You are Going to be Remembered because You are Loved

The day was the most beautiful spring day out of any that year. The sunflowers, daisies, and even the thorn-bushes looked more magnificent than the rest that day. The little baby bluebirds were learning how to fly. The small, childlike robins were learning their calling of singing a little tune. Everything was perfect from the smallest ant to the lonely moon. The people walked with more of a skip to their step, as if something fantastic were going to happen that day, although no one knew what. It was as if the most small of the fairy species sprinkled the town with stardust that night, to make everyone’s dreams come true. Everyone smiled bigger, laughed louder, and beamed brighter as if they knew what was destined for the town and the mystery of what it was to bring lasting peace. That day, May 13, 1679, Arlene Ellen McAllister was born. From her first cry to her last murmur, she was going to be loved, even when she didn’t know it. She knew she was loved almost the precise moment she was born. Her mother, Charlotte Ava, was greatly fatigued after bringing her angel into the world, but wanted to be the first to set her down to rest or do something to show her all the beautiful things in the world. As almost every mother feels, she felt her little Arlene Ellen would do something to chance the world for the better. The first conversation was mere minutes away from the little child’s birth. Charlotte Ava whispered to her in deafening believability, “Arlene Ellen, you will always be loved.” (She was naming the miniscule person at the same time with this phrase) and her daughter’s reply was a small, innocent, natural smile. The next few minutes later, they were both asleep. Arlene would discover the world the next day. Her father, William Jan, knew what his wife had to have gone through to deliver his little, petite flower into the world, only all too well. He had an abused childhood full of insults and mockery from his own father. He would make sure Arlene had it different. He knew also that his small creature would always be loved, and he had a deep wish, out of the deepest of wishes that she would always know that. He wanted her to always feel like the most precious thing on the planet to him, nothing like how his father, Adam Lawrence McAllister had made him feel all his childhood. Charlotte Ava was one of the first people to make William feel like somebody that was most of the reason why he fell in love with her, because she admired him and he knew it. He didn’t care how high he would have to fly or how deep he would have to burrow for his little Arlene Ellen to feel loved her whole life. She would know she was adored until her dying day; he would need to make sure. So began Arlene Ellen’s life, peaceful, restful, and full of love. Long years passed in all too short an amount of time and Arlene Ellen was turning seven. On a day almost as beautiful as the day of her birth had been, she was running around the yard, pretending to be a duck. She was such a silly little girl. One gaze into her brown eyes and a glance down her face on her short body that was pearled with freckles and crowned with blonde hair, always growing, would make anyone feel happy the rest of the day. This was fortunate; Charlotte Ava was feeling more and sicker each day. She never told anyone, she thought that watching her daughter fantasize all of her animal friends each day was enough medication for her but, she coughed near all the time and was growing paler by the second, it seemed. Her sickness was only too evident. William was too entertained by his daughter also and he was still occupying himself with the notion of an idea that he would be caring and loving of her forever, so she would know that there was nearly no being on earth as precious as her. To usher your worried thoughts out the door, he also tried to notice everything that was happening to Charlotte. If anyone deserved the opposite of seclusion along with a love from him that would last forever, it was her. She was his savior; the least he could do was making sure she never felt ignored or as secluded as he once felt in the least bit. As he noticed her repeating coughs getting worse and that they couldn’t be simple allergies, he whispered to her, like an owl in the night, “Char, are you feeling alright? I could go to the town doctor if you want me to. Do you think that would make you feel better?” She needed to see a doctor. He didn’t want to force anything on her though. It would be too much like his father used to treat him in his youth, except with more trivial things, his feelings and self-confidence. Charlotte shook her head, as she attempted to watch her small Arlene. He cast his eyes down and nodded his head. He knew what he should do, but there was something in his mind that told him that was the wrong path to take or thing to say. Charlotte saw the worry in his eyes and reached out to touch his knee. “I feel fine…Nothing is wrong with me. Let me watch-join me in watching our little Arl Ella.” she tried to comfort, but she could barely speak; it hurt every part of her lungs. She supposed the sickness would simply fly off, like a dragon from its cave and she would feel better the next day. Charlotte Ava was a woman full of hope. She hoped in her husband since she had first met him. She hoped in her daughter when she was born. She would have another child if she could, but she knew her body wasn’t