Gold looked up at the ceiling from where he was making breakfast. Of course he didn't need sleep. Ursula jolted awake then recognizing the scream was a young one she came running.
"Huh? What?" Belle mumbled sleepily. "What's going on?"
"What happened to me?!" Cherry panicked. "This had better be a dream!"
"Cherry?" Ursula called, knocking on the bathroom door.
Cherry soon opened the door and looked way up at her mother with wide eyes. "...I'm in trouble, Mama." she then said warily.
"Oh, you're so cute." Ursula couldn't help but smile and hugged Cherry.
"What's going on?" Cherry asked before looking wide-eyed from the hug and looked around. "I mean I sometimes miss being a kid again, but I didn't think it'd actually happen again."
Ursula blushed a little to that. "Just promise you'll let me explain before you shout?" she requested softly.
"...You did this?" Cherry asked, her tone tensing up a bit. "You did this to me...?"
"I asked Rumple to make me a potion so, just for a few days, you'd be a child again..." Ursula said softly. "I know I should have warned you, but I just wanted to make some memories with you and try to make up a little for my mistake of leaving you with... Him." she explained, still soft.
Cherry narrowed her eyes, but her expression grew soft once she heard Ursula's reason and explanation for what happened had to happen. "I-I guess that makes sense," she said softly. "Plus we got separated from the curse that sent me somewhere else... Like with Katie and Emma when Regina was still The Evil Queen."
Ursula nodded giving a tiny smile. "So how about we find something for you to wear until we can get you a new couple of outfits?" she suggested.
"...All right," Cherry said with a small shrug. "Nothing pink or fluffy though."
Ursula nodded.
"All right... I guess I can't be mad at you," Cherry said as she leaned back and held her hands together. "I just kinda would've liked a warning about this first."
Belle soon stepped over before looking wide-eyed and cupped her mouth, giggling a little bit.
"I am sorry for not warning you." Ursula said sincerely.
"It's okay," Cherry said softly before glancing back at Belle. "...Okay, get it out of your system."
Belle giggled before she broke out into laughter before pinching Cherry's chubby cheeks. "Aww... You're so cute~" he then cooed.
Ursula carefully removed Belle's pinches from Cherry's cheeks. "We don't want to hurt her." she said gently warning.
"I just wanted to pinch her little cheeks~" Belle cooed a bit.
Cherry stepped away to go back into the bathroom to spit in the sink and take a fresh glass of water. "This is going to be the only time I'll be a kid again though," she then told Ursula. "Okay? What you see is what you get, so make the most of it... Cuz it looks like I'm doing a reverse Tom Hanks movie."
Ursula nodded. "Of course." she said.
Cherry soon wiped her mouth with a towel and left the bathroom to see if she could get dressed in her room.
"I'll go see about breakfast." Belle replied in a giggly voice.
"Alright." Ursula nodded, then came to help Cherry find something to wear.
Cherry soon opened up her drawers to see if anything had changed. Her clothes seemed to be more or less the same, but some of them were far too big for her to wear, such as the fancier and more dressier clothes. "Looks like I won't be going to The Rabbit Hole anytime soon..." she then muttered at how her sexier clothes were too big for her to wear as a child.
Belle greeted Gold, kissing his cheek with a small smile. "Good morning, Rumple~" she then greeted.
"Your body is too young to drink anyway." Ursula said. She then picked out a T-Shirt that looked like it would fit as a dress.
"I guess I should've expected that," Cherry blushed. "The clothes I need for a bar are too big while any other clothes would be fine for a child..." she then looked up and over before nodding. "Yeah, I guess I'll wear that shirt and these shoes," she then took out a pair of shoes that had laces and bit her lip. "Uh... Where did those come from? I-I don't wear shoes with laces..."
"Do you want me to do them for you?" Ursula gave a soft warm smile. "It woukd be a suitable compromise to lacing you into a dress." she mused.
"...Sure, I-I mean if you want... I guess I forgot how to tie my shoes." Cherry grinned bashfully and nervously.
"It's alright if you don't know how, sweetheart," Ursula assured. "Get dressed first and then I'll help put your shoes on." she smiled.
"Erm... Okay..." Cherry nodded as she took the clothes and went to get dressed. "Excuse me a moment."
Ursula nodded.
Cherry soon got dressed in the long T-shirt, wearing some leggings under it and put on some socks before she would get the shoes on and have Ursula help her with tying them before she sniffed the air. "Ooh... Something smells so yummy..." she then said as she nearly drooled from hunger.
"Yes, I think Rumple is making breakfast." Ursula said.
"He makes the best breakfasts," Cherry said with her hands together with a small smirk. "I love a man who can cook~"
Ursula helped tie the shoes then led Cherry downstairs.
Belle smiled as she sat down in her seat.
"Gosh... This house looks so huge at this height..." Cherry commented as she noticed how different everything looked in the size of a child.
Gold soon dished out the food.
Cherry sat down at her usual spot before grumbling in frustration.
"Here." Belle said, having Cherry stand up and soon placed a couple of phone books on the chair.
Cherry then sat up much easier and looked up and over at the others once she could see better.
"Egg and soldiers for the youngest, with a couple of bacon pieces on the side." Gold announced as he put Cherry's plate down.
"So you're aware of what's happened..." Cherry said to him as she looked up at him. "...I never had soldiers for breakfast before."
"Oh, they can be quite tasty and crunchy~" Gold smirked.
"Hm... All righty then..." Cherry replied as she reached for her fork, beginning to help herself.
