An: NymhadoraTonks: Uma just has unfortunate timing, but for a reason. Our story is about to take a twist that'll hopefully fit some more of the pieces of the puzzle together. Thank you for your patience and support! Enjoy :)


Carlos remained still as the dog squirmed in his arms. He set the dog down, not taking his eyes off her. How could this be real? He didn't recall going to sleep. He had dreamed of this moment many times, it was nothing new to his mind. The dog ran out of the room and up the stairs, but Carlos didn't notice. "E-Evie?"

"Carlos," she straightened. "Conroy thought the puppy would be the best way for you to cope with...this."

"My divorce or you?" Carlos managed some composure. Evie's grin dropped and she glanced at the floor. "I'm sorry," he said automatically. "I just...don't know what to say. Did you say Conroy?"

"There's a lot to explain," Evie shrugged. "I can tell you everything...if you're willing to listen?"

Carlos looked around, checking that they weren't being watched. Little did he know that there were two teenagers on the stairs, listening intently, holding hands in silence, with her head on his shoulder. Carlos met Evie again and the breath had been stolen from his lungs. It was as if she had never left. She looked the same. Beautiful, young, and blue.

"I suppose," Carlos managed to say. "I'll start you off. Why did you leave?"

Evie was quiet for a moment. "I think you know."

He did. He remembered that kiss. That glorious kiss in the treehouse. It was everything he had ever wanted as a boy. If it had only occurred about a month sooner, Carlos might've been better off. They had never been the same since. It was what made her come to him that day, telling him that she was going to run. That kiss was the spark of his rage that sent her away.

"Fine," Carlos nodded. "Then what made you come back?"

"Your boy," Evie admitted. "He found me and not just in my cottage in the woods."

That's where he had been going. It all made sense now. Carlos would be angered that Conroy hadn't told him, but his heart was too filled with joyous shock for him to focus on any other emotion that was filling the rest of his mind and body. He had been quiet for too long, so Evie added, "I also came back because...he told me about the maps..."

He lifted his eyes instantly. "He told you—" He stopped when she nodded with a smile.

"Not everything, but enough," Evie took a step forward. In reaction, he took one back. Her smile dropped instantly. "You don't want me here." There was silence. "I knew this was a bad idea. I should just leave before I make things worse."

"No!" Carlos almost shouted. Before he knew it, he was next to her taking her into his arms. She melted into his embrace immediately. It was as if his arms had never been filled before. She fit perfectly within his hold. "Stay," he whispered. "Please, stay."

Evie pulled her head back, just far enough so she could see into his eyes. "Really?"

"Please," Carlos said again. "I can't deal with this all at once I—please. Stay."

Evie's lips parted, but not a sound escaped. Carlos stared at them, the thought of their kiss floating back into his thoughts. He was still holding onto her waist, with her hands on his shoulders. It didn't feel romantic, touching like this, but he just couldn't bring himself to let go of her at the moment. If he lost his grip, he feared he would lose her again. If he didn't feel her in his arms, how was he to know this still wasn't a dream.

"What about the kids?" Evie asked wearily.

"Conroy and Charlotte will be just fine," Carlos insisted.

"Charlotte?"

He wished he could pretend that it was only a coincidence. Pretend that he didn't know that was Evie's favorite name. She had it picked out since they were barely off the Isle. But back then, they both thought that baby's name would belong to her and Doug. There was a time Carlos thought that it would his and her child's name. But neither child was to be. There was only one reason for that name given to his second born.

"It was my idea," Carlos claimed. "To...keep a piece of you here."

Evie's lips grew into a soft grin as she hugged him again. "I've missed you, Carlos." He said nothing, just squeezed her a little bit tighter, thinking of all the words he could never bring himself to say. At least, not today.


As the silence grew in the living room, Everett sighed with relief. Lorelai squeezed his hands, her head still on his shoulder. "Let's give them some privacy," Lorelai mumbled when she snapped her fingers. They were suddenly in his room, sitting on his bed in the same position. Lorelai kept hold of his hand but lifted her head.

"How did you ever convince her to come back?" Everett asked.

