15 YEARS LATER
Esmeralda and Phoebus were sat in their small, bright orange car zooming down at incredible speed. Esmeralda was notoriously a very quick driver... perhaps too quick... and Phoebus hated it.
"I can't believe you like this thing" Phoebus huffed in the passenger's seat "It's old and beat up and-"
"And nothing" Esmeralda finished "It's cute, it's relatively eco-friendly and it used to be my parent's"
Phoebus pouted but refrained from arguing.
"Mummy" a voice elongated from the back seat "Why doesn't dad like this car?"
"Because Daddy doesn't like the colour orange, sweetie" Esmeralda smirked "It reminds him of the sun which reminds him of his terrible name"
"Hey!" Phoebus cried childishly, Zephyr their son was still giggling a bit in the back. Esmeralda made sure that Zephyr knew how to laugh at strange names, after all, his own name meant 'God of the Wind' and she wouldn't have any bullies laughing at him.
"Maybe mummy is jealous because her name isn't any god" Zephyr suggested, and Phoebus turned smugly to his wife
"Now that is a good point, Son" he grinned and Esmeralda didn't even bothering arguing back.
They pulled up outside of the airport watching as people flooded out,
"Where are they?" Phoebus craned his neck slightly "We were late, they should be here"
"Baggage claim probably" Esmeralda shrugged, "Wait- there they are!"
"Esmeralda!" Pocahontas cried "I can't believe it! How are you!"
Esmeralda jumped from the car and embraced her old friend, teary eyed "Oh, it's been too long! Get in, get in!"
It hadn't been too long. Not really, try 9 months, but for the girls it was just too much. Pocahontas lived in London now with John Smith. He continued his architecture and she had taken up helping people, specifically refugees, immigrants and women in need of aid. It was all very rewarding despite the emotional attachment. It was a joyous occasion when they could head back to Disney and as Christmas was just days away they had made a big deal of returning this year. Her father was away in New York until Christmas Eve, however, so until then the family were staying with Esmeralda and Phoebus... and little Zephyr of course.
Pocahontas shuffled into the middle beside Zephyr and ruffled his hair, "Look at you! You look more and more like your dad every day!"
John Smith jumped in too, cramming up beside his wife and popping his daughter on his lap
"Isn't this dangerous?" she asked turning to look at him,
John Smith hesitated for a moment, "Ah- well- a bit but-"
"But you've got out of worse scrapes than this?" she finished and everyone laughed
John Smith raised an eyebrow "Think you're smart huh?" he teased and little Willow poked her tongue out.
"She's just as cheeky as Zephyr" Esmeralda giggled, revving off at quite fast speed back to her and Phoebus' house
"Tell me about it, sometimes I regret being so quick witted. She's clearly picked it up" John Smith said
"You?" Pocahontas smirked "More like her namesake- Grandmother Willow was the wittiest woman I knew"
"Oh Pocahontas, I can't believe It's the fourth Christmas without her!" Esmeralda pouted "Even I miss her"
Pocahontas frowned "I know, but she's with us every day in the wind"
Eleven years ago, Phoebus would have scoffed, maybe even argued back but being friends with the two spiritual girls for so long had him immune to such whimsical thinking.
Esmeralda whirled into the driveway and they all hopped out. Phoebus' parents were still in the big old suburban family home uptown and now he and his family lived in Esmeralda's childhood home, multi-coloured painted and rich with colour and design. Her parents had taken to the beach in Spain in retirement and scarcely visited now but the house was enough to remind their daughter of them.
"Home sweet home" Esmeralda called to no body, stepping through the threshold.
Zephyr and Willow headed upstairs where he was determined to show her his Doll's House and foosball table, while the adults fell into the sofas. Pocahontas and John Smith were exhausted from the flight and Phoebus and Esmeralda were excited to catch up with their friends.
"So how has everything been?" Pocahontas asked "I always love coming back to Disney I must admit"
"Oh! It's been fabulous, in fact I have some great news!" Esmeralda smiled knowingly
"You do?" John Smith asked "Well that's great... what is it?"
"Tell them" Phoebus nudged
"Oh!" Esmeralda giggled "OK, OK- I'm running for office!"
"What?" Pocahontas cried "I thought you were so against 'the man'!"
"But I'm not a man!" Esmeralda argued "Don't you see? I'd be the first female elective Disney have ever had!"
"Es, that's amazing!" Pocahontas agreed "I'm so glad you're finally standing up for this place! When does the campaign start?"
"In the new year, I've already put up a few posters" Esmeralda said, "So after Christmas I'll be super busy... but it'll be worth it"
"What about you Phoebus?" John Smith asked "How's life in the police force?"
"Oh same old same old" Phoebus shrugged, "Those Stabbington halfwits were let free last week actually but they're not allowed in Disney anymore so they won't be on my back"
"God those two were horrible" Pocahontas shuddered, "Speaking of which- how is Eugene?"
"He's great! He and Rapunzel have invited us all round tonight by the way, you must come!"
"And see little Sunny!" Pocahontas cooed
"Not so little" Phoebus said, "She's got the sass of a sixteen-year-old and don't get me started on the boy!"
"With Eugene as a father, who wouldn't?"
"Right, I'm going to grab a coffee then I've got to file some paperwork so I'm going to head through to the kitchen"
"I'll grab a coffee too if you don't mind" John Smith said, standing up "Anyone want one?"
Esmeralda went to speak but was cut off, "Black, no sugar... right?" he grinned
"Right" she nodded, "And Pocahontas we have chamomile in the cupboard"
John Smith nodded and headed through, leaving the two girls alone
"Everything is looking great here, Es" she smiled "The house, the boys... God how do you live with two boys!"
"Trust me, Zephyr is a huge Mummy's boy"
"He looks so much like Phoebus though" Pocahontas said again "Who knew blonde genes would dominate?", Zephyr's blonde hair followed all the men of his father's family and meant that Phoebus' parents absolutely doted upon him but his green eyes represented so much of Mala and Hanzi and his Romanian heritage.
"What about Willow! She's stunning!" Esmeralda cried "Honestly Pocahontas with your hair and John's bone structure- you got a killer there!" It was true, Willow's gorgeous brown hair and almond eyes with her father's cheekbones meant she was truly genetically blessed.
Pocahontas laughed "She's a dream really, so sweet... a bit outspoken but I suppose that's my own doing"
"We better get ready anyway, Rapunzel's invited so many of us round we'll want a decent seat!"
Rapunzel and Eugene had decided to invite all their friend's around considering that most of them were in Disney for Christmas. They had the big living room laid with snacks and drinks and had warned the children to be on 'their best behaviour!'... especially Flynn.
Sunny, their daughter, was eight years old now. She was a darling thing with huge green eyes like her mother, freckles to die for and a smoulder like her fathers for days. Flynn however, named after the man Eugene had once been, was exactly like him. Mischievous, sassy and naughty. Flynn would have been proud were he not such a pain. After Rapunzel gave birth to Flynn four years ago, Eugene began his children series 'The Tales of Flynnigan Rider' but it seemed that little Flynn had taken Flynnigan's mischievous behaviours too seriously. The book had been a major hit its first year, Eugene was named the children's author of the year and won two awards. He then wrote another and was in the middle of the third of the series, with Rapunzel's help as illustrator. Her work for several children's book transformed and soon she was working as a comic writer for the local paper alongside doodling for local restaurant logos and more. Gothel was let out of prison years ago but was not allowed within a certain distance of her anymore. Rapunzel had cried the day she was released, but Flynn cheered her up- by buying her a puppy. The little dog, Pascal, had proved the best company and led to the soon want to have children. Which is when Sunny was born.
