When the next morning came, Edward and Killian appeared to be coming closer together, nearly snuggling each other as they both smiled and dreamed about snuggling with Katie. Katie had slipped out of bed and had started on breakfast.
"Katie, you're so soft..." Killian whispered sleepily.
"Thank you, you're so kind, Katie." Edward replied sleepily.
Katie looked over and snapped a picture, luckily able to one handed. The two men didn't seem to notice as they just cuddled into each other for a while, both with big smiles on their faces. Katie chuckled softly and put her phone away after saving the picture. She then continued on with breakfast.
After a little while, David came out of bed, leaving a glass of water and aspirin pill for Mary Margaret for just in case before he soon went to get out of bed as soon saw Katie. "Oh... I thought I smelled something cooking..." he then said on the way out.
"Hi, Daddy." Katie greeted quietly.
"Morning," David greeted back. "Need some help?"
"Could you get the plates down and the glasses please?" Katie requested.
"Of course," David smiled as he went to go and do that. "Smells great by the way."
Katie smiled softly. David smiled back. When the breakfast was almost ready, Killian and Edward kissed each other on the lips which woke both men up suddenly as they looked wide-eyed and let out startled shrieks to each other. Katie jolted at the shrieks. Mary Margaret groaned as that woke her up and she took the aspirin.
"Boys?!" David called out, though trying not to be too loud that would make Mary Margaret's headache worse before he came to see them and cupped his mouth, trying not to laugh out loud to them.
"...This never happened, Nolan." Killian grumbled.
"If you value your life, you will never discuss this." Edward added firmly.
Katie giggled to that. Edward and Killian grumbled as they sat up, blushing a bit.
"I think your men miss you." David said, humoring Katie a bit with the situation.
Katie gave a small smile, though it turned a bit sadder as she turned back to cooking. Mary Margaret came down rubbing her head. David soon continued to help out.
"Hello there, Mummy." Killian greeted Mary Margaret.
"Who shrieked?" Mary Margaret groaned as she shuffled over to the table. "But Hello, Edward." she murmured.
Edward nodded his head.
"Sorry about that," Killian told her. "I, uh, woke up to a pretty big surprise."
"And also hello Killian." Mary Margaret murmured.
Katie soon plated up the food for everyone and with her Dad's help served everyone too. David smiled as he loved this time with Katie whenever he had the chance.
"Some food will help make you feel better." Edward soothed Mary Margaret.
Mary Margaret gave a small nod.
"Eat up, everyone." Katie smiled softly.
"Looks great, Princess." Killian smiled back.
Edward nodded once he got settled into his seat.
"Let's dig in then." David chuckled as he began to help himself.
Katie blushed, but smiled warmly. Mary Margaret was quiet as she ate but seemed happy enough. It was a very good breakfast for all of them so far.
"Lovely job as always, Katie." Edward smiled warmly.
Katie blushed and smiled.
"Ms. Blanchard," Edward began to say to the woman of the house. "I think I might need to talk to you about something."
Mary Margaret looked at Edward. "Private or will here be okay?" she asked him.
"Well, either one is fine, but I'd like to mostly speak to you about this." Edward said softly.
David glanced over, curious and concerned, though he trusted Edward a lot better these days, so he kept his distance.
"Come on, we'll step into the hallway." Mary Margaret told him and led him outside the door.
Edward nodded as he walked off with her before whispering to Killian and Katie. "I'll be right back." he then told them.
"Take your time, mate," Killian reassured. "We're not going anywhere."
Katie gave a small smile. Killian soon touched Katie's hand with his warmly. Katie turned her hand over so she could hold his hand. Killian smiled warmly.
"Does your school have any job openings?" Edward soon asked Mary Margaret.
"I think Ms. Goose from English Literature/Poetry is retiring next month, there'll be an opening then." Mary Margaret told him.
"Would you mind if someone else took her place then?" Edward then asked.
"It's not up to me, but I personally wouldn't mind." Mary Margaret told him with a small smile.
"I just thought I'd make myself useful around here." Edward smiled back hopefully.
"Well, I'll take you with me to the headmaster next school day." Mary Margaret told him.
"Very well," Edward nodded. "Thank you very much, Ms. Blanchard."
Mary Margaret smiled. "Call me Mom or similar, if you'd like... You're part of the family now." she said.
"I am?" Edward asked, sounding deeply touched.
Mary Margaret nodded. "You even gave half of your heart to Katie, of course you are..." she promised.
"Well... I'm flattered..." Edward smiled softly. "I don't recall having much of a family before, I don't think I've ever had one, so thank you... Mother..." he then added to test out saying that.
