Almost her entire life, Ivy felt like a second-class daughter. At times, even to Jacinda. She tried to live up to her mother's standards. She was the best in school, the president of the debate club and valedictorian. She wanted to study world literature or journalism, but her mother thought that writing was a hobby for slackers, so she got an MBA instead. Ivy lived and breathed for the company. It took years, but she no longer craved praise, she only wanted not to be so afraid of her mother's disapproval. She needed to be courageous and tell her mother off, only the consequences never seemed worth the risk. After 'The Enchanted Forest' debacle, to quote her mother, Anastasia was put in charge. And Ivy was now her sister's assistant and Lucy's occasional babysitter.

It was Halloween. Jacinda was working double shift and someone had to take Lucy trick-or-treating. Victoria ordered Ivy to do it because she was the only one not invited to the mascaraed ball. The joke was on her mother because Ivy no longer let vanity dictate her life, she didn't care about some posh party. Much.

She entered the poorly decorated 'Chicken Shack'. Jacinda was finishing up Lucy's skeleton make-up. Couple of kids were gathered around them. Then she saw Henry Mills and his smile turned into a frown as their eyes met. He was wearing some Disney prince costume, of course. Perfect. She just couldn't escape him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too."

"Is this…" she waved between Henry and Jacinda, "Is this the new baby daddy candidate? Prince Charmless? Seriously?"

"I guess we know what you are, then. But dial down on the wicked stepsister routine."

Jacinda stepped between them, "Henry's a friend, Ivy. You do know what that is?"

It was always unexpected when Jacinda threw a punch. And did she know where to hit. Ivy turned to Lucy, "Ready to go?"

"Can we all go together?"

Ivy laughed. The tone was brittle.

"Lucy, baby-" Jacinda tried to interfere. The kids would most likely get along, but there was no one to watch Henry and Ivy.

"We really wouldn't want to intrude." Henry stepped in.

"Please!" All four kids begged in unison.

Ivy and Henry shared a look. Ivy rolled her eyes and waved her hand in a 'whatever' gesture.

Three pre-teens lined up in front of Henry. The blonde girl was staring at her, "You're pretty." she said and turned to Henry, "Right?"

Ivy raised her chin up and looked at Henry.

"Ivy is…" he stammered. "Ivy, this is my sister Hope, the Ghostbuster. Little sailor here is my brother Liam."

"Captain." the blue-eyed boy corrected. Ivy didn't see much resemblance between the two.

"And I'm Batman." the lanky boy exclaimed proudly, "But Neal is all grown up for costumes now and Henry didn't want to be Robin."

"And Neal is?"

"My uncle." Henry said, "He's in high school now."

Oh, so they were pulling a prank on her. How immature of Henry, "That would make Batman here your grandfather, I suppose."

The kids giggled, "No, I'm his uncle."

"Hmm… I guess you do get atypical families." he furrowed his eyebrows, so she elaborated, "You said that the first day we met."

"You mean the first day you lied to me?"

"I didn't-" she shook her head, "I have two hours for this thing. Let's go."

"Behave." Jacinda shouted after them and Ivy suspected that it wasn't meant for the kids.

It appeared that Hyperion Heights was a neverending neighborhood. And Ivy couldn't spend her time scrolling social networks because while everyone was posting pictures of getting ready for the party, she rambled around with the man she could barely stand.

"You know…" he started as they were sitting on a bench, waiting for the kids, "talking would make time go faster."

She shoved the phone in her purse and clasped her hands, "What shall we talk about, Henry? How is fighting for your business going? Not well, I hope. But don't worry, I'm sure that reporter will jump at first chance to have you by her side again."

"I'm glad you watched my first TV appearance."

"It's hard to miss something that is derailing my life."

"Are you seriously making me the bad guy?"

"Don't flatter yourself. You are just a … a blimp." thanks to Henry's little mission, she was no longer semi successful businesswoman but a disappointment flailing around, to rephrase her mother, "Can you just shut up, please?"

"I was just trying to be nice."

