The Months in Between, Bonus story!
Takes place after Ember finishes up her internship. Her and Wade are moving back to Element City as home base before they start their traveling the world adventure. But something unexpected happens.
Wade is the first one to walk into the Fireplace after a long boat ride back to Element City.
The usual suspects are there to greet Wade. Flarrietta and Flarry are behind the counter and Clod is stocking a shelf, he's cute little Fire girlfriend not too far behind him. Bernie comes out from the back of the Shop up the door to greet Wade.
"Welcome back! How was your trip?" Bernie then notices his daughter from behind Wade and his face grows concerned.
"Pretty rough actually." Wade takes a side step away from the door to let Ember in. Ember looks very seasick and exhaust from the boat ride over. It looks like she didn't get any sleep either. She covers her mouth, trying hard not to get sick inside the Shop in front of everyone.
Ember speaks weakly, "I think I ate a bad kol nut."
"We spent the majority of the time at the stern of the ship so Ember wouldn't melt the haul on accident." Wade gently rubs her back as Embers sleepily smiles up at him trying to ease his concern.
Bernie puts his arm around his daughter and offers her to go rest in her old room. "Come rest up. We'll make you some lava and twig soup to calm your stomach."
As Bernie and Ember come walking towards the staircase Cinder comes out from the hearth. "Sorry I was finishing up a read-" she pauses as she sees her sick daughter then runs up to her all concerned. "What happened?" Cinder notices an unusual smell and takes a soft sniff. Cinder's eyes grow wide and she quickly covers her month trying to hide in a gasp.
Bernie facing Ember doesn't see his wife's reaction as he explains, "She just ate a bad kol nut on the boat ride back. Sending her to bed to rest."
Ember notices her mother's reaction and looks confused. Her mother has never looked that concerned over a little cold.
Cinder frantically blinks and takes Ember in to her arm pushing her husband away trying to come up with an excuse."Why, uh? Don't you hang out with Wade while I take care of Ember. It doesn't take two of us to make some soup." She ends with a nervous chuckle. "Wade looks like he could use some company."
Bernie turns back to sees a depressed Wade standing by the door way about to go into a crying fit. He's worried about his Ember the most.
As Bernie looks at Wade, Cinder takes this opportunity to drag her daughter upstairs quickly. "Mom not so fast!"
Wade looks like he can burst at any moment as water is streaming down from his eyes. Bernie cautiously side steps over to Wade incase he needs to book it away from a watery explosion. With one arm Bernie cautiously reaches out to Wade and waves him over. "Come on let's go pray to the Blue Flame for Ember to feel better."
Wade sniffs and with a high pitched voice he barely says, "Okay."
As they walk over to the Blue Flame Wade says. "I know she's in good hands being home but I'm still really worried about her."
"Don't worry Wade. Her mother will take good care of her just like when she was little girl."
"SIT DOWN!" Cinder yells at her daughter.
Ember bounces a little to hard on her bed and has to get up to grab a cauldron before spewing her guts out. As she finishes throwing up Cinder tosses over a chain metal shawl, "Put this on, keep your flame hot, and stay put."
Cinder then stomps to the bathroom looking for something.
Ember is getting angry, "Geez mom what's with the attitude? Nice to see you too."
Ember carefully goes to lay down tiring to get any relief on her stomach only to be yelled at again.
"DON'T LAY ON YOUR BACK!"
"GAH!!" Ember sits up in a panic. This is not how she wanted her day to go.
Cinder still very angry stomps out of the bathroom with three of the same sticks in her hand. A scroll attached to the sticks. "Here take all three as the instructions say."
Before Ember can process what is going on Cinder forces the sticks into her hand and shoves her to the bathroom.
Ember is so confused and is angry. Turning weakly purple a bit. "Easy Mom! What is with you?"
"I warned you to be careful now take the sticks!"
Ember looks down at what those sticks are as she enters the bathroom, Her eyes grow wide. "Wait, is this a-?"
Cinder shuts the bathroom door on Ember. She crosses her arms with a, "Humph!" Cinder shakes her head in disappointment.
After quite a while the bathroom door slowly and quietly opens to a completely shocked Ember. At this time Cinder's attitude has completely changed from pissed off Mom to now a comforting and sympathetic one. As Cinder looks at her daughter she relaxes her body as a sign that her intuition was correct. She is sitting on Embers bed and pats her hand on it to invite her daughter to sit with her.
