It was a nice morning in the Inkwell Isles, Gwen starts her day by brushing her teeth, takes a shower and gets dressed. She hears a knock at her bedroom door.
"Yoo-hoo Gwen! Breakfast is ready!" Elder Kettle called.
"Be right there Elder Kettle!" Gwen called.
Gwen gets ready for the day, then joins the cups downstairs. Elder Kettle cooks up pancakes for his three kids. They eat together until they hear someone come in through the door portal into the cottage. Gwen looked and saw her sister Rose arriving with her infant twins Emma and Jack.
"Rose? Is that you?" Gwen called.
"Yes, Gwen. It's me. And Emma and Jack." Rose called, sounding like she was crying.
"Excuse me guys." Gwen said as she gets up from the table and joins Rose and the twins in the living room.
Gwen finds Rose holding Emma and Jack on the couch and sits with her.
"Sis? What's wrong? Did the Devil attack you?" Gwen asked.
"No, William and I got into a fight, and I just left with the kids. I need a break from him and came here." Rose said while trying to hold back tears.
"Oh sis, what's going on with you two?" Gwen asked.
"He's been working too much lately at his dad's steel company. He's hardly ever home to help me with the kids and eat dinner with us." Rose sadly answered.
"I'm so sorry Rose. But Will means well, he works hard to provide for you and the kids. Besides, you know your father-in-law is a workaholic. Just be patient with him." Gwen said.
"I know. His poor mother dealt with it for so many years. I thought I made him happy when we met." Rose said.
"You do make him happy. He once told me that you were the best thing that's happened to him." Gwen said.
"Really?" Rose asked.
"Honest. Would I ever lie to you?" Gwen asked.
"No, you wouldn't." Rose said.
Both cups enter the living room.
"Hiya Rose." Both cups said.
"Hey Cuphead. Hey Mugman." Rose said.
"Can we hold the babies?" Mugman asked.
"Sure, but be careful boys." Rose instructed.
"We will, thanks Rosie." Cuphead thanked.
Cuphead lifted Jack and Mugman lifted Emma. They take the infants and sit down on the floor and cuddle them.
"Well, maybe you both should talk to a marriage counselor. Maybe you both could patch things up?" Gwen suggested.
"I don't know sis. I just don't know, I don't wanna think about it right now. Can I lay in your bed for a while and you, and the cups watch the kids?" Rose asked.
"Sure sis." Gwen said.
Rose goes upstairs to Gwen's room and lays in her bed crying.
Back in the living room, the cups continue cuddling the twins.
"What's eatin' Rose?" Cuphead asked.
"Oh, she and Will got into a fight." Gwen answered.
"I'm sorry, maybe things will work out." Mugman said.
Just then, Emma and Jack started crying.
"Uh oh. They're crying." Cuphead said.
Gwen gets up from the couch and approached the cups and checks her niece and nephew. She checked their diapers, but noticed they were clean. Then she realized they were hungry, so she magically created two baby bottles of milk with the magic inkwell.
"Here guys, hold them diagonally and make sure they don't eat too fast." Gwen instructed.
"We will." Both cups said.
Gwen goes back into the kitchen and finishes her breakfast.
"So, Rose and William are having problems, huh?" Elder Kettle asked.
"Yeah. I don't know what to do. I don't want them to get a divorce. Will's a great brother-in-law and a good father. I just wish his workaholic father wouldn't work him so much. And I wish Rose would be more patient with him." Gwen admitted.
"Dear, there's nothing you can do. Just keep being there for your sister and let them sort this out for themselves." Elder Kettle advised.
"I dunno Elder Kettle. You know Mr. Smith was a no-show at their wedding, just Mrs. Smith was there." Gwen said, feeling unsure.
"I know, she's a sweet lady when we met her. But remember what I said Gwen. Let them sort this out for themselves." Elder Kettle reminded her.
"Okay." Gwen hesitantly agreed.
