Manouche *laughs*  Blimey, she’s workin’ ye, love!  She’ll ‘ave ye wrapped around ‘er lil’ finger.  Y’ don’t stand a ch—  *her words are cut off as Will takes a section of her hair in his hand and stuffs it in her mouth, giggles loudly*

Blake *laughs*  Well, I’m not sure who inherited what from who … *points at Will*  But that giggle sounds very much like Daddy, when he’s been working for days on some new candy invention and he’s finally gotten it just to his liking.  *glances at Jacob*  But … a shy Wonka child?  I can’t believe that.  *Jacob looks at him briefly, then ducks his head toward Madame.  Blake looks at Manouche*  You mean he’s even resisted your charms?

Manouche *smiles*  We’re workin’ on it … aren’t we, Jacob, luv?  *Jacob peeks back at them both; looks at Manouche, smiles a tiny smile, then ducks his head back down again*

Willy: *leans in, fixes Manouche's hair*  He's a clever one alright.  The future owner of the factory has already proven to be quite the type.  *Will goes to grab again, but Willy takes his hands*  No no, boy.  *Will looks at him rather seriously, then reaches out for him.  Willy picks him up*  What's on your mind, son?  *Will sticks his head in his cloak, Willy arches a brow down at him.  After a few minutes, Will finds Willy's checkbook and brings it out, intending to stick it in his mouth* NO! No Will!  *grabs the book, Will laughs*  You’re so bad.

Madame:  *laughing the entire time, Jacob peeks out from Madame's cloak, smiling a bit.  Madame sees him*  Peek-a-boo, Jacob.  *Jacob looks up at her, his hand travels to her necklace and he slowly plays with it*  It's okay, boy.  No need to be shy.

Willy:  He's gonna be a momma's boy ya know.  No doubt in my mind *looks over at Chase, whose slapping Blake's hand*  I'm afraid of what she'll be ....

Blake *turns Chase’s hand up, gently pats her palm, grins as she looks surprised, then tries to copy him with his hand, hitting harder*  Ow!  *looks at Willy*  She’ll be exactly what she wants to be, that’s what.  Very brave, and no nonsense, like her mother.  *smiles at Madame*

Manouche *watches Willy retrieve his checkbook from Will, nods approvingly*  As fer Will, ye can certainly tell he’s me godson … very light touch, he has.  Before ye know it, he’ll be helpin’ himself t’ Portsmith’s watch, an’ won’t his auntie Manouche be proud!  *she glances around, sees a small stuffed dog on a nearby chair, reaches over, grabs it, walks it toward Jacob, who watches with interest, then reaches out and takes the toy in his hands, holding it carefully, examining it*  Look how gentle he is.  He’ll be th’ nurturer, he’ll take care o’ th’ other two.  Provide a bit o’ balance, as it were.  *she looks back at Will, smothers a laugh as she sees him taking keys from Willy’s pocket while Willy’s reaching over to adjust Chase’s dress*

Willy *finishes fixing her dress, looks over at Manouche*  What?  What's so funny?

Madame *smothers a laugh, says nothing, but plays with the stuffed dog with Jacob*  The dog says "Bark!"  Right?  Doesn't he?  *Jacob giggles, patting the dogs nose, still hiding a bit in Madame's cloak*

Willy:  What’s so funny?!  *Chaseline, on Blake's lap, laughs at Will, who’s hiding the keys in Manouche’s coat*

Manouche *can’t stop herself, bursts out laughing*  Blimey, I feel like Fagin!  *takes the keys from her pocket, holds them out to Willy; Will watches her pass them over his head, his eyes wide, reaches for them again*  Willy, mate, I don’t envy ye when Will gets old enough t’ drive.  He won’t be askin’ ye fer th’ keys, he’ll simply nick ‘em out from under yer nose, an’ ye’ll be none th’ wiser.  *looks at Willy and Madame*  Can I offer ye any refreshment, luvs?  Any snackies or drinks?

Willy: *mouth gaped, takes them back, gives a quick look at Will, who smiles innocently*  Boy, you keep that up and you wont get yourself a set of these one day.  *shakes the keys.  Will cocks his head to one side and laughs.  Willy sighs*  And yet he knows I'm lying.  *looks up at Manouche*  Ah you know what I'd enjoy, sis.  One of your special Kir Royales!

