Author's Note: Here we are at last, the final chapter of Cinder-Emily. I must say I enjoyed writing this piece very much and I really really hope you enjoyed reading it as I have writing it. Thank you, as ever to Rugbygirrl and LacytheRomanWerewolf for reviewing every chapter. And to everyone who reviewed, I thank you. This story could never have come to be without your support. And now with further ado, I present to you, Emily's Happily Ever After.
P.S: Happy belated Thanksgiving or Hanukkah to those who do celebrate it. Hope you guys have had a great day!
It seems dear readers, now that our heroine has finally found her Prince that the tale has finally come to a close. As Aaron pulls his love into his arms for a warm embrace, a brilliant flash of light blinds the room's occupants, and Dave, the all-knowing, all-seeing fox that he is, smirks for he knows just who would be making their appearances.
Penelope squealed and grasped at Jennifer's arm as she tumbled out of seemingly thin air, whereas her taller counterpart gracefully stepped out from behind Penelope, straightening her periwinkle blue dress. Erin shrieked and flailed wildly back into the settee as Beth just stared dumbly at the two fairy godmothers' appearance, mouth gaping open.
Emily grinned and disentangled herself from Aaron's arms, enveloping the two women in tight hugs, "Jennifer, Penelope!"
The shorter fairy squealed and peppered the brunette's cheek with kisses, "Sugar plum! How lovely to see you once more! So this is your young man!" Bustling over to Aaron, whose eyebrows had risen far above, Penelope poked his arm and chest, huffing before she smiled brilliantly at him. "I suppose he shall do." She wagged her finger at him, a frown adorning her brow. "You take care of my peaches, you hear me? Or I'll turn your hair pink!" Taking a glance at the darkening face of the stoic footman standing at the foot of the settee, she stuck her tongue out before turning to drop a hurried curtsey, "Your Highness."
Lips twitching, Aaron darted a quick roll of his eyes to Emily, where did she find such amusing creatures? He bowed seriously to Penelope, placing his gloved hand above his heart, "You have my word, my Lady. I swear to care and protect Emily for as long as she would allow me to." The blonde pursed her lips, "Humph. You better." Jennifer smacked Penelope's arm lightly, pulling the vivacious blonde back, exasperation clear on her face. "What she means, your Highness, is that we are confident our Emily has found the best match in you and we give you all the blessings in the world."
Aaron's gaze softened as he reached out for Emily, who gladly took his hand and her place by his side. Pressing a kiss onto her head, he smiled at the two fairies. "Rest assured, noble fairies, that I will do everything in my power to make Emily the happiest woman in the land." Dave cleared his throat as he clapped his hands, "Now that certainly is touching and all, but first," he nudged the unconscious Erin with his booted feet, "we need to decide what to do with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum here." Catching the blonde duo's stifled grins and everyone else's questioning looks, he coughed and waved his hand, "Ah, gibberish."
Beth whined suddenly, startling everyone. "What about me? Where am I going to go? What about my clothes and my carriage and… and…" Aaron kissed Emily's hand; it seemed as though he could not get enough of her. "It really is your choice, Emily. For everything she has done to you, you could very well throw her in the dungeons, should you wish." Beth wailed at that, and Emily bit her lip in an attempt to stifle her laughter. Snuggling deeper into her love's arms, she murmured into his solid chest, "I wish I could, Aaron, but really I pity her. She knows nothing beyond luxury and ordering people about; she knows not what it is to live and to love, and I suppose that would be punishment enough for her."
Aaron cocked his eyebrow, "You certainly are the kindest woman I have ever met, my love, for letting her off without just punishment." Emily rested a finger on his lips, a playful gleam in her eyes. "I never said I would let her off just so, Aaron dear." She placed her mouth close to his ear and his gaze darkened with her warm breath so near him. But levity soon danced in their place as Emily whispered her punishment for Beth and Erin, and he chuckled lowly, brushing her dark hair away from her face fondly. "Whatever you wish, my love. I shall see to it as soon as we leave for the castle."
Jennifer interrupted gently, staying the dark haired couple with a hand on Emily's shoulder. "Emily, dear, we have one last gift for you. Pen?" Penelope beamed and snapped her wand out, "Wands a-ready, Jenny love."
Once more, sparks gently showered the brunette beauty, and Aaron had to shield his eyes from the bright light. Once his vision no longer danced with black spots, he caught his breath. His Emily stood there, clad in the beautiful ball gown she had worn to the dance. Never before had he beheld a woman fairer than she. Ignoring the presence of the others, he gripped his Emily's hand and pressed a lingering kiss on her now gloved hand. "My lady." Emily smiled softly, tugging him closer to her, "My prince."
Jennifer and Penelope shared a joyful, tear-filled look. Their work was done.