"Well, now you do." Mary Margaret smiled and nodded, patting his arm before heading back inside.
Edward smiled back warmly as he went back in with her.
"Is it too late to go back to bed for a few more minutes after eating?" David smirked.
"Probably." Killian smirked back.
"Yes, it is, even if I could happily go back to bed a little." Mary Margaret spoke up.
Katie looked thoughtful a little, wondering if she should say now, or wait until she could speak to Emma and the others too.
"Hmph..." David smirked.
Edward soon sat back down as he began to look excited. Mary Margaret smiled.
Seeing how excited Edward seemed to be, Katie decided she could wait until later. "Good talk?" she asked with a small smile.
"Very good talk," Edward replied. "I'm so thrilled."
Katie smiled. "Well, I'm glad it went well, whatever it was." she said.
"I'll tell you really want to know~" Edward smirked. "Unless you want to wait until maybe after tomorrow~"
"It's up to you, Honey, right Babe?" Katie smiled, trying out the endearments to her guys gently too.
Mary Margaret hid a smile behind her drink to that.
"Uh... Right..." Edward and Killian both replied, not sure who she was talking to then, but they both answered.
David chuckled as he found that a bit funny.
"Honey is Edward, Babe is Killian." Katie then told them.
"Babe? Me?" Killian smirked.
"I'd date you," David assured before he face-palmed himself as that sounded so awkward. "Ugh... I mean..."
Edward couldn't help but snicker at that a little.
Katie got out of her seat, pouting and put her arms around Killian, while playfully giving her dad a one eye glare. "Mine~" she warned.
"My mistake." David smiled bashfully.
"Classic Dave," Killian smirked. "Someone nice will come for you too soon enough."
"Hey, I'm nice." Mary Margaret playfully glared.
Katie gave a small giggle to that.
"Luckily for me, I get to have you two to myself," Edward chuckled at Killian and Katie. "And yes, you are nice." he then told Mary Margaret.
"That you are... My true princess..." David nodded calmly.
Katie smiled a little to Edward to that. Mary Margaret hummed, but gave a small smile.
"Well, I better get going," David soon said. "Before Leroy calls and yells at me. He's gonna yell at me either way, but might as well cushion the blow while I still have the chance." he then added with a joking smirk.
"Alright, have a good day." Mary Margaret smiled to David, kissing his cheek.
"Thanks, you too," David smiled before he kissed her back, then hugged and kissed Katie next. "Be good."
"Okay." Katie said softly as she hugged him and kissed his cheek in a daughterly way.
"I'll tell him you said hi." David smiled as he soon nodded at them and went to walk out the door.
"Oh, I don't get a goodbye kiss?" Killian teased.
"Argh..." David groaned as he was never going to live that down, though he shook his head with a small smirk. "Maybe later, Killian."
"No~" Katie huffed and then kissed Killian. "Myself and Edward will be doing the only kissing of Killian." she said.
Killian blinked with wide eyes before smirking and yelped a little. Edward looked like he was about to kiss Killian before pulling back playfully as he didn't just to mess around a little.
"Grow up... This isn't Neverland," David smirked before he then walked off to get to work. "See ya."
Mary Margaret and Katie both waved.
"Well... I guess I better get going too," Killian shrugged at himself. "Hopefully soon we'll be able to take in Felix."
"Can you warn him, so he won't be too scared or shocked when he sees me?" Katie requested softly.
"Oh, of course," Killian nodded. "I just hope he doesn't overreact."
Katie bit her lip to that and gave a small nod.
"We'll work our way through it," Killian smiled warmly. "I promise."
Katie gave him another kiss on the cheek. "Love you, Killian." she said softly.
"Love you more, Katie~" Killian whispered as he kissed her back.
Katie smiled softly and lovingly.
"Mind if I help you out a little?" Edward asked Katie. "I'll try not to be a pain though."
"I'd like that." Katie smiled softly.
"Just let me know what I can do." Edward smiled back.
"I'm going to be around here all day, preparing for tomorrow." Mary Margaret told them.
"Shall we go for a walk so we can take the dog for a walk?" Katie playfully smirked.
Edward then nodded to Mary Margaret.
"Take the dog for a walk?" Killian asked. "...What're you thinking?" he then asked with a sly smirk.
Katie just smirked, gave her mom a hug and then looked to Killian. "Let me just get my shoes and jacket and I'll show you and Edward when we get outside~" she told him.
"...All right." Killian nodded.
"Don't take too long~" Edward whispered cheekily.
"Edward, I want you to come too~" Katie chuckled.
"For help? Because I was just going to do that unless it bothered you." Edward replied.
