Chapter Text
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon. Rose got back from grocery shopping and found Dorothy sitting on the couch, solving a crossword.
“Hey, Rose.”
“Hi.”
“How was grocery shopping?” Dorothy asked with more interest than was necessary.
“It was fine. They had a discount on cookies!”
“Oh, that's great! I bet that was really fun!”
Rose frowned.
“Dorothy, are you okay?”
“I'm fine. Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn't I be?”
Dorothy exhaled.
“It's only been a couple of days since you and Miles broke up. That must be hard on you.”
“Not really,” Rose shrugged.
“Oh. I just thought-”
“Dorothy, you are a sweetheart for being concerned about me, but Miles and I… we didn't see our relationship that seriously. None of us even wanted to get married. We were both okay with breaking up. I believe that we're both relieved now that we're just friends.”
“I'm glad you're okay. Really.”
“I know, honey. I have a problem, but it’s not Miles.”
Rose took the groceries into the kitchen.
Dorothy frowned. She put down her crossword and followed Rose into the kitchen.
“What's the problem, Rose?”
Rose was putting the groceries in place.
“Remember the tickets I won?”
“You mean the honeymoon trip to Paris?”
“Yes. I don't know what to do with them.”
“Do you know anyone who's getting married?”
“No. Do you?”
“No… It’s a shame they'll go to waste.”
“I know… It would be nice to visit Paris. Did you know that the Euro Disney Park will be open to the public from April 12th? I would love to go there!”
“There’s also the Louvre, Versailles, and many other important museums and sights to see.”
Rose frowned in thought.
“Wait. Do you want to go to Paris, too?”
“Well, yes. There are many places that I'd like to visit in the city.”
“If we both want to go to Paris, then why don't we go?”
“Because it's for newlyweds, Rose!”
“Oh, right.”
Rose was silent for a few seconds, until an idea crossed her mind.
“They're not going to check if we're actually married.”
“What?”
“I mean, we could pretend we are newlyweds.”
“What?!”
“Think about it, Dorothy! We can pretend we're married and we'll get to explore Paris! And I'll get to go to Euro Disney!”
“Rose, that's preposterous!”
“It's also the only way you'll get to see those museums. All expenses are paid. Even the museums! Not to mention that we’re going to have our own personal driver. When are you going to find a deal like this again?”
Dorothy was contemplating what she had just heard.
“Well, when you put it that way… it seems like too good of a deal.”
“And I'll go with you to any museum you want, if you promise to go with me to Euro Disney.”
“Any?”
“Any! But you have to go with me to Euro Disney. Oh, think about it, Dorothy. We might never have the chance to visit Paris, again.”
Dorothy didn’t say anything for a few seconds.
“You have yourself a deal!”
They shook hands, smiling brightly at each other.
“We won't even have to pretend much. Mostly to the hotel. It won't be difficult,” Rose said.
“You're right. Just hold hands, say a few sweet words to each other, and we're good.”
The next day, the two of them started planning the trip.
They had decided to make the trip around Easter, which gave them enough time to plan everything.
Each was working on different things. Dorothy dealt with the tickets, booking the hotel, and other similar tasks, while Rose was watching the Disney Channel, which was advertising the grand opening of Euro Disney Resort. She wanted to provide more help, but Dorothy said that she didn't have to worry about it, probably afraid to let Rose in charge, having learned her lesson after a few failed vacations.
Rose focused on packing, making sure they went prepared. For example, she bought as many rolls of film as she could for her camera, because she intended to take as many pictures as possible.
They gathered Blanche and Sophia in the kitchen, and told them the news.
“You're taking Dorothy to Paris?!” Blanche asked.
“Of course she takes me to Paris! I've had to withstand a lot more St. Olaf stories than you have! I deserve to go to Paris! And don't forget that you've already been to Paris! I haven't!”
“I had the tickets, and Dorothy really wants to visit some museums, so…”
“Museums?! You're going to Paris and all you want to do is visit museums?! Wait a minute. Isn't the ticket for newlyweds?”
“We’re going to pretend,” replied Rose, like it was the most obvious answer.
“You're going to pretend what?”