The little family, plus Pascal, lived in a lovely house in Disney. They day they had purchased the suburban yellow home, Flynn cried. He had never had a beautiful home like his friends, a family home, a place he loved and could decorate and live happily in. The children's room were painted in the beautiful designs Rapunzel had created, flowers and sunshine, star constellations and charts and even little self-portraits of the family. The house was vibrant, bubbly and full of beautiful paintings, the Nursery door had unicorns and monsters painted all over it and the inside was painted with toys and bright fluffy rugs. In the cold of Disney's Winter, the living room was decorated with a huge tree, Christmas lights around the ceiling and hot cocoa and snacks around.
"Who's coming again?" Sunny asked as Rapunzel pulled a knitted sweater over her head
"There's me, you and Dad" Rapunzel said in a sing-song voice "and then there's Phoebus and Esmeralda and Zephyr"
Sunny nodded,
"And Pocahontas and Willow"
"Willow! I've missed her lots" Sunny cheered
"And Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie and Amira" Rapunzel finished, standing up
"And the bump" Sunny smiled
"And the bump" Rapunzel confirmed
Sunny began babbling about how much she missed Willow when suddenly Eugene yelled up the stairs,
"They're here!"
New York was snowing, the cabs were backed up, the stores were closing and Times Square were showing huge Christmas themed adverts.
Cinderella finished up at the store, it was absolutely freezing and every winter she always scolded herself for not having booked a warm holiday.
"Thanks, Cindy" Giselle smiled closing all the blinds "You really didn't need to help close up"
"Oh, don't be silly" she assured her manager, "You know I don't mind"
The two worked in New York in Giselle's lovely little shop 'Andalaysia Fashions' making and tailoring pretty dresses and clothes for children. When Cinderella had finally left her stepfamily, and moved to New York in hopes of a fresh start, bumping into her old-school friend seemed almost perfect. Giselle noted Cinderella's help at prom and immediately hired her as an assistant manager.
"Hey, Giselle I've got a cab. You ready to go?" Giselle's husband Robert peered around the corner from outside
"Just a second" Giselle sang,
"Giselle, Giselle!" Morgan, Giselle's stepdaughter rushed in "Daddy said if we get home quick enough we can watch 'The Santa Clause'!"
Giselle wavered on the spot "Morgan I won't be long!"
"Giselle, just go" Cinderella half chuckled "Seriously, I can handle the close up"
"Cindy that's sweet but- "
"Go!" Cinderella interrupted and then said more quietly, "She looks so excited, go!"
Giselle gave her business partner a quick hug and rushed out of the store. Cinderella spent the next 30 minutes cleaning the floors, locking the doors and finally headed out into the street.
She didn't bother with a cab. Instead, she pulled her coat tightly round herself and headed a few blocks away passing even more shops until she finally reached the store she needed.
"Charming Footwear", it was still open and the glass door swung behind her with a huge 'swoosh' brushing against the marble floor. She locked it behind her, made her way past the shoe stands and tills through the back office and up the stairs. The stairs were too long and most days hurt her tired legs, she often wondered if she liked much living above the shop, but whenever she reached the top and opened the apartment door she realised just how much she loved it.
She practically fell through the door, cold and tired... and very hungry and was greeted by an instant heat. The apartment was well lit by the fireplace and the huge window overlooking New York was slightly steamed over with the warmth. She loved that view, she lived for that view. She could see the huge Clocktower and see it was almost 10:00pm, the bell would strike soon.
"Cindy" Charles Charming headed out of the little kitchen and handed his wife a glass of wine "You're later than usual"
"I know" she snuffled "I locked up the shop for Giselle" she explained and fell into the navy sofa.
"How was work?" he asked pleasantly, sitting beside her
"Good" she nodded "I'm exhausted to say the least, what about you?"
He planted a small kiss on her cheek, "Yeah it was crazy busy today, everyone buying last minute gifts"
"Speaking of which" Cindy remembered, she put her wine down and pulled her bag up onto her lap. She rummaged for a moment and then pulled out a small, knitted mouse.
"Did your Godmother send you that?"
Cinderella nodded, a big smile on her face. She had discovered her wonderful Godmother, Verna, three years ago. They met in New York and now Verna sent her lovely knitted gifts every year. The little knitted mouse was brown, a yellow shirt and a green hat.
"Gus Gus" Cinderella said, "That's his name- she did him for Kit"
"He'll love it" Charles grinned and he propped it against the mantelpiece.
"Where is he, anyway?" Cinderella frowned looking around the seemingly empty apartment.
"He's in bed" Charles frowned, "His fever rose this afternoon"
As if on cue however, the small voice of Kit was heard,
"Mummy?" Cinderella peered at her son's doorway where he stood in pyjamas, dishevelled hair and a little frown.
"Kit" she cooed, and held her arms out
Kit pattered towards his mother and fell into her arms.
"Are you ill?" she whispered "My poor, darling!"
Charles chuckled at how much they doted upon Kit before he stood up and headed for the kitchen to grab Cindy's dinner.
Kit nodded, looking up at his mother was huge brown eyes, just like his fathers and she ran a gentle hand through his ebony hair. Kit was a very sweet boy, sensitive too. His immune system was terrible in the winter, he wore big round glasses and despite being nearly ten, was quite small in build. He was very precious to Cindy and Charles to say the least.
"Well then, nothing like a natural remedy" she smiled and carried him toward the kitchen where she gave him two spoonsful of honey for his throat; a shard of ginger that he winced at swallowing but she assured would help his nausea, and finally a few dark cherries to help him sleep.
Kit was then quick to sleep with less of a temperature, and Cindy and Charles resumed their conversation as Cinderella ate her dinner.
"Oh yeah" Charles remembered, turning the volume of the TV right down "Aurora and Philip called, wished us a Merry Christmas"
"I should really call her back" Cindy nodded "Did she say they were busy?"
"Doesn't seem like it, they're in New York tomorrow"
"Oh brilliant!" Cinderella grinned "They know they can stay here, right?"
"I offered" he shrugged "I said they could have the spare room but they said they'll get a hotel"
Cinderella sighed, "That's a shame, I would have loved their company"
Aurora snuck up the stairs, she was wrongly dressed in a white tank top and pink skirt having come straight off the flight from Miami. Philip was beside her, equally dressed inappropriately.
"God I had no idea how many stairs there were going to be" he complained
"You say that every time we visit, Philip" Aurora giggled "Oh, Cindy's going to be so surprised!"
Aurora knocked lightly at the blue apartment door, Phillip had dragged their suitcases behind them and they were both jet-lagged like crazy but they couldn't wait to see their friends.
Cinderella opened the door hesitantly at first, but suddenly she noted her old friends grinning face and she flew the door open.
"Oh my Gosh!" she exploded "Aurora, Phillip!"
"Cindy!" they both smiled, pulling her into a hug
"Surprise!" Charming chuckled from behind her
"Please tell me you're staying!" Cinderella beamed, pulling Aurora through the threshold
"Of course," Philip said, he and Charming carried the suitcases into the large apartment.
"We're super tired and our sleeping patterns are all messed up" Aurora explained "But we're so psyched to be here!"
"Put those in the guest room" Charles said, pointing Philip the right way and he headed through, ditching their belongings and then trailing back out where the four sat down and began conversing, catching up.
"So how's It all going? Where have you just come from?" Cindy asked, excited to hear all about their work
"It's just fabulous" Aurora grinned "We've just come from Miami, it's totally my favourite place to go- Oh after Paris obviously!"
"I like Milan" Phillip continued "It's the best, people are great, venues are great!"
"You guys it sounds so exciting, doesn't it Charming?"
"Sounds busy" Charles laughed "But it's great, we're seeing you all over the place now, aren't we Cindy?"
"Yes! Just the other day you were on the news!"
