It's been two weeks today since Rapunzel's fall, but it feels like it's been an eternity. It seems like the more Rapunzel and I are together, the more she thinks about Flynn, and that means that she gets upset quickly. I hate to think that she went through this twice, and the first time completely alone. I talked with Zelia, and she said that she's been trying to do better with handling her sister's emotional state.
Zelia and I both went to see the girls yesterday, and they're doing well. They were more than ecstatic about seeing their aunt, and I was more than ecstatic about seeing them! Casey's got this idea that the whole situation is 'quite tragically romantic'...they also told me that Tangled Fan's either taken pity on them or taken a shining to them, and has been giving them the royal treatment, even reading to them on occasion. That's probably how Casey's developed such a vocabulary! Audrey, however, is less than amused with the 'tragically romantic' situation, and a fight almost broke out between the two of them when Casey stated it. She was also a bit mad because I wasn't able to take them home yet, but she soon dropped her attitude when Zelia asked them to play a game with her. Jordan's pretty indifferent on the matter, but she was all smiles and sweet little giggles the whole time we were there.
In other news...
I also had another talk with Anna.
Rapunzel said that Anna had gone from avoiding her to being almost as mean as Punzie, despite Elsa's warnings to leave Rapunzel be. Soo I got Zelia to bring her below the table so we could talk --- the three of us.
She explained, after a while, that she felt horrible for what she had done, and therefore was tired of being around Rapunzel all the time; a constant reminder of her stupid mistake.
I almost spouted off at her, but I calmly answered, "Well, it's kind of what you get. You weren't even very close with her anymore -- try being her sister or her husband. It's worse, trust me. Not to mention what the kids have to go through."
Zelia handled the insulting. "Yeah, try actually caring about her! Funny how spitefulness has consequences, huh? You don't know the half of it!"
"But can't you take her and keep her over at your shelf? You and Zelia and her..."
"No. She wouldn't handle that well, do you think? Plus, we want to keep things as similar as her past, in case something triggers a memory."
"I don't know how she handles change," Zelia shrugged, but then her eyes hardened as she stared at Anna.
"Just try to be less....like..." I struggled to find the right word.
"Less moronic? Less self-obsessed? Ooh, how 'bout less like yourself?" Zelia never lost eye contact.
"Zelia!" I gasped. Sure, Anna was being a tad...I don't know...but she didn't need to say all that! "See, this is why people walk all over you, Eugene. D'you see anyone crossing me?"
Touche.
Anna gulped, and I saw her slowly lose the put-upon expression that had been on her face.
"You're right. I'll try to be a little less noticeable in my attempts to say away."
Being her friend would be what we were looking for, like you were before...not avoiding her...but whatever. Some people just can't be convinced. Zelia was about to let her have it again, but I convinced her to drop it.
So that's what's been going on -- Rapunzel and I have been going for walks every day, and we read some of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian over Sunday and Monday, so that's what we'll be doing again tomorrow. I'm also hoping to see the girls more often, but that's kind of up to Tangled Fan's schedule at this rate. And if anyone wonders how Pascal's been : he's doing great, of course...Rapunzel gave me the spiel about him being a good judge in character yesterday, so that's...promising...right...?
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Today's events....
Today, we went for a walk, as previously stated in the post from yesterday.
Promptly at 10AM this morning, Rapunzel nervously peeked around the divider. I was headed in the same direction, and we almost collided. She jumped away, but a second later, she came over to my side of the table, giggling.
"That was close...sorry!" she laughed, putting a hand over her mouth.
I grinned and allowed my eyes to flick over her. "That's fine," I stopped short of telling her that she looked beautiful today. When I looked her directly in the eyes, though, I realized she looked extremely tired. "What's wrong? You look like you didn't get much sleep."
She sighed. "Nothing. Just...thinking about unimportant things that I really shouldn't lose sleep over."
AKA: Flynn.
"If you're not feeling up to--" I started, but she broke me off.
"No, I'm up to it! I'm actually kind of excited," she said, blushing.
"Well, you don't have to get all red-faced about being excited...I am, too." I chuckled, and she gave me a wide smile before we left the table.
We walked in silence for awhile, but then I spoke up. "So..ah...how've you been settling in?"
"I guess I've been settling in okay. Sometimes, I really don't fit in over there, but oh well. I'm sure that will come in time...Punzie's just such a jerk! Anna's kind of...I dunno. I don't know why, but she avoids me like nobody's business. But then again, she has Hans, so maybe that's all the friendship or socialization she needs. Elsa's pretty nice, though. And of course, there's always Zelia, but she avoids me when I need someone to talk to the most. Emma and Piper just kind of stay away from me, too...they're kind of buddies with Punzie, so I could see why. And Kristoff seems really, really shy, so he just keeps to himself or talks to Elsa. Um...well..I guess I kinda started a rant there..sorry!"
"No, that's fine! Sorry you've been kinda a fish out of water. I should've come over more," I basically felt terrible. I should've just gone over and sat with her, if all else failed.
"I'm gonna be a copycat. No, that's fine. You didn't know," she gave me a small smile, "and thanks for listening. It actually felt pretty good to tell someone."
I nodded. "I'm happy to listen. So....I was wondering what some of your dreams are? If you're not comfortable talking about that, that's fine."
"I'd...prefer not to...for now." she shrugged her shoulders up to her ears.
"Okay, that's fine. I understand--I suppose I shouldn't have asked you, this is just the fourth or fifth time you've talked with me, really. Sorry, that was kinda...off the wall of me." I felt pretty stupid for asking that...sure, we'd talked about that same thing just a coupla weeks after we had first met, and yes, I had told her I loved her as well...but it was different this time, on so many different levels. Gosh, I'm such an idiot.
She gave me a thankful smile, and we walked in silence for a little bit. She looked like she was thinking about something, and I wanted to ask what, but I was half afraid of screwing up again. Good grief, I had dated her once and had done okay enough, why was I some odd, creeper-like, weirdo this time??
But then she stopped, right in the middle of the walk. She turned, looked me right in the eye, and said: "You know what? No. I'm fine with telling you. You're not like Flynn, you won't laugh, will you? And you seem honest in your intentions...I'm just scared of letting people in...after Flynn. You know what I mean?"
I nodded. "I promise I won't laugh, I'd never laugh. And it's totally understandable, I mean...really, it is."
She nodded and sucked in a deep breath, holding it until she let it all out in a laugh. "You know, they're just so silly that I don't even know why I call them dreams...hopes...goals...whatever."
"I'm sure they're not," I already know what they are...they weren't stupid and we had such a great time together, crossing off your dreams/goals...gosh, why can't things be back the way they were before? "Well...I want to go stargazing...get married...start a family...you know--the usual. And it's kind of a goal of mine not to be kissed until someone asks for my hand in marriage. It's stupid, I know, but I want to be sure that my first kiss is with the guy I'm spending the rest of my plastic life with. So...that's basically it. Weird, right?"
I gave her a smile. "No...not at all! And the kiss makes sense, actually."
She sucked in another deep breath, giving me a curious look. "What about you?"
"Hm?"
"Your dreams? Plans? I-if you don't mind me asking."
I panicked.
She'd never asked me this before. I was the most dull being on the planet, all I wanted was to have her back and to have the girls back.
How do I say this, how do I say this...don't freak out--oh well, too late for that...should I tell her? No. Not yet. She's still not over Flynn, and this isn't the best time to tell her. What do I do.....!!! "You think YOUR dreams are boring? Mine are literally just to marry and have a family."
She laughed shyly. "I think that's everyone's default, soo...that's cool. You're more likely to achieve your dreams, anyway!"
"Oh, really?" I asked.
"Yeah! There are four -- well...I don't suppose you'd marry Punzie, seeing as she kind of banned you from staying in the same display area as they are....so three, I suppose-- eligible girls. I'm sure any of them would be just beyond lucky to have you!"
"Three? It seems to me that there are five, if you count Punzie," I watched her face. This conversation was teetering dangerously close to becoming a disaster.
"Huh?" she gave me an absent stare, and I could tell she was trying to think of who she was missing. When she realized it was herself, she just whispered, "Ohh." Her gaze dropped to her bare feet.
Great. She's going to freak out, because now she knows where my affections are...just great. I just blew it--
"I'm sorry," I blurted in a desperate attempt to keep her from leaving. I didn't even know if she would run off and leave, but I didn't want her to. "I'm sorry! I--"
"No, it's fine. That just never occurred to me before," she laughed, but I could see the panic in her eyes.
Say something...say something funny...get her mind off of it....don't blow it...DON'T BLOW IT!!"So, ah...maybe we should change the subject?"
She gave a genuine giggle. "Yeeahh...let's!"
So we talked about music. Talked about books. Talked about anything...talked about Flynn once or twice. We were on the floor for hours, until it started to fall dark, and then we went back up on the table.
She started to go back to her side of the table wordlessly, but then she poked her head around the divider. "Eugene? Thanks. I really needed this today, and I had fun, despite the awkward start."
YES!
"No, thank YOU for today. It was so fun! And yeahh...sorry about that."
My girl --well...you know..--gave me a cute grin. "It's all good. I'll see you sometime!"
"Yup. Good night -- and get some sleep. Knock on the divider if you can't...If I hear you, I'll sit up with you."
"Okay. Night," she ducked back over to her side of the shelf.
When she was gone, I sighed. I was tired, but I knew I wouldn't be able to go to sleep, and it was only around eight. Ugh.
Promptly at 10AM this morning, Rapunzel nervously peeked around the divider. I was headed in the same direction, and we almost collided. She jumped away, but a second later, she came over to my side of the table, giggling.
"That was close...sorry!" she laughed, putting a hand over her mouth.
I grinned and allowed my eyes to flick over her. "That's fine," I stopped short of telling her that she looked beautiful today. When I looked her directly in the eyes, though, I realized she looked extremely tired. "What's wrong? You look like you didn't get much sleep."
She sighed. "Nothing. Just...thinking about unimportant things that I really shouldn't lose sleep over."
AKA: Flynn.
"If you're not feeling up to--" I started, but she broke me off.
"No, I'm up to it! I'm actually kind of excited," she said, blushing.
"Well, you don't have to get all red-faced about being excited...I am, too." I chuckled, and she gave me a wide smile before we left the table.
We walked in silence for awhile, but then I spoke up. "So..ah...how've you been settling in?"
"I guess I've been settling in okay. Sometimes, I really don't fit in over there, but oh well. I'm sure that will come in time...Punzie's just such a jerk! Anna's kind of...I dunno. I don't know why, but she avoids me like nobody's business. But then again, she has Hans, so maybe that's all the friendship or socialization she needs. Elsa's pretty nice, though. And of course, there's always Zelia, but she avoids me when I need someone to talk to the most. Emma and Piper just kind of stay away from me, too...they're kind of buddies with Punzie, so I could see why. And Kristoff seems really, really shy, so he just keeps to himself or talks to Elsa. Um...well..I guess I kinda started a rant there..sorry!"
"No, that's fine! Sorry you've been kinda a fish out of water. I should've come over more," I basically felt terrible. I should've just gone over and sat with her, if all else failed.
"I'm gonna be a copycat. No, that's fine. You didn't know," she gave me a small smile, "and thanks for listening. It actually felt pretty good to tell someone."
I nodded. "I'm happy to listen. So....I was wondering what some of your dreams are? If you're not comfortable talking about that, that's fine."
"I'd...prefer not to...for now." she shrugged her shoulders up to her ears.
"Okay, that's fine. I understand--I suppose I shouldn't have asked you, this is just the fourth or fifth time you've talked with me, really. Sorry, that was kinda...off the wall of me." I felt pretty stupid for asking that...sure, we'd talked about that same thing just a coupla weeks after we had first met, and yes, I had told her I loved her as well...but it was different this time, on so many different levels. Gosh, I'm such an idiot.
She gave me a thankful smile, and we walked in silence for a little bit. She looked like she was thinking about something, and I wanted to ask what, but I was half afraid of screwing up again. Good grief, I had dated her once and had done okay enough, why was I some odd, creeper-like, weirdo this time??
But then she stopped, right in the middle of the walk. She turned, looked me right in the eye, and said: "You know what? No. I'm fine with telling you. You're not like Flynn, you won't laugh, will you? And you seem honest in your intentions...I'm just scared of letting people in...after Flynn. You know what I mean?"
I nodded. "I promise I won't laugh, I'd never laugh. And it's totally understandable, I mean...really, it is."
She nodded and sucked in a deep breath, holding it until she let it all out in a laugh. "You know, they're just so silly that I don't even know why I call them dreams...hopes...goals...whatever."
"I'm sure they're not," I already know what they are...they weren't stupid and we had such a great time together, crossing off your dreams/goals...gosh, why can't things be back the way they were before? "Well...I want to go stargazing...get married...start a family...you know--the usual. And it's kind of a goal of mine not to be kissed until someone asks for my hand in marriage. It's stupid, I know, but I want to be sure that my first kiss is with the guy I'm spending the rest of my plastic life with. So...that's basically it. Weird, right?"
I gave her a smile. "No...not at all! And the kiss makes sense, actually."
She sucked in another deep breath, giving me a curious look. "What about you?"
"Hm?"
"Your dreams? Plans? I-if you don't mind me asking."
I panicked.
She'd never asked me this before. I was the most dull being on the planet, all I wanted was to have her back and to have the girls back.
How do I say this, how do I say this...don't freak out--oh well, too late for that...should I tell her? No. Not yet. She's still not over Flynn, and this isn't the best time to tell her. What do I do.....!!! "You think YOUR dreams are boring? Mine are literally just to marry and have a family."
She laughed shyly. "I think that's everyone's default, soo...that's cool. You're more likely to achieve your dreams, anyway!"
"Oh, really?" I asked.
"Yeah! There are four -- well...I don't suppose you'd marry Punzie, seeing as she kind of banned you from staying in the same display area as they are....so three, I suppose-- eligible girls. I'm sure any of them would be just beyond lucky to have you!"
"Three? It seems to me that there are five, if you count Punzie," I watched her face. This conversation was teetering dangerously close to becoming a disaster.
"Huh?" she gave me an absent stare, and I could tell she was trying to think of who she was missing. When she realized it was herself, she just whispered, "Ohh." Her gaze dropped to her bare feet.
Great. She's going to freak out, because now she knows where my affections are...just great. I just blew it--
"I'm sorry," I blurted in a desperate attempt to keep her from leaving. I didn't even know if she would run off and leave, but I didn't want her to. "I'm sorry! I--"
"No, it's fine. That just never occurred to me before," she laughed, but I could see the panic in her eyes.
Say something...say something funny...get her mind off of it....don't blow it...DON'T BLOW IT!!"So, ah...maybe we should change the subject?"
She gave a genuine giggle. "Yeeahh...let's!"
So we talked about music. Talked about books. Talked about anything...talked about Flynn once or twice. We were on the floor for hours, until it started to fall dark, and then we went back up on the table.
