Chapter One Hundred and Eight
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
*ducks projectiles* Sorry! I know it's been a while since my last update! I don't really have any excuses, just a lot of stress at work with mandatory overtime wearing me out. Hopefully, things calm down soon so I'll be able to have more stable updates :D
Hope you all enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Milah held back a sigh as she took her scroll. Despite the looming danger that Freddy presented, she couldn't help but hope this scroll would be a happy one. At least for her family at any rate.
Harriet sighed as she looked at her little sister as she prepared to leave the Isle once and for all.
CJ sighed mentally. Although she was happy for Harriet, she couldn't say she was surprised.
The invitations had been sent out, and only one Hook girl had gotten a ticket off the Isle.
Because she needs it more…CJ will be safe but Harriet… Harry thought, getting an idea of his scroll self's thoughts. It was clear as glass that Harriet had some sort of feelings for Sammy but his stubborn sister wouldn't let herself be happy.
Harriet had been disappointed but CJ had…well she had simply been resigned.
CJ shrugged as many of the eyes in the room turned to her. What? She already knew it was coming.
"I'm not surprised," CJ said as she looked at Harriet's invitation.
Harry would deny it if anyone said anything, but he flinched slightly. He could almost hear her tone through the scroll
Harriet shook her head. "You're younger CJ. You should be the one going to Auradon not me. I'm a Captain after all. I need to look after the crew."
"So are Uma and Mal and they still appointed an acting Captain. Just because you're invited off doesn't make you any less loyal Harriet," Henry said.
"Harriet, everyone knows Harry hates me," CJ said and the almost blasé way her little sister had said that broke Harriet's heart. "He's hated me since I was born…and I don't know why and frankly I don't care!"
"Liar…" Lucy said softly. She knew what it was like to pretend you didn't care about someone in the family.
"If you didn't care, you wouldn't be angry about it," Harriet told her, trying to push back the memory of a four year old Harry declaring to her that he hated their sister because CJ had taken their mama from them. Had made their papa hate him. Well more than he already did because, according to Harry, he had mama's eyes and the girls didn't.
And for the me that lost her…that's a daily reminder… James sighed mentally. Not that that excused the other him harming Harry!
Harry had already not been that fond of CJ when she'd been born, because of the numerous nights their father had sat with him before CJ had been born. The Captain had waxed poetically about what having a little brother was like. Of course, Harriet had to wonder just how the Captain had known that—he had been the little brother after all.
Kit sighed. "He built the expectations too high when he didn't know he could follow through," he whispered.
"Harriet, he's had what fourteen years to get over the fact that I was born," CJ scoffed. "He moved into Lord Hades' place as soon as he could! If not for the fact that you dragged him to the once a month family dinners, I'm pretty sure the only time I'd see Harry would be on the ship!"
"Okay I have to admit that's a little cruel, scroll me…I mean do you want Harry to die sticking around?" CJ said softly.
Harriet couldn't help but give her little sister a sad smile. She had no idea how much she resembled their mother. There were days, especially as CJ grew up, that it hurt for Harriet to look at her. To be reminded of the good days.
CJ bit her lip. "Harriet I-."
"Don't apologize CJ…it's a simple truth. You really do look like her; in fact if you had dark hair you two would be copies except for the eyes," Harriet said with a sad smile.
For Harry, who had almost been the definition of a mama's boy if such a thing existed on the Isle, trailing after their mom during her pregnancy with a dagger the Captain had given him to protect her because the baby didn't have a dagger?
"...You gave him a dagger?" Kit asked, looking over at James.
"Apparently?" James said. "Harry's only just been born in my timeline…getting those memories was not fun though I wouldn't trade them for the world."
"But a dagger?"
Cinderella snorted slightly. "Right, because you didn't have a wooden dagger made for Chad when he was about four or five because he wanted to act out you sliding down a sail with your dagger when you went to stop the ship I was on," she said.
"I doubt Harry's dagger was wooden!"
Losing her had been hard enough, especially as the Captain changed to the hardened man the three Hooklings knew him to be. Knowing her death could have been prevented had some vile bat hadn't thought them not deserving of actual food would have crushed him. So seeing CJ, a walking reminder of what he'd lost, around Auradon?
