Sorry for any spelling mistakes, Swedish is my first language :)
People in the streets were all celebrating. Down the road the bars were full of people enjoying the company whit family and friends. While others had guests over at home.
The stars and moon was shining bright. It was perfect for such a day as fireworks. No cloud in sight to ruin the night.
But for the red-haired girl sitting in the in between her biological parents, this was a very important night. Her first New Years' whit her parents. Whit her sister. They were all a family now. This night needed to go great.
"I got the drinks," Vanessa wore a bright smile as she came into the living room to where her new family was seated. She hadn't met Marion and Oritel before this and she couldn't say she was too fond of them.
Ever since Bloom had gone off to Alfea she changed. She was no longer this town girl who loved drawing. No, she loved adventures now, she loves the people in front of her that had so much more in common whit her daughter than she had.
Bloom had told her all about how grate it was at Domino. How great her parents were to her, and how much they loved her. But seeing the way Marion and Bloom talked this evening had made something snap inside her. She had raced Bloom and what was happening wasn't fair. How could her daughter be closer to someone she just met than to the people who had raced her. It was such a betrayal.
As she had stood in the kitchen whit Mike and they both had agreed it bothered them Vanessa had made up her mind. As her husband had gone to the bathrooms, her eyes had traveled to the flower that was so beautiful but yet so dangerous that she had to get a special police statement that she could have it in her home. She grabbed a tissue and whit out touching it - she pulled it into one of the glasses and let it sole for a minute before taking it out and getting rid of it.
Her hands had shook a bit as she had to calm herself down for a minute before she had walked out.
Mike gave them out as Vanessa gave Marion and Daphne theirs. As she didn't want to seem suspicious and she needed Marion to get the right glass. Feeling too bad she had to excuse herself. She was shaking too much and someone might have noticed. Besides she didn't want to watch the woman drink the poison. She just couldn't bring herself to watch.
Bloom let the glass go to her lips as she instantly made a face. "I think I got the wrong one. This is alcohol,".
Oritel sniffed at his own. "It's not this one," The rest processed to follow suit.
"It's this," Marion took her teenage daughter's glass and switched it whit her own. Not knowing that she would come to regret that.
"How is it going at Alfea? Bloom told me you are her history teacher?" Mike's kind eyes lingered at Daphne who he had such respect for. In fact, he had respect for the whole family who all gave up their lives so Bloom could live her's. It didn't mean he still wished for another situation where he didn't have to share his child.
"It's going great actually. Besides the fact that I have one student who keeps falling asleep in class," A smirk got on Daphne's face as Bloom's eyes widen and a cheeky apologizing smile made it onto her lips.
"I'm not the only one," She mumbled as Oritel chuckled at his daughters. It wasn't anything that worried him as his daughter was doing great in school. She had become one of the top students in just under a year. He knew it had to do whit them working and so they use to let her do her school work besides them. So that they could spend time whit each other even though. It had turned into quite the family thing. And as they had all already studied it before. It was easy for them to help her when she got stuck.
"Maybe if you don't stay up all night on social media, you won't be so tired," Marion's brow raced as her green eyes rested on Bloom who rolled her eyes.
She swallowed the last clunk of her drink and sat it back on the table before her blue eyes met Marion's whit a smirk playing her face.
"Can't, I'm following up on the world," She said proudly. "It's important that at least one of the royals knows the trends."
"You're becoming Stella," Daphne had facepalmed at her cocky sister who only grinned wider. "I take that back you're becoming dad,"
"Are you implying I'm not following the trends?"
"Maybe old people trends," Bloom said as she flashed her eyes at her mother who crossed her arms. The girl couldn't help but tease her. "I mean your 55 years old so it makes sense grandma,"
Oritel had to keep himself from smirking or he knew Marion would get her revenge. Daphne did have a point though. Bloom might look like Marion but she sure acted like him. In fact, she's just like him. They are so alike.
"Excuse me, young lady? The years spent in stone does not count I'm 36," The woman had chuckled as she ruffled her younger daughter's bright red hair.
"Dad," Bloom said as she moved away from Marion and right beside Oritel. "I'm being bullied,"
Daphne snickered as she watched it as if it was a show. If anything her family never seemed to stop amusing her.
