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Chapter 28: Happy Endings?

Four Days Ago (The Day After the Attack at Sea)

"They didn't make it out alive." Amanda mumbled to herself. She was sitting on the stairs that lead to the steering wheel with her head in her hands. They had waited all through the night for their friends to come, but they hadn't. It was late morning and they weren't sure what to do. Neither sister wanted to leave because leaving would be admitting that their friends were dead.

One of the crew members walked up to Amanda. He looked nervous, as if talking to her would cause her to fall apart.

"Morning, ma'am. The crew and I was wondering when we were going to be resuming our trip to California."

Amanda looked up with him with sad eyes. "What's your name?"

"Richard, ma'am."

"Richard, have you ever seen anything like what happened last night before?"

"No, ma'am. None of us has."

"Have you ever lost somebody you loved?"

"Uh…yes ma'am. My wife died about a year ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Finn and I were going to get married when we got back to California." She turned to look out at the ocean. "And after last night…I need to have some kind of proof that he's gone."

"Alright ma'am. I'll leave you alone then." Richard started to walk away. Amanda stood up and walked down the rest of the steps.

"Richard, wait."

Richard turned around and watched her as she searched for the right words.

"I…I know you and the crew want to leave. But…but I just want to be sure he's gone…before we move on. If you don't understand, that's fine. I…I just need to know."

"I understand ma'am. Don't worry about the crew. If they don't understand, they'll get over it." Richard smiled at Amanda before leaving her alone.

Amanda walked over to the railing and watched the waves. She couldn't help but admiring the beauty. Which brought her to question how something so beautiful could be home to a creature so destructive and malicious. She hoped that Finn was still alive. But with every moment that passed she was losing more hope. Her fear of having to raise their child alone was overwhelming. Sure, she had Jess, but every child needs a father. Finn had promised to take care of her and their child. Being the king of California now, she couldn't doubt that. She knew that with him, their child was going to have a much better childhood than she did. But if Finn is dead, how will she make ends meet? She can't go back to her hometown, for they tried to burn her at the stake. If she tried to convince the kingdom that she was carrying Finn's child, they'd laugh in her face. She didn't want to do this without Finn.

Jess yelling for a rope brought her out of her thoughts.

Amanda turned around to see a crew member throw the rope ladder to Jess. Last night, after dropping the anchor, Jess had ordered one of the crew members to make a rope ladder, claiming it would make it easier for their friends to get back on the ship when they made it back.

Amanda ran over to the other railing where Jess was standing. Down in the water by the ship were three people: Philby, Willa and Finn.

Jess threw the rope ladder over and Willa was the first one up. Jess got a couple of crew members to hold the ladder and she tackled Willa in a hug.

"Don't you dare think of doing that to us again! You had us so worried!"

Willa laughed and hugged Jess back. "Sorry about that."

Philby made it up to the top deck just as a crew member brought blankets. He grabbed one and wrapped another over Willa's shoulders.

"I'm so glad you two decided to wait on us. I don't know what we would have done if you had left." Philby said with a smile as he hugged Jess.

"Don't thank me, thank Amanda!" Jess let go of him. "If she wasn't so in love with Finn and carrying his child over there, we probably would've left last night! That sea monster was freaking me out!"

"Who cares why you stayed? I'm just glad you did." Philby pulled Amanda into a hug.

When Philby let go of her, Amanda saw Finn drop himself onto the top deck. He looked exhausted, his clothes soaking wet and his wrists red and bruised from the ropes binding his hands together.

A crew member took out his sword and cut Finn's hands free. Finn's gaze turned to Amanda and she ran into his arms.

They didn't say anything—but she didn't want to. She could tell he felt the same as she did. She was glad he was alive. All of her fears and doubts that had been haunting her all night disappeared so fast she questioned whether or not she had even had them in the first place.

"Amanda?" Finn whispered to her. She pulled back and looked him in the eyes.

"Yes?"

"I love you Amanda, you know that, but can I get out of these wet clothes? I'm freezing and I'd love more than anything to change."

She let out a small laugh as she let go of him. "Of course."

"Thanks for understanding." He kissed her on the cheek before running below decks to dry off and change.

Six Days Later

Philby led Willa through the streets of Anaheim—the village that he called home for the four years of Maleficent's reign of terror. Since word of Maleficent's death had spread to California, the people were rejoicing. Finn had decided to lay low until they reached the castle, so they spent three days in the coastal city enjoying the festivities.

Philby had found a simple engagement ring for Willa and she was proudly wearing it. He also had his royal armor polished. He also bought her a new dress that was red with a black sash (the royal family colors) that wrapped around it at the waist.

