“Son and Mom are fine. He’s going to be a beauty. Thanks to your decisiveness. This ranch would have been in big trouble losing two horses.”
Kong slobbers on Dad and makes for the door.
“I want to see the foal.”
Dad says, “Plenty of time for that. After all, I expect you to train him.”
“Really? Me train a stallion?”
“You earned it.”
“That’s awesome! I can’t wait to get my hands on him. You know you have to imprint a foal right away. Maybe I can - ”
“Not so fast. You’re staying in bed. If you’re feeling better tomorrow, we’ll see. Right now, I’m taking Kong outside and bringing him back. I want him out of the way because the Dudley’s rich friends are wandering in and out of the barn to see the horses. I’ll send up a late lunch since the wedding dinner isn’t until nine tonight.”
“Nine? What time is the wedding?” I ask.
“Dusk,” he answers. “David said something about the light in the garden.”
“Leave it to my brother to insist on perfection.”
“Get some more rest.”
“I will,” I say. Especially after our guests leave.”
Dad gives me a half-smile. “That’s what you think. Remember we have a foal and a new stallion.”
I finish my breakfast and wander to the window. The storm left a bright sunny day. Lots of strangers are running around. Climbing back into bed, I don’t even hear Dad when he brings Kong back.
Claire wakes me up when she brings lunch in the afternoon. “Hey, sleepyhead.” She sets a tray full of meats, cheeses and fruit on the bed.
“Do I look like an army?” I ask.
“You need to eat. Thought your dog might be hungry and I wanted you to have enough. I swiped this from the reception food.”
“Thanks. You aren’t supposed to be waiting on me. This is your big day.”
She smiles. “It’s only three. The wedding is not until seven-thirty. I have lots of time to get ready. I came up to see if you need help.”
“I’m the one who is supposed to be helping you.”
Claire laughs. “You know Mother. And I have my matron-of-honor as a referee. Besides, you need to stay here and get ready. It’s a zoo downstairs with all the out-of-town guests arriving ahead of time.”
“Claire, I’m glad we’re going to be family. I really mean it.”
She gives me a huge hug. “Me, too. When you’re ready, come into the small tent. That’s where the women in the wedding party are meeting. You can use the makeup there and get your bouquet.”
“Thanks, Claire.”
“I’m relieved you look so much better than last night,” she says, waving from the door. “You really had us scared.”
I share my lunch with Kong. It tastes so good. We both lie down on the bed. I have so many things to think about, I wonder how I will fall asleep.
It’s not a problem.
Music floats through the window and wakes me from my nap. The clock says six. Drowsy, I hear an orchestra warming up. Wonder what this wedding is costing the Dudley’s?
I head for the bathroom, hoping I don’t run into Daria. Empty. I ignore the frizzy, red-haired girl staring back at me in the mirror, shower and wash my hair.
Daria bangs on the door. “I need to get ready.”
I put on my robe and grab the hairdryer. Opening the door, I say, “Don’t you ever say please? You are the rudest child I have ever met.”
She sticks out her tongue as I sail past her.
I stomp to my attic. One more day and I’ll be free.
Plugging in the dryer, I plop on the bed and dry my hair. It hangs like red string and my bangs need trimming. I pull it back into a ponytail and stand in front of the mirror. Ugh, a ghost with a bad hair day. Wish that I had taken Jac’s advice and learned how to put on makeup.
I slip on the stupid pink dress and moan when I look in the mirror. I look like cotton candy on a stick. I pull on pantyhose and slip into the heels. They’re too big! Frantic, I close my door and hobble down the attic stairs to the bathroom. Maybe stuffing the toes with tissue will help.
Daria is in the bathroom putting blue fingernail polish on her nails. What’s a seven-year-old doing with polish? Godzilla sits on the edge of the bathtub, licking her fur like she owns the house.
“I thought you were supposed to keep your cat in the bedroom,” I tell her.
Daria glares at me. “You’re not my mother.”
Kong dashes through the door. I forgot to lock him in!
GRRRR! His growl is scary, even to me.
