Author's Note: This a Lonnie and Jay story requested by linares. I hope I did your idea justice.

"Lonnie, we love you," Mulan quickly got out before her daughter hung up.

Lonnie had called home upset about the young Prince Charming and his arrogance. All she was asking for was a spot on the Swords and Shields team, but because of a stupid rule she was denied.

"If I listened to the men around me," Mulan teased her husband, "I never would've fallen in love." Mulan slinked her arms around her husband's neck from behind kissing him lovingly on the neck.

"I never could make a man out of you." Shang acted quickly dragging Mulan over his head and pinning her femininely solid body under him. He proceeded to kiss her more directly. She giggled and pretended to struggle, but her "struggles" merely brought him closer to her.

"No," she happily sighed. "But I made a real man out of you." The canoodled for a little longer before Shang made the suggestion to go visit their daughter and possibly get their annual kingdom tour done in the process. Mulan jumped to her feet with a happy squeal and ran out the door to start packing.

Lonnie dawdled on the footbridge connecting the New Auradon leading library to the main campus. Her thoughts were on the events of the past week. Something about being on the isle, witnessing the dreary street, cringing at the foul stench of rotten fish and seeing the hate in a villain's eyes only maybe her sad about the pettiness of her desire to be on the Swords and Shields team. She now understood why the VKs pretended to be so tough; they had to in order to survive. She went to prove her abilities, but now she knows a truth she was never supposed to find out.

Jay stuck his neck out to show his appreciation for her bravery. She knew it wasn't bravery that drove her, it was selfishness. She leaned over the railing looking hard into her reflection, her mother's sad lullaby seemed to be a whisper on the breeze. Seven months ago she had been exposing the hypocritical and selfish and now that is exactly what she is.

"Why do I feel so guilty," Lonnie questioned aloud. "I got the captain position on the Swords team and even helped save the King. So why do I wish things were different?"

"Because you are in love, darling," a motherly voice answered. Lonnie squealed and turned to find her parents watching her struggle.

"Mother! Father! What are you doing here?"

Her father wrapped her close and brought his wife in on the mix. "So who is this man that has my second favorite girl in a tizzy?"

"Well I don't know if you'd be very happy for me-"

"Have you finally admitted your feelings for Jay?" Mulan interrupted excitedly. Lonnie felt her jaw drop in surprise. Mulan winked at her knowingly and Lonnie nodded her confirmation.

"A villain kid, huh?" Shang voiced. "Well you certainly know how to pick them."

"What?" Mulan and Lonnie looked honestly confused by Shang's statement.

"Well think about it. He is a strong athletic young man. He has saved the kingdom and the king in the short span of six months. And even bent the rules to accommodate a lady. If you think about it, doesn't he remind you of someone?"

"Mom?" Lonnie teased. To be honest she never really thought about the resemblance between Jay and her father, but it was certainly there. "So are you telling me you approve?"

"Does he respect you?"

"Yes. He recently made me captain of the Swords and Shields." Lonnie smile grew. Li Shang knew that smile answered all his questions and now he just needed to meet this young man.

"Lonnie," a young male interrupted. Lonnie looked past her parents and her eyes lit up. As if Shang's thoughts conjured him up Jay stood behind them. "Um sorry to intrude but Evie said something about you looking a little sad today. I just wanted to check on you…" His voice sort of dropped off towards the end.

Lonnie smirked, "Jay meet my parents, Li Shang and Fa Mulan. Mom, Dad this is Jay, son of Jafar."

"Um-" Jay began to stutter.

"Jay," Shang stepped forward as Mulan put her arms around her daughter. "I am glad to meet you. There has been a lot of buzz about you VK's"

"Hopefully all malicious," Jay nervously joked.

"I only listen to one source and that source is usually pretty fair." Lonnie scoffed that the comment. "Now I get to personally shake your hand." Jay met Shang's hand with a confused enthusiasm.

"Dad, I think you intimidated him enough," Lonnie stepped out of her mother's arms and stood next to Jay. The dinner bell rang out and Mulan and Shang checked their watches at practically the same time. "Do you two have somewhere else to be?"

"Aurora and Phillip are expecting us for dinner," Mulan smiled.

"Oh… um… I thought you were here for me," Lonnie hesitated. Jay's hand found a place at the small of her back.

"We are, Baby, but we also have to do our annual tour of Auradon as well," Mulan explained. "So we will be back to steal you away tomorrow for the whole day. Rapunzel and Eugene want to see you, so wear something you can adventure in."

"Alright, well I should head to the dining hall then," Lonnie conceded. She gave her parents a quick hug promising to be ready early in the morning. Lonnie and Jay stood side by side watching her parents walk away. The silence between them was comfortable, and Jay did the one thing that felt truly natural putting his arm around her shoulders. Hers slipped around his waist with no hesitation.

"Shall we?" Jay whispered.

"Of course."

Dinner with the gang (minus Ben and Mal) always proves to be a riot. Doug and Evie brainstorming about how they could possibly expand their business or even advertise more. Jay and Lonnie were discussing strategy for the next Swords and Shields tournament. Carlos and Jane were planning their first real date. Each in their own conversation but just happy to be together.

Lonnie nudged Jay under the table and silently encourage him to break away with her. Something had been plaguing her since she spoke to her father. Jay didn't ask questions just followed and neither notice the conversations go quiet as their tablemates watched them leave. Evie sighed happily, giggling with the knowing Jane, and Doug and Carlos just shrugged.

"What's up," Jay asked once they were in the garden.

"Why did you make me captain?"

"You know why. You were a major help when saving Ben. You earned the position." Jay looking away thinking about how he would say this, "I wanted you on the team when you bested me that first morning, but I… I thought that I would be reverting if I broke the rules. But to be honest I need to break the rules or at least bend them once in a while. It is just part of who I am."

"I am glad that you realized that," Lonnie blushed.

"Why did you want to join the team?" Lonnie sighed knowing that Jay's question was coming but she really hadn't come up with a viable lie.

"There are two reasons," She answered honestly. "I wanted to prove that I am my parents' daughter. I wanted to show that I am a warrior." She hesitated but felt it was too late to stop now. "I also wanted to spend time with you."

Jay's head shot up and his eyes bore into hers. His brown eyes lit with happy specks of hazel. Lonnie just nodded in answer to the silent question in his eyes.

"Why didn't you speak up before," Jay whispered.

"Because I'm a lady," Lonnie teased.

Jay's eyebrow shot up and eyed her carefully. "No. You are a warrior," he claimed stepping closer to her.

She stepped into him as well, "I am going to make a man out of you." She giggled as she slipped her arms around his neck and laid her forehead against his.

"I hope so," Jay pulled her into his arms and held her tight. So this is how mom feels snuggling with dad, Lonnie smiled to herself. This is going to be fun!