We're about to take a turn, folks...

DoggyPocky: Yup, first impressions can't always be trusted. While bitchy, Jessamine definitely has been indulged in this type of world to prob know a bit more than Caelia, but isn't necessarily right, idk we'll see. Mother Gothel form Tangled was actually one of my inspirations for Jessamine. I feel like her and Caelia's relationship kinds reflect Gothel and Rapunzel's. I love the 'Mother Knows Best' song.

TriceTokushu: Jessamine is stirring shit alright. To say why is uncertain, but it definitely differs with Caelia than it does with her brothers. She's gotta be real messed up to reschedule her grown daughter's schedule like dat. Lady a lil' cray cray.

. . .

. .

.

Wanda held that same journal in her hands her mother had written in. It was only one of a few as Caelia had kept an arrangement of journals throughout a large portion of her life. A lot of the pieces of things within the events she experienced laid in the grapevine of gossip. As well some of the few distant Oakbelles, aunts mostly, who had gifted Wanda the few other things Caelia didn't already leave behind. The one single seed of family Wanda didn't really cut off but had never known to begin with until recently. So, how much they were really family to Wanda wasn't very much to her personally. But it was some connection and she was more than thankful for them to have gifted her this.

She guessed there was another thing her mother and she held close relation to. Wanda had walked out on her father and cut him out because of the manipulation. The anger. The emotional abuse. And albeit...reminding her that she was never good enough. It was never enough. Caelia's father may have had it easy, but from what Wanda understood about the grandmother she barely knew, Jessamine was no picnic. Barely an empathetic bone in her body for her daughter, yet somehow easy-going for her brothers. Was it a cruelty thing? Favoritism? Gender? Who's to say. Wanda just wondered how Caelia could have freed herself from those chains.

Putting the diary down, Wanda picked up the following one from the box that was marked in the next few years she'd read. Opening the gold glistened cover and broken lock from long being used, she flipped to the first page. Docked down not months after that weird confrontation Caelia had with Jessamine...

. . .

Two months later, Caelia's part-time work came to an end with her father's company. As much as it kept her busy and more than distracted with how overbearing living at home was growing to be, the experience was well taken. But, part of her was glad to be done working under her father's gaze. Elm may have been more chill by a mile compared to his wife, but anything going wrong in his work made him much less of a teddy bear. No wonder Avo always prioritized work with his father over family dinners.

It was getting to the point with Jessamine that Caelia could barely get through a day without her mother trying to squirm her way further into her daughter's life. Geez, she'd been the one who wanted Caelia in the arms of a successful man, couldn't she take her break from that now? Caelia, herself, inhabited quite a calm demeanor even with her overly dramatic mother. It was well-known that Caelia knew how to keep to calming levels even if being attacked, but the irritation in Caelia's gaze every time her mother so much gave a look of judgment was taking its toll. It was so bad, Jessamine had even busted into her room last night while Caelia was on the phone with Big and insisted on staying. Then was a more rare moment where Caelia's anger levels rose higher and she couldn't take it. The more she pushed her mother away, the more she bounced right back. Her whole life she'd been dealing with this bull.

But most to say, she was falling more and more in love with Firo in such little amount of time. Spending more time with him brought out his inner personality beyond work, and she could see that her simple presence made him soften in his ways. Caelia seemed to have that effect on many people, but she'd been surprised the levels she was able to reach with Big. Caelia had always been one to give her utmost attention to those she loved, and right now, her boyfriend and friends were her main focus.

It had become easier in sleeping over at Firo's as long as Caelia was away from the family drama. Done dealing with her family's nonsense and feeling more compelled to spend nights at Fairywinkle Manor. And how a part of her, if she was truly just being honest with herself, just wanted Big to take her all away from it.

A week spent sleeping full-time at his house, Caelia had arrived at Fairywinkle Manor after at least one night spent back home. Of course, she stayed but a few hours when she realized Jessamine was no different from her usual crazy.

In plans for their fancy dinner date, Caelia arrived wearing her crimson halter dress and heels, only to be caught off guard when Big decided for dinner on a private boat instead of the planned restaurant. Caelia never asked for anything extravagant once in dating Yet Big somehow managed to wrangle all these fun outings in quick surprise to her. She's come to realize how much he enjoyed seeing that spark of shock in her eyes every time he announced something different than planned.