Madame:  I'll have one myself!  *Jacob claps his hands over the dog's face, then looks up at Madame as if questioning if he's being good*  Yes, yes, my son.  You’re a good boy.  *Jacob smiles, hides his face in Madame's side again, then plays with the dog more.  Chase sees Blake's ring on his hand, is attracted to it, and begins to mess with it, Madame sees her*  Blake, your ring has caught her attention, love.  Shiny things are her specialties.

Blake *smiles as Manouche stands, leans over and kisses his cheek, then leaves the room to fetch the drinks.  He looks at Chase, grins*  Chase, you are dangerously irresistible.  Heaven help the man who loses his heart to you … *glances at Willy, who looks appalled at the thought of anyone coming to take Chase on a date*  And God give the poor guy strength when he faces his potential father-in-law for the first time!  *he laughs, reaches over to the bedside table, picks up his pocket watch with the fob that Manouche gave him last Valentine’s Day; hands it to Chase*  Here, beautiful, you better play with something a little bigger than a ring, so you don’t decide to swallow it.  *looks up at Madame, winks reassuringly*  This’ll satisfy her need to play with something shiny.  Long as we keep an eye on her, should be no problem.  The fob is more valuable to me than the watch … I’m sure you remember.  *smiles dreamily*

At Bournemouth House:

Raven *in his room, reading one of his books on football.  He was happy to hear that Sergeant Godley has returned to town and, in anticipation of the next time they play, he wants to show how he’s improved his knowledge of the game.  Suddenly, in the middle of a chapter, a strange feeling comes over him.  He feels panicky at first, then realizes a vision is coming to him.  It’s been so long since this has happened to him, he wishes Manouche were there, or perhaps Malachi, another dreamer who understands how it feels.  He once again finds himself wishing his father would be more accepting and comfortable about this phenomenon that they share; but he gave up trying to get him to talk with him about it long ago, since it always seems to make him unhappy.  He tries to remember things Manouche told him, and he breathes deeply, tries to relax.  The everyday objects in his room swim and fade before his eyes; he senses movement beneath his feet, his vision clouds over for a few moments, then clears slightly, and he realizes with a start that he’s on the deck of The Apparition, out to sea, and she appears to be sailing through a melancholy fog.  He hears footsteps, people coming closer, and he starts to look for a place to hide; then remembers that this is a vision, and anyone he encounters will be unaware of his presence.  He peers through the mist and his eyes widen as he sees Carver, walking along with a man he doesn’t recognize – the man is tall, pale, with black hair and a full beard.*

Carver *agitated*  I’m understandin’ yer position, Fairfax … but it don’t change me opinion that it be a ‘orrible waste of a fine vessel.  There be other ways, te my way o’ thinkin’. 

Fairfax *scowls*  Do ye want th’ riches that are t’ be gained, or not?  An’ do ye want ‘em with th’ least loss o’ life?  Now I know ye, Carver, an’ I know exactly what ye are, as well as th’ crew ye’ve peppered Th’ Apparition with.  So th’ two of us know good an’ well what I mean when I say loss o’ life.  Even th’ creatures of the night ‘ave their limits.  What we’re headed for, this crew could not survive, an’ ye bleedin’ well know it.

Carver:  But another ship!  Blast yer hide, do ye know what that’ll cost us in terms o’ time an’ expense?  An’ another crew fer that’ un as well?  All I’m sayin’ is, some advance notice would’ve been appreciated, blast ye.

Fairfax:  Then blame that first mate o’ yers, man.  I were clear as crystal when I told ‘im th’ score.  If there were any soft-pedalin’ o’ the facts as presented to ye, he’s yer culprit, not I.  *takes out a cigarette, lights it*  There’s a reason that old sayin’s abide, Captain.  It’s ‘cause they ‘ave perpetual credence to ‘em, savvy?  An’ there’s no more apt sayin’ I can employ at this juncture than ‘haste makes waste.’  *waves a hand*  Ye go on, take Th’ Apparition on into them waters, jus’ as is an’ with no backup, if yer of a mind.  But I won’t be part o’ such a foolhardy undertakin’.

Carver *red-faced*  But damn yer eyes, ye be th’ only one who can guide us!

Fairfax *smirks*  There’s one other …

Carver *glares at him, starts to say something, then stops.  Pauses, walks over to the railing, gazes out into the mist, nods*  Aye, there’s one other.  An’ you an’ I both know that th’ cost o’ bein’ beholden to that’un is more than th’ cost of obtainin’ a second ship an’ crew.

