What a Wonderful World

Epilogue

~ The Next Morning ~

Nastasia sighed, standing in front of the door atop Flopside Tower which led to Castle Bleck.

"Merry Christmas, my Count," she breathed with a soft smile now. Gentle snowflakes rained down from the heavens all around her, almost as if he was saying, 'Merry Christmas, Nastasia.'

She waited for him to come out of that door, knowing he never would.

"Merry Christmas, Nassy," Came Mimi's voice from behind her. The blue girl quickly whirled around to see her two friends waiting there for her with open arms.

"Guys?" Nastasia questioned, cocking her head to the side as O'Chunks and Mimi smiled warm smiles at her.

"You know, in a way, County finally got what he wanted," Mimi smiled, walking closer.

"You think?" Nastasia asked.

"Ay, lass. 'E finally got te be wit dat girl." O'Chunks added. 

"He got what he always wanted," Mimi assured. "He gets to be with her. And now, he can be happy. No matter how far away he is, he's okay now." 

Nastasia sighed and briefly looked back at the large door. "... I miss him," She breathed.

"I know, lass," O'Chunks comforted. "We all do..."

"But we've done all we could for him," Mimi added. "We did our part. So now... now..."

Nastasia gave her an almost confused look, taking a moment before understanding what Mimi was trying to say. "Now... it's time to move on?" Nastasia finished, looking back at her friends.

Mimi and O'Chunks paused, exchanging quick glances before nodding. "Yeah. That," Mimi said.

Nastasia paused. "I... don't know how to do that,"

Mimi and O'Chunks both stilled, then walked up to their friend, each of them grabbing one of Nastasia's hands.

"'That's okay," Mimi assured. "Me neither."

"Ay, lass. Iz gunna be very hard." O'Chunks admitted. "But we'll figure it out. Toge'er."

"Yeah," Mimi chimed. "County's okay now. He... he doesn't need our help anymore. So, it's time to just let things be."

Time to just let it be.

Nastasia paused. It was hard to just let something go. To let someone like that go. Someone she spent so long caring for and helping. Someone she loved so much.

But, her friends were right. He was happy. Wherever he was, he was with Timpani, and he no longer needed her to be his assistant. He no longer needed her help.

She started walking forward, towards the elevator, letting go of her friends' hands and pressing the down button.

"Okay," She sighed, looking back at her friends. "I'm ready."

They both smiled the biggest smiles, then joined her inside the elevator once it was opened.

Before the doors shut, she cast one last glance at the large black door to Castle Bleck. "Goodbye, Count." She softly smiled, as the doors shut. Then, she turned to her two friends. Her family. The people who have been trying to help her all this time.

"Merry Christmas, guys. Time to move forward."

______

It was a quiet, peaceful winter day, a fresh foot of snow covering the land as gentle snowflakes fell from the grey sky. All was calm, as a gentle breeze blew in the distance-