Eating a candlelit dinner under the sky on the waters, situated on the open deck of light on a private yacht, Caelia looked across the way to her boyfriend. Dressed in his fine black suit and trim with a cream white buttoned shirt underneath. He smirked in the direction of her stare as he lifted his scotch for a sip in speaking;

"You look gorgeous."

Her cheeks deepened in color much like the crimson of her dress. He was already a flatter-bug, but he was being more romantic than usual. Probably because he got those sales pitched in with a few co-ops recently. Success always put him in a good mood, and by result, put Caelia in a good mood.

"Sooo," Caelia said, poking at her nearly-finished pasta. "You wanted to eat here instead of the restaurant?"

"I sure did."

She put down her fork, leaning against the table as she batted her eyes gently. "You wanna tell me why, or am I gonna have to kiss it out of you?"

"Oh?" He said. "Well when you bring it up that way-"

"Just tell me!" She giggled, batting him from across the table.

He wiped the pasta oil off his face with his napkin, and gave a snap to the ship deck's doorway. Out of the double doors, in a coordinated fashion, a string quartet emerged in playing a soft melody for the couple. Big looked happily to Caelia who stared at the live music in bafflement.

"Big," she laughed lightly, holding a hand to her chest.

She redirected her gaze to him as he straightened in his chair.

"Y'know," Big said. "I'm different around you, sweets."

She tilted her head in listening.

"And I like who I am around ya." Her boyfriend continued. "And everytime you leave, it makes me think why I can't be like that all the time. Maybe I need you around more."

"Big.."

"There's power between us, Caelia." Big explained. "I want that to be brought together, or else forget about it for the rest of time."

"Power, that's what we're calling it now?" Caelia grinned. "..not love?"

"I love you, Caelia." He cupped his hand over her's, his deep pink eyes looking into her eyes admantly. "And I need your competence."

Her lips curved upward gently.

"Geez, I need all of you." He said. "Sometimes I forget who I am when I'm working but you...you just keep me so level-headed. And, I love who I am when you can do that. Feels like a different person than my brothers, y'know?"

Big wasn't one to be too honest about his inner thoughts, except on occasion to his girlfriend. He'd become more and more comfortable over their time together in being more honest about himself underneath his hard shell. The fact that he was being so forward about it now though made Caelia question his behavior more.

"You're superb," he rose from the table in coming around to her though she stayed seated looking up at him. He took her hands into his own. "Just...way better than the rest. Always top of everything, good with people, good with me...wanting the best for everyone. How often am I exposed to that, sweets? Never. I need that. I need you. You're the world.."

He brushed a thumb to her chin, holding it firmly.

"And now you're mine."

"Firo.."

With him suddenly perched on one knee before her chair, both Caelia's palms covered her mouth. Her heart fluttering in impact from him pulling out a tiny box and flipping it open to expose the large diamond within. Bringing to life the long-term dream Caelia had imagined happening since she was a little girl in her own fairytale world...but never thought to happen as an adult with all the slimebags she'd met...until she met him.

"Caelia Oakbelle, will you be my wife-"

She threw herself into his arms, planting a big kiss on his lips.

Yes. Yes, please take me as far away from this life...as far away from her...

"Lemme look at it, lemme look at it!" Apple squealed to her friend, seizing Caelia's hand as to look at the larger carat diamond occupying her ring finger. "UGH, it's beautiful."

"You lucky, luck thing." Windy agreed, sipping her champagne of the current engagement party happening at Fairywinkle Manor. Dozens upon dozens of guests occupied the main foyer as discussion buzzed amongst the classy music playing overhead. "Not every day you get Firo Fairwyinkle to settle down with you."

"Thanks guys." Caelia laughed, dress in the same dress she'd worn to her and Big's first date nearly a year ago. She looked beyond her two friends to see her brothers, Finch, and a few other mutual guy friends mid-discussion. She waved to Finch when he looked her way and he waved in return.

"Not to mention your new digs," Windy glanced around at the busied foyer of the house. She gave a long whistle. "Talk about in-style."

"Yes, and just wait until I make my adjustments." Caelia looked around. "Could use some flowers."

"I just can't believe it!" Apple continued to cheer. "You're gonna be a Mrs. Fairywinkle!"

Her friends again squealed and she smiled in delight at their enthusiasm.