"And all over Instagram!"
"We saw that selfie of you with Rihanna!"
"Oh that was awesome!"
Aurora chuckled. Her model life was pretty busy. She spent her life on catwalks, in the audiences. Victoria Secret, Gucci, Runway, Burberry. Fashion Week was the best, Europe was excellent but it was great to finally settle down and spend Christmas with their friends. As for Philip, he was a project and venue coordinator internationally setting up parties, fashion events, celebrity events and charity balls all over the place. It meant the two travelled a lot- and were an all exclusive couple.
"You guys make it sound so extravagant!" Philip laughed
"We try to keep low-key" Aurora explained "It's great money and I love what I do but sometimes the whole 'fame' thing can be ridiculous"
"Yeah, that's why we try and travel light" Philip agreed, "But what about you guys? The shop looks great, how are you keeping it up?"
Charles went on to explain revenue and expenses and the start-up. He also explained about Cindy's job, Kit and soon they were in general conversation, catching up and talking until 3am despite how tired they all were. Cinderella smiled and leaned into the soft pillows, she was content. The happiest she had ever been. She looked over at Gus Gus and grinned. Her life was wonderful.
Mulan and Shang weren't the most punctual people. That was a lie. Shang was punctual to a T, he arranged things sharply and made pronto to-do lists. Mulan on the other hand, was somewhat clumsy and a terrible, terrible time keeper. This was odd considering her profession as a soccer player.
"We're late" Shang rang the doorbell of the yellow house, his brow furrowed
"They won't mind" Mulan assured him, it was almost 8:00pm and they were due round forty minutes ago.
"There you are!" Rapunzel swung the door open "We thought you'd be late"
Shang glanced at Mulan who giggled and he took his little girl in his arms as they headed through to the living room.
Eugene and Rapunzel were sat beside each other with cocoa, Pocahontas, John Smith, Esmeralda and Phoebus, Aladdin and Jasmine had all arrived.
"Sorry we're the last ones" Shang said earnestly
"Don't be silly" Esmeralda laughed "How are you guys?"
She got up to exchange hugs with them and then took her seat again. The room was so full, almost bursting. Willow and Zephyr and Sunny, the oldest children all between 9-10, were in the nursery playing with the toys and discussing what they had asked Father Christmas for. Little Flynn and Aladdin and Jasmine's five-year-old son, Genie (so named after the flamboyant Uncle) were sat by the Television playing Mario Kart on the Wii. Equally cheeky, the two made the best of friends. Jasmine and Aladdin's second child was only four, a beautiful young girl called Amira who was relatively bossy and independent... a lot like her mother. Amira had eaten lots of cookies and drank cocoa and was now drifting off to sleep on the sofa beside her mother. Jasmine stroked her daughters head that resting on her lap just below her pregnant stomach. Her baby was sleeping now but the bump was big especially considering Jasmine's small frame. On the bad days, when her tiny back strained and ached she assured Aladdin that 'this was the last!'. Luckily however she could work happily from home. Jasmine edited and owned a huge media company- inspired by 'Buzzfeed' Jasmine started her own news/culture platform where she preached politics, feminism, fashion and social justice. Esmeralda was, obviously, a huge fan. Aladdin had taken time from work last year to help around with the children. He had been a steward. He loved his job as it allowed him to travel, see the places he wanted to see and work in an airplane, weirdly he loved being airborne but when Jasmine fell pregnant he decided that time home and with his family was more important. Sultan Ragbha visited his daughter and grandchildren frequently, he was an adored grandfather and spoilt them rotten. Jasmine's father had offered them the old, huge villa like mansion in Pegasus Park but the family resided in the home that Jasmine and Aladdin themselves had bought and worked for, Aladdin's mother recently moved into the spare room to help with the children whom she doted on and Sultan Ragbha still lived nearby.
Shang took Bloom on his lap. Their daughter was the youngest of all their friend's children at only 1 and remained the youngest- at least until Jasmine and Aladdin's new baby was born.
"So have you thought of any names?" Mulan asked, taking her daughter on her lap now
"Well, Amira's name means princess" Aladdin explained "We supposed something that meant Prince, were we to have a boy"
"But we also like the name Ali" Jasmine smiled
"That sounds too like 'Al'" Phoebus shrugged "I'd get confused"
"Only we call him 'Al'" Eugene argued "So only we'd get confused"
"Phoebus is right" Aladdin reasoned "We didn't think of that"
"And for a girl?" Pocahontas asked
"We've no idea yet" Jasmine frowned
"I am so convinced it's a boy" Esmeralda stated
Eugene let out a sigh "Here we go"
"What?" Esmeralda asked defiantly
"How could you possibly know the sex of her baby?" he asked
"Psychic eye" she declared "You know I have one"
Eugene opened his mouth to argue back but Phoebus just shook his head.
"So Shang, how's life down at Disney High?" Aladdin looked over
Shang's head shot up from cooing at his daughter, "Oh- Oh you know, it's not bad...Walt's still there"
"No way!" Eugene cried "Remember him! He was the best"
Pocahontas raised an eyebrow "Didn't you once say he was a total soggy chair with no regard for you and you made a bet with Wasabi that he secretly smoked?"
"That's neither here nor there" Eugene shrugged, "What about that old asshole, Hades?"
"Dad!" Little Flynn turned immediately, his Mario character crashed on the screen "That's a dollar for the swear jar!"
Rapunzel hit at Eugene's arm "He's right!"
Shang chuckled, "Hades isn't there, in fact I think he left right after we did"
"He did?"
"Some stuff with Miss Porter I think they argued"
"But what about the soccer team, is it still good?"
"Terrible" Shang shook his head "My best seniors have all left now I've got to train up the freshmen"
"Any kids we know?" Aladdin asked, interested
"Hans South had a kid" Shang nodded "He must have had him straight after high school he's a freshman"
"Is he just as sleazy?" Jasmine grimaced
"Bit of a slacker, really" Shang admitted with a frown "His name's Pitch", Shang was the gym teacher and soccer coach at Disney High. He found that even after school, it had always been his passion to help the kids improve- that and he liked ordering people around.
"So is Hans married?" Esmeralda asked, more and more interested
"Divorced, too Claudia" Shang said "We had a parent's night last month, he showed up looking tired with his ex-wife and all they did was argue. Poor kid"
"Crazy!" Esmeralda half yelled, loving the new-found information "But what can I say? He deserved it. I'm glad she left him"
Shang just chuckled again and turned to Bloom who was chewing on her own fist.
"Oh, Bloom is just the sweetest thing" Rapunzel cooed at the baby "Look at her little pink dress, I miss them being this young"
Eugene's eyes widened and his expression blanked "No more" he said quietly "Flynn's bad enough on his own"
Flynn looked over at his dad and poked his tongue out "I heard that, Eugene"
"You see!" Eugene cried "He teases me! He teases me!"
"Oh stop moaning" Esmeralda laughed "I don't know what you expected"
"She's got a point you know; I mean Zephyr is just as smart-mouthed as Esmeralda"
"And Willow is just as outspoken as Pocahontas" John Smith said
"And as modest as John" Pocahontas added
"They take after us, for sure" Aladdin nodded "it's the way it is"
"So I've created a monster" Eugene despaired
"He's not a monster!" Rapunzel gasped "He's just cheeky!"
"Oh! Everyone, Ariel wants to video chat!" Mulan suddenly gasped,
Shang again took Bloom and began bouncing her playfully on his knee as Mulan answered the call and the entire room erupted into greetings for Ariel. Ariel was sat, her festive, red hair thrust into a ponytail and Eric was beside her. They appeared to be sat in a crisp, white bed. Likely in a 'Triton Hotel'.
