The trumpets roared and the soldiers and other servants lined up as Stella and Bloom arrived at the mansion where their sweet sixteen was being held. The guests mainly consisted of students from school, close friends and neighbors of their parents, and other people the girls didn't even know! Stella and Bloom arrived just a few seconds after the band started playing as the guests cheered and cried hello. The two stepped out of the white carriage they were riding in, their long pink and lavender dresses flowing out of the door.
"Wow, there's so much people! I don't remember inviting them," Stella murmured to Bloom as the two waved greetings to the people who watched them make their grand entrance. Her gorgeous light pink floral dress which had shiny sequins and a tiny fake flower sewn onto it drifted in the light wind as she walked down the red carpet which led into the mansion. Her matching high heel slippers clicked and clacked to the front doorway as she greeted more people.
"Hi, nice to meet you. So glad you could make it," Bloom exclaimed each time she walked past someone. She too had on a stunning subtle lavender dress which also had glistening sparkles on it and a pair of light purple high heels.
Soon the girls were inside the wonderfully decorated ballroom in the mansion. Balloons, streamers, banners, confetti…it was everywhere! Signs which spelled out the words "Happy Birthday Stella and Bloom" and "Welcome to Stella and Bloom's Sweet Sixteen" hung under the high ceilings as the thousands of chandeliers gleamed. Music rumbled as everyone especially the teenagers danced wildly.
"Wow Stelly Welly and Bee Bee! This is an awesome party! Can't wait to see you guys at the Father Daughter Dance! It's gonna be so fun! So who's going to dance with their little daddy first?" Stella and Bloom's best friend Bonnie shouted over the music with Shannon next to her.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Stella and Bloom's sweet sixteen! As you know, I am their father, Allen Johnson and this is my wife Lydia," Allen announced as the music paused, "I would like to start off the party with a concise Father Daughter Dance and continue on with the revelry. Umm, girls, let's go."
Allen motioned the girls over just as Brandon and Sky suddenly arrived next to them. Slow, soft music started as Allen pulled Bloom to the dance floor. Brandon, who was apparently discontented, pulled Stella too as Sky pulled in another girl from the crowd. Next to them were Bonnie and her boyfriend Shawn and Shannon and her boyfriend Blake who were also slow dancing.
"Happy Birthday my dear child," Allen whispered to Bloom as he winked and gave a smile to Stella who was uncomfortably dancing with Brandon.
"Stop stepping on my feet! These shoes are new! And your shoes are practically stabbing them! Gosh! Women and their shoes these days! Can't they afford a normal sized shoe with no pointy heels?" Brandon cried silently as Stella glared.
"Well, excuse me! It's not my fault! It's just that some shoes come in many different sizes and shapes and this one, the one I picked just happens to be the tallest one. And you know what? I've seen much better men shoes then those! And I'm not even a man!" Stella whispered back as Brandon dipped her and twirled her around. Soon the partners switched and Bloom was stuck dancing with Sky while Stella danced with her father.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were going to go to your little girly friend's Valentine's party! Why? Was our party that fascinating to you? Or were those Andrews sisters too annoying and immature for you?" Bloom spoke softly to Sky as they danced.
"Oh please! I'd much rather go out on a date and make out with them than with you! The only reason Bran and I came was cause your mother told us to come and "support" you guys. Otherwise we wouldn't have come! And besides, the food here looks delicious!" Sky said as the music soon ended and the dancing concluded.
The audience and other guests applauded as the five couples took a bow.
"Alright everyone, settle down," Lydia said on the stage, "Now before we all begin dancing and stuff again, I would just like to say a few words to my daughters. First of all, I wish you two a very merry birthday and hope this is the night you guys were dreaming and waiting for. Stella, you're a bright child and I love your enthusiasm, charisma, and delightful skill in choosing the most dazzling outfits. And Bloom, you are a wonderful young girl who I can always trust because of your great spirit and reliable responsibility. Thank you girls for being the greatest daughters of my life! I will never forget you two! Alright, now lets funk up the music and groove it til we drop!"
Shannon said quietly to Bonnie, "I see where Stel and Bloom gets their wholehearted attitude!"
Soon everyone began dancing and eating as Stella and Bloom joined the fun. Brandon and Sky pigged out on all the delicious food as Lydia and Allen came over.
"Hey boys," Lydia said with Brandon and Sky's mouth filled, "Why don't you go and dance with the girls? I'm so glad you two came."