Early this morning, they had reached the town of Anaheim and the first thing Philby wanted to do was see Jack. Willa had only met Jack for the few moments before leaving on their quest. It seemed like years since Philby had seen Jack. He couldn't contain his excitement when Jack answered the door.

"Dell! You're alive!" Philby and Jack shared a long hug before Jack gave one to Willa. "Come in! Come in! I'm sure we've got a lot to talk about!"

Willa and Philby sat on the couch as Jack shuffled to clean up his small house quickly. He eventually sat down in a chair in front of the couch.

"My, my, don't you two just look ravishing! I haven't seen anything in those colors in a very long time. And you, my dear Isabel, look beautiful in them. It's like she was born to be a queen." Philby had never seen Jack's smile so wide. "So? I want to hear everything!"

It took them a few hours to tell him every detail of their journey, but it was worth it. Philby could tell that Jack was taking in every word they said, captivated by their story. At every moment of conflict, Jack watched them intently as they retold the action. When telling him of Philby's proposal, he smiled warmly at them both before congratulating them.

"And then the admiral of Maleficent's ship called me 'Princess Isabel.' I still don't understand why though, but anyway—"

"You don't? Surely Finn told you!" Jack interrupted as he leaned forward in his seat. "Isn't that interesting…"

"What do you mean, surely Finn told me?"

"You are a princess, Isabel."

"No, I'm not. I'm just Lady Isabel. I'm not Finn's long-lost sister."

"But you are, my dear."

"And how would you know that Jack?" Philby asked him.

"I've been apart of the plot to overthrow Maleficent for some time now. One of the things that we were told was that Finn had a sister named Isabel. I can only presume he meant you."

"But Finn said he didn't know his sister's name! How was he supposed to tell me then?" Willa asked Jack. Her tone of voice was angry, with a little bit of sadness. If she truly was Finn's long-lost sister, that meant her whole childhood had been a lie. Her parents weren't who they said they were. She wanted answers, and now that Philby thought about it, so did he.

"I assumed he knew, that is my mistake."

The trio stayed quiet for some time. Finally, Willa spoke up.

"Where does that leave me now?"

"Well, when Finn takes the throne, you'll be the next-in-line."

"Until Amanda has her child." Philby added.

"But if it is a girl, you'll still be the next-in-line until they has a son."

"So does that mean that Philby and I can't get married?" Willa looked on the verge of tears.

"Of course you two can get married! If Finn and this Amanda girl are getting married, then so can you! Philby claims he'll be made general of Finn's armies. Even if the old laws were still in effect, you two would still be allowed to marry. Being the general is just as good as being royalty—or at least it is in my book." Jack winked at Philby.

"You're just saying that." Philby smiled.

"I might be. Now, Isabel, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a few words alone with my boy here Dell."

"Of course!" Willa stood up. "I'll be right outside." Willa walked outside and closed the door, leaving Jack and Philby alone.

"She's grown up to be a lovely young lady."

"You knew her when she was a child?"

"Of course! I'm her father." Jack stood up to go into the backroom, returning a few minutes later with two cups of hot chocolate.

"What do you mean you're her father?" Philby took a cup and took a sip. "That would make you the king, and the king's been dead for…eleven years!"

"Dell, I know this might be hard for you, but I have my reasons for doing what I did. If I hadn't done what I had done, my children wouldn't be alive now."

"Okay, I'll play along. Why fake your death and give away your daughter?"

Jack took a deep breath. "I was warned that my daughter Isabel would die if I didn't send her away." He paused. Philby saw a tear escape down his cheek. "I didn't want to, but I had to save her. Her mother died during childbirth…and…and I just couldn't let her die too."

Jack looked down at his cup. "Eleven years ago, there was an assassination plot to kill both Finn and I. In order to save him, I faked my death. I moved out here and became Jack the antique salesman."

Philby studied him. He could see the hurt in his eyes—something he had never seen in his four years living here. Deep down, Jack was still worried about his two children—the two children he never got to see grow up. No wonder why he was so interested in Finn's return and Willa's well-being.

"I believe you." Philby said quietly.

Jack looked up from his cup and smiled at him. "You do?"

"Yeah Jack…or should I say King Peter?"

Jack laughed. "Please, call me Jack."

"So are you going to take back your throne now that Maleficent is dead?"

"No Dell. It's Finn's turn. My reign is long over."

"But shouldn't you at least tell Finn that you're alive?"

