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(Ever since William read the book to Susannah, I wanted to make a Halloween fanfic. Also, I’ll mention silver slippers, because in the book, there silver.)
It was Halloween, and Julia had planned a special party for Susannah, complete with a surprise guest. A magician who called himself a “wizard,” known for his incredible tricks. He was originally from Toronto but had toured the world, performing in grand theatres and birthday backyards.
Julia had also organized a family costume theme weeks in advance, and they were going to be characters from The Wizard of Oz.
She suggested to Susannah, “how about you be Dorothy?”
Susannah wrinkled her nose, “no, mommy, wig too itchy. I want to be Toto”
Julia laughed, “alright then, I’ll be Dorothy, and daddy will be the Tinman.”
“I want to go tricks and treats. You promised”
“We will, darling. The party first, then we’ll go tricks or treats”
“Ok, mommy”
William had come home from work, as Julia showed him his costume, “really, the Tin Man? Not the Lion, or the Scarecrow?”
“Well,” Julia shrugged, “the Lion was a coward, and the Scarecrow didn’t have a brain”
“True,” he muttered, “but still…”
“Stop being a stick in the mud,” Julia teased, “be a good Tin Man”
He sighed, “well first of all, Susannah doesn’t really want this party, and second, what if the news finds out? I’m getting that medal this weekend at the Policeman’s dinner…remember?”
She smiled, “yes, I remember and they will say, he’s not just the best detective in Toronto, but he’s a devoted family man…one who’s willing to wear a Halloween costume for his daughter. As for Susannah, trust me she will love it, just how I would have when I was her age, except my father canceled the magician the last minute.”
He paused, then gave in, “yes, you told me the story many times….and for the costume, fine for Susannah”
As the party was about to start, the magician arrived, a tall, dramatic man in a green velvet cloak who insisted on being called, The Wizard. He dazzled the guests with sleight-of hand tricks and levitating cards, which the children loved.
Out front, William was handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, dressed in the Tin Man costume, as one by one, children kept asking the same thing, “are you a robot?”
“No,” he muttered, “I’m the Tin Man”
Back inside, he told Julia, clearly annoyed, she giggled, “well, a lot of children haven’t read the book, I suppose. Remember, George and Effie got Susannah the special edition.
He rolled his eyes, and took a breath “for Susannah”
“Yes, thank you,” she said, smiling
Then came the royal arrivals, both George and Effie, Henry and Ruth, had decided to come as kings and queens.
“Effie, I told you, I was going to be a queen,” Ruth snapped, “I paid a lot for this dress!”
“So did I!” Effie huffed
Meanwhile, George and Henry had their own debate , “why can’t you just be a prince, and I’ll be the king?” George argued
“Because, I already bought the crown,” Henry shot back
Before the royal drama could escalate, Thomas and Margaret arrived, she was in full witch attire, pointy hat, broom and all. He, however, was just in his office suit.
“Sir…no costume?” William asked politely
“I’m a businessman,” Thomas replied flatly
“But…that’s just your regular work clothes”
“See, Thomas?” Margaret snapped
“Just be grateful I showed up,” he muttered, knocking back a scotch from the drink table
Then Ruby burst in, waving, “Jules, I’m here!”
Julia grinned, “Ruby, what are you supposed to be?”
“I’m you. I’m a doctor”
Julia raised an eyebrow, “Ruby, I don’t always wear a smock. That’s for surgery, but thanks for showing up”
“No problem. But are you sure you’re doing this party for Susannah, and not you?” she asked
“Of course, it’s for Susannah, and she is loving the magician.” Julia said looking at Susanah who appears bored
Ruby was about to say something, when Watts finally stumbled in, dressed in layered old clothes and a floppy hat.
“Sorry, I’m late. Work ran long, and all the costume stores were cleaned out. I rummaged through my old undercover bin, and said, ok hobo it is”
Julia gave him an approving nod, “it’s good enough, Watts”
As the magician performed a flashy trick involving a disappearing scarf and a puff of colored smoke, Susannah called out, loud and clear, “he’s hiding it in his sleeve! It’s just a fake hand!”
