Quick AN: in a recent review someone asked me how old Aislynn was, I would like to point out that though I never gave her an exact age but in chapter 3 I put her at possibly around the same age as Ellie which I have said is about a year younger than Dorothy, which after looking at my version of the canon I have definitely determined that Dorothy I believe is around 14, so Ellie and ace are around the age of 13
Kansas two months later.
After two failed attempts at trying to learn to walk again, Dorothy found trying it a big headache and decided herself that she'd rather wait the three months. School had reopened a few days after and two months passed by rather quickly for all of them. Halloween passed by without any problem, Thanksgiving was surprisingly quiet, and now it was December. Today they were back in school, it had started snowing shortly after they all arrived and it had turned into a heavy snowfall.
"So can anyone tell me what the answer to this equation is?" Mr. Pryce asked turning away from the chalkboard.
Dorothy looked around, the only people who didn't seem too distracted by the snowfall were, Aislynn, Ellie, and herself. Aislynn raised her hand trying hard to get Mr. Pryce's attention.
"Okay then, Aislynn?" Mr. Pryce responded.
"According to my work, the answer is around 142?" Aislynn said not really sure about it.
"That is correct, anyways, everybody pay attention!" He yelled picking up a book and slamming it down on his desk.
Everyone jolted back to attention and looked forward as the intercom crackled to life and Mr. Alistair's voice came from it.
"Attention, Attention, given the recent change in the weather we will be releasing early, I repeat we will be releasing early, that is all." He said as the intercom squeaked and crackled as it turned off.
The entire classroom erupted into cheers. Dorothy rolled her eyes and looked behind her at Alex. He smiled and put on his jacket, looked at her and smiled. Mr. Pryce got up and handed out some papers to everyone and gave an extra paper to Aislynn who smiled.
"Well seeing as you all will be departing early, I may as well say that we will be having a quick quiz when we come back." He said as Mr. Alistair walked into the room.
"Hello Uncle." Donna said smiling.
"Hello Donna, Dorothy, your aunt and uncle just called, due to the conditions of the weather, I am supposed to drive you and your friends back to the farmhouse before the roads get too blocked up, I hope you don't mind Mr. Pryce." He said looking over to him.
"Not at all, please, I'd rather have them leave early than be stuck here, Alex you sit back down you aren't going anywhere." Mr. Pryce said as Mr. Alistair walked over to him.
"Alex is allowed to leave as well, I talked to his parents who are currently at the gale residence with them, my brother has loaned me his truck so that we can transport these guys there." Mr. Alistair said smiling.
Alex chuckled, Got up, and helped Dorothy with her coat. He then picked up her satchel and hung it on the wheelchair. Dorothy smiled and picked up the scepter and all of her work. Alex then pushed her towards the classroom door. Ellie and Aislynn soon followed as they all walked out of the classroom and started for the main doors.
"It's really coming down out there now." Mr. Alistair said as they walked along.
It didn't take too long for them to get to the main doors and out into the parking lot. Alex helped Dorothy into the front passenger seat and then put the wheelchair in the back of the truck. Soon they were all in the truck and on their way towards the gale farmhouse.
"It's really coming down now." Dorothy said as she tried to see out the window.
"Luckily you don't live that far from the school." Alex said chuckling.
"Right, anyways, oh the scepter." She said looking down at it.
It was glowing, not its normal bright green but now a marvelous gold. The snow outside began to swirl around like a dust cloud. Clearing a way for them to see. Mr. Alistair drove slowly till they eventually reached the farmhouse. Dorothy could see her aunt and uncle fastening a plow to their pickup truck so that they could help clear the roads. The scepter then went back to its usual glow. Alex, Ellie and Aislynn quickly got out of the truck, Alex went to the back and grabbed the wheelchair, and then helped Dorothy out of the truck. They then all hurried inside, and as soon as they were in Dorothy was immediately jumped on by Annabella.
"Dorothy!" Annabella said hugging Dorothy tightly around the neck.
"Hello Dorothy my dear." Came the voice of Doctor Foreman.
"Doctor Foreman, What a surprise." Dorothy said looking up at him as Annabella was practically strangling her.