She started to go back to her side of the table wordlessly, but then she poked her head around the divider. "Eugene? Thanks. I really needed this today, and I had fun, despite the awkward start."
YES!
"No, thank YOU for today. It was so fun! And yeahh...sorry about that."
My girl --well...you know..--gave me a cute grin. "It's all good. I'll see you sometime!"
"Yup. Good night -- and get some sleep. Knock on the divider if you can't...If I hear you, I'll sit up with you."
"Okay. Night," she ducked back over to her side of the shelf.
When she was gone, I sighed. I was tired, but I knew I wouldn't be able to go to sleep, and it was only around eight. Ugh.
Friday, April 25, 2014
What's been up this week
I hadn't seen Rapunzel since the 2nd day of her losing her memory. I hadn't seen anything of Zelia, either. It's just been so incredibly awkward that I don't know what to say or do around Rapunzel....
Well, Zelia came over yesterday evening.
She hauled me wordlessly off of the table to stand underneath it, so nobody would hear us.
"You are losing your chance, idiot!"
"Wait a second, what are you--" I asked, confused.
"You know FULL well! That girl has been sulking in the corner since the last time you spoke with her. You are losing your chance! You should be there for her...get her to realize you're everything Flynn WASN'T -- that's not too hard of a thing to do! And if you're upset cause she talks so much about Flynn, well, I think you're pretty darn selfish!"
My eyes widened. "I thought she was busy making friends with Elsa or Anna, or getting to know you...And Zelia, I just don't know how to act or what to do. It's not that she talks about Flynn. I'd actually like to learn a little more about her past, and I already have! She just gets so upset when she talks about him. She really just can't believe he used her."
"Yeah, well, guess what? She's hardly even spoken since the last time she saw you. Get your backside over there and be there for her! If you don't, you're ruining your chances of getting your wife back. Much as I hate to say it, because you two were so lovey-dovey and disgusting, I want you guys to live your happily ever after! I want those girls to...to have their parents back! I can't do this by myself; I'm taking this second chance at sisterhood and running with it...so why don't YOU?!"
That was the first time I have ever seen tough-girl Zelia tear up.
"I-I...I know. Another thing is that I'm afraid I'll rush her."
"Well, you're not rushin' her right now! Eesh." She quickly recovered from her teary-eyed-ness.
"It's not like there are a dozen guys milling around, vying for her hand in marriage. It's okay to take things slow." I threw back.
Let me rephrase that: She recovered from her teary-eyed-ness with a vengeance.
She got in my face, holding her hand up to my nose, holding her fingers up stiffly.
"There's Emma, Punzie, Piper, me, and Rapunzel. We're alllll single. Well, everyone but Rapunzel is. None of us ever bothered with you, now have we? It doesn't matter if you're the only single guy on EARTH. If she doesn't like you, she won't! So quit being so sure of yourself, and actually start ACTING!"
I stumbled backwards to avoid her hand, and as I did so, I pushed her arm down. "Okay, okay...point made. When do you think I should try to talk to her again?"
"Tomorrow. Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, and I are going to go for a walk. I'm MAKING her go, by the way...but anyway, we're leaving at around seven, so come with."
"Okay...thanks. And thanks for the talk, I suppose. Now I just feel horrible that I haven't been there for her....she hasn't said ANYTHING?"
"Hardly anything. Nobody bothers with her, so she doesn't bother with them. She sits there with her stupid chameleon and plays with him all day. She hasn't been sleeping well at night, though, I don't think. She wakes me up by pacing quite a bit."
"Okay." I fell silent as I thought...at least, until Zelia sighed and asked if I knew how the girls were.
I told her about Sunday's visit, and she brightened as she considered the idea of going to see them. After that, we parted ways.
The next day, I woke up fifteen minutes after seven. I bolted out of bed and raced for the floor as soon as I remembered Zelia's idea.
I caught up to them, and sure enough, Rapunzel was hanging back by herself. Zelia kept looking over her shoulder, but she didn't talk to her sister, from what I could tell.
I slowed as I came up behind them, and Zelia caught sight of me, giving me a slight nod and a relieved expression.
I crept up behind Rapunzel and whispered, "Hey, stranger," as I put my hands on her shoulders.
She jumped, whirling around to give me an alarmed expression. She stomped on her hair, and almost fell down before I grabbed her arms and kept her upright.
"Whoa. You scared me...thanks for catching me, though. And, well...right back at'cha, stranger," she gave me a beautiful smile, which just made my entire day, so I had to grin in return. "Do you want to come along? If...if it's okay? And if you're not busy."
"I'm not busy...I've got nothing but time." I told her. "I'm sorry I haven't talked to you until now."
"Oh, that's fine. I've been kinda...wanting to be alone anyway. I'm just trying to make sense of...Flynn...and I'm trying to settle in."
"I see. Well, whenever you want company, let me know, okay? I'll be more than happy to oblige."
"Okay," she sneaked a glance towards me, her face reddening when she realized I had seen her.
We walked....and we talked....and it was a great day. I honestly didn't think I could love that girl more than I already did, but it turns out...yeah, I can. I learned a little bit more about the past she had been too uncomfortable to talk about before: Flynn apparently hated her clumsiness, and had always been a little perturbed if she wouldn't dress up or do something with her hair when they'd go for walks or anything. On top of what we already know about him...wow. She also made mention about how differently she was treated here.
When we all headed for our respective sides of the table, she followed me to my side.
"So, um...thanks for tagging along today...I'm sure you could've done much more productive things--"
"Oh, that's fine. I enjoyed it! And really, no...I didn't have anything to do today." I gave her a grin, but she sighed. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just can't stop thinking about--never mind," she shrugged her shoulders up to her ears.
"Flynn?"
"Y-yeah. I know it's dumb, and I'm starting to realize how he really didn't treat me the best, but...I guess love's blind and I don't know what I'm doing."
"I'm sorry he did what he did," I said, and she shook her head.
"No, I'm sorry--I suppose you have your own problems and don't need to hear my own."
"It's fine. It's good to vent," I countered.
She gave a surprised look, adding a laugh. "You're something else, I'll give you that. Um....do you want to go for a walk again tomorrow?"
It was my turn to give a surprised look. "Oh...sure! Yeah, I'd love...yeah," I tried to not be so enthusiastic, and she laughed again.
"And you know...I don't think I've laughed this much since...forever."
"Well, thank you...I'm a pretty funny guy," I threw back, and she started to giggle.
"Yyyeah," she grinned. "Thanks...I needed to laugh. So, um...I'll see you tomorrow sometime?"
"Yup," I couldn't help but smile, purely pleased at being able to see her, and getting to hear her laugh and see that sweet smile only she could pull off. I suppose I was distracted by that, because just before she stepped over to her side of the table, I remembered to ask exactly WHEN we were going for a walk tomorrow. I snagged her hand without thinking. "Wait--when tomorrow?"
"Oh! Um...guess we forgot to figure that out. Is ten AM good for you?"
"Okay," I nodded, and then awkwardly remembered I still held her hand. I dropped it quickly and awkwardly, and I don't even know why my face got so warm. Her face was blazing red, too, and she quickly left for her side of the table.
So...we'll see how tomorrow goes.
Well, Zelia came over yesterday evening.
She hauled me wordlessly off of the table to stand underneath it, so nobody would hear us.
"You are losing your chance, idiot!"
"Wait a second, what are you--" I asked, confused.
"You know FULL well! That girl has been sulking in the corner since the last time you spoke with her. You are losing your chance! You should be there for her...get her to realize you're everything Flynn WASN'T -- that's not too hard of a thing to do! And if you're upset cause she talks so much about Flynn, well, I think you're pretty darn selfish!"
My eyes widened. "I thought she was busy making friends with Elsa or Anna, or getting to know you...And Zelia, I just don't know how to act or what to do. It's not that she talks about Flynn. I'd actually like to learn a little more about her past, and I already have! She just gets so upset when she talks about him. She really just can't believe he used her."
"Yeah, well, guess what? She's hardly even spoken since the last time she saw you. Get your backside over there and be there for her! If you don't, you're ruining your chances of getting your wife back. Much as I hate to say it, because you two were so lovey-dovey and disgusting, I want you guys to live your happily ever after! I want those girls to...to have their parents back! I can't do this by myself; I'm taking this second chance at sisterhood and running with it...so why don't YOU?!"
That was the first time I have ever seen tough-girl Zelia tear up.
"I-I...I know. Another thing is that I'm afraid I'll rush her."
"Well, you're not rushin' her right now! Eesh." She quickly recovered from her teary-eyed-ness.
"It's not like there are a dozen guys milling around, vying for her hand in marriage. It's okay to take things slow." I threw back.
Let me rephrase that: She recovered from her teary-eyed-ness with a vengeance.
She got in my face, holding her hand up to my nose, holding her fingers up stiffly.
"There's Emma, Punzie, Piper, me, and Rapunzel. We're alllll single. Well, everyone but Rapunzel is. None of us ever bothered with you, now have we? It doesn't matter if you're the only single guy on EARTH. If she doesn't like you, she won't! So quit being so sure of yourself, and actually start ACTING!"
I stumbled backwards to avoid her hand, and as I did so, I pushed her arm down. "Okay, okay...point made. When do you think I should try to talk to her again?"
"Tomorrow. Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, and I are going to go for a walk. I'm MAKING her go, by the way...but anyway, we're leaving at around seven, so come with."
"Okay...thanks. And thanks for the talk, I suppose. Now I just feel horrible that I haven't been there for her....she hasn't said ANYTHING?"
"Hardly anything. Nobody bothers with her, so she doesn't bother with them. She sits there with her stupid chameleon and plays with him all day. She hasn't been sleeping well at night, though, I don't think. She wakes me up by pacing quite a bit."
"Okay." I fell silent as I thought...at least, until Zelia sighed and asked if I knew how the girls were.
I told her about Sunday's visit, and she brightened as she considered the idea of going to see them. After that, we parted ways.
The next day, I woke up fifteen minutes after seven. I bolted out of bed and raced for the floor as soon as I remembered Zelia's idea.
I caught up to them, and sure enough, Rapunzel was hanging back by herself. Zelia kept looking over her shoulder, but she didn't talk to her sister, from what I could tell.
I slowed as I came up behind them, and Zelia caught sight of me, giving me a slight nod and a relieved expression.
She jumped, whirling around to give me an alarmed expression. She stomped on her hair, and almost fell down before I grabbed her arms and kept her upright.
"Whoa. You scared me...thanks for catching me, though. And, well...right back at'cha, stranger," she gave me a beautiful smile, which just made my entire day, so I had to grin in return. "Do you want to come along? If...if it's okay? And if you're not busy."
"I'm not busy...I've got nothing but time." I told her. "I'm sorry I haven't talked to you until now."
"Oh, that's fine. I've been kinda...wanting to be alone anyway. I'm just trying to make sense of...Flynn...and I'm trying to settle in."
"I see. Well, whenever you want company, let me know, okay? I'll be more than happy to oblige."
"Okay," she sneaked a glance towards me, her face reddening when she realized I had seen her.
We walked....and we talked....and it was a great day. I honestly didn't think I could love that girl more than I already did, but it turns out...yeah, I can. I learned a little bit more about the past she had been too uncomfortable to talk about before: Flynn apparently hated her clumsiness, and had always been a little perturbed if she wouldn't dress up or do something with her hair when they'd go for walks or anything. On top of what we already know about him...wow. She also made mention about how differently she was treated here.
When we all headed for our respective sides of the table, she followed me to my side.
"So, um...thanks for tagging along today...I'm sure you could've done much more productive things--"
"Oh, that's fine. I enjoyed it! And really, no...I didn't have anything to do today." I gave her a grin, but she sighed. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just can't stop thinking about--never mind," she shrugged her shoulders up to her ears.
"Flynn?"
"Y-yeah. I know it's dumb, and I'm starting to realize how he really didn't treat me the best, but...I guess love's blind and I don't know what I'm doing."
"I'm sorry he did what he did," I said, and she shook her head.
"No, I'm sorry--I suppose you have your own problems and don't need to hear my own."
"It's fine. It's good to vent," I countered.
She gave a surprised look, adding a laugh. "You're something else, I'll give you that. Um....do you want to go for a walk again tomorrow?"
It was my turn to give a surprised look. "Oh...sure! Yeah, I'd love...yeah," I tried to not be so enthusiastic, and she laughed again.
"And you know...I don't think I've laughed this much since...forever."
"Well, thank you...I'm a pretty funny guy," I threw back, and she started to giggle.
"Yyyeah," she grinned. "Thanks...I needed to laugh. So, um...I'll see you tomorrow sometime?"
"Yup," I couldn't help but smile, purely pleased at being able to see her, and getting to hear her laugh and see that sweet smile only she could pull off. I suppose I was distracted by that, because just before she stepped over to her side of the table, I remembered to ask exactly WHEN we were going for a walk tomorrow. I snagged her hand without thinking. "Wait--when tomorrow?"
"Oh! Um...guess we forgot to figure that out. Is ten AM good for you?"
"Okay," I nodded, and then awkwardly remembered I still held her hand. I dropped it quickly and awkwardly, and I don't even know why my face got so warm. Her face was blazing red, too, and she quickly left for her side of the table.
So...we'll see how tomorrow goes.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Easter
Happy Easter, everyone...I hope you all have a nice day. Today, I got to see the girls.
As soon as I saw her, I flagged her down.
"Can I see the girls today?"
"I'm in a hurry--" she trailed off as she hurriedly brushed through her hair. She must've been getting ready for church, but I plowed ahead.
"But we had all this stuff planned for them for today...and I can't give them that, but I could at least see them. Please?" I hated how my throat cracked as I thought about what we'd planned: a movie day, possibly going outside, and I had found a pony in a bin for the girls to ride, which was something Audrey had wanted to do for a long time.
She started to shake her head, but then she tsked her tongue and snatched me up, making a run for where the girls were at.
As soon as I saw them and they saw me, Audrey and Casey jumped up and ran over to leap in my arms. I grabbed them both and cuddled them close.
"You still want us?" Casey asked, looking up at me with her wide, green eyes.
"Oh, girls..." I sighed, sitting down. "Yes. Of course I do...your momma...there are a lot of things you can't understand with all this, but just never fight with your sister, please...okay? Mom's...when she fell, she got knocked unconscious bad enough that she can't remember anything. She can remember things from before she came here, but she can't remember you guys...she can't even remember me, right now. I'm going to try hard to get her back, but it's going to take some time, sweeties...I'm so sorry...if I could--"
"It's okay, Dad," Audrey said, cuddling her head up underneath my chin. "I think it's sort of like a fairytale...but really sad."
I hugged them a bit closer. "Yeah...I tried to persuade Tangled Fan to let me and Zelia take care of you till Mom came back around, but she wouldn't let us."
Audrey slumped, and I knew she was terribly disappointed. But Casey straightened and looked me in the eye. "I guess you do need to focus everything on winning Momma over again...so it makes sense."
I kissed both of their foreheads before I asked where Jordan was.
"Asleep...she's over there," Audrey pointed, and I nodded.
