There's no Place like Home

Prologue

Raphaelle Hawkins stood in front of a full-length mirror, studying her dress as she smoothed out the skirt with her hands. Green and strapless; it was beautiful! The top around her bust sparkled with different sized and colored gems, the middle was solid green (which laced up in the back), and the skirt of the dress puffed out slightly. Its fabric was green with hints of pinkish-purple.

Her long strawberry blonde hair was curled into ringlets and pinned up in a high ponytail behind her head. Her silver locket was fastened around her neck, her diamond wedding ring sat on her left hand, and diamond earrings hung from her ears.

"Ready, Mrs. Hawkins?" Raphaelle jumped slightly and spun around. Her husband was leaning against the closed door of their hotel room, watching her and smirking. He wore the suit he had worn for their wedding two weeks prior. The only differences were his hair – which had begun to grow out – and his earring – which was once again hooked in his ear.

"Yes." she paused, "I think …" she faced the mirror again, turning her head side to side, checking her hair. "Is my hair fine?" she leaned in closer, "My makeup? I'm assuming the dress is fine since you bought it for me but-"

"Trust me," Jim crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her waist, "you look perfect." He kissed her temple before letting her go.

"You know, I wouldn't freak out so much if you'd just tell me where we're going tonight." She'd been trying to figure out where they were going all week. She still had no idea. Her only hint was the fancy clothes. Now, like all the other times she'd asked, Jim simply smiled at his wife and kept silent. He took her hand and lead her out the door, down to the lobby and out onto the streets.

"We're walking?" Raphaelle asked; Jim nodded in return. I am so glad I decided to wear comfortable shoes! She thought. At least they didn't have to walk very far.

Three blocks later, the couple arrived at another hotel which towered high into the sky. The outside of the stone building was plain – no decorations signaled what was happening inside except for the two bellhops standing on either side of a red velvet rope which fenced off the front door. The employees let select groups inside; only those with an invitation got inside. Those who did get inside were dressed up in dresses and suits like the Hawkins'.

Jim held Raphaelle's arm and whisked her to the front door; he flashed a smile and an invite to the left bellhop while he supplied their names. The old man (old enough to be their grandfather) gave them a toothy smile, showing his missing teeth, and ushered the couple inside.

Once inside, they weaved their way to the back of the hotel. After the lobby, the electric lights were turned off and replaced by candles and torches. Talk about medieval, Raphaelle thought. (She wasn't ever sure if this world knew what medieval was.) Once in the back, she froze for a beat and stared; huge ten foot tall double doors detailed in gold paint loomed in front of them. Two different bellhops opened the doors and Jim led her inside.

Once inside, Raphaelle stopped, her eyes growing wide, "Jim…" she whispered, her breath was taken away, "we're…we're at a ball?!" she couldn't believe her eyes.

The long room was flanked by four floor-to-ceiling windows on each side. Straight ahead from the door in place of a wall was a floor-to-ceiling-wall-to-wall window, with two French doors placed symmetrically in it. Outside the night was clear, the stars shone bright; the courtyard was green and trimmed to perfection. Inside, the room looked gold in the dim candle light that flickered off the walls. Velvet drapes hung, parted on the sides of the wall windows. Between the windows, tables were placed for sitting; to the couple's left was a small bar for refreshments, and on their right a small orchestra played. Couples twirled around and around on the dance floor to a slow waltz.

"Yeah," Jim breathed, "it is. I figured we should do something extravagant before we head home tomorrow night." All Raphaelle could do was nod in agreement, she did not even want to think about how much this was costing him. "Shall we dance m'lady?" he offered her a hand.

"Let's," she took his hand in hers and soon found herself twirling on the beautiful dance floor in Jim's arms.

After three hours of dancing, two glasses of punch, and one long walk outside in the cool night air of the courtyard, Raphaelle could barely walk back to the hotel. It was a good excuse to lean on Jim the whole walk back.

"How did you like your surprise tonight, Raphaelle?" Jim asked her an hour later as they crawled into bed.

"I absolutely loved it!" she grinned, giving him a kiss on the lips.

"Glad to hear." He whispered against her lips, smiling before kissing her back.

The next day, the newlyweds awoke slowly. After dressing for the day and eating breakfast, they began packing for their trip home. Their honeymoon was over, but this meant they could go home and help Sara run the BenBow Inn for a short time. Once their house was ready and Jim secured a ship to captain – with the help of Amelia that wouldn't be hard – Sara would have to find new help.

"Ready to go?" Jim asked once they were all packed.

"Yeah." she smiled and grabbed his hand, "Let's go home!"

The newlywed couple headed down to the ship which would bring them back to Montressor. They were unaware of what awaited them at home. Or rather, they were unaware of who awaited them at home.

It was early in the morning when I woke up and groggily pulled the dress Mrs. Hawkins had given me over my head. It was fairly simple; dark blue with a white apron in front. I didn't have to wear the apron all the time, but I liked the way it looked, so I kept it on. The dress fit me well since I was only an inch shorter than her.

