Crowned

Chapter 2

Gabby ran into her room. She jumped on her king-sized bed with curtains and smoothed her fingers on the small box with the locket inside. She sighed and closed her eyes. Gracie walked in. She sat down next to her on the bed.

"What're you wearing for the party tonight?" She asked.

"I don't know. Probably that blue dress Sky got me." Her eyes were still closed and she was thinking about her dad. Sky was their stylist, and dressed them in the nicest pieces of clothing.

"Me too." Gracie said. She smiled.

They continued to talk about the sixteenth birthday that they were going to have that night. Suddenly, Sheila swiftly came into the room.

"Girls, your mother has some news for you." Her face was expressionless.
The twins shared a quick glance. Gabby got up and they stood.

"What's going on?" Gracie asked. She knew something was wrong. Sheila didn't answer but left the room. They followed her up the next set of stairs to their mother's room.

Their mother was lying in bed, with the newest issue of Vogue in her hands. She snapped it closed and placed it next to her.

"Oh, happy birthday girls!" She yelled. She slowly got out of bed, and hugged them. She pushed up the glasses that were falling down her gray/blue eyes. I've never seen her like this, Gracie thought. Without make-up and in just a nightgown. It was weird. Their mother was the queen and was always dressed like a...like a...well, queen. Queen Patricia sat on her bed and the twins jumped on too. She smiled at them. Gabby loved the way her mom's eyes sparkled.

"I know that it's your birthday today, but there is something..." Her voice trailed off. She took the twins' hands and held them. "There's something I have to tell you that just can't wait." She squeezed their hands.

She explained to them that when the doctor came to the palace and gave her her yearly physical, she had told the queen that she had a little over six months to live. Sheila looked down and a tear fell from her eye.

"What?" Gabby said. Tears started running down her face like Niagara Falls. Gracie stared at her mother, in shock. "Why?" She asked. Queen Patricia gave her a little smile to try to make Gracie feel better. "I have a disease that is very common in Crystal Valley. Many citizens have it now, and I caught it too. I know this is hard, but-"
"No! I'm not going to let you die!" Gracie yelled. Everyone stared at her. Gracie never yelled. "We're going to make you better, no matter what it takes."
The queen let out a small laugh. "Look, Gracie bear, I realize that it's not great news, but death happens. It's okay. I'll always be with you." She squeezed their hands again. "There's something else I need to tell you." Gracie and Gabby started to worry.
"When I die, one of you will become queen of Crystal Valley." Gabby looked at Gracie.
"Yes, even though Gracie is the oldest by one minute, I've decided to make it fair by letting you both show me how queen-like you can be. I will decide before my time is up." She hugged the girls, and signaled to Sheila to take the twins away. She couldn't bare to see them crying. It made her too sad. Sheila gently held each of the twins hands and pulled them out of the queen's room.

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When they got to the twins rooms, Sheila sniffled and smiles at them.
"I'm so sorry girls." They hugged each other and cried.