Chapter 3

For the first time in his life, Nigel blessed Miranda's circumspect demeanor toward her staff. As soon as he informed Roy that Miranda's "nieces" should be ready for her arrival, the driver ferried them directly to the townhouse without asking any questions. He didn't even inquire why Miranda wouldn't be coming back with him, or why Andy was not delivering the Book later. After all, changes in his boss's plans were commonplace and he was very well paid to be discreet about it. Fearing the girls would call each other's name and rouse suspicion, Nigel raised the privacy glass and sighed in relief when the car finally began to move.

Once in the back seat, Andy immediately moved toward the art director, snuggling into his side. Her eyes heavy with sleep, the little brunette yawned. He tugged her closer protectively and offered his left shoulder to Miranda, but she didn't move, adopting a stiff position, looking outside the window. Without being observed, he studied the blond child attentively, noting her aloof and quiet manner. As a friend, he was aware of her personal story, which led him to forgive the girl's reserved mood. He knew that Miranda was the third child of an underprivileged family, raised by hard working but not very affectionate parents. Most of her childhood she had to take care of herself, which explained her intolerance of people's weakness or complaints. She was also extremely protective when it came to her children, obviously offering to them the love once denied to her.

When the car stopped in front of the townhouse, Andy was sleeping deeply, so he took the girl in his arms while Miranda opened the door for them. Dismissing Roy with a polite nod, Nigel turned to Doug, who was already waiting for him on the sidewalk. In a moment of despair, he had called his partner and the young man dropped everything and came to the townhouse, hoping to review the evidence of Nigel's strange story with his own eyes. One look at the sleeping child was enough to bring tears to his eyes.

"Oh my God, Nigel! It's really her."

His eyes were sad as he approached, touching Andy's soft hair. "Oh, my friend, what happened to you?"

Nigel barely heard Doug anguished whisper. "Are they going to be like this forever?"

Looking into Miranda's attentive eyes, he tried to hide his own worries. "I have no idea, Doug, just a guess. I believe we will have some answers once Emily and Serena join us later. For now, I need your help to take care of their needs and to receive the twins later."

Doug smiled, caressing Miranda's hair. "No problem, darling, I love children. We're going to figure out together what to do, aren't we?"

Miranda, Nigel noted, didn't seem very impressed with either of them, focusing her attention on the brunette child sleeping on Nigel's shoulder.

"Is Andrea going to sleep all the time? She promised to play with me."

The demanding tone, even when coming from a child's mouth, was so familiar that Nigel rolled his eyes. "Come with us, sweetheart. I'm sure she will wake up in a few minutes and you'll have her exclusive attention again, just the way you like. Meanwhile we're going to eat some snacks and change these clothes before they are ruined."

Miranda followed them, accepting Doug's hand. "My best friend Andrea is sleeping now, but when she wakes up we're going to look for Alicia. I promised her we would find her."

Doug kneeled quickly in front of the blond girl, with wide eyes. "She remembered Alicia already?"

Miranda nodded vigorously and Doug stood, patting Nigel's shoulder. "In this case, our most urgent concern is to find a pink dragon identical to the one she had at this age, or we are screwed. I'm going to a toy store immediately to see if I can find something suitable."

The look in Doug's eyes was enough to scare the older man. "Is it really that bad?"

"It's worse. If I can't find a very fluffy pink dragon, I can assure you no one is sleeping in this house tonight."

…..

Doug was dead tired when he opened Miranda's front door a couple of hours later, carrying bags full of clothes and shoes for the girls. Unfortunately, he had failed in returning with the most important item of his quest, the famous pink dragon, and he was already pitying his poor little friend, who would be inconsolable in the absence of her beloved toy. Following the sounds of children's voices coming from the kitchen, he approached, smiling tenderly at Andy's unmistakable giggle as one of the twins playfully tickled her belly. Across the table, the other redhead was helping Miranda with some Lego blocks while Nigel prepared sandwiches for the group.

As he settled the bags on one of the chairs, Doug was greeted by his partner, who offered him a brief report of the night. Emily and Serena were still upstairs, using Miranda's computer to research the Muiraquitã.

After telling the twins about the situation, Nigel controlled their panic by assuring them the spell would be temporary. After the initial shock, Miranda's daughters had been thrilled by the news, as well by the chance to have their mother under their supervision. The girls, who had been Andy's friends since the Harry Potter incident, were not just excited about Nigel's story, but also convinced the young brunette would be the best friend ever to their mother. Once they believed Nigel would take care of everything, they started to enjoy the children's company, bringing them toys and helping Nigel bathe and feed them. Doug was surprised at the twins' reaction and couldn't help thinking that maybe eleven year old children were wiser about the mysteries of life than an adult could ever be.

