Christina stayed awake long after everyone in the household had gone to sleep. Disappearing into her library which she hadn't entirely explored. Climbing a spiraling staircase she wound her way through the upper-level books finding a case tucked in one corner. Behind the glass rested a book Christina knew all too well, the original Sleeping Beauty book with its golden, jewel-lined cover, fancy script, and beautiful pictures. With shaking hands she lifted it from the case, opening it to find a note in her aunt's handwriting.
Christina,
You still sleep as I write this and you have no idea how I miss you. No matter how long you sleep, Briar insisted you have this for your library. I agreed. You'll find your grandmother's true story in another case, it's only fair.
Love,
Aunt Aurora.
It was daunting to think of how long she'd slept. How much she'd missed. Tucking the book under her arm she settled into the nearest alcove and began to read, escaping her thoughts. From cover to cover, then over again, running her hands along the gilt pages, tracing the illustrations with her thumb. Even as the moon traveled across the sky, the sun rising from its slumber, Christina did this. Unwilling and afraid to sleep.
"Christina?" Alissa called up to her, startling her out of her thoughts, "Were you awake all night?"
"Yes," Christina flushed.
"Hurry and get ready for the day, I'll have breakfast waiting"
Though her mother said nothing of her staying awake Christina knew better, knew she was thinking about it. Just as she knew her mother wouldn't be announcing her return to the world over like she desperately wanted to.
Putting her book away, Christina left the library, getting ready for the day as requested. After a hot bath, Christina slipped into an old dress, secretly happy to be rid of the thing she'd been sleeping in for ten years. Twisting her hair into a braid she attempted a smile at her reflection which fell flat. Wearing a black cotton dress with sleeves to her elbows, she was comfortable. Just not complete, not happy. Draculaura had been wearing a wedding ring, Sibella an engagement ring. Her mother had looked so tired, her father was worn down.
It was nerve-racking to consider where Briar might be. Was she sleeping? Had her story started to unfold?
I've missed you so much!
Quietly, she descended the steps to the first floor, entering the dining room without a word. Where her uncle's dining room had a long table cast in firelight twenty-four-seven her parents had opted for something smaller, surrounded by the same large windows her mother loved with views to the gardens outside.
Prince popped out from under the table when she sat down, watching her with his glassy eyes before settling by her feet, rolling onto his back in hopes of a belly rub which she was happy to give. Breakfast was eaten in peaceful silence after which she returned to her room, Prince flying behind her. Slipping into the library, Christina found a chair and sat facing the window.
"I missed so much, boy," Christina sighed, petting Prince when he climbed onto her lap.
"I know it's hard"
looking over her shoulder Christina found her father watching her.
"Your mother vants to have a party"
"I thought no one was supposed to know where I am or that I'm awake"
"Like your mother said last night, ve'll find some other vay to protect you, ve're not going to put you on lockdown"
"When does she want to have the party?"
"Tonight but I'll try and talk her into next Saturday, how does that sound?"
"Much better"
"She told me you didn't sleep last night"
"Haven't I gotten enough sleep?"
"You'll drop if you don't sleep"
"But, I don't want to"
"Please, take a nap, just a nap, for me?"
"Fine, for you, Daddy"
"I'll talk to your mother, get some sleep"
…...
Her dreams were a tangle of wildflowers and grand balls glowing in the candlelight. As real as the dreams she'd lived in for ten years. "as real as the waking world" her grandmother had sworn. A perfect paradise for her to reside in. now, watching from a shadowed corner of the ballroom Christina felt the tension leave her shoulders. No matter how often she watched the waltzing couples it never got old. It was a soothing sight.
"Come join us!"
"Please?"
"Alright," Christina glanced down at her dress, finding a ballgown instead of her plain black dress.
…...
To say she wasn't used to waking would be an understatement. Nonetheless, her eyes opened and she focused on the view of the rose garden outside her window. All of her windows faced the back gardens. With a yawn, Christina stood, placing her still sleeping dragon on the pillow before covering him with the quilt she didn't remember covering with.
"Hello, Butterfly," Alissa smiled when she stepped out of her room, "How was your nap?"
"Okay, what are you doing?"
"I was doing paperwork, I just finished for the day"
"But it's only one," Christina glanced at the clock.
"I like to keep a light workload, what do you feel like doing?"
"I'm not sure"
"I have an idea"
"What is it?"
"How about we have your Grandmother over for dinner?"
"Can we?" Christina gasped hopefully.
"Of course we can," Alissa nodded "I'll go invite her right now"
Christina continued to the living room, finding her father with a book which he put down once he saw her.
"Hello, Daddy, what are you reading?"
"Let's just say it's a book so old you wouldn't know it, how do you like your library?"
"It's wonderful, Daddy, thank you"
"Do you know vhat ve haven't done yet?"
