Author's Note: I know I said the updates for my other stories would come as fast as I could put them together. A new post in one day isn't too likely since I had the bulk of this chapter already written and just needed to finish and edit it. That being said, I want to thank one of the reviewers on my story "Becoming Sisters", the name was evieismyhero. I kind of took the compliment you gave Evie in that review and used it here because I could see a mother saying about her daughter, especially one like Evie.

Please enjoy…

"Are you sure this is such a good idea?" Evie asked as she sat in Doug's car as he drove them to his parent's house in the Enchanted Forest. "I mean, I don't really know your family that well."

"What are you talking about? You know my family," Doug answered her.

"I know your Mom and Dad, and a few of your cousins that go to Auradon Prep. But this is going to be your whole family," she explained to him.

"Yeah, but the ones you know like you, so the others will too."

"You're parents like me," she said.

"Actually, my Mom loves you," he corrected her. "Told me so herself." Evie tried not to look like she was smiling at that piece of information, but Doug could see the curving of her lips. He knew that his mother had taken a liking to Evie, and that she made efforts, all on her own, to get to know his girlfriend. It made him happy to see that since this was the first time she had ever really done so for any girl he dated.

"Okay, but your cousins still act like I'm some evil girl from the Isle."

"No they don't," Doug disagreed.

Evie turned and shot him a look. "Really?" she asked, her voice sounding like she'd been challenged. "Last week, when I went to take some chicken soup to your cousin, Selma, she acted like I was trying to poison her. And your other cousin, Gordon, he was visiting her while I was there, and he started hiding her jewelry like I was going to steal it," she pouted. "Face it, you, your Mom, and your Dad are the only ones who like me."

"Gordon's a lot like his Dad," Doug said in order to explain his cousin's behavior. "He and Uncle Grumpy aren't comfortable around new people. So, they just need to get to know you," he added.

"And Selma?"

Doug searched for an answer that would assuage her nerves. He felt bad when he couldn't come up with anything that she would believe. He wanted to make her feel like there was nothing to justify what she was feeling, but he also didn't want to mislead her.

"Doug?" she pressed when he didn't say anything. So, despite knowing that it might hurt the situation, he decided to speak the truth anyway.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Evie," he began. "Selma, like a few other members of my family, are a little wary of you still," he told her. He saw the look of sadness come over her face and wanted to just run his fingers through her hair to start calming her since he knew that always worked. "That's why Mom told me to bring you this weekend, so they could get to know you. So please, give this this a chance. For me?" he asked as he turned to look at her.

Evie wanted to tell him, as a joke, to not tell her what to do, but one look at those green eyes behind those glasses of his, and she totally melted. Why does he have to be so freaking adorable when he's practically begging, she thought.

"Okay, fine, I'll make the attempt – for you," she smiled. Doug smiled at her and took her hand. The rest of the drive was made with their hands connected, Doug's other hand on the wheel.

Doug and Evie pulled up in front of his parent's house. Doug's family lived in the actual Enchanted Forrest but their home was anything but some typical cabin. They lived in a two-story cottage that was built out of a combination of stone and wood. It had a wraparound porch with a wicker bench next to the front door. On the porch steps were small potted plants on each end that made the steps seem more welcoming. To Evie, the whole exterior looked like something she once saw in a brochure for a resort.

"Doug, Evie," Connie said as she opened the door. She came rushing down the stairs as the two teens made their way toward the porch. She threw her arms around the both of the, hugging them tightly. "Oh, it's so good to see you," she said as she gave Doug a kiss on the cheek and then stepped back to look at Evie. "I swear, you get more beautiful every time I see you, Evie," Connie complimented.

"Thank you, Connie," Evie replied, surprised to find herself blushing.

Connie helped them get their bags out of the car and ushered them into the house. "Honey, the kids are here," she called out to her husband. Evie looked at Doug and smiled at the sound of Connie calling her one of the kids.

Once they were in the house Evie started looking around. The room they were in was an open foyer with some stairs directly in front of the door leading to the second floor. Off to the right was the living room which was decorated in a very simple yet stylish way. None of the furniture looked expensive, in fact some it even looked handmade. From where she stood Evie could see that there were pictures all over the wall. While she couldn't see the subject of every photo, she was certain that most of them were of Doug and his parents, while the others were of the rest of his extended family.

