Thank you for those who have stuck with this story. I forgot to say this last chapter, but thank you to ScribeMich for being the only one who entered a name. Sorry it wasn't the name you picked but you did inspire the names chosen. So thank you again, and I hope you all enjoy!

Five years later...

"Sally, you have a call," yelled Sophie, over the loud chatter of the diner.

Sighing, Rapunzel pondered wether or not to answer it. She knew exactly who it was, Mrs. Harrison.

Mrs. Harrison was an old woman who lived in the apartment above her's. She was crabby, picky and down right mean. Yet she was the only one who would watch her children.

"I'll be right there," she called

After she finished serving her current table, she rushed to the small back room where the old pay phone was.

"Hello?" she asked

"Ms. Benstin" answered the irritated voice that was Mrs. Harrison

"Mrs. Harrison, what can I do for you?" she asked, already feeling her patience fading

"I'm a mistaken or is it passed seven?"

Glancing at the small clock on the wall, she saw that it was well past seven. "No, you are not."

"And our agreement was that I would look after your children from five to seven each day, and I would receive a warning if there were any changes?"

"Yes, Ma'am that's right," said Rapunzel, trying to keep her voice calm "I'm sorry for not telling you. I hadn't planned on working late, but I promise I'll be home in about a hour or so."

"See that you do,"

"Of course, thank you and see you later tonight Mrs. Harrison,"

Every time she would talk with that woman, she felt like pulling out all her hair. She quickly grabbed the pillow that she kept hidden behind the potato crates and screamed.

She missed the days when she would be able to carry her kids around. One on in a backpack on her chest and the other on her back. But that stopped when they began to crawl and move on their own.

She had tried to make it work, having them in the diner. But after one too many accidents and threats of firing, she had to find someone to look after them. In the end, Mrs. Harrison was the only one available and willing.

"Everything okay?" asked Sophie

"Yeah," she muttered, grabbing a tray. "Just great."

About a hour later, Rapunzel had managed to clock out.

When walking down the street to her apartment, she had the funny feeling of being followed. Glancing behind her, she saw a tall man in an over coat with his head down. He walked with a long white cane.

She walked faster, only to be scared senseless by a hand on her shoulder. She swung around, hitting the man square in the jaw.

"Holy shit!" the man cursed, holding his jaw

"Well, that's what you get for sneaking up on people and trying to rob them!" I yelled

"I wasn't trying to rob you!" he yelled, looking in my direction, his jaw now red. "I was going to ask you for help."

"How can I be sure?"

"Search me," he challegned

After seeing that the most dangerous thing he had on him as the cane, she began to feel the guilt of puching him.

"Why we go to my apartment, and we can get you some ice,"

"I'm fine, I'll just go ask someone else," he said

"No you're not, it's the least I can do," she said, taking his hand

When they arrived at the apartment, Rapunzel watched as he tapped his way around.

"Here," she said handing him an ice pack.

"Thanks," he muttered, sitting on the lumpy sofa.

"So what did you need help with?" she asked, trying to relieve some tension.

"I was just wondering if you had seen a girl,"

"You might want to be more specific,"

"Blond hair, blue eyes, about 28,"

"You might as well be describing me," she joked "Could you add a feew more details?"

"Well... you may find this weird, but her hair," he started

"Her hair?"

"It was long,"

"How long?"

"About a hundred feet,"

"What?" she asked, feeling her heart stop. It couldn't be.

"Nothing,"

"No it's not, what was her name?"

"Sally" he said quickly

"Her real name,"

"Rmmph"

"Mark,"

"How do you know my name?"

"Because I know you as well as you know me," she said, moving closer to him

"Rapunzel?" he asked, moving a hand to her face.

"Mark," she breathed, placing a hand over his.

They both burst out into laughter, enveloping each other in a hug.

"Where have you been?" he asked

"Me?!" she exclaimed "What about you, I thought you were back at the University. And now you're here and you're... you're."

"Blind?"

"Yeah, how... how'd that happen?"

"I have your mother to thank for that,"

"You didn't,"

"I did,"

"She could of killed you!"

"I was worried, I wanted to be the hero,"

"Well thank you, but I've done just fine with me and..." she trailed off, realizing she forgot something or someones. "Oh crap!"

She then rushed out of the small apartment, hoping she wasn't to mad. Leaving the man, that had once been the most important person in the world, alone and confused on her couch.

