Chapter Three: A Funeral Takes Place and Then There's a Mobbing...
Barbie shifted Krissy in her arms, reaching with one hand to grab Kelly by the arm. "Stay with me Kelly."
"But Barbie! Aunt Millicent is here!" Kelly pouted as she pointed one chubby finger at the elegant fashion designer that was in the middle of a discussion with an older woman that appeared to spend most of her time on a farm.
"I can see that. But she's talking with Grandma right now. Let's not bug them." Barbie ushered her sister with practiced ease to the front pew in the chapel.
Kelly clambered onto the seat, heedless of the fact that she was wearing a dress. Skipper patted the empty spot next to her, encouraging the small child to sit next to her. Barbie sighed as she started to count heads. Todd and Tutti were sitting on either side of Stacie, who was fiddling with a charm bracelet on her slender wrist. Skipper had positioned herself so that Chelsea and Kelly were on either side of her, slipping her arms around their small shoulders. Barbie sank into the seat at the end, glancing down at Krissy. That left her with the baby. A baby that was going to grow up with no memories of her wonderful, loving, parents.
Grandma Rawlins nodded briefly to Millicent before walking over to discuss things over with Barbie. "Barbie?"
"Yeah Grandma?" Barbie turned to face her, still bouncing Krissy on her lap.
Grandma Rawlins sighed, before sinking low into a chair at the table that Barbie was sitting at. "About you and your siblings... I've discussed it and Millicent says she can take you in, maybe more depends on what her landlord says. I of course will be taking the rest of you in myself..."
"Grandma, no." Barbie shook her head, reaching one hand out to place it over her maternal grandmother's hand. "I can keep a close eye on everyone...besides that, Mom and Dad wouldn't want us to be separated. I'll just drop out of school so that I can earn money for them. The little ones have enough stress going on in their lives, no way will I let them deal with anymore than they already are. We are not moving."
A wry smile crossed her features as she squeezed her eldest granddaughter's hand in response. "Millicent and I suspected you would say as much. It just happens to be there is a movie that you might be interested in that is filming in Gardenia. They are still looking for a star to play the lead."
"Grandma...I couldn't..."
"Nonsense child. I will stay at your place until you find a new place for everyone there. Millicent has even agreed to come and help twice a month instead of the biannual visits that she usually does."
Barbie frowned, shaking her head as she picked up a piece of Cheerios to give to Krissy. "A movie will only provide me with work for a few months...maybe a year."
"Did I forget to mention that this particular movie is going to be a prequel to a TV series?" Grandma Rawlins smirked, a twinkle dancing in her eyes.
"No...that actually will last a few years. Depends on how many seasons they are planning on..." Barbie's mind reeled as she found herself trying to imagine herself living on the clear other side of the world, expanding her fan-base while providing a good, secure future for her younger siblings.
"Tryouts start in two weeks. I need to go home and pack for a longer stay. I believe that will be plenty of time for you to get your plane ticket, reserve your spot in the tryouts, as well as pack your bag."
"That it is..."
~Two Weeks Later~
Barbie collected her bright pink designer luggage bags from the luggage carousel, turning to look in the direction of the parking lot, Sequin's leash hanging loosely in her hands. "Come on girl...let's see if we can't find our way to the Studio." Walking with purpose, she walked right out of the airport and into the bright sunlight that was streaming down onto the world at the time. "Today is the day... I can just feel it! I'm gonna get me a wonderful role and nothing and no one can separate me and my sisters...and bro."
She lifted a hand up, giving off a piercing whistle, before waving down a taxi. The taxi driver climbed out, helping her with her luggage, loading it into his trunk, before pulling open the door for her. Slipping in, she shooed Sequin in first, before grasping the buckle and snapping into place. The taxi driver slid into his seat, snapping his buckle into place. "Where to miss?"
"Have you heard of Stella Luce Studio?" Barbie slipped her phone out, making a mental note that she promised to let her aunt know when she arrived safely in Gardenia.
"Aye miss." Glancing up at the rear-view mirror, he peered closely at the designer jeans and shirt that Barbie was currently wearing. "You one of them American actors that are coming out in droves to tryout for that movie?"
"Yep...I just hope I get the job." Barbie placed a hand on top of Sequin as she looked out the window to see the picturesque scenario rolling past them.
~With the King~
His perfectly manicured fingers drummed on his desk as he mulled over the news that the men that he had sent to track down his wayward son had just given him. His son was dead. Gunshot to the chest according to the sources that they were able to get their hands on. A sigh escaped him as he turned to face the tall windows that took up most of the wall behind him, just as the phone rang loud and clear. Snatching up the phone, he lifted it to his ear. "This is King Henry speaking."
"Your highness... there was a mugging near the film studio Stella Luce Studio."
"Has the family for the victim been informed yet?" King Henry pulled his curtain open a crack, peering out it into the vast, impeccable garden that was located behind his house.
"That is why we are calling you. Her identification has been stolen along with her wallet, so we had gone ahead and ran tests to see who she is. Your highness... according to the test results, she is biologically your granddaughter through Prince George. Would you like to come pick up what's left of her luggage and her poodle?"
King Henry froze, positive that he had misheard. Shaking his head to clear it, he spoke firmly. "I'll send someone to deal with that. Thank you for letting us know."
"Of course your highness..."
As soon as they hung up, he darted across the room and yanked the door open. "Anna!"
A/N: Done! Hmm, yeah. Barbie is about to have a bit of a shock... Don't worry she's fine! Just a bit on the...unconscious side. Oh well. She'll wake up soon and learn that the old bedtime story about the prince in a gilded cage really was her father telling his story about how he met her mother. Got to love family secrets. I know, I have her with Sequin here and not Taffy, in my defense, I imagine that as the older, more mature pet that Sequin is allowed to accompany Barbie to various sets while Taffy gets to stay home. The rest of her siblings will arrive in a while... not too long now really.
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SkyTalon
