Chapter Two: (This is It)

Jason is in utter excitement when seeing Far Far Away in person for the first time ever as soon as they have entered its entrance. Ever since as a child he dreamed of going to the beloved Kingdom and experiencing the high uppity class life that it has to offer. Even though he is able to get there are two things. One, is his good book publishing contract and the other is something that Jason had never imagined it to be possible, and that is being related to the king and queen of Far Far Away by marriage.

"Jason, look!." Goldi broke his attention and pointed at a nice tourist attraction. Then she points at a fancy coffee shop. "We should go there once things settle down."

Jason smiled with a nod. "Yeah, sure. In fact, it is the same coffee shop that I always dreamed of going to and getting that specific coffee drink."

Goldi chuckled. "I want mines filled with honey."

"Oh, you two teens are in for a treat." Fiona happily said before looking out the window and taking a good look of her birth home that she hasn't seen since she was a little girl.

Shrek sighed in misery when looking around the area and didn't like any of it. He knows it's going to go awful as soon as they exit the carriage. "I can feel it in the itch of my bum."

Luckily no one has heard it due to being too excited to see the luscious area that they are in. Donkey is the main one taking it all very well and knows that he has reached the top with his family. He looked at the rolls of tropical trees and the smell of fresh cut clean grass.

"Wow." Donkey looked around and grinned. "It is going to be champagne and caviar for us from now on!."

"Oh, you can say that again!." said Goldi, still having her eyes on everything with Jason.

Shrek sighed with his ears down as he too was looking as well. The area is indeed a thousand times different than his beloved swamp. The streets were nicely cleaned with no trash. The air was so fresh that you could feel the water droplets in your nostrils. The temperature is the perfect mix of warm and cool for everyday moving around or fishing. Shrek's attention was caught when he looked up to see a live billboard of a woman fairy in a sexy pose. Her name is written in bold and says 'Fairy Godmother'. Shrek didn't pay much attention to what the board was advertising as this was indeed overwhelming.

"We are definitely not in the swamp anymore." Shrek sighed.

Jason nodded while still eyeing the things outside. "You can say that again, Dad."

Donkey, with all teeth showing and enjoying every second of it, started talking amongst the citizens and saw two women who were shocked to see what they were seeing. "Hey, it is some day to have a parade, huh?." He looked at the woman on the right. "Hey, good looking!. Yeah, you just keep working on that hat."

Upon getting deeper into the area, many people were taking glances at the carriage that none of them have ever seen before. Curiosity got the better of all the people in Far Far Away, until they started to realize that the long awaited princess of Far Far Away had finally come home with her new husband. With that in their minds they all started to run after the carriage while talking with deep excitement. All five have noticed it and can see that they are causing a big buzz so soon.

Goldi's eyes lit up when seeing a small private kingdom tower with long hairy rope-like hair that was everywhere with the sign that read 'Rapunzel'. "Ay, Jason, that's Rapunzel's place!. The Repunzel!."

Jason quickly looks at the tower kingdom and confirms it. "It is in fact Rapunzel's place. She is one of the people on my childhood list of wanting to meet and getting to know them."

Goldi proudly played with her hair and looked at her boyfriend. "You think she would be willing to give me her haircare secret?."

Jason shrugged with his shoulders. "Shoot, she might. That is if she was asked about that every time someone sees her or visits her."

Donkey laughed. "Oh, I bet you she does, she is like that friend who always gets asked for their secret to their good looks or their body shape and all she does is shrug it off with a laugh saying it's just good genetics."

Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I think so too." He then sees Rapunzel's next-door neighbor as the entrance sign says 'Cinderella'. Then he sees a sign near it. "Hey, Cinderella's home. Huh, she is hosting a lookalike contest. The reward is a free fancy meal, free all paid expense shopping, a free handwritten autograph with the winner in the picture and spending seventy-two hours with Cinderella. Bet you'll win that with ease, honey cakes. You literally have natural blonde hair and excellent looks."

