Nat and Rei took their time in going to the cabin Miranda had told them to go to. They wanted to get their minds a little off of what had happened earlier. They now had to deal with searching for Chenoa's parents and a woman and possibly more people from DHS.
"I can hardly believe how different the forest seems to the rest of the world. Sometimes it's so quiet." Rei said.
"Yeah, quiet and romantic." Nat said as she wrapped her arm around Rei's and fluttered her eye lashes and her making Rei giggle and blush.
"So this cabin their at isn't very far, is it?" Nat asked.
"No, Miranda said we should see it soon according to her instructions, we'll also see some people we haven't met yet, but we've heard of them. I wonder what she meant by that?" Rei wondered as they came across the two story log cabin with the wrap around porch, picture windows, and cobblestone chimney.
"Okay, Rei, when we get married I've decided I want us to live in the woods, in a cabin like this and have sex every day." Nat said looking at the place amazed.
"Very funny, this place is beautiful, though. I wonder who the owners are." Rei wondered. Rei's question was answered almost immediately as they saw an anthropomorphic bear wearing a flannel vest and a woman dressed in 19th century clothes with beautiful golden blonde hair exit out of the front door and waved to greet them.
"You...you can't be....are you...?" Nat asked.
"Goldilocks? Yes dear I am, and I believe you're both familiar with my husband, Bear Jr.." Goldilocks said introducing herself and her husband.
"I don't believe it. The story of Goldilocks was true?!" Rei asked in disbelief.
"Well to a point. You know the story, a curious 8 year-old girl goes into a the house of bears, the porridge, the chairs, the beds..." Goldie listed off.
"Yes, all of that. But after that it was friendship, love, and then of course marriage." Bear said gently taking his wife's hand and kissed her sweetly on the cheek.
"But you're pretty old by now, right?" Nat asked.
"Well yes, but come in and I'll explain a little more." Goldie said as Nat and Rei came in and Goldie gave them some bowls to eat out of.
"Is this....porridge?" Nat asked.
"No dear, it's oatmeal." Goldie chuckled.
"Isn't that the same...." Rei began to asked before Bear shushed her.
"Trust me young one, you do not want to have the oatmeal and porridge discussion, that goes on forever." Bear Jr. said as he tugged at his vest as Goldie raised her eyebrow and tapped her foot.
"So yes, I told you all earlier about bear and I becoming guardians of the forest, let me elaborate. As much I liked being in the city amongst the people, I saw over the years how it grew and grew until it was almost nothing but steel and stone. But when I was in the forest, I felt more connected to life than I ever did. Maybe that's the reason why I went to the bear's house in the first place, it looked so inviting. Over the years as Bear and I continued seeing more and more of each other, I eventually decided I wanted to live out the rest of my life with bear in the woods forever." Goldilocks explained.
"But of course, as things come, they also go. Goldie and I knew we wanted to protect the forest, so not too long after our wedding and honeymoon, we asked a shaman to make us immortal and he we are." Bear concluded.
"As Mr. and Mrs. Locke." Goldie said kissing her husband on the lips.
"Your last name is actually Locke?" Connor asked.
"Yes, Goldie Locke. Stories change over time of course and so many just thought my name was 'Goldilocks'. Bear and his family had no last name of their own, so he took my name." Goldie said with her arm over Bear's shoulder.
"But haven't you two ever considered family?" Spark asked them.
"Oh my, of course dear. I've had cubs who have had cubs of their own. Sometimes I do miss my own children, but their descendants I love just as much." Goldie said with a smile.
"Now, Nat, Rei, you had something you needed to say?" Goldie asked them. Nat and Rei nodded as they looked at their friends.
"Guys, a lady from DHS came by Mrs. Harris's home earlier asking us some questions. She came by to ask Mrs. Harris about something, but I don't know exactly what." Nat explained.
"Well, she's not suspicious of us for anything right?" Miranda asked.
"Well....she might have noticed Kari popping out her ears and tail for a moment." Rei said rubbing her neck. "Kids." Spark said shaking her head in disbelief.
"You can't worry about this now. We all have to help Chenoa find her parents." Goldie said as they all nodded their heads.
"Now, Chenoa, I believe you haven't told us exactly how you found your new friends." Goldie asked Chenoa as Chenoa and Miles looked at one another and blushed bright red.
"Oh...I see. Chenoa, start from the beginning my dear. I think we need a humorous little story to lighten the mood." Goldie asked her god daughter as Chenoa was still a little embarrassed to tell her loving godmother exactly how she had met her friends, starting with how she met Miles.