"Good. Now, where are the twins?" Elder Kettle asked.
"Oh, Cuphead and Mugman are feeding them in the living room." Gwen answered.
"Oh good. I wanna see them." Elder Kettle said.
He gets up from his chair and goes into the living room. He sees the cups finishing feeding Emma and Jack.
"Aw, you boys are feeding them." Elder Kettle complimented.
"Yep. They were hungry." Mugman said as Emma started crying.
"Pat her back. Emma needs to burp. Same thing with Jack." Elder Kettle instructed.
Both cups pat their backs until the babies finally burped.
"Aw!" Both cups said as the babies started yawning.
"Oh, I think they're ready for their nappy wappy." Elder Kettle said in a baby-like voice.
Elder Kettle takes Emma and Jack from the cups and sits in his recliner and lets the twins sleep in his arms. He soothes them as they sleep peacefully.
Gwen comes into the living room after handling the cleanup.
"Well, I've decided I'm gonna help fix their marriage. I'm gonna remind them why they fell in love and why they became a family." Gwen announced.
"Yay!" Both cups cheered.
"Shh!" Elder Kettle shushed the cups, hinting the twins were sleeping.
"Yay!" The cups quietly cheered.
"But I'll need your help guys." Gwen whispered.
"We'll help ya!" Cuphead agreed.
"Yeah, we're in!" Mugman also agreed.
"You're sure about this Gwen?" Elder Kettle asked.
"Of course, Elder Kettle. I'm gonna save their family." Gwen answered.
"Well, if there's anything I can do…" Elder Kettle suggested.
"Actually, Elder Kettle yes. I could use your help." Gwen interrupted.
"Alright, what do we have to do?" Elder Kettle asked.
"Well gentlemen, I'm planning to set up a romantic, magical dinner date in the meadow where William proposed to Rose. I'm gonna set up the table, flowers, candlelight etc. Elder Kettle, you're gonna prepare their meal, which you'll have the stuff by me. And guys, you are gonna be the waiters." Gwen proposed.
"Ooh! Cool!" Both cups exclaimed.
"Well, I have an idea of what to cook them." Elder Kettle said after thinking about it.
"Great! Alright, I have a plan of how to bring Rose and Will to the meadow." Gwen said as she raised her ink pen.
Gwen used her magical illusions to show them every detail of her plan. Afterwards, Rose comes downstairs after calming down, thanks Gwen and the cups and takes the children and return home.
Later, Gwen writes two separate notes each for Rose and William. She magically sends one to William then she sends the other one to Rose.
At Rose's house, she puts the twins down for naptime and comes downstairs, only to discover letter through the mail slot on their front door. Rose opens the letter and reads aloud,
My dearest Rose,
I feel really awful for everything that's happened. I want to make it up to you, lets meet up at the meadow at 6 PM this evening. I have a special surprise for you.
Love,
William
Rose is puzzled, but then she decides to go along with it.
That evening, Rose dropped off Emma and Jack at her parents' house to watch them and drives off to the forest to the meadow. Rose got out of the car and walked on the trail until finally she reached the meadow.
But to her shock, she finds a beautiful fancy table set up with flowers, candlelight, a live band playing romantic music. Coincidentally, William arrives himself and he was just as shocked as Rose was.
"Rose? Did you do this?" William asked.
"No! Did you do this?" Rose asked.
"No, I didn't! I got your message and you said to meet you here!" William explained as he held up a note.
Rose took the note and read aloud,
My dearest William,
I feel really awful for everything that's happened. I want to make it up to you, lets meet up at the meadow at 6 PM this evening. I have a special surprise for you.
Love,
Rose
"What the? The note you sent me said the same exact thing!" Rose said as she held up her note.
"This isn't my handwriting." William said, looking at Rose's note.
"And this isn't my handwriting." Rose said too, looking at William's note.
Suddenly, it clicked for Rose and William on who is responsible.
"GWEN!" The couple yelled.
