Hunting the Fairy Tale

Chapter 125 - Drowning Sorrows

"Despite being controlling and oppressive and taking away the people that I loved most in the world, Charlotte did Willow a lot of good too," Beth finally sighs. "She might be timid, nervous and shy, but she's resourceful, steadfast and highly disciplined. Which isn't all bad... especially now that it's being tempered a bit."

"That's true," I admit, not really enjoying doing so, but 'credit where credit is due' and all that. "They were rather close in their way, and I often felt redundant... even a little bit jealous. Still, Charlotte never told me to leave. I always thought she would. I never insisted on bringing Willow with me to weddings, visits and other events. I thought that counted in my favour, but now I just think I deprived Willow of bonding with the people here who loved her."

Beth drapes an arm around my shoulders and kisses my hair. "You may be right that if you did insist, you would've been booted from Willow's life, and where would that have left her?"

"Maybe," I concede, resting my head on Beth's shoulder.

"Isn't it fascinating?" she asks when I'm about to fall asleep, lulled by the tranquillity of the empty garden and the sound of birds going about their lives in the tops of the trees.

"What exactly?" I ask, pretty sure that we might not be on the same topic again.

"Willow used to love sitting on this bench, reading her books and just a few months after she left, Hunter loved to sit here and draw his mother. It's as if he found comfort in her lingering presence in a way... isn't it?"

I lift my head and stifle a yawn, ready to wake up and move on to phase two now. Being here in the place of warm memories has been hard and easy, pleasant and awful. I'm not sure I want to do this anymore.

"Sure," I chuckle, though I do find the idea rather sweet and heartwarming... and ridiculously sad.

"Come on!" Beth huffs and slaps my arm. "Don't be so unromantic! It's no coincidence that 11 years later, they found each other, and that lonely boy and sweet, gentle girl are now sharing beautiful kisses in the moonlight."

"Sorry? They're what?" I ask flatly, giving her a warning look. I am not ready to discuss my little girl's kissing habits.

"Well, they might be... who knows?" she shrugs and then she's frowning at me, looking a little offended. "I'll have you know that my boy is a total catch."

"I know he is," I sniff, shaking my head. "I'm just not ready for that now. I know Willow is in love with him..." I hurriedly trail off when Beth squeals excitedly. "No squealing!" I warn her, "and no planning their wedding just yet. Willow has only just discovered the freedom of planning her life."

"Yeah, yeah, party pooper- "

"It's not a party, and I'm not pooping."

"All I'm saying is think about it, Becks! It's just like we always dreamed of when we were kids. Your daughter and my son! I'm allowed to be happy."

"That's true," I smile, once again tracing fond memories in my mind. We always talked about how our children were one day going to get married. "Except, if I remember correctly, I was the one who was going to have a big, strong son, and you were going to have... and I quote, 'a dainty little fairy' for a daughter... though with a mum like you, she would much more likely have been a pixie or an imp..."

Beth runs her fingers through her hair and pulls a face. "Oh, that's right... Well, Hunter could totally pull off having some fairy wings and a wand," she grins. "It's working out great. Now I only need you to have another daughter... for Frankie," she giggles, getting to her feet and hastily grabbing onto me when I rise too.