Gold served everyone else before they all ate too. Belle smiled warmly, helping herself to her breakfast right away.
Cherry shut her eyes, lightly moaning as she ate up her breakfast. "Eeeggs~..." she then gushed to herself while eating.
Ursula smiled softly.
"So, what're you going to do today?" Belle asked Cherry.
"Uh... Um... I 'unno..." Cherry shrugged. "I guess I could just play video games in my pajamas since I don't have to go to school."
"I thought we were going shopping, then I was thinking we could go for ice cream and maybe a picnic in the park." Ursula reminded the first part, then said.
"So I won't get in trouble if I'm a child out in public on a school day?" Cherry then asked while eating her fancy breakfast.
"Well, not when everyone knows your real age." Ursula said.
"Hmm... All right..." Cherry replied. "I suppose it would be nice to try it out... We could get to know each other better."
Ursula nodded and smiled.
"Just remember to behave yourself and eat all your vegetables." Belle reminded Cherry.
"Yes, Belle..." Cherry mumbled a bit before she finished up her plate and sipped the last of her apple juice.
Ursula gave a warm smile.
"Done! Have fun with the dishes!" Cherry smirked playfully at Belle, Gold, and Ursula, jumping down from the chair and going to run upstairs, giggling like a little imp on the way.
"I cooked~" Gold then announced and then hurried off himself, joining in on the fun this once.
"I wash, you dry?" Ursula shook her head fondly.
"Deal." Belle nodded in agreement.
Ursula smiled and stood up to collect the dishes. Belle walked with Ursula over to the sink, getting out a towel for her to dry the plates with, smiling warmly over to Ursula, trying to become friends with her, hopefully. Ursula smiled back, though shyer, then started to wash the dishes. Belle took the dishes to dry them off as needed, though both were mostly quiet at the moment.
"Run, run as fast as you can," Cherry giggled. "You can't catch me, I'm the Cher Bear Band!"
Gold soon hurried and scooped her up.
"Waaaah! Nooo!" Cherry cried out, giggling. "That's cheating, Rumple!"
"It's not my fault you have shorter legs as a child~" Gold smirked.
Cherry just gave him a cross-eyed look and stuck her tongue out at him.
Gold smirked. " Apologize~" he warned, lifting his hand up like a claw.
"For what?" Cherry smirked back.
"Pulling your face at me." Gold smirked.
"Hmm... Maybe I don't wanna..." Cherry smirked as she crossed her arms, turning her head away from him.
"Well, I gave you a chance, dearie~" Gold reminded then started to tickle her.
"No! No! Stop! Please!" Cherry cried out before she burst out into laughter, wiggling and giggling. "Not fair!"
"You could have avoided this by apologizing~" Gold chuckled.
Cherry giggled, nearly having watery eyes from laughing so much. "Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!" she then told him through the contagious giggles.
"That's better." Gold smirked and carefully hugged her before setting her down.
Cherry still giggled, just a little bit, but hiccuped from the laughter as she wiped her eyes and looked up at him. "I never realized how tall you are until I shrunk to this age." she then said to him.
"Well, it's good to know I look taller." Gold said.
"Have you always been that bi-i-i-i-g?" Cherry asked, her child-like tendencies flaring up as she spread her hands out to represent his height.
"Well, from when I grew up, yes." Gold nodded.
"Heheh~" Cherry chuckled and soon skipped along. "I'ma get my coat~"
Gold watched her go and chuckled.
Ursula soon finished washing the dishes and then prepared to leave with Cherry for the day.
Cherry soon came into her room and came out with her coat, holding her rather large purse, though she dragged it along a bit across the floor since it was still adult-sized. "Phew... I need to clean this thing out..." she said, panting a bit.
"Have fun, Ursula." Belle smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Belle, I think we shall," Ursula smiled. She then looked down to Cherry. "Shall I carry that for you, sweetie?" she smiled.
"Yes, please." Cherry replied sheepishly as she continued to drag her purse.
Ursula took the purse and placed it over her shoulders carefully. "Ready to go?" she smiled to Cherry, offering her hand.
"Let's go." Cherry nodded, looking over to her and soon took her hand as it was probably a good idea.
Ursula walked out with her to go grab Cherry a couple of outfits then get the stuff for a picnic.
Katie woke up and, 'working on auto-pilot', started to make breakfast.
"Mary Margaret, your breakfast smells amazing..." David smiled sleepily, unaware that it wasn't his wife who was cooking.
"David... I'm not cooking..." Mary Margaret told him, as she woke too.
"...Emma?" David blinked.
"No, Emma stayed at Jefferson's," Mary Margaret reminded. She got up, pulling her house robe on and came down the stairs. "It's Katie." she chuckled to David.
"Ah, right, I knew it all along." David chuckled as he stretched in his side of the bed and soon went to get out of bed with her.
Mary Margaret chuckled and helped by setting the table.
"Thanks, Mom." Katie said quietly, as she continued to make breakfast.
"Good morning, Princess," David smiled as he came inside. "What's the occasion?"
"Morning Daddy, just thought breakfast would be good." Katie gave a sleepy-ish smile.
"Well... I see nothing wrong with that," David chuckled warmly. "Just don't burn the toast." he then added playfully.
"I'll show you 'burned toast'." Katie playfully huffed, soon plating up the food.
David chuckled as he got himself and Mary Margaret some drinks, getting the orange juice for Katie as he sat down to wait. Katie brought over David's plate while Mary Margaret brought over hers and Katie's.
"Thank you, Katie." David smiled back.
"Not a problem, Dad." Katie smiled, thanked her mom then sat to eat with them.
