“I’ll talk to my new boss,” I laugh, hugging her, too. “You guys won’t even miss me.”
“Pssht,” Amari—Ariel—mutters, rolling her eyes. “We will miss you, so you just make sure to come back. Tell your new boss this one event is nonnegotiable.”
“Sure,” I laugh, nodding again.
“Ohhh, the doors are opening,” Bethany—Cinderella—squeals, rushing over toward the doors. “This is my favorite part!”
We take our places, and within moments we’re surrounded by dozens and dozens of little kids dressed up as their favorite prince or princess. Parents follow, smiling and asking to take pictures, and gently reminding their children to say please and thank you.
I do love my job.
The joy on these little faces… It's what makes it all worth it.
I’m hunkered down, talking to a little girl also dressed as Rapunzel, with a little green Pascal plushie in her hands, when Ihear an excited whisper from somewhere behind me, “Dad, Dad, there she is! It’s her! Can we say hi?”
Finishing talking with the little girl in front of me, I wave her goodbye as she goes to find Elsa and Anna, before rising as gracefully as I can, and turning to the next family waiting.
“Ohmygod,” I whisper, my entire body freezing. Tears sting my nose, and I fight like hell to keep my smile on my face and stay in character. “H-hello.”
My little Chloe, bouncing on the balls of her feet, is pulling at her father’s hand. She’s dressed as Rapunzel, too, her blond hair braided to the side. Bailey stands next to them in a full-length Cinderella gown, her hair slicked back into a bun. Abigail grins wide, shrugging her shoulders in her Elsa dress, her own blond hair tied back in a French braid.
They all look incredible.
“Look, Lou—I mean,Rapunzel—” Chloe giggles behind her hand, correcting herself, and then tugs at her dad’s hand again. “Daddy dressed up, too! He says you always call him a grumpy beast, so, that’s who he is!”
And, he certainly is. In full French Rococo style, this man is dressed to the nines just like the Beast from the movie. No mask, but his hair is slicked back, and his beard is slightly fuller than usual, lending him a roguish air.
Those blue eyes that I’ve missed so much haven’t left mine. God, I can’t believe they’re all here!
That’s when I realize Zach is carrying a baby against his chest. A little baby boy, who can’t quite be a year old, dressed as a little prince. My eyes find his again, and I watch as he swallows hard.
So many pieces of the puzzle fall into place. And I understand, even without a word.
“Is this…?” I ask quietly, hardly daring to breathe.
He nods, stepping forward. “This is Declan. He’s the girls’ baby brother.” He clears his throat roughly. “And… my foster son.”
“Zach… he’s perfect,” I whisper, smiling widely. Damn these tears!
He shifts the little boy in his arm again, nodding. “It’s a long story, one that I hope you’ll let me tell you.”
“I can’t wait to hear it,” I say, and I mean it.
Abigail reaches for Declan, and Zach lets her take him. “We’re gonna go say hi to the other princesses.”
“Stay close,” Zach and I both call, and we laugh awkwardly together.
Chloe tugs at my hand, and I lean down so she can hug me tight around the neck. “We missed you.”
“I missed you, more,” I whisper, kissing her cheek. “Go on, go say hi to everyone!”
Straightening, I look up at Zach, who has stepped closer. I want to reach out, to touch him. But… I don’t know why he’s here, so I remain where I am. He might only be here for the girls, and I have to remind myself he may not want to speak to me, after all.
“This is quite the surprise,” I say. “I wasn’t sure if Joel would get the tickets to you, or if you’d come…”
“Abigail said I needed to ‘go big’ with my apology to you, Louise,” he starts, stepping forward to take my hands in his. The warmth of his hands sends butterflies through my entire body. “And she was absolutely right. You deserve the biggest apology for how I treated you. For how I hurt you. As someone told me… I was coward. I let the actions of one selfish person let me believe that I couldn’t trust anyone with my girls, or with my heart ever again. Despite every way that you showed me you were all in. I doubted your heart, and I can’t ever apologize enough, Louise.Saying I’m sorry… it doesn’t feel like enough. But I will say it as many times as I need to. I’m so sorry, Princess.”
God how I’ve missed him. But… Do I trust this? Can I trust him not to disappear again? I don’t know that I could survive it twice.
