Victor, Chloe, and Emilia walk down the street as Emilia holds Teddy tightly. People whisper words like crazy, witch, loony, weak prince, curses, and more as the group passes.
Victor puts his arm around Emilia’s shoulder kissing her forehead holding her close. Chloe holds onto Emilia’s arm. Once through the gate leading to the slums, Emilia tries to turn back, but Victor stops her. Instead, he guides her to the house with the broken stairs.
“Ready?” Victor asks. Emilia shakes her head squeezing Teddy tighter.
You can do this. Teddy says while brushing her arm with a plush paw.
“Nothing can actually break you, you know. It can change you, make you grow, or put you in a depressed place, but nothing can break you. If it could, you would have died by now.” Chloe’s words make Emilia laugh.
Emilia reaches up and knocks on the door. Footsteps creak against the floorboards inside matching the thumping in Emilia’s chest. When the door flings open, Emilia finds herself staring at her father who reaches out and pulls her into an embrace.
Emilia’s eyes widen. A hug? From her father? Her arms are too frozen to return the hug. Tears fighting win and flow freely creating streaks on her fluffy cheeks.
Mother rushes over and joins the hug, but Mary and Grace keep their distance. Mother and Father guide Emilia to the kitchen with Victor, Chloe, and her sisters following behind.
Emilia sits at the kitchen table sewing Teddy’s eye back in place as Grace makes the brownies. Mary cuts the puff pastries. After making sure that all of Teddy’s torn seams are safely sewn back together, Emilia holds Teddy tightly against her chest.
Mother makes the filling for the puff pastries. Everyone giggles and laughs. Chloe stirs chocolate and cream cheese, mixing them together. When Chloe places the bowl on the table, Chloe takes Emilia’s hand guiding Emilia to move beside her. Chloe places a bowl of chocolate chips and heavy cream onto the table already measured.
“Boil the cream, then slowly stir in the chocolate chips.” Chloe instructs. Emilia’s sisters watch as Emilia grabs an apron.
“We don’t allow Emilia to cook. She’s messy,” Mary points out.
“And her food is terrible.” Grace laughs, but Chloe pats Emilia’s back.
“She’ll be just fine.” Chloe assures Emilia more than her sisters.
Teddy climbs up to the counter beside Emilia rubbing her arm for encouragement. Emilia stirs the heavy cream while slowly adding the chocolate chips just as Chloe instructed.
Chocolate drips from the spoon onto the counter, and chocolate spurts out of the pot making a mess. Emilia turns down the fire then uses her free hand to grab a rag and wipe the counters as she stirs.
Once dinner is ready, the family, Victor, Chloe, Emilia, and Teddy sit at the table. Chloe called the concoction she and Emilia made chocolate cheesecake, but it’s a best friend recipe, so only Chloe and Emilia have it.
The cheesecake sits at the center of the dinner table as the prettiest dish. Teddy looks up to Emilia, happy, and Emilia smiles back. She has friends. People who like her.. People who love her.
I’ll love you forever. Teddy whispers.