Not after long as the party took way, there was a clinking of a champagne glass. Only to be brought attention by the future inlaws as Caelia held onto Big's arm as she associated with him and a few of his friends from the office. Looking across the way to the head of the party as Elm held up his glass along with Jessamine and Cadabra by his side.

"A quick toast," he announced, looking towards the betrothed couple. "To my daughter, the most proficient one out there."

Caelia hugged Big's arm in smiling at her father, raising her own glass.

"I trust you're in good hands," Elm continued. "And by that, I mean Big."

The crowd hummed in laughter, the engaged couple exchanging an endearing look.

"We get to celebrate not only the coming together of you two, but of our humble families. Here's to hoping for a lifetime of happiness for the both of you. And a bright future. To my children."

"Here, here!" The crowd agreed, clinking glasses and chattering about in glee as Big and Caelia drank from both their glasses before exchanging a kiss. Caelia smiled as they parted, looking across the way back at her parents as Elm and Cadabra dove back into discussion while Jessamine fingered her own glass in eyeing her daughter. An unsettling feeling nested in Caelia's stomach, and she quickly diverted her attention back to Big continuing his conversation with his co-workers.

She happened to look across the way at her best friend Finch. He clinked his glass with Brock before taking his own sip of what was left of the champagne, and put down the glass on a nearby server's tray. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and began to push through the crowd.

Remaining on Big's arm, Caelia handed him her glass and gave him a quick kiss in telling him she'd be right back. Before leaving his side and floating through the crowd in following the cornflower blue fairy. Meanwhile Big was approached by Jessamine and Elm as Mrs. Oakbelle began to go on and on.

Caelia had managed to get right on Finch's tale, finding that he made it to the back of the lounge room behind the foyer without anyone noticing, and slipped out of one of the glass patio doors into the dark of the back garden nearing the large pool deck. Caelia arched her brow in curiosity and followed outside in which she stood atop the stone steps to see him float along down to a stone-paved path just above the entrance to the pool gate.

"Hey! Stranger!" Caelia called, getting Finch to turn with a soft smile. "Where you off to?"

"Nowhere," he assured gently. "Need some air."

She looked happily confused. "Well, you're gonna miss everything! Avo and Brock I think are gonna say some words."

"I have some early morning stuff."

"C'mon, Finch. It's one night." She encouraged. "We want you here, I want you here!"

"I'm just kinda overwhelmed a bit, Cee. I really need some headspace." Finch gently declined. "And I don't wanna rain on your party."

"Oh, you could never do that. It's not a party without you, you light up the room."

"I do?" He said. "Says you, finally apart of your mother's biggest wish."

Her smile wilted just the slightest, as did Finch's in realizing how that sounded. He awkwardly looked away in scratching the back of his head as Caelia looked down at her hands that she intertwined in front of her.

She didn't know what to think of his behavior. He didn't seem as escatic about her engagement compared to anyone else, but Finch had always been chill in that sense. But this was less like him...there was no usual compassion of his and it scared Caelia. She never wanted him to lose that, it was his best feature.

"You know I," she started. "I know my mother drives me crazy, but, maybe the Fairywinkles and Oakbelles coming together will be good like she says."

Finch creased his brow in confusion.

"I mean," Caelia continued. "Big is just more level-headed when I'm around him, and, I think exposing that energy to the rest of my family...could help. A lot."

"It's not your job to fix everyone, Caelia. You know that."

He was behaving so distantly, and she couldn't help but ask. "Are you okay, Finch?"

The blue fairy diverted his gaze once more much to Caelia's dismay. Looking as if he was contemplating life's most important question. Something was fighting to be said from deep within that mind of his, Caelia could tell. And in battling his thoughts, she couldn't help but worry for him.

"Hello, Finch?" She laughed. "You're being a bit more aloof than usual."

Finch shook his head in looking at the ground with pressed lips, lifting his solemn gaze to her.

"Don't get married, Caelia."

The words bounced off her ears like a harmless joke, and she smiled. "What?"

He looked sternly at her. The cornflower blue of his eyes seemingly serious and her smile faded. "Cee."

She shook her head. "I don't understand.."

Finch turned as to draw to another corner of the patch of garden. Caelia floated down the stone steps as she watched his back intently in awaiting another answer or move to explain the words she didn't believe he actually spoke.

"Finch?"

