Theblindwriter95 asked about this classic Bing Crosby song, so enjoy your request! I thought it would be fun if, during a sister's outing with Elsa, Gabby runs into an old acquaintance. They lost contact years ago, but now he's back in her life, and he wants to reconnect with her. She finally agrees to a 'date', and he even takes a leaf out of James' book when he sings her one of Nell and Bobby Lee's favorite songs. Bobby Lee and Ricky also meet him, and after awhile, they agree that he's a good match for Gabby. Thanks to theblindwriter95 for helping with the story, and letting me use their characters Susie and Sally. I only own Mitchell, Cerise, and Moira. Bing Crosby's music is not mine.
Gabby strolled Elsa along the bustling streets of the village as the infant looked around in delight.
It had been so long since she had a sister's day. With Elena away from the castle more frequently, they became less and less.
But when she said she was going to the village, Nell had asked her to watch Elsa for a couple hours and Gabby couldn't resist the opportunity to spend time with her little sister for a change.
"Well, Elsie, are you enjoying your day out so far?" Gabby smiled.
Elsa squealed, clapping her hands before dropping her snowman in the process and beginning to cry.
Gabby sighed, reaching down to retrieve the toy as her hand touched something else that wasn't the pearly white fabric. "Pardon me. I'm so sorry. I hadn't meant to touch you like that," she apologized to the person who had found it.
"No, that's quite all right," The man smiled as he handed her the snowman. "Is this yours?"
"Yes, it is. It's my little sister's."
"Little sister?" the man smiled. "For a second there, I thought she was your daughter."
"No. Certainly not!" Gabby chuckled. "Thank you Mister…"
"Marlowe. Isaac Marlowe," the man smiled as he introduced himself. "I believe I recognize you from a visit to the orphanage when we were very young. You and a similar looking girl had come with your mother to drop off some donations and tell a story or two."
"That's right; my sister Elena and I came there with our mom during the holidays," Gabby smiled. "We brought a copy of Prince James' Andrew Harmon book for your library, along with some donated clothes, toys, and other things from people in the castle and in the village."
"That's right," Isaac nodded. "I loved those stories when I was younger! I even used him and his sister in some stories I wrote for school contests, and people loved reading them!"
"So you're Mister Samuel!" Gabby smiled. "I used to read those with James, and I always teased him that he had some really stiff competition for his adventures!"
"What can I say? His stories inspired Mister Samuel," Isaac smirked. "With how you just used the prince's name casually, I assume you're acquainted with the royal family?"
"Yes I am," Gabby nodded. "I lived in the castle my entire life."
"Do you mind if I ask how that came to be?"
"Of course not," Gabby smiled, giving Elsa her snowman. "King Roland and Queen Miranda generously gave my mom and aunts a place to stay after they were rescued from their kidnappers. When it was discovered that Mom was expecting Elena and I, she was allowed to stay in the castle for as long as she wished."
"That was nice of them," Isaac smiled. His adoptive parents had told him the story of how they helped search for Nell and her sisters, and how Nell, Madeline, and Sabrina had been taken in by the royal family.
"Yes it was," Gabby smiled. She was about to say something else, but a little cry cut her off. "Elsie, are you hungry? Shall we get you something to eat?"
"Please, allow me to treat you," Isaac offered. "I know we just met, but I'd like to get to know you and your sister better."
Gabby looked a little wary now at his offer. She knew that Nell had told her and Elena the story of how Jimmy had approached her, then kidnapped her and her sisters. But at least they were going to be out in public, so if something happened, Gabby could always scream for help and try to save herself and Elsa.
Isaac noticed her wariness and squeezed Gabby's hand while Elsa giggled and reached out for him.
"Okay Elsa Florence you win. We'll go with this nice man," Gabby smiled a little. "But the moment he does something bad, we're going home and telling Daddy and Ricky right away."
"You can trust me," Isaac smiled. "My adoptive parents taught me how to treat people properly, and I have protective siblings myself."
"Okay," Gabby gave in. She knew that Nell had taught her and Elena that she should give people the benefit of the doubt. "So, where would you like to go?"
