Author's note:
This story is my humorous (hopefully) answer to the "Rumplestilskin" Fairy Tale fanfic challenge on the DNA fanfiction list, as well as an explanation of the odd aging of younger characters on AMC (known as SORAS by fans).
Erica agrees to help Babe in an effort to keep custody of Ace away from JR. But there's a catch. David tries to solve the mystery to help Babe, but he can't do it alone... The events in this tale use recent incidents and characters on AMC, especially in the babyswitch storyline, (as it stood at the end of 2004) combined with speculation on where it was going at the time, and my own imagination. Plus, a good deal is borrowed from the Brothers' Grimm.:-) I began writing it in October 2004, and halfway through "Ace" became "Baby James" so I had to scramble to explain that. But that's why the baby is "Ace" early on.
DISCLAIMER: Characters belong to AMC and ABC and M-I-C-K-E-Y and I
am messing with them for fun and not profit. So there. ;-)
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Babe stared at the paper before her, trying to comprehend the words. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"But... Miss Kane... the whole reason we were doing this is to keep JR from getting custody of my beautiful little baby boy... "
"Yes, dear. None of us want Adam and JR to raise your beloved baby! He needs a loving, caring home." Erica's unlined face smiled brightly and she tossed her hair.
"But... " Babe sat down, and read over the paper again. "But... this says that if you help me out this last time... I need to sign over custody of Ace to YOU!"
"No, dear. To Bianca. After all, don't you agree Bianca is a wonderful mother?"
"Yes, she's the best," said Babe. "But... this is my baby."
"And," pressed Erica, too-white smile still frozen on her face. "You love your baby, so you certainly don't want him raised in the Chandler household! Adam has agreed... one more round of stock picks like the last two, and he and JR permanently give up custody!"
Tears spilled from Babe's eyes. "It's all my fault. I ... I meant to tell Bianca about Miranda earlier. I really did. And now she hates me. And you hate me..." Silent sobs shook her frame.
"Oh NO, dear!" Said Erica with mock sympathy, patting Babe's hand. "Don't be silly. I'm not totally heartless you know. Did you see the special clause in the contract?" She flipped to the last page. "There. See? Just guess my true age in 72 hours, and you get to keep your little Ace."
"Oh!" said Babe, brightening. She brushed away the remains of her tears and beamed a smile. "You weren't really serious, then! My daddy is sure to know your real age." She took the pen from the smiling Erica, and signed.
"Wonderful, dear," said Erica. She handed Babe a packet. "Tell Adam these are the companies to invest in TOMORROW morning. He must sell by the afternoon. Got it?"
"Yes," said Babe. "Just like the last two times. Oh, Miss Kane, you've REALLY helped me out so much! I didn't know what to do after my mama bragged that I could pick winning stocks. I know she only did it to buy time, so JR wouldn't go for full custody. But... without you... I wouldn't have been able to hold him off. After this, I'll have my beloved little boy to keep FOREVER!"
Babe threw her arms around Erica and hugged her tightly. With smile still frozen, Erica gave a quick squeeze back. "I'll be back in 72 hours for your 'guess' my dear. And then, when you give me the right number, we'll just tear up the contract... unless," she added with a friendly laugh, "you can't guess correctly."
Babe walked Erica to the door, and waved cheerily as Erica got in her car. As she returned to the house, Babe pulled out her cell phone.
"David?" she asked, after David's 'hello'. "I need just one more little thing..."
