I hope you all had a happy holiday! I know this chapter is kind of short and sort of boring. Call it a filler chapter if you will. I realized last time that there might be some confusion on where Rapunzel was in her pregnancy so I clarified in this chapter that she is four months, almost five. I promise the next update will be longer and much better for you lovelies! Enjoy and review
-Rayxx
It has been two week since Eugene has arrived home. He has gotten much better and has become more mobile since then. Most of his cuts on his chest have begun to scab, but his shoulder is healing more slowly.
I have been noticing the change in my body. My tummy is now poking out to the point at which it is noticeable. I feel small flutters every so often but nothing big. I have started to have bad dreams lately, which I also had while pregnant with Avia. I feel horrible for Eugene. He says I thrash in my sleep. I've also noticed that I can't overexert myself too much without becoming extremely breathless.
Doctor Reynolds says I am healthy as well as the baby so we have nothing to worry about. Eugene on the other hand needs to take better care of his shoulder or it will get infected. I am not very good at tending to it. It's worse than any injury I've seen before.
Avia has become more aware of my being pregnant. Eugene and I have explained multiple times why my tummy is growing. She becomes so intrigued and asks so many questions. The other day she told us she couldn't wait for the baby to be born.
This week is an important week. It is the week in which the Festival of the Sun is held. Eugene and I have been contemplating wether or not it should be held because of the war, but in the past few days Eugene was sent word from the King of Delmark that the war has settled a bit and they won't be needing our assistance any further unless something changes.
The Festival of the Sun is the day we celebrate our kingdom. We believe everyone has their own duties in Corona, wether it be farming or processing, and we feel that because our people do so much for one another and are so kind and helpful, that they deserve to be thanked. On this day, no one works unless they volunteer. And since our people are more than willing to help, we have an abundance of people making food and setting up games and activities for everyone. It is quite fun, and it allows us to connect with each other.
Eugene has been in a meeting most of the morning. Today, we must go into town and oversee that the plans for the festival are going well. I can tell by looking out my window that we will be impressed. Every year it seems to get better and better.
I dress Avia in a purple dress with gold trim, which signifies our kingdom's colors. Her hair is getting so long. I hate to cut it. She has been blessed with the most beautiful brown locks, but it tends to get in her face when it hasn't been pulled back. I will have to think about it.
"Are you ready to go into town today sweetheart? I bet daddy will let you throw a coin into the fountain." I say as I brush her hair.
She nods with a smile spread across her face. Pascal sits on the counter of the bathroom sink playing with Avia.
I love that they have such an amazing relationship. He has been through so much with me, I can be nothing but grateful that he can have an amazing bond with my daughter.
There is a knock on the bathroom door, then Eugene pokes his head around the cracked door.
"I thought I might find my girls in here." He says.
"We are getting ready to go into town later. Isn't that right Avia?" I say tying her hair up.
"Yes!" She says.
"Well you both look beautiful." He says, then kisses my cheek. "Max is being saddled up right now. I just have to get a few things from the study then I'll meet you two at the stables."
"Alright." I smile. "How are you feeling today?"
"Stiff. I'll be alright. Doctor Reynolds gave me something to take for the pain."
He exits to fetch what he needs, probably a check list of some sort.
Avia and I make our way to the stables. She loves coming down here with either Eugene or myself with a bundle of carrots to feed the horses. Apples for max of corse.
"Here, Avia." I hand her a dark red apple to feed max. "You know where he is, go give it to him." I say.
She runs ahead of me to the very last stable where max is. His white head appears above the gate and he is smiling. Avia stands on her tip-toes, extending the plump red apple up to him. He bends down, plucks it between his lips and bites down, spraying juice.
Max has already been saddled up for the three of us to take him into town. I open the gate and grab his reins to lead him towards the gate into town.
Avia follows me as I lead Max. He seems to be in a very good mood today. We must have brought him a good apple.
When we arrive to the main gate, Eugene is walking down the large steps of the castle. He looks incredibly handsome today.
"Hello my beautiful queen. Ready to look over the preparations for the festival?" He asks.
"Indeed I am my king."
He assists me in getting onto Max. After I am comfortably seated, he hands me Avia, who sits in front of me. Eugene then takes his place behind me and we head into town.