Ember slow walks over to the bed not making eye contact with her mother. As Ember sits down she stairs at the floor for a minute then finally whispers. "They all came back positive."
Cinder with some pride crosses her arms, "I thought so. I could easily smell it on you."
Ember starts panicking, "This, this can't be happening."
"We're supposed to travel the world! And, and our careers! This is all happening way too fast. We're not even married yet."
Ember looks at her mom and Cinder nods at her in agreement. Ember then puts her head down on her lap and starts to cry.
Cinder hugs her daughter. "There, there. Your flame is going to be an emotional wreck for a while."
Ember through her tears, "I don't want Ashfa to boil Wade away."
Cinder chuckles, "Don't worry my daughter I would let him boil your true love."
Ember shoots her head up in a complete 180 now purple and mad, "Good because I'll be so angry at him if he does!"
Cinder looks impressed, "Oh you're my daughter alrighty I was this emotional when I found out I was going to have you."
Ember calms down looking exhausted. She hugs the caldron again just incase she needs it. "I'm not ready to tell Wade this yet. He's been going on for weeks how exciting he is to start traveling the world with me. This, this might be disappointing news."
Cinder pats her daughters arm then gets up pacing. A sad Ember watches her. Cinder thinks of an idea as she walks up to the door. "I'm going to call our doctor and get an appointment right away for you tomorrow morning. I'll tell Wade and your father that you are asleep and you are not to be disturb. So you can rest and think about what you are going to say to Wade tomorrow."
Ember is super grateful. "Oh, Thank you Ashka."
Cinder walks back over to her daughter smiles up at her taking a hold of her hands. "You and Wade are going to be great parents." Cinder then points to her nose and winks before walking back over to the door and closing it. Giving Ember time to rest and think.
Ember leans back on her log pillow looking up at the ceiling and soft dreamy smile forms on her face. Then a look of disgust as she throws up in the cauldron, again. It's going to be a long night.
Back downstairs in the Fireplace. Bernie and Wade are sitting at the table near the front of the Shop. Bernie looks calm as a candle knowing Ember is in good hands. Wade though has his arms crossed looking down at his drink. He is droopy and very worried. Bernie breaks up Wade's thoughts by striking up a conversation, "So Ember tells me you two are excited to start traveling soon?"
Wade slightly smiles at the distraction and relaxes his arms as he talks with Bernie. "Yeah my new job as a licensed therapist is remote for the most part. I'm part of a team and we get assigned different patients. Sometimes it's a group therapy session. And Ember can make glass anywhere and ship it anywhere. Plus the company is really excited to have her visit the other glass firm branches all over the world."
Bernie sarcastically and with a raised eyebrow, "Hmm, all that traveling around sounds like a lot of commitment for a couple just dating."
Wade grows a prideful smile but you can still tell he's worried because his eyebrows are frowning. He does a quick look around before he pulls out a small box. He slides the tiny box across the table to show Bernie. Bernie takes the box and opens it up. He seems unimpressed. "Hmm." Bernie closes the box and slides it back to Wade. Wade looks really worried about Bernies reaction as he takes back the box. Then Bernie finally looks up at Wade with a big smile and a two thumbs up.
Wade put his hand on his chest. "Oh Mr. Lumen, Please don't scare me like that."
Bernie laughs. "It's call a soft burn and please call me Bernie."
The both smile. Wade is loving that he is growing a better relationship with his future father in law. Bernie has no idea what that means to Wade. Not just about his love for Ember but the opportunity to have a dad again, someday.
Cinder has come down back to the Shop and walks over to the table. Wade spots her first and quickly gets up from his chair. "Hey! How's Ember doing? Can I see her?"
Cinder is trying to put on her best white. "No, she is finally asleep and shouldn't be disturbed. She looked so exhausted. I've never seen her flame so tired."
This wasn't helping Wade not to see her. Bernie looks a bit concerns too, he just thought it was a cold. Cinder takes a step closer to Wade. "We are taking her to the doctor first thing in the morning. Why don't you go see your mother you so can get a good night's rest too. I know she has missed you very much."