"Hey guys!" Ariel cooed "Merry Christmas! Sorry I couldn't be there!"
"How are you?" Rapunzel asked the phone screen,
"We're great! How are you guys? Where are the children?"
Mulan panned the camera towards Bloom, and the boys on the video game "The rest are in the nursery!"
"Such a shame, I wanted to see how big they've all got! But I have to be quick now..."
"Where are you?" Jasmine squinted
"Triton Hotel, we're over in New York!"
"Hey Eric, by the way!" Aladdin called awkwardly. Eric laughed and waved and Ariel continued,
"We've got one more show tomorrow and Alana's on her way down but everyone's here now!"
"And how's Melody?" Mulan asked
"She's great!" Eric piped up "She's just as spirited as Ariel! Your father's smitten, isn't he?"
"Oh he just adored her! She'll be three soon!" Ariel grinned broadly "But anyway, I'm afraid we have to go! We've got an early showing tomorrow!"
"We'll call you up again on Christmas day" Mulan assured her.
They all said their goodbyes and Ariel's face disappeared. Ariel and Eric hadn't lived in the same place longer than 18 months now. They jilted between New York and Florida and Disney and worked in the world of Musical Theatre. Ariel had been lucky enough to land a role in 'Les Miserables' as Cosette, her beautiful voice was now heard with credit throughout and Eric played alongside her in smaller roles but was largely known in theatre. He had never taken a huge liking to singing. They had Melody a few years ago, a determined and pretty baby whom was completely doted upon by all seven sisters.
"God, they all live so glamorously" Esmeralda sighed "And have you guys seen Aurora Briar recently? She had a selfie with Rihanna just the other day!"
"Oh I know!" Jasmine said "She always looks great on the catwalk!"
"She was going to be famous it was inevitable" Aladdin said
"She and Philip were voted best looking couple in Senior year" Esmeralda said "We all knew they'd end up how they are"
"What were you voted?" Rapunzel asked
Phoebus chuckled lowly "Yeah, Es, tell her"
Esmeralda grimaced "Biggest Drama Queen"
Everyone laughed. Everyone but Esmeralda.
"I can't believe Vanessa didn't get that! Or at least Charlotte!"
"Wait what did Charlotte get?" Aladdin asked
"I have my old yearbook somewhere!" Eugene jumped out of his chair. Everyone stood around guessing and attempting to remember what everyone got when Eugene arrived back and opened the old Disney Yearbook and began reading...
"Ah here we go!" he stated and he read aloud
"Charlotte La Bouff: Most likely to get married first"
"Well she wasn't first but she did get married quickly!" Esmeralda nodded
"Her and Kronk are so cute" Mulan agreed
"And their daughter's in Sunny's class" Rapunzel added
"What's her name again?" Flynn asked "It's something stupid like Pink"
"It's Star"
"Charlotte named her daughter, 'Star'?" Shang raised an eyebrow
"We named our daughter 'Bloom'" Mulan shrugged,
"Who else? What did you get?" Pocahontas asked
"Eugene Fitzherbert: Worst attendance" everyone laughed, "Phoebus Victor: Loudest person"
"I resent that!" Phoebus said, but he chuckled
"Aladdin! You got the Best Smile!"
Aladdin flashed a toothy grin and Phoebus swatted his head "Pretty boy!" he scolded and John Smith laughed loudest.
"Pocahontas: best hair"
"All those protests and hard work and I get 'best hair'?" she grimaced, Flynn continued "Naveen won Biggest Party Animal... Tiana got 'Most likely to be president'"
Everyone nodded and agreed,
"Meg won 'Most Sarcastic'..."
"Shocker" Aladdin said with a laugh
"Hercules most likely to win the Olympics, Shang, most competitive"
Mulan laughed loudly and teased her husband "Why am I not surprised?"
"Gaston: biggest flirt... Hans was voted most likely to go to prison!"
Everyone burst into laughter, "I bet he wasn't happy about that" Jasmine wiped a tear, "God I'll never forget when Elsa punched him!"
"Elsa was voted most scary! She made her mark for sure!"
Everyone giggled even more.
Willow, Zephyr and Sunny entered the room,
"What's so funny?" Zephyr asked, raising his eyebrows "Tell us!"
"Oh, look at you, Willow!" Mulan grinned. After all, with Pocahontas living in London now everyone was so excited to see them and little Willow.
"Hasn't she got so big!" Esmeralda smiled
"And such beautiful hair!" Rapunzel said
Willow beamed "Thank you!"
"Mum" Sunny whined "When are we seeing Heidi? Is she coming?"
"Not tonight" Rapunzel frowned "They're enjoying some family time, you see"
"Heidi?" Pocahontas asked,
"Anna's daughter"
"Anna has a daughter?" Pocahontas cried "Anna Winters?"
"Yes, Anna Winters, Elsa's sister"
"My! I had no idea! John, I feel like we miss everything down in London!"
"They have a son too! Twins" Eugene added
John chuckled, "I've said it before and I'll say it again, we can always move back"
"You'd move back?" Esmeralda jumped "Oh, please!"
"I don't know... I love London... Oh but I love Disney!"
"Well while you decide, I think we could do with some more cocoa. I'm going to head to the store, anyone need anything?" Eugene announced
"I'm craving apples" Jasmine said suddenly, "Would you buy me some?"
"Apples?" Aladdin asked
"I suppose he wants some" Jasmine shrugged
"He?" Aladdin raised an eyebrow,
"I think Esmeralda's right; I think we might have another boy in here"
Esmeralda poked her tongue out childishly.
"Psychic eye" she repeated with a smirk, the same smirk she had been pulling at them for years.
Elsa and Anna Winters had come back to their family home for Christmas. They both resided happily in Disney but always loved coming home to their parents around the festive period. Kristoff opened Disney's first petting zoo a few years ago and during Christmas all the animals required extra attention. However, that night they gathered around the fireplace with Mr and Mrs Winters, Elsa, Elena and the children.
Elsa had 'come out' to her family several years ago. Not that it was a huge event or that they minded, she met Elena a few years later. They were the sweetest couple and Elena was Latina and fit in with the family so well. She worked as a schoolteacher in the local primary while Elsa worked happily at Kristoff's petting zoo, she loved the animals particularly the reindeers. Anna and Kristoff had two lovely children now, Heidi and Kris. 'Kris' being the closest Kristoff got to 'Kristoff Junior'. Elsa was the best and most admiring aunt the children could hope for, she bought her niece and nephew presents galore and was more than happy to babysit, read them stories and help especially when Kristoff and Anna were busy at work. Anna had a job at Disney's local news station, she was the weather girl and the public just loved her. Seeing old school friends usually resulted in a 'Anna out!' imitation or 'what's the weather like tomorrow, Winters?' but she didn't mind, she loved her job and the public loved her! However, nothing could beat a night with her family- especially around Christmas.
She had agreed to head over to Rapunzel's tomorrow where she'd have lunch with her and take the kids to play, she'd also assume that Pocahontas and Esmeralda might be there but wasn't quite sure yet. She loved how close they had all become over the years.
Heidi and Kris were going to be ten years old on Christmas day. When Anna had gone into labour at 4am, 25th December her sister Elsa cried of happiness. After all, Christmas was their favourite time of year and the twins just made it all that more worthwhile. Heidi was a shy girl with her father's blonde hair tied into her mother's signature pigtails, her eyes matched her Aunt Elsa's in a sparkling blue and she had plenty of freckles. Kris was of course, as identical as he could be, except for his father's dark eyes and a lot less freckles. While Heidi was quiet and rather meek, Kris was a lot louder. He loved to sing and dance and ride the reindeers and to Sven's dismay, he loved playing fetch. Sven was quite old now and less lively he usually lazed by the fireplace or in the long grass of the garden and Kristoff was almost certain that the old dog rolled his eyes whenever his loud son bounced into the garden throwing balls and plastic discs.
