THE BAD GUYS IN: raising princess

Eddie + Princess = Forever (Final Part)

The cherry blossom hillside looked like something straight out of a dream. The pink petals floated down like soft rain, covering the ground in a delicate carpet as a gentle breeze passed by. It was late afternoon, and the golden sunlight gave everything a magical glow.

Princess sat on a picnic blanket, sipping a strawberry soda and watching Eddie curiously. He stood at the base of a tall tree, concentrating hard on something he was carving into the bark with a small pocketknife.

She tilted her head, smiling.
"What are you doing?" she asked sweetly.

Eddie shot her a quick grin over his shoulder.
"You'll see," he said, his voice full of playful mystery.

Princess giggled softly and leaned back on her hands, enjoying the peaceful moment. After a few minutes, Eddie stepped back, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and motioned for her to come over.

When she got close enough to see, her heart melted.
Etched carefully into the bark was a big heart with their initials inside: P.C + E.L, and beneath it, the date 4-23-22 — the day they officially became a couple.

Princess gasped, a huge smile lighting up her face.
"Aww, Eddie! You are so sweet!" she said, reaching out to gently trace the heart with her fingertips.

Eddie rubbed the back of his neck, blushing a little.
"Just... wanted to make something permanent, you know? Something that'll always be here."

Before Princess could say more, her iPhone — covered in a glittery pink rhinestone case — suddenly lit up and started blaring "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears.

She laughed and pulled it out of her pocket. On the screen, the caller ID flashed:
Daddy Wolf — with a goofy picture of Mr. Wolf himself smiling wide.

Princess held up a finger to Eddie.
"Sorry! I gotta take this!"

She answered the call quickly, stepping a few feet away.
"Hi, Wolf! Yeah, I'm OK, I promise," she said warmly into the phone. "Yeah... I love you too, Dad. Bye!"

She hung up and turned back to Eddie, an apologetic look on her face.
"Sorry about that... you know how the Bad Guys are when it comes to me."

Eddie chuckled, hands in his pockets.
"Yeah, no kidding. I still remember Zoey's Valentine's Day party."

They both burst out laughing at the memory — Zoey's attempt at hosting a "normal" school party had ended with Mr. Snake panic-hissing at the heart-shaped balloons, Mr. Shark eating half the decorations, and Mr. Wolf threatening to "interrogate" anyone who even looked at Princess wrong.

When the laughter faded, Princess grinned.
"Come on. Let's get snowballs."

They made their way down to a little shack near the hillside that sold shaved ice in every flavor imaginable. Princess picked raspberry, while Eddie chose blueberry. They sat side by side on a bench under a string of twinkling fairy lights, savoring the chilly treat as the evening air cooled around them.

"This has been such a great day," Princess said between bites. "You're... honestly, you're super romantic."

Eddie's cheeks turned bright red.
"T-Thanks..." he mumbled, looking down at his snowball like it might save him from dying of embarrassment.

As he dared to glance up at her, he noticed the way the sunset made her bright pink eyes sparkle — like they were filled with tiny stars.

"Wow," Eddie breathed out without thinking. "Your eyes are like... like diamonds or something."

He winced the second the words left his mouth.
"Jeez, that was pretty cheesy, huh?"

Princess laughed — a warm, musical sound — and touched his arm.
"Not at all. Any girl would love hearing that."

Eddie smiled shyly, heart pounding so hard he was sure she could hear it.

The night slowly drifted into darkness, and by 10:47 PM, it was time to head back. Eddie walked Princess up the long driveway leading to the Bad Guys' mansion, the two of them talking softly, not wanting the night to end.

They reached the front steps, bathed in the soft glow of the porch lights. Princess turned to him, her hair fluttering slightly in the breeze.

Eddie hesitated for a second, then leaned forward and gently kissed her on the cheek.

Princess's face lit up in pure happiness.

"Bye, Eddie," she said, her voice soft and sweet.

"Bye, Princess," he replied, watching as she disappeared inside, feeling like the luckiest guy in the entire world.

As the door closed behind her, Eddie stood there for a moment longer, heart soaring. Somewhere up on the cherry blossom hill, their heart was carved into the tree forever — a small, simple reminder that sometimes, young love really could last a lifetime.

A few months later...

The cherry blossom tree was in full bloom again, its pink petals swirling around the small hilltop like tiny pieces of confetti. The carved heart on its bark, P.C + E.L 4-23-22, had weathered the rain and wind — but it was still there, clear and proud, just like the bond it represented.

Princess leaned against Eddie's shoulder, her soft pink hoodie brushing against his jacket. The night sky above them glittered with stars, and the city of Los Angeles twinkled far in the distance.

Neither of them spoke for a while, content just sitting there together, listening to the breeze and each other's steady breathing.

Eddie finally broke the silence.
"You know... one day, when we're older," he said, his voice a little shy but certain, "I wanna come back here with you. Maybe even... carve another heart next to this one."

Princess looked up at him, her bright pink eyes sparkling like gemstones in the starlight.

"Another one?" she teased gently. "What for?"

Eddie smiled, a little nervous but excited.
"Maybe to celebrate... our anniversary. Maybe even our engagement. I don't know. Just... something forever."

Princess felt her heart flutter in the best way. She reached out and laced her fingers through his, squeezing his hand tight.

"I'd like that," she whispered.
"I'd like forever with you."

Eddie grinned, feeling like he could fly right off that hillside. And as they sat there under the endless sky, pink petals dancing around them like blessings, they knew — no matter what the future held — their hearts would always be carved into that tree, and into each other's lives, forever.