The room fell quiet, the magician froze mid-bow, clearly thrown off. Julia quickly stepped in, kneeling next to Susannah, “darling, I know you know and daddy knows the secrets, too. But Jordan and your other friends don’t”
“They just don’t get it,” Susannah replied, arms crossed, “it’s cause they’re not smart like me”
Julia blinked, “Susannah, you shouldn’t say that”
“But it’s true, daddy tells me all the time”
Across the room, Ruth and Henry turned in unison and stared at William, who stood frozen in the back.
Ruth arched a bow, “you said our daughter is dumb?”
William nearly choked, “what? No, no…I just said Susannah has…um, the Murdoch knowledge. It’s special and different from the other children, that’s all. He winced, “and now, I’m hearing it again, it does sound bad.”
Henry folded his arms, “uh-huh”
Susannah, unfazed, kept going, “besides, I didn’t even want the party, mommy wanted it. I wanted to go tricks and treats!”
Julia sighed, “we are going trick-or-treating. I just thought you’d like a party, too”
“I like candy more”
“Come on, Susannah,” Julia said gently. “we’ll go trick-or-treating soon. But how about you help the magician first? You could be his assistant!”
“No, mommy,” Susannah frowned, “I want candy!”
William stepped in, adjusting the stiff Tin Man collar around his neck, “Julia, come on. She’s clearly not into the party. I promised I’d take her out before it got too dark”
Julia shook her head, trying to keep her cool as the guests looked on, “just wait, how about this, mommy will do a magic trick with the magician first, then we all go trick-or-treating”
But Susannah shook her head and stomped her foot, “no, mommy. I’m going trick-or-treating, with or without you!’
Before Julia could respond, Susannah turned and bolted out the front door, her little Toto tail bouncing behind her.
“Susannah!” William shouted, already running to her with difficulty
But he was too late, the wind had picked up outside, rattling decorations and howling down the street. Guests looked toward the door uneasily as the first distant rumble of thunder echoed across the sky
“Susannah!” Julia called, running after her, “Susannah!” Julia cried, scanning the yards and sidewalks, “where are you?”
Then a blinking flash of lightning, struck a tree, as a branch broke loose and struck Julia on the head, with a big thud and knocked her to the ground unconscious.
Everything was in a haze, as Julia woke up, head throbbing, and the last thing she remembered was a flash, then nothing.
She sat up, laying in soft grass in some sort of field, surrounded by vibrant colored flowers. She blinked against the bright sunlight, and then remembered, Susannah.
“S…Susannah?” she called weakly
Next to her, the small figure of her daughter…still dressed as Toto, crouched on all fours. But instead of speaking, she barked.
Julia pushed herself, slowly on her feet, “Susannah?” she said again, her voice unsure
Susannah barked once more and gave a little nod.
Julia looked around, disorientated, “where…where are we, Susannah?”
Before the child could answer, a shimmer in the air caught Julia’s eye. A large pink bubble floated gently down from the sky, as it drifted toward them, glowing and swirling, until it popped just inches above the ground.
From it stepped a woman in a pink gown and tiara, Julia’s eyes squinted, “Effie?”
The woman smiled, “are you a good witch or bad witch?”
Julia stared, her brow furrowed, “Effie, it’s me Julia?”
“Effie?” the woman repeated, confused, “I’m Glinda, and I see from your name tag on your dress…your name is Dorothy”
Julia looked at the name tag forgot she had it on, “uhh, no my name is Julia. This is just a costume I’m wearing, and I’m not a witch. And you’re my good friend Effie”
Effie smiled, “I’m afraid you’re mistaken, I’m Glinda, the good witch of the North,” and tilted her head to the side, peering at Susannah, who was still in her Toto costume, wagging her tail, “oh, that must be the witch?”
“No!” Julia said quickly, “that’s Susannah…she’s my daughter”
Effie gave her a strange look, “your daughter…a dog, ok?”
Julia looked down at Susannah again and noticed she did look much more like Toto now. Her nose was more of snout and her hands were paws, “no, this can’t be real…am I in Oz?” she whispered to herself and turned in a circle to see her surroundings. She saw all the buildings of Toronto in the distance, but everything was too bright, too crisp, like a painting. It was Oz, like described in the book, but it was still Toronto.
Effie smiled patiently, “well, I received an alert from the flowers, that a witch had landed on another witch in this very field”
Julia’s brows furrowed, “I…what?”
Effie pointed and Julia followed her gaze and gasped, there lying in the flowers was a crushed figure of a woman in dark robe. Just a glimpse of striped stockings and silver slippers peeked from the robe.
