"I never knew your sister could make those kind of noises before."
Aislinn laughed at Once-ler's comment.
Once-ler and Aislinn had woken up that morning and went straight to Gran and Melody's house and told them that they were officially engaged.
Gran had tears come to her eyes and she hugged both of them and Melody had started squealing and jumping up and down.
Melody had then demanded that her, Gran, and Aislinn head to town and look for wedding dresses that day. Aislinn had agreed to just look at dresses and her and Once-ler went home to change out of their pajamas.
Melody had come over 15 minutes later and had practically dragged Aislinn out of her house and into the car where Gran was waiting. Once-ler and the Lorax had come out onto the porch and waved at them as they left for town.
Melody chatted and squealed the entire way to town. Aislinn just smiled at her. She was proud that her sister was excited. Aislinn wanted Melody and Gran's help throughout this entire wedding process, because she was sure she was going to need all the help she could get.
When they had arrived in town they parked Gran's car and started walking around, window shopping, and sometimes they even went into stores when they saw something they liked. Melody asked hundreds of questions about the details of the wedding and what Aislinn wanted and what she wanted their children to look like. Gran had fussed that Melody was overwhelming Aislinn but Aislinn simply laughed and tried to answer Melody's questions as soon as they came out of her mouth. But the questions that dealt with the actual wedding details, were left open for change. Aislinn had told Melody that she wanted to include Once-ler on the planning.
They had stopped and ate lunch later on, then went to one more dress store. That's where Aislinn saw a dress in the window that actually caught her eye. It was different, yet beautiful at the same time.
"Aislinn?"
A familiar voice caught Aislinn's attention, and she turned toward the voice.
Standing there was Norma Wiggins, her best friend from high school. Norma's curly brown hair was down to her shoulders and she wore a simple yellow sundress. Her brown eyes were wide behind her glasses as she stared at Aislinn.
Aislinn grinned and ran to hug her friend.
"Norma!" Aislinn said, hugging her.
"How have you been?" Norma asked, hugging Aislinn back.
"I'm great!" Aislinn said, pulling back away from Norma. "I haven't seen you since graduation night!"
Norma smiled.
"Yep!" she said. "You left town that night didn't you?"
Aislinn nodded.
"Aislinn, aren't you going to introduce us?" Gran said, coming up behind Aislinn, with Melody following close behind her.
"Oh!" Aislinn said. "Sorry Gran. Norma this is my grandmother, Gran, and you know my little sister, Melody."
Norma shook Gran's hand and hugged Melody.
"It's nice to meet you," Norma said to Gran. "Melody is great to see you again!"
They all chatted outside of the dress store and caught up on Norma's life, and Norma got caught up on Aislinn and Melody's lives. They talked about how Aislinn and Melody had left town, then Aislinn went and lived with a friend, helped him start a business, then Gran and Melody had moved close by to where Aislinn and her friend lived. Aislinn didn't talk too much on detail about Once-ler, the Lorax and the animals. She loved and trusted Norma but she wasn't sure how she would react to knowing that Aislinn was marrying the once famous inventor of Thneeds, that she knew a talking fuzzy orange creature, and treated most of the animals in the valley as her own children.
But that subject was brought up by Melody, after Norma had asked why they were in town.
"Oh we're here looking for wedding dresses!" Melody squealed. "Aislinn and Once-ler are getting married in Truffula Valley!"
Aislinn shot a look at Melody, which Melody ignored.
"Once-ler?" Norma said. "We didn't go to school with him did we? His name sounds familiar."
Aislinn gave a shaky smile.
"No we didn't go to school with him," Aislinn said. "He's the friend I went and moved in with. He's also the inventor of Thneeds."
Norma's jaw dropped.
"You're marrying THE Once-ler?" Norma said.
Aislinn grinned and nodded her head.
"Maybe you can meet him?" Gran said. "We're about to have to leave and prepare for supper. Why don't you join us?"
"Oh I can't impose!" Norma said, waving her hands in front of her.
"You wouldn't be imposing!" Aislinn said. "You got a car, right? You can just follow us out to the houses. We don't mind! And besides, if you're going to my bridesmaid, you need to meet my future husband and family!"
Norma grinned and agreed, and they all set out to the houses.
