Ailis was sat at an oblong table, other bizarre creatures sat beside him, all tucked defensively behind their hands. A game of poker was nearing its end, and everybody's expressionless gaze glanced around in an attempt to call a bluff or three.

"Oi, raise yer 6 ounces av gauld for a wee bit av straw." Rumple leaned forward, bits of straw fell onto the table as his hair waved about in a distressing nest of knots. He looked as though he'd been working the grain into precious gold.

Ailis leaned back in his chair, how was he supposed to successfully complete a project without an adequate amount of gold? Humans were selfish people, and they wanted everything. He needed gold for the magic a human would desire. They wanted everything so perfect and Ailis found it hard to compete with that. He eyes Rumple very carefully before laying his cards down on the table.

"That's a win--" Rumple moaned laying his cards down on the table as well. The green felt holding them in their place. Rumple was right, it was a win for Ailis as he held down a full house. This was good news for the leprechaun as now he would have some gold to tide him over until he could find a more consistent source. Ailis had struggled with Emerson as she was the most difficult of his projects yet. The others begged for nicer things like their family's wealth or even possibly them themselves. Emerson hadn't asked for anything like that, all she cared about was one simple date. He was confused on what he was supposed to help her with as she had no serious issues that he could point out. Sure she was rash and acted without thinking but she definitely wasn't a criminal like the other girls had been.

"Tanks Rumple, dis shall suffice." Ailis leaned forward pulling all the winnings towards himself. Straw was easy to provide especially now that he was in the human world once more. As long as he could get a enough of it across the realms he would be able to trade Rumple for enough gold. It paid to have a friend who could spin straw into gold even if he was evil and conniving, he had what Ailis most needed.

"Well oi best be on me way, oi must git back ter de lassy before she wakes up." Ailis stood from his seat before leaving the poker game. He needed to be careful so he didn't fall back into his gambling rut. He wouldn't ever pass if he had that addiction once more. Shaking his head the tiny creature waved to his fairy friends and smiled at Rumple. "Til next time." With a tip of his hat Ailis was gone.

I woke up to the smell of fresh breakfast wafting through the house. It wasn't normal for my mother to cook since It was just the two of us, and most the time I was in my dorm room. But today we had plans. I was used to her not being around as most times she's had business trips she needed to go on. I had grown accustomed to this throughout my life. At times I had wished my mother was around more, but she wasn't a bad mother. She did the best she could to be around when she could.

I rolled out of bed glancing over at the small space I had prepared for Ailis on the computer desk. He wasn't there. My heart dropped as he still hadn't come home. Maybe he went back to the dorm room. After the wonderful date last night I was excited to see him. I wanted to tell him all about it and thank him for making it possible. Even if it wasn't the perfect date as Nathan would forever remember me as the girl who ran out and left him waiting for forty minutes. I ran my fingers through my hair, maybe I had really made him mad last night. I closed the distance between my bed and the bathroom with a few strides.

I needed to get ready for school but for some reason it just didn't feel right. Ailis hadn't even been in my life for more than forty-eight hours and it felt so wrong without him here. I found myself missing him. I also find myself missing how well he could do my makeup. I struggled to get anything right like his magic could.

After messing with my face for a good twenty minutes I made my way downstairs to greet my mother. "Morning sweetie." Her sweet voice greeted me as I entered the kitchen. She looked tired but at the same time she seemed happy. Her expressions were bright. The small smile that tugged at her lips made me happy inside. I liked seeing her happy.

"Good morning." I sat down on the island next to the stove where she had a pan filled with bacon. She blushed as she pulled some of it out of the pan.

"Sorry, it's a little burnt. If I would have had more time to prepare for this I would have gotten ourselves some better breakfast options," I chuckled lightly as my mother sat down a plate of nearly black bacon. I cringed slightly as I picked it up, holding the stiff piece in my hand. There's nothing better than having her around though so to amuse her I decided to eat as much as I could of the overcooked bacon.

"It's perfect thank you. Are we still on for wedding shopping tonight?" I watched as the woman who was dressed for a business meeting placed the pan in the sink. Her hair was already done, tucked behind her ears in a beautiful bun. She looked up at me and smiled. I could tell she was excited for our mother daughter date tonight.

I didn't know the man she was marrying very well but he truly did make her happy. I was excited to get to know him better. I had missed my father though, he used to be around when I was a kid and I had a few fond memories of him but one day those all stopped. I don't remember where he went and I don't know why he left, but he was gone. I knew this man would never replace my father but it'd be better to have one than to not.