Wade sadly sighs and thinks that he won't get much sleep either. He also thinks he wouldn't be pushed away like this if he and Ember were married. Not that his future in-laws are being rude, they are just traditional. Still, not a great feeling to have your lover be at your side every morning for months on end only to have the harsh reality that back at home you got to be in separate rooms now. He's trying not to cry at the thought. But it does give him the confidence to get the ball rolling on this proposal. Wade tells Cinder, "Okay but I'll be back in the morning. Bernie, how about I treat you to breakfast while Ember's at the doctors?"
Cinder is surprised by this. First Wade's breakfast offer and he is calling Bernie by his first name? Bernie responses to Wade. "Uhh sure?"
Wade perks up a bit since he got there, "Great I'll see you in the morning but please if anything changes let me know. I want to be here for her."
"Of course." Cinder assures him.
Wade sadly waves goodbye as he steps out of the Shop.
Cinder eyes her husband, "What are you two hiding?"
Bernie turns toward his wife, "And what are you and Ember hiding?"
Cinder goes wide eyed for a split second then gets some composure, "I asked you first."
"AH YAHH! I'm too old for this! We'll just have to find out together eventually won't we?"
Cinder still suspicious crosses her arms and goes, "Sounds like a plan."
They both laugh then Bernie asks "Is Ember really okay?"
Cinder holds on to her husbands hand tight. You can tell by the smile on her face she really wants to tell her husband the joyous news. She knows very well that it's not her place and will leave that reveal for Ember. "We will know more after the doctor's visit tomorrow."
Exterior of Firetown. Wade walking up the stairs to the Wetro platform. He really doesn't feel like leaving her but respects her parents wishes. Ember is peaking out from the bottom of her bedroom window and she spots her Wade. Her shawl draped over her flame trying to hide herself. Wade takes a pause to look back at the Shop. As he does Ember ducks down to hide.
She then peak through the window to see Wade go to the top platform of the Wetro. Out of her site. She sits down on the floor with a heavy sigh and thinks this is so weird. She's never not been able to talk to Wade before. She feels like she has really screwed up. Just as she is starting to doubt herself she subconsciously rubs her belly. She looks down at her hand then gives her belly a hug. A flash back pops in her head.
Wade and Ember are back in their shared apartment they had at her internship. The pair are getting ready for bed as the snuggle with each other. Wade speaks first.
"You want to have six kids like Vinny's family did?"
"Geez that's a lot of kids. I don't think so maybe a family your size?"
"Pfft, you don't want to know the long list of crazy cousins I have."
Ember laughs. "You think it's possible for us to have kids?"
"We won't know till it's time to not take the bark anymore. If not we could adopt too."
Ember jokes, "You really want to be a Dad huh?"
Wade looks away at Ember deep in serious thought. "Wade?"
Wade smiles back at her. "It's getting late why don't we get some sleep?"
End of Ember's flashback. She opens her eyes still sitting on the floor by the window with her hand across her belly. "Sleep sounds like a good idea."
The next day Wade enters the Shop and Bernie is sitting at the same table by the window. "Good morning Wade. Ember and Cinder left a half hour ago for the doctors and Ember's flame looked better."
Wade smiles, "That's great. I got a text from Ember this morning saying she was feeling better." Wade then does a big yawn. Clearly he didn't sleep well at all worried about his Ember.
Bernie sees this and smiles. "Come, I know a cafe with stronger Lava Java then mine. Looks like you could use a pick me up."
Ember and Cinder are at the doctors. They are in an exam room waiting on test results. A worried Ember sitting on the exam table and her Mom in a chair next to her with her arms crossed.
The doctor finally comes in. She is fit looking Firish woman in her mid 40s. "Great news. Your results are back and you are 100% having a baby."
Cinder response, "Well duh. We knew that. We are more concerned on how Ember's health is doing?"
The Doctor looks surprised by Cinder and tells them. "Oh well you're about 8 weeks in and everything looks healthy and normal. Textbook perfect I might add. Your husband must so excited."
Ember shrinks. "Actually I'm not married yet."
Cinder grumpily adds, "And the father is Water."
The wide eyed doctor looks back and forth from Ember and Cinder. Then with a nervous smile says, "My receptionist has a contact for a good family councilor."
Both Cinder and Ember put there hands up, "Oh no we all get along, that is not necessary."