By the time they all arrived it was getting dark.
Aislinn introduced Norma to Once-ler and the Lorax and the animals. It took a little bit for Norma to grasp that the Lorax was the 'guardian' of the valley. But in the end, she was actually ok with it. The animals took an instant liking to Norma and followed her around like little lost puppies. Aislinn found it cute. Norma was shocked to see that Once-ler actually acted like a normal person, not some rich snobby man that always talked about his business and/or his money. Once-ler then explained that he no longer made Thneeds and he was actually thinking about maybe running for mayor of Greenville. Norma promised she would vote for him.
While they all ate at Aislinn and Once-ler's house, they talked about wedding details. Once-ler said that Aislinn could have whatever she wanted for the wedding, that he wanted what she wanted.
Surprisingly, they managed to get all the wedding details sorted out that night. Once-ler and Aislinn picked July 30th to be the date, and Aislinn wanted green, white, and pink for her colors. Once-ler would wear a black suit, with a green undershirt on with the black and green striped tie that he used to wear with his old business suit. Aislinn had also asked would he wear a black fedora with a green band around it, and of course Once-ler agreed. Melody and Norma would wear an ankle length strapless dress with a slit running up one leg that ran from their ankles to their knees. The dress would be a pale pink with a darker pink belt that went around their waist that also had a flower attached to it. Then Aislinn wanted Sweet Peas, Daisy's, Peony's, and Rose's for her flowers, and all of them would be white and pink. Gran then said she had found the perfect dress that she wanted to wear. It was a little similar to the Melody and Norma's dress, but the flower on the belt had a ruffle hanging down from it. And the top of the dress had pretty lace on it, and it came with a lace ¾ length sleeve jacket, and it came in a pale green color. Pipsqueak would be the ring-bearer, and the Lorax was going to be Once-ler's best man. Aislinn had wanted Once-ler to ask Bret and Chet to be apart of the wedding party, but knew that it was a little early to ask Once-ler to that. But Aislinn was going to invite them to the wedding, but whether they came or not was up to the twins.
By the time Norma, Gran and Melody left Aislinn and Once-ler's house that night, they had everything planned. Everything that is except what Aislinn would be wearing. They all had asked Aislinn several times had she seen a dress she liked, but she lied and said that none caught her eye today. She did agree to go look again in a couple of days when Norma was off of work.
They all said good night and Norma drove home, and Gran and Melody went in their house for the night.
Aislinn cleaned up the kitchen, while Once-ler took a shower. Aislinn hummed happily at the thought that in less than three months she would be married.
She put the last of the dishes away and went and collapsed on her bed. She lay there for a little bit then felt another weight lay down next to her.
"Who knew that wedding planning was so exhausting?" Once-ler chuckled.
Aislinn smiled and turned her head to the right to look at Once-ler. He was laying on his back with his head turned to face Aislinn and he was wearing just his bunny pajama pants.
"You weren't dragged all over town to nearly every dress store," Aislinn said, wiggling her way to be next to Once-ler.
"I'm glad I wasn't," Once-ler said, wrapping his arm around Aislinn as she cuddled up next to him.
They laid there for awhile in the dark of their bedroom.
"Did you find any dress you liked?" Once-ler asked.
Aislinn nodded her head.
"Actually," she said. "There was one in the last store we went to, but we ran into Norma and got to talking and then we never went in there."
"Well," Once-ler said. "You need to go check it out. What did it look like?"
"I'm not telling you," Aislinn smiled. "It's bad luck to know what your bride's dress looks like before your wedding day."
"So you're going to make me wait?" Once-ler said.
"Yep!" Aislinn said, closing her eyes to go to sleep.
"But Ais!" Once-ler whined. "I want to know!"
"No way!" Aislinn said.
Once-ler huffed.
"Fine," he said. "I'll wait."
"Good," Aislinn said, leaning up and kissing Once-ler. "Good-night Once."
"Night," Once-ler said, trying to sound like he was upset.
"It's not working," Aislinn said, figuring out what he was trying to do.
Once-ler shrugged.
"Thought I could at least try," he said.
"Try, being the key word," Aislinn said.
Once-ler rolled his eyes.
Soon they both fell asleep.