"I plan on wearing my boots, but it'll be hard to tie them with one hand." Katie said softly.
"Then please, allow me." Edward nodded as he bowed to her like a perfect gentleman.
Katie gave a small smile as she grabbed her jacket and got him to help with her boots.
Edward had Katie sit down and soon began to slide on the boots for her like Cinderella and her glass slipper and soon tied up the boots good and tight with one at a time. "Is that too tight?" he then asked, just to check, hoping it wouldn't be, or not too loose.
Katie wiggled her feet in them to test it. "It's fine." she smiled as she stood up then.
"Good," Edward smiled and nodded as he offered her his arm. "Let's go explore and walk the dog~"
Katie slipped her arm in his and then walked out with him and Killian. Once they were outside she summoned Cerberus, mentally informing the demon dog he wasn't to chase people or cars. Cerberus pouted about the no chasing rule, but abided to the rules while walking with Katie, Edward, and Killian.
"There's a good... Erm... Some good... Uh... Boys..." Killian said as they walked along before he looked across the street towards Granny's Inn, rubbing his eyes as he did a double-take.
"You okay?" Edward asked him.
"I just... I thought I saw someone I knew," Killian said before shrugging. "It's probably nothing."
Katie moved to hug her Cerberus. "Good boys." she cooed quietly, though glanced to Killian.
Killian shrugged before smiling warmly at Katie. Cerberus then gave her a lick in response to the hug, covering her in drool. Katie chuckled a little but used her magic to clean the drool off.
Gold came to wake up Cherry. Cherry hugged herself in her sleep as she was on her side, nuzzling her face into her pillow a little.
"Cherry, wakey-wakey." Gold said as he gently shook her shoulder.
"10 more minutes..." Cherry grumbled groggily.
"No, you wanted up early, this is that time~" Gold told her.
Cherry groaned as she turned over, trying to tune him out. "Okay, I'm getting out of bed right now." she then said to make him leave the room, though she didn't seem to be moving anything but her mouth.
Gold straightened up and looked down at her.
Cherry tried to go back to sleep before she soon tossed and turned, unable to ignore his cold stare even without looking at him to see that he was there. "All right, I'm up!" she then whined before she got out of bed, shoving off the comforter and crossed her arms. "Poor loser..." she then muttered at him as she stumbled out of bed and went to the bathroom.
Gold then left her to get ready. Cherry soon sent a quick text to Ruby and Dorothy to say that she was on her way as she got ready in the bathroom. Ruby replied that they would be ready. Cherry nodded as she sent a "thumbs up" back in response to that and soon grabbed a banana and nibbled on it on her way out the house after getting dressed and freshened up to go and bring Aurelia back home. Gold was making breakfast. Belle soon snuck up right behind him, hugging him by the waist as she rested her chin against his shoulder.
"Good morning, dearie~" Gold greeted.
"Morning," Belle smiled as she kissed his cheek. "Sleep well?"
"Very well when I got to sleep." Gold nodded.
"You didn't have trouble, did you?" Belle asked in concern.
Gold shook his head. Belle kissed him again and decided to get the plates and silverware ready as well as the glasses at the table while he tended to breakfast. Ruby had gotten Aurelia prepared for Cherry to pick her up. Aurelia cooed as she looked up at Ruby, nibbling on her fingertips. Cherry was almost there, tossing her banana peel into a trashcan that was by the park as she nearly made it to the front steps of the Gale-Lucas household.
Ruby smiled and picked up Aurelia to give her a cuddle. "Mama is coming to collect you~" she cooed.
Aurelia soon tried to nibble on Ruby's hair next.
"Hair is not for eating, Aurie~..." Cherry called, cooing and lightly scolding as she made her way over.
Ruby smiled. "Morning, Cherry." she greeted warmly.
"Morning, Ruby," Cherry replied with a small yawn. "Oh... 'Scuse me."
"Good to see you." Dorothy smiled as Aurelia began to reach out for her.
"She wasn't too much trouble, was she?" Cherry asked, holding out her arms to hold Aurelia then.
"Not at all." Ruby handed Aurelia over.
"She's a little angel." Dorothy added.
"Thanks so much, you guys," Cherry nodded as she took a hold of Aurelia. "I missed her too a little." she then added bashfully.
"It's okay if you missed her a lot." Ruby smiled softly.
"I try to be a good mama," Cherry nodded as she held onto Aurelia protectively before setting her gently and securely down into her stroller. "Thanks so much to both you and Dorothy."
"It's no problem at all." Ruby assured her with a smile.
"Thank you so much," Cherry smiled back softly as she got Aurelia settled in. "What do I owe you?"