able. William felt this way too about their small family and wanted it to grow, but Charlotte was sick all the time, she couldn’t handle-he couldn’t bear her going through labor again. The next few days came upon them all so fast. It was like a ghost haunting their parlor in the night. Now, Arlene Ellen and William Jan did have their own concerns about a spirit lurking in where it wasn’t to be near all the time. Charlotte Ava was dead. Arlene didn’t quite understand the idea of death and disliked wearing black, but did in order to honor her mother. After her grave was buried and Arlene and William were holding hands above her gravestone (they were the very last to leave), William murmured, “Arlene Ellen, you will always be loved.” She was surprised at how familiar that sounded to her ears that she gave a little jump. Since she knew her timid father, she accompanied that nervously with, “I know, Papa.” she even squeezed William’s hand tighter as if she were afraid that he would run away. He never would but he would have all at the same time in his life, as he was re-discovering the meaning of it. Arlene Ellen he still loved with all his heart, but he didn’t feel like that was enough. She had plenty of friends, human and alike still, but he didn’t consider that enough for his angel. There was always a voice at his shoulder, always telling him that he could’ve done better with her eternally smiling face and constantly echoing giggles. He already presently worried too much, but everyday it was reaching a bigger than big level, much larger than the day before. He couldn’t think straight and didn’t believe he would be able to until he married someone again. Not for his sake, but for Arlene’s sake. He could never love anyone as much as he loved his rescuer, Charlotte Ava. Clueless as possible, and for no reason at all, he married the widow of the town merchant, Adaline Daine. It was a time of not thinking for the both of them. Adaline thought that marrying William would be entering into a life of luxury for both her daughters and herself. Her daughters were named Celeste Gaylene and Gemma Jasmine (all of them suffering from a case of too many drinks every night). The only reason that Adaline agreed to entering William’s family so quickly was because she thought that he must have a load of money to live off of by the way he dressed like a gentleman, when honestly, he did that not to offend anybody for sure and he felt like he was always in mourning for Charlotte’s death. His past-wife had always lived a wonderful life. The only reason he married Adaline was that she had two daughters, therefore friends for Arlene, and nothing concerned with love for his new wife. Arlene was shocked by this while not so shocked at the same time. She had thought life was going well for herself; she had plenty of friends (that included some of the strangest creatures she once impersonated as a child, but she spent most of her time with Chloe Lena, a friend of hers she had met at school that she felt understood her problems and issues of having to grow up without a mother.). She still tried to act as happy as she could sit on the porch step next to and eager, jittering father. She would do this for him. She was sure that Celeste Gaylene and Gemma Jasmine weren’t near as malevolent as she made up in her head. When it was clear to see and hear their carriage on the road, William’s hand escaped to Arlene’s knee in surprise. Arlene tried not to roll her eyes or sigh during her father’s monologue, “Aren’t you excited? Wouldn’t it be great if you became friends with Celeste Gaylene and Gemma Jasmine right away?” The kindest reply to that unlikely question that Arlene could give was a simple turn of the head and an attempted smile at the man of a father that was becoming more taciturn and upset with nearly everything. He gave his best mock laugh to brighten the mood but they still both felt it. Everything was posed, and nearly always would be for both of them. Arlene still knew that she was loved and William was still trying his best at being as honorable and loyal to his family as possible. That was before the carriage stopped. That was before the carriage doors were opened by men who were decorated with make-up much like play-dolls. That was before they saw the family that would become theirs, decorated like cakes that Charlotte used to make for them before she grew ill and was dying. They both couldn’t hold in their gasps. William felt guilty as he helped his new eloped wife and her daughters. They all gave a high, pompous sniff, very vain. Arlene wondered right away how her father could ever marry this woman, into her family that now contained her new sisters and mother. The smell of them made Arlene sneeze right away. William’s eyes rose to his daughter by birth, “Arl Ella, are you okay?” Adaline raised her awfully judgmental eyes. Apparently, it was her daughter’s turn to be in the spotlight (or she, Arlene couldn’t tell). She meekly lowered her eyes in a nod, only allowing herself to hear a sniff from her step-mother, who didn’t want to wait to get her word in. “William Jan! How I’ve missed you! Have you met my daughters Celeste and Gemma?” She then didn’t give William time to meet her daughters by snatching William up in an exhausted, modeled kiss. Since Arlene couldn’t bear watching her father kiss someone who wasn’t her mother and who she knew she would have trouble accepting, she hoped her daughters would at least be the