Second Chances (Part 4: A Promise)

[perrysburggirl.livejournal.com]

Title: Second Chances (Part 3: Promise)
Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time”. I am just a fan who loves happy endings and wants to write.
Setting: Fairy Tale Land
Rating: PG (The rating will fluctuate between chapters)
Warnings: None
Possible spoilers from: 1x04 The Price of Gold
Genre: Drama
Word Count: 2067
Cast: Anastasia, Lady Tremaine, Drizella, Lord Jeremy Trenton, Ella, Prince Thomas, Red, Prince James, Snow White
Summary: Anastasia makes a promise that she must keep no matter what. Easier said than done.



The next months felt like a dream to Anastasia. Jeremy not only called on Anastasia the next day but he continued to call on her for the next six months. He took her to dinner and afternoon picnics in the countryside and to many balls around the realms. Anastasia fell head over heels for Jeremy. It wasn't hard to fall for his charm and good looks. Anastasia had never been in love before and to her Jeremy was the one.

Lady Tremaine made sure Anastasia kept the attention of her gentleman suitor by purchasing many new dresses, shoes and accessories. Every day Drizella got up early to style Anastastia's hair for her. Anastasia was so happy at home now too. Both her mother and sister seemed happy for her, almost excited for her. Maybe they also were having a change of heart. Only one thing didn't change though. They still stayed away from Ella. They let Anastasia go to the palace all the time to see her sister but when asked to accompany her to the palace, they refused. Anastasia still crossed her fingers that someday her whole family would get along, but she knew she would have to take this one, one day at a time.

Anastasia and Ella's friendship was growing strong. When Anastasia wasn't with Jeremy, she was at the palace with her sister and her sister's husband. Anastasia loved being in the palace. She loved exploring all the rooms and visiting with Ella and meeting new friends there. She loved her sister's friend Snow White. Snow would come to visit every once in awhile with her husband Prince James. Anastasia enjoyed listening to stories from their realm that they told. Snow also was very kind and caring. She never once turned her nose to Anastasia for the things she did previously to Ella. She acted like Anastasia was an old friend. Anastasia liked that. Anastasia also liked talking to Prince James. He was so very funny and kind and charming. In fact James gave Anastasia a nickname. He had a problem saying her whole name. It never came out right, so he started called her Ana and it stuck. She loved it.

One day while having tea with Ella and Red at the palace, Snow showed up unexpectedly. She hadn't been to the palace in a few months and her arrival was a wonderful surprise. Snow walked into the sitting room and pushed back her hood. Ella ran to her and hugged her.

“I am so happy to see you, Snow. It has been so long my friend. I hope all is well,” said Ella stepping back from Snow still holding her hands. Snow smiled at her friend.

“I am sorry I haven't been around in awhile, but I have a good reason for it,” she said as she took off her cloak. Everyone's eyes opened wide when they saw Snow. Snow placed a hand on her round belly.

Red jumped up and ran to Snow. “You're pregnant!! Congrats Snow. This is wonderful,” she said hugging her. Ana came up to Snow and hugged her too.
“Congrats dear Snow. Please let James know I said congrats to him also,” said Ana beaming ear to ear.

Ella stood there still in shock and was trying to smile. Ana looked over to her and noticed that Ella wasn't as excited as the rest of them were. She wasn't the only one that noticed it. Snow tilted her head and looked at her friend.

“Dear Ella, don't be sad. I am sure you and Thomas will be sharing the same news with us soon,” said Snow hugging her friend. Ella smiled back to Snow and nodded, but her color drained from her face.

The girls sat around and talked all afternoon. Red even was laughing with Ana. Ana was pleased that Red had finally started to trust her. It took a long time but things seemed to be heading in the right direction. She was glad too because Red was so nice and also someone good to talk to. She gave great advice and was a fantastic listener.

Night started to fall and it was time to go. Snow got into her carriage. Snow offered Red a ride home since it was along the way. The two girls left leaving Ella and Ana by themselves. Ella was very quiet. She still looked like she did earlier in the day. Ana was worried about her sister. She looked so tortured. Finally she couldn't take it anymore.

“Ella what is troubling you? You have looked upset ever since Snow told us the good news. Are you not happy for her and James?”, said Ana.

Ella looked at her sister. “I am happy for them. I know how much they have wanted a baby. It is wonderful news for them.”

Ella turned her head away from Ana. Ana could hear Ella sniffle. She walked around Ella to face her again and saw that she was crying. Ana reached into her satchel and pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Ella.

“Please don't cry Ella. I am sure you and Thomas will have a baby soon. Just give it time,” Ana said putting her arm around Ella.

Ella turned to Ana still crying. “That's the problem. Ana, I found out I am pregnant. I am only a few months behind Snow.”

Ana's face lit up. “This is wonderful news Ella, so why are you crying? Does Thomas not want children?”

Ella shook her head. “Thomas wants a family more than anything. I have too until...”

Ella stopped talking and collapsed on the couch sobbing more. Ana dropped to her knees next to her sister not knowing what to do besides just be there for her.