Most of the AKs winced while James and Milah flinched. Some of the others glared over at Leah.
She wasn't defending him and chances were she'd be chewing his ear off for forcing her to make this decision but she understood his thinking.
"The only one that knows how Harry thinks better than I do is Uma," Harriet said with a soft nod.
"I'll talk some sense into him," Harriet promised. "You'll be in the next group."
"She was there even sooner than that," Malinda said with a small smile.
"I doubt it," CJ muttered. "It's more likely Sammy will be than me. After all, her brothers are going with you."
"Sammy's not coming?" Squeaky asked softly.
Harriet sighed. She wasn't going to lie, the idea of her and Sammy alone in Boreadon together…? It sent chills down her spine at the thought of being in an area where the Captain couldn't find out.
Wait…why would it send chills down my spine? Harriet thought.
They had been together, the two of them, at Ursula's the day Mal took down the Dragon—the rest of the crew preferring Lord Hades' restaurant at the time. Harriet still didn't know what had gotten into her but at that moment, she'd grabbed Sammy by the shoulders and kissed her.
Harriet and Sammy both flush bright red, both girls refusing to look at each other or their fathers.
"So you're gay lass. And? It matters how?" James said gently.
"Aye, James is right," Smee nodded. "All that matters is your happiness."
To that day, they hadn't talked about the kiss. But Harriet couldn't deny the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach every time she glanced at her best friend…the goosebumps that would rise on her arms every time Sammy murmured in her ear about Harry's denial of his feelings for Uma.
Harriet closed her eyes, fighting a groan. Why? Why did that have to be in there?!
"What denial?!" Harry exclaimed.
She wanted nothing more than to be with her. But it wasn't safe, not after Dustin had been jumped the year before. He never said why four Angels jumped him and Jace Baddun, though the fact that it was four Angels said enough.
Harry nodded knowingly.
But Harriet didn't want to put an even larger target on Sammy's back.
"...I already have a target," Sammy said softly.
She couldn't do that to her. Not as her captain. Not as her friend. Even if that was all she'd ever be.
Harriet finally nodded, despite her red face and inability to look Sammy in the eye. She'd rather she be there as a friend than not at all.
"Harriet?" CJ asked, her voice faint and Harriet shook her head slightly to pull herself out of her thoughts.
"As has been happening since she and Harry were born."
"Listen to me CJ," she said pulling CJ into a hug. "You give Sammy the same respect you give me, understand?"
"I don't think she can, Captain," Sammy said with a slight chuckle.
"Oh come on Harriet. I like Sammy more than that," CJ told her, roiling her eyes. "But I'll behave slightly better for Sammy. You're minding her brothers, it's the least I can do."
"You know what I mean," Harriet gently scolded CJ, the teasing note audible in her voice.
"I'll watch her back cap'n, don't worry," Sammy told Harriet, giving the dark haired girl a small smile as she stood near the door to try to give the two Hook sisters some privacy.
"That's nice of you!" Dizzy grinned.
"I know Sammy," Harriet said, looking over and returning the smile; shoving down the butterflies that threatened to break free. "I'll look after Squeaky and Squirmy when we're across the bridge."
"You always do," Harry nodded.
"Just warning you now, they might be a bit clingy. But you look after my siblings and I'll look after yours…and I'll shut up now."
"Why? You didn't say anything wrong," Rachel said.
"You're fine Sammy," Harriet said as she knelt down in front of CJ. "Listen to Henry and listen to Sammy alright? Don't do anything stupid CJ and know if you need it, Harry and I can come running as quickly as it takes us to get transport back here."
"How fast can those limos go?" Harriet asked.
"I know," CJ said softly.
"I promise you CJ. You will get off this Isle," Harriet told her. "You, me, and Harry. We'll all be together again. I will come back for you."
"I don't doubt that," CJ said softly.
"Like Harry would let you," CJ muttered. "He's probably celebrating that his favorite sister got picked. Gods, he probably picked you from the pile."
"Harry doesn't 'let' me do anything. You're coming off next CJ," Harriet said firmly.
