Sickness...Love it.

Hey, guys!  I might not be posting too much this week.  Jordan got sick...Thursday, I think.  Which means that Casey and Audrey are sick, too, and now Eugene's got a tickle in HIS throat!  I don't know how they got sick, but Tangled Fan's been running around and too busy doing other stuff to come in her room long enough for me to ask her to get them some medicine or something.  It's crazy.  On top of all this, Eugene's joints have been sore because he's been up and running so much with the kids -- I can't tell you the last time I've slept.  Zelia originally WAS going to help, but decided on chickening out at the last minute.  I guess she didn't want us to "share the love" with her.  Hmmh.  I'll try to keep you guys posted, but yeesh -- one thing after the next, right?  Eugene said something about that this would be a good test to see if we could deal with another child...adding something like "Since I'm getting sick and my joints are messed up, you can always count me as being the fourth kid.  If you don't crack, we'll talk to Tangled Fan about it when we get the chance." 
Belle offered to come over and help me out, but I turned her down -- I'd hate for HER to get sick, too! 
I just wish I could make everyone feel better!  I hate seeing everyone sick and feeling crummy.  Eugene said he'd try to stay as far away from me as possible, but I don't know how long that'll last - plus, if I'm going to get sick, I will regardless of if he's around me-- especially since I'm caring for three sneezing little girls with runny noses.  Poor Audrey's got it the worst, I think...her eyes are SO watery, poor thing.  :\  Casey's just got a mild case, and Jordan's slowly recovering - though she's still fussy.  Speaking of which, she's crying right now..so I'd better get off of here and see if I can get her to calm down.  I'll talk to you guys when I get the chance!! 

An...Interesting...Day, Plus An Update About Adoption Plans!

~Rapunzel
So today, um....was interesting. 

Zelia popped her head around the divider around 4; she knew the girls would be having their nap.  "Hey, um...come here."
"O-okay?"  I asked, glancing at Eugene before quirking a brow at Zelia. 
He nodded, and I hurried over to see my sister. 
I asked what was up, wondering if there was possibly something she wanted to talk about --specifically, someONE...cough, cough, RAY...whom she has shown a little bit of affection towards as of late (and by that, I mean she isn't badmouthing him for his temper anymore, and he seems to be displaying his temper just a little bit less..maybe it's just me playing matchmaker).  Anyway, but what I saw was the very Merida doll that had been in her box before. 
What?

"Helloo," she chirped, not looking up from her leg joints, which she flexed awkwardly. 
"Um...hi?"  Something about her accent triggered a memory, but...she couldn't walk in the memory. 
"I'm so ex'cited, the girl 'round 'ere, th' heu-man, just fixed up m'ah joints.  That's how I can waalk," she explained.  She tilted her head, finally looking up at me.  "I jus' came 'ere, but I knew my joints were goobered up." 
Oh.  She'd been removed from her box. 
But then... HER HEAD CAME CRASHING DOWN FROM HER NECK. 
I kid you not, the doll's head fell right to the table, red curls flying EVERYWHERE. 
I screamed, horrified at what I had just seen.  What came next was even more horrifying, if that's even possible! 
THE BODY FELT AROUND WITH ITS FEET, BUMPED INTO THE HEAD, BENT, PICKED THE HEAD UP, AND SCREWED THE HEAD BACK ON AGAIN.  
I thought I was going to pass out.
I looked towards Zelia, absolutely HORRIFIED, and she just gave me an amused look. 
"Ah, tha't's bettehr," the Frankenstein girl said, rubbing at her neck. 
"Wh-what the...why...?" 
"OH!  The little arrow joint that keeps yer head on yer neck snapped off inside the other doll's head when she pulled it off.  See, I've got a new body -- a LIV form.  The heu-man made sure I'd stay alive ahfter it falls off, 'cuz ever' time I tilt my head, it falls off," she explained.  It was hard to keep up with her fast, lilting Scottish accent, but I managed.  Managed enough to make my overactive imagination start up, resulting in nausea, rather. 

"...Oh," I coughed.  "Well, ah...good for you.  I'm glad to see you can..can walk,"  Even though you can't keep your head on your shoulders...literally. 
"Thank ye.  Wot's yer name again?  Yer sis told me, but I fergot," she explained. 
"Rapunzel.  And you're..."
"Mer'ida!" she said.  "Nice to meet'cha." 
"N-nice to meet you, too," I choked when she cocked her head again, but managed to grab her head in time, tilting it upright again before it hit the floor.  Oh my gosh. 
She left to go try out her new joints, and I immediately yanked Zelia aside.
"Pretty neat, huh?" 
Why can't Tangled Fan re-body Anna and Elsa?"  I ignored her fascinated expression to ask what I wanted to ask.
"I asked her, 'cause I knew you'd ask.  She said she couldn't because their heads were too small and looked weird, added onto the fact that she didn't have enough bodies.  Plus, she said their skintones are too pale to match.  And alas, they stay," she waved an arm in the air dramatically. 
I sighed.  "Hmmh...I guess it's better, though.  If their heads would roll off...oh, GOSH that's weird!" 
She laughed.  "What you call weird, I call neat."
I shook my head, wide-eyed.  And then Eugene called for me quietly.  "Oh, I better go.  I can't hear any of the kids, though..." I trailed off, curious, and headed for our side of the table.  "I'll see you later!"  I called over my shoulder. 
"Hey...what was going on over there?  I heard screaming," he was standing in the middle of the table, a worried look on his face.  "I didn't want to go over, but I was worried, too..."
"Oh!  Well...uh," I trailed off, quickly trying to find a way to explain Merida.  I gave him the shortened,  and slightly disturbing, story; and he laughed. 
"Well, that's...different.  I'm glad she's able to move around, though -- nobody should have to live in a box." 
I nodded.  "Oh, yeah...I just, um...it was definitely unexpected," I giggled quietly so as to not wake the kids. 

We were silent for a few minutes, but then he cleared his throat.  "So, uh...kids.  You remember the other day how you were talking about us adopting a fourth?" 
"Oh!  Yeah," I said, surprised at the switch in conversation but pleased that it was THIS conversation.
"Are you still thinking about it?  I mean, I have no problem with it if you don't.  I love kids, and of course I'd be all for it.  I just wanted to let you know, just in case you wanted to talk to Tangled Fan sometime soon.   I was going to tell you tonight, but since we're sitting here with nothing better to do, I figured I'd just tell you now."  he explained. 
I sucked in a deep breath. I DID want to adopt another child, but I also wanted to wait...oh, maybe a few weeks.  I wanted to make absolutely sure that we could handle a fourth.  I smiled at him.  "I do want to, but I was thinking if you were with me on this, we could maybe wait a few weeks, y'know...make sure we can keep track of four kids." 
He laughed a bit too loudly, and Jordan jumped.  We both froze, watching her.  Fortunately, she nuzzled her face in her blanket a moment before drifting back to sleep. I smiled at how adorable that had been, watching her sweet little napping self while my hubby answered me.  "Yeah...that'd be great.  And we definitely want to make sure we can handle four!  What age are you thinking?" 
I bit my lip.  "I'd kind of like another baby, but at the same time, another older child would be good, too.  So I guess it doesn't matter to me.  You?" 
"I'm with you.  Babies are a lot less active, but they also need carried around a lot.  But on the plus side, they're not constantly grabbing Pascal's tail, or pulling each other's hair, or, um...biting..." he chuckled.  Audrey and Casey had been pretty mischievous lately, and yes, they had decided that they didn't like sharing Pascal, their bed, or their blankets.  (Even though they each have a blanket.  Audrey is a hoarder, apparently).  THAT was what resulted in Casey biting Audrey's arm the other day...thankfully, no one was hurt, of course. 
"Ugh...yeah," I shook my head with a grin.  I wouldn't trade any of them for the world, even though they really could be terrible at times!  :D  "Just as long as the child we get hasn't had a body transplant." 
He shuddered. "Nope."
I giggled.  "Glad we're on the same page with that!" 

Just My Tired, Goofball Self...

There have been storms allllll week long, with more on the way.  Yikes...
Of course, you guys know how much I LOVE storms, right?
Last night was awful.  It was thundering so hard it shook the entire house, I kid you not, and the lightning was almost constant...not to mention the hail.  I was freaked out...I don't know how the girls slept through it.  I wish I had their guts!  What's wrong with this picture: adult doll, scared to death of a storm.  Three little girl dolls, sleeping calmly through the night.  Hmm.  At least I'm starting to get over the Frozen bunch's boxing up.  That wasn't very fun, either!  Basically, I've just been a bundle of sleeplessness and weird thoughts stemming FROM my sleeplessness, so bear with me.  I haven't posted anything as of recent, so sorry about that, but Eugene did for Father's day, if I can remember correctly.  So here's an awkward situation I got myself into today....also an example of how nuts I've been because of my lack of sleep.  It just happened this afternoon. 