Rose and William looked around for Gwen.
"Whatever it is you're doing, stop it!" Rose yelled.
"This isn't funny Gwen!" William added.
Both of them attempt to leave until suddenly, they are stopped by some magical barrier.
"Gwen! Stop it! We know it's you doing this! You're the only one who has magical powers!" Rose yelled.
"Way to crack the case Sherlock." Gwen's voice echoed in the air.
"Gwen, stop this trickery right now!" William yelled.
"Well, I would, but unfortunately, you're both trapped. The only way for you two to be free from the meadow is if you both enjoy this very special romantic date, I've magically prepared just for you two. And you two can't leave until the date is complete. Wait till you see the surprises I have in store just for you two! So, enjoy your romantic date!" Gwen announced.
Rose and William groaned.
"When I find out where you're hiding, I'm gonna kill you!" Rose yelled.
"Good luck sis. You're gonna need it." Gwen said, then giggled.
"Is she like this with you?" William asked.
"Oh, when we were younger, she was always a trickster, just like Cuphead. I'll never forget the time she scared me with that painting of that really scary cartoon monster she held in front of my face before I woke up." Rose answered as she facepalmed.
"Oh wow. Well, looks like we're doing this. Come on dear." William said as he goes to sit at the table.
Rose sighed and joined William at their table and look at their menus. Just then, they are approached by Cuphead and Mugman wearing fancy waiter outfits and serve them glasses of red wine.
"Good evening, folks, would you like something to start before your meal?" Mugman asked in a fancy-like tone.
"That's not a convincing fancy tone Mugman. Where's Gwen?" Rose asked impatiently.
"How 'bout the bruschetta?" William answered, making his choice.
"Alright, bruschetta it is!" Mugman said as he and Cuphead quickly took off.
"No, wait! Tell me where…!" Rose quickly tried to say but they were already gone.
"Honey, maybe this won't be so bad, at least your sister's treating us tonight." William said, trying to be positive.
Rose grumbled, losing patience with her sister.
A few minutes later, Cuphead and Mugman return with a platter of freshly made bruschetta. Cuphead gave them little plates while Mugman placed the platter down.
"Here is your appetizer. Now, what would you like to order for the main course?" Mugman asked using his fancy-tone once again.
"Tell me where…!" Rose tried again until William interrupted,
"We'll get the sirloin steaks with potatoes and roasted vegetables."
"Excellent choice! Coming right up!" Mugman said.
Cuphead takes their menus, and both quickly rush off. In another part of the forest, Elder Kettle is cooking their meals with the equipment and supplies Gwen magically provided him.
"I hope Gwen knows what she's doing. Rose sounds pretty ticked." Elder Kettle said worryingly.
"Eh, I ain't too worried about it." Cuphead said as he sipped a glass of water.
Meanwhile, Rose waited impatiently for the date to be over while William kept his cool after they both eat the bruschetta.
"Look, I know my dad's been working me lately. But he needs my help trying to find a new locomotive train to help speed up deliveries to meet the high demands of the companies who buy our steel around the state." William explained.
"That's no reason for you to not make any time for your wife and your kids. I mean, did your dad ever make time for you and your mom?" Rose asked.
William thought for a moment, then he remembered his father hardly ever being there for him and his mother. William sighed and answered,
"No. He was mostly at the company more than at home. He didn't even come to our wedding. Only mom was there."
"Exactly. I just don't want you repeating your dad's mistakes. Otherwise, Emma and Jack are gonna feel the same way you feel about you never being there." Rose confessed.
"Well… I guess I have been working a little too much. But I also need for you to be patient with me. I work and provide for us and the kids. To make our lives easier and good." William pointed out.
Rose thought for a moment and realized maybe she was a little too impatient with William.
"Well, Gwen did tell me I can be a little impatient at times." Rose admitted.
"It's okay. But it's not too late to make things right between us." William assured her.