Ember then says softly "At least till my dad finds out." Ember and Cinder both nervously look up at the doctor.
The doctor's face softens, "Well then I feel like you are an open enough family to hear this." She rolls her chair over to sit over by Ember and puts her hand on hers. "Ember, You are in the perfect city to have your baby. We have seen an increase of mixed Elemental couples all trying for a family. Though admittedly you are my first Fire and Water couple. But like I said earlier everything is looking normal on my end. I'm going to refer you over to an Air doctor because your child will probably be Steam. I know Dr. Startus and she is wonderful to work with. She has done well with other Firish mothers and can handle the heat too."
Ember does a large exhale out. She is feeling so much better now that there seems to be a plan for the next year at least. But there is now so much to discuss with her Wade. Ember turns toward her mom. "I'm ready to tell Wade."
Cinder with a smile takes her daughters hand. "Then lets find your true love."
And before they leave Ember says "Thank you", to the doctor.
Wade and Bernie are in a Firish cafe. Bernie knows the owner and they are long time friends.
The owner ask, "Who's this?" Referring to Wade and jokes, "You aren't being kidnapped by Water are you?"
Bernie does a big laugh. Wade looks a bit nervous at the slight Elementalism but it's all in good fun as he is learning. Sometimes you can't take things so seriously with the Firish. Bernie then says something to his friend that surprises Wade. "He's my future son-in-law and please don't be offered if you see him water down your food. That's just how he like it."
The owner jokes, "Oh but he can handle your daughter just fine?"
Bernie and the owner laugh loudly again. The owner finishes his laughing fit and looks to Wade. "I get it, my Air daughter-in-law has to do the same thing."
Wade smiles and says, "Thank you."
The owner walks off by as he does a a friendly pat on Bernie's shoulder. Bernie looks down at his fire espresso and asks before taking a sip. "So Wade what did you want to talk to me about?"
Wade looks clearly nervous, "Well I wanted to ask you something big."
"If it about my blessing for you and Ember my answer is no." Bernie ends with a clever smile.
This throws Wade so far off. He is shocked, confuse and not sure how to respond to that. Especially since Bernie knows he wants to marry her, has shown him the ring, and say future son-in-law just a second ago. What gives? Bernie is having fun watching Wade's confusing trying to put the dots together but counting with his fingers. Wade clearly stunned blinking a few times to make sure he is not dreaming, and is slowing thinking about what is going to say. Wade takes a deep breath and says this quietly. "Okay is it because I'm Water?"
Bernie laughs again, slamming his hand on the table a couple of times, and finally tells Wade, "I'm sorry, Cinder's father did that to me I just had to keep the tradition going." Bernie ended with rubbing his eye from laughing so hard.
Wade nervously laughs and is still very confused, "Ha ha, What?"
"Now I will tell you what he said to me." Bernie clear his throat, "You will have my blessing as long as she says yes to your proposal." Bernie leans back and crosses his arm with a big smile on his face. It is too easy for him to mess with Wade.
Wade having just gone through this emotional roller coaster ride relaxes but then gets nervous again. Wade then rubs the back of his head, "So actually I thought I already had your blessing. Ha ha, ever since you were okay with us moving in together." Wade pauses with a smile but then slowly starts to look serious with a few blinks to adjust. "I invited you out to breakfast because I wanted to talk about something else."
Now it's Bernies turn to be surprised and confused as he watches Wade look more serious. "Okay well what is it?"
"I.. I haven't had a dad since I was 16 years old. Mean sure I have an older Brother who is married and I get advice from him sometimes." Wade takes a shaky deep breathe, "But it's not the same as getting, real fatherly advice. I. I really wish I listened to my dad more when I was younger and I really regret that." Wade takes a pause to put his finger to his brawl trying to keep his composure.
Bernie leans forward with his hands cupped in front of him. He is taking what Wade is saying seriously and it is also bringing back memories of him butting heads with his father. Especially about leaving Fire Land.
Emotional Wade continues "I really want to be a great husband and a father someday. I need to be and I'll take whatever advice you say. I really just want to have a dad in my life to go talk to about these things." By this time Wade has gone teary eyed and cries but these are serious tears.
Bernie takes a moment and compassionately speaks. "I never got along with my father. And
I was always terrified that that would happen to me and my daughter."
