Princess °° Freddie Highmore [dd/lg]

chapter fifty-five:

-- C H A P T E R
F I F T Y - F I V E --

In retrospect, Freddie somehow becoming blind had its perks. For one, he relied on me to guide him, talk to him, tell him what was going on, and to have him supported while he was walking around the park with me while he was holding onto my shoulder. We had walked around the park for what felt like ages, but in reality, it was only a good twenty minutes. We were currently at the Alice in Wonderland ride when Freddie tapped on my shoulder while we waited in line.

"Princess?" He says to me. "Where are we now? The audio is really annoying."

I agreed, the Alice in Wonderland audio clip of Alice was annoying, but this was Disney. Things were meant to be annoying.

"We're at the Alice in Wonderland ride, Daddy," I reply. "I want to go on this one and possibly meet Peter Pan afterward."

"You're wanting to meet another man?" Freddie gasped. "I thought I was the only one to satisfy you!"

I tilt my head back and laugh, careful not to topple Freddie down with my weight. Even though I'm at a mere 110lbs, I didn't want to hurt Freddie by any means. I couldn't imagine what he must be going through! Not being able to see anything and such.

"Of course you are, Freddie!" I reply. "I've always wanted to meet Peter Pan, he was my childhood hero since I was a kid." I stand triumphantly. "I think it's safe to say that I owe him a thank you."

"Well, as long as my princess is happy," Freddie kisses the top of my head. "then I'm happy."

When the ride was over, it was a bit difficult to maneuver while Freddie held onto me. I knew Peter Pan mainly resided around the area where Alice in Wonderland remained, and I continuously checked what times he'd appear in the app. Freddie was still trying to get over the whole ride we were just on.

"Bloody Hell," Freddie groans. "I don't think I could go on that one again. The music, the voices, it's all so annoying!"

"Tell me about it," I reply. "now I remember why I don't ride It's A Small World or even the one we were just on."

"Can we go rest for a bit?" The Englishman asks me. "I'm rather tired, and I don't think I can walk much in this heat."

Feeling somewhat disappointed, I nod, even though he couldn't see me do it. "Sure," I reply. "I think Peter Pan left to go nap or something... Maybe another time."

Freddie holds onto my shoulder. "I'm sorry, love," he replied. "I know it means a lot for you to meet him. I do hope that, before the weekend is over, we end up meeting him." Freddie chuckles. "Hell, I shouldn't be comfortable saying this, I think I can make an exception to a fictional character."

"Daddy!" I whine, "you're not supposed to ruin it for me!"

Pulling me close somehow, Freddie touches my face to find my lips. "Will a kiss get me out of being in the doghouse?"

"I don't know," I smirk. "you'll have to test that theory out, now won't you?"

I assist him in giving me a kiss, and as our lips connect, my thoughts went to getting Freddie prepared for his possible new life if he ends up becoming permanently blind. I would have to make arrangements with activists for the blind, get him a cane, brail books and cards, and maybe even a dog named Hamilton who could turn off the lights for Freddie if he needed them off.

"Are you okay?" Freddie asks me once I pull apart from his hold.

"Yeah," I say. "I'm just thinking about what it will be like for you if you are permanently blind."

Just then, a tall, burly buff man with a ponytail passes us by in a red button-up and black pants. I knew him from somewhere! It was Gustone, from Beauty & The Beast.

"Hey Gustone!" I cry out as he's walking away. "Can I take a picture with you?"

Gustone turns around, smirking. "Of course you can get a picture!' he exclaims. He then turns around, lifts his arm up to flex his muscle, then adds: "of me."

"Gustone is a prick in real life," Freddie says. "he must be getting paid well by the hour. If I wasn't blind, I would have thrown something at him, perhaps a churro."

"Yes, Freddie," I reply, chuckling. "as if a Mexican pastry is going to change how he responds."

°°

Freddie and I are now in the foyer of Disneyland. After a couple of rides, a walk around the park, we begin to grow tired. I look at our photos we had taken, and smile at them. One image displayed Freddie standing next to Winnie the Pooh, as he's smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. Another image displayed Freddie, Goofy and I at a standstill, only Goofy tried to steal my hat and put it on his own head.

"You look funny in that one," Freddie says.

I look over at him and narrow my eyes.

"Can you see now? What happened to your vision?" I ask him probably for the second time tonight.

Freddie rubs his eyes, as if waking up from a groggy sleep. "I guess what had happened was temporary blindness. I'm going to have to check with an optometrist about my eyes."

"Well," I start, narrowing my eyes at my boyfriend. "since you can now see, do you have any idea how we are getting home?"

Gulping, Freddie sighs. "Fuck," he curses, careful not to say it out loud. "I completely forgot!"

I cross my arms over my  chest, then pivot on my heel to leave.

"Amanda!" Freddie calls out. "Amanda, wait!"

"I'm cold, and you expect me to just wait for a ride share driver?" I snarl. "I'm tired Freddie!"

Freddie puffs out his cheeks, then narrows his eyes at me. "I'm sorry, Amanda, but in life you can't always get what you want," he begins to walk past me. "Come on," he instructs.

"What are we doing?" I ask, trekking behind him.

"Walking," he quips. "what do you think I'm doing?"

°°°

Author's Note:

Good. God.

I haven't updated in months, and this is the best chapter I can come up with at this hour. Anyway, I hope you like it.

I'm sorry for the delay in updates, I'm just busy with work, being a mother, and a wife, you can understand how tired I can get.

I will try to update as soon as I'm able to.

Interesting fact: This chapter was based on my first -- and possibly last -- Disneyland trip that happened a few years back. My husband was temporarily blind, and it nearly scared me because I didn't like seeing him not being able to see. Luckily for me, because I'm classified as visually impaired, I could guide him in the right direction. However, he gained his vision back within a few hours.

I hope you guys have a great day!

Happy Easter!

-- VALERIE MATTHEWS