Disclaimer: As per usual, I own zilch
"Please, Rapunzel," Gothel cooed, holding the spoon up to the baby's mouth. "Eat for mummy."
No sooner had she gotten the utensil inside the teething mouth, however, Rapunzel was spitting the food back out and began to cry. Gothel's jaw clenched as she dropped the spoon back into the bowl, reaching out for a cloth to wipe bits of food off of her face. The little brat was impossible!
More than once since she had kidnapped the infant princess, she had found herself wondering if it was worth it. Was there really a point in living forever if she was going to be at the mercy of this child. Of course it is, she convinced herself. She won't stay a baby forever.The promise of Rapunzel growing up was a double-edged sword, though. Yes, Gothel would eventually regain some degree of her freedom, but would she be able to keep her locked away once she developed a mind of her own?
Gothel shook her head slowly as she got to her feet, carrying the bowl of uneaten food into the kitchen. It was too early to worry about such things. For now she was better off concentrating on not throttling the child the next time she opened her mouth.
Her back was to Rapunzel as she scrubbed the bowl clean. In her effort to block out the child's cries, she was only half-aware when she stopped. So when a little voice piped up with the word "Mommy," she froze.
Slowly, she turned around, blue eyes wide. Rapunzel was beaming at her, holding out her little arms beseechingly. "Mommy," she repeated, stretching even farther and beginning to whimper a little.
Almost without thought, Gothel moved towards the child, picking her up. Rapunzel placed her head against Gothel's collarbone, wrapping her arms around her neck. Gothel smiled a little despite herself, tenderly fingering the child's glorious locks. "Perhaps you aren't such a brat after all," she murmured, genuine affection creeping into her voice for the first time.