“So it comes to this- I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone before. And I can’t see my life without you- Not now; not ever. I need you.” He reached out and took her hand in both of his. His blue eyes, the soft color of the darkening sky at sunset, pleaded with her, begging her to stay.
     “Cornelius,” she began, face clouded and uncertain. “I just don’t think it could work between us.”
     “Jessie!” he cried, his handsome features crumpling. “Listen to what I’m saying!” He pulled her close. “You’re my life. Without you, I’m nothing. I can’t go on alone- Knowing that you’re out here, living, without me. Please Jessie . . .” his voice trailed off and he looked up at her hopefully.
     “Oh Cornelius,” Jessie said softly, reaching a finger out to touch his cheek. The pale skin touched his sun tanned flesh, startling in contrast. “You know I care about you- Who wouldn’t?”
     “Then WHY?” he demanded, moving back quickly. The wind swept through, ruffling his auburn hair.
     “Because,” Jessie replied, clasping her hands together. “Please Cornelius, try to understand.”
     “I understand all right.” He turned away from her, crossing his arms. “You’re just like all of THEM.”
     “Cornelius,” she breathed. “You know that’s not it. I would never discriminate against you that way. But you have to understand where I’m coming from.” She leaned down, resting her chin on the table where he stood. “I mean, here I am, pushing six feet and there you are, pushing five inches.”
     “We could make it work,” he said sullenly, eyebrows knitted together. “I’m the Prince of all Fairies, whatever I say will be so.” Jessie shook her head ruefully.
     “You can’t just will me to be shorter, Cornelius. And it’s not like you can turn me into a fairy either.”
     “Then I’ll make myself bigger!” Cornelius declared vengefully, lunging forward as if fighting an invisible foe.
     “Cornelius,” Jessie said with a hollow laugh. “That’s impossible.”
    “If I can battle nerve-gas wielding psychopaths, rocket-launcher toting lackeys, and poorly dressed Mongolian twins for my love, putting on a couple of feet should be no problem.” He turned toward her and strode over. His leather calfskin pants clung to his legs and the dark black glistened in the late afternoon sunlight. The white cut privateer hung half open, exposing just enough of his chest to make him a prime candidate for a harlequin cover. He looked just like the miniature Prince he was- Unfortunately, the pesky miniature part kept Jessie from enjoying the sight.  “Jessie,” Cornelius said softly, his voice as sincere as she’d ever heard it. He placed a tiny hand on the tip of her nose. “Nothing’s impossible when you’re in love.” Jessie titled her head to give him a look. “Well, haven’t you heard love conquers all?
    “I have and it’s as cliché as that impossible line.” Cornelius rolled his eyes and removed his hand from her nose. “So Cornelius, how do you propose to make yourself larger?”
    “I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “But I’m sure we can think of something.”
    “We?” she echoed. Cornelius frowned at her.
    “Don’t you WANT to be with me?”
    “That’s not the issue, Cornelius.”
    “Then why wouldn’t you help?” he asked, befuddled at this statement.
    “Cornelius, you KNOW how uncomfortable my father is with me dating any guy.” Cornelius nodded. He knew all. “Now, can you imagine what would happen if I had to explain this?”
    “Explain?” Cornelius echoed. “Explain what?”
    “Where I was going,” she said patiently. “I can’t just leave the house at any hour to go and help you. And you certainly couldn’t stay with me.”
    “Who’s to say I wouldn’t just fly in your window again?” Cornelius asked mischievously, giving his sparkling wings a flutter. “I could come sneaking in at night and he’d never have to know.”
    “Ah, so you want my father to hear me talking to you and flip?”
    “My voice is too soft, Jess. He’d think you were talking to yourself.”
    “Even better,” she said, standing up. “He’d think I was nuts.” Jessie shook her head. “I’m sorry Cornelius, but I just don’t think there’s anything we can do.”
    “Right now,” he added hurriedly, trying to keep the conversation from ending. He couldn’t let her go now- Not after everything they’d been through together! “Right now your father’s a major concern.” Jessie gave a half nod.
    “Well, it’s more the height thing over all, but my father is an issue too.” Cornelius took a deep breath and tried to arrange his thoughts.
    “Then what if we make a promise? I agree to let you go now for your father’s sake-”
    “And mine! Cornelius I’m only seventeen- I need to finish growing up!”
    “-and in a couple of  years when I’m taller we’ll give it another try.” Biting her lip, Jessie looked down at the small Prince.
    “I don’t think so Cornelius.”
    “What?” he cried. “Why?”
    “You mean besides the fact that you may never get to be my height? It’s not like we’re waiting for you to have a growth spurt here or something. And if you haven’t noticed, I’m no Thumbelina. Heck,” she said in exasperation. “I’m pretty tall for a human. Do you have any idea the kind of problems that causes for me with NORMAL boys? It’s not easy being an Amazon Girl.”
    “Have a little faith in me, Jessie,” Cornelius said softly, eyes on her.
    “Secondly,” Jessie continued, being careful not to make eye contact with those persuasive blues he had a tendency to turn on her. “Maybe you know I’m the one for you, but frankly I’m not so sure. I’d like to be able to date other guys and at least get the chance to find out-”
    “So go: DATE. See if those other guys can compare to the Prince of the Fairies. And when you’re done seeing, I’ll come back and sweep you off your feet.”
    “Cornelius,” Jessie said gently, “Girls in this day and age don’t need a handsome Prince Charming to rescue them from life. We manage just fine on our own.”
    “Does that mean you never dream of him riding in?” The auburn hair shook from side to side as he tossed his head. “Whether you want me or not, I’ll be back for you.” He extended his hand and waited for her to stretch out hers in response. Taking her pointer in his grasp, he kissed the very tip. “Until then, my love, adieu.”
    Wings fluttering gently, he lifted up and buzzed off into the sunset.
    With a sigh, Jessie fell to the ground. “My life is so weird.”
*****
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