"There's a wonderful little restaurant I know of where people can go and sing karaoke until their food comes," Isaac grinned. "My brother Mitchell loves going there with his friends!"
"I know exactly the place you mean," Gabby giggled. "Prince James loves that place, and we're often there until closing time!"
"You mean you're not sick of going there yet?" Isaac chuckled.
Gabby was laughing even harder now. "No. Never."
Isaac laughed with her, strolling Elsa who squealed in delight as he hummed while escorting her and Gabby to the restaurant.
"You're limping! Is everything okay?" Isaac asked as Gabby noticed his concern.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm okay," Gabby smiled. "I was bitten by a dog when I was little. It was really my fault; I was playing too roughly with Prince James' dog Rex, and Rex bit me. At first Prince James was upset about Rex having to be sent away, but after some time, he forgave me. He has a new dog now, and Jagger also serves as my sister Elena's therapy dog."
"Let me guess; autism?" Isaac asked. On Gabby's nod, he explained, "My sister Cerise has a therapy dog too."
"Really? Guess that's another thing we have in common."
"Yes it does, and I'm sorry. In between our conversation, I never got your beautiful name. What is it?"
"Gabby. Gabby O'Malley," Gabby blushed.
"It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Miss Gabby," Isaac smiled. "And yours as well, Miss Elsa," he continued, patting Elsa's hand. "You mentioned her name when we were talking earlier." he explained to Gabby.
"Oh, that's right," Gabby agreed. "Well, now that we all know each other, let's get some food and entertainment!"
"Good idea," Isaac chuckled as they entered the restaurant.
Elsa giggled and clapped her hands, hearing the music as Gabby took her out of her stroller.
"I'm happy my brother Ricky isn't here to ruin a moment like this," Gabby murmured as Isaac and her approached the owner of the restaurant.
"Does he not approve of you dating someone?" Isaac teased.
"He's one of the castle's junior guards," Gabby smirked. "He always practices his techniques whenever he can, and he insists on meeting any people I meet, just so he can practice his background checking skills."
"Nothing wrong with that," Isaac smiled. "I'm guessing he wants to look out for you. Mitchell and I always made sure that the people Cerise was with promised to treat her well and help her if she needed it. Of course, her dog Moira helps her too."
"What kind of dog is she?" Gabby asked.
"Moira's a really nice Golden Retriever," Isaac smiled. "She's really friendly, and I think you'd like her."
Gabby nodded. "I think I would too."
Before Isaac could say something else, Elsa squealed as she reached out for the restaurant owner.
"From what I can tell, you're a very friendly baby, Miss Elsa, but we shouldn't bother the owner right now," Isaac smiled, stroking her hair.
Elsa giggled as their server came up to them. After giving him their orders, Gabby slipped over to one of the books that had songs in them. After searching through it for a few moments, she smiled when she found one.
"You find a good one?" Isaac asked, looking up from where he'd been keeping Elsa busy.
"I did!" Gabby smiled. "My mom told me that her mom and dad sang this when she and my dad started out on their first date."
"Well, it seems like history is going to repeat itself, doesn't it?" Isaac chuckled.
"I guess so!" Gabby giggled.
"Do you mind if I give it a go?" Isaac suggested.
Gabby looked up in surprise. "Isaac, this is so sudden. I wouldn't want you to do this for me."
"Nonsense. I'm doing this because I love you, Miss Gabby O'Malley," Isaac smiled. He blushed as he handed Elsa over to her. "I loved you ever since I heard your name all those years ago in the orphanage. I always thought I would never hear that beautiful name again. Until today."
Gabby smiled as she settled Elsa in her lap. She was beginning to feel like how Sabrina did when she got her first kiss from a boy. She also couldn't help but wonder if, when they learned about this, Nell and Bobby Lee would act the same way Lydia and Edward had; Nell dancing with her around the castle, while Bobby Lee started making wedding plans.
Isaac smiled when he saw Gabby lost in thought, and took up the microphone after he gave his song choice to the person in charge of the music.