A week went by and Gran, Melody and Aislinn went to town and met up with Norma. Aislinn asked could they go to the last dress shop they had went to last time and everyone agreed.
By the time they got to the store, Aislinn saw that the dress she liked was no longer in the window.
"Oh I'm hope I'm not too late," she muttered to herself.
The group walked in the store and was greeted by a middle-aged woman with auburn hair and dark brown eyes. The woman smiled at them.
"Hello," she said, walking up to the group. "My name is Arizona. Can I help you with something?"
Aislinn smiled at Arizona.
"My name is Aislinn," she said. "And I was wondering if you still have the dress I saw in your window about a week ago?"
Arizona put her hand under her chin in thought.
"A week ago you said?" she asked.
Aislinn nodded, and started to pray. She had not been able to get the dress out of her head since last week, so she knew that she wanted this dress.
"Oh!" Arizona said. "We still have that dress! We just took it down this morning to hang back up on the rank!"
Aislinn sighed in relief.
"May I see that one please?" she asked.
Arizona smiled and nodded.
"Would you like to try it on?" she asked.
"Yes please!" Aislinn said.
"Alright then!" Arizona said. "If you'll follow me we'll get the dress and put it on you."
Arizona looked at Gran, Melody, and Norma.
"If you can have a seat out here," she said. "I'll bring her out as soon as we have her dressed."
The group smiled, nodded, then sat down on a couch just outside the dressing area.
They sat and talked for about 15 minutes, when Arizona rounded the corner, beaming at them.
"She is gorgeous!" she said. "Aislinn you can come out here now dear."
Aislinn took a deep breath and walked around the corner of the dressing room.
Melody, Gran, and Norma gasped.
Aislinn was gorgeous!
The dress was a pure white that had a one shoulder strap design. The one strap had two big flowers, one on top of the other, along the strap. The flowers had pearls and little feathers coming out of each of them.
The main body of the dress wasn't too tight, but tight enough to show off Aislinn's curves. It looked like the material of the dress had been pulled to Aislinn's right side and pinned at her hip with another flower that was the same as the ones on the straps. Ruffling of the material from the dress seemed to fall down from the flower on Aislinn's hip all the way down to the floor. The dress had a train behind it as well.
Aislinn fidgeted a little with her family and friend just staring at her.
"Well?" she questioned, nervous about their response.
"Oh. My. God," Norma said.
"You have to get that dress!" Melody squealed.
"That one is the one," Gran said, tears coming to her eyes.
"You think so?" Aislinn said.
"Have you not seen yourself in the mirror?" Norma asked, standing up and turning Aislinn around to herself in the mirror.
Aislinn had to do a double take of herself. She never knew she could look good in a dress. That's why she always wore pants or shorts.
"I'll take this," Aislinn whispered.
"Wonderful!" Arizona said. "Did you want a veil or jewelry?"
"Yes she does," Gran said.
"But Gran," Aislinn said. "I only have enough to buy the dress."
"Who said you were getting the veil and the jewelry?" Gran said, smiling.
Aislinn smiled.
"Thank you Gran," she said, hugging the older woman.
"Consider it a gift from your mother and me," Gran smiled.
Gran then leaned up to Aislinn's ear.
"Your mother would be so proud of you and Melody right now," she whispered in Aislinn's ear.
"I'm glad," Aislinn smiled, tears coming to her eyes.
They soon got a pretty veil that came down below Aislinn's waist. The veil had lace bordered at the end of it and little lace designs with crystals throughout the lower part of the veil. The jewelry was simple yet pretty. The necklace and bracelet had a teardrop diamonds in it and they shaped different size flowers all the way around. And the earrings were simple dangling teardrop diamonds.
They left with the dress, veil, and jewelry and agreed to keep it hidden at Gran and Melody's house. Aislinn had already told everyone that Once-ler was trying to get her to tell him what the dress looked like already.
They said good-bye to Norma and went home.
"Are you sure we have everything?" Aislinn asked for the hundredth time that morning.
"Yes sweetie," Gran said. "We have everything ready."
"Alright," Aislinn said, fidgeting with her dress.
It was the day of the wedding. Everything was ready and Aislinn was a nervous wreck.