"CJ—."
"I know, I know," CJ rolled her eyes. "You're going to say he doesn't hate me…but Harriet, when he left, he gave you a hug. All I got was a 'see ya runt'. I've heard it all before."
"...Okay to be fair…that would hurt…" Dizzy said softly as Harry somehow managed to avoid everyone's eyes without making it seem like he was avoiding everyone's eyes.
Harriet let out a small sigh. Harry, you and I are so having a talk, she thought. Leaning forward, she brushed a bit of CJ's blonde hair out of her eyes. "I'll see you soon. I love you CJ."
"Don't hurt him too much Harriet. Good First Mates don't grow in kelp, I kinda need him," Uma chuckled slightly.
"…love you too," CJ muttered.
"...Another rare lot of VK's that feel secure enough to use the L word to each other," Mal said with a sad smile.
"It's a lot easier to say it to your sibling though," Malinda reminded her.
Harriet smiled slightly as she stood up and went over to Sammy, pulling her into a hug. "I will get you off the Isle too," she whispered.
"I know cap'n."
"I don't doubt it," Sammy nodded, shooting Harriet a smile.
Harriet nodded before breaking the hug and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'll see you guys soon."
"Go," Sammy said, her voice a near whisper. Harriet nodded and headed out, making her way down the gangplank and into the pipe where the limo waited on the other side.
"That seems to be becoming the 'Isle limo' parking spot," Jay said with a smile.
Harrison James Hook! Be prepared for a long conversation on the way to Auradon!
"Oooh the full name!"
"Ready to go lassie?" Harry asked as Harriet stormed toward the limo. Uma had already gone to get Celia while Jay had the twins secured in the limo, with some help from Sammy and Gil. In fact they had been the first ones to go as Harriet had been arguing with CJ all the while. Mal was the last one back but she didn't mind it as she walked up with Dizzy chattering away eagerly by her side.
"I'm sorry, we split up when Zevon's still a threat on the Isle?!" Jay exclaimed. "Why didn't I go with Mal? Or even send Gil if I needed to help secure the Smee twins?!"
"We need to talk," Harriet growled as she tossed her bag into the limo.
"I didn't do it!" Harry said as Dizzy giggled, gently putting her bag in the trunk.
"Actually, technically you did," Celia said with a sad smile.
"Your grandmother told me you'd forget this," Mal stated, holding out a glue gun. "I have to say, Lady Tremaine is a lot nicer to me ever since Ben proposed."
"Makes sense, she's all about rank and Mal's has just gone up," Kitty said.
"It's because you've been elevated in rank," Dizzy said, grabbing her glue gun with a big smile that threatened to split her face in two. "Thanks Mal."
"And Dizzy just confirmed it," Alexandria chuckled.
"Don't mention it. Now…get your butt in that limo. I think Evie will squeal so loudly it'll deafen us all when she sees you."
"We'll provide ear plugs," Emir chuckled.
Dizzy grinned once more and scurried into the limo, sitting next to Celia and the two girls began to chatter away at what they'd do once they got to Auradon.
Uma and Evie smiled softly at the image; happy that their sisters (or sister in all but blood in Dizzy and Evie's case) were able to finally get off the Isle.
Mal sighed. They deserved a big crowd and send off. But since Freddy was still out there somewhere, they couldn't risk the Angels attacking and holding one of the girls, or one of the twins, hostage.
"Smart," Cassandra nodded.
"Another difference from my timeline. VK day was a big event," Audie said. "Of course it's also the day that Ben proposed to Mal in my timeline so I kinda have to wonder if Ben made it that way so he could propose."
"What did I do?" Harry asked Harriet, keeping his voice low from their spot by the trunk. "I haven't heard that tone in a while."
"Everyone knows the 'Mother/Mother figure is upset' tone," Chip nodded.
"I'll tell you about it in the car," Harriet growled. "But if you want a hint, think about your other sister for a millisecond."
That's probably as long as you can get him to think about me, CJ thought.
"What? CJ? Is she okay?"
"And right there is proof he actually does care," Alexandria said, her voice low.