"How about all of your diamonds and money?" Dorothy smirked playfully.
"Nice try, Robin Hood." Cherry smirked back.
Ruby chuckled softly to that, though it was a bit softer than normal.
"See you later," Cherry told them as she went to go, pushing the stroller before she heard whimpering. "Oh, sweetie, what's wrong?" she then asked with a small frown as she stopped the stroller and knelt beside it.
Aurelia whimpered as she reached out so Cherry tried to give her her bottle and pacifier, though that didn't seem to be it.
"Did you change her yet?" Cherry asked Ruby and Dorothy.
"Yes, we did." Ruby told her.
"I hpe that she's not sick," Cherry frowned as Aurelia reached out, nearly crying. "What is it, honey? Tell Mama..."
Ashley was soon walking by in front of the house, holding Alexandra's hand as the girl dragged a doll behind her.
"Maybe she wants a doll?" Ruby suggested as she followed Aurelia's gaze.
"A doll?" Cherry replied as Aurelia soon had tears in her eyes.
"Does she have one?" Dorothy asked.
"Oh... Surely she does back home," Cherry replied as she tried to think about it. "Rumple always makes sure she has all of the toys that she desires like her bunny, but... I guess I'll check her toy collection back home."
Ruby nodded.
"Thanks again," Cherry told them as she strolled Aurelia back home. "Oh, sweetie, please don't cry..." she then said, sounding exhausted and depressed as the baby girl whimpered and cried. "We'll be back home with Other Mama and Papa soon~"
Dorothy soon went back inside with Ruby. Ruby glanced back at Cherry for one more moment then entered with Dorothy.
It was a bit of a dreadful walk back home.
"PLEEEASE stop crying..." Cherry begged as Aurelia was still upset before they made it to the front door and she made the bottle and bunny toy float in the air to entertain her. "Look, I'm laughing? See?! Hahahahaha! Oh, pleeease..." she then shivered worriedly.
"I think Cherry's back." Belle said to her husband from the kitchen table.
Gold nodded. "You grab Cherry's plate, dearie, I'll go collect Aurelia from her." he suggested.
Belle nodded to him as she soon went to do as he asked. Cherry soon ended up crying on the ground as Aurelia cried in her stroller.
"Go inside, dearie, breakfast is ready for you." Gold told Cherry softly as he scooped up Aurelia.
Cherry soon looked up at him as she wiped her eyes, sniffling a bit as she went to go inside the house. Aurelia continued to whine and fuss, even in his hold as she tried to reach out with her grabby little hands.
Gold looked down to Aurelia in his arms. "Now, now, stop your tears little one~" he cooed.
Aurelia babbled as she whined, reaching out more, almost like she was trying to get out of his arms to escape and go get something on her own.
"No, dearie~" Gold told her calmly, as he walked back inside with her. "Crying and reaching won't get you what it is you want~" he told her.
Aurelia pouted and whimpered at him.
Cherry looked a little bit better once she ate up her breakfast, enjoying it very much. "So much better than the banana..." she said to herself in between bites.
"Now, simmer down sweet one, Papa will try and help, but you have to stop crying~" Gold told Aurelia as he gently swayed with her.
Aurelia pouted before she soon calmed down and looked up at him with her big blue-gray eyes as she stuck her thumb in her mouth.
"Thank goodness..." Cherry sighed in relief once Aurelia settled down. "She was fine a minute ago when I picked her up from Dorothy and Ruby."
"Well, she obviously wants something~" Gold noted as he continued to sway just a little more.
Cherry then gulped down her apple juice from the glass. "Ruby thinks that she wants a doll," she then said to him. "I tried to make her one out of magic, but it didn't work."
Aurelia had a bit of a stoic frown on her face with tear-stained eyes, but luckily didn't cry that time.
"Ah, yes, dolls are rather tricky to make out of nothing, even with the use of magic..." Gold nodded.
"Shit!" Cherry complained. "I can't even give my own daughter a stupid doll!" she then cupped her mouth nervously.
"Soo... Pit..." Aurelia babbled suddenly.
"No, no, no, Mother didn't say stupid..." Cherry waved her arms frantically with a nervous smile.
"It was the first word I was more worried about." Gold frowned.
"I am sorry..." Cherry said as she tried to keep calm. "...Looks like we have to shop for a doll..."
Aurelia suddenly began to look upset again.
"Ah, ah~" Gold cooed, gently warning.
Cherry soon continued to eat up her breakfast until she was down and went to put her plate in the sink.
Belle came by, kissing all three on the cheek as she grabbed her coat. "Oh... Sweetie... Are you all right?" she then asked Aurelia.
