The first few months of Rapunzel's pregnancy went as expected: mood swings, more morning sickness, and the occasional late-night run to the kitchen to satisfy a craving. She and Eugene began debating on names, what color to paint the nursery, and other things of that nature. In the midst of all this was Rapunzel's birthday. This year, instead of going out on the water in their own boat, Eugene and Rapunzel joined her parents on the terrace to send out the first lantern of the celebration.
"I redesigned the pattern for our family's lantern this year," Rapunzel told Eugene, pointing where it stood tethered to the railing. "See? In addition to our seal, there's the Sundrop Flower."
"It's beautiful, sweetheart," Arianna complimented.
"Indeed," Frederic agreed. "It is also most appropriate. The Sundrop has played no small role in not only this kingdom's history, but in yours and your mother's lives.'
"Exactly," Rapunzel nodded.
"It's perfect, Sunshine," Eugene said, holding back a nervous chuckle. He didn't say much for the rest of the night, holding Rapunzel's hand tightly until they went to bed.
"Is everything alright, Eugene?" Rapunzel asked as she turned back the sheets.
"Who, me?" he wondered. "Yeah, of course, why?"
"It's just you've been awfully quiet tonight."
"Oh, really? It's nothing; just a lot on my mind, since, you know, we're about halfway to the baby being here."
"You're sure there's nothing else bothering you?"
"Positive." Eugene gave Rapunzel a reassuring smile, then kissed her and her baby bump. "Love you. Happy birthday."
"Love you, too," Rapunzel smiled. "Goodnight."
With that, they both settled in, put out their bedside lanterns, and fell asleep.
The next day, it was business as usual around the castle. Rapunzel tended to her duties, as well as delegating some in anticipation of the new arrival, and Eugene trained with the guard alongside Lance and Max. That afternoon, once they got off duty, Lance grabbed Eugene by the shoulder.
"Hey," he started. "You ok? You seemed distracted today."
"What?" Eugene scoffed. "Nah, you're imagining things."
"Eugene, come on. We've known each other for how long? I can see through your tells by now."
"Tells? What tells? There's nothing to tell!"
"Yeah, and you also don't have a fifth ace up your sleeve," Lance rolled his eyes.
"Alright, alright, you win," Eugene conceded. "Can we at least talk about it over a drink at the Duckling?"
"As long as you're buying."
"Fair enough."
As soon as they reached the tavern and Vladimir had served the two men their drinks, Lance turned on his stool to face Eugene.
"Alright, now spill," he demanded.
"First," Eugene replied. "Promise me that this stays here, between us. No one else finds out, especially Rapunzel."
"I don't think I like where this is going."
"Lance, you've got to promise."
"Ok, ok. I promise. Now what is it?"
"Last night got me thinking."
"Last night as in Rapunzel's birthday?" Lance wondered. "What about?"
"Of course, I couldn't help but remember the story of her birth," Eugene explained.
"And?"
"And how Arianna almost died giving birth to Rapunzel. How both of them could have been lost."
"Hence the need for the Sundrop Flower, which gave Rapunzel her magic hair, et cetera. What's this have to do with you, though?"
"What if what happened to Arianna is, I dunno, something that could run in the family? What if that same thing happens to Rapunzel when our baby comes?"
"Oh. Oh." Lance was stunned silent for a moment, starling into his mug before taking another swig.
"Yeah," Eugene sighed, swirling the contents of his own mug. "Now there's no magic flower to save her or the baby. I… I know there's no real reason to think that's a possibility, but… I just don't know what I'd do if…"
"Right. I take it you haven't told Rapunzel about any of this?"
"Of course not! I don't want her to worry. She's so excited, and I am, too. I can't wait to give our baby the childhood that we only ever dreamed of, and watch them grow up. It's just…"
"I know," Lance assured. "And I wish I had some magic answer for you, but I don't. I don't know what might or might not happen; no one does. What I do know is that you're probably not the first father to have these kinds of worries, and that Rapunzel would want to know what's going on."