Fairfax *softly*  Ye can thank th’ fates fer blessin’ ye with enough natural wisdom to be able t’ see an’ comprehend th’ situation so sagely, Captain.

Carver *sighs*  Aye, ‘tis me great fortune, innit?  *turns back to Fairfax, motions for him to follow*  Come along, then, laddie … I’d best be informin’ th’ crew there’ll be a slight delay.  An’ I don’t reckon now is th’ most prudent time t’ enlighten ‘em on th’ fact that approximately half of ‘em will end up like so much cannon fodder, as it were.

Fairfax *shrugs*  There’s another old sayin’.  ‘Ignorance is bliss’ … *he follows Carver as they continue on down the deck, out of earshot*

Raven *suddenly feels the ship pitch unpleasantly beneath his feet, and his vision is completely clouded by thick mist; he brings his hands over his eyes, and hears a far-off sound that he soon recognizes as a knock on the door.  He slowly opens his eyes, and he’s back in his room, on the bed, his book dropped down on his lap.  He blinks, shakes his head, listens, hears Abberline’s voice calling his name as he knocks on the door*

Raven *trying to steady his voice*  C-come in, Father … *puts on a smile as the door opens and Abberline enters*  I … I guess I fell asleep …

Abberline *looks at him concerned*  You look awfully pale.  You should read less and be more out.  *glances at the book he was reading*  But now that Sergeant Godley is in town, you can resume the football training with him.  Actually, I was going to ask you if you want to go out with me and your little sister.

Raven:  Oh, I’m all right, Father … *looks up quickly at Abberline’s suggestion, breaks into a big smile*  Chiana … and you an’ me?  I’d love to go!  I can’t wait for everyone to see her.  Where are we gonna take her, where shall we go?

Abberline: *smiles at his excitement*  Oh I don't know, we'll just be taking her out for a while, you and me.  So all the world can see my two wonderful children ... Candy has put everything in order.  She said that you know what to do if Chiana starts to cry.  I would not dare to go alone with her.  *smiles again at Raven*  Just grab your jacket.

Raven *jumps from the bed, grabs his jacket from the back of a chair*  Sure, I know what to do.  I used to help with the babies when I lived with True Dreamer, she taught me.  But Father … *stands before him, puts a hand on his sleeve*  ... you would be fine with Chiana.  You’ll know what to do for her.  You have the bond with her now.  *smiles up at him*

Abberline:  Oh no, I really do need you.  I am still so unsure with her.  *he takes his own jacket, and they leave the house with Chiana in the carriage*  

At Rartigillichal:

Manouche *returns to the bedroom with a tray filled with glasses, and a plate of cookies*  ‘Ere we are, bridgin’ th’ generation gap with Kir Royales an’ chocolate chip cookies.  Th’ cookies are really soft, so per’aps th’ babies can ‘ave a taste.  *Willy stands, pulls a small table over next to the bed, she sets the tray on it; hands glasses to each of them, holds hers up*  A toast, luvs … to family … blood an’ otherwise.

Willy:  Here's to family.  *lifts his glass*

Madame:  Indeed.  *lifts her glass, clinks with Willy, they drink, she watches Chaseline, who stares at the watch oddly, then taps it and plays with it*  Good idea, brother.  She's already entranced.

Willy:  The day she meets her match is a long day away, Blake.  A LONG day away.  *shakes his head at her as she giggles, Will crawls over to Willy's hat, places it on his head, it falls almost completely over his face, he giggles*  Will ... I think that’s a bit too big for you, son.

Madame *lifts it up a little so Will's eyes show, they gleam a purple color, he laughs*  Willy, you know he has your eyes.  *smiles*

Manouche *smiles*  I should warn ye both that I believe Raven has plans fer lil’ miss ‘ere.  In th’ short time he’s spent around th’ children, he’s decided that Chase is destined t’ be a champion soccer player.  He says he can already tell that she has th’ right temperament, whatever that means.  I think he’s jus’ waitin’ for ‘er to come of age, so he can start coachin’ her.  *takes a drink, pauses*  I’ve had me share o’ visions about this place … me favorites are always th’ ones where we’re all ‘ere together, an’ th’ kiddies are all playin’ in th’ yard.  *looks at Blake*  I … I were so afraid ye might not be part o’ them pretty pictures, my love … *eyes fill with tears, she snuggles up to him*

Blake *puts his arms around her, holds her close, murmurs*  I never stopped thinking about you.  It helped keep me alive, even when … well, I still don’t understand exactly what happened to me.  But it’s over now, nothing will ever part us again.  *turns her face up to his, kisses her lips gently, gazes into her eyes*  And now that I’m back … I think we need to resume where we left off.  We missed our original set date, but … we still have a wedding to plan.  *smiles at her, then looks at Willy and Madame, raises his eyebrows*  We can still count on you two, I hope.

