Third Person P.O.V.

Five days later...

Alexander and Y/n spent that night in each other's arms, both watching intently as the flames burn through the wood in their fireplace, talking and sharing kisses from time to time. A warm blanket is wrapped around the two.

Y/n's waist is hugged by Alexander's strong arms, her head against his chest as she hears his heart beating calmly. He lowers his chin onto her head.

"Mother? I'm going out," AJ suddenly interrupts the peace. He didn't understand why they would be cuddling at a time like this.

"No, Alex, you're not," She declared. "And that's final."

"I'll be home in an hour-"

"Go fetch your brothers and sister for me, will you? Also, AJ, according to the Bible in which you always use to your advantage when in an argument with me, 'One must respect their parents and their wishes.' Now... what were you saying?"

He heaved a sigh, "I'm going to get Skye, John, James, and Williams like you'd asked."

Alexander remains quiet, Y/n noticed. She looks up at his emotionless eyes and pecks his cheeks. He smiles down at his loving wife before looking back up at the flames.

"Mom?" James slowly walks down the stairs, holding William's hand, whom he taught how to walk.

"Ah, Jimmy James. How are you, love?" Y/n turns her head slightly.

James stops walking, "You're... smiling..."

"What, is it wrong to smile?"

"How could be smoking at a time like this!?" The house grows quiet, both parents fully turning to face the rest of their family. Tears well up in James' eyes.

John pats a comforting hand on his shoulder. Skye stares emotionlessly into the abyss and William looks around in confusion. AJ leans against the wall and folds his arms.

"You know... My mother used to read me bedtime stories. Have I ever told you the story of Elaine and her seven sisters? It's called One of Seven."

"What now?" AJ spat.

"Sit," Y/n pats the mat beside her. John hesitates, his eyes locking with Alexander's. "And no, John. I will not kick your father out of this room if you break into tears. Don't forget who provided for this family, all right?"

"Y-Yes, mom..." he said, sitting beside Skye.

William sits in Skye's lap, AJ sits in the rocking chair, and James sits next to his father.

"Well... Elaine was a beautiful girl, she was the youngest of seven. Her mother Sally couldn't settle down on one man, she was married many times. So, Elaine was one of seven children and none were related by father, only by mother. Sally had full custody of them, much to their dismay, and they lived in a large mansion together. Elaine never complained-"

"Wow, Sally's a slut," AJ remarked.

"AJ!" Skye scolds. Alexander and John chuckle softly.

"Anyway, Elaine never complained. She would do her chores and loved her sisters with all her heart, though they didn't exactly like her. She soon became a little toy to them... well, more like a slave."

"I despise the idea of having slaves," Alexander remarked.

"Yeah, we do too," The children murmur in unison.

"There was eventually a royal ball and she wanted to go. But, her sisters refused to let her go because they were jealous that she was the prettiest of the bunch. Her sisters locked her up in their tower. But Elaine still wanted some action so she disguised herself as a different woman, escaped the tower, and went to the party."

"Her sisters are mean..." William mumbles, James ruffling his hair. For once in the longest time, Alexander saw Skye smile.

She actually smiled...

"What happened to Sally?" John suddenly asked.

"She's dead. Anyway, Elaine went but wasn't allowed in because she didn't have an invite. She then snuck inside and met the Prince of the kingdom! They had danced and danced and he had fallen madly in love with her. But Elaine saw how her sisters looked at the prince, they were helpless. So because she loved them, she stepped aside and allowed her eldest sister to marry the prince instead. They learned of what she had done and eventually, they all became good friends. They lived happily ever after... the end."

A/N: so I just combined Mulan, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Angelica into one story. I'm proud.

AJ seemed intrigued, "Is there supposed to be some kind of moral?"

"Yes, of course," Y/n nods before continuing. "You should always love family, no matter what. Sure, if they break your heart, you may need some time to heal, but you're always family. Also, that family always comes first no matter the sacrifice. Don't isolate yourself, go out and live your life! And you should learn to get over a loss, you have such a long road ahead of you, you can't dwell on the past forever. And I know we're still healing over the loss of Pip... but let's heal... together... as a family."

This brought tears to Alexander's eyes. Skye smiles and William claps proudly. A toothy grin makes its way to AJ's face, John reaches for his father's hands, and James laughs and cheers.

"As a family," AJ repeats.

"As a family," Skye nods honestly.

"As a family," Said John.

"As a f-fam-family!" William musters, the family 'awing' at his adorableness.

"As a family," James said.

"As a family..." Y/n smiles warmly. The family then turns to Alexander.

"As a family," He smiles brightly.

The family erupts into cheers and clapping. Y/n then interrupts, "Also, you're gonna have a sister soon."

The room grows quiet, Alexander beginning to sweat as Skye and AJ give him the 'you guys smashed? Nice' face, the rest of the siblings confused.