"This will probably be one of the best breakfasts ever." David smiled back as he began to eat up.
Katie blushed but smiled before she started to eat. Mary Margaret smiled softly.
"So, anybody have anything on their agenda for today?" David asked as they tucked in.
"Spending some time with everyone before you-know-who collects me for his month... And I'm not on about Voldemort." Katie said softly.
"Well, that sounds like fun," David nodded. "Though, with the world we live in right now, Voldemort doesn't sound too impossible anymore, doesn't he?" he then teased Katie a little bit.
Katie looked at him, her eye wide in horror. "Oh, golly. That would be terrifying." she shuddered.
"We would be able to stop him though." David reassured strongly.
Katie smiled to that. Mary Margaret chuckled softly, amused by her two family members under the roof currently.
"I suppose I'll just get to work today and whistle while I do it." David soon said.
Katie got up from her seat and hugged him. "Dad, we're losing you to the dwarves' life... Mom, we have to do something!" she playfully gasped.
"I'm sorry, what? I was lesson planning~" Mary Margaret teased.
"Oh, no, Mom's being the teacher!" Katie tried not to smile.
"Heigh-Ho, Katie," David chuckled a bit, laughing along fondly. "It's off to work we all go."
"No~" Katie playfully complained. "I'm getting dressed then I'm going to go and take a walk so I can see everyone." she said, before going off to slip on some clothes.
"Katie?" David called. "You know we love you, right?"
"Yes, and I love you guys!" Katie called back from where she was dressing.
"That's your daughter." David playfully smiled at Mary Margaret.
Mary Margaret smiled. Katie soon came out in a soft sweater dress, leggings and was planning on wearing her slip-on shoes. David soon grabbed his coat as he went to help Mary Margaret out with the table before they had to get to work for the day. Before they could leave, Katie hugged them both tightly.
Mary Margaret gave a soft smile as she hugged back. "Oh, sweetheart." she smiled.
"Do you forgive us then?" David asked Katie with a warm chuckle.
"For being an 'almost dwarf' and teacher mode? Of course." Katie chuckled.
Mary Margaret kissed Katie's forehead. "Call us if you need anything." she told her.
Cherry then sat up much easier and looked up and over at the others once she could see better.
"We'll come right by," David added. "Stay out of trouble as much as you possibly can."
"I don't go looking, it just comes to find me." Katie pouted.
"Just don't end up down in the Sheriff's station, okay?" David then smirked.
Katie giggled and nodded. "Alright." she said. She slipped on her shoes and her jacket before leaving with them so they could get to work and she could go and see everyone.
David waved to her as he soon went to go and see Leroy and the other dwarves in the mines.
Katie waved back and walked her mom to the school gates. She kissed her cheek. "Have a good day at school today~" she teased then scurried off before her mom could catch her.
"You menace~" Mary Margaret laughed before entering the school.
"Aunt Katie, are we teasing Mother Snow White?" Regina smirked as she looked over as Katie came further along as she was outside her mansion right now.
"Why yes, Madam Mayor," Katie giggled. "As a daughter, it is my right, nay my duty~"
"I've always wanted a daughter sometimes," Regina chuckled a bit. "At least you still keep a fun youthful spirit at heart... I certainly could've used that when I first took Henry in as my son."
Katie gave Regina a warm hug. "Well, I know I'm not blood and the daughter of your step-daughter, but when I'm here in Storybrooke we can do some mother/daughter things if you'd like." She said the middle part more of a murmur.
"Just don't call me 'Grandma'." Regina smirked.
"Alright, Grams~" Katie grinned. "Give my love to Henry~" she sad, starting to scurry away now she teased Regina fondly and had a hug.
"Aw, you're leaving now?" Regina playfully pouted. "Well, I do have a busy job, but I would love to spend some time with you whenever you have the time."
"I have to do the rounds today or I'd stay longer." Katie said turning to walk backwards while she said that.
"All right," Regina nodded. "I have a pretty full day myself, so you take care and I'll catch up with you later."
Katie smiled and nodded. "Hopefully," she said softly once out of earshot. She then shook off her melancholy. "Who to visit next...?" she mused.
Regina soon went to go back to doing what she was doing.
"Why don't you join me and get some groceries?" The familiar voice of Killian asked from behind.
"Oh, is that The Grocery Fairy?" Katie giggled, about to turn around to face him.
"Yes, and I can grant you three wishes~" Killian smirked as he stood beside Felix who just looked bashful and sheepish.
"Alright, my first wish will be to spend time with two of my favorite guys." Katie said giving a motherly kiss on the cheek to Felix, then chastely kissing Killian on the lips.
Felix blushed bashfully from the kiss.
"Wish granted," Killian nodded. "If there's anything special you'd like in the cart, feel free to say."
Katie smiled warmly, taking Felix's hand and slipping her other arm through Killian's arm. "Come along, Scarecrow, Tin Man, let's go get some food." she fondly teased with a smile.
Felix nodded a bit.
"All right then," Killian agreed before proclaiming like it was some sort of epic quest and adventure. "Onwards! To the grocery store!"
Katie smiled fondly as she walked along with them.
"...Do I have to go to school?" Felix asked Katie as he saw the other kids in the neighborhood.
"Well, it would be good for you sweetie, you'd make friends and learn." Katie smiled softly to him.
"...Aren't I too old though?" Felix asked.
"No, and you will be fine," Killian reassured. "We'll see about enrolling you sometime very soon."
Katie nodded agreeing with Killian. "You'll do well... You're a very smart boy." she smiled.