To the left was the dining room, which had a medium-sized, cozy looking table that she envisioned being the setting for many family dinners, both immediate and extended.

"The whole family doesn't fit in there do they?" Evie asked.

"God, no," Connie answered with a laugh. "We'd need a small – or maybe a large – banquet hall to fit the entire family. The anniversary dinner is going to be outside."

Before Evie could say anything, Dopey came out from the back of the house. He was wiping his hands which looked like they had been covered in some kind of black soot. He smiled when he saw Doug and Evie and waved at them. He then came over and was about to hug his son when Connie stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder and a small smile. "Not until you wash those hands."

Dopey looked down at his hands and nodded with a cute smile. He left toward the back of the foyer and went through a door that Evie saw led to a small hallway.

"While he's washing up, I'll help you two upstairs," Connie said as she led the two of them upstairs. Once there she stopped in front of the second door they came to. "Doug, Sweetie, you'll stay in your room and Evie, I have you in the one at the end of the hall," she informed them as Doug nodded and went into his room. Evie looked at Connie with a bemused expression. "Evie, I love you, Sweetheart, but do you really think that I was going to let my teenage son and his girlfriend share a room?" Connie asked with a knowing smile.

"Probably not," Evie answered slowly.

"Just like Doug said, beautiful and smart," she chuckled as Evie followed her toward her room for the weekend.

Later that evening Evie was in the kitchen, helping Connie wash the dishes after dinner. As they spoke, Evie once again found herself enjoying the time with Connie. It was almost like being with her mother back on the Isle, except Connie wasn't harping and criticizing that she wasn't getting the dishes clean enough, that they weren't dry enough, that no prince will tolerate a dirty home.

"You are an amazing cook, Connie," Evie said as she helped her put away the last of the dishes into the cupboards.

"Thank you, Sweetheart," she told Evie smiling. "Doug says you're not too bad yourself."

"I did mention that my mother taught me a few things."

"I know, but I've never gotten to taste your cooking, so all I have to go on is what Doug tells us," Connie remarked. Then, her face lit up like a light bulb had gone off. "You know, to minimize the work of cooking for so many people, tomorrow's dinner is going to be one big potluck. How about you make something?" Connie noticed that Evie's expression had turned to one of hesitation. "What?"

Evie began telling Connie the reservations she had about being there that weekend – the same ones she'd shared with Doug. "What if they refuse to eat it just because I made it? Or they think I did something to it?"

Connie wrapped her arm around the teenage girl and pulled her into a sideways hug. "Sweetheart, first, I really doubt that any of them would think you are trying to poison us. And second, how about if we didn't tell them at first? We'll just put whatever you make out there, and if they like it, then we'll tell them. That sound good?"

Evie thought about it and decided that Connie's suggestion didn't sound too bad. And she wanted to do something nice for her after all the things she'd done, like being so nice and accepting of her. "I guess we could do that."

"Awesome," Connie celebrated, leaning over and giving Evie a motherly kiss on her head. "Who what do you want to make?"

Evie thought about it for a second and then said, "Meatballs wouldn't take too much work or time."

Connie grinned and then cocked her head toward the door leading to the garage. As they were leaving Connie grabbed her cell and began sending Doug and Dopey a text. Evie heard her talking out loud as she typed. "Evie and I are going to the grocery store. Be back later."

The backyard was alive with the largest family Evie had ever seen. She estimated that there had to be over fifty people in attendance. And every one of them was making her nervous. Some had just cast the occasional glance in her direction. Others had greeted her. But no one really paid her too much attention as she sat alone at one of the tables. That freaked her out because she didn't know if that was because they knew who she was and were keeping their distance or they were busy catching up with each other and waiting to talk to her. Either way, she was scared to find out what would happen once they realized who she was.

"You don't need to be nervous," she heard Doug say to her as he came up behind her, a cup of punch for both of them in his hands.

She took one of them and took a quick drink. "Everybody's staring at me, and then ignoring me after making a comment to whomever they are talking to," she told him.

"They're probably staring because you look beautiful," he complimented her, hoping it would calm her a little. She didn't say anything, but he saw a small smile crease her lips for a second.

"Thank you," she said softly and then turned to hug herself to his arm. She leaned up and kissed him quickly on the lips.

