You Make Me Feel Alive , Again .

Chapter Sixteen : Changes .

Fionna's Point of View

- Five Years Later -

It's been five years , almost six years since Marshall left us . The last time I saw him was back at the castle , when we had that argument about his bad habits ; he told me he wouldn't stop them for us , so he left . I had a few rough years after that , but Gumball was kind enough to help me through them .

Ariel is six years old and we recently found out that she's both human and vampire , which I think is pretty cool ; she's still training to dominate all of her abilities well but she's still a fast learner . Gumball convinced us to move into the castle with him , he didn't want us to go back to our tree house ; even though it will always be my home , it's not the type of home I want for Ariel .

Ariel doesn't really remember Marshall , she was just a baby when she last saw him ; she looks up to Gumball , she calls him daddy , which breaks my heart and fills it with joy at the same time . I know I'm gonna have to tell her the truth one day , but she's so innocent and I don't want her to go through a hard time , right now . She's one of the most caring , most appreciative little girl I have ever met ; she's always happy , she's always eager to go to regular and vampire school .

Ever since we found out she was both human and vampire , Gumball built a special school for her ; they teach her regular school stuff , like Math and English and in the afternoon , she learns how to perfect her vampire skills and abilities . I'm really glad she's happy and healthy , she usually plays with Cake's babies ; yeah , Cake is also a mother . Her and Lord Monochromicorn had a bunch of babies , they usually play with Ariel .

I do miss Marshall , but I'm not going to sit here feeling sorry for myself ; I learned to live without him . He will always be Ariel's father , but he's nothing to me anymore . I've matured more now , and I have realized a lot of things I wouldn't even have thought about before . I'm a single twenty-two year old mother , and I'm proud to be one ; Ariel is happy , I'm happy and Gumball is happy , too . He's been here for me throughout everything ; literally everything , and I could never thank him enough .

" Hey , you okay ? " Gumball comes into the living room , sitting down beside me . I'm sure he noticed that I was deep in though . He knows that I think about the entire situation too often . Yeah , I have moved on with my life but it still hurts a bit to think about it ; he couldn't stop killing for us , what a shame ! I smile as I see Ariel running into the living room , followed by Cake Jr. Even though I'm hurting a little , Ariel always puts a smile on my face .

" Yeah , I'm okay " I smile at Gumball as Ariel runs into my arms , hugging me tightly . Gumball smiles at both of us , and blushes . We have gotten pretty close , him and I . I know he still has feelings for me , he told me that his feelings for me will never change and I kind of want to give it a try but I'm still not sure ; I'm pretty sure Marshall already moved on to someone much better , but I'm not ready for such a big step . " Hey sweetie , how was school ? " I chuckle as Ariel pulls away , running around the table with Cake Jr.

" Mommy , daddy ! I learned something new today ! " She quickly pulls out her notebook , and shows us one of the projects she's been working on . I smile proudly at her notebook and at her . I look up and she's showing me her tiny fangs , she's trying to perfectly pull them in and out without it hurting ; I really am proud of my little human / vampire " Look ! I think I'm finally mastering it ! " Gumball gently wraps arm arm around my waist , and I can feel a bunch of butterflies start to appear in my stomach ; I do like him , but I'm just taking things slow right now and he does understand that , for sure .

" That's amazing , sweetheart ! " I feel a tear of joy roll down my eye as I squeeze her tight . Even though she's still a beginner , she's come a long way ever since her fifth birthday . These are the kind of moments I want to cherish forever , and it does upset me that Marshall can't experience them with us but that's his loss . Even though a lot has changed , I still wish him the best and I hope he's happy . " I'm so proud of you , baby ! " I kiss her cheek softly , as she sits on Gumball's lap , making small conversation .

I try not to think about the past too much , but I still do it ; Marshall and I spent a lot of good times together and it upsets me that he forgot about them so quickly but , everything happens for a reason , right ? Maybe we rushed things , or we were very young but I'm okay now ; maybe we weren't to be and I'm okay with that , I don't hate him or feel remorse at all , I'm okay .

Ariel walks into her room with Cake Jr. and both me and Gumball lay down on the couch . He looks down at me and smiles , I look up and smile back at him ; even though he's been my best friend for so long , I consider him to be more . His fingers lace into mine as we hold hands , quietly . " Fionna , I know you were thinking about him before they came in .. " He looks up at the ceiling . He doesn't like it when I think about him , but he still understand where I'm coming from . I sigh as I take his hand away from mine and sit up on the couch . It seems like we've had the same conversation for five years , but I know it's because he worries .

" I'm sorry , Gumball .. " I sigh as I kiss his cheek softly , feeling the warmth of his blush . He kisses my forehead " I have moved on but he's always going to be a part of us , Marshall is Ariel's father and sooner or later , she will have to know .. " Gumball looks down at his hands , and sighs . He knows everything that's been happening is tripping me up , but he's always here to cheer me up .

" Fionna , follow me .. I have to show you something . "