"You really think so?" Felix asked bashfully.
"I don't think so, I know so." Katie smiled.
Felix smiled back softly and bashfully.
"All right, Katie, what's a snack you really like?" Killian soon asked.
"Sweet or savory?" Katie replied to that. "Sweet you know I'm all about the Skittles," she giggled. "Savory would be salty pretzel sticks." she smiled.
"Both will do," Killian nodded. "I feel generous today~"
Katie leaned her head against his arm then. "You're always generous to us, love." She told him softly and smiled gently up to him.
"I try anyway." Killian smiled.
"Big step-up for me," Felix said before sighing. "I don't have very many memories of my father."
Katie looked up at her taller adopted son. "At least you have some, sweetheart?" she said softly, letting go of his hand so she could gently pat his cheek soothingly.
"Some..." Felix nodded. "It was a complicated time."
"Well, I wouldn't worry too much about them, lad," Killian advised. "This is now and that was then. Focus on the now and look forward to what's coming after too."
Katie gave a warm smile to Felix.
Killian soon went over his list, letting Katie and Felix pick up what they wanted to add to the cart, assuring them that it would be okay.
"Hmm... What do I want?" Felix pondered to himself.
Katie picked up one bigger pack of Skittles and some salted pretzel sticks. "Are you in a sweet or savory mood?" she asked Felix.
"Hmm... Sweet..." Felix decided before nodding. "I have a bit of a sweet tooth."
Killian soon went to pick out something he wanted, though didn't venture too far from the cart.
Katie nodded and hummed as she glanced over the sweet items. "Something you know or something new?" she wondered. She gave a warm smile to Killian too.
"I quite like chocolate." Felix said bashfully.
"Alright..." Katie nodded then picked him out a few new chocolate options such as Dairy Milk, White chocolate, and even Kit Kats.
"What would you like for dinner?" Killian asked Katie. "Chicken, ham, or turkey?"
"Whichever you want." Katie said softly with a soft smile.
"Only if you're sure about that." Killian nodded with a warm smile back.
"Of course I'm sure." Katie smiled to him kissing his cheek, wanting to show how much she loved him.
"Very well..." Killian nodded and soon collected some chicken. "Chicken it is."
"Tuna?" Felix asked.
"No, chicken chicken." Killian replied.
"Oh," Felix smiled, trying to make a joke. "I thought that tuna was the chicken of the sea?"
Katie giggled softly to that. She looked at her son and future first-husband and gave a soft, fond sigh. "All we need now is Edward here and the 'personal domestic family' scene would be totally complete." she whispered to herself.
"You really love him, Mother...?" Felix asked softly.
"I know it's strange to think of being able to love two men the same way, but yes I do, son." Katie said softly.
"Then I love him too if he'll take care of us." Felix nodded.
Killian smiled as that was really nice to hear.
Katie almost teared up hearng that and had to place her hand over her heart as it fluttered with love. 'I don't want to have to leave,' she thought in her mind. 'How can I interrupt our family by going to The Underworld every other month?' she asked herself in her mind.
Killian soon took Felix to get something, further along, to talk with him. "We'll be right back." he told Katie with a small smile as he escorted Felix away briefly.
There was some chuckling heard once Katie was all on her own. Katie stayed where they left her a moment and glanced around nervously at the chuckling.
"Aww... Do we feel lonely and moody today, my dear? Why don't I fix that..." A familiar voice called to Katie.
Katie looked around warily. "Go away, Hades." she said, not whispering, but not loud either.
"Now, now, that's no way to talk," Hades chuckled as he soon arrived from behind one of the aisles. "I just wanted to come and check on you~"
"Well, you didn't need to, go back to the Underworld where you belong." Katie told him, trying to be brave.
"Oh, you shouldn't talk that way around me, Katie," Hades chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I might not like it when you come to visit me again in the future."
Katie tried to push him away. "I don't want to visit... I-I don't want to have to leave my family every other month." she told him, using her forearm and her hand to try the pushing.
"But why not?" Hades smirked, chuckling as he didn't seem to care about the pushing or dismissal from her. "We should get to know each other better~"
Katie turned away from him in his hold so she could look better to be able to try and pry his hands away from her waist.
"I just want you to be comfortable when you come back," Hades smirked. "Something very sweet and scrumptious... Just like you~"
"I'm not coming back, now let go." Katie told him, managing to unhook one arm and tried to step away hurriedly.
"You won't find it so easy to avoid me very soon," Hades whispered into her ear before letting go. "If you know what's good for you~"
"Don't even bother trying to collect me after dinner, I won't be coming with you," Katie said before she trembled a little from the whispering. "Or what?" she glared.
"You might have my Cerberus, but I have ways of bringing you down, with or without your family's say-so," Hades smirked. "I have powers beyond your understanding and imagination."
"Cerby is mine now," Katie corrected. "Now put your money where your mouth is or I'll send you back myself somehow." she glared, before going to walk away.
"All right," Hades smirked. "You can't break our deal. You remember what we talked about when I kissed you goodbye? That was a special seal that allows me to come and get you when I do so please, whether you welcome my company or not." he then informed with a dark nod of his head.
Katie tried to ignore him, thinking that she would have to talk to Gold about doing something so the 'forehead kiss of death' couldn't kill her and Hades wouldn't be able to find her either, and looking for Killian and Felix.
"I'll leave you with that for now," Hades smirked as he stepped away then and disappeared in a flash of blue flames. "Happy shopping, dear Princess Katie~"
Katie shuddered and went searching for her future first-husband and their son. She pushed the cart along.
