Theblindwriter95 asked about this classic song from The King and I, so enjoy your request! I thought it would be fun if, as a follow-up scene from our story Vacation in Avalor, Howie and Sabrina try to have some alone time when he and his mother come to visit Enchancia. Of course, they have a royal escort with Queen Elena, and Elena's always happy to see her namesake! During one of the times when Sabrina and Howitzer try to be alone, they get swept up in one of the castle's favorite traditions, the dance party, but everything's going to work out for them in the end. Thanks to theblindwriter95 for helping me with the story. Lily, Howitzer, Arthur, Jack, and Caroline are characters of theblindwriter95 and are used with permission. The King and I is not mine.
Elena flapped her hands excitedly as she helped Nell get Ricky ready for the day by flying Zoomer around the room.
As he squealed and clapped his hands happily, she thought of the play date with Jack her mommy and his aunt Caroline had planned two weeks prior.
Two weeks felt like a long time to Elena and had nearly tested her patience a couple times but as her mommy and daddy often told her good things came to those who wait.
"Jack's coming today!" Elena sang. "And he's not a bad boy no more either!"
"That's right, Love Bug," Nell chuckled, "Jack's gotten so much better around you and Gabby." She knew Elena's trust in Jack was still slowly developing, since Jack had learned his bad behavior from his mother, and he had spent a few years teasing her and Gabby. However, thanks to his father and aunt, Jack was becoming much better.
"Madeline! Give me Howie's letter back!" Sabrina yelled, breaking the peaceful atmosphere.
"Why? So you can tell him how much you love him when he comes here today?" Madeline giggled.
Nell sighed as her twin sisters ran into Ricky's nursery and crossed her arms. She wasn't in the mood to deal with their squabbling first thing in the morning. "I don't know who started it, and frankly, I don't care," she said as she separated them. "Madeline, give Sabrina that letter. You know you aren't supposed to take other people's private letters, and you can't read them without permission."
"Sorry, Sabrina," Madeline apologized as she gave the paper to her.
"Thank you," Sabrina said stiffly. She turned to Nell. "I'm sorry, Nell. Mr. Baileywick gave me that letter this morning. I didn't get a chance to read any farther than 'Dear Sabrina' when Maddie took it from me."
"I understand," Nell smiled a little. "You can tell me what it says later. But for now, why don't you and Maddie help me and Elena get Ricky ready?"
"Okay!" Sabrina grinned.
"Elena, do you wanna help me pick out Ricky's clothes for today while Nell changes him?" Madeline asked.
"Yeah!" Elena giggled. She became confused as her aunt gave her a set of clothes for her to choose from. "Auntie Madeline, what did you mean by Howie coming today? We already got a Howie. He lives in your room with your kitty Butterfly."
Sabrina smiled. "Well, Elena, the boy we met when we were in Avalor during Wassalia break was named Howitzer, or as everyone called him, Howie. His mommy, Miss Lily, ran the bakery where we met."
"I remember now," Madeline murmured, "That boy Aaron was there, and he teased you. We stopped by the bakery to get some snacks and calm you down."
Nell nodded. She remembered the boy who had teased Elena when they were in Orillia for Halloween. In her opinion, he was worse than Jack, but at least Aaron's parents were nothing like Jack's; they were good people and didn't tolerate their son's behavior. They made him write Elena a letter of apology before telling Nell that they were moving due to Maxwell, Aaron's father, getting a new job in a different kingdom.
"Oh! Avalor Howie! I remember him now because he gave Auntie Sabrina a love bug! " Elena giggled as she gave Madeline a pair of clothes. "Since he coming today, Ricky wear kitty clothes!"
"Now, hold on, Elena. We don't know if Howitzer and his mommy are coming here today just because Auntie Madeline said so," Nell smirked, seeing Sabrina distracted with reading the letter Madeline had taken from her earlier that morning.
"Actually, he is," Sabrina said as she looked up from the letter. "Remember when we all helped James write that story when we visited Queen Elena, then she said that it was going to be published?" When Nell nodded, and they all laughed at the memory of James hugging Queen Elena like her namesake when he got the exciting news, Sabrina continued, "He said Queen Elena invited him and his mommy Miss Lily to come with her!"
