Chapter 40: Another Revelation, Part 2

When Serendipity finally awoke the next morning, sunshine was streaming through the window despite the thick green curtains, and she wondered how she had possibly slept so long. She hadn't slept more than a few hours at a time in ages. Stretching, she glanced around the room and was overjoyed to see a still sleeping Pozzletot nestled on the pillow next to her. She giggled with glee as he scratched his nose in his sleep. She considered waking him but decided instead to let him sleep a bit longer and then quietly pulled herself from the bed.
She crossed the room to the closet where she had hung her dress the night before, but upon throwing open the door, she was happily surprised to see a fresh frock hanging there. This one was in a bright blue, with a thick woolen cape hanging next to it, complete with matching hat and mittens.?Beneath it sat a new pair of brown leather boots. "Oh, my!" she exclaimed, and bending down to snatch one up she saw that they were just the right size. In the drawers behind her, she found just the right undergarments as well. "He's thought of everything," she whispered to herself as she readied herself to go downstairs and find Corey so she could thank him for his overwhelming hospitality.
By the time she was dressed, Pozzletot was awake and rubbing his belly, an indication that he was as hungry as she was. Scooping him up and setting him on her shoulder, Serendipity ascended the stairs. She could hear voices coming from the kitchen, Corey's for certain and what must be Mr. Waddlebug in reply. The words were difficult to make out, and it wasn't until she was just about to push the door open that she heard Corey say, "I'll tell her. Now, please stop bothering about it. You are correct in saying it is better that she finds out from me, and she will. In good time."
Of course, Serendipity had no idea whether he was speaking about something she needed to know, or someone else, and not being one to eavesdrop, she coughed once to announce her arrival and then pushed the door open.
Both gentlemen stood as she entered, and Serendipity returned Corey's warm smile. She knew she would be most happy to see him but the butterflies in her stomach came as a surprise, a welcome one.
"Good morning," Corey called out to her as she entered the room. "Don't you look radiant this morning?"
"Why thank you," Serendipity blushed, curtseying in an attempt to show off her new dress. "You certainly have exquisite taste, sir."
"I'm so glad that you like it. Here, have a seat," he insisted, pulling out the closest chair between them. "And please, meet my associate, Mr. Waddlebug."
For the first time, Serendipity turned her attention to the other gentlemen. She couldn't help but remember Corey's description of him as being "a bit bug like," and while it wasn't overwhelmingly so, she could see enough of a resemblance between the beady eyes and boxy features of the little man's face that she had to stifle a giggle. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last," she said, taking the hand he offered. He placed his lips gently on the back of her hand, causing her to gasp at his formality, and smile at his attempt at being debonair.
"The pleasure is all mine," Mr. Waddlebug replied. "Let me fix you a plate."
"Oh, please don't bother yourself. I don't mind looking after myself," Serendipity began, but he was already up, piling bacon, eggs, and homemade scones on a white china plate, which he promptly sat before her. Her utensils were there already, as was a brightly colored Christmas napkin, and he poured her a spot of tea as she began to dig in.
"Thank you so much," Serendipity said as she tasted each of the offerings on her plate. "You are an amazing cook, Mr. Waddlebug. This and the gingerbread men you made last night, why it's a wonder you don't open a restaurant."
"Gingerbread men I made?" Mr. Waddlebug asked, looking at Corey who only shrugged.
Serendipity didn't seem to notice as she continued to eat only slowing to make the occasional "mmmm" noise or take a sip of her tea. It had been years since she had stopped working long enough to eat a meal, and possibly years before that since she had eaten anything as tasty and nutritious as this somewhat balanced meal. As she ate, Pozzletot climbed down from her shoulder and Mr. Waddlebug made sure he had his fill of scone crumbs as well, talking sweetly to him as he did so.
Corey was finished with his breakfast before Serendipity even entered the room, and he sat and watched her eat, sipping his tea in amused silence as he had never seen anyone so overjoyed at the pleasures of a simple breakfast.
Once she had finished eating, Mr. Waddlebug offered her more, which she refused, patting her full belly, and then he cleared the table leaving only the few remaining crumbs intended for Pozzletot.
"I don't think I've eaten like that in well, probably at least eight years," Serendipity reminisced, leaning back in her chair and smiling.?"Thank you again, both of you, for your hospitality."
"We are just happy to have you here," Mr. Waddlebug remarked as he placed the last of the breakfast dishes in the dishwater to soak.
"I'm happy to be here, too," Serendipity admitted with a satisfied smile.
"All right then. I'm off to go about my chores," Mr. Waddlebug said, pulling a thick coat off of a hook by the back door. "Serendipity, Pozzletot, have a nice day. I hope to see you both soon. Sir," he added, looking at Corey who nodded at him and then he scuttled out the door letting a breeze of cold air into the little room before he shut it tightly behind him.