Cherry stuck her tongue out as she found a spring green T-Shirt that had a frog on it with a golden crown on its head. "I can see it now," she said softly. "...The evening star is gonna give me a frog prince to kiss."
"Would you like that top?" Ursula smiled softly.
"...Well, spring green is a good color for my skin," Cherry replied. "I guess I could take it for now."
Ursula nodded. She then picked up a soft but not pale purple top with a golden shell on the little pockets.
Cherry soon wandered a bit, going to see if any other shirts popped her interest, though she found an aqua blue hoodie with faded lighter blue stripes as designs. "Hmm..." she then said thoughtfully.
Ursula came over, showing the shirt. "Do you like this?" she wondered, then looked at the hoodie. "And that?" she also wondered.
"This is a maybe," Cherry said about the hoodie before checking the shirt. "Oh, that one's pretty~"
Ursula smiled to that.
"Yeah, I'll take that one too." Cherry nodded in approval.
Ursula hooked it onto the yes choices. "Now a hoodie, and two sets of pants." she mused.
Cherry shook a chill down her spine as she nodded and soon went to see if she could find any good enough pants to go with her new shirts. "Hmm... Maybe something black..." she then suggested for herself.
Ursula chuckled.
Cherry soon took out a pair of black pants that were a bit stylish though. "What do you think?" she then asked as politely as she could.
"They will look very smart, but they might only be worn once unless Rumple can make them fit you when you turn back." Ursula smiled.
"Yeah, I guess that's a good point," Cherry nodded. "Hmm... What else? ...Maybe some jeans without the zipper... Jean zippers and I don't get along..." she then pondered thoughtfully.
"How about some... What are they called... Jeggings?" Ursula suggested.
"Jeggings are nice for an outing," Cherry nodded. "I think I saw some back there."
"Shall we pick a couple up?" Ursula smiled.
"Okay..." Cherry nodded, trying to be patient and mature, though she remembered hating clothes shopping as a child. "Whichever you might like."
Ursula helped pick a couple one in black and one in dark blue. Cherry soon looked away one moment and soon wandered when Ursula wasn't paying attention.
"Can I help you with anything else?" The shop girl offered.
Ursula hummed. "Do you have velcro shoes?" she asked, and then glanced to see if that was okay with Cherry. "Cherry?!" she called, looking around worriedly.
"Oh... Oh, my..." The shop girl frowned in concern.
Cherry took a free sample of a new cookie and beamed. "Mm... So sweet... So creamy... All amazing..." she then beamed before looking around. "...Uh-oh~" she then said as she realized that she was lost and panted a bit. "Okay, calm down, Cherry... You can find your way back. How hard can it be?" she then asked, trying to remember where she just was, though she panted and looked around anxiously as her inner child caught up with her as nothing looked familiar or comforting. "Oh, no..."
"Cherry?!" Ursula called, about to start running around to look.
Cherry frowned as she hid underneath a bench, hugging herself as she ended up crying about getting lost. "What is wrong with me?" she then pouted. "I'm an adult, I shouldn't have gotten so easily lost! Now I'm crying in a store!"
Ursula ran around, calling for Cherry as she searched.
"Mama...?" Cherry called back a bit, crawling out from her hiding place. She then found the woman and ran over to her, hugging her instantly. "Mama~..."
Ursula dropped to her knees to hug Cherry close. "Oh, Cherry!" she gasped in relief.
"I'm sorry..." Cherry said softly and emotionally in the hug. "I didn't think I'd get lost so easily... That was scary, I don't understand~..."
"Right now you're a child, sweetie, you can't wander off." Ursula told her, holding her close.
"I'm sorry..." Cherry frowned. "I guess it's part of the magic... I'm getting in touch with my inner child... I just smelled something that tasted so good~"
"Well, next time don't wander off... Someone could have taken you or you could have gotten hurt." Ursula lightly scolded, though was more relieved than mad.
"I'm sorry~" Cherry said as she buried her face in Ursula's shoulder. "I guess I forgot how big and scary a shopping center looks when you're a kid."
Ursula stood up with her in her arms.
Cherry sniffled and nuzzled, feeling the warm and comforting touch. "Mm... Mama hugs~" she whispered tenderly with a giggle.
Ursula held her close.
"Should we keep going?" Cherry asked with a small sniffle.
"Alright, are velcro shoes okay, sweetie?" Ursula asked as she made her way back to the clothing part.
"Velcro is good," Cherry nodded. "That'll work."
Ursula smiled. "So, let's see about those shoes." she then said.
"Yeah! Okay!" Cherry nodded then.
"All right then, let's see what we got here," The shop girl smiled as she went to lead the way over to the shoes. "Do you have a favorite color of shoes?"
"Eh... White or black, I guess..." Cherry shrugged as that never really mattered to her and the shop girl soon went to take a look for her.
Ursula hummed. "Maybe with a hint of green or purple as a lift." she suggested.
"Purple and green are nice together unless they're on a dinosaur." Cherry said to Ursula.
The shop girl giggled in amusement before offering a purple and black option. Cherry thought about it before nodding as she liked those shoes. Ursula chuckled. She then accepted the pair of shoes.
"Excellent choice." The shop girl nodded, going to measure Cherry's feet.
Cherry sat as followed, hugging her knees before she tried on the shoes and walked around to show Ursula and get a feel for the shoes.
"Do they fit nice?" Ursula asked.
"They do." Cherry nodded.
"Will you take them?" The shop girl then asked.
"Yes." Ursula nodded.
