Gabrielle - After Happy Ever After

Wolf nuzzled her, kind of like a puppy upset because its master is. He looked at her imploringly.

“I’m okay,” she said, almost as much to herself as Wolf. “I’m okay.”

Wolf pushed her hair off her forehead. “Not yet. But you will be,” he said.

Virginia just stared at him.

“Well, you listen and I’ll talk now. Dad was a wolf, mom was human. They had me, half-wolf. Mom didn’t have much of an imagination. Named me Wolf. Mom lived with us for a while, lived like a wolf. And every full moon, Dad would disappear and Mom would take me out to watch. A little while later, Mom had another litter, a girl and a boy. She and Dad took pretty good care of us, but when I was eleven, my brother and sister even younger, Dad was burned for killing someone. That’s when Mom left. They said she jumped on the pyre with father.” Wolf drew into himself and became almost unaware he was still talking out loud. “I ran. I left my little siblings and kept running until my legs wouldn’t move anymore. I slept for two days, then woke and ran again. I ran all the way to the Third Kingdom. I remember those first few nights, lost in the old beanstalks. I could hear the giants at the top and sometimes the trolls out hunting with their dogs. I would curl up under one of the low bean pods and wait for them to pass. I spent a long time running across the Kingdoms and I learned quickly how to fend for myself. About a year later, I made it back to our place in the woods, but no one was there. I spent a long time looking for my brother and sister. I finally found my brother, but what had happened to Mom and Dad and who knows what else had made him obsessed with revenge and he got himself killed trying to get it. He was only twelve.

"The only word I got of my sister was what he told me. He said she had gotten in trouble for killing some chickens or something and had become a sort of hermit. She had secluded herself, apparently hoping to keep the wolf locked up with her.” Wolf shook himself and smiled unsteadily at Virginia. Her eyes were still a little bleary, but she looked sympathetic. Wolf discovered he was holding her hand. “It really wasn’t that bad. Huff-puff, I saw all there was to see over that year and the next few. But by then the full moon was getting to me. I don’t remember much of anything that happened those nights except for hunting things. When I was about sixteen, I lost it. I just forgot being human and stayed wolf even when I still looked human. I spent a long time like that. I’m not sure all of what I did, but huff, I did a lot of bad things. When I was eighteen, I finally got caught. They beat me up pretty good, but I got away. I ran into the deep forest and got lost. Quite a feat for a wolf, but I was bleeding and dehydrated and close to fainting. I finally couldn’t go any farther and collapsed. Just before I fainted, I smelled someone coming. I saw their shadow and heard their footsteps, even though they were incredibly quiet. I never actually saw them before I blacked out.” Wolf whimpered at the remembered pain, but continued, “I came to lying on a bed. I had no idea where I was. But that smell, the smell of whoever had found me, was all over the place. It smelled familiar, but I couldn’t remember from where. When I first woke up, I couldn’t remember much of anything. It took awhile for that to all come back."

‘But the person who had found me came in only minutes later, as if she knew I was awake. She looked so familiar, but I didn’t put it together until she said, “Hello, Wolf. Remember me?”

‘It was my sister! She had found me and nursed me back to health. I was just getting better when the men from the village, the ones who had caught me, found her place. They set it on fire. We were confused by the smoke. I made it out, but my sister didn’t. I was tired of running. I did some bad things there, but only as bad as they had!

‘After it was all over and when I was ready to move on again, I found I didn’t know what to do. My sister had taught me something. About being a good wolf. And I tried that for the longest time, but I finally snapped again, on a full moon, and ate that flock of sheep. I was a bad wolf again until they caught me and put me in Snow White Memorial Prison. And then I met you and became a good wolf again. And this time, it’s permanent!” Wolf vowed.

Virginia stared at him.

“Wolf. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” she sputtered awkwardly.

She had cried and complained and done the self-pity thing, and here was Wolf, his whole family murdered. What a brat she was!

Wolf pretended to remove a rock from the area he was sitting on, but Virginia could hear him sniff. He turned back towards her and forced a smile.

“History. Nothing to be done about it now. But there’s other things to talk about. Like cars. And those flying things we saw that one time. And TV. You live in a strange world, Virginia.” Wolf said.

“So do you.” Virginia replied, going with his change of the subject.

For the rest of the day they pointedly ignored the subject of their pasts as they looked at apartments.

