A/N: Hello again. Welcome to chapter 12 of Turning Pages. I think I'm running out of things to say just like I'm running out of ideas for this story. I just want to thank you guys again for reading and to check out my newest story Why Won't You Love Me? It's a Grimm fanfic for those of you who watch that show. Oh! There is one bright side and that is the fact that this is the chapter where I finally put that poem that I wrote. Still open contest here just in case any of you have any ideas. *wink, wink* so, here is chapter twelve. *gestures dramatically as fog clears and story begins*

I walk into the garden with a plan. I clutch the paper in my hand nervously. I hope he likes it, I think to myself. I find him in his room with a canvas in front of him. I stand in the doorway and watch him paint for a few moments. I've never seen him so focused before and it brings a smile to my face. I get closer to see what he's painting. He quickly pulls a sheet out and covers it before I can get a good look. "You'll have to wait," he says turning to me and smiling.

"Can I get a hint?" I say but he just shakes his head and wraps me in his embrace.

"Hey, you'll see when it's finished. It's…something different," he says as he carefully moves it into a corner of the room.

"I bet it's wonderful," I say as he nods and I take my chance. "I have something to show you."

"What is it?"

I grow embarrassed and just stare at my feet. I know it isn't nearly as good at what he wrote for me but it's something so, wordlessly I unfold the sheet of paper that I had been clinging to like a small child's blanket. When I was locked away it gave me hope. It saved me just like he did at that dance where we met. I put all my nervousness away and begin to read a poem I called "Our Fairytale."

"Far away we flew
Into an endless sky
There was me and there was you
Our love was taking us high

But then the storm came fast
Black skies and lightening's flash
Nothing could darken the hope in our eyes
For our love could do nothing but fly

There was a wall that separated us two
Much too tall to climb and we couldn't dig through
So we banged our fists until the wall was no more
Now our love shall last forever and of that I was sure

I was under a spell
Too much sleep didn't do me well
But yet you still came
Your kiss to save the day
Our love here to stay

It was then that the forces that be
Saw that nothing could keep you away from me
And they finally allowed us to be
You to just be you and me to be me
For us to live together
Happily."

I finished and continued to just stare at the paper in front of me. I grew restless because he wasn't saying anything.

"I know it's not as great as yours but when I was away from you I was feeling so lonely and then I started thinking of you and…" I am unable to finish because his lips are on mine. I can't help but smile. "So, I'm guessing you liked it?" I say laughing.

"I loved it! I love you too," he says kissing my cheek. "You're wonderful."

"Thank you Vincent."

"No, thank you for 'our fairytale'," he says holding me closer.

We spend the rest of our time being together. I wished then that our circumstances were different but I soon forget about them and just enjoy his company. He looked so happy too. He went on to tell me about the stories he's writing and his newest paintings. I told him of some of the new books I had been reading. He pouted as I mentioned my obsession with many of the male characters.

"I'm just saying if he happened to be real, I would pass out from the intense fan girl that would happen soon after being in his presence," I say mock fainting onto the bed.

"Oh whatever, Page," he says looking up from the book he was reading to stick his tongue out at me. I gasp and do likewise. I laugh and just stare at the ceiling admiring the arrangement of flowers growing there. I reach my hand out as if to grab them but of course all I grab is air. I smile and think of all the things that are seemingly out of reach in my life. It is when I'm thinking these things that Vincent comes and takes my hand. I smile brightly at him. He leans down so that his face just floats above mine.

"Hello," I say laughing.

He laughs at me and says "Hi, my little Princess."

I just take that time to look at him for a few moments. The way his black hair falls into his face. His deep grey eyes as they stare straight into me. The best part I think is his smile. His smile, that always beings me hope. He's so beautiful. I wish, then, that I could just look at him like this every day. I hope our fairytale has a happy ending.

I stay with him for a little while longer. It was just he and I enjoying each other's company. He had just finished reading me a poem when he suddenly asked me, "Page, when is it?"

I already knew what he was talking about but I ask anyway. "When's what?"

"When are you getting married?" he asked and I immediately felt every part of him tense.

I sigh and say "I'm still unsure but I am supposed to be having an engagement ball soon so it will be a few weeks after that."

"A ball huh? So I guess I am no longer invited," he says bitterly. "I bet she hates me?"

"My mother? Oh yeah, big time. But it's okay because I still love you. My brothers seem to like you too and that is all that matters," I say rubbing circles on his hands.

He smiles and says "Yeah you're right. I can't help but be jealous though."

"Jealous of what?" I ask confused.

"Aaron," he says simply.

"There's no need. I'm not marrying him," I say with conviction.

"Yeah but, that's not it."

I turn to face him and ask, "Then what is it?"

"It's the fact that he gets to be public with you. I have to hide," he says not even looking at me just staring at the ring on my finger.

I hold his face in my hands and say, "We will be together soon. Officially and as public as you like. I'm not getting married to him. You can trust me on that. I have a plan."

"Oh really," he says raising an eyebrow.

