Lim was waiting for her husband to arrive home so the both of them could give Mei-Li and Carlos a special surprise. Currently, Lim was sitting through the hell of playing fairy tale dress-up, wearing a tiara, a pink feather boa, and some glitter for her daughter's sake. She had tried her best to get Mei-Li involved in soccer, but Mei-Li had hated it and had begged her parents to let her dance ballet—more frilly costumes and make-up that confused Lim, but seeing the sheer grin on Mei-Li's face after her first recital made everything worth it.

"Mommy, what is the big surprise we're getting?" asked Mei-Li as she continued to brush Lim's hair.

"Sweetheart, I told you, I'm waiting for Daddy to get home so we can tell you and Carlos together," said Lim.

Mei-Li frowned, "Fine," she hopped off her step-stool and said to Lim, "You look as pretty as a princess."

Lim was trying hard to fake some enthusiasm when Melendez's voice saved her the trouble, "Oh Lucy, I'm home!" Mei-Li ran downstairs to greet her father and Lim ditched the princess apparel and woke Carlos up from his nap so they could all have dinner after they told the kids their news. Melendez smiled when he saw his wife and son descending the stairs, "Hi Audrey," he smiled and kissed her, "Hi mijo," he kissed Carlos's cheek.

"How was work?" asked Lim.

"Long, too many board meetings with donors," answered Melendez, "How was your day?"

"Same," said Lim, "Math homework, a dress-up session, and a two year old who was refusing to take a nap. And then, of course, I cover the night shift tomorrow."

"Mm. Sounds like you've had a busy day," said Melendez.

"Mommy, Daddy, NOW are you going to tell us your big surprise?" asked Mei-Li.

"We are, mija," said Melendez.

The two parents had Carlos and Mei-Li sit down on the couch and Lim began, "Sweetheart, remember what you really wanted for Christmas a few years ago?"

"A unicorn!" Mei-Li responded excitedly.

"Besides the unicorn, mija," said Melendez. Mei-Li looked a little confused until Melendez said, "It was something you wanted before Carlos was born. Something cute and furry."

Both Mei-Li and Carlos's faces lit up, "You mean a puppy?" asked Mei-Li excitedly.

"We know it's only September, but as an early Christmas present to you both, Santa has allowed us to let you get a puppy now," said Lim, "We'll be going to get one this weekend."

Mei-Li and Carlos began to jump up and down, cheering excitedly. Melendez and Lim had wanted to get a puppy for Mei-Li's fifth birthday, but then Carlos had been born, and Lim had said that there was no way in Hell on Earth that she was taking care of a puppy and a newborn while also holding down a full-time job, so they had waited until Carlos had turned two and was potty trained.

"Thank you, Mommy," Carlos hugged Lim.

"I love you, Daddy," said Mei-Li to Melendez.

They both leaned down and kissed them, "De nada, Kiddos," said Melendez.

It took the Lim-Melendez family a while to decide on which puppy to get, but they finally settled on a three month old Golden Retriever. When they arrived home, they let her explore the house a little bit, Lim trying to stop her from tearing up the place, "So what should we name her?" asked Melendez.

"Lucky," said Carlos.

"Lots of dogs are named Lucky," said Mei-Li, "How about Goldilocks?"

Carlos made a face at Mei-Li's suggestion and Melendez said, "How about something else, mija?"

"Mulan," answered Mei-Li.

"Sweetheart, how about we give her a name that's not a Disney princess?" said Lim.

"Why not?" asked Mei-Li disappointingly, "Mulan is special. She's tough like Mommy and she's Asian like me and Carlos and Mommy. And this puppy is special, just like Mulan."

Melendez and Lim glanced at each other, and then, down toward Carlos. He didn't seem to object to the name as he said, "Hi Mulan."

"He doesn't seem to object to the name and it'll make Mei-Li happy," said Melendez.

"I know. Just another occasion where the Disney princesses have infiltrated our lives," said Lim.

Melendez chuckled to himself. Lim had probably gotten her fill of the Disney princesses ever since Mei-Li had been born. He looked back down at his children, happily petting the Golden Retriever pup and asked, "Mija, are you certain you want to name her Mulan?"

"Yes," Mei-Li affirmed.

"Carlos?" asked Melendez. He looked up at his father, "Any other ideas?"

He looked back down at the dog and repeated, "Hi Mulan."

"I think we have a majority vote," said Melendez.

Lim rolled her eyes in defeat, but then, smiled as she said, "Welcome to the family, Mulan Lim-Melendez."