A Christmas Walk

23.

A little over a  week had come and gone already. It was a new year, maybe even a new start. My life was back on its normal track. I went to work, I ate home cooked meals that I made in mass quantities and I spent time with my dad. My newest thing though is that sometimes I just laid in bed. That's what I was doing right now, just laying in bed. I didn't want to do anything but lay around. So I didn't. My laundry was caught up and dishes were done. I cleaned the house a few days ago. I had absolutely nothing to do today but go to work. I had to be at the studio in about an hour but it only took my 15 minutes to get there. I still had at least another half an hour to lay around. I'm glad I had showered last night so I didn't have to do it today. My bed didn't seem to want to give me up today. That or I didn't want to leave the company of my pillows and blankets. Either way, I wasn't leaving this bed. Not yet at least.

My alarm went off for me to get out of bed. I peeled my blankets off and and crawled out into a world I didn't really want to be apart of, today at least. I still think about Prince William and Baltaver. I think about how much I'd rather be there than here sometimes. Except I'd miss my friends and family too much. If I could bring my dad, Jenny, Savannah, Vanessa and Michelle with me to the castle, I would. Then I wouldn't have thought twice about being more flirtatious with the Prince. I would have acted on more of my notions like I wanted to. Probably told him how I felt too. But that wasn't important now.

I got in my car and drove to work. Pam was in her office and Ryan was running around like a chicken with its head cut off; so nothing abnormal. My stomach started to tie itself in knots; I just ignored it. I joined the girls in conversation. We waited for Ryan to start class.

Class ran pretty smooth but the closer we got to the end, the tighter the knots in my stomach got. My palms were sweating.
"Alright everyone, can I have you sit for a moment." Confused, everyone sat back on the last line. I remained next to Ryan.
"Oh my god, you're going to Baltaver?!" Vanessa clutched her hands to her chest. Her face was lit up like a Christmas tree.
"What? No. I was just there." She pouted. I knew she thought I was supposed to be chasing after Prince Charming, but instead I was chasing my dreams. Men come and go, I guess. "Can you grab the lights?" I asked Savannah. She gave me a strange look but flicked them off. The studio fell dark. I turned on both flashlights. One had a orange color chip over top and the other had a pink one. Pam hit the CD played and the song Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey started to play. My dance was about the movement of the colors and the flow of the music. I had been working on this for weeks before we left to Baltaver. I closed my eyes and let my body flow through the music.

The lights turned on when the song ended. Everyone had a look of complete awe on their faces. My heart was doing flips in my chest. I was so proud. They erupted with applause. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.
"Oh my god Autumn, we had no idea!" Michelle smiled widely. Vanessa squealed. She hit an octave I didn't know humans could hit or hear. We all recoiled and looked at her.
"Sorry, I'm just so excited. That was so cool, do we get to do that too?" I laughed.
"Yes, it's something I want to do. This was solely Autumns dance but she and I will choreograph an actual dance with the lights." Ryan informed everyone. I glanced at Pam. She was smiling even wider than I was. Pride was pouring out of me like sweat.

We got a run down of ideas for the next performance. Ryan and Pam included us on what we wanted. We talked about style, colors, music and costumes. We all sat around and laughed. Ryan ended up having to excuse himself with a call. While Ryan stepped away Pam let us just talk, not about work. After about 15 minutes Ryan excuses us since the call was going to be a long one.

The girls and I made our way out of the studio. The California air felt nice.
"I'm telling you every couple should have a hall pass." Savannah pushed. I just shook my head and laughed.
"You're crazy." I was looking at my feet.
"I think Prince William will be Autumns hall pass."
"Her hall pass can't be the person she's supposed to be with." Vanessa argued with Savannah. My heart felt a pang of hurt.
"You guys are crazy." I tried to laugh it off. Suddenly, the girls stopped walking. Their eyes were wide and mouths hung open a little. They weren't looking at me but rather over my shoulder. I turned around. "Prince William?"
"Hello." He acted almost as if this is normal. Like we always had the potential of bumping into each other in California. "Uh, hi." His face contorted a little when he spoke. He looked uncomfortable trying not to stand out verbally.
"What are you doing here?" I glanced around us. The whole troop of girls had stopped just outside the doors and were watching us. Ryan, still on the phone, and Pam were even at the window. They all knew very well who he was.
"I wanted to see palm trees." He hesitated.
"Google images will show you that."
"Yes, but I wanted to see them in person."
"Florida has palm trees." I pushed for his real reason for being in California.
"I'm aware, but only California has you." Hayes said softly. His cheeks blushed. I stared at him in disbelief. I don't know why. I knew it was coming but it still shocked me. Hayes started taking baby steps to me. "In Baltaver there is a tale that says at the heart of every home is a small women who keeps the warmth and love continuously flowing in the home. I always thought it was just a rubbish story but after you left the castle I understood that it's not. I know it's not a real story but I've found the tale does have some truth in it." Hayes paused and watched me. He took another few small steps towards me. "My mother always said that fairytales may not be real but dreams are and they are the closest thing we have to fairytales, so chase your dreams and always follow your heart. That's why I'm in California." All the air left my lungs. I searched for something to say.
"Hayes." Was all I could manage.
"I know, I shouldn't show up unannounced. I just-" He stopped.
"I missed you too." I finished his sentence. He smiled. I was feeling so many emotions right now. I threw my arms around him and squeezed tightly. To my surprise, without though he hugged me back. I know I should be hugging a royal, but I needed to feel him again. I was so excited to see Prince Hayes but it also started to hurt. I wanted Hayes, I did but this wouldn't work. We lived in two different counties, had two very different life styles. I realized and knew that back in Baltaver. City girls don't get Prince Charming, city girls get the guy next door. I pulled back from him. He seemed more sure of himself and confident now.
"It doesn't have to be tomorrow, it doesn't have to be this year. It doesn't even have to be in the next five years, but I do have to ask."
"Princes William what are you talking about?" I was impatient and slightly annoyed. I had left Baltaver. I cried on the plane ride home thinking I'd never see Prince William Of Baltaver again. I made peace with that. All of it, Prince and kingdom. I was just starting to get used to my own life again. Now he's in California, in front of me. My eyes started to sting.
"Autumn, why are you crying?" I didn't say anything. "Are you okay?" He grabbed my arms. The tears started to rush down my face. I didn't know what to say. "Please talk to me."
"I just missed you." I whispered between tears.
"That's why I'm here. Like I said it doesn't have to be tomorrow or even in the next five years, although I would hope you wouldn't make me wait so long." Prince Hayes drew in a deep breath. "Autumn Rayne Leon," he grabbed my hands in one of his. My hands seemed so tiny compared to him. He got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?" All the air left my lungs, it felt like it had left the entire world. The ring that rested in the box was beautiful. It reminded me of Baltaver and the fountain. All I could manage was a simple nod of my head.  "Is that a yes?" He grabbed both of my hands. I was crying to hard now to answer, so I just nodded my head again. Hayes scooped me up into a hug and kissed me. This was days, moments all the emotions we've felt since we met in one kiss. He tasted sweet like raspberry tea.