The Princess Discovery (Part 1)
"Mommy can I wear my princess dress to the mall?" Sarah asked her mother as they ate breakfast at the table.
"Of course sweetheart!" said Penny.
"Why do you want to wear that? It's not your birthday." said William.
"Because I'm a princess!" Sarah yelled at her brother.
"William honey, just leave your sister alone." Penny said as Sarah stuck her tongue out to her brother.
"Can you put some make up and lipstick on me mommy?" Sarah said.
"Sure, but only light makeup alright?" said Penny making Sarah smile.
"Dad, can we go to the arcade?" William asked.
"Sure. Maybe this time you can beat me in Tekken!" Leonard said.
"That's my plan." said William.
"Okay, you're on!" said Leonard giving his son a high five.
"Are you really going to the arcade to play that game when you have all sorts of games in the living room?" Penny asked.
"It's more fun in the arcade mom." William said. "And sometimes we get to challenge other people there." he added.
"Leonard!?" Penny said.
Leonard sighed. "Your mom is right son. We're going to the mall to watch that Disney movie your sister's been excited about for a month now." he said.
"But dad!?" William protested.
Leonard tapped his son's shoulder. "I promise, we'll go next time." he said.
"See that!? The princess always wins!" Sarah butted in, surprising Penny and Leonard.
"Fine, your royal highness!" William said sarcastically.
"You are forgiven!" Sarah said making Leonard and Penny laugh.
The young family finished eating as Penny took Sarah into the bathroom to give her a quick shower while William took a shower at the upstairs bathroom. After showering, they all got dressed with Penny helping her daughter with her princess dress and light makeup.
"Mommy, do you think other girls will be wearing a princess dress like me?" Sarah asked as Penny applied a thin layer of makeup on her daughter's face.
"I'm not sure sweetheart, but even if they did, I'm sure you'll be the prettiest among them." Penny said smiling at her daughter while giving her a small mirror to see herself. "Well?" she asked the child.
Sarah saw her reflection and smiled. "Thank you mommy. I'm as pretty as you are!" said the child making Penny a little emotional.
Penny hugged her daughter. "Thank you sweetie. You just made mommy so happy." she said. "Are you ready?" she asked. Sarah nodded as Penny held her hand to go downstairs where Leonard and William are waiting.
"What took you guys so long?" Leonard said.
"Well, I had to help a certain young lady with her dress and makeup!" said Penny as Sarah ran down the stairs.
"Wow! You look amazing honey!" Leonard said as Sarah ran to her father. Leonard took her hand and twirled her like a ballerina. "You're a real princess now!" he added.
"Thank you daddy! I'm as pretty as mommy!" Sarah exclaimed, making the couple smile.
"You are honey!" said Leonard. "Let's go so we could get nice seats at the movie theater." he said as he took Sarah's hand to go out of the house.
Penny lightly hugged her son. "Let's go sweetie." she said as they went out the door and into the driveway where Leonard is securing Sarah's seat belt.
"You need help buddy?" Leonard asked William.
"I got it dad." said William as he pulled his seat belt, locking it in place.
"Don't be so glum buddy. I'm sure we can find something fun to do at the mall." said Leonard, reassuring his son.
"Sure dad." William said as Leonard sat on the driver's seat and stated the car, driving out onto the road.
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The family arrived at the mall with Sarah getting more and more excited, pulling her mother's hand towards the entrance.
"Mommy hurry up, we're gonna be late!" she said.
"Slow down sweetie! The theater isn't going anywhere!" Penny said.
"I know but we still have to buy the tickets, get a big bucket of popcorn, some hotdogs and Dr. Peppers!" exclaimed Sarah making the couple laugh at her love for food.
"Are you gonna eat all of those?" asked William.
"Why not!?" said Sarah. "If you behave I might give you some of my popcorn!" she said teasing her brother.
"Don't bother, I'm gonna get my own." said William as Leonard rubbed his hand on his son's back.
They entered the mall and went straight to where the movie theaters are located. After a few minutes, William got Leonard's attention and pointed at the video gaming arcade with the new Tekken gaming machine. The father and son were surprised and excited to see the new machine.
"Dad how were they able to get that machine? That game is not supposed to be released yet until next month right?" said William.
"I don't know. I guess we better find out." said Leonard, completely forgetting about the movie.
"Come on dad!" William said as he ran into the arcade with Leonard following closely behind.
Penny and Sarah just looked at them, dumbfounded and slightly irritated that they completely forgotten about the movie.
