Sabrina watched as her sister started to join the song.
"Shut your traps!" she shouted at both of them. "Fine! We'll do it your way, for now."
Charming nodded. "Very good! It's rare to meet a Grimm that is so reasonable, and I've known quite a number of you."
Just then, the door flew open and Granny and Uncle Jake rushed outside. They huffed across the lawn and wrapped Sabrina and Daphne in bearlike hugs. Elvis followed, knocking Daphne to the ground and covering her in sloppy kisses.
"Lieblings!
Oh, thank goodness!" their grandmother cried. "We've been looking for you for hours."
The happy reunion didn't last long. Mr. Canis raced across the lawn and snatched Charming off the ground with one of his clawed hands. "If you have touched a hair on their heads, so help me..."
"Mr. Canis, he didn't hurt us!" Sabrina shouted. "Put him down."
Canis ignored Sabrina's plea. "Where did you go?"
"We got lost."
Canis scowled. "If you had gotten lost, I would have found you."
"Well, I found them," Charming added as he fought to free himself. "Rather, they found me wandering in the woods, and I helped them get back. Now, put me down, you filthy mongrel."
Canis turned to Granny Relda. The old woman nodded and he set the prince back down on his feet.
"And where have you been?" Granny asked Charming. "You've been missing for three months. My family has torn this town apart looking for you. Snow is out of her mind with worry. You should call her right away."
Charming shook his head. "I wanted to get the girls home safely. I must be going."
"Where?" Sabrina said.
"She's right, pal," Uncle Jake added. "You lost your house when you lost the election. The Queen of Hearts lives there now. Technically you're homeless."
"Oh," Charming said as he stared off at the horizon.
Sabrina couldn't believe what she said next. "You can stay with us."
Granny gasped, but forced a smile. Then she put her hand on Sabrina's forehead. "Are you feeling well?"
"I'm feeling fine, Granny," Sabrina said. If the girls were going to help Charming change the future, it was probably best if he was close by. Sure, he was an arrogant jerk, especially when it came to her family, but she could tolerate a barrage of insults if it would help avert disaster. "Mr. Charming could use some time to get on his feet. He'd do the same for us."
"Don't bet on it," Uncle Jake said.
"Uh... Sabrina is right," Granny stammered. "We... uh... don't have a lot of room, Billy, but you're welcome to it. The sofa is very comfortable."
"What?" Canis growled.
Charming turned to the family. "I couldn't."
"He's right," Mr. Canis said. "He couldn't."
"We insist," Granny said, and she took Charming by the arm and led him into the house.
Canis turned to Sabrina and gave her a look that was both bewildered and betrayed. Sabrina blushed, realizing that she had just invited her friend's bitterest enemy to live with them. He might never forgive her.
"Relda, may I have a word with you?" Canis asked.
Granny turned and approached her oldest friend. "Yes."
"You cannot be serious," Canis said. "He can't be trusted. Don't you recall that he has threatened to destroy this family?"
"I may be old, but my memory is still intact," the old woman said defensively. "Everyone deserves a second chance."
"This man will stab you in the back the first chance he gets. Don't be such a fool!"
"There was a time when people said the same thing about you," Relda said angrily. After a moment she took a deep breath. "Mr. Canis, the decision has been made."
Granny Relda escorted Charming into the house, leaving Canis standing in the yard. He looked angrier than Sabrina had ever seen him, and worse, his anger was directed at her grandmother. Sabrina had never seen Granny Relda and Mr. Canis bicker before, let alone yell at each other. It made her nervous, especially now that she knew the destiny that lay ahead for the old man. Who knew what would make Canis snap and finally surrender to the Wolf? When Canis stomped off into the woods and disappeared, she recalled the secret weapon held under lock and key at the bank. Was it time to retrieve it?
"Nice suggestion, 'Brina," Uncle Jake said as he headed for the house. "You sure you didn't fall and hit your head out in those woods?"
Sabrina and Daphne followed Jake inside, where they found Charming eyeing the couch disdainfully. He turned toward the window and looked outside, as if weighing his alternatives, then turned back and fluffed up one of the couch cushions. "You are very kind. I'll try to stay out of the way."
Puck came down the steps and looked at the girls. "I heard you two were missing," he said to Sabrina.
"We're back," Sabrina replied. She knew her face was bright red. How would she ever forget that she and this smelly, rude, grime-covered boy were destined to be married?
"Darn," he grumbled, then turned and walked back up the steps.
"There goes your future husband," Daphne whispered into her ear.
Yeah, he's a real sweetheart,
Sabrina thought.