Three years later.

The diner was unchanged, minus the fact that the booth that once contained four wild, loud girls who always got shushed was replaced with three mature adults, whom had finally settled down.

"Belle's Birthday meal," said Ruby. Her red streaks were long gone, and her long dark hair was straight and held back with a thin hairband. Replacing her old, risqué outfits, she wore a red checkered blouse, and jeans. Her makeup was light, while she wore comfortable sneakers. "We need to make tonight memorable."

"Memorable?" questioned Aurora. There wasn't much changed about her, besides the regular smile she wore whenever she and Mulan were together, or even the mere thought of her other half. "Please, please no flashing our tits again."

"Oh, come on. Admit that was funny," defended Ruby. Though she had sworn she was a mature lady now, there were a few occasions that she would drink too much. This would result in occasions such as Belle's birthday the previous year, when they all had a shot too many, and flashed a group of tourists. Ruby swore that a couple of them actually enjoyed it.

"Funny or not, I'm not doing it this time."

"Bore. That wasn't even involved in my original plan, but just for that Little Miss Prude, there may be a few surprises in store."

"Oh god," Aurora laughed and covered her face with her hands, knowing she had lead herself in for this.

Smirking, Ruby turned her attention to Mulan. "What about you? Are you willing to flash those babies?"

Mulan's eyes searched the ceiling for an answer. She, too, was noticeably happier and more talkative when in the group. She pouted her bottom lip, and exhaled. "Depends how many drinks I've had."

"I'll get you drunk," grinned Aurora. She winked, and then playfully slapped Mulan on the thigh.

"You two are gross," groaned Ruby. She leaned back on the chair, and deliberately looked away elsewhere. They may have been her best friends, but public affection was a big no-no.

"It's love, shitface," replied Mulan. Her daydreaming eyes did not leave Aurora as she spoke.

"It's disgusting."

A sleep deprived brunette carrying a one year old girl in her arms entered the diner. She was dressed in old grey mustard stained sweats as she headed towards the booth, attempting her best smile. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," said Ruby. "Apart from the fact that these lovebirds won't stop oogling at each other."

"We've explained that it's love," said Aurora. "But she still says it's gross."

"You used to look at me like that, Ruby," snapped Belle. "Remember that?" She handed baby Ariel to her Aunt Aurora, and then stormed towards the counter.

Mulan arched an eyebrow. "Have you two had a fight?" she asked Ruby.

"You could say that," said Ruby, almost casually. "We've been fighting for a while now, and I was hoping that her big Birthday meal would make it up to her."

"Do you really think she's gonna come to the meal if she's pissed at you like?" asked Aurora.

Ruby considered, freezing in her slouch. "Good point," she said, before scampering off towards the counter.

Mulan smiled, and shook her head at Ruby's lack of common sense. She went to say something to Aurora, but she stopped when she noticed how focused she was on little Ariel. She cradled her in both arms, admiring her with such tender care. Mulan could easily recognize Aurora's motherly face. The melting eyes and the gentle smile upon her face meant only one thing. It was the expression that would instantly appear whenever Aurora held a baby, or even saw one on TV. It was as if she was fascinated by the very appearance of the infant.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" commented Mulan.

Aurora took a minute before she finally spoke. "So beautiful," she said dreamily.

"Baby," Mulan clapsed Aurora's hand within her palms. Distracted from her fantasy, Aurora's attention immediately snapped back to Mulan. "About the kids thing-"

Aurora scoffed. She looked away and pulled back her hand. They had had this conversation too many times.

"You can tell me if you've changed your mind," reminded Mulan. "It's okay. It's not too late."

"I have not changed my mind," Aurora had authority in her tone, and scrunched her nose as she spoke. She spat the words as if they were vermin. "I am not fit to be a mother."

"Have you seen yourself? You're caring for that child as if she were your own. Look at her."

Aurora glanced down at Ariel. The red-haired freckled toddler was giggling as she played with a lock of Aurora's light brown hair. Aurora couldn't help but smile at the girl. "You're right," she said. "She is beautiful."

"I'm right about this being the perfect time for us to adopt," promoted Mulan. "You know it's the right time. You know that you'd be a wonderful mother."

Aurora smiled for a while longer, before realization dawned on her, and she began to hyperventilate in panic. "What if I screw it up?" Her whole body shook, as her eyes shifted between Mulan and Ariel. "What if it doesn't stop crying and I don't know what it wants? What if this is just one huge big mistake?"

Mulan stroked her hand against Aurora's burning cheek. "Relax," she breathed, the word soft and comforting. "You don't need to worry about any of those things. Motherly instincts will guide the way."

"Okay," Aurora's breathing slowed back to normal. She exhaled then closed her eyes as Mulan's gentle fingers continued to stroke her cheek.

