How Did It Come To This?

Chapter 1-New Arrival

Two women were currently cuddled up on a couch in the parlor. Alma Peregrine, and Opal Smith. They'd very recently gotten married and neither could be happier. Alma hid her face in the taller woman's chest as they laid down on the couch, happy and content.

Emma and Olive snuck into the room, dragging an old fashioned camera along with them. They took a picture, not even trying to be subtle anymore. Opal smiled for the picture and held Alma back when she tried to get up and chase the two girls who'd run away with the photo. "Let them have their fun, dear." Opal said, making Alma grumble a bit in response.

Soon Claire and Bronwyn ran into the room, begging the two women to read to them, though Brownwyn was perfectly capable and Claire was getting the hang of it, they still preferred having a story read to them.

Opal would've much rather continued cuddling her wife, though Alma sat up, agreeing. She loved spending time with Opal, but her children would always come first. Her wife wondered off as she read to the younger girls. When the book came to an end, she stood to go and find her.

Alma ended up finding not only Opal, but the twins as well. Each of them cuddled up to the woman's sides, all three appeared to be asleep. Alma smiled to herself, shaking her head. She was carful not to wake any of them as she lifted the twins one by one and brought them to their own beds in their room.

Alma then went back downstairs and began making dinner. As she was finishing up she felt hands around her waist, pulling her back into her wife. "Good morning, hun, you have a nice nap?" She grinned, looking back at the taller woman.

"I did. Had a nice dream too." She hummed as she lifted one hand up to play with Alma's hair.

"What was it about?" She asked as she whipped down the counter space she'd just finished using.

"You." She flipped her wife around, pinning her to the counter. Opal grinned, looking down at the professional woman in front of her. "You're wonderful." She leaned in, placing a short kiss to the shorter woman's lips before pulling away again, picking up a few bowls and going to put them on the table.

Alma rolled her eyes with a smile as she grabbed a few bowls as well to help set the table. Once it was finished the children were called in and lunch began. "So Miss Peregrine..." Olive started. "Don't get mad! But a few of us may have gone to the present, just for a minute!" She tried to rush to her point to avoid a scolding. "And we think we might've found another peculiar. Maybe you could check it out?"

The woman sighed. "Which of you went and were you seen?"

"Emma, Millard, Horace, Enoch, and I went. And I don't believe so, we were carful and Millard made sure the coast was clear."

"Right. And this maybe-peculiar, where might I find them?"

"She's staying in the Priest Hole at the moment, not sure if she's gonna be on the island permanently or not." Emma said now, even though food was currently residing in her mouth.

"Polite persons do not speak with their mouth full, Emma. I'll find out what I can about this girl after lunch." She said, gesturing for everyone to continue eating.

True to her word, after lunch had ended the ymbryne left, placing her children in the care of Opal. She remained a peregrine falcon until after she'd left the loop and landed behind the pub. Now, as a human, she walked to the front of the building and entered, going to sit down at the bar. "Can I get you anything, ma'am?" Kev, the bartender asked.

"Just a water will do." She said as she scanned the room, looking for anyone new or out of place. Her eyes eventually landed on someone she didn't recognize, who was currently walking down the stairs.