Giselle was relieved when Nancy gave detailed instructions to the people at the salon she had no idea what was supposed to be done there. Morgan was unusually quiet as she watched Nancy and Giselle have their hair and makeup done. Just as they were finished a friend of Nancy's came over to talk. While Nancy was engaged in conversation Morgan reached out and tugged on Giselle's hand.
"Is this what it's like?" Morgan asked wistfully.
"Is this what what is like, sweetie?"Giselle responded.
"Is this what it's like to spend time with your mom?" Morgan clarified.
"I don't know. I never knew my mother either." Giselle answered
"Oh," Morgan said somewhat sadly. "Dad said he was going to ask Nancy to marry him but he hasn't yet."
"Do you like Nancy?" Giselle asked tentatively.
"Yeah, she's fun and she tells Dad when he's being dumb sometimes," Morgan said.
"Well, that's good," Giselle offered. "I'm sure that Robert has his reasons for waiting. Life has been very busy lately."
"Yeah," Morgan said, her face brightening. "Thanks Giselle." She reached over and gave Giselle a hug as Nancy came back.
"Ready to go?" She asked holding out her hand to Morgan who took it.
"Of course," Giselle said forcing a smile on her face as she stood up. They stopped for Nancy to pay the bill and then got in yet another cab. Nancy dropped Morgan and Giselle off with a hug for Morgan and promise to look for her at the ball that night for Giselle. Upon arriving at the apartment Giselle murmured a greeting to Morgan's babysitter and retreated to Morgan's bedroom to finish getting ready.
At precisely seven o'clock Giselle heard a knock at the door. Rising from Morgan's bed she came to join a very confused (and smitten) babysitter at the door with Edward. Edward's face lit up when he saw Giselle.
"My love!" he cried. "You look absolutely stunning." He reached out and taking her right hand raised it to his lips. "Are you ready to go?"
"Of, of course" Giselle stammered. Turning to Morgan she held out her arms for a hug. "Goodbye Morgan."
"Goodbye Giselle," Morgan said tears starting to fall from her eyes as she hugged Giselle.
"Don't cry sweetie. I promise I will visit. And maybe someday you could come to Andalasia." Gently Giselle pulled away from Morgan knowing that she had to leave. She turned to Edward who had moved towards Morgan.
Kneeling down Edward placed his left hand on her right shoulder and looked her in the eye. "I promise my lady that you will always be welcome in the land of Andalasia as long as I live. And any assistance I may give you here or there will be yours the moment you ask. I swear it."
Wiping her eyes Morgan gave Edward a tremulous, but heartfelt, smile. "Sounds good," she said as she impulsively reached forward and gave him a hug. Edward gently returned the embrace and smiled at Giselle over Morgan's head. After Morgan withdrew Edward stood up, gave Morgan a slight bow and then offered his arm to Giselle.
"Shall we?" Edward queried.
"I'm ready," Giselle affirmed taking his arm. The ride down the elevator was a very quiet affair but Giselle had to gasp when they walked out onto the sidewalk. There waiting for them was an open carriage with a beautiful white horse. There were red roses and white ribbons all around the edge of the carriage.
"Oh Edward, it's lovely," Giselle breathed.
"I wish it could compare to your loveliness but I felt it would at least be a foil to your beauty." Upon reaching the carriage Edward carefully helped Giselle into it. As she settled on the seat she found a purple velvet cloak with a matching silk lining.
"What is this?" Giselle asked.
"I was concerned that you might be cold and so I brought this for you," Edward responded as he reached out to help her put on the cloak. Just as he finished closing the clasp the driver clucked to the horses and started the carriage moving. As they drove through the streets of New York, Giselle started pointing out all of the buildings she had learned during her time there to Edward. After what seemed like a very short time the carriage pulled up in front of the building where the ball was being held. Edward jumped out and reached over to help Giselle out. With a few murmured words to the driver they walked up the stairs and into the elevators that took them up to the top floor. As the door opened Giselle took a deep breath and prepared to face what was to come.