When the girls were settled down for their daily afternoon snooze, I turned to Eugene and smiled before blurting out something I'd been thinking about all day. 
"I think it would be cool to adopt another child, what do you think?"
He froze, his eyes wide with panic.  "Uh...run that by me again?" 
I did, and he choked, sitting down.  "Well...I mean, not TODAY, but sometime soon." 
With a gulp, my husband looked over me from head to toe, returning his gaze up to my eyes.  "You're not kidding," he observed. 
"No...?" 
"Well, I guess you settled back into your role of motherhood fairly quickly, didn't you?  Don't worry--I'm happy for that."  he chuckled, reaching to take my hands into his, pulling me to stand in front of him.  "You sure it's not the lack of sleep talking?"
"Yes -- well..no.  Well...maybe."  I sighed, blushing as I realized how sudden that must have sounded.  "Sorry....that was pretty abrupt." 
He grinned.  "Well, if you're sure...we'll, um...we'll talk about it when you're rested up, and then we'll talk to Tangled Fan.  Not right away, mind, but we could." 
I  bit my lip.  "But what do YOU think?"
"I think...I don't know.  Four kids is a pretty big, busy family, but I wouldn't mind.  I just don't want to make a rash decision when we're both pretty tired...I promise we'll talk, though!"  he reassured me.  "We've hardly been back together again; I want to enjoy having my girl back a little more before we decide to adopt a fourth child, if we do."
I grinned, realizing exactly how much of an excuse that last part had been.  He DID have two good points, though.  He added that I should probably go take a nap while the girls were asleep, and I think I'll do just that. 
What do YOU guys think?  Is it my exhaustion speaking?

Eugene--father's day

--Eugene
Today is apparently Father's Day, which you humans celebrate.  When I woke up this morning, Rapunzel was already up with the kids.  As soon as I came out from behind the cutout, Audrey and Casey came racing over, yelling "Happy father's day, happy father's day, daddy!!" and they both shoved to get closest to me.  I scooped one in each arm, confused, and kissed them each on their foreheads before looking up to see my girl watching me with a kind smile on her face.  She quickly averted her attention down to Jordan until I went over to her, both girls still in my arms.
"I told them it was father's day," she grinned.
"At the cost of sounding stupid, what is that?" I asked.
"The humans celebrate their daddies today!" Audrey explained, and Rapunzel laughed at her enthusiasm, nodding.
"Hmm...well, thank you, you cuties," I winked at them, and Casey giggled before Audrey asked to be left down.
Never stationary for long, the two oldest girls went tearing off, likely to reek havoc with Pascal.
I turned to Rapunzel and watched her put Jordan down to watch the other girls play, and when she straightened, I promptly pulled her into a hug.
"So...father's day, huh?" I asked, grinning as her eyes met mine.
"Yup! Thought we should celebrate it, since you're such a great daddy to the kiddos," she nodded a couple of times before glancing over her shoulder.  Noticing the girls were preoccupied, she slipped her thin arms around me and gave me that smile I loved so much.  "Soo...happy father's day."
I couldn't keep from kissing her, and when I did, red crept up along her neck to her cheeks.  Oh, was I glad to have her back...
"So, what do you want to do today, miss red-cheeks?" I chuckled quietly, and she rolled her eyes.
"Hmmh...you're terrible.  And what do you want to do?"
I had actually been thinking about taking the girls to finally let them ride a horse, which is what I had planned to do with them on Easter, and  when I suggested the idea to Rapunzel, she was quick to agree.

So, we gathered the girls up, made sure Pascal was with us, and headed to the floor.
The horses were still where I had found them, so Audrey and Casey were riding the small bay Appaloosa pony together within minutes.  I led the mare around, of course, but Rapunzel hopped aboard the gray mare, Missy, and rode around with Jordan alone.  Soon after she started riding, I found out that the Appy, Daisy, would follow the taller gray, so I left the girls go on their own and just watched the four of them.
The look on Casey and Audrey's faces was priceless...and they're giggling like crazy and having a good time--even Jordan seems to be enjoying it!  I'm also glad to see my wife focusing on something other than the Frozen bunch, and actually enjoying herself!

That, readers, is what I call a perfect day.  It's also a perfect distraction to Rapunzel.  She's been so upset over Anna, Hans, Kristoff, and Elsa being boxed up that she has been having a hard time sleeping, especially haunted by their faces.  It kills me that I can't help her.
Yesterday, Audrey asked if she and Anna were going to be friends again--since she had seen them talking at the  party after we had renewed our vows.  I was surprised that Rapunzel didn't cry, but she once again proved that she's stronger than us all by saying she hoped so and leaving it at that.  Of course, neither of the girls know what happened, and we plan to keep it that way as long as we can.

But for now, I guess I will just have to watch these girls have a fun day, hope Rapunzel tires herself out enough that she can sleep tonight, and think about how blessed we are--three kids and each other, despite our various accidents, and our friends.

A Rough Day

I woke up late, with the sun kissing my eyelids.  Eugene wasn't beside me, so I figured he was up with the kids.  I got dressed, brushed and braided my hair, and then hurried out from behind the cutout.
The kids were still asleep.  Eugene was nowhere too be found.
"E-Eugene?" I asked.  I repeated myself, getting louder and louder as my fear rose and the lump in my throat balled up.  Zelia peered around the divider, motioning for me to come over.  Her face was stricken with horror. 
I could hardly get my legs to move, but I did, and came face-to-face with Eugene.   My husband.  The love of my life.  The blank, lifeless stare captured my gaze; now cold and shallow instead of warm and kind.  I collapsed wordlessly in front of his box, too horrified to do anything except sob.



I flew upright with a gasping cry.
"Are you okay?  You were yelling my name in your sleep," my husband asked, peering at me.  I was too shaken by my dream to even force any words to come out, but eventually, I managed to ask what time it was.
"It's six," he said.  "You've been tossing and turning all night, but I woke you up when you were yelling for me.  What were you dreaming about?  You sobbed right when I started shaking your shoulder, but I thought it was just surprise."
I rubbed at my eyes and put a hand over my mouth, staring at him.  I prayed he could figure it out without me telling him.
His face softened, and the corners of his mouth drooped. "Boxes?"
Well, I guess that was the least morbid way to talk about it, so I nodded.
He silently pulled me into his arms, pressing a hand up against the back of my head when I buried my face in his shoulder to cry silently.  I was so scared.
After that, I couldn't go to sleep.  I was embarrassed that he had had to stay up with me because of my bad dream, but I still couldn't shake the fear that had clamped around me.  He didn't go back to sleep until I curled up beside him, so I stayed tucked under his arm. I didn't need to be pacing, anyway--I didn't want to wake the girls. 

 When Jordan woke up at eight, I was more than happy for an excuse to get up. 
I went out to the wicker chair and held her, humming quietly to her.  The other two girls were asleep, with Pascal curled up between them. 
Eugene came out about a half an hour later, giving me a kiss on the forehead as he scooped Jordan out of my arms.  "Did you go back to sleep for a little bit?" 
"No," I sighed. 
"I'm sorry," he gave me a concerned look, but turned back to Jordan when she cooed happily at him.  "Maybe you should go back to bed-"
"I won't be able to sleep, are you kidding me?  Every time I shut my eyes, I see...stuff I don't want to."  I muttered. 
He came over and shifted Jordan to one arm so he could rub one of my shoulders comfortingly with the other hand.  "If you need to talk, let me know, okay?" 
I shrugged, standing up as soon as I saw Audrey sitting up.  I didn't want to talk.  I didn't want to even THINK about their four blank faces, and if I talked about it, I would think about it.  Ugh! 


The day absolutely dragged.  The girls were hyper, so I was absolutely about ready to drop from exhaustion by the time they had settled down!
  Zelia came over around six, asking if she could spend the night.
"Do you mind, uh...i-if I stay over here tonight?  I couldn't sleep last night--"
"Join the crowd," I muttered.
"--because I sleep right by those boxes, and I...I couldn't sleep, I just couldn't."  I knew it was a lot for Zelia to tell us.  Of course, we both agreed to allow her to stay the night...which made Audrey and Casey excited.  They quickly got down to work teaching Aunty Z about this new game they had made up, which lasted until they had to go to bed. 