Her friend turned to look at her. "The Oakbelles and Fairywinkles are something you're better than Caelia." He started, careful as to what waters he was treading. "You may sometimes have a hard time seeing it. Your mom might remind you it's all you've got. But you know it's not true."

"I never said the Fairywinkles were all I got.." she said. Finch could hear the defense she was starting to build in her voice.

"I know," he agreed. "You're a Fairy Academy alumni Caelia. You graduated with honors. You've never not cared about the rest of the world despite what your mom says. And now what, you're just disappearing into that Fairywinkle?"

"I happen to love that Fairywinkle."

"But you said you would only ever want to marry if you'd completed what you'd want to do first!" He argued, making her blink in shock. "With Big, how can you know that things won't go away in that?"

"Things are different now, Finch.." she spoke softly. "Life never comes expectedly. My future as a social administrator, or manager, or any business that helps do good, or whatever can't be decided right now. All I know is I love him and that's a step I want to take. I can't deal with staying in that house any longer. Why can't you understand that?"

"I know you love him." he spoke in mild harsh, making her jump slightly. "...but I don't know if I can continue to be around and watch this..."

Caelia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was there something bad going on with him?

"Finch," she drew forward, reaching a hand to his shoulder. "I can't not have you around. You're my best friend."

He looked up at her. "And you're mine."

She breathed a small laugh. "So let's keep going at it! I've always been supportive of your decisions, Finch. I've given you the I-told-you-so's maybe, but I've also let you run things out for yourself. This is someone I love, you know I gotta do this. And you know me, I don't make big decisions for just anything! If I did, I would've married any douche zombie my mom suggested a long time ago. You're probably the only friend who's really understood this."

Finch's gaze stayed frozen.

"What I've always loved about our friendship Finch, is that you've made me authentic. I can't be that same way around Windy or Apple or anyone I know."

His cornflower eyes observed her face.

"Please, Finch. Our friendship is so much better than-"

The warmth of his lips captured hers as his hands pinned her shoulders. And Caelia swore her heart stopped beating as her brain froze.

All actions ceased in the kiss, her pink eyes remained open in a way that she could not think, nor breathe, nor do anything but allow Finch's lips to stay on her's. And in a moment frozen in time, soon did her eyes flutter close. And soon following, did she began to kiss him back feverishly.

Reality was gone in a finger snap.

With their lips kissing each other hungrily, the world around them seemed meaningless from the action alone. Small breaths and pants igniting in between the frantic kisses as Finch held her closer and Caelia's arms wrapped around his neck in wanting more. More. Keeping their distance as close as possible as the warmth of each other's souls and bodies stayed intact. Finch unable to get enough of the sweetness of her taste.

As soon as his tongue asked for her's, her eyes opened in realizing what she was doing.

Caelia frantically pulled away. "Finch, no."

"Cee-"

"No," she hugged her arms together and made sure to distance herself away from him. "No.."

He could see her fear of both herself and him, and he held two hands up carefully. "You're not a bad person, Caelia.."

"But this is." She said, looking him in the eye again. "This is not good. And I don't think it ever happened even.."

From her cue, Finch had no choice but to lower his hands with a solemn nod. "Right.."

She hastily tucked her hair behind her ear in continuing to hug her own body. Looking back and forth between the ground of the garden and the back deck. "I-I, um, I.."

"It's my fault." Finch held his hands to his chest. "It's my fault, I shouldn't have just...it was stupid.."

"Okay.."

"I didn't know what I was thinking.."

"Okay.." she whispered.

An awkward silence ensued, and where to go from there was far from Caelia's mind. Would they still be friends, now? He'd quite obviously made how he felt clear and Caelia wouldn't be able to think otherwise of it. She wished she were that dumb, it would be so much easier. But she herself couldn't agree to such feelings, it was Finch. Finch! Her high school chum. The gardener, the clown who made jokes at her front door. She obviously couldn't lose him as her best friend, it wouldn't be good on either of them. She didn't want to lose him, but, what exactly did that mean?

..nothing as far as she was concerned. She's engaged to a man she loves deeply.

Her fuschia eyes looked up from the ground, continuing to hug her body apprehensively. Finch too kept his gaze off her, looking like he was both frustrated but afraid as to what were to happen if he met her beautiful eyes again.

Caelia swallowed her tension. "Will you..will you still come to my wedding?"

