The Winter that followed was the most cheerful of Penny's life, at least of her life so far. She and Sebastian couldn't get enough of each other, and she probably spent as many hours up at 24 Mountain Road as she did in her own home.

The only problem they encountered was how little there was to do in Pelican Town. Of course, they never minded spending time together in whatever way they could. But it would be nice to go on more real dates. (And even when they did find something fun to do, there was always a well-meaning friend or neighbor around to stick their nose in.)

For Sebastian's birthday, Winter 10, Penny got Gus to let them use his back room for a dinner date. Penny usually avoided the Stardrop Saloon when she could help it, but with Gus and Emily's help, the evening turned out much lovelier than she could have imagined.

Even with that pleasant surprise, Penny's favorite dates were always when they took Sebastian's motorcycle into Zuzu City. Somehow, surrounded by thousands of strangers, they felt more alone than anywhere in Pelican Town. And the freedom of flying down the highway on the back of his bike was quickly becoming addictive.

They built a snowman together at the Festival of Ice, they shopped together at the Night Market, and at the Feast of the Winter Star, Sebastian's parents invited Penny and her mom to join their family table. Before they knew it, Spring had come again.

"Last chance to turn back," Penny said as they crossed the bridge to get to the Flower Dance. "We can leave right now."

Sebastian made an intentionally puzzled expression. "Why would I want to leave?"

Penny rolled her eyes. "I appreciate your willingness to participate, but I know you hate the Flower Dance."

"Hate is such a strong word."

"Fine. You strongly dislike the Flower Dance." Penny shook her head. "Seriously, we don't have to go."

Sebastian put his arm around her shoulders. "I want to go. Seriously." He leaned in and lowered his voice. "When else will I get the chance to dance with you?"

Even after two seasons of dating, things like this still made Penny's cheeks redden. And he seemed to be saying them more and more!

Sebastian kissed her on one of those red cheeks. "Yoba, you're cute." Then he moved his face back to a more respectable distance as they neared the festival. "A day of sun won't kill me."

Penny's attention was drawn away to the couples gathering in the field. "Well that's a surprise."

After years of the same people dancing together, every single couple this year was different. Sam was with Maru, of course. Abigail, thankfully long out of her wheelchair, was ready to dance with Elliott. They still weren't dating, but Penny was sure it would happen any day. Most surprisingly, Shane was paired up with Leah. Penny supposed they must know each other as neighbors, but she had no idea they were friendly.

"Look!" Sebastian whispered. "I told you so."

Dr. Harvey and Emily were standing together; Emily swaying to music only she could hear, and Harvey nervously wiping his palms on his corduroys.

Penny smiled, genuinely happy for them. Two such kind people deserved nothing less. She and Sebastian took their spot next to them, but Penny noticed a couple was missing.

She leaned over to Emily. "Where's Haley?"

Emily shook her head. "I'm not sure exactly... Traveling, but I don't know where. She wanted to see the world and work on her photography."

Before they could talk more, the music started up. Alex, whose expected partner was missing so he hadn't been ready, now ran onto the field, pulling Marnie behind him. The sweet woman was beaming, and joined the line next to Penny.

Sebastian raised his eyebrows slyly at Penny and grinned as they began their dance.

Penny genuinely liked the Flower Dance, but she had to admit it was a little silly. Although...seeing Sebastian do the dance made it all the more entertaining. He really did not enjoy this sort of thing. Every time Penny made eye contact with him, she started to laugh, so she had to look up at the sky to keep from cracking up. But then she would miss a step, and each time, she and Sebastian became even more in danger of laughing hysterically. Her cheeks hurt by the time the song ended. It was probably the worst she'd ever danced. And the most fun she'd ever had doing it.

"My, that was fun, wasn't it!" Marnie said, flushed and out of breath.

Then Sebastian reached for his phone. "Sorry, it's work. I've got to take this." He moved to the side field and answered.

The other party goers chatted and ate some more food before filtering out. Penny stayed, hovering just out of earshot of Sebastian. He turned and smiled at her—hopefully this was good news?

"Penny!" Sebastian jogged over to her and hugged her.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"More than alright!" He beamed, running his fingers through his hair haphazardly. "The company I've been contracting for—they love my work. They want to hire me; I mean, take me on permanently. It's almost double the pay, and a better title."

"That's wonderful!"

"They want me to move to Zuzu City."

Penny felt her stomach drop. She couldn't stop her smile from faltering. "Wh—Zuzu City?" she managed to ask quietly. Was he really leaving?

Sebastian nodded, still riding the high of the good news. "You'll come with me of course, won't you, Penny? I mean, will you? Please?"

"With you? Live with you?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "We'll get an apartment together. I mean, maybe it's a little fast, but I think we're ready, don't you?"

Penny shook her head slightly. "I don't know." She was all at once thrilled and heartbroken. Moving; going someplace new and changing everything...It was exciting, and there had been times when that was all she wanted. But when she thought about the realities of it, her courage failed her. Her throat burned and tightened, making it hard to speak. "I can't—I can't afford that, Sebastian. I can't leave."

"Don't worry about the money, Penny." Sebastian was still smiling, but it was strained as he searched her face anxiously. "I'll be making more than enough for the both of us. And you could go to school, or do whatever you want."

"But I can't—I don't want to rely on you like that."

Sebastian's voice raised in exasperation. "For your whole life, you've always been the one being relied on! Don't you deserve to depend on someone for once?" He collected himself, restraining his tone. "Or you could find a job there. There's plenty of work in the city."

Sebastian looked at her desperately. Penny wanted so terribly to say yes; to make him happy and smiling again. But there were too many reasons to say no.

