Carter sat silently, mouth agape. His mother? His mother was supposed to be a QUEEN? From the look of things, it seemed she was having a hard time processing it herself. He started the countdown in his head while holding onto Winnie who was doing the same. Each wondered what his Mom would say, what she would do.

"I understand this is a lot to take in but you have to be crowned Christina,"

His mother remained silent, paler than a ghost, clinging to Shaggy's hand so hard it looked as if it was hurting him but he was in too much of a shock to notice.

"Babe, maybe you should..." Shaggy fumbled for words.

"Excuse me," Christina quietly interrupted, "I need to be alone,"

"Mom?"

"I'm fine, Carter, I just need some quiet time,"

…...

That quiet time lasted the rest of the day. When the group returned to Maleficent's castle Christina locked herself inside the room she and Shaggy had been given.

Another hour of dead, meaningless silence passed before Carter could take it no more and went to check on his mother

"Mom, can we talk?" he knocked on the heavy wooden door, wondering if she'd heard him.

The door opened with a slow creak. Carter ducked inside finding his mother on the bed reading a book. The closer he got Carter realized she wasn't reading just staring at the page in front of her, blankly, tiredly.

"Mom?"

she turned to him with a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Yeah?"

"Can I join you?"

she nodded, patting the empty spot beside her.

He climbed onto the bed before continuing, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine,"

"You're upset aren't you, Mom?"

,

"With you? No, Carter. I mean, you're still grounded when we get home-"

"I didn't mean with me," Carter cut in then adding, "Aw man!"

"Yes," Christina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I'm upset,"

"Why?"

"Well, I dunno Carter," she snapped, "Maybe the fact that the grandmother I didn't know until yesterday wants to dump an entire kingdom on me!"

Carter knew his mom didn't mean to snap at him. He could see how overwhelmed she was by this abrupt turn of events. He wrapped an arm around her as she kissed the top of his head with an apology. He assured her he was okay knowing that this pregnancy was taking a toll on her the closer it came to his sister's arrival. He decided a change of topic would be good.

"What do you think Alissa will look like when she gets here?" he questioned.

"Like most babies, I suppose red and crying,"

"Why do babies cry when they're born?"

"It helps them breathe,"

"But we don't breathe,"

"It's only a natural reaction sweetheart, perfectly healthy,"

"Did I cry?"

"Yes, and you wanna know what your uncle said?"

"What?"

"That it scared him to life,"

"really?"

"Who knows?"

"Mom?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think anyone's missing us back home?"

"Yes," Christina nodded, "I meant to send a message but I've been so tired lately,"

"You think anyone will come looking for us?"

"Your Godparents,"

"Think they'll be mad?"

"I think you ask a lot of questions, Carter Chase,"

"Sorry,"

"I was the same way,"

"You think I'm a lot like you?"

"You're very much like me but you're also you and that's a wonderful thing,"

"I love you, Mom,"

"I love you more,"

…...

Meanwhile. Clawdeen, Duncan, Miss Grimwood and, Vincent were searching the realms for Carter and his family. Miss Grimwood had been concerned when Christina, Shaggy and, Carter hadn't shown up so, she had asked Clawdeen and Duncan to check-in on them. The duo had found the house empty food left on the table uneaten and ice cold. Upon delivering their report Miss Grimwood had called Vincent for help.

"Did you find them?" Clawdeen questioned.

"Yes," Vincent replied calmly.

"Where are they?"

"Ever After, the realm of fairy tales,"

"Okay, never mind the questions about fairy tales being a reality, why are they there?"

"It seems Christina's grandmother has found them,"

"Her grandmother?"

"Maleficent. Queen of the Dark Fae."

"Former Queen if she gets her way," Miss Grimwood added.

"What does that mean?" Duncan questioned.

"She intends to have Christina take the throne,"

…...

Lucinda and Faybelle were scheming. The dragonmark was rightfully theirs! Christina and her son didn't have an ounce of evil in their entire bodies and yet they had the mark. It simply wasn't fair but how were they to amend this wrong? Lucinda knew her mother and the law far too well. Christina whether she wanted to or not was bound to become queen at some point before leaving this realm if she left this realm. So, all their hopes lied with her son, Carson? Chance? Lucinda didn't care to remember his name she only needed them to stay in Ever After for a little while longer.

Then she caught sight of Selina.

A perfectly wicked idea struck.

Now, how to execute it?

…...

"Carter?"

He jumped turning to face Maleficent, "Yes?"

"How's your mother doing?"

"She's quiet but, fine,"

"I think I may have startled her with the news,"

"You did," he nodded as Maleficent joined him at the table.

After leaving his mother alone he stumbled upon Winnie who was sleeping so, he ventured into his grandma's old room, found an old journal and brought it to the dining hall for some reading knowing that Shaggy and Scooby were most likely messing around in the kitchen.

"I didn't intend to," Maleficent sighed, "It's just the law,"

"Can't you do something about it?"

"No, I'm not able to, your mother has to be crowned and I'd rather do it sooner than later,"

"Why?"

"Because it's only a matter of time before the other royals find out before the rest of the fae find out,"

"What happens then?"

Maleficent didn't tell him instead she asked if she could see Christina.

"I'm not sure if she'll want to talk but you can try,"

Maleficent nodded, "I believe Winnie's looking for you,"

Carter shot out of the room with a smile on his face.

Now. Maleficent had to talk with Christina and try to reason with her. However hard that would be.