Once more, I couldn't sleep.  Shocker.  I crept out of bed around one, slipping out onto the windowsill.  I could at least stargaze if I couldn't sleep! 
Zelia soon found me. 
"You can't sleep, either?" 
"No," I sighed. 
"Mhm.  I know it's really insanely stupid, but every time I shut my eyes, I see--"
"Their faces," I finished.  "Their shallow, dead faces." 
"Yes," she said.  "Exactly.  I can't believe Tangled Fan can even LOOK at that!" 
"She probably can't see the hollow expressions in the same way we can.  She probably sees the cheery painted smiles and bright eyes, whereas we see hollow eyes and fake expressions," I reasoned.  There was no use in saying horrible things about Tangled Fan -- after all, she DID own all of us. 
She huffed.  "Well, she should know what it does to dolls, and she should know that we don't want to see that!" 
I nodded, and we stood in awkward silence until I heard a boot scuff. 
Swinging around, I saw Eugene. 
"Can't you ladies sleep?"
"I'm sorry, we didn't wake you, did we?"  I asked. 
"No," he shook his head and drew close to whisper.  "I was just wondering where my girl went."
Zelia looked rather unamused at his closeness to me, but she let it slide.  "Do you know who's really having a problem with it over there?  Ray." 
I choked.  "RAY?" 
"Yes!  He's been so...so sullen.  Hans and Kristoff were good pals to him for as long as they knew each other," she explained. 
"That's a shame," I sighed.  "It's hit all of us pretty hard, I guess.  Not every day that almost half of the entire population of a shelf is taken away-"
"And the rest is left to stare at their lifeless selves," Zelia added. 
I nodded, and Eugene slid an arm around my waist -- I'm not sure if he meant to or just did it subconsciously.
"I feel terrible that I talked to Anna in such a poor manner after...what she had done with reporting us for not taking care of our kids.  If I would've known that it was because of her...her knowing she wouldn't have a family of her own, I would've been a lot more understanding," he spoke up.  He tightened his grip around me as he spoke, and I'm pretty sure that it was subconsciously. 
This situation was hard on everyone...

The Frozen Fate...

This morning, I woke up around eight. My face was planted into bed, my arms and legs...and hair...sprawled EVERYWHERE.  When I lifted my head up, Eugene wasn't beside me.  I rolled over onto my back - or at least, I tried to.  I fell off the edge of the bed with a sound THUNK.
A few seconds later, Eugene came hurrying back behind the cutout.  "What was--oh.  Are you alright?" 
I giggled.  "Yeahhh...I fell." 
He held a hand out, and I took it, standing up and thanking him.  He was trying so hard not to smile.
"Oh, stop!"  I laughed.  "I know it's weird that I still fall out of bed, but that's me.  I'm clumsy." 
He chuckled.  "Nah...I'm just glad to have ya back." 
"Alrighty then," I teased, "not sure how you can miss having me back as your wife, but...okay."
He grinned, sitting down on the edge of the bed and pulling me down onto his lap. 
"So...what does my girl want to do today?" 
"Hmmmh....as little as possible.  I'm still tired from yesterday!  Are the girls up yet?" 
"Nope.  They're tuckered out, too, I guess," he said.  He finally let his adorable smile shine through, which told me just how much he'd missed the girls.  I leaned my head up against his shoulder, admiring that smile until he laced my hairline with kisses. 
We just talked quietly for a little while, until Jordan got up.

And thus started my first day [back] as wife and mom to this awesome guy and adorable little girls! :] 

My good mood was severely marred this afternoon when Zelia poked her head over to our side of the table.
"Did you know that the Frozen bunch was being put back in their boxes?"
"What?!"  I gasped, standing abruptly.  The older girls were taking their 4-o-clock nap, and Eugene was holding Jordan, so all I had was Pascal on my shoulder.  I rushed over to talk with my sister. 
"Yeah...Tangled Fan just did.  Look," she pointed up, and I saw Anna, Elsa, Hans, and Kristoff in their boxes on the bench.  They had blank stares on their faces, and I gasped, horrified. 
"Wh-why do they look like that?" 
"Dolls are alive when they are put in boxes in the warehouse -- Disney makes sure that they do, because it gives them extra character, and kids will want them-- but if they're put back in their box...they're no longer living.  They're not dead-dead, but they're just...like that.  Frozen in time.  When or if they're removed once more, it's like they're starting their life all over again.  Merida over there has been taken out of her box and put back in repeatedly for rearranging purposes.  It's kind of amusing to play with their heads."
I was horrified....and even more appalled by Zelia's reaction to the repeated removal of Merida. 
"That's HORRIBLE, Zelia!  How awful of you to say--"
"I was trying to joke.  Quit looking like you've seen a ghost!"  she huffed.
I shook my head slowly.  "I-I feel like I HAVE seen a ghost...they're just ghosts of their formal selves!  This is AWFUL!"  I sobbed.  "A-Anna...did they know?  Why?  Did anyone tell you why?"
"They told me this morning before she came to put them in their boxes.  Anna said that she didn't want you to know until after they were taken care of.  She told me to explain everything to you:  she and Elsa knew that one day, their joints would grow weaker and weaker until Tangled Fan would have to put them in their boxes -- that's why Merida is in hers.  It's a defect in the 2012 articulation; the leg joints are placed incorrectly, and they can't hold up as long as our legs can.  They knew it would happen someday, and it's been getting worse...it's kind of like some degenerative illness in humans.  She said that's why they wanted to go on a week-long expedition of the house, but she insisted you couldn't go.  She knew that their secret would be revealed...anyway, she went on to say that she was a fool for being so horrible to you, and mostly because of the things she'd done before you, you know..had your accident; but at the time, she was bitter with the fact that this would happen someday, and she wouldn't be able to have a family.  She said she was happy that she got to see you guys back together again yesterday; that's why everyone stayed for so long...this explains everything.  Or, it should.  Elsa said that she was sorry she couldn't say goodbye, but it was for the best, and she never liked goodbyes anyway." 
I was crying.  Everyone was solemn on that side of the table, even Punzie.  I dropped to my knees, burying my face in my hands.  "I-I...I can't believe this...they're...they're GONE!" 
Zelia sat beside me.  "Hey.  Don't cry.  They're not in pain anymore -- and they were in plenty before."
Well, thanks, sister-mine.  That makes me feel LOADS better!
I tried to compose myself, and a thought occurred to me.  "Wh-...why are Kristoff and Hans in their boxes, too?" 
"They didn't want to spend their days looking up to see the blank faces of their wives, so they elected to have the same fate as the girls."
I thought I was going to throw up.  "...Oh....did they know it would happen someday?"
"Yes...they were the only ones who did, up until this morning."
I gulped a few deep breaths, which only made me feel sicker.  "Oh..." I heard Eugene ask where I'd disappeared to, and stumbled to my feet.  "I--I need to go..." Before my sister could say anything else, I was gone.
I rushed over to the other side of the table, and ran headfirst into Eugene, who must've gotten Jordan to sleep.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly.
I mumbled what had happened to the Frozen bunch, and he shook his head, obviously saddened by it.
We talked about it quietly for a little while, but then the girls woke up, and we put on cheery faces so as to not worry them.

Casey saw something was wrong, though.  We had a chat before bedtime, --Eugene said we always had before.
"What's wrong?  I know something is.  Are you upset about us being here so soon?" Casey asked, rolling her big green eyes up at me.
I cuddled her close.  "No, definitely not, baby girl,  It's just...still all sinking in for me.  Finding out I was married to your daddy and I was the mom to you three sweethearts was a big surprise, albeit a happy one," I said.  It WAS true...I was still processing all that, too.  
And on top of that all, I had thought of something absolutely terrifying.
Eugene had joint problems because of whatever had happened to him.
What if Tangled Fan put him in his box??  What would happen with the girls?  The mere thought terrified me.

Back to Casey, though, she gave me a relieved smile, yawning.
"Ready for bed?" I asked.
"Huh-uh..."
Said the little girl who was having a hard time keeping her eyes from crossing.  They had played ALLLLL day long, stopping only to nap at 4.
I shook my head, grinning to myself, but I held her until she fell asleep, which didn't take long.  When she had, I put her in bed with Audrey, and watched Eugene carefully spread a blanket over Jordan, who was sleeping already.
When he turned around, I gave him a small smile.  "They tuckered themselves out, didn't they?"
"They tuckered ME out, too!" he chuckled.  "They're happy to be home and have their momma again...I am, too."
He winked, but I didn't blush or giggle like I normally would.  What would I do if he was put back inside that plastic prison?