"Maybe. I'll try to be more patient if you just go back to working regular hours so you can have time for me and the kids." Rose said.
"Of course, I will. I don't care if dad fires me anyway. Ever since we met, I haven't had a single lonely day and you helped me get over my dad never being there." William confessed.
"Really? It was so sad you told me about that. But you must let go of the past. You have a family now and we need to be there for our children." Rose said.
William smiled and held Rose's hand.
"Of course. We took our vows at our wedding, remember?" William reminded her.
"Yeah." Rose agreed.
Just then, Cuphead and Mugman arrived with their plates of sirloin steaks, potatoes and vegetables. Rose and William dine happily as the band started playing the Arvo Pärt song Spiegel im Spiegel. Rose fell in love with the melody as she finished her meal.
William noticed Rose was feeling enchanted and decided to dance. He gets up, takes Rose's hand and leads her into a dance. During the moment, colorful glowing balls of light surround them.
Suddenly, glittering magic surround their feet and are lifted up into the air. Rose is startled at first, but William holds her and says,
"It's okay honey. Just keep your eyes on me." William said, remembering saving her life and he said the same thing to her.
Rose remembered him saying that to her when she was nearly eaten by the Devil and Gwen swung her over his throat to William. Rose was in tears as she continued dancing with him in the air, no longer afraid.
After the song nearly ends, they float back to the ground. Both of them share a kiss as Gwen came out of hiding in the sky and floated down to the cups.
"We did it guys. We did it." Gwen said happily.
"Yeah, we did." Cuphead agreed.
"We are the best relationship fixers ever." Mugman added.
"I'm glad they worked things out. Maybe you were right Gwen." Elder Kettle said.
"See, I knew what I was doing." Gwen said.
"Alright dear, I think you better lift up the barrier and we can all go home. You handle the cleanup and take us home. Could you send me home first? I'm a little tired and ready for bed." Elder Kettle instructed.
"Alrighty then." Gwen agreed.
Gwen raised her ink pen, teleported Elder Kettle back to the cottage and magically lifted the barrier. Rose and William take notice.
"Huh, looks like we did it." Rose said.
"Yeah, I think is what Gwen was trying to do. Help us." William said.
"Yeah, she always looked out for me too. I guess we owe her for this." Rose admitted.
Gwen smiled, knowing she did a good thing for her sister. Rose and William both leave together as Gwen magically cleaned up everything.
But just as Gwen was about to teleport herself and the cups home, she suddenly notices a giant shadow behind her, reaching for her, making her eyes widen. Without warning, a familiar giant hand suddenly grasped her, trapping her arms and lifted her up in the sky.
Gwen struggled to break free, knowing immediately who it was.
She heard the Devil laughing evilly as she closed her eyes in fear, taking deep breaths knowing she is unable to reach her ink pen.
"I see you were playing the fairy godmother tonight huh my beautiful flower?" The Devil asked tauntingly.
Gwen doesn't answer, knowing none of her comebacks would matter to him. And she avoided eye contact with him.
"Nothing to say? No screaming? You usually have some comeback or insult." The Devil asked, noticing Gwen's silence.
Gwen still doesn't answer, taking Quadratus's advice on ignoring the Devil.
The Devil growled impatiently.
"Stop ignoring me, Gwen! I'm still gonna take you away and marry you!" The Devil yelled.
But Gwen still said nothing.
The cups stood and held each other in horror at Gwen being held hostage.
"Wow, Gwen's gotten better at ignoring the Devil." Cuphead said.
"Yeah, she's taking Quadratus's advice now." Mugman added.
"No matter! Let's get going, shall we?" The Devil asked, preparing to leave with Gwen.
Suddenly, to the Devil's surprise, Rose jumps out of the pine tree next to the Devil, landing on his fist, preparing for a fight. The Devil laughs boomingly at Rose. Unknown to the Devil, William is hiding in the pine tree next to the Devil with a long tree branch in his fist.
