On the Wings of an Angel Chapter 18: A Compromise, a disney fanfic

ON THE WINGS OF AN ANGEL

Welcome back, dear readers. You'll be happy to know this story has received a new update at long last. I'm one happy camper, that's for sure. I thought I'd use this chapter to flesh Rhiella out a little more, to make her not so one-dimensional. Sorry for being so ambiguous about her and Terence's history; when my book is finally done, you'll learn everything you want to know about them, and hopefully things will start making a little more sense.

Characters (with exceptions) © Disney

Story © unicorn-skydancer08

Chapter 18: A Compromise

While Pinocchio was with Armando and Arietta, Terence and Rhiella stayed in the kitchen, where they worked together to wash and put away the dishes, and basically put everything in its proper order. This done, they lingered at the table once more, only this time they opted to stand rather than sit. "You know, Rhiella," Terence said, his eyes roving over her outfit, "this is the first time I've seen you without a dress."

Running one hand over the leg of her trousers, Rhiella said, "I'll admit this is a most refreshing change from dresses. These things are so much more comfortable and so much easier to walk around in, and I don't have to worry anymore about tripping." She shook her head, half amused, half annoyed. "Sometimes I wonder why men and women can't just make it easier on themselves and wear the same thing."

Terence smiled. "Well, I could care less about what you wear. You're still the most beautiful woman in the world, either way."

"You're too kind," she said, flushing slightly.

"Nonsense. I'm only speaking the truth." At length, Terence asked, "So, how long have you been in this town?"

"Not too long. Only about a week or so."

"Where have you been staying?"

"At this rather nice place called the White Fish Inn."

"The White Fish Inn?" Terence looked at her in genuine astonishment. Did this mean she was there the day he and Pinocchio visited Bernardo and Gahiji, and they never realized it?

When he mentioned this to Rhiella, she seemed as surprised as he did. "Talk about a coincidence," was all she could find to say.

Then Terence asked her something he had meant to bring up earlier. "That night in the village," he said, "after I found Pinocchio, I was sure I saw you standing there in the shadows. Why did you run away?"

Now Rhiella's entire face looked like a ripe pomegranate. "That was pretty stupid of me," she sheepishly admitted after a moment. "I don't know what happened. It was just such a nasty shock to see you right there, after all this time, and an even greater shock to see that you'd had a child in your possession. I thought that you—well, you know."

"You thought that I found someone else and fathered a child with her." Terence looked at her with solemn compassion. "You thought that I replaced you."

Rhiella bowed her head. "That was what got to me, more than anything else," she said. "I know we haven't known each other for too long, Terence, and that we haven't officially tied the knot, so to speak. I know you're not my property…but the idea of you with another woman…it cuts me like a knife. It's almost more than I can take."

"I understand," he answered softly, brushing his thumb across her jaw. "I'm surprised at how close we grew in the short time we were together, just as I'm surprised at how attached I've become to Pinocchio. I don't know what sets Pinocchio apart from other children, no more than I know what sets you apart from other women. All I truly know is that you are both dear to my heart, and I wouldn't trade either of you for the world."

"That's what I want to talk to you about," Rhiella said, her voice little more than a whisper.

"What is it?"

Rather than tell him, Rhiella crossed over to the window, where she gazed out at the wet, foggy world. After a while, Terence went to stand with her, resting his hand on her shoulder. "What is it, dearest?" he asked again. When she still said nothing, he persisted, "Go on."

"I don't know," she said at last. "I don't know if I can explain this in a way that you would understand."

"Try me. I have more intelligence than a mushroom."

After taking another minute to think of the right words, she said, "Don't get me wrong, Terence. Don't think I have anything against Pinocchio. He's a very nice boy, a sweet boy. But…"

"But?" he prompted.

Rhiella sighed and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. "But I don't know if I'm ready for this," she confessed. "I can't leave this place without you, now that I've finally found you. But now Pinocchio has become part of the parcel. To take you back means to take him as well. Not just for a little while, either. Not for a week, or a month, or a year, but for good."

"Yes."

"Even if a child is well-behaved, even if that child never gives you any trouble, it's still an enormous responsibility. You still have to feed him, bathe him, tend to him when he's sick or hurt—in essence, you must take every bit as much thought for him as you would for yourself. You're committed to him wholly and unconditionally."

"That's true, Rhiella."

"And don't think I'm opposed to the idea of raising a child. All my life, I dreamed of the day that I would have children to call my own. But this—it feels like it's too soon, that too much is happening at once. You've had some time to be with Pinocchio, but this has sprung up on me without warning. I've had no way to prepare for this. I don't know the boy the way you do. I'm not yet as comfortable with him as you are. I don't know what he likes and doesn't like; I don't know his favorite foods, his favorite songs and stories, his personal habits, his private fears, or any of that." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Terence. I sound pretty callous, don't I?"

"It's all right, honey," he replied gently. "I understand where you're coming from perfectly. It is indeed a great responsibility. When I first took Pinocchio in, I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew this meant I would be stuck with him for good. But it was a chance I was willing to take, and never have I once regretted my decision." Taking Rhiella's chin in his hands, making her look him in the eye, he went on as soothingly as ever, "I won't force you into anything, love, nor will I rush you. For now, let's just take it one day at a time. Get to know Pinocchio a little better, and let him get to know you. The very least you can do is try."

With a partial smile, Rhiella said, "Yes, I suppose it is worth a try." She added, "After all, a boy that you're willing to foster as your own has to be worth something."

Terence smiled and drew her into his arms. She came willingly, and her arms wrapped around him at the same time his arms enfolded her. "Thank you, Rhiella," he whispered. "Thank you for being so understanding and cooperative."

"And thank you, Terence," she whispered back, "for being so sweet and kind. I wish there were more men like you, for they are wanted badly enough in this world."