The shop girl smiled softly and soon had Cherry take off the shoes so that she could box them up.
"Just nothing with laces," Cherry said. "I-I mean... Since I'm a child right now... I can definitely tie my shoes as an adult."
Ursula gave a soothing smile. "You don't have to worry if you can't, baby-girl, everyone struggles with something." she said softly.
Cherry blushed bashfully.
"Would you like new shoes too, ma'am?" The shop girl offered to Ursula.
"No, thank you." Ursula smiled.
The shop girl nodded. "Will there be anything else then?" she then asked.
"Hmm..." Cherry paused thoughtfully before shrugging. "I guess I should get a new dress if we got somewhere special..."
"Hmm... Simple and pretty." Ursula decided.
"Nothing too dressy." Cherry then added.
Ursula nodded, and went looking for a dress with Cherry.
Cherry looked over, seeing a toy store department, her eyes aglow. "Ooh... I want that, I want that, I want that, I want that-" she then pointed out at the various toys she saw and liked before shaking her head. "What is wrong with me?"
"Let's just buy the clothes first." Ursula suggested.
"Okay, Mama~..." Cherry said in a more child-like tone of voice.
Ursula smiled warmly. Cherry giggled and soon ran up to her and hugged against her arm, looking up and all around as she began to look at the world differently. Ursula smiled softly, soon helping pick out a dress for Cherry.
"Nothing too flashy..." Cherry reminded as she looked to see if there was anything she liked too.
Ursula showed her a simple, but pretty blue dress.
"Blue~..." Cherry whispered and held out her hand at it.
"What an inspired choice~" The shop girl remarked.
Ursula held it out to Cherry so she could get a closer look. Cherry soon took a look and beamed brightly at the color and design.
"Yes?" The shop girl offered to Cherry.
"Yes, please." Cherry nodded in agreement and approval.
Ursula nodded and smiled. "Alright, that's setlled." she said.
Cherry nodded and beamed.
"Will that be all for you then?" The shop girl then asked.
"For clothes shopping, yes, thank you." Ursula smiled.
The shop girl soon rang her up, scanning the items, and placed the purchases into bags. "Have a nice day!" she then told Ursula, giving her the bags.
Cherry looked around before looking over as she held out her hands to take at least one of the bags.
"You too," Ursula smiled. " I can carry them, sweetie, but there'll be a bag you can carry soon," she said, taking her to the toy section. "You can have one toy." she told her.
"Yaaay!" Cherry cheered as she went running inside the toy department, even if she was an adult in Storybrooke, she was going to be a kid for the next three days and might as well make the most of it now rather than complain. She came over to a toy barrel, seeing several stuffed animals and stuck her tongue out in thought as she saw so many great choices. "Hmm~..."
Ursula came over to help her look.
Cherry giggled, finding two mouse dolls, a boy and a girl, and then found two ducks, also a boy and a girl. "Do you know who these guys are?" she then asked Ursula as she recognized the dolls instantly.
"Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy?" Ursula smiled.
"That's right!" Cherry beamed as she continued to check the toy barrel, tilting over a bit as she nearly fell in. "Ooh, so many choices..."
Ursula helped steady her.
"Oh..." Cherry gasped a bit as she soon found something and hugged it before she was pulled back out and hugged an orange-colored teddy bear with a golden ribbon tied around its next. "I used to have a teddy bear just like this before me and Katie ended up in Storybrooke..." she said softly and emotionally.
"Do you want that one then, sweetie?" Ursula asked softly, half-hugging her.
"Okay..." Cherry nodded with a soft and small smile as she hugged the bear, sniffling emotionally from the memories it reminded her of before Storybrooke. "Tangie..." she then whispered while hugging the bear.
Ursula nodded and took her to pay for it, before they would go home and make the picnic. The shop owner rang up the teddy bear and held it out for Cherry if she wanted to carry it. Cherry held her arms out and hugged the teddy bear, nuzzling her face against it as she smiled emotionally. One mother had given her the original and now her other gave it to her now for new Storybrooke memories. Felix looked over bashfully.
"Ready, sweetie?" Ursula asked warmly.
"Ready~" Cherry nodded.
Ursula walked back along with Cherry. Cherry looked all around, though she made sure to stay close to Ursula so she wouldn't get lost again, having a really great time so far.
"What do you think we should have for the picnic?" Ursula asked her.
"Um... Sandwiches... Cookies... Fruit... Cake... Vegetables... Chocolate..." Cherry began to list before smiling bashfully. "Erm... Do you like turkey sandwiches?"
"Turkey sandwiches sound nice," Ursula smiled. "How about some shrimp too?" she suggested.
Cherry looked wide-eyed and beamed. "Didja say... Shri-i-imp?~" she then asked, practically drooling.
Ursula chuckled and smiled.
"...Don't leave me again... Please...?" Cherry said softly. "Even if I'm all grown-up back home... I feel lost and alone without you now."
"I will try my hardest never to leave you again." Ursula promised.
Cherry beamed a bit, though still emotional, walking with her as this turned out to be a pretty great day so far. Soon, they arrived back at the manor to get everything unpacked and sorted.
"These potatoes should do nicely." Killian said as Felix carried a few bags.
"Do you think we'll eat all of these?" Felix blinked.
"If you don't, I will." Killian smiled warmly in a joking mood.
Katie looked relieved as she saw them. "Killian, Felix..." she said softly.
Felix looked over with a small smile and dumped the potato bags into the cart instantly.
"Sorry we've been taking so long," Killian said to Katie. "Just looking for good potatoes... Some of these are a bit spoiled."