Nearly everyone they knew in town was there, and to Aislinn's surprise, even Bret and Chet had come. The twins had actually come in the room where Aislinn was getting ready to check on her, give her hug and apologize for their mother's behavior toward her.
Now it was just her and Gran standing in Aislinn's living room, waiting to hear the music to signal for Aislinn to come walk down the aisle. Gran was standing next to Aislinn in her pale green dress, and her shoulder length hair curled at the bottom and hanging down. Aislinn's hair was in a loose and messy pinned up ponytail. Her wavy hair was curled a little more, and she had little crystals throughout her hair.
Norma and Melody were already outside, walking down the aisle with their flowers in their hands.
The wedding had been decorated by Aislinn, Gran, Melody and some of the animals the night before and some this morning. The food had been prepared and was waiting till the end of the ceremony for everyone to eat. The flowers were probably Aislinn's favorite part of the wedding. The flowers she had picked actually held a meaning to them. They were the flowers of her birth month and Once-ler birth month. And just like her and Once-ler, the flowers somehow fit together perfectly.
The music began.
"You ready?" Gran said, holding out her arm for Aislinn.
"As I'll ever be," Aislinn smiled.
They walked outside and saw everyone standing up.
Aislinn was a little nervous having all these eyes watching her, but soon she looked at Once-ler and tried not to laugh at his expression.
Once-ler's eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly open, then it looked like he might even cry. The Lorax, who was holding Pipsqueak's hand, elbowed Once-ler in the leg, and Once-ler just sniffed and looked back at Aislinn.
Gran and Aislinn was soon by Once-ler and Gran gave Aislinn's hand to Once-ler. She hugged them both and went and sat on the front row.
Soon the preacher was speaking and the vows were said. Aislinn found it funny that the most important parts of the ceremony weren't really being heard by her and Once-ler because they kept glancing at each other and grinning like idiots.
They soon said their 'I do's' and placed their wedding bands on each other. Once-ler's ring was titanium with a line through the middle of the band with notches running through the line. Aislinn's wedding band was white gold with small diamonds that ran over the entire top of the band.
Then the moment that everyone was waiting for.
"You are now husband and wife!" the preacher said. "You may kiss your lovely bride."
Once-ler grinned then grabbed Aislinn and dipped her down, and kissed her. There was cheering from the crowd and some crying coming from the Lorax. When they broke apart and stood upright, Pipsqueak jumped up into Aislinn's arms. Aislinn held the little Barbaloot and took Once-ler's hand, then they walked down the aisle and laughed and smiled with everyone else. Once-ler even patted his brother's on the back when he and Aislinn passed them.
"Now this is a great way to start a new life," Once-ler whispered in Aislinn's ear.
Aislinn grinned back at him.
11 Years Later:
"You can't catch me Pip!"
"Yea! You can't catch us Pipsqueak!"
Two boys were running away from a medium sized Barbaloot near the river in Truffula Valley. Both boys had black hair and gold eyes, and they were both tall and lanky for their ages.
"Boys be careful!" called a woman from the porch.
"We will Mom!" the boys called back together.
They soon were running again with Pipsqueak following behind them, chasing them.
"Don't worry so much sweetie," an elderly woman said, sitting in a rocking chair next to the woman. "They are boys! They are going to get hurt and dirty. It's just natural to them."
"I know Gran," the woman sighed, sitting next to Gran. "Can't help but worry though. I am their mother."
Gran smiled, sitting in her favorite chair and reading a book. Gran was wearing her favorite old pale blue sundress and was wearing her pink house shoes.
"You know Melody and Charlie are coming over tonight," Gran said, rocking in her chair. "You are cooking her favorite dish aren't you Aislinn?"
Aislinn smiled. Her pale sleeveless pink top rippled in the light breeze that blew, and she had her hands on her hips, which had her favorite faded light blue jeans on them.
"Of course Gran," Aislinn replied.
It had been 11 years since Aislinn and Once-ler had gotten married. And it was still strange to her that she was a mother to a 5 and 3 year old boys. Jason was the oldest and Wesley, or Wes, was the youngest. But both boys were full of energy and loved to get into things. And strangely enough, invent things just like their father. Aislinn and Once-ler had waited on having children till they were settled in what they wanted to do in life. Since Once-ler wasn't making Thneeds anymore, he wanted to find something else to do. That ended up becoming mayor of Greenville for nine years now. Aislinn had decided to be Once-ler's secretary, since that was the only job she had ever really held and Once-ler happily agreed to her idea.