"Oh she's fine and she'd be amazed to hear that you actually know her name," Harriet said as she slammed the trunk of the limo down. "She just thinks you hate her Harry! And I am not having this conversation in front of the entire Isle so get in the Gods damn car!"
James shook his head in sadness and disbelief. These were his kids? How could they be so broken? How could he let them be so broken?
"What?! I—!"
"Harry, don't make me pull rank on you!"
"Whoa Harriet is upset!" Jay said.
"..okay, okay," Harry muttered as he climbed into the limo. Harriet sighed and followed him.
Once inside, she turned and looked at her little brother. "CJ thinks you hate her."
Because it's true, to him I took away the person he loves most in the world, CJ thought with a small sigh.
"I heard you the first time."
"But it bears repeating if it gets your attention," Harriet said, her voice low.
"Then you should know I have tried to convince her otherwise but the fact that I'm getting off the Isle and she's not might be what breaks her!"
"Hey! I'm tougher than that, Harriet!" CJ cried.
Harry shook his head. "I don't hate her. At least, I don't anymore. Ben…he made us go through these therapy sessions when we first got into Auradon. Apparently, blaming your kid sister for the death of your mother when she died in childbirth is really messed up.
"It is. But it's also understandable in this case," Aziz said, his voice soft.
At least according to my shrink who told Ben I should have a lot more sessions."
"...who is Harry's 'shrink'? They're good," Uma said.
"He started off with Bowler Hat guy–."
"Wait, he was a villain! How'd he escape being on the Isle?"
Malinda shook her head. "Don't you remember that story? The hat was more of a villain than Goob. Sides, his sports stories at least made it so Harry wouldn't glare at him all session. Harry's words, not Goob's. But he switched after Julieta Madrigal got her therapy license."
"Why?" Harry asked. "If Goob's so good?"
"You'll see," Malinda said with a small smile.
"And did you?"
"…they wouldn't let me be around swords if I said no," Harry muttered and Harriet shook her head. Sparring would always be the way to get Harry to do what you wanted. Or have Uma be in favor of it.
All those who knew Harry well snorted fondly.
"Well you might want to tell CJ that you don't hate her," Harriet said with a sigh. "Giving me a hug when you left for Auradon while only saying 'see you runt' to CJ doesn't give the impression that you don't hate her. She cried over you not being at home Harry!"
"Harriet!" CJ cried.
Granted the last time she cried was when she was ten but Harry didn't need to know the details.
"No one was supposed to know anyway," CJ muttered.
"What was I supposed to do Harriet? Stay there and be the Captain's punching bag?" Harry hissed, trying to keep his voice low enough so that the others couldn't hear him.
Milah's hands tightened on the scroll at that reminder and James' eyes grew dark at the thought of laying hand or hook on any of his kids.
Harriet shook her head. "Of course not. I lost a mother Harry, do you really think I want to lose my brother too? But it wouldn't hurt to use her name from time to time or even write to her! Harry, the only letters you send are to me!"
"...okay…fair enough," Harry said with a slow nod of his head.
"Because you need them more," Harry said and Harriet tilted her head. What in in the world was he on about?
"I think I know," Milah said softly.
Harry sighed. "Dustin wrote me, a couple of days after Cotillion. He didn't say much, only that you needed to get off the Isle and fast, that something had happened with Sammy during the coronation," he said.
"Makes sense that another person 'on the same team' would click to the dangers," Lucas nodded.
It was all he needed to say though as Harriet's eyes grew wide in understanding and fear. Dustin had…he had seen them? He knew? But he hadn't said anything, though granted she was a Captain and he was only crew. Would Harry…?
Harry stared at Harriet in shock. "Harriet really?! Who do you take me for?!"
But all he did was wrap her up in a hug, his hook resting on the seat as to avoid stabbing his sister in the back with it.
"And that is appreciated," Harriet nodded.
"This was why I fought to get you off the Isle first," he whispered in her ear. "Yeah, CJ's younger but you and I both know what those Angels would have done to you if they found out. I lost one mom to the Isle Harriet, I'm not losing another."
Oh Harry.. Milah thought, proud of her son and yet saddened that he would need to make that decision in the first place. He should have never had to prioritize one sister over the other.