Another kid about the same age as William recognized him and invited him to play on the new machine while Leonard gave pointers to his son, acting as his coach as a few kids gathered around to watch the match. As the match went on, the kids including Leonard rejoiced every time their player scored a hit or did some cool combo moves. Little did Leonard notice that Penny was looking at him as her temper was starting to flare up the same as Sarah does.
Sarah pulled her mother's hand. "Mommy." said Sarah.
"Yes sweetie?" Penny said looking at her daughter.
"We're gonna be late for the movie." said the child.
"I know sweetheart." Penny said, giving her daughter a weak smile.
"Mommy." said Sarah.
"Yes sweetie?" Penny said looking at her daughter.
"Boys are stupid." Sarah said making Penny laugh out loud.
Penny kissed her daughter's cheek and pulled her to the sidewall. "Don't worry sweetheart. Mommy's gonna go over there and straighten them out. You stay here and watch me okay?" said Penny.
"Okay mommy." Sarah said.
"Now what did I tell about strangers coming up and talking to you?" Penny asked.
"I'll scream Stranger Danger! And tell them to back away." said Sarah. "And if they try to touch me, I'll bite them." She added.
Penny smiled and hugged her daughter. "That's my girl. You are so smart, just like mommy!" Penny said. "Now you stay here alright? Don't go anywhere." Penny said as she walked towards the gaming arcade about fifteen feet away from where she left Sarah.
Penny reached the machine where Leonard and William are playing on. She stared at her husband, oblivious of his wife looking at him. After a few minutes, Leonard saw Penny staring squarely at him. He suddenly stopped playing and stood up, pulling his son to do the same.
"Well?" Penny yelled at her husband.
Leonard kept his head low as he pulled William out of the arcade. "I'm sorry honey." Leonard said, hoping his wife would forgive him.
All of a sudden, they heard a piercing scream from Sarah. Penny turned around and saw a man and a woman standing in front of Sarah, afraid of the child's screams. Penny immediately panicked and ran towards her daughter.
"Stay away from my daughter!" Penny yelled as the people around them looked at the slight commotion. The man and woman backed away, afraid Penny might lash out on them. "Are you alright sweetheart?" Penny asked her daughter as Leonard and William joined them.
"Who are you and why are you talking to my daughter!?" Leonard asked, standing in front of his family.
The man took a step back before he spoke. "I'm so sorry for this. Please, we don't mean your daughter any harm. We're just asking your daughter where is her mother when she suddenly screamed and broke our eardrums," he said. "My name is Terry and this is my wife Dana." he said.
Penny lifted her daughter in her arms to console her. "And what do you want from my daughter!?" Penny asked while giving them the look.
Terry reached for his wallet and took out a business card, giving it to Penny. "I'm actually a talent scout and when I saw your daughter, I went and asked where her mother was. That's when she screamed at us." Terry said.
Penny and Leonard looked at the business card. "Is that so?" said Leonard.
"I'm not trying to hassle you or anything. You can call that number if you want." Terry said as he looked at Penny. "You look kinda familiar actually." he said to Penny.
"Weill, have you seen that TV show Parker & Ramona?" Leonard chimed in.
"Oh right! You're Kristine!" Terry exclaimed.
Penny smiled a bit. "Yeah, that's my character on the show." said Penny.
"Wow, it's so nice meeting you." said Terry.
"Thank you. I'm Penny by the way, and this is my husband Leonard, my son William and this little princess is Sarah." said Penny as she put Sarah down.
Terry shook Leonard's hand. "I'm sorry if we scared your daughter. it's just that your daughter is so pretty, that's why we asked her to see if you could maybe bring her over for an audition and some test shots." said Terry.
"It's alright. She's a little shaken but she's gonna be fine." said Leonard.
Sarah pulled Penny's hand. "Mommy, what's happening?" she asked her mother.
Penny smiled and knelt in front of her. "Sweetheart, this nice man is a talent scout. He wants me and your daddy to bring you in for an audition and some test shots. Maybe you'll get to be on a TV commercial or a TV show, or even a movie." Penny said as Sarah's face immediately light up.
"Really mommy? Can I be a princess?" Sarah asked, making them all laugh.
Terry knelt down to talk to Sarah. "I'm sorry if you got scared Sarah. And to answer your question, you can be a princess if that's what the director and producer wants you to be." he said.
"Are you gonna pay me money if I get in?" asked Sarah making them laugh even more.
"Of course!" Terry said, laughing a little.
Sarah looked at her mother. "Mommy, can you bring me there please!?" she said.
Penny hugged her daughter. "Sure sweetheart. I'll take you there myself." Penny said.
