Pale, Strange, and Sickly Sweet

"D-Daddy?" I sniffle,tears streaming down my cheeks. I grasp his large hand, reaching upward.

He looks down, smiling sadly at me. Its my sixth birthday. And, again, no one showed up to the party. Even after me and Daddy worked so hard to make it pretty and all neat. There was a black bouncy castle in the front, we're standing on the porch. He sighs, shoulders sagging a little. "Its okay, Ember. Maybe- maybe th-they're all just running a little late." His fingers knead into my hand soothingly. I give him a tiny, hopeful, smile. His face brightens, and he straightens up, stamding proudly. "I bet you they're all out finding you a present RIGHT now. Just watch, Em. They'll come..."

And so we wait...and wait... and wait... even past sundown. No one is here, and I've been standing at the door in my new dress, holding all of the goody bags. Daddy comes up behind me, picking me up and cradling me in his arms. Dropping the bags, and my drooping smile, I break. Crying into his chest, I hide from the world. He carries me up the stairs, changing me out of the stiff dress and into a big nightgown. He tucks me in, sitting right beside me.

I stare up at his sorrowful face as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "C-can you tell me a...a story?" I squeak out, feeling hopeless. Daddy's stories are the best! And he told me they're ALL true, even the magical ones!

"Sure, sweety." he clears his throat, laying down next to me and holding me against his chest as he strokes my head. "Once upon a time, there was a little girl...who was a little odd, but sweet all the same... She loved black instead of pink, and played amongst the trees..."

I giggle a little. "This girl sounds like me!"

He shushes me."No, now let me finish." I could hear the smile in his voice. "Although she was sad, she grew to be a beautiful young lady. And found a love just as odd. She fell happily in love, and all who ever treated her unjustly, paid for every tear she shed. Because then little girl kept on hoping, and loving unconditionally... And her love made her pain fade, the end."

I frown, "But WHEN did she find her true love?"

He paused. "She didn't, he was always there. He just revealed himself at a different time, is all."

I snuggle deeper into my blanky."I hope he comes soon..." I drift off to sleep, feeling slightly better about everything...