"You…you don't mind?" Harriet whispered back.
"What, that you love who you love? Who do I look like, Freddy?"
"Of course not!"
"How'd you know anyway if Dustin didn't say anything in his letter? I…I haven't even told Sammy yet."
"Well she knows now," Ginny whispered.
"I'm pretty sure watching the Smeelings for her is a pretty clear sign, Harri," Harry said, using his old nickname for her he'd use when he was a toddler and 'Harriet' was too much to pronounce.
"As has been said, I have eyes, sis," Harry said with a slight smile.
Harriet gave him a small smile. "I thought I was the older sibling? You don't have to protect me."
"Yeah well you've been protecting me and CJ all our lives. Let me protect you."
"As Harry says, sibling protection goes both ways," Hadie nodded.
No one noticed the small smile on Jay's lips as he heard Harry and Harriet talk. Something told him the youngest Hook was going to be making her way to Auradon soon enough.
"And she did," Malinda nodded.
They made their way to the bridge without incident or accident. However, that all changed as soon as they crossed the barrier.
"What happened?" some of the parents demanded.
"Jay…is someone on the bridge?" Mal muttered, leaning forward to look through the windshield.
"Looks like it," Jay nodded, as he stopped the limo. Sure enough there was someone standing on the golden bridge, more than likely having just appeared after the bridge was formed. "Stay here Mal. I'll—."
"Oh no you won't!" Mal cried.
"You're the future Queen, Mal! Not to mention my Captain and best friend!" Jay told her. No matter what…you're more important than a common thief.
"Not on your life Jay."
"You can't swim Mal!"
"You mean no one's taught her by then?!" Cassandra exclaimed.
"Neither can you! Stay here with the new VKs," Mal stated. "Harry, Uma, you're with me."
"Right behind you!
"Uh…?"
"Harriet, got a sword?"
Harriet chuckled. "When don't I have a sword Mal?"
"When she's asleep?" Claudine said with a smile.
"Then you're with Jay and Gil," Mal stated. "Four kids are a lot for two people to protect."
"One guards the back, one guards the front," Mal nodded.
Harriet nodded. After all, she'd promised Sammy she'd look after her brothers and that's just what she'd do.
Mal, Harry and Uma climbed out of the limo and stared at the figure in shock as it approached them. It…it couldn't be…
"Sadly it was," Benji muttered.
"Audrey?" Mal gasped, sounding more than a little taken aback. "What..what are you…?"
"Miss me Mal?" Audrey smirked as she did a small twirl, her cape swirling around her as she moved.
"Not really," Malinda said, her voice low.
"Why does she have the Dragon's scepter?" Harry asked, looking over at Mal.
"Yeah and that crown doesn't look like it's part of her regular accessories," Uma nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Wannabe Queen," Emir muttered.
"Oh see I wanted them so I took them," Audrey smirked. "Being pirates, you must be familiar with that concept."
"Don't use our saying against us!" Uma hissed.
"Audrey, where were you? Did you escape from where…" Mal asked and then trailed off. "Wait…you took the scepter?"
"Ding ding ding we have a winner!"
"Mal's not usually this slow on the uptake."
"She's emotionally involved."
"I can hear you!"
"Slow on the uptake aren't you Mal? And I thought dragons were supposed to be smart? Then again it did take your mother sixteen years to figure out my mother was living as a peasant woman and not as a baby!"
Persephone's eyes flashed in anger at the idea of Maleficent once again being credited as Mal's mother.
"Maleficent's goons are not the best in terms of measuring intelligence," Mal growled. "And for the final time Audrey, she is not my mother!"
"What I said…or will say!"" Mal growled.
As if to punctuate her point, Mal bought up a lilac flamed fire ball in the palm of her hand. But before she could let it loose, Audrey shot a beam from the scepter causing Mal to duck out of the way.
"Audrey!" Aurora exclaimed. She didn't want to believe Audrey would actually….
Unfortunately, there were no handrails on the section of the bridge they were on so Mal found herself teetering on the edge. Her face went pale white as she looked down at the water.