"Dorothy, I think you know that I have now retired, please its Mr. Foreman now." He said walking over.
"Come on Annabella, let's let Dorothy breath." Alex said picking up Annabella.
Dorothy gasped and caught her breath. She then put her hand out to retrieve the scepter. It floated up to her hand. She then rolled over to Mr. Foreman who held out and hand for her to shake. She returned the handshake and then rolled into the living room where the Teaks were waiting.
"Seems like perfect weather for a snowball fight." Mr. Teak said looking out the window.
"Don't get any ideas dear." Mrs. Teak said shooting her husband a look of pure venom.
"I was just saying my dear." He replied looking at his wife.
"I could actually go for a snowball fight." Aislynn said smiling.
"I think I'd rather, watch, a snowball fight." Dorothy said happily.
"Come on Dorothy where your sense of excitement and adventure is?" Alex asked curiously.
"Nowhere, I've just never been in a snowball fight." Dorothy said shrugging, this made almost everyone share a collected gasp, and the only ones who didn't gasp were Ellie and Aislynn who already knew this.
"Well I wouldn't recommend going out now, far too much snow on the roads, the wheelchair would never get through it." Mr. Foreman said looking out the window.
"Well we need to have Dorothy participate in a snowball fight at some point, bottom line." Alex said smiling.
Dorothy looked at Alex and smiled she the rolled over the couch across from the one the Teaks were using. She then took off her jacket and draped it behind the chair. She then pulled herself onto the couch and sat down. Alex walked over, handed Annabella off to his parents and sat down next to Dorothy. Dorothy looked over to Aislynn and Ellie who hadn't even taken their coats off.
"I think ace and I will help your aunt and uncle." Ellie said taking aislynn's hand and dragging her outside.
Mr. Foreman chuckled, walked over and sat in an arm chair. He crossed his left leg over his right knee and pressed his fingertips together. Mr. Alistair smiled, tipped his hat and walked out of the house as well. Auntie Em then came into the house rubbing her hands together.
"The snow's lightening up, soon Henry will be going out with the truck to help plow the roads, Mr. Teak will you be helping, or Fenny will she be helping?" Em asked.
"Us no, The Maitlands yes, and Emily, I think we should take Dorothy and her friends to the park." Mrs. Teak said smiling.
"Why?" Both Dorothy and Em asked in unison
Mrs. Teak smiled, Got up and walked over to Em. She then whispered something into her ear. Em chuckled and nodded. Dorothy looked at her aunt curiously. She then looked over at Toto, who surprisingly, was asleep in the corner. Alex noticed this, chuckled, took a pencil from his pocket, and tossed it at Toto. Toto felt this, he then instantly stood up, looked around in confusion and chased his tail a few times before he noticed all the people in the house and ran over to Dorothy.
"Alex that wasn't nice." Dorothy said punching him playfully on the arm.
Alex smiled and looked around the room, his eyes then fell on the calendar and he smiled.
"Hey Dorothy, the three months is almost up, you should be able to walk again soon." Alex said happily.
"Wow, I never noticed to be honest." Dorothy said looking down at her legs.
"It will be good to have you running around again." Mr. Teak said smiling.
"Momma?" Annabella asked.
"Yes honey?" Mrs. Teak replied.
"When Dorothy walk again, can she be babysitter again?" Annabella asked.
"Sure dear, actually, Em, would you and henry like to join my husband and I, as well as my sister and her husband on a night out next week?" Mrs. Teak asked curiously.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Mr. Foreman asked curiously.
"Not at all Mr. Foreman, it must get really lonely for you, not being married and all." Mr. Teak said as his wife punched him teasingly on the shoulder.
"It's okay Mrs. Teak, he's quite right." Mr. Foreman said putting up a hand.
No one tried to argue this, mostly for fear that they would offend, after a few seconds Em broke the silence.
"Anyone want a hot drink?" She asked curiously.
Everyone looked at each other, then back at Em, them once more at each other. They then all shrugged, Mrs. Teak raised her hand and walked back over to her husband.
"Em do you still have your mothers hot cocoa recipe?" she asked curiously.
"She does, she makes it every year." Dorothy said smiling.
"What's Cocoa?" Annabella asked curiously.