Aurelia whimpered and sniffled.
"We'll be sorting her out." Gold assured Belle.
"Are you sure?" Belle asked softly.
"I could just stay home with her," Cherry shrugged. "Besides, Belle, you work in a library."
"I'll take Aurelia with me." Gold said.
Cherry looked between the two then, tapping her knuckles.
"All right, just be good," Belle smiled, kissing his cheek again before cooing to Aurelia. "Be good for Papa~"
Aurelia pouted and whimpered.
"Why doesn't Cherry come to the library then she can grab some lunch and bring me some too and spend the rest of the day at the shop?" Gold suggested.
"Oh," Belle gave a small smile. "...What do you think, Cherry?" she then asked, deciding not to answer for the younger one.
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Cherry asked him. "Especially since she's extra fussy today?"
"I don't mind at all." Gold nodded.
"Besides, it'll be quiet and a bit peaceful at the library," Belle smiled softly at Cherry. "You can unwind a little."
"...Sounds promising..." Cherry had to admit. "I suppose I could do that, take a little break... Then once I come to the shop, I should feel a little bit better."
Gold nodded.
"...Okay," Cherry then said as she went to get her coat then. "Just give me a minute, Belle."
Belle smiled softly and warmly then. Gold gently cradled Aurelia.
"Good luck." Belle told her husband.
Aurelia sniffled and looked ready to cry, beginning to make the sound.
"Stop." Cherry frowned firmly so that Aurelia would learn not to cry just to get her eventual dolly.
"Papa told you, crying won't make you get everything what you want, sweet one~" Gold told Aurelia.
Aurelia seemed to pout and cross her arms after she gave up on crying.
"Did that just...? ...No, of course not," Cherry muttered before shaking her head. "See you later." she then told him as she went to go with Belle over to the library for the morning.
Gold waved Aurelia's hand like she was saying goodbye.
"Bye-Bye." Cherry told Aurelia.
Belle smiled as she walked with Cherry over to the library. Aurelia stared blankly at the two women before glancing over at her hand. Gold chuckled to that. The door soon shut, leaving the man and baby alone together. Aurelia looked up at him with wide eyes as she nibbled on her fingertips again.
"Well, shall we set up so you can come to work with Papa?" Gold asked.
Aurelia soon seemed to blow raspberries at him, covering his face with spit.
"Looks like we have to work on your work ethic." Gold chuckled as he wiped his face with a handkerchief.
Aurelia kept her tongue out as she crossed her eyes while trying to look at it. Gold chuckled, shaking his head.
Aurelia lightly babbled while tugging on his tie a bit. "Moo..." she then told him, trying to say "move".
"Ah, yes, let us get on with it." Gold nodded as he took Aurelia so he could get her baby bag all stocked so he could take her to work.
Aurelia had a small smirk on her face as she tugged on his tie while making him move, thinking she was able to control him. Gold soon had her bag packed, her strapped into the stroller and then headed off to his shop. Aurelia soon looked around, quietly cooing as she saw the various people they passed along the way. Luckily, she was quiet for the most part, though she still wanted a new doll.
"Heh... Now that's what I call walking the dog..." Archie smiled nervously as he was walking Pongo.
Pongo hid behind his master, feeling nervous around Cerberus suddenly.
"Ah... The cricket..." Edward noted.
"Dr. Archie Hopper around here, mate." Killian reminded him.
Katie shyly hid her face in Cerberus' fur, feeling a bit nervous herself around Archie due to how she looked now.
"I'll let you mind your own business, but I have so many questions." Archie commented.
"We'll answer them later." Edward decided.
"Yeah, I'm in a rush anyway... Good seeing you all though," Archie nodded as he went to take Pongo out. "Come on, boy, don't feel scared..."
Katie bit her lip, sheepishly re-turning back around. Archie and Pongo soon took off back down the street.
"You all right, dear?" Killian asked Katie, seeing she was a little bashful about how she looked now.
"Sorry, I don't know what happened... I just got nervous about him seeing me with only one eye and it bandaged..." Katie apologized softly.
"It's all right," Killian reassured softly. "It took me a while to get used to my missing hand and replacing it with a hook. I felt pretty discouraged about it for a while... Though... You probably wouldn't guess that with how dark I could get at times, especially when they could just look at my devilishly handsome smile." he then added with a smirk to help comfort her.
Edward playfully rolled his eyes from that. Katie gave a small smile to that, luckily it did comfort her a little, though she felt bad Killian felt bad at that time.
"You had your feelings hurt?" Edward asked Killian, a bit surprised.