Virginia had no idea why it hadn’t occurred to her. And why on earth it had occurred to Wolf, she didn’t know.

Her old apartment! They still had at least a month left to them in return for her father working there. She had forgotten somehow. So she and Wolf were back at the apartment building, looking for Mr. Murray. And they found him, or rather he found them.

“Miss Lewis! You’ve returned! May I inquire at whether the Master has returned as well?” Mr. Murray asked humbly and actually bowed to her. Virginia nearly fell over backwards. She did stumble and Wolf caught her and pushed her back to her feet.

Wait! Virginia thought to herself about something that her father had told her concerning a magic dragon dung and six wishes. Apparently, the wish was still in effect. Good.

“Actually, he is still on a…business trip. He may be away for a good time. But my fiancée and I have returned and would like to have our old apartment back.” Virginia said, making things up quickly.

“Fiancé? Congratulations, Mr….?”

“Wolf,” Wolf interjected quickly, shaking hands with Mr. Murray.

“Mr. Wolf. You’re a very lucky man. Miss Lewis is quite a young lady.”

“I know,” Wolf agreed, looking at Virginia.

Virginia fidgeted under the attention. “The apartment, please?” she said, changing the subject.

“Oh, right this way. I took the liberty of moving you out of that box where you were before and to a suite on the top floor. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not,” Virginia sputtered, amazed. She couldn’t believe this was the same Mr. Murray who had always cheated her father, treated him like dirt, and had been an all-around jerk. Magic was pretty amazing.

“Good. Good,” Mr. Murray muttered as they entered the elevator. He punched the button for the top floor and the elevator creaked as it started up. Wolf swayed and grabbed the side. He looked sick. Virginia took his arm and helped him to stay up.

“Sorry. Forgot,” she whispered. Wolf just nodded. He looked forever grateful when the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

Mr. Murray hurried ahead and pulled open the double doors to the best suite in the entire building. Virginia bit her tongue in surprise. He must have kicked out his wealthiest tenant! Magic, indeed.

“I trust you will find everything in order,” he said, holding out an arm and motioning them inside.

“Y…yes. Thank you.” Virginia recovered from her surprise and turned to Mr. Murray. “That will be all for now, Mr. Murray. Thank you.”

Mr. Murray bowed again and left Virginia and Wolf alone in their new apartment.

“Wow,” Virginia said, shaking her head. She looked around for Wolf and saw he was already exploring the place.

“Huff-puff, I like this place, Virginia. Much better than your old place downstairs,” he said, turning to her.

“Me, too,” she said. She hugged him and he looked at her in surprise.

“What was that for?” he asked, then quickly added, “Not that I mind.”

“No reason. I just can’t believe how well things have worked out,” she said, smiling.

“Me neither. But I’m sure glad they did,” Wolf agreed. Wolf and Virginia remained for a moment in each other’s arms before Wolf gently disentangled himself. “You think there’s anything to eat in here?” he asked.

Virginia laughed and followed him to the kitchen. “If not, we’d better go out and buy some bacon, hmmm?” she said teasingly.

Wolf didn’t notice her tone, but nodded emphatically as he searched the fridge. He pulled out a large ham that had a note attached to it. He looked at it quickly as he set the ham down on the table.

“Courtesy of Mr. Murray,” he said with a smile, “Sit down and relax, my dear, sweet Virginia. I’m going to make you the best dinner ever!”

Virginia smiled and took a seat at the table. Her mind came up with some terrifying thoughts about Wolf’s cooking, but she ignored them.

“I can’t wait,” she said.

One week later, Virginia and Wolf were both a little frantic about the wedding. She had picked out a dress already and made sure that Wolf had gotten a tux. They had made arrangements with Mr. Murray that they would be gone for a few weeks or more. Now they were headed to Central Park.

“How do you know the mirror will be open?” Virginia asked.

“Because I asked Wendell to open the mirror at a certain time once every week in case we wanted or needed to come back,” Wolf reminded her easily.

“Oh,” Virginia said, feeling a little dumb. She followed Wolf closely, the bag with her wedding dress held protectively close. A sudden thought occurred to her. “I’m not going to have any bridesmaids!” Virginia exclaimed.

“What?” Wolf asked.

“I’m not even going to have a Maid of Honor,” she said.

Wolf hurried over, seeing how distraught she looked. “Don’t be silly. Of course you’ll have bridesmaids,” he said.