“No,” Julia whispered, stumbling back, “I didn’t mean to hurt her”
Then the sky darkened and boom, a plume of red dark smoke exploded in front of them, making Susannah cry and whimper as Julia picked her up and comforted her. Out of it stepped a woman, dress in all black.
Julia’s breath caught in her throat, “Miss Hart?”
The woman’s eyes burned, “who killed her?” she spat, “who killed my best friend, was it you?”
“No,” Julia said quickly, “no, Miss Hart, I didn’t hurt anyone. I swear…”
“Miss Hart?” the woman sneered, “that’s not my name…I am Elphaba,” she declared, “wicked witch of the west. And you, Dorothy…or whoever you think you are…will pay for what you’ve done, and your dog, too,” and cackled
“Don’t forget the silver slippers before you leave” Effie says
“Yes” Miss Hart says, and turns to get the slippers but they disappeared, “there gone!”
“And right here” Effie says pointing to Julia’s feet
Julia looks down and stumbles back, still holding Susannah, “this isn’t real,” she whispered to herself, “this isn’t real…”
Miss Hart, “oh, it’s very real, now give me back the slippers or else”
“You know the rules, you won’t get the slippers back until the magic wears off.” Effie says
“Very well, but this isn’t over” and with the red smoke finally cleared, and the witch vanished into the darkening sky.
Julia took a steadying breath, with Susannah finally calm in her arms, she gently placed her down on the ground, “how am I suppose too get back home?“
“Just follow the yellow brick road, and meet the powerful wizard of Toronto and he will fulfill your wish.” Effie said As a yellow brick road appeared at her feet.
“Well, I suppose we follow the yellow brick road. Let’s go, Susannah.”
They walked for what felt like ages, passing fields of oversized flowers and distant, dreamlike farms, that she recognized from the outskirts of Toronto, when they approached the edge of a cornfield, and Julia noticed a figure slumped against a wooden post. His arms hung loosely at his sides, his head tilted like it barely balanced on his shoulders.
“Hello?” Julia called out, stepping closer, “are you all right?”
The figure jerked suddenly and then looked up, it was George.
His clothes were rough and patchy, stuffed with straw at the seams, and a crooked hat sat on his head. Bits of hay stuck out from under his collar, his eyes lit up when he saw her.
“Dr. Ogden! Or, Dorothy?” He scratched his head, causing a puff of straw to fall out of his sleeve. “Oh, good, I was hoping someone would come by. I’ve been stuck here all day…or maybe it’s been years. Hard to tell without a watch, or you know…a brain”
Julia stared, “George?”
He smiled brightly, “yes, but as Scarecrow…at least I think I am. I’d know for sure if I had a brain. That’s sort of the problem”
Julia looked around, then back at him, “of course you’re the Scarecrow”
“You wouldn’t happen to know how to get brains, would you. I can’t remember where it went, the names of my books or even my last name?” he said
“I’m afraid not. But your last name is Crabtree, and the books you written were Curse of the Pharaohs and A Man Alone But I’m trying to get home, and I think the Wizard can help m and you”
“Oooh, right my last name is Crabtree and yes the Wizard, let’s go ask him. But where is he?”
“George, you know…we have to follow the yellow brick road”
“Right” he said while wobbling forward, nearly tripping over his own straw-stuffed legs.
Susannah barked once.
“Is that Susannah, as the dog Toto?” he asked, eyes widening
“Yes, it is, and that’s not all. Effie is Glinda the Witch of the North. Miss Hart is the Witch of the West, but they don’t know they are truly them.” Julia replied
“Strange, but makes sort of sense”
Julia sighed, “yes, very strange, but some sense. Now, come on, let’s go”
And with that, the three of them, set off down the yellow brick road, toward the city of Toronto.
They continued down the yellow brick road, Julia getting annoyed by Susannah’s never-ending barking at small creatures, and George non-stop talking about brains, “how you get one and lose one? Also, how did I lose mine, and why I am still talking?”
Eventually, they made it out of the fields to quiet grove of towering trees, when Susannah began barking again, this time at a tall figure of silver, holding an axe.
They approach her, and as Julia stepped closer to the figure, “William?”
