AN: Long wait for a short chapter. Sorry about that. I keep thinking, 'Hey, maybe I might be able to write today,' and my life is like, 'LOLno.'

I'm sorry if this doesn't make any sense. I'm a little bit brain-dead today. However, all my AP tests are over with, which is nice. :) Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter X: Journey

"Are you ready, Papa?" Bella asked, checking to make sure he had everything he needed to leave.

"As ready as I can be, Bella, thanks to you," he laughed. "Maybe even a little bit more."

"All right." She wiped a little bit of four off his shirt. "Be safe."

"I will."

"Are you sure you have extra-"

"I'm sure, Bella, I'm sure."

"But what if-"

"Bella." Her father looked her in the eye. "You've gone over the checklist seven times. I think if I were missing something, I would know. Now, you be safe, take care of the twins, keep the bakery running. I'll be back in a week."

"Dad!" The twins came tearing out of the bakery. They had slept in, again, and almost missed the goodbye.

"We'll miss you!" Elizabeth said, hugging him.

"Come back soon, okay?" Michelle said, tugging on his sleeve.

"I will, I will. I promise." He gave both the girls a hug.

"Will you bring us back something from the Royal Palace?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes lit up.

"Yeah! Like a dress or a necklace or... or... or something!" Michelle and Elizabeth started to dance around, laughing, imagining they were princesses at a ball.

"I'll bring you what I can," he promised. "Now girls, be good to your sister. Bella... Is there something you want?"

Bella shrugged. "Just your safe return, Papa."

"But after all your work-"

"I don't want anything. I'm fine without fancy dresses and makeup and jewelry. Now get going, it's a long way to the palace and the woods are dangerous at night."

"Bella, I'm not leaving you without promising you something in return for all the work you've put into this. It's just not fair."

"I don't need any gifts," she said.

Her father stopped, then smiled. "You know, your mother used to say the same thing. She used to say, 'The only gift I even want is a dozen red roses on my wedding day.' So you know what I brought her?"

"A dozen red roses?"

"Exactly that."

"That's very sweet."

Bella's father sighed, reminiscent. "But," he said suddenly, as if remembering he still had a cake to deliver, "there's no time for nostalgia now. Be safe, you girls. I'll see you in a week."

"Granny?"

The old woman turned around. "My... Gerda... Look at yourself..."

Gerda turned. She looked no different than she ever had.

"You look so grown-up," Granny continued, getting up to adjust the red travelling cloak that hung on Gerda's shoulders. Gerda was leaner, taller than Granny had been when she was her age, and the cloak didn't quite fit.

"Granny," Gerda said, blushing. "You say that every day."

"But look at yourself! First I'm holding you, you could fit in one arm. Now... Look at yourself. Ready to go out into the world."

Gerda smiled a little bit, unsure of how to respond.

"But enough about the past," Granny said. "You have a boy to find."

The two made sure Gerda had enough essentials to last her several weeks in the forest.

"And you know, be safe in the woods. Watch out for wild animals-"

"And stay on the path, and don't talk to strangers," Gerda finished for her. "I know."

Granny smiled. "That's my girl. I expect to see you and Kai back here by the time those roses in the windowbox bloom, okay?"

"I will. I promise, Granny."