Stuck In A Fairytale Preface

*Preface*

"Mom?"

"Yes Lizzy, what is it dear?" My mother, also named Elizabeth, was lying in bed.

"Can you read me a story?"

"Sure sweetie. Which one will it be tonight?"

I pulled out my all time favorite book 'Princess Isabella'.

"You really love this one don't you?" She said with a smile. I nodded and crawled into bed next to her as she opened the book to the first page.

Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess names Isabella with golden hair that shined like the sun. Her father was the king of the people and land of Weinrich. Her only friends were that of the forest animals since she was prohibited to leave the castle. Edward, the squirrel, was very generous and gave her all the berries he could find. There was also a baby deer that she named Lily as well as several birds that helped her with every day chores. One day, while she was high up in the tower where she slept she heard noises from below in the castle gardens. They came from two men fencing. She had never seen them before. Isabella ran down the long castle steps to the gardens. "Who are you?" She said to the two fellows. One had a rugged appearance, the other was astonishingly handsome. The handsome one was the first to speak. "I'm William and this here is my friend Harry." He noted, patting his friend on the shoulder. "Your father King Charles has recruited us as part of his army. We were just practicing fencing, princess." "I find it very heroic and honorable that you both our fighting for our people. It takes great courage," She said. "Well, anything to serve the cause of Weinrich." He smiled.

She walked away and let them continue practicing, looking back at the gentleman. William caught her eye and gave her a smile. She laughed softly. From that moment on, Isabella made every point in seeing the two gentleman. She very much liked William and he adored her as well. She went horseback riding with him every day to help him train. It came time for the war; the castle walls were surrounded by guards and men ready to aim fire at the enemy, the Daharians. Isabella was afraid for William now that there love had grown. "Isabella, it's time. I have to fight."

They were lying in each other's arms under the sycamore tree. "William I don't think I can live without you if you don't make it. I don't want to live without you. You're my everything." She looked up at him and he leaned in to give her a kiss. "Don't worry Isabella. I have the strength of a thousand men. But if something does happen to me I want to give you this." He handed her a heart shaped golden locket. "It's my heart. So it will always be close to you no matter where I am or whatever happens." A tear ran down her face. She did not want this to be the end. He put the necklace around her and they continued to caress each other, prolonging the inevitable fate. The sun went down behind the trees and they knew their time was up. Tonight, the Daharians would come to the castle for battle. When they got back to the castle, her father was looking for her. "Where have you been child? We are about to be under siege and you go out into the forest??" He yelled. "I'm sorry father. I did not realize it was so late."

"There is no time to discuss. Go to the tower! It's safe there." He said, while running the opposite direction with several armed warriors. All of a sudden, there was a blast of fire, probably the work of the Daharians. I screamed. The first thing I thought of was William but he was nowhere to be found. He was out there, with the other men now. I couldn't think about him now, though. He would want me safe. I ran as quickly as I could to the castle gates and up the tower. An arrow landed near my feet, causing me to run faster. When I got to my room in the top of the tower, I let myself weep at the mayhem that was happening outside, most of all that William was in the center of it all. Sleep had overcome me, even with the loud and disastrous events from outside. The sunlight awoke me; the sweet sound of birds filled the air. The first thing I thought of was William and if he was ok. I ran down and saw father at the bottom of the staircase. "Father! How is William? Is he alright?" I looked to see the grave expression on his face. He wouldn't even speak. I went to the floor, sobbing into my gown.

The castle cook, butlers and castle maids all looked at me with mournful faces. All of a sudden, a pair of brown boots appeared in my view. I looked up and it was William, scarred and bruised but very much alive. I jumped up and kissed him passionately. When we broke away he said, "I told you my heart would be close to you." She smiled and giggled, looking into his eyes with her arms wrapped around his neck. "I thought I lost you." "My love for you was too strong. You were what kept me going. You are my sunshine. I love you Isabella." "I will always love you William." She smiled. He got down on one knee, and took her hand. "Will you marry me?" "Yes!" She announced. He twirled her around, never wanting to let her go. The next day the ceremony was held at the castle. They gave their eternal vows and lived happily ever after.

"The end," My mother ended, closing the book. I was fast asleep, my head lying on my mother's stomach. She slowly slid me off, careful not to wake me. When she left, I awoke to hear her speaking to my father. "You're in no condition to read. You need to sleep," My father, David, said. My mother found out from the doctor a few months ago that she had stage IV leukemia, the final stage, and wouldn't have much longer to live. They were surprised she lasted this long. My mother tells me the reason she is still breathing is because of me and my dad, that we make her feel strong enough to see another day. I heard the sound of throwing up coming from the kitchen. Tears were forming in my eyes. I was only 6 years old. I couldn't bear to think of a world without my mother.

