"I hope he likes it!" Rapunzel thought frantically as she finished wrapping her little parcel. It had been just over a month since Rapunzel had learned the truth about her parents, and both her and Eugene had moved into the castle. Rapunzel had some trouble adjusting to her new life with her new role of princess, but Eugene didn't seem to have much trouble. He always felt that he was meant to live in a castle. But nevertheless, he was always very understanding of Rapunzel.
This particular day happened to be very special, as it was Eugene's birthday. The parcel that she had been wrapping was for Eugene. She had been working on it almost since she had moved in to the castle. Naturally, she had all the art equipment that she desired and she was itching to do something creative. Eugene's birthday just happened to be coming up, and she decided to do something very special for him. She gathered up the package in her arms, gave Pascal a hopeful smile, and headed to Eugene's room in the castle, which was one room below hers.
After making the trip to his room, which was longer than one would think, she knocked on the door to his room. She didn't hear anything, so she slowly cracked the door open a tiny bit. He was still in bed! "Who sleeps past 8?" thought Rapunzel, who still had not managed to sleep in past 7:15. She found some pebbles on the floor that the royal maids had, thankfully, neglected to sweep up. She looked in through the crack in the door and started throwing the tiny rocks at his bed. She giggled as he started to move and groan.
"Eugene," she whispered, "guess what today is?" Just then, a sound that resembled a closing door behind her made her jump and turn around. Before she could find the source, she found herself whisked off the floor. The perpetrator was none other than Eugene Fitzherbert, still in his pajamas. She squealed and, seeing that she was in her best friend's arms, wrapped her arms around his neck in an awkward hug.
"I keep telling these maid people that I don't need a wake-up call!" Eugene pretend-angrily grumbled, "who's the crazy person who keeps ruining my beauty sleep?" He pretended like he was going to drop her, like a father would his young child, which caused Rapunzel to giggle uncontrollably. "Blondie, what are you doing in my room?"
"Well, if you don't want a birthday present, then I guess I'll take this – "
But she didn't finish her sentence. Eugene set her on the floor and wrapped her in a real hug, which she couldn't help but enjoy. He kissed her forehead as she wished him a happy birthday. They both sat on his now empty bed as she handed him the gift.
It was fairly thin and flexible. "Rapunzel, you really didn't have to – "
"Well, I did. So open it." Rapunzel said with a smile.
Eugene opened his present and found a book with leather binding. He opened it to the first page to see drawings of Rapunzel, Eugene, Pascal, Maximus, and several others. In the center of all this was the title, "When My Life Began." Eugene flipped through the book until Rapunzel's hand came to rest on his. "Don't," she began, "I wanted us to go through it together."
Eugene placed his free hand on top of hers, then agreed. "Thank you," he said, "it's perfect."
Rapunzel replied, "You're welcome. Do you want to start going through it now?"
Eugene's response was immediate: "Absolutely."