"I'll protect you," Oritel had taken Bloom into his arms as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Marion took another sip of her glass as she continued her former conversation about the earth traditions other than New Year's whit Mike. She wanted to learn as much that she could about Bloom's life on earth. She was going to do her best at being a part of her life from now on and her life on earth wasn't an exception.
The night went on as Bloom grew more tired and tired. She had long since fallen asleep on her father as the adults continued conversation - whit Vanessa on edge only waiting for something to happen to Marion.
As she hadn't read too much of the effects of the flower or when it would set in she didn't know if it would be the next five minutes or the next five days.
Bloom opened her eyes as she felt cold shivers. It was cold, but at the same time, she could feel the sweat drops dripping from her forehead.
The girl's head arched back in discomfort as her blue eyes met her father's. He had listened to Vanessa and Daphne talk but Bloom was practically boiling up in his arms and she looked so week.
"Are you feeling okay?" His voice was low as he didn't want to drag too much attention to her. He knew she didn't like that.
It hadn't stopped Marion nor Daphne from hearing thought. As if understanding her father Daphne had let the conversation continue. So that the couple and herself wouldn't make Bloom feel overwhelmed. She knew her parents could handle it.
"I'm cold,"
"I think you have a fever," Marion put her hand to Bloom's cheek. She could feel she was far too warm for even a slight fever. No this was bad and they needed to see a healer.
"Please excuse us but Bloom is coming up whit a fever. It's best if we call a healer," Oritel got Bloom into his arms as he stood up. "Where is her room?"
"This way," Mike stood up whit out another thought as he took the man upstairs and into the pink room decorated whit paintings. A room that Bloom had decorated when she was a 13 year old child. And later just put up paintings that she liked on the wall.
"I'll call them," Marion said as she opened a portal and disappeared behind in it, only to appear together whit two men dressed fancy.
She coughed hard as her through hurt more and more. It was as if her chest was burning up whit a thousand knives sticking into it. It made it harder and harder to breathe.
As her breath got heavier all three of her parents seemed to sharpen in worry. Something wasn't right.
Another of the coughing attacks came and before she knew it, blood was dripping from the side of her moth. "It hurts,".
"What hurts love," Marion was holding on to her hand tight. If there was anything worse than being stuck in a sword for 16 years it was seeing her daughter suffer.
"My chest," Tears escaped her eyes. Tears came from her distressed eyes that were begging for someone to take the pain away.
"Eh Mike," They turned to see Daphne in the door. She looked worried. "Vanessa is upset. I don't know how to comfort her,"
The man glanced to Bloom as he sighed heavily. She had Marion and Oritel on either side of her. She didn't need him right now but Vanessa did. So he thanked Daphne and made his way to find his dear wife. Only to hear her sobs that led him to their bedroom.
"Nessi," Mike sat down on the bed beside her. "Dear what is bothering you?"
"I - I did something bad, Mike," Vanessa finally looked at him. Her eyes were red and puffy, she had black mascara under her eyes and her cheeks were tear striken. "It's all my fold I didn't mean for this to happen. Not to her," the brown-haired woman talked historically as Mike could barely understand what she was speaking off.
"What are you saying, Nessi?".
"I was just so angry when I saw Marion so close to Bloom. My daughter. So I did something stupid and I put my flower poison in her drink. But Bloom must have ended up whit it. She might die by this," A sob escaped her as she realized her mistake. She had tried to murder the queen of Domino and so her daughter the Princess is now instead in Marion's place.
Mike was staring at her in shock. He felt such betrayal. But what was he going to do now? If Oritel and Marion who are the king and queen of such a powerful kingdom knew what his wife had been meaning to do - they could end her. Or put her away for life. They would never get to see each other again.
"Alright," He ran his fingers through his hands as he made the most painful decision of his life. He would never forgive his wife nor himself after this day. Especially if his daughter does not survive. Something he'll never know. But either way, she wouldn't want them after this. "Get in the car fast, I'll get the car keys,".
Vanessa had looked at him in pure chock. "What?".