We went to bed, but I couldn't close my eyes and sleep.  Every time I shut my eyes, I saw one of their frozen faces...and that made me worry even more about Eugene.
I squirmed a bit closer to my husband, and he slid his hand up and down my forearm, half asleep.
"Can't sleep?" he asked tiredly.  I didn't want to disturb him, but it slipped out.
"I'm scared," I whispered.
Plenty awake now, he cleared his throat and stroked my hair.  "Why?  The Frozen bunch?"
"Kind of...every time I close my eyes, I see their faces.  Oh, Eugene, it was awful...a-and then it scares me because...what if the same happens to us?  What would the girls do?"
"You don't have to worry, hon...you didn't come with your original box," he reassured me.
I sat up.  "I don't care what happens to me...I'm worried about YOU," I got choked up on the last part.
"Why?"
"Y-your joints!  I don't know what we'd do...I don't know what would happen to the girls, and that scares me...and I don't know what I'd do without you..." I trailed off, knowing that if I looked up into those warm brown eyes...see that soft expression of concern on his face...I'd lose it for sure.
But he sat up and tilted my chin up to look me in the eye.  "I promise you it won't happen.  My joints are different than theirs.  Mine only hurt temporarily,  and I know how to control it.  Theirs is a factory defect.  So don't worry about me, okay, sweet girl?"
I took in a deep, shuddering breath, relieved to have been told this.  "Okay...just me being silly, as always.  How did...how did you fall, anyway?  I can't remember."
He stiffened.  "That's one thing I'm glad you forgot...I'd prefer to keep it that way..."
What?  What on earth had happened??
"What happened?  You've peaked my interest, so you HAVE to tell me, now...please?" I coaxed.
He sighed, but he gave in.  "We got into a fight with Anna and Kristoff. You were trying to defend Elsa from her sister's rudeness, and it set them both off.  Kristoff approached you, and I stepped in front of you.  He punched me and knocked me out, and from what you told me, we both fell down off of the dresser.  You managed to grab a dresser handle and tried to keep me from falling, but you couldn't, of course, and I fell and messed up my hip joints.".
I put a hand to my mouth.  "So it was my fault..I'm so--"
He shook his head.  "Don't say it...we went through this six months ago when it actually happened.  Okay?"
I sighed, pulling my knees to my chest and sneaking a glance at him.  "You've done so much for me, I mean really.  I don't know how I can ever repay you,"
He was quiet for a second before grinning, smoothing the hair from my face.  "You could...give me that pretty smile of yours that I love so much," he teased, stroking my cheek with the pad of his thumb.  I couldn't NOT grin, and he chuckled.  "C'mere."
I leaned up against him, and he wrapped me in his arms, asking if I felt better.
"I do for sure, knowing that you aren't in danger of being put in your box, but I still feel horrible for everyone that WAS.  If you had seen their faces...it was just awful."
"I'm sorry you saw it...that's like the equivalent of a human seeing a dead body.  I guess, anyway," he pulled me a little closer, and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, wishing the images would go away.
And to think that just yesterday, I was thinking that Elsa and Kris would be starting a family soon...it's amazing how things can change in the blink of an eye.  I guess it wasn't a blink for them, but it was for the rest of us.  It made me want to cherish every moment with my girls and my husband even more.

The Renewal of Our Vows [=

The morning that we would renew our wedding vows dawned...muggy and cloudy with a chance of storms.  The window was open in the bedroom, but there was hardly any breeze going. 
Tangled Fan had planned most of this ceremony for us, which was nice...but at the same time, I was slightly terrified to see what she'd thought up. 
Everyone was up bright and early -- the ceremony...or whatever you'd call it...started at 9 AM--and I guess nobody thought about getting me up, because I woke up at eight.  EIGHT!!!   Nobody else was on the table.  The night before, Belle had told me that she would leave her dress on the other side of the table (we were having the ceremony on Eugene's side of the table.  It was closer to the window, and it just worked out well.) and so I grabbed my brush and slipped over to see if she had.  Eugene was gone, even though the table had not been prepped yet, and so I slid around to behind the cutout and hurriedly undressed.  I needed to get ready, and FAST!
I took Belle's poufy dress and promptly got to work, worming my way into it.  As I was trying to squeeze into it, I heard clomping footsteps coming towards the cutout.
Eugene. 
Oh no. 
"Don't come behind the cutout, I'm getting dressed!"  I called. 
"Okay," he called back. 
I squeezed into the dress hurriedly, and started trying to get the Velcro fastened --that's always fun.  Unfortunately, I couldn't reach to squeeze the tight bodice shut 100%. 
Ohh, great...
I grunted, sucking in a breath as I tried to shut the Velcro at the middle of my back. 
"You okay back there?" 
"Y-yeahh...well...actually...can you come back here, please?  I can't...reach the Velcro."
"Okaayy," he cleared his throat, and within a few seconds, he was behind the cutout as well.  He yanked and tugged at the bodice edges until he got them fastened together.  "There you go." 
I sighed.  "Thank you...you're awesome." 
He laughed, and I quickly tried something new with my hair--pulling it around in a braid.  It makes more sense when you see the pictures...I can't explain it.  Anyway, Eugene watched while I did so, and the second I was done, he reached to turn me around to face him.  His warm eyes flicked over me from head to toe, a small smile creeping up on his face.  He led me out from behind the cutout before allowing his grin to blossom into a toothy smile.  "You look great!" 

"Mmh...I don't really think this dress is good on me, though.  The color...it's the same as my hair, almost.  And--OH, do you know where everyone else is?  I need to help them with stuff, if there's anything to do!  What time is it?!" 
"Okay...let's see.  First off, I was instructed to keep you from doing any prep work.  I'm about to get this place ready, but that'll just take a few minutes.  And FYI, you are beautiful.  I mean, you always are,
but...anyway.  And yeah, it's the same color as your hair, but it brings out your pretty green eyes...and the freckles on your nose."  he reached to kiss the tip of said nose, and then gave me a mushy sort of smile.  "Oh, and Tangled Fan is bringing the girls in a little bit...sorry I didn't tell you till now, but I just asked her to last night.  I figured you'd be asleep, so I didn't want to wake you up." 
Well.  THAT was a bit of a surprise!
"Hmmh...I probably look awful.  But--Wait.  The girls are coming?!"  I gasped.  "But--but what if...I didn't have time to re-read the posts about them--" he put a finger to my lips and shook his head, chuckling. 
"You look great.  Looks don't matter to me, anyway...it's the fact that after this morning, you'll officially be my girl again.  And the girls understand about what happened, so it's no big problem.  If you need to ask me about something, don't hesitate, okay?  Love you." 

I almost melted at that!  He bent to steal a quick kiss..and then the door opened. 

Tangled Fan bustled in.
Eugene pulled away quickly, and I put a hand to my stomach in surprise. 
Tangled Fan held her hand out to us, and in that hand were three ADORABLE little girls. 
Casey, Audrey, and Jordan!  My heart squeezed just at the sight of them, and I could hardly contain my excitement!


 She left them with us and then gave us some alone time together before we started the ceremony in half an hour. 
The girl with green eyes -- Casey -- just stared at me, wide-eyed, until I knelt in front of her, holding my arms out.  I could remember that she was shy, so I wanted to give her space if she needed it. 
She didn't need it.

The poor girl didn't waste any time throwing herself into my arms, and she buried her face in my neck.  I cuddled her close, standing up to see Audrey and Jordan.  Audrey was clinging to Eugene, but when I offered my other arm to her, she promptly reached over to get a hug from me.  Jordan was fussy, but quickly calmed down when Eugene started humming some sweet little song.  Nobody said anything at first, we just held the girls tight.  Casey was the first to speak up. 
"I love you...I missed you so much, Mommy," she looked up with those big green eyes, and my heart squeezed.  I told her I loved her, too...and Audrey as well...and I wasn't lying.  In the few seconds that I had met them -- well...seen them again, I guess--I fell in love with the three of them.  They were so sweet, and adorable, and...wow.  When Audrey agreed with Casey, the tears I had fought when Casey told me came out full force.
When Audrey came over to hug me again, Eugene shifted Jordan to his other arm so he could rub my back, noticing that I was on the verge of having a good cry.  Crying from happiness, mind you.
Once I had gained composure, I sat down with the three of them by myself as Eugene prepped the place for the ceremony.  The two older girls just could hardly contain their excitement, and I guess it was contagious, because Jordan started doing this adorable little belly laugh that made all of us start laughing.  It was an amazing way to calm down before the ceremony, but by the time 9 o' clock rolled around, I didn't want to leave the girls long enough to actually participate in the renewal of our vows!  xD 

Eugene had left the boxes tilted over, so the attendants could sit down. EVERYONE came, so every bit of the sitting space was used.  Even Punzie came, saying she wanted to make sure I was gone for SURE this time.  Belle and Zelia practically had to pry the girls away from me, but once they had, they held them there.  Kristoff was performing the ceremony, and he looked terrified.