"If Mal falls in the water…" Benji muttered, his hands curling into fists. He couldn't believe he hadn't known about this, he should have been there!
"Mal!" Uma shouted and tried to rush to her but another blast from the scepter prevented it.
"I've had two months to perfect using my scepter Mal!" Audrey growled as Mal fell forward to her knees in order to stay on the firm platform. "Funny how easy it is when you've got the right ally."
"Your scepter? Where's the papers changing ownership?" Chip cried with a glare.
Lucas sighed. "Just one mysterious viewing or reading of future events without my husband trying to kill someone would be appreciated," he sighed. Chip hadn't yet but Lucas knew it was coming.
Mal and Uma locked eyes, hoping that the conclusion they'd come to was incorrect. She wasn't…not Freddy?
"Yep," Malinda nodded.
Audrey, I'm really really sorry about this! Mal thought as a cloud of purple smoke surrounded her just like it did at Cotillion.
"Are you though?" Harry asked. "Are you really?"
When it cleared, a dragon stood where Mal had been. Quickly flapping her wings to get stability before climbing into the air, she turned to face Audrey.
"Sic her," Uma muttered.
Without missing a beat, Audrey fired a blast of energy from the scepter causing Mal to dive out of the way to avoid being hit. Audrey smirked as she fired another blast.
Benji glared at the wall, tightening his arms around his wife.
"Get back to the limo," Uma muttered to Harry, both of them unnoticed by the two combatants.
"Not on your life cap'n," Harry muttered back.
"Uma, if you think I'm leaving you in that, then you don't know me!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry, which one of us is descended from the Gods and therefore is much harder to take down?"
"Uma, which one of us is more important in terms of Isle hierarchy?"
"Both of us are, Harry!" Uma insisted.
"Pretty sure I'm not descend–."
"You know what I meant!"
"Uma, Harry, you two might want to duck!" Gil's voice cut off whatever it was that Uma was going to say and the two of them dove to the ground just as a…glue gun flew through the air and hit Audrey in the head.
"...Diz?' Evie said softly, looking over at the red head.
"Leave Mal alone!" Dizzy's voice called out, sounding more angry than Uma had ever heard the younger girl. Raising her head slightly and looking over her shoulder, Uma could see the redhead poking her head through the sunroof; Gil standing on guard in case he needed to pull her back into the safety of the limo.
"Go Dizzy!" Celia cheered.
Audie looked impressed. "Huh, the Queen of Mean whacked with a glue gun. I like it."
"And Uma and Harry!" Celia added, her head popping up to glare at Audrey.
"Get down into the limo, you two!" Uma cried.
Mal quickly took advantage of Audrey's distraction and hit her with a whirlwind attack. She hadn't been sitting idle the past two months after all but practicing whenever she got a moment.
"And I'm sure Ben liked that too," Ahkio grinned though everyone could tell it was weak.
However, she couldn't do a whirlwind for very long before it started to develop into her regular fire breath.
"Oooh things will get hot!" Evan said.
Thankfully, just as it felt as if it was going to transition from hot air to fire and she'd have to explain to Ben why she barbecued one of his oldest friends, Audrey disappeared in a cloud of pink smoke.
"Well…now it's confirmed who the threat is," Henry muttered.
Mal landed and transformed back, a cloud of purple smoke offsetting the pink that still lingered in the air.
"Yeah I think we'd rather have the purple,' Chip muttered.
"Go. Now." Mal stated, her voice hard as Uma bent down to get the glue gun for the young Tremaine girl. "We'll drop the new VKs over at Evie's castle and then we can regroup with Ben."
Ben nodded. "I need to be informed," he said, speaking for the first time since Audrey appeared in the scroll..
"You gonna call him?" Uma asked as the three of them climbed into the limo.
"How else can I contact him? Smoke signals? He doesn't have a link!"
Mal nodded and dialed Ben's number, only to get his voice mail. Seriously Ben?! Now is the time you decide to have your phone off?! It'd better be because of a dead battery!
"Ben!" Emir, Akiho, and Chip all groaned.
Maybe it was better this way though. Better he get the news in person than finding out over the phone that Audrey had stolen the scepter and the Queen's crown.