Willy *looks at Madame as she looks back at him, they smile*  Blake, of course.  You know that.  We even missed our anniversary just hoping to plan out your wedding. 

Madame:  We were so hopeful ... *tears swell up again, she brushes them away as Jacob pats her face gently*

Manouche *smiles, nods*  Aye, let’s do it.  I ‘ave no idea when t’ set a date now, though.  We don’t want to run into th’ holidays.  I reckon we’ll ‘ave to think about it.  Per'aps right after New Year's Day, since that's when we finally got together.  *gazes lovingly at Blake*  We could do everythin’ right ‘ere, there’s lots o’ room fer everyone … we could still ‘ave Marijke cater it, as we planned, an’ bring in musicians we know, like Roux, an’ th’ blokes at Arizona Dream. *watches Chase*  We could ‘ave Raven carry Chase, she could be th’ world’s youngest flower girl …

Blake *quickly moves his hand away as Chase reaches for his ring with renewed interest, though she still holds fast to his watch*  I think she’s more interested in being the ringbearer!

Willy *grabs Chase, picks her up and places her on his lap.  She immediately retrieves his pocket watch and begins to play*  I'm sure Chasey would gladly be the flowergirl.  She likes to throw things.

Madame:  That she does.  *rolls eyes, smiles at Will, who has seized the moment and crawled onto Blake's lap and stares at him blankly*  He's trying to remember you, brother.

Manouche *laughs as she rises, collects their empty glasses*  Aye, I’ve seen examples o’ Chase’s throwin’ arm, th’ night we babysat.  We may want t’ keep Chase more ornamental than functional durin’ th’ ceremony … I usually do enough stumblin’ fer two, we don’t need another accident waitin’ te happen.  *she takes the glasses, leaves the room to pour another round*

Blake *smiles broadly*  Ahh, my godson, come here, boy.  *pulls him up to sitting position in his lap, looks at him*  You probably don’t remember me very well, do you?  That’s all right, we’ll make up for lost time.  *looks at Willy and Madame*  So how have you two been, how’s business?  I guess tomorrow’s one of your better days, bein’ Halloween.  Willy, have you come up with any new inventions lately?  *Will stares at Blake wide-eyed, then grins and begins to giggle*

Willy:  Business has been great, lately.  Working on a few new inventions, but I dare not speak of any.  Keep them in secret.  *smiles broadly*  Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year.

Madame:  We've already made excellent business with shipments.  People order more so they'll be ready for the holiday. 

Manouche *returns, hands out drinks*  Ahh, Halloween … I love it, too.  An’ what a Halloween this’ll be, ay?  O’Malley an’ Brasco gettin’ married, it’s Raven’s birthday … an’ who knows what else … *takes a drink*

Blake *looks at her suspiciously*  I know that tone … you’re up to something.  What are you planning?

Manouche *smiles almost innocently*  Oh, not much … no worries, it’s all on th’ up an’ up, love … de rigeur, in keepin’ with th’ season, as it were.  *looks at Willy and Madame, winks*

Chiana’s First Constitutional:

Abberline:  I hope she doesn't get cold.  Can you believe that I never held a baby in my arms before Chiana, I - I tried so hard to avoid everything that had to do with children.  I feel like she were just a dream, that all this is just a dream, and I wake up to find myself on the sofa in my silent cold house, alone, with a hangover, grabbing an empty bottle, thinking of how to pull through yet another dreary day ...  I have missed so many days, so many years.  *swallows, then looks at Chiana, who seems to be looking him straight in the eyes, and he feels that she is reaching out to him, he breaks into a smile, and Chiana smiles back at him*  Look Raven, she's smiling at me!  *forgets all his sad thoughts, looks at Raven*  You said that you used to help with babies with True Dreamer.  I was thinking that as my son, you need a good education, and that I should put you in a good school - but then I listen to you, and watch you, and it seems to me that you have a far better education from True Dreamer than I from all the fancy schools I had to attend.  I may know more about bookish things that I don't care about, but when it comes to the important things of life …  *he grins at Raven* … like changing diapers or lighting a fire or saving people, I am useless.  But you know always what to do.  I felt I had to send you away to a boarding school, but I just couldn't do it.  I don't think I could cope with you being away.

