In Between The Lines

Cinderella's lost more than her slipper

*SOME PARTS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNG READERS*

Above is Oceannes' dress. <3

My eyes open slowly, blinking away the blurriness from sleep. Something warm is curled against my side and something else is on my arm. I glance around, looking at the peaceful faces of Lillian and Lukas. I crack a smile.

I don't remember getting into bed last night, and realize I must've fallen asleep in the car. I'm still in my sweater and leggings. I pull out from beneath the two little ones and head over to the shower.

I take a hot shower, changing into a long light blue gown, drying and straightening my hair and put a crown on my head. I put a light makeup on and decide it's good. I slip my feet into some glass slippers, to complete my Cinderella outfit.

I fill the tub and wake Lukas up, helping him clean up. I bring him a blueberry muffin that I cook and give him an apple juice while he changes into a prince outfit. Then I wake Lillian and help her into a fresh bath.

I feed her too, and then blow dry her hair and help her into her Pink Ariel dress. I blare Disney songs on my stereo and we all giggle and dance around, laughing loudly. Lukas, having grown up with Lillian, has seen all the Disney movies and actually likes them. He insisted that in order to be a true prince, he needed a crown and sword.

I'm pathetic when it comes to their puppy dog eyes, so they know how to get what they want from me. We used to visit a lot more back in the day, but after a fight between my Stepdad and I, we kind of just didn't see each other anymore. So they know me, but it's been a while. Lillian used to live with me though. Until she was 2, then she went off to live with them. I was so upset and depressed over it, that I grabbed the first job that revealed itself. Which just so happened to be Secretary to Mr Hygh. Now I'm 22 years old.

"I WUUNT SAAAY IM IN WUUUUV" Lillian screams, singing along to the music. I laugh and she grins at me, a mischievous look in her eyes. Is it normal for little kids to have mischievous looks in their eyes...?

"Mommy are you in 'wuv with the nice man?" She asks, her eyes all wide.

I raise an eyebrow at her, looking into her matching eyes. "What makes you think that sweetheart?" I ask her. She sighs over dramatically.

"Mom. Please. He's like always staring at you." She says all serious like, her hands on her hips. I feel myself blush, does he really?

"Oh, I see. No honey, he's just my boss" I answer her, pinching her cheek.

She smiles widely, a glint in her eye, "someday!" She giggles.

"Alright, alright. Now let's get going to the party, yeah?" I ask and she grins widely. "Okay!!!!" Lukas comes running in with an car toy. "Vwooom!" He says, running it along the wall. Oh how I missed the imagination of these kids.

•••

"Ocean, ocean!" Lukas calls, and I turn to him, smiling. "Sandy said that he'd take me twick or tweating.. can I go with him, pretty pretty please!!!" He begs, his eyes huge. God, curse those freaking eyes. I sigh, "yes sweetheart. Lillian, do you want to go trick or treating with Luke?" I ask her, and she shakes her head. "No thanks mommy I want to stay here and dance with you!" She says smiling widely. Luke gives us a hug and runs off. I catch Sanders' eyes, he winks. He's wearing some kind of mummy outfit.

There's a tap on my shoulder, and I spin around to a smiling prince. My breath catches as I glance over Quinton's outfit. He's in a prince outfit, with a crown, and he looks good. Like..really good. I'm sure I look like a fish out of water, with my mouth hanging open. But he's doing the exact same thing.