What Dreams Are Made Of (Princess Ball sidebar #2)

[Stella]

Sliding her fingers delicately over the top of her old music box, Stella gently opened the lid, a smile gracing her face as the tinkling sound filled her chambers. It had been a gift from her parents for her sixth birthday and even though most of that day had long ago become a fuzzy memory, Stella could still recall the childish glee she had first felt when she had witnessed the little ballerina inside the box spring to life, spinning round and round in circles to the music. Few people knew it, but that little trinket was one of her most prized possessions. It signified a happier time in her life - a time before her parents had started fighting.

Lifting her eyes from the box to look at her reflection in her vanity mirror, Stella smoothed her long blonde locks down over her shoulder as her smile spread even wider across her face. But the tides were shifting again - she just knew it. Tonight was going to be the start of something wonderful. Solaria's citizens didn't know it yet, but tonight they were going to be celebrating not just their princess's formal debut into society, but the reunion of their king and queen. Nothing could ruin this night.

The sound of a light tapping at her door pulling her from her daydream of just how magical it was going to be when her father announced before everyone that all was finally going to be well in the royal family, Stella rose from her chair. Going to the door, she opened it slightly before her eyes lit up and she pulled it open the rest of the way.

"Brandon!" she squealed happily as she wrapped her slender arms around his neck before leaning up to press a loving kiss to his lips. "You wretch, how did you manage to sneak up here?" Glancing down at her robe-clad body, she then continued with a teasing smile as she brushed a lock of his hair out of his eyes, "You're lucky that I'm not dressed yet or else I think I would have just about died. I simply refuse to let you see me in my gown until my grand entrance - I want your jaw to drop right alongside everyone else's."

[Tag: Brandon, of course, since he and Stella definitely need some more one-on-one time together and because Stella needs to be sickeningly sweet one last time before becoming Baltor's minion XD]

[brandon2]

"Now, Darling, you know I can't say away. I always seem to find my way back to you." Brandon grinned as he wrapped his hands around her petite form and pulled her close before quietly telling her, "You know it doesn't matter what your wearing; every time I see you, you make my draw drop. Now how long do I have before you kick me out to make an attempt to make yourself even more stunning, which I'd like to note I don't think is even possible."

[Stella]

I always seem to find my way back to you.

At these words, tears began to well up in Stella's eyes. Leaning forward to bury her face against Brandon's shoulder, she whispered with a choked laugh, "Don't you dare make me cry; I don't want to be gross and puffy at my debut."

She couldn't help it, though, as a few tears trickled down her cheeks. It was all just so overwhelming; after everything that had happened to them in the past few weeks - Brandon disappearing, then finding him in Lost Souls, not to mention the sickening thought of losing him to another girl - Stella needed this. Needed to feel his arms around her. And most of all, needed to know that love could conquer all. Because knowing that meant that she wasn't setting herself up for heartbreak tonight. It meant that she wasn't carrying false hope for her parents' reconciliation. It meant that her dreams were going to come true.

Finally tilting her face back up to peer up at him, Stella gave him her most dazzling, albeit shaky, smile as she replied, "You see, the fun thing about being princess is that I can make everyone wait as long as I please." Tracing his jawline, Stella's tone softened as she finished unashamedly, "Right now, the most important thing to me is being with you."

[brandon2]

"And that feeling's mutual, Sweetie." Brandon smiled as he brushed away the tear still glistening on her cheek, "Your the best thing to ever happen to me. I was going to wait and give this to you later but I think perhaps now's a better time." Brandon smiled as he held up a present. He was probably jumping the gun with this one since they were still in high school and all but it was tradition. His father had given it to his mother and then it had been passed down to him when they died.

OCC: Have to pull in some of the plot somewhere and just don't ask where the hell it came from XD (And since we really know nothing about Brandon's family- is going with them dead and him fostered out to Sky's family and raised like a second son to protect and be a friend to Sky.

[Stella]

"A present?" Stella questioned, her smile brightening. Taking the small box from him, she turned it over in her hand and admired just how prettily wrapped it was; if the outside was this nice, she couldn't wait to see what splendid something was waiting for her on the inside.

Guiding Brandon over to her vanity, Stella seated herself on the cushioned bench and then patted the space next to her for him to sit down as well. Then, placing the box in her lap, Stella carefully untied the bow and lifted the separately wrapped lid from the box. After gently pushing aside the tissue paper that padded her present, Stella's hand emerged from the box with which she cradled a most beautiful compact. "Oh, Brandon," she breathed as she traced her fingers over the surface, "it's positively gorgeous; I love it!" Faltering for a moment, though, Stella's brow furrowed worriedly. "But...but it must have cost a fortune..."

As much as she loved the gift, Stella couldn't bear the thought of Brandon having spent more on her than he could afford; while she knew that she could buy a whole new wardrobe or expensive jewels without a blink of an eye, she was also aware of the fact that Brandon didn't have enough money to have that kind of luxury. She had long ago gotten over any qualms she may have had initially about being wealthier than him, and because of that Stella was certain that she would have been equally pleased had he given her a bouquet of flowers instead. All that mattered was that he gave from his heart.