"It didn't take much," Lorelai yawned and shrugged. "Just some reminding."

"You're amazing." Everett raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the top of it. "What can I ever do to thank you?"

"Don't worry, we're even," Lorelai nudged him. "I had my dress fitted. It's wonderful."

Everett's jaw dropped open. "You weren't supposed to know about that yet."

"My party is only a few days away, when were you going to give it to me?"

"I don't know," Everett admitted. "I guess I never thought I would make it this far."

"With me or Evie?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Everett laid back on his bed. "I've been thinking."

"Uh oh," Lorelai laid beside him. "Scary."

He gave her a small smirk, but then stared back up at the ceiling. "What if I didn't go back?"

"What?" Lorelai sat back up. He followed her.

"Why not? You were just saying that this life isn't as bad as I thought it was, and well, I was thinking maybe you're right. I feel like here, I could finally be enough. Enough for my family, friends, and you. Especially you."

"You would stay, for me?" Lorelai's eyes softened for a moment.

"I would," Everett said truthfully. He would stay here with her. Where he felt like they could continue to grow together happily. He felt so close to her now. All he had to do was lean in a few more inches, and he could kiss her. She turned her head before he could.

"Everett," Lorelai shook her head. "I said that to encourage you that what your doing isn't for nothing." This confused him. What did she want? First, she was telling him to stay and now she was telling him to carry on?

"But isn't it? Once I fix things everything will go back to the way it was. Everyone will still hate me for what I did and probably wouldn't even want me back."

"Won't want you back?" Lorelai questioned. "Do you know how crazy you're sounding?" He just looked at her. "Ev, we've had this conversation a thousand times in a thousand different ways. You came here to fix what you messed up. To learn more about yourself and the other people in your life. This is not a final draft. It's...not the reality you deserve."

Everett looked down, then back up at Lorelai, mystified about what would come next.


Rose had figured it all out. She had painted the walls over with her new information. It came like rushing waves. The images, the petals, the voices. She spread out the fallen pink petals onto the floor. This has to work. If she is to figure out where her dreams are coming from, this was the way. She had to know. She wouldn't be able to sleep again.

Everett had put her mind to rest for a little while, but questions were still flooding her mind. Why Uma? What did Everett have to learn? What was left for him to face in the upcoming days? There was a meaning to all of this. Rose knew it. She had to at least try to get him home.

She stood in the middle of her throne room, reading everything at once. There was just too much to focus on. She whispered her best spells, the petals would swirl around, but nothing happened. Rose pressed on, hoping that the message would become clear. Then, a single petal reached for her. Grinning with hope, Rose reached for it.

There was a sudden flash of light.

If the beast could learn to love another and earn their love in return

Then she saw his face. Simon.

Rose collapsed down to the floor. The petals fell with her. Her breath slowed as she pressed her forehead to the cool brick and drifted off into a frustrated sleep.


The next morning, Everett came downstairs with a wide smile on his face. Evie was sitting at the counter, Carlos scrambling eggs at the stove. They were engaged in light conversation, both laughing softly when he approached. "Goodmorning," Everett greeted. "Did you like the guest room, Evie?"

"I haven't slept so hard in my life," Evie admitted, giving him a soft smile. "I had forgotten how soft the sheets are here."

"You didn't have any bedding at the cottage?" Carlos asked over his shoulder.

"Yes, but they've been worn down and I haven't gotten new ones," Evie explained as a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon was set in front of her. "Carlos, when you said you could cook, I didn't expect real food."

"Hey, an old dog can learn new tricks," Carlos set his own plate down. "Conroy, there's some for you and Charlotte."

"Where is she?" Everett asked.

"She walked the dog earlier. I think she's in her room." Everett left without saying a word. It didn't matter. Carlos and Evie were already back in the conversation before he took two steps out of the room.

"Hey," Everett leaned against Charlotte's doorframe. She was sitting on the floor with the puppy. Her arms were bare. Most of the bruises had completely faded. "How do you like him?"

"I've always wanted a dog," Charlotte pet the puppy, which was napping in her lap. "I remember dad trying to convince mom a couple of times. It usually ended up in stern voices."

