T
he group followed the governesses quietly down the hallway. Pausing outside a large open doorway, the two black-gowned women explained that this was the Castle Wardrobe and sent the group in two at a time, where the women inside transformed the modern-day men and women into princes and princesses.
During her time in Wardrobe, Rylee couldn’t quite believe how it happened. Every trace of makeup was removed from her face before the women efficiently stripped her worn jeans and blouse from her body, even taking her underclothes. Rylee was allowed to make one big decision. Glancing at the display of clothing, she pointed immediately to the frilly pinafore dress.
Before she knew it, Rylee was back in the hall. She ran her hand over the full skirt of the pinafore dress. She loved it. Her hands itched to smooth over the white ruffled panties that she wore under her dress. Her eyes caught on the pastel pink bracelet. It was true. She felt just like a princess.
A slender hand smoothed her braid over her shoulder before straightening the pink bow that adorned it. Startled, Rylee turned to meet the eyes of an apprehensive young woman who had been in Wardrobe with her. She couldn’t help but smile at her. The waif was adorable in her old-fashioned costume.
“Hi, I’m Cecily,” her new friend whispered to her with a slight curtsy.
“I’m Ry—Ruby,” Rylee remembered and corrected herself quickly.
“I’ve never been here before. I’m scared. Are you?” Cecily questioned as she looked down the stone corridors.
“I was too scared to get off the bus,” Rylee confessed.
“Really?” Already Cecily looked a bit less frightened. “I could really use a friend,” she confessed in a slightly louder voice. Her hand crept into Rylee’s and held it tightly.
“I can use a friend, too!” Rylee answered with a responding squeeze to the thin hand holding on to her desperately. Huddled together, whispering, everything seemed much more like an adventure.
When everyone was dressed in an assortment of clothing ranging from naughty school girl outfits to fuzzy sleepers, the group was paraded between the two governesses to a large open area. Rylee’s eyes darted around, trying to absorb everything. Smaller rooms branched off in all directions. Her eyes fastened on thick paddles outside time out rooms before widening apprehensively at the sight of the medical office. She quickly averted her gaze from the open doorway as she saw the nude patient being helped onto the table by one nurse while the other snapped on exam gloves. Horrified, she realized that a patient could consent to be on display during their exam for everyone to watch the intimate treatments. She could never do that.
The entire area was decorated for the upcoming holiday. Halloween decorations were scattered along the walls and sitting tables. Some were funny, while others were too scary for Rylee. Signs announced costume contests and haunted garden maze times.
Additional staff members stepped forward to escort the new arrivals to different areas of the room, distracting her from staring around. Rylee and Cecily were soon seated at a low table and coloring with several other chattering princes and princesses. They quietly accepted the shared crayon baskets and coloring books. Keeping their heads down, the two listened intently to the surrounding conversations.
The sound of deep male voices captured their attention. Rylee jumped up and ran to Dallas. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she held on as if she’d never let go. His already familiar scent filled her nose. She tilted her head and smiled happily. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“Step back, little girl, and let me see you,” Dallas ordered, tugging at one of the long braids that lay over her shoulders. “I knew you’d look adorable with this hairstyle!”
Nervously, Rylee stepped back to allow him to look at her outfit. Smoothing her hands over the pinafore, she tapped her shiny buckled shoes together. She obeyed his signal to turn around. When she faced him once again, she giggled with happiness as he swept her up in his arms to hug her close.
“You are the prettiest baby ever,” he complimented. His talented lips captured hers in a sizzling kiss. When he raised his head, Rylee laid her head against his chest. Happy to be reunited with Dallas, she rubbed her cheek against his warmth.
A motion to her side captured her attention. Rylee saw a large man kneeling on one knee on the floor before Cecily. She could hear the murmur of his low voice as he talked to her friend. A slow smile spread over her new friend’s face as the man who must be her new Daddy pulled her close to give her a hug. Rylee waved goodbye to Cecily as Dallas led her from the Nursery.