Thanks everyone for the reviews. I'm glad you're enjoying. It's fun to write and figure out how these characters would be effected by these different circumstances.


Wish Upon a Star

Eight years later, Emma was sixteen, Wayne was twenty-four, Snow was forty-four. Luckily for Snow, compared to most people in this world, she only looked to be in her early thirties-ish. Apparently in their world, time moves slower so the older they get, the slower they age. Giselle still looked pretty young too so if anyone from their world were in this one they would age pretty gracefully.

Snow's obsession with finding Charming and everyone had increased a substantial amount. Sixteen years without her husband. Sixteen years, he and everyone else were cursed. It's just unacceptable.

Everything will happen in its own time they say. The curse will break in twenty-eight years they say. Well Snow was watching a different clock.

Wayne on the other hand was just enjoying manhood. He traveled the world for four years after he graduated high school, though the act of letting him go was not an easy one for Snow. He's been back for three years but has his own place and makes his living by crafting original pieces for wealthy people. He's doing pretty well in that regard.

As for Wayne and Andi, when he traveled the world, she went off to college so she's been back for three years as well and as of now, they're just friends but…

Wayne had a surprise for Andi. He blindfolded her and walked behind her. She had no idea where she was. He took the blindfold off, her mouth dropped. It was a beautiful night in central park where Wayne had decorated it with white lights and set up a picnic dinner and gave her a huge bouquet of roses.

"Nocchi, you did all this for me?"

"Of course. I don't just do this for anyone." They sat on the blanket and opened up the freshly cooked food. "So what's going on? You seeing someone?"

"Perhaps."

"I guess I'll just have to get rid of him."

"Nocchi."

"What? No one else can compete. Who else can give you what we have?"

"You have us out here in Central Park at night."

"Don't worry. I'll protect you. I'm brave, remember." Wayne moved closer. Andi smiled. "You know I love you."

"I know… I love you too."

"Let's get back together. You're my wish upon a star."

"And you're the only kiss I've been dreaming of." They kissed.

-v-

Emma was having a sleepover with three of her friends, Britt, Nicole and Astrea. The first year of high school, Emma became friends with Britt from elementary school. Since they were the only ones they knew there, they naturally navigated toward each other. They were gathered around in the living room eating popcorn and wrapped in blankets.

"Tell us one of your stories, Emma." Nicole said.

"Okay… here's the story about Maleficent. It's not quite what you think it is."

"It never is with you." Britt said.

"So, once upon a time there was a black fairy named Maleficent who was one of the most powerful of the fairies. She was the fairy of the animals. One day Maleficent met a man and fell in love so they would sneak off together because fairies aren't supposed to fall in love. They're just supposed to be of service to others and the earth in different ways. So the Blue Fairy-"

"From Pinocchio?" Britt asked like it was ridiculous.

"Yes. She's the head fairy. She warned Mal to leave the man alone or she would be banned as a fairy and lose her wings but Mal didn't listen. She knew that love was the most beautiful thing and she wanted to experience it for herself so she gave up being a fairy for love."

"Her love must have been happy that they could truly be together." Astrea said.

"One would hope but nope, he kicked her to the curb for a princess so that he could be the next king."

"That's messed up." Nicole said.

"Yeah. He was so cold to Maleficent so now she was no longer a fairy and she was loveless. She went into a deep depression and started practicing dark magic so when the new king's princess was born Mal cursed her."

"Aurora." Astrea said.

"You got it so once she did that, she wreaked havoc on the land but she realized vengeance was empty and just secluded herself from everything and became even more depressed. After a while, she met The Evil Queen…"

"From Snow White?" Nicole asked.

"Yeah…"

"Somehow Snow White always seems to work her way into your stories." Britt remarked.

