“Yes, we both are,” said Nanny. “And we have a message for you from the queen.”

“Oh, Nanny, it’s you! You came back for us. We hoped you would. We missed you so much!” said Drizella, causing tears to prick Nanny’s eyes.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to find my way back to you, girls. I hope one day we can sit together and I will tell you the story, and I hope with all my heart you will forgive me,” she said, hugging them.

“Nanny, did you say the queen had a message for us? Queen Cinderella? She sent you here?” said Anastasia.

“Yes, my dear. She sent us here to help you,” said the Fairy Godmother.

“And she is holding a ball in your honor, to welcome you to court. She has invited every eligible gentleman to attend,” said Nanny.

But both girls started to cry.

“What’s the matter?” asked the Fairy Godmother. “Why are you crying?”

“Well, look at us! We can’t go to the palace looking like this. And who says we want to attend a ball, or even want to marry?” said Drizella.

“The choice is yours, of course,” Nanny said.

“Oh, but surely you’d like to see your sister,” Fairy Godmother cut in, “and then you can decide if you’d like to stay there with her, or come back to live here. It’s entirely up to you.”

“I think I would like to go back home to England after we tell Cinderella how sorry we are for everything that happened,” said Anastasia.

“I would, too. But how can we? And how can we possibly face Cinderella after what we did to her?” Drizella added through tears.

“Oh, my dear girl,” said the Fairy Godmother. “Cinderella said something to me many years ago, on her wedding day. She said she understood why you and your mother hated her. At the time I didn’t understand. But after reading your story, I think now I do.”

“Do you really think she will forgive us?” asked Anastasia.

“Oh, my darling girl, she already has,” said Nanny. “And I hope you will find it within your hearts to forgive her,” she added, taking both of the girls’ hands.

“Oh, Nanny!” said Anastasia. “We really have missed you.” She hugged the old woman again. “But we can’t go to the castle like this!”

“Well, dears, that’s what you have fairy godmothers for!” said the Fairy Godmother, winking at Nanny.

“Oh, I know you want to sing the bibbidi-bobbidi-boo song! Go on, then!” said Nanny.