You must have been a beautiful baby
You must have been a wonderful child
When you were only starting to go to kindergarten
I bet you drove the little boys wild
Gabby smiled when she heard Isaac begin singing. He had an incredible voice! She started to get lost in the song when a voice brought her back to reality.
"Gabby? Gabby O'Malley is that you?"
Gabby smiled as she saw Sally and Susie, her and Elena's best friends since preschool, come up to her table.
"Susie! Sally! I haven't seen you since the sixth grade! How have you been?" Gabby asked.
"We've been good, but who's the beau?" Sally teased.
"Does this mean you're finally getting hitched like Elena?" Susie smirked.
"I just met Isaac today," Gabby smiled. "He recognized me from when Mom, Elena, and I brought those boxes of donations to the orphanage. He was adopted by a family with a boy and a girl, Mitchell and Cerise."
Susie and Sally nodded when they heard Isaac singing, and they couldn't help but notice how he was looking at Gabby the whole time.
And when it came to winning blue ribbons
You must have shown the other kids how
I can see the judges' eyes as they handed you the prize
I bet you made the cutest bow
Oh you must've been a beautiful baby
'Cause baby look at you now
Sally nodded. "I know Cerise. She's in an art class with me. She's really talented, and she worked with her brothers when they wrote their stories. Her pictures for them were incredible! And her therapy dog Moira is really sweet. I know you're not crazy about dogs, but I think you'd get along well with her."
"If I can get along with Jagger after all this time, I'm fairly certain that I can get along with her," Gabby smiled.
"We'll see about that when the time comes," Susie agreed. She cooed, seeing Elsa reach out for her. "Is this your little sister that Elena wrote us about?"
"She's so cute!" Sally squealed.
"Mom was so happy when she was born last November. I've never seen her get so attached to a baby like that until Elsa came along," Gabby smirked.
Susie and Sally nodded, remembering how Nell had lost Clara. They had come to the castle with their parents every week for a few months to help Nell with her work and offer support. They had also been to the baby shower when they learned that Nell was pregnant with Elsa.
When he saw Gabby looking sad as she remembered Clara, Isaac blew her a kiss to help her feel better as he sang, Does your mother realize
The stork delivered quite a prize
The day he left you on the family tree?
Does your dad appreciate
That you're merely super great
The miracle of any century?
If they don't just send them both to me
As Susie and Sally giggled at her reaction, Gabby smiled and cheered up as they talked. She learned that her friends were now engaged to a nice pair of twins and were going with them to a new village close by where they had been hired to work in the hotel which their fiancés' families owned.
"Enough about us. How are you and Elena doing?" Sally smiled.
"Elena moved out of the castle recently to live with Jack while they're expecting their first child," Gabby smiled.
"You mean Elena's gonna be a mom?" Susie squealed. "Do you think it'll be twins like us?"
"Maybe," Gabby shrugged. "I heard that if it's a girl, she's naming her Clara, and if it's a boy, it's either going to be Francisco, in honor of Queen Elena's grandfather, or Gabriel. She hasn't decided yet."
"Well, I guess there's lots of time to decide yet," Susie said at last.
"And good things do come two at a time!" Sally agreed, gesturing toward her sister and herself, then looking at Gabby.
They laughed as Elsa squealed alongside them, moving her chubby fists along to the music.
Even Isaac smiled as he watched Elsa and sang, You must have been a beautiful baby
You must have been a wonderful child
When you were only starting to go to kindergarten
I bet you drove the little boys wild
"Isn't that cute? Elsa's trying to dance!" Susie cooed.
"You should see her with Ricky. She tries to do whatever he does in her own special way while he does what he can to make her squeal and giggle," Gabby smiled.
"Sounds like it's him and Elena all over again," Sally smirked. "I remember how we came over to play sometime after he was born and while we were playing, Ricky was laying on his baby blanket flapping his hands like Elena."
"At least he didn't have autism, thank goodness, and neither does Elsa," Gabby smiled, recalling how Nell and Bobby Lee had Elsa tested a few months ago.
Elsa giggled as Sally bounced her in her arms. She was enjoying Isaac's singing as it reminded her of James and Ricky back home.