"Nessi, if they found out. It's over whit you. We need to leave." panic was evident in his voice as it grew dark. "I know they'll help her and after this, she won't want to see us anyway. This is our only chance,"
"But- but," Vanessa didn't finish her sentence as she knew he was right. She had done something unforgivable. She knew that if she had done it accidentally Bloom would never blame her but if the girl were to find out her mother had been targeted. They wouldn't just be met whit her rage but also from Oritel and Daphne who had no reason to show them sympathy. As well as Dominos court who won't take this lightly. "I'm so sorry Mike,"
"I know," While he could never forgive her for this. He wasn't angry either. He understood her feelings better than anyone.
Vanessa grabbed her most important stuff and then ran for the car, being sure to be quiet when she opened and closed the door. Mike had followed suit.
Instead of taking their usually used car that was standing on the porch, they took the fancier one as it was parked down the street. Meaning the people upstairs couldn't hear them leave.
Marion's eyes filled whit tears as she glanced at her daughter's pale face. Her clothes and face were covered with blood she had coughed up. It just didn't stop and she was bleeding non-stop in her lungs.
The two doctors standing around her were doing all they could to stabilize the girl.
Marion felt a hand come around her shoulder as she was pushed into the comforting arms of her husband.
"It will be alright, She'll be alright," Marion didn't know if he was trying to comfort her or himself. But as they both watched the lifeless girl they felt hope was all they could do.
"The princess has been poisoned," One of the healers explained to the other. "That would explain why we didn't find anything wrong. We need to get the poison out of her bloodstream,"
The male doctor who had now suddenly been bright with the idea of how to save the girl turned to her parents to get confirmation that they could proceed.
"We need to burn the poison out," He looked at the royal couple who both stared at them.
"Burn it out?" Panic was clear in Marion's voice but Oritel didn't care. He just wanted them to rescue his daughter.
"Do it,"
"Oritel we don't know what that means," Marion had turned to stare at him as rage built inside her. They were all doing quick decisions and she hated it she wanted time to think. She wanted time to research, but she wasn't stupid - it was now or never. Oritel was right. If this was the only chance she could survive. They had to go for it. "Alright."
Daphne had walked over to her parents as the couple welcomed their older daughter into their arms. Knowing this was traumatizing for all of them. But they had to protect Daphne, comfort her. It was a reaction that didn't matter how old your child was. No, that child would always be a child in your eyes and you'd do what you had to, to protect it.
The two healers closed their eyes as they held up their arms over Bloom. Suddenly her blue eyes shot wide open as the most burning pain shot through her bloodstream. Her body tensed and went into shock while the burning got worse and worse.
She couldn't even scream - she could barely breathe as she had to gasp for it.
As they stopped it was as if two people had been dragging her from each side and then just let go, which made her slump down into a normal position. She curled her legs as she let out a sob. It had hurt so much.
"It worked," was the last thing she'd heard before everything went dark before her eyes.
Marion let out a sigh in relief as her legs gave in and she collapsed onto her knees besides Bloom. Grabbing her hand and holding it close.
"When will she wake up. Is there anything special she'll need after?"
"His majesty only needs to make sure that her highness is well-rested,"
"Alright thank you so much. I will make sure you will be paid great and get the recognition you deserve, " Oritel knew that he didn't need to do such a thing. All work done by the Dominan Stents Doctors was paid for by the castle. So that anyone that needed it, could get treatment and medicine.
"Thank you, " The two had left the room through a bright portal as they returned to Domino's Palace.
"Marion's eyes met Daphne's as she could tell something was bothering her older daughter. She was playing whit her nails. Something the older princess had always done.
It reminded Marion of when only weeks after Bloom's birth Daphne a bare pre-teen had taken Bloom out to play in the garden. Only to manage to lose the little child.
Daphne has done that exact thing when she broke the news to her parents that even though had already known. As they had been out watching the two girls. The days before the war had been so nerve wraking for the two of them as they were constantly worried for their little girls. They couldn't turn their backs for one second as they knew better than anyone that everything could crash in bare minutes.
"What's wrong love?" Marion questioned the blond girl. Her eyes had shifted over to Bloom as she sighs.
"Mike and Vanessa left."
As she couldn't fall asleep Marion sat up. It was about three in the night and ever since she and Oritel had fallen asleep, she had been staring at the ceiling.