tiniest bit different, but had expanding eyes as they stepped out of the carriage. So many colors, so many personalities were in their clothes. Quickly, Arlene introduced herself, “Hello, my name is Arlene Ellen…your new sister.” They chuckled at nothing. They couldn’t not be nervous about having to get used to a new sister. They immediately and rudely started mumbling to each other mocks to Arlene. “I thought her name was Earl. She’s a girl.” “Not any girl, our ‘new sister.’” They were clutching their stomachs by the end. Arlene tried to keep a miniscule smile on her face, although they obviously looked at the idea of a new sibling with little admiration. She couldn’t wait till she could be alone with her father again. She knew that she could still relate to him and that he loved her. William let go of Adaline all too late and couldn’t escort them into the house fast enough, even his new wife had a fair amount of insults. “Is this all you have in your garden? Do you have a savings account?” William nodded as his answer, which surprised Arlene; she barely knew what either of those words actually meant. William was lying because he thought it might support the good side of Arlen’s face. Her daughters became much happier with the mention of a savings account that meant more presents for them. It was obvious to tell which one was Celeste and which one was Gemma. Celeste acted higher and mightier, like her head was much too heavy for her shoulders. Gemma definitely had more make-up to make her face look like a very large gem. It was frightening. Arlene didn’t care what her name meant, ever. She believed your name is what you make of it, not meant to mean something, ever. The girls were still mumbling to each other, now mocking a little bit of dirt on Arlene’s skirt, which they thought was cinder. “Arl Ella…Dirt Ella…Cinder Ella!” Arlene’s name used to not mean anything. She went by the nickname Arl Ella, now, due to a little spot of dirt that Celeste and Gemma had supposed was cinders, and she had a whole new name that she would probably have to live with for the rest of her life. She tried to talk to her father about this, but that would be considered complaining and she still was loved, was pretty sure she was loved, she didn’t know anymore. Maybe it was just her, but it looked a whole lot like her father was constantly trying to push away Adaline and bring together the new step-siblings with Cinderella. She didn’t like that but she tried to treat everything like there was always someone out there who loved her, not only for her clean-up jobs and washing skills. She in fact thought she had met a nice man on one of her sparse days off when she went out in the town to spend some time with Chloe Lena. He looked like he had fallen in love with her humble appearance and cinder-covered skirt way too fast, but Cinderella didn’t care. She took the rare moments of admiration that she got. She wished her father still spent time with her. She wished something would happen and she would be a little girl again, quacking around the yard like a duck with her healthy mother (not step-mother, mind you) and a joyful, laughing, hopeful father. The boy she got to meet at the town square gave her greatest desire at the moment and nearly every moment was to be appreciated again. She tried to stay as humble and serving as she could bear while Celeste asked where the room service was and Gemma complained about the space or the house mirrors, even the ones that were hers. Cinderella wanted to run away and never come back. Back to the place where her name was still Arlene Ellen; back to a place where she could spend as much time with her family that she wanted; back to a place where her mother, Charlotte Ava was still alive. She had several dreams and wishes as this. She knew that a dream was just a simple wish her heart made, but she couldn’t stop her fantasies. Not now, nor ever would she want them to stop. The boy she met on town square kept showing up though. He must have moved there. He said his name was Oliver Harry. She had always liked those names. He acted in such a courtly manner; it was as if he was a prince. He either was or was taught splendid lessons on how to show everyone respect. Her mother, Charlotte, would like him, she knew it. She found herself smiling more and more around him and she would find an increasing amount of excuses to go to the town square for the mere possibility of seeing him. Adaline, Celeste, and Gemma noticed she found more and more excuses out of work and home for a quick scamper off to town. They knew the reason must have been a friend (or “friend,” as it was). They didn’t like the idea but they did nothing to make it vanish, they knew that everyone needs a friend. Even William noticed as he started to hear his daughter’s pleasant humming from around the house, leading to his small, enclosed, comforting office. He grinned at her melodies; he thought it must have meant that she finally was becoming friendly family with her step-siblings. One spring day, Oliver complimented her with the question, “We are best friends, Ella, aren’t we?” the reply was a shy smile that was accompanied with a blush. He was the only person who didn’t address her by the rude nickname that her step-siblings gave her for the single reason of dirt on her skirt. She hoped that she would one day be more than friends with Oliver, but she kept that dream only in her heart, though it would sometimes rise to her