Everett wished he could remember things like that. He wished he could understand this pain plaguing his sister, but he was at a loss. "Do you know who is downstairs?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

"It's Evie," Charlotte shrugged. "The lost VK."

"You know about her?"

"I overheard you two the other night. And I saw a picture of her in Dad's lab." Everett just stared at her in awe. She really knew more than he gave her credit for. "And Dad's in love with her, right?"

"Uh," Everett scratched the back of his neck. "I'm not entirely sure about that."

"He is," Charlotte decided.

"How can you tell?"

"By the way, he looked at her. He never looked at Mom that way. He looks like you when you see Lorelai."

"Oh?" Everett raised a brow.

"As if you're fooling anyone," Charlotte rolled her eyes. "You're in lovvvve."

"Stoooop," Everett matched her tone.

"You're not denying it," she said in a sing-song voice.

"Just wait till you're my age," Everett smacked her white braid playfully. "Are you okay? With Evie?"

"For now," Charlotte nodded. Everett was relieved. "It's hard not to be okay now that the boat has finally stopped rocking." She rubbed her arms as if it was an instinct. Everett's heart dropped.

"Come on, let's go eat."


Everett had left Charlotte at the castle and picked up Lorelai. Charlotte seemed thrilled to see Max. Everett wondered how long it had been since she had last seen him. Carlos and Evie were going to spend the day talking. So, he decided it would be a good day to get his head back into the game. When he was in the castle, he was greeted with the sights of Lorelai's father and mother.

"Make sure the blues match," Mal told a couple of footmen. "Otherwise it won't go with the theme. And get silks. Velvet is too heavy for this time of the season." They bowed and left.

"You're already making arrangements?" Lorelai asked as they drew near. Ben was talking lowly on the phone to someone.

Mal's jaw dropped as if she had seen Lorelai for the very first time. "Lorelai! Oh, yes. There is much to do and with such little time we have to make haste."

"Blues it is then?" Lorelai asked in a polite tone.

"I know you've loved it since you were a little girl," Mal grinned as she tapped under Lorelai's chin. "Nothing to worry about dear."

"Yes, I know," Ben muttered. "Just run some more tests. Bye." He hung up his phone. "Hey, guys. Conroy? I didn't know we were expecting you." Everett reached out and shook Ben's hand.

"I just dropped Charlotte off. I hope that's alright."

"Is she here for Max?" Mal asked.

"Yes."

"Good. He seems to be quieter lately. I hope she'll bring some life back into him." There was a moment of silence.

Ben looked at Everett. "Where are you two heading off to?"

"Just a stroll around the gardens," Lorelai answered for him. "Then maybe around town."

"Don't be out too late," Ben warned. "I'm sure you've filled him in on what's going on."

"I just know we shouldn't be out after dark," Everett said in the kindest voice he could muster. Ben gave him an approving nod.

"Yes, I would hate for you or your family to get sucked into this. How's your father after all of this?"

"I sent word to Jay," Mal stated. "I believe he, Lonnie, and the children are by Cinderellaburg now. He should be here a few days before the party to help with this all."

"He's doing well, actually," Everett answered, then turned to Mal. "Thank you for your generosity. I couldn't help but think of Uncle Jay's trip to China had been poorly planned."

"Even though it is an annual trip," Lorelai added. "I'm sure Carlos will be glad to see him regardless."

"Indeed," Ben and Mal said together.

"Your Majesties," a voice came from behind Everett. He turned, only to be shocked. There he stood. Simon White. The man he had only seen in visions and dreams. The one who had touched Rose's heart in another life. He appeared much older now, but Everett could still recognize his face. He was accompanied by a few footmen holding some recording equipment. "Where would you like me to set up?"

"Hello Simon," Mal greeted. "I can take you to the ballroom. We're retrieving the fabrics to hang as we speak."

Ben gave the teenagers a nod before joining his wife. Lorelai and Everett watched as the group disappeared down the hall. "Do you always talk to your parents in such formalities?" Everett asked.