Wade looks up with some guilt, thinking he could of been the divide causing that. Everything turned out well in the end but still. "I. I could never replace you Bernie. I of all people know that."
Bernie puts his hand up to stop Wade so he can continue. "I prayed and worked hard to make sure that never happened because I never got the support I needed from my father. And you coming in to her life has been quite the test for me."
Wade looks at Bernie and sniffs.
Bernie continues. "Wade, it okay for you to make your own decisions as a man that sometimes a father might not agree with. I had to figure that out on my own." Bernie takes a pause at remembering how then smiles up at him. "By having my heart in the right place. As long as your heart is in the right place you will also be fine. Your heart is with my daughter so I know it's in the best place it can be. But of course you can still ask me for anything. I am honored to help and I will alway be here for you and Ember."
Wade looks like he is about to explode with tears. Bernie adds to him as he takes out his umbrella, "You can go ahead and cry now." Wade whales loudly but Bernie just smiles with his umbrella up blocking Wade's tears from hitting him. Everyone at the cafe turns and looks concerned. Bernie just smiles and waves to everyone it's okay.
Exterior shot of the Fireplace in the afternoon. Back inside now Cinder and Ember walk into the Shop. Ember is looking much better but still isn't 100%. Bernie sitting at his table waves them over. As Ember and Cinder walk over to Bernie he get ups and holding both his hands out to his daughter. Ember takes his hands with a smile on her face. Bernie asks sincerely, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing better Ashfa. I'm sorry to have worried you."
Bernie waves one of his hands off like it's nothing. With his other hand still holding Ember's, he points her over to the basement as if to hand her off. "Wade is here and he wanted to show you something in the basement for some reason."
Ember glows bright, she lets go of her father's hand, and walks toward the basement. Cinder has a sneaking suspicion to what's going on as she goes to hug her husband. Bernie puts his arm around his wife as they both watch their daughter. Bernie then looks over at the hoard of Ripples who were hiding behind a shelf and waves them out. Cinder brightens up realizing that a proposal must be happening.
Down in the basement. Wade is looking up at the pipe he broke through nearly a year ago now. He reaches up and rubs his hand across the old crack. As Ember steps down the stairs she sees what he is doing and puts a hand on her chest smiling. Ember gets to the bottom and walks over to Wade. Wade recognizes the sound of her foot steps. Smiling he turns around to face her, "Can you believe this would ever happen to us? Meeting like this?"
Ember smiles and shrugs her shoulders. "Call it an act of God?" Ember walks up closer to Wade.
He reaches out to hug her being careful not to upset her stomach. He whispers to her, "How are you feeling?"
As she lays her head on his chest. "Better but not 100%." She pulls back a bit to look up at him. "I wanted to talk to you about traveling."
Wade pulls away letting go of Ember but still has a smile on his face. "Really because I wanted to talk to you about that too."
Ember watches Wade as he paces. She is confuse on how they are on the same subject. "Really?"
"See I'm not really interested in traveling anymore."
"Huhhh?" Ember thinking this might be too easy. But then has a slight panic thinking what if Wade isn't ready to be a dad? She has to tell him whether he is ready or not.
Wade stops pacing and is facing Ember looking her in the eye. "Yeah I'm not interest in traveling the world with my girlfriend."
A frighten and sad Ember holding her arms in close to the body says nearly in tears. "You're not?"
Wade smiles seeing he has her clearly off guard. He gets down on one knee. He looks up at her. "I'm more interest in traveling the world with my wife."
Ember gasps as Wade holds out the ring.
"Ember Lumen will you marry me?"
Ember pauses then responds, "I'm pregnant."
Wade was completely not expecting that and softly asks, "Wait? What?"
Right after he asks that, Uncle Harold has come partial down the stairs in a premature congratulations, and sees them in distress. They both look at Uncle Harold. Ember is shrinking in embarrassment and Wade has the same look on his face like the time he tried to hide from Bernie that he was an inspector.
Harold runs back up to the Shop and says in a panic. "Guys something is wrong. I think she said no."
They are all about to cry but then Cinder put her hands up and yells, "That is not what's going on."
Bernie steps forward "Well then what is going on?"
Brooke steps up too and suggests, "Let's give the kids their space." Then gives her brother a mad look and a stern voice, "Harold."
