Title: So Close

Author: Hermione Eveningfall

Fandom: Enchanted

Pairings: Robert/Giselle

Rating: PG

Summary: Giselle always knew Robert had difficulty opening up and revealing his emotions. However, she never would have guessed the truth behind the darkness.

Chapter 1

New York City was not the best place to raise a child; it was so crowded, noisy, and dirty. Still, where else could children be exposed to such a wide variety of culture?

"Morgan, hurry up...you're going to be late for school!" Robert Philip knocked three times on his daughter's bedroom door, the scent of fresh bacon drifting down the hallway from the medium-sized kitchen. He had to remind himself everyday that he was doing his best to give Morgan the kind of childhood he wanted her to have, but being a single man in his crazy profession did not make this an easy task.

He shrugged his arm into sleeve of his suit coat, and made his way to where he caught sight of Giselle making breakfast. Not single anymore, he thought with a smile. She looked beautiful wearing a pair of bluejeans and a form-fitting top; it had been a bit of a struggle to get her out of the fairytale princess garments. Now, despite her somewhat ditzy character, she appeared almost average. "I really wish you wouldn't keep her up so late with those stories every night," he scolded lightly as he planted a kiss on her bright red lips. "It's becoming more difficult to get her out of bed in the morning."

Morgan, six years old and going on thirty, shot down the hallway like a bullet. Her shoulder length curly hair hung loose at her shoulders, and she immediately leapt into her father's arms when she reached him.

"There she is," he announced with a hearty laugh as he spun her around, and set her on the floor. Robert beamed as Morgan embraced Giselle tightly around the waist, and immediately took her spot at the table.

"Are you all right, Robert?" Giselle asked as he leaned against the refridgerator, overcome with a wave of dizziness.

"Yeah," he lied once the sensation disappeared slowly. "Smells great. Thanks." he accepted two plates and put one in front of Morgan, before sitting down in his usual spot.

Giselle joined them a few minutes later, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. She was still getting used to the bustling life of New York City, especially after having spent most of her life in Andalasia. As she watched her new family eat quickly, she thought about how circumstances had changed. One minute she was engaged to Prince Edward, and the next she had fallen through a wishing well and wound up here in this strange, vibrant place. Robert took her under his wing almost immediately, though she had a bit of trouble convincing him to open his heart and let go of his emotions. It was strange to think his original girlfriend, Nancy, was now in Andalasia enjoying royal treatment from Prince Edward and she was here cooking breakfast.

"Oh before I forget, Giselle, can you do me a huge favor? I'm going to be running late this afternoon because I have an appointment after work. Would you mind picking Morgan up from school?"

Giselle dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, and nodded. "Of course."

Morgan gave a cheer as she shoveled the last of the scrambled eggs into her mouth, and tugged on Giselle's arm. "You can meet my friends! I've told them so much about you!"

Robert nearly choked on his coffee, and Giselle tucked a hand under her chin, her eyes sparkling. "That sounds absolutely lovely dear."

"Well, we're running on a tight schedule," Robert announced, checking his watch. "Morgan, make sure you have everything you need today. Is all of your homework done?"

She gave a nod, and allowed Giselle to gently slide her backpack over her shoulders. "Yes Daddy," she replied, and Giselle planted a kiss on each of their cheeks as she saw them off.

"Are you gonna be all right by yourself all day?" Robert asked, encouraging Morgan to wait for him, and Giselle put her hands on her hips.

"You ask that every morning, honestly!" she exclaimed. "And every evening you come home to find me in one piece."

He merely chuckled and gave an extra kiss to her forehead, squeezing her hand as he shut the door behind him. When the apartment grew quiet again, Giselle wandered about, feeling as though she were in some sort of fog. It was a completely different place since she moved in, remaining clean as a whistle. She shuddered when she thought of how she found it when she awoke on the couch, still wearing her wedding dress. Papers on the floor, clothes on the furniture, leftover containers of food and drink bottles covering the kitchen table...she clucked her tongue as she went about her daily dusting. Stepping onto the terrace once she finished going over the living room with a cloth, she took a deep breath and peered down at the congested street below.

Robert had given her a layout of the city for her to tour while he worked, including the different food markets and clothing shops. Giselle spent most of her afternoon wandering through central park and rowing along the river on pleasant days; at least being amongst bright green grass and tall oak trees brought a great deal of comfort. When a homeless person or two passed by, she found herself having full length conversations, and learned many interesting tales about different people's lives. They regarded her kindness with awe, for most ignored them as they passed.