Aislinn and Once-ler hadn't really aged much over the last 11 years. They both looked like they were 18 and 20 still, not 29 and 31. Aislinn's dark blonde hair was still shoulder length and her gold eyes still were bright and young.
Aislinn turned when she heard a car pulling up into the driveway. She smiled when she recognized the car as her husband's.
"I'm going to greet Once-ler before the boys notice he's here," Aislinn said to Gran, who grinned and nodded to her.
Aislinn looked to see the boys were still having fun playing with Pipsqueak and walked toward the back of her house to where Once-ler was slowly getting out of the black car they owned.
Once-ler stepped out of the car and stretched. He was wearing a black suit with his green and black striped tie on and a white undershirt on. He took off his jacket and threw it back into the car and loosened his tie, letting it hang around his neck.
"Hard day?"
Once-ler looked up and saw his wife walking toward him. He then heard the boys' laughter and squeals coming from the front yard.
Once-ler smiled and opened his arms up to Aislinn. She rolled her eyes but walked into the welcoming arms and hugged Once-ler.
"You always want a hug as soon as you get home from work," Aislinn said, looking up into Once-ler's pale blue eyes.
"I just have to remind myself sometimes that this is all real," he said kissing the top of Aislinn's head.
Aislinn cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Well of course this is real," she said. "Do you want it to not be?"
"I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world," Once-ler said, kissing Aislinn gently.
"Daddy's home!"
"Daddy! Daddy!"
"And there goes my alone time with you Mr. Mayor," Aislinn laughed.
Jason and Wes ran toward their father while Pipsqueak stood by the house smiling.
Once-ler squatted down to the ground and opened his arms up to his boys.
"There's my boys!" he said, as Jason and Wes hugged him.
Aislinn smiled watching Once-ler with their sons. She remembered how afraid he was about becoming a father when they first found out that she was pregnant with Jason. Aislinn had told Once-ler that he would be a great father and that he had nothing to worry about. But Once-ler never stopped worrying. Not until the first time he held Jason in his arms. Aislinn had watched, exhausted from her 8 hours of labor, as she handed Once-ler their son. His eyes widened and he was tense at first. That was until Jason smiled and gurgled happily at Once-ler and grabbed one of Once-ler's fingers. After that Once-ler was excited. He had exclaimed for Aislinn to look, while she laughed at him. Once-ler then made a point to tell everyone that visited of what had happened the first time he held Jason.
Funny thing was, the same thing happened with Wes. But instead of grabbing Once-ler's finger and holding it, Wes grabbed it and then put it in his mouth and grinned at Once-ler.
Yes these boys had Once-ler wrapped around their fingers and they had no idea.
"Daddy guess what!" Jason exclaimed when him and Wes finally let go of Once-ler.
"Yea Daddy!" Wes said. "Guess! Guess!"
Once-ler chuckled.
"What?" he said.
"Pip let us get closer to the river today!" Jason said.
"And Uncle Lorax let us plant some new Truff tree seeds!" Wes chimed in.
Aislinn tried not to laugh at Wes calling Truffula trees 'Truff' trees. He had a little trouble with saying the whole word still.
"Oh really?" Once-ler said, emphasizing the wonder in his voice.
The boys nodded and each grabbed Once-ler's hands and tugged him toward the front yard.
Aislinn watched as Once-ler walk with the boys to the front yard where she heard the Lorax greet Once-ler and began to tell him what he and the boys did that day.
"How do you tell those two boys apart?"
Aislinn turned to see a very pregnant Melody and her husband getting out of their car.
"I didn't hear you pull up!" Aislinn said, walking over to help Melody out of her car.
"Ais please!" Melody said. "I'm just 8 months pregnant! Not some injured or sick person!"
Aislinn chuckled then looked at Charlie, Melody's husband.
"Hey Charlie," she said, smiling.
"Hey Aislinn," Charlie replied, grinning.
"Is she like this all the time?" Aislinn asked.
Charlie nodded.
"24/7," he chuckled.