Sky swallowed the food that was in his mouth, "How couldn't we?"
The two boys sighed and walked toward Stella and Bloom as Lydia and Allen watched, "Hey your parents are watching so let's just pretend we're having fun together!"
Stella and Bloom looked at each other and spotted Lydia and Allen looking over at them. The two agreed as they took Brandon and Sky over to the dance floor. The four began dancing and as Lydia and Allen talked to each other.
"Aww, they look so cute together! The girls are growing up, Allen. Pretty soon they'll be going to college and start getting boyfriends! I wish their real parents were here to see them," Lydia said.
Allen stared at the two boys, "Hmm, those guys look familiar. What'd you say their names were?"
Lydia laughed, "Oh Allen! Come on! Let's just go and meet our other guests!"
Back at the dance floor, Bloom watched her parents move further to the end of the room to the dining area, "Alright they're gone. You guys can go now! We had enough "fun" with you!"
Stella agreed, "Yeah. I mean it's our party! We shouldn't be spending our time with some dorky people. I don't even understand why Mom and Dad invited you guys."
Brandon and Sky started to argue, then stopped and headed back to get some food.
"Hey girl," Shannon said to Stella, "That brunette looks smokin! I mean, did you get a glimpse of his muscles? Man he's so hot!"
"Tell me about it," Bonnie said to Bloom, "That blondie's got some skills of his own! Did you check out his dance moves? Pure talent!"
Stella and Bloom gave each other a look, "EEW!!!"
After the Party
Soon the party was over and all the guests were sent home. Back home, Stella and Bloom tiredly went to their rooms, changed into regular house clothes, washed up, and sat slumping on the couch.
"Whew, that was tiring," Stella said rubbing her feet, "I guess the whole party really paid off."
Bloom smiled as she opened the bag pretzels that were on the living room table, "Yeah it did. Gosh, my feet are killing me!"
Suddenly, Lydia and Allen came into the living room, both wearing a formal suit and dress, "Girls, we have something very important to tell you."
Stella and Bloom, both perplexed, sat there chewing on the crunchy snack, "What is it?"
Lydia sat down gently next to Bloom as Allen took the space next to Stella, "Ok girls, this might be hard to swallow, but bear with me okay? Alright, first of all, we really love you and we're really proud of the way you girls are maturing and growing up. But, but..."
Stella's eyes widened, "I know what you're trying to say! You guys think this shirt does NOT match my pants!"
Lydia, Allen, and even Bloom looked at each other.
"Stel, just let Mom finish. Save your fashion dilemma for later." Bloom said jokingly.
Allen took a deep breath, "Look girls, what your mother, err, Lydia is trying to say is that, well, we're really not your parents."
Bloom and Stella stopped munching on their pretzels, "What?"
Lydia's eyes were watery and red, "What Allen means is that for the past 16 years, we've been taking care of you girls because you two were in great danger. Now I know you guys are thinking that we're crazy right now, but it's true. We're really not your parents."
Stella cried, "What are talking about? If this is a joke or something, quit it! It's not funny! It's actually kind of scary."
Allen coughed, "Look, we're telling the truth. See, here's proof."
He handed Bloom a small notebook who had a baffled look on her face, "The diary."
Lydia sniffed, "So you guys knew. You see girls, if you take a look inside, all those letters in there are all messages your real parents sent to us."
Water flowed out of Stella's ruby eyes, "I don't believe you! Stop it! I know you guys are lying so just stop it! Please, I can't take it anymore!"
Stella jumped up, dropped the bag of pretzels on the floor, and scuttled up the stairs to her room. Lydia hurried on after her.
Allen and Bloom sat there in the silence and stillness. Bloom's eyes were glued to the diary each time she flipped to a different page. One of the notes read this:
"My dearest Allen, how is life in the realm of the blue and green world? And how are the girls which whom are there subsisting with you? But my question to you today is when will Luna and I be able to see them again? When will it be the right time to tell the truth of their past? I believe the day of their nativity and the time in which they breathed the air of the outside human world is almost to come. I beseech you to advise them after their birthdays. Please inform them of the love and affection Luna and I have delivered from our hearts and may God be with them. I will write again.
-Mariam"
Bloom's eyes were now moist, "Dad, if you guys aren't our real parents, then tell me, who are our real ones?"
"Well Bloom, I know this may seem ridiculous, but the truth is, they live in a totally different realm, not on Earth."
