I Think I've Got You Beat
A/N Here's the next one. It's about the triplets turning seven and it's making Shrek nervous because of ogre law, because the ogre kids have to leave their parents when they turn seven. It's making him worried but Fiona doesn't know. I hope the triplets don't leave. Maybe Snowgre can help...
Fiona noticed Shrek was tossing and turning in bed.
It was a few days until the triplet's birthday.
They were turning seven years old.
"Honey you okay?
You haven't been sleeping good the last few nights.
Maybe the magic of cocoa will help." She said to him.
"How could I tell her?
She thinks the triplets will be with us after they turn seven in a few days time.
According to ogre law which has been followed for hundreds of years before.
When they turn seven, they have to go away like I did.
Maybe if it happened, they might find love and happiness in the world like I did." He thought as his eyes closed.
Snowgre noticed Shrek kept falling asleep at the kitchen table.
"I don't blame him.
He's losing sleep because of dumb ogre law." He thought as he saw Fiona put a plate in front of him.
"Thanks Fiona." He said.
Suddenly the triplets came running into the kitchen in their pyjamas.
"Morning guys." She said as they sat at the table.
Shrek was nervous at them.
He then left the kitchen.
"What's up with him?
I thought we were going to get party supplies." Fiona told him.
"He wants to but he's... scared." Snowgre told her.
"Scared?
Of what?" Fiona asked him.
"Because ogre law decrees that when an ogre child turns seven... their parents send them away to make a life of their own.
He knows you want the triplets to stay but the ogre community wouldn't understand." he explained to her.
Fiona looked shocked.
"So that's why he's upset!
He doesn't want the triplets to leave when they turn seven.
That's the love of being a real father." she thought washing up plates.
Shrek sighed as he saw his parents approach him in the deeper parts of the forest where most of the ogre community hid from humans.
"So your kids are old enough to go out in the world, aren't they?
I know they'll do you and Fiona proud." Malrid his father said but his mother Marissa had a feeling he had second thoughts.
"Honey could you leave us for a few minutes?" she told her husband.
"Sure honey." he replied to her.
Shrek looked nervous as his mother led him to their cave where he used to live as a child.
"I know you have second thoughts about your kids leaving.
You and Fiona want to help them grow until they're adults.
I understand that.
Actually that rule is pretty useless.
It breaks many ogre parent's hearts to have their kids leave at seven years old.
But you don't have to.
They can stay with you if they want." she told him.
Shrek was surprised by that.
"Wow she's right.
That rule is useless.
But I've a feeling my Dad doesn't agree." he thought as he drank tea.
He had a feeling he'd made up his mind.
"Thanks Mom.
You helped make up my mind." he said leaving.
Fiona then saw him join her in Far, Far Away.
"Hey honey you seem happier." she said kissing him.
"Yeah I do.
I was talking to some friends. who helped me decide." he answered her.
"You're not really sending your kids into the world boss?
They'll not be able to cope." Puss told him.
"I know but there's not much I can do unless..." Shrek told him.
Fiona saw that look in his eyes he got when he had an idea.
"Snowgre I know what I have to do.
I know the ogre community would hate me but I can't let my kids go out into that kind of world where others are cruel to them just because they're ogres." he told him.
Snowgre looked worried as he realised Shrek's plan.
"You're gonna disband from the ogre community?
Are you sure?" he asked him.
"Yes for my kids I would.
I love them enough to do it." he replied to him.
"Wow.
He's willing to give up being accepted by others like him just so his kids can stay with him and Fiona.
I wish my mother would do that for me.
He's one of a kind." Snowgre thought smiling watching Shrek play with the kids after they came home from school.
Fiona knew how important the triplets were to her.
But more so to Shrek.
He seemed to light up around them.
The next day was their birthday but Snowgre knew Shrek was nervous.
When an ogre kid turned seven, most of the ogre community would show up.
"Don't worry man.
Just speak from your heart like what you told me a few days ago.
I'm sure they'll understand." he reassured him.
He nodded seeing his parents and some of the ogre community arrive.
The boy triplets Meatballs and Spam were running around in knight suits playing.
"Wow there's a lot of grown ups and they seem angry at Daddy.
I wonder what he did." Meatballs said.
Fiona saw the anger in the other ogre's eyes as Shrek had told them his decision.
"This is the most important rite for young ogrelings.
It has been a tradition for many years." one said.
"Yes it's been a tradition of great sadness.
When an ogre baby is born, the parents only have a few years loving it until it turns seven and then send it away.
Many ogre parent hearts are broken through this rite like my own mother's.
I've been doing a lot of thinking and I've decided that I'm not sending my kids out there and I'm disowning myself from the community.
That should make you happy." Shrek replied angrily.
Snowgre watched as the other ogres left except for Shrek's mother.
"Honey I'm proud of you.
You stood up for your kids.
Your father may seem angry but deep down... he wishes he'd made the same choice.
To keep you by disowning himself from our commnity." she said leaving.
Fiona saw sadness later in his hazel eyes as she cut the cake.
She knew it was to do with what happened eariler.
"I'm just... gonna get some fresh air, okay?" he told her walking out the door.
Snowgre knew he was upset.
He heard Shrek crying as he sat out there alone with only the moon light to keep him company and hide his sorrow.
"Shrek you okay?
I can tell you're upset.
You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself.
What you did was brave.
I know if I ever have kids, I'm gonna make that choice you made.
I know how much they make you happy.
One day we'll see the ogre community change their minds over that dumb rule.
But for now let's keep hoping." he reassured him.
Shrek felt better hearing that.
"Thanks Snowgre for that.
I... just need time okay?" he replied as Snowgre went back inside.
"How is he?
I heard him cry." Fiona told him.
"He's fine but sad.
Those other ogre jerks bummed him out.
I hope he feels better soon." he said as they ate.
Later Shrek walked into the kids room while they were asleep.
Seeing them asleep made him smile.
"Goodnight my sweeties.
I hope one day the world will be kinder towards us." he whispered leaving the room.
Fiona found him sound asleep beside her in bed with a smile on his face.
"I'm glad they have a father like you.
They're very lucky and so am I.
Goodnight." she whispered kissing him...
Wow I'm glad the triplets aren't leaving.
It would make Fiona sad too but more depressed and nothing would cheer them up.