The room was dark and secluded. Rosalie and Ratigan slept as the edge of the bed is where Elianna slept in her crib. It had been two months since the little one was born, and little Charlotte was adopted and placed in their family. The sun was barely creeping through the dark velvet curtains. Elianna was snuggled in her little yellow blanket, holding a small stuffed teddy in her hand. All was silent and calm…
Charlie burst through the door and immediately opened the curtains "First day of school! First day of school!" The light burst through the room as Rosalie grabbed the covers and pulled them over her face.
Charlie continued to shout "First day of school! First day of school!"
Charlie jumped on the bed and started to shout between them "Mom! Dad! Wake up! Wake up! We're gonna be late!"
"Rosalie.. take care of your daughter." Ratigan moaned as he covered his face with a pillow.
She yawned "Your daughter is calling you." Charlie continued to jump on the bed "Come on! I need help braiding my hair! I need to get my books ready!" she jumped on her father's back "You promised!"
He looked up at her eager brown eyes, he grinned "Alright, Alright.. I'm up." He got up and stretched "Rosalie, time to get up."
Rosalie groaned and pulled the covers further over her head "No…" she simply said. Charlie stubbornly plopped off the bed and grabbed the edge of the blanket "Come on mom! Wake up!" she pulled and made Rosalie shiver "Fine!" she grabbed Charlie and started to tickle her "This is for waking me up! And this is for pulling the covers off me!" she tickled her tightly "Are you ready?" she stroked a hand through her black hair, Charlie nervously tugged at her messy hair "Well I'm nervous and excited.. I hope I make friends.. I hope I know everything and I'm good at answering… do you think I'll make friends?"
"Just be your amazing self and they'll be lined up at the door." She noticed Ratigan walking to the edge of the crib and picked up Ellianna, who was starting to wake up "Good morning Ellie!" The little gold furred mouse smiled at her father, starting to kick her legs mid air "My little bowling ball with legs." He kissed her head and handed her to Rosalie "Oh no you don't!" she said, crossing her arms "You get diaper duty in the morning.. I have to take care of Charlotte and do her hair."
He huffed and looked at the little one "Rosalie! It's absolutely rancid!"
"Not my problem!" she said, exiting the room. Ratigan looked at the little baby, who gurgled at him and made him cringe in disgust about his job.
Charlotte was fidgeting in her seat "Charlie your braids are gonna go crooked if you keep moving!" she tied the little red bows to the end of her braids to match the navy and red uniform Charlie wore; a little navy dress with a small patch of the school with a puffy sleeved shirt underneath, and little black shoes with knee high lacy socks. Rosalie tied her braids and looked her up and down on the small stool "Now let me look at you!" she smiled as she watched her daughter spin around.
"Do I look grown up?"
"Very sophisticated!" she kissed her on the head. Charlie ran into the kitchen to see Bill, Fidget and the other thugs sitting enjoying their breakfast "Hey! There she is!" Bill said "Our little scholar!" the thugs applauded as she quickly grabbed a piece of toast and bit into it "Do you guys like my uniform? I'm really excited!" she said with a mouthful of bread.
"You look every bit a young lady Miss Charlie!" One thug said.
She curtsied and giggled as they smiled and continued their breakfast "I'll see you guys later! I'm going to school!"
"Good luck Charlie!" Bill said.
Charlie walked outside and saw Ratigan and Rosalie standing together "Are you ready for us to walk you to school?" Ratigan said, handing her backpack and slipping it over her shoulders. Rosalie knelt down to her "Do you have all your books? Your money for lunch? If you need anything, you just ask for us and they'll send someone.. are you sure you're ready? We can wait another year or-"
"Mom! I'm fine!" she giggled "I just want you guys to walk me.. I'm kind of nervous."
"West Grove academy is a very prestigious school.. I went there, as did your grandfather on my side, and my fathers father… I know you will live up to the expectations of a great Ratigan." He said, making her smile "Thanks daddy."
Rosalie grabbed her hand "Okay, well lets go-"
At that moment, Fidget entered carrying Ellie in her arms "Boss look what Ellie can do!" he sat her upright and she started to walk, wobbling on her feet and giggled as Fidget held her hands.
Rosalie gasped "She's walking!" she let go of Charlotte's hand and rushed to Fidget.
Ratigan rushed to the baby "At a month old! Such a smart girl!" he laughed in amazement "I knew she collected both of our intelligence Rosalie!" they watched the little baby walk. Charlie's ears drooped as she looked on, Rosalie and Ratigan completely infatuated with the fact that the little one could walk.
Victoria, a white mouse with stunning blue eyes walked to her side, prepared with her own leather brown backpack "Charlie! I can take you! My school is on the way!"
Charlie looked at her mother and father, then sighed "Oh… okay."
Victoria took her hand "Hey, you can tell them all about their day! They wouldn't miss it for the world!" Charlie and her walked through the pipes and out on the street. The bustle of the morning and smells of the fresh air and morning breakfast from other houses filled the air.
Charlie walked alongside her cousin "You don't go to the same school as me?"
Victoria shook her head "No, I am older than you so I had to switch to an all girls school down the street from yours.. Alex already graduated early and P.J is too young." She shrugged her shoulders "Besides I couldn't go… it's too prestigious."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah! The school is only allowed for either the extremely wealthy or the high esteemed individuals. Luckily Uncle James and Aunt Rosalie account for both!" she laughed, suddenly seeing the worried look on her face "But don't worry, I'm sure you are gonna be great!"
"You think so?"
Victoria's blue eyes went bright "I know so!" they stopped in front of a large gate, a large dark and mysterious university stood, with black pavement and dark navy and red flags adorned on the old awnings. Charlie noticed a small opening for the mice and other students "Wow." She said. Victoria grabbed her and pulled her into a hug "Okay.. Here you go. I love you Charlie.. good luck."
"Thanks Victoria, love you too." She saw Victoria walk off to school as Charlie looked back at the school. She took a deep breath and whispered "Just be my amazing self.. and they'll line up at the door." She repeated her mother's wise words and walked into the school.