Carter stared quietly at the mirror. Horns, he had horns. This was stranger than when his wings "came in" as his mother preferred to say. Of course, that's all she said about it. That was all that needed to be said.
"Staring at them won't do anything," Winnie smiled at him, "Let's go exploring again!"
"I don't feel like it, Winnie," he mumbled sliding down the wall to the floor, "I'm sorry, so sorry,"
"Carter-"
Putting his head between his knees he continued to mutter and mumble. "I'm sorry, sorry, so sorry,"
Winnie walked over and joined him on the floor, pulling him to her side, "I'm not mad at you," she promised, patting his back, "I could never be mad at you,"
"You should be," Carter replied, "It was awful and all my f-fault,"
Now, he was in tears but Winnie continued to assure him that she wasn't the least bit angry with him. How could she be? It was Carter! When the patting, promises and calm words failed, however, Winnie had no choice but to grab the boy by his shoulders and shake him so hard his bones rattled.
"I. Am. Not. Mad. At. You."
"You aren't?" he asked while she shoved tissues into his hands.
"No, No, The only person I'm angry with is Selina. That was her doing Not you,"
A smile flickered across his face indicating all was well. Winnie relaxed, "So where's your Mom?"
"Talking about things,"
"With your Great Grandma?"
Carter shrugged.
"Think she's mad?"
"Mom? No,"
"Why?"
"If Mom were mad there would be magic-"
The sound of thunder met their ears.
"THAT!" Carter leaped to his feet.
The duo threw open the door and raced down the hall until they found the adults.
"MOM! Are you okay?" Carter questioned, "You aren't mad are you?"
Christina looked up from her coffee, arching an eyebrow, "For Fairies sake Carter Chase. Why do you think I'm mad?"
"Uh, Carter?" Winnie sheepishly tapped him on the shoulder, "Look,"
It was raining outside, storming really.
Carter felt his face flush.
"Come here, my little daredevil," Christina patted the chair beside her, "We need to have a family chat,"
"I'm not in trouble am I?" he asked, plopping into the chair, Winnie beside him.
"No,"
"Then what-"
"Your mother has agreed to be queen," Maleficent spoke up.
"So we're moving here?"
Christina laughed, "No, not at all,"
"We're like, still going to teach," Shaggy added.
"I'm confused,"
"I'll be Queen on my terms, Carter," Christina elaborated, "It's going to be a month to put the coronation together, then we're going home,"
"So there's going to be a party?" Winnie asked hopefully.
"A small one, with our friends and family,"
"But they aren't-"
"They'll be here by noon,"
…...
They all were, just as his mom had said. Everyone stopping to hug him and Winnie, ask how they were before moving onto his mom and asking questions that he soon grew tired of hearing.
"Are you sure?"
"Is she forcing you?"
"How's the baby?"
"Are you sure you can do this? You're pregnant!"
"Where'd the horns come from?"
"What happened to Carter?"
"Why does he have horns?"
"Ugh!" Carter face-planted into the bed.
"What's the matter, Carter?" Winnie asked, bouncing on the bed next to him, "Aren't you excited?"
"Yes Winnie," Carter mumbled, "Very,"
"Then why the long face?"
"All the questions on repeat,"
"Oh," Winnie cringed, "I understand,"
"It's going to be a long month,"
Indeed it was. There was something new every single day. Decorations, music, menu. It felt as if the wedding was being planned all over again. Carter's head was spinning. His offers to help were turned down which left him annoyed. One exceptionally stormy day when Winnie had fallen asleep he took to wandering the halls from boredom. He came across his mother in the library, head in her hands as she mumbled to herself.
"Mom?"
"Hi, Carter," she smiled weakly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing,"
"Then why are you by yourself looking like you wanna cry?"
"I'm just feeling overwhelmed,"
" 'Cause of the planning?"
Christina nodded slowly, "I have a dress fitting later,"
"Is that what Clawdeen's been working on?"
"Yes,"
"Have you seen it?"
"No,"
"What else are you doing?" he asked, sitting beside her.
"A little bit of everything," she laughed dryly.
"I wish I could help,"
Christina blinked, "Why can't you?"
"No one listens when I have an idea,"
"I'm sorry, Sweetie," she pulled him close, "Let's fix that,"
When it came time for Christina's fitting Carter waited patiently outside the room, eager to see what Clawdeen had come up with. Maleficent stood beside him just as excited though she was more composed than Cater.
"Ready?" Clawdeen asked with a grin.
"Yes, Yes," Carter nodded.
"Come on out, Christy,"
Christina emerged in a black floor-length gown with lavender flames on the skirt and neckline, several tiny crystals caught the light as she moved.
"Wow," Carter gasped. "Mom,"
"You like it?" she laughed.
"Yes," he nodded.
"I think it's wonderful," Maleficent added.
"Thank her," Christina replied, nodding at Clawdeen, "She made it,"
"Like, sorry to interrupt," Shaggy said nervously, easing open the door, "But uh...um," his train of thought derailed and subsequently crashed upon seeing his wife.