cheeks. Soon after that though, sadly, he would see Gemma and encounter love at first sight. Their conversations would then compose of phrases like, “Your sister is so beautiful…I mean step-sister. I love all the colors she wears. She is a gem. I wonder why or how her mother knew. I think I love her.” Cinderella tried to remain with her content disposition by smiling. He was growing more and more annoying each day. She could never believe that as a child, she had the beginning of feelings for him. Gemma knew her looks were loved by everyone, including him (that is except for people of humble beginnings like William and Cinderella), but she was too vain and haughty to care. She only cared that they existed, not at all in reality for any of the people who had them. With her best friend’s disposition changed, Cinderella’s humming decreased once more. Celeste saw this as an opportunity to command her to do even more small or big chores around the house. Cinderella obeyed, realizing that she had nothing better to do and obedience was, had to be a part of her nature with her new step-siblings. That was what Adaline silently commanded her, at least. Listen when you are spoken to and do what you are told. That was the basic culture of the commands. Cinderella was finding it hard to believe that she was loved by anyone anymore. (She still had imaginings of her mother singing things like that to her as a child, but the memories and dreams were fading.) She didn’t see love anytime, even from her suddenly inattentive father. If anyone spent too much time with anyone as stubborn and rude as Adaline, they begin acting like that person without ever even so much as realizing it. William was breaking his promise without being aware. Celeste and Gemma were bathing in this notion. Adaline was laughing in the back round at his ignorance, unawareness, and practical stupidity. Cinderella didn’t feel like there was any silver lining in her life at all, though she was always trying her hardest to see it. Her step-siblings, specifically her step-mother, Adaline made sure that each day it got harder to see any hope. She was succeeding too, all up to a certain day that a proclamation from the palace came. It read- Citizens of Noradial, There will be an annual ball held at the palace this spring, May 13, and forward, seeing that the prince is past his year that he should be married. All eligible young women are regally invited, in hope that he may fall in love4 with one of you. Live happy, paying the king tribute at your ability and always remember,you are loved. The last phrase of the message struck her very hard. When the herald first read it, she didn’t hear it in his voice, she hard it in her mother’s very believable, true voice. Cinderella almost wanted to wipe away tears from her eyes. She knew she still was loved. She didn’t know where her mother was at the moment, but she knew that whichever degree of heaven she was currently in, she still loved Cinderella by her given name, Arlene Ellen McAmish. Marrying a prince and becoming a queen was a thing she knew would always and forever remain a dream. She would never receive that “happily ever after.” She wished she could not only be in the back round as Oliver became more strong, muscular, and darkly attractive. She wished he didn’t notice how much more beautiful Gemma was becoming and how much more loud in everything, including the things she didn’t say Celeste was becoming. It was shocking how much men fell in love immediately with people that looked like they could take care of themselves. That night, when both Celeste and Gemma were begging for the most beautiful dresses with the most vibrant colors, Cinderella spoke for herself true and clear. “I think I am going to make my dress…I want something that looks different from everyone else.” As if they were both listening, Celeste and Gemma laughed so hard and loud, it sounded as if they would explode. “What about your cinders, Ella?” “Will you hold my duster, your majesty?” They mocked her dancing, that they had never seen, and her looks, which clearly beat theirs without make-up that they plastered to their faces. Cinderella couldn’t handle it anymore. She stood all of this for far too long. “That isn’t my name!” she yelled in a loud, abrupt voice. She wasn’t ready for that action, nor would she ever be. In a windswept, quiet voice, she continued though, “It’s-It’s Arlene Ellen McAmish…That is what my mother named me when I was first born; when I was born to Charlotte Ava, not-not Adaline Daine.” The laughs still continued, as if she was telling a simple joke. The truth hurt everyone though. Two of them were really good at hiding the pain though. Cinderella ran from the laughter. She wanted to run forever, she couldn’t though; her conscience was concerned with her father’s well-being. She knew that deep inside himself, he had to still be that same loving man that he was when her mother was alive. She ran through his office door and into his arms. She tried her best to not let a single tear out of her eyes, but right now was the first time in her life that she felt she couldn’t control her emotions. She wept and he nourished, “It’s all okay, Arl Ella. I will all be better tomorrow.” She shook her head that was buried in his shoulder that tears wouldn’t stop coming from. When she could burrow a word, she gasped, “I will never be as pretty as Gemma. I will never be as social as Celeste. My best friends are the mice. No