"Anywho, when she met her, the queen got her to come out of her depression and they went and basically magically set it off together and became friends but Mal couldn't just soak in terrorizing people, it wasn't her. She used to be a fairy, you know? So one of Mal's powers was to turn into a dragon and she met this guy who turned into a unicorn. They hit it off and fell in love for real. It was hot and heavy. Aside from that, later she traded her sleeping curse with The Evil Queen for this super dark curse which Mal already knew about because she kind of helped the guy who gave it to the queen get it in the first place but she wasn't quite sure what it was when she was helping him. I digress, Mal wanted the curse because she didn't want it to be used. It was ridiculous and way too far on the vengeance train but The Evil Queen's sanity had flown away like a bird in the winter. One thing Mal knew was that love was most important and vengeance was a dark and lonely road but as we all know, Prince Charming wakes Snow from the sleeping curse… much faster than Aurora's prince."

"I know what prince I'd choose." Nicole joked.

"So The Evil Queen wanted her curse back because the sleeping thing backfired and she wanted Snow to be miserable. Mal of course, refused so she and The Evil Queen got into a huge fight."

"I thought they were friends." Astrea said.

"Darkness has no limits to the depths it will go to get what it wants. Mal tried to warn her. Vengeance would only leave her lonelier than ever but The Queen felt love was weakness and Mal knew better so safe to say, friendship was over, therefore Maleficent went to… duhn duhn duuuhhhhn… Snow White. Two people with a common enemy can move mountains. Snow was with child and guess what, so was Maleficent."

"Oh snap!" Nicole exclaimed.

"Yeah so Mal asked Snow and Prince Charming to help her stop this curse because it wouldn't just affect Snow, it would affect all of the land. They were hesitant to work with Mal but she was their best chance to save their kingdom and their unborn child. After working with Mal, they realized she wasn't as evil as her reputation preceded. She had a heart. All she wanted was to save her child but The Queen was in the way and she still was because she found out they were working together to stop her."

"How'd she find out?" Nicole asked.

"You know, mirror, mirror on the wall. Anyway, the queen came for Mal and since Mal's baby was in an egg because you know, sometimes she was a dragon Mal sent her egg through a portal to protect her baby from The Queen and the curse. Then The Queen locked Mal in a dungeon in dragon form until the curse was cast. The End."

"But wait. What happened to Mal's baby?" Nicole asked.

"I don't know."

"You can't just not have an ending when you change the story all up." Britt said.

"Okay… she lived and was adopted by dwarfs. Is that better?"

Wayne came in the apartment.

"Wayne!" Emma exclaimed then ran over to hug him and didn't let go as he walked across the room. This is my big bro, Wayne. Wayne, you know Britt, that's Nicole and Astrea."

"Pleasure to meet you all." Wayne said.

"The pleasure is all mine." Astrea walked over but the other girls were dazed too.

Wayne raised his eyebrows, surprised by the bold young girl's flirting. "Where's mom?"

"Video store. She should be on her way-" The door closed. "Mommy!" Emma exclaimed,

"Are you girls having fun?" Snow asked.

"Yes!" They all replied.

"Hi son." Snow greeted Wayne.

"Did you get anything good?" Emma went through the bag of movies. "Wow mom, could you get anymore Disney?" Emma asked sarcastically for that was all that was in the bag.

Emma handed a couple of movies to Astrea and Snow noticed a strange birthmark shaped like a star on her wrist. She stood still for a moment then took a couple of movies and went in her room, Wayne followed.

"Why did you rent all those? I know ninety percent of those are stories based on home."

"… I'm trying to find clues. Someone clearly knew a lot about our world. Though they bent the truth a lot, I'm sure there's something there." Snow explained and pulled out her big chart and notes.

"Whoa." Wayne reacted because it was so much. "I may have been looking into this stuff a little myself. Let me help you. Two heads are better than one."

"Okay. I think I would have lost it if I kept going any longer."

"Don't fret. Pinocchio's here." They laughed.

Back in the living room, the girls searched for a movie to watch.

"Your brother's a hottie." Astrea said.