"That's great!" Madeline smiled. "They were really nice, and it'll be great to see them again!"
"What about Me?" Elena pouted.
Nell smiled, knowing that 'Me' meant Queen Elena as she carried Ricky over to her and Madeline. "Don't worry Love Bug. We're excited to see Queen Elena too."
"Will Me bring James' Andrew story?" Elena continued.
"I think so," Nell smiled. "She told us that she'd bring a whole boxful of the collection, so we can get one for you, and Bri and Maddie can take one to their school..."
"We can get one for Jack too!" Sabrina grinned.
"Sabrina! Don't forget your boyfriend Howie!" Madeline teased, sighing dreamily as she picked up Greenie and flew him around the room.
Sabrina pouted, but Nell hugged her and led her out of the room. "Don't worry about Maddie, Bri," she smiled. "She'll stop teasing you soon enough." She looked around, then after seeing that the coast was clear, she whispered, "And between you and me, she might be a little jealous that you got your first kiss before she did! Remember that boy who was playing with us when you were little? This was before Jimmy kidnapped us, but I still remember him. He played with you since Maddie was sick, then when it was time to go home, he kissed your hand. You held your hand out all the way home, and you said you felt just like a princess!"
Sabrina giggled at the memory. She remembered how Lydia had gushed about it and danced her around the room while Edward asked her when the wedding was going to be.
Nell smiled at the memory, recalling it to be one of the last happy memories they had together before being kidnapped as she stroked her hair.
"I think the boy who kissed me is in my class!" Sabrina gushed. "His name's Andy and he brought me toys for Elena after I talked about her for my Who Inspires You project but I think he's scared of me."
"Scared of you?" Nell frowned. "Why would you think that?"
"Because of you. He heard about what happened to us and I think it scared him."
"I can't really blame him for that," Nell murmured. "I've heard a few less than savory comments since we were rescued and King Roland took us in, but most of the people know that it wasn't our fault. Andy and his family were some of the few that originally believed us, and sometimes he or his parents would ask Robert how we were doing. And anyway, who wouldn't be scared about what happened to us? I still have an occasional nightmare about it, but between Robert, Sergeant, and Bluebell, and a few cups of tea, I'm able to calm down."
"Howie helps me, and I know Butterfly helps Maddie," Sabrina agreed.
"Kitties make it all better!" Elena piped up. She hadn't been following the conversation, but she knew the family's plush jaquins when she heard them.
"Leave it to Elena to make an uncomfortable conversation a little more comfortable," Madeline smiled as she carried Ricky in her arms.
"Now that we can agree on, Madeline," Sabrina smirked.
"Before Me comes, Auntie Madeline please say you're sorry to Auntie Sabrina before I send you to jail for being a meanie!" Elena demanded as Nell chuckled and took her in her arms.
"That won't be necessary, Elena, but I am sorry, Sabrina," Madeline smiled. "I didn't mean to read your letter. I was just curious about who wrote it, but I remember that look on your face from when Howitzer played with you while we were in Avalor."
"Okay, but can you at least try to be nice while Howie and Miss Lily are here?" Sabrina asked.
"Okay," Madeline smiled.
"That's my girls," Nell smiled as she put Elena down to muss her sisters' hair.
"Mommy! Elena! Mr. Baileywick wants us outside now!" Gabby yelled, stopping in her tracks to catch her breath.
Elena frowned, noticing her attire. "Why are you dressed like Sofia when she rides her pony?"
"Sofia was teaching me how to ride her pony," Gabby started. She'd been terrified of horses since the scary flight she took on that winged horse at Amber's party, but she knew Sofia's pony Minimus. Sofia and Bobby Lee had introduced her to him a few days later, and though she was scared of him at first, Gabby gradually got used to him. Sofia and Bobby Lee even let her sit on Minimus and they walked her around the back of the castle. They knew she wasn't ready to fly on him yet, but as they always said, Gabby should take it one day at a time.
"Did you have fun riding Minimus, Gabby?" Madeline grinned.
"Yeah! He was very nice, and Daddy and Sofia walked me around the castle while I talked to him with my pendant!" Gabby giggled. "I had just gotten off Sofia's pony when Mr. Baileywick came to us and said we had to be outside for something important, so I came here to get Mommy and Elena."