"Oh that's right you haven't had hot chocolate yet." Mr. Teak said looking down at his daughter.
"She hasn't?" Mr. Foreman asked.
"No doctor." He said looking over to him.
"You know if they aren't allergic to chocolate…" Mr. Foreman trailing off, he always knew when to stop a lecture, and now was one of those times as Mr. and Mrs. Teak shot daggers at him.
"Right, I do still have the recipe, but I don't have all the ingredients." Em said walking over to a cabinet and pulling out a box of recipe cards.
"I'm so glad these survived that tornado." Em said pulling out the card.
"I know." Mrs. Teak said getting up, she walked over to Em and looked at the box however and gasped.
"What?" Em asked looked around.
"That's not your original box for those, what happened, where did you get that one?" She asked.
EM sighed and looked at Dorothy, both Dorothy and her own face sunk. Toto looked up at Dorothy and opened his mouth to say something.
"I think we know what's going to happen." he said as Em sighed.
"It belonged to Dorothy's father, he was good at baking, as was her mother, but they left me these in the event of their death." Em said rather quickly.
Dorothy sighed and took Toto off her lap. She then pulled herself into the wheelchair and rolled out of the room. Dorothy sighed and went to her room. She looked around, set the scepter down against her dresser, and pulled out her pocket compendium. She flipped through it and then threw it on her bed, Toto and Alex then walked into the room. Alex placed a hand on Dorothy's shoulder and sighed.
"You don't like talking about them do you?" Alex asked walking around Dorothy to face her.
"No, I don't, the memories hurt." She said pushing Alex out of the way and rolling over to her bedside cabinet.
Alex said nothing to remark this. He got up, walked around Dorothy, and picked up the scepter. Its red haze still hadn't faded. Dorothy then turned around, sighed, and rolled over to him. Toto jumped up on her lap in the process wanting to go along for the ride. She took the scepter from Alex and sighed.
"Alex?" Dorothy asked.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Help me up, I want to try something." She said taking Toto off her lap.
"But Dorothy!" he said in concern.
"Alex do as I tell you." She said placing Toto on the floor and leaning the scepter against the chair.
Alex didn't say a word, he helped Dorothy up and tried to help her gain her balance. As soon as she was balance she looked at Toto who gave her a curious look.
"Dorothy what are you doing?" He asked with a whimper.
Dorothy didn't respond, she looked at Alex, sighed and closed her eyes. She didn't concentrate, she wasn't going to try and will this to happen. She knew this time she would walk on her own. She relaxed herself and got herself into her state of meditation from when she was in the clearing. She slowed her breathing, and the next thing she knew she was falling into Alex's arms.
"What happened?" she asked in confusion
"You managed to lift your leg but you lost your balance." Alex said chuckling.
"Alex, help me with my boots." Dorothy said as Alex helped her back into the chair.
Alex gave up at this point, he wasn't going to argue. He knelt down and helped Dorothy slide the boots off. Once this was done Dorothy pushed herself up using Alex as a ballast and got her own balance.
"That's an improvement." Alex said moving the boots behind him,
"I know." She said smiling.
Dorothy smiled and closed her eyes again. Feeling her bare feet against the hardwood floor of her bedroom made her feel like she could connect with the environment she was in. she didn't know why she felt this but to her it felt right. She got herself back into her state of meditation and slowed her breathing. She cleared her head and began to slowly move her legs. The sound of the clock in the living room striking noon distracted her and she opened her eyes. She nearly lost her balance but she managed to move her leg forward and stumbled. She then realized she was in the hallway just outside her bedroom door. She looked in front of her and saw the hallway vacant. She decided to use this as a chance to get her bearings. She moved her legs slowly and turned around to see Alex smiling. Toto was sitting there as well, he had a happy look on his face. Dorothy chuckled and slowly walked over to Alex. As soon as she was in front of him she hugged him tightly and grabbed her boots from Alex.
"Well, what are we going to do about that thing?" Alex asked curiously.
"I really don't know, I hope that Glinda is watching, maybe she'll do something with it." Dorothy said sitting down on the wheel chair and pulling her boots on.
"Or you could just keep it assuming the jester decides to do it again." Toto said.