"My mom—the kids," Penny mumbled, not finishing her thought, but trusting he knew what she meant. She shook her head again. "I need some time to think."

Sebastian turned away from her and walked a few feet, hands shoved into his pocket. She knew she was disappointing him, but what could she do? She couldn't just drop everything and leave, could she? They hadn't argued much in their relationship, but when they did, he always took care not to speak out of anger. And she loved him for it.

He turned back to her and hesitated before speaking. "You're right," he said, although his voice was still terse. "We should think about it. C'mon, let's go home."

They didn't speak as they walked back through Cindersap Forest. Sebastian didn't seem angry, just distracted, and a little sad. Penny thought she might cry, but she didn't dare. If she did, he would comfort her and hold her and be so kind that she would never be able to say no. No, she needed a clear head. She needed to think.

They stopped in front of the trailer and Sebastian reached out and squeezed her hand. "Let's talk tomorrow." He turned to leave, but said, "You can call me tonight if you want to."

Penny watched him walk up the mountain path, his shoulders slumped. She leaned her head against the metal door, finally letting a few tears slip out. But she stopped herself quickly, wiping her eyes and fanning herself before going inside.

"Have you seen those spare batteries, kid?" her mom asked, searching in a drawer with her back to the door.

"No, sorry, mom," Penny said. Her voice trembled slightly, and she hoped her mom hadn't noticed and she could slip to her room.

"Oh, Penny, what's the matter?" Pam turned around.

"It's nothing, really." But she sniffled, and her mom's concerned look caught her off guard. She began to cry.

"Come here, sweetheart." Pam held her, and for the first time in years, Penny wept in her mother's arms.

When she'd cried all she could, Pam handed her a tissue and she wiped her eyes.

"Are you ready to tell me what's wrong?" Pam asked. Penny nodded and they sat together on the couch.

"Sebastian...he got a job in the city. He asked me to move in with him." Penny's voice hitched. "And I'm going to say no." The tears started again, and Pam rubbed her back.

"Why?" Pam asked.

"Huh?"

"Why don't you want to move in with him?"

"Well, I do, but I can't," Penny stammered.

"I won't say I'm thrilled with the idea," Pam said with a lighthearted scoff. "But why can't you?"

Penny's face contorted. "Of course I can't. I can't leave you, and what would Vincent and Jas do?"

Pam's expression darkened, and she took a while before speaking. "I'm...sorry."

"What?"

Pam cleared her throat. "Seeing you...so happy, these last few weeks. It's given me a lot to think about. About how you weren't happy before. And why you weren't happy." She patted Penny's hands. "Look, I don't want to get all mushy on you. But I'm your mom, and it should have been me taking care of you. Not the other way around."

"Mom..."

"Go. I want you to. It'll do me some good to take care of myself." Pam laughed. "And those kids will be fine; they've got families of their own to take care of them. Marnie and Shane and Jodi, even Sam. They'll sort it out."

Penny hadn't expected any of this. A minute ago she'd been afraid to even broach the topic with her mom. It never occurred to her that her mom might let her go.

Penny wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. "Thank you."

"So, you really love this boy, then?"

Penny nodded.

"I suppose there's no accounting for taste." Pam chuckled. "Now you better go run and tell him the good news. He's probably freaking out right now."

Penny squeezed her mom again tightly and ran out the door. Her nose was still runny and her face must have been completely splotchy, but she smiled like a fool and raced up the hill. Her legs burned but she didn't care.

She knocked on the door furiously. "Hello Robin, I need to see Sebastian."

"Sure, he's down—" But Penny was moving before Robin could even speak.

She didn't bother knocking on Sebastian's door, she just flew down the stairs. He was standing at the bottom, like he'd been about to come up.

"Penny!" he nearly shouted in surprise.

Penny could hardly speak, she was breathing so hard.

His brow creased. "Are you okay? Penny, I shouldn't have pushed it on you. I'm sorry, I know it was sudden..."

Penny waved her arms frantically to cut him off. "That doesn't matter now. Yes."

"Yes...?"

"Yes, I'll go with you. To Zuzu City. Yes."

Slowly, Sebastian got the picture. "Are you sure?" A smile crept onto his face.

She nodded. "Yes."

Sebastian wrapped his arms around her and lifted her into the air. She hugged him tight. They spun around, and then he set her down and kissed her fervently.

"Really?" he asked again.

"Yes!" Penny pushed lightly against his shoulder. "Now quit asking that and kiss me again."

He did, passionately at first, then more tenderly.

"I love you, Penny," he said softly, leaning against her forehead. She knew he did. She was more sure of that than anything in the world.

"I want you to know," he added hesitantly. "I wouldn't have gone without you. I couldn't have."

Penny leaned back. "What? But this job..."

"Is just a job." He shook his head. "Would that change your mind? Do you want to stay here?"

"No! Of course not!" Penny said. "If anything, I'd be more likely to go! I couldn't make you give that up!"

"I knew it." Sebastian smiled. "I don't deserve you."

"No. None of that." Penny shook her head. "I'm going because I want to, and that's all there is to it. If anything, I'm using you to get a ride out of this town. Really, I'm taking advantage of you."

"Mm-hmm. Right." Sebastian grinned and leaned in, pulling her waist tight against him and pressing his lips into hers. She parted her lips, and her hands crept along his face and tangled into his hair. He kissed her more deeply, and one of his hands on her hips found its way—perhaps unintentionally, perhaps intentionally—under the edge of her shirt and pressed to the bare skin of her waist. It gave her chills, and not just because his hands were cold.

Knock-knock.

"Kids, are you alright?" Robin called down the stairs. "Did something happen?"

Sebastian rested his forehead against Penny's, breathing hard. "We have got to move."