For A Candy Cane A Day on the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry Forum.
Anastasia has spent her entire life waiting to get married.
Not just getting married. Getting married to someone who loved her—truly loved her, despite all her plainness and clumsiness and faults—and someone who she loved just as wholeheartedly in return. Finding her baker feels like magic—like an impossibility come to life. She's even having her wedding in a castle! It's as if all her childhood dreams are coming true.
But there is one thing—one itty bitty thing—that hasn't quite fallen into place. Although she sent the invitations months ago, she's received no response from her mother or sister. Admittedly, the lack of acknowledgement from her mother is no surprise. She had made it quite clear that she did not approve of that marriage. But Anastasia had always hoped that Drizella, at least, might be won over by the idea of her sister's happiness. And secretly, she'd always hoped that her mother might change her mind too.
It's Cinderella who delivers the bad news, hovering by Anastasia's doorway and looking at her with those sad doe eyes.
"They're not here, are they?"
Cinderella shakes her head. "I'm so sorry, Anastasia."
But Cinderella doesn't understand. Anastasia can hear it in her voice—the way Cinderella's secretly pleased that they won't step foot in the castle today. Cinderella doesn't understand—won't ever understand—why Anastasia still craves the affection and, perhaps most importantly, the approval of two such cruel beings. Truthfully, Anastasia isn't sure she understands it either.
"We can postpone for an hour or so," Cinderella says. "Perhaps they're just running late."
"No." Anastasia shakes her head and forces a smile. "Don't postpone. I want to get married now."
Cinderella places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Then let's go."
Anastasia nods—tries to look brave and nonchalant. But hours later, when the ceremony is over and the dancing begins, she still finds herself casting her gaze across the room looking for two familiar faces. She tries not to let her smile drop when she doesn't find them.