A/N: Little bit burned out, so I chose this story to update because this takes the least mental acuity. I will get back to my longer ones once I have less things to post at once... I don't know How long I thought I would be able to keep up that weekly pace LOL I did it to myself but I love the fandom. I hope you all have a great rest of your holiday. ~S.K. P.S. Expect more of this story today. It's mostly finished so I'll post what I have.

A second look

Later, we reconvened at the beach bar, keeping an eye on the children playing in the water with Dorothy. She looked so genuinely happy, and the trio seemed to be enjoying the sun and surf.

Ruby and I observed Dorothy from our seats. While I focused on Dorothy, Ruby's attention seemed to wander. "Zere are some beautiful frauleins here," she commented, her eyes drifting towards other women on the beach.

I sighed, "First of all, lose the accent when Dorothy's not around. It's unnecessary. Second, no frauleins for you this week. Remember, you're hopelessly devoted to our little Lily here."

"Yeah," Emma chimed in, her tone serious. "And there better not be any PDA. Kiss me like you did at the airport again, and I will end you."

"Oops, my bad. Forgot you're straight," Ruby said, casually sipping her drink.

"Yes, let's keep that assumption," Emma retorted.

"Hey," I interjected, steering the conversation back. "Let's focus on what a good mom I am and how happy the two of you are."

A larger woman nearby scoffed, directing a comment towards Emma, "You know, it's women like that who make normal women like you and me feel ashamed to strut our stuff."

Emma glared at her and glanced down at her modest cover-up. "I... Yeah."

Ruby nudged me, pointing at Dorothy emerging from the ocean. "My god, Yeah, I'd totally create a fake family for that."

"Right?" I agreed, both of us admiring Dorothy's figure in a red bikini.

"You guys are disgusting," Emma retorted, reclining on a lounge chair.

"Come on, Ma, the water is great!" Henry called out, running up to his mother.

"Oh no, I think I'll just lay out here," Emma said, observing as Dorothy walked up to us with Hope.

"Yeah, Em, Lily," Ruby continued. "Don't be intimidated by the beauty of Dorothy. I like the extra padding you have."

"I know she's beautiful," Emma said with a smirk.

"Oh, please," Dorothy laughed. "There's no way Emma is intimidated by me. I mean, look at her! I hope that at her age, I could look half as good."

Emma looked up at her, and to lighten the mood, I interjected, "You can look that good, babe, if you avoid elevators and only take the stairs like Helen Mirren."

Emma rolled her eyes and laughed. Ruby, sensing an opportunity, tried to place a hand on her thighs, but Emma swiftly smacked her hand. "No touching."

"Let's go back in the water, Dottie," Henry suggested, racing back to the ocean with Dorothy and the toddler.

"Only for a little while. We have to get ready for the luau tonight," Dorothy stated, following the excited boy.

"Luau?" I questioned, surprised by this new information.

"Babe, we're in Hawaii. Of course, we have to go to a luau," Dorothy said, walking backward as she answered.

"My treat!" Ruby piped up. "I insist!"

I looked over at Ruby, surprised. "Really?"

"Just kidding! I don't have any money," Ruby answered, and Emma burst into hearty laughter.

"Okay," Emma said, looking at me after her laughter subsided. "Say this works, and the two of you end up together. How does a good mom explain her missing children?"

"I'll send them to boarding school... Just let me borrow them for the summer."

Emma scoffed, "You're insane. This isn't going to work."

"Maybe they die in a horrible accident. I've been giving it a lot of thought. Maybe they come back to Hawaii and drive off a cliff with Lily, and they all die."

"Nice, so no bodies," Emma stated.

"Nope, the sharks ate them."

"Smooth," Emma said with a chuckle. She looked so much younger with that smile, almost carefree. Then her phone rang, and her brow furrowed again. "Um... Hello?" she said and sat stiffly on her bar stool. "Hi! Well, I'm actually not alone right now."

My ears perked up as Emma blushed while talking to someone on the phone. "Who is that, Mulan?" I asked, and she nodded. I rolled my eyes and pulled Ruby with me. "Come on Inga, let's give little Lily some privacy."

The two of us strolled toward the shops, my mind consumed with thoughts of Emma and Mulan. "I don't understand why she couldn't tell me she liked girls too," I sighed. "All this time she was married to that asshole, and I'm glad he's gone. But why didn't she tell me she was bi?"

"Why should she? That would put her in your crosshairs," Ruby stated absently, eyeing a pretty girl walking by.

I stopped at a shop window and looked down at some rings, lost in thoughts about Emma's marriage. Ruby walked up next to me and asked, "Why are we here?"

"Why can't I look at engagement rings?"

Ruby laughed. "Engagement rings? Look, Gina, we both know that sooner or later, you're going to get tired of this hottie and be back out there looking for another fix."

"Look, I've been talking about a fake spouse or another for about 20 years," I replied. "I always figured that I would someday be talking about a real one. Dorothy could be that. I mean, what do you think of her? Isn't she cute?"

"Yeah, she's cute," Ruby answered.

"Isn't she just the sweetest girl?" I sighed.

"The nicest person I've ever met."

"I mean, Rubes, she's beautiful," I said, truly smitten.

"Yeah, she makes me want to bite her in a good way," Ruby responded, and I froze.

"Do you want me to set your ass on fire?" I asked.

"Fine, I'll stop fantasizing about her, but how are you going to find the time to be with this woman? You never had time before," Ruby continued.

I paused. I never made time before because I didn't want to get hurt again. But I think that Dottie is worth it. "Dorothy is different," I said.

"Well, if you think she's worth the heartache, babe, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Rubes."