"Me's gonna come visit us!" Elena cheered.
"Don't forget about Howie and Jack!" Madeline grinned.
"Don't worry, Butterfly, we won't forget about either of them," Nell smirked.
When Ricky was fully dressed, everyone went outside before Elena spotted an upset Jack hugging his kitty as she sat down next to him.
"Jack, why are you sad?" Elena asked.
"Because of my mommy," Jack sighed. "She visited me and Daddy this weekend and got mad when I talked about you. She said mean things about you before hitting me and threatening to take Annette away from me."
"In that case, you and Annette are going to stay with us for a while," Nell said firmly, seeing Jack clutch the stuffed jaquin he was holding. Elena had told her that Jack's daddy had gone to Avalor for a business trip, and he had given him a stuffed jaquin as a souvenir. "We want you to be safe and not have to worry about something like that."
"Thank you," Jack smiled a little. "But Daddy told her to stay away from us from now on, or he's going to get the castle guards and have her locked up."
"And this is something we should talk about later," Nell said at last. "This is supposed to be a happy time, and you shouldn't have to worry about this."
Elena frowned, seeing Jack in tears, hugging him close. "It's okay, Jack. Me coming here will make you feel all better!"
"She means Queen Elena!" Madeline giggled, seeing Jack look confused.
"Jack, where's your Auntie Caroline?" Gabby asked. "Shouldn't she be here too?"
"She's coming later today," Jack explained. "She and Daddy had some things to do, and they dropped me off here. They should be here in a few hours, and they can meet Queen Elena too!"
"Me's gonna bring James' new Andrew story!" Elena piped up.
""That's right," Nell smiled. "We all helped James write a story while we were in Avalor, and one of our new friends published it, as well as a few of his other stories. Queen Elena said she'd bring a box of the books with her when she came here."
"You want James' book, Jack?" Elena offered.
"Can I? I love Andrew stories!" Jack smiled.
"Of course you can!" Nell grinned as Ricky squealed, seeing Annette in Jack's arms.
"You wanna play with Jack's kitty Ricky?" Sabrina giggled.
"No! He'll get Annette dirty!" Jack pouted. "She was my last present from Daddy before he and Mommy spilt up!" He looked down at his feet. "If I hadn't been a bad boy then they'd still be together, and Mommy would still like me."
"Jack, what happened was not your fault," Nell murmured. "You were receiving mixed messages from your mommy and daddy about how to behave, then when it was just your daddy and Caroline, you were able to focus on how to act properly. Your mommy was teaching you how to behave like her since that's how she was brought up. Your daddy and Caroline are the opposite, and they wanted to give you the right lessons to learn. Your mommy doesn't seem to care that if you say the wrong thing to the wrong person, it can lead you to trouble."
"Really?" Jack asked. He thought for a minute, then nodded slowly. "Okay, and I guess it would be okay for Ricky to play with Annette, but what if she gets dirty?"
"If she gets dirty, I can clean her," Nell chuckled. "I've washed all our kitties when they get dirty, so I know how to do it."
Ricky squealed as Jack gave him Annette, happily chewing on her wings.
"Nell, what if Howie doesn't remember me?" Sabrina frowned.
"Don't worry, Bri," Nell smiled. "Miss Lily took our pictures before we left, so Howie will remember what you look like."
"Besides, you and Howie agreed to be pen pals and he gave you his picture too," Madeline agreed.
"I forgot about that!" Sabrina grinned. "I have his picture on my nightstand so I can remember what he looks like!"
"Is that why you always say night-night to him before bedtime?" Gabby giggled.
"Gabby! That's not nice!" Jack scolded, crossing his arms. "I say night-night to a picture of my daddy when he's gone for a long time, so why can't your Auntie Sabrina do the same thing with Howie?"
"It's okay, Jack," Nell smiled. "It's all right if you do that. That way, you know they're watching over you when you're sleeping or they're not with you."
"Nell and I do that too, with our pictures of our Mommy and Daddy," Madeline agreed.
"Can Elena and I do that too?" Gabby asked.
"Of course," Nell smiled. "It's nice that you want to do that, just like you did when we were in Orillia during the Day of the Dead celebration."
"I don't remember that," Elena frowned.