Elena had stayed home that night, she had paperwork to adjust that she wanted to get done before Christmas day and knew Elsa wanted to see her parents all the same. Elsa arrived exactly on time. Her mother opened the door with excited eyes and a festive jumper. Elsa had worn a cute silver sparkled dress, festive, with a Santa hat. They followed through to the large white living room, a huge white Christmas tree was stuffed with presents and her sister was already there. Kristoff was perched beside Mr Winters, Heidi and Kris were sucking on candy canes and Anna was organising presents into piles for Christmas Day/The Twins birthday.
"Elsa!" Everyone cried and she was pulled into hugs,
"How are you?" her father beamed "You look wonderful! Where's Elena?"
"She's got lots of work to do" Elsa said, "No biggy"
"That's a shame, but good to see you! The twins haven't stopped going on about you, have they?"
"'When's Auntie Elsa here'?" Anna mimicked
Elsa blushed, she loved how close she was with her niece and nephew.
"Have you got our presents yet?" Kris asked, his dark eyes twinkled
"Kris!" Mr Winters called "It isn't the right day!"
"Oh but Aunt Elsa always gives us an early one!" he grinned mischievously,
"I see that grin" Kristoff re-entered the room, a tray of chocolate truffles in his hands "What's he after?"
"An early present" Mrs Winters explained,
"Elsa, every year you go and spoil them" Kristoff tutted, sitting down and stuffing his face a bit,
Elsa, Heidi and Kris all stared up with puppy dog eyes before he finally sighed, "Well... better not break tradition"
"Yes!" the twins squealed, and they sat down with crossed legs and big, impatient smiles.
Anna moved away from the tree and sat lovingly beside Kristoff. She looked equally as excited and perched her head on her husband's shoulder, waiting for the gifts.
"I wonder what it will be this year" Anna's father whispered, sipping his white wine.
"Alright, here you go" Elsa said and she yanked a present from deep under the Christmas tree.
It was soft and oddly shaped, wrapped in icy blue paper and decorated with snowflakes. She handed it too Heidi. She also handed an envelope to Kris, it was magenta.
"Now" she said firmly before they opened them "They are for you both to share" she emphasised, "and one of them you won't have access too until tomorrow"
Everyone's facial expressions twisted... apart from Anna who had already discussed with her sister.
Heidi tore open the lovely paper while Kris flipped open the envelope,
"OLAF!" Heidi cheered, her shyness broke "Olaf!"
"Olaf!" Anna cried, "As in... your imaginary snowman friend!"
"He is real!" Heidi grinned. Olaf had been her imaginary friend as a child, a snowman she invented and would draw and stick on the fridge.
"I emailed this woman online who makes toys" Elsa explained more to the adults than the children "I sent her all the drawings of Olaf and she created him!"
"What's this?" Kris asked, flipping the card open to reveal some sort of voucher
"A... coupon?"
Elsa laughed "No, silly! Read the card!"
Kris cleared his throat, "To Kris and Heidi, I know that Sven would rather lay in the grass now then explore with you or catch the tennis ball so we've all agreed a livelier addition to the family is in order. Tomorrow morning, we will see to this"
Kris was still a little bit confused, but his smile grew slightly as it came to him...
"WE'RE GETTING A NEW DOG!" He suddenly cried and Sven's ears perked up.
"Come here, boy!" Kristoff offered and the dog pattered over and licked his masters face. They were quite inseparable but Sven was getting old and it would break Kristoff's heart to admit it, but he wouldn't be around forever. Besides, fetching Frisbees and pottering after them everywhere was tiring him out and they wanted his last years to be relaxed.
"But what about Sven?" Heidi pouted "Will he feel left out?"
"I think Sven's going to be happy for some peace" Anna giggled, rubbing behind the old dog's ears.
"I think I'd be happy for peace and quiet" Kristoff teased
"Peace and quiet?" Mr Winters asked "In this household? I don't think so"
Anna laughed but pondered this... peace and quiet? She didn't think she'd ever want that... not for as long as she lived. She loved the noise, the happiness, excitement, busyness. She loved her sister, her children, her parents and her husband. She loved Christmas, she loved snow, she loved that it was snowing right now...
"Elsa!"
Elsa looked up with soft, blue eyes quizzically
"Do you want to build a snowman?"
It was nearly midnight. Meg was wrapped up in a black robe. Her hair wasn't in its signature style, instead it was falling past her shoulders in a mahogany frizz, her eyes were dreary and she was exhausted. She climbed out of bed when she felt the space next to her still empty and she lolloped down the stairs of the airy and bricked Greek home. Greece was gorgeous, they lived with a view of the sea and most mornings it felt too good to be true but at night it was freezing, the storms could be quite bad and the winds strong.
"Hercules?" Meg called reaching the bottom, she peered around the doorway of the kitchen expecting to see him up doing some press ups but she stifled a giggle at what she saw. She fell against the doorframe, arms folded and a smirk,
"What are you doing, Wonder Boy?"
Hercules gasped and pinned his hands behind his back. They were covered in tape and he had heaps of wrapping paper surrounding him. Some was torn, most was creased and there lay a box in the middle. Meg couldn't quite make out was it was but she knew it was probably for her
"It's a bit late, isn't it?" she raised an eyebrow
"Meg!" he called "Go back to bed! You can't see your presents!"
Meg laughed "I'm not! But it's late and the beds cold!"
"I'll be... one minute" he tried, covering up the box "Now go!"
Meg laughed and headed back upstairs. She found Hercules' midnight antics very amusing, she grew more and more used to them every day. He truly was like a huge puppy dog. He was recently a silver winning Olympic athlete and this year his training increased. It did make some things hard, late dinners and later movies, more training, more tired boyfriend but things were also more worth it. He was happier, more motivated, they moved into a nicer house, she had more chances to surprise him to dinners and romantic evenings. Meg's work was simpler, less active than his. She had qualified as a historian several years ago, and her online dissertations resulted in plenty of royalties. She frequently gave lectures at universities and tutored history students. Meg and Hercules didn't have children, and while he sometimes brought it up they had decided they didn't particularly want them... not yet anyway. She climbed into bed and her arm flopped downward. But Meg jumped up again when her hand whacked at something under the bed, something unfamiliar...
"What the- "she sat up and peered under the bed, squinting. She pulled at what It was and saw a little gift bag that she had dented with her hand. She moulded it back into its proper shape and peeked inside. A jewellery box. She gasped and giggled. Every year she found her presents, accidentally or on purpose she would find them. This year she hit the jackpot. He was going to propose.
"Oh, Wonder Boy. It's about damn time" she giggled, she stuffed it back under the bed so he didn't find out she'd seen it and then drifted back to sleep, wondering what life would be like as Hercules' wife.
It was getting late now in Disney. Everyone had retired home and the light snow from the day had become heavier and heavier as the sky grew darker.
Tiana's Place was the best rated restaurant in Disney, higher than Basil's and Flounder's and the most loved too. The jazzy atmosphere and New Orleans inspired food had people coming from all over the country and critics bouncing on their toes. Tiana prayed most nights thankful for everything she had, even if she did miss her father James. Her mother, Eudora, was proud too and stood by her all the way and so did Naveen. After they studied at Harvard the two found that business and law was not going to make them happy. They soon moved back to Disney and opened 'Tiana's Place'. It took a lot of time, effort and money but soon they had one of the best places in the country and were the happiest they could ever be.
