Oswald's surprise arrived on schedule. Edward had demanded a date and Oswald had acquiesced and given him one.

"Ding dong door bell," Dini sang along with the upward pitch of the doorbell. Then she followed it's downward pitch. "Ding dong door bell."

Yes, Dini 'just happened' to be there that bright Saturday morning. Lee stands there and watches her with a smile on her face. Flour is in her hair and all over her apron. Edward hadn't been able to let her in on what exactly the surprise was because he had no idea what it was himself, but she had felt like baking for it anyway. Thank goodness it was a Saturday - she had been in the kitchen nearly half the day already.

Edward shakes his head. He doesn't think he'll ever truly understand this side of her. At least she still lets him make dinner.

"You know, that door chime is way too fancy for this house," Lee says to him. "This is just a quaint little Southern bungalow, not the Mayor's Mansion."

"It was all they had in stock," Edward answers testily.

When he found that their doorbell was broken shortly after moving in, he had gone down to the hardware store, looking for a replacement. All they had was the same goddamned chime that he had heard as a young child at his parents home in Gotham. He detested it, especially because he remembered his mother loving it.

But it truly was all they had in stock down here. Just like their food was always something from the sea. He hated that, too.

Edward makes it to the door before Dini does, but she rushes in and places her hand on the knob, too.

"What, you want to open it?" he asks her and then stands rises to his tiptoes to peer through the small glass window that is atop the front door. He looks down upon a head with dark hair fashioned in a way he can only describe as "duck-like." He chuckles.

Oswald.

Edward turns to the little girl and says, "Dini, you know your role in Paradise Lost as Belial, that slimy politician of demons?"

"Yeah."

"Well, out there is a man who you should observe carefully."

"Really?"

"Yes. It will help you prepare for your role splendidly."

Lee has joined them in the foyer.

"Stop," she says, batting his shoulder lightly. "Get the door. It's not nice to keep your best friend waiting."

"Your best friend?" Dini looks up at him as if he's grown two heads. "YOU have a best friend?"

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"Uh. . ." As she looks up at him, her eyes just blink slowly. She has no other response.

"Just get the door," Lee snaps.

"Okay, okay," Edward replies and opens the door. "Oswald!"

There are instant hugs all around. Oswald has even brought Martin, who's grinning from ear to ear.

After a minute, Edward notices that Dini is partially hidden behind the door. "It's okay to come out, sweetheart. They won't bite. They're our friends."

He holds out his hand to her, but she doesn't take it right away, just stares at him woefully instead.

"Come on," he whispers. "It's okay."

Eventually she takes it and steps forward.

"Oswald, this is Dini - short for Edwardine."

"How precious."

"And Dini, this is Oswald Cobblepot, the unofficial mayor of Gotham."

"Are you a politician?" she asks in awe.

"Why, yes I am, little girl." Oswald bends down to shake her hand and then says to Edward, "I like this one. Who is she again, exactly? Edwardine? Don't tell me you two somehow spawned again?"

Edward crosses his arms and as Oswald laughs uproariously at his own cruel joke. Dini's forehead creases. "Spawn?"

"It means to have offspring," Oswald answers patly.

This is greeted with a blank stare.

"Another child," Edward says lowly with a murderous look at his best friend.

"Well, this little visit is getting off to a great start," Lee says sarcastically. "Do come in. All of you."