one cares about me. No one will ever care about me.” “No Arl, that isn’t true and you know it.” He comforted. The girl shook her head. He kissed her head. He pulled all of his comfort tricks back out of the bag. With a few more weeps and wails about how she was and how she could never attend this prince’s party, her father held her close and whispered to her, “I have something for you. It is hidden in the floorboards of my closet. I’ve never shown it to anyone before…Well, except for Charlotte.” Cinderella rose herself higher and higher. She grew more and more hopeful with each word her father said. She knew that he loved her. She had guesses for how beautiful this dress was and in truth; this dress defeated all expectations she ever had. It was old-fashioned and full of memories, showing that it was purchased such a long time ago, but it was gorgeous, still the same. It was super fluffy. It was like a cloud with sleeves that must of covered her mother’s arms (that was who she assumed had worn it before) like stardust. It was a lovely, vibrant blue and it was either covered with glitter, sequin, or both up to the sleeves. She tried to imagine her mother in this, but the immediate dreams were of her in it. “It’s…its beautiful!” She said, growing in volume at each word with excitement. William remained with the humblest of expressions on his face, a simple smile, full of joy. Now was story time. “You aren’t going to believe me, but this is what Char had to wear to get me to notice her.” Cinderella had already heard all of William’s stories countless times, she supposed, back when her mother was alive, but this was new. She thought that her parents were so meant for each other that it was a love at first sight experience for them. She was suddenly eager for the story for more than the vain reason that she wanted to try the dress on. She had never heard this one before and who doesn’t like a good story? “I was young, so young. I thought that nobody liked me so I was captivated with feelings of self-pity. She liked me and tried to show me, but I was inattentive and wallowing in thoughts of myself, plus, my father’s commands so I didn’t notice her small acts that said, ‘I like you.’ She smiled at me, she laughed at everything I said (if anyone ever tells you that works around a boy, not true), but I was ignorant, until she bought this dress. I needed the stars to wake me up and tell me that I was loved. After that, you know the rest of the story. We had a secret relationship, far from my father’s nose and then, ran away and got married. I didn’t regret a single day of keeping this dress. I knew that someday, my daughter may need it. I know it’s old and out of fashion now but, it woke me up. It may do the same thing as it did for Char for you. It may open your true love’s eyes. I know its old-” “Its perfect.” she interrupted, but she knew the way the true love story always went, first came like (like with her parents) and maybe after many attempts, it would become something more. It would become that thing at its own pace, but still, stranger things have come to pass. She picked it up as if it were the most valuable thing in the world. She wanted to dance with it in her hands to get the idea of how it would look, but she could tell it was far too precious, especially to her father. When she saw the tears leaking from his eyes didn’t stop, she decided to compliment everyone in the room. “Thank you Papa! I love you! I know you love me!” When the reply was about to escape his lips, Adaline found herself at the closet’s door. “What is that? How old is that? Why did you buy her something? Who is-” William cut off his new wife right there. He knew that more brisk, insulting words were coming to insult his daughter if he let her continue. “Arl Ella has a ball to go to. She didn’t have a dress yet, so I provided.” That had to shoot an arrow through Adaline’s heart, Arlene thought with how her lips became a thin line immediately. She had nothing to saw that would properly offend him that wasn’t wrong. At the door though, Celeste appeared as if sent from the devil below. “Where did you get that dress? It is almost as old as time. It’s ugly.” William gave Arlene a plain and dangerous wink to comfort her. Before he could answer, Adaline finally thought of a reply to what her husband had said before. “If we bring her…who is supposed to help us get ready and take care of the house that night?” William let the air hang between them all, Adaline, Celeste, William and his daughter to give his new wife a spare amount of pleasure before sighing, “I think we can get ourselves ready for the night. Afterall, the invitation did say all eligible young women.” Arlene was beaming now. If she knew anything, it was that she was loved by her father in that moment. She kissed his cheek, much to Adaline’s disgust, and whispered, “Thank you, Papa. I love you so much. I know that this is just what Mama would’ve done in a situation like this.” After that, she couldn’t help but skip out of the room. Today’s chores could wait. She had a ball to prepare herself for because she was loved. Getting all material ready for this occasion, Arlene felt like it really took no time, though she had no experience in preparing herself for this formal of Balls. She accepted everything that came to her from the very first time she saw it, she didn’t command for something prettier or more noticeable like Gemma or Celeste would. The thing she wasn’t