Tiana was closing the restaurant, her employees usually cleaned and closed for her but as it was the last shift until the New Year she assured them to head home and had spent two hours cleaning up the place herself. She didn't mind, she liked to remind herself of all the effort she went too to get where she was now, it kept her humble to partake in manual, difficult work every now and then. Naveen had gone home hours ago. Her mother had been taking care of their son James but Naveen didn't want to tire his mother-in-law out and so he went back to take over. Eudora was often happy to look after James when need be despite her increasing age. In their warm, suburban home Tiana and Naveen had recently granted Eudora the spare bedroom and she now lived with her daughter and her family. Naveen's parents moved again back to Maldonia once his education had completed and they were flying out tomorrow for Christmas; he couldn't wait to see them.
Tiana hummed as she swept. The low, warm lights were still on and the dancefloor had been mopped. It was all nearly done now and she'd be home with Naveen and James warm in bed.
"You're still here?" Tiana jumped at the smooth voice. Naveen had entered and was leaning over the bar.
"You scared me!" she cried, shoving the broom into the cleaning closet "What are you doing? Is everything OK?" her immediate panic contrasted his constant coolness.
"Your mother fell asleep on the sofa" he half laughed "I didn't want to wake her"
"And James?"
"In bed, asleep with a Lord of the Rings book on his head"
"Gosh, I wish I were asleep" she sighed, leaning on her elbows at the counter
"You look tired" he commented
"Well observed"
"Last shift now until the New Year"
She sighed again, this time with relief but then she bolted upright, "Not quite!"
"Why not?"
"Christmas dinner"
Naveen laughed at her and grabbed her hands, pulling her around the bar and into the dancefloor
"I can cook Christmas dinner this year," he offered
Tiana raised an eyebrow "OK Mr 'I can mince mushrooms'"
"I can mince mushrooms" he defended "I'm sure my parents could help me make a dinner"
"It's alright" Tiana shook her head "We all know I actually enjoy the responsibility, besides I couldn't subject James to your cooking"
"Thank God" Naveen said "Because I think we all know I'd screw it up"
He took her delicate hands and then whirled her tired feet around the dancefloor, they began slowly dancing to no music and staring into one another's sleepy eyes
"At least you've got better at dancing" he said quietly and Tiana laughed,
"I'm excited for the New Year" she admitted, "James is going to be 10 and the restaurant is going to five! Can you believe it? Everything's settling so well..."
"I saw a poster this afternoon, Esmeralda Victor's running for office"
"Disney Mayor? Mayor Esmeralda?" Tiana's eyes widened "That... That's amazing!"
Naveen nodded "She'd get our vote for sure"
"Gee, I always expected she'd end up political"
"And Phoebus with his work at the station, they both seek justice it seems huh?"
"We should really see our school friends more" Tiana said absently, "I feel quite bad actually"
"Don't be silly, New Year means a resolution, right? Well we can get in touch with them"
"You're right" Tiana said with a small smile "But for now, let's get home to James"
Naveen nodded, "Yes, let's, and I've got to sleep if I'm to get my parents from the airport tomorrow"
Naveen let his wife's graceful hand go, kissed her forehead and the two turned the power off.
"See you next year, Tiana's Place" Naveen joked, and they wrapped their arms around each other and hurried a block away home to their warm house where their family slept softly.
It was the 24th December finally. Old friends visiting Disney were all caught up, new friends had met the old and children and parents were reuniting ready for Christmas day tomorrow.
Pocahontas' father had returned from business and as soon as he had, his daughter and her family returned to her childhood home. It was just as she had remembered, with the exception of her bedroom that was practically bare now. They set Willow up in her Great Grandmother's old bedroom, green and still strong with her aura.
They all sat talking all about the charity, the awkward past with John Smith and about Willow. John Smith did however get along famously with his father-in-law the moment their initial trouble disappeared.
Willow loved the old house, particularly the sacred land at the end of the garden but as it was Winter the little pond had frozen over, the trees were bare and the ground crunched with frost.
"Please, please, please can I go play out there?"
"No you can't" John Smith sighed for the fifth time "And I won't say it again"
Willow pouted and narrowed her eyes, but John just flipped his laptop top open and began typing away, responding to emails.
"What's wrong with you?" Pocahontas entered the room and patted Willow's head, she then sat beside her husband and stared at them both for an explanation.
"Willow here, wants to play out in the cold" he said
"Oh now there's nothing wrong with that" Pocahontas warmed
"Without her coat" John Smith raised an eyebrow
"Ah" Pocahontas firmed her expression towards her daughter "and what makes you think you don't need a coat? The snows so deep that even bears sleep to keep themselves alive!"
Willow pouted and then tilted her head before finally succumbing, "Fine" and she allowed her father to zip her up tightly in her olive-green coat.
"I'll go out with her, in case she hangs that coat up in a tree" John laughed. He closed his laptop and then pulled a navy coat on and gloves and he and Willow headed outside down the path and into the mini wilderness. Pocahontas watched from the warmth of the lounge as they bounded down the garden, John playfully lifted his little girl into the air superman style and flew her down the cold garden in his arms. Pocahontas drew the curtains a little, she loved this room, it was possibly the favourite from her childhood home and it reminded her so fondly of her Grandmother. It was cosy, musky and warm.
"You are a wonderful mother to her, Pocahontas, and she is just perfect" her father had snuck up on her and had sat in the deep orange sofa.
"Thank you, father" she turned and smiled to sit with him "they're great the two of them, but I forgot how much I miss Disney"
"Ah of course you do, especially this old house"
"You and this house is what I miss most" she admitted sadly
"Is England not making you happy, my daughter?" Powhatan looked concerned now, he knew she would start getting lonely sooner or later despite the company of her practically perfect family.
"It's the house" she sighed "that old British house, it's so big and so fancy it doesn't feel like home. This, this house here feels like home"
Pocahontas and John Smith inherited his grandparents' home before Willow was born. The death of John Smith's grandfather left him with a grand, traditional British home. A huge Victorian cottage with beige carpets and white, brown walls and oil paintings that weren't to be taken down. The house was beautiful and reminded Pocahontas of something from Downton Abbey but it wasn't hers. It wasn't theirs. She had added a deep green rug and a teal throw pillow in her bedroom but it wasn't home, she hadn't decorated it, it wasn't her taste. She wanted rich blues and corals, deep oranges and greens with teals and golds all enriched with strong oaks and woods not white furniture or painted beige, uncomfortable chairs. She wanted walls with Willow's height scratched and old tasselled rugs. She loved their English home, but she needed somewhere she actually felt at home.
"I find myself pacing around, bored. It's so big, father even after all these years"
"You know that the three of you are always welcome here... in fact I've been meaning to speak to you about that"
"About what?"
"I wanted to wait until after Christmas day but the truth is I'm getting older and my charity work is taking true affect. All the youngsters with hopes for the future, not unlike yourself, are taking care of most of the work now. I've been seriously considering taking either a smaller home or even an apartment perhaps near the seaside"
"You mean, you want to retire?"
"I suppose so, yes. It's lonely here, there are too many bedrooms and I miss my mother. I've no need for the land and Disney just doesn't seem right for me anymore"
"But father, we love Disney! We love this house! Where would you retire too?"
"I considered England, to be with you, but after hearing your discontent I wonder if you should have this house and I could take a small beach-side home in Pixar or DreamWorks"
Pocahontas blinked, taking in everything her father had just said. She could have the house, her house. The house of her childhood, her grandmother and the house that just felt right. Disney was a good place, Willow could attend school with Zephyr and she and John could find work surely. He always said that they could move back if she wanted too. Her father wouldn't be far away in Pixar or DreamWorks and she'd have her friends back... could they?