"Well, yeah," Killian replied bashfully. "I have feelings, you know... Don't you?"
"Yes... I do..." Edward nodded. "I suppose I can understand that."
"Well, who cares about others, I love you both, and if they don't like you then it's their loss." Katie said with a decisive nod.
Cerberus soon seemed to nod, agreeing with Katie on all three accounts.
"Looks like Cerberus thinks so too." Edward smiled softly.
"Thank you, Katie," Killian smiled at the young woman. "I only wish we could voyage together... Perhaps on our honeymoon~"
Katie gave a small smile. "A trip on the sea sounds lovely." she did say softly.
"So, would you like that for our honeymoon?" Killian smiled back.
Katie gave a nod and small, but sincere smile. Killian smiled back eagerly then.
"I don't know what I could do, but I'd like to help out with the wedding if that's an option," Edward spoke up. "If I can be apart of this family of course."
Katie smiled softly. "That would be wonderful," she told him. She blushed slightly but smiled a little as an idea came to her. "You know I love both of you, right?" she asked softly.
"You've made that pretty clear, yes." Edward smiled and nodded.
"We love you too... Very, very much..." Killian added. "And I won't let anything ever change that."
"Well, I was thinking... I can't marry both of you in a normal ceremony, so I was thinking that maybe... Killian and I could have a more traditional wedding and Edward and I do a handfasting wedding too..? So that way I can honestly belong to both of you." Katie said softly.
"Handfasting? ...I think I've read about that somewhere..." Edward replied. "It can be private sometimes."
Killian loved the idea for him and Katie so far at first, though he looked curious of the handfasting. "That sounds... Unique and interesting," he then had to admit. "I just hope that doesn't overwhelm us with extra planning."
"It's more simple, all we'd need for a handfasting is the cord, someone to preside and a couple of witnesses." Katie said.
"I don't know for sure if he'd be up for it, but I suppose Dr. Hopper could preside?" Killian suggested. "Also, no doubt that Bear will want to witness."
Katie had nodded.
"Does your father need to walk you down the aisle?" Edward asked Katie then.
"For a handfasting?" Katie asked him, as they were on their way to grab some lunch and on that note, Cereberus was once again a tattoo on her back.
"Yes." Edward nodded.
"He doesn't have to, but it would be a nice touch." Katie smiled softly.
"All right then." Edward smiled back and nodded.
Katie leaned her head against his arm.
"Well, I better run off back to my ship," Killian suggested. "It's almost lunch time and I have some personal duties to attend to."
"Oh, very well then." Edward nodded calmly.
Katie moved over and gave him a hug. "We'll see you later, Babe." she half-smirked to Killian.
"See you later, dear." Killian nodded as he soon hugged her right back with a small chuckle.
"Have a safe visit, Babe." Edward added playfully.
"I'm sure he'll be safe, Honey~" Katie grinned.
"See you later then." Killian smirked as he walked off then.
Edward nodded as he then put his arm around Katie once it was just the two of them then. Katie sighed softly and leaned more into Edward after he put his arm around her.
"Stroll through the park?" Edward offered to Katie.
Katie looked thoughtful a moment then nodded. "Sounds nice." she smiled.
Edward smiled back. "Shall we?" he then suggested, about now. "Unless you want to wait?"
Katie nodded with a soft smile. Edward smiled back and soon went to escort her to the park
Around lunchtime, Gold was taking a break and feeding Aurelia a bottle for her lunch.
"I'll meet up with you in a bit, Belle, you know the policy," Cherry said as she left the library. "See you at Granny's shortly with Rumpy." she then added as she made way down the street then, looking more relaxed and peaceful now.
"Rumpy? ...Could it be... Rumple?" A woman asked herself as she came out the door of Granny's Inn before seeing Cherry and decided to follow her.
Aurelia's tiny hands grasped the bottle as she gently suckled while looking up at him. Gold smiled warmly to Aurelia as she fed. The door soon opened and Cherry ducked low to the floor and crawled across the floor so that he wouldn't see her, though the woman from behind caught the door and went to step inside and she gasped, looking wide-eyed once she saw Gold.
Gold turned around at hearing the gasp, and his eyes widened just a little. "Milah?!" he asked in shock.
Aurelia slowly closed her eyes as she suckled nonchalantly.
"Rumple..." The dark-haired woman greeted once she saw him. "...You made it out of the Underworld, I see. I thought you had died."
"No, we were just fetching a friend." Gold said as he continued to feed Aurelia and holding her closely protectively.
"I see..." The woman named Milah replied.
Cherry soon slowly stood up, looking unimpressed with Milah, narrowing her eyes as something instinctively told her about not wanting to like her.