"There isn't much time for any other conversation," Lorelai said with blank eyes. She then turned and continued in the opposite direction of the gardens. Everett followed her with a concerned look. "Oh, it's not a sob story. I love my parents. And they love me. Things have been tough lately, and I have to let them figure things out."

"Did you want blue decorations for your party?" They opened the doors to the castle garage. Their bikes waited for them. Scales scurried in behind them. Everett would never know how that cat could be invisible half the time.

"If I had it my way, there would be no party at all," Lorelai said as she lifted the kickstand. The garage opened with a press of a button. Everett lifted scales and put her in his motorbike's basket.

"You don't mean that," Everett shook his head.

"Sure I do. That's why I said it." They began to walk towards the castle gates.

"Yeah, right. You forget I know you much better than you give me credit for."

"Fine. I like parties, but I don't need hundreds of strangers to fill my home in celebration of me just because I'm royalty." Lorelai shrugged. "It's much easier to blend in than to stand out when people don't know who you really are."

"Maybe people don't really know you because you don't show your true colors."

"I know what you're playing at. I told you, the wig is not coming off."

"Fine. I have to respect your choice," he let the conversation drop.

"Even if I did," Lorelai said. Everett chuckled under his breath. "It's not as if people would rejoice."

"I would."

"I know you would."

"Then why do the rest matter?"

"They just do."

"Okay. If you say so."

"Argh!" she groaned. "You can't let me have the last word, can you?"

Everett said nothing, just smirked.


Rose saw the change in Everett's face when he came into the castle. It was clear he had left most of his worries here in the castle with her rather than thinking them over before returning. Perhaps she should've guessed that. She would've done the same thing. "I thought you wouldn't come back today," she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I told you I would," Everett shrugged. "Besides, you said I had to defeat the most feared villain right now."

"I'm not entirely sure. My spells have been failing me."

"Is that why there are rose petals all across the floor?" Lorelai asked, kicking one with her boot.

"Yes," Rose snapped her fingers, and the rose petal went back into its place. "But my lack of sleep has turned against me. I can't unravel any new information."

"Let me try," Lorelai insisted.

"You even know where to begin," Rose shook her head

"But isn't it just a rotation?" Lorelai asked.

"A what?"

"Your symbols," Lorelai pointed up at the paintings on the wall. "They all make one big picture right to left. According to that book of yours, you have to rotate in the opposite direction in order to see visions. It's like a mirage."

"You took one of my vision books?"

"You told me to," Lorelai argued.

"You did?"

"It doesn't matter," Everett interrupted. "Lorelai, just try what you know."

Lorelai nodded and stepped into the middle of the rose petal circle. She took a deep breath before raising her hands. She then slowly dragged them across the air, left to right. The words and symbols began to shift in the same directions, scrambling themselves. Rose had completely forgotten about this. She hadn't needed to use a rotation spell since, well almost twenty years ago.

As Lorelai spun in circles, the rose petals began to float at her feet, swaying with her. Both Everett and Rose dodged them. They began to pick up speed with a flick of Lorelai's wrist. Rose didn't know if she should be scared or proud. Faster and faster they went, blending together. The petals went high into the air. Lorelai stopped spinning now. She wasn't in control. She fell to her knees. Everett ran to her, but Rose kept her eyes on the forming vision.

Then everything stopped. They were in a new room. One that only Rose would recognize. The old ballroom, before she burnt it all down. Soft violin music echoed off the walls. Transparent figures filled the space. Some were dancing. Rose spotted her mother and her father, watching from the stage with relaxed smiles. Rose felt a pain in her chest as she searched for Ben.

Then there he was. Dancing with Audrey was Rose's brother. Young and happy. He had the same face that haunted her dreams. Then he spun Audrey, and her hair changed to purple. A clone of Lorelai, but older. Mal. Ben had shifted too. Crinkles on his forehead and eyes. The face of a stressed leader, but he still dawned the same smile.

Rose put a hand over her heart in an attempt to slow its race. Spotted among them were Evie and Carlos, also dancing. Followed by Everett and Lorelai. All of the pairs were having a fine time swinging and dancing to the music. Belle and Beast were still on the stage, sitting with great hair and wrinkled faces. The ballroom had shifted from gold to blue.