ready for was the shower of emotions she felt as she was entering the ballroom. All the other girls were wearing items with way too many colors, flowers, and everything. They were like a ton of Celeste’s or Gemma’s. Everyone knew who the girl they called Cinderella was right away because she always had a quiet style that spoke volumes because she was so unique and different from everyone else. Though she wasn’t with a crowd she was particularly comfortable with and they all knew exactly who she was and who they had mocked her to be, she would go by her given nametonight. No matter how long ago it was that she went by that name, most of all the people in town had to remember it. Everyone wanted their hand to at least brush her gown as she walked past, as if this distinct form of beauty could rub off in one way or another. The first man she danced with was tall, attractive, and as handsome as the most devilish thief. He looked familiar, though she didn’t know from where. “Vous etes beau.” He murmured, trying to sound romantic, trying to be the compliment that would make the difference. As she was passed around the ballroom floor, she was unsure of how many different languages she had heard. The tall, dark, handsome devil got her hand more than once. The second time was with a faster dance, when he was about to pass her, he whispered, “What is your name?” she was startled but, seeing as this was a reasonable question, answered quickly, “Arlene Ellen, what’s yours?” She wondered why she spoke so quickly and whether or not she should have to authority to ask. He seemed lovingly familiar since their first dance. Did she somehow know him underneath his entire make up that made him look like he was someone or something else? He mumbled, even quieter, “Oswald Harold.” She was shocked as she was speedily passed to some other young, eligible man that heard there was going to be young, beautiful women at this Ball. Arlene wasn’t given any time to consider this mysterious Oswald Harold much longer, seeing as she was passed from man to man. She was sure she danced with nearly every man in the nation, grinning and bearing it. The Ball ended much earlier than she had expected, than anyone had expected, especially the man who wanted to dance with Arlene Ellen, as she commanded to be called to every man she danced with for the night. Once he heard they could finally go, William was near the first to leave, he didn’t want to seem rude and overstay his welcome, much to Adaline’s displeasure (except for the fact thatCinderella wanted to stay too and her disappointment brought her a bit of pleasure). Cinderella believed she had the best sleep of her life that night. It was full of dreams, or wishes, as she preferred to call them, but morning came just the same as it did any day when the sun tickled her eyelids. Cinderella knew she would have to return to normal life. Not every night could be spent on the ballroom floor dancing with men, all on their best behavior. It didn’t matter how much the selfish side of her teenage nature wanted it. It wasn’t the way that nature was designed. It wasn’t the way that nature was designed until Oliver Harry was at her door, with a dark, mischievous look in his eye with eyes that could only be grinning at her. Cinderella tried to listen to her pounding heart and sweating nerves. Did she honestly find cupid’s arrow stuck in her heart again? When would she stop being young, ridiculous, and stubborn with what she thought love was? Surprisingly, when she opened the door, her childhood friend didn’t ask immediately for Gemma and her beauty, but was speaking directly to her when he spoke, addressing her by her full real name, “Arlene Ellen McAmish, why on earth are you so shy? Why do you accept what is given to you no matter how good or bad it may be? Why did you intrigue so much as I was a young boy so as to trick me with your kindness, friendliness, and care? I changed my own identity. Arl Ella, I am honestly Prince Oswald Harold and I always found myself in love with you. Will you marry me?” Her eyes grew with each sentence that escaped his mouth. He was definitely telling the truth, the evidence was a few of his Lords and Ladies in waiting surrounding him. She rapidly nodded her head. She should have known. At the Ball last night, there was always something familiar about the prince. What man was more familiar to her than her best friend, Oliver Harry, or Oswald Harold, as he was truly named? She loved how he called her Arlene Ella, instead of Cinderella, as she was rudely nicknamed, but let’s not name all the reasons why she loved him. They were even able to find a place for William in the royal court to watch his daughter reign over the country and even put in a bit of word for it, after throwing Adaline in jail. She apparently had used many men, and William was a hard mouse to trap, but she was going to do it, if she wasn’t caught in the act of poisoning some of his drink. He was still living up to his promise to be a father, which he had made years ago. Gemma and Celeste lived normal lives, they found suitable to raise them (it wasn’t easy) and suitable people to marry, when the time came. Oswald Harold and Arlene Ellen ruled over a peaceful and law-abiding people near all their reign in love, no one near as regal and majestic was to follow them (unless, of course, you like this story more than I thought you would). And they all (or most of them) lived happily ever after. THE END