When Quinn and Gabe presented themselves at the Lennoxes an hour later, there was no trace of their earlier conflict. They were united as a couple, excited and apprehensive about the journey they were about to embark on. In a few minutes, they would become full-time parents, and it was both daunting and exhilarating. Gabe knocked on the door and squeezed Quinn’s hand in silent support.

“Everything is packed and ready to go, except for young miss here,” Mari said, leading them into the front room. Emma was stretched out on the sofa, lying perfectly still with her eyes closed. She was wearing a pink princess dress, and a plastic tiara was askew on her head.

Gabe looked at Mari in panic. “Is she sick?” He was prepared for tears, and a possible temper-tantrum, but not this unnatural silence from his daughter, who still hadn’t so much as opened her eyes despite their presence in the room.

“It’s nothing that a kiss from a prince won’t cure. We are playing Sleeping Beauty. Alastair offered his services, but was rejected on the grounds of being too old. Gabe, you’re up.”

Gabe looked a bit bemused, but walked over to Emma and sat down on the side of the sofa, leaning toward her to kiss her.

“Kneel, Prince Gabe,” Emma whispered out of the side of her mouth.

Gabe complied, kneeling on one knee and taking her hand in his as he bent over Emma and kissed her gently on the cheek. Emma’s eyes fluttered open, and she proceeded to reenact the scene from the Disney movie, smiling at Gabe serenely and blushing.

“Shall we away to my father’s castle?” Gabe asked, still acting princely, to the delight of Emma.

Emma considered this for a moment. In the movie, she was already in the castle, but this was an interesting development, and she wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to be spirited away.

“Do you have a horse waiting?” she asked.

“No, but my carriage is at your disposal, Princess,” Gabe improvised.

“My shoes,” Emma said regally. Gabe accepted a pair of pink trainers from Mari and solemnly put them on Emma’s feet, as if she were Cinderella.

“The glass slippers fit,” he proclaimed, making Emma laugh.

“That’s a different story,” she chided him. “I’m Aurora.”

“Sorry, Your Highness. I got my princesses mixed up. Are you ready to go?” Gabe asked. Quinn could hear the worry in his voice. If Emma refused to leave, they would have to cajole her somehow, but Emma was ready.

“Take me to your castle, Gabe,” she said dramatically as she allowed Mari to help her on with her coat.

“Sweetheart, could you possibly call me Dad?” Gabe asked. His voice caught a little as he made this request, but Emma was oblivious to his fragile feelings.

“No,” she said simply. “I like calling you Gabe.”

Gabe looked crestfallen, and both Quinn and Mari gave him sympathetic looks. Emma didn’t recognize Gabe as her father. To her, he was just a nice man with whom she’d stay for a while in England. Being only four, she couldn’t really imagine any kind of long-term future, which was probably for the best, given that neither her mother or grandmother would be a part of it, a fact she hadn’t quite accepted yet. She liked Gabe, but felt more comfortable with Quinn, since she was used to being around women. Emma jumped off the couch and walked over to Quinn, taking her hand shyly.

“There’s time yet,” Mari said to Gabe as she handed him Emma’s cases.

“I know. Thank you for everything, Mari,” Gabe said and kissed the older woman on the cheek.

“Call me if you need anything, or even if you just want to talk. The first few weeks won’t be easy. Alastair wanted to be here, but he had a client waiting,” she said as she walked them to the door.

“Give him our regards,” Gabe said, his mind already on the journey ahead.

“Bye, Mari,” Emma called out over her shoulder. She didn’t feel sentimental about leaving Mr. and Mrs. Lennox, which was probably a blessing. Losing her mother and grandmother was enough of a blow without feeling as if she was being torn from the Lennoxes as well.

Quinn buckled Emma into the child seat they’d installed and sat next to her in the back while Gabe stowed her cases in the boot. Quinn had prepared several books and games for the trip, and Emma was already holding her favorite stuffed rabbit, appropriated named Mr. Rabbit. She smiled at Quinn, but her smile was a bit wobbly. She was as nervous about her new life as her four-year-old self could be and craved reassurance. Quinn patted her hand.

“Don’t worry. Everything is going to be wonderful. Gabe’s mum and dad are really nice, and they can’t wait to meet you.”

“But I don’t even know them,” Emma protested. “Mum never said I had other grandparents.”

“No, I don’t suppose she did, but I think you are going to really like them. And did I tell you that they have a puppy?”

“They do?” Emma asked, her fears forgotten.

“Yes. His name is Buster, and he’s really sweet.”

“What does he look like?”

“Well, he’s kind of yellow, I suppose, with big, kind, brown eyes. He loves to play, but Gabe’s dad is getting too old to run around with him, so it will be up to you to keep him entertained. I hear he loves playing fetch. Will you play with him?”

“Yes,” Emma replied happily.

Gabe finally got into the driver’s seat and turned to smile at Emma and Quinn. “Are you two ready?”

“Yes,” Emma said again. She waved to Mari, who was standing on the stoop with Alastair.

 “And off we go, Princess Emma,” Gabe said as the car slid away from the curb.

“Off we go,” Emma cried regally, Mari and Alastair already forgotten.