Beth screamed with fury as yet another tomato was pelted towards her. Erin, who was immobilized next to her, just winced as sour fruit dripped down from her hair into her face. She could not believe Emily had sent them to the stocks! It was outrageous and such undignified for a woman of her station! Though she supposed, as she shut her eyes hurriedly as a rotten fruit came her way, they had been let off rather lightly by her stepdaughter. After all, Emily did pardon them and settled them with the Prentiss mansion and a nice sum of allowance that would enable them to live comfortably until, or if, Erin corrected herself, Beth was wed. Though judging by her daughter's banshee-like screams, it would take a very brave or incredibly stupid man to want to put up with her.
Erin felt a twinge of guilt at her treatment of Emily; certainly she was a good girl, better than Beth, at any rate. Emily did not deserve being degraded and treated like a scullery maid, and truth be told the blonde matriarch was, very, very deep down, pleased she would lead the life of a princess, and later queen with her Prince.
Another shriek came from her brunette daughter as an egg was lobbed at her, and Erin barked at her, tired of her constant whines. "Quiet, Beth! Stop yelping like some pup!" The younger woman ignored her mother's admonishment and continued yelling as the people laughed and scooped up more rotten fruit and food to pelt them with. Erin growled and made a note to speak to Emily about getting a remedy for the girl's irritating trait from Emily's fairy godmothers.
An egg hit her straight in the face just as that thought crossed her mind. Spluttering, Erin sighed. Certainly after she had a nice, warm bath. Her nose wrinkled in disgust as some of the juice spilled trickled down onto her dress. And definitely a change of clothes.
Emily sighed as she stood on the spacious balcony, the wind streaming through her free, dark locks. A pair of strong arms snaked around her slender waist as Aaron rested his chin on her bare shoulder. Laying a kiss on her white neck, he murmured, sleep evident in his voice. "What haunts your mind tonight, wife, that which would draw you from our bed?"
The wedding the day before had been simply marvelous; her nonno had really outdone himself. The skies, came dawn, were clear with nary a dark cloud in sight. A pleasant breeze trilled through the air and fluttered the banners and standards of the royal family. The ceremony was, at Emily's insistence, held in the royal gardens and by midday, the guests were arriving and filling the seats adorned with sliver and golden silk ribbons. Quiet chatter filled the utopian setting as they awaited the arrival of the bride. Aaron, dressed in his ceremonial garb, tugged at his collar nervously while Dave just bounced lightly on the balls of his feet. The older man was elated his cara and his son would be wed soon, as they were meant to be all those years ago. But the heart had a way of finding its way back to where it belongs, no matter how long it took or how many wrong turns it had to make. And Aaron and Emily's hearts had found their way back together.
Emily smiled and turned to touch her love's lips, remembering the kiss they bestowed on her the day they wed. Of course, she blushed, there were many more kisses and caresses that followed as her new husband schooled her in the ways of pleasure and marriage. She leaned upwards to press a kiss on the corner of his mouth and smiled as he gathered her closer to his warm body.
"I was just remembering our wedding day, Aaron, and how strange that we should find ourselves bound to each other again." She cocked her head and he was reminded of a curious puppy, "Do you suppose we would have been as happy as we are, had we solidified our union all those years ago?" The lines on the stoic man's face softened and he stole a quick kiss from her warm lips, "I don't know that, Emily. I don't suppose we'll ever know the answer to that. What if I hadn't left? What if I told you then that I loved you? What if you never came to the ball and I never recognized you?"
He shook his head firmly and combed her tousle hair back, "No, I most certainly do not need the answers to all those what ifs. I finally have you with me now, and I do not plan on letting you go anymore." His dark eyes searched hers earnestly and he cupped her cheek tenderly, "I love you Emily, and I always will."
The raven haired beauty felt her heart sing with elation and love; she had never doubted his love but to hear him say those precious words lifted her heart so. She tugged him downwards for another kiss, and as he begged entrance to her warm mouth, she pulled back, smiling mischievously as she led him back to their warm bed, he a willing participant as they fell back onto the downy bed, lost in the myriad of kisses and touches as they eagerly explored the other.
Soft laughter and sighs of joy floated out through the night and a lone owl perched on the branches of a withered old tree hooted with satisfaction. It was quiet save the sounds of the young couple, lost in their languid enjoyment of newly wedded bliss, when a squeak broke the silence. "Guess Emmy got her happy ending, eh Spence?"
Next to the owl stood three mice who were spoiled rotten with the rich food from the feast. Spencer nodded eagerly in response to Derek; nearly falling off the tree had not Elle pulled him back hurriedly by his tail. She patted the younger mouse, "Careful Spence." The gawky mouse grinned widely at her and turned his sights back to the couple, "And they lived happily ever after."
And as we close the pages to our fairy tale, it is prudent that we remember, dear readers, that fortune nor love comes easily, and that the heart wants what it wants. Love will always find its way back where it belongs, and neither time nor tide can stop the beating of two hearts made for each other. And so, it is with great trial and tribulation, and with the help of talking animals and magic, that finally, Emily and her Prince Aaron, as Spencer put, lived happily ever after, all because of one misplaced glass slipper.
The end.