I snagged Belle and thanked her for letting me use her dress, adding that she looked beautiful in the pink gown she'd donned.  She thanked me, saying that she liked it -- despite the fact that the bodice was much too loose in some spots...and then she waved me off, telling me to go as she gestured towards my husband.  I  hadn't realized that the guys were waiting, so I sprinted (and almost tripped) to go stand with Eugene.   
As soon as I did, the piano part of this beautiful little song came on.  I looked up in surprise, and Tangled Fan was beside her laptop.  That was when the tears sprang into my eyes...this was just so perfect.
The second I looked at Eugene, he flashed that special grin of his and took my hands in his.  Our eyes met, and I don't think either of us looked away for the majority of the whole entire thing. 
Kristoff mumbled the explanation of why we were here today, and I could tell he was soo embarrassed to be in front of people :D  I'm thankful he did it, though.
We didn't tie the ribbon, like you do when you get married...we just exchanged vows.
My guy went first.  He gave me an embarrassed little grin, shifting from foot to foot a couple of times.  "R-Rapunzel..."
"Eugene..." I mimicked, trying to get him to feel less shy, and he burst out laughing. 
Once he stopped, he smiled and squeezed my hands, silently thanking me.  "Hmm...well...I don't really know what to say.  There's so much I want to tell you, but I can't really put everything into words...you know how I am with words.  Well, let's just say...I love you.  I love you to the moon and back, and I can't even tell you how excited I am to have you back as my wife.  It was a long couple of months, and I, um...a couple of times, I thought I was going to lose you.  Spent more than a few nights not sleeping over that...and a couple more when I just couldn't stop thinking about you.  You drive me crazy, girl...seriously.  I promise I'll love you until the last day of my plastic life.  And if I ever argue with you about something--"
"Slap him in the face!  Or better yet, lemme at him!"  Zelia piped up, and I looked over to see she was crying.  I laughed when I saw Eugene's mock-terrified face. That's about when everyone else in the place lost it laughing.
"Please don't.  Keep me away from her, please!  YOU can slap my face all you want, but don't let her near me," he pretended to whimper fearfully, and at that point, I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe.  It was quite the change, because I'd been crying over his sweet little speech up until that point.  I waited until I regained my composure, and then I dove into my little speech--which was nothing compared to his. I had had this great little speech planned, but in the midst of all this...I forgot it. 
"Well...gosh, I...I don't know what to say, either.  I planned this speech all out, and standing here...I just--I forgot it.  I blame it on you, because I got sidetracked by you."  he chuckled, and I continued.  "Um...I'm just eternally thankful I met you.  I'm thankful I met you when I met you the first time, and I'm glad you stuck with me, even after I forgot everything.  I'm sooo thankful for you.  You've helped me through so many things, and you're my very best friend.  I care about you so, so much, and I don't think I'll ever stop.  And I can't wait to start--" I froze as I messed that up.  I wasn't STARTING my life with him....I was resuming it.  I gave him a slightly horrified look, and he gave my hands a squeeze of reassurance before whispering 'it's okay'.  "I can't wait to CONTINUE, rather, my life with you.  You and those adorable girls over there...I'm so thankful for all of you." I looked over towards the girls, and Audrey and Casey grinned.  "And...that's about it, I guess?  And yes.  I will take you up on that offer to swat you if you're arguing with me.  But I doubt I'll have many chances to do so...at least, I hope not." 
He laughed, and Kristoff finished up the ceremony.  When Kris said that we could kiss, moving from his spot beside us, Eugene glanced over towards the girls, a teasing look on his face.
"You know, Rapunzel...we always had this rule that we could never kiss in front of the girls...I guess the renewal of our vows is cancelled, then--"
Audrey took the bait, while Casey seemed to know what was up.  She jumped up out of Zelia's lap and gave her daddy a horrified look.  "No, it ISN'T!  You kiss Momma, right now...I can't wait one more minute to have my mommy back!"
We all laughed at her prompt and demanding response, and while I was laughing, Eugene gave me an impish grin.

  "Well, we can't let the little lady wait, now can we...?"  before suddenly tipping me backwards and kissing me.  It only lasted a second because we were both laughing, and when he tipped me upright again, I gave him a teasing swat on the arm.  We turned around, and before we could even move a step, the two oldest girls threw themselves at us :D
Tangled Fan had a whole party planned, apparently.
As soon as that little song had finished its' final round, she turned on some other music and snagged her camera.  Oh boy.
"I thought you guys could have a little party.  Music, dancing, talking...whatever you please.  I'll stay outta the way, but I do want to get some pictures," she told us, and I nodded.

And thus, the party started.  It was just a flurry of craziness and fun.  We talked with everyone, and between the two of us, we juggled the three girls until the two oldest had had enough and wanted down to play some. 
I was surprised to see Zelia talking to Anna....and there was no bloodshed or yelling! 

And I'm pretty sure that kids are in the future of Elsa and Kristoff...since they stood watching the girls play for a good while.  When Jordan fell asleep, Eugene finally convinced me to let her sleep on the floor behind the cutout...which was no easy task.  I wanted to hold her forever =D 
Speaking of Eugene...oh, goodness.  He stuck by my side like GLUE the whole entire time, and the only time he left me was to go play with the girls. 
We all decided to dance for awhile -- we tried to refrain from too many slow or couple dances, so everyone could dance.  I've never seen my sister dance....let's just say that she did not have a great teacher, and I know for sure now that she is my sister.  I think once, she tripped and about knocked Elsa down xD
 For one of the couples' dances, Ray grabbed my sister and danced with her.  I'm pretty sure she was shocked...as were the rest of us. 
As soon as I saw what was happening, I raced over to Eugene (I had been standing by myself with Jordan, while he talked with Casey and Audrey after they called him over for something) and tapped his shoulder.  He glanced away from the girls.  "What?"

"Zelia.  Ray.  Look!"  I hissed, trying to gesture vaguely.  Kristoff noticed, too, and I could see his eyes widen from here!
Eugene choked, which he quickly attempted to cover up by coughing.  "Wow.  Um...didn't see that coming."  We stared at the both of them, and even saw Zelia smile up at him. 
WHOA.
When the song ended, she left his arms and he gave a little bow...and then she turned away.  Towards us. 
CRUMBS!
I quickly averted my attention back to Jordan, but poor Eugene was frozen in surprise...his mouth was hanging open.  I elbowed him, and he snapped his mouth shut hard enough to clack his teeth together, hard.  He grimaced, cleared his throat, and quickly turned away, back to the girls.   
A good while after that, Jordan went to sleep again, so I took her back behind the cutout to sleep. 
I was just starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all of the noise and everything, and it was a bit loud,  (I have no idea how Jordan slept!) so when I took her back, I leaned up against the cardboard, watching her sleep. 
After a few minutes, Eugene crept back, grinning. 
"She asleep?"
"Mmhmm," I nodded, and he reached to slip his arms around my waist. 
"So, are you enjoying yourself?  You looked kinda overwhelmed." he whispered. 
"Yeah, I'm having fun...it's just that all the dolls and the chatter and everything started getting to me.  I'm okay...plus, I wanted to check up on little Miss Cutie," I gave him a reassuring smile, and he gave me a quick hug. 
"Okay, m'lady.  Just wanted to make sure," he gave me that special grin of his before bending to give me a quick, gentle kiss.
As we were kissing, we both heard a little giggle.  I quickly pulled away from him to see...none other than Casey and Audrey, peeking in at us.  And then ZELIA poked her head out! 
The trio gasped and ducked back away from the cutout, and Eugene looked at me, an impish gleam coming into his eyes.
"I say we get them."  he tried to keep a straight face, but the excitement and happiness in his eyes were clear. 
"Mmmhmmm," I giggled as he grabbed my hand and pulled me out from behind the cutout, where we promptly chased down the girls and engaged in tickling the both of them until they laughed so hard no sound came out.  I was laughing fairly hard as well :D  When that was taken care of, Eugene risked sneaking up behind Zelia to tickle her sides, and I'm pretty sure he got a few good smacks on the hands...no, I'm POSITIVE he did!  :D
About an hour after that, Anna wandered up to me, rubbing her arm awkwardly. 
"Um...can I talk to you for a-a minute?  Alone?" 
I nodded, wondering what on earth she was going to tell me.  Eugene nodded and quickly left, but he kept an eye on us.
"I'm sorry for being such a jerk.  I was so senseless, and...I'm sorry for everything I've put you and your family through; it won't happen again."  When she said it wouldn't happen again, a strange expression crossed her face.
"It's fine -- I haven't been mad at you," I reassured her with a smile.   I was a little on edge--c'mon, who wouldn't be? --but I kept a smile on my face.  "Thank you for coming today!"
She nodded.  "Thanks for having us."  we stood awkwardly, looking around, but then she reached to give me a quick hug...and just like that, she left. 

After that, Tangled Fan gathered everyone up to take some pictures. Seems  like Aunty Z missed the girls quite a bit as well...the girls got a picture (I don't have it, though, unfortunately...) with Zelia, and she wouldn't let me have Jordan back afterwards! She literally gave me a shove and told me to 'enjoy the day while she enjoyed her adorable niece'.  :P

Yup.  My wonderful sis pulled a 'bunny ears' on me...and I didn't notice until Tangled Fan showed this one to me. 