When lunchtime arrived, Giselle ate at a local sandwich shop, enjoying the sights from the large window. Following lunch she picked up a couple of items for dinner, and went to meet Morgan in front of her school building. She grinned when the little girl brought a group of her friends down the stone steps, and they all began talking at once.

"Is it true you used to be a real princess?"

"Are you going to be her mother now?"

"Oh my goodness, so many questions!" Giselle teased.

"Sorry," Morgan apologized. "All right, then, yes, she was a princess, and yes, she is my mother." she took Giselle's hand and held her head proudly.

"That is so cool!" one of the girls with red pigtails exclaimed, and when it was time for them to leave, they said goodbye and headed for their respective rides. Morgan followed close beside Giselle down the sidewalk, occasionally breaking into a skip and humming to herself.

When they arrived back at the hotel, they were startled to find Robert home already, resting on the couch with a cool cloth over his eyes.

"What on earth!" Giselle placed a hand over her heart, and Morgan chewed on her lip as she peeped out from behind her. "Robert, I thought you weren't going to be home until supper!" she knelt beside the couch, glancing over her shoulder as Morgan set her backpack on the kitchen chair, and helped herself to a couple of cookies from the pantry.

"I'm sorry," Robert apologized, removing the cloth, and squinted a little. "I'm not feeling so well, so I had to leave early."

"Oh dear," Giselle breathed. "What hurts?" she felt his forehead with the back of her hand, frowning when he jerked out of her way, and smiled weakly when Morgan hurried towards him.

"Are you okay, Daddy?" she asked, clinging to his arm.

"Hi princess...I'll be all right. Did you have a good day?" Giselle went to fetch the throw blanket that lay on the large leather rocking chair in front of the television set, and placed it over him.

"Yes. I got an A on my fairy story that Giselle helped me with!" she gave another proud grin, and Giselle clasped her hands together with delight.

"Congratulations," Robert replied, massaging his forehead as another wave of washed over him.

"What is the matter, darling?" Giselle asked, brushing his bangs away from his eyes once she sent Morgan to play with her toys in her room for the time being.

"I tried getting some work done, but around lunchtime I started feeling so dizzy and nauseous, that I told my secretary I had to come home." he swallowed, and Giselle gently rubbed his stomach, lacing her fingers through his and squeezing them.

"Didn't you have an appointment this afternoon?" she asked, allowing him to sit up carefully, and he used her for support.

"I cancelled," Robert explained. "I can barely make it from here to the bathroom, let alone to the doctor's office." he massaged his temples, and Giselle clucked her tongue.

"Would you care for some tea?" she asked, and he nodded, thanking her as she went into the kitchen. Morgan soon joined him on the couch when she grew bored with her toys, and snuggled close to his side. As he watched her read through the book of famous women throughout history he'd purchased before they met and became close with Giselle, he realized how difficult it would be to watch her grow into adulthood. Having Morgan to come home to had been the only thing keeping him together, but at least Giselle's presence in his life would make the transition easier.

"You're hot, Daddy," Morgan gasped when she touched his wrist, and Giselle brought the cup of tea she promised. "Giselle, I think Daddy has a fever. Shouldn't he be in bed?"

Giselle touched his cheek and sighed, agreeing to the little girl's comment.

"I suppose you're right," Robert muttered, accepting the mug, and sipped carefully from it. "There is a bottle of advil in the bathroom medicine chest if you wouldn't mind bringing two of the pills?" he added, and Giselle promised to do so, encouraging Morgan to help her father out of the living room.

Giselle went into the bathroom and peered into the mirror. She was still getting used to her new hair style, which was very comfortable and light as opposed to the heavy curls that reached the center of her back. She grabbed the bottle of medicine from the shelf, and brought it into the bedroom, where Robert lay curled in a ball under the covers. She stood watching him with a frown, especially as Morgan sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his shoulder.

"Morgan, darling, why don't you scurry along into the kitchen and fetch a couple more cookies? Your father needs his rest," Giselle announced, and with a pout, Morgan finally agreed to leave. Robert let out a soft moan when Giselle shook him softly, and he turned his head in her direction. "Here is the medicine as you asked," she explained, and he struggled to lean on his elbow so he could swallow both pills in one gulp.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."

Giselle eased him back against the pillows, and smoothed his blankets. "As you've taught me, life isn't always what you expect it to be," she replied. "Just sleep now, and if you need anything at all, Morgan or I will be in to help." she kissed his lips gently, and he squeezed her hands, letting go a short time later.

"Make sure Morgan gets her homework done," Robert whispered, and Giselle paused, touching the door with a sad expression as she prepared to leave once again.