By the time she had reached the door on the floor above her's, she was out of breath. Nonetheless, she knocked with the same gusto.

"Ms. Benstin," drawled Mrs. Harrison

"I'm so sorry, I just got a little carried away and..."

"MOM!"

Smiling, Rapunzel bent down to greet her two kids. Both now five and were going to start school soon. Each had her blond hair, though David had his mother's blue eyes while Hazel had her father's greenish blue eyes.

"Hi kids, sorry I'm late," she said, enveloping them in a hug. "Why don't you go back to the apartment, while I have a quick chat with Mrs. Harrison."

After they were gone, she turned back to the old woman with the best forced smile she could muster.

"I promise I'll pay extra for the time,"

"I'm sure you will, as I'm sure you teach your kids good morals," said the old woman "Just like what to do at 4:30 each day."

"They didn't,"

"They did,"

"I'm so.."

"I have no time for apologies, Ms. Benstin I just hope that tomorrow will be better,"

"Of course,"

"Then good night,"

And with that her neighbor closed the door, without another word. The smile melted off her face and was replaced by a scowl.

When she got back to the apartment, she found it empty except for Mark who she ignored. Thinking quickly, she marched over to the only other door, that lead to the bedroom, and knocked.

"David, Hazel, could I talk to you two for a minute?" she asked

"Are we in trouble?" came a muffled response.

"That all depends, will you come out?"

"Maybe,"

"I can't tell you if you're in trouble if you don't come out,"

The door opened and out came the twins.

"Are we?"

"Did you eat the vegetables Mrs. Harrison gave you?"

"Yes," they chorused

"Were you too loud?"

"No,"

"What about at 4:30?"

Silence.

"Well,"

"Maybe,"

"Kids, I've told you to make sure that when she asks to be silent that you are!" she scolded "If you're not quiet then Mrs. Harrison may not look after you guys. Is that what you want?"

"Yes," said Hazel, while David added

"It's so boring there, and most of the time she just complains about nothing,"

"Look, I know you don't like her," she said "I don't either. But sometimes we have to deal with people we don't like. Please, please! Just stay quiet at 4:30 so she can sleep. Please!"

"Okay," they mumbled

"Next time I hear a complaint about you guys not being quiet at 4:30, then bedtime is changed to 7:30 instead of 8," she warned "Speaking of which, go wash up it's time for bed."

"Hey, mom?" asked David, looking at the couch

"Yes?"

"Who's that,"

Turning, she saw Mark still on the couch, only he wasn't looking at her but near her kids.

A lump arose in her throat at the thought of having to explain to either side what was going on.

"An old friend, and that's all you get know right now," she said, shooing them back into the bedroom. "Go get ready."

She then turned to Mark, and smiled apologetically hoping he could tell.

"So, that's my kids,"

"Kids," he echoed

"Yeah, there much sweeter when they behave," she joked, and crossed her arms. "Do you have any place to stay?"

"I was going to stay at a motel till I found you,"

"And when you found me?"

"I was going to get you to come back with me,"

"Well, I think that ship has sailed,"

"Why? You could still bring your kids,"

"Except I would have to explain what's going on," she explained "I would have to explain on how I knew you, and how we use to be together. I'm not sure they'd understand."

"It'd still be better than living here,"

"Except here has become home," she said "Look, it may not make sense, but I've managed to do something by myself. I've managed to survive on my own, with no hope, while raising two kids!"

"Oh yeah, you're real responsible,"

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Look I knew you were naive from living in that tower," he said "But I didn't think you were that naive,"

"You think... you think I just let someone do something like that!" she shrieked "Oh that rich, coming from the guy who was ready to jump me the minute I said yes."

"If the shoe fits,"

"You know David and Hazel may get their sass from me, but I know see you they get their synansim from,"

"And who's that?"

"Um, their dad," she muttered, scolding herself for almost revealing that he was a dad. They were just reunited, if he knew then who knows what he would do. "So, do you need a place to stay?"

"Are you offering?" he asked, his voice now softer

"I am, as long you don't mind sleeping on an air mattress,"

"I don't,"

"Then you can stay,"

She escaped into the bedroom, now realizing one thing. They had both changed, a lot.

So that's chapter 21, and boy did this chapter go places I didn't really plan on going. Hope the kids sound like kids and that argument wasn't too forced or out of place. Hope you enjoyed and please review! I promise the next chapter will be happier! Thanks again! R&R!