Chapter 2: Reunited

The radiant sun poured its beaming rays over the ocean shore on this beautiful morning, as well over the Queen where she stood on the balcony of her bedroom. Although she may hear the birds chirping and the waves crashing, today did not feel so grand at all. The Queen just stared ahead without even breathing in the landscape before her.

"Another year passing by." She sighed.

She rotates back to her bedroom and strides towards the dresser at the other end of the room. The Queen opens one of the small drawers and pulls out a small box. She holds it against her heart as she goes to sit on her bedside and then rests it on her lap. The box was shaped like a flower….the magic flower to be exact. It was carved out of dark wood and decorated with the royal colors of gold and purple. The Queen brushed her fingers over the small object with her eyes closed, feeling the slow motion of her strokes against the tiny container. Then she paused when one of her digits met a dent on the edge. It was an engravement of a name….a name she can't help, but get teary-eyed with a sight of it.

The Queen took a moment to calm down by taking in a deep breath. Then there came a single tear, sliding down the apple of her left cheek. When it reached the tip of her jaw, the tear fell and finally rested over the name on the box. The liquid from the small tear expanded and traveled down the lines of the engravement. Suddenly, the name glowed like the sun. Apparently this was the key to open the small chest because after the bright glow disappeared, the lid lifted on its own ultimately presenting the inside.

A short lock of brown hair sat at the bottom of the box. It was all that was left when the King and Queen discovered the empty cradle the night Rapunzel was stolen by Gothel. The hair was the only memory of the lost princess that they can hold on to. The music box played a melodic tune in the background while she picked up the single strand wrapped in gold silk ribbon. Humming to the song, she was gone with her imagination, thinking about the days she was living with her newborn daughter. She imagined picking her child up from the cradle and kissing her baby-soft forehead. She remembered hearing her baby's laugh while her Husband tried to balance the tiara on Rapunzel's small head. The Queen could even smell the sweet fragrance in Rapunzel's golden hair as she brushed her fingers through it to soothe her every night. Then those nights when Rapunzel would wake up and start crying, the King would get up just to get the fireplace going. Then the Queen would pick Rapunzel up, wrap her in a soft blanket, and settle her and herself on the rocking chair next to the crackling fire. The flickering lights of the flames dance over those extravagant green eyes looking up at her.

"Primrose?"

The Queen finally snapped out of it and turned around to find her husband with a baffled look on his face. They stared at each other for a while until she finally responded, "Yes dear?"

"What on earth are you doing?"

She then realized that her child was no longer there, but instead she found herself cradling the lock of hair in her hand. Catherine sat back on the bed while rubbing her palm against her forehead, "Oh Thomas…I'm afraid I had another daydream about her again." Her husband took the piece of hair from her lap and put it back in the box where it belonged.

"I don't think we can afford to go through another year of this constant emptiness in our lives….I have forgotten how it feels to be genuinely happy…. She took my happiness with her when she was gone." Primrose sighed.

Thomas turned after she said this to see his wife looking down at her feet as still as a statue. The King got on his knees before his dear lady and wrapped her closed hands in his. "Listen to me, I know it's been very difficult these past years, but what is the point of losing hope when it has been the only thing that's been keeping us going?"

Primrose's only response was a sniff as she still looked downward.

He pulled her chin up, "Remember when you were going to give birth to Rapunzel, but at the process you were getting sick?"

"Yes I remember"

"Primrose, I would have lost you that day…..But when there seemed to be no hope left, hope came anyway….We found the magic flower and you survived."

The Queen nodded.

"So that is why we shall never lose hope….because any day a miracle can happen….and our prayers will finally be answered." Thomas then wiped a tear from under her eye as she warmly smiled back at him.

"Thomas, you always know what to say just to cheer me up….I love you."

The King kissed the Queen's palm, "Always, my love….Now come, we must go for a walk to the study."

When they finally entered the study, Thomas held his queen's hand and guided her to her cozy seat next to the window. He then handed her the book she has been currently reading and placed his hand on her shoulder. Primrose looked up at her husband and overlapped his palm with hers, "Thank you dear….for everything"

The King bent down and planted a kiss on her forehead. He then turned around to look at the view of his kingdom while holding his rough hands behind his back. There was a few seconds of lingering peace and quiet until the interruption of the double doors abruptly opened. The royal couple looked to find one of their guards holding the doors wide open and panting large breaths. He seemed to be all out of words to say with his doe-eyes never blinking and staring at the royal majesties before him. The only thing he actually did was a slow nod while not changing his expression. The Queen settled her book down and got up next to her husband who was walking a few steps towards the shocked soldier.

