They went to Charles' house immediately in order to find out funeral information. Rapunzel didn't even know who to contact or invite to the funeral, so they put the information into his obituary and hoped someone would show up. Few people did. There were some from his job, but not many other than that. Rapunzel greeted everyone quietly, and Eugene stood beside her with Missy in his arms. He was laid to rest in a cemetery in Buffalo. By then, Rapunzel was completely drained emotionally, and not a tear was shed. She stood and gazed at her father's casket, wondering how she possibly managed to be standing here right now. She hadn't even known him this time last year, but now she was attending his funeral. She'd never dealt with true personal loss before - abuse, yes, and running away from home, but she'd never permanently lost anyone she loved. An ache settled around her heart and her stomach seemed permanently twisted into a knot.

Two days later, it was Saturday, and Rapunzel wanted to start clearing out her father's house as soon as possible. She didn't want to wait - while she still hurt, she wanted to get it all over with. So they packed Missy Elaine up in the car, along with her playpen and sling. When they pulled up to her father's small, cottage-like house, Rapunzel took in a deep, shuddering breath as she un-clipped her seat belt.
"You don't have to today," Eugene reminded her once more, fixing her with a concerned gaze. She continued to stare out the windshield, so he reached over and eased her chin in his direction, meeting her eyes as he repeated the statement. He hated seeing the ache in those green eyes of hers. Her black lashes batted thoughtfully as she seriously considered turning around and going home.
"No," she finally shook her head. "You're off, we just drove over here...we'll get started today."
He nodded, getting out of the car and getting the playpen out of the trunk while Rapunzel got Missy out of her car seat.

The gray cottage was small and cluttered. Washed-out blue coated the walls, except for the bedroom and bathroom, which were a beige color. Directly inside the front door, there was a small room with a single couch, which sat before a television set. A door led to the kitchen and dining room, if it could even be called such. Down a hallway was her father's bedroom and bathroom, which were cluttered. A door leading to a staircase indicated an attic.
"Well...where do we start?" Eugene asked.
Rapunzel bit her lip. She could, maybe, pretend she was just cleaning some random person's house. But no, the 'logic' side of her brain laughed at that idea.
"Um..kitchen, I suppose. Need to get it cleared out in case there's any food in there." She readjusted the sling that held her daughter close, and then plunged into the outstanding odor that burst from the door. A moment later, she tore back out of the room. "Eugene, you take Missy. I'll clean the kitchen, I just don't want her around the mold. Oh, goodness, it stinks. If you want, maybe you could clean up the...the living room or something."
"Trade?" he asked. "I can handle moldy food. That's what digging through Dumpsters will do for you," he gave her a wry grin, and she didn't hesitate to trade duties. Eugene covered his nose and yelled I'm goin' in! to try and lighten the mood, which did make Rapunzel giggle.
"Oh, brave soul, bless you!" she cried after him, playing along. "Open all the windows to release the beast!" she said as she slammed the door behind him. Missy gazed up at her with a look crossed between curiosity and a little bit of worry - after all, her mother typically didn't even raise her voice - and she smiled softly, plopping a kiss on her forehead before quietly announcing they were cleaning out the living room.

They worked for the entire day on the house, and got it to resemble cleanliness. They hauled at least three garbage bags full of...well...garbage out, and would return tomorrow after the church sermon to start going through his belongings. As they left the house, Eugene glanced towards Rapunzel. "Want me to pick up a pizza or something? Or the diner."
Rapunzel nodded, yawning. "That would be spectacular." She twisted around in her seat to look at Missy, who was sleeping in the car seat. "She's such a good little baby! Hardly made a peep. When I wasn't carrying her, she was playing all quiet-like in her playpen."
He nodded. "I hope her quiet sweetness carries through her teen years," he chuckled.
"Mhmm," Rapunzel grinned.

When they got home, the mailbox was stuffed full with envelopes, those large orange envelopes, and the monthly round of bills, which had accumulated between Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
"Oops," Rapunzel winced, waving the mound to show Eugene before plopping it on the table beside their box of pizza.
He chuckled. "No harm done. We've both been preoccupied." Rapunzel settled down with a bottle for Missy and after they blessed the food, she fed her wide-eyed little dear while she ate as well. After dinner, they both started sorting through the mail.
Rapunzel made a sound indicating recognition as she opened some letters, which included Charles' deed. Her eyes widened, and then she curled in on herself, biting back a sob so she wouldn't concern the baby still settled in her lap. She wordlessly handed the paper to Eugene.
"His life savings he wants set aside for Missy's college fund, and he's giving us the house to rent out or sell," Eugene murmured.

Rapunzel shook her head. "He hardly even knew us."
"But he loved you, Rapunzel. He always did," he said. "And everything turned out just the way it was meant to be. While you didn't know him nearly as long as you should have, you at least got to know him and understand that he wanted you and loved you very much."
She nodded, but she couldn't push aside the pain that grasped hold of her, demanding to be felt. "I know," she said in a small voice. "A-and...and little Missy did get to meet him, she just...she won't know him. He did everything that he wanted to do with me, I suppose."