Goldi's face lights up. "Oh my gosh, really?."

"Yes, really.", said Jason, smiling. "And the best part is, it starts this week after the royal ball."

Goldi clapped her hands in excitement. "Oh, I have to enter!."

Fiona leaned in with a knowing smile. "Jason, that's a great idea!. It'll be so much fun. That, and I am childhood friends with Cinderella."

Jason looked at his mom in shock. "Really?."

Fiona nodded. "Yes, really. She's a lovely woman. You know, she's the one who convinced me to marry for love and not because of a curse."

Goldi's eyes widened. "Wow, so you guys go way back!."

Fiona nodded. "Since we were little girls playing in the royal gardens."

Fiona turned to see Shrek saddened to see all this. Her smile drops temporarily in understanding how homesick he is feeling. She placed her hand on his shoulder and got his attention before giving him a warm smile. Shrek relaxed and smiled back. "Don't worry, Shrek. Once this is all over and spending a few couple of weeks, we will be back home in the swamps. Promise."

Shrek nodded, trying to look more cheerful than he felt. "Alright, Fiona."

He knew it was important for his son to see where his mother came from, let alone always talk about wanting to be in Far Far Away. Plus, he had to admit, he was a bit curious himself. Never imagined marrying the top pick of the princess litter. When getting further and further through the city they then reached the main jewel of Far Far Away. The Far Far Away kingdom itself. The giant massive castle stood tall like a beacon of hope or a place that united everyone. Donkey is amazed when seeing it up close and personal before they went through the short tunnel where a huge crowd circled the front door entrance of the castle. All excited and eager to welcome their beloved princess that they haven't seen in years.

The main ones excited and happy were in fact Herold and Lillian. The royal old couple were indeed the happiest people ever in the whole world. They never thought that they would see the day of welcoming their daughter and her husband into the kingdom. Harold and Lillian stood outside and stood in front of the home's door entrance with big smiles on their faces.

"Ah, Lillian, I am so happy that we are going to see our daughter again after so long." said Herold, with a big grin on his face.

Lillian nodded, wiping away a tear. "Indeed, I never thought this day would come. I hope she's okay with all these people. She has been locked in that tower all throughout her childhood and teens. Hope she doesn't get anxious seeing so many people."

Herold chuckled. "She's a strong girl, she'll be fine."

The carriage pulled to a stop, and the crowd grew louder as the royal family stepped out, waving to their people. Fiona's heart swelled with joy and a touch of nervousness as she saw her parents. She had missed them so much, and the thought of reconnecting after all this time filled her with a warmth that countered the cool evening air. Jason feels the nervousness coming back to him once again when catching glimpse of his grandmother. Goldi looked at her soon to be grandparents- in-laws with deep excitement and determination of being accepted by them, just so they could see her worthy as a good wife to their grandson.

A male announcer spoke up loud and clear after opening his scroll. "Ladies and Gentlemen of Far Far Away, let's give a round of applause and cheer to our long away princess and her new husband!."

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause so loud that it could be heard from miles away. Goldi was nervous but also excited as she watched Jason's reaction to all of this. She looked at him and he was looking nervously and savoring every moment of it. He looked over at her and whispered, "You ready for this?."

Goldi nodded with a grin. "I think so. It's just like back at the village, but with more people and less mud."

Shrek grunted, "What I wouldn't give for a nice mud bath right now."

Fiona exhaled and smiled at everyone. "Well?. This is it."

Herold whispered to Lillian. "This is it."

A servant male put his hand on the knob to the carriage and spoke with confidence. "This is it."

A birdman carrier, who was carrying a box of birds, sat down the box filled with birds and put his hands on the latch with a chuckle. "This is it."