I nod proudly and begin to tell him the details. He listens carefully and when I finish he says "You think that will work. He seems pretty set on marrying you and only you. Not that I don't have faith in you but…I do know that if he's anything he's loyal."

"I thought the same thing but it's worth a try. He knows I don't love him so…I think he may want someone who possibly can. Ash says he knows a girl. She'll be there and we just have to wait and let her work her magic although I really hope it won't take real magic to get us out of this."

"Me too. Will you come see me afterwards?" he says bringing me closer to him.

I smile and say "I don't know. I can't leave he castle without Aaron and I'm hoping he will leave with the girl. I need her to have his full attention. If I take him away then that could ruin the whole plan."

"I see," he says sadly. "Then, I'll see you in your dreams."

"Yeah, I'll see you in my dreams."

The night of the ball is a busy one. I spent all day preparing for it. My mother decided that since I was just lying around the castle and because she thought I might as well have one choice in this arrangement, I helped plan the ball. It was awful. I don't want to hear about one more setting or change of color or decoration ever. Again. In life.

So I welcomed that night as I knew my plan was about to come into action. I just had to sit back and watch. I hate how other people must come and be involved in my dressing on large occasions like these. They came in right as I was in the middle of a book too. I spent what felt like an eternity getting ready. I decided upon a masquerade theme. So I donned a silk royal blue dress with an intricate gold design shining thought it. I must say it is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. I do dislike, however, that I am wearing it for the wrong occasion. The wrong engagement.

They let my hair down and curl it into little ringlets so that they frame my face. My makeup was simple as always but they did apply a particularly dark shade of lipstick. Lastly, they handed me my mask which was the same color and design as my dress with a golden feather hanging from the side. It only covered my eyes which explained the lack of dramatic eye makeup that would usually be there. I stared in the mirror as always impressed with their work. They soon left and my brothers entered.

"You better not be bringing me bad news," I say. The last time, it was just Ash who came to see me as he warned about my impending surprise engagement. I hope it's nothing that bad even if there is two of them this time.

"No news, just came to see you. You look beautiful Page," says Ash.

I smile and say, "Thanks. Did you find her?"

"Yes and she agreed. She's wearing green and make sure you're away from Aaron long enough so she can make her move." I smile and think of Vincent. Green is his favorite color.

"I'll try, though I'm sure he'll be glued to my hip." I pick up a book. I realize that although things have changed I still feel strange going anywhere without a book in my hand. "Oh yeah you guys look great too," I say noticing my brothers. Sage chose to wear silver and Ash chose a dark, almost black shade of blue. They look amazing.

"Thanks," they say in unison. They do that a lot now.

We walk out together until we are met with Aaron waiting for me in the hall. They leave us and then it's he just he and I. "You look great," he says smiling. Aaron chose to wear a dark shade of red. His mask reminded me of flames and looked good against his blue eyes.

"So do you. Have you finished it yet?" I say as we walk towards the ball room.

"Not yet. But here is my general opinion of everyone. I hate Daisy and Tom. I don't care what anyone says I just don't trust them. I know Gatsby loves Daisy and all but just…no. I like Nick and Gatsby and I don't know how to feel about Nick's girlfriend, Jordan. I don't get her. Overall I like the book. I'm going to have to have you explain all the symbolism and such because I know it's there I just don't know where. I think that green light means something," he says holding the book firmly in his hands. I take it to find where he is.

"You're still pretty early. It gets crazy near the middle and yes the green light does have meaning."

"What does it mean?" he says his eyes shining brightly.

"The green light symbolizes Gatsby's longing for Daisy. It's like she's so close to him but still so far away. All he would have to do was cross the bay to get to her but he couldn't do that. He even started throwing these huge parties to impress her but none of that made a difference. She would always be too far away for him to reach." A silence washes over us. He just stares at the cover for a few minutes but his eyes look so far away. I try to close it as I say, "The closest thing he had to her was Nick and I think Nick might care for him more than Daisy does but I'm getting ahead. I'll let you make your own opinions."

He comes out of his trance and says, "Yeah, well it's the 1920's. I did a little research into it," he says sheepishly.

"I'm impressed. That's good though, it'll help you understand the meaning of it a little more. I loved this book. You wanna know my favorite part?" He nods vigorously and then I say, "It's when Fitzgerald is describing Gatsby smile."

He quickly flips to it and reads "'He smiled understandingly–much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced–or seemed to face–the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just so far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.'"

He paused for a moment before saying, "That was beautiful."

"I know right. I love it," I say as we continue to walk on and talk about the book and I begin to explain all the symbolism and other literary techniques that F. Scott Fitzgerald so wonderfully wove throughout this great novel. It is then that we reach the door to the ball room and he takes my hand as we step inside.

The ball goes well. Aaron and I dance and I pretend that I'm actually enjoying myself and that I'm so happy about the weeks to come. Aaron tires not to be too obnoxious with our fake romance. The most he does is kiss my cheek and hold my hand. When we dance he seems genuinely happy. I look around and I fail to see the girl in the green dress. I grow worried and excuse myself to talk to Ash.

