When Maria's eyes opened, she found herself laying back down on the couch. She looked to her side and saw Miss Peregrine sitting in the same chair she had occupied before.
"I remember you," Maria spoke softly, still waking up.
Miss Peregrine looked to Maria and took a hold of your hand, "Are you okay?"
"They made me forget-" Maria started.
"It was in your best interests," Miss Peregrine cut her off, "The wights and hollows would've hunted you specifically if you stayed. I didn't want to do it-"
"Why did you?" Maria asked, looking into Miss Peregrine's eyes.
Miss Peregrine let out a breath, "Because if I knew you were safe, I could still live with myself. I thought it'd be better than seeing you dead."
Maria nodded, "Are you going to send me back?"
"Never again, love," Miss Peregrine assured, shaking her head, "Never again."
Maria sat up. She sighed, "So, what do we tell your wards, then?"
"Leave that to me," Miss Peregrine waved off.
"They're bound to ask questions, what do I do then?" Maria asked.
"They don't know we know each other yet, but they'll figure it out soon," Miss Peregrine said, "Just call me Miss Peregrine for now, we can't have everyone knowing until everything's been sorted out."
Olive found herself preparing a kettle for tea. The children had been allowed back into the house, but no one had seen their guest since they had returned. Olive was the first to witness Maria, walking through the house in a black blazer and pants.
"How are you feeling?" Olive asked.
Maria jumped, startled at the sound of another voice, "I'm sorry, I don't remember us ever having an introduction. I'm Maria."
"Olive," Olive introduced, "Are you better now."
"I'm coping," Maria spoke, "Who's the tea for?"
"That'd be us, thank you Olive," Miss Peregrine entered the room, "Nice choice in wardrobe, Maria."
"I was glad you had something my size," Maria chuckled, preparing the tea alongside Miss Peregrine.
"Well, that's what happens when you grow up," Miss Peregrine smiled.
"Sorry, do you two know each other?" Olive asked. Both Miss Peregrine and Maria looked up at Olive. Luckily for them, Enoch came down the stairs.
"Olive, can you help me with something?" Enoch asked. Olive nodded, the pair walking out of the kitchen and back up the stairs.
"Well, that brings us back to the matter at hand," Maria sighed, turning to Miss Peregrine, "How much do you want them to know?"
Miss Peregrine looked to Maria, "I'm not sure, are you ready for them to know?"
"It's been less than a day, I can't answer that," Maria defended, "It's your call."
Miss Peregrine sighed, "Let's take our tea upstairs, you can stay in my room until dinner."
"But-" Maria started.
"Maria, you still need your rest. You won't be ready until dinner to go through any of this again, and you're still recovering from the absence of the block," Miss Peregrine cut off.
Maria glanced up at Miss Peregrine, "Fine, I'll go rest. What's for dinner?"
"Come along now, it's time for dinner," Miss Peregrine spoke. The children came in and sat down, until every seat but the one next to Miss Peregrine was taken. "Hang on, where's Maria?" Olive asked.
"Is that her name?" Enoch snarked, "Don't think I ever learned it, or why she's here."
"Enoch!" Miss Peregrine scolded.
"Sorry I'm late, M-Miss Peregrine," Maria hurried into the room, taking a seat.
"It's quite alright, dear," Miss Peregrine looked down to her food.
Maria looked up at the woman, confused, "Since when?"
"Since you walked in, love," Enoch remarked, "You apparently warrant special treatment." Maria shared a quick look with Miss Peregrine before looking to her plate.
"Enough of that, eat up, children," Miss Peregrine sat.
As the group started eating, Emma looked to their visitor, "So Maria, how'd you get here?"
"Who let you in?" Fiona asked.
"Someone without taste, probably," Enoch commented.
"No, she's lovely," Emma refuted.
"It must be odd, visiting another century, finding out all of this exists," Olive commented.
"No, I think it'd be quite easy for her to grasp," Enoch spoke, "Considering it's another odd thing, like herself."
"Enough," Miss Peregrine cut in, raising her voice.
Enoch looked to her, "What do you care, you've only just met her." Maria and Miss Peregrine looked to one another.
"Enoch," Emma commented, "I don't think they've just met."
Miss Peregrine looked up, "Emma, it's rude to speculate."
"Well, tell us then," Jacob spoke up, "Do you two know each other?" The children looked to Miss Peregrine right before the phone rang.
Miss Peregrine looked to her wards, "Children, go get ready for movie time while I answer that." The children, knowing not to pick this battle, left swiftly. Maria stayed behind.
"Is it-" Maria spoke.
Miss Peregrine cut her off, "It's not anyone looking for you."
Maria nodded, "Should I go?"
"Absolutely not," Miss Peregrine remarked.
"I do have school tomorrow, you know," Maria pointed out.
Miss Peregrine glanced at Maria. She sighed, "Stay for the reset, then you can go back. But stop in after school, we need to discuss your arrangements."
"Yes mam," Maria smirked, walking out of the room.
"And don't call me mam!" Miss Peregrine called out.