"Elsa do you want Isaac to sing you a kitty song?" Susie cooed.
"We'll ask him after he stops wooing your sister," Sally smirked.
"I can sing a kitty song to you too, Elsie!" Gabby smiled. "But really, you're not picky about who sings them, are you?" When Elsa giggled and reached for her, Gabby giggled and took her in her arms as she said, "Of course you're not!"
She smiled, bouncing Elsa in her arms as they heard Isaac sing. Gabby sighed dreamily as his voice reached her ears.
And when it came to winning blue ribbons
You must have shown the other kids how
I can see the judges' eyes as they handed you the prize
I bet you made the cutest bow
Oh you must've been a beautiful baby
'Cause baby look at you now
"Are you blushing?" Sally teased as the song ended.
"She is!" Susie giggled over the applause. "I see a double wedding in your future, Gabby."
"Well, we'll have to see how this first outing goes," Gabby smiled. "After all, I only met up with Isaac again today, and I didn't really know who he was until he introduced himself!"
"I know what you mean; the children at the orphanage tend to blend together after a while, and then you can't really remember who's who," Sally agreed.
"Whether he grew up in an orphanage or not, there's no doubt that Isaac loves you," Susie smiled.
"How can you tell?" Gabby wondered.
"Easy. He kept locking eyes with you while he's singing."
"He did?"
"Oh, yes," Sally smiled. "He hasn't stopped looking at you since he started singing."
"But I only met with him again today!" Gabby protested. "I haven't seen him since we were kids! I remember he participated in some of the writing contests James helped with, and I helped collect the entries, but other than that, I don't know him at all!"
"Well, now you'll have time to get reacquainted with him," Susie smiled.
Gabby thought about that for a minute. She did remember Isaac telling his stories to the kids at the orphanage, and how much they liked them. She thought that maybe James could use another partner based in Enchancia for his writing. His friends were also Andrew Harmon's partners when he came to visit their respective kingdoms. She also knew Elena, both her sister and Avalor Elena, and even Gabe and Mateo, loved his stories, and James promised that on their birthdays or Wassalia or Navidad, he'd write them their own adventure with his characters. "That's a good idea," she said at last. "I'll have to bring Isaac home with me so Mom and Dad can meet him, and we'll see if James remembers him, then if they do, they can write a story together!"
"That's a great idea!" Susie grinned.
"But what if Ricky's with your mom and dad? Elena's written us about how he gets around Jack," Sally muttered.
"Dad will keep him straight," Gabby assured her. "He always says that while it's nice for Ricky to be protective of us, it's not nice for him to be overprotective."
"And let's be thankful that Ricky likes James' stories as much as we do!" Susie smiled. "You can still invite Isaac to the castle and tell Ricky that he's there to ask James about the plot or characters of one of his own stories."
"Let's call that Plan B," Gabby giggled. "I'll just tell Ricky the truth and ask him to give us some space."
"That might work too!" Susie giggled as she brought over some glasses of water.
"Elsa seems to like Isaac too," Gabby smiled, watching her sister squealing to the music.
"Not as much as you do," Susie smirked. "What if he wants you to sing a duet with him next time?"
"Well… I don't…"
"Let me guess. Cat got your tongue?"
"Well then, you'll really have to sing a kitty song if a cat has your tongue, Gabby!" Sally giggled.
Elsa squealed and clapped her hands as Gabby looked over at the book of songs. "Don't worry, Elsie, I'll find a nice kitty song for you, and I'll ask Isaac if he'd like to sing it with me."
"I'm sure he'd love to," Sally smiled.
"Of course he would," Susie agreed.
"He's already an amazing singer. How can he say no?" Gabby blushed.
Her blush deepened as Isaac glanced her way over the applause. The audience was cheering him on as he approached her and got down on one knee.
"I know we've only just met today, but Gabby O'Malley, will you be my girlfriend?" Isaac asked.
"I'd like that," Gabby smiled after a minute's thought. "We did just meet up after a few years, but we can get caught up in no time. And I think it might be nice if you got to see Mom and Elena again."
"And what about your dad and brother?" Sally asked.