Then there was a crash. Glass windows shatter and a wave of water flooded the room. Rose put her hands over her face, but when the water hit her she did not become wet. Lightning flashes caught her attention as a bold figure of shining green showed itself. Tentacles emerged from the waves. There was a high screech and a roar. A girl. A bear.

Before Rose could panic or decipher, a calm voice called for her. "Rose! Rose!" It wasn't Ben's. She would've known if it was his. she saw Simon White. The boy she had hated most when she was younger. She was about to scream when a hand touched her shoulder.

When Rose opened her eyes again she saw Everett's face filled with concern. She didn't realize she was crying until a tear rolled down her face onto her palm, which was filled with rose petals. She dropped them instantly. "Did you see it?"

"See what?" Everett asked.

"The ball and the dancing."

"Yes, I saw those. It's Lorelai's upcoming birthday ball." He searched her expression. "What did you see?"

"I saw that," Rose nodded. "But then there was the flood. The green. Uma's tentacles. There were screams and a roar."

"The roar?" Lorelai asked from her seat on the floor. "Why would there be a roar?"

Rose knew why there would be a roar. There was only one place that could come from. But instead of revealing the horrible truth, she lied. "I don't know. It's just what I heard." Everett looked at her in disbelief.

"I think I need to get some air," Lorelai managed to stand up with wobbling knees. "That took way too much out of me."

Everett watched her, flinching as she did. "Do you want me—"

"No," Lorelai stretched. "I'll be back."

"It'll wear off soon," Rose told her. She knew exactly what Lorelai feeling. The emptiness. The cost of magic occasionally had.

"You think Uma is going to attack at the ball?" Everett's voice wasn't frightened, but it was definitely filled with anticipation.

"Yes," Rose nodded. "I'm certain of that now. You'll all be there to stop her. And once she's defeated, you'll be able to go home."

"That doesn't make any sense," Everett shook his head. "I'm supposed to fix things before I can get home. 'Face the reality in time for the last petal to fall, then the spell would be broken. If the beast could learn to love another and earn their love in return'—"

"When the final petal falls, I shall return to the ones I love," Rose finished for him. "It is true. The flower is almost completely wilted. When you go to that party, your family will be reunited. You shall return to the family you love."

Everett just stared at her, his face went white. Rose glanced at the cat sitting next to her, nervously. "What do you want?" she asked it. In return, all she got was a curious look from its green eyes.

"The spell isn't even about me," Everett took in a sharp gasp. Rose sat up. "Is it?"

"What do you mean? Of course, it is."

"No, it's not," Everett shook his head. "You-you're real. Just like me. You don't belong here."

"No, I'm not," Rose insisted. She backed away from him and got up onto her feet. "Why would you think that?"

"It makes sense now," Everett ran his fingers through his hair. She could see the wheels turning in his head. "Why you've always kept me at an arm's length. It was so I couldn't figure it out."

"There's nothing to figure out," she tried to reason, but it was too late now. What was the point now?

"That night when I was small. You were the one trying to get rid of the curse that was meant for you." Rose fell pale at his words. She took another step back, and he rose to his feet. "I was sucked in because of that one single petal. We're the same!"

"I...I never meant for you to get sucked in," Rose admitted. It was the truth. This new world was supposed to be hers and hers alone. She never thought anyone else would manage to get in here. Let alone find her trying to break the very spell of her escape.

"All of this time I thought this world was based on my wish when it's not even close. It's all because of you." Everett rubbed his temples. Rose was shocked he pieced it together, knowing how oblivious he had been up to this point. "That's why the memories are from your life in my world. Our reality. But you left. Why?"

"I needed to discard the rose. I had to save myself." It was only now she remembered that night. The fog that clouded her brain had gone, something she had hoped would never happen. Now she recalled completing the spell. It worked, she was gone, but what had she done wrong?

"Save yourself?" Everett's eyes were holding tears. "From what? Ben?"

"No," Rose shook her head, pain beginning to settle itself in her chest. She thought she would never have to explain this ever again. The memories were to sink back into the clouds and never reappear. But here he was, demanding the truth, and she had a clear mind.