And of course, I LOVE how this turned out (:

When the crowd finally dispersed to the other side of the table, we persuaded Tangled Fan to leave the girls here.  It took a little bit of convincing, because she thought I would want a day or two to settle back into my role as wife before I resumed my role as mother, but she did give in.  (:
It was about 11:30 PM, and I quite frankly have no clue how everyone talked and danced and just hung out for so long...yikes.  I know one thing was for sure...I was beyond exhausted.  I helped to put the girls to bed, and settled down on the wicker chair to get Jordan to fall asleep after that. 
When she was asleep--which didn't take more than a couple of minutes -- Eugene came over and stood in front of us. 
"Hmm....I missed that sight.  She asleep?" 
"Mmhmm," I nodded, kissing the top of her head before I allowed him to take her.  I wandered back behind the cutout to change into my nightie and brush my hair, and Eugene made sure Jordan was going to stay asleep in her bed while I did that.

  When I was making our own bed--which had been set upright for the day--, Eugene asked if I was decent.  I said I was, and within a few seconds, I felt him slide his arms around my waist from behind. 
I tossed the blanket back on the bed before I turned to look at him.  "What?"
"Love ya," he winked before kissing the tip of my nose.
I grinned before collapsing dramatically against him.  "I didn't realize how tiring a party could possibly be.."
He laughed.  "Yeah...I didn't think they'd stick around that long.  I guess they enjoyed themselves,"
I nodded, pulling away from his arms so we could go to bed.  I don't think I've ever been so happy to go to bed in my life...I was so tired!  I started to pull the covers up and smooth them over the both of us, but then I noticed him staring at me in an odd way.  "What? Did I...did I do something--"
"No-no-no-no, no...you're fine.  It's just that you used to do that before, too," he gave me a reassuring smile, and I pressed my edge of the blanket up against my chest, thinking about that.
"Really?  I just...I just wish I could remember everything!"  I stared down at the blanket, trying to concentrate to see if I could remember something more.  Nah...it just made me yawn. 
"Hey...c'mere," he broke my thoughts,  so I let myself tip over backwards.  He put both his arms around me and pulled me as snug to him as possible, sighing contentedly. 
"You have no idea how happy I am to have you back, sweet girl of..."
I missed the rest of what he said, because I fell asleep.

Save the Date (:

~Rapunzel
This morning, bright and early at seven, I was up.  Since Eugene said he'd be up at seven, I brushed my hair, smoothed my dress out (which was wrinkled from me sleeping in it), snagged Pascal, and rushed to his side of the table.  He wasn't up, or so it seemed, so I crept back to peek behind the cutout.  He wasn't there, either...maybe he was on the window?  I went behind the cutout and pulled the curtain back, looking at the windowsill. 
He wasn't there, either!
Um...
I turned around to call for him, and was met face-to-face with none other than Eugene.
Instead of being relieved, I gasped and jumped back in surprise.  My foot slipped, and I almost went off the edge of the table, and that's when he grabbed me, chuckling. 
"Sorry--I didn't think you'd be quite that surprised.  You alright?" 
"Geez, Eugene!  How did you even DO that??" I exclaimed, giving him a wide-eyed stare. 
"I heard you come in, and I was still in bed, so I slipped around to come out through the OTHER side of the cutout...and when I saw you go in to check the windowsill, I followed you.  I was going to grab your shoulders or scare you, but you turned around before I could," he said, giving me a crummy little grin. 
I shoved him.  "I promise you, if you do that again, I'll--"
"-kiss me?"  he finished my sentence. 
"Yes!"  I gave him an exasperated look.  "YOU know--Wait.  Umm, no.  I-I meant--"
He laughed.  "I was wondering how long it would take you...sorry." 
"Are you always this terrible?!" I threw my hands up in the air, but I wasn't even anywhere close to being mad at his antics. 
"Mmm...I might be slightly more obnoxious today, but that's just because I'm relieved and excited,"
I giggled.  "I'll say...ohh, what am I getting myself into?" 
With a laugh, he took my hand and twirled me around.  "I quite frankly have no idea, darling, but I think it's called love, and oh, what a lovely mess it is, indeed!"  -- Spoken with a terrible attempt at a British accent.  Or something.  I'm not really sure what you'd call that!
I laughed when he twirled me until I bumped up against him, and then he put his hands on my waist.  "Ahh, I see.  What a mess, that's for sure!" 
He gave me a surprised laugh, and I guess it was because I played along with the sudden British accent game.  "Hmm...well, Rapunzel - my love - why don't we go see about talking to the human?" 
I grinned, rolling my eyes teasingly.  "Why yes, kind sir...let's." 

We left the table to find Tangled Fan, who was just getting her laptop out, so it didn't take long. 
"Tangled Fan!"  he yelled...still in a terrible accent.  I elbowed him in the ribs, and he dropped the accent, his face turning beet red.  I guess he must've forgotten to not talk to Tangled Fan in his awful accent..?  Regardless, it was all I could do not to start laughing. 

It didn't take us long to discuss anything.  She said she would do everything and make sure we had a nice little day planned out (which, handing everything over to Tangled Fan quite frankly terrified me), and we will renew our vows on Wednesday, June 11th at 9 AM.  Not too far out, surprisingly!  I'm very excited, of course...and Eugene's just about bouncing off the walls.
When Tangled Fan left us to our own devices, he turned to me, arms spread out. 
I grinned and accepted his silent invitation, slipping in to hug him. 
"I can't wait for Wednesday," he said, nuzzling my hair a second before kissing the top of my head. 
I nodded, and then he pulled away. 
"Well...since we have the day...what do you want to do?  Dance?"  he suggested. 
I gasped.  "That would be awesome!" 
He smiled, taking my hand in his, and we went to get the MP3 and headphones.

When we turned it on, the first song to come on was 'I See the Light'.  He grinned, swept me into his arms, and we started to dance to it.  Halfway through, though, I cleared my throat. I just felt like I'd done this before. 
"Have we danced to this before?"  I asked, looking up to meet his eyes. 
He didn't miss a beat, just kept leading me around and around as he thought, scrunching his nose up.  "Um...actually...yeah, we have!  Did you remember something?" 
I smiled.  "It just felt like we had before."
"Mmhm.  It was the first song we ever danced to.  I was so horrible -- I'd never danced before--but you were so patient in teaching me-"
"Wait.  I taught you?"  I asked.  "You said you had had a great teacher..."
"Yup, and I meant it," he winked, and I blushed. 

We spent the whole day together, not doing anything in particular.  Late in the evening, when all the dolls came back from their week-long expedition, we were still on the floor.  We asked Zelia and Belle to stay back with us, and they did. 
"What?"  Zelia asked immediately. "I'm tired, I want to go back to the shelf...state your business!" 
"You guys free on Wednesday, at 9 AM?"  I asked. 
"Why?"  Zelia gave us a cross look, but a small smile lifted the corners of Belle's lips. 
"We're renewing our vows," I answered. 
She just stared at us.  Belle gasped and hurried over to hug both Eugene and I. 
"I am so happy that you will both get the happily ever after you deserve," she smiled kindly.  "It seems as though Zelia is rather tongue-tied about the matter, though!"
I glanced back up at my sister, whose lips were flubbing around uselessly, until she finally managed, "G-good grief.  I leave for a week, and LOOK what happens!  Did you tell her?" 
"She, um...found out on her own.  I just filled in things she needed to know," he cast me a loving glance. 
"When?" 
"Well...all this week, I guess,"
He apparently didn't want to talk about my dumb little meltdown, so we'd leave that out. 
"Told you you could do it," she immediately went over and punched Eugene's shoulder before going over to give me a sisterly hug.  "I'm so happy for you guys...really.  I almost feel like crying.  It's probably just from exhaustion, though."  she whispered to me as she hugged me. 
I laughed.  "Ohh, Zelia...we're polar opposites, but you're a great sis."  I patted her on the back, and she took a deep breath before standing a bit straighter. 
"So.  Wednesday at 9?" 
"Yep...this Wednesday!"  Eugene said. 
"What dress will you wear?"  Belle piped up.
"I haven't really considered it...I'll probably just wear this one," I shrugged, looking down at my normal purple dress. 
"Oh, no, no!  You can wear my dress!"  Belle smiled excitedly, grabbing a lock of my hair and holding it to her yellow skirt.  "You would look fantastic in it!" 
"Ohh, I don't know...it's really kind of you to offer, though," I said.  I didn't want to wear it because I was afraid I'd trip and ruin it or something. 
"I insist.  You would be sooo pretty!"  she started babbling on and on about...I'm not even sure what all...dresses, hair, excitement over us renewing our vows...and I gave Eugene a frantic glance a couple of times.  Zelia caught it, though, and broke in to say that she wanted to go back. 
Belle nodded, and almost stayed talking anyway, but she repeated her request before actually taking her arm and toting her off.  Belle promised we'd talk later...oh boy. 