I spent the entire day with the girls, and Tangled Fan even brought the older two a few small bits of chocolate for them to nibble on--which they enjoyed greatly. I played whatever game they wanted to play, held Jordan as much as I could, and promised them I would try to come visit them more.
It's gonna be a long journey. It more than tore my heart apart to leave them, even though I had just put them all to sleep for the night...but that's okay. I was getting used to the feeling of my heart shredding...leaving my girls....leaving my wife...yeah. I can do this.
As soon as I saw her, I flagged her down.
"Can I see the girls today?"
"I'm in a hurry--" she trailed off as she hurriedly brushed through her hair. She must've been getting ready for church, but I plowed ahead.
"But we had all this stuff planned for them for today...and I can't give them that, but I could at least see them. Please?" I hated how my throat cracked as I thought about what we'd planned: a movie day, possibly going outside, and I had found a pony in a bin for the girls to ride, which was something Audrey had wanted to do for a long time.
She started to shake her head, but then she tsked her tongue and snatched me up, making a run for where the girls were at.
As soon as I saw them and they saw me, Audrey and Casey jumped up and ran over to leap in my arms. I grabbed them both and cuddled them close.
"You still want us?" Casey asked, looking up at me with her wide, green eyes.
"Oh, girls..." I sighed, sitting down. "Yes. Of course I do...your momma...there are a lot of things you can't understand with all this, but just never fight with your sister, please...okay? Mom's...when she fell, she got knocked unconscious bad enough that she can't remember anything. She can remember things from before she came here, but she can't remember you guys...she can't even remember me, right now. I'm going to try hard to get her back, but it's going to take some time, sweeties...I'm so sorry...if I could--"
"It's okay, Dad," Audrey said, cuddling her head up underneath my chin. "I think it's sort of like a fairytale...but really sad."
I hugged them a bit closer. "Yeah...I tried to persuade Tangled Fan to let me and Zelia take care of you till Mom came back around, but she wouldn't let us."
Audrey slumped, and I knew she was terribly disappointed. But Casey straightened and looked me in the eye. "I guess you do need to focus everything on winning Momma over again...so it makes sense."
I kissed both of their foreheads before I asked where Jordan was.
"Asleep...she's over there," Audrey pointed, and I nodded.
I spent the entire day with the girls, and Tangled Fan even brought the older two a few small bits of chocolate for them to nibble on--which they enjoyed greatly. I played whatever game they wanted to play, held Jordan as much as I could, and promised them I would try to come visit them more.
It's gonna be a long journey. It more than tore my heart apart to leave them, even though I had just put them all to sleep for the night...but that's okay. I was getting used to the feeling of my heart shredding...leaving my girls....leaving my wife...yeah. I can do this.
Friday, April 18, 2014
A walk with Rapunzel
Eugene again....I'll let you know when/if I can get Rapunzel to blog. But from now on till then, it'll be me. But anyway...today, I got up feeling determined...I was so sure I'd get her to like me right away, just like how we'd kind of accidentally fallen for each other when we first met. So when she hesitantly peered around the divider, I was ready to go.
"You...up?" she asked. It was ten in the morning --I'd been up for hours! I had hardly even slept, too.
"Yep - come on in," I told her. She stepped over to my side, and I gave her a grin. "So...you ready to go?"
"Mhm," she was staring distractedly, looking around the table; her eyebrows furrowed.
"What?" I asked hopefully. Did she remember the table somehow?
"Nothing," she said, turning back towards me and clasping her hands behind her back. "Shall we get started?"
We hopped down onto the chair, and then I jumped off the chair onto the floor. She stared at the floor, clearly nervous. I was about to ask her why when she leaped off the chair, landed on the floor... a second before tripping over her hair and falling on her backside.
Yup...some things never change. Is it wrong of me to be happy to see that at least her personality and everything was still the same, just not her memories? I strode over to help her up, and I could tell she was horribly embarrassed.
"You alright?"
"Y-yeah...sorry. I'm...I'm really clumsy," she straightened her skirt out and her face blazed red.
"That's fine," I told her, and she looked up sharply.
"You're definitely something else. Flynn would've...he would've gotten embarrassed with me and left me alone if I would've done that." A cloud of sadness wavered over her eyes when she made mention of Flynn.
Geez...the dude had obviously not been the best guy ever and hadn't treated her the best, he had been such a jerk and used her...and she KNEW that he'd used her, but she missed him. Guess love is blind AND deaf.
"Wow....that's nothing to really get upset about, y'know? Things happen-"
"To me. A lot."
"Still nothing to be upset about. C'mon...let's see...where do you want to go first?"
"How about...OOH! Sometime, can we go up on that windowsill?" She looked a little surprised at her sudden outburst, but I grinned and nodded all the same.
We went everywhere -- all over the room and on the windowsill. I attempted small talk at first, but later faded out. She was so hung up on Flynn. If either of us said anything, that would somehow remind her of Flynn, and she'd feel bad. I hated how she bummed around after making mention of Flynn, so I slowly stopped talking, except for making mention of any special locations or anything. We did talk a little about stuff we liked to do, and the mutual, 'walking, reading, music' is still the same. At least two things are the same - her likes and her clumsiness. I've never been so happy to see her be clumsy. I always thought it was kinda cute to begin with, but it just reminded me that she's still the same girl, and she'll eventually fall in love again. I hope...
We were silent for the walk back to the table, and as soon as we got back up to the chair, I expected her to leave for her side, and I'd go to my side. But...she followed me up to my side. As I was freaking out on the inside, she gave me a serious expression.
"Did I bother you with too much talk about Flynn? I'm sorry," she messed with her hair and glanced down at her feet.
"No, no...you're fine. You just seemed to...feel bad every time you mentioned him, and I just...didn't want you to be upset."
She gave me a smile. "I see. And my next question is...are they always jerks over there? I guess it's just Punzie, but...ugh."
I chuckled. "Yeahh...Punzie's a jerk. Don't let her get to ya, though."
She glanced around my side of the table once more before asking why I was alone.
Well, honey...my life was full, and so was this table...just a few days ago.
I explained to her why I wasn't on the other side of the table like everyone else -- Punzie. I'm pretty sure Rapunzel posted that info when she first started the blog?--and she was simply fascinated. For the first time all day, we led a conversation without making mention of Flynn.
Then Zelia showed up, iPod in hand.
She dragged me aside and showed the iPod to me, speaking in a whisper. "I was on here messing around and saw an email come in. It's Flynn. He saw your post about her and..."
It read:
"Good to know she finally got hurt bad for her clumsiness...let me tell you, I've known it was coming forever and I haven't missed THAT for a day, nor have I missed any of her, which you should already know. Maybe now she'll stop being so curious and interested in activities other than sitting around. Dolls should just sit around, that's what they're MADE to do!"
I didn't realize she was standing on tiptoe, reading over my shoulder. She must've finished at the same time I had, because she gasped -- right when she lost her balance on her toes--and grabbed at my shoulders, trying to keep from falling. I whirled around and grabbed her arms before she fell.
"Did you read that? DID you?!" Zelia demanded, a little too nastily.
"Y-yeah..." she took in a shuddery breath before sobbing. I was still holding onto her arms, so I pulled her close and let her cry on my shoulder.
For a minute, I worried that I would freak her out, but when I realized that she had been the strongest girl ever when we'd met for the first time, and had hardly ever cried -- around me, anyway--, I decided that this was something I would have done if I had had to the first time.
Then, I flashed a LOOK at Zelia. "We'll talk later," I mouthed. She rolled her eyes and left.
Some sister...
Rapunzel cried for some time, but then she seemed to catch herself. "Oh. Ohh! I'm so sorry, you probably have things to do, and here I am blubbering all over the place over..s-stupid things that don't even involve you, I'm so sorry!" She backed away, pushing awkwardly at her hair...and managed to get her hand tangled in her hair. When she realized her hand was stuck fast behind her head, her eyes widened. "I-I...I better go-"
"Hey, hey, hey...wait a sec," I snagged her shoulder, turning her so I could see to untangle her hand from her hair. When I was done, she turned back to face me, her face beet red.
"Uh...thanks...um..." she stumbled over her words, and then just buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry 'bout it. If you...okay, so even though you don't really know me, you can talk to me...anytime. I've got nothing to do, like...ever...so..yeah. Feel free - anytime, anywhere."
She smiled despite her obvious angst. "Thank you. Thanks for everything." And with that, she left.
I sighed, staring at where she had stood.
"You...up?" she asked. It was ten in the morning --I'd been up for hours! I had hardly even slept, too.
"Yep - come on in," I told her. She stepped over to my side, and I gave her a grin. "So...you ready to go?"
"Mhm," she was staring distractedly, looking around the table; her eyebrows furrowed.
"What?" I asked hopefully. Did she remember the table somehow?
"Nothing," she said, turning back towards me and clasping her hands behind her back. "Shall we get started?"
We hopped down onto the chair, and then I jumped off the chair onto the floor. She stared at the floor, clearly nervous. I was about to ask her why when she leaped off the chair, landed on the floor... a second before tripping over her hair and falling on her backside.
Yup...some things never change. Is it wrong of me to be happy to see that at least her personality and everything was still the same, just not her memories? I strode over to help her up, and I could tell she was horribly embarrassed.
"You alright?"
"Y-yeah...sorry. I'm...I'm really clumsy," she straightened her skirt out and her face blazed red.
"That's fine," I told her, and she looked up sharply.
"You're definitely something else. Flynn would've...he would've gotten embarrassed with me and left me alone if I would've done that." A cloud of sadness wavered over her eyes when she made mention of Flynn.
Geez...the dude had obviously not been the best guy ever and hadn't treated her the best, he had been such a jerk and used her...and she KNEW that he'd used her, but she missed him. Guess love is blind AND deaf.
"Wow....that's nothing to really get upset about, y'know? Things happen-"
"To me. A lot."
"Still nothing to be upset about. C'mon...let's see...where do you want to go first?"
"How about...OOH! Sometime, can we go up on that windowsill?" She looked a little surprised at her sudden outburst, but I grinned and nodded all the same.
We went everywhere -- all over the room and on the windowsill. I attempted small talk at first, but later faded out. She was so hung up on Flynn. If either of us said anything, that would somehow remind her of Flynn, and she'd feel bad. I hated how she bummed around after making mention of Flynn, so I slowly stopped talking, except for making mention of any special locations or anything. We did talk a little about stuff we liked to do, and the mutual, 'walking, reading, music' is still the same. At least two things are the same - her likes and her clumsiness. I've never been so happy to see her be clumsy. I always thought it was kinda cute to begin with, but it just reminded me that she's still the same girl, and she'll eventually fall in love again. I hope...
We were silent for the walk back to the table, and as soon as we got back up to the chair, I expected her to leave for her side, and I'd go to my side. But...she followed me up to my side. As I was freaking out on the inside, she gave me a serious expression.
"Did I bother you with too much talk about Flynn? I'm sorry," she messed with her hair and glanced down at her feet.
"No, no...you're fine. You just seemed to...feel bad every time you mentioned him, and I just...didn't want you to be upset."
She gave me a smile. "I see. And my next question is...are they always jerks over there? I guess it's just Punzie, but...ugh."
I chuckled. "Yeahh...Punzie's a jerk. Don't let her get to ya, though."
She glanced around my side of the table once more before asking why I was alone.
Well, honey...my life was full, and so was this table...just a few days ago.
I explained to her why I wasn't on the other side of the table like everyone else -- Punzie. I'm pretty sure Rapunzel posted that info when she first started the blog?--and she was simply fascinated. For the first time all day, we led a conversation without making mention of Flynn.
Then Zelia showed up, iPod in hand.
She dragged me aside and showed the iPod to me, speaking in a whisper. "I was on here messing around and saw an email come in. It's Flynn. He saw your post about her and..."
It read:
"Good to know she finally got hurt bad for her clumsiness...let me tell you, I've known it was coming forever and I haven't missed THAT for a day, nor have I missed any of her, which you should already know. Maybe now she'll stop being so curious and interested in activities other than sitting around. Dolls should just sit around, that's what they're MADE to do!"
I didn't realize she was standing on tiptoe, reading over my shoulder. She must've finished at the same time I had, because she gasped -- right when she lost her balance on her toes--and grabbed at my shoulders, trying to keep from falling. I whirled around and grabbed her arms before she fell.
"Did you read that? DID you?!" Zelia demanded, a little too nastily.
"Y-yeah..." she took in a shuddery breath before sobbing. I was still holding onto her arms, so I pulled her close and let her cry on my shoulder.
For a minute, I worried that I would freak her out, but when I realized that she had been the strongest girl ever when we'd met for the first time, and had hardly ever cried -- around me, anyway--, I decided that this was something I would have done if I had had to the first time.
Then, I flashed a LOOK at Zelia. "We'll talk later," I mouthed. She rolled her eyes and left.
Some sister...
Rapunzel cried for some time, but then she seemed to catch herself. "Oh. Ohh! I'm so sorry, you probably have things to do, and here I am blubbering all over the place over..s-stupid things that don't even involve you, I'm so sorry!" She backed away, pushing awkwardly at her hair...and managed to get her hand tangled in her hair. When she realized her hand was stuck fast behind her head, her eyes widened. "I-I...I better go-"
"Hey, hey, hey...wait a sec," I snagged her shoulder, turning her so I could see to untangle her hand from her hair. When I was done, she turned back to face me, her face beet red.
"Uh...thanks...um..." she stumbled over her words, and then just buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry 'bout it. If you...okay, so even though you don't really know me, you can talk to me...anytime. I've got nothing to do, like...ever...so..yeah. Feel free - anytime, anywhere."
She smiled despite her obvious angst. "Thank you. Thanks for everything." And with that, she left.
I sighed, staring at where she had stood.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Yesterday and Today....
It's Eugene. I'm....I really don't know what to do with this blog or how to type this, or even what I'm going to do now...and I'm not talking about the blog. I suppose I should keep the blog running in order to keep you guys updated on...on Rapunzel.
My entire family was decimated within hours.
Yesterday evening, around six, Anna came over to our side of the table. For this to make any sense, I guess I need to add that Jordan had been particularly fussy today.
"I thought I'd let you know that Tangled Fan will be coming anytime now to get the kids. I told her you guys obviously don't take care of them...since that baby is crying ALLLL the time. Just thought I'd let you know, since she tends to be really abrupt with these things."
Rapunzel whirled around to stare at her. She had been pacing, trying to get Jordan distracted. We both gave her a wide-eyed, horrified stare.
"What? You...you're kidding, right? No. Tangled Fan knows we take care of the girls. She wouldn't--"
"You know that she's very picky about who gets kids, because she doesn't want them to be uncared for."
"Rapunzel, go. Go with the girls. I'll come along with Jordan in a few minutes, okay? Take them where you know they can't be found, and stay." I came to my senses.
She overlapped me. "You good for nothing, sick--"
I snagged her shoulder. "Listen to me. I'll handle this, you go with the girls. Run!"