“Name one girl in all the Nine Kingdoms who can be my bridesmaid,” she challenged.

Wolf opened his mouth to reply when he realized he didn’t have an answer. He closed his mouth and thought.

“See!” Virginia cried, pushing past him.

“Now what a minute. How about….that nice lady at the Kissing Town casino?” he said uncertainly.

“I never met her! That was you! What exactly were you and the lady at the casino….” Virginia began, her eyes blazing.

“Hey! I didn’t do anything! She was the lady at the Jackrabbit Jackpot wheel. I just talked to her!” Wolf said, holding up his hands and in the process, dropping the bags he was carrying. He quickly stooped and picked them up again. “You’re in quite a mood today.”

“I am not!” Virginia said angrily, then realized how much that was not helping her case. “Okay, maybe I am. I can’t help it. I’m just so nervous.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I don’t blame you. Just relax. Everything will be perfect,” Wolf promised.

Virginia sighed. “Okay. You’re right. I’m not going to worry about this. Who cares about the bridesmaids? I mean, what do they do anyway? Hold the flowers. I can do that,” Virginia said, talking more to herself than Wolf.

Wolf led her farther into the Park until they reached the spot where the mirror opened. Wolf set down his bags and waited.

“You sure you have the right time?” Virginia asked.

“Positive. Just wait,” Wolf said, staring at the spot.

A minute later, the hazy picture of the room in the palace appeared. The mirror had been turned on. Wolf took up his bags and shifted them so he could take Virginia’s hand. Together they stepped into the mirror, and emerged on the other side in the palace. The servant that had turned it on jumped when he saw them, then bowed.

“I will inform King Wendell of your arrival,” he said, and left.

Wolf nodded. He sniffed deeply. He loved Virginia’s world, the Tenth Kingdom, but he had missed being in a place where he could show her around. He was glad to be back. He looked over at Virginia and saw she was too. Virginia had needed the stability and familiarity of her home, but she, too, loved the kingdoms.

It wasn’t long before Wendell and Tony arrived. Tony gave Virginia a giant hug, then gave Wolf one, too. He was followed by Wendell.

“It’s so good to see you again, Virginia,” Tony said, smiling, “How’s everything in New York?”

“Better than you would believe. Mr. Murray gave us the master suite! He’s still under that little spell of yours,” Virginia replied.

“Good thing me and my behind are safely planted here then. Oh, and Wolf. I sure hope you don’t plan on pulling any more surprises like that last one on me. Grandpa?! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” Tony said.

“Actually…” Wolf began with a sheepish grin.

“We came back because we’re going to get married here,” Virginia finished for him.

“Ah yes. Everything is in order, Wolf. Just like you asked,” Wendell said.

“You knew?” Tony asked, incredulous.

“Of course. Wolf asked me to be his best man. I was more than happy to oblige,” Wendell said.

“Why am I always last to know?” Tony demanded angrily.

“Oh, shut up, Dad. Wendell knew before I did!” Virginia said. “Besides. You have to give me away.”

“And when exactly are you planning on being married?” Tony asked finally.

“Actually, in three days,” Wolf said.

Tony’s jaw dropped and he gaped at his daughter and her fiancé’s behavior. Wolf and Virginia ignored him and began walking past. Wolf slapped him on the back with a mischievous grin.

“Thanks, Dad,” he said.

Wolf paced on the balcony. It was late. He should sleep. He had a tremendous day tomorrow. He was going to marry the girl of his dreams! But he couldn’t help it. The moon was too close to full. He hadn’t realized that the day he had picked for his marriage was this close to the full moon. What an idiot he was! The first three days of his honeymoon, there would be a full moon. Virginia wouldn’t be too happy. And more than anything he wanted it to all be perfect for her.

Wolf’s tail was aching inside his pant leg. He looked back at Virginia’s sleeping form inside their chambers, then pulled it out. That distraction gone, he began pacing again. He wished there was some way around the whole full moon thing.

Wolf froze. Maybe there was. Magic could do anything, couldn’t it? There had to be a way to stop all the craziness brought on by the full moon. But how could he possibly track down a solution before tomorrow afternoon? He didn’t even know where to start. But he had to try. For Virginia.

Wolf slinked back into the main chamber and past Virginia. He slipped out the door and into the hallway. He was out the door and into the night before even the guards noticed.