Bernie turns toward his wife. "Cinder what are you not telling us?"
Cinder takes her husbands hand and tells him. "You will know soon I promise." And she turns back to look over at the staircase with a worried look on her face.
Back down in the basement. Ember still looking at the stairs asks "Why is your Uncle here?"
Ember turns to look at Wade. He doesn't look happy or mad just serious. "Are you really pregnant?"
Ember being shy just nods her head at him yes. Wade stands up with a shocked look on his face. He drops the ring in his hand. You can see the wheels in his head turning as he is processing it all. Ember doesn't know what else to stay and just waits for his response. But after awhile she asks, "Wade?"
He finally response and looks at Ember with tears forming in his eyes. "I"m really going to be a dad?"
Ember still holding her arms in begins to smile and gets tears of her own too as she nods yes again and speaks "Yes."
Wade puts both his hands on his head in a panic. "Whoa! I! Uhh. This. This is. Wow."
Ember trying to guess his thoughts, "Unexpected?" She looks down embarrassed, "Unplanned."
Wade finally snaps back to reality, "Hold up, no not unplanned just early. Really early." Now releasing just how weird he has been, finally goes to comfort her holding her hands and then cupping her face too as she cries a bit. "Hey, hey I'm so sorry. I'm just in shock but I am really, REALLY happy about this."
Ember stops crying and smiles up at him. Wade starts to get excited hopping up and down and quietly cries, "I'm going to be a dad!" He goes to grab Ember but as he does he realizes he shouldn't be twirling her around with the morning sickness she is having. "WAHOO!- Oh wait I don't want to make you sick." Ending with his goofy smile as he gently puts her down.
That doesn't stop Ember from happily jumping into his arms though in a tight embrace. The couple both laugh. As they calm down they keep holding onto each other tight. Wade does a shaky exhale out and with tears whispering to her, "Thank you."
Ember then says, "it's a yes by the way."
Wade pulls back to look at her confused, "Yes?"
Ember gives him a wide eyed look like really? "Yes, to your proposal."
"Oh, right! Duhh." As he slaps his forehead with his palm. he turns around and crouches down looking for the ring he dropped. Ember is giggling at his silliness. "Found it!" As he slides the ring on her finger he says, "Here you go."
Ember then grabs his hand that just slide the ring on her finger and pulls it down to her belly. "And here you go."
Wade looks down at Ember's belly then back into Ember's eyes, "I love you so much."
The pair then share a kiss. Wade's hand is still on Ember's belly as she still has her ringed hand on top of his.
Wade and Ember finally come up the stairs to the Shop. Uncle Harold being premature again yells, "OH she has the ring on! She said YES!"
Everyone starts cheering loudly.
Wade and Ember are waving to get their families attention but they just think it's part of the celebration. Wade then with his hand cupping his jawline yells at the top of his lungs. "WE HAVE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT!!!" That gets everyone to quiet down and look at the newly engaged couple.
Ember then turns and steps toward her father as she is speaking to him "But first, dad you have to promise me you won't hurt Wade."
Bernie shrugs at his daughter, "Relax your fiancé and I are good." Cinder has an unsure look on her face.
Wade steps up closer and says to Bernie. "Really because Ember's pregnant." Wade has a huge smile on his face with two thumbs up. All the Ripples gasp and start crying. Ember looks at her father's reaction.
Bernie glows big and yells at Wade, "WHAT!"
Clod sitting on a ladder takes a polaroid of the moment. Wade running for his life. Bernie chasing Wade. A purple Ember and Cinder chasing Bernie. In the end Bernie calmed down once he realized he couldn't catch Wade. Ember was very upset at her dad. Cinder was upset at Bernie because Ember shouldn't be getting worked up in her condition. The rest of the Ripples couldn't stop crying. It all worked out in the end.
Ember and Wade got married a month later and decided to have their baby in Element City before the three of them start traveling.
Wade had coffee with Bernie the next day to get new dad advice. It was a long talk.
Author's note: Got this idea from the original movie actually. Wade and Ember seen moving in together before a wedding and I thought what else can happen "traditional" out of order? That sparked the "Will you marry me? I'm pregnant." response. Not everything is an immediate joyous reaction and the unknown is full of anxiety. Love though is a very important foundation that can conquer any of life's challenges. <3
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