The Clash, Book One

Chapter 7: A Pirate's Life, Part B

Hyperion Heights, Present Day

After the ballet, Henry and Jacinda, along with Sabine - the cursed version of Tiana - were all cleaning up after the ballet. Just then, Lucy came running in.

With a smile, Henry then announced, "Oh, hey, look who it is."

Jacinda and Lucy then rushed toward each other, and Jacinda wrapped Lucy in a hug.

Lucy then exclaimed, "Mom, you're here! I knew you'd find a way to make it!"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss this - you were great, baby," Jacinda responded with a bright smile.

Lucy then enthusiastically asked, "And Henry? Did he help you get in?" At Jacinda's expression, the dark-haired girl knew that she had her answer.

"He did! I knew it - I knew he'd believe! It's all happening!" Lucy then tightly hugged her mother once more.

Henry smiled at the sight, his eyes lingering on Jacinda, and Sabine couldn't help but notice. She then asked him, "Are you in love with her?"

Henry stammered through an answer: "Am I...uh...um...what... am I...uh... hardly. I just...uh... met her, so..." before he managed to actually respond, "I'm just the guy who screwed up, and I thought that getting her a serving job at the ballet would help fix it."

"Eh, looks like a start anyway," Sabine replied with a grin before she walked away. Henry slightly shook his head before he set a hopeful gaze back on Jacinda and Lucy.

The dark-haired girl was engaged in an animated conversation with her mother when a certain blonde walked filed into the staff area.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Alena spoke as she and the twins walked over to their family.

"Of course not," Jacinda assured with a smile just before she and Lucy broke apart, and Henry walked over.

"I'm so glad you came!" Lucy exclaimed as she wrapped her aunt in a hug. The dark-haired girl then looked up and continued, "I can't believe Grandma actually got you a ticket."

"Well, I'm sure she just wanted to make you happy," Alena replied - although she knew that her niece knew better.

Lucy was about to respond when she felt a tug on her tutu. She looked down and Emma exclaimed, "Pretty ballrina!"

Lily then clapped and added, "Love it!"

Alena saw a slightly confused expression envelop Lucy's features, so the blonde explained, "Let me introduce you guys."

She then bent down on her daughters' level and began, "Emma, Lily, these are friends of Mommy's. The pretty ballerina is Lucy." She then motioned at her brother and sister-in-law and continued, "That's Lucy's mommy, Jacinda, and our friend, Henry."

The girls smiled and excitedly waved, earning the same reactions in response. Lily then turned to Alena and questioned, "Snack, Mommy?"

"Snack," Emma repeated.

"I think there's still some food left over. I can take them if that's okay?" Jacinda spoke.

Alena nodded before she told her girls, "You two go with Jacinda, okay? And stay with her."

"Yes, Mommy," the girls both answered before going over to Jacinda, each of them grabbing one of her hands.

When Alena stood up, she noticed a red mark on Henry's face - as though he'd been hit. She managed to dial down her worry before she asked him, "Henry, what happened to your face?"

"Ah - you must have missed the after show entertainment," Henry quipped. At Alena's confused expression, he continued, "Someone gave a tip that something valuable had been stolen, and the department sent Detective Weaver to check it out, as well as Officer Rogers - who was promoted."