"I'll talk to John" she assured her dad "I think I'd love to move back to Disney"
Belle French, or now Pecus, tucked her pretty, chestnut brown hair behind her ears and smoothed out her crimson dress. It wasn't a fancy dress but it wasn't too 'governess' either. She took her glass of wine and tiptoed through to the large family room where the scarlet sofas invited her to sit by the roaring fire amongst the finery of the Pecus home where she and Adam now lived. Adam was already perched, his hair tied neatly back, dressed in a navy dress coat with a smile on his face. Belle handed him a glass of wine before sipping her own.
"Merry Christmas Eve" he whispered to her, they clinked their glasses together and passionately kissed "Your dress is lovely by the way"
"Thank you, I found it in a second-hand store would you believe?"
Adam chuckled at his wives humbleness despite their surroundings and he played with a strand of her hair gently that was falling down her right shoulder. The silence was golden and the air was romantic, the couple sat lovingly for a moment and admiring the peace-
"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Good Tidings- "
"Ah. I thought something was missing" Adam joked, and he stood up and strode towards the door where the rest of the household burst in loudly singing. Lumiere and Cogsworth had worked for the Pecus family so long that by now were part of the furniture of the old manor. They belted out the song almost competitively each with trays in their hands. Lumiere carried small savoury snacks while Cogsworth carried gateau's and mousses. They laid them on the table and began flapping napkins around and cutlery. Mrs Potts followed with her infamous tea tray, she also was singing, her head bopping side to side as she did. She parked her tea by Belle and kissed the girl's cheek festively. Belle's father, Maurice pattered in as well with a huge smile on his face, he began giving Lumiere and Cogsworth a hand with the food. Finally, Chip and Rose. Mrs Potts now seventeen-year-old son, Chip had grown up very handsomely indeed. He had a ruffle of strawberry blonde hair and had outgrown his puppy fat and slight lisp; in his arms was the darling girl of the home, Rose. Rose, Belle and Adam's eight-year-old daughter, was the kindest and prettiest girl to be sure. She had willowing deep brown hair like her mother and the proudest royal blue eyes like her father. Chip was fond of Rose in the brotherliest way and he swooped her through the doorway and plopped her in the seat beside her mother.
"AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!" the room finished and then everyone laughed, exchanging hugs.
"My little Rose bud!" Adam had been eating at the cakes already and after licking his index finger clean he flew for his daughter lovingly and embraced her, "Don't you look lovely in your Christmas dress?" he cooed, taking her in his arms,
"Papa, you have chocolate all over your mouth!" she laughed,
Adam licked his lips, "So I have!" Adam, Belle and Rose sat together in picturesque fashion, the couple doting on their lovely daughter.
"Merry Christmas, everybody!" Mrs Potts grinned, "Now who's for a spot of tea?"
Maurice waddled over and sat opposite his daughter, "Merry Christmas my doe" he beamed, "And Adam, I'm sorry your parents couldn't be here this year"
Adam smiled sorrowfully, "Thank you Maurice, it means a lot, but if I am to be honest I think I should have a better attitude without them" Maurice nodded understandingly. Adam's father died years ago leaving his company in Adam's hands. Adam, with the gentle help of Belle, had refurbished the entire company into a better ordered, more considerate and well-intended business that regulated the market and considered its workers. His mother cared little for the entire affair, she took the money that was entitled to her and remarried. She visited for Christmas with her new husband but last year she too, sadly died. This would be Adam's first Christmas without her and yet he felt a guilty weight off his shoulders. His manipulative, monopolising parents were gone and Rose would never be subject to their snobbishness. Despite living in the inherited house, Adam did his best to make sure that his daughter was not materialistic or reliant on any of the money and with Belle as a mother she certainly wasn't. Belle was a writer, starting small and difficult she was a journalist but soon she flourished and now wrote famous fantasy books and sequels, she fulfilled her passion for sure and even wrote Rose her own little fairy tales.
"What time do you think Santa Claus will be here?"
"Oh, very late, dear" Belle said "He has to wait for all of the children to be fast asleep"
Rose sighed "But mama, it's impossible for him to get to every single child in the world, isn't it?"
Cogsworth chuckled and then in his infamous know-it-all way looked down at the girl through round glasses "Ha-ha, very amusing little Miss Pecus but everybody knows that Santa uses the time differences to his advantage. How else would he do it?"
Rose looked up at her parents to confirm Cogsworth's answer, "Is it true?"
"If Cogsworth says so, it must be" Adam nodded "Besides, Santa's magic and we can't explain magic"
"While Cogsworth does happen to be right, I'd like to point out he doesn't know everything" Lumiere commented
"He's a pompous windbag" Rose said. The entire room stopped and stared at the usually polite young girl with shock, all apart from Lumiere who was cackling to himself.
"Rose, where ever did you hear that expression?" Belle asked, there was a hint of a smile on her face at hearing her daughter name Cogsworth as such.
"Lumiere taught me it. He says Cogsworth is a pompous- "
"You don't have to say it again, my darling" Adam told her and then he stared at Lumiere, a smile on his face "Lumiere, do care to tell me why you taught my daughter such an insult?"
Lumiere's laughter faded "Ah! It was just a small joke, I promise it will not happen again"
"Well I never! Teaching that little girl mean words! And about me! It's an abomination!" Cogsworth had started "And furthermore, it is Christmas! How dare you call me a pompous windbag! You, paraffin headed- "
"Enough you two!" Mrs Potts intervened. Chip was laughing and Adam was stifling too, he didn't want Rose to see him condoning the twos behaviour but he wasn't going to stop them either. Cogsworth and Lumiere were truly like a married couple.
"Well then, now that the arguing is over... Merry Christmas" Adam lifted his wine glass to the air. Belle followed and Rose, who was sandwiched lovingly between them, lifted her small glass of milk. The room followed, echoing "Merry Christmas"
"And a happy new year" Chip added. Mrs Potts planted a kiss on the side of her teenage son's head, a proud mother. Chip attended Disney High and after school was to take on an apprenticeship with Adam in business and merchandising, he was much like Belle at her age. Bookish and slightly reserved but dignified and loving. Adam and Belle were thankful to Chip for not only his company but his love and relationship with Rose.
"May I, make a small toast before we all become besotted with festivities" Adam continued his speech, "I'm very glad to be here today with you all and to be spending the spirited season with..."
He paused and Belle looked up, lips parted she watched as he swallowed awkwardly and was unable to finish sentence.
"To our family, little and puzzling though it may be" Belle finished for her husband. He looked down on her with a wide, thankful smile.
"Our family" he repeated
"Our family" the room echoed.
Christmas day passed in the sweetest, softest and snowiest way possible. Disney locals and Disney relatives spent days with their families buried under the tree and digging into mountains of festive foods. For Kristoff and Anna Anderson, their twins' birthdays were a huge success full of food and love and plenty of spoiling particularly from Elsa. As promised, they chose a dog that Christmas Eve. A small, white dog with fiery spirit and a lightning shaped mark on his rear.
"Bolt! That should be his name!" the twins declared. And so, the Winter-Andersons saw a new addition to the family that Christmas.
Rapunzel and Eugene also spoiled their children rotten that year and because both did not have grandparents or other extended family, they invited Jasmine and Aladdin's family to spend the time with them including Sultan and Galina. Since they did not celebrate Christmas, they bought a few gifts with them and joined dinner.
Naveen's parents absolutely doted upon Tiana and James, they lavished her dinner and were in awe of how great a cook she was. James was gifted plenty and plenty of books as well as a children's cookbook, toys of trains and more. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents admired the boy all throughout their visit and were eager to take care of him.
For Mulan and Shang, they left their small modest home and made the few blocks to Mulan's parents' home where they were served a delicious dinner and Bloom's first Christmas was full of plenty of pink clothes and accessories and toys. Shang finally opened the Christmas gifts that some students had given him, most were wines and 'Number One Coach' mugs.
