her fiancé peeked in. She spotted them on the bed, and she and Guy walked in. Guy stared around the room.

"Nothing broken."

Azalea heard a barely audible crack coming from one of the bed's legs.

Olivia saw the clothes on the floor, and looked at the two of them. Her blue eyes, made dark blue in the gloom, narrowed. "May I ask what these are doing here?"

"I was going to tell you, but I got whiskey on my dress." Azalea lied. She felt the heat beginning to flare when Olivia looked at the sheets covering them.

"Nathan, why are your clothes on the floor?"

Nathan clucked his tongue nervously. "Alec spilled soup on my jacket."

Guy pulled Olivia away, looking at the two of them in empathy. "Nothing's going on. Let's leave them alone."

Olivia gathered up the clothes and huffed. "Be back in an hour." Her eyes went smaller.

When the engaged couple left, Nathan and Azalea leaned back against the bedpost. "Olivia's scary." Azalea mumbled.

Nathan nodded.

Eugene and Adam muttered things in each other's ears and then Eugene said, "You're on."

"What did you two bet?" Olivia asked.

Eugene bent down to whisper in Olivia's ear. "If I can pickpocket everyone in this room."

Rapunzel rolled her eyes at the exchange hopelessly.

"Hey, Azal!" Rapunzel called to her. "You drink a lot, right?"

"Who told you that?" Azalea frowned. It wasn't exactly true, but it wasn't false either.

"Dwayne says you've been drunk more than once." Rapunzel was standing in between two small tables that were loaded with shots of whiskey. "Since I can't beat Guy at this, you try it."

"He's with Maya. Did you know that she's in her thirties? She insisted that she was too old to go to a little gathering like this." Sarah smiled fondly as she thought of her son's caretaker. "She said she'll keep him tonight for us."

"For what?" Azalea didn't need to ask.

Sarah rubbed Liam's shoulder suggestively and Azalea blushed. "Sorry."

Azalea peeked in the room, and Nathan wanted to run to her. "Everyone in now?"

"Yes, come in." Rapunzel couldn't the excitement out of her voice. Nathan looked at his friends and saw that everyone was staring at him.

"What?" He asked, his own voice going hoarse.

"Nothing!" They all snapped their heads away. When he looked back at the door, he could feel everyone's gazes on him. He shifted, uncomfortable in his seat. The Tavern was plunged into dusk as the sun went down and Alec and Alex began lighting candles.

Azalea stepped into the Tavern, and Nathan went still, his eyes looking her up and down in a way he hoped was polite. She was-

Beautiful.

Azalea's dress was deep red and the neckline was too low for comfort. The dress had short sleeves, though laces continued down to her wrists. The corset laces were a shade deeper than the dress. Azalea's eyelids were delicately covered with a light pink powder. Her lips were bright crimson, and her fingers played together nervously as she registered the very quiet silence in the room. The dress stopped at her mid thighs, and Nathan thought he saw something lacy underneath. Her legs looked longer and her lips seemed bigger. The dress held fast to her waist and made her seem all curves. Her hair seemed longer as well, and reached above her mid back in long gold tendrils that were curled at the ends. Her shoes were covered by red sandals with a tiny heel on them, and an undeniably sweet smell hit him in the face when she took a small step closer to them. The claps in the room were deafening, but all Nathan could hear was his heart beating.

The room went quiet as they waited for Nathan's reaction.

"Nathan?" Eugene asked, peering at him. Nathan tried to suck in a breath.

He shakily got off of his stool. "I'm in love with the girl in red. Just a warning: Hands off." The room burst into laughter as Nathan wrapped Azalea in a hug. She exhaled a nervous breath for the both of them. The night suddenly seemed long and comfortable. He kissed her lips. "You and the color red have been courting and you never told me? You look so good together, damn."

Azalea smiled, and the effect it had on him was staggering. "Thanks, Nat."

Guy grinned as he handed them whiskey cups. "To Happy Lives!"

Everyone in the room toasted. "Amen!"

Adam rushed into the room, with Liam and David in tow. "Damn, sorry guys. I finally found them."

"Where the hell were you two?" Dwayne asked David and Liam, his tone playful.

"I have a wife." Liam and David said at the same time.

"What am I wearing?" Azalea was afraid to ask. If the nightgown was squeezing the life out of her and barely reached to her mid thighs, what was the dress like?

Olivia held up a gown but Fernidia put her hands in front of Azalea's eyes so she couldn't see.

"Like it?" Olivia asked.

