Despite his efforts to dispel Anastasia's doubts, and despite overhearing my conversation about her with Kit, the King was starting to agree with her. 'Why don't you just let her go?', he asked me. But I had seen the good in Anastasia, and instead of letting her go, I decided to make one final effort to make amends and repair my strained relationship with her. 'I don't think we should let her go', I told him. 'There is still some hope'. 'It won't be your choice if Anastasia were to isolate herself, will it?', asked Kit. 'Of course it won't', I answered. 'It will be her choice, but it isn't too late to stop her'. 'But for now, I think we should both get hitched together', Kit told me. 'I agree, and then we'll look for Anastasia'. Having been given back the Fairy Godmother's wand, I decided to bring her back. I pointed the wand. 'Do you mind if I join you, Cinderella?', Kit requested. 'Of course', I said. And together, we both said 'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo', bringing the Fairy Godmother back from the stone state she had been turned into before Lady Tremaine turned back time. 'Welcome back', I gladly said, as I gave her back her wand. 'Thank you', she responded. 'If I may ask, where's Anastasia?' 'Oh, she realized she only wanted to be loved for herself and not her mother. Tremaine tried to turn her into a toad, but I had to defend Anastasia for her honesty, and then she reunited me with the Prince', I told her. I sighed and told her that Anastasia had decided to isolate herself from me to punish herself for going along with Lady Tremaine. 'But I have seen the good in her heart, and I think that once we're married, we should try one last time to turn her back over'. 'I heartily agree, Cinderella, but before you two are married, I just need to give you a better outfit'. She pointed the wand and called out her beautiful incantation; 'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo', giving me a new wedding attire. 'Aww, thank you so much', I said. 'Cinderella, would you like me to return you and the Prince to your former life?', she asked. 'Former life?', asked a confused Kit. 'Yes, well, could you explain, Cinderella?'. 'I'd be happy to do so', I replied. 'Now, Kit, what basically happened was we were already in love, but then Anastasia took the wand for her mother, and she took the opportunity to try and undo my happy ending. I don't think she took it out of any kind of callousness at all, but rather just out of desperation to escape from her mother and find her own love'. 'Thank you, that explains everything', he told me. 'No, thank you', I told my Fairy Godmother. 'I don't see much point in it, to be honest; we're still going to live a happy life together and we'll still be able to have that wedding anniversary in a year's time'. 'Very well, then', she told me. 'I shall leave you both to enjoy your new lives'. 'Thank you', I told Fairy Godmother, as I gave her a wink. She then disappeared as I completed the ceremony, as Anastasia had tried to do prior to my arrival. 'Doesn't anyone want to marry my son?' asked the King. 'I do', I said. 'I now pronounce you both as husband and wife', called the Priest. We then went for a kiss, as I felt enamoured to have finally married my true love, and finally truly escaped from the clutches of Lady Tremaine. Shortly after the ceremony, we decided to look for Anastasia, in a final effort to persuade her to take her guilt off her mind, but we promised our guests we would return for the wedding reception as soon as we could. I got into the King's private carriage, with Kit, and with the King and the Grand Duke, while the mice stowed away with me. 'I'm inclined to think she'll have hidden herself away in the middle of the town', I suggested. 'You might be right', the King told me, as we galloped off in search of Anastasia.

