"Lastly, she pictured to herself how this same little sister of hers would, in the after-time, be herself a grown woman; and how she would keep, through all her riper years, the simple and loving heart of her childhood: and how she would gather about her other little children, and make their eyes bright and eager with many a strange tale, perhaps even with the dream of Wonderland of long ago: and how she would feel with all their simple sorrows, and find a pleasure in all their simple joys, remembering her own child-life, and the happy summer days."
Rosie, sitting by her Cynthia's closed the book of her sister's favourite story.
"How is it that Alice can dream such wonderful things and I can't?" asked Cynthia.
"Well, Alice is just a girl with a vivid imagination, peach-flower. Maybe if you dream heard enough, you'll find yourself there. As long as you don't run into the Queen of Hearts."
"She scares me. I really do want to keep my head. I don't want her to chop it off."
"Tomorrow, me and Leo are going on a picnic with Michael and Jason. Would you like to join us? We would love to have you with us."
"Okay," said Cynthia. "But I wish I had someone to take with me."
"How do you mean?"
"You got Leo but I got no one. There are times when I am jealous of you both. I'm so sorry, Rosie."
"Aw, sweetheart," smiled Rosie. "There's no need to be jealous. It just hasn't happened for you yet."
"But I'm thirteen years old. I should start looking for someone."
"You got plenty of time for that. I started growing feelings for Leo when we were eighteen. All in good time."
"Okay. I'll wait."
"Be warned though, boys these days tend to be horrible. Most of my friends had a boy who dumped for someone else, or grown tired of them or anything unfair. Even a few had dumped me for those reasons. Heartbreak is a very nasty thing to feel. Promise you'll be careful with whom you meet. I don't want you to experience a broken heart."
"Was the boy who played Romeo one of them?" asked Cynthia?
"No," said Rosie. "He never will be. He's arrogant, he's conceited, he's not for any girl. Especially for one like you."
"I also feel jealous because I'm not as beautiful as you."
"I don't think I'm beautiful at all," said Rosie. It is the truth she does;t think she is beautiful though she obviously is. She never looked at herself in the mirror except for makeup in her shows and her fashions for parties. "You are so beautiful now, even as a baby. Leo told me that his rabbit friend Fiver wanted a doe and felt he could;n't because he is a runt, but he got a doe who isn't. Beauty does not come from having a beautiful face; it comes from having a kind, gentle heart. Beauty comes from within, not out. Come and see the full moon. Isn't it pretty."
"It is."
"Well, the moon is you."
Cynthia gasped in surprise. "How?"
"Your name represents the moon. I always look for the meaning of names."
"What does Leo mean?"
"Lion."
"What does Rosie mean?"
"Rose. But look at us. We both have our own names repressing beauty. The moon and the rose. Put them both together and red and white connect with love and care other. Like we do."
"I just want things for me to happen quickly," said Cynthia.
"All in good time, sweetie," said Rosie warmly. "You'll get all the luck you deserve in no time. Let's get to bed now. We have a big day tomorrow."
Rosie tucked her sister in, kissed her, and switched her light off. The she went to her own sophisticated room with Disney plushes, Disney DVDs and old dolls from her ancestors. She was not like other girls who obsess over boys and makeup and beauty. She was content just the way things were.
...
I woke up at three in the morning very parched. I crept down stairs and spend the door the creeped loudly.
"Shut up," I hissed under my breath. I got into the kitchen only to find another light on. I looked in to see my mother with a cup of tea.
"You okay, sweetheart?"
"Just woke up thirsty. What are you doing up so early?"
"Unable to sleep," said my mother.
"Insomnia?"
"Not so much insomnia, I just could't rest well after what Elvira said to Donnie."
"I know," I said. "It's disgusting. It's not his fault he's mental. He was born with it. But everyone succeeds though. Look at Judy Garland; she had bipolar but landed a very deserving career."
"But God accepts anyone doesn't he?"
"I don't know much about God, love. But I'm positive he does. Your grandmother read a verse to me when I was little girl. Do you know what it was?"
"What?"
"Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple."
"That's lovely," I smiled.
"You better get some rest now," she said. "You got a picnic with the others tomorrow. Can't have you falling asleep into the cherry pie."
I quenched my thirst and went back up to bed. I thought of the verse. The way it was said, it made think of everyone I met and accepted. Fiver, being a runt with a gift of visions which horrifies him, then Silverweed reading tomorrows of anyone he touches. They were both kind-hearted rabbits and were very happy as well. I was hoping to see them soon, as I was quite busy with Rosie watching her shows and then celebrating our roles for Little Shop of Horrors, Honk! and Into the Woods. I went to my drawers and brought out the green acorn which I had made into a necklace. My last two visits to Watership Down were only dreams, but seeing as to how strong my love was for it, I made it real, much to my happiness. Whenever I was sad, lonely, stressed or angry, that was all I would ever think of. I was hoping tomorrow at the picnic, that would be the chance for me to take Rosie there - as promised by myself.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep. This time, I dreamed that I was at Watership Down and everyone was there doing their own thing; I could see Hazel and Bigwig guarding the warren like two fearless lions, I could see Fiver lying in the flowers with Snowflake, I could see Primrose grooming her children, I could see Blackberry resting her head on Campion's chest in the gleam of the sun, I could see Dandelion with his head stuck in a hole who was immediately dislodged when Bluebell's face popped out, I could see Hawkbit grumbling while digging his paws away with Clover guarding him and then the tree glowing in the sunset. With there being no more Darklunn, Gooseberry or Chillblack, I was certain that this adventure which I knew would be bound to open, would be safe for Rosie and Cynthia. Rosie loves bunnies, so I can imagine how much the kittens would love her. I wondered how good a student Bigwig would see Michael as if he was in the Owsla. Michael was a tough guy, but not as tough as Bigwig; he is a guy who always smiles and is always cool, but he only lets his toughness out when people have it coming. And as for Jason, well if he was a lot more carefree and happy, I think he would get along with Dandelion and Pipkin just fine.
I closed my eyes and landed on my back feeling the warmth of the sun, listening to the singing birds, the familiar voices and the smell of the beautiful tree I claimed as my second home. But soon, I had to wake up in my bed and live the real life. Sad as it was that the dream ended, I knew it was all still waiting for me - and Rosie. That is when warren would be complete.
