One Shots

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Matthew and Stephanie had a summer get away to Disney World.

Yes, they had Disneyland just under an hour away from them, however, Disney World had more parks to check out. So they decided to switch things up a bit and go to Disney World. They had spent the whole day in the various parks and planned to stay there until closing. They went on just about every ride like Fast Track, Splash Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean. They saw different attractions and visited different stores on Main Street U.S.A. And of course took a picture with Winnie the Pooh. The day was coming to an end and they were enjoying churros and walking around together. Stephanie checked the time and realized the Castle show was in 10 minutes.

"Hey Matt, want to head over and watch the castle show?" she asked.

"Sure." he said. They headed over and got a good spot towards the front.

"I wonder what the new show is like since they aren't doing the old one anymore." said Stephanie.

"I guess we'll see." said Matthew. A few minutes later the street lights died down and the show started. The music boomed through the speakers and the castle lit up with different spot and strobe lights. The crowd cheered as the show started. Matthew noticed immediately how the opening was already way more upbeat than the previous show. Then it quilted down and the voiceover came.

"And they all lived happily ever after.

Each of us have a dream, a heart's desire, it calls to us,

and when we're brave enough to listen, and bold enough to pursue,

that dream will lead us on a journey to discover who we're meant to be.

All we have to do is look inside our hearts and unlock the magic within.​"

Matthew paused as he heard those words. He looked down at Stephanie. To him, she was everything those words had just said. That's when he reached down and weaved his hand through her's and held it tightly. She squeezed his hand tightly back in response. They watched as streaks of pixie dust illuminated the castle and it turned a beautiful shade of rosey red with royal blue roofs and a gold outline. They listen to the lyrics of the song and were amazed by how good it sounded. Then the beat dropped and the castle bursted with pixie dust and fireworks firing into the sky behind it. 

     Then after the female singer sung the last note the castle turned into a light shade of blue with a little firework shooting over it mimicking the start of every disney movie intro. Then on the main balcony a projection of Tiana, from the Princess and the Frog, came on. It was so good it looked like she was actually standing there singing. Then it turned into the Little Mermaid, Ratatouille, and finally ended with Quasimodo, from the Hunchback of Noter Dame, singing Out There. 

       As the show continued with different characters and songs from disney movies, they found themselves memorized by how well done it was. They were amazed by how well timed a firework was with Meredith, from Brave, firing her bow. It was shocking how at different points  the projections made it look like the castle was actually dancing, moving, and even singing to the beat of the music. 

     When it came to Toy Story the castle looked like it was actually made out of erector set pieces. As it played through more songs and movies, it reminded the two of all those nights they stayed up late watching those same movies for Film Theory. It also reminded them of how it always ended with them falling asleep on the couch together, snuggling. Then the music ended and Olaf, from Frozen, came and stood on the balcony.

"Some people are worth melting for."

Stephanie looked up at Matthew. She definitely felt that way about him. She took his arm with her other hand and held it. Then she leaned her head against him as a slow rendition of Love is an Open door played. Matthew turned towards her and kissed the top of her head softly. Then as the song finished a projection of Wall-E and Eve, from Wall-E, flew onto the castle. It was their favorite movie that they watch together. The two robots remind the couple about their love story. Matthew let go of Stephanie's hand and pulled his arm out of her hold. Then he wrapped it around her shoulders and held her tight. Stephanie hugged his side as the castle showed disney couples, played slow disney love songs, and went through some of the most iconic disney love and family scenes. 

    As the song I See the Lights, from Tangled, played and lanterns lit up on the castle mimicking the scene from the movie. The couple stood there swaying in each other's arms staring into each other's eyes. However, they weren't paying attention and were both startled when Mulan fired a rocket ensuing all of the different battle scenes from Disney movies.

    The battle scenes were amazing. It looked like the castle was actually getting destroyed. The Pirates of the Caribbean part was the coolest. It looked like the castle was actually on fire and fireworks went off to the beat of the music. The whole scene made their hearts race with excitement. Then with one massive explosion it ended. 

     The effects on the castle made it look like it was actually demolished. Then Mufasa, from the Lion King, arose from the sparks and he gave the same speech he gave Simba that motivated him to return to Pride Rock. After that I can go the Distance, from Hercules, was sung. As it was sung the castle repaired itself and characters from Disney movies appeared in the windows. Then a choir belated out the melody showing different Disney heroes in their moments of victory. It almost brought a tear to Matt and Steph's eyes at how well it was done. Then after the song came to an end the Narrator from the beginning came back.

"and so our journey comes to an end

but yours continues on

grab hold of your dreams

and make them come true

for you are the key to unlocking your own magic

now go, let your dreams guide you

reach out and find your happily ever after"

As a reprise of Happily Ever After played Matthew gently put his hand on Stephanie's cheek and had her look up at him.

"I don't have to make my dream come true, it already has." he said with a smile. Stephanie smiled back at him.

"And I don't have to find my happily ever after because I already have." she also said with a smile. Matthew and Stephanie then got lost in each others eyes.

"I love you Stephanie."

"I love you too Matthew." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist. They almost kissed when the music interrupted them. They looked at the castle to see a projection of a fairy flying away and the castle changing colors. As it reached its most climactic point they turned back to each other. Just as the course belted out the lyrics Happily Ever After their lips met and they kissed each other under the fireworks. They knew they were each others happily ever after.