"Good afternoon, Sunshine," Eugene greeted as he returned from duty several days later, kissing Rapunzel on the cheek. "And how was your day?"
"Exhausting," Rapunzel answered with a sigh. "The baby was doing somersaults all day. Must be getting as restless as we are."
"Speaking of rest, how about we sit down? Looks like someone could use another massage."
"Bless you, Eugene." She gratefully took a seat at her desk, slightly leaning forward so Eugene could rub her back. "I can hardly take a step these days. Not to mention that, since I can't see them, swelling is the only way I remember that I even have feet."
"You're much stronger than I'd be in your situation," Eugene complimented.
"So, how was your day?"
"Nothing too exciting; just helping Max get ready for my leave. Last minute things. It's going to be any day now."
"Practically any minute," Rapunzel added. "Between being excited to meet the baby and being ready to not be pregnant, it almost can't come fast enough."
"Well," Eugene smiled encouragingly. "As of right now, I'll be right here for anything you need."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely. Max has everything covered, and you need me."
"Thank you, Eugene."
"Always, Rapunzel."
The next few days were filled with relaxing, more massages, and soothing tea- yet no baby. It wasn't until late one night, when Rapunzel had actually managed to fall asleep when she was startled by a sudden sharp pain in her stomach. Not wanting to wake Eugene in case it was a false alarm, she waited. Shortly, the pain repeated itself.
"Eugene," she said, gently shaking her husband awake. "Eugene. I think it's time."
"Time?" Eugene moaned. "Maybe two in the morning, I dunno."
"No, Eugene. It's time."
"What? Oh. Oh!" Wide awake now, Eugene jumped out of bed. He helped Rapunzel sit up and gave her hand a quick pat. "Alright. I'll be right back."
"I'm not going anywhere," Rapunzel replied with an anxious chuckle.
"Right. Of course." He practically leapt to the door, opening it to call out to the guards posted there.
"Stan," he ordered. "Find the midwife. Pete, you go and wake Frederic and Arianna. The baby's coming."
"Right away, sir," they both said at once, turning to fulfill their respective tasks. With that, Eugene returned to his wife's side.
"Alright, here we go. Just like we talked about: breathe, and squeeze my hand as much as you need, I can take it."
"Right," Rapunzel grunted, doing just that. After a moment, she relaxed her breathing. "Okay, it's passed for now."
"You've got this, Sunshine," Eugene encouraged.
"Uh-huh. Eugene, this is happening. It's finally happening, can you believe it?"
"Hardly."
The couple shared a nervous chuckle. At that moment, Rapunzel's parents and the midwife arrived. A few anxious hours passed, and the midwife asked for only the mother and father to be present, along with one maid.
"Alright, Your Majesty," she said. "With the next contraction, I'm going to have you try and push."
"Ok. Here we go."
A few minutes later, the midwife announced that she could see the head. Not long after that, crying could be heard.
"It's a boy," the midwife announced, holding the baby up for Eugene and Rapunzel to see.
"A boy," Eugene shuddered, a wide smile appearing on his face. "Rapunzel, we have a son."
"Our son," Rapunzel sighed, trying to catch her breath.
"I'll get him cleaned up," the maid offered, taking the boy in her arms.
"You did it, Sunshine," Eugene smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind Rapunzel's ear and kissing her forehead.
"Yeah," Rapunzel replied. "We- wait. Hold on."
"Rapunzel?"
"Something's wrong, I-" she began moaning again.
"Rapunzel."
"Hold on, Your Majesty," the midwife said. "Wait a minute. I see another head. Keep pushing, Your Majesty."
"Another head?" Eugene gasped. "As in, another baby?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"As in, t-two, we're having twins?"
"Eugene," Rapunzel cut in. "Can we process this after the second baby is here?"
"Right, of course."
Not long after, a second round of crying was heard.
"It's a girl," the midwife said.
"A girl," Rapunzel beamed.
"Are we done now? No- no other surprises in there?" Eugene asked with an anxious laugh.
"I'm pretty sure that's it."
Soon, Eugene and Rapunzel each held one of the twins, sitting close together in the bed.
"You did so great, Rapunzel," Eugene said. "Our babies…"
"They're perfect," Rapunzel agreed. "We have two beautiful children, Eugene, can you believe it?"
"I can't imagine being any happier in this moment."
"Me neither.
"Are you ready for your mom and dad to come in?"
"Yes."
"Okay. One second then," Eugene gently placed the baby boy in Rapunzel's arms alongside his sister, going towards the door. After it closed behind him, Rapunzel turned and took a silent moment to take in the time alone with her babies.
"I love you both," she said. "So much. You're my everything, just as much as your father is. That's why I promise, so long as I'm here, I will do everything in my power to make sure you're never locked away or feel unloved."
The baby girl merely yawned in response, to Rapunzel's amusement. At that moment, Eugene walked back in with Frederic and Arianna. They both gasped at the sight of the two bundles in their daughter's arms.
"Twins?" Frederic asked.
"Yes," Rapunzel answered. "Dad, allow me to introduce Prince Arnold Edmund Horace Fitzherbert, and his sister, Princess Catherine Arianna Wilhemina Fitzherbert."
"Oh, Rapunzel," Arianna gasped, obviously holding back tears as she and Frederic approached. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you, Mom."
"How are you feeling?"
"Exhausted, but, that's barely noticeable over everything else."
"I know what you mean. When you were born, I all but forgot everything before."
"What a blessed day this is," Frederic sighed happily.
"And how," Rapunzel agreed, kissing both babies on the forehead.