Daria screams and freezes.
HSST!
Kong barks wildly and jumps for the cat.
Godzilla leaps over Kong’s head and hits me in the chest. Her claws rip down the front of my dress before she races out the door.
Kong lands in the bathtub, his legs slipping in all directions when he tries to scramble after the cat. He gets two feet over the edge and bumps Daria.
She screams and throws the nail polish at me. It slops on my dress.
White-faced, she whispers, “Not my fault.” She rushes out of the bathroom.
I grab Kong by the collar and help him out of the bathtub. His paws get tangled in my dress and rip off a chunk of the skirt.
I stare at my dress in horror. How could such a disaster happen in ten seconds? Numb, I take off the heels and haul Kong back to the attic.
What now? I have nothing fancy enough to wear. I don’t think Mrs. Garcia can fix this mess. Jac is too short. Claire is too tall. I run to Mom’s trunks. Holding my breath, I open one and lift out a lace dress. Too big. I carefully look at a few others. No luck. Maybe someday.
I crash on the bed. What am I going to tell David?
Kong slobbers on the ruined dress. Tears of frustration trickle down my face.
Suddenly, the door locks. Electricity crackles through the room.
I yell.
Fairy Godmonster appears in a flash of purple mist.
“Oh, chill. It’s me.”
“Faro!” I scramble off the bed and throw myself into her arms. “You came back!” I can’t stop the tears of relief dripping down my face.
Kong jumps happily around her.
“And not a second too soon. Are you jinxed or just clumsy?” she teases.
“Where have you been?”
She grumbles, “The techs fixed FIMM and beamed me out of the forest before I knew what was happening.”
“I’m so glad to see you.” I cling to her.
Fairy Godmonster doesn’t let go. “Those morons in the council wouldn’t let me return, as they phrased it, ‘to a place out of my jurisdiction.’ Especially when they saw the destruction I caused in the garden. I explained that it was much better with humans doing the fixing instead of using magic.”
I ask, “How come they let you come back?”
“They had no precedent for this problem. Finally, I threatened to lock them up in my NTMT chip.”
I laugh and can’t stop.
“Buck up.” She stares into my eyes. Her words don’t match the affection I see there.
I sober immediately.
Fairy Godmonster’s eyes turn black. “Of course, I’m on probation. What do I care? I don’t leave a job unfinished. Your fairy godmother was bummed. Totally unable to replace me here after her experiences in Monsterdome.”
“Is she okay?”
“She will be. I’m giving her a few pointers when I return.”
“Winifred, are you ready?” asks Dad, knocking on the door. “Wedding’s in twenty
minutes.”
“I’ll be right down.” I look at Fairy Godmonster. “I hope your whip works.”
She laughs. I love her tiny fangs.
“I knew all those magazines would come in handy,” she says. “And eavesdropping. I know everything about the wedding. Stand still and don’t move. I want this to be perfect.”
She lifts her whip. Closes her eyes
in concentration. I worry about the eye-closing stuff. What if she misses? No way, not my Fairy Godmonster.
I close my eyes. “Is this going to be like Cinderella?”
“Better. The magic doesn’t wear off at midnight and you already have your Prince Charming.”
Fairy Godmonster swings her arm around.
SNAP!
The whip streaks over my head. I look up and see tiny, lightning bolts. A silver mist
covers me in sparkling lights. Warm chills slither up and down my body. When the mist disappears, Fairy Godmonster smiles in satisfaction. “I am so bad.”
I’m afraid to look.
“Oh go see,” she orders.
I walk slowly to the mirror, looking down at the skirt. A thrill streaks through me. It’s blue. I can’t look up.
“Chicken?” Fairy Godmonster asks. “That’s not my Winifred.”
I square my shoulders and raise my head. I can’t breathe. I gasp in shock when I look into the mirror at the stranger staring back at me.
“Is this a trick?”
Fairy Godmonster chuckles. “You are a real beauty. Didn’t you know?”
“No,” I whisper in awe.
