A Lieutenant Duckling Story

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo

Emma spent the next few days putting her efforts into trying to figure out what Ariel was up to. The part mermaid usually wasn't so secretive. Emma got her answer as she came through the back door one morning when she was greeted by an enthusiastic Ariel.

"Emma! I have something to tell you!"

Though Emma was a little taken aback by Ariel's excitement, she asked, "Okay, what is it?"

Ariel took Emma's hand and led her over to sit on the staircase as she answered, "So, I know how you did always enjoy going to balls – well, besides the corseted dresses – and I've spent the last few days planning and inviting guests for Seabrooke's annual ball tomorrow night."

Emma was a bit frustrated when she replied, "Yeah, I did enjoy it. But my parents haven't thrown one in years – they got tired of explaining why it had to be during the daylight hours, and why I always had to leave before sunset. It was even more complicated when they couldn't exactly tell the truth to any visiting nobles from other kingdoms."

Ariel gave her goddaughter a sympathetic look before she perked back up as she said, "I know. But I have a way to fix that."

Emma's frustration turned to confusion as she asked, "How?"

Ariel looked quite pleased – more for Emma than herself – as she answered, "Well, I have a way to make it to where you won't turn into a swan for the night so you can attend the ball."

"What? Are you going to bibbidi bobbidi boo me, too?" Emma questioned – though Ariel didn't miss her sarcastic tone.

She couldn't help laugh before she sincerely replied, "Look, Emma, you deserve to have a wonderful time at a ball without constantly looking out the windows." Emma smiled at Ariel before she pulled her in for hug.

As they pulled away Emma said, "Thank you, Ariel."

"Of course, Emma," Ariel told her.

After a moment, Emma once again pulled out the sarcasm, "So, what exactly are you planning on doing? Turning a pumpkin into a carriage?"

Ariel rolled her eyes before she replied, "No. But who says Fairy Godmother gets to have all the fun?"

Emma smiled brightly as she said, "Ok, even if you pull this off, I didn't bring a ball gown."

Without the slightest pause or hesitation, Ariel answered, "Your red one is hanging in your closet." Emma gave her a strange look, so Ariel explained, "I wrote your mother and told her everything."

"You didn't tell her about..." Emma trailed off as her mind started racing. Ariel was already perceptive, and it didn't help that Emma hadn't been exactly subtle when it came to her feelings for Killian. But the truth was that she still wasn't entirely sure where they stood – Emma knew she felt something for him, but she was still trying to figure out exactly what that was, and Killian still hadn't let her in completely.

Ariel was confused at first, but then she grasped Emma's meaning, "Relax. I didn't say anything about Lieutenant Jones. It isn't my place."

Emma breathed a sigh of relief as she admitted, "Thank you. He's...I'm... it's a bit complicated."

Ariel nodded as Emma changed the subject, "Will Mom and Dad be able to come?"

"Unfortunately, no. But they send you the best," Ariel answered.

Emma looked a bit disappointed before she soon perked back up, "So, I guess this means you're my fairy...err, mermaid godmother? Where do we start?"

Ariel took Emma's hand and led her toward the beach as she said, "If Cinderella can get her prince, maybe you can get your lieutenant."

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