"Well, well, well. Looks like Rosy Cheeks is getting braver. How cute. And… delicious." The Devil mocked.
The Devil grasped Rose in his fist and lifted her up to his face and prepared to eat her again. With quick thinking, William lights the tree branch on fire and quickly threw it to Rose. She managed to catch it in her hand. Without hesitating, she angrily swings the burning tree branch at the Devil's eyes.
The Devil screamed in pain, being burned and blinded by Rose and William's sudden attack. He releases Rose and Gwen from his fist to cover his burning eyes. The Devil shrinks back to his normal size and disappears back to his personal ER once again for treatment.
Rose and Gwen hold each other's hands as they fell and smile at each other. With quick thinking, Gwen used the magic inkwell to magically create a giant marshmallow to cushion their fall. They fall into the soft marshmallow as the sisters hugged each other. Both girls grabbed a piece from the giant marshmallow and eat it. William scales down the tree and runs up to the giant marshmallow.
"Wow, sweet thinking." William complimented.
He also grabbed a piece of the marshmallow and eats it.
Both cups stare at the giant marshmallow hungrily as both sisters slide down to the ground.
"Aw, you guys hungry?" Gwen asked.
"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh." Both cups answered eagerly.
"Okay guys, you can dig in as a reward for helping me." Gwen agreed.
"Yay!" Both cups cheered and both charged at the giant marshmallow and started to pig out.
All three humans laugh at the cups. Then, Gwen tapped her ink pen and all of them disappear back to the front yard of the cottage with the cups still eating the marshmallow.
"Gee Rose, I'm so sorry. I just wanted to save your marriage, especially after all you've both been through. I didn't want you guys getting divorced, splitting up the kids, breaking your family and…" Gwen sadly confessed until Rose placed her hand on her mouth, shushing her.
"Divorce? Who said anything about us getting a divorce?" Rose asked, confused.
William shook his head, not knowing anything about it.
"Well, you guys have been fighting and stuff." Gwen said.
"Of course, we've been fighting Gwen. But that doesn't mean we're getting divorced. Is that what really what you thought and why you did all this before the Devil showed up?" William explained and asked.
Gwen sadly nodded.
"Gwen, just because couples fight doesn't mean that they're ending their marriage. Mama and papa have fought many times, but they're still together. Right?" Rose asked, proving a point.
Gwen thought for a moment and realized Rose and William were right and that she should've listened to Elder Kettle's advice about letting them sort it out for themselves.
"I guess you're right. I should've listened to Elder Kettle." Gwen admitted.
"Please listen to him Gwen. He loves you and cares about you too." Rose said.
Just then, Gwen remembered something.
"Will? Didn't you say you were having trouble finding another train for your dad's company?" Gwen asked William.
"Yeah, why?" William asked.
"I think I have an idea that might help you and your dad's company." Gwen offered.
"What do you have in mind?" William asked.
Gwen smiled, having a clever idea.
The next day, Gwen, Rose with the twins and the cups join William at his father's steel company train station outside the factory.
"Why did you ask for us to meet here Gwen?" William asked.
Gwen steps near the end of the platform, raises her ink pen and the magic inkwell started glowing. She magically conjures up a large brand-new steam locomotive train with every feature and detail.
Both humans stood in shock at the steam locomotive. William approaches the train and checks out every detail.
"Wow, Gwen. She's a real beauty." William complimented.
"He." Gwen corrected him.
"He?" William asked, confused.
William took one look at the front of the train, he noticed two eyes opening, scaring William.
"Whoa!" William exclaimed.
"Please don't freak out! He won't hurt you!" Gwen assured him.
Rose was just as shocked at the sight of the living locomotive unlike the cups who also have living trains in their world like the Phantom Express. The large locomotive smiled, waved his cylinder arm and tooted, greeting the humans and cups.
"Okay buddy, show him what you can do." Gwen instructed the locomotive.
The locomotive cleared his throat.