"...True. This news would be better in person," Rapunzel said softly.
"Drive," Uma told Jay and Jay nodded, making sure to keep the car steady while going faster than he normally would as Harriet and the other VKs tried to comfort the terrified Smee twins.
Sammy bit her lip, her poor little guys….
Meanwhile, across the bridge, Ben knew nothing about the attack on the bridge. He knew nothing about what Mal and the others had discovered. He was preparing himself for a different conversation all together.
"Well…in a way that's good," Belle nodded even though she knew Ben would be devestated when he got the news.
"Mom?" Ben asked, knocking on the door to her office.
"Hello Ben," Belle said, smiling as she saw her son. "How can I help you? Need something for the wedding? A something borrowed so to speak?"
Benji chuckled. "Not yet, mom."
Ben shook his head and gave his mom a small smile of his own, holding out the wrapped present. "I was going to give this to you for your birthday but I think it works better as a reverse engagement present. Besides, we've got years to get the something borrowed."
Belle gasped softly as she remembered what was in there.
"You know it's normally the parents who give the kids the present right?"
"Just open it," Ben chuckled.
"You'll like it, I promise," Benji said with a soft smile.
"Well it's too small to be a book," Belle teased as she unwrapped the box and opened it. "Oh Ben! It's beautiful!"
"That's not the best part," Beast whispered.
The locket itself was an antique pendant with a rose etched in the center of it.
"Oh that sounds beautiful!" Dizzy grinned.
"You…you might want to open the locket," Ben said. "I put a picture in there for you."
"The most precious picture I could ever get," Belle whispered.
Belle gave her son another smile and opened the locket. The smile turned to a gasp as she stared at the picture. The picture she thought she would never see. "Ben…is…is that…?"
Tears began to pool in Belle's eyes but a smile remained on her face. Still, that didn't stop Abby from going over and giving her mother a hug.
"Mal took me to the Isle to help one of her friends," Ben said. "But she also…she also let me see Abigail. Carlos did a bit of technical magic to get her to be a bit clearer but otherwise, it's the same photo as when I took it."
"Can…can I hug you?' Belle asked Carlos, her voice soft.
"Um…okay?" Carlos said, the confusion audible in his voice but he noticeably didn't stiffen as Belle gave him a gentle hug.
Belle didn't say anything but raised a shaky hand to her mouth. "She's beautiful…"
"You really are," Beast said with a small smile as he looked over at his daughter.
"I know dad never got a chance to grieve her and I was more than happy to take the throne to give him that chance," Ben said. "But I know how hard losing her was for you. I may have only been three but—"
"I still remember," Ben said with a soft nod of his head.
He was cut off by Belle gently but forcefully pulling him into a hug.
"I take it this means you like it?"
"I love it."
"I love it," Belle whispered, her tears running down her cheeks and causing the shoulders of Ben's suit to become damp. "Oh Ben!"
"It's okay mom," Ben said with a sad smile.
"I'll get one for dad too but—"
"I know Ben, and I know your mother needs it more than I do."
"Hush you. Your father will know you weren't playing favorites. How did I raise such a selfless, generous son?"
"His gifts probably help," Hades muttered.
"I think Mrs. Potts might have helped there," Ben quipped causing Belle to give him a shaky chuckle.
Chip grinned. "I'll tell her you said that!"
"It'll be okay mom," Ben promised. "We'll find Freddy and wherever he's keeping Audrey and soon the only thing we'll worry about is the wedding prep."
I wish Benji and Malinda thought.
"How are you so hopeful Ben?"
"It's one of my christening gifts mom. I don't really have a choice," Ben told her.
"Nature vs nurture Ben, everything is a choice," Jane said with a smile.
Realistically he knew there'd be more to worry about once they found Freddy but for right now he was going to hold on to hope.
He needed to hold on to it.
"Yes please do," Malinda said with a soft nod.
"That's the end of the scroll," Milah said. "Who would like to read next?"
Ginny shrugged. "I don't mind going," she said.
"Then grab a scroll and join the madness," Carlos told her, earning a small chuckle from Ginny.