She gave Anna a look of pure hatred --one I had never seen, and quite honestly, it scared me. She dropped the look for a second and glanced back at me. "I have to--"
"Don't waste your time messing around and looking for a fight. GO!" I pulled Jordan from her arms, and she promptly scooped the other two girls up before rushing off.
I turned back towards Anna. "What were you thinking?!"
"I'm sick of you guys having such a PERFECT life. You need to face reality, and know that life isn't easy for all of us." she nodded three or four times, so sure of herself.
"You don't even know the half of it," I spat. She and I engaged in a staredown, and I would have won if I hadn't heard a shrill, bloodcurdling scream.
In a matter of minutes, my wife had made it with the girls to the top of the shelving unit across the room. Casey was disappearing behind some of Tangled Fan's bigger dolls - the 18 inch dolls-, but Rapunzel had slipped, I guess, and she and Audrey were now dangling off of the top of that monstrous thing.
I sucked in a breath, staring...horrified... I yelled for her to hold on, but just as I did so, she literally threw Audrey up onto the top of the unit...lost her grip...and fell.
I tried to run, but Anna tried to stop me. I shoved past her, with Jordan in one of my arms, and I raced to catch my girl....but I didn't get to her in time. I watched as she cracked her head off of the middle shelf, and then hurtled through the air, unconscious.
I'll never forget the resounding crack that she made when she hit the floor.
Everything around me went silent. I went numb. I tried to keep from screaming, because I didn't want to upset Jordan, who was already crying. I staggered over to my wife, hiding Jordan's face in my shoulder.
Was she even alive? Suddenly, Tangled Fan's shadow loomed over us, but she didn't seem to notice the three of us on the floor. She was focused on the girls above.
"NO! Don't...Don't step on us!" I shouted, trying to shield Rapunzel and Jordan both with my own body...whatever good that would do.
She jumped back, and bent down. "I came to take the girls on a--"
"I KNOW! We'll talk about that later! She...she..." I gestured, and she immediately scooped her up. She didn't say a word, but she took the girls, too. As she wrestled Jordan from my arms, I pleaded. "Don't-don't take the girls, please....please, just..."
With that, she walked away. Rather, she strode away angrily.
I stood alone on the floor for I don't even know how long, not moving an inch, but Zelia came tearing over to me sometime when it was getting dark.
"What on earth happened?!"
"I-I..." I stared at her, alarmed. I couldn't coordinate my thoughts, I couldn't even think straight --
"USE YOUR WORDS, MORON!" she got in my face, and I stumbled back a step, tripped over some piece of junk on the floor, and almost fell.
"She-she...s-she...." I stuttered until I was able to get the whole thing spat out. I won't tell you what all I said, my dialogue was full of stuttering and stupidity, and you know what happened, anyway.
Once I'd told her what I knew, she grabbed my shirt sleeve and hauled me off, in hot pursuit of Tangled Fan. I got my act together and helped her open the door, and we made a run for it. Down the hallway, skid to a stop...look around. Start yelling for someone.
Luckily, Tangled Fan was the first to hear us.
"What...how did you guys-"
"Take us to see Rapunzel, now. And give the girls back!" Zelia wasn't afraid to yell at her.
They went back and forth for some time, and I even got into it with Tangled Fan, but finally, she took us to the craft room.
"I'm keeping a hold of the girls, because Hans and Anna were quite adamant that you and Rapunzel weren't caring for them. While I can't believe either of you would do anything to them, I'm taking every precaution. And as for Rapunzel...she's lucky to be alive right now, but she's not out of the woods yet. She should be awake sometime soon. If she isn't, there will be memory loss...or worse. I'll tell you already, if she doesn't wake up in twenty-four hours, she might not live. Nothing's broken from what I can tell, but I can't tell if anything's hurting her, because she isn't awake yet to tell me. And there could be something broken or snapped off in the inside, too--you guys aren't completely hollow in there."
Zelia and I fought her about the kids' 'mistreatment', and she finally relented, once Zelia told her about Anna and Hans doing anything to be jerks to us. I won't include the argument...it's just drama. The important thing is that we got Tangled Fan to understand, and we got the kids back. Now, my wife just had to wake up.
She--Tangled Fan-- finally set us both down on the table that she had set my wife. She was bundled in a couple of blankets despite the warm-ish weather; maybe because of shock? I don't know if us dolls can go through shock...
All I could see of her was her horribly pale face. Her eyes were closed; her lips dry and slightly blue. I knelt beside her and promptly broke down. Zelia put a hand on my shoulder, but it was just so she could lower herself beside me.
"She...she looks bad, doesn't she..." it wasn't a question that her sister asked. I glanced away from my wife to look at her sister, and she herself was pale, her eyes filled with fear.
I realized then that Tangled Fan was still there, and I tried to regain my composure. "Wh...when will she be awake?"
She bit her lip. "She should've been awake ten minutes ago."
For the second time that day, every sound faded away. I could see her and Zelia talking, but I couldn't hear them. I turned back to my wife and I didn't look away from her for a second. My insides were churning, and I don't think I've ever felt so much fear in my life.
After what seemed like an eternity, none other than Anna came down. Zelia stomped off, saying she needed a break. Gee, thanks for the help there, sis-in-law. Just what I wanted - just who I wanted to talk to.
She didn't even get to say a single thing. She came over, took one look at my wife, and gasped.
"Yeah. You did this." I stood up, slowly ripping my eyes away from her to look at the redhead. I could feel the fury towards her surging. "You did this. You don't know what that girl has gone through. You don't know the half of it. She's gone through so much more than you ever have. Than you ever WILL. And you have to go and try to ruin our lives! Well, I hope you're happy--"
"Oh, hush up. I just heard what happened, and I wanted to see her, don't flip--"
"You WILL NOT make me 'hush up'! You want to see her? FINE! Look at her. LOOK at her! See what you did? Her skin is pale, her lips are turning blue. She's been unconscious for hours, and if she doesn't wake up in less than 24 hours, she will DIE. Because of YOU and your little jealous self, her life could be thrown away, LITERALLY. The kids you tried to take away because she doesn't have it hard enough in life? They'll be without parents for goodness-knows-how-long, and they'll know that their mommy is dead...because of a selfish, worthless act by someone who is nothing but a little, jealous pest!" My voice rose until I was yelling, and that girl just gave me a wide-eyed stare of pure terror.
She didn't say a thing, she just ran off and left, just like the selfish cretin she was.
I let my breathing slow, and then resumed my position beside my wife. I watched her for any sign of life aside from her shallow breathing, and I saw none.
My girl was out for hours. Tangled Fan left, went to bed, came back...and said that it had been approximately fourteen hours, and that I may as well just leave, but I refused to leave Rapunzel's side. Shortly after, she woke up.
As soon as her eyes fluttered open, the fear melted away. She was okay. She was going to be okay.
But then, as she looked around silently, her eyes filled with uncertainty and worry.
"Who...where'm I...an' who are all of you...?" Her voice was gravelly and faint; slightly slurred.
"You fell off of the top of the shelving unit...you're okay now. We're in the craft room," I told her. I wanted to touch her, but I was so scared I would hurt her..
"Wai-it...you're not...Flynn? Wh-ere's Flynn?"
My heart dropped as she looked around. I could tell she was getting scared. "You're...you're fine -- just take it easy, okay?"
I glanced back at Zelia, who was staring a hole through her sister. I could tell she was having a hard time processing this. I was, too. Tangled Fan scooped us up and took us away from her.
"She doesn't remember anything. It seems to me that she can only remember the time she was still dating Flynn; nothing after. We'll have to break the news to her, but I don't think it bodes well for your marriage. And...I'll keep the girls. I would let you care for them, but I think it's too stressful of a situation on all accounts; I'm sorry."
"Please...they're all I have left," I cried. "Let me keep the girls...Zelia...Zelia would help care for them...wouldn't you?" she nodded, but Tangled Fan shook her head.
"It's too stressful of a situation, like I said."
We both fell silent.
She took us back, and Rapunzel was sitting up, staring at us.
"I'm Tangled Fan, and this is Eugene and Zelia," Tangled Fan introduced, setting the two of us back down.
"H-hello...but who are you, really? And where am I?" She was somewhat perkier, and I'm not sure how she could be perkier.
"Tangled Fan here bought you off of the Internet. Flynn's a total jerk, he broke up with you prior. He actually used you to get the attention of another girl --unbeknownst to you, but you don't remember because when you were taken out of your shipping box and set up on a shelf, you tripped, fell, and got knocked out pretty bad. And I'm your sister, but you probably don't know or remember that either. And that's that, then!" Zelia stormed off, and I gaped at her.
"W-wh...what?" her eyes filled with tears. "Flynn's...gone? I loved...I loved him..."
I tried to keep from bawling myself. "I'm so sorry. Y-your name's Rapunzel, right? I'm so sorry, Rapunzel."
"Yeah..." she refused to make eye contact, and I could tell she was feeling shy and insecure, so I backed off. Let me tell you...having your wife wake up from being unconscious for so long and having her forget everything is...pure...horror...
Tangled Fan moved in to check over her, and I waited, standing awkwardly in the distance as she talked to Rapunzel.
When they were done, Tangled Fan told me that she was surprisingly unharmed from her major fall, and aside from her head hurting where she hit it on the shelf, she was alright. One of her arm joints may be just a smidgen looser, but other than that...she's okay. How that girl survived that and came out of it with just a bump to the head...I'll never know. She'll never know, either.
After awhile, she took both of us and set us on the floor in her room.
Well. Talk about awkward.
"Um...what's your name again? Sorry," she ducked her head. I knew she was embarrassed and distracted.
"Eugene. And it's fine," I managed a small smile. "Sorry to hear about Flynn."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she promptly tried to hide it. "I don't really know what to think about it all. I don't think he really...really broke up with me. I think we were separated or something, and that that girl...Zelia?...is full of it. No offense, but I think so."
I swallowed, thinking frantically. "She...she wasn't making anything up. Flynn send a rather vulgar, nasty email about what happened and how glad you were gone, once he knew where you were headed...I'm so sorry." I based my response off of the emails she had gotten awhile back from him..so they weren't entire lies.
"How do I know I should believe you?" she blurted, giving me the stare she'd only ever given me when she was trying to convince herself something wasn't true.
"I'd never lie. I have nothing to hide, so why would I lie?"
"G-good...good point..." she teared up and looked away. "I just don't know what to think right now."
Me neither, honey.
"I'm sorry...I hate giving you news like this after all you've already gone through today," I mumbled awkwardly.
"Stop apologizing...you haven't done anything wrong, have you?"
"I guess not...sorry." I tried to tease, and she gave the smallest smile I think I've ever seen.
We walked in a heavy blanket of quietness for the longest time, until she asked me what other dolls lived here, if any. I described all of them, where she'd live -- on the other side of the table-- and which dolls to watch out for...basically everyone. Tangled Fan had mentioned telling everyone to play along and act like she was new, thinking that maybe, somehow, something they'd do would trigger and restore at least some memories. Punzie was probably overeager to reprise her role as the jerk that would drive her to tears on more than one occasion.
Suddenly, she gasped. "Pascal! Ohh...did Pascal come with me?"
"There was a chameleon that came in the box, too. I took him to my place -- which is right beside where you're staying -- so he wouldn't get lost." I almost winced when I realized I'd forgotten about him.
"Ohh...thanks," she said.
Silence...again.
When we finally got to the table, I took her to my side of the table first, to pick up Pascal and give her a blanket. (I gave her mine and I kept hers...call me sappy or weird but I did.) She stood awkwardly, looking around the table.
Tangled Fan, being the sneak that she was, had slipped all the kids' beds and things behind the cutout while we were gone, so it was just the wicker chair and the box.
Please recognize this, please recognize this, please recognize this...
"Here you go," I handed Pascal over and then held out the blanket.
"Thanks," she sighed. "I guess I need to go meet everyone. I just...I..."
"You're shy?"
"Yeah."
"I feel for you. You can stay here as long as you like," I offered.
She bit her lip and fiddled with her hair after she set Pascal on her shoulder. "That's fine. I'm cold, shaky, and tired, and I need to get over there - I'm sure you're tired, too! Tangled Fan told me that you stayed with me the whole time...you and...and Zelia. Thank you for that."
Why yes. I was exhausted...but no way was I going to sleep today.
"I'm fine...and you're welcome," I told her, taking the blanket away from her to spread it over her shoulders -- minding Pascal, of course.
"I'm okay--well...thanks." she gulped and stared down at her feet. "I-I should go."
"Okay. Wait--do you want to go for a walk tomorrow? I can...show you around the place."
She nodded, smothering a yawn with her hand. "Um...okay. Bye--and thanks again."
I watched her go around to the other side of the table, and I'm pretty sure my heart shredded.
Tonight, Zelia wandered over. I stood up from the wicker chair, and asked what was up.
"Everyone's asleep. She's settled in okay enough, I guess. Sat in the corner and stared shyly at everyone...just like she did before."
"She's a mess...." I sighed. "Is she asleep?"
"Yep...she finally went to sleep. She said something about you taking her for a walk tomorrow?"
"Yeah...showing her around the place. I don't know what to do or what to act like or...I just...I can't handle this, Zelia." I buried my face in my hands, too tired to even cry.
"Hey, dingbat. Act like yourself. She fell in love with you once, she'll fall in love with you again. If you act stiff and weird, guess what? You won't get your girl back!" she snapped, but then she softened after a few minutes. "...I'm sorry. It's really hard."
"Yeah. Don't take this the wrong way, but why didn't you tell her the truth? That she was-"
"Because, Eugene. How would you like it if you were knocked out, couldn't remember about half a year, and someone comes up to you and is all like 'oh yeah you don't live there anymore. So and so's a jerk, and you're married with three kids, hi honey'?"
"Good point," I sighed. "Could I...see her one last time before you go to bed too?"
"She's your wife...ish..." she said.
"Not cool," I grumbled, brushing past her to go to the other side. She followed me, and pointed out the corner where Rapunzel and Pascal were sleeping. She was curled up under the blanket, her arm outstretched across the floor; her face was also mashed into the floor. Pascal was cuddled against her, sleeping hard.
"She looks weird when she sleeps," Zelia whispered, almost snorting in laughter at her sister.
"I think she's...never mind," I mumbled as I took a risk by tucking the blanket up to her chin. With that, I turned and left abruptly, feeling like I could hardly stand to be there any longer.
My entire family was decimated within hours.
Yesterday evening, around six, Anna came over to our side of the table. For this to make any sense, I guess I need to add that Jordan had been particularly fussy today.
"I thought I'd let you know that Tangled Fan will be coming anytime now to get the kids. I told her you guys obviously don't take care of them...since that baby is crying ALLLL the time. Just thought I'd let you know, since she tends to be really abrupt with these things."
Rapunzel whirled around to stare at her. She had been pacing, trying to get Jordan distracted. We both gave her a wide-eyed, horrified stare.
"What? You...you're kidding, right? No. Tangled Fan knows we take care of the girls. She wouldn't--"
"You know that she's very picky about who gets kids, because she doesn't want them to be uncared for."