Katie let go of the cart and rushed to them, hugging them. Killian and Felix both looked wide-eyed in the hug.
"...Something happened." Felix guessed.
Katie nodded, her hold tightening just a little.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Killian then asked.
Katie took some calming breaths first. "Hades came here to 'check up on' me, and I told him I wouldn't go with him." she whispered.
"I see," Killian slowly nodded before narrowing his eyes. "I wish we could keep him away forever."
"I certainly don't like him," Felix added as he firmly pouted. "He keeps hurting Mother."
"I know you aren't the best of friends, but I think we might need to go see Mr. Gold." Katie said softly.
Killian groaned slightly at the name mention. Katie looked to Killian and gently stroked his cheek with her hand.
"...I don't like him, but if you think it'll make you happy and he can help, I'll put up with it for your sake." Killian decided, trying to sound mature.
"It's better than nothing, love, plus this way he may at least be able to block Hades from finding me." Katie said softly.
"Aye..." Killian agreed. "...But you're going to talk to him..." he then quickly added.
"Of course." Katie nodded.
"It's a deal then, dear," Killian nodded. "We'll go see him sometime soon then."
Katie winced at the mention of "a deal", but smiled a little to assure she was okay.
"Oh, uh, sorry about that," Killian chuckled nervously, sensing that bit of distress. "Let's keep going."
Felix nodded as he decided to push the cart, sticking his tongue out as they continued their "family grocery shopping trip". Katie walked with her husband, cheekily pinching his butt as they walked behind Felix.
Killian had wide eyes before smirking towards Katie. "There are children present." he whispered to her then.
Katie looked up to him, batting her eyelashes innocently. "But I didn't do anything~" she whispered back playfully.
"I think you did," Killian smirked. "Unless we need to have a grown-up talk after we leave the shop."
"You'd have to make sure I can't escape if you want a 'grown-up' talk~" Katie playfully smirked.
"Naughty," Killian smirked back. "Unfortunately I left my handcuffs back at the ship~"
"Oh. Well, I guess no chat~" Katie teased, brushing off the uncomfortable moment of realizing until she got something on that arm handcuffs would only work on the better arm.
"Katie... Don't be difficult now..." Killian smirked. "I can be rather persuasive with the right lady if I want to be... I think you know that better than anyone else~"
Katie giggled a little. "Maybe I want you to be persuasive later~" she whispered so only he could hear.
"You're playing with fire and I quite like fire," Killian smirked to Katie. "But what about Edward? He shouldn't miss out on the fun, should he? Unless you just want me to yourself?"
"Hmm... Maybe we should have Edward join us~" Katie grinned, though whispered still to not make Felix blush. "I want to see you both~" she whispered and winked.
"All right," Killian whispered back, chuckling a bit. "We'll get a hold of him then~"
Felix glanced around as he continued to push the cart like a "good little helper"... Even though he was much taller than both of his new parents.
Katie giggled. She then looked to Felix and hummed. "Shooting up like weed... Just like he should." she gently teased her son.
Felix had a small smile, though it wasn't pure happiness.
"Are you all right?" Killian asked, sensing that wasn't a very happy smile.
"Before I met Pan, some other kids made fun of me for being so big," Felix said. "They thought I was a giant... I just had a major growth spurt when I was younger."
Katie gave a soft smile and pulled away from Killian for that, and gently hugged her taller son. "Well, I'm happy you are the way you are, sweetie, those kids were just jealous you got taller quicker," she told him softly. A vague memory came back to her though she still didn't remember about her life outside of Storybrooke. "I was always teased because I was so short and small." she told him.
Killian looked over, watching quietly as he let Katie be "Mother Hen" right now.
"You were?" Felix asked softly.
Katie nodded. "Yeah... And while I don't like jokes about my height from strangers, I know when my family teases me they do it because they love me," she smiled softly. "So I understand how it hurts when others do, but I also know that my family, that includes Cherry, Edward, Killian and you, if you ever do it's because you love me," she told him. "Just as I do it through love for you... Though I won't do it again if it does upset you even then." she then finished, warm and soothingly.
Killian agreed, giving a warmer, paternal smile.
"...Okay," Felix nodded. "So if it's friends and family, it's okay because it's not being mean?" he then asked, trying to see if he understood.
"Yeah, but even though you know that, if it still feels bad you can ask us to stop and we will." Katie smiled softly.
"...Okay," Felix smiled back, a bit softer than hers. "Thank you."
"We just want you to feel happy and comfortable around us," Killian reassured. "Even if other kids make fun of you for getting close to us, who cares what they say if you feel happy?"
Katie nodded in agreement, then gave him a gentle squeeze and let him go before he could become embarrassed. Felix smiled bashfully, but he enjoyed the warm motherly touch.
"Almost done," Killian said. "We should have something sweet too. Like a pie or maybe a cake."
"Which would you like, Felix?" Katie asked.
Felix began to pause thoughtfully before deciding. "...Cake. Chocolate cake~" he then said with a blush.
"Chocolate cake sounds very good~" Katie agreed.
"I can agree on that notion," Killian nodded. "Chocolate cake it is~"
Felix smiled in excitement then.
"Hmm..." Katie hummed. "Would you want a quicker store-bought, or should I make us one?" she asked.
"...Homemade is usually better than store-bought." Felix had to admit.
"Yes, it usually is." Killian nodded in agreement.
Katie chuckled. "Alright, homemade it will be." she decided. She left them a moment then went and grabbed a basket before she hurried and got the ingredients she'd need.