She was always there to make me feel better. When boys teased me at school, she was there to cheer me up. When I fell and scraped my knee, she would put a Cinderella band-aid on it and I would feel as good as new. It just wasn't fair that her life had to end, the most generous, caring, most kind-hearted person I know. Thoughts of my childhood with my mother filled my head, drifting me to a deep sleep. The next day I woke up to my father's screams. "Elizabeth wake up! Can you hear me? Say something please!!" I ran to my parents' bedroom where I found my dad shaking my mother frantically, her body laying limp on the bed. I stood there in shock as my father began to start CPR. I didn't even know he knew how to do CPR. Everything was just happening in a blur. I faintly saw my dad turn to me and shout something. This couldn't be real. It had to be just another nightmare. I pinched myself hoping I would soon wake up from this. I closed my eyes and opened them but sure enough my father was still knelt down beside my unconscious mother trying to resuscitate her with every breath that he had. I finally came to reality and heard my dad frantically say "Call 911 now!" I ran for the phone as fast as my feet could carry me and called the emergency number. "Hello. What is your emergency?" A woman with a soft tone was on the other end. I couldn't help the tears that were streaming down my face. "My mom..won't..wake..up," I sobbed.

"My..dad is giving..her CPR"
"Ok, stay on the line sweetheart. An ambulance is on the way."
"Ok." I said, wiping my tears with the sleeve of my shirt.
"What's your name?" The nice lady said on the phone.
"Lizzy"
"That's a beautiful name. How old are you?"
"I'm..eight." I sobbed between breathes.

I heard the sirens of ambulance vehicles and police cars coming down our street.
"They are here now. I hear them outside. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Just stay calm. You are in good hands."
I hung up the phone as I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to see paramedics storm through the house towards the bedroom where my mother was. A policeman knelt down to meet me at eye level.
"Hi, sweetie. What's your name?" He asked.
"Lizzie," I said back while sobbing.

"Can you tell me what happened, Lizzie?" I saw a notepad in his hand to write down details.
"My mom is really sick. She has cancer. I just woke up and my mom wasn't moving or breathing. My dad was trying to do CPR to save her." I wiped a tear from my cheek.
"Just stay calm, sit on the couch here. We'll try to do whatever we can to save your mother" He said, patting my head with encouragement. I really hoped they would be able to help her. I looked down at the coffee table in the living room and saw the book my mom had just read to me last night. I picked it up and just looked at the pages, trying to get my mind off what was currently happening. Maybe if I didn't think about it, this whole thing would just go away and my mom would not be sick anymore. A few minutes later, the sound of a gurney interrupted my thoughts. This time it wasn't empty, the body of my beautiful loving mother lying there helpless.

"Mom!" I ran to the side of my mother, hoping she would just open her eyes for me then. The policeman told me to step aside and let the paramedics do their job. I turned around to see my dad there. He quickly ran to give me a reassuring hug. "Oh honey. Everything will be ok. We just need to pray to god to give us a miracle." I prayed with all the energy I could obtain to ask God to save my dying mother, to take away the evil cancer. My dad and I headed to Eagleview medical hospital, where they took my mother. When we walked through the automatic glass doors, the building had so much fluorescent lighting and it smelled like old people or something else that had a funny smell to it. We just about flew to the front desk. "Hi, excuse me, what floor is Elizabeth Wasson on?

They just took her away on an ambulance and told me to come here." The woman behind the counter had a blue scrub uniform on and blond hair. She looked to be in her early 20s or so. She typed something into the computer, then looked up and said, "Ms. Wasson's on the second floor, in the surgical area. You can wait in the waiting room up there. I'll notify one of the doctors to meet you." "Thanks," my father told her. I held onto my father's hand, my other hand carrying Mr. Binky, a worn out stuffed puppy dog. He pulled me, running, towards the elevator. When we got into the elevator, I looked up at him. I've never seen him look like this before, his face full of worry and sadness. As soon as the doors opened, we ran to the waiting room, passing a nurse pushing a patient in a wheelchair. When we got there, my dad started pacing frantically back and forth.

"Dad?" I asked.
My dad paused for a second. "What is it sweetie?" He knelt down in front of me. "Is mom going to be ok?" I looked down at my feet. "Oh your mom is going to be just fine. She's strong, just like you." He wiped away the tear that was falling down my cheek with his thumb then hugged me. "Mr. Wasson?" I heard a deep voice say. My dad let go of me and turned around to face the doctor. "Yes doctor. That's me. Is my wife ok?"

"I'm afraid that she was in very serious condition. The cancer had spread to her heart and caused her to have a heart attack. I am deeply sorry for your loss." The doctor went on to go on specific details on what would need to happen now, but I ran towards the bathroom, crying. "Elizabeth!" My dad shouted. "Excuse me," he said to the doctor and started to chase me down the hospital corridor. "Honey, stop!"
I pushed open the door to the bathroom and went into the first stall, sitting on the toilet seat and crying uncontrollably. My wonderful, caring, gracious mother was now dead and lifeless. I couldn't tell her goodbye, that I loved her with all my heart. My world right at this moment would never be the same.