I'm not going to post anything for the next few days because I'll be away, but hopefully while I'm gone I'll have a chance to write more! Anyway, Chapter 28! Wow, this thing is getting long... Oh, and I'm going to put the link for the picture of Holly's dress on my profile page...I think it's pretty ^^
In Holly's mind, eight o'clock was way to long to wait, but she didn't have a choice. At least it gave her ample time to pick out a dress. She'd decided on one, hoping Artemis would like it.
It was strapless, the top decorated with an intricate silver design. The skirt was made of an almost silky material, the train extending behind. The top layer of the skirt was crossed over to the side. She hoped she wouldn't trip on the train though. That would certainly be embarrassing.
She checked the clock, impatient for No. 1 and Qwan to arrive. It was seven o'clock by now and Artemis was downstairs finger painting with Finn. She couldn't wait to be human sized so that she could show herself in the rest of the house and do things with Artemis and Finn.
She absently massaged the tip of one of her ears as she shut the lid on the laptop. Artemis had insisted that she keep her pointed ears, he said they made her who she was and whether she was taller or not, her ears would always define her from everyone else. She had resisted, as usual, but her resolve hadn't lasted long. Artemis, being Artemis, he had changed her mind in a matter or minutes. He always had better arguments than her. She sighed.
"Holly, are you ok?"
Holly whirled around on the chair to see No. 1 and Qwan standing by the door. She had no idea how they'd gotten in since the door was locked, but she really didn't care. She jumped off the chair and ran over to give No. 1 a hug. She then looked at Qwan.
"I thought you weren't going to be here for another hour," she exclaimed.
"Eight o'clock was just a guess," Qwan said, setting down a bag that he had been carrying on an old ornate chest.
Holly smiled. "Do you want to see my dress?"
No. 1 nodded. "Oh, yes please!"
Holly went back over to the desk and opened the laptop. She called up the internet page and pointed at it.
"That one."
No. 1 grinned. "You'll look so pretty."
Holly blushed. "Let's just hope Artemis thinks so."
"Let's hope Artemis thinks what?"
Holly slammed the lid down. "Nothing."
"She hopes that you think she'll look pretty in the dress she picked," No. 1 offered.
Holly shot him a glare.
Artemis chuckled and closed the door so no one would see the fairies. "Of course I will. You could wear whatever you wanted and I'd still think you were beautiful."
Holly's blush deepened. "Well, you'll just have to wait. You can't see it yet. But you have to pay for it," she added at the end.
"It'll be worth it," Artemis said. Then he turned to Qwan and No. 1. "Holly told me you wouldn't be here until eight."
Qwan rolled his eyes. "It was an approximation."
"I see. Well, let's get on with it then. I don't have forever. I have a grumpy son downstairs with tubes of finger-paint."
Holly laughed. Qwan nodded.
"Alright then, No. 1 can do Holly first."
No. 1 nodded and stepped towards Holly.
"I want to keep my ears," Holly stated, rather unnecessarily, as No. 1 wasn't intending to get rid of them anyway.
He nodded again and closed his eyes, massaging his temples to get the magic flowing. When he opened his eyes again, they were glowing. He touched two fingers to Holly's forehead.
"Grow," he said loudly and the magic snaked down his arms. It danced along, wreathing Holly's head in a halo of light. The light moved all down her body, sinking in at random intervals. Artemis watched until the intensity became too much and he had to close his eyes. Then there was a blinding flash and the light was gone.
Artemis looked back at Holly and he breath caught. In place of the three foot elf stood a beautiful 5'2" woman. She was slender as a willow tree and her auburn hair fell to her middle back, pointed ears sticking through, making her look like a tree spirit or some other such thing. Her mismatched eyes danced as she caught a glance of herself in a full length mirror across the room. She turned her gaze to Artemis and smiled. The corners of his mouth twitched up before a grin broke out on his face.
Holly ran over to him and hugged him. He lifted her off the floor and spun her in a circle before setting her back down.
"I told you that you wouldn't look weird taller."
"I'm just glad my clothes grew with me," Holly laughed.
Artemis smiled and kissed her.
Holly marveled at how much easier it was. They didn't have to be sitting or lying down anymore. She didn't need her wings. She could just stand on her toes…
"Alright Artemis, your turn," Qwan said, smiling.