Chapter thirty:
A few days after this meeting between Darling, Raven and Stephan, Darling's parents made enquiries to her about being able to visit the school and meet with Raven and herself.
When this message arrived from her parents, Darling knew that she needed to talk to Raven about their request for a meeting with her. Darling quickly settled on discussing this request with Raven when they met that day up to have lunch together with their friends.
At lunch time Darling grabs a tray, she picks up her food, turns, scans the room and the moment Darling spotted Raven she crossed the room, to the table where Raven was settled with their friends chatting away cheerfully to Maddie.
When Darling settled the tray on the table beside Raven, she looked up at her, smiling at Darling lovingly and then went back to her discussion.
Darling returned this smile as she sat down at the table. Once she was settled at the table, Darling turned her attention onto al those at the table, she smiled around at their friends, before kissing Raven softly on the cheek.
Raven quickly responded to this, she turned her head and kissed Darling's cheek in return, before going back to her conversation with Maddie.
Darling started to eat her meal, while she waited politely for Raven to finish her discussion with Maddie. When they eventually finished talking Darling spoke to Raven in a gentle but happy voice. "My parents have messaged me to ask when they can meet you."
Hearing those words brought all of Raven's attention to her. "Oh?" Raven asked in a cautious voice.
Darling nodded to her while saying with a touch of nervousness to her voice. "My mother and father are very much looking forwards to meeting you my true love…I'm only worried that despite their reassurances that my mother and father may still have some issues with my becoming a hero of a story and an official knight."
Raven lay a comforting hand onto Darling's arm and said to her softly. "I am sure that your parents will be fine my love. They know that you are my true love and that you saved me. I am the one who knighted you and they cannot do anything about that."
"Still…I'm not doing the correct princess Charming thing and my father believes all princess Charming's should behave in a certain way." Darling told her in a worried voice.
Having a parent who was disappointed in the way she had turned out herself, Raven completely understood the concern which Darling was feeling at this time. Raven gently ran her hand up and down Darling's arm in a soothing manor. "I am sure that your father will understand the changes in your life. It will be alright my love."
Darling took a deep breath to calm herself down and then let it out. "Your right…I know your right. They have said they are happy for me and I truly hope they will be. Besides which my mother and father can't change the past or alter the path I of my own free will have chosen to walk down."
"No, they cannot and I am sure that once your parents see how happy we two are and how well you fit your new part that they will be happy for you." Raven told her soothingly, she then shot Darling a mischievous smile and said to her. "And if they aren't then I can always do something, like sneakily turn your father's hair bright green and your mothers bright pink for a few days or something."
The mental image of her parents with bright pink and green hair caused a laugh to escape Darling. She then gave Raven a mock stern look saying in a voice which was edged in laughter. "Hey, you are supposed to be the fair princess here! That would not be a very 'good' thing to do to my parents."
Instantly Raven fluttered her eyelashes innocently at Darling, she placed her hand to her chest, gasping then saying in a mock offended and at the same time overly innocent voice. "Me…Why sir knight I did nothing of the sort good sir. How, could you accuse me a fair princess of using my magic in such a terrible way?!"
This time Kitty, Maddie and Darling all laughed. Raven joined in with the laughter and when it died at last Darling said to Raven still with a chuckle in her voice. "I can just picture my parent's faces if you were to pull that overly innocent maiden act on them! They would be more lost than Hansel and Gretel in the woods."
"Well then I shall just have to be myself. The one you truly love and whom is your lady princess." Raven told her with a loving smile.
Darling returned her smile. "I'd have you no other way Raven."
"So, when would your parent's like to come to see us?" Raven asked Darling in a much more serious tone of voice.
"Like your father, they have suggested a short one day visit, on a weekend so as not to disturb our studies." Darling informed Raven.
Raven nodded to her, she quickly pulled out her mirror phone checked the calendar on it and then spoke too Darling. "Well, I am free for the next few weekends."
Darling nodded to her and said to Raven as she did so. "As am I. I would like to see them as soon as possible, so what do you say to this Saturday. I know that is only a few days away, so please say if that doesn't give you enough time to be ready."
"I'm more than happy to see them this weekend." Raven assured her with a warm smile on her face.
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Darling questioned, wanting to be sure that Raven was sure about her decision.
Without hesitation Raven nodded to her, saying firmly as she did so. "I am sure my love."