"Of course honey. Well I must be off to work enjoy your first day of school honey. It was good to have you at the house. You probably like your bed here better than the one in your dorm right?" My mother rushed to my side kissing me on the forehead. My heart sank as she thought today was the first day of school.

"Second." I mumbled with my mother rushing out the front door. I dug around at the burnt bacon some more for a few moments before pushing it away. I lay my head down on the table. I couldn't wait for tonight, finally getting to spend some time with my mother and hopefully getting some of the attention I've been lacking from her.

The kitchen was silent for a moment before there was a slight tap on my shoulder. My head shot up off the table as I thought I had fallen asleep. I glanced around the room for a clock before seeing the red headed devil himself.

"Emerson?" Ailis questioned his face close to mine.

"Oh, it's you. I'm glad you are okay Ailis." I said smiling slightly.

"Are ye grand?" Ailis placed his hand softly on my shoulder. I shook my head.

"What does that even mean?" I chuckled. I stood from my seat quickly grabbing my backpack. "Are you coming? I have to go to school." I kneeled down opening the backpack for him to get in. He smiled before jumping off the edge of the table. Ailis hits the ground with a soft thud before running across the floor. He flopped into my backpack, zipping it up most of the way himself. He quickly unzipped it before his head shot out of the open space.

"Cereal?" He questioned. I let out a laugh before picking up the bag and heading towards the cupboard with the cereal. After placing some lucky charms in a plastic bag I handed it to him before he zipped himself back inside. Heading out to my car I placed the bag in the passenger seat before pulling out of the driveway.

School went by so slow, the kind of slow that makes you want to rip all your hair out because you swear it's been twenty minutes when in reality it's been two. I had less classes today than yesterday, but still the day seemed never ending. Maybe I was too excited for tonight.

Ailis and I had no issues though and that was the best part. Things felt so much easier having him around when we didn't argue or fight about things. He snoozed in my bag for most of the day, only coming out for a few minutes around lunchtime to get a drink. After finishing all of my classes at the University I headed to the offsite campus for shop class. I couldn't help but think about my date last night with Nathan. It had been so much fun and we had so many things in common.

"Thank you." I muttered to Ailis as he snoozed in my bag some more.

I sat in the shop classroom. I was the first one to arrive. Nathan showed up next, but this time he sat in the seat next to me instead of his seat across the room.

"Hi there." He smiled leaning back in the seat, his leg bouncing under the table.

"You nervous?" I teased him before very carefully moving my bag off the table and onto the floor. I could hear Ailis shifting in the bag but he didn't seem to move much.

"Kind of." He smiled leaning forward to look at me closer. He shrugged his shoulders before the teacher came into the classroom other students began fluttering in after him. His loud booming voice drew us into his lectures. Nathan pulled out a piece of paper before quickly scribbling on it. He slid it across the table. I rolled my eyes, this was college did we really need to pass notes like a bunch of first graders. I took the paper under my arm before quickly reading it.

'Wanna go on another date?'

My heart fluttered in my chest, I couldn't believe he had asked me on another date. I folded the paper up before slipping it into my backpack, forgetting for a moment that there was a creature hidden away in there. The teacher took us into the shop showing us a few more rules we would need to abide by. Nathan kept a close distance the entire time.

When we returned to the classroom the folded paper was on the desk. I quickly opened it to see Ailis had scribbled a yes in terrible handwriting next to Nathan's question. I looked around as everybody else was grabbing their bags. I left the paper on the desk before quickly rushing out of the room passing Nathan as I left.

I left the building quickly making sure no one was around when I got in my car. Opening the bag so Ailis knew it was safe for him to come out.

"So whaen are we goin' on dat second date?" Ailis smiled as he took his spot in the passenger seat.

When I pulled into the driveway my mothers car was already there. It was a good sight to see that she was home on time knowing we had plans to go shopping for her upcoming wedding. "Ailis, you are going to have to sneak up to my bedroom and hang out in there for the next few hours." I placed the car in park before grabbing my bag. Ailis grabbed the edge of it before I could fully pull it away from him.

"I'll 'ide in 'ere." He quickly slipped into my bag. Today had been easier with the little creature he really didn't seem to fight me on everything.

I head into the kitchen to find my mother in much different clothes than this morning, she had changed into some jeans and a comfortable tee-shirt. I smiled giving her a hug before walking up the stairs. Once in my bedroom I placed the bag on the floor before unzipping it.

"Don't get into any trouble please." I whispered as I closed my bedroom door. I was so nervous to see how destroyed my room would be when I got home.

As I turned to walk away from the door I heard a small chuckle and my heart sank.