"It's okay, Elena. I forgot about it too," Madeline smiled. "But I know you and Gabby don't like waiting, so why don't we show Jack our kitties until Queen Elena comes?"
As she watched them leave to introduce Jack to their kitties, Sabrina took Ricky in her arms as Nell sat down beside her.
"Something on your mind, Baby Girl?" Nell asked.
Sabrina nodded softly, giving Ricky to her. "Nell, I didn't like it when Gabby teased me about Howie because I really like him."
"As a friend?"
"No. I like-like him. I'm just afraid he won't like-like me back."
"Howitzer was very nice when we were in Avalor," Nell assured her, "He helped you and Maddie help Elena after Aaron teased her, and all of you played together the day after James and Mr. Esteban's word game contest. Miss Lily said he was a little sad when we had to go home, but she was the one who suggested that you two become pen pals."
Sabrina smiled a little. "Okay, but what about Gabby?"
"Don't listen to Gabby, Baby Girl," Nell smiled. "You know she's little and she doesn't know better."
"But she's about the same age I was when Andy kissed me," Sabrina pouted a little.
"Like I said, Bri, don't worry," Nell chuckled. "Gabby will find someone she likes in her own time."
Sabrina grinned, feeling at ease as she waited for Queen Elena to show up. Losing track of how long it had been since waiting for her arrival, she woke up from her nap on Nell's lap to the sound of Elena's footsteps and watched as her niece giggled, sprinting towards the carriage.
"Should we do something before Elena gets hurt?" Madeline asked.
Gabby shook her head. "Mr. Baileywick will keep her safe from any danger if he sees it. Right, Sofia?"
"Of course he will," Sofia smiled. "I'm keeping an eye on Elena too." She reached out and pulled Elena back. "Elena, how about you wait until the coach lands? You don't want to get hurt by the jaquins as they're landing, do you?"
"Kitties won't hurt me!" Elena pleaded.
"Maybe not, but better to be safe than sorry," Nell said as she helped rein Elena in, "How about you stand back with us for a minute, let the jaquins get settled, then when the coach doors open, you can help us greet Queen Elena? I hear she brought Isabel and her grandparents with her."
"Okay!" Elena smiled. She turned to Jack. "Me's grand mommy makes yummy food!"
Jack smiled. Along with Annette, his daddy had brought home a book full of Avaloran recipes. Caroline had made a few, and they had been a big hit with not just him and his daddy, but with a few of their friends, who had come for a visit.
"Did we miss anything?" A voice asked, interrupting Jack's thoughts.
"Not at all, Arthur. You and Caroline are right on time," Nell smiled.
"Daddy!" Jack cheered, running up towards his daddy's wagon. "You and Auntie Caroline wanna watch Queen Elena land with Annette and me?"
"We wouldn't miss it for the world!" Arthur smiled. "I know how much you liked it when I gave you Annette, so it'll be even more exciting to see the actual jaquins!"
"You took pictures of them, didn't you?" Caroline reminded him.
"Of course I did," Arthur smiled. "And that's how Jack knew about the jaquins, through pictures, the book I bought for him, and Annette until now."
"We get to see real kitties!" Jack squealed.
"And if we're really good during her visit, Me will let us ride them!" Elena giggled.
"Are you ready to see Howie again, Sabrina?" Madeline asked.
"I am, but can you do me a favor, Maddie? Don't tell Nell this, but I wanna have some alone time with him in the ballroom, and I don't want her to get all yucky about it if she sees us, so can you keep her distracted until we're done dancing? Please?" Sabrina requested.
"Okay," Madeline agreed. "You know Nell likes to have tea with the guests when they come here, so that should take a little while, and they like to talk about everything they've done since the last time they got together."
"Okay, but what about Elena and Gabby?" Sabrina continued. "They like following us around too."
"Don't worry," Madeline assured her, "Elena's going to be attached to Queen Elena's side the whole time she's here."
"That's right," Sabrina smiled, "But what about Gabby?"
"Silly Auntie Sabrina! I'll be with Jack, his daddy, his Auntie Caroline, Ricky, and Sofia while Mommy's with the guests and Elena's with Queen Elena!" Gabby giggled.
"Yeah! Princess Sofia's gonna super flies us while we ride her pony and play with her bunny!" Jack grinned.