"Where is she?" I ask anxiousness settling in my voice.

"She'll be here, Page. It's all about timing," he says calmly. I nod and walk back to Aaron.

"Is something wrong?" he asks concern falling over his face.

"No. Everything is perfect," I say. He smiles and we talk for a moment about what I'm reading.

The night goes on and I still don't see her. I begin to despair that she isn't going to show when suddenly a flash of green moves past me. I move away from Aaron and go to meet her. She spins around startled as I tap her shoulder.

"Hello. I'm Page," I say simply.

"I'm Melissa. Nice to meet you, Princess. You brother has informed me of your particular problem and I am here to help," she says taking off her mask. She, like all Fey, is very beautiful. She has long, curly brown hair and a very round face that compliments her wide crystal blue eyes. I think she shall do just fine.

"Good. And you are sworn to secrecy, understood?" I say and she nods. I smile and turn to look at Aaron as he casually mingles with the other guests. "He shouldn't be that difficult. He is very much a romantic. I just need you to grab his full attention." She nods and places her mask back on. "I got it. Now watch me work my magic," she says with a smile.

I watch her go and smile as she approaches Aaron. They seem to talk and I can clearly see her flirting with him but soon he smiles politely and excuses himself. The next thing I know he is in front of me saying "Hey, I was looking for you. You owe me another dance." I can't refuse so I dance with him. How did that not work?! I think to myself in panic. She'll have to try again. Obviously thinking the same as me Ash soon comes over and interrupts our dance.

"I would like a dance with my sister, if you don't mind," he says holding out his hand to me.

"Not at all!" Aaron says.

As Ash and I dance I look to him and from my expression he says "Calm down. Everything is going just as planned. Look."

I look over to see Aaron and Melissa dancing. Aaron looks happy as he laughs at something funny she says. "Now, will you actually enjoy yourself for once?" he says.

I laugh and say "You know I don't like dances."

"Ah, but you see this is no average dance. This, Page is a dance with me and not many get to have such an experience."

"Well aren't I lucky," I say sarcastically.

"Yes, yes you are," he says smiling.

As the ball starts to wind down I yawn and realize that since my dance with Ash I hadn't seen Aaron the whole night. I suppose that's a good thing. I start to head to my room when I hear a small giggle coming around the corner. I decide to have a peak. I see Melissa and Aaron together. Things clearly went the way I planned.

"I feel bad," I hear him say.

"You shouldn't. Besides she doesn't have to know," Melissa says sweetly.

"I guess you're right but…"

"Hey," she says interrupting him. "Did you have fun tonight or not? I had tons of fun with you Aaron."

He smiles and says "Yes. I had more fun than I have ever had."

"Now that's what I like to hear," she says running her fingers through his hair.

Aaron has his arms around her and I'm there to watch as he kisses her gently and she accepts it. I smile and turn away. I take another route and find my way to my room. I trade in all the make-up and finery for a pair of highly comfortable PJ's. I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

I wake up the next morning to a banging on my door. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and slightly crack the door.

"Who is it?" I say grogginess coating my voice.

"It's me," I here Aaron's voice call from the other side of the door. "Can I come in?"

I open the door and he comes in still wearing his cloths from last night although a bit disheveled. He looked like he had had an eventful night. His cloths wrinkled and a little lopsided on him match his hair which was suffering from a deep case of bedhead.

"Are you alright Aaron? No offense but you look a mess," I say closing the door behind him. I was nervous at first about letting him inside but I had made sure there was no alcohol at the party and I had hoped Melissa had kept him busy enough. I didn't smell any alcohol on him so this time I was safe. I still kept my guard up though.

"I'm fine I just…I have to tell you something," he says pacing my floor.

"Well couldn't it wait until after I had gotten ready?" I ask a little agitated that he woke me up.

"Yeah, yeah you're right, Page. Just meet me in the library when you're ready," he says as he walks out of my room.

I wonder what that was about, I think feeling very confused but yet highly interested.
I get dressed and start to walk toward the library ultimately prepared for anything.

A/N: *gasp* what is happening with Aaron? I wonder. *places hand on chin on ponders with my reader* I don't need to ponder because I already know. Wanna hear? Okay lean in closer so I can whisper it to you. Ha! Nope! Not today, at least, you will just have to wait until next chapter. I will say that it is a shocker. Anywho, I will have chapter 13 up soon. I said it once and I will say it again, this story is coming to an end. I realize now that I wasn't running out of ideas but simply I was just coming to the end. I mean I spend so much time figuring out how to get here and then I didn't even notice that I had gotten here already. I think this story has another four maybe five chapters left in it but that all depends on how long I make each chapter because this one I feel was kind of short. I will say that it has been fun you guys and I'm going to miss this world but you know what they say: every beginning comes from some other beginnings end and this is very well the beginning of the end for Turning Pages. However, if you really enjoy my writing I have two other stories posted to my profile and you could give those a look if you so choose. I will see all you wonderfully beautiful people next chapter. Thanks from Maria and Page.