Chapter 2- Anastasia from Cinderella
The bright sun shone through my bedroom window. My husband yawned and brought me closer to him. I snuggled as close as I could to his warm body. I let out a content sigh and started planning out my day.
Get up
Help bake the morning bread
Prepare meal for my mother and sister
My mother.
With my eyes still shut I shuddered. I hadn't seen her or Drizella since the incident with Cinderella and the wand. Thankfully, Cinderella spared me. Once out of the castle I had gone to Thomas, the town baker, my love. He had taken me in, cared for me, and reassured me that my mother was coming for me. After the first few months we were wed. I still remember that day well. I had been so happy, but when Mother and Drizella didn't come…I felt let down. But I'm here now, in Thomas's warm arms. I'm happier than I've ever been.
I looked up at Thomas under heavy eye lids. His golden hair seemed brighter today, his lips half open. I smiled to myself and pecked his cheek. And to think I had been willing to give up Thomas for my mother's praise. It was so idiotic now that I think of it! And yet…I still felt that need to please her. Impress her, maybe.
Thomas's eyes fluttered open and he smiled at me. We shared a quick kiss before Thomas got out of bed to start the bread preparations. I was a little more sluggish. Maybe it was the fact that Mother was coming. I hadn't seen her in months. But for some reason I couldn't seem to get moving. It was odd. After Cinderella had left for the castle, I had gotten used to the idea of getting up with the sun. It became a part of my life. It still is I suppose. But that really has nothing to do with this, does it?
I quickly changed into a light pink dress with a cream apron and brown shoes. I had given up the idea of fine jewelry and dresses long ago. As long as I had Thomas, it didn't really seem to matter what I was wearing, as long as he was with me.
As I tied my reddish brown hair into a ponytail, I heard my stomach growl loudly. Thomas laughed from the kitchen and I laughed with him. I was out of our room in a flash, not bothering to make our small bed. I could smell bread baking and it only made my stomach growl louder. Thomas was dressed in his blue shirt, brown pants, and crisp white apron with chef's hat.
I went to the chestnut cupboards and started setting our table with the usual iron plates and cups with forks and knives. I was startled when Thomas grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a kiss. Thomas wasn't one for words but his actions said thousands of things. I relaxed under my husband's touch and decided the table could wait for a minute.
After a few minutes I broke the kiss. I smelt the burning of bread. "Thomas I think you forgot something…" He had a confused look on his face. I motioned for the large oven. My husband let out a shocked "Oh!" and let go of my hands. He ran to the oven while I stood near the table giggling.
Once the bread was taken care of, Thomas and I sat down to eat our breakfast of cheese, slightly burnt buns, and fresh milk that I proudly got myself. We said our morning prayer and dug in. I smeared extra butter on the buns while talking about my plans.
"So I was thinking I'd tidy up the house, maybe invite over a few people from the sewing group, and maybe…if it was possible, invite over my mother and sister." Thomas looked at me strangely.
"Is that what you want?" He said as he covered my hand in his.
I thought about it for a moment. I strived for perfection in my old life, and in my new one, it was slowly going away. Did I want it back that bad? No, of course not. I just wanted Mother to be proud of me for once. Maybe Drizella to come and visit me once in a while. I didn't want perfection, I just wanted praise.
I placed my other hand over Thomas's and gave it a squeeze. "Yes. I'm sure it is." A smile spread across both our faces. "Okay then."
Just then, Mother and Drizella opened our front door. I gasped. Thomas's eyes opened wider. What was she doing here? What did they want? What was going on?
I scanned Mother. She hadn't changed much in eight months. Her hair was still a dark grey with white flaking through it. Her lips were bright red and she was wearing the same purple dress I had seen her leave in that day at the castle. But Drizella…. She had changed so much. There was no longer a mischievous look to her eyes, no sparkle or flair. Drizella's lips were as pale as snow in a straight line. Her teal dress had faded to a light blue. My sister's black hair was streaked with grey. I couldn't believe how much she had changed. I was frightened. What had caused her to be so quiet, so timid?
I snapped out of my thoughts and removed my hand from Thomas's. Then I went over to my mother and sister. Mother's eyes pierced through me, causing me to shiver.
"H-Hello Mother, Drizella. What brings you here?" I felt my hands start to shake as the silence dragged on. Thomas took my hand and gave it a squeeze.
Finally Mother answered. "I had to see what kind of dump you were living in. And it's no better than I suspected. Drizella, take my coat to their closet," Mother said icily to my sister. I was surprised when Drizella moved from Mother's side and took the dark purple shawl from her. I was even more surprised when she came up to me and asked in a quiet voice, "Where do you put the coats?"
I gave a small smile then took the coat from her callused hands. "Let me take care of it. Thomas, could you get Mother and Drizella something to eat? They must be hungry from the trip."
Just as Thomas was going to get something Mother's regal voice cut it.
"There is no need for that. We won't be staying long." Thomas came back to my side. I was startled. Mother was abusing her power over me. But wait, she had none. Not anymore, anyway. So why was it so hard to tell Mother to leave? To stop hurting Drizella like she so obviously was?
I offered my sister and mother a seat. Mother seemed fidgety on our plaid couch while Drizella was thankful just to sit, I believe. I tried to start many conversations with both of them, but Drizella never answered and Mother only answered in two words or less.
After a few minutes I was getting tired of trying. I let out a little sigh. Mother heard and scowled.
"If we're boring you, Anastasia, we will leave."
"No Mother! You aren't boring me. Thomas and I were up early baking bread. I'm sorry."
Mother's eyes went wide as saucers. "Y-You were baking? A lady never touches food unless eating. You have lowered yourself to the commoner's standards. I am ashamed of you, Anastasia. At least Drizella hasn't settled than anything less than perfection."
My eyes watered. How could she do that? Why such cruel things? I felt a tear trail down my cheek. Thomas's arm went around my shoulders. He squeezed them and I turned to him. His face was stone, so hard.
I wiped away the tear and shrugged off Thomas's arm. I stood in front of Mother and Drizella.
"I chose this life Mother. I don't regret it. I love Thomas and I love that we are married. I love getting up early and being useful. And I'm really happy. For the first time in my life I don't need your praise.
"Drizella, I'm sorry for leaving you so fast. I hope you'll be okay.
"Mother, I don't want you to come back. Go home."
Mother was outraged. She stood and crossed the room to the door. She sent me a glare before calling Drizella. They left the shawl in my arms and slammed the door.
I let out the breath I'd been holding and sat back on our couch. Thomas rubbed my back and kissed my cheek. I felt a few tears fall on my dress.
"I'm proud of you, wife. Very, very proud."
I blinked away my tears and smiled at Thomas. "Thank you," I whispered. My head rested on Thomas's shoulder for a moment before we realized there was bread to be made. I sighed and moved my head.
"I guess we should get going. There is so much to do. I mean, there's dough to roll, slices to cut…" I was cut short by Thomas. He kissed me sweetly.
"We don't have to work right now. The bread can wait." I giggled and shook my head. "No. You know people will be coming any minute. I can wait to spend some quality time with you. Now come on, I think I hear the timer." We moved from the couch and went into the kitchen. For the rest of the day I was happy. I had finally stood up to my mother. I still felt bad about Drizella, but I hoped I could see her again. I knew I would.
The started with a smile and ended with one. Life couldn't get much better than that.