"There you two are," they heard Connie's voice from behind them. They turned and saw her walking toward them. She was smiling as she sat down with them. "I have been looking everywhere for you – especially you Evie," she said. "I've been mingling, and well, Evie, everybody who's tried them, loves your meatballs," she told her.

"Really?" Evie asked, the revelation making her feel just a small bit better.

Connie nodded. "Even Grumpy cracked a smile when eating them."

"Whoa, that's not easy to make happen," Doug said.

"I've been getting asked if I know who brought them. I told them I'd tell them during the main dinner," Connie told Evie.

"Excuse me, Connie," came the voice of a man who leaned down to tap Connie on the shoulder. He looked slightly older than Doug's father. He was also much rounder and looked like his face was glowing as big as his dimpled cheeks would allow.

"Happy," Connie greeted as she turned her head up and gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek. "How are you?"

"Good…mostly."

"Mostly?" Connie questioned.

"Well…," Happy trailed off as he leaned in closer. He began whispering in Connie's ear, every now and then looking up and over at Evie. She grabbed Doug's hand, immediately becoming worried.

"Happy, you need to calm down," Connie said.

"So it's true? She's the daughter of the Evil Queen?" he asked in reference to Evie.

"Yes, but –" Connie began. Before she could finish however, Happy had already begun walking away.

"Oh God," Evie gasped.

"Sweetheart, calm down, everything's okay," Connie tried to reassure her. "I'm gonna be right back."

Connie then got up from the table and started walking in the direction that Happy left in. Evie and Doug watched her leave, Evie feeling very nervous. "This is gonna be bad, isn't it?" Evie asked her boyfriend.

"I'm sure everything is going to be alright," Doug said, hoping he wasn't wrong.

The next few minutes were nerve wracking for Evie. She tried to stay calm, and for the most part, she was succeeding, but it was clear to Doug that she was probably envisioning the worst case scenario. He put his arm around her and hoped that she calmed down as he held her. Unfortunately, he could feel her shaking slightly. All of a sudden, Selma, Sleepy's daughter came up to their table.

"Doug – hey Evie," she said, greeting Evie more cheerfully than Evie thought she ever would. "Doug, I think you need to come inside," she told him, a worried look on her face.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She looked back toward the house and flinched slightly. "There's a…problem. It's about Evie."

"Oh God, I knew it," Evie sighed.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Doug tried to assuage her fears. She looked back at him, her brown eyes looking full of trepidation. "Can you stay with her?" he asked his cousin. Selma nodded.

"No, I'm coming with you," Evie said.

"It might be best if you stayed here," Selma informed her.

"No, I need to face this, terrifying as it is," Evie said.

She and Doug got up and began walking toward the house. They could see a small group of people gathered around the doors that led from the backyard and into the kitchen. As they worked their way through that crowd, several of the people, all of them Doug's relatives, looked at her. Some looked impassive. Some looked at her and smiled – awkwardly and genuinely. A few looked at her like the students at school did when she first arrived – like she didn't belong there.

As they entered the kitchen, they could see Doug's mother and father and two or three of his uncles and a few of his aunts. They could also hear raised voices. They aren't shouting, just raised, Evie told herself.

"She shouldn't be here," she heard someone say as she and Doug hung by the doors, just a step or two inside and in front of the watching family members, all of whom now looked back and forth between the arguing family members, and her.

"And give me one good reason why not?" Evie heard Connie say in opposition.

"Because she's a villain," she heard the same unidentified voice say. Doug however recognized the voice as his Uncle Sneezy.

"Evie is a teenage girl. A very sweet one," Connie defended. Evie felt a small, quick smile cross her face at the sound of Doug's mother coming to her defense.

"Right now probably," another family member, this one female – Doug's Aunt Molly, Grumpy's wife. "For all we know, she could just be trying to get back us for what happened to her mother."

"That is not what's going on."

"For all we know, she's just like her mother," one of Doug's uncle's said. Since he said it through a yawn, Evie assumed it was Selma's father, Sleepy. She turned toward Selma, who looked positively embarrassed. Selma mouthed "I'm sorry" to her.

"All Evie is, is a sweet little cinnamon roll of a girl who does nothing but care about everyone else around her."

