"Your Mama an' Papa did everythin' backwards-like, real ass-over-endtable, dong ma?" Mal told Rosie, settling on the edge of her bed and toeing his boots off. "First you was born, then they got hitched, then they started courtin'. 'Course that sorta made sense, in a way, you bein' born first, since you weren't really his get," he explained, "but usually a man gets to courtin' a lady 'fore he up an' marries her."

"You ever courted a lady, Baba?"

"Once upon a long time ago," Mal said, frowning. "But that ain't none of yours. You wanted to hear about your Mama an' Papa."

~*~

"What's li'l Kaylee got a bee in her bonnet about?" Jayne asked, coming into the cargo bay. "The doc finally cough up for a ring?"

Mal smirked, shifting a wriggling Rosemary from one hip to the other. "We ain't but just made landfall an' already there's some boy bangin' on the bay doors with an armload o' flowers."

Zoe made a scoffing sound, but Jayne could see in her eyes that she wished she had someone to buy her flowers. A knowing grin almost slipped onto his features, but he stopped it in time.

"Fine, go to Papa," Mal said with irritation, handing the squirming child to Jayne.

"Well," he said, clearing his throat when his voice nearly came out in a chuckle. "Who they for?"

Zoe stared at him. "Ain't it obvious? The doc bought Kaylee flowers."

"No, I didn't," Simon said, stepping off the stairs and looking confused. "No, really," he protested when Kaylee launched herself into his arms. "Those aren't from me, Kaylee, I swear."

Kaylee's smile slipped. "They ain't? Then who...?" She went back to the bouquet - and it was a large, impressive one, Jayne noted with a bit of satisfaction - and searched it for a card. "They ain't even mine," she said, her smile returning. "They're for you, Zoe!"

Zoe's face went blank with surprise. "They - what? Kaylee, let me see that card." She took the card from the mechanic's hand and read it aloud. "For Mrs. Cobb, happy anniversary." She narrowed her eyes. "It ain't been nea