Christina couldn't help herself and cracked up laughing at his dumbfounded, awestruck expression. Upon hearing her laughter, Shaggy snapped out of it, shaking his head to clear his thoughts.
"Whatcha need?" Christina light-heartedly questioned.
"Um, Headmaster Grimm is here, he like, wants to speak with us and Carter,"
"Just give me a second," Christina nodded, snapping her fingers.
Her dress was replaced by a long-sleeved shirt, leggings and, sandals. She led the way, closely followed by Carter and Shaggy while Maleficent hung back a few feet. They found Grimm in the foyer where he'd been told to wait. His attempt at a polite smile failed but it was brushed off.
"I came by to offer my congratulations on the coronation," he began, "And to discuss your son's schooling,"
"What?" Carter blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"In a few years, he'll be old enough to attend Ever After High. He can learn about his fairy-tale heritage and most importantly fulfill his destiny!"
"Uh, I don't think so," Carter snapped, "I'm not cursing anyone. I am not evil and never, ever will be!"
"But-"
"But nothing," Christina cut in, "I am his parent, his mother and I make decisions about his school, not you, furthermore, you have no right to stand here and insist you know what's best for my child,"
"I like, think that's your cue to leave," Shaggy growled, pulling Christina and Carter close.
"Get out of my mountains," Maleficent ordered.
Fearing for his life, Grimm left quickly.
…...
The day of the coronation was quickly upon them. Relief flooded Carter as he got ready for it. He didn't have to wear a tux for which he was grateful. Winnie was equally happy that she wouldn't be wearing yet another dress. Christina had laughed when the kids had tackled her thanking her, talking over one another.
"Nervous, Carter?" Winnie asked, noting his behavior.
"What gave that away?" he asked, tugging at his collar.
It wasn't just his mother's coronation, the ceremony would recognize him as Crown Prince and the future king. Winnie grabbed his hands and kissed his cheek with a giggle, "You'll be okay, I'm right here, just like always,"
"Thanks, Winnie," he relaxed.
"It's time," Draculaura announced, poking her head inside.
"Coming," the two beamed, bounding after her.
The throne room was aglow with light. It was the brightest day the mountains had seen in years. Upon entering the room Carter felt the nerves return full-force. To distract himself he glanced around spotting his aunt, uncle, and godparents in the front row. When his cue came he offered Winnie his arm and together they glided down the center aisle, taking care not to run or look nervous. Up the stone steps, they took their places to the right of Maleficent and waited for the double doors to open.
"Wow," they gasped.
Christina swept into the room, Shaggy escorting her.
"Have you ever seen your mother with her hair down?"
"At bedtime,"
"Shh,"
"Sorry,"
Even though he knew better, Carter couldn't help himself and ran to hug his mother when she reached them. She returned it with a smile making the audience laugh good-naturedly.
Carter slipped back into his place, watching as his mother gathered her skirts and sank gracefully into the throne. Maleficent held the crown over her head, barely hiding her smile as Christina vowed to uphold the laws and traditions of the kingdom. When the crown was placed upon her head there was an explosion so bright all present had to shield their eyes. Carter gasped upon seeing his mother's wings, dragon-like, black fading into purple and huge.
"All Hail Christina Rose Shadowfae Dracula, Queen of the Dark Fae!"
…...
"Stop pacing!" Winnie laughed, grabbing Carter's arm.
"I can't help it, they've been in there forever!"
Around ten the previous night the family had rushed to the hospital. Now it was almost noon the next day and Carter couldn't help himself.
"Hey, kiddos," Shaggy smiled surprising the duo, "Come say hello,"
The two nervously followed him into the room where Christina sat, hair drenched in sweat, tired but holding a pink bundle in her arms.
"Come meet your sister, Carter,"
He edged closer, peering at the sleeping baby in his mother's arms. She opened her eyes to look at him grabbing ahold of his fingers at the first opportunity.
"She likes you, sweetie," Christina giggled, "You want to hold her?"
"C-can I?"
"Like this," she instructed, gently placing Alissa in his arms.
"Her eyes are blue," Winnie observed.
"Teal," Christina nodded, "Like my mom's,"
"She's so tiny," Carter smiled.
"All babies are,"
"Hi," Carter whispered, "I'm your big brother,"
The baby smiled.
…...
A few weeks later:
Carter laid awake staring at the ceiling. His mom had been going back and forth between the nursery and her bedroom for hours, Jade had been pacing the house, she was pregnant as it turned out. But, now, Carter could hear Alissa stir. Hr braced himself for cries that didn't come. Confused, he crept into the nursery, shocked to find someone standing above his sister's crib.
"Wha-"
the ghostly figure turned to him with a small smile, "Hello, Carter,"
"Grandma?" he guessed.
She nodded, "You two be good for your mother,"
"Carter," Christina called from the hallway with a yawn.
Pressing a finger to her lips his grandmother faded away.
Carter checked on Alissa as Christina came in, "She was awake," he explained, "Look, she has a birthmark, Mom,"
"So, she does,"
There was a butterfly on Alissa's right cheek.
THE END.