When You Wish Upon...

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NEW PROMPT:
Birthdays are magical times when wishes come true. Write a short story or poem about a birthday wish coming true.
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Emily sat at one of the bar’s wobbling tables staring at the burning candles on her birthday cake. Three of her closest girl friends were noisily chatting, unaware how unhappy Emily was at celebrating her 25th birthday with them, instead of with a man. It had been months since she broke up with her lying lizard of a boy friend, Scott Marco.

“Emily, what are you waiting for?” This rather shrill question came from Cynthia. Emily had been a bridesmaid at Cynthia’s recent wedding and still shuddered at the memory of the pea green dress she had to wear all that day.

Sophia chimed in with, “Yes, hurry and make a wish before the candles burn completely down.”

“But don’t tell us what your wish is, or it won’t come true.” This came from Penelope, the third giggling woman. “Close your eyes and make your wish.” The bubbly blonde was trying to nudge Cynthia in the ribs without Emily seeing her. Both women knew what Emily’s wish would probably be. Their friend had complained often enough of the difficulty of finding someone she could spend the rest of her life with.

Emily heaved a sigh, knowing her wish was impossible. She leaned forward, however, and took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she quickly blew out the small bonfire on the cake and thought, After kissing so many local frogs, my wish is for a Prince Charming to come into my life.

Between one second and the next, Emily felt herself sitting on soft grass. When she opened her eyes, she saw the bar, the table, and her friends had all disappeared. She got to her feet and looked around her, shocked to find herself standing in a dirt road surrounded by trees.

Instead of her recent outfit of baggy T-shirt and worn jeans, Emily now wore a long, satin gown of forest green. It felt cool against her skin, and she realized it covered her naked body in an extremely provocative way. There was a slender girdle of silver around her hips, and a matching silver circlet dipped down across her forehead to hold her hair in place.

Still somewhat in shock, she vaguely heard the sound of galloping hoofs coming closer. Within minutes, a beautiful white horse, easily 17 hands in height, came into view. Atop this animal rode the most magnificent man Emily had ever seen. When he spotted her standing there, he jumped down off his steed and walked toward her.

“M’lady, are you lost?” His deep baritone voice washed over Emily, giving her a feeling of bathing in warm honey. “Have you lost your horse? Where is your escort?”

“Please, I don’t know where I am. Can you help me?” Emily looked up into his handsome face, unable to stop looking into his gray eyes. His dark lashes were the same color as his unruly brown hair. It took Emily all her will power not to reach up a brush a wayward strand of hair back where it should be. Never before had a man made her feel so feminine and needing his strength.

“Of course I’ll try, M’lady. Perhaps introductions are in order first.” He made a deep bow before continuing, “I’m Prince Eric of the Shire of Montague at your service, and you are Lady?” He then waited for her to give her name and title.

“Your majesty, I’m not a lady.” Blushing, Emily quickly corrected herself. “Well, I am a lady, but not in the way you mean.” When she saw Prince Eric’s confused look, her face became even hotter. “I mean we don’t have royal titles where I live.” She looked around her. “Or when.”

“In any case, dear woman, I can’t leave you alone and unprotected.” He gave a loud whistle. When the grazing horse trotted over to stand motionless beside him, Prince Eric swung up onto the back of his horse. He reached down for Emily, and, in one smooth motion, pulled her up to sit sideways on his lap. Holding the reins in one hand, he held her back against his chest with the other hand. Emily could feel his breath near her ear and hoped this ride would never end.

“Emily, where are you? You seem a million miles away.” Hearing Cynthia’s shrill voice, Emily crashed back to reality. Gone were the arms of her Prince Eric, gone was the thick forest, and gone was the magical feeling of her wish coming true.

“I’m here, just like always.” None of her three friends caught the sadness in Emily’s voice, and soon they left her alone for a trip to the powder room. When someone passing behind her accidentally bumped into her chair, she barely noticed it.

Only when a deep male voice started to apologize did she turn around. She look up and then further up into the man’s beautiful gray eyes. Her breath caught in her throat since he resembled her dream-like memory of Prince Eric.

“Can I buy you a drink to make up for being so clumsy?” Emily silently nodded, and the man pulled up a chair to join them. He looked closely at Emily. “Do I know you? You look familiar to me. Oh, I’m King, otherwise known as Rex Montague, at your service. My friends nicknamed me King since that’s what Rex means.” Her sudden laughter startled him, but her words made him wonder what was going on.

Her sadness gone completely, Emily said, almost to herself, “I wished for a Prince Charming, and instead got a King.” She reached out to take King’s hand in hers. “King, have you ever made a wish on your birthday candles? It works, it really does!”

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Microsoft Word count = 952

"The Writer's Cramp"  daily contest entry for 01/23/08
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