Smiling at her with relief Darling said to Raven. "Thank you for agreeing to this my lady princess. I'll message my parents to let them know they can come to see us on Saturday."
After saying this Darling quickly sent a message off to her parents and once it was done Darling announced to Raven. "There all done."
"Great. Let me know if they agree." Raven told her with a smile and nod of her head.
"Of course, I will." Darling assured her.
Still smiling gently at Darling, Raven kissed her cheek and then said to her. "I need to get to class now, but I'll see you at lunch time for our walk in the forest."
Darling returned the kiss on the cheek, before saying to Raven. "I'll look forwards to that moment for the rest of the morning."
Raven got up put her tray away and then made her way out of the castleteria to go to her first class of the day. Darling watched her go until she couldn't see Raven any more and then returned to her own meal.
By the time Darling was making her way to the castleteria to have lunch with Raven, she had received a positive reply to her hext to her parents about their visit.
When she entered the castleteria, Darling looked around to see if Raven was there. She quickly discovered that Raven was not there, but Maddie and Cerise was, so she gave them a cheerful wave, which they returned.
Darling grabbed herself some food, then she made her way over to where they were sitting and sat down at the table with them asking as she did so. "Hey! How have your days been?"
"I just had damsel in distressing class…" Cerise said with a deep sigh.
Darling shot her a look which was both sympathetic and understanding all at the same time. While at the same time Maddie spoke enthusiastically. "Tall-Tale Studies, was as good as tea today!"
"Glad to hear it. Heroics-101 was rather interesting today." Darling said to them, before starting on her meal.
They chatted quietly and about nothing in particular while they ate. Raven entered the castleteria, she spotted them, waved to Darling, Maddie and Cerise, they all waved cheerfully back at her. Raven got her food, went over to the table and sat down between Darling and Maddie. "Hey Maddie!" She greeted her friend cheerfully.
"Hey Raven!" Maddie said happily in response to her greeting.
"Had a good morning?" Raven questioned politely.
"As sure as sugar!" Maddie assured her brightly.
Raven smiled at her friend cheerfully. "I'm glad to hear it." Raven then turned her attention onto Cerise and asked her. "Apart from hating damsel in distressing, how was your morning?"
Cerise gave Raven a grateful toothy smile. "It was good, thanks for asking Raven."
"What about you my Charming lady knight? How were your lessons this morning?" Raven inquired of her, before kissing Darling on the cheek.
Darling kissed Raven on the cheek in return and then said to her. "My day has gone well so far my love."
"I am so glad to hear it. I enjoyed my own lessons this morning. Did you hear from your parents yet Darling?" Raven asked Darling curiously.
Darling gave Raven a quick nod. "They have agreed to come and see us this Saturday."
"Wonderful! I look forwards to it." Raven enthused to Darling, before speaking to her again. "The weather that day is supposed to be fine, shall I make a picnic for us?"
With a nod of agreement Darling says to Raven. "That sounds like a wonderful idea to me."
Now that everything was settled for the visit of Darlings parents that Saturday Raven and Darling returned to their meals and discussions with the others at their table.
On Saturday morning Raven and Darling stood next to each other and holding hands while they waited outside the school for Darling's mother and father to arrive.
It was not long before the large car arrived, when the door was opened by the driver King Charming stepped out of the car first, he then held his hand out to his Queen, who accepted his hand and stepped gracefully out of the car.
Arm in arm they made their way to where Raven and Darling where waiting for them. Darling bowed to her mother and father, while Raven curtsied to them. "It is a pleasure to meet you Raven." Darling's mother said to her with a warm smile on her face.
Darling's father looked Raven up and down for a moment, before smiling slowly at Raven. "I will admit that you were not the kind of partner I expected to find my daughter settling down with, however from what Darling has told us of you and what I myself have discovered about you Raven, I am glad to know that you are my daughters true love."
Raven gave King Charming an understanding smile, then said to him. "I could not be happier to have Darling as my true love. I want you to know that I love her just as she is and I would never seek to change her. You also need not worry that I am attracted to Darling purely by her good looks, I love every facet of your daughter."
Hearing Raven saying this did cause both of Darling's parents to feel a great deal of relief. Still there was something which worried King Charming. "Are you sure you will be able to deal with those who because of Darling's beauty will wish to win her from you?"