"What?" Eugene demanded. "No, I can't tell her."
"I really think you should. She loves you, and I know she'd want to help you through this, no matter what. You never know, you might end up helping each other."
"Maybe you're right…"
"It's something to think about, anyway. Well, I've got to get home to the girls, but you think about telling her, okay?"
"Yeah. And, Lance? Thanks for listening."
"Anytime, pal," Lance smiled, patted his friend on the shoulder, and left the tavern with a mock salute to the captain. Not long after, Eugene placed several coins on the bar to pay for the drinks and left himself. He took the scenic route back to the castle, thinking about what he would tell Rapunzel. Finally, he reached home, and he met Rapunzel outside of the dining room.
"I was wondering when you'd be home," she greeted, kissing Eugene on the cheek. "Long training session?"
"Not exactly," he answered. "I… took some time to go through some thoughts I've been having lately."
"Oh? What sort of thoughts?"
"I… how about we sit down first?"
"Okay," Rapunzel agreed, following Eugene to the yet-empty hall. The two sat down near the head of the table. "What's on your mind?"
"It sort of started last night," Eugene explained. "You picked up on it, but…"
"I didn't want to push you into talking when you weren't ready."
"I appreciate that. And, now I am ready to talk. Last night, with the ceremony and everything, it reminded me that… that day, twenty-four years ago, the kingdom nearly lost both you and your mother. I started to wonder if something like that might happen when you're about to have our baby."
"Eugene…" Rapunzel frowned, placing a hand over his.
"It may seem irrational, but, I can't stop thinking about it. Not to mention there's no magic flower out there anymore to save the day if that does happen. If anything were to happen to you, or the baby… I just don't know what I'd do."
"Eugene, I… I'm glad you told me this."
"You are?" Eugene wondered.
"Yes," Rapunzel nodded. "Because, actually… I've been thinking about that, too."
"You have?"
"How could I not? It's my story. Not to mention the many well-wishers who have been telling me every wives' trick in the book to prevent complications in childbirth."
"Wow."
"Tell me about it. I know they all mean well, but, that didn't exactly make it any easier."
"So, what did?" Eugene asked.
"As I was going through it in my head," Rapunzel explained. "I started trying to remind myself of all the ways medicine has advanced, how safe and smart and healthy I've been during this pregnancy, but I was still worrying.
"I began wondering if I should talk to you about it, and I came to realize something: worrying doesn't change what will happen one way or the other; in fact, the only thing worrying does is take away from the joy of the here and now: we're bringing a whole new life into this world, and we'll get to watch what that life will become. We already are a family, and I won't let something that may never happen take that away from me, and you shouldn't, either. Like I said at the beginning, we're in this together, whatever may happen."
Eugene let out a soft chuckle, locking his fingers with Rapunzel's. "Right, as always."
"I wish I could give you some absolute guarantee that nothing bad will happen, but I can't. All I can guarantee is that, no matter what, I will always be with you."
"Thank you, Rapunzel. I love you. So much."
"And I love you, Eugene," Rapunzel leaned in and gave her husband a soft kiss. "Now, I have something to show you."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yes. Now, place your hand right here," Rapunzel took Eugene's hand and placed it on her stomach. "And… wait for it…"
A moment later, Eugene felt a sudden jerk under his hand.
"Whoa," he gasped. "Was that-?"
"The baby has started kicking!"
"Does it hurt?"
"No," Rapunzel answered, laughing. "It just means the baby is exercising some of the strength that their father gave them."
"Well, the baby's mother has no lack of strength herself," Eugene reminded. He chuckled, gently rubbing the spot where he had felt the kick. "You had better not keep your mother up at night with that, though, you hear? She'll need all the rest she can get until you finally make your appearance."
Both of them had a small bout of laughter at that. Finally, Rapunzel sighed and asked, "So… Better?"
"Much." Eugene answered, a genuine smile on his face.