Friends on a Different Path

Call me Anya

The ride was, in a word, extraordinary. The world beneath us faded away into a lovely colored shapes landscape of nature and beauty, my jaw was gaping as I looked down on it all, Shanti smiled. "Lovely isn't it?" I turned back with a nod. "Definitely. So, who are we meeting up with first?" I asked, sitting back. Alice was quick to answer.

"Our good friend Anastasia, princess of Russia and wife of Dimitri, most goofball of a husband you'll ever meet." "He isn't a goofball, just immature. Besides, shouldn't ever adult hold a piece of their past?" Wendy argued. "Well sure you'd say that, you practically worship the concept of youth!" Shanti and I rolled our eyes, casually letting their playful argument play out. Just when it got ready to reach it's peak, through the night shadows I noticed a speak of light.

"Hey, what's that?" Everyone turned, Wendy smiled. "We've arrived. I call dibs on the chocolate hearts!" Alice glared. "Oh no you don't, it's my turn!" And I couldn't help smiling.

We landed in the place courtyard just as the front door opened and a female brunette ran out, her eyes were the loveliest blue I had ever seen and her hair was in a flowing ponytail down her back. Her bright smile warmed my heart as she ran up.

"Alice Wendy Shanti, I was wondering when you'd get here. It's so nice to see you!" She turned to Wendy. "How's Peter doing?" Wendy blushed. "I'm getting there." Alice rolled her eyes. "Yeah right." The woman looked over with a devious twinkle in her eye. "Oh really Alice, are you dating anyone?" The blond sat up straighter. "No." I raised a curious brow, she had said that too quick, a sure sign she was hiding something.

"Oh, but who's this?" I looked up with a smile, Alice rolled her eyes. "That's Melody, a royal." Anya raised a brow. "Really?" She smiled. "Obviously there's a good story behind this and I want to hear it. Let's go inside for cake and tea."

~

Several minutes later, we were all sitting in the lovely decorated living room with a plate of sugar cookies and Earl Grey tea on the glass coffee table between us, we all sat one sit on the couch while Anya sat on the other in a chair. Alice snatched a cookie and began to eat which sort of set the conversation in motion and I told her about myself.

"So you're the daughter of Ariel and Eric? That must be interesting." I nodded. "Yeah, but you're the princes of Russia, your life's pretty similar to mine." "I suppose." She said with a shrug. "Grandmother says until she passes away I can take care of little things and spend most of my time here. It gets boring though, that's why I look forward to these visits. Speaking of which," she turned to the other girls, "how about we take a trip to Paris? I've been dying to see the Eiffel Tower again."

~

After another short flight, we entered France and went on a lovely tour around town, ending it with a stop at the top of the Eiffel Tower, looking out on the evening sky.

"Why don't you guys stay over for dinner? My treat, and I'll make sure Grandmother approves." Alice shrugged. "Sure. We could use the rest stop." But Shanti was cautious. "Are you sure Dimitri won't mind?" "He'll be fine with, I promise." There's something about her smile that warmed me in the depths of my mind. It looks like the smile my darling casts me whenever I enter the room. I bit my lower lip. Will I ever see her smile again?