Without hesitation Raven nodded, she allowed her magic to come forwards and surround her in a light purple flame. "I may be good, but that does not mean I should be crossed. I wouldn't allow anyone to try to take Darling away from me without a fight."
Relief flowed through Darling's father. "I am so glad to know that you are prepared to fight for your relationship with Darling should you need to."
He then turned his attention to his daughter and addressed her in a reassuring voice. "We want you to know that although what has happened to you is unexpected, we are happy for you Darling."
"Are you both sure that you're not angry or disappointed that I won't be the typical Charming princess?" Darling asked them nervously.
Quickly they both shook their heads at her and Darling's mother said to her. "No Darling we are not. How could we be, when you have found your true love? We are happy for you."
Having received this reassurance from her parents in person and seeing that they meant their words relief worked its way through Darling. She relaxed slightly, and then a bright smile spread over her face.
Raven was so glad to see that Darling's parents were reassuring her that all was well, they were accepting of her true love bond to Raven and that they were in fact very happy for her.
"I packed a picnic for us. I thought we could eat it in a clearing in the Enchanted Forest. I hope that is alright?" Raven questioned of Darling's parents.
They both nodded to her and Darling's mother said to Raven cheerfully. "That sounds wonderful."
Darling took Raven's hand into hers, while Darling's mother put her arm through Darling's father's and then together with Raven and Darling guiding them along. They made their way into forest and eventually came into a lovely sun filled clearing by the side of the lake.
"Here we go." Raven announced.
"Oh this is lovely!" Darling's mother said with awe as she looked around the clearing.
"I am glad you like it." Raven told her with a smile, while with Darling's help she set out the blanket and food.
Once they where all settled on the blanket Darling's father spoke to Raven. "As you are going to be becoming part of the family I believe it would be appropriate for you to call me Victor."
"And please call me Hope." Darling's mother told her with a gentle smile on her face.
Raven returned her smile saying to them both. "Thank you for allowing me to use your first names."
As the four of them consumed the food they chatted easily about many different subjects. The more that Hope and Victor spoke to Raven and watched the interactions between the couple, the happier they became with the relationship between them.
After watching Raven and Darling together for a while, Hope looked across at Victor, he looked back at her and they shared a loving smile. Seeing the way that the younger couple where interacting reminded them both of themselves when they had been younger and at the beginning of their own relationship.
When the picnic was finished, they worked together to pack everything back into the picnic basket. Together Darling, Raven, Hope and Victor made their way back out of the forest chatting casually.
When they reached the school Hope turned to Raven and addressed her. "I had a wonderful time today. Thank you for a delightful picnic. I am looking forwards to you joining our family."
"I to am looking forwards to it." Raven assured Hope in a warm voice.
"Thank you for everything you did for us today, Raven. I am happy to know that you will take care of my daughter and I too am looking forwards to you becoming part of our family." Victor told Raven smiling at her gently. He then turned his attention onto Darling. "It is wonderful to see you so happy with your new destiny…I know…No that's not right…We knew that you were not as joyful as you pretended to be about the fate that awaited you. Just seeing you with Raven today has helped to cement for me that all will be well for you from now on."
"Thanks dad." Darling said to him joyfully and hugged him tightly. Victor hugged his daughter back.
After a few moments Darling and Victor parted from the hug. Darling and her mother shared a warm hug.
While Darling was doing this Victor turned to Raven, after giving her a considering look for a moment, he quickly gave her a hug and then kissed each one of Raven's cheeks. When it was her turn Hope smiled warmly at Raven, she then hugged her gently but firmly, before she also kissed each one of Raven's cheeks.
Then Hope and Victor made their way back to their car and got into it. Darling took hold of Raven's hand and gave her a relieved and happy smile. Raven returned her smile, she curled her own hand around Darling's and squeezed it gently, but firmly.
They stood together in silence side by side watching until Daring's parent's car was out of sight. Raven turned to Darling and said to her softly. "What do you say to going inside, grabbing snacks, going to my dorm room, getting out some blankets. Then snuggle up together on my bed and watch a movie on my mirror pad for the rest of the evening?"
"That sounds blissful." Darling told her in a happy and relieved voice, while giving Raven a thankful look at the same time.
Together still holding hands, Darling and Raven made their way inside the school to enjoy spending the rest of the evening together.
