A Difficult Decision
Red had made a decision. It was mail day and she still didn’t have any letters. If she still hadn’t heard from him by this time next week, she would find a way to get back to Wonderland. She needed answers, even if her worst fears were confirmed and she had to bury her friend. She turned to Chloe, her heart heavy but determined.
“Chloe, I need to talk to you,” she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness.
Chloe took her hand, worried. “What’s going on, Red?”
Red took a deep breath, searching for the right words. “It’s Maddox. I’ve decided that if I still haven’t heard from him by next week, I need to go back to Wonderland. I need answers, even if it means facing my worst nightmares.”
Chloe felt her heart clench, but she remained calm for Red. “I understand, Red. And I wish I could come with you.”
Red looked down, feeling guilty. “I know, Chloe. And I hate myself for leaving you. But I can’t take this uncertainty anymore… but the thought of leaving you breaks my heart.”
Chloe squeezed Red’s hand gently, looking at her with love and understanding. “Red, you are incredibly brave. I will support you in whatever decision you make. We will find a way through this together.”
Tears welled up in Red’s eyes. “Thank you, Chloe. I couldn’t do this without you.”
Chloe hugged her tenderly, gently stroking her hair. “You’re not alone, Red. We are in this together.”
They decided to share this secret with their friends, thinking they might need their support. They found Ella and Bridget in their room, and Red prepared to tell them everything.
"Ella, Bridget," Red began, his voice trembling, "there's something I need to tell you."
Ella and Bridget turned to her, attentive and worried.
Red took a deep breath and told them everything, her identity, her mother, her past and her current situation since her escape. "I am the princess of Wonderland. My mother, the Queen of Hearts, is a ruthless tyrant. I fled to escape her control, and Maddox, my friend and mentor, stayed to protect our secret. But it's been over a month since I've heard from him, and I fear the worst. If I still don't hear from him by next week, I have to go back there to look for him."
Bridget, touched by this revelation, stepped forward and took Red's hand. "Red, you are incredibly brave. We will stand by you, no matter what."
Ella, however, was a little harsher. "Red, why didn't you trust us enough to tell us about all this before? We could have helped you."
Bridget reprimanded her gently. "Ella, sometimes it's hard to confide in someone about such deep and painful things. Red did his best to protect everyone."
Ella looked down, feeling a little guilty. "I'm sorry, Red. I understand now. We are here for you, and we will help you through this."
Red, touched by their support, felt more and more fortunate to have such wonderful friends and a girlfriend. "Thank you, girls. You have no idea how much your support means to me."
Bridget smiled softly. “We’re a team, Red. We’ll get through this together.”
To take their minds off things, they decided to watch a movie. They settled in comfortably, Bridget snuggled up against Ella, and Chloe wrapped her protective embrace around Red. Chloe whispered loving words to Red, that only they could hear. “I’m here for you, sweetheart. You’re not alone.”
Red felt Chloe’s comforting caresses in her hair, soothing her anxieties. She felt loved, supported, and ready to face the challenges ahead.
The movie was playing, but Chloe could see that Red was lost in thought, a determined look etched on her face. No doubt she was thinking of Maddox. Seeing her so ready, so sure of herself, filled Chloe with pride… especially when she remembered the Red she had met. She had come a long way. But as proud as she was, Chloe was also terrified. She didn't want Red to leave. She didn't want to risk losing her... and she tightened her grip around her a little more. Red felt it, and turned to her. Seeing the worry in Chloe's eyes, she understood. Without a word, she snuggled a little closer to her, and began to caress her belly. Tonight, she would no longer think about Maddox. Tonight, there was only them.