CHANGES
By: lightening816
Rated: PG-13 (for intense scenes and language)
Genres: Angst/Suspense
Synopsis: 7th Arden story, Arden's finally has it all, and is now happy…but for how long?
PROLOGUE
February 20th, 1902
Arden was happy. There was no doubt about it. After sixteen, almost seventeen years, of sadness, mystery, and near death experiences, she finally had what she had needed all along. For months now, she lived by the North Sea in a place called Scarborough. She lived there with her newly reunited family and her new and best boyfriend ever, Nathan!
In the year before, the Victorian Age finally came to an end when Queen Mousetoria, the mouse queen, died back in January of 1901, during a visit of Arden's new arch nemesis, Olivia Flaversham, who used to be the sweet little girl seen in the movie Arden's stories are based off of, "The Great Mouse Detective" . Now, five years later, because of Arden, Olivia was now a crazy dramatic teenager, who is currently dating Arden's ex-boyfriend, Hunter, who was the one responsible for the second death of Allison, a close friend of Arden's who had feelings for girls rather than guys. After her death, Arden vowed that she would make him suffer, not by death, however. With the rest of London, except Basil, Dawson, and Hiram, against her, she now lives on the shore of the North Sea with her family and Nathan, the boy who started out as just an acquaintance but ended up becoming the greatest thing to ever happen to Arden.
As for Basil and Dr. Dawson, they finally went back to London, continuing their detective business. When they came back, many Londoners questioned them. After that died down, they went back to their own lives, hoping everyday that Arden and her family in Scarborough were safe. To make sure of this, they would send letters to Arden every week, asking how she was. Arden would always reply back saying everything was as right as rain.
As for Hiram, he did what he said he would do: go find Olivia and make peace with her. When he finally found her living with Hunter in the east end of London, with her baby daughter, Cassandra, Hiram took charge and had her come home with Cassandra. Hunter wanted to come too, but Hiram would not let him, which made Hunter and Olivia angry. After finally having Olivia home, Hiram went to find his old girlfriend, Ileana. After finding her, Ileana begged him for help. After agreeing to help her, he started to balance his business, his daughter, his new granddaughter, and his personal life with Ileana. Olivia had no ill will towards Ileana, but she did find her a bit nosy. On November 23rd, 1901, Hiram married Ileana, giving Olivia a mother and Cassandra a grandmother. Ileana tried her best to get along with Olivia and helped with Cassandra whenever she could. As days went by, Olivia began to warm up to Ileana and began to be fond of her, and eventually love her. Unfortunately, throughout this whole time, Olivia still missed Hunter terribly and wanted to see him desperately. Hunter felt the same.
Arden woke up on the morning of February 20th, 1902 at about 8:30 AM. She had just had the most wonderful dream ever. She dreamt that was in her early 60's age range and she was happily married to Nathan. In the dream, sixty-three year old Nathan mentioned how they had been married to her for forty happy years. The two old mice still lived in Scarborough and they were surrounded by younger mice, whom Arden believed to be her children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and 3rd and 4th cousins. She loved seeing her sixty year old self looking so happy. This made her feel confident and delighted.
As her powerful locket (the cause of hellish life) jingled around her neck, Arden took a shower, greeted her mother, Emily, and father, Julian, had breakfast, and noticed Nathan outside wearing winter clothing with his paws in his pockets. When Arden saw him through a window, he waved at her and she waved at him back. She loved Nathan so much. After all they had been through together, it felt great to just get away, start all over, and have wonderful people around.
"Mom, dad, I think Nathan wants me to go outside with him," she said in a flirtatious tone of voice.
Julian and Emily looked outside and had goofy looks on their faces. When Arden noticed, she began to be suspicious.
"What's up?" she asked. Her parents looked at her and shook their heads.
"Oh nothing, we're just glad to see him," replied Emily. "…since he makes you so happy and all!"
Arden still looked suspicious.
"Well…alright…if you say so…" she said, still curious.
"Arden, don't forget you coat and such. It's freezing out there and I don't want you catching a cold," reminded Julian.
"Thanks for the reminder," replied Arden putting on winter clothing.
After doing so, Arden rushed outside and embraced Nathan. They hugged and kissed each other passionately out in the cold. When they broke apart, Nathan took his mouse girl by the paw and took out to the shore.
"She's only sixteen, but she's ready. I wonder how she's going to take it," whispered Julian to his wife. Emily nodded as they both waited anxiously as they watched their daughter walk with her boyfriend.
--
"How long has it been?" he asked. Arden blushed.
"Ten months I suppose," she replied. Nathan held her paw tightly. "I must do this now," he thought. He faced Arden and spoke to her.
"Arden…we've been together for ten months now, almost a year, I believe, and I've gotta say: if it hadn't been for you. I'd still be a filthy boy suffering from lust. Thanks to you, I've become a better person, and I can't imagine what I'd do without you around," he said sweetly and passionately. Arden's knees began shaking. She could not believe what was happening. Nathan was saying all these nice things about her and she could not but react in a way an in love girl would do.
Nathan gulped and knelt on one knee. He took out a small velvet case and opened it, to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring.
Arden's eyes widened, her ears perked and she almost fell in disbelief.
Nathan took her paw.
"Arden Diane Morgan Takamashi Pattison…will you marry me?"
