Chapter 39: Another Revelation, Part 1

Almost as quickly as Serendipity began her search, she heard a small squeaking in the corner behind a cupboard. "Pozzletot, is that you?" she asked hurrying over toward the sound. Sure enough, there he was crouched between a low cupboard and the wall. She hadn't noticed the quick flick of Corey's wrist that had summoned him to that location, nor did it occur to her to ask why he hadn't simply used his magic to conjure the beast back into his possession once he realized the little mouse had stowed away to the North Pole in the first place.?Rather, she was more focused on cuddling her long-lost friend, and snatching him up, she cradled him carefully in her hands, exclaiming, "Oh, Pozzletot, my sweet friend! I'm so happy to see you!" She smothered him with kisses and laughed as he squeaked in delight at the reunion as well.
She felt Corey's hand on her back before she realized he had crossed the room. "There we are," he said smiling. "How lovely to have the two of you back together again."
Serendipity turned and wrapped her arm around Corey's neck, carefully holding Pozzletot in her other hand. "Thank you so much for bringing me here to fetch him," she whispered.
"You're quite welcome. I'm sorry I took him away from you in the first place," he replied.
Serendipity wasn't sure if he meant to say "accidentally" or not, but at this point it did not matter to her. She was happy to have visited the North Pole, happier still to be reunited with her lost friend, and happiest of all for having the opportunity to meet Corey--the real one, not the fake one who had showed up on her doorstep days ago flashing a fancy smile and offers of unfathomable joy for the rest of her existence. Before untangling her arm from his neck, she kissed him quickly on the cheek and then backed away, blushing, focusing her attention on her chatty little friend.
Corey blushed as well, and after a moment, he cleared his voice and said, "Let me show you to your chambers, Ms. Fizzlestitch."
"Yes, of course," Serendipity replied. "It's only"
"What's that?" Corey asked, pausing just before the kitchen door.
"I haven't an overnight bag or anything," Serendipity responded, thinking how very uncomfortable her dress would be to sleep in.
"I'm sure I can whip up something," Corey assured her, pushing the door open, and smiling at her over his shoulder.
Serendipity smiled as well and let him go through the door first, though it did cross her mind that should she stand just right under that mistletoe again, he would be forced to kiss her. As tempting as it was, she followed him up the stairs instead, noting how his staircase was so much more gradual an incline and so much easier to climb than the rickety ladder that led to her loft.
"Here we are," he said stopping outside a door at the end of the hallway. "I think you shall find everything you need inside."
He pushed the door slightly ajar, and glancing in, Serendipity could see a quaint room with a nice size bed made of log timbers and what appeared to be a comfortable mattress, a dresser with a looking glass, and a bookshelf. There was a cozy looking quilt on the bed and a small fireplace in the corner, which came to life before her eyes. Her gaze returned to the bookshelf for a moment, and Corey asked, "Would you be more comfortable if"
"No," Serendipity replied. "Leave it. It's fine."
"All right then," he said smiling meekly. "You should find everything you need in the dresser, but if I missed anything, please let me know. Or Mr. Waddlebug. His room is right next to yours, and mine is at the end of the hall."
"Right," Serendipity nodded, following with her eyes as he gestured. "Thank you again for everything, Corey."
"There's no need to thank me," he said leaning against the doorjamb with one hand, his face ever so close to hers.
"Oh, yes, there is," she insisted. "You've taught me so much in one day; I can't even begin to explain to you how nice it's been to be alive again."
"You should consider being alive every day," he replied. "You're very good at it."
He was leaning ever closer to her now, and she could feel his breath on her cheek. Memories of kissing him earlier invaded her mind, but no mistletoe hung here to veil the gesture in the innocence of tradition. "I think I think I should be off to bed now."
"Yes, yes, of course," Corey said stepping away from her. In his eyes, she thought she saw a flicker of disappointment, as if his thoughts had also drifted to the kiss. "Pleasant dreams, Serendipity."
"Pleasant dreams," she echoed with a slight nod before stepping quickly into the guest room, shutting the door with one hand and pressing her back into it. Looking down at Pozzletot, who was still perched on her free hand, she smiled, feeling her face become flushed. Her little friend seemed to be making kissing noises, his paws rubbing together in front of his face. "Oh, stop!" she said. "You're such a silly little mouse!" Sitting him down on the bed, she stepped over to the dresser where she found a beautiful red nightgown in just the right size. "I certainly underestimated our dear Mr. Cane, now didn't I?" she asked to no one in particular. "He is a good man after all. A good man indeed."
Pozzletot seemed to giggle as Serendipity set about making herself ready for bed. She wasn't used to sleeping on a mattress as plush as the one before her appeared to be, but for once, she was beginning to think it might be nice to allow herself a small amount of comfort. Once changed, she slid beneath the warm covers, her small friend snuggling next to her on the pillow, and set about dreaming up a life almost as pleasant as the one she found herself sinking into.