"So," Mulan began. She spoke at a slow pace, careful not to alarm Aurora. "I won't push you anymore if you say no. I'll understand, and the subject will be forgotten. Are you ready to be a mother?"

There was not much to think about. The answer had been in the back of Aurora's mind for the longest time. It was obvious to Aurora; she was just so scared to admit it. She was too frightened admit it to herself, let alone everybody else. But it had been three years since that night she had decided to put an end to that part of her. A lot had changed since then. Her art shows were an unbelievable success, but the big career breaking trips were done, and apart from the odd art show here and there, there was nothing major coming up for her for at least the next couple of years. She had made her name, earned money she and Mulan could happily live on, and now was the time to welcome a future. Hers and Mulan's future. Settled. Happy. Together. "I'm ready," she said.

…

"Belle, wait!"

"No. I am sick and tired of hearing the same thing every single time from you, Ruby. I will not stand it any longer."

Ariel in her arms, Belle was storming down the road, in an attempt to get away from Ruby, who was hot on her tails. The heat between them had only further increased during Ruby's apology attempt at the diner, for when Belle refused to listen, it had only caused Ruby to infuriate. This led to a few harsh words spouted either way. Though when Ruby crossed the line, Belle had snatched her baby back from Aurora, and exited in a huff.

"Let me explain-"

"Explain what?" Belle stopped in her tracks, and swiveled around. "Explain how you're constantly fucking around? How you're supposedly so "mature" now, yet I'm left with the baby while you're out God knows where?"

"Belle, give me a minute to give you an explanation."

"Save it." Belle continued to march down the street, hugging the gurgling toddler closer to her chest.

"There's a perfectly good reason." Ruby urged.

"I'm sure there is, but I'm tired of hearing it."

"Please, Belle. Just listen to me."

Belle stopped once more, swiveled around and stared at Ruby. Her face was lifeless, dry and she had heavy bags under her eyes. "Go on," she sighed. "Though if it isn't a good enough reason, we're done."

Ruby could feel her heart breaking. It was something she had never expected Belle to say. Beyond the troubles and arguments, all Ruby could see in her future was her, Belle and their beautiful daughter as one big happy family. Without that, Ruby was nothing. She was nothing without them. Ruby inhaled. "I've been working late night shifts at The Rabbit Hole so I can pay for your Birthday meal, and the dress I was going to buy you for it," she said. "Surprise."

Belle's expression did not change. "What kind of dress?"

"The sleeveless brown one you always gawp at in the catalogue."

Belle's face changed drastically from unreadable to furious. "I'm so fucking angry at you right now," she said. "Because it seems like you're never there for me, and our kid."

"I'm sorry," apologized Ruby. The words were sincere, and guilt washed over her as she talked.

"And, you know, it's difficult having a kid. Especially when you feel like you're alone. Because you have to constantly entertain them, and you never have five minutes to yourself. And you always wonder when the other parent is coming home, but they never do. Not until the kid's asleep, and the exhausted mother is too." Belle could feel herself tearing up at the thought. "And at first, you're furious. You're sick and tired of the other parent not being there, and having to deal with a million things at once. But soon enough, you're used to it. And you live every single dull day again and again, because there's nothing else going for you. Nothing at all."

Ruby sunk her front teeth into her lower lip, embarrassed. "I'm sorry I'm not there for you."

"But then, one day, somebody comes along. And they're beautiful, and perfect, and they take you away. They take you away for a lovely birthday meal, and buy you that wonderful expensive dress you've wanted for months, but could never afford because all your money went towards the bills, and baby food. They don't do it because they want something off of you, because they already have the world. They do it because they love you, and you never realize how lucky you are but you're the luckiest damn girl in the universe. And screw what anybody else thinks, because you're happy. Right now, I'm angry and happy. And I want to kiss you and punch you at the same time. But I love you, Ruby. So I'm sorry, too."

"What are you sorry for?"

"Sorry for not listening to you. I guess I was too arrogant to even take notice of what you had to say."

"Marriage is about forgiveness. At least, that's what they told us, anyway."

Belle smiled. She looked down, and snuggled Ariel. "Our little Princess doesn't like it when her Mommies fight."

Belle gave Ariel a kiss on the forehead, then passed their daughter to Ruby. "Sowwy, Ari," smiled Ruby. "Mommies fight sometimes, but it doesn't mean they don't love each other."

"Though we get angry at each other occasionally, we're still happy," supported Belle.

"I couldn't imagine my life without you two," whispered Ruby. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes threatening to fall as the words cracked up in her throat. She pressed her lips together tight and pulled Ariel closer to her.

"You don't have to," assured Belle. "Nothing can tear this family apart."