“Until what?,” said Ana. “What happened that you don't want a family?”

Ella looked at her sister. She took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. “I made a mistake. A horrible and terrible mistake. One that I cannot undo and now I will lose everything because of it.”

Ana looked at her sister puzzled. What could be so bad that Ella thought she would lose all she had?
“What mistake?”, said Ana. “What could possibly be so bad that you would lose everything?”

“Magic,” said Ella in a whisper. “Magic is going to destroy my happiness.”

Ana was confused. “Magic is good, Ella. Look at everything the Blue Fairy has done. She is good.”

Ella shook her head. “No. Magic is evil. Magic comes at a horrible price. Ana please promise me that no matter what ever happens that you will never ever use magic. Please promise me this.”

Ana looked at sister and smiled.” I know no magic dear sister. I know no one who does magic, so don't worry.”

Ella continued to shake her head and grabbed Ana by the shoulders.” Promise me Ana. Swear to me that you will never use magic. That you will never make a deal with someone for magic. Swear to me now!”, Ella said sounding desperate.

Ana looked into her sister's eyes and nodded yes. “I swear I will never use magic or make a deal for magic.”

Ella hugged her sister tightly. Ella refused to talk anymore about her being pregnant the rest of the night. She also made Ana promise not to say anything to anyone about her being pregnant. Ana promised and kept quiet about it.

A month went by and Ella still did not talk about the pregnancy. Ana wondered when she was going to tell everyone. She was sure that Ella would start to show soon. She just hoped that her sister was okay and that whatever Ella thought she did was nothing at all.

One night Jeremy took Ana home after a beautiful dinner with his father. It was a perfect night. The stars were shining bright, the moon was full and the crickets were chirping. Everything was perfect. As Jeremy walked Ana to the door, he stopped and turned to Ana.

“Ana, you have made me a very happy man. These last eight months have been the best of my life. There is only one thing that would make me happier than this”, he said as he dropped to one knee. “That would be if you became my wife.”

Ana put both hands to her mouth and started to cry. She couldn't believe that Jeremy was asking her to marry him. Her dream was coming true. It was overwhelming her. She tried to speak but words wouldn't come out. She was just in shock.

“Yes, yes. Of course she'll marry you,” said a voice from the door way. Ana looked up to see her mother and sister standing there smiling from ear to ear.

Jeremy looked back at them and then turned to look at Ana. “Is what they're saying true. Will you marry me Anastasia?”

Ana shook her head. “Yes I'll marry you Jeremy.”

Jeremy stood up and picked Ana up and swung her around. He stopped for a moment and slipped the engagement ring on her finger and then bent down and kissed her. Ana felt dizzy. She was just so happy. Jeremy kissed her again and then departed. He told her he couldn't wait to go home to tell his father the good news. Ana walked into the house where her mother and sister were already going on and on about this and that about the wedding. From the sounds of the conversation, it sounded like they were planning the whole thing.

Lady Tremaine turned to her daughter. “This is such a wonderful day! You must tell your sister immediately. I will call for the carriage.”

Ana looked at her mother. Ana was absolutely exhausted from her outing. She couldn't wait to tell Ella the good news, but she really didn't want to go to the palace in the middle of the night.

“Mom I will tell her first thing in the morning. I am tired and I need sleep,” said Ann yawning.

“Nonsense! You will go right now. I know she will want to hear about this right away. Now do as your told and go see Ella,” said Lady Tremaine who was getting a little testy with Ana.

Ana rolled her eyes and told her mother yes. The carriage pulled up and whisked Ana to the palace. Ana was so tired that she fell asleep in the carriage. Jeffrey her driver woke her up when they arrived. Ana walked in to the palace. Everything was so quiet and still. She hated coming so late. Everyone was probably fast asleep and she would be waking them up.

As she stood in the main hallway, she saw a light racing towards her. She noticed Ella running down the stairs carrying a candle with Thomas not too far behind her. Ella ran straight for Ana. She handed the candle to a servant before hugging her sister.

“Ana, are you okay? What is wrong,” said Ella sounding frightened.

Ana sighed and smiled at her sister. “Nothing is wrong. Mom made me come out here in the dead of night to tell you some good news”, she said as she held out her hand showing her ring off.

Ella looked at the ring and screamed and then hugged her sister some more. “This is wonderful!! Did he just ask you tonight?”

Ana shook her head yes. Both girls stood there hugging each other and crying happy tears. Thomas cleared his throat to get the girls' attention.

“Ana, you and Jeremy must get married here at the palace. We can have a large banquet, dancing and fireworks. It will be a huge celebration,” said Thomas who now gave Ana a hug.

Ana stood in shock. She always dreamed of a big fancy wedding especially in the palace.

“Are you sure that would be okay?,” said Ana still shaking.

“Of course it would,” said Thomas giving her another hug. “I consider you a sister and it would be an honor to throw your wedding.”

Ana squealed in delight. Everything she ever wanted was coming true. Everything was perfect, at least for the moment.