"Rapunzel, go. Go with the girls. I'll come along with Jordan in a few minutes, okay? Take them where you know they can't be found, and stay." I came to my senses.
She overlapped me. "You good for nothing, sick--"
I snagged her shoulder. "Listen to me. I'll handle this, you go with the girls. Run!"
She gave Anna a look of pure hatred --one I had never seen, and quite honestly, it scared me. She dropped the look for a second and glanced back at me. "I have to--"
"Don't waste your time messing around and looking for a fight. GO!" I pulled Jordan from her arms, and she promptly scooped the other two girls up before rushing off.
I turned back towards Anna. "What were you thinking?!"
"I'm sick of you guys having such a PERFECT life. You need to face reality, and know that life isn't easy for all of us." she nodded three or four times, so sure of herself.
"You don't even know the half of it," I spat. She and I engaged in a staredown, and I would have won if I hadn't heard a shrill, bloodcurdling scream.
In a matter of minutes, my wife had made it with the girls to the top of the shelving unit across the room. Casey was disappearing behind some of Tangled Fan's bigger dolls - the 18 inch dolls-, but Rapunzel had slipped, I guess, and she and Audrey were now dangling off of the top of that monstrous thing.
I sucked in a breath, staring...horrified... I yelled for her to hold on, but just as I did so, she literally threw Audrey up onto the top of the unit...lost her grip...and fell.
I tried to run, but Anna tried to stop me. I shoved past her, with Jordan in one of my arms, and I raced to catch my girl....but I didn't get to her in time. I watched as she cracked her head off of the middle shelf, and then hurtled through the air, unconscious.
I'll never forget the resounding crack that she made when she hit the floor.
Everything around me went silent. I went numb. I tried to keep from screaming, because I didn't want to upset Jordan, who was already crying. I staggered over to my wife, hiding Jordan's face in my shoulder.
Was she even alive? Suddenly, Tangled Fan's shadow loomed over us, but she didn't seem to notice the three of us on the floor. She was focused on the girls above.
"NO! Don't...Don't step on us!" I shouted, trying to shield Rapunzel and Jordan both with my own body...whatever good that would do.
She jumped back, and bent down. "I came to take the girls on a--"
"I KNOW! We'll talk about that later! She...she..." I gestured, and she immediately scooped her up. She didn't say a word, but she took the girls, too. As she wrestled Jordan from my arms, I pleaded. "Don't-don't take the girls, please....please, just..."
With that, she walked away. Rather, she strode away angrily.
I stood alone on the floor for I don't even know how long, not moving an inch, but Zelia came tearing over to me sometime when it was getting dark.
"What on earth happened?!"
"I-I..." I stared at her, alarmed. I couldn't coordinate my thoughts, I couldn't even think straight --
"USE YOUR WORDS, MORON!" she got in my face, and I stumbled back a step, tripped over some piece of junk on the floor, and almost fell.
"She-she...s-she...." I stuttered until I was able to get the whole thing spat out. I won't tell you what all I said, my dialogue was full of stuttering and stupidity, and you know what happened, anyway.
Once I'd told her what I knew, she grabbed my shirt sleeve and hauled me off, in hot pursuit of Tangled Fan. I got my act together and helped her open the door, and we made a run for it. Down the hallway, skid to a stop...look around. Start yelling for someone.
Luckily, Tangled Fan was the first to hear us.
"What...how did you guys-"
"Take us to see Rapunzel, now. And give the girls back!" Zelia wasn't afraid to yell at her.
They went back and forth for some time, and I even got into it with Tangled Fan, but finally, she took us to the craft room.
"I'm keeping a hold of the girls, because Hans and Anna were quite adamant that you and Rapunzel weren't caring for them. While I can't believe either of you would do anything to them, I'm taking every precaution. And as for Rapunzel...she's lucky to be alive right now, but she's not out of the woods yet. She should be awake sometime soon. If she isn't, there will be memory loss...or worse. I'll tell you already, if she doesn't wake up in twenty-four hours, she might not live. Nothing's broken from what I can tell, but I can't tell if anything's hurting her, because she isn't awake yet to tell me. And there could be something broken or snapped off in the inside, too--you guys aren't completely hollow in there."
Zelia and I fought her about the kids' 'mistreatment', and she finally relented, once Zelia told her about Anna and Hans doing anything to be jerks to us. I won't include the argument...it's just drama. The important thing is that we got Tangled Fan to understand, and we got the kids back. Now, my wife just had to wake up.
She--Tangled Fan-- finally set us both down on the table that she had set my wife. She was bundled in a couple of blankets despite the warm-ish weather; maybe because of shock? I don't know if us dolls can go through shock...
All I could see of her was her horribly pale face. Her eyes were closed; her lips dry and slightly blue. I knelt beside her and promptly broke down. Zelia put a hand on my shoulder, but it was just so she could lower herself beside me.
"She...she looks bad, doesn't she..." it wasn't a question that her sister asked. I glanced away from my wife to look at her sister, and she herself was pale, her eyes filled with fear.
I realized then that Tangled Fan was still there, and I tried to regain my composure. "Wh...when will she be awake?"
She bit her lip. "She should've been awake ten minutes ago."
For the second time that day, every sound faded away. I could see her and Zelia talking, but I couldn't hear them. I turned back to my wife and I didn't look away from her for a second. My insides were churning, and I don't think I've ever felt so much fear in my life.
After what seemed like an eternity, none other than Anna came down. Zelia stomped off, saying she needed a break. Gee, thanks for the help there, sis-in-law. Just what I wanted - just who I wanted to talk to.
She didn't even get to say a single thing. She came over, took one look at my wife, and gasped.
"Yeah. You did this." I stood up, slowly ripping my eyes away from her to look at the redhead. I could feel the fury towards her surging. "You did this. You don't know what that girl has gone through. You don't know the half of it. She's gone through so much more than you ever have. Than you ever WILL. And you have to go and try to ruin our lives! Well, I hope you're happy--"
"Oh, hush up. I just heard what happened, and I wanted to see her, don't flip--"
"You WILL NOT make me 'hush up'! You want to see her? FINE! Look at her. LOOK at her! See what you did? Her skin is pale, her lips are turning blue. She's been unconscious for hours, and if she doesn't wake up in less than 24 hours, she will DIE. Because of YOU and your little jealous self, her life could be thrown away, LITERALLY. The kids you tried to take away because she doesn't have it hard enough in life? They'll be without parents for goodness-knows-how-long, and they'll know that their mommy is dead...because of a selfish, worthless act by someone who is nothing but a little, jealous pest!" My voice rose until I was yelling, and that girl just gave me a wide-eyed stare of pure terror.
She didn't say a thing, she just ran off and left, just like the selfish cretin she was.
I let my breathing slow, and then resumed my position beside my wife. I watched her for any sign of life aside from her shallow breathing, and I saw none.
My girl was out for hours. Tangled Fan left, went to bed, came back...and said that it had been approximately fourteen hours, and that I may as well just leave, but I refused to leave Rapunzel's side. Shortly after, she woke up.
As soon as her eyes fluttered open, the fear melted away. She was okay. She was going to be okay.
But then, as she looked around silently, her eyes filled with uncertainty and worry.
"Who...where'm I...an' who are all of you...?" Her voice was gravelly and faint; slightly slurred.
"You fell off of the top of the shelving unit...you're okay now. We're in the craft room," I told her. I wanted to touch her, but I was so scared I would hurt her..
"Wai-it...you're not...Flynn? Wh-ere's Flynn?"
My heart dropped as she looked around. I could tell she was getting scared. "You're...you're fine -- just take it easy, okay?"
I glanced back at Zelia, who was staring a hole through her sister. I could tell she was having a hard time processing this. I was, too. Tangled Fan scooped us up and took us away from her.
"She doesn't remember anything. It seems to me that she can only remember the time she was still dating Flynn; nothing after. We'll have to break the news to her, but I don't think it bodes well for your marriage. And...I'll keep the girls. I would let you care for them, but I think it's too stressful of a situation on all accounts; I'm sorry."
"Please...they're all I have left," I cried. "Let me keep the girls...Zelia...Zelia would help care for them...wouldn't you?" she nodded, but Tangled Fan shook her head.
"It's too stressful of a situation, like I said."
We both fell silent.
She took us back, and Rapunzel was sitting up, staring at us.
"I'm Tangled Fan, and this is Eugene and Zelia," Tangled Fan introduced, setting the two of us back down.
"H-hello...but who are you, really? And where am I?" She was somewhat perkier, and I'm not sure how she could be perkier.
"Tangled Fan here bought you off of the Internet. Flynn's a total jerk, he broke up with you prior. He actually used you to get the attention of another girl --unbeknownst to you, but you don't remember because when you were taken out of your shipping box and set up on a shelf, you tripped, fell, and got knocked out pretty bad. And I'm your sister, but you probably don't know or remember that either. And that's that, then!" Zelia stormed off, and I gaped at her.
"W-wh...what?" her eyes filled with tears. "Flynn's...gone? I loved...I loved him..."
I tried to keep from bawling myself. "I'm so sorry. Y-your name's Rapunzel, right? I'm so sorry, Rapunzel."
"Yeah..." she refused to make eye contact, and I could tell she was feeling shy and insecure, so I backed off. Let me tell you...having your wife wake up from being unconscious for so long and having her forget everything is...pure...horror...
Tangled Fan moved in to check over her, and I waited, standing awkwardly in the distance as she talked to Rapunzel.
When they were done, Tangled Fan told me that she was surprisingly unharmed from her major fall, and aside from her head hurting where she hit it on the shelf, she was alright. One of her arm joints may be just a smidgen looser, but other than that...she's okay. How that girl survived that and came out of it with just a bump to the head...I'll never know. She'll never know, either.
After awhile, she took both of us and set us on the floor in her room.
Well. Talk about awkward.
"Um...what's your name again? Sorry," she ducked her head. I knew she was embarrassed and distracted.
"Eugene. And it's fine," I managed a small smile. "Sorry to hear about Flynn."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she promptly tried to hide it. "I don't really know what to think about it all. I don't think he really...really broke up with me. I think we were separated or something, and that that girl...Zelia?...is full of it. No offense, but I think so."
I swallowed, thinking frantically. "She...she wasn't making anything up. Flynn send a rather vulgar, nasty email about what happened and how glad you were gone, once he knew where you were headed...I'm so sorry." I based my response off of the emails she had gotten awhile back from him..so they weren't entire lies.
"How do I know I should believe you?" she blurted, giving me the stare she'd only ever given me when she was trying to convince herself something wasn't true.
"I'd never lie. I have nothing to hide, so why would I lie?"
"G-good...good point..." she teared up and looked away. "I just don't know what to think right now."
Me neither, honey.
"I'm sorry...I hate giving you news like this after all you've already gone through today," I mumbled awkwardly.
"Stop apologizing...you haven't done anything wrong, have you?"
"I guess not...sorry." I tried to tease, and she gave the smallest smile I think I've ever seen.
We walked in a heavy blanket of quietness for the longest time, until she asked me what other dolls lived here, if any. I described all of them, where she'd live -- on the other side of the table-- and which dolls to watch out for...basically everyone. Tangled Fan had mentioned telling everyone to play along and act like she was new, thinking that maybe, somehow, something they'd do would trigger and restore at least some memories. Punzie was probably overeager to reprise her role as the jerk that would drive her to tears on more than one occasion.
Suddenly, she gasped. "Pascal! Ohh...did Pascal come with me?"
"There was a chameleon that came in the box, too. I took him to my place -- which is right beside where you're staying -- so he wouldn't get lost." I almost winced when I realized I'd forgotten about him.
"Ohh...thanks," she said.
Silence...again.
When we finally got to the table, I took her to my side of the table first, to pick up Pascal and give her a blanket. (I gave her mine and I kept hers...call me sappy or weird but I did.) She stood awkwardly, looking around the table.
Tangled Fan, being the sneak that she was, had slipped all the kids' beds and things behind the cutout while we were gone, so it was just the wicker chair and the box.
Please recognize this, please recognize this, please recognize this...
"Here you go," I handed Pascal over and then held out the blanket.
"Thanks," she sighed. "I guess I need to go meet everyone. I just...I..."
"You're shy?"
"Yeah."
"I feel for you. You can stay here as long as you like," I offered.
She bit her lip and fiddled with her hair after she set Pascal on her shoulder. "That's fine. I'm cold, shaky, and tired, and I need to get over there - I'm sure you're tired, too! Tangled Fan told me that you stayed with me the whole time...you and...and Zelia. Thank you for that."
Why yes. I was exhausted...but no way was I going to sleep today.
"I'm fine...and you're welcome," I told her, taking the blanket away from her to spread it over her shoulders -- minding Pascal, of course.
"I'm okay--well...thanks." she gulped and stared down at her feet. "I-I should go."
"Okay. Wait--do you want to go for a walk tomorrow? I can...show you around the place."
She nodded, smothering a yawn with her hand. "Um...okay. Bye--and thanks again."
I watched her go around to the other side of the table, and I'm pretty sure my heart shredded.
Tonight, Zelia wandered over. I stood up from the wicker chair, and asked what was up.
"Everyone's asleep. She's settled in okay enough, I guess. Sat in the corner and stared shyly at everyone...just like she did before."
"She's a mess...." I sighed. "Is she asleep?"
"Yep...she finally went to sleep. She said something about you taking her for a walk tomorrow?"
"Yeah...showing her around the place. I don't know what to do or what to act like or...I just...I can't handle this, Zelia." I buried my face in my hands, too tired to even cry.
"Hey, dingbat. Act like yourself. She fell in love with you once, she'll fall in love with you again. If you act stiff and weird, guess what? You won't get your girl back!" she snapped, but then she softened after a few minutes. "...I'm sorry. It's really hard."
"Yeah. Don't take this the wrong way, but why didn't you tell her the truth? That she was-"
"Because, Eugene. How would you like it if you were knocked out, couldn't remember about half a year, and someone comes up to you and is all like 'oh yeah you don't live there anymore. So and so's a jerk, and you're married with three kids, hi honey'?"
"Good point," I sighed. "Could I...see her one last time before you go to bed too?"
"She's your wife...ish..." she said.
"Not cool," I grumbled, brushing past her to go to the other side. She followed me, and pointed out the corner where Rapunzel and Pascal were sleeping. She was curled up under the blanket, her arm outstretched across the floor; her face was also mashed into the floor. Pascal was cuddled against her, sleeping hard.
"She looks weird when she sleeps," Zelia whispered, almost snorting in laughter at her sister.
"I think she's...never mind," I mumbled as I took a risk by tucking the blanket up to her chin. With that, I turned and left abruptly, feeling like I could hardly stand to be there any longer.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Just Chilled Out Today and Watched Frozen... Plus, a Thanks to All of You!
Hey guys! 1000 pageviews and 2 followers? Wow! You guys are fantastic!! Thank you so, so much, guys. [=
So this morning, I found out a downside to having a bedroom right beside the window: when the wind blows, it's COLD!
