Born of Two Worlds Chapter 8

15th April

It was a sunny spring morning in the Candy Kingdom. The wheat swayed in the fields by the river Engon and the birds chirped in the lone apricot tree that overlooked the river. A blossom came loose and it drifted down on the light breeze, coming to rest on Princess Bubblegum’s chest. She was lying underneath the spreading limbs of the tree, her head resting in the Vampire Queen’s lap.

“Lazy day, huh Mar?” the Princess murmured drowsily.

“Yeah,” smiled Marceline, “Great, isn’t it?” The Princess hummed in response, snuggling closer to her wife. “Hey Bonnie,” said Marceline a moment later.

“Hmm?” replied Princess Bubblegum.

“What would you say to a day down by the lake?” asked Marceline, “Just the two of us. We could bring a picnic and everything.” The princess looked up at Marceline, gazing into her deep red eyes.

“Sounds great,” she murmured, “Oh, but we have to be back for this evening.”

“Oh yeah, you invited Lady, Jake and the pups over, right?” replied Marceline. The Princess nodded.

“That’s fine,” smiled Marceline, “I’ll have us back before dinner.”

“How far is it?” asked Princess Bubblegum.

“Not far,” replied Marceline, “We could take the Morrow there.”

“Sounds like you’ve already got this all figured out,” said the Princess with a sly grin. Marceline grinned impishly as she helped the Princess to her feet. They made their way back to the Candy Kingdom where the Morrow was waiting in the royal aviary. Marceline helped the Princess up onto the Morrow’s back. She tied the picnic basket and her fishing gear to the saddle before getting on behind the Princess.

“Ok, to the lake,” said Marceline. The Morrow regarded her with beady eyes but didn’t move. Marceline groaned. “Looks like he still won’t listen to me yet,” she conceded.

“To the lake, please,” said Princess Bubblegum. Marceline held on tight as the Morrow spread its wings and leapt off its perch, flapping towards the window. The Princes laughed softly.

“You’ve got to be polite to get the Morrow to do what you ask,” she explained.

“You know being polite was never my strong point,” replied Marceline with a wink.

“You’re the one that said it, not me” giggled the Princess, “So I’m not going to argue.” Marceline stuck out her tongue in response.

They spotted the lake below them. The water shimmered in the sunlight and a willow tree provided some shade near the water’s edge. The Morrow swooped down and landed next to the lake. Marceline got down off its back before helping the Princess down. They untied their gear and set it down on the lush green grass. The Morrow squawked before flapping over to a boulder to sun itself. Marceline took the fishing rod out of its bag and began threading the line through the loops along its length. Princess Bubblegum spread out the blanket below the dense canopy of the willow tree. She hummed cheerfully to herself as she lifted out the sandwiches and drinks. Marceline tied the blue fishing fly to the end of the line before gliding over to the lake’s edge. She cast her line into the clear blue depths and waited. She liked fishing. It was a relaxing pastime, quite different from the noise and bustle of running a kingdom. It allowed her to relax in a way similar to playing her bass and it gave her an opportunity to whisk herself and the Princess away to some quiet river or lake where they were free to enjoy one another’s company.

She settled down on the grass, just under the shade of the willow tree and waited, watching her line. Princess Bubblegum settled down next to her, offering her a flask of camomile tea. Marceline smiled, taking the tea from the Princess who rested her head against Marceline’s shoulder.

“This was a great idea, y’know,” she smiled, “What kind of fish are you trying to get?”

“I’m hoping to catch a few bass,” replied Marceline, “We could bring some back and cook them for dinner if you want.”

“None for me, thanks,” said Princess Bubblegum, “I’m afraid I’m off fish at the moment.”

“Alright,” replied Marceline, kissing the top of the Princess’ head, “I’ll just catch a couple of bass for myself then.”

“Hey, I think you’re getting a nibble,” said the Princess, pointing to the lake where Marceline’s line plunged below the lake’s surface. As Marceline watched the line jerked about. She gripped the reel tightly and gave a sharp jerk upwards before starting to reel the line in. It was a strong fighter and a few times she had to let the line go slack, letting the fish swim around until it tired itself out. At last there was a splash as the fish broke the surface, slapping its tail from side to side in an attempt to break free. Marceline lifted the rod up, pulling the fish up out of the water.

“Hmm...it’s a little on the small side,” she observed as she took a pair of needlenose pliers, unhooking the fish in one swift movement before releasing it back into the water. It was at times like this that the Princess got to see Marceline’s compassionate side. It had now been just over four years since they had fallen in love and the more time they had spent together, the more often the Princess saw the Vampire Queen’s compassionate side.