"So... Are there any girls you like?" Killian asked Felix, chuckling a bit.
"...One." Felix blushed.
Katie grabbed the ingredients and came back.
"Do I know your girlfriend?" Killian asked Felix as the boy blushed.
"...I dunno." Felix blushed bashfully before glancing over as Katie came back over.
"My boy has a girlfriend?" Katie asked curiously.
"She's not my girlfriend." Felix blushed.
"Just having a little talk." Killian chuckled.
"Who's not your girlfriend?" Katie wondered, but smiled a little, knowingly.
Felix looked over bashfully.
"You can tell us," Killian reassured. "We won't tell anyone else unless you want us to."
Felix looked back before swallowing thickly and bashfully. "...Her name is Wendy." he then admitted.
"Wendy Darling?" Katie asked quietly, her eye wide.
"...Yes." Felix admitted as he blushed.
Katie smiled warmly. "Well, not tonight as it's family tonight, but you should invite her 'round to dinner one night soon." She told him.
"Oh, uh, do you think I could do that?" Felix asked bashfully. "I-I mean... She might not like me."
"You're a likable lad, plus you should get to know her better," Killian advised. "I'm sure she'd like to get to know you better if you asked."
"Besides, it's good to invite friends around." Katie smiled.
Felix blushed a bit even more.
"Don't worry, you'll be able to see her and spend some time with her," Killian comforted as he wrapped his arm around Felix. "We'll help you out and we'd like to spend time with her too."
Katie nodded with a warm smile.
"Thank you." Felix then said, still a little shy and bashful, though that was just how he was right now with having a crush.
"Well, I think that about covers everything on the list," Killian told the others. "Shall we go and check out?"
"I'll pay for the ingredients for the cake." Katie smiled to Killian.
"Very well." Killian nodded as he paid for his half as Felix stood between them.
Katie then paid for the cake ingredients and held the bag as they exited the store.
"All right then," Killian nodded. "That was a nice little shopping trip."
"Yes, because we didn't have to buy shoes for Mother." Felix added as he tried another joke.
Katie playfully gasped to that. "Just for that you can carry my bag." she huffed playfully, holding the bag out towards him, though looked amused.
"Aww..." Felix pouted before he soon went to take the bag with a small smile. "And we were getting along so well."
Killian chuckled from that before something twinged deep down inside of Katie. * Katie chuckled softly as she started to hand it over. However just before she could hand it over, it fell to the ground as it slipped from her hand as she gripped her forehead.
Felix panicked as he suddenly knelt down and checked the bag before sighing in relief. "The bag is okay." he then told them.
"Good thing," Killian nodded before looking over at Katie. "Are you all right?" he then asked in concern.
"J-Just a headache." Katie managed to get out, softly though.
Killian looked more concerned about a headache than he should had, especially after their misadventure in The Underworld.
"Father Killian says that looks like a job for whiskey." Felix soon said before he had his mouth covered.
Killian grinned sheepishly. "Let's get you to lay down, shall we?" he then suggested. "Do you think you can make it back home?"
Katie glanced over. "Whiskey?" she asked, through slightly clenched teeth, but not from anger.
"Come now, Katie, let's lie you down." Killian suggested.
Katie would have been miffed a little, but leaned against Killian, closing her eye.
"This might take a while," Killian said as he held Katie close. "Mind helping out a little, lad?"
"Yeah, I mind, but I'll help out anyway so you'll keep me." Felix shrugged with a small smirk.
"Someone's a Joke Machine today." Killian teased as they went to maneuver as best as they could for right now.
"Just help me to the bench, call my dad or Edward, and they can help too..." Katie said quietly. That way whichever took her home and whichever stayed with Felix, they wouldn't be alone.
"All right, it's right this way, just hold on." Killian nodded as he walked with Katie carefully.
Felix followed after, carrying the bags he could carry as they made it over to the closest bench around.
"Comfortable?" Killian asked Katie then.
"Mm-hmm." Katie hummed as she leaned her head into her hand a bit.
"Good..." Killian smiled as he soon took out his own phone, remembering how to use it as he began to dial a number for Katie.
Felix leaned in against Katie a little to help comfort her, being a bit of a Mama's Boy.
Katie gave a tiny smile, leaning back into Felix a little. "My boy." she breathed.
Killian soon got a hold of Edward and they talked for a little while to make an arrangement. Felix smiled back a bit, looking a bit younger than he looked right now from the comfort and warmth.
"No matter what happens you'll always be my son and I'll always love you." Katie whispered to him.
"Never go away again..." Felix said softly.
"I don't want to, I promise I don't." Katie whispered, taking his hand in hers.
"Yay~" Felix smiled.
"Edward's on his way." Killian told both Katie and Felix.
Katie gave a small smile.
"Thank you for helping with the shopping." Killian smiled back at her.
"I'm just sorry about this," Katie said softly. "I love you, Killian." she said softly, wanting to as she had reassured Felix again that she loved him too.
"It's quite all right, it's not your fault," Killian comforted. "It could've happened to anyone."
Katie gave a soft, pained chuckle.
"You should see some of the stuff I get hit with on a bad day," Killian said bashfully. "I've had my fair share of getting hurt."
Felix chuckled a little bit as Killian sent him a look. "Sorry... Just... You getting hurt..." he said. "You didn't have to go to the hospital right after, did you?"
"Hm..." Killian rolled his eyes with a small smirk. "Well, some of the times..."
Katie closed her eye with a tiny smile as she tried to lessen the headache and waited for Edward with her boy and first guy.