"Is this her?" Milah asked once she saw Cherry before looking curious around Aurelia just as much.
"...Who's this Jezabel?" Cherry rolled her eyes firmly.
"This is Milah, my ex-wife," Gold said, turning just enough to block Aurelia from Milah's view. "The woman who ran off to go to the pirate who's now engaged to young Ms. Nolan who left her baby behind..." he added.
"Oh, REALLY?" Cherry replied as she faced Milah. "So you're the infamous Banshee who just left Rumple to go off with Killian leaving him alone with your son because you were bored?"
"Oh, Rumple, don't exaggerate like a drama queen," Milah rolled her eyes. "And who are you supposed to be?"
Aurelia whimpered quietly after she was done with her milk as she began to get upset again.
"Oh... Well... Heh..." Cherry smirked boastfully as she pointed at herself. "I'm a bedmate of his actually... We like to roleplay sometimes~"
"Actually she's the chosen one of Belle and myself as our lover." Gold said firmly, not going to let even Cherry herself downplay what she was to him and Belle.
Cherry blushed a little.
"Oh?" Milah replied firmly. "She's merely a child... What makes you think she's good lover material?"
"I beg your pardon?!" Cherry glared with her hands on her hips, unintentionally becoming louder as she was suddenly angry.
Aurelia soon began to whimper and cry from that.
"Oh, great... Now look at what you did!" Cherry glared as Aurelia cried. "You upset my daughter!"
"Your what?!" Milah then asked.
"Actually she is much more satisfying than you were." Gold said and tried gently rocking Aurelia to soothe her.
Aurelia continued to cry a bit.
"I think you better leave," Cherry glared at Milah before shoving her back. "If you know what's good for you."
"Oh, you did not just touch me," Milah glared back as Cherry began to grit her teeth and breathe heavily, feeling more and more angered and annoyed of this woman's presence. "I am not leaving until I get more answers. How could you do this to me, Rumple? This girl is obviously way too young for you... Now that I'm out of the Underworld, maybe we can make amends... I'll be an even better mother..." she then said, hoping to reach out to Aurelia.
Gold stepped back away from Milah. "You will not touch my daughter and Cherry is a hundred times the woman you were, dearie." he told the woman.
Milah glared and growled as Cherry began to blush from the compliments.
"I think we should take this outside," Cherry grinned, though a bit darkly towards Milah, backing the woman up away from the store and out the door. "Rumple, give us a minute, please?~" she then said to him as she approached Milah and looked a bit demented. "I think it's time you learned, Gold is MY color~" she then told the woman. "Congratulations on at least making it out of The Underworld."
Gold nodded and took Aurelia to the back so she could take a nap.
Some people who were on their way to lunch or happened to be out in the middle of the afternoon began to gather around to watch Cherry and Milah as they got into a very tight and firm argument and even got into physical fighting.
"You hurt Rumple... You left him and your son... Everything was all your fault and all you could do was blame him... You make me sick..." Cherry glared.
"You can't talk to me like this!" Milah glared back before she cried out. "RUMPLE!"
"MILAH!" Cherry retorted as she unintentionally shot out her hand and magic fired from her fingertips.
Milah screamed and it soon died out as she disappeared in a puff of purple smoke and when the smoke cleared, all that was left of what looked like a Barbie doll version of the woman. Cherry stood over the doll, looking wide-eyed and shocked with herself before she deeply exhaled, standing her ground. Aurelia began to fall asleep and quietly whimpered until the store door soon opened, jingling the little bells in the process.
"Shh, my little dove, everything will be fine~" Gold said softly, as he stroked her cheek softly.
Edward soon began to look curious of the incoming crowd who murmured to each other over what they just saw and just shrugged at it unless Katie wanted to find out what had happened. Katie did make her way curiously over with Edward.
Edward smiled at her, keeping a close watch and eye on her. "I wonder what happened?" he then pondered. "Probably not that important."
"That's outside Mr. Gold's shop... Should we pop our heads in to check everything is okay?" Katie said and suggested.
"Just to make sure," Edward replied. "I'm sure whatever it is, he can handle it, but let's check."
Katie nodded and walked to the shop with him. Edward soon went to get the door open for them, but he waited at first as he could see that Cherry was about to give Gold something. Katie looked up at him to that, but was slightly smiling still.
"They seem to be talking right now," Edward told Katie. "I don't want to interrupt and be rude."
Katie nodded.
Aurelia soon quieted down as she drifted off into a deep slumber.
"Erm... Ready to go to lunch?" Cherry asked Gold with her hands behind her back.
