Chapter 7

Leslie stood near the bridge washed and fresh. Seeing how much Jess disliked her black hair she immediately took a shower and washed all the black dye out. To be honest, she agreed with her boyfriend, she looked a lot better with blonde.

What she had heard from Jess the other night kept replaying in her mind. As far as she knew, Jess had never had a good relationship with his dad. Even she hadn't seen much of him in the time she knew Jess. And frankly she was glad about; every time she was around the man, she would only get these creepy vibes which was very different to his son. Sure, Jess had not been friendly to her at first, but the way Jack Aarons seemed was that he didn't like having friends period.

Back when they were kids, Leslie had no doubt that Jess based image of the Dark Master on the personality of his dad. Leslie herself would have the same. Jess's naivety also surprised her, like the time he thought that she was the person she liked to be because of who her parents were. It gave her the impression that his world only revolved around schoolwork, housework and trying to please his parents by being exactly how they wanted him to be and not trying to be who he really was

Leslie saw right through that shell. Her parents loved her to bits but they couldn't always be around for her. This led to her adapting to a different kind of lifestyle to others of her age. And she was bullied a lot because of it, so she learned to accept solitude. It was only after she had been attacked the first time at school that they decided to move her to a new settling. Of course, she was still bullied but it was also where she met the handsome boy she knew now.

Looking back, it seemed a little awkward how she developed a crush on the boy after seeing him only for a few seconds but she knew what she was feeling. It made her a little downhearted at first when he wouldn't accept her offer of friendship. But she kept chasing him, not just because of her feelings but because she saw in him a kindred spirit, the same loneliness she felt. She would never forget how happy she felt when she caught him smiling at her in class on the day they both first visited the forest. She also loved his little sister, whom she eventually came to see as her own younger sibling. The little girl was just so sweet. Just as this thought passed through her head, she heard squealing and looked up to see Jess walking with a grown up Maybelle rushing towards her with arms outstretched.

Standing up and smiling, she opened her arms as well and readily accepted the girl in a tight hug.

"Leslie!"

"Maybelle! You've grown so much! How I've missed you."

"I missed you as well. Where were you all this time?" and both girls collapsed in a sobbing heap as they both welcomed the rekindled sisterly love they once shared.

Jess looked on them, and smiled as he watched his sister catch up with his girlfriend. He allowed a few more minutes before he called out to the both of them,

"Come on you two. We still have to go somewhere you know."

"Where?" they both chorused.

"Why do you think I arranged to meet here? Our subjects are waiting for us."

--

All three stood at the bridge as they looked onto the forest ahead. Holding hands, they all breathed deeply before exhaling, releasing all their stress and clearing their minds of every thought. Jess then spoke,

"Close your eyes, but keep your mind wide open."

All three did just that and started to walk towards their land. They watched as the creaky, tacky wooden bridge started to turn into a glorious archway, the trees ahead all melted away to reveal clear blue sky and far lands of green.

Mountains rose in the horizon and water started to trickle down until they grew into great rivers, roaring and rushing with great speed. They watched as a magnificent castle materialise in the distance and saw birds singing as they flew across the sky, a long and colourful rainbow following their trail. And then the sun appeared, a younger and much healthier one compared to the one of the outside world.

And where the trees where, as they stepped onto land again, there stood their people. Beast of many kinds and nature, all chanting and cheering their rulers. Leslie watched as crowns started forming atop her companions' heads, and their clothes turned to great royal robes. As she looked down, she saw that she too was dressed in the same manner.

The ground began to tremor, as she glanced up and spotted a giant troll coming towards her. It knelt down on one knee and brought forth a beautiful crown of gold, embedded with diamonds and rubies. As it rested on her head, the denizens of Terabithia began to cheer all the more as fireworks began exploding in the sky.

The queen had finally come home.

--

Dusk was approaching as they opened the door to the Burkes' house. They were surprised to hear music coming from the inside. They all looked towards each other confusedly and set their shoes down on the rack that was near. Treading towards the golden room, they opened it and were surprised to find a table laden with food and candles lit everywhere.

Jess's other sisters were dancing in the middle of the floor as the mothers of the two families happily laughed and chatted away on the couch which was now pushed against the wall. Their dads were at the table, surprisingly talking away as if they were work colleagues or old friends. Both were holding a glass of some beverage as a wine bottle sat between them.

Mary saw her children walking in and called out,

"Hi sweeties."

"Hi mom." Jess replied. "What's going on?"

"I made some food as a welcome back party for the Burkes. But Judy here insisted that we bring everything here as we would all be a little cramped in our house."

"Sit down. Enjoy yourselves. There's plenty for everyone." Judy added.

They all happily obliged as they were hungry from their activities of the day. They tucked into dinner and all happily relished in the fresh cooked meat as they took plateful after plateful. It was a couple hours later when Jack Aarons rose from his seat and tapped his son on the shoulder.

"Jess, I want you to bring Leslie with you in here for a moment."

Both children followed the old man into a tea room as he turned around to face. His glanced switched back and forth between each while they both awkwardly stood still. Leslie then clasped Jess's hand who tightened the grip. Jack cast a final survey between them before speaking.

"I am still not happy with how you disappeared for so long and didn't care to tell us anything. I dressed up and paid respects for you Leslie. I'm sure you know that."

Leslie nodded as Jess gave his father a wary look.

"I do not like the fact that you let my son mourn for you and become miserable for five years. I could not stand his state and the rarity of smiles from him. He had just began to brighten up a bit before the whole ordeal of your 'death'."

Leslie looked down as she prepared to be separated from the boy she loved. She would not go against his father if it doing so meant an even more terrible life for Jess.

"…But as a father, the happiness of my children is my own. I have also realised, that if you both missed each other and held onto the other for five years straight, then what you have must be real. So therefore I will allow this relationship to continue."

Both kids smiled happily at this. They could be together!

"But you are both grown up. You must act responsibly, unlike many others of your age. I am old as it is and I've already spent enough of my years chasing your sisters around. I will not use rules like 'You aren't allowed to be in the same room alone' and all that as it is clear that it is not needed. You are both very mature, so I trust you will be careful when it comes to bedtime."

"DAD!!!" Jess shouted while Leslie blushed a deep red. Jack only smiled, satisfied at making the kids scramble. He then focused his attention on (who he hopes will be) his future daughter-in-law.

"Leslie, you make my boy very happy evidently. Please, emotions are powerful yet delicate, so treat him gently. And Jess, I've taught you to respect women, so you will take extra care. Understood?"

They both nodded.

"Good. Run along now. And Jess, the Burkes want you to stay over for the night. Your stuff is upstairs."

"Thanks Dad."

--

As they both re-entered, they were blocked by Brenda. Jess immediately put on a fierce scowl, remembering the last time he encountered his older sister. Brenda seemed unfazed however, and just looked Leslie up and down.

"So this is your new girlfriend Jess?"

"Yes. You've met before." Jess answered raising an eyebrow.

Brenda took one last look before huffing and turning away. "Not bad. Keep her safe Jess."

"Oh I will." Jess said as he put an arm round his girlfriend. "I will."

He knew it wasn't over yet. There was still their whole lives ahead of them and people that Leslie still needed to get reacquainted with. There would be hardship along the way no doubt but, with his support and their love, they would push through.

After all, they were the rulers of Terabithia and nothing crushed them!