Terry stood up. "Well, I guess we better get going then." He said. "I'm sorry again if she got scared." he added.
"No problem Terry. Thank you." Penny said as Terry and his wife walked away. Penny hugged and kissed her daughter. "I'm so proud of you sweetie!" she said.
"Mommy, we're already late for the movie." said Sarah.
Penny looked at the phone. "There's still twenty minutes before the movie." said Penny. "Honey, why don't you and William run and get our tickets and popcorn?" she said.
"Really?" Leonard asked.
Penny gave him a look. "Tell me again why we're late for the movie?" she said folding her arms as Sarah did the same.
Leonard sighed. "Fine. Let's go buddy." he said as he pulled William to go to the movie theater.
Penny looked down at her daughter. "Did you see that sweetie?" she asked her daughter.
Sarah nodded. "Yes mommy." She said.
"Good. Now let's go and watch that movie." Penny said as she held her daughter's hand.
The girls reached the theater just in time as Leonard showed them the tickets while William gave Sarah her bucket of popcorn and a can of Coca-Cola.
"No Dr. Pepper?" Sarah asked.
"They're all out." William said.
"Okay Let's get inside before we miss the opening." said Leonard as they entered the movie theater.
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After a couple of hours, the family exited the theater.
"That is so amazing mommy!" Sarah exclaimed.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself sweetie!" Penny said as the walked of the theater.
"Mom?" said William.
"Yes honey?" Penny said.
"Can dad and I go back to the arcade now?" he asked.
Penny smiled. "Sure sweetie." said Penny.
Leonard kissed his wife. "I love you so much." he said. "Come on buddy. Let's see if we can top their high scores." he said while putting his arm over his son's shoulder.
"Mommy, why did you let them go?" Sarah asked.
"Sweetie, sometimes you have to let them enjoy the things they like." said Penny.
"But video games are stupid mommy." Sarah said.
"I know." said Penny. "Let me ask you something, do you love your daddy?" she asked.
Sarah nodded. "Yes mommy. Daddy's the best." she said making Penny smile.
"Great, and do you love your brother?" Penny asked.
"I guess. But William always annoys me!" said Sarah.
"Sweetie, that's his way of showing you how much he cares for you." Penny said.
"Really?" said Sarah.
"Really honey." said Penny. "Now where was I? Oh right! Sweetie, if you love someone, you let them do the things they love doing, like playing video games or watching movies and stuff." Penny said to her daughter.
"And what do you love mommy?" asked Sarah making Penny laugh.
Penny kissed her daughter. "I love you! I love your brother! I love your father! I love Buster!" Penny said making her daughter smile.
Sarah hugged her mother. "I love you mommy. You're the best!" she said making Penny cry happy tears.
"Ugh! Thank you sweetheart! You just made mommy so happy!" said Penny. "Now why don't we walk around and follow your brother and father into the arcade." said Penny as she held her daughter's hand.
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At the car going home...
"Did you have fun sweetheart?" Penny asked her son who was sitting beside Sarah in the back seat.
"We did mom. That new game was so cool, and it has a few new characters!" said William.
"Well I'm glad you and your sister had fun." said Penny.
"I had fun too mommy!" Sarah said as she played with her new princess accessories that they bought outside the theater after seeing the movie.
"That's nice to know sweetheart!" Penny said.
"Do I look pretty daddy?" Sarah asked her father.
Leonard smiled at his daughter. "You do! You really are a princess now honey!" he said.
Sarah smiled, happy at her father's compliment. "I'm gonna wear this dress and tiara when we visit grandpa again so I can ride Bunny Rabbit, that way I'll be a real princess!" Sarah said making Leonard and Penny laugh.
"That's a great idea sweetheart!" said Penny.
"I know right! I'm gonna be like Cinderella mommy." Sarah said.
"But Cinderella is mostly covered in dust and soot. That's why her name came from the word 'cinders', like those found in fireplaces and kitchen stoves." said William.
"I know, but she's still pretty like me! Right mommy?" Sarah reasoned.
"You're right sweetheart. You're as pretty as Cinderella!" said Penny.
"See that? Mommy says I'm as pretty as a real princess!" Sarah told her brother.
William was about to respond when he saw his mother looking at him, silently telling him to let it go. "You're right Sarah." said William.
"If you want, you could ask Halley to dress up so you could be her Prince Charming!" said Sarah, surprising them. "You like Halley right?" she asked her brother, making him a little uncomfortable and unable to respond.
"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Penny asked William.
"I'm fine mom." William said. "Now can we change the topic?" he said making the couple smile.