His gaze kept to the ground. "I'll think about it..."

Her eyes held soft tears as she gave him a breathless stare. "Finch.."

He disappeared in a cloud of blue.

Time passed in a blur over the course of her engagement. That, and both Cadabra and Jessamine were the ones who put their heart and soul into planning this wedding more than the actual bride or groom. Big was a simple man of simple pleasures, he just wanted the wedding party and no more. Caelia had a few ideas of her own she'd dreamt of for a long time, but as she predicted, alterations were made by her mother's taste. Caelia expected her wedding would be met at a half-way point as long as Jessamine was still her demanding self.

Life progressed so much quicker ever since Caelia had agreed to marry Big. And whatever had happened with Finch that one night was to never, ever be brought to light again as long as Caelia promised it wouldn't. She couldn't tell Big, she'd break his heart. He'd been the one who actually trusted opening up to Caelia after doing so with no one else, and for her to toss that aside with her meaningless and stupid actions, would be the most evil thing she could do. Knowing that she simply couldn't feel anything for Finch and that it had been his fault for kissing her first was the best way for her to throw away the memory of that night forever.

But, she couldn't lose Finch as a friend. She just couldn't. That would be costing her too much, but so would be losing Big. The love of her life, her fiancé. Her groom at that very moment as she looked into the mirror of her bridal suite only a half-hour before her wedding. Dressed in a white strapless ball gown with a corset back and white mesh bridal gloves that went to her elbows. Her pastel pink hair was brought back into a large bun of cascading curls.

Caelia smiled lightly in anticipation of her big day. The fairy had spent so much time blocking out the doubts of Finch and her mother, she'd practically re-trained her mind into only thinking forward and forgetting the past. Her life was waiting for her beyond the jail known as the Oakbelle household and her warden mother. She could practically taste freedom, and she was ready for these bad thoughts to be washed away by it.

A knock on her door ensued, and she turned on the bridal platform she stood upon. "Come in."

When the cornflower blue head of hair poked in, she felt a prick on her heart. Her insides urging her to rather forget Finch completely.

"Wow," he edged his way in, dressed in his polyester black suit. "You look great."

"What're you doing here.."

She was defensive, and Finch didn't blame her.

"I know I said it before, but." Finch wrung his hands together. "Nothing happened."

"Nothing happened of what?"

"The...engagement party."

"What about the engagement party?"

He could see where she was going with this, and he had no choice but to play along.

"I'm a mess, and it's not your fault." Finch said. "But you're the most compassionate person I know, and maybe that's what makes us such good friends."

Even if he was not addressing it directly, Caelia could see what he meant. That night of the party, maybe Finch had been vulnerable. After all, he was working two jobs and one was treating him like dirt. Caelia had been newly engaged and was beginning a new life. But, she never had a bragging bone in her body. Perhaps she just knew a sensitive soul when she saw one, and Finch maybe just really needed a hug. Or, in his desperate case, he reached out for something he thought would make him feel better. Not because of anything he might feel for Caelia, but she was the closest to him. That was it, wasn't it? It had to be because it filled Caelia with much more relief than the first billion times she thought this through.

"Of course we're friends." Finch gave a faint crooked smile. "And I want nothing more than just that."

"Oh, Finch. Me too." Caelia said, breathing a heavy sigh. "I'm so relieved it could stay like this. I don't wanna lose you, or Windy, or Apple just because I'm in love. You guys are important to me."

They both chuckled and drew forward for a friendly hug. Soon after pulling apart.

"Things will pick up, Finch." Caelia promised. "Look at me, you think I expected to be here a year ago?"

"No," Finch said. "I know I've only met Big a few times, but I know he's gotta be a good one to have you."

She smiled, ruffling the large hem of her ballgown.

"You two are like the power couple of all power couples." He chuckled.

She grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment?"

"A lame one, but you know what I mean."

She smiled warmly.

"I'll see you out there," he pointed over his shoulder, making way back to the door.

"See ya, Finch."

He left, and the bride let out a sigh of relief. Thank god that was over and done with a now she could finally move on. Turning back towards her body mirror, she continued to adjust her dress with a grin of excitement.

Another knock ensued, and Caelia had no choice to answer before a purple fairy entered. Decked in her body-hugged lavender dress and silk shawl with her long purple hair brought to the side in volumized waves. Jessamine looked to Caelia and her in return, and the bride felt her excitement pass away as soon as it had started again.