"Really Sofia? You'd supervise them for me?" Sabrina gasped.
"Of course," Nell smiled. "You deserve to spend some time with your friend, and you can always meet up with us later."
"But will you be okay, Gabby? Your mommy said you're scared of horses," Jack looked worried.
"It's thoughtful of you to be concerned, Jack, but Helen said she's getting much better," Caroline smiled. Nell had told her about how Gabby had ridden the horse when she wasn't supposed to, and how badly she had been frightened afterwards, but she also knew that she was getting better around them. "All she can really do is take it one day at a time."
"Where have I heard this before?" Nell chuckled, hearing Caroline repeat what she and Bobby Lee were always telling the girls.
"Me's here! Me's here!" Elena squealed, seeing the coach land.
"Howie's here too, and look, Sabrina! I think he brought you some flowers!" Madeline teased.
Sabrina shook her head, eyeing the bouquet in his hands. "I don't think so, Maddie. The only people who usually get flowers are Queen Miranda, Nell, Miss Florence, Miss Bianca, and occasionally Sofia and Amber."
"Everyone likes the occasional bouquet of flowers, Bri," Nell smiled.
Sabrina smiled, remembering how she had liked the flowers in Avalor's palace gardens. They had smelled so sweet, and she, Bianca, Madeline, and Nell had even pressed some of them to take home.
"Hi, Me! Hi, Avalor Howie! Hi, Miss Lily!" Elena greeted, flapping her hands.
"Hello, Elena. I'm looking for your auntie Sabrina. Do you know where she is?" Howie smiled.
"She wanted to surprise you with something in the ballroom," Nell smiled. "Why don't I take you there right now, then you and Sabrina can join us later."
"Is that all right, Mama?" Howitzer asked.
"Of course," Miss Lily smiled. "You wanted to see Miss Sabrina again, so while we're here, you can play with her."
"Thank you, Mama!" Howitzer smiled.
"And after you give Sabrina her flowers, we can press them so they last longer," Nell added, recalling how she, Madeline, Sabrina, Lydia, Florence, and Bianca used to press flowers they picked and make potpourri sachets to make their houses smell like flowers.
"Mommy go! Avalor Howie go! Auntie Sabrina's waiting!" Elena demanded, crossing her arms.
"Come on, Elena. Let's give them some privacy," Queen Elena smiled, taking her in her arms.
"Bye, Mommy! Have fun with Auntie Sabrina, Avalor Howie!" Gabby giggled.
"Avalor Howie?" Howitzer grinned.
"We all bought plush jaquins while we were in Avalor," Nell chuckled. "Sabrina named her jaquin Howie, after you. Elena decided to call you Avalor Howie to know which Howie Sabrina was talking about."
"Well, I'll just have to buy another plush jaquin when we get home and name it after Sabrina, won't I?" Howitzer chuckled.
"I don't see why not," Miss Lily chuckled. "One can never have too many kitties! And Enchancia Sabrina has such a nice ring to it!"
"You good with words, just like James!" Elena giggled.
"Thank you, Elena," Miss Lily smiled. "You're good with words too."
"Okay I think we should be going before Sabrina wonders where we are," Nell smirked.
"She told me in one of her letters that she has a phobia of closed doors," Howitzer frowned. "Should we be worried about the ballroom doors?"
"No, the ballroom doors are always open," Nell smiled. "I can't count the number of times the girls have gone into the ballroom, then James would come in and they'd all be singing and dancing."
"We do like the occasional dance party," Sofia smiled. Even though they had told Queen Elena and her family about Sabrina's fear of closed doors, as well as how James used to sing behind a closed door, they decided not to mention that to Howitzer and Lily, at least not until they got to know them better.
"Mama's been having me take ballroom dancing classes lately, so I could use the extra practice," Howie blushed.
"So can Sabrina!" Madeline teased. "Now please stop wasting her time before she deplores having you and your mommy over here."
"Please go!" Jack pleaded. "I've been very pay-sent waiting to see Princess Sofia's bunny and pony and I don't know if I can be that way no more!"
Howie nodded as Nell led him to the ballroom before being caught off guard by Sabrina sprinting towards him and pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Where were you? I was getting worried!" She cried.