Bloom replied, "So our parents live somewhere outside of earth? Then how come we're living here? I'm so confused…"
Allen gave a tiny grin, "Bloom, I want you to promise me something. It's going to be a bit hard but I know you can keep it. Bloom, my dear Bloom, please, PLEASE take good care of Stella and yourself. I know this is going to be tough, but I'm going to be sending you back to your real parents today. It's pretty late, but we can just make it in time for lunch when we get to the other realm."
Bloom stared down at the diary again, "I still don't understand. So what your saying is, when Stella and I were adopted, we were in great danger, so our real parents took us to you and Lydia to pretend that you were our real parents so we won't be in any danger therefore, you kept us with you in hiding for 16 years and now on our sweet sixteenth birthday, you guys are deciding to finally tell us the truth to sent us back to the other realm where our real parents are so we can reunite and live happily ever after?"
"Um, I guess you could say that," Allen said puzzled, "Okay, now I'm confused."
Bloom took a deep breath, "So Stella and I are gonna go back to that realm and meet our real parents?"
Allen nodded, "Yup, that's the plan. Now all we got to do is pack your things and we'll head right on back to your kingdom."
Bloom looked at Allen then back at the diary, "I can't believe this is real. I mean, after all this time, you and Lydia haven't told us of our parents for 16 years? This is all just too weird!"
Allen grinned, "Bloom, I know this isn't exactly the best thing that you ever wanted to know for your birthday, but let's try to break it to Stella gently okay? I mean, this seems pretty hard to sink in for Stella so I want you to try telling her again. We've got to go soon before the annual luncheon begins. Now go upstairs, tell Stella the truth, and start packing all your clothes and things. Hurry back!"
Bloom did as she was told and hurried up the stairs to see Stella crying on her bed with Lydia beside her, "Stella, I know this isn't what you expected, but we have to just accept it and move on. And besides, this can be pretty good! I mean, we travel to another realm, meet new people, and get to know our real parents."
Stella sniffed as she glanced at Lydia who was also crying, "I still can't believe you and Dad lied to us. I don't even know why I'm calling you guys Mom and Dad."
Lydia wiped away her tears and left the two girls alone so they could talk privately.
"Look Stella, I know you're really mad right now, but you know what? It's not Mom, I mean, Lydia and Allen's fault. They were trying to protect us and you know that," Bloom pleaded, "So just forget about everything and come help me pack up our things. We're going to go to our real home and meet our real parents. So what do you say?"
Stella looked at Bloom, took a tissue, and blew into it, "I guess so. Maybe having parents living in a different realm is pretty cool. But promise me something. If something goes wrong, whether we separate from our parents or wear non matching ugly clothes, promise me that we'll always be together, no matter what."
Bloom giggled as the two hugged and promised each other. Soon they packed up all their things and headed back downstairs to Lydia and Allen.
"Ready to go?" Allen asked as he helped Stella and Bloom carry their things, "Okay so first we have to go through a secret portal. It's down here in the basement."
The four people headed down the stairs to the basement as Allen opened a secret a curtain which covered a mysterious, small red door.
"Come on girls," Lydia guided the two astonished girls, "Let's go. Watch your step. Be careful! This can be a bumpy ride!"
Stella and Bloom slid down the slippery portal and landed a few seconds later on a green grass garden.
"Where are we?" Stella asked as they stood up.
Allen smiled, "This is your kingdom Stella. Your parents, Radius and Luna rule this palace and are the kings and queens to the throne."
"Great," Bloom exclaimed, "Let's go! I'm so excited! I can't wait to meet our new parents!"
"No Bloom," Lydia began, "This isn't OUR home. This is Stella's kingdom. Yours is in a totally different realm."
Bloom looked puzzled, "What do you mean? How come I don't get to live here with my own sister?"
Allen coughed, "Oh and I guess I forgot to tell you two. You guys aren't actually sisters. Your parents are just close friends with each other."
Stella and Bloom stared at each other, stunned. Suddenly, two figures stepped in their paths. Allen and Lydia bowed down as the woman and man came towards them.
"Oh my goodness! My dear darling Stella! It's been so long!" the woman exclaimed as she ran to hug Stella along with the man behind her.
Stella replied, "I'm sorry but who are you?"
The woman grinned as tears flowed out of her eyes, "It's me Sweetie! The queen of Solaria! Your mother!"
Stella and Bloom looked at each other, "HUH?!?!?!?!"