The trumpets began to play loudly in royal tune as the servant opened the carriage door and the birdman carrier opened the box of birds as they flew out. With all of the utter and memorable excitement it soon went downhill as soon as Shrek, Fiona, Jason, Donkey, and Goldi walked out and in the open. The reaction of everyone is in fact honest and expected. The trumpet players air choked in blowing when seeing what they saw. Everyone gasped, including a bird after he too looked and gasped, before crashing against the concrete wall and then falling right down on its back right by the feet of the king and queen. Herold and Lillian were in utter disbelief. Everything was in utter silence before an innocent baby started crying in fright.

Shrek and the others have taken it all in and didn't prepare for this at all throughout their long and long ride over here.

"Uhhhhh..." Donkey quickly thinks of an escape route. "Hey, why don't you guys go ahead and I'll park the car."

"I'm right behind you, Donkey." Jason was quickly about to join him back inside. That is until Goldi grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"Oh, no you don't." Goldi frowned a bit. "Donkey, go."

"Don't have to tell me twice." Donkey said, as he got in the carriage and pulled out.

Goldi sighed and locked her arm with Jason. She puts on a good forced smile before looking at her soon to be mother-in-law. "Shall we?."

Fiona followed as she put her hand in Shrek's hand. "Of course."

Not rushing for one bit, they slowly eased down on the royal carpet and tried to avoid the disliked staring of everyone.

"Do you still think it was a good idea to come?." Shrek asked his wife.

Fiona squeezed his hand gently. "I know it looks standstill but look. My Mom and Dad are happy to see us?."

"Are you sure about that?." Jason said looking forward to the two rulers.

Yes, Herold and Lillian were smiling and waving but it looked forced and fake. The two had different feelings about what they were seeing. For Herold, he sees chaos and outrage. As for Lillian, she is in fact seeing this as out of the ordinary with a hint of irony. And that irony is seeing the same young moor she had traveled so far to get a signed book that he published it. Lillian is most definitely looking forward to reading Jason's book after dinner and learning how all of this got started. But overall she is pleased to see him again and feel very proud to be his new grandmother.

"Who on earth are they?." Herold spoke through his teeth.

"Well, darling, it looks like it is our little girl with her new family." Lillian spoke before the two walked down.

Herold isn't taking it well at all. "That is not a little girl. In fact, this is a big major problem." He slightly looks at his wife while still eyeing them with his forced smile. "Ain't Charming supposed to kiss Fiona and break the spell?."

Lillian, who had an open mind, spoke up in her daughter's defense. "They may not be charming to our expectations. But they do look..."

"Happy now?." Shrek spoke to Fiona while eyeing some angered people and seeing a tipped off mob were ready to light their torches. "We came. We saw them. So why don't we leave before they light the torches?."

"Speak for yourself, Dad." Jason is looking at a group of men with a few having whips on their sides and one with a pair of shackles and they are all eyeing him. "I'm seeing my options of being lynched or getting shipped off on a slave trading ship."

"There are no slave traitors or slave overseers in Far Far Away." Goldi corrects him before eyeing the men who are in distaste at what they are seeing with her holding hands with Jason.

"Uh, can't see what I see?." asked Jason.

Goldi nodded. "But you know how people can be. They will judge you before getting to know you."

Jason looked back at them and saw how angrily they looked. "It looks like they are more furious with you than me. I believe that they are highly against miscegenation. We are in the timeframe where our union isn't accepted."

Goldi nodded. "It's alright, we'll show them that love is more than just skin deep. Besides, if they want to start something, they'll have to deal with me. I don't hesitate in clawing someone's eye out."

"You're not clawing anyone's eyes out, Goldi." Fiona tells her before looking back at Shrek. "And as for your state of the obvious, Shrek, my parents aren't like that."

"Uh, hello?." Shrek slightly looked at her. "Last time I checked, they had locked you in a tower since your childhood."

"Hey!." Fiona snapped at Shrek. "That is for my own good!."

Herold sees an opportunity. "Hey, they aren't looking, Lillian." He slightly turned away. "I say we ran back inside and pretend that we aren't at home."

Lillian pulls him back. "No. We're not doing that, Herold. Act your age."