"I'll tell him when the time comes. But that time isn't now." Jack quickly glanced at the door. "If you decided to tell Isabel, I'll understand."

Philby nodded. "Do you want her to know?"

"Eventually, yes. I'd like to be able to tell my children together."

"That makes sense."

Jack stood up and walked to the door. "Now, I'd go meet up with your friends. You've got a lot of planning to do!"

He opened the door and walked outside. Philby joined him and saw Willa standing at one of the stands at the market down the street. She glanced back in their direction, saw them and waved. Both of them waved back and Willa returned to walking around the market.

Jack put a hand on Philby's shoulder, turning him around.

"I guess I should ask you for her hand in marriage."

"No need." Philby gave Jack a confused look. "Of all the men to find my daughter, I'm glad you did."

"Thanks, Jack." He gave Jack one last handshake before walking down the street to Willa.

"Finn! I can't believe it's really you!" Wanda said when Finn entered the throne room. She spread her arms and Finn gave her a hug.

She pulled back and looked at him. "My, you've grown!"

"Wanda, what are you doing up here? Jess said you'd still be in hiding!"

"Why would I? News of Maleficent's death came and all of her guards fled into the woods."

"Why did they run to the woods?"

"The people immediately came after them. They've also been asking about the new ruler. I'm glad you're here! Now we can crown the new king!"

"Well, actually, Wanda…" Finn turned around and gestured for Amanda to come over to them. "This is Amanda, my…fiancée."

"Fiancée? Oh isn't today just a wonderful day!" Wanda gave Amanda a hug. "I can't believe it! Where did you find such a beautiful girl, Finn?"

"There's something else you need to know Wanda." Jess said as she walked up to join them.

"And what is that, Jess?"

"There's a royal baby on the way too."

Wanda's eyes went wide. She looked back and forth between Finn and Amanda. "Looks like the kingdom's got a lot to celebrate!"

She gave the three of them a large hug.

"Now, we've got a lot to do! Let's get to work!"

Four Days Later

Charlene could not believe her eyes. She read the letter over and over but she still couldn't believe it! Terry walked into the dining room and sat down next to her.

"Morning." He said quietly. He didn't pay any attention to her. He had taken the news of his ship sinking very hard.

"I think I have something that's going to make your day!" She moved his plate to the side and placed the letter in its place.

He stared up at her with a shocked face. "What's this?"

"Read it aloud!"

He scanned over the first couple of paragraphs—which was fine with Charlene, they were boring updates that she already knew: Maleficent was dead, Finn is alive, blah, blah, blah.

"Queen Charlene of Florida and Captain Terry Maybeck are formally invited to the wedding and coronation festivities of the new King of California, Finn and his bride-to-be Amanda." Terry looked up with her, his eyes sparkling with hope. "They made it? They're alive?"

"Seems like it!" Charlene could barely contain her excitement. "And the party starts in only a week! We've got so many things to do! We can't have them partying without us!" She got up, kissed Terry on the cheek and waved one of the maids over, immediately giving her a list of things that needed to be done.

Terry stayed quiet until the maid left. "Looks like everybody got their happy ending, huh Charlie?"

"Just like I thought!"

"Sure you did." He winked at her. He kissed her on the cheek before going back to his breakfast.

Fifteen Days Ago—Ancient Temple

Tia Dalma slowly woke up. It was the middle of the night, but the moon emitted enough light for her to see.

She walked over to the large stone table in the center of the temple. There, hovering over a body, was the Lady Grimhilde—or as the villagers called her the "Evil Queen."

Upon seeing her the "Evil Queen" moved away from the body for Tia Dalma to see.

"She's barely alive. If you know anything that can save her, please do it."

Tia Dalma walked over to the body and kneeled down. She inspected the stab wound on her stomach.

"I think there is something I can do, but I'll need a few things."

"Tell me what you need. If it's on the island I can go get it."

Tia Dalma gave her a list of different plants that she could use to make some kind of herbal remedy for the stab wound. When the "Evil Queen" ran off after those items, Tia Dalma moved the body to a sitting position.

She ripped the shirt a little, so that she could examine the wound in full, and the unconscious person woke up.

"How long was I out?" She croaked out in an uncharacteristic weak voice.

"It is nightfall. Now you need to save your energy. I'm going to fix your wound."

"Finn…Finn did this."

"Yes he did. We all saw it."

"And he got away?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"I swear, I will get my revenge."

"One day, Maleficent, one day."

Don't worry guys when I skip days-nothing happens. It's not like the last time!

Despite the title of this chapter, it's not over! I'll update as soon as I can! And please review! I love reading them!