The figure creaked ever so slightly, his head jerking as if straining to move, “oil can,” he croaked
George perked up, “oh, it’s right there on the branch, be right back,” he said, as he ran to the branch
Julia knelt beside the Tin Man, her husband and looked up into his frozen face. His eyes, though unmoving, still held a familiar warmth.
“William?” she whispered
“Can’t…move,” he rasped, “rust…locked up”
George returned moments later, holding a rusted tin can, “got it”
Julia grabbed the tin and began quickly applying oil to William’s joints, and slowly loosened up, lifting his arms, turning his neck and finally standing tall.
He looked down at Julia and gave a small smile, “you found me”
“You weren’t exactly hidden,” she said, half-laughing
“Still, you came”
George beamed, “and we’re off to see the Wizard! I guess were going by the book, Julia just wants to go home, I need a brain”
William interrupted, “yes, I remember George. I have read the book to Susannah many times. I get a heart. Mine is missing the love I have for Julia and Susannah. I miss it. But let me ask, why is Susannah barking?”
“She’s Toto, William”
“Our daughter is a dog?”
“Sounds strange, I know, but yes”
Before William could say anything, the wind picked up, that was sharp and cold, then the red smoke with a boom, and there she was again, Miss Hart as the witch.
“I warned you” she hissed
Julia stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Susannah, “she’s just a child”
“She is a dog,” the witch spat, and you are a thief. You took my best friend’s life and now you collect strays and fools to hide behind?”
William drew his axe, “back away”
George clumsily stepped forward, shielding Julia with a bit of straw poking from his sleeve, “she’s with us”
The witch ignored them, her eyes burned into Julia’s, “you can follow the yellow brick road all you want, but the end is the same. You’re not going home, Dorothy. Not this time”
And with a crack of red smoke, she vanished.
Julia looked down at Susannah, who stared back with wide, watery eyes.
George cleared his throat, “well…that escalated”
William, confused said, “so Miss Hart is the witch of the west? Who’s the north?” grabbing Julia’s hand
“Effie, but she’s actually Glinda. It’s confusing” she replied
“Well, as the story is we have to continue on.” William said, as they walked on, as George continued asking annoying questions about why they were there and why Effie doesn’t remember.
The forest grew thicker, and darker, “why is it always a dark forest?” George muttered
“Just stay alert,” William said, gripping his axe, “I don’t like this”
Then they heard a rustle, and a low growl echoed from the trees. Then suddenly, something leapt out of the bushes with a roar.
Julia screamed, George jumped into William’s arms, and Susannah barked.
It was Thomas as the cowardly lion, “don’t look at me!” Thomas cried, collapsing into a heap, “I’m terrible, I know. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Julia blinked, “Thomas?”
“Yes. I don’t know why I’m here or why I am a lion?”
George stepped closer to him, “you’re the cowardly lion, sir. It’s from Susannah’s book, that’s why you act like this.”
“Makes sense, I want to be brave, but end getting scared. When I do I panic, shout and crave for a scotch. I lost my courage”
“Same old inspector” Julia said, “Sir, we are heading to see the Wizard, where he will grant our wishes. George a brain, William a heart, you courage, and me I just want to go home.”
“And turn Susannah back to a human” William interrupted
“Susannah is a dog?” Thomas asked
“Yes, in the book. Dorothy has a dog named Toto and that’s who she is”
“Bloody hell. Well then let’s go.”
And they continue to walk on the yellow brick road until they got closer to Toronto, they came across another field, of poppies.
Julia’s heart sank, “the poppies,” she whispered, but there was so other way across, “we have too, Julia” William said
“Come on, we can make it through, let’s just run very fast” George said
They all agreed, as they made a fast run for it through the flowers, but make it half way through, when Julia said, “I’m not going to make it,” and passed out onto the ground. Susannah yawned and fell asleep beside her.
“No, Dr. Ogden. Come on were nearly there” George said
Thomas staggering said, “I could have a nap,” and yawned and felled back with his legs flying up into the air, almost knocking William down, who had suddenly froze.
“No, not you as well! Help! Help!” Geroge screamed
Then a pink bubble approached him, popped it was Effie, “enough!” she said firmly, waving her wand as a cool breeze swept up and everyone opened their eyes.