Azalea muttered. "Sure, it's great."

When they made it back to their bedroom and were both lying face to face, Nathan spoke again. "Six?"

"You don't want six?"

"How far apart will they be?"

"A year, I hope."

Nathan smiled and his green eyes were simmering.

"Six little Azaleas."

"Six little Nathans." She countered him, wishing that her eyes weren't dark. Nathan stared into them, and instead of repulsion, she saw affection in his deep green eyes.

"Goodnight." Azalea pecked his nose.

"Goodnight, Doll."

She felt him grab her hand before she fell asleep.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Loving me."

"What's not to love? You're feisty as hell when you want, cute as a button, and you know how to have a good time." He gestured to the dress. "And you look like desert in that little red thing you've got on there."

"Fiesty?" She looked up at him.

"See? There you go."

"Anna and Dwayne must be very happy." Azalea said, pushing herself to Nathan's chest. She realized then that they hadn't lit candles. "Hold on, it's dark in here." She pulled away.

She felt Nathan close behind her as she felt the way to the washroom. She grabbed at the counters for a lantern, not sure how she would light it. She felt Nathan's hands grab her waist from behind and she gasped.

"Nathan?"

"Of course it's me." Nathan was smiling, though she couldn't see. "Who else would grab you this way?"

"Um." Azalea didn't know how to respond.

"Don't answer that," Nathan pulled her close to him.

They walked back to the Palace. "What are we doing?" Nathan asked.

"Wait here," she left him by the Dining Hall.

"Where are you going?" Nathan stood where he was, watching her leave.

"I'll be right back, all right?" She walked to the dressing room, rummaging through the dresses after she lit a few candles. She pulled away what she wanted and pulled it on. She tied the sash to her waist and applied the eye powder and mixture on her face. She combed out her hair with her hands and pulled on the shoes.

She walked to the mirror and held up a candle by her side so she could see. She was wearing what she had worn on Olivia's Bachelorette night, like she had promised Nathan.

When she walked back to the Dining Hall, Nathan was leaning back against the wall, looking patient. He looked up when he heard the sound of the tiny heels. His eyes widened when he saw her attire and he blinked. "Are we doing what I think we're doing?"

"What do you think we're doing?" She put a hand on her hips and scolded at him. Nathan's breath hitched and then he sucked in a deep gust of air.

"I think we're about to give me a heart attack."

"Tired?" Anna-Beth asked, glancing at Azalea. Azalea nodded wearily, her eyes closing. Nathan prodded her.

"Azalea, stay awake. You're going to fall on your muffins."

"It's okay," Liam poked Azalea's fingers with a fork. "What's got you so tired?" He sharply glanced at Nathan, arching his eyebrows. Nathan blinked and shook his head at him.

Then it clicked.

This time she swore in anger, not exasperation. "Damn it!"

"What?" Fernidia froze, and she saw a realization in Fernidia's bright blue eyes.

"Again?" Azalea yanked the door open and stalked to the Dining Hall. She was on the stuff again? "My goodness, whose idea was it?" She almost kicked the door open in her haste.

Everyone was sitting in the Dining Hall, and looked up when she approached. She felt Fernidia on her heels as she paced the hallway, not speaking to anyone.

"Azalea, you're only on it for a reason. Calm down, and I'll-"

"Fernidia, go sit down before I kill you."

"Let me know when you feel better," Fernidia was wise. She plopped down next to Anna-Beth and Sebastian.

When was she last here?

Azalea turned to him, the knife in her hands.

Nathan's eyes flickered to the knife and then to her face. "Don't stab me."

"Oh, Nathan, I'd never hurt you." Azalea sang in a sing-song voice as she added the meat to the stew.

Oh. There it was. She had been here yesterday.

A guard, one of the strange very few in the hallways, caught her attention. He winked his brown eyes at her and she gasped. "Adam?"

"Hell no. This is Michael."

She shrugged. "Sorry. Where is everyone?"

He shrugged and she noticed a cloud fall over his eyes. She went pale. Was that a good cloud or a bad cloud? "I don't know."

"The Square?" Would she have to yank it out of him?

He winked again. What? "Maybe."

She walked down the hall and was surprised to see him right behind her. "Problem?" He asked.

"Are you guarding me now?" She looked at him, widening her eyes innocently.

"I figured that you seem irritated. And irritated feisty maidens, such as yourself, need supervision."

"Guard supervision or adult supervision?"

"Take your pick since I am neither."

She started laughing. Typical Michael Dawson.

"You also need protection."

