Chapter 2: Step-Mothers, Step-Sisters, and Changes
Time passed and pain turned to memory. In their hearts, Ella and Aria stayed the same, but they remembered their promise to their mother. "Have courage and be kind." Father, however, was much changed, but he hoped for better times.
Ella read from a book as Aria and Father played a game of chess. ""And then so, and my wife and I singing to our great content. And if ever there were a man happier in his fortunes, I know him not."" She sighed happily, "Thus ends Mr. Peeps for today. I do love a happy ending, don't you?" "They're quite my favorite sort," Father said. "As well they should be," Aria said softly. "Checkmate."
Staring at the board for a few moments, Father tried to figure out how she won. Unable to figure it out, he held out his hand and Aria shook it. Sitting back, Father looked at his daughters. "Girls, I've come to the conclusion that it's time, perhaps to begin a new chapter." "Indeed, father," Ella nodded in agreement. "You recall that some time ago, in my travels, I made the acquaintance of Sir Francis Tremaine." "Yes," Aria said. "The master of the Mercy's Guild, is he not?"
He sighed heavily. "Was. The poor man has died alas. His widow, an honorable woman, finds herself alone, though still in the prime of her life." Taking a deep breath, Aria smiled at him. "You're worried about telling us, but you mustn't be. Not if it will lead to your happiness."
Father smiled brightly. "Yes. Happiness. Do you think I may be allowed one last chance? Even though I thought such things were done for good?" "Of course we do, Father!" Ella exclaimed. The girls hugged him tightly. "She'll really be your stepmother," he continued. "Ad you'll have two lovely sisters to keep you company."
The day to meet their new family came sooner than the sisters were expecting. Aria gripped Ella's hand tightly as they joined father outside. "Have courage," Ella began. "And be kind," Aria finished.
The carriage pulled up and Father walked forward to help everyone out. "Welcome, ladies! Welcome!" Father helped the step-sisters out of the carriage, and they bundled up to Ella and Aria. "You're very nice," Drisella told Aria.
The shy girl managed a timid smile. "I'm so happy to meet you." Anastasia messed with Ella's hair. "You have such pretty hair." "Oh, thank you," Ella said. "You have it styled," Drisella commented. "Oh, I'm sure you're right… Would you like a tour of the house?" Drisella looked to Anastasia. "What did she say?" "She wants to show us around her farm-house. She's proud of it, I think." "Do they keep animals inside?"
Ignoring the step-sisters, Aria watched as a black cat was dropped out of the carriage before a woman in a green dress stepped out. "How charming," Lady Tremaine told Father. "How perfectly charming." She swept up to the door, leading the cat with her. "Come Lucifer."
Their stepmother to be was a woman of keen feeling and refined taste. And she too had known grief, but she wore it wonderfully well.
As they walked inside, Lady Tremaine looked to Father. "You did not say your daughters were so beautiful." "They take after their…" He trailed off, biting his lip. "Their mother," Lady Tremaine finished. "Just so."
Drisella entered the room with Anastasia, looking around. "How long as your family lived here?" Anastasia asked. "Over two hundred years," Father answered. "And in all that time, they never thought to decorate?" "Anastasia, hush!" her mother commanded. "They will think you are in earnest."
The girls' stepmother, high spirited lady that she was, set out to restore life and laughter to the house.
Aria peeked through the glass panes in the door as Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters threw another house party. She rolled her eyes at the gambling and turned to Ella. Her older sister grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room.
As they walked into the hall, they found their mice friends gathered together. "Well, look who's having a party of their own!" Aria said. "Jacqueline, Teddy, Matilda, and greedy Gus-Gus." Her sister laughed before noticing Lucifer hissing at the mice. "Oh-oh," Ella shook her head.
Picking up the cat, she scolded him. "What do you think you're up to, Lucifer? Jacqueline is my guest and eating of guest is not allowed. Go on now, you have plenty fo cat food to keep you happy." Putting the cat in the kitchen, she closed the door. Aria winked at Jacqueline. "We ladies must help one another."
Laughing once more, Ella and Aria walked away from the mice. They found their father in his office, working on some papers. "You're missing the party," Ella commented as the sisters sat on the couch. "It matters much like all the other ones," Father said. "And I'm leaving first thing."
His youngest frowned at him. "But you're… you're hardly back from the last trip. Do you have to go?" Father looked up at his daughters, giving them small smiles. "It's just a few months, my darlings. What would you like me to bring you home from abroad? Your sisters… huh, stepsisters, have asked for parasols and lace. What will you two have?"
The sisters exchanged a look before Ella spoke. "Bring us the first branch your shoulder brushes on your journey." He raised an eyebrow at her. "That's a curious request." "Well, you'll have to take it with you on your way and think of us when you look at it," Aria said. "And when you bring it back, it means you'll be with it. And that's what we really want," Ella said. "For you to come back, no matter what."