Raven *watches Abberline with Chiana, grins*  She is looking at you, Father … she was sensing your feelings, and she was trying to make you feel better.  She’s a healer.  *he’s quiet for a few minutes, thinking about all that Abberline has said*  I … I’m glad you’re not sending me away to a school.  I don’t think I would like that at all.  I could go to school right here in Deppville, if you want me to … or bring someone in to teach me, if there are things you want me to learn.  I wouldn’t mind that, I already love to read.  But … I don’t want to go away.  I want to help take care of Chiana.  *he falls silent again, bringing his hand to Chiana, smiling as she grabs one of his fingers, then he continues*  You’re not useless, Father, you’ve saved people in your work, you risked your life to save Mother … an’ you helped save Manouche from the box.  An’ you’re giving all of us a home, even Miranda … an’ now Candy.  I like her, she’s nice.  *he looks at Abberline, grins*  We finally found a good one, didn’t we?  *looks back at Chiana, pauses as he thinks of what he wants to say, finally sighs deeply*  Father, I never told you this … but … my memory came back.  I – I remembered the stuff you wrote in that journal, the one I saw … the stuff that made me run away.  *turns to Abberline*  It happened the same night that you an’ Mother … remember when she was arrested by Constable Crane, an’ you thought she an’ he were … you went to Chez Roux, and I found you there, an’ then you wanted to go home an’ you told me to go find Mother.  I found her, but she wanted to be alone, an’ you did, too.  So I went to see Manouche … it all came back to me before I went to her house.  I was gonna talk to her about it, but I was already talkin’ to her about you an’ Mother, and … she was hurting so much over Blake, so I got her to talk …  she said it helped her a lot, that I helped her start to be able to … grieve.  I was able to help her feel better.  *smiles slightly as he says this, a note of pride in his voice; pauses, looks at Chiana again*  The next day, Manouche found out she won the lottery … then so many things started happening so fast … I just never told anyone.  An’ after awhile, I … I knew I didn’t need to talk about it, ‘cause … it didn’t matter.  It didn’t hurt me anymore.  *turns to Abberline, looks at him carefully*  I knew that was another time for you, you were different then, an’ you don’t feel that way now.  If you did, you never would’ve taken Mother and me in.  I – I guess it helped to learn more about your family, too … an’ your mother.  *pauses again, still considering his words*  I think we’ve all helped you … Mother an’ me … Chiana … Sergeant Godley … Manouche an’ Mr. Blake …  *takes Abberline’s hand in both of his, he starts talking a little faster, as if he’s in a hurry to get things out while he knows how to say them* … but none of us could’ve helped you if you didn’t want it, so when I remembered what you wrote a long time ago, it didn’t hurt anymore because I knew you were done with that way of thinkin’, an’ even if you an’ Mother were still fighting then, an’ even if you still do now sometimes, it doesn’t matter … what matters is you’re here for us, you're giving us a home, you want us all with you now, an’ we’ll never leave you, ever.  *he suddenly stops talking, looks a little puzzled, as if he realizes some of what he said may not make sense; he grins, a little apologetic, shrugs*  I – I love you, Father, an' I hope I'll be just like you.  *smiles shyly*  I can teach you to light a fire an' change Chiana's diapers.

Abberline:  I wish that you hadn't read that journal and that I hadn't written it, ever.  I was so sure that I had no right to a family of my own, but when I look at you and Chiana, I must admit how wrong I was.  And now that I finally have a chance, I won't let it all fall apart.  Your Mother, you, Chiana - you have given my life a meaning.  Don't worry about your Mother and me, we are getting along fine, though it doesn't always seem like that.  *thinks once again about the emerald green room*  Everything's fine, and now I have a whole family to take care of, including Miranda and Candy.  I am glad to hear that you like her, ‘cause you seem to have a sixth sense with people.  She's a very nice girl.  *blinks at Raven's last words, that still, after all struggles, all trouble they have had in their relationship, all the sorrow he has caused Raven, his son still wants to be like him.  Instead of trying to come up with any answer, he just looks him steady in the eyes, so very much like his own*  When we are back home, you can give me a lesson in changing diapers.  And you can start taking your lessons at Deppville School, but there's no hurry.