When they left, I turned back to Eugene.  "So...hubby..."
He chuckled.  "I've missed hearing that from you." 
I grinned.  "I wish I remembered everything..."
"Yeah, but that's fine.  Don't you trust me?  I'll help you out, I promise," he moved to cup my face in his hands. 
"I trust you, I just..wish I didn't HAVE to ask you!" 
He nodded.  "It'll be tough, I'm sure...but everything will work out.  Who knows, maybe you'll remember more stuff." 
I nodded, closing my eyes and trying to concentrate for a few moments, trying to MAKE myself remember something...anything...else.  My concentration was broken when he asked what was wrong. 
"Um...nothing.  I was just trying to make myself remember something." 
He nodded.  "Well...enough of that.  Shall we go wait for the stars to come out tonight?  I bet they'll be out; it's been cloud-free so far all day." 
I grinned.  "Sure!" This guy...how did I ever even think for a second that he had used me? 

I Lied...I'm Back, and Better Than Ever. [=

~Rapunzel
This afternoon, when I went to turn on Tangled Fan's tablet, I found a sticky note attached to the screen. 
"If you're afraid to talk to me, don't be.  And if you think I'm mad, I'm not, I promise.  But if this is the last you want to see or hear of me, I promise it will be.  Just let me know one way or the other...even if it's just a note.  I'm worried about you.."
I cried.  I HAD been wanting to talk to him, but I was just scared.  I had gone through alllll of the blog posts --I actually read them all...twice...up to the post explaining about my accident.  I had also looked up that Thompson Square song he had had me listen to when we broke up before we got engaged...(guess I'm best known for my stupid mistakes, huh??) and it made me remember THE ENTIRE EVENING.  Reading the posts, I also remembered quick little fragments.  I remembered quite a bit about Casey, Audrey, and Jordan, which makes sense, because he's talked so much about them.  I also remembered talking to Zelia about something.  But...back to the current time, I couldn't believe how stupid I had been.  That assumption that he was married didn't even make sense...but at the time, it did.  I felt so horrible about how I had treated him, and I couldn't believe that he cared so much about me.  I didn't deserve that! 
But after I dried my eyes, I suddenly began to feel giddy.  He wanted to see me, so he'd see me. 
I snagged Pascal, and hurried to his side of the table.  He wasn't there, but I found out where I had been hearing quiet strains of some familiar song.  He was under the chair, listening to Tangled Fan's MP3 player.  He had the headphones, of course, but had it just loud enough that I caught a few louder notes every once in awhile. 

As soon as I caught a glimpse of him under the chair--which was pulled up to the table-- I suddenly got nervous.  I didn't know why, but I did.  What would I say?  What would I...oh boy.
My heart almost immediately started thundering.  I dropped down from the table to the chair, almost tripping over my own hair.  After I untangled my legs from my hair, I took a deep breath, glanced at Pascal, who was on my shoulder, and then laid down on my belly, hanging my head over the edge of the chair.  He was RIGHT THERE, but he had his eyes shut, and the music was probably too loud for him to hear me when I said 'hey you'.  I could hear what he was listening to, and it was that Thompson Square song....If I Didn't Have You, I think? 
That's when I noticed the wet on his cheeks.
Enough of THAT!  I took a lock of my hair, leaning over as much as I could so I could just barely tickle the tip of his nose with it. 
"Hello," I giggled when his eyes flew open and he swatted at his face.  He was in the middle of scratching his nose when he finally saw me. 
His eyes lit up like a little boy's.  "Rapunzel?!  H-how long have you been here?  I'm sorry, I didn't notice you-"
"It's fine," I laughed as he scrambled to turn the music off.  "That's the song you had me listen to before we got engaged, right?" 
He finally looked me in the eye, and he gave me a surprised smile.  "Yeah, it is...I had it on, uh...I had it on repeat."
"Hmm.  Okay, we'll talk as soon as I get down," I told him, standing up.  He jumped up as well, and then held his hands up, giving me an adorable smile. 
"I'll catch ya,"
I sat down and allowed myself to slide off of the edge of the chair, and he quickly caught my waist, setting me down ever so gently on my feet.  Suddenly, though, he bit his lip and gave me a mildly concerned look. 
"So...what's the verdict?" 
"Um...I don't really know what all to say.  I have a lot to say, you know.  But I do know one thing, and the verdict is that I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you all over again.  How's that?"
He gulped, and I thought he was going to hyperventilate for a minute there.
Finally, he chuckled.  "I would normally have a quick answer to give to you in response to that, but I can't even think straight.  I blame you,"
"Okay.  Well...I-I read everything, and I even remembered a few things.  I remembered the night we got engaged, and quite a bit about the girls, and talking to Zelia about something.  I'm glad you gave me that note, because I WAS scared to talk to you.  Anyway, I'm so sorry for accusing you of all that stuff, and-and for all the hateful things I told you.  I was so dumb...as always.  I don't even deserve to be with you...you're so great of a guy, and I'm just...I'm me.  I screw up--"
"Alright...I'm gonna stop you there.  You don't screw everything up, and it's okay.  I love you--oh, gosh...I love you so much, honey..." he grabbed me into the tightest hug I could ever imagine -- so tight that he literally lifted my feet up off of the ground a tiny bit, to be exact.  But before I could settle into the hug and return it, he let go of me and gave me a wide-eyed stare.  "Wait.  You remembered--you remembered a few things?"
"Mmhmm-- I mean, not EVERYTHING...I wish I could remember everything, but I can't.  Just what I said about," I rambled.  That's when he sprinkled my face in at least half a dozen soft kisses -- across my cheeks, my nose, and on my forehead.  And then he hugged me again, bending so he could bury his face into the crook of my neck...right before his shoulders started shaking. 
"Eugene, geez...why are you crying?!"  I was slightly alarmed. 
He sniffed and pulled himself together before lifting his head to look at me.  "I'm just so glad...you don't know how many nights I spent up, worrying about you and wondering if we would be able to resume our life together.  And if I wasn't worrying about that, I was promising that if we would get back together, I wouldn't let you out of my sight again.  So don't, um...don't be upset  if I'm a little squirrel-y about letting you climb anything tall.  And...it's awesome that you remembered that much!" he gave me that crooked grin, and I had to smile. 
"Okay.  Don't cry, though, because if you do, I'll start up, and then..." I trailed off, reaching up to wipe his damp cheeks before kissing the tip of his nose.
He chuckled.  "Okay.  So, are you free today?" 
"Pssh, Eugene, no.  I'm the most popular doll here, so I'm spending all day with my doting doll followers.  You know how many I have!  Punzie, Anna, Emma...."  I joked sarcastically, and he laughed. 
"Mmhmm...okay.  I guess that's more important than talking with your husband, who has missed you this week..." he sighed, backing away from me with what seemed like a poor attempt at a forlorn face. 
I giggled.  "Come back here," I said, reaching to pull him into another hug.  He sidestepped quickly, staying JUST out of reach, and continued backing up away from me teasingly, giving me a silly grin.  He had a mischievous glint in those perfect brown eyes, so I played along. 
At least...until he tripped over his own feet and started backpedaling.  I didn't stop in time, and when he went down, I tripped over HIS feet, too.  Luckily, I didn't land right on him when I fell face first onto the floor...which would have been awkward.
"You okay?"  he asked, even though he was still laughing. 
"Yeah.  Are you?"  I grinned, not even embarrassed over my fall...my face was red, though.  I propped my chin up on my arms and peeked at him from the corner of my eyes, and caught him grinning at me.  
"Never better," he said -- and I'm pretty sure that didn't mean that he was okay after tripping. 
I turned over on my back, putting my hands behind my head, and then just laughed.  "We're so weird..." 
"Yup, but I wouldn't have it any other way," he agreed, his teasing smile turning into that special little grin that only he can make...the one that makes my heart flip-flop a little bit.