"I thought you would have a girls' lunch with Belle and bring me back something." Gold chuckled.
"I just wanted to tell you that you won't have to worry about Milah anymore," Cherry replied bashfully as she kept her hands behind her back. "Take very good care of Aurelia... I think she's a Papa's Girl."
"What is that behind your back, dearie?" Gold then asked as he came over to check her for any wounds from fighting with Milah.
"Oh, uh, don't worry about it," Cherry smiled innocently as she stepped back away from him, only slightly bruised, but nothing too severe. "Unless you really wanna see it~"
"I would prefer it..." Gold told her, though he allowed her to step back, though he wanted to heal the bruises.
"Heal me first, then I'll tell ya~" Cherry smirked coolly.
Gold smirked back and waved his hand over her to get rid of the bruises.
Cherry soon looked around and grinned bashfully. "Thank you~" she then said before she paused. "...Just so I know... Milah doesn't have any family around here, does she?" she then asked, just to make sure. "You don't count."
"No, not anymore," Gold said softly. "The only one who might care a little if something else happened to her is the pirate." he told her.
"...Very well," Cherry nodded before looking over at the baby girl. "Aurelia? Aurelia~..." she called gently.
Aurelia lightly whined and suddenly woke up, cooing quietly.
"A new dolly!" Cherry beamed as she took out what she had behind her back.
Aurelia let out a high-pitched squeal as she suddenly reached out and grasped the doll, hugging it right away and drooling all over it as Cherry began to smirk fiendishly.
"...Is that Milah?" Gold asked, raising his eyebrow.
Cherry's smirk soon formed into a bit of a sick, twisted grin on her face, not verbally answering him.
"Well, I can't say I'm upset..." Gold then smirked with a shrug.
Katie nodded to Edward then, thinking it would be best now. Aurelia began to nibble on the doll's head now, leaving drool all over the place.
"Well, I better meet Belle for lunch," Cherry replied to him. "Take very good care of her... You want your favorite sandwich back?"
"Yes please, dearie." Gold nodded.
Katie entered the shop with Edward then. "Hello?" she called out softly.
Cherry then went to turn around before blinking in surprise.
"Sorry to interrupt," Edward smiled. "Is everything okay?"
Aurelia soon looked over to Katie and Edward as she nibbled on her doll's head.
"We saw a crowd outside." Katie added.
"Yes, everything is fine." Gold nodded.
"Oh, that? It was nothing," Cherry replied. "I was just getting a doll for my daughter."
"Oh?" Edward asked.
Cherry simply nodded as Aurelia drooled while looking over at Katie and Edward with her blank and wide eyes.
"Well, we're glad everything is alright, we just wanted to make sure you were alright." Katie gave a small smile. She was standing in a way so Aurelia couldn't see her bandages in case that set her crying.
"Let's just say 'Ding-Dong' to a certain wicked witch." Cherry smirked.
Edward simply nodded, not sure what to make of that.
"I'm on my way to lunch with Belle," Cherry then said. "Have you guys eaten yet?"
"Not yet." Katie admitted, though gave a small smile to Cherry's joke.
"I could eat." Edward added.
"We're going to lunch," Cherry told Gold. "See you a little later then?"
"See you later, dearie," Gold nodded and gave her a small smile. "Oh, yes, and if you come back Miss Nolan, I'll have a little something prepared for you." he informed.
"Aww... Goldibear~" Cherry cooed at his generosity which then made Edward snicker. "Oops..." she then face-palmed herself and slapped herself on the wrist.
Gold closed his eyes a moment, then shook his head. "Repeat that, Hyde and you'll need to hide before I kill you." he said, only half-joking.
Edward soon began to laugh before his eyes widened a bit. "...Really?" he then asked, a bit cautious.
"Yes, really." Gold told him.
"Heh... Well, in that case, I better watch my back." Edward grinned nervously then.
"Yes, I think you should," Cherry smirked before looking over at her friend. "Sup, Kat?"
Katie gave a small smile. "Alright, thank you," she said softly.
"Go on to lunch now," Gold advised.
"Good." Cherry nodded.
"Yes, very well," Edward nodded as he faced Cherry and Katie. "Come along, ladies."
"Buh... Bee..." Aurelia babbled to them as she hugged her new dolly.
"Yes, Bye-Bye." Gold nodded, to help Aurelia.
"Bye bye~" Katie waved with her good side before leaving with Edward and Cherry.
"Buh... Bee..." Aurelia continued. "Buh Bee!"
Cherry waved as well as she went out the door with Edward and Katie and they went straight to the diner together where Belle was waiting at the usual table, giving drink orders already.