"Alright, they aren't looking. Let's make a run for it. While we still have the chance." Shrek spoke quickly.

"Shrek?!. Shhhh!." Fiona responded.

Jason looked at Fiona. "Dad got a point there, Mom." He looks back at Goldi. "It's not too late."

"Jason," Goldi said, her grip tightening on his arm. "We're doing this. For you, for us, for your father, for your mother, and for everyone."

Jason nodded firmly, drawing strength from her conviction. "I wish you were a coward."

Goldi smirked. "You know I'm not."

Herold shook his head as they were getting closer. "This is going to be disastrous. Every single kingdom is going to talk about this come tonight or tomorrow."

"It's none of the business of the other kingdoms, Herold." said Lillian.

After a few more seconds they both reached each other and looked face to face. The crowd watched to see how things played out before returning to their regular lives, along with going to talk about what they witnessed and spreading the news like wildfire. Fiona looked at her parents with such happiness as she has dearly missed them for years. She let go of Shrek and looked at them.

"Mom." Fiona then looked at her father. "Dad." She pulls them in a good strong hug. "It's so very good to see you two."

Herold and Lillian looked at each other in shock and then back at their daughter. On the outside, Fiona is a terrifying ogre monster and should be cautious. But on the inside, Fiona is still their little girl that they cherished all those years ago.

Herold patted her awkwardly. "Fiona. It's been so long. Welcome home, sweetie."

Lillian managed a smile. "Yes, welcome back."

Fiona pulls back and looks at Jason. "Mom. Dad. I would like you to meet my son. Your grandson. Jason."

"Oh, I already met the young man not too long ago." Lillian looked at Jason with a smirk.

"You have?." Fiona looked back at Jason with a confused look. "How?."

"I was going to bring that up on our ride over here, Mom." Jason rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I met your mom at my very first book signing. She traveled to have my book after hearing so much about it from so many others. I was shocked that my book's popularity had reached her ears."

Herold took a closer look at Jason, his expression softening. "Ah, the young writer who captured the heart of our kingdom with his words. It's an honor to finally meet you in person, young man."

"Uh, thanks. Sir." Jason feels too nervous and quickly pulls Goldi up. "This is my girlfriend and betrothed. Goldilocks. Or Goldi for short."

Herold looked at Goldi with a puzzled expression. "Ah, yes. The girl from the book. With the...uh... porridge?."

"That's right, Your Highness." Goldi said with a nod, trying not to blush. "And the three bears."

Lillian's eyes lit up. "Ah, the porridge girl!. How delightful!." She stepped forward to embrace Goldi, who awkwardly hugged back. "Hmmm, it is kind of weird that I could have sworn that I saw you and your bear family on the wanted poster."

"Oh, well, uh..." Goldi started to get worried. "I am in fact a wanted criminal."

Herold and Lillian both took a step back, their smiles slipping off their faces. "What?!."

"But don't worry, royal mates!." Goldi's British accent hits hard. "My crimes are...hate to say it...amateur."

Herold and Lillian shared a nervous look before Fiona quickly jumped in. "It's okay, Mom. Dad. It's all in the past now. Goldi's turned over a new leaf. Besides, she's family now."

Lillian cleared her throat, trying to keep her composure. "Well, in that case, welcome to Far Far Away, Goldi. We're looking forward to getting to know you better."

Herold managed a stiff nod. "Yes, welcome. But do try to keep any... criminal activity to zero, will you?."

Goldi nodded vigorously. "Of course, Your Highness!."

Fiona relaxed and spoke to introduce the best for last. "Mom. Dad. I would like for you to meet my husband. Shrek."

Shrek, who is now the center of attention, is nervous all over and trying to win them. He chuckled. "Uh, it's so good to know which side that Fiona gets her looks from."

He lightly chuckled while seeing Fiona, Jason, and Goldi's facial expressions being flopped as Herold and Lillian's faces showed that they didn't take it well. Shrek can see he has a lot of work to do to win his in-laws over.