Pocahontas and John Smith had a video call in the early morning with John's father and his new wife who wished them a very Happy Christmas. Pocahontas' father served up a delicious meal and Willow had a polite, happy day. She adored Powhatan, her favourite grandparent and loved visiting him here in Disney. She played with her brand-new ice skates down in the pond and then used her new paints before her mother braided her hair and they settled down to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life', one of Grandmother Willow's favourite films.
In the Victor household Esmeralda, Phoebus and Zephyr were joined by Esmeralda's parents Mala and Hanzi from their retirement abroad, who's hippie loving ways collided strongly with Phoebus' visiting parents Sophie and Joseph and their fifteen-year-old daughter, Helios- meaning Sun God in Greek. Esmeralda and Phoebus spent the morning giggling at the conversations between their parents where Sophie and Joseph would stare wide-eyed when Hanzi and Mala told them about their illegitimate wedding in Morocco and how they were both vegans. Zephyr was none-the-wiser. Both sets of grandparents bought with them plenty of love and presents and when the large group settled down for dinner, he and Apollo spoke of school and of their friends and any differences were forgotten.
Cindy and Charming, along with their visiting friends Aurora and Philip, spent a snowy cold Christmas in New York cooped up in their darling apartment with Kit. Cindy cooked, Charming tidied and Aurora spent an hour trying to beat Kit on a car racing game on the Xbox. Philip's potato peeling created rather small potatoes but their Christmas was traditional and cheerful.
Christmas was beautiful and as New Year's Eve crept, friends rekindled and rejoiced. That evening, December the 31st, everyone readied to meet at Rapunzel and Eugene's again for a lively gathering with music, snacks and a big countdown. Fathers pulled fancy clothes over their children's heads and warned them to "keep them clean!" while the mothers sorted their own appearances.
Mulan and Shang arrived surprisingly early. Bloom was in one of her new dresses in a pretty shade of cornflower blue. Mulan had carefully chosen Shang out a shirt in the same colour and she herself wore green, her absolute favourite and rather flattering if she did say so herself. The little family settled into the sofas and helped themselves to snacks. Music was already playing. Rapunzel and Mulan were having an animated discussion and a glass of champagne each while Shang played on the electric cars with little Flynn and Bloom. The couples awaited the arrival of Esmeralda and Phoebus, Pocahontas and John Smith and of course-
"Jasmine and Aladdin!" Flynn rushed in breathlessly. Sunny was in his arms and the two had wide eyes and grins.
"What about them? Are they OK?" Rapunzel asked
"Jasmine's gone into labour!"
"What?" everyone cried
"But she's early!" Mulan shook her head, confused "Where are they?"
"They're at the hospital!" Eugene said "Aladdin's dropping Amira and Genie here, I said it was OK. Sultan hasn't left the waiting room apparently and nor has Galina!"
"Of course, it's OK! How exciting!" Rapunzel squealed.
"A baby!"
"A new year baby!"
Esmeralda, Phoebus, Zephyr, Pocahontas, John Smith and Willow all finally arrived and when they did were all greeted with the wonderful news of Jasmine's labour. The party were immediately a lot happier and although they ate, danced and chatted a heavy anticipation hung in the air. They were waiting a phone call, a text, anything to hear some news. Aladdin text twice. Once to check the children and again to say Jasmine was doing well so far. That had been hours ago, and the children had swanned off to the nursery where they were playing with various toys and computer games.
"Oh, I hope she's OK! What were her other births like?" Esmeralda asked,
"Amira, she was in labour for almost an entire day! She's so narrow hipped she was in a lot of pain. I think she found it easier with Genie. He wasn't as slow, but still, they were both so tiny when they were born" Mulan explained
"I remember how small Bloom was" Shang commented
"She still is! Look at her, she's dainty!" Rapunzel said "Flynn was the chubbiest baby! Like a big old soccer ball! Sunny was little, but oh she had the chubbiest cheeks too!"
"Chubby babies are so cute! I remember how chubby Zephyr was but he's so slender now" Esmeralda chuckled.
"We did quite well with Willow, didn't we?" Pocahontas smiled
"We?" John Smith repeated "You're the one who went through all the pain" he kissed the side of her head.
"The pain wasn't too bad, Grandmother Willow's herbs really helped. It was the first few months that killed me. All she did was scream!"
"I don't want to talk about labour anymore! It's bringing back some horrid memories" Rapunzel winced "It was so painful!"
"The pregnancy was the worst" Mulan said "Pain, hunger, poor bladder control!"
John Smith chuckled very quietly to himself. He recalled how little pain Pocahontas went through both through pregnancy and labour...
Pocahontas and John Smith had just inherited the grand, English home. They had been there a few weeks now but still their bedroom had several boxes and an old rolled up rug in the corner. Pocahontas so far had a fairly, easy pregnancy with little pain and little trouble. Her only true issue was her fatigue and her serious insecurity with her changing body. She looked in the old, oaken mirror in the outdated British bedroom. It was full length and reflected her big belly back at her. John Smith entered the room with a cardboard box in his arms. He dropped it on the floor and kicked it to the side.
"That's it. The last box" he announced "Just some old blankets, nothing special"
Pocahontas ignored him, marvelling herself still "Do I look terrible?"
John looked up with sad eyes at his wife, "Terrible? You? Never! You look radiant!"
Pocahontas turned with a smirk, clearly, he had cheered her up. She perched at the edge of the bed ignoring the new boxes he had brought in.
"You're lying. I bet you can't bear to even look at me" she said half seriously.
"It's true, you're hideous" he joked kissing her neck lovingly.
"Oh really? Is it the grotesque fat or my puffy, tired eyes?"
"Both" he chuckled, still kissing at her dark skin
"I suppose you've been ogling other women" she teased, a smile playing on her lips
"All the time"
"You'll leave me"
"Any day now" he grazed her jaw with his lips
"And your bags?"
"Packed and ready to go"
"So, you're running for the hills?"
He moved from her neck and went straight for her teasing lips "Is it that obvious?" he asked.
John Smith recalled the memory of Pocahontas carrying Willow fondly. To this day there was nothing more he could ever want or need and giving him their daughter was the most wonderful thing she had ever done for them. He absently kissed her forehead. Pocahontas looked up at him and smiled before continuing to engage in conversation. She had no idea just how much she was loved...
"The countdown's soon" Phoebus commented but nobody replied.
A phone rang, vibrating through the room and everyone's mouths stopped moving and closed waiting for the answer. Eugene answered the phone and the room leaned in trying to hear.
"Yeah... yeah... great... OK" Eugene hung up.
"Well?" Rapunzel grinned
"Fetch Amira and Genie" Eugene nodded. Rapunzel rushed to get the children, Amira and Genie bounded through to Eugene followed by the other children and everyone stared waiting, desperately. They needed to know! It was 11:59 and the radio in the background blared a small countdown.
"13, 12, 11-"
"Amira, Genie- "Eugene started
"10, 9- "
"Your dads just called and I have good news- "
"8,7,6- "
"Get your shoes on. We're going to the hospital"
"5,4,3,2- "
"You've got a healthy little brother and your mother's waiting to see you"
"1!"
The entire room erupted into cheer. Everyone jumped up and headed for the cars, the roads would be clear now and they knew they had to visit the new baby.
"A boy!" Phoebus cried "A boy!"
Eugene glanced at Esmeralda, knowing exactly what she was going to say.
"Psychic eye" she grinned.
WOW. that's it guys. THE END. I'm sorry if it didn't feel like good enough closure/the epilogue wasn't what you expected but i wanted to get this done and the epilogue was something I wanted to do since the start- :) thanks for being patient. glad u enjoyed lol xo