"Like we agreed, we'll ask them to be nice and not give him a hard time," Gabby decided.
"Give me a hard time about what?" Isaac teased.
"Do you really want to know?" Sally smirked.
"Isaac, would you like to sing a kitty song with me?" Gabby smiled.
"Kitty song?" Isaac echoed.
"Prince James always played songs about kitties when Elena and I were young," Gabby explained. "She got used to calling any songs James played kitty songs, and the name stuck."
"Isn't that interesting?" Isaac smiled, recalling how much Cerise loved songs about dogs, so he or Mitchell would call them 'puppy songs' and play one for her if she needed it. "Well then, if Elsa wants us to, I guess we can sing one before we leave."
Elsa giggled, clapping her hands, reaching out for Isaac.
"She wouldn't mind one bit, as soon as we all get something to eat," Gabby smiled.
"That's right, Elsa, but don't drink milk before you sing!" Isaac chuckled.
"Prince James says that too," Gabby agreed. "He took a choir class in school, and the teacher said not to drink milk before a performance, or you'd be coughing and clearing your throat from all the things that got caught in it."
"Mitchell says that too," Isaac nodded. "He took a music class as well, and now he sings in a choral group in the village."
"Are you two lovebirds going to talk all day, or can we eat?" Sally teased.
Gabby and Isaac gave each other a smirk before she sat down and began to feed Elsa her bottle.
Once everyone head eaten, Isaac took Gabby by the hand and led her towards the stage.
"Isaac, are you going to declare your love for me again?" Gabby teased.
"Well, there's only one way to find out...pussycat," Isaac smirked as he sang, "Pussycat, pussycat, I love you! Yes I do!"
"Oh, no, not pet names! Not right now!" Gabby giggled. "But really, Elena loves this one! She calls it the ultimate kitty song!"
Isaac laughed with her. "Does she?"
"She always has," Gabby giggled. "Ever since we were kids."
"I would love to meet her one day," Isaac smiled.
"You'd like her," Gabby smiled. "She's as good a writer as Prince James is, and she has a few stories of her own published."
"Are her stories illustrated?" Isaac asked.
"Yes, and she's a very good artist, drawing the pictures herself, but if you're thinking of asking Cerise if she'd like to draw something with her, I think that would be a wonderful idea!" Gabby agreed.
"Yes, that way she could save some time doing one thing, but she'd still give Cerise credit for her work, right?" Isaac asked.
"Of course she would," Gabby smiled. "Prince James always gave me and Elena credit when we drew pictures for him, and he always credits anyone who helps him with his stories."
"Does Elena do the same?" Isaac teased.
"Yes she does," Sally smiled.
"Like the dragon story we all made for Miss Milly's class in preschool!" Susie grinned.
"That's a good idea!" Gabby smiled. "And maybe we could look over some of the stories we wrote when we were younger, and re-work them with some new characters. Of course, we'll keep the original stories, but we could breathe some new life into the adventures with some different characters."
"I do that all the time too," Isaac smiled. "Mitchell and Cerise loved being included in my stories, and of course we found a role for Moira as our mascot."
"When you're ready, you can include Gabby in a story," Susie smirked.
"Susie!" Gabby groaned.
"She did the same thing to me once," Sally smiled.
"Oh, that's right, for your birthday," Gabby smiled a little. "Elena was just starting to get into writing stories, and she and I worked with James to make up a story with both of us and you two in it. I forget what the story was about now, but you used that as a bedtime story for a week after we gave it to you!"
"We'll have to work on some new stories then, won't we?" Isaac smiled.
"Yes we will!" Gabby smiled.
"Yes we will what, Gab-Gab?" they heard a new voice behind them.
Gabby gasped, bumping into Bobby Lee and smiled nervously. "Daddy! What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you the same thing," Bobby Lee smirked.
"I took Elsa for a sister's day in the village like I used to do with Elena, and I ran into Susie and Sally," Gabby started. She smiled as Bobby Lee nodded and smiled at her childhood friends, then she continued, "But before then, I was reunited with someone who lived in the orphanage a long time ago. Dad, this is Isaac...well, his name's Isaac Marlowe now."