"What is it Frederick?" The King asked wondering what could be the matter.

"I-It's her! We found her!" The astonished man exclaimed.

It then dawned at the King and Queen that they knew what he was talking about and without even a word in response; they raced down the hallway, leaving Frederick by himself still frozen in his reaction. They never stopped as they dashed down every corridor making anybody that was in their way jump back or move away from their path. Thomas and Primrose finally reached the front doors of their palace and were brought to a standstill.

Is this it? Is this the moment that they have been dreaming of for eighteen years?

There is a possibility that it won't be so but, that wouldn't stop them from believing it can happen.

Beyond these grand doors could be the key to their happiness….their dream come true…and most importantly their lost and now found daughter.

The King and Queen turned their heads to each other, scared of the unknown before them. Then the King laid his coarse palm on the lower back of his wife, giving her the reassurance and confidence she needed. Honestly, she didn't know what she could do without him. He then began to slowly open the doors.

Rapunzel shivered at the sound of the doors deliberately opening. She squeezed Eugene's hands that were sealed over hers as they both turned around to see. The lost princess breathed in and counted to three, ready for what lies ahead.

It was like a dream.

There she was standing there waiting for their unconditional love.

She may have not looked the same as when she was a baby, but as a motherly instinct, the Queen just knew.

Just like that they both knew as they gazed at her in awe.

Is this real?

The Queen thought as she took a few steps forward and studied the young girl that was just feet away from her. The girl was so innocent, so helpless like a lost puppy.

I don't think they recognize me.

Rapunzel sighed and pouted her lips, not letting herself get her hopes up.

I must see her.

Thomas was still letting the moment sink in, but nothing was holding Primrose back when she walked a bit more towards her.

Rapunzel took two steps forward watching the Queen coming closer to her.

Primrose wanted to give her all her love at once, she just needed it badly, but she wasn't sure if she should approach her in that way. Instead, she nervously held her hand out to caress the girl's cheek.

Rapunzel let her do so while standing still and staying calm.

Once the Queen placed her smooth palm over Rapunzel's soft cheek, she realized it was like looking at a mirror.

She can see herself, her spirit, her soul inside this girl.

This is my daughter! My baby!

Catherine's eyes began to water as she sighed and smiled in relief.

Rapunzel, being her daughter and all, reacted the same way with the same big green eyes and gentle smile she had.

Instantly, her mother wrapped her arms around Rapunzel's shoulders bringing her in for a comfortingly tight embrace.

Finally…..I can breathe again

They both thought. Rapunzel smiled even more with her teary eyes and buried her face on her mother's shoulder. She returned the embrace as she squeezed her arms around her mother's waist. Rapunzel could feel her mother's hand tenderly brushing her fingers through her short brown hair. It was like she was accepting her even with her big change, and that was all Rapunzel hoped for. She glanced up from the Queen's shoulder to find her father standing there looking at her.

Father

She never thought she would even have a father figure ever but, it was something she always desired. He chuckled for he was overwhelmed by the sight of her eyes layered in watery dew. Her father joined the hug and they all never wanted to let go. The reunited family stayed together as they all knelt down to the ground. Forever they wanted to give each other love to heal all the ache and pain they had.

It doesn't matter anymore what will happen to me…..As long as she is happy, then I am fine.

Eugene smiled while still standing there overlooking this magical moment. Then the Queen looked up at him with a grin. He stared at her hand for a brief moment, unsure why she didn't want to arrest him right away. However, he kept his smile and took her hand expecting a shake. Surprisingly she moved him in with a jerk, welcoming him in the encirclement.

Whoa I guess the boldness runs down the family!

Eugene snickered at the thought.

He then realized… this is what family feels like.

His heart warmed up because he felt like he was accepted and loved for the real him. Eugene Fitzherbert was loved and hopefully in time, will be acknowledged as part of the family.

But for now all was peaceful….No words were needed….for this moment right here was beyond any words….and it was perfect that way.