An hour later, Marceline had caught four fine bass and had them stored away, ready to be taken back to the palace. She set her rod down on the ground and joined the Princess who was leaning with her back against the tree. She took off her sunhat and put it on the Princess’ head before leaning forwards, kissing her lovingly, moving her lips gently against hers. Princess Bubblegum looped her arms around the Vampire Queen’s neck, drawing her closer. Marceline laughed softly into the kiss, her tongue tracing its way across the Princess’ lips, one hand resting lightly on the Princess’ stomach. She gasped as she felt something flutter beneath her hand.

“I felt one of them kick,” she whispered, grinning broadly.

“They’re going to be just like you, y’know,” Princess Bubblegum murmured, “Strong yet gentle and very beautiful.”

“And I bet they’ll be smart too,” smiled Marceline, “And kind.”

“I can’t wait,” replied Princess Bubblegum, “Just think, in another couple of months we’ll be parents.” She laughed softly.

“What?” asked Marceline.

“I was just thinking, how are we going to tell which one of us they’re calling?” Princess Bubblegum wondered aloud.

“I’ve got an idea,” replied Marceline, “How about they call me marmee?”

“Marmee?” said Princess Bubblegum.

“Yeah,” replied Marceline, “Several years ago I found an old book in my attic. I’d completely forgotten about that old book. I found it on my travels. It was called, ‘Little Women.’”

“What’s it about?” asked Princess Bubblegum, resting her head on Marceline’s shoulder.

“It’s about four girls growing up in a pre mushroom war place called Massachusetts with their mother. They call her marmee.”

“I love it,” replied Princess Bubblegum, “Marmee, it suits you, you’re going to be a great mother. I can tell.” Marceline chuckled.

“A brainiac and a wild rocker girl raising two children together,” she laughed, “This should be fun.”

                                                                *             *             *

Lady, Jake and the pups arrived soon after dinner. The maidservants were just taking away the plates and cutlery away to be washed.

“와우, 광점당신이고, 공주,” smiled Lady, taking the Princess’ hands, “당신은 빛나는있다.”

“Thanks Lady,” beamed Princess Bubblegum.

“Yeah, you’re looking great, Princess,” agreed Jake. The five kids were naturally curious and they looked at the Princess’ bump inquisitively, looking a little shy which was unusual for them.

“앞으로 나아가다,” smiled Lady. The rainicorn pups crowded around the princess. Viola reached out and rested one paw on the Princess’ bump. She felt a flutter beneath her paw and stared in wide eyed amazement.

“뭐였지?” gasped Viola.

“그녀는 두 아기를 가질거야,” explained Lady Rainicorn, “공주,임신입니다.

“와우,” replied Viola, “그녀의, 배꼽, 이동합니다.” Princess Bubblegum laughed at the rainicorn pup’s observation.

“Yes, I suppose my belly does move,” she smiled.

“공주, 나는 당신의 어머니가 될 수 있습니다 믿을 수 없어,” beamed Lady.

“I know,” replied Princess Bubblegum, “I’m finding it all rather hard to believe too. But it’s wonderful.”

“물론입니다,” said Lady, “어머니가되는 것은 훌륭합니다.”

“How are things going for you two?” asked Princess Bubblegum.

“Things are going great,” replied Jake, “We took the kids out to the carnival last week. Did you guys go and see it?”

“Yeah, we did,” smiled Marceline, “Bonnie couldn’t go on the rollercoaster though.” She chuckled.

“Still managed to beat you at the shooting games though, didn’t I?” teased Princess Bubblegum.

“Only by a little bit,” retorted Marceline but it was all in good fun. Teasing had since become a past time. It was something they both found enjoyment in and if they did not tease one another on a regular basis they soon started to miss it.

They talked for several hours, about Jake and Lady’s travels across Ooo with the kids and about the two monarch’s plans for the spare room next to their own room. They had plans to turn it into a nursery and were wondering what colours to paint it.

“How about purple?” suggested Jake, “That way it won’t matter if they’re boys or girls.”

“A nice light purple,” smiled Princess Bubblegum, “Halfway between pink and blue.”

“Our favourite colours,” added Marceline, “Sounds good to me.”

The clock above the fireplace struck ten and a little candy corn cuckoo popped out, cuckooing ten times before retreating back within the clock.

“Is that the time?” said Jake, looking up at the clock, “Come on kids, it’s way past your bedtime.”

“Awww, c’mon dad,” complained Jake Jr., “Just five more minutes.”

“당신은 당신의 아버지를 들었다,” said Lady sternly, “그것은 당신이 침대에 있던 시간이다.”

“좋아, 엄마,” said Jake Jr. They followed Lady and Jake to the door where they said goodbye to the two monarchs before flying up after their mum as Jake rode on Lady’s back.

“Why don’t we head off to bed too?” said Marceline, resting one hand on the Princess’ shoulder.

“Good idea,” smiled Princess Bubblegum as she followed the Vampire Queen up towards the royal bed chambers.