"I'm sorry, Sabrina. I didn't mean to keep you waiting," Howie apologized. "Your family can be a little…."
"Distracting? It's okay. I'm used to it."
"So you're not mad I kept you waiting?"
Sabrina giggled, as his expression reminded her of Elena's whenever she'd ask her or Madeline the exact same question after doing something they didn't like. "No, I'm not mad, Howie. When you have a big family like I do, you'll used to waiting."
"Oh, good!" Howie grinned. He took her hand and kissed it. "I brought you some flowers but accidentally left then with Mama, so may I have this dance instead?"
"You may. Except…"
"You never done it before?"
Sabrina nodded shyly. "I've only seen Nell do it and she says that a boy's the one to lead."
"We can work on it together," Howie smiled. "I even have a song we can dance to!"
"That sounds like fun!" Sabrina smiled.
"I think you'll like this one," Howie continued as he set the music up.
He then surprised her by starting to sing, We've just been introduced,
I do not know you well,
But when the music started
Something drew me to your side.
So many men and girls,
Are in each others arms-
It made me think we might be
Similarly occupied.
"I know that song!" Sabrina smiled. "Nell's got that one, and she loves dancing around to it with everyone!"
"Well, now we can dance around to it together," Howie grinned.
He continued the song, Shall we dance?
On a bright cloud of music shall we fly?
Shall we dance?
Shall we then say "Goodnight and mean "Goodbye"?
Or perchance,
When the last little star has left the sky,
Shall we still be together
With are arms around each other
And shall you be my new romance?
On the clear understanding
That this kind of thing can happen,
Shall we dance?
Shall we dance? Shall we Dance?
Sabrina grinned, feeling one of Howie's hands lay on her shoulder as they waltzed around the room.
She even took the next part, Shall we dance
"One-two-three-and! Madeline said you've taken dancing lessons. Is that true?" Howie teased.
"Yes I have but they're not as fun as this," Sabrina smiled, singing back, On a bright cloud of music shall we fly?
"Well, you dance wonderfully," Howie smiled, counting, One-two-three-and!
"You certainly do," they were surprised to hear Nell's voice in the doorway. "Well, aren't you having fun?" She even joined in the song, Shall we dance
Bobby Lee grinned as he spun her around and joked, One-two-three-and!
"Nell! Bobby Lee!" Sabrina groaned.
"It's okay, Sabrina," Howie smiled. "You said that everyone likes the occasional dance party, so they can all join us, if it's all right with you."
"Well, okay," Sabrina said at last, "But Howie, I would like to be alone with you later...so how about we take a walk in the garden after dinner?" She continued, Shall we then say "Goodnight and mean "Goodbye"?
"That's a wonderful idea," Howie smiled, singing to her, One-two-three-and!
"But I will be watching you from a distance. And don't worry, I won't interfere," Bobby Lee added as he spun Nell around.
"Get your victories when you can," Queen Elena chuckled as she spun Jack and Elena around.
Since Nell had played it for her in Avalor, she couldn't help but join in the song, Or perchance,
When the last little star has left the sky,
Shall we still be together
With are arms around each other
And shall you be my new romance?
On the clear understanding
That this kind of thing can happen,
"This is fun!" Jack giggled.
"Do it again, Me! Do it again!" Elena shrieked.
"Elena, wouldn't all that spinning make you sick?" Madeline teased.
"I'll be careful, and I'll keep an eye on her," Queen Elena smiled as she carefully spun her namesake again.
She, Nell, and Bobby Lee finished the song, Shall we dance?
Shall we dance?
Shall we Dance?
As she watched Elena shriek in delight as she was spun around by her namesake, Sabrina turned to Howie, her shoulders slumped.
"I'm sorry, this wasn't the time alone we pictured in our letters," Sabrina apologized.
"That's all right. I don't mind everyone being here," Howie assured her.
Sabrina looked up in surprise. "You don't? How come?"
"Because I had another gift to give you other that's even more special than the flowers."
Sabrina gasped, feeling Howie kiss her cheek as a tint of pink formed on their faces.
"How adorable!" Caroline gushed.
"Avalor Howie, that's yucky!" Gabby giggled. "Only Mommy, Daddy, Land, and Rinda do that!"