Anastasia had galloped all the way to the harbor, where I boarded a ship when Tremaine tried to have me exiled. She pulled the horse to a halt and then stood for a moment, looking out over the sea. By now, Anastasia was faced with two choices, both of which she saw as equally difficult; return to the palace and make amends with me, or get on the next ship leaving the Kingdom in order to fulfil her threat to isolate herself from the Royal Family for the rest of her life. She walked to the edge of the pontoon and sat down, as the ocean gently lapped against the sea wall. Anastasia closed her eyes and bowed her head. A single tear rolled down each cheek. Anastasia's mind was now awash with all kinds of thoughts. She remembered that had openly confessed to both me and Lady Tremaine that she did not truly love Kit and only wanted to be loved for who she was, but then she realized that she had openly promised to punish herself for going along with Tremaine. She remembered I had tried to forgive her, only to then be reminded that she had brushed me off, simply because she thought she didn't deserve forgiveness from someone who she had put through so much pain and heartache. She was now having flashbacks to the wedding, and she could hear me saying 'I forgive you, and you should forgive yourself'. The words rang in her ears, over and over again. As thoughts continued to rush through Anastasia's mind, I searched the Kingdom for her, along with Kit, the Grand Duke and the King. 'I have a very clear idea of where your Stepsister might have gone', said the King. 'She might have gone to the harbor, because she said something to you about being exiled'. 'In which case, we'd better get there as soon as possible before she can get on a boat; we've already had one of you at risk of being exiled, so we can't afford to lose another', Kit called out. 'Definitely not', I replied. As we changed our course for the harbor, Anastasia then saw, in her mind, me standing in front of her to defend her from Lady Tremaine, and then she heard her voice, full of anger and fear, chastising me for protecting her, once again, because she was convinced she didn't deserve it. She was trying to get these haunting thoughts out of her mind, but without success. Then, finally, she remembered the King saying 'everyone deserves true love', and how she bluntly rejected his offer to keep his wife's seashell. Anastasia was now beginning to realize something; if the person she had subjected to such a terrible life, I.E me, had seen her remorse and realized what really caused her to act that way, and was trying to forgive her, then maybe she deserved to be forgiven, and should try to forgive herself. Maybe she didn't deserve to be punished after all. Anastasia slowly sat upright, the moon shining down on her, and the dark blue ocean lapping peacefully against the shore. She finally realized why these thoughts were preying on her mind. 'She was right', she said to herself. 'Maybe I should forgive myself. Maybe I should let Cinderella and Kit forgive me, and maybe I was wrong to desert them. And me doing all these horrible things to myself...won't give her any closure at all'. 'Yes, I should forgive myself', she exclaimed. It finally dawned on her that she indeed did deserve forgiveness, and true love after all, the two things she never imagined she would deserve.

And then, right on cue, we arrived at the harbor. 'Anastasia?', I called. 'Cinderella, Kit?', she called back. She ran over to me, as I leapt out of the carriage and ran over to her, followed by Kit, the King and the Grand Duke. Already overcome with her remorse from going along with Lady Tremaine, coupled with her newfound remorse for trying to abandon Kit and I, Anastasia broke down again as she approached me. I wrapped the poor girl in a huge hug, as she rested her head on my shoulder. 'I'm sorry, Cinderella, I'm sorry!', she wailed as tears once again started soaking her face. 'Just relax, Anastasia. Everything is alright', I assured her in a soothing voice. We let go of each other, as I gently wiped the tears away from Anastasia's eyes, and she took a deep breath to regain her composure. Kit came over and stood by me as the King and the Grand Duke both listened intently to our conversation. For the first time in her life, Anastasia had my shoulder to cry on. 'Cinderella, you must understand that I have realized I was wrong to try and punish myself in such a brutal manner, and I am sorry for effectively inviting you to turn back on your kindness', Anastasia told me. 'I accept your forgiveness, and more importantly, I think I should try and forgive myself. But, Cinderella, you must understand that I only tried to go through with my mother's plan because I was under her influence', she continued. 'I understand completely, Anastasia', I assured her. 'And so do I', Kit told her. 'For when I heard you saying 'I DON'T' and telling me that you only want someone to love you for yourself, I could see in your eyes how genuinely sorry you are for everything that's been going on since Lady Tremaine killed our parents; no wonder she wrote you off as a traitor. And no wonder she essentially told you to bury your emotions and gave you that horrible eye twitch. I couldn't allow your mother to harm you for trying to fix my happy ending, and so I had to defend you, and Kit and I were both shocked, and actually quite disappointed when you decided you didn't deserve to be forgiven, and that you also didn't deserve to be protected by me. Had you managed to get on the next ship leaving the Kingdom, I would've been devastated, because that would be the worst possible way to punish yourself', I expressed to her. 'I was just saying those horrible things about myself, and ripping up my clothes like I did to you last night, not because I really believed it'd make you happy to see me pay the price for everything I've done to you...', she began to say. '...But because you were just scared', I finished. 'I'm afraid so, Cinderella, and I know I was expressing it *very* badly', Anastasia added.