"Oh! William loves Halley!" Sarah exclaimed, teasing her brother.
"Shut up!" William snapped back.
Leonard decided to chime in. "Sarah honey, stop teasing your brother please." He said.
"But daddy?" Sarah protested.
"No buts princess." he said smiling at his daughter. "Just leave your brother alone, okay?" he added.
Sarah nodded. "Okay daddy." she said while sticking out her tongue to her brother.
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They reached the house shortly as Penny took her daughter straight to the bathroom to wash her up before putting her to bed.
"Why can't I sleep in my princess dress mommy?" Sarah asked as Penny rinsed Sarah's arms and body in the tub.
"Because your dress would be ruined. You don't want that, do you?" said Penny.
"I guess." said Sarah. "Can I sleep with my Olaf stuffed toy instead?" she asked.
"Of course!" said Penny as she started to dry her daughter with a towel. "You can sleep with as many stuffed toys as you want." Penny added.
"Mommy?" Sarah said.
"Yes sweetheart?" Penny said as she started to dress her daughter in her pajamas.
"Why did William become upset in the car when I said Halley's name?" asked Sarah.
Penny laughed. "Sweetie, because your brother likes Halley and sometimes it's embarrassing for boys to talk about things like that." said Penny.
"But why?" Sarah said.
Penny smiled at her daughter. "That's just the way boys are I suppose. Let's keep this secret to ourselves okay?" she said to the young lady.
Sarah nodded. "Okay mommy." she said as they make their way out of the bathroom and straight into Sarah's room. Penny carried her daughter onto the bed, tucking her under the covers before kissing her goodnight.
"Goodnight sweetheart! You sleep tight alright!" Penny said while kissing her daughter's cheek.
"Goodnight mommy." Sarah said.
"I love you so much!" Penny said, kissing her again.
"I love you too mommy!" said the child. "Mommy, when can I have a boyfriend?" she asked, surprising Penny.
"Who told you that?" Penny asked, trying hard no to freak out.
"No one mommy." said Sarah.
"Sweetheart, you're still very young, you're not supposed to be thinking of these things." Penny said.
"But you never answered my question." Sarah said.
Penny sighed. "Fine. Thirty. When you're thirty years old, then you can have a boyfriend." she said not wanting to prolong the conversation.
"Okay mommy." Sarah said.
Penny smiled at her daughter, seeing her so innocent and pure. "That's my girl. Now, go to sleep." said Penny as she stood up before turning off the lights in Sarah's bedroom while closing the door as the young girl closed her eyes to sleep.
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In William's bedroom, Leonard pulled the sheets over his son to tuck him in.
"Goodnight buddy." said Leonard while touching his son's face.
"Goodnight dad." said William.
"What happened in the car? I thought you like Halley?" Leonard asked. William looked away and kept quiet, trying to hide his embarrassment. Leonard smiled to reassure the young man. "Listen to me William, it's perfectly normal for you to feel these things. I mean, Halley's pretty and sweet right?" he said trying to make his son feel at ease.
"I guess you are right dad." said William.
"Just don't think about it too much okay?" Leonard said, kissing his cheek.
"Okay dad." said William as he closed his eyes while Leonard stood up to turn off the lights before going out of the bedroom.
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In the couple's bedroom...
"How's the princess?" asked Leonard as he entered the bedroom while Penny combs her hair in front of the dresser.
Penny laughed a little. "She asked me how old she should be before having a boyfriend! Can you believe it?" she said.
"What!?" Leonard said, almost yelling. "Who taught her that?" he asked.
"Don't worry honey. I told she has to be thirty years old before she could have a boyfriend." Penny said, laughing out loud,
"And she believed you!?" he asked.
"Yeah. I'm her mother and she believes everything I say." Penny said.
Leonard went and hugged his wife, kissing her cheek. "You are so amazing!" said Leonard while trying to undo her robe.
Penny held Leonard's hand, stopping him. "Wait, how about William? How's he doing?" she asked.
Leonard sighed. "He still has a thing for Halley, but he's afraid to admit it." he said.
Penny grunted a bit. "Ugh poor baby!" she said, sad for her son's predicament.
"I know, but we can't help him now. We'll just let him figure this out on his own, okay?" he said.
Penny nodded. "Okay honey." She said.
Leonard kissed her on the lips. "Now, where were we?" he said teasing Penny while going back to removing her robe.
"You just can't take your hands off me huh?" Penny said, laughing and giggling.
"No." said Leonard as he pulled his wife onto the bed, kissing and hugging her while trying to remove her clothes.