Author's Note: Thank you for all the support with the first chapter. In this installment, you will get a sense of Gemma's mother's extended family.

Chapter Two: Family Ties.

Nine years, eleven months later:

My dear sisters and I were already in a heap of trouble, and it wasn't even nine.

"Oh, Lottie," Genny cried to Charlotte, "How could you have forgotten that the Hudson Ball is tonight?"

"Well I was quite distracted! It's not like either of you remembered!"

For the past four months now, Charlotte has been receiving invitations to various balls, all for the Porcelain Sisters (now known to the world as Lillia, Ginger, and Holly). We have had quite the bother hiding this fact from Aunt Elizabeth, who has become more attentive to me as she gets older.

"This is still not as bad as my news," I groaned to my friends. They both stopped fidgeting with their hair and looked at me. I could hardly bare those looks. Genevieve's eyes were huge, and made her look so innocent. Her hair was long, right about to her waste. For balls she swept it up into a loose bun, with a few strands loose on the sides. She looked just as beautiful as everyone had expected her to be. Charlotte still had her wavy blonde hair; it went to just past her shoulders. Her lips were full and pouty, and she was still just taller than I.

"I was just told by Scarlett," I began, twisting my long brown hair with my finger.

"Your Aunt's friend?" inquired Charlotte, frowning at her dress. It was white, with a bell-like skirt and a white bodice. She looked gorgeous, as always. Below we could hear her mother's maid scurrying around in the kitchen.

"Yes," I reply, quickly speaking, "Aunt Elizabeth wants me to be betrothed-,"

"Well, that's great," said Genny as she threw her brush onto the ground.

"-To Will."

Silence.

"H-h-h-him?" Genny asked shocked. "But he is such an arrogant-"

"-Slimy and manipulative-" Charlotte screeched.

"-mindless Pirate!" they finished together. We had all agreed at an early age that pirates were by far the worst people God had ever invented.

"I know," I sigh, digging for my courage. I had to tell them but, how would they take it? It was heretical, the very idea! "That is why…I have decided, to, um, well. Go away."

"Nonsense!" cried Genevieve, sitting upright. "Just come and work at the ribbon shop, and all will be taken care of."

"No, if it has been arranged, that won't work," I started to cry, "I have to go away. I am going to go tonight, just before the Hudson Ball." They came over and enveloped me in a hug.

"I just wanted to say goodbye, first." I murmured against the backs of their heads.

They pulled back, and looked at each other, seeming very astonished. "Why?" Charlotte asked. "It's not like we won't be seeing you,"

"Did you not just hear what I said? I have to-"

"-Leave, we know!" Genny shook her head in frustration. "But the Porcelain Sisters do not go any where with out the others!"

"No, you must stay here," I begged, trying to get them to see reason.

"No! We are going with you, or you aren't going." And then they both forcefully grabbed my arms, and dragged me down to the seat.

"Fine," I sighed, "But we have to be dressed as boys," While I hadn't originally planned this, it seemed like a good idea, and it would keep Genny from wanting to go so badly.

True to her nature, Genny blanched and her hand raced to her hair, all perfect for the ball.

Lottie how ever squared her shoulders and said with a smirk, "Not a Problem."

A tall red haired young woman sat on a throne made of marble. She stared at her dark, stone throne room. Her lips pursed. Next to her throne was a small, quivering man.

"Mr. Thomson!" she snapped, clicking her long black nails against the arm rest.

"Y-y-yes, milady?" Thomson stuttered, crouching lower.

"Tell me the progress of our dear Jack Sparrow." she gave a cold hearted cackle. "How goes his attempt to find the Fountain of Youth, and my dear, sweet cousin?"

"Well, milady," Thomson scrambled to find the right words, "He is very close to the Island of the Sprites." He quickly covered his head.

"What?!" the Queen jumped up, simply outraged. "I thought I told you to keep him away from there!"

"I tried, milady, but he was too determined…"

The Queen glared cold daggers at her assistant.

"Um, your Ladyship?" Thomson ventured slowly, hesitatingly.

"What now?"

"The three children,"

"Yes? Those mongrels?"

"Their guardians have been sent," the little man cringed, waiting for the hand to strike him. But nothing came. He looked up at the regal woman. She had a thoughtful look on her face.

"Jack Sparrow's daughter?"

"Yes, milady."

"Well, Thomson, I believe it's time for a little family reunion, don't you?" and with that, Queen Isis stood, and walked down the long stone hallway to the room that held the two best minions she had ever known.