“That we're newlyweds. We'll pretend that we just got married.”
“I always prayed that you would get your chance at an actual honeymoon, pussycat. I just never thought that it’d be with Rose.”
“But you're both women. You can't even get married by the law. Would they accept you?”
“We told them and they said that they have no problem. They're much more liberated over there,” Dorothy said.
Blanche didn’t reply. She was looking at the two women, trying to figure something out.
“Now, to the important stuff. Blanche, I need you to look after my mother while I'm gone. Fifteen days alone are too much for her, so please, make sure she doesn't stay up too late, that she's back home before 11 pm, and remember that she has three meals per day, plus some snacks in between.”
“What am I? A dog?”
“Alright, Dorothy. Don't worry. Sophia will be in safe hands with me. I'll make sure she stays out of trouble.”
“I can't believe this! Do you even need me to be in the room?!”
Sophia got up.
“Where are you going, Ma?”
“To bury a bone in the backyard.”
Blanche waited a few seconds after Sophia left, to speak.
“So, you realize that you'll have to pretend you're newlyweds and what that entails, right?”
“We're not kids, Blanche,” Dorothy said. “We'll just have to pretend a little for the hotel. That's all.”
“You know, I once had to pretend I was married.”
“Really?”
“Yes! I had ran away from my house with Dean, my boyfriend at the time, and we were looking for a place to stay. There was no way they would let us stay anywhere if we told them we were runaways. So, we told them we were married.”
“Did they believe you?” Rose asked.
“Yes, they did. Up until I dumped him and went back home.”
The girls were looking at her with surprise.
“What? I realized that I didn't want to get married without Big Daddy's wish.”
“Just tell us what you want us to bring you back.”
“I'll have the list ready by tomorrow.”
“Good. Now, I'll go find Ma...” She stopped before opening the door. “Perhaps, I should have chipped her.”
“How do you feel, Rose?”
“Great!”
“You'll be going to the city of love. You must be really excited about that.”
Blanche was observing Rose's facial expression, looking for something.
“Dorothy promised that if I go along with her to all the museums she wants, she'll go with me to Euro Disney! Oh, I'm so excited!”
“Rose… You've thought everything about the trip, right?”
“Of course I have. We talked with the hotel and they're expecting us. We even decided to wear a ring. To make it more believable.”
“And…?”
“And it's going to be great!” Rose stood up and walked out of the kitchen with excitement.
“And the rooms?” Blanche asks alone. Her lips form a smirk. “Or should I say the honeymoon suite?”
The time passed with anxiety, excitement, planning, and a little arguing, but they finally reached the airport.
Dorothy hoped that when they'd return, she wouldn't find something weird happening at the house, planned by her mother. But she couldn't worry too much. Not when Paris was waiting for her.
They got on the plane and found their seats.
Rose was talking incessantly, anticipating the take off.
On the other hand, Dorothy had pushed her back against her seat, while her hands were grabbing at the armrest, listening.
“Oh, I'll see Mickey, and Minnie! And the princesses! Oh, and Jiminy, and-”
“Rose! You've already seen them! Right here, in Florida!”
“Those were the Americans, Dorothy. I've never met French Mickey. Or Donald! God, sometimes I can't even understand what he says in English, let alone French!”
Dorothy didn't reply.
Rose turned to look at her.
“Dorothy, what's wrong? You look pale.”
“I think I felt a vibration. When are we gonna take off?! The wait is killing me!”
“Are you afraid? I thought that you had beaten your fear.”
“I did. But takeoff and landing scare me, still.”
Their conversation was interrupted, as the pilot announced that they were about to take off.
“Oh my God.”
Dorothy closed her eyes shut.
Rose fastened her seatbelt, and then took hold of Dorothy's hand. The latter opened her eyes and looked at her.
“To help you feel safer. If you need to, you can squeeze.”
Dorothy squeezed hard, when the plane started moving, Rose's eyes growing wide with pain.
She patted Dorothy's hand rapidly, who seemed to understand, and applied less pression. She kept her tight hold on Rose's hand, while her eyes were closed. She tried to focus on her breathing, thinking about Paris.