“Effie, thank you” he said and kissed her
She pushed him back and slapped him against the cheek, “My name is Glinda! Yes, I saved you, but please not so forward” and disappeared
“What happened?” Julia said as she woke up looking for Susannah, who was beside her barking
“The poppies, doctor. But Effie saved us, or Glinda, or whatever. I got a slap from her” George said rubbing his cheek
“You kissed her?”
“It was impulse”
Thomas wakes up, “bloody hell, what did those poppies do to us?”
“They make you go to sleep, but were saved” George said
Julia gasp, “not all of us! William!” she points, “He rusted again!”
They quickly grab the oil can and began to move, and continued on to see the Wizard. Once they got to the Wizard’s castle, they were led through a hallway until finally, they stood before the great and powerful, Wizard of Toronto.
“Welcome,” the Wizard said, “I have been expecting you”
Julia stepped forward, “we need your help to get home, and to help my husband and friends”
The Wizard nodded slowly, “I can grant your wishes. But first, I require something of you”
Julia’s brow furrowed, “anything”
“Bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch”
Julia’s eyes narrowed, “I’m not killing her”
“No,” the Wizard said, a small smile in his voice, “not kill her, just give her this.” He reached into a velvet pouch and pulled out a small bottle filled with swirling, silver-blue liquid.
“This,” he said, holding it out, “contains the sleeping effect from the poppies. It will put her into a deep sleep, no harm done”
Julia glanced at Susannah, then at her friends and husband.
“Take this to the witch, and when she sleeps, take her broomstick and bring it back to me. Only then will your wishes be granted”
William stepped forward, gripping his axe, “and is she wakes up?”
The Wizard’s voice was cold, “then you must be faster”
Julia took the bottle, feeling its cool surface in her palm, “we’ll do it,” she said
“Together” they said
They crept up the moss-covered steps of the witch’s house, which was Miss Hart’s house. Inside, the air smelled faintly of herbs and iron; footsteps echoed down the corridor. They hid behind a curtain, so the witch and guards wouldn’t see them, when Julia came up with an idea, when she noticed a maid was bringing the witch tea.
“I’ll sneak into the kitchen, put the potion in the tea and we wait until it takes effect”
“No, Julia. It’s too dangerous” William said
“What other options do we have?”
“Alright, but be careful”
“We got your back, doctor” Thomas and George said
She carefully sneaked into the kitchen, without being noticed poured the liquid in the tea and went back to hiding.
When the maid brought the tea, the witch drank it and within 5 minutes she was sleeping.
They all came out from behind the curtain, as George, Thomas and William with his ax in his hand, checked to make sure no guards were around, as Julia and Susannah, slowly crept close to the witch and grabbed the broom, that was beside her.
“Got it” Julia whispered
When the witch eyes opened, “clever,” she said, voice soft and venomous, “so clever”
She didn’t leap for them, she didn’t need to, “you think a nap will stop me? The potion effect makes me paralyzed, not sleep”
Then guards came in behind them with swords, Julia’s skin went hot, guilt and adrenaline braided into a single sensation., “look, I’m sorry, I harmed your best friend. We didn’t want to hurt you. We just want our wishes to be granted. But there granted, you can have the slippers.” she said, the only defense she could give
The witch smiled like a blade, “Fine…but run while you can”
That was all the invitation they needed, as they bolted, George took the broom holding it under his arm, William ahead clearing the way. Thomas roaring to scatter the guards, as Julia clutching Susannah to her chest. Behind them, the witch’s voice rose, not a shout but a long, precise curse, as they made it out the door.
They continued to run, never looking back, now they got the broom. They made it back to the Wizard’s castle, knowing soon their wishes will be granted and soon will be home.
When they got to the castle, they were led back down the hallway, as the group approached the Wizard with the broomstick carefully tucked under George’s arm.
“Excellent.” The Wizard said as he took the broom, “now, one by one, your wishes shall be granted”
He turned to George first, “for your quest for a brain”
George’s eyes widened as a shimmering light enveloped him and suddenly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. Unfolding it, he scribbled a complex math equation with ease, “I got a brain and remember every word of my books,” he said, grinning with new confidence
Next came William
“Your quest for a heart,” the Wizard said, producing a delicate necklace adorned with a glowing ruby. William accepted it, feeling a warmth spread through his chest that hadn’t been there before. He turned to Julia and Susannah, “Julia, the love I have for you and our daughter has returned.”
