Chapter 12: Full Healing

Two months had passed since the Stemwrithes had been arrested and given life sentences in jail and not only did peace come over the Hauntley household, there was a definite change in Emily. She wasn't as frightened anymore of everything and she was now quite talkative, a huge change from when she had first been adopted by the Hauntleys. She now giggled as she led Vampirina to their parents' room. "Let's play dress-up," the four-year-old said.

Vampirina grinned. "That sounds great!" She said. "I haven't played dress-up in a while."

They found a couple of Oxana's dresses and high heeled shoes, giggling as they tried them on, being careful they didn't trip over the dresses or shoes. Giggling again, they went over to the dresser and pretended to put on Oxana's makeup and even fixed their hair in styles that they had seen some women wear their hair in. Vampirina had her hair piled up on her head in a bun and Emily had hers in two high pigtails that joined together in a braid.

Vampirina suddenly gasped. "Purses!" She said. "We can't forget purses."

They found two of their mother's purses, which were empty and put them on their shoulders, giggling as they walked down the hall. "Let's go down the street for tea, big sister," Emily said, trying to sound like an elegant lady and making her older sister giggle.

"Yes. I know the best little tea shop just this way," Vampirina said in a pretend, grown-up voice as they headed for her room. A tea set was all set out on a table and they sat down. "Some sweet tea, dear sister?" She asked.

"Oh, yes please," Emily said, holding up an empty cup daintily as her older sister 'poured' the tea.

"And some fresh baked cookies?" Vampirina asked, holding up a plate of fake, but yummy looking cookies.

"Oh, you're too kind, dear sister," the young girl said, trying to hold back her growing giggles.

Boris came up to check on the girls and had to smile when he saw them pretending to be ladies at tea and he motioned his wife closer. "Our little girls are playing pretend," he said.

She looked in, also smiling. "So that's where my dresses and purses went," she said, but really wasn't mad. They saw Emily get up and try to strut around the room in the high heels, but tripped a little bit before catching herself, giggling.

"Oh, it's such a glorious day," Emily said.

"Yes, perfect for tea," Vampirina said, both girls still using grown-up voices before they fell over giggling.

Hearing their parents chuckle, they looked to see Oxana and Boris smiling at them. "You two look so cute," Oxana said.

"We were pretending to be grown up ladies like you, Mommy," Emily said.

"But we're just a little too small to be grown-up quite yet," Vampirina said. "But that's okay."

After they had played pretend, the girls settled to color a picture together and then they played some board games, even teaming together against invisible players. Soon, Emily got an idea and motioned Vampirina to follow her. The two snuck downstairs were Remy was cooking dinner and was now just waiting for the water in a pan to boil and the meat the cook in the oven. Sneaking around carefully, the girls managed to get behind Remy and Emily jumped out at him. "Hi, Remy!" She greeted happily.

Slightly startled, the skeleton chef jumped a little, but then caught her in his arms. "Oh? Thought you could surprise me, hmm?" He asked playfully, tickling her side to make her giggle. She often would sneak up on him and he knew she did it so that he'd tickle her. He now caught Vampirina too and tickled her playfully, making her laugh.

A moment later, the doorbell screamed and Oxana answered it to find Mr. Gore on the doorstep. "Oh, Mr. Gore, come in," she said. "You're just in time for lunch. Won't you join us?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Hauntley," Mr. Gore said. "I do apologize for dropping by unannounced."

"Oh, that's fine," Oxana said. "How is Emily doing in school?"

"That's what I came to tell you and your husband about," he said. "Emily is doing very well and her grades have greatly improved now that she doesn't have to worry about those two anymore."

"That's wonderful to hear."

"And how is she doing here at home?"

"Wonderful," said the proud mother. "She's come out of her shell and is very talkative."

Mr. Gore nodded, pleased to hear that Emily was doing so well and as they were eating lunch, he addressed her. "Emily, I was wondering, would you like to participate in the school spelling bee?" He asked.

Emily nodded eagerly. "Can I?" She asked hopefully.

He nodded. "I'll let the principal know to put your name on the list," he said.

"We can help each other practice for it," Vampirina said excitedly as she was in the spelling bee too.

After lunch, Mr. Gore had headed out to visit some more of his students' families and the police sergeant paid them a visit and check on Emily. As he was her great uncle, the Hauntleys felt that he deserved to be a big part of her life and the little girl was always happy to see her great-uncle and show him what she did in school.

Later that night, before bed, Emily pulled up her favorite Disney songs and some others. She selected the song "When Can I See You Again?" by Owl City and began singing along with it. She loved the song because it meant a lot to her and often, Vampirina would sing it along with her.

The next song she sang was "Part Of Your World", another song she absolutely loved. While she was speaking more, she still sang her favorite songs to keep her vocal cords strong as she did occasionally stumble with speaking, but took it in stride.

The scars she had once carried had now healed and while she still had the bad memories surface now and then, she was on the road to full healing, thanks to her family.

So, Emily finally has found peace. :)

The song "When Can I See You Again?" belongs to Owl City and was in the movie "Wreck-It-Ralph", which belongs to its respective owners. The song "Part Of Your World" comes from "The Little Mermaid" and both belong to Disney.

Next chapter is the epilogue. :)

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GoldGuardian2418