"I guess being nice is a prerequisite for your existence. What are you? A romantic lead from the 80s movie – nice, sort of cute outcast. Only, that look doesn't work on a 30 year old. It's just pathetic."

He stared at her wide-eyed, "And being nice must be a psychological torture for you."

"Only when it comes to you."

After that, they didn't exchange a word. Ivy wanted to use her mother to excuse her behavior but she couldn't. And she didn't want to think about it. She focused on the kids and their elaborate plan to exchange candy.

"Lucy." she called her niece, "Maybe you could invite your new friends with us to have pizza and split candy or whatever it is you're doing."

"Really, aunt Ivy?!" she jumped in excitement.

"If they want to." she then took a step towards Henry, "And If Henry would accept the offer as my attempt of an apology?"

"Um…" he pinched his nose. He really wasn't in the mood to spend one more second with her, "I guess the kids would crucify me if I said no."

"'Bella Notte' it is then. My treat, no tricks."

And Henry concealed his amusement with a huff.

The Italian place wasn't as exclusive as he thought it would be. It had red-checked tablecloths, a fireplace and loud staff. Soft Italian canzone was drowned in the chatter of the guests.

"Now, tell me?" the waiter , appropriately costumed as the one from 'Lady and the Tramp', asked as they were sat at the table, "What's to your pleasure? A la carte?"

"Get us four margheritas for the kids." she consulted with Henry and he agreed.

"And for the couple?"

"No,no, no…" Henry waved his hands, "No, no couple here. I'll just, I'll have the same."

"Nothing for me, Tony. Thank you."

As Tony left, giving Henry a strange look, Ivy swatted him, "Seriously? Five'no-s'?"

"I…" he shrugged.

"Relax, I don't care. It's not like I'm going to wake up one day to realize I'm madly in love with you."

"It would be a twilight zone scenario, for sure." he looked around again. It was so quaint, "How did you find this place?"

"I got lost on my first day in the neighborhood." when she was starting the business that would bring financial ruin to couple of shop owners, remained unsaid.

"It's nice." they really had no safe topic, "Hey guys, got a lot of candy? Let me see."

"Yeah." Liam exclaimed, "Lucy's gonna give me her Apollo bars in exchange for peanut butter cups."

"No candy before dinner." Ivy looked up from her phone and warned Batman who was just about to open twizzlers.

"Come on, Gideon." Henry took his Jack-O-Lantern candy bucket and put it away, "We talked about this, man. Now, candies away. Pizza's coming."

The pizza was good, like really good. And with it came some good fun. The kids were retelling their adventures. The grumpy old man in building 37 was a troll, while his wife looked like a fairy from Cinderella. It was like listening to some version of his own stories. He really needed to find the inspiration somewhere.

"Hey, babe." a man approached the table mare minutes after they paid the check, "This place is hard to find. Shall we?"

"Yup, in a minute. Come on, Lucy. Your mom's probably waiting."

Oh, he was the boyfriend.

"Who's this?" he gestured at Henry. His demeanor was less than friendly.

"Henry. Henry Mills. I think we met."

"Right. The bookstore guy."

They shook hands.

"I'm in real estate, you know. Maybe I'll offer to buy the place when it goes down."

"Maybe." Henry clenched his jaw, "And maybe I'll punch you in the face if you do."

Ivy sprung up, "Lucy, why don't you and your friends wait outside?"

"And not on the street." Henry added.

As the kids were leaving, Gideon kicked Michael in the shin and ran.

"You little-" but Ivy pulled him back.

"Enough!" then she pointed at Henry who was about to react, "Enough."

"So, I should just watch as this loser is moving in on my girl? It's not gonna save your store, you know."

"Wow, you couldn't be more wrong, man."

"People are staring." Ivy growled at Henry, "The only problem you have is with me, so give it a rest. The kids seemed to have had a good time, so talk to Jacinda about getting together again or whatever. I don't care." then she turned to her boyfriend, "And Michael, the only problem you have is with yourself. So, we are going to drop off Lucy and then go to dinner… And mother thinks I'm acting juvenile." she huffed and stormed out.

"How the hell am I the bad guy here?" Henry wondered out loud as he stood alone.