"Why would he do it again Toto?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"Um, he's the jester, a second time would be a joke to him." Toto said.
"Good point." Dorothy said looking down at her companion
"Why don't we just throw it in the storm cellar?" Alex asked
"I like that idea, why didn't you ask what Toto was telling me by the way." Dorothy asked curiously.
"Because I just kind of gave up asking, and imp assuming that your dog is worried that this could happen again." He said as Dorothy stood up and hugged him tightly.
Alex laughed, as did Dorothy. She then took his hand and ran out the room dragging him behind her. When they got into the living room Dorothy was immediately embraced not by Ellie, but by her aunt.
"Oh thank goodness, we thought we were going crazy." Em said kissing Dorothy on the cheek.
"Have Ellie and Aislynn come back inside?" Alex asked curiously.
"No, I think they're building a snowman." Em said looking out the window.
Alex chuckled, pulled himself out of Dorothy's grasp and grabbed her coat. Annabella jumped up and ran over to Dorothy nearly tackling her down.
"Annabella is really excited it seems." Mrs. Teak said getting up.
"Quite right, she should, she's grown some sort of attachment to Dorothy." Mr. Foreman said getting up and walking over to them.
Aislynn then burst into the house and shivered. She ran past all of them and into the guest room. Everyone looked down the hallway in surprise. Aislynn then slowly walked out and over to Dorothy. She looked Dorothy up and down, she then embraced her tightly.
"You won't believe how long I've waited to do that." Aislynn said looking at Dorothy and then down at Annabella giggling.
"Aislynn my dear, why did you come back in side?" Mr. Foreman asked curiously.
"Oops, right Ellie asked me to grab her a pair of mittens from her box of things, and then grab a pair for myself." Aislynn said as Ellie walked in.
"Ace, what's taking you so….oh my." She said running over to Dorothy and embracing Dorothy tightly.
"Okay, okay give the girl some air, we don't want to suffocate her do we?" Mr. Foreman asked chuckling.
Ellie let go of Dorothy and smiled, but then got a confused face.
"This isn't a trick is it?" Ellie asked giving a sly look to Dorothy.
Dorothy smiled and pushed away Aislynn and Annabella. She then walked over to Mr. Foreman who stuck out a hand for to shake. She took it and returned it.
"It's great to greet you like this again." He said chuckling.
"I know, Mr. Foreman, Jon if I may?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"You may my dear." He said happily.
"Right, Jon, how much have I changed over the years?" Dorothy asked curiously.
Mr. Foreman took a step back, he then looked Dorothy up and down as Aislynn did. He placed a hand under Dorothy's chin and tilted her face to the left and right. Chuckling and taking the hand out from under her chin, he then placed the hand under his own and smiled.
"Not much my dear, you've matured a lot but that's about it." He said chuckling.
"Oh." She said giggling.
"Dorothy?" Ellie asked curiously as Alex walked over with her coat.
"Yes Ellie?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"We're almost done with our snowman, but you wouldn't happen to know where we could find a top hat would you?" Ellie asked curiously.
"That I can help with." Em said walking over to the closet.
"When did we get a top hat?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"Henry used to wear it to events." Em said opening the closet and pulling it out.
Dorothy snickered, she couldn't imagine her uncle wearing something like that. The thought of it was hilarious though. She then took her coat from Alex and put it on. Her aunt also pulled out a pair of mittens and scarf and walked over to Dorothy. She wrapped the scarf around Dorothy's neck and then handed her the mittens. Mr. Foreman stood there, looking at the hat, something about what Em said apparently bothered him.
"Is something wrong Jon?" Aislynn asked curiously
"It's nothing." He said looking at Em, she was glaring daggers at him.
Dorothy then smiled and put on the mittens. Alex then got his coat on and walked out of the house. The snow had picked up again and everyone could see that. Dorothy smiled and took the top hat from her aunt and walked over to the door, holding out her hand so that the scepter would float into it. Walking out she saw her uncle was walking over to the house. He then stopped in his tracks, leaned forward placing a hand over his brow, and then pinched himself twice just to be sure. He then took off in a sprint, well the fastest run he could do in all the snow that had collected on the ground. Dorothy smiled and looked at Alex, who was now standing right next to her, and handed him the top hat. She then took off to meet her uncle in the middle. She soon found herself in her uncle's embrace. He was chuckling almost uncontrollably. It took him a minute to get to his senses, he took a deep breath and released his niece from the hug.
