You Make Me Feel Alive , Again .

Chapter Twenty Nine : Against All Odds .

Marshall's Point of View

I slam the door behind me as I fall to the ground in defeat . I hug my knees tightly against the door , holding back the tears . I know I may be overreacting but , I thought everything was going okay ; Fionna and I were getting close again , and I thought that maybe .. we could try us again , but we can't .. Don't get me wrong , I'm happy for her and Gumball .. but , it still pains me to see them together .. But , it is what it is .

Vampires usually love once in their lives , and it's called a zing .. Fionna was my zing , and I really hoped I was hers .. but , I was wrong once again . I guess she defied the odds ; maybe , I was her zing at some point .. but , it seems like she moved on from that . And , I'm not blaming her for living her life . I know I left in such an evil matter , and I can't be mad at her for moving on and finding someone who is worthy of her attention and love . I am really happy for her and her baby , but I just thoughts things would be different ..

" What's wrong , Marshy ? " Ariel comes running to me , sits beside me and holds my torso tightly . I'm sure she can tell that something's wrong with me , she's a very smart girl and she's extremely mature for her age . I sigh as I look at her , concern written all over her tiny and innocent face ; it sucks that she has to deal with me , right now .. but , she's all I have . I hate myself for not appreciating her enough , but now .. she's my entire world and she's the only person I have that will never hurt me the way I hurt her .. " Hey , kiddo . Nothing's wrong , I'm okay . I promise " I lie through gritted teeth , sparing her feelings . I know that I will have to tell her the entire truth sooner or later , but I just don't want her to see me differently if I told her who I really was , and what's really bothering me .

" I know you're lying , daddy .. " She looks up at me with sparkling eyes . I gasp as tears threaten to roll down my cheeks , I put my hand over my mouth to stop my sobs .. She knows ? She knows ! .. Wait , she knows about me being her real father .. What the fuck , is this supposed to be a good or bad thing ? Fuck me ! " Wait .. Ariel , you knew the truth all along ? " Fionna comes out of her room , tears rolling down her cheeks ; she didn't expect this from her , either . We're both semi-shocked and semi-relived because we don't have to lie anymore ..

 " Come on , it was pretty obvious ! I just didn't say anything because I didn't want to hurt you guy's feelings and I didn't want y'all to worry , either . " Ariel says truthfully and honestly , as she sits in the middle of both of us . She snuggles us close and closes her eyes to take in this precious moment between us . " Mommy , I literally look like Daddy's twin , except for my eyes .. That's obviously a sign " Ariel looks at my black and dark hair , then she shifts and looks at Fionna's blue and electric eyes .

" Sweetheart , you have to tell us everything you know .. " Fionna grabs Ariel's face and rubs it softly , her hand shaking a bit . I put my hand over hers , and nod . She stops shaking under my touch , as I reassure her that everything will be okay between us and that we will get through this together . " Mommy's right , kiddo . You have to let us know . " I finish off her sentence , the atmosphere doesn't feel as heavy as it did a few moments ago .

" I remember the night Daddy left us .. " Ariel says calmy , not a hint of pain or betrayal in her voice . I gasp as I lay my head back on the wall , replaying that scene again .. Fionna brings Ariel onto her lap , holding her tight as she cries into her little head . " Even though I was a little baby , Vampires have extremely good memories when they're born . I never blamed him for leaving , I always knew he had a good reason for leaving ; he didn't want to hurt us with his bad habits " Ariel continues her story , as Fionna and I take everything in . I know it seems like both Fionna and I are acting like a bunch of babies , and Ariel's acting like the mature and calm adult ; and , that's exactly how it is . I've always known that Ariel would be the adult here , while we acted like children .

" When I saw him at the park , I remembered him immediately .. that's why , I instantly felt a connection between us . I was really happy to see him again , and I knew from that day forward .. That he was going to be a part of our lives , again " Ariel finishes her sentence with a slight smile , looking at both of us . Fionna sobs into Ariel's head , while I stay quiet the entire time . I'm just amazed and shocked at how responsible , smart and dedicated my daughter is towards everything in life .

" Please don't cry , Mommy . Everything is okay .. " Ariel looks up at Fionna , and wipes away her tears . Fionna chuckles softly , as she hugs Ariel tightly . Fionna looks up at me and smiles , and I can't help but smile back .. " You did a good job with this one , Fi . " I smile at her again , looking at both of my girls in amazement . Even though I've been in their lives for a short while , I really can't imagine my lives without them .. I know it will take a long time for all of us to mend together , but it will be okay in the end ..

" Our daughter is such an amazing masterpiece , huh ? " Fionna lets go of Ariel as she looks at me , her elegant eyes shining with so much love and kindness . I can't help but smile and blush as she recognizes Ariel as our own . I must admit that Fionna did most of the work , and I'm extremely proud of her for raising such a divine daughter . Even though I wasn't around , Fionna still didn't give up and she kept on fighting for our daughter ..

These girls are my entire world and life . I can't wait to spend my entire non-existent life with them , with Fionna and Gumball's baby , and I can't wait to see my daughter grow up the way I should've done a long time ago .

" You know , Fionna and Ariel .. You Make Me Feel Alive , Again .. "