Curls are piled on my head, a few falling softly around my face. The dress matches my eyes and makes me look like a princess
I wiggle my bare toes. “What about shoes?”
Fairy Godmonster cracks her whip. Shoes matching the dress appear on my feet.
“Do all high-heeled shoes feel this good?” I ask.
Fairy Godmonster smiles. “Created from a special material. Indestructible. Great for dancing.”
I twirl around and feel weightless. “These are magic, right?” I ask.
“Nothing less. Any more questions?”
“What if I don’t match with the rest of the wedding party?”
“Weasel ordered that monstrosity,” Fairy Godmonster says, pointing to the pink dress. “Claire wanted this one. She chose it to enhance your beauty. A truly unselfish human.”
I choke up.
“Chill, you’ll ruin the makeup.”
I lean closer to the mirror. Mascara makes my eyes enormous. Mysterious, too. My eyebrows are darkened just enough to frame my eyes. My lips shine and somehow look, well - kissable.
“Don’t forget your jewelry.” Fairy Godmonster cracks her whip. The necklace and earrings from Claire magically appear on my neck and ears.
“One more thing,” she says. The whip flashes.
My face tingles. I stare in the mirror in shock. The cut on my cheek has disappeared. There isn’t even a scar.
“Oh Faro. Thank you!”
She hugs me. “Time for your debut.”
“I can’t leave Kong here.”
Fairy Godmonster smiles. “I’ll take him to the stable. Go.”
“You won’t leave me?” I ask.
“You haven’t gone to the ball, yet,” she purrs.
Chapter 28: Stop - Wedding/Reception
Fairy Godmonster takes Kong’s collar, flicks her whip and they vanish in a split second.
I can’t help one last look in the mirror. Totally cool. I glide to the door on the magic high heels, amazed that they don’t hurt. Floating down the stairs, I check to see if there are clouds under my feet. Well. You never know.
Finding the kitchen empty, I push open the backdoor and stop, amazed.
The decorators have made the yard look like something you see in the movies. Sheer white panels of some kind of gauzy material drape across the columns of the huge tent.
An enormous three-tiered water fountain splashes in the center. Colored lights flash through the water. A wooden dance floor surrounds the fountain.
Dining tables around the floor are filled with ice sculptures, crystal vases of flowers and silver candlesticks. Turf has been laid under the tables, the green in bright contrast to all the white.
An orchestra in white tuxes warms up in one corner. Waiters, waitresses, cooks and planners scurry around with last minute details.
I spot the cake. Whoa. It’s huge. Instead of a bride and groom on top, it has an angel.
I make my way into the small tent.
Flash! A photographer shoves a camera in my face.
“Oh!” I exclaim.
Claire says, “James, at least warn a person when you take a picture. Winifred, this is my cousin, James Lancaster.”
Through spots, I see a small man who doesn’t stop moving.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hmm,” he says snapping more pictures. I try not to trip on him as he whirls around.
Weasel fusses with Claire’s wedding veil. “Claire, turn and face the door. This veil has to be perfect.”
My breath catches in my throat. Claire looks like a princess. Radiant. Her veil drapes like mist over her sparkling dress and down her three-foot train.
“You’re beautiful!” I exclaim.
Claire smiles. “Thanks. You look amazing. Mother, you got the dress I wanted for her. Thank you.”
Weasel looks at me. Her mouth drops open. “But ... ” She’s speechless and blank-
faced, for once.
Thank you, Fairy Godmonster.
Claire says, “Guess you don’t need makeup for your face, after all.”
Daria’s eyes are as wide as saucers. She wears a pink dress that looks good with her dark hair. Sneaking over to me, she whispers, “What happened to you?”
I smile. “Oh, my Fairy Godmother dropped by.”
“Yeah, right,” she sneers.
I laugh.
Claire picks up a small tiara of tiny blue, pink and purple flowers. “Let me put this on you.”
“Don’t move!” Weasel hastily grabs it from Claire’s hand. “I’ll put it on her.”
I freeze as Weasel faces me. Her black eyes bore into mine, but I stare right back. She glances away first and puts the comb on the tiara through my curls.