"No"
"I promised you a dance when you voke up," Radu smiled, standing from the chair.
The music box was in the center of the fireplace mantle waiting to be wound. Christina watched excitedly as her father made a big show of winding it. When the notes started he offered his hand which she took with a smile. Away they went twirling through the room.
Alissa watched from the doorway, a pleased smile on her face. For far too long Radu had sat and stared at the music box missing Christina. Just as she had used her magic mirror for nothing but watching her daughter, talking to the image in the glass despite knowing that Christina was so far in her dream world that she would never hear a word.
Then there were the times-few and far between-where Alissa allowed herself a glimpse into Christina's dreams finding sprawling meadows, beautiful castles, and many dances.
Now, that Christina was back among the waking world both parents were overjoyed but also worried at how much time Christina had lost. How she had missed so much. New Salem was a new place as it was, Christina spent her only week steeling herself for what they knew was coming. Her cousins, their friends, and the few trusted members of the family had gathered together the night before Christina was supposed to sleep. At the time, Alissa had pictured a few months, a year at max.
but things had changed, Popinjay had disappeared and no matter the size of the search party the cunning fae who considered her family, her daughter a blight had not been found.
"Mom, are you okay?"
Alissa shook her head realizing the music had stopped, Radu and Christina were both watching with worried expressions.
"Yes, I'm fine, Butterfly," she smiled hoping to mask the thoughts that had been spinning through her mind, "Your grandmother said she'd love to come for dinner, she has a surprise for you"
…...
Christina went back to her room looking for a distraction to pass the time. After some searching through her library, she found her magic mirror hanging in a shadowed corner. Standing before it, she studied herself. Her posture was rigid, shoulders tense.
I don't look like myself. I don't feel like myself. What will Grandmother say when she sees me? She could always see right through me.
The feeling of dread settled over her, adding to the storm cloud in her heart. Last night she'd been over the moon to be awake, be home among her family but so much had happened during her slumber she felt like an outsider. Hearing Sibella talk about her wedding, seeing the pictures of Draculaura's five-year-old twins. It was all too much.
What was she to do?
"Christina? Aunt Alissa said you'd be in here" Draculaura called, startling her.
Peeking around the corner she spied her cousin glancing around, just inside the doorway. Draculaura had traded pigtails for a simple sleek ponytail, her Gothic frilled school clothes for something far simpler but stylish nonetheless, a sleek black dress with hidden pink details and heels. She looked like she could take on the world.
"Christina?"
Realizing her cousin couldn't see her, Christina stepped from the shadows, "Hi, Laura"
"There you are, wow this place must be bigger than my closet!"
"I wouldn't go that far,"
"I would, I totally would"
"Do you want to sit down?" Christina gestured to some nearby chairs.
Christina didn't miss the confusion that flickered over her cousin's face before being replaced with a smile. A smile that was thankfully the same.
"I came by so we could catch up, visit"
"That's a lot of catching up to do"
"I know, I thought we could start here," Draculaura pulled a photo album out, "I had it made for you, I took so many pictures, there's also this," she pointed out a disc tucked into the back of the album, "Family movies"
"Thank you, Laura"
"You're welcome, Christy"
the initial awkwardness faded away when Draculaura began telling her stories of what she'd missed, everything from incidents in her last years of high school to Clawd's proposal and their marriage. Before the two knew it three hours had passed and Draculaura had to hurry home. With a hug, Draculaura left promising to return soon.
Alone once more, the warm feeling vanished. Smile falling from her face, Christina curled up in the chair, the photo album still on her lap. Running her hand over the faded pink cover she opened to the first page.
Time to see what I missed.
Losing herself in glossy photographs of happy couples, school dances, weddings, and beaming babies Christina completely lost track of time. There were so many pages, so many pictures, so many captions to read that she didn't hear the door opening or someone walking behind her. Jumping at the hand on her shoulder Christina turned to find her grandmother smiling down at her.
"Grandmother!" she leaped from her chair to hug the elder fae, "you're here!"
"I missed you, Christina"
"I missed you more"
when the two parted Christina noticed something most shocking.
"You have your wings back. I thought they were destroyed?!"
"I did too but Aurora found them"
"What did her father do?"
"Aurora decided he was too far gone for his own good so she placed him in exile and had my wings returned," Maleficent explained, "Come, your mother has dinner waiting"
Christina hoped the meal wouldn't end disastrously. Conversations she could take no part in or the distant look in her mother's eyes when she slipped to places unknown. She truly hoped this would be happier than what she feared it would be.
Was it a vain hope?
Maybe it was just a hopeless wish? Either way, she was about to find out.
…...
Nope, no, no, I DID NOT shed tears you are mistaken
"And you are in denial"
STAY OUT OF IT