Charlie was a handsome red head with green eyes; he was a felloe doctor that worked with Melody. They had been married for two years now and Melody was 8 months pregnant with their first child.
Melody had decided that she wanted to be a doctor, and went to school and paid for her own way. Once-ler and Aislinn had offered to help her pay, but Melody wanted to do it herself, so they respected her wishes and let her do it herself. And all her hard work paid off. She was one of the best doctors in the area, and at the Greenville Hospital, where Melody works, is where she met Charlie, another doctor as well. They both lived in a house in Greenville so it was easier for them to reach the hospital faster.
"You never answered my question Ais," Melody said, walking to the front door of the house.
"Jason has Once's straight hair," Aislinn said, catching up to Melody and opening the door to the house. "And Wes has my wavy hair. That's how I tell them apart. Because they both have black hair and gold eyes and have their father's build."
"Those poor things," Melody smiled.
Once-ler and Aislinn's house hadn't changed much over the years either. More pictures now hung up on the walls and toys were in various boxes around the house.
Aislinn had already prepared supper and had set the table.
"You fixed my favorite!" Melody exclaimed, sitting roughly in a chair at the table. "Fried Salmon patties!"
Aislinn smiled.
"I'm glad you approve," she said. "We're still waiting on Norma and Helen. I'll go help Gran over here."
"We'll go get Gran!"
Aislinn turned to see Jason, Wes and Once-ler coming in the house, and she saw Norma and her little girl Henrietta, or Helen, was behind them.
"We made it!" Norma laughed.
Norma had it rough the last few years. She had been married about 7 years ago and then she had little Helen about the same time Aislinn had Jason. The man that Norma married though was abusive, and Aislinn helped her get away from the man. He was now out of the picture of Norma and Helen's life for good.
Helen was the spitting image of Norma, and she didn't talk much till she warmed up to you. Then the little girl would talk your ears off.
"Go get Gran boys," Aislinn said, as the boys ran next door to get Gran.
Norma and Helen sat down at the table along with Melody and Charlie and Norma and Melody began talking about girl names for Melody's baby. Everyone was super excited to find out that Melody was having a girl. Especially Aislinn. Since she had two boys she was ready to dress up something in pretty clothes and not worry if they would be destroyed in less than 30 seconds.
Gran and the boys came in and sat at the table, while Aislinn and Once-ler fixed drinks for everyone and brought the food to the table.
They all chatted away and laughed the rest of the evening.
Soon though, Gran became tired and Once-ler and Charlie walked her home, and then Norma took a sleepy Helen home, and soon Melody and Charlie left when they saw Jason and Wes yawning. Melody insisted on helping Aislinn with the dishes before she would leave though. So after everything was cleaned up and put away, Melody and Charlie all said goodnight and left Aislinn and Once-ler with two sleepy boys.
Aislinn and Once-ler managed to get the boys a bath and into their pajamas before they completely fell asleep. Once-ler and Aislinn tucked them into their beds, which was in a room they shared, kissed them both and closed their door quietly.
"I believe I'll take a shower," Aislinn said, heading to their bedroom.
Once-ler nodded and followed her into their bedroom and took his shoes, socks and tie off.
Aislinn got out of the shower and put on one of Once-ler's tan wife beater shirts and a pair of black shorts. These were her new pajamas, and she loved them. The shorts were comfortable and Once-ler's shirt smelt like him. There was many nights that Once-ler had to stay in town late or over night, and wearing something of his made Aislinn feel better. She still couldn't get a full nights sleep unless Once-ler was in the bed with her, even after all these years.
Aislinn walked into their bedroom and noticed that Once-ler wasn't there. She frowned slightly and began looking for him. She wandered into the living room and glanced around noticing the picture's they had accumulated over the years.
Some were of when they were building the houses all those years ago, then they went to Aislinn and Once-ler's wedding pictures. They were all smiles and laughter in those pictures. Then the pictures were of Aislinn and Melody as kids and a few of Once-ler and Bret and Chet as kids.