"It's very nice to meet you, sir," Isaac smiled. "I only met Gabby and her sister when they literally bumped into me. I remembered Gabby from when she, her sister, and her mother made some Wassalia deliveries to the orphanage where I lived until I was adopted."
Bobby Lee nodded. "That's right, Jason Marlowe. I remember I used to play with Jason when we were kids. He moved to a different village when we were seven, but we kept in contact for years. He even tried to help me and the castle guards when Helen and her sisters were abducted. He came back here around the time that Elena and Gabby were born, with his wife Jennifer and their...well, their two kids at the time. It's nice to meet you as well, young man. And when you get the chance, tell Jason that Robert says hello."
"So, you're okay with me dating Isaac?" Gabby smiled.
Bobby Lee nodded, mussing her hair. "I am but I'm not sure Ricky will react."
"If he's anything like you, Mr. Johnson, he'll learn to accept Isaac with time," Susie smirked.
"Yes, and you know how protective Ricky can be," Bobby Lee smirked.
"You've taught him well, Daddy!" Gabby giggled.
"Maybe a little too well!" Bobby Lee laughed with her. "But I'll tell him to go easy on your friend."
"Thank you, sir!" Isaac chuckled. "But rest assured, I'll treat Gabby with the utmost respect!"
"That's all I ask for, young man," Bobby Lee smiled.
"He asked the same thing when Jack started dating Elena," Gabby smiled.
"Okay, now after all this, why don't we look for a kitty song for Elsa?" Sally suggested.
"As Elsa's big brother, only I know what her favorite kitty song is," Ricky smirked.
"Then come on up and sing it!" Gabby smiled. "Elsie loves hearing her big brother sing!"
"Okay," Ricky grinned. "After all, James does say that music makes everything better!"
"Better make the kitty song quick. Elsa's looking sleepy," Sally smirked.
Elsa yawned and looked around the room before reaching out for Isaac.
"Hey! I'm your big brother! Not him!" Ricky pouted.
"So go up and sing something with him," Gabby suggested.
"As my mother always says, the more the merrier!" Isaac smiled.
"Queen Miranda says that too," Bobby Lee smiled. "I suppose it's true what they say: great minds think alike!"
"That's right," Ricky smiled as he took Elsa in his arms. "Ready for your kitty song, Elsie?"
Elsa looked up at her big brother and cooed.
"I'll take that as a yes," Isaac smiled. "Ready to sing?"
Ricky smiled back. "Always!"
As she watched her little brother and Isaac sing, Gabby smiled. Who knew dining would be the one thing that would bring them together?
"Someone's in L-O-V-E!" Susie giggled.
"Am not!" Gabby pouted. "I just like Isaac, that's all."
"Sure you do," Sally smirked.
"Let me guess: he's just a friend?" Susie giggled.
"I haven't seen him in years, and I just met him again today!" Gabby protested.
"Give it time, Gab-Gab," Bobby Lee smiled as he ordered some more snacks for everyone. "Isaac seems like a nice young man, and I'm sure you'll get along very well together. But you know you'll have to bring him home so your mother can meet him too."
"I know," Gabby smiled a little. "And at least she won't be as protective of me as Ricky is!"
Ricky frowned when he heard that, but Bobby Lee smirked. "Don't mind your sister, Ricky, you and Isaac just sing your kitty song to Elsa!"
Ricky nodded, smiling as Isaac handed Elsa over to him. "You're a good fit for Gabby," He smirked.
"Really, or are you just saying that?" Isaac chuckled.
"Really. I hadn't seen her smile like that since before our sister Elena left with her fiancé Jack to move into our mom's old home."
"All I want is for her to be happy," Isaac smiled. "She looked a little sad before she and Elsa ran into me, and I didn't want to disturb her. But Miss Elsa just had to drop her little toy next to me, and look where we are now!"
"My baby sister the matchmaker," Ricky grinned as Elsa giggled.
"And now to honor you, Miss Elsa, here's a special kitty song just for you!" Isaac smiled as he and Ricky started to sing.