Two months later, Philip and Aurora were waiting anxiously by a canopy on Arendelle Harbour. Today was the day Mulan would officially join their family forever. Regina, acting as a Celebrant, was behind a desk under the canopy. Emma and Killian were supporting Aurora and Philip, with Dorothy and Ruby being Mulan's Matrons of Honour.
Luna was wearing a backless dress. Other than two faint red lines, there was no trace of the angry welts from her ordeal. Both should be gone shortly, thank Merlin! The same is true for one of the two remaining welts on my bottom. Hannah thinks that the other might be a permanent scar, but it could have been a lot worse.
"Captain Fishfinger and his gang will be stuck in a supermax prison for forty years at least," Rex told Zelena. "Cobblepot managed to avoid the worst charges, as usual, and so should be out in six months."
As Mulan in a beautiful white Chinese-inspired dress approached her True Loves, her Matrons in pale green dresses just behind her, a loud splash came from the sea. The kraken had been invited to join in the festivities. When asked, Regina would shrug and observe that, since they already had a cricket as a citizen of the Enchanted Realms, a giant squid seemed like the next logical step. If it had been Ursula, things might have been different, she conceded. Their new friend wasn't an evil witch, which made a difference of course.
The massed Pembroke family, including Dan and the Doctor, were seated towards the back. "Isn't it romantic?" Kate sighed as the happy trio shared a three-way kiss, Regina having pronounced them as man and wives.
"Absolutely," Mary agreed.
"We have all fourteen of us present, safe and sound," Anne echoed. "Just one big happy family…"
"Actually, Mum," Mary said, tapping her midriff in an immediately recognisable gesture, "all fifteen of us are! Dan and I are to be parents around the middle of next year. Cherry Ames confirmed it two days ago."
"Mi hija!" Catalina sobbed happily. "What about…"
"Cherry asked Hannah Longbottom to do a full magical scan, Mama. There is a baby inside me this time. Neither Cherry nor Hannah could find any trace of a tumour either." During her queenship, Mary had suffered a phantom pregnancy. Ironically, it was probably a symptom of the stomach cancer that ultimately ended her original life.
"That is great news. Congratulations to both you and Dan!"
"Thanks, Mum!" Mary beamed delightedly. "Now we just have to tell the Holmes' and the Irregulars. I cannot wait to be a Mum!"
In the Pembroke Family, all was well. Until, that is, another mystery would come across their path…