Jessamine closed the door behind her in saying no other words. Even over the course of Caelia's engagement, Jessamine had been abnormally quiet towards her daughter. Only turning to her when she needed input on wedding planning, and then further discussing with Cadabra. Leaving Caelia out. On her own wedding.

Coming forth to her daughter, she watched Caelia turn back to the mirror. Without very few words, Jessamine began to readjust the corset back of Caelia's wedding gown. Unlooping the strings and giving a tight tug that caused Caelia to jolt with a gasp. Looking to her mother in the mirror who's eyes burningly focused on the adjustment of her daughter's dress and then lifted to meet Caelia's pink eyes. Looking as if she could murder her with one single look.

"Mummy?"

Jessamine gave another tug at the corset strings, making Caelia wince.

"I don't trust how distance you and Finch have been."

Caelia looked at her mother in the mirror. Satisfied with the adjustment of her dress, Jessamine withheld from it and stroked her daughter's bare shoulders in continuing to stare at her reflection. "But maybe it's for the best if it means a happy marriage."

Caelia wanted to snap but chose to keep composure on her special day. "I don't think you have anything to worry of, mother."

She was surprised when Jessamine turned her abruptly and gripped her shoulders. The heat of her eyes seemed almost threatening. "I should hope not."

The bride squinched her eyes. "What exactly are you accusing me of?"

"Nothing, I should hope." Jessamine spoke evenly. She held a firm knuckle underneath her daughter's chin and raised it. "But I do hope you keep that scrambled imagination in line when you walk out of here a married woman."

Caelia was tired of it. She was tired of her. Jessamine had a direly unhealthy obsession with controlling her daughter, and things did not go over her head very easily. She'd been the one who pushed all of this, yet she was still acting like Caelia somehow was an eternal screw-up. And if this had to be the day Caelia stopped it, so be it.

Her mother still held her chin. "And keep it like that for my grandkids, too."

Caelia pulled herself away almost roughly.

"Maybe you don't need to associate with my kids if I'm to have them." Caelia said. "Certainly not with you already looking over my shoulder constantly."

"Is that so?"

The bride's brows arched higher. "Mother knows best, right?"

"Enough to get you where you are." Jessamine reminded. "I've wasted energy away on you."

"How could you possibly? All you do is sit by the pool papa bought you until your skin sizzles."

The older fairy held her daughter's stare, her own eyes returning the look in coldness but hollow with empathy for the soon-to-be Mrs. Fairywinkle. Jessamine stuck her nose in the air. "If that's how you want it.."

The bride crossed her arms.

Jessamine spared one more look, before turning in the air and exiting with a harsh door slam. Caelia jerked from a sudden cough deep within her throat, floating over to her bag and digging through in reaching for her inhaler. She shook it, popped open the cap, and inhaled by the press of the canister button. Breathing deeply.

Caelia had mastered pushing drama out of her mind and focusing on the present for quite some time now. It was all smiles at the wedding, and the only thing she'd really wanted to focus on was Firo and her. And once the atmosphere set in, it was a fairytale she'd always imagined. Frankly, getting her mother to shut up had been for the better than if she hadn't.

She and her mother hadn't spoken a word since. And despite how this may seem awkward, no words said by Jessamine at all were actually better for Caelia. She couldn't get through a conversation for years now with her mother without some kinda disagreement. But whatever the reason, part of Caelia was starting to realize that maybe remaining distant from her mother would be the best for her mental health. Let alone that her asthma was acting up a lot lately and anxiety always seemed to make it worse.

Caelia couldn't get out of Oakbelle manor fast enough. A year ago, Caelia Fairywinkle would have chosen patience in waiting for the right opportunity in her career or love to come. As long as it were to come, she would be patient. But as soon as an escape was presented to her, she realized, she needed to take this now or never again. It wasn't until she fell in love with Big that she was starting to realize just how unhealthy her relationship with her mother had become, and how it affected her relationship with her brothers and father even. They seemed to look at her with this sense that she was a helpless little puppy every time her mother undermined her, that Caelia only now realized. But did they ever bother to defend her in those situations? No, so who were they to feel pity for her if they were so caught up in their own lives? Big never looked at her like that, he admired her strength.