"Whatever dreams you're having, you can let it go." Emma said.

"My dreams are just beginning." Nicole said.

Emma shook her head.

"Let's watch, The Parent Trap." Nicole suggested. The girls' agreed, sat in front of the television and put the tape in the VCR.

"So Keith and I broke up again." Britt revealed.

"What did he do, cheat?" Nicole asked.

"Again?" Astrea added.

Britt gave her a side eye look.

"It's true." Astrea stated.

"Why does he keep doing this to me?"

"Because it's not true love and it's fine. We're sixteen. The love you're searching for will come eventually, maybe tomorrow, maybe next year, maybe twenty years from now but believe me, he's not it." Emma explained.

"How do you know? You've barely even dated." Britt questioned.

"That's because I don't want someone who just wants me because I'm popular, they think I'm pretty and they want to get in my pants. If it's not genuine, I don't want it. When the right guy does come, I'll be ready. My parents have the best love story I've ever heard and I'm not settling for anything less."

"So where's your dad?" Britt asked since apparently her parent's love story was so epic, so she claimed but in all the years of knowing her, she's never once seen Emma's father.

Emma sighed. "He's with family for serious matters but we'll all be together again one day." She tried to be upbeat but she didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"At least you know where you come from. I love my parents. They're wonderful people but I wonder where I come from and they can't answer that." Astrea stated.

"I can't imagine how that must feel but I'm sure one day you'll find out. You just have to let it happen but enjoy what you do have." Emma said.

"Emma, always the mascot for hope." Nicole said.

"I try. I got it honest."

-v-

At school, the junior prom was coming up and the girls were waiting to be asked. Emma was fairly popular. She had a small group of friends but the whole school knew who she was and liked her. She was class president, in the poetry club, on the fencing team and was a cheerleader. She kept herself busy. So a lot of jerks asked her out, trying to get points for dating one of the most popular girls in school.

Another guy headed in Emma's direction. She rolled her eyes. She already knew how this guy was.

"Emma, you can go with me to the prom and we can hook up afterward if you're down."

She frowned and elbowed him in his chest so hard he almost bucked to the floor.

"As if." Emma said. "The next guy who asks me to the prom better approach me like a gentlemen asking to escort a princess or I will show you what a princess can do to the likes of a disrespectful little boy. Do not let the baby doll dresses and sweet exterior fool you. Carry on." Emma spoke to the entire student body who was standing in the hallway then continued down the hall to her locker. She opened it then heard a guy call her name.

"What?" She was irritated at this point. She turned to him. She knew him, Eri from poetry club. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I get it. I just wanted to say, 'Roses are red, violets are blue. Please do me this honor of spending prom night with you."

"Eri, that was sweet. Thanks, it's refreshing. Of course I'll go with you."

"We're friends. I knew I'd have fun with you."

Emma finally had an escort to the prom and she couldn't wait to find a dress. If she didn't find a date, she would've gone alone but going with a friend was much better.

She went to Andalasia, Giselle's store after school.

"Mom, Giselle, I need a dress for prom, something nice that makes a statement but not so much that I can't out due myself next year.

Snow and Giselle looked at each other and smiled.

"We have the perfect dress for you." Giselle went to get the dress.

"I'm excited for the prom. It's kind of like your first ball. The closest you'll get in this world anyway." Snow said.

"I know!" Emma exclaimed then sat next to her mom.

"Your friend Astrea, what's she about?" Snow asked.

Emma shrugged her shoulders. "She's cool. She's becoming one of my best friends. She has nice parents, they adopted her as a baby." Snow nodded. "Why do you ask?"

"… I think she may be Maleficent's daughter. That birthmark she has, I saw it a lot when I was working with Maleficent. She said it was her love's symbol or something. She's the right age."

"Wow."

"Does she know who her blood parents are?"

"Not at all. What are the chances I'd become friends with Maleficent's daughter?"