We trot past the fountain, but Avia doesn't seem to notice. We will probably stop on the way home. He is on a schedule.
Eugene looks over preparations for activities and games while I look over the shops that have volunteered to be open. Most of the time it is because the shop owners need the money and can't afford to be closed for a day, which is understandable.
Eugene heads over to the docks and speaks with the people in charge of fireworks at the end of the night. I check to make sure there will be enough food and decorations.
Everything seems to be going well. Our chef working in the castle has agreed to make a large cake for the festival. He makes the best desserts imaginable.
"Everything seems to be in order everyone. Thank you for your hard work. It means a lot to us that you have volunteered your help for the festival. We can tell this is going to be a successful event." Eugene says. "Please return to your families and enjoy your night."
We both smile at the small crowd of people as they scatter to go home.
Eugene puts his arm around me as we walk back to Max.
As we approach the fountain, I feel Eugene fidget behind me as he retrieves a coin from his pocket.
"Would you like to throw in a coin Avia?" Eugene says.
She turns her head and takes the coin from him with a smile. She tosses the coin as far as she can. It flys through the air and lands in the air with a plop.
"Good job baby!" I say.
"How many coins do you think she's thrown in that fountain, huh?" Eugene asks.
I laugh. We have been doing this since she was a little baby. It is sort of a weird tradition and she really enjoys it.
We have dinner with Mother and Father. This is the first year they haven't planned the Festival of the Sun. I can tell they wish they were helping us with it.
Mother asks about the different games and activities and what shops will be open. I tell her about how our chef is making us a cake and she tells me that was a wise decision.
"Oh, I am so proud of you dear. You and Eugene have been doing an amazing job. The kingdom is thriving under your rule. Your father talks about how amazing everything has been lately. We couldn't have done it better ourselves. I told you you had nothing to worry about."
This surprises me. I have been feeling a bit self conscious about how the kingdom is adjusting to Eugene and I take over the crown. I have realized the atmosphere doesn't feel the same. It feels heavier with responsibility. Whenever in town I feel obligated to keep an eye out for things that could be improved. I didn't feel we were doing this well.
"Thank you Mother." I say simply.
She asks me how I have been feeling, and honestly, I have been feeling amazing. This pregnancy has been so smooth and easy in the first four months. I didn't get too sick in the beginning and now that I have entered the second trimester, as Doctor Reynolds tells me, things should start to progress more quickly.
The only thing I would change is how susceptible I am to losing my breathe and the bad dreams. Oh, the bad dreams are horrible. I've been having a reacquaint nightmare in which Eugene and Avia are taken from me and I am forced to watch them as they are tortured.
Eugene helps me through it though. I have become aware of when it begins and how to wake myself up. I haven't found how to control the thrashing in my sleep although. Eugene says that is the worst part. He told me he feels helpless in those few seconds before he can wake me up.
"I had those symptoms as well when I was pregnant with you. They were horrible. Your father had a difficult time waking me up." She tells me.
"I don't have a problem waking up. I guess I just get really scared."
Eugene's hand runs up and down my lower thigh.
After dinner, Eugene and I put Avia to bed. Eugene reads to her tonight, since he hasn't been putting her to bed lately.
We run a bath and the water is warm and relaxing.
Eugene kisses my shoulder as we sit in the tub together.
"I wish I could take your bad dreams away Rapunzel." He whispers.
I try not to press into his chest too hard, cautious of his healing wounds.
"They will go away. You help me through them after I wake up."
"I just wish I could do more."
"You're there. That's more than enough Eugene. Thank you for being here for me."
"I should be thanking you. I know this past month has been difficult with this war and my injuries. Thank you for not stressing out and taking on some of my responsibilities."
"Of course." I say.
"You are an amazing queen Rapunzel. Remember how uneasy you felt about becoming Queen? Darling, you have done such an amazing job. This kingdoms is thriving under your rule and you are glowing because of it. It is an amazing thing to watch."
After our bath, we climb into bed and I am wrapped in Eugene's protective arms.
"I am sorry if I hit you in my sleep Eugene." I say.
"It's ok, it doesn't hurt anyway." He chuckles then kisses my hair.