I woke up around seven, freezing cold despite the blankets being up to my chin. Eugene was asleep, but when I got up to go make sure the girls were warm enough, he got up as well. Thankfully, the girls were all fast asleep and nice and warm. When I came back to bed, Eugene was up.
"You cold?" he whispered, sitting up.
"Mhm...the girls are warm, though," I sat down beside him, and he promptly wrapped his arms around me. "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"I was half-awake to begin with," he told me, adding a kiss in my hair. "I guess we've found a downside to the room beside the window?"
"You got that right," I said, pulling away so I could burrow under the blankets again. He did so, too, and made sure to pull me close once more. "So...what's on the agenda for today?"
"I think we should just chill out...maybe we'll see if Tangled Fan will let us watch Frozen with the girls?" he suggested.
I giggled quietly, burying my face into his shoulder. "I think at least we're already chilling out...but yes, that sounds like an excellent idea."
He groaned at that crack, but then we both fell silent till the girls woke up.
When they got up, Zelia and I kept track of the kiddos while Eugene went to ask Tangled Fan about Frozen, and the girls were beyond hyper...until Elsa stopped by!
We weren't expecting her, but it was still awesome to see her.
Audrey and Casey's racing back and forth came to a screeching halt when they saw Elsa, and Casey even ran and hid behind me. I bent to scoop her up in one arm, since Jordan was already in my other arm, and then I was finally able to greet her with a smile and a hello. Audrey hesitantly wandered over, but then gave her a bright smile before scampering off.
"Do you have a couple of minutes to chat? Sorry, it's kinda random of me to drop by," Elsa raised a brow as she asked me.
"Oh, yeah, sure! It's nice to see you! What's up?" I rested my cheek up against Casey's head and watched her, wondering what was up.
"Ugh. Anna's back on the warpath; I don't really know why, but she is--can I hold the baby?"
"Jordan...this is Casey, and that was Audrey," I nodded with my head, and she laughed.
"It looks like you've got your hands full," she said as she carefully took Jordan out of my arms.
"Yep...Zelia's a big help, though, and Eugene's normally here as well, but he went to go do something," I grinned as I shifted Casey in my arms.
"Hmm...I can't wait till we can adopt. We're not quite ready yet, of course, but I hope we'll be able to, soon!" Elsa was totally entranced by Jordan that she didn't even look up to answer me.
"I hope so, too. You'll be great parents, I'm sure!" I told her. "So, what's Anna doing? I think she's always on the warpath, but that might just be me."
She laughed. "I'm not sure why she is, but she just keeps being a jerk. Making snobby comments, just being..Anna. I wish she'd knock it off!"
"Yeah..." I sighed. "If you ever need to get away from her, just come on over. Don't be afraid to, our proverbial door is always open."
She gave me a smile. "Thanks..." she trailed off as we saw Eugene come up on to the table. "I guess I'll go -- I'll see you guys some other time!" She carefully handed Jordan back to me, and with that, she was gone.
"Elsa?" Eugene asked, taking Casey from me.
"Yeah...Anna's giving her troubles again, I guess," I groaned. "But regardless...did you find Tangled Fan?"
"Yup! She's bringing the movie and the laptop back in a few minutes." he said.
And that's basically how we spent our day -- we just chilled out with the girls and watched Frozen. It's a pretty good movie!!
I just love days like this, when we don't really have much to do except enjoy each other's company. It really makes you slow down and appreciate what you have. I know even though I've had plenty of trials, I'm sooo blessed to have a sister and a husband who care very much about me, and three precious little girls! And any hardships I've gone through makes me even more thankful for all of them! And of course, I'm thankful for all of you guys on here :D
So this morning, I found out a downside to having a bedroom right beside the window: when the wind blows, it's COLD!
I woke up around seven, freezing cold despite the blankets being up to my chin. Eugene was asleep, but when I got up to go make sure the girls were warm enough, he got up as well. Thankfully, the girls were all fast asleep and nice and warm. When I came back to bed, Eugene was up.
"You cold?" he whispered, sitting up.
"Mhm...the girls are warm, though," I sat down beside him, and he promptly wrapped his arms around me. "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"I was half-awake to begin with," he told me, adding a kiss in my hair. "I guess we've found a downside to the room beside the window?"
"You got that right," I said, pulling away so I could burrow under the blankets again. He did so, too, and made sure to pull me close once more. "So...what's on the agenda for today?"
"I think we should just chill out...maybe we'll see if Tangled Fan will let us watch Frozen with the girls?" he suggested.
I giggled quietly, burying my face into his shoulder. "I think at least we're already chilling out...but yes, that sounds like an excellent idea."
He groaned at that crack, but then we both fell silent till the girls woke up.
When they got up, Zelia and I kept track of the kiddos while Eugene went to ask Tangled Fan about Frozen, and the girls were beyond hyper...until Elsa stopped by!
We weren't expecting her, but it was still awesome to see her.
Audrey and Casey's racing back and forth came to a screeching halt when they saw Elsa, and Casey even ran and hid behind me. I bent to scoop her up in one arm, since Jordan was already in my other arm, and then I was finally able to greet her with a smile and a hello. Audrey hesitantly wandered over, but then gave her a bright smile before scampering off.
"Do you have a couple of minutes to chat? Sorry, it's kinda random of me to drop by," Elsa raised a brow as she asked me.
"Oh, yeah, sure! It's nice to see you! What's up?" I rested my cheek up against Casey's head and watched her, wondering what was up.
"Ugh. Anna's back on the warpath; I don't really know why, but she is--can I hold the baby?"
"Jordan...this is Casey, and that was Audrey," I nodded with my head, and she laughed.
"It looks like you've got your hands full," she said as she carefully took Jordan out of my arms.
"Yep...Zelia's a big help, though, and Eugene's normally here as well, but he went to go do something," I grinned as I shifted Casey in my arms.
"Hmm...I can't wait till we can adopt. We're not quite ready yet, of course, but I hope we'll be able to, soon!" Elsa was totally entranced by Jordan that she didn't even look up to answer me.
"I hope so, too. You'll be great parents, I'm sure!" I told her. "So, what's Anna doing? I think she's always on the warpath, but that might just be me."
She laughed. "I'm not sure why she is, but she just keeps being a jerk. Making snobby comments, just being..Anna. I wish she'd knock it off!"
"Yeah..." I sighed. "If you ever need to get away from her, just come on over. Don't be afraid to, our proverbial door is always open."
She gave me a smile. "Thanks..." she trailed off as we saw Eugene come up on to the table. "I guess I'll go -- I'll see you guys some other time!" She carefully handed Jordan back to me, and with that, she was gone.
"Elsa?" Eugene asked, taking Casey from me.
"Yeah...Anna's giving her troubles again, I guess," I groaned. "But regardless...did you find Tangled Fan?"
"Yup! She's bringing the movie and the laptop back in a few minutes." he said.
And that's basically how we spent our day -- we just chilled out with the girls and watched Frozen. It's a pretty good movie!!
I just love days like this, when we don't really have much to do except enjoy each other's company. It really makes you slow down and appreciate what you have. I know even though I've had plenty of trials, I'm sooo blessed to have a sister and a husband who care very much about me, and three precious little girls! And any hardships I've gone through makes me even more thankful for all of them! And of course, I'm thankful for all of you guys on here :D
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Game Day and Another Threat
This morning, I woke to another threat-riddled email, right when I was finally starting to calm down from the last time. This one was so vulgar that I won't even say a single bit of what he told me. Eugene just happened to be reading over my shoulder at the time, planning to watch me blog, and he was beyond furious.
I'd never seen my husband so mad, and I'd never seen a man so eloquently tell off another man via electronic mail.
"I am getting pretty tired of you threatening my wife. I don't think you understand how much you could affect someone with your threats, but she's stronger than both of us. She's gone through so much, and is the strongest individual I have ever met; yet she's still the kindest and gentlest doll I know...and you are not going to break her. I suggest you quit; as this is a petty, childish waste of your time. Instead of harassing someone you never cared for to begin with, why don't you spend the time it takes to type these messages with your wife? I am sure she would appreciate it. Sincerely, Eugene."
He slammed his finger aggressively down on the 'send' button on the iPod...I couldn't help but giggle at the differences between his polite message and his behavior.
"Thank you..." I told him, easing the iPod away from him before he could break it. Next, I poked around Tangled Fan's blogger. Unfortunately, I couldn't change the email account without her knowing, so I just blocked him from being able to send any more emails to that account.
After that, I didn't feel much like blogging, so I just tossed the iPod aside...or at least, I tried to keep it on the bed. I tossed it a bit hard, and it clattered off the bed and onto the table below with a thud. I grimaced and glanced at Eugene, who had his shoulders shrugged up to his ears, waiting for the loud thud to wake up one of the kiddos.
When nobody woke up, I sighed in relief...at the same time my husband did.
"I'm surprised that nobody got up after that," I laughed quietly.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Umm...so you're not going to be upset about it, are you? His message?"
I started to shake my head, but I paused. "I'm still really unsettled because he found my blog, but I'll get over it."
He nodded. "Understandable. Just don't hold it all in, okay?"
"I won-" I started to tell him I wouldn't, but then Zelia poked her head around to look at us.
"What was that big thud I heard a couple of minutes ago?" Her hair was a MESS, and she was squinting at us, almost as if she could hardly get her eyes peeled open.
"I tried to set the iPod aside, but I ended up shoving it off the bed. Sorry!" I said quietly.
"And how're you holding up? Eugene said you got a nasty email the other day. What was that all about?"
I glanced towards my husband, and he gave me a puzzled look. "I never told her about my 'backstory',"
"Ahhhh," he nodded. "Well, um...I think you two need some sister time, so I'll just leave you two back here, m'kay?"
"Okay," I nodded, and he gave my cheek a quick kiss before leaving -- giving Zelia a wide berth. She teasingly feinted a punch towards his gut, and he completely ignored her, even though I saw the mischievous look in his eye. He knew that ignoring her antics would be even better than doing something in return.
When he left, she stared at me. "Your husband's weird."
"No, he isn't -- he just knows what will drive you mad, and that's ignoring you," I said, "so now...sit."
She rolled her eyes, but she came and sat on the edge of the bed, beside me. "Spill it."
I spilled it. Every detail - I hadn't told anyone about my past except for my hubby, so I revisited a lot of memories I never wanted to encounter again. I still couldn't believe how naive I'd been!
When I was done, she stared with her mouth almost totally agape. The first words out of her mouth? "Can I email said Flynn?"
"No." I laughed.
"Oh, but I want to defend my sister!"
"Eugene already took care of it - quite eloquently, I might add. He could out-insult you, trust me -- Flynn could, rather,"
"Well, I'd like to find that out myself. Nobody's allowed to mess with my sister - only I can insult you!"
I giggled. "Yeah, I kinda got that,"
She grinned before impulsively reaching over to hug me. "Thanks for telling me, sis. I know your husband's probably already told you this, but if you need someone to talk to, I'm all ears."
"Thanks," I said, standing up. She left, and I started getting ready for the day.
As soon as I came out, my hair brushed and braided, my dress on, Casey came hurrying over.
"Morning, Mom," she grinned up at me, and my heart melted. I picked her up and kissed her cheek; and then I realized that if I just got myself focused on my kiddos, I wouldn't think nearly as much about his emails and threats. So I announced a game day! We played whatever games the girls wanted, and I think even Jordan enjoyed it. Pascal surely enjoyed the peace he got when the girls were occupied with us and not him... They played themselves out by about three, and all three of them eventually went to sleep. I had just tucked Jordan into her bed and had planned to go look out the window for awhile -- it was raining, and I thought I'd watch the rain come down for a bit...just me being weird, I guess...anyone else do that? -- but when I walked past Eugene, who was on the wicker chair, he snagged my arm.
"Hey...what're you up to?"
"I was going to go watch the rain for awhile," I mumbled, a bit embarrassed to tell him. He started to ask me to sit with him, but when he heard Zelia making gagging noises from nearby - she was brushing her hair -, he stood up and went with me to the windowsill. I was surprised that he didn't do anything just to annoy my sister...you know how they are.
"How're you holding up?" he asked, giving me a bit of a concerned expression.
"Actually...pretty great. I haven't had time to think about anything today, except for the girls. Tonight will be the tough part, because once I slow down, I'm sure I'll start thinking and over thinking."
Eugene nodded, slipping an arm around my waist. "Yeah...well, like I told you earlier, don't be afraid to talk to me, okay?"
"Mhmm," I nodded, "thanks for being here for me."
"That's what I'm here for, I'll always have your back. So, umm...you think the girls are enjoying today?"
"Oh, definitely," I grinned. "We should make this a weekly thing or something...have an entire day of different games and such to do with the girls."
"Sounds like a plan to me," he grinned.
So....I'll leave you with that. We'll see...hopefully, we'll be able to keep coming up with different games for this weekly game day xD And another thing...hopefully Flynn won't make a whole new email address just to annoy me. In that case, I think I'll...I don't even KNOW! Ugh.
I'd never seen my husband so mad, and I'd never seen a man so eloquently tell off another man via electronic mail.
"I am getting pretty tired of you threatening my wife. I don't think you understand how much you could affect someone with your threats, but she's stronger than both of us. She's gone through so much, and is the strongest individual I have ever met; yet she's still the kindest and gentlest doll I know...and you are not going to break her. I suggest you quit; as this is a petty, childish waste of your time. Instead of harassing someone you never cared for to begin with, why don't you spend the time it takes to type these messages with your wife? I am sure she would appreciate it. Sincerely, Eugene."
He slammed his finger aggressively down on the 'send' button on the iPod...I couldn't help but giggle at the differences between his polite message and his behavior.
"Thank you..." I told him, easing the iPod away from him before he could break it. Next, I poked around Tangled Fan's blogger. Unfortunately, I couldn't change the email account without her knowing, so I just blocked him from being able to send any more emails to that account.
After that, I didn't feel much like blogging, so I just tossed the iPod aside...or at least, I tried to keep it on the bed. I tossed it a bit hard, and it clattered off the bed and onto the table below with a thud. I grimaced and glanced at Eugene, who had his shoulders shrugged up to his ears, waiting for the loud thud to wake up one of the kiddos.
When nobody woke up, I sighed in relief...at the same time my husband did.
"I'm surprised that nobody got up after that," I laughed quietly.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Umm...so you're not going to be upset about it, are you? His message?"
I started to shake my head, but I paused. "I'm still really unsettled because he found my blog, but I'll get over it."
He nodded. "Understandable. Just don't hold it all in, okay?"
"I won-" I started to tell him I wouldn't, but then Zelia poked her head around to look at us.
"What was that big thud I heard a couple of minutes ago?" Her hair was a MESS, and she was squinting at us, almost as if she could hardly get her eyes peeled open.
"I tried to set the iPod aside, but I ended up shoving it off the bed. Sorry!" I said quietly.
"And how're you holding up? Eugene said you got a nasty email the other day. What was that all about?"