“Thank goodness you won’t embarrass Claire,” she whispers.
I want to punch her lights out, but ask, “You don’t like embarrassment, do you?”
“I despise it, above all else,” she hisses, turning back to Claire.
“You look perfect, Winifred,” Claire says.
The matron-of-honor hands me flowers.
“You look great, Maggie,” I say to her.
“So do you.” Maggie smiles and gives the ring pillow to her son. He smiles at me.
The bridal music begins to play.
“I’ll carry your train until we get there, Claire,” announces Weasel.
We slowly walk toward the garden. Although the orchestra is in the tent, the beautiful music drifts in the air and fills the peaceful summer evening. Hard to believe we had such a storm last night.
As we reach the garden entrance, Weasel says, “Now be careful your heels don’t get caught in the moss, Claire. Stand up straight. Oh, I wish you had more bridesmaids. Don’t - ”
“Ssh, Mother,” says Claire. “The guests will hear.”
That shuts Weasel up.
John is waiting for us. I should be nervous about showing my new self, but I’m not. I don’t have any time to wonder why because Scott returns from seating a guest. His low wolf whistle and the smoldering look in his eyes tell me everything. How cool is that? I
can’t help blushing.
John smiles and takes my arm. “I always knew you were a beauty.”
How come nobody ever told me? “Thanks,” I say.
Scott winks at me and takes Maggie’s arm as the wedding march fills the air. Joey squirms by her side, the ring pillow dragging on the moss.
Daria starts down the aisle, throwing flower petals from her basket. Maggie and Scott go next.
Excitement bubbles inside me. John and I wait our turn.
Mr. Dudley proudly takes Claire’s arm. “You look beautiful, my dear. Are you ready, Erminia?”
Mrs. Dudley hands a small paper to Claire. “I want you to have this.”
Claire tucks it in the top of
her dress and asks, “What is it?”
“Your real mother’s address.”
“Oh.” Glory spreads on Claire’s face. She kisses her mom’s cheek. “You’ll always be my real mother.”
Weasel’s eyes shine with tears, then glitter black. She adds, “I don’t ever want to discuss this again.” She takes Claire’s other arm.
Claire tells them, “Thank you, both. For everything. I couldn’t have a more wonderful wedding.”
Fairy Godmonster swishes past us in a slinky purple dress.
I freeze.
“Caught your shoe, Cinderella?” whispers John.
Then I remember, I’m the only one who can see her now. “Er, no. I’m fine.”
Fairy Godmonster grins as we walk past her.
It takes five minutes to weave our way around the benches to the wedding heart. Joey drags the ring pillow and almost runs away before he hands the pillow to John.
The rest of the ceremony is kind of like a beautiful dream: the floating music, the sunset reflecting off the glittering lights in the garden, the magic that makes the angel sculpture look real.
When we pass Jac, her expression of surprise is worth it. How am I going to explain my transformation to her?
I’m glad I have John’s arm to hold onto when we turn a corner and see the bridal couple. I almost lose it until I see the photographer hidden behind the lilacs, videotaping. He’s such a bouncy little man that I almost burst out laughing.
Dad swipes away a tear when he sees me. I imagine Mom standing next to him, and my heart swells with joy.
I hold Claire’s bouquet when needed. John hands the rings to David. They speak their heartfelt vows and I feel tears well up in my eyes. I blink fast ‘cause no way am I going to ruin my mascara.
Reverend Hawkins pronounces them husband and wife. David kisses Claire gently. I catch Scott staring at me and my whole body tingles.
“It is my great pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. David Smith,” announces the Reverend.
The look on their faces makes me hope for that kind of love in my life someday.
We follow them down the aisle to the standing applause of the guests.
Fairy Godmonster gives me a ‘claws up’ when I pass her.
Hurrying to the large tent, we stand in a pre-arranged line to receive the guests. The photographer zips around, lights flashing.
Scott peeks across his brother in the line. “Don’t forget. You promised to dance with me.”
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