Work Text:
After the glass slipper fit, the duke helped Cinderella into the golden coach. She insisted that her beloved friends come along—her mice, her birds, Bruno the dog, and her loyal horse—because she knew she couldn’t have done it all without them. They all squeaked, chirped, and barked excitedly as the coach rolled toward the castle.
Cinderella’s heart fluttered with nervous excitement. What would Prince Charming think of her now, dressed in her simple clothes instead of the gown from the ball? But as soon as he stepped into the hall, all her worries melted away. He strode toward her with a warm smile that made her stomach do a happy little flip. Without hesitation, he took her hands in his and kissed her gently.
Then, with a sparkle in his eye, he knelt on one knee. “Will you marry me?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice full of joy, and they kissed again, this time as if the entire kingdom had melted away, leaving only the two of them.
The king, seeing the love between them, clapped his hands with delight and immediately ordered preparations for the wedding. Over the following weeks, the castle buzzed with excitement. Banners and flowers decorated every hall, bakers crafted a towering cake, and seamstresses stitched a wedding dress that shimmered like moonlight.
Finally, a month after the ball that had changed her life forever, the day of the wedding had finally arrived. The grand hall was awash with flowers, ribbons, and golden sunlight streaming through the tall windows. Guests from every corner of the kingdom had gathered, and the air buzzed with excitement.
Cinderella stood at the top of the staircase, her heart beating like a drum. She wore her shimmering wedding dress, and for the first time in a long while, she felt completely at home. Her father could not be there, but the king, smiling warmly, offered to walk her down the aisle himself. She took his arm, grateful for his kindness, and together they descended, the soft murmur of the crowd mingling with the chirping of her beloved bird friends.
The aisle seemed to stretch forever, but at its end, Prince Charming waited, his eyes shining with love. Cinderella’s heart soared as she met his gaze. Jack and Gus, her mischievous mice, squeaked with excitement from their hiding place in the pews, and even the other animals cheered in their own way.
The couple exchanged vows, promising love, loyalty, and laughter for all their days. Rings were slid onto fingers, and then, finally, they kissed, sealing their vows with a joy so bright it seemed to fill the entire hall.
Of course, the Tremaines had not come. It was exactly as it should be. Cinderella didn’t need them—she had found her own happiness, and that was enough.
As Cinderella and Prince Charming walked down the stairs together, a little hiccup made her gasp: one of her shoes slipped off! The king, quick and gentle, picked it up and handed it back to her with a knowing smile. “Every princess needs her shoes,” he said. Cinderella laughed, sliding it back on and continuing down with her husband.
When they reached the carriage waiting outside, it gleamed in the sunlight—not a pumpkin this time, but a fine golden coach fit for a prince and his bride. Hand in hand, they climbed inside, and the gates opened. As they rode away, the cheers of the entire kingdom rose up around them. Jack and Gus squeaked their loudest, Bruno barked happily, and the birds flitted above, creating a living confetti of feathers and song.
Cinderella looked at Prince Charming and smiled. Her heart was full, her friends were with her, and her future had never looked brighter. Together, they rode off into the world, ready for the life they would build together—joy, love, and laughter at every turn.