"Or…she's just bidding her time until she can poison us all. Just like her mother," came the accusation from of all people – Happy.

"I would never –" Evie started to say, stopping when everyone turned to look at her.

Now, the pairs of eyes involved in the argument were locked on her. The sudden feeling of being in the spotlight made her feel very uncomfortable, and instead of a heated blush, she felt all the blood rush out of her face and she felt herself become very cold. She was so caught off guard, that she almost didn't feel Doug take her hand.

"There she is," pointed out another of Doug's aunts. "Come to curse us?"

"Claire," Connie admonished.

Evie felt her eyes water and then ripped her hand away from Doug's and ran from the kitchen. She felt the tears start running down her face as she ran up the stairs and to her room. For Connie, that was the last straw. She cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. The act was made easier by the silence that had fallen over the room when Evie ran.

"I may not like how you all are judging Evie without knowing her, but I understand where it's coming from," she began as she looked at the relatives she'd just been arguing with, and then slightly turning to the rest of the family that had gathered. "But feelings of mistrust or not, this is my home, and you do not speak to, or treat, a guest of mine like that."

"Connie, if you would just –" Sleepy began.

"I am not finished," Connie cut him off harshly, her face firm and her tone even firmer. Sleepy, and everyone else recoiled in fear. Connie wasn't the most imposing looking of women, but in a moment like this, where she was coming to the defense of her family, or someone she treated like family, everyone remembered that she was much more intimidating than she appeared. "That girl is my son's girlfriend. That girl is someone I and Dopy consider a friend. When you insult her, you might as well be insulting the three of us. Now despite the fact that all of you are family, I want you all to listen to me very carefully. I am going to go check on that girl who you just treated so poorly," she said the specific family members who she had been arguing with. "When I come back, those of you who said something bad about her, especially you," she pointed at her sister-in-law who accused Evie of wanting to curse them to her face. "I want you all out of my house. And you are not allowed back until you are ready to apologize to that young girl."

Connie then began walking out of the kitchen. But as she reached the doorway, she turned and once again addressed the gathered family.

"And for those of you who were concerned that she might be thinking of trying to poison us? Not only wouldn't she do it, but if she wanted to, she already ample opportunity. Those meatball appetizers you've been eating today? The ones you've all been raving about? Evie made them."

Connie then walked off before anyone could say anything to her. There was an uncomfortable silence in the room now that Connie had left and the argument had stopped. Everyone was looking around, some looking like they wanted to speak up, others like they wanted to leave for fear of Connie coming down on them. Others looked upset, realizing that what Connie had said was true. They had no proof that Evie was anything but a nice girl, like she'd proven herself at the coronation. They had just let their fears of her mother get the best of them.

"She took care of me," Selma said awkwardly, not realizing how loud her voice would sound in the din of the room. Everyone looked at her, wondering what she was talking about. "Last week – when I was sick – Evie took care of me. She'd stop by, bring me soup, ask if I needed anything. She picked up my class assignments. Took them back for me."

"And I'll bet she wanted something in return, right?" asked Doug's aunt who had been singled out by Connie just a moment ago, hoping to salvage her argument.

Selma shook her head. "Never even asked for a thank you. I felt bad because I know I kind of made her feel like I was afraid of her," Selma revealed. She then turned to Doug. "Considering that my Dad has to be one of the ones to leave, and I have to go with him, can you tell Evie I'm sorry for me?"

"Yeah," Doug nodded.

"Dopey, are you really gonna stand there and let Connie throw us out? I mean this is your house too, isn't it?" Sneezy asked through his congested voice. All eyes turned to Doug's father. Despite the rumors that surrounded his speaking abilities – that he never learned to talk, that he's never tried to, or that he didn't like to – the reality was that he was fine with being the most soft spoken of the family, speaking only when absolutely necessary. So as everyone was looking at him, he gathered his thought and…

"Connie lets me pretend I'm in charge most of the time. Really though…this is her house. I got it for her. And Evie? She really is a sweet girl."

Most of the family was waiting for him to say more. His brother's knew he wouldn't. After all these years, they knew he was going to say something brief, and they were going to have to read between the lines of what he'd said. And knowing him like they did, they knew what he'd meant just now. He was going to back up his wife because he agreed with her. And more importantly, he was telling them that his wife's opinion of Evie, their son's girlfriend, extended to him as well. Nodding in acceptance, those that were arguing with Connie moments ago, began making their way out of the house, already deciding on whether or not they would apologize or not.