Kit then joined the conversation. 'And I was equally shocked that you decided to punish yourself in such a harsh manner; because there was honestly need to be so hard on yourself, Anastasia, and I personally think you made your mind up far too quickly, because you know you don't deserve to be exiled, and you know that neither of us would want such a thing to happen to you', he expressed. 'And let's face it, Anastasia; you had no choice in any case. I honestly don't believe there was a great deal you could've done to help me sooner rather than later without us BOTH being punished', I added wistfully. 'But this time, it was definitely worth the risk', I continued with a growing smile. 'You taking the wand perhaps wasn't the best idea in hindsight, but I understand why you did it, and...in all honesty, there's a good chance that even if you *hadn't* wandered off, Lady Tremaine would probably have identified magic as...one of the possible causes for me being able to live in the palace before she turned back time. And there's a very real possibility that she may have done something even worse. She wouldn't have needed you, or even Drizella, for that matter, and so she might've just attempted to size the Kingdom by FORCE', I interjected. I chuckled as I added 'So you taking the wand was actually something of a blessing in disguise'. 'But that's only because I was spoilt and manipulated by Lady Tremaine', she clarified. 'Indeed it is. I'm glad you decided not to fulfil your threat to leave the Kingdom. Because I can assure you, Anastasia, you leaving wouldn't solve anything for me at all, and would *never* make me happy. And I'm glad you now know that you *do* deserve my forgiveness, and my protection after all, and that you don't deserve to be punished', I said gladly. 'I'm glad, too Anastasia; I had seen the good in you and know you *definitely* don't deserve any kind of punishment', Kit told her. 'I know this could be difficult to do, even for you, Cinderella. But do you think we can try and put all of this in the past?', she asked with a hesitant expression. 'And what about you, Kit, can we put all of this behind us as well?'. Anastasia was hesitant because she was worried that I may have also been sceptical about whether we could truly repair our strained relationship. But she could rest assured that I was willing to make amends with her. 'I think we can definitely do that. I think we can wipe the slate clean and become True Sisters, from this moment forward. Because all you need is a second chance', I told Anastasia. 'And I can become your True Brother and guardian, Anastasia', Kit added. 'And you won't even have to go back to that crumbling mansion. You can move into the palace with us, and you can be my lady-in-waiting if you wish'. 'I would honestly love to, as afraid as I am to say so', Anastasia confessed. 'I honestly knew you would', I responded with a warm grin. 'Thank you so much, Cinderella. I really can't thank you enough', she replied, as a smile finally crept across her face. I embraced Anastasia and said 'Aww, you're welcome, Anastasia'. Kit, the King and the Grand Duke all smiled in relief. Anastasia and I had finally made amends with each other, and our animosity was now at an end.

The King then held the seashell out to Anastasia and said 'You can still take this, Anastasia'. She took the shell and thanked the King. 'You were right, Your Majesty, everyone does true love after all', she commented. 'And now, you can find someone to love you for who you truly are, without your mother on your back', I added. Kit and I smiled knowingly at Anastasia, for she was now a member of the Royal Family, and she deserved that place in the family for her repentance. Anastasia joined Kit and I in a group hug, as the King and Grand Duke applauded; for we were now a family, and I had saved Anastasia from the cruel manipulation and abuse she'd endured under Lady Tremaine. Even Jaq and Gus couldn't help but cheer at the sight of us three being together as a family. We then got back in the carriage and set off back to the palace for the wedding party, but, not before the Fairy Godmother reappeared in our path. She told us that she had decided to restore Tremaine and Drizella's human forms. The King responded 'I think they should be made to work for us'. 'I agree, Your Majesty; I think that's the right sort of punishment for all the abuse and manipulation they've carried out on me, and the Prince, not to mention you, Anastasia'. Fairy Godmother nodded in agreement. 'And so do I; they both need a dose of their own medicine', she told us. She returned to the castle, where some of the King's guards were now threatening the toads. They were turned into humans again, this time wearing the exact same rags I had been forced to wear, and they would have to work for the King as lowly servants, although Drizella wouldn't have it quite as bad as her mother. The King said that prior to the Fairy Godmother's arrival, he considered banishing them, but after our conversation with Fairy Godmother, he changed his mind. The Grand Duke also had a confession to make. 'I was actually considering sending your stepfamily to prison, but I changed my mind once your Fairy Godmother spoke to us', he confessed. 'I'm glad you've reconsidered it, because I feel sending the Tremaines to prison would probably be a step too far', I replied. The Grand Duke had also decided it would be far more effective to subject them to the same terrible life they had forced me to endure. As for Drizella. however, the King decided to release her and let the poor girl pursue her own life away from her mother; just like Anastasia, she had been bred as a lamb for slaughter, but decided she would be better off without either of us. I was a little reluctant to just leave Drizella alone for good, but accepted her decision; I only wanted what was best for her. We continued back to the castle where our wedding party awaited us. 'Just before you go back to the party, we'll get you a new dress and we'll brush your hair up', I told my sister. 'Thanks, Cinderella', she replied. 'And then we'll both be free'. 'Indeed we will, and so, we will live happily ever after, again of course', I remarked. Anastasia and Kit nodded in agreement. And all three of us were in for an even happier ending; we had now become a family, and Anastasia and I were now True Sisters, and Kit now had both and a wife and a sister. That sister was Anastasia Tremaine, who tried to get hitched with the Prince for the disgraced head of the household, and realized she didn't truly love him, and that only wanted love for herself. I saw her remorse and defended her from her mother, and, whilst she was at first convinced she did not deserve to be forgiven, I managed to convince Anastasia she did deserve forgiveness and true love after all. We were now able to put our animosity firmly behind us, and Anastasia now had a second chance to go after that love she so desperately wanted. And as we arrived back at the castle for the wedding party, I held Kit and Anastasia's hands. 'And we will live even more 'happily ever after', than we did in your previous happy ending', Anastasia remarked. 'And nothing can come between us, this time', I replied, as we headed back into the palace for our wedding reception.