Her mind wouldn't let her rest as it brought her back to their dinner. How quiet her daughter was, she never spoke unless she was being talked to, when she smiled - Marion could no longer see that magical glint of wonder in her child's eyes.
Even though it had almost been a month since the failed new year party in Gardinia - Bloom hadn't been herself since. But she couldn't blame her. The people that raised her, the people she leaned on for 16 years had betrayed her. They had hurt her. She just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that the woman had almost killed her daughter, but had intended to kill her. There wasn't a day that went by where Marion didn't wish she'd let Bloom have the alcoholic drink, Then Bloom would never have to go through such a traumatic experience.
"What's the matter sugar?" Oritel had asked as he laid his hand on her shoulder. His brown eyes had shined whit worry as they watched her carefully.
Marion was startled by her husband as she hadn't expected him to wake up, and she didn't understand how she had managed to wake the man by barely sitting up.
As if seeing the questions all over her the man smiles softly. "I couldn't sleep either."
"I'm worried about Bloom, " Her green eyes met his for the first time and Oritel could see the deep despair in her soul. He understood her, what was happening whit their daughter hadn't gone unnoticed. Bloom was shutting them out, only came to see them when she had to and seemed to be so sad. Mike and Vanessa had ruined her and then taken off like the cowards they are. They knew Bloom had left to see them, probably having them answer her questions. And she hasn't come back as the same girl.
"Wait where are you going?!"
"I need to see my daughter."
Marion opens Bloom's door and storms inside to see her daughter sitting on the balcony hugging her legs and crying while looking out at Domino.
Her green eyes had softened at the girl as pain filled her chest, It broke Marion's heart to see her beloved little girl in this state.
She was careful not to startle the girl as she opened the glass door leading to the balcony. But Bloom hadn't even glanced her way. She was too deep in her mind to even notice that her Mother had sat down beside her.
The silence between them is thick as Marion doesn't know what to say. What could she possibly say to bring her daughter peace?
Bloom looks upon her mother's bright green eyes. How can she be so mean to them just cus Vanessa went mad? She didn't know what she was doing herself. Maybe she's just like Vanessa - one day loves them and the next ruins everything. No, she's nothing like that woman, she would never wish pain upon her own family.
Bloom has all of these thoughts as she looks at her mom. She can see how tired she is. Bloom suddenly feels that's it is all her fault. Like she can't do anything right. Well, she can, at last, explain Why she's been like she has.
"I'm sorry Mom," Bloom Said laying her head against her mother's shoulder. Marion was surprised, she had expected her daughter to either ask her to leave or leave herself. But she gladly took the young girl into her arms.
"For what?"
"Vanessa hurt me and I took it out on you and dad. I just don't know what to do, " Bloom had met her mother's eyes. "She tried to kill you,"
"I know," Marion could see Bloom didn't expect that as the girl sat up and looked at her in shock. "I and Oritel went to talk to then as well. We wanted to make them suffer for what they did to you, but they were already eating themselves up whit guilt over what happened to you. There is no worse punishment than to live whit it"
"It's all my fauld. I almost let them kill you. Mom your body is still week. If that would have been you drinking it - you would have died."
"Oh darling," Marion pulls Bloom into a hug and lets her cry into her arms for a long time. "Don't blame yourself, You didn't know just as we didn't know it was happening.," Marion said while holding Bloom tight in her arms.
Bloom looks up into her mom's light green eyes. "I love you mom," Bloom said. That was the first time she has ever said that to her. Marion felt a tear slip down her eye and stroke Bloom's hair
"I love you too. So weary much," Marion cuddled her daughter. Bloom couldn't find it anymore. Tears began to run from her eyes, as more came for every second that went. She was broken and she knew so.
"How am I ever going to trust anyone again," Marion didn't want to be selfish in this situation and show Bloom that it hurt her to know that her daughter doesn't trust her. This wasn't about her well-being, but about Bloom's.
"Vanessa failed you. You'll see in actions who you can trust, not only words," Marion said. She hadn't trusted Oritel eiter at first, because her family mistreated her as a child. But Oritel proved to her that she could trust him and is still doing so to this day. "And you'll have our support for all of this. And after this." Marion raced Bloom's head and looked into her eyes, which were red and puffy. "I'll prove you that,"