Aislinn paused at a picture of Once-ler with his brothers taken right before Bret and Chet's accident. She picked it up and smiled sadly at it. It was just after Wes was born when Bret and Chet were killed in a drunk driver accident. The car the drunk driver was driving crossed the middle line of the road and had hit Bret and Chet head on. The twins were killed instantly. Once-ler had cried for days, and Aislinn had cried along with him. Once-ler and his brothers had become real close after the twins had gotten away from Isabella, who no one knew where she was now. The twins were there at Aislinn and Once-ler's wedding, and they seemed to find some excuse to come over nearly every night for supper. The twins were even there to greet both their nephews into the world. But they would never get to see them grow up.
Aislinn put the picture down, wiping a tear from her eye, and glanced at a few more pictures. Some were of her, Norma, and Melody. Some were of Gran, Aislinn, and Melody, and then there was some of just Aislinn and Once-ler. Pictures of the animals, pictures of Aislinn, Once-ler, the Lorax and Pipsqueak, pictures of the Lorax, then pictures of Melody graduating from medical school. Then the pictures went to Once-ler in his suit sitting at his mayor's desk, Aislinn and Once-ler and some friends at a awareness rally for the valley, then Aislinn being pregnant with both the boys. Then there were some of Melody and Charlie when they started dating, then at their wedding. And of course pictures of Jason and Wes from the time each of them was born to the present.
Once-ler had joked with Aislinn that she had too many pictures.
"I'm just making sure all of this is real," she had replied to him.
Aislinn looked around at all her pictures again, then finally saw Once-ler sitting on the front steps of their porch facing the river. Aislinn walked out and sat next to him on the top step, bringing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.
"Solving the world's problems?" she asked, laying her head on her knees to where she could see Once-ler.
Once-ler chuckled. He was barefooted and he had undone his shirt and left it hanging open. The moonlight shined on them and Aislinn could still see a hint of a scar where Once-ler had been shot by his own mother so many years ago.
"No I'm just thinking," he said, smiling at Aislinn.
"About what?" she asked.
"If this is all real," he said, looking at the boys' windows, then back at Aislinn. "We should have had different lives than this."
"True," Aislinn said, letting her legs stretch out in front of her as she moved to sit right next to Once-ler. "But we got a chance at a different life. And see how much better it is? And how we've tried to make the best of it?"
Once-ler smiled and wrapped his arm around Aislinn's shoulders and pulled her next to him.
"Yes it is better than what it was," he said.
Once-ler still had nightmares of when the valley was barren and nothing but a wasteland. He would often scramble out of the bed to look out of his and Aislinn's bedroom window to check on Truffula Valley. Aislinn would always be there to tell him that it was just a dream, and that the valley was still there.
Once-ler looked at his wedding band on his left hand. His hand was lying on top of Aislinn's left hand, which was resting on his right leg, and her ring and wedding band sparkled in the moonlight. He squeezed her hand and Aislinn glanced up at Once-ler's face, smiling at him and snuggling closer to him.
Once-ler glanced back toward the house where the boys were sleeping. Never in his life had he experienced love in such as way as he felt toward his children and toward his wife. He knew that he was blessed.
Once-ler pulled Aislinn even closer and rested his cheek on top of her head.
"We've had a great second life, haven't we?" he said, smiling softly.
Author's Note:
I don't own the Lorax or the Once-ler ot his crazy family
I do own Aislinn, Melody, and Gran
This was probably my favorite chapter to write. I loved the idea of their family and that Aislinn and Once-ler always knew that they could have had such a different life than what they have in this story.
Alright! Time for links so you can see outfit's!
Aislinn's Dress: disney-boutique/bridal-gowns/ariel-collection-2/
Aislinn's Veil: disney-boutique/veils/tiana-collection-1/
Norma and Melody's Dresses: disney-boutique/royal-maidens/style-505/ (I changed the colors)
Once-ler's Wedding Band: ProductDisplayEnlargeView?langId=-1&storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&imgDir=2519&partNumber=251965606&imageAttributes=true&main=true
Aislinn's Wedding Band: ProductDisplayEnlargeView?langId=-1&storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&imgDir=5310&partNumber=531069007&imageAttributes=true&main=true&side=true&profile=true
Aislinn's Ring: ProductDisplayEnlargeView?langId=-1&storeId=10101&catalogId=10001&imgDir=5310&partNumber=531069007&imageAttributes=true&main=true&side=true&profile=true
And here's the link to what their houses look like:
Gran and Melody's house: .
Once-ler and Aislinn's house: .