I glanced towards my husband, and he gave me a puzzled look. "I never told her about my 'backstory',"
"Ahhhh," he nodded. "Well, um...I think you two need some sister time, so I'll just leave you two back here, m'kay?"
"Okay," I nodded, and he gave my cheek a quick kiss before leaving -- giving Zelia a wide berth. She teasingly feinted a punch towards his gut, and he completely ignored her, even though I saw the mischievous look in his eye. He knew that ignoring her antics would be even better than doing something in return.
When he left, she stared at me. "Your husband's weird."
"No, he isn't -- he just knows what will drive you mad, and that's ignoring you," I said, "so now...sit."
She rolled her eyes, but she came and sat on the edge of the bed, beside me. "Spill it."
I spilled it. Every detail - I hadn't told anyone about my past except for my hubby, so I revisited a lot of memories I never wanted to encounter again. I still couldn't believe how naive I'd been!
When I was done, she stared with her mouth almost totally agape. The first words out of her mouth? "Can I email said Flynn?"
"No." I laughed.
"Oh, but I want to defend my sister!"
"Eugene already took care of it - quite eloquently, I might add. He could out-insult you, trust me -- Flynn could, rather,"
"Well, I'd like to find that out myself. Nobody's allowed to mess with my sister - only I can insult you!"
I giggled. "Yeah, I kinda got that,"
She grinned before impulsively reaching over to hug me. "Thanks for telling me, sis. I know your husband's probably already told you this, but if you need someone to talk to, I'm all ears."
"Thanks," I said, standing up. She left, and I started getting ready for the day.
As soon as I came out, my hair brushed and braided, my dress on, Casey came hurrying over.
"Morning, Mom," she grinned up at me, and my heart melted. I picked her up and kissed her cheek; and then I realized that if I just got myself focused on my kiddos, I wouldn't think nearly as much about his emails and threats. So I announced a game day! We played whatever games the girls wanted, and I think even Jordan enjoyed it. Pascal surely enjoyed the peace he got when the girls were occupied with us and not him... They played themselves out by about three, and all three of them eventually went to sleep. I had just tucked Jordan into her bed and had planned to go look out the window for awhile -- it was raining, and I thought I'd watch the rain come down for a bit...just me being weird, I guess...anyone else do that? -- but when I walked past Eugene, who was on the wicker chair, he snagged my arm.
"Hey...what're you up to?"
"I was going to go watch the rain for awhile," I mumbled, a bit embarrassed to tell him. He started to ask me to sit with him, but when he heard Zelia making gagging noises from nearby - she was brushing her hair -, he stood up and went with me to the windowsill. I was surprised that he didn't do anything just to annoy my sister...you know how they are.
"How're you holding up?" he asked, giving me a bit of a concerned expression.
"Actually...pretty great. I haven't had time to think about anything today, except for the girls. Tonight will be the tough part, because once I slow down, I'm sure I'll start thinking and over thinking."
Eugene nodded, slipping an arm around my waist. "Yeah...well, like I told you earlier, don't be afraid to talk to me, okay?"
"Mhmm," I nodded, "thanks for being here for me."
"That's what I'm here for, I'll always have your back. So, umm...you think the girls are enjoying today?"
"Oh, definitely," I grinned. "We should make this a weekly thing or something...have an entire day of different games and such to do with the girls."
"Sounds like a plan to me," he grinned.
So....I'll leave you with that. We'll see...hopefully, we'll be able to keep coming up with different games for this weekly game day xD And another thing...hopefully Flynn won't make a whole new email address just to annoy me. In that case, I think I'll...I don't even KNOW! Ugh.
Friday, April 4, 2014
He's Found Me - Part 2 (4/4/14)
If you haven't read part 1, make sure you do -- you'll be really, really, super confused if you don't -- read it HERE.
This morning, I woke up shortly before Eugene was up. My fears were still there, lingering in the back of my mind, not allowing me to enjoy the few minutes of peace to myself. When my husband woke up, he gave me a look of absolute adoration, as if he was still just beyond pleased with himself that he was married to me. I didn't understand it. I was a mess, why would anyone love me?
"Good morning, gorgeous. What a nice sight to wake up to," he gave me a wink and that special grin. For the first time ever, that grin didn't make me smile, and it didn't make me get the butterflies in my stomach. What it DID do, however, was make me even more scared. I was letting him--Flynn--get to me. I couldn't do that. I couldn't-- "Hey...what's wrong?"
"Just...I don't see how my ratty hair and crusty eyes pass off as gorgeous," I forced a joke, hoping he wouldn't question me.
He chuckled quietly a moment before he asked how I was feeling this morning.
I feel like I'm being enveloped in fear. Like my mind is being consumed by his message...just like he said it would.
"I'm fine," I lied, adding a smile for authenticity.
He gave me a doubtful look, but he let it slide. Thankfully, Jordan woke up, alerting us by a few pleasant babbles, so I immediately sat up.
"I-I guess I need to get dressed and everything. You okay with Jordan?"
"Yup," he said, kissing my cheek before leaving to get Jordan.
I took a deep, shuddering breath.
"Pull yourself together, Rapunzel. You're being ridiculous! Pull it together..." I muttered to myself as I dressed - not in my normal purple one, but in another Rapunzel dress that was more magenta, and glittery; the dress I wore the day Eugene and I got back together - and brushed my hair, trying to make myself presentable.
When I came out, I took Jordan from Eugene. She quickly picked up on my tension, though, and started crying almost as soon as I cradled her in my arms. Let me tell you, the feeling that went through me right then...I was such a mess that I couldn't even hold my baby girl! As chills raced up and down my arms, I fought back tears when I told Eugene to take her back.
"Hey. It's alright," he said...I'm not sure if he was directing it at me or the baby.
After the girls and Zelia were up, Eugene gave Jordan to Zelia and spoke to her for a few minutes before coming over to me and gently putting his hand on my elbow.
"We'll see you guys in a bit, okay?"
"Take as long as you need," Zelia said, giving me a concerned look. "I may take the girls for a walk."
As Casey and Audrey excitedly started chattering at the prospect of a walk, we both left.
"Eugene..where are we going?" I asked.
"For a walk -- unless you don't want to?"
"No, I think a walk's a great idea," I gave him a small smile, and we continued to the floor.
As soon as we got to the floor, he did a double take before asking me to stop. I asked why, and he came over and picked something off of the tip of my nose.
"You had glitter on your nose," he chuckled, giving the tip of my nose a kiss before we continued walking.
"Well, um...thanks," I said.
I was horribly absentminded, and we walked in dead, uncomfortable silence for awhile; at least, until he stopped me.
He put a hand on my shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed. For the first time in a long time, he seemed almost bashful. "What can I do?"
"Huh? I'm fine. I promise," I said, flashing another faux-smile.
"You don't...miss him? I mean, I personally can't see how you could miss him, since he seems like a jerk, but I do know that feelings are hard to bury, even if someone does something rather nasty to you."
"What?! No! I don't miss him, he was such a jerk. I should've seen it, but I didn't. No, I don't miss him one bit!"
"Okay. I thought maybe you were wishing that things had turned out differently, and...yeah...because you seem kinda distracted, is all. I'm sorry--that was incredibly dumb of me to think that," he ducked his head, which was turning tomato red.
"No...it's fine. I'm sorry, too - sorry I'm acting so weird that I made you think that. But no -- you're...he doesn't hold a candle to you. You're sweet, caring, loving, adorable, funny, and honest. He's coarse, selfish, manipulative, and a liar. And this is like, really personal and awkward, but the only reason I was able to fall asleep last night was because you held me. I don't know...just you having your arms around my shoulders made me feel safe. Silly, I know. But anyway, ah...don't worry about me missing him."
He looked at me, trying to suppress a smile, before he slipped an arm around me and pulled me snug to his side. "Well, if it makes you feel better...what a shame, I have to have my arm around my sweet wife."
And he did manage to get a giggle out of me with that one. "Hmm. Horrible, I know." I slipped an arm around his waist, too, and stood on tiptoe so I could give him a quick kiss. Grinning, he gave my shoulders a squeeze.
"You know...don't be afraid to talk to me, okay? You were threatened in a way that most dolls never are. You can't just keep it to yourself, or it'll devour you. I'm not about to let my wife get devoured by threats made by such a childish individual." I met his eyes, and he kissed my forehead. "I mean that, now.."
"Okay," I nodded, and he cleared his throat.
"So...do you want to go listen to some songs for awhile, or read?"
I knew he was trying to do something to get my mind off of Flynn's threats, so I played along. "Sure -- it'd be fun to listen to some songs,"
He gave my shoulders another squeeze, and then we went to get Tangled Fan's MP3 player, which we had never checked out.
This morning, I woke up shortly before Eugene was up. My fears were still there, lingering in the back of my mind, not allowing me to enjoy the few minutes of peace to myself. When my husband woke up, he gave me a look of absolute adoration, as if he was still just beyond pleased with himself that he was married to me. I didn't understand it. I was a mess, why would anyone love me?
"Good morning, gorgeous. What a nice sight to wake up to," he gave me a wink and that special grin. For the first time ever, that grin didn't make me smile, and it didn't make me get the butterflies in my stomach. What it DID do, however, was make me even more scared. I was letting him--Flynn--get to me. I couldn't do that. I couldn't-- "Hey...what's wrong?"
"Just...I don't see how my ratty hair and crusty eyes pass off as gorgeous," I forced a joke, hoping he wouldn't question me.
He chuckled quietly a moment before he asked how I was feeling this morning.
I feel like I'm being enveloped in fear. Like my mind is being consumed by his message...just like he said it would.
"I'm fine," I lied, adding a smile for authenticity.
He gave me a doubtful look, but he let it slide. Thankfully, Jordan woke up, alerting us by a few pleasant babbles, so I immediately sat up.
"I-I guess I need to get dressed and everything. You okay with Jordan?"
"Yup," he said, kissing my cheek before leaving to get Jordan.
I took a deep, shuddering breath.
"Pull yourself together, Rapunzel. You're being ridiculous! Pull it together..." I muttered to myself as I dressed - not in my normal purple one, but in another Rapunzel dress that was more magenta, and glittery; the dress I wore the day Eugene and I got back together - and brushed my hair, trying to make myself presentable.
When I came out, I took Jordan from Eugene. She quickly picked up on my tension, though, and started crying almost as soon as I cradled her in my arms. Let me tell you, the feeling that went through me right then...I was such a mess that I couldn't even hold my baby girl! As chills raced up and down my arms, I fought back tears when I told Eugene to take her back.
"Hey. It's alright," he said...I'm not sure if he was directing it at me or the baby.
After the girls and Zelia were up, Eugene gave Jordan to Zelia and spoke to her for a few minutes before coming over to me and gently putting his hand on my elbow.
"We'll see you guys in a bit, okay?"
"Take as long as you need," Zelia said, giving me a concerned look. "I may take the girls for a walk."
As Casey and Audrey excitedly started chattering at the prospect of a walk, we both left.
"Eugene..where are we going?" I asked.
"For a walk -- unless you don't want to?"
"No, I think a walk's a great idea," I gave him a small smile, and we continued to the floor.
As soon as we got to the floor, he did a double take before asking me to stop. I asked why, and he came over and picked something off of the tip of my nose.
"You had glitter on your nose," he chuckled, giving the tip of my nose a kiss before we continued walking.
"Well, um...thanks," I said.
I was horribly absentminded, and we walked in dead, uncomfortable silence for awhile; at least, until he stopped me.
He put a hand on my shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed. For the first time in a long time, he seemed almost bashful. "What can I do?"
"Huh? I'm fine. I promise," I said, flashing another faux-smile.
"You don't...miss him? I mean, I personally can't see how you could miss him, since he seems like a jerk, but I do know that feelings are hard to bury, even if someone does something rather nasty to you."
"What?! No! I don't miss him, he was such a jerk. I should've seen it, but I didn't. No, I don't miss him one bit!"
"Okay. I thought maybe you were wishing that things had turned out differently, and...yeah...because you seem kinda distracted, is all. I'm sorry--that was incredibly dumb of me to think that," he ducked his head, which was turning tomato red.
"No...it's fine. I'm sorry, too - sorry I'm acting so weird that I made you think that. But no -- you're...he doesn't hold a candle to you. You're sweet, caring, loving, adorable, funny, and honest. He's coarse, selfish, manipulative, and a liar. And this is like, really personal and awkward, but the only reason I was able to fall asleep last night was because you held me. I don't know...just you having your arms around my shoulders made me feel safe. Silly, I know. But anyway, ah...don't worry about me missing him."
He looked at me, trying to suppress a smile, before he slipped an arm around me and pulled me snug to his side. "Well, if it makes you feel better...what a shame, I have to have my arm around my sweet wife."
And he did manage to get a giggle out of me with that one. "Hmm. Horrible, I know." I slipped an arm around his waist, too, and stood on tiptoe so I could give him a quick kiss. Grinning, he gave my shoulders a squeeze.
"You know...don't be afraid to talk to me, okay? You were threatened in a way that most dolls never are. You can't just keep it to yourself, or it'll devour you. I'm not about to let my wife get devoured by threats made by such a childish individual." I met his eyes, and he kissed my forehead. "I mean that, now.."
"Okay," I nodded, and he cleared his throat.
"So...do you want to go listen to some songs for awhile, or read?"
I knew he was trying to do something to get my mind off of Flynn's threats, so I played along. "Sure -- it'd be fun to listen to some songs,"
He gave my shoulders another squeeze, and then we went to get Tangled Fan's MP3 player, which we had never checked out.
He's Found Me - Part 1 (4/3/14)
"Remember me?
I'm the one you trashed on that blog of yours.
I haven't missed you for a minute, but I was curious as to if you ever made a blog. Remember, you told me everything about yourself. Your hopes, your dreams...everything. You were adamant about creating a blog then, too; remember? I still think it's beyond amusing that you believed me. I thought maybe you had grown out of your naivety, but I see you haven't.
Did you really think you could get away with saying such things about me on your blog? Did you really think I would never find out about it? Well...good thing my lovely wife loves the Internet. Caused me a wee bit of trouble when she found out that I had used you, but she got over it. What I would really appreciate of you, stupid girl, is if you would be rid of your blog and clear up my name. I'm sure if you have any followers -- which, if you did, it would surprise me; your writing is horrible and your life is quite dry. I pity your husband and children, you are so dry--your followers likely hate me, and you know that that's an unwarranted and very strong emotion, hate is...especially when you should have known all along what was going on. So clear up my name. My wife demands it, and I cannot blame her - who wants to be married to someone who has been shamed and accused of so much on the Internet? You overreacted, plain and simple, and you will get what you deserve.
I'll make sure you suffer. I may not be able to do anything physically - oh, if I were, your husband would be a brilliant target; I would be kind enough to spare the children- but mentally?