"Oh, just wait until you get your first kiss," Howie smirked. "You'll probably feel just like a princess too!"
Sabrina smiled, recalling how she had told Howie (in private!) about how Andy had given her her first kiss, even though it had been on her hand, and how she said she'd felt just like a princess that time. "You'll find the right person who makes you feel like that soon enough," she whispered.
"How about now?" Bobby Lee smirked as he scooped Gabby up and kissed her.
Gabby giggled. "Daddy!"
"Daddy silly!" Elena giggled.
"He is silly, isn't he?" Nell smirked.
"Howie, I wasn't expecting you to kiss me like that," Sabrina blushed. "It was like something out of mine and Maddie's storybooks! Only not on the lips."
"Surprise!" Howie smiled.
"And what a romantic surprise it was," Nell smiled.
"I agree. It was very romantic, but Helen, if I can make a suggestion, why don't Sabrina spend a few weeks in Avalor with Howie and I this summer? That way they'll get as much alone time as they want without disturbances," Miss Lily offered.
"That's a wonderful idea," Nell smiled.
"Auntie Sabrina go bye-bye?" Elena frowned.
"Not forever, Love Bug," Nell smiled. "If you want, we can make it a family vacation to Avalor, but Lily, you can tell us when Howie and Sabrina want to spend time by themselves, without us tagging along and embarrassing them."
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Miss Lily smiled. "You can all ride the jaquins, walk around the kingdom and take in the sights..."
"Play with Me!" Elena smiled.
"When I'm not busy, but yes," Queen Elena chuckled.
"Can I come too?" Jack asked. "Please?"
"Jack, as Queen says, more the merrier!" Elena giggled.
"If it's all right with your father and aunt," Bobby Lee smiled.
"Ricky wants him to come, don't you Ricky?" Sabrina grinned.
Ricky giggled as he reached for Elena. He didn't know what everyone was saying, but he knew the word 'kitties' when he heard it!
"Yeah! Ricky can pet the kitties while Auntie Sabrina plays with Avalor Howie!" Elena giggled.
"And it wouldn't be a family vacation without the entire family, right, Ricky?" Nell smiled as Ricky squealed and flapped his hands like Elena did. She saw Lily looking worried and quickly assured her, "And Lily, you don't have to worry; Ricky's not autistic, but he likes doing what Elena does."
"I'm learning about at-is-him too," Jack whispered. "I was mean to Elena about it before, but that's only what my mommy taught me. Now that I'm with Daddy and Auntie Caroline, I'm learning to be better."
"You certainly are, and we're very proud of you," Caroline smiled as she and Arthur returned.
"Now what's this about a vacation, Champ?" Arthur smiled.
"To Avalor! Please, Daddy? Please, Auntie Caroline?" Jack pleaded. "I'll be a very good boy when we go!"
"We know you will, sweetheart," Caroline smiled. "And it would be nice to see how the kitties look outside of the pictures your daddy took…"
"Jack can bring Annette and he and Elena can play together," Madeline suggested.
"And have Queen Elena's grand mommy's yummy food," Gabby added.
"That does sound good," Arthur smiled, recalling how the simple dinner of Avaloran cuisine between Jack, Caroline, and himself had turned into a neighborhood party, since everyone could smell the food and wanted to try it as well. "And I actually do have some vacation time coming up from work, so I think a trip to Avalor would be a good idea for the whole family."
"That's a wonderful idea," Caroline agreed. "I've wanted to see Avalor myself. I've seen the pictures in the books you've brought home, and Jack loves the stories from the books you gave him. Now we'll get to see it for ourselves!"
"Can Elena come too?" Jack asked.
"Of course Elena can come!" Howie giggled.
"It isn't Avalor without my namesake!" Queen Elena grinned.
"Can we finish dancing now?" Gabby asked. "I'm getting sleepy."
"No problem," Bobby Lee smiled as he picked her up, "If you're tired, we'll dance you off to bed, Gab-Gab!"
"You're as good with words as James is," Queen Elena smiled.
"James taught me everything I know!" Bobby Lee grinned.
"Gabby's bad leg hurting her?" Jack frowned.
"Don't worry, Jack. Once Gabby has a nap-nap, she feels all better!" Elena grinned.