"Oh, you won't believe how long your aunt and I have been waiting to do that once again." Henry said wiping a tear from his eyes and then shaking his head because of his statement.
"Oh Uncle Henry." Dorothy said sighing in content with this.
Dorothy then heard uncle henry burst into a peal of laughter. Dorothy looked back to see Mrs. Teak holding Annabella up to place the top hat on the snowman. Dorothy giggled and broke out of her embrace.
"I remember that hat, always looked extremely stupid when I used to wear it." He said chuckling.
"Auntie Em took it out of the closet for them to use on the snow man, I guess Annabella wanted to contribute." Dorothy said tightening her grip on the scepter.
Both Dorothy and henry walked over to the snowman. Dorothy then took off her scarf and wrapped it under the snowman's head. She then chuckled and took a step back.
"I like it." Alex said plainly.
"It looks nice." Mrs. Teak said as Annabella reached out to Dorothy.
"Dorothy!" she said giggling.
Dorothy chuckled as Mrs. Teak handed Annabella over to her. Annabella then embraced Dorothy tightly and shivered a bit. Dorothy sighed and walked back towards the house again. Ellie and Aislynn ran off the porch to admire all their handiwork. Dorothy chuckled and let go of the scepter allowing it to float in front of her. The door was then opened by Auntie Em. Em took Annabella from Dorothy so she could take her coat off. As soon as Dorothy had her coat off, and had taken off her boots setting them by the radiator to warm up and dry a bit. She then helped her aunt with Annabella's coat and scarf. Dorothy then took Annabella from Aunt Em and walked into the living room where Mr. Teak and Mr. Foreman were engaged in conversation.
"Be that as it may, I still don't think it's that practical of a treatment." Mr. Foreman said sternly.
"But what's so impractical…? Oh Dorothy." Mr. Teak said noticing Dorothy and his daughter in the room.
"Hello." She said sitting down on the couch and setting Annabella down next to her.
She then picked up scepter. They all then heard the sound of the truck starting. Mr. Teak pointed out that Henry was off to help with the plowing. Mr. Foreman pointed out the smell of peppermint was filling the room. Dorothy sniffed the air and picked up the smell of peppermint as well. Em then walked in carrying a tray with a large tea pot and cups for everyone except for Annabella who was too young to hold a tea cup. She served Mr. Foreman first, then to Mr. Teak, and then to Dorothy.
"Thanks auntie Em." Dorothy said taking a sip.
Em was about to say something when everyone else came back in side, Ellie was the first person to say something.
"Ah peppermint, someone's been making tea." Ellie said chuckling.
"How's the snowman dear?" Mr. Teak shouted.
"It came out great on my opinion." Mrs. Teak said walking into the living room.
Em smiled and gave Mrs. Teak a hot cup of tea. Ellie, Aislynn and Alex came in next. Dorothy then got up and helped her aunt serve them tea. Alex walked over to Dorothy and kissed her on the cheek making her visibly blush. Ellie and Aislynn both made gagging noises before Em hushed them. Alex then took a sip of the tea and smiled.
"Dorothy, you're blushing." Ellie said gagging a bit.
"I think she knows." Mr. Foreman said chuckling.
"Dorothy and alecks definitely love?" Annabella asked, in turn making everyone laugh heartily.
"Yes, Annabella I guess so." Dorothy said chuckling and walking back over to her.
"Yay, I right!" She said clapping.
Dorothy chuckled and tapped Annabella on the nose, in turn making her giggle. Dorothy then picked up Annabella who kissed her on the cheek making everyone laugh harder. Dorothy smiled and handed Annabella to Alex. She then sat down and downed the rest of her tea. The now lukewarm water and the taste of peppermint relaxed her. She then chuckled and sat down on the couch. She knew that this would be a fun winter.
Well then this starts Dorothy's ability to walk again. Also in the next chapter, Dorothy's first snowball fight.