He laughed hard as Nigel and Caroline dramatically narrated Miranda's escaping during the bath and Cassidy's frantic hunt for her through the house. Despite his deep worries concerning his friend's welfare, he had to admit the hilarity of a naked young Miranda running while her own daughter chased her.

With the twins' help during the evening, the blond girl seemed more relaxed, surrounded by her daughters and friends. Nigel brought the food to the table, inviting Doug to join them.

Accepting one of the sandwiches, he sat by Andy's side, just to feel a soft hand pulling his sleeve. "Did you find Alicia, Uncle Doug? Uncle Nigel said you would bring her to me."

Doug froze with the sandwich halfway to his mouth. Exchanging a glance with Nigel, he smiled. "Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry but I couldn't find her."

"Are you sure you looked everywhere? She loves to hide. I'm always looking for her."

The young man's heart melted at her sad pout. Seeing his best friend so young and vulnerable was painful, but even though he had tried, he couldn't find anything even vaguely resembling the girl's toy. Knowing Andy so well, he tried to prevent what he knew would be the beginning of a crisis. Caressing her hair, he reassured her. "Don't worry, Andy, Alicia is not here now, but we are, you see? You have a lot of people to protect you. Everything is going to be fine and you have nothing to be afraid of."

A deep frown covered her face as tears fell upon her cheeks. "But I can't sleep without my dragon. I'm afraid of the dark and of being alone in my bedroom. Mommy gave her to me to protect me."

As soon as Andy started to cry, Miranda left her work with the blocks and rounded the table, obviously affected by the other girl's sadness. Andy's sobs were so intense it melted everybody's heart. The fear and insecurity clear in her eyes, she turned her head to Miranda, who was now by her side and murmured, "When my Alicia is with me I don't miss my mommy. Now, I don't have my mommy or my Alicia."

Miranda offered her a hand. "You have me."

Suddenly the sobs abated as Andy considered Miranda's words. "But will you stay with me all night long, Miranda?"

The blond child seemed more confident and proud than should be expected of a five year old. "I'm not afraid of anything, not even when my brothers try to scare me, so you can sleep with me. I'll protect you much better than Alicia would."

Andy stood from the table, not crying anymore. Taking one of Miranda's little hands, she whispered, "But will you let me curl my fingers in your hair as I do with my little dragon?"

Miranda smile was beautiful as she pulled Andy along. "Yes, I will. Come, let's play upstairs. There are a lot of books and Caroline can tell us a story."

The young brunette held Miranda's hand firmly, forgetting everything about Alicia or her fears as the twins followed them to one of the guest rooms.

Doug stared at Nigel, struck by the scene. "That was weird. I never saw her forget Alicia so quickly. This is some kind of miracle."

Nigel sighed as he took the dishes to the counter. "Well, I hope that means the Muiraquitã is working its magic. One thing we can't deny – Andy found herself a real dragon."

…

In the guest room, Caroline dressed them in two sets of her own pajamas, obviously too big, making them even more cute. Taking her babysitting job very seriously, Cassidy went to her bedroom, looking for some fairytale books her mother had bought when they were younger.

When the girls were comfortably settled in the large bed, surrounded by games and books, Caroline bumped Cassidy's shoulder, whispering mischievously, "Hey, sis, we could boss Miranda around until she grows up again! What do you think about that?"

Miranda looked up immediately and her innocent eyes held a flash of something very familiar to the redheaded girls. "Nobody bosses me around, not even my brothers, and if you're not good to us, I will tell Uncle Nigel and you will be in such trouble!"

The twins' eyes widened in shock, as they remembered who exactly they were dealing with, despite the temporary age difference.

Pulling Andy even closer, the aggravated young blonde added, "Andrea and I are not playing with you anymore if you don't behave."

Andy accepted Miranda's protective hug, but didn't pay any attention to the conversation, already fascinated by the pictures in the books.

Caroline held her hands up. "Okay. You don't need to be angry; I was just kidding."

Miranda huffed and Cassidy approached, also climbing on the bed. Pulling Andy into her lap, she smiled. "Come on, I'll tell you a story before bedtime."

Andy clapped her little hands excitedly. "Yeah! Please, Cassidy, tell me a story about a princess as beautiful as Miranda. Let's find a book where the princess has blue eyes and bright golden hair."

Tilting her head, Miranda asked in a tiny voice, "Do you really think I'm beautiful, Andrea?"

Leaning forward in Cassidy's lap, Andy extended a smooth hand to Miranda's pale cheek. "You're the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. You're like a princess."

Touching her own face just where Andy's hand had been, Miranda whispered, "Nobody ever said I was as beautiful as a princess."