"Evie, Sweetheart," Connie said gently as she turned to look into Evie's room. What she saw nearly broke her heart. Evie was packing frantically, throwing and shoving her clothes into her bag without care if they were folded or not. She was sniffling and her cheeks were stained with tears and running make-up.

"Evie? What are you…?"

"I'm sorry, I…I can't stay here," she whimpered, throwing a blouse into her bag. "I've caused enough trouble."

"Sweetheart, you didn't cause anything," Connie said as she moved into the room and closer to Evie. "Besides, you can't just leave, Auradon is over three hours away, how are you going to get home?"

"I'll call Mal, she'll have Ben send a car…or…or the royal jet. Or maybe…," Evie started rambling. Connie grabbed Evie's hands, stopping her from continuing to pack and turned the young woman toward herself. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I ruined your anniversary," Evie started crying all over again. "I never should have come," she sobbed uncontrollably.

Connie immediately threw her arms around Evie and pulled her in, squeezing tightly until she felt the girl stop shaking. While the frantic shaking stopped, the wild and unruly sobbing continued. Connie just stood there, holding Evie, letting her cry, letting her get out all the events of the past few minutes. After a little bit of time had passed, Connie was able to get Evie to sit with her on the bed, their backs partially against the headboard, but Evie had curled herself into Connie like a scared little girl. One of Connie's arms was wrapped around Evie's shoulder, the hand of her other arm holding one of Evie's hands. Evie had her head leaned over, resting on Connie's shoulder. She had gotten Evie to stop crying so hard, though the young blue-nette was still sobbing weakly. She raised her forearm until she could reach Evie's head and began to stroke Evie's hair in a motherly way.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Sweetheart," Connie told her gently.

"But I made everyone so nervous, and I scared them just by being here," Evie responded sadly.

"Evie; that was not your fault. You are not responsible for the prejudices of the people out there. And honestly, I don't think this had anything to do with you. I think the members of this family who acted the way they did, did so because of some unresolved feeling about your mother. But since they don't have her here to confront, they took it out on you. And I am so sorry that happened, and that I didn't do a better job of protecting you from it."

"That's not your fault," Evie said, trying assuage Connie's remorse like she had tried with her own. "You didn't know that would happen," Evie added, her voice starting to sound faraway.

"I thought it might," Connie reluctantly confessed. "But I was so sure that once they got to know you like I…like Dopey and I did, that they would love you just like we do – just like I do."

Connie became concerned when Evie didn't respond. She leaned her head over and looked down, and smiled softly. Evie had quietly fallen asleep. Connie slowly started unwrapping herself from Evie and as gently as she could, laid the girl down across the bed. Her upper body was now laying across the pillows, her legs out in front of her, making her look like she had just thrown herself into the bed and passed out instead of what actually transpired.

Connie smiled again, this time at how peaceful the girl looked as she slept. One look at her like this and no one would think that she was some potentially evil mastermind hell bent on revenge. Those few family members certainly wouldn't have made the accusations they did. They'd have seen her like Connie saw her, as a sweet, caring, beautiful young woman. She grabbed the throw blanket from the foot of the bed and softly covered Evie with it. She then leaned down and gave the sleeping teen a kiss on the head.

"Have a good sleep Evie," she whispered.

Connie then quietly started making her way out of the room. She was almost out when she heard Evie stir.

"Goodnight, Mom," Evie uttered sleepily and without opening her eyes, and then brought her arms up and under her head for support while she slept.

Connie felt a great swelling of emotion at those words. She didn't know if Evie knew what she was saying, or if she even meant to call her that. But she still couldn't deny that hearing Evie call her that made her happier than she could imagine. Even if she wasn't Evie's mother, she certainly felt like it sometimes with the way she doted on the girl, and the way she looked forward to their texts and phone calls. She always became anxiously happy at the thought of spending time with her. And if today proved anything, there was no denying that she protected Evie like she protected Doug when necessary.

Oh, how I really wish I was your mother, Sweetheart, she thought as closed the door as quietly as possible, hoping she could get the tears to stop before she got back downstairs.