We talked late into the night, and eventually decided to talk to Tangled Fan in the morning about renewing our wedding vows, but then he cleared his throat and asked if I wanted to stargaze. 
I gasped.  "Eugene, is that even a question?!  Yes, of course!"
He laughed.  "Well...c'mon."
I gathered Pascal, and we headed for the windowsill...only to see that the sky was blanketed in thick clouds laden with rain. 
"Hmmm..." I sighed.  "Looks like we'll have to stargaze another day." 
"Yep...sorry for getting your hopes up," he cleared his throat and peered out the window.  I followed him and tucked myself under his arm, putting my own arms loosely around his midsection. 
He chuckled, kissing my hair before he gave me a one-armed hug.  We just stayed there for a couple of minutes, and then I spoke up. 
"If you don't want to renew our vows, I'm fine with that, too...I mean, I think it's a pretty big thing just for me, just because I can't remember our wedding day.  Then, we could get back to being husband and wife, and parents quicker." 
"No, it's fine!   I want to make sure you're comfortable with it, and I know you wouldn't be comfortable just going from thinking I betrayed you  to back to being a wife and mother within a week...so that's just fine." 
I grinned.  "I guess you do know me better than I know myself." 
"Well...we HAVE known each other for almost nine months.  That's a good while in doll time." 
"I guess..." I sighed.  "I wish I could remember EVERYTHING!  I feel pretty stupid, not remembering all this stuff." 
He turned so we were facing each other, and he took my hands in his.  "Hey...don't say that, and don't think that.  Like I said...I'll help you remember.  Whenever you're not sure about something, just talk to me.  I'll be happy to reminisce." 
I smiled, trying not to tear up.  "Okay, mister perfection..."
He laughed, reaching to kiss my nose.  "I suppose....we should probably go to bed.  It's eleven-"
"Eleven?!"  I gasped.  "I guess so...wow." 
He grinned.  "Yup.  Time flies when you're having fun, I guess?" 
"Guess so, " I agreed, letting him lead me over to his side of the table.  We stopped at the divider, and I gave him a smile, reaching to hug him.  He gave me yet another perfect hug, and when he pulled away, I bit my lip and blushed.  I wanted to give him a kiss--since we ARE married, I guess--but I was kind of nervous about it, I'm not sure why. 
"What?"  he asked.  "You look like you're worried." 
"I AM a little nervous..." I trailed off before standing up on tiptoe, pulling him by the shirt collar so I could reach to kiss him.  He stiffened in surprise, but then he slid one arm around me, putting his other hand on the back of my head before he gave me a fervent kiss in return.  I'm pretty sure it contained any pent-up emotions he may have had...all I know is that it was perfect and it made my stomach erupt in butterflies,  my heart pounding. 
When our lips parted, he grinned down at me. 

"Hmm...that was pretty terrible."
Not quite what I was expecting, but at the same time...it's Eugene.  Only he could say that and NOT ruin the moment.  
 I laughed.  "YOU'RE terrible." 
"You wouldn't like my any other way!"  he bumped his forehead against mine before brushing his lips against mine again, and I grinned. 
"Probably not.  Okay...I'll see you in the morning.  What time?" 
"Yup...bright and early.  I'm up at seven," he told me, "and if I'm not, just come and scream in my face." 
Hmm....imagine me screaming in someone's face....I can't see it.  Can you guys? 
"Okay," I laughed.
We said our good-nights, and he gave me a kiss on the cheek and one last hug before I left for my side of the table.  I didn't bother changing into my nightie, I just faceplanted on the floor with Pascal, curled up, and went to sleep, relieved to have this resolved. 
But oh my gosh...I can't believe this was all real.  He's my husband.  We have three kids.  And...oh, wow.  I'm a really lucky girl.  I can't wait for tomorrow, and I can't wait until we can renew our vows! 

Curiosity killed the cat -- continuation; Eugene

It's Eugene. 
If you didn't read the post before this one, you'll want to read it. 
Yesterday evening, I obsessed over trying to figure out how to explain to Rapunzel about her past.  I knew she'd fight me about it.  I could hear her talking to herself on the other side of the table. 
"...don't know why I was such an idiot.  Should've known...he was so sweet, though...I'm worthless...what did--"
Okay, that was it. 
"Rapunzel, you are not worthless.  I know you can hear me, because I can hear you...please, don't think of yourself in tha--"
She gasped.  "H-how...Ohh, Eugene, just leave me alone, okay?  G-go back to your shelf, or wherever your kids and wife are at!  Why are you still even.."
"I can't go see my girls right now, but...you want me to go see my wife?" 
"Yes!  Please, just stop eavesdropping!" 
Do you really want me to go see my wife?  Okay.  Done.  I stepped over to her side of the table.  She gave me an alarmed stare, freezing in her tracks -- apparently, she'd been pacing.  "G-go away!" 
"You told me to go see my wife.  Technically, I'm listening to you," I tried to meet her eyes, but she kept her eyes pointed at the ground. 
"I don't know what you're trying to do, and I don't know what delusion you are living in, but I am not your wife, Eugene.  Please, just...just leave,"
I hated how, when I didn't heed her request, she started backing away from me, giving me a look of pure fear. 
"I-I...I wouldn't hurt you, Rapunzel, I promise.  You don't think--"
"You promised a lot of things," she choked, and then I, out of habit, strode over to pull her close.  By then, she was backed into a corner, and she started crying even more.  "Don't you dare touch me!" 
"Okay, okay...I'm sorry...I'm sorry.  Look, I'll stay across the table from you if that helps," I told her quietly.  I was just messing things up right and left, wasn't I?...
She took a shuddering breath.  "What would help is if you left,"
Trying to not let that get to me, I bit my lip.  "How's this -- I'll offer you a deal.  You'll listen to what I have to say, and then I'll leave. You'll think what you want about what I have to say, but after I tell it to you, I'm gone.  If I know you -- which, I do...better than you know yourself -- you'll come around." 
"I'm not interested in anything you have to say.  Look, if you're worried that I'll tell your wife...She needs to know, but if I promise not to find her and tell her, will you leave me be?" 
"This isn't...honey, you're--"
"Don't call me that," she snapped. 
"Okay, okay, okay....just...hear me out, please?" 
"I already told you the answer to that, and my answer is no!  I'm not interested in being fed any more lies!"  I knew she was starting to fall apart...I could see it in her eyes.  I hated pushing her this far, but I had to. 
"Then I'm not leaving." 
"Why are you doing this to me??  Please, just...just leave me alone...I-I..you're scaring me.  Please, just--" she was sobbing.  She didn't know what to do or where to go -- I could tell by the way she was weaving back and forth and clamping an arm around her stomach.  "Ohh, fine!  I'll listen to your stupid lies, as long as you keep this promise."
The promise she wanted me to keep was to stay away from her. 
Well, at the rate I was going, I'd end up doing that anyway. 
So I dove in.  "What I want you to do now is to go on the blog and read the post titled "Yesterday and Today".  It's from Thursday, April 17th.  The whole, entire thing.  Please,"

Despite the look she gave me, she turned Tangled Fan's tablet on and did as I asked her.
 I watched her read.
When she first began, her eyes scanned the words quickly, and obviously, nothing was sinking in. 
But then, she gasped.  "I-I remember...I remember this.  This was when I woke up...you were hovering over me with such a happy expression.  What...do you mean...do you mean I--"
"Like I've been trying to tell you, you were my wife.  Do you see now?  Once Zelia told you what she did, I had to play along.  We all did.  I was...today I was going to tell you, but then you left and...yeah.  We've spent almost two months trying to get you to remember, and it...I guess it hasn't been working.  Do you see now?  Do you see why I didn't want to leave you alone?" 
She was sobbing.  I wanted to pull her close...tell her everything was going to be okay...tell her that I loved her...but I didn't.  "Y-you....we were married?  The three orphan girls..they were our children?  It's all true?" 
"I promise from the bottom of my heart.  I know that you think I'm lying, and you won't trust me, but I promise you it's all true.  Please, don't cry..."
She nodded several times, scrubbing at her eyes.  "Wh...how many other posts are there?" 
"There's quite a few.  You've been here since last September.  September 13th, to be exact," I smiled as I remembered the first time we'd met.  I told her everything about how we'd met, happy to reminisce. 
When I had finished, however, she looked sick.  "I think I'm going to be sick..."
"Why?"  I asked, alarmed.  She put a hand over her mouth and another over her stomach, shaking her head.  "Was it something I did?  I'm s-"
"No!...no.  I just...I just can't remember.  When you were talking, it sounded familiar, but I can't remember.  I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." 
"But it doesn't matter!  I'll help you remember everything!  If you just give me a chance...I'll help you remember.  I-I...I couldn't live without you.  And the girls...the girls couldn't, either.  But if you choose not to...if you don't want to resume our marriage after all this..." I trailed off.  I couldn't even think about that.  I honest to goodness couldn't.  She nodded silently, staring down at the tablet with her hand over her mouth again.  "If you need time to think things over, that's fine, too.  While you're at it, read through the blog from start to finish.  Do you want me to stick around, or..?"
She shook her head again.  "N-no...you're right, I need time to think things over by myself.  I'm sorry." 
"It's okay."  I stood up and quietly went to the divider before I turned back around to look at my girl, who was curled with her knees to her chest, staring at the tablet with a look of horror on her face.  "Oh...Rapunzel?" 
"Y-yes?"  she looked up, almost seeming as though I'd snapped her out of some  trance. 
"I love you.  No matter what, I always will...okay?  And I mean it.  Whatever you're thinking...whatever you're wondering...just know that I love you, it's real, I always did and I always will." 
She choked, but when I started to go back over to her, she waved me away and asked me to leave. 
 So...I did. 

I haven't heard or seen her at all today...it's really scaring me.  Actually, I'm terrified.  I don't want to lose her...I can't.  It's all my fault...why did I have to wait?  Why'd I have to screw up and panic when she confronted me?