During the party, after Anastasia had fixed her hair and makeup and found a new dress, she met and fell in love with Scott, one of the bakers on hand. When we left for our honeymoon, they started dating seriously. When we arrived back at the palace, Anastasia, now my lady-in-waiting helped me to adapt to my new position as Princess. Kit had to go on an important trip with the King and Grand Duke, so Anastasia and I were left holding the fort in their absence. Together, we planned our first ever royal banquet, and despite some early concerns from Prudence, the King's right-hand woman, that he would object the changes we made, breaking from the old traditions, he liked them. 'I'm glad you do things your own way, Cinderella', she remarked, as she surveyed the achievement we had made as True Sisters. 'Thank you, Anastasia. Someday I'll get this Princess thing right', I replied. 'I think you already have', Kit added. On the other hand, things were not going well for Lady Tremaine. She repeatedly challenged the King's authority and caused chaos within the cellars of the palace, hurling constant verbal abuse at the guards and causing the King and Grand Duke even more stress. The King's punishments became increasingly severe. 3 months later, she decided to make a break for freedom and managed to escape from the castle and seal herself inside her old chateau. The King's guards eventually found Lady Tremaine and took her back the palace. The King was now considering banishing her from the Kingdom. Having decided she could no longer do any damage to me or Anastasia, Lady Tremaine decided to jump before she was pushed. The King decided it was probably just as well that she wanted to leave his kingdom, and allowed her to do so. We were all relieved to know that the rest of the Tremaine family would no longer be of any concern to any one of us. 'I'm glad they're off our backs, Cinderella; they were the only reason I treated you so horribly in the first place', Anastasia commented. 'Indeed, they were, and we will always be True Sisters', I replied, as I embraced her.

Nine months later and Prince Kit and I were once again celebrating our first wedding anniversary, which oddly enough, coincided with Anastasia's marriage with Scott. Fairy Godmother was there. Instead of the King planning the occasion, Fairy Godmother offered to orchestrate the party herself. This time, instead of Anastasia feeling her groom was not her true love and saying 'I don't', as she did when she tried to marry Kit, but turned him down at the last minute, this time, she finally said 'I do'. Kit and I smiled lovingly at the two of them, and I even shed a tear of joy. 'She's finally found her true love', I declared. Kit and I walked up to the altar to join Scott and Anastasia in a group hug. 'Thank you for helping me get here, Cinderella', Anastasia said. 'Aww, you're welcome', I responded. Kit and I joined Scott and Anastasia in their first dance as husband and wife. They song playing was a song I made up myself during my time as a scullery maid; 'A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes', by the time the song reached the final part of the chorus, none of us could help but sing 'No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true!'. Shortly after our dance, Kit told my True Sister 'You were right, Anastasia. We will *definitely* live even more 'happily ever after', than we did in Cinderella's previous happy ending'. 'I agree', Anastasia gleefully remarked. 'Indeed, we will', I added, as everyone applauded us. The family we had created when Anastasia Tremaine became a shadow of her former self and fixed my happy ending was now complete. We may well have been born and adopted into a scheme by the treacherous Lady Tremaine to take over the Kingdom for her own cruel and selfish reasons, but the conclusion to it all couldn't have been happier. I had not only a True Sister who realized what True Love really was, mended her once-strained relationship with me and finally found her own happy ending, but I also had a brother. I always dreamed my life could be like a fairytale, a perfect fantasy, and it turned out to be so much more than a dream come true. I was now a princess, a wife and True Sister. I, Cinderella, my stepsister Anastasia, her husband Scott and my husband Kit had reached a joyous and gratifying conclusion to this triumph. And so since then, we have lived, and we always will live happily ever after. The End.

Cast:
Jennifer Hale: Cinderella (Narrator)
Chris Daniel Barnes: Kit
Tress MacNeille: Anastasia
Russi Taylor: Drizella and Fairy Godmother
Susanne Blakeslee: Lady Tremaine
Michael Gambon: The King

(I decided to list the cast just for the sake of doing so)