Chapter 8: The Happiest Place on Earth, Parisian Style
"Dawn, wait up," Connor called out causing the girl to stop about twenty feet ahead of them.
She shifted impatiently from foot to foot. "C'mon, you guys are slowpokes."
Once the adults caught up, Dawn grabbed Duncan's hand and dragged him toward the entrance.
Tessa laughed. "She's sure excited."
"And distracted," Connor added then noted the questioning look in the woman's eyes. "We took Rachel to the train station before coming here. Dawn gets very nervous when it comes to trains. She can barely stand a three-stop subway ride back home. That was the main reason for coming here."
Tessa smiled understandingly and linked her arm with his. "Then we will make sure she's distracted."
-oOo-
They began in Fantasyland with the "Peter Pan Ride". Dawn laughed in delight as she and Connor soared over London in a flying pirate ship. They walked over to Discoveryland and went on "Star Tours", a simulator ride that flung them around quite a bit. Opting for something slower next, they went on "It's a Small World" where Tessa and Dawn pointed at all the different dolls.
They proceeded to Adventureland and went on the "Pirates of the Caribbean". Dawn's eyes were wide as she took in all the scenes. At the end of the ride was a restaurant. Enchanted, Dawn asked if they could eat there, and Connor said yes. Outside it was a bright sunny day in France, but inside it was a cool moonlit night in the Caribbean. They ate on the shore of a pirate's hideaway as boats of people going on the ride slowly drifted by.
While Connor paid the bill and Tessa went to the restroom, Dawn convinced Duncan to go on the ride again. This time she summoned enough courage to sit in the front of the boat. As they passed by a pirate's bedroom filled with gold, Dawn asked, "Do you have any treasure in that chest you have on the barge?"
Duncan leaned in close. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Uh-huh."
"So can I," he grinned.
"No fair," she pouted good-naturedly as the boat floated through the burning village.
Once they finished the ride, they met the other two in the souvenir shop where Dawn got a toy sword.
The small group continued onto Frontierland where Connor was successful in steering Dawn away from Big Thunder Mountain, a popular rollercoaster ride with a train theme. Instead, they went to the Phantom Manor. The cemetery that led up to the haunted mansion had some very humorous epitaphs. Dawn gasped in fascination as one room grew taller, a bunch of ghosts waltzed in a ballroom and another ghost suddenly appeared between her and Connor.
For a change of pace, they took a ride on the Mark Twain Paddle Steamer. Duncan and Tessa sat down on some seats near the front while Dawn and Connor went exploring.
"Does this boat bring back any memories?" Tessa asked.
"A few, but it's not exactly the same," Duncan smiled as he put his arm around her shoulders. "Let's just say that back in the day, things weren't so tidy."
After the paddle boat docked, Connor convinced Dawn to go on a short ride on the 19th century steam train that encircled Disneyland Paris. She nervously agreed but had a firm grip on Connor and Duncan's hands as they made the short trip back to Fantasyland. As soon as the train pulled into the station and they were given the all-clear, Dawn scampered off the car.
"Well, it's a start," Connor said following her.
"Let's explore the castle," she suggested excitedly.
"Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant," Tessa said.
"It sounds so pretty in French," Dawn said wistfully.
"Why don't you and Tessa go, and Duncan and I will wait here," Connor said.
"Partypoopers," the little girl said then took the woman's proffered hand. "They say there's a dragon in the dungeon."
"Then it's a good thing you have a sword coming out of your knapsack," Tessa said causing Dawn to giggle.
The men laughed as they watched the other two entered the castle.
"Well, I think she's been sufficiently distracted," Connor said.
"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Duncan asked as they sat down on a nearby bench.
"Thought I'd take Dawn to some chateaux south of the city then head back to Paris."
"She's a great kid."
"Yeah, she's pretty terrific, and Tessa's an amazing woman."
"She is that," Duncan agreed thoughtfully. Seeing how well her and Dawn got along brought some unwelcome feelings of guilt that he would never be able to give her the family she deserved.
Somehow sensing his kinsman's thoughts, Connor said, "You know the both of you are welcome to visit us in New York anytime you want. Just call first. I wouldn't want to pull a sword on a friend."
Duncan chuckled, and they talked of immortal business while they waited. Ten minutes later, Tessa and Dawn emerged from the castle.
"I saw the dragon! I saw the dragon!" Dawn exclaimed as she ran toward the men. "It was sleeping, but I saw it! Hey Connor, don't you think that Tessa's just as pretty as Sleeping Beauty?"
"Absolutely," he agreed as the woman in question blushed slightly.
"Does that make me Prince Charming?" Duncan asked.
"Absolutely," Tessa said kissing him on the cheek which sent Dawn giggling.
-oOo-
The day before they left for home, Connor, Dawn and Rachel visited the barge one last time. Also there was Richie who wasn't quite the street punk he was ten months ago. Rachel and Tessa got to know each other while the men chatted. Dawn spent the time staring at the chest and imagining what was inside.
Duncan noticed how captivated she was. "Do you want to open it?"
"Can I?" she asked hopefully.
Tessa and Duncan both nodded, and the girl knelt before the chest and slowly lifted the lid. The only thing inside was a rolled up piece of paper. She took it out, untied the ribbon and unrolled the sheet. Her eyes got wide. "It's us!"
She got up and handed the paper to Connor. It was a sketching of Dawn and him. "It's beautiful, Tessa. Thank you."
"Yes, thank you," Dawn said giving the woman a hug.
"You'll have to come to New York for a visit," Rachel invited.
"Yes, it'll be fun!" Dawn said.
"Maybe some day," Duncan replied.