[brandon2]

Brandon reached up and wrapped his hand over Stella's, "It was my mother's. My father gave it to my mother when they married, after that it was passed down to me to give to the woman I love. I know this is probably to soon to give it to you as we are still in high school but I love you and this seemed like the perfect time." Brandon told her with a grin, he was a little nervous about giving it to Stella but after all they had been through. "But even if I had to pay for it your more then worth every penny."

[Stella]

There were very few times in her life that Stella had ever truly been blown speechless: but this was one of them. Brandon's present was so touching and sentimental and beautiful that it made her heart constrict in her chest. And that wasn't even all - there were his words and his smile and the way he touched her hand...it was all just so perfect. This was the type of moment that she would keep in her memory forever. She could never ask for a better gift. Even her music box paled in comparison.

Swallowing back the lump of emotion in her throat, Stella gave her head a firm shake. "It's not too soon; it's perfect. You're perfect and I'm the luckiest girl in all the realms." Entwining her fingers with his, Stella scooted forward onto his lap. She wasn't the best with words; she didn't have Tecna's fancy vocabulary or the ability to form all of her jumbled up thoughts and emotions into the most eloquent speech, but there was that saying: actions speak louder than words. And so, tipping her head down, Stella boldly wrapped her arms around Brandon's neck and kissed him with all the feeling he had sparked in her. And although all those old noble-blooded ninnies would probably find such behavior improper for a princess, Stella didn't care. She loved Brandon with all of her heart and she wasn't going to let anyone stop her from showing it. Well, except perhaps her father - but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. But even if he did know, he probably wouldn't be too upset as he practically adored Brandon - but then again, who wouldn't? Brandon was the most amazing, thoughtful guy to have ever lived.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of being in his arms, Stella breathlessly pulled her lips away from his. Smiling impishly, though, she quickly leaned forward and pressed a brief kiss to the tip of his nose. "I love you too, cupcake, and don't you ever forget it. It's strange, though," Stella added after a short pause. "All I've been able to think about for the past two weeks is this party and now that it's finally here, all I want to do is stay here with you. But I suppose the show must go on," she finished with a reluctant sigh.

[brandon2]

"Well it always does my ego good to hear that you'd rather spend time with me." Brandon grinned, as he lightly kissed her forehead "But your right, duty first. But on the up side, snookums, I'll be right there for the entire time. I've got you back where you belong and I have no intentions of that changing. With that in mind I'm going to have to be close at hand to fend off your potential suitors. Now that your officially on the market or how ever these ball's work." Brandon said still not completely understanding the dynamics of the Princess Ball other then it was a tradition.

[Stella]

Stella batted her lashes exaggeratedly as she cooed, "Oh, yes, you better watch out for those dashing fellows who might try to swoop me away; if you aren't careful they just might succeed."

Her comment was so ludicrous, though, that Stella couldn't help but fall into a peal of laughter. She had meant what she had said - she loved Brandon and there wasn't a single guy who could give him a run for his money. And even though she could tire out of the latest fashion trends almost as soon as they hit the scene, her heart was a different matter. It was very likely the one aspect about herself that was stable. No change of heart for her. Nuh uh.

"Just so you know, I intend to hold you to your promise to stick by my side tonight," Stella said teasingly. "I have a dance card, you know, and it has your name written all over it - minus one or two dances I have to save for Daddy, of course."

Hopping off Brandon's lap, Stella giggled. Oh, tonight was going to be more fantastic than she had even imagined! She had a gorgeous dress, the best boyfriend ever, and her parents were going to get back together - could life possibly get any better?

Bending down to give Brandon one last kiss, Stella then shooed him toward the door. "Out, out, honeybear; it's time to pretty myself up." Twirling around, she then added over her shoulder in a mock seductive voice, "Next time you see me, dahling, be prepared to be floored."

[brandon2]

"I'm going, I'm going." Brandon chuckled as he allowed himself to be ordered from the room. Stopping at the door, he turned, "Not to make your next hour of preparations useless but Cupcake, I don't think there is anything else you could do to pretty yourself up; every time I see you, you floor me."

[Stella]

(OOC: Aww, I love the new avatar XD)

"That's what you say now," Stella teased coyly even as a flush at Brandon's compliment tinted her cheeks. "But just you wait until you see me; you'll be singing a different tune then, I think."

Truth be told, though, it gave Stella an indescribable amount of pleasure to know that Brandon was telling the truth. It really didn't matter to him that she was a princess or that she was pretty and wore designer clothes. She never thought it would happen, but she had found a guy who loved her just for her.

Blowing Brandon a kiss as he left, Stella then crossed her chambers and threw open her closet doors. There it was: her beautiful, beautiful dress. Oh yes, she was going to look positively out of this world.