As tears formed in his daughters' eyes, Father stood and embraced them. "I will." From the doorway, Lady Tremaine overheard them. "Girls, while I'm away, I want you to be good to your stepmother and stepsisters. Even though they may be trying at times." "We promise," the girls chorused. He smiled, "Thank you. I always leave a part of me behind, Aria, Ella. Remember that. And… and your mother's here too, even though you see her not. She's the very heart of this place. That's why we must cherish this house, always, for her."
Aria sighed, leaning her head on Ella's shoulder. "I miss her. Do you?" Father nodded sadly. "Very much so." They held each other tightly. Looking upset, Lady Tremaine flounced away, going back to her party.
The morning came quickly, and Father sat in the carriage. "Remember the lace!" Anastasia called. "I simply must have it!" "And my parasol!" Drisella added. "For my complexion! That means skin if you don't know!"
Ella and Aria waved goodbye. "Bye!" Ella yelled. "Goodbye, Ella! Goodbye Aria!" "We love you!" Aria called to him. "I love you, too!" Ella's hand dropped to her side as the carriage rounded the corner, out of sight. "Goodbye," she whispered.
Together, they walked back into the house. Lady Tremaine called to them as they passed the drawing room. "Ella, Aria." They walked into the room, sitting beside him. Ella brushed a few tears off her face. "Now, now. You mustn't mope," Lady Tremaine said, embracing Ella. "Yes, stepmother," Ella whispered. "Oh, you needn't call me that."
Aria folded her hands in her lap as Lady Tremaine continued. "Madam will do." Aria glanced at Ella from the corner of her eyes. In a moment they heard yelling coming from the step-sisters' room. Lady Tremaine sighed. "Anastasia and Drisella have always share a room. Such dear affectionate girls."
Ella nodded, "Much like Aria and I." Lady Tremaine smiled before grimacing as her girls continued to bicker. "I think they're finding the sleeping quarters rather confining." "Oh, our bedroom's the biggest besides yours and father's," Aria chimed in. "Perhaps they'd like to share it." "What a wonderful idea!" Lady Tremaine said. "What a good girl you are." Aria managed a smile, "Well, we can stay in the…" "The attic!" Lady Tremaine said. "Quite so." "The attic?" Ella asked. "Yes, only temporarily. While I have all the other rooms redecorated. The attic's all nice and airy. You'll be back from all the fuss and bother. You'd be even more cozy if you kept all this bric-a-brac up there with you, keep you amused."
Handing Ella a box of ornaments, she shooed them away. Ella held onto the box tightly as Aria followed her to the attic stairs. They climbed up into the large airy room. Aria looked around before spinning cheerily. "Well, no one shall disturb us here."
Grinning, Ella nodded. Setting the ornaments on the ground, she beckoned Aria to help her with the old furniture. As they did, they noticed mice gathered together under a table. Gus-Gus was trying to climb up, carrying a piece of cheese. "Go on, Gus-Gus," Aria encouraged. "You can do it." After the mouse made it up with his friends, Ella smiled at them. "So, this is where you take refuge. Us too, it would seem. Right… will you guys help us?"
Downstairs, Anastasia and Drisella listened to them on the steps. "That's the last straw!" Drisella gasped. "Our little sisters, up there, talking to the woodworm," Anastasia laughed. Hearing them, Aria rolled her eyes. She waltzed to the door. "How very pleasant," she said. "No cats, and no stepsisters."
As the attic door closed, Drisella and Anastasia looked at each other. "We've got two half-wits for sisters," Drisella laughed. "I've got three," Anastasia muttered. "I heard that! Who are they talking to?" Anastasia looked up the steps again. "They're mad!"
The days passed and humming quietly, Aria walked outside to gather the eggs. "Good morning!" she called. "Good morning, Miss Aria!" Tom called back to her. "Good morning, Tom!"
The chickens clacked as the opened the door to their coup. "Hello," she greeted. "Don't mind if I… What a lovely bunch, Rosemary. Well done. Thanks you." She carried the eggs into the kitchen where the servants were making breakfast. "Morning," she chirped. "Morning," Ophelia, the maid, said.
Smiling, Aria put the eggs she collected into a bowl. "Thank you, Miss Aira," Sophie, the cook, said. "You're welcome," Aria beamed. As the cook turned, Aria took a swipe of the porridge with her finger. "Aria!" Sophie exclaimed. Laughing, Aria scurried out of the room.
Mornings did not agree with the stepsisters. And they lacked accomplishment in such domestic arts as keeping house. In fact, they lacked accomplishment in any art.
Drisella sat at the pianoforte, singing out of tune as Anastasia sat drawing Lady Tremaine. As Ella walked past, Lady Tremaine, on purpose, dropped her plate of treats. Ella picked it up with a smile.
As Ella was about to leave the room, Lucifer tried to go after Gus-Gus and the other mice, hiding under the chest of drawers, but managed to only knock himself out instead. Ella giggled quietly as she hurried out of the room. "Do shut up," Lady Tremaine told Drisella as she watched Ella leave.