"Destiny has a way of finding us no matter what path we take. If it is truly meant to be, it will be no matter what you do… I don't know for sure but my gut says I'm right."

Giselle brings out a red dress, beautiful, not too over the top but certainly fitting for a princess.

"It's perfect!" Emma exclaimed. "Thank you. I am going to go try it on." She excitedly ran into the dressing room with the dress and came back a few moments later looking stunning in the mermaid dress. "I don't know how you guys wore corsets all the time but how do I look?"

Snow was at a lost for words. "Wow… Beautiful."

Emma smiled. "Guess it's a winner. Going to go take it off." Emma left the room and Snow began balling her eyes out. She was holding it in and couldn't hold it anymore.

"Aww! What's wrong?" Giselle asked but it hit her right afterward. She missed her husband.

"We were supposed to experience our lives, our baby growing up together and he missed all of it. I miss him so much it hurts. I've been trying to stay strong for sixteen years and every year it gets harder and harder. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up." Snow cried. Giselle embraced her friend.

Emma caught the last part of that as she was walking back out to the front of the store but she stopped behind the wall and just slid down to the floor as her eyes welled up too. She could always see her mom trying to stay strong but she knew how much it hurt her to not only be away from her dad but everyone else she considered family and friends. She also knew it bothered her that she was able to live her life while everyone else was God knows where in this world cursed. She wanted to protect the people in her kingdom and she felt like every year this curse went on she was failing them. There was no one in the world Emma was closer to so she had a great sensing for what her mom was feeling. She was very observant and would catch a lot even when her mom tried to hide it.

On the other hand, Emma had a lot of her mother's qualities but was a lot bubblier and even more hopeful. Her mom instilled some great qualities in her but Emma had a pretty decent life compared to her mother so it was easy to stay that way. She also had a habit of saving face when her emotions were welling up inside. Maybe it didn't affect her as much as it affected her mom but it did bother her that she didn't have her dad. She wanted what Giselle's family had and after hearing how wonderful her father was, she fantasized about him being around more than she fantasized about her own true love, whoever that may be.

That night, Emma slept in her mom's room feeling that neither of them wanted to be alone.

The next day, Wayne came over. He said he had a gift for them. It was a two foot flat rectangular shaped thing that was covered up.

"What is it?" Emma asked.

Wayne took the cover off and revealed it. It was a portrait he drew of Charming.

"Oh my God." Snow uttered.

"Who is it?" Emma asked.

"It's your father." Snow revealed.

"Really? Wow. How did you do this?"

"It was hard trying to draw it from memory but luckily my memory is pretty good. I remember sitting under the round table in the months before the curse trying to draw some of you. Needless to say, I've gotten much better since then. I drew one of my father too. I figured you two would appreciate this."

"It feels so good to see his face, even if it's just in a picture."

"It feels good just to know what he looks like."

"Thank you." Snow said before they hugged him.

-v-

A few weeks later was junior prom. Emma went with her friend Eri and had a good time. They shared a dance but he kept looking at Britt the entire time.

"Why didn't you just ask her?" Emma asked.

"I'm so sorry." Eri said.

"It's fine. I know how you feel about her. It's in all of your poems."

"She doesn't like me and besides, she has a boyfriend."

"He's a jerk and they broke up anyway. You won't know what could be unless you try. You have to fight for what you want."

"What about you? You never have a boyfriend."

"I date a lot when a guy is nice and talks to me like he has common sense but I'm not in a rush. Who is for me, is for me and it will happen whenever it happens. I might meet him tomorrow, I might meet him ten years from now in a land far, far away but it'll happen. I'm just taking life as it comes and enjoying. Responsibility is ahead but right now I can relax."

"You're so very well rounded."

"I have to give the credit to my mother but enough about me, go get your girl."

Eri looked at Emma and smiled then headed toward Britt. Emma went outside, looked up at the sky and made a wish upon a star...