Julia smiles while caressing his face, “I’m so glad, William”
“Ok, out of the way, you two, it’s my turn,” Thomas said stepping forward
“For courage,” the Wizard declared, presenting a gleaming medal etched with a roaring lion.
Thomas took the medal, standing a little taller, “I’m brave. I feel braver than I ever been.” he said simply
The Wizard then faced Julia
“And as for you, to return home, what have you learned?”
Julia’s gaze drifted Susannah, still curled quietly at her feet, “I’m sorry. I didn’t listen to you when you just wanted to go trick or treating. I guess I was trying to relive a childhood experience, one thought you should share with me. But now, I see I was being selfish.”
She bent down at her level, “can you forgive, mommy?”
Susannah barked and hugged her tightly.
The Wizard cleared his throat, “very good”
At the moment, a shimmering pink light filled the hall, and Effie stepped forward, her gown glowing with gentle power.
“You,” Effie said, warmly, “you did very well. All you need to do now is wish for home.”
“How?” Julia asked
“Close your eyes,” Effie said, “and wish with all your heart”
Julia took a deep breath, closed her eyes tightly, and whispered, “I want to go home”
The room around her began to dissolve into a swirl of colors and the soft glow of magic.
Julia stirred, her head throbbing slightly, the familiar hum of the living room lights buzzing faintly above her.
“Julia?” William’s voice cut through the haze, “Julia, thank God. You’re okay”
She opened her eyes slowly to see him kneeling beside the couch, worry lining his face. Susannah clutched her hand, eyes wide with concern.
“Mommy! You’re okay!”
George, Effie, Henry, Ruth, Thomas, Margaret, Ruby, and even Watts crowded in the doorway behind them, their faces filled with relief.
“Julia, thank goodness,” Ruby said, clutching her hand dramatically, “you gave us quite the scare”
“Ugh,” Julia winced, pressing her hand to her forehead, “my head”
“Yeah,” William said gently, “you’ve got a big egg on your head. You were out cold for a while. We thought we lost you”
Julia looked around the room, still decorated for Halloween, the magician’s table still half set. She exhaled slowly, glancing at the familiar faces, “so…it truly was just a dream”
“What dream?” Effie asked
Julia smiled faintly, her voice still little dazed, “I was in Oz, but it was Toronto. You were Glinda, Effie, William you were the Tin Man…George the Scarecrow, Thomas the lion and Susannah was Toto.”
Susannah giggled, “me…I was a dog?”
Julia chuckled, “yes, a very smart one”
Then her expression softened, and she turned to her daughter, “Susannah, I want to say I’m sorry. I didn’t listen to you when you said you didn’t want the party. I was so focused on recreating a memory from my own childhood, I didn’t think about what you wanted”
Susannah hugged her tightly, “you’re forgiven, mommy”
Julia kissed the top of her head, “thank you, sweetheart”
Then Susannah looked up, “I guess we can’t go trick or treating anymore?”
William glanced at the clock, “actually, since you got hit Julia with the branch and we haven’t had a chance to go yet. But there’s still an hour left before it ends”
Julia sat up slowly, a spark of energy returning to her, “well, I’m up for it. William, let’s take our daughter out trick or treating, and you don’t need to wear your costume,” she added with a smile
But William shook his head and stood tall, “no, I’m wearing it. If kids want to think I’m a robot, let them, I’m doing it for Susannah”
Susannah clapped happily, “yay!”
Moments later, the 3 of them were walking down the sidewalk, still in their costumes as Susannah skipping happily ahead, as they went to a bunch of houses, filling up her bucket with treats from the neighbors.
When they returned, the party had picked back up, as the magician was about to leave, Julia approached him warmly, “I owe you an apology,” she said, “the party didn’t go how we planned. But if you’re willing to stay a little longer…”
She pressed extra bills into his hand, as he looked surprised then smiled, “for you, Dr. Ogden, of course. But take back the money,”
Soon, Julia and Susannah stood beside him as assistants, laughing, gasping, taking bows as handkerchiefs turned into doves and playing cards rained down like leaves, as the guest cheered, warmed by the flicker of magic and mended hearts.
And although Julia’s head still ached a little, but her heart like William’s, felt full again. Not because of the party, or the costume, but because she’d remembered what mattered most the magic of simply being present together, for Susannah.
The End