Crossing the Bridge

Chapter 19

Doug knocked on the door to Evie's room.

"Come in," Evie called as she straightened the dresses in front of her and Doug opened the door.

"I have a scout badge and s'mores!" The son of Dopey exclaimed

"And I have a jar of dirt!" Hyllus said, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation. "Are we just saying random things as we enter rooms now?"

and Evie turned around from the dresses she was straightening on the rack in front of her. "How could you go camping without me?"

"That makes more sense," Hyllus nodded and Macaria shook her head.

"We're sure I'm related to you?" She asked.

"What?" Evie asked, shocked that Doug was even asking that question.

"Well considering Carlos' bad attempt at lying when Doug saw him earlier, it is a fair question," Emma nodded.

"Are you seeing someone else?" Doug asked her, closing the distance between them. "Are you?"

"That, on the other hand, is not," Emma sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Oh look, a couple actually communicating their concerns to each other," Emir said, looking over at Ben.

"You're going to continue to give me grief over something my future on screen self has done and that I won't do, aren't you?"

"It's my job as your best friend."

"No."

"Is it Happy's son? Because let me tell you, he is not as happy as his dad. Kind of a dark streak, in fact."

"You did hear her say 'no', didn't you?" Elle asked. "Also, isn't Happy's son your cousin? Who talks about their cousin that way by saying who their parent is rather than just using their name?"

"We do," Melody pointed out.

"We have six aunts to keep straight and they all have kids," Elle defended.

"And Doug has six uncles."

"Doug, Ben was captured on the Isle. We rescued Ben and saved Auradon," Evie told him.

"That's the 'too long, didn't read' version of it," Akiho chuckled. "You left out the part where you fought off the pirates."

"I think we're all rather glad she left that part out," Rachel said, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, I don't think Queen Belle would be able to make it through another telling of that story," Rowyn said with a chuckle.

"So you're not seeing Happy's son or anyone else?" Doug asked to clarify.

"That's what you're focusing on?" Phillip Jr asked, shaking his head. "Never mind the fact that Ben had been captured."

"I think it's sweet," Evie said and gave Doug a kiss on the cheek.

Evie smiled and grabbed his hands. "Don't be dopey," she told him as she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"Aww!" Emma sighed, happy for her step-Aunt. Evie deserved to be happy and Doug was a good guy.

"Besides, we have dresses to deliver. It is Cotillion day, after all. And you know what? I was lucky enough to have been given a chance, and now I need to give someone else a chance, too."

Evie smiled at Dizzy, knowing her future self was talking about the small red-haired girl.

"My Uncle Bashful used to say that," Doug said as he grabbed an end of the rack.