"She's right but it seems to me that you and Elena need a nap-nap too," Sabrina smiled.
"Why?" Jack pouted.
"Well, you were so excited to play at Elena's house that you didn't get enough sleep last night," Caroline added.
"In that case, you two can dance as much as you want after a good night's sleep," Nell smiled. "Queen Elena made a tape of her grandfather playing some Avaloran songs, and we can play those for all of you when you wake up."
"Does James know those songs too?" Sabrina asked.
"What do you think, Baby Girl?" Nell chuckled.
"Yes he does!" Elena giggled, trying not to flap her hands in front of Arthur and Caroline.
"You're right, Elena, of course he does!" Sabrina giggled, at the same time explaining to Arthur, Caroline, and Jack, "James has his birth mommy's ear for music and he can play anything he hears!"
"How wonderful!" Caroline grinned. "Must come in handy whenever you need it."
"It certainly does," Nell smiled.
As Nell, Bobby Lee, and Arthur carried Elena, Gabby, and Jack to bed, Sabrina turned to Howie, her shoulders slumping. "I understand if you never want to come back here again with your mommy," She frowned.
"Are you kidding? I love it here!" Howie grinned.
"You do? But my family's very big and noisy compared to yours."
"And that's what I love about it," Howie smiled. "Sometimes it can get really quiet with just me and Mama, but when I'm with you and your family, I get to hear all kinds of voices, talk to so many different people, and learn so many new things!"
"Does that mean you'll come back here again?" Sabrina gasped.
"Of course it does!" Howie laughed, taking her by the hand.
"Sabrina and Howie sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Madeline giggled, catching up to them. "Sabrina, if you're not careful, you and Howie could end up being like Nell and Bobby Lee!"
"Good night, Maddie!" Sabrina called.
"Maddie, why don't you help me put the girls and Ricky down for a nap?" Nell suggested.
"That's right," Lily smiled. "All of you can play when you're well rested. And we'll let you and Howitzer have your alone time later."
"Thank you, Mama!" Howie smiled.
"Thank you, Nell!" Sabrina echoed.
"Anything for you, Bri," Nell smiled. "After all, I know what it's like to fall in love for the first time. It's a moment that you can never forget."
"And on that note, I better get Jack down for a nap before he gets cranky," Arthur smirked.
"I'll help you find the guest rooms!" Sabrina offered. "I promised in my letter that I'd give Howie a tour of the castle anyway.
"Anywhere you go, I'll be happy to follow," Howie smiled. "I had a great time dancing with you today, Sabrina."
"Even with everyone interrupting us?"
"Of course! I'm especially happy that Mama found some time off work so we could come here!"
"Anything for my little man!" Lilly teased.
"Mama!" Howie groaned. "Not in front of my girlfriend!"
"Oh, you know I'm just kidding," Lily smiled. "I'd never intentionally embarrass you. But you have to admit, you and Miss Sabrina make a very sweet couple!"
"I hear wedding bells already!" Bobby Lee smirked.
"Robert, you sound just like Papa after Bri got her first kiss from Andy!" Nell giggled. "But let's all stop teasing them. We want everyone to have a nice time together."
"Thank you!" Howie and Sabrina chorused.
"Speaking of sweet couples," Arthur smiled. He pointed to Jack and Elena who were holding hands on their sleep. "Do you hear wedding bells for Elena, Robert?"
"Oh no. She's not ready to get married yet! Not my Love Bug!" Bobby Lee laughed.
"You mean our Love Bug," Nell smirked.
"It's a shame they couldn't play with Sofia and her bunny like they wanted to," Sabrina smiled.
"They can do that tomorrow," Nell smiled, "but right now, everyone who traveled a long way deserves a chance to rest, especially after this little dance party!"
"Okay," Howitzer agreed at last.
"That's a good idea," Miss Lily agreed, "but you and Miss Sabrina will still be able to go for a walk later on."
"Without interruptions by embarrassing older sisters?" Sabrina asked.
"Yes. No interruptions whatsoever," Nell promised.
"Oh thank you Nell! Thank you!"
Nell chuckled, watching as Sabrina took Howie by the hand and led him out of the ballroom.
The next couple of days were going to be exciting yet very interesting ones.