Caroline also came closer, mimicking Cassidy gesture and bringing Miranda to her lap. "But you are very beautiful, Mo-Miranda, and when you grow up you will be a princess."

Miranda offered than an adorable smile. "Princesses are nice, but I like queens more. Can I be a queen when I grow up, Caroline?"

Miranda's daughter hugged her mother tightly, kissing her head. "Of course you can be a queen. You can be anything you want."

Andy looked at Caroline impatiently. "Are you telling us a story or not?"

The redhead rolled her eyes. "My God, a few hours with Miranda and she's becoming impatient and demanding." Turning to the girls, she added, "So, what do you say we make up our own story?"

The girls loved the idea and Andy clapped her hands, as she always did when she was excited. "Yeah! I'll start!There's a princess and she is so, so beautiful and she has golden hair and blue eyes. She talks with little bunnies and birds and she likes to sing."

Cassidy looked at Miranda, encouraging her to continue. "What else?"

Miranda curled her hands around Caroline arms, which were around her waist. "She lives in a big castle and everybody does as she says. She dresses in beautiful dresses and she has a lot of friends and a lot of toys to play with."

As they talked and laughed together, the jade pendant shone brightly, beating like a small heart at Andy's neck.

…

At the door, Nigel observed the children, smiling at the scene. Cassidy had Andy curled up on her lap, smiling brightly while they created a story. Miranda and Caroline sat at the end of the bed and he noted Miranda's eyes were paying more attention to the brunette than to the story; she was obviously fascinated by her new friend. Sometimes she interrupted Cassidy, making little comments to attract Andy's attention and her face was proud when she got a smile in return. He felt bad having to interrupt their fun, but it was late and they should rest.

"Bedtime for all the princesses living in this castle."

The four children complained in unison and Andy tried to bargain. "Oh, but Uncle Nigel, the princess has not found the prince yet."

At that, Miranda inquired, "But how do you know she will find a prince? I bet she will find another princess and they will be friends forever and ever. They don't need any silly prince."

Nigel smiled, leading the youngest girl to bed. Once Miranda was comfortably settled, Andy approached her, laying her head on Miranda's shoulder as her little hand curled in Miranda's hair.

"Miranda, do you think she will find another beautiful princess like her? I love princesses! If this story has two princesses it will be the best story ever!"

"Well, we have to sleep now, but tomorrow I can tell you a story about two princesses."

"Oh, do you promise, Miranda?"

"Yes, I promise."

The blond girl hugged her closer and they dropped to sleep almost immediately.

….

Nigel had a drink in one hand and the tablet containing the digital version of Runway in the other. Now that the girls had finally succumbed to exhaustion, the house was silent. Doug and Emily were already in the guestrooms waiting for their respective companions.

Half an hour earlier, after putting the girls to sleep, Nigel joined Serena in Miranda's study, intending to work on The Book. Serena was obviously avoiding Emily and the talk she had postponed, using the research as an excuse.

The time they spent in front of the computer was not exactly conclusive, but they discovered some clues to solve the mystery. Emily found some stories about people who apparently had survived to tell of their experiences. According to those versions the magic faded once the couple surrendered to love.

Serena was barely awake in front of the computer. "I don't understand: why children?"

Nigel stared at Serena, not understanding her question. "Hmm?"

"Why did the amulet turn them into children? I mean, it's obvious that somehow the Muiraquitã worked, meaning they are destined to be together. The question is: why did they have to become children to find the way into each other's hearts?"

The bald man thought for a minute. "Innocence."

Tilting her head, Serena frowned. "What do you mean?"

Another long silence preceded his next words. "You know, adult lives are so full of problems: work, money, family, angst, fear. The lack of time, the daily complications make it difficult to return to simplicity. We are always so full of questions, looking for complicated answers, that sometimes we lose the simple ability to see the obvious but crucial questions. Look at them, so unaware of the craziness of this world. Here, in each other's arms, they have no problems, so they just dream about pure happiness."

Serena smiled. "You're probably right. They're so pure and cute like this. How long do you think it's going to take until they're back to being adults?"

"Well, I believe they will need to find the way into their own hearts and return to us when they're ready for each other."

Serena stood, stretching her legs. "It's strange to admit, but I'll really miss those two little brats when they're back to normal, even if all I can think about right now is a good night's sleep."

"Go get some rest, my friend; they won't probably wake until tomorrow. Go talk to Emily and get some sleep."

"Sleep is the last thing I want to do with her, but I'm so nervous. What if she takes it the wrong way?"

Nigel took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "I wouldn't be so worried if I were you. That woman loves you and when she hears your explanation she will understand this entire mess was caused by your affection. I only have one piece of advice to offer you."

"And that would be?"

"Behave! We have kids around. Lots of them."

…..

TBC