"All aboard! All aboard!" The locomotive said in a loud metallic voice through his whistle.
His bell started dinging, then he took a deep breath and shot out steam, preparing to start moving.
"Come on guys, get on!" Gwen said as she hurried into the locomotive's cab.
"Yay!" Both cups cheered and hop into the train with Gwen.
William and Rose and the kids quickly get in as the locomotive started moving down the train tracks up to speed. The locomotive drives on the train tracks for a while. During that time, William and Rose stick their heads out, checking out the sights.
"Wow, this is awesome!" William said happily.
Gwen magically creates a radio and plays a happy, cheerful tune as they were riding.
"Really?" Rose asked.
"What? It fits the mood." Gwen explained.
As they traveled around the countryside of Massachusetts, the group notices a flock of birds landing on top of the locomotive as he was smiling. Gwen giggled as the group smiled.
"I think he's got a soft side for small animals." Gwen said.
"TOOT TOOT!" The locomotive tooted in agreement.
"Okay, okay buddy." Gwen said, patting outside the window.
"What's his name?" William asked.
"I don't know. I didn't give him a name. But, since he's all yours now, I think you should name him." Gwen pointed out.
"Really? Okay, um..." William thought for a while.
Then, William got an idea.
"I think I'll name him… Carbon Steel." William announced.
"Neat!" Cuphead complimented.
"Nice name choice Will." Mugman added.
"What do you think buddy? You like Carbon Steel?" Gwen asked the locomotive.
"TOOT TOOT!" Carbon Steel happily tooted, agreeing to the name.
"Okay, Carbon Steel it is." William said as he patted outside the window.
They continued driving around until they finally returned to the steel company train station.
The group exits Carbon Steel back onto the platform. They look up at Carbon Steel smiling down at the group.
"So, Carbon Steel, you promise to be good to William and help with the steel deliveries around Massachusetts?" Gwen asked the locomotive.
"Toot toot!" Carbon Steel nodded in agreement.
"Will, you take good care of him, okay?" Gwen asked.
"I will, Gwen. I promise. With his help, he can help us meet the high demands of steel around the state and do good for the company." William answered.
Carbon Steel tooted happily and blew a little steam, which William felt the warmth at a safe distance.
Gwen smiled and prepared to leave with the cups as Rose put the twins in the car seat in her car. Before Gwen could teleport back to the Inkwell Isles, Rose give Gwen a big hug.
"Thank you, sis! You really helped our relationship!" Rose said happily.
"For you Rose, anything." Gwen said back.
After hugging, Gwen teleports herself and the cups back to the Inkwell Isles while Rose drives herself and the kids back home.
William managed to help meet the high demands at the steel company with help from his new living steam locomotive Carbon Steel. And for that, he managed to come home from work on time to spend time with his wife and kids.
Gwen and the cups along with Elder Kettle hug each other, happy that they all did a good deed together and enter the cottage. Once again, all's well that ends well.
But the same could not be said for the Devil, who is now being treated for his blindness in his personal ER down in Hell with Henchman at his bedside.
"Boss, boss, boss. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You once again did not listen to us and had to go after her again." Henchman scolded.
"Shut up Henchman… OUCH!" The Devil yelled in pain.
"If I ever see again, I'm gonna kill you!" The Devil yelled at Henchman.
"Boss, boss, boss. You're grounded from using your pitchfork until you regain your eyesight. Until then, it's time for your session with your therapist." Henchman said in disappointment.
The imp therapist arrives and sits in a chair at a safe distance from the Devil.
"Alright Mr. Devil, let's talk about your feelings, shall we?" The imp therapist asked, holding a clipboard and pen.
The Devil groaned in agony, knowing he was once again injured and forced to take therapy sessions to overcome his obsession with Gwen, which is unlikely to happen.
Gwen felt proud of herself not being afraid of the Devil and not giving in to his insults with the silent treatment and continued to believe hope is still there for her as she was on the right path.