Six weeks passed as the two women slowly adjusted to their new lives. The shared meals that had started out horribly awkward -after all, they hadn't actually spoken to each other ever before - soon became precious moments that they both enjoyed. Eleanor knew a lot about music and art, and Cinderella was an eager listener with a bright and witty mind. A challenge. Amusing. Intelligent and spiritual.
Such a precious one.
Cinderella looked up from her plate and Eleanor feared for a moment that she had spoken out loud, but then Cinderella's eyes wandered from Eleanor's face to the window behind her.
"Oh, look! It's snowing!"
"Ugh."
"No, come here", she said and rose from her chair, putting her napkin down on her plate and reached out her hand. "Come outside with me."
"We'll catch our death out there."
Cinderella tilted her head to the side and there was something in her eyes that made Eleanor fall silent. In fact, she wouldn't have been able to speak even if she wanted to. She merely took the offered hand and let the younger woman lead her to the door. Cinderella grabbed a coat off the hanger and put it over her stepmother's shoulders.
"There."
"Cinderella, it's only snow. I have seen snow before. It's cold, it's wet, and…"
"… and completely wonderful."
Oh, the nerve of that child - Eleanor conveniently forgot that 'child' hardly applied to Cinderella at age 21 - dragging her out into the vile weather…
Cinderella had stopped and Eleanor narrowly avoided walking into her. Intending on rolling her eyes and make a sarcastic remark before pulling her hand free and go back inside, Eleanor looked up at the sky and froze in awe.
"Oh."
Glittering flakes of snow danced in the gusts of wind, like shards of stars falling to earth. The skies were black and heavy in contrast. The swirling snowflakes were mesmerising, magical. Why had she never stopped to look at it before? It was wonderful, indeed.
They stood for several minutes looking up at the skies, both lost in thought.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Well, yes, it's… it's…"
Was she stuttering? Really?
Cinderella felt very odd. In spite of standing in the cold air, she suddenly felt warm all over. Her stomach was tied like a knot, but not in an entirely unpleasant way. As her eyes met Eleanor's, her heart seemed to grow in her chest and she had to take a deep breath. She felt dizzy. A shiver ran down her spine.
"That's quite enough, now", Eleanor said, misinterpreting the shiver for a chill. "Let's go inside and get you warm", she continued in a low voice, almost a purr. It caused yet another shiver to run through Cinderella's body. Eleanor shrugged out of her coat and put it over Cinderella's shoulders instead.
"You are shaking, dear. As beautiful as it is, it certainly isn't worth an early grave. Come here."
Cinderella smiled up at her and she had to look away in order to keep breathing.
"Yes, stepmother."
"Eleanor." She cleared her throat and dared to look the girl in the eye for a moment before looking away again. "Call me Eleanor."
Cinderella smiled so brightly at her it seemed to light up the dark skies. It seemed to stab right through her heart and she felt her knees go weak.
Oh, what is happening to me? Lord, make it stop.
A/N
Wow everybody, thank you so much for your kind reviews! I must admit I was a bit hesitant at sailing this ship, so it's a relief to find that there are others out there who likes it. Thank you!