Sitting before her set-up vanity in her and Big's master bedroom of Fairywinkle Manor, Caelia fingered the pearl necklace Big had gifted her. Dressed in her cozy lounge clothes of striped pink pajama pants and matching fuzzy slippers, as well as a white woolen sweater over her black tank. Piero stood in the room, ordering a bunch of men who came in and out with move-in boxes.

Caelia turned on her white cushioned vanity chair. "Piero, I could really help-"

"Nah, Caelia. We've got it." Piero insisted as a bunch of men left. He looked to one in the doorway. "Hey! I told ya, leave the valuables to me."

He and the other man left, only for a different fairy to enter the room holding an assortment of rose flowers in her hands. The woman dressed in jet black crepe pants, a fancy slick jet black sleeveless tee tucked in, and a white waist apron tied around her. Her peach hair was tied into a tight slicked bun as she sported the same beautifully colored eyes. Faint freckles lined the bridge of her nose.

Didi had originally been a part-time caretaker for the household but recently picked up full-time in housekeeping when asking Big. He of course obliged, and there was no other perfect time with Caelia officially a part of the household for the extra help since Caelia would plan to work herself soon. With Cadabra out of the house, Caelia wouldn't mind another womanly presence. Big's brothers may have moved out as well, but they still practically lived here in being around all the time.

"Madam?" Didi called, knocking on the open doorway.

Caelia turned in her chair. "Oh, Didi. Come in."

The peach fairy approached with the bouquet. "Mr. Fairywinkle insisted I bring these right away. He sent them from the office."

"They're lovely, thank you Didi."

The housemaid placed them in the marble vase of Caelia's vanity, poofing up a water pitcher in filling it.

"Oh, he's a charming man to send these." Didi mentioned.

Caelia grinned. "Yes, he is."

Didi put down the pitcher. "I'm very happy to have another lady around here. Especially with Cadabra leaving, it gets a little tense with these hotheaded men."

Caelia chuckled in return. "I could imagine, I grew up with two older brothers."

"I grew up with five."

Caelia's eyes bulged. "And yet you're in one piece? How'd you survive that?"

Didi giggled, adjusting the roses within their vase. "It'll be refreshing to have you around here, ma'am. I've been debating back and forth whether I should resign, but I think it's been made clear that I'm needed here."

As a fairy of ambition, Caelia took this very close to heart. "Oh, Didi. Please don't let my presence affect your future. If you have somewhere else to be other than here, please go. I won't ever stop you."

"Oh no, miss." Didi smiled at her with friendly eyes. "I realized that I actually do prefer it here. The Fairywinkles have given me so much over the years. I'd rather not lose that."

Caelia nodded. "Well, if things are ever to change, we won't be stopping you."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Please, it's Caelia."

Didi grinned. "Thank you, Caelia."

The new Mrs. Fairywinkle turned back to the mirror, adjusting her unruly pink curls. "I'm hoping that Big and his brothers have treated you well to love it here so much."

"I love this town, I love my life." The housemaid explained. She smiled bashfully in fiddling with one of the rose petals. "And I can't leave when I've found love."

"Oh!" Caelia turned in her seat in surprise, facing the housemaid bashfully. "Well, well. Everyone has been bitten by the lovebug around here!"

Didi giggled.

Caelia inched forward in her seat. "And is he nice?"

Didi again chuckled lightly. "She, ma'am."

Caelia quickly corrected herself. "I'm sorry, Didi. It's stupid of me to assume."

"It's alright, miss." Didi said, seemingly not offended. "Working around here makes everyone think we're all one type of person."

The unexpected detail hit Caelia deeper than she realized. "I suppose it does, doesn't it?"

"Things change when you find your one and only." Didi said. "And I suppose you feel the same about Mr. Fairywinkle." The housemaid laughed and the pink fairy smiled gently into the mirror.

Caelia laced her hands together against the table of the vanity, smiling in heavenly delight. "Eternally."

To be continued...

. . .

. .

I know these were a lot of events to quickly happen in the same chapter, but that's how I wanted it so we can bridge over to the next part of the story where we're gonna have a time jump. Also the corset scene was mildly based off of the one from Titanic.

A bit of a fast one I pulled but like I said we were only staying in the beginning for a while. I'm looking forward to more that's gonna be shown though!

~McSgwizzle