"Sure, sure."

"I'm serious," he said when they stopped by his room. He came out wearing his trademark clothes of his red vest, brown sleeves and dark red boots with white pants. "Cute as a button young maidens, such as yourself, are prone to dangerous accidents."

"Meaning I'll trip on my own feet?"

"You're smart," Michael smiled at her when they walked out to the Square.

"What's wrong?" Michael steered her to a bench and she sat down, blind because of tears.

"Do people ever ignore you on your birthday?"

"Your birthday is today?" Michael sounded dumbfounded.

"Mr. Dawson, I ought to kill you."

"I apologize. Happy Birthday."

She tried not to wail. "You ruined it!"

"Why is it so quiet?" She blinked. "I mean, I know it is mid-afternoon, but there's usually laughing and shouting."

Michael rolled his eyes. "You know, I don't like your questions."

"You know, I don't like your impatience."

"You know, I don't like your tone."

"You know, I don't like the fact that today was my birthday and no one knew, so I don't like your tone."

"You know, I don't like the fact that you haven't opened the door yet."

She sighed. "Damn it, Dawson."

"Is today a day for swearing?" So he noticed too.

"No. I just get to do what I want today. I want forty eight shots." She smiled. "And then I want someone to bury me in the river when I die from the fortieth one."

"Where the hell are your priorities?"

"Where the hell is your money to get us in?"

"Where the hell is your hand and why hasn't the door been opened?"

She sighed. "Michael, I'm not even thirsty."

"Open the door so I can get drunk."

"Fine, since you insist."

Azalea blinked when everyone backed away from her. "What?" She asked.

"If you throw those hard enough, you could knock someone out." Eugene said. "Trust me, I would know these things."

"And how?" Nathan asked Eugene.

"You don't remember that one time you and Jonathan were after me?" Eugene began to explain, his light brown eyes gleaming. "I was on. . . Mint, I believe, and one of her horseshoes fell off. I threw it at Jonathan and then he was out."

Nathan's green eyes flew wide. "That's why he fell down? I thought he fainted or something."

"Was he okay?" Rapunzel asked.

Eugene looked down, sheepish. "I didn't see him for weeks."

"He sprained his ankle and bruised a few ribs. Of course you wouldn't see him for weeks," Nathan grinned.

"Eugene, how could you?" Rapunzel gasped.

"I was a very different man back then." Eugene defended himself.

"Azalea, you are the most. . ." Liam went quiet.

Azalea bit her lip, waiting.

"You are very talented. Enough said." Liam sat down next to Sarah.

Everyone looked at Azalea for her reaction. She started laughing. "What does that mean, Liam?"

"Well, whatever you make of it." Liam looked ill at ease.

Jacob's lips went to hers, and she was jolted awake in shock to feel real lips on hers. She roared up, her hands going to the person's shoulders. She barreled them over and pushed them into the bed, sitting on their lap.

She blinked her eyes open, her chest heaving. Bright green eyes gazed at her, and she sighed in relief. She fell against his chest, trying to slow her heart that was still pounding.

Nathan's voice was amused. "You are the strangest sleeper!"

She laughed breathlessly. "Oh really?"

Nathan nodded, his hands going to her back. "Yes, really. I knocked over a basin by the window sill," he fixed her with a half-amused look. "I nearly yelled to wake up all of Corona, and you slept through that. So then I think 'Oh, a little kiss wouldn't wake her up'. Never mind the fact that you just tackled me."

She sat up, not bothering to correct her nightgown straps. She gazed at him, almost wanting to pout. "You scared me."

Nathan's eyebrows raised. "How could I have scared you when you were asleep?"

She rolled her eyes and pecked his lips. "How are you?"

"So I can say that I like this position?"

She flicked his temple. "Nathan Keen-"

"Yes, Azalea Keen?"

That stopped her cold. She abruptly lost all of her brief irritation and just gazed at him, feeling very warm.

Nathan sensed the change in her, and smiled. "Yes, Azalea Keen?" She smiled. Just the way he said it. . .

She shrugged and walked to the washroom down the hall, still unsure about her hair. She had no idea what to do with it. Should she braid it-

She opened the door and screamed when a hand reached out for her. It grabbed her by the arm, yanking her in. Lips crashed to hers, and then she was struggling to see straight.

"Nathan Keen!" Azalea screeched.

"Yes, Azalea Keen?"

Just the way he said it. . .

"Can you kiss me again? I actually liked it."

"I hit Liam with a bag of dough." David volunteered.