I will break you. Your husband will think you have gone mad! You won't be a proper mother. Everyone you know and love will be gone. This will become all you ever think about. You will become paranoid and wonder how I found you. I know you, possibly better than your husband. I know what you fear, I know what will make you snap. And if you think you can run away? You cannot. I expect everything to be deleted and cleaned up by tomorrow morning."
This was the email I received yesterday afternoon. Flynn finally found me.
When I read his message, I'm glad everyone else was napping, even Eugene (who hadn't slept well the night before), because I was a wreck. I had to keep this hidden from him. I had to bury this message, and I had to forget about it.
But how did Flynn find me?
I made quick work of blocking him from viewing my blog, and then spent the rest of the day in a dazed state. I'm not quite sure what went over me, but everything was a horrible blur, filled with the threats in his message.
I couldn't sleep that night. Maybe he was right. Maybe I did overreact...all the time. And it was just plain unsettling that he's been tracking me on my blog. It's probably stupid of me to even continue POSTING on the blog!
So as to not wake my husband up, I went to the windowsill. I stood and stared out of the window for I don't even know how long, even though it was a bit chilly. I just thought that entire time, and after awhile, I'd managed to convince myself that he was right about everything, and that I was a helpless fool.
But of course...do I even need to say it? Eugene found me. Good grief, he must have this innate ability to know when I'm not there, and exactly where to find me when I can't sleep. Ugh.
He managed to scare the tar out of me, too, but I was especially jumpy to begin with. He came behind me, tossed a blanket over my shoulders, and then gave me a lightning-fast hug from behind before setting his hands on my shoulders. He's lucky I didn't wheel around and go into survival mode and punch him or something, because I almost did. I gasped, my heart lurched, and my entire body shook the split second before I tilted my head back and over my shoulder to see his face.
"Oh, gosh...don't do that to me, you scared me!" I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath, not until I released it.
"Sorry," he chuckled quietly. "What's up? It's cloudy, so I doubt you came to stargaze."
"Oh, I just can't sleep, no biggie," I shrugged his question off, "but thanks for checking up on me." I squeezed one of his hands, which were both still on my shoulders.
"Hmm...what's ailing you?"
"Hmm? Nothing! Nothing wrong...just can't sleep," at which point, I had decided I was a terrible liar and I should add that to the list of things that I fail at doing.
"Well...your words say nothing's wrong, but your eyes say something is terribly wrong. That, and you look guilty as all get-out. Whatever it is, I promise I won't laugh, and I won't think it's stupid."
I started to shake my head, but then I realized that he might have a good idea as to what I should do.
"Um...Flynn found my blog."
"What?!"
"Flynn. H-he found my blog! He emailed the blog email address," I swallowed the growing lump in my throat, which was made of pure fear.
He turned me around so he could see my face. "What did he say?"
"Just a bunch of--"
"Tell me everything, please," he requested, and I took a deep breath as I quickly explained, staring down at my feet.
When I was done -- I left not a word unmentioned. The message was scarred into my mind anyway--I was in tears...no surprise there, right? "....and he's right!" I finished.
His answer was immediate and firm. "Wife of mine....if you believe any word that doll says, you're insane. I know it's hard to ignore all this, but don't even bother thinking that he'll get to you. I won't let him, and I won't let you drown in your own mind in the way he said you will. You're giving him what he wants--he wants to get in your head. You are absolutely nothing that he said you are. Absolutely nothing. And if you think he's right, you're dead wrong. You are beyond dead wrong!"
I nodded, sobbing. "I know, I know...it's plain stupid of me to be upset--"
"That's not what I'm saying, honey...I'm just saying that you shouldn't give him what he wants. It's definitely not stupid of you to be upset - it's perfectly normal. I'M upset that you had to read that!"
I glanced up at him to see how worried his eyes were, even though the tone of his voice suggested he'd like to rip Flynn limb from limb. He took my hands and squeezed them, and that's when I finally gave in and leaned up against him. Quickly taking the hint, he put his arms around me really tightly. I calmed myself down enough to stop crying, but I stayed in his embrace until I knew I wouldn't burst into tears again. Even after I pulled away, he kept his arms loosely around my waist, and watched me close -- probably waiting for me to start bawling over something all over again.
"W-what...what should I do with my blog? Delete it? I already figured out how to block him from viewing or commenting on it, but I'm sure he'll find a way around that." I rubbed at my eyes and nose, waiting for his response, which took a few minutes to construct.
"If you've blocked him, then don't worry about it. If you ever get any emails again from him, or if you think it's him, don't even bother opening them. Just delete them, okay? There...problem solved! Far as I'm concerned, I'm glad his wife read that - she knows who he really is now, and I hope she gave him a lot of grief about it."
"Okay," I nodded. "Thanks...at least y-you've got a head on your shoulders! I was about to panic and delete everything."
He chuckled, pulling me into another quick hug. "Don't worry about him, okay? That's giving him exactly what he wants."
I nodded, feeling silly for getting so upset. "I'll try not to,"
"Anything else you want to chat about? I'm up for a good chat if you want."
"I'm good...thanks though. We both need to get to bed -- I'm sure Zelia wouldn't be very amused if we slept in too late and didn't hear the girls when they wake up!" I gave him a small smile, and he gave me that perfect grin of his in return.
"Yeah...that wouldn't be pretty. It might be really amusing, though."
We headed back to bed, even though I knew I wouldn't go to sleep. It was just very, very unnerving, knowing that he had found me again. Even if it WAS just online, don't you agree that it's slightly freaky? Or is it just me...?
I tossed and turned awhile, and by two in the morning, I was on the verge of tears once more, I was so frustrated and tired. And I was paranoid. I knew his wife likely had not just 'found' my blog. They were probably both in this together. They HAD to have done a lot of digging. They had done this on purpose!
Sometime after I realized this, Eugene sat up in bed and looked down at me. "What's...what's wrong?" he cleared his gravelly throat and rubbed at his horribly baggy eyes.
"Nothing, go back to sleep," I tried to turn on my side to face away from him, but he put a hand on my shoulder and gently kept me from doing so.
"I know that look, babe. Come on...talk to me some more."
"What? There's nothing to talk about! I'm fine, I promise," I lied.
"You'll talk when you're ready," he sighed, but he made no move to lie back down. He just leaned his head back to rest on the wall, and waited me out.
Sometimes, that man is very irritating.
I gave a disgusted huff, sitting up as well. "I'm just spazzed out about all this. They had to have done a lot of digging, and I bet they did all this on purpose. Every time I start to forget about him and feel good about life in general, then he comes back around in some way, and I just wish he would go away!"
He nodded silently. "I know, I'm sorry, sweetie. After this, though, I don't think there are any ways he can try to get to you...so just think of it like that, maybe?" he pulled me close and kissed the top of my head before resting his chin on it.
"I guess," I sighed, starting to pull away to let him go back to sleep. He kept his arms snugly around me, though, and said he wasn't going to let me go until I was sure I was going to be able to sleep. I didn't exactly mind, though...and I don't know why, but it made me feel safe enough to relax.
I'm the one you trashed on that blog of yours.
I haven't missed you for a minute, but I was curious as to if you ever made a blog. Remember, you told me everything about yourself. Your hopes, your dreams...everything. You were adamant about creating a blog then, too; remember? I still think it's beyond amusing that you believed me. I thought maybe you had grown out of your naivety, but I see you haven't.
Did you really think you could get away with saying such things about me on your blog? Did you really think I would never find out about it? Well...good thing my lovely wife loves the Internet. Caused me a wee bit of trouble when she found out that I had used you, but she got over it. What I would really appreciate of you, stupid girl, is if you would be rid of your blog and clear up my name. I'm sure if you have any followers -- which, if you did, it would surprise me; your writing is horrible and your life is quite dry. I pity your husband and children, you are so dry--your followers likely hate me, and you know that that's an unwarranted and very strong emotion, hate is...especially when you should have known all along what was going on. So clear up my name. My wife demands it, and I cannot blame her - who wants to be married to someone who has been shamed and accused of so much on the Internet? You overreacted, plain and simple, and you will get what you deserve.
I'll make sure you suffer. I may not be able to do anything physically - oh, if I were, your husband would be a brilliant target; I would be kind enough to spare the children- but mentally?
I will break you. Your husband will think you have gone mad! You won't be a proper mother. Everyone you know and love will be gone. This will become all you ever think about. You will become paranoid and wonder how I found you. I know you, possibly better than your husband. I know what you fear, I know what will make you snap. And if you think you can run away? You cannot. I expect everything to be deleted and cleaned up by tomorrow morning."
This was the email I received yesterday afternoon. Flynn finally found me.
When I read his message, I'm glad everyone else was napping, even Eugene (who hadn't slept well the night before), because I was a wreck. I had to keep this hidden from him. I had to bury this message, and I had to forget about it.
But how did Flynn find me?
I made quick work of blocking him from viewing my blog, and then spent the rest of the day in a dazed state. I'm not quite sure what went over me, but everything was a horrible blur, filled with the threats in his message.
I couldn't sleep that night. Maybe he was right. Maybe I did overreact...all the time. And it was just plain unsettling that he's been tracking me on my blog. It's probably stupid of me to even continue POSTING on the blog!
So as to not wake my husband up, I went to the windowsill. I stood and stared out of the window for I don't even know how long, even though it was a bit chilly. I just thought that entire time, and after awhile, I'd managed to convince myself that he was right about everything, and that I was a helpless fool.
But of course...do I even need to say it? Eugene found me. Good grief, he must have this innate ability to know when I'm not there, and exactly where to find me when I can't sleep. Ugh.
He managed to scare the tar out of me, too, but I was especially jumpy to begin with. He came behind me, tossed a blanket over my shoulders, and then gave me a lightning-fast hug from behind before setting his hands on my shoulders. He's lucky I didn't wheel around and go into survival mode and punch him or something, because I almost did. I gasped, my heart lurched, and my entire body shook the split second before I tilted my head back and over my shoulder to see his face.
"Oh, gosh...don't do that to me, you scared me!" I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath, not until I released it.
"Sorry," he chuckled quietly. "What's up? It's cloudy, so I doubt you came to stargaze."
"Oh, I just can't sleep, no biggie," I shrugged his question off, "but thanks for checking up on me." I squeezed one of his hands, which were both still on my shoulders.
"Hmm...what's ailing you?"
"Hmm? Nothing! Nothing wrong...just can't sleep," at which point, I had decided I was a terrible liar and I should add that to the list of things that I fail at doing.
"Well...your words say nothing's wrong, but your eyes say something is terribly wrong. That, and you look guilty as all get-out. Whatever it is, I promise I won't laugh, and I won't think it's stupid."
I started to shake my head, but then I realized that he might have a good idea as to what I should do.
"Um...Flynn found my blog."
"What?!"
"Flynn. H-he found my blog! He emailed the blog email address," I swallowed the growing lump in my throat, which was made of pure fear.
He turned me around so he could see my face. "What did he say?"
"Just a bunch of--"
"Tell me everything, please," he requested, and I took a deep breath as I quickly explained, staring down at my feet.
When I was done -- I left not a word unmentioned. The message was scarred into my mind anyway--I was in tears...no surprise there, right? "....and he's right!" I finished.
His answer was immediate and firm. "Wife of mine....if you believe any word that doll says, you're insane. I know it's hard to ignore all this, but don't even bother thinking that he'll get to you. I won't let him, and I won't let you drown in your own mind in the way he said you will. You're giving him what he wants--he wants to get in your head. You are absolutely nothing that he said you are. Absolutely nothing. And if you think he's right, you're dead wrong. You are beyond dead wrong!"
I nodded, sobbing. "I know, I know...it's plain stupid of me to be upset--"
"That's not what I'm saying, honey...I'm just saying that you shouldn't give him what he wants. It's definitely not stupid of you to be upset - it's perfectly normal. I'M upset that you had to read that!"
I glanced up at him to see how worried his eyes were, even though the tone of his voice suggested he'd like to rip Flynn limb from limb. He took my hands and squeezed them, and that's when I finally gave in and leaned up against him. Quickly taking the hint, he put his arms around me really tightly. I calmed myself down enough to stop crying, but I stayed in his embrace until I knew I wouldn't burst into tears again. Even after I pulled away, he kept his arms loosely around my waist, and watched me close -- probably waiting for me to start bawling over something all over again.
"W-what...what should I do with my blog? Delete it? I already figured out how to block him from viewing or commenting on it, but I'm sure he'll find a way around that." I rubbed at my eyes and nose, waiting for his response, which took a few minutes to construct.
"If you've blocked him, then don't worry about it. If you ever get any emails again from him, or if you think it's him, don't even bother opening them. Just delete them, okay? There...problem solved! Far as I'm concerned, I'm glad his wife read that - she knows who he really is now, and I hope she gave him a lot of grief about it."
"Okay," I nodded. "Thanks...at least y-you've got a head on your shoulders! I was about to panic and delete everything."
He chuckled, pulling me into another quick hug. "Don't worry about him, okay? That's giving him exactly what he wants."
I nodded, feeling silly for getting so upset. "I'll try not to,"
"Anything else you want to chat about? I'm up for a good chat if you want."
"I'm good...thanks though. We both need to get to bed -- I'm sure Zelia wouldn't be very amused if we slept in too late and didn't hear the girls when they wake up!" I gave him a small smile, and he gave me that perfect grin of his in return.
"Yeah...that wouldn't be pretty. It might be really amusing, though."
We headed back to bed, even though I knew I wouldn't go to sleep. It was just very, very unnerving, knowing that he had found me again. Even if it WAS just online, don't you agree that it's slightly freaky? Or is it just me...?
I tossed and turned awhile, and by two in the morning, I was on the verge of tears once more, I was so frustrated and tired. And I was paranoid. I knew his wife likely had not just 'found' my blog. They were probably both in this together. They HAD to have done a lot of digging. They had done this on purpose!
Sometime after I realized this, Eugene sat up in bed and looked down at me. "What's...what's wrong?" he cleared his gravelly throat and rubbed at his horribly baggy eyes.
"Nothing, go back to sleep," I tried to turn on my side to face away from him, but he put a hand on my shoulder and gently kept me from doing so.
"I know that look, babe. Come on...talk to me some more."
"What? There's nothing to talk about! I'm fine, I promise," I lied.
"You'll talk when you're ready," he sighed, but he made no move to lie back down. He just leaned his head back to rest on the wall, and waited me out.
Sometimes, that man is very irritating.
I gave a disgusted huff, sitting up as well. "I'm just spazzed out about all this. They had to have done a lot of digging, and I bet they did all this on purpose. Every time I start to forget about him and feel good about life in general, then he comes back around in some way, and I just wish he would go away!"
He nodded silently. "I know, I'm sorry, sweetie. After this, though, I don't think there are any ways he can try to get to you...so just think of it like that, maybe?" he pulled me close and kissed the top of my head before resting his chin on it.
"I guess," I sighed, starting to pull away to let him go back to sleep. He kept his arms snugly around me, though, and said he wasn't going to let me go until I was sure I was going to be able to sleep. I didn't exactly mind, though...and I don't know why, but it made me feel safe enough to relax.
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