I ran my fingers through my short blonde hair. That was the nice thing about short hair, I rarely needed a brush. The down side to my hair was how it flipped and puffed out randomly, as if it had a mind of its own. I sighed. It wasn't like I could do much about it, and the guests did think it looked cute. Once I was sure I looked semi presentable, I hurried downstairs to help Mrs. Hawkins with the breakfast rush. It wasn't so much of a rush as it was half asleep guests chowing through … I don't know what. I had no money, so in exchange for a room and meals I worked alongside Sara, BEN, and her other employees. I was hoping to rack up enough chores so I'd be able to sleep in one of these mornings.

I found my new "boss" in the kitchen; whisk in one hand, bowl in the other, humming a marry tune. A pink blob floated about her head; suddenly he turned into a whisk and bowl, mixing up batter in the air. I had been informed that he was named Morph and that he belonged to Sara's son, Jim.

"You're in a good mood today, ma'am!"

"Oh, for heavenly sake, dear! I told you to call me Sara!" she gave me a cheerful smile and continued humming.

I chuckled, "So why are you so happy this morning?" I asked as I grabbed a stack of plates and a handful of forks.

"They're coming back today! You know this!" Joy was radiating off of her; so much so I was afraid I would choke. And I'm a happy-go-lucky person by nature!

"Ha!" I chuckled and shook my head, "I'm an idiot!" I mumbled under my breath. Of course I knew her son and his new wife were coming home today! My brain just refuses to function at a quarter to seven on a Saturday morning. "Sorry, Sara … I'm just a basket case most days…"

"Most?" she winked at me.

"Oh you know what I mean!"

"You set yourself up for that one!" We laughed and continued working.

Through the rest of morning and the lunch rush, Mrs. Hawkins acted the same. So was so overly happy that nothing could dampen her spirits. Not even when a little frog-looking child puked all over the floor. Sara smiled and continued to hum as she mopped up the stomach contents; the rest of us had to suspense our urges to gag and lose the contents of our own stomachs!

Finally, three o'clock rolled around. Jim and his new wife were due home within the half hour. It was strange; the Inn had been so busy since I'd arrived that I didn't even know his wife's name. All I'd been able to get out of anyone was that Sara's son Jim had been married at the Inn two weeks ago and was on his honeymoon. After that, we would always get interrupted by something or someone.

BEN was the only one who gave me more information, but he spoke so quickly I couldn't understand a word he said. All I managed to catch was 'Jimmy!', 'married!' and someone named … Ralphie? I don't know, you try understanding a robot who can literally speak at the speed of light (or close to it!).

I was alone in the kitchen, busy sweeping up when I heard the front door swing open. I paused and held my breath…

"Are they back yet, are they back yet, are they back yet?" four young voices merged together. I smiled and shook my head as I resumed sweeping. It was just Delbert, Amelia, and their children. I took a deep breath. My stomach was in knots. Why am I so nervous? It wasn't like I know Jim or his new wife.

Well, that was somewhat of a lie … I mean I didn't know Jim but I'd … seen him before. As for his wife…. What BEN had said? Something about a Ralphie person? … He couldn't have meant … no. That would be impossible … right?

I was so lost in thought, only the, "THEY'RE HERE!" from the children snapped me out of my stupor. I realized I'd been leaning on the broom, staring into space. At least I wasn't drooling …

Still holding the broom, I walked into the dining area. A young man with brown hair stood in the doorway being used as a jungle gym by the children and a hugging post by BEN. Morph was snuggled up to his cheek, grinning. Mrs. Hawkins stood off to the side, happy tears welling up in her eyes. I guess there are two Mrs. Hawkins now, I thought timidly.

The woman behind him – I could only assume to be his wife – was bent over; I could see little Daniel sitting on the floor hugging her leg as if his life depended on it. All I could see of her was her long wavy strawberry blonde hair. Wait a minute … strawberry blonde …

Finally she looked up to take in the other faces in the room; she was smiling and laughing, her face full of joy. Then our eyes met.

I dropped the broom.

It clattered loudly on the hard wood floor. We stared at one another in shock. A long moment passed; it felt like an hour. The others noticed and the talking and laughter died off. Jim looked back and forth between us; confusion etched onto his face.

"Raphaelle…?" I was the first to find my voice; though it was barely above a whisper.

"Kisa…?" she breathed.

Author's Note:

First off I'd like to say that this is a spin off story of PartofYourWorld-ArielMermaid's stories and I had full permission from her to write this and to use her characters. We collaborated on the story together as well.

Second, I'd like to thank PartofYourWorld-ArielMermaid for letting me write this! (So thanks Raphaelle!)

I'm basing Kisa off of my looks and my personality. (Well I'm somewhat basing Kisa's personality off of my own.) If you go to my deviantART (there's a link on the QueensOfWeirdness profile page) there's a picture of me on there.

I had a lot of fun writing this story as a whole (yes it's completed; I'll try and post as least one chapter a day, if not more). I really liked writing and describing the ball room scene here. Maybe it's just me wanted to dress up and go to a ball like a princess… And I'm not very girly either … Still it sounds like fun!

I love reviews so please leave one! You can critique my work as well but please no flames.

Jim Hawkins, Mrs. Hawkins, BEN, Captain Amelia, Doctor Doppler, Morph, etc. belong to Disney

Raphaelle belongs to PartofYourWorld-ArielMermaid

Kisa belongs to me