"And that bruised me for a week. You knocked me down with it." Liam grumbled. David started laughing.

"It was an accident!"

"But you looked right at me and threw it to me. You even yelled 'Catch, you bastard!'." Liam glared playfully at him.

"You had it coming. You burned my cupcakes the day before."

"Candace told me to practice icing them."

"So how the hell did you burn them?"

"They got cold and I wanted to heat them up. Then Sarah came along, and I got distracted."

"You started telling jokes, Liam."

"She had beautiful laughter, Dave."

"She came by. . . Two days ago." Azalea pouted. "She wouldn't even let me open the door. I'm not that fragile."

"Quite the contrary."

She sighed. "Fine."

"Come on." Nathan got up, grabbing her hand. He guided her to the front door, taking a moment to wrap a scarf around her neck. She grabbed a wool hat and put it on his head, getting up on her tip-toes. Nathan handed her a pair of gloves, and she tucked a scarf around the coat he was pulling on. She put on the gloves quickly, and eyed Nathan.

"Hm?" Nathan pulled a wool hat on her head.

"Can I open the door?"

"Nope. Maybe in six months."

Alex looked heartbroken, and he sat down, looking at his untouched plate. Who could eat now anyway?

Liam tried again. "Nathan-"

Nathan flashed him a dark look, and Liam went quiet. David looked at Nathan, and then at everyone else around the room. "I know it looks bad, but there's a chance that she's still living."

Anna looked at David fiercely. "You better be glad you have a wife, David."

David threw his hands up. "Why does it seem so impossible? We all know how fierce Azalea is. She wouldn't have gone down without a fight."

"She didn't go down sleeping, David!" I glared at him. "Of course she fought back."

"All the walks we took," Nathan said softly, and we went silent, listening to his voice. His voice didn't even sound like him. He was a broken, hollow shell of a man. "They're just walks to remember now."

Someone shook her awake by her shoulders, and the warm hands lingered.

"Doll, wake up."

"Hm?" Azalea pried her eyes open. "What did I miss?"

Nathan's voice was smiling. "We were about to open presents, but I think you didn't make it. Liam caught you, so no worries."

She blinked hard.

Then she tried to speak, laughing in her head when she realized how dry her mouth was. But she tried anyways.

She managed to gasp, "Yes."

Nathan stood up straight, his face glowing in such triumph that she almost felt like she was staring at the sun smiling down at her. He grabbed her in his arms and swung her around in the air while the room exploded into applause.

"No lights, Michael. I think they're closed." She paused. "Wait, no. Why the hell would the door be unlocked?"

Michael was pouting. "Damn it. Wrong tavern?"

She turned to him. "Michael Juala Dawson-"

"How do you know my middle name?"

"You think I don't read?" The Corona Civilian Document.

Michael paused, and she could see the gleam of his white teeth as he smiled in the gloom. "I actually don't really like my middle name. If my mother was still around, I'd tell her."

"Where's your Father?"

"He's here." Michael was smiling. Smiling at what? "Somewhere."

"What's your middle name mean?"

Michael's voice sounded peculiar when he answered. "Cage."

"Odd." Cage.

"I don't know why they let her drink before naming me. Adam got 'astuto' or 'foxy'."

"Lucky bastard."

"Indeed."

A noise sounded behind them. It reminded Azalea dimly of a match being struck, but the noise sounded like more than one match being struck. Candles began floating in the air before being placed on tables.

"What in the world?" She managed to utter before a sweet cologne flooded over her and bright afternoon daylight filled the room as curtains were being drawn back.

"Surprise!"

Her friends and many strangers exploded from different spots of the room. Sebastian, Flynn, and Anora were laying on the bar and Rapunzel and Eugene quickly popped from under it, grabbing their children. Anna and Dwayne ran from the washrooms and Anna quickly grabbed Sebastian. Other civilians, it seemed like the entire Kingdom was somehow fitting in the tiny Tavern, stood by the windows and tables. Sage, Liam, Sarah, and David burst from underneath tables along with Adam, Alex, and Matthew. Alec and Candace smiled from the corners of the room. The King and Queen were here as well, but had been sitting down on chairs the whole time. Maya and Diego walked from the tiny space behind the cellar that was out for all to see, with Fernidia and Olivia by their sides. Guy walked from behind Michael and was smiling.

So that meant that the person behind her was-

Nathan kissed her cheek. "Happy Birthday, Doll."

Michael and Eugene started smiling when tears spilled over.

A/N: Are some of those your favorite moments too?