***Hey guys, this is my first story, so I would really appreciate any comments or reviews on my story!
Thanks, and hope you enjoy! :)***
The door slammed downstairs.
Sabrina looked at her daughters, Allison and Emma. "Stay here," she ordered. "Your father will explain everything in a minute."
She rushed to meet her husband, Puck, who had thrown his bag onto the sofa and was storming around the house.
"I'm home," he muttered, and kissed his wife on the cheek.
"Puck?"
He began to pace frustratedly around the kitchen. "I can't handle it anymore, Sabrina. I just can't handle it!"
"Puck, there's something you need to-"
"Jacob's been incredibly moody lately, so I've left him for Canis to handle. But it's been crazy, 'Brina! Ever since Mirror left, the entire Hall of Wonders has been out of whack. It's one hectic day after another!"
"Puck! It'll be all right! But Allison-"
"And the Anderson triplets are just going senile! Honestly, after all they've been through, I'm surprised they've even lasted this long-!"
"Puck, we have an important situation our hands!" she exclaimed.
Puck looked bewildered. "It's not them, is it? I didn't think those spineless thugs had the guts to follow through with their threats."
She shook her head. "No, it isn't them."
Puck visibly relaxed and turned to the pantry searching for food. He settled on a pack of Oreos, stuffing five in his mouth at once and turning back to Sabrina, who looked incredulous. "What?" he said defensively as he swallowed a mouthful of the cookies. "I'm starving! Can we eat soon?"
"Puck," Sabrina said impatiently, putting a hand on his arm. "Allison has wings."
His eyes lit up. "We're having chicken for dinner?"
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Look, just forget about the food and listen to me for a moment. Your daughter is upstairs, freaking out because-"
Her words were interrupted by a demeaning crash from the floor above. They exchanged looks, and Puck dashed upstairs, Sabrina anxiously following.
"Allie?" Puck called out. "Emma? What's going on?"
He stopped in the middle of Allison's doorway. "Allie? Where are you-?"
"Up here, Dad."
Puck's eyes followed the voice to the ceiling, where the girl was bobbing awkwardly, two beautiful pink insect wings stretched out behind her, keeping her aloft.
"Dad?" Allison asked, her voice trembling. "What's going on?"
Sabrina studied her husband's face, which showed full shock, then confusion, and then bewilderment as he turned to look at her. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
She stared at him. "You're unbelievable."
Puck turned back to his daughter. "Allie?" he said gently. "Why don't you come join us on the floor so we can talk."
"Mom said I'm not like normal girls," she cried. "She said we're related to the Brothers Grimm. She said that fairy tales are true and that magic exists. Is she telling the truth, Dad?"
Puck sighed heavily. "Allie? Please come down. I don't want you hurting yourself."
She shook her head, stubbornly fighting tears. "No! You've both been lying to me, and Emma, for all of our lives! I'm not coming down until you tell me the truth-the whole truth! What are you, anyways?"
"Young lady, don't make me bring you down here myself," her father warned.
"Nice try, Dad. The ladder doesn't fit through the doorway. Mom's already tried. Just tell me the truth!"
Puck turned to Sabrina. "She's just as stubborn as you now! When did this happen?"
"Around puberty," she muttered.
He grinned. "That virus is going around again, huh? Lucky I'm immune-you've already contaminated me once."
Sabrina tried and failed to stifle a smile. "Stop goofing around!" she scolded. "Your daughter needs you!"
Puck shrugged and leaped into the air. Glorious pink wings popped out of his own back and he flew over to Allison. Sabrina smiled. She hadn't seen him use them for a while.
"Whoa," said a voice near Sabrina's elbow. Emma had snuck up behind her mother and was watching Puck with eyes as big as saucers. "That's so... so..."
"Gravy? Sabrina offered.
The little girl nodded solemnly. "That is so gravy."
Puck carefully guided Allie down to the floor. His wings disappeared as he landed, and Allison burst into tears again.
"Oh, stop being a crybaby, Allie," huffed Emma. "Dad, is it true that we're fairy princesses?"
Puck nodded slowly, and Emma squealed ecstatically. "This is the best day of my life!"
Allison looked up and glared at her sister. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one who's turning into a freak!"
"'Freak' is such an ugly word," her father admonished. "I'd rather you use a better word, like Everafter."
"What's that mean?" Emma piped up.