Chapter 3

I spent nearly the whole day sitting on the sofa, just starting out the window. You can see from miles on out. It kept me entertained, I guess. Watching the townspeople go about thier lives, while my mind raced with thoughts. As I looked at them, one little girl caught my eye and waved. That brought a smile out of me. I waved back. Doing so made my eyes drift upward. The sun was setting, making the clouds a beautiful pink and gold. Is this how clouds feel? I wondered as the girl turned away and ran into a shop. Can clouds do anything except loom over people, and rain every now and then? I hadn't expected to actually think about the thought, though I couldn't help myself. I wonder if clouds want to be like us – or if they're content being what they are. How do clouds do it? Being helpless but happy? Are they happy? As I pushed a lock of hair behind my ear, I compared myself to a cloud. Silly as it seems, I could actually myself as a cloud. Floating through the days, with nothing to do except maybe join with other clouds. And even so, they drift apart eventually. Though they never drift away completely the same as before. The other piece of cloud had took a piece of them, or they the other, or maybe both took a piece of each other – however it happens, maybe that's why clouds are so content. They're constantly changing... even as they turn themselves to mist.

Eugene eventually returned, and after hours, I quit musing about the thought about clouds. We ate dinner in the balcony that night. The sky was clear, and the stars twinkled high above our heads. Everytime I looked over at him, I kept thinking that I never quite noticed how good he looked in candlelight. I didn't really know what changed, but whatever it was, I'm glad it did. The fluttery feeling returned, the kind that made you blush and smile for the littlest things, after disappearing for months. I suspect he noticed it too, because he took my hand after dinner, just as he used to do, and kissed me tenderly, sweetly. I didn't really need anything more than that, and after nearly a year, I felt content once more.

We didn't do anything else that night, yet I got the best sleep I've had in... well, forever. It was even better than our wedding night. The mornings that followed, I woke up in his arms and stayed there until he stirred. My day never really started until I got a kiss from him, which left me giddy until nightfall. Four months passed, and nothing changed, well except for my hair, which now passed my hip. It didn't bother me all that much anymore. Each day, Eugene and I wandered around the town, and by now, we know more than half the residents, and where the best place is to stargaze, which happens to be up on a hill near the water, with a better view of the town than the palace roof itself. Every night we spent on that hill, we danced until our legs were too tired and fell asleep.

The day of my birthday, which took place two months later, I woke up in the bed by myself. I was immedietly saddened, of course, but my disappointment disappeared soon after I found a note from Eugene, telling me to meet him on the riverside beside the palace by noon. Excited as ever, I took a bath in the biggest bathtub in the castle, which the maids filled with rosewater. After that, I got dressed in a drapy, creamy, golden dress that came up to my knees and flowed in the back. It had a sheer overgarment with it, and purple, blue and green lace crawled upon it like delicate vines. I left my hair down, except for a little strand that I braided and embeded little jeweled flowers in. I wore simple white heels, and with a plain pearl necklace, I was ready.

Accompanied by a guard, I walked over to the riverside, where Eugene sat beside a gondola. The guard left and he took my by the hands and kissed the top of my head. I could've sworn that I melted a bit inside. "You look beautiful," He said, and gently guided me to the gondola, which wobbled a bit after I stepped inside. Scared about the boat tipping over, I sat down, and Flynn joined me soon after. However, what puzzled me was when he remained standing and grasped the oar. He strained a bit, and suddenly the boat moved. We spent the entire afternoon floating around, and every now and then he stopped to take a rest. Once we passed under a bridge and a little boy reached down and gave me a flower which smelled wonderful.

After circling around the town twice, Eugene and I decided to stop for lunch at a local restaurant. I got some sort of ham sandwhich with a crunchy, nutty spread, and he got a sandwhich with eight kinds of meat. Sadly, bit of chicken and ground beef kept falling off the sandwhich, which then caused Eugene to try to stuff it in his mouth as fast as he can, and for about two minutes, he couldn't swallow since he didn't chew it yet, and he couldn't chew it because there were hardly enough space in his mouth. I laughed until my stomach hurt, and I'm sure I saw the waiter smiling at the corner of my eye.

A few hours later, the sun started setting, and to my suprise, two horses waited for us outside. I looked over at Eugene and he winked at me. No doubt, it took him weeks to plan all this. I blushed, and mounted my horse, with a little help from him. We took a little path nearby that led to the forest. Then, without warning, Eugene took off. Confused, I followed.

We eventually arrived at the stargazing hill by dusk, and what I saw next made me gasp. Upon the top of the hill stood a rickety cabin, surrounded with overflowing flowerbeds. Next to it sat a bench, facing the town. However, while I thought the outside was wonderful, my breath was completely taken away once Eugene showed me inside. It was suprisingly roomy, something you wouldn't think when you were outside. A small fireplace sat at the opposite end of the room, with a pot hanging over it. The ceiling was covered in vines and flowers, filling the whole cabin in a dreamy scent. Two sofas were in the center of the room, as well as a wooden coffee table covered with golden cloth. Beside that was a heavy wool curtain which had been dyed a soft lilac. Eugene pushed it over, revealing a simple white double bed on the other side. There was a little door, which I suspected led to a bathroom. During all this, I hadn't said a word, but now, I squealed in delight. This house, this cabin, was the perfect birthday gift. Pleased with my enthusiasm, Eugnene hugged me tight, and kissed the top of my head once again. I looked up at him. "How did you do this?" I asked.

Grinning, he replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "Worked on it all night, well, with the help of a few dozen carpenters, landscapers and engineers," He shrugged. "But it was mostly me."

That night, we sat on the bench, a soft blanket over us, as we watched as hundreds of lanterns floated up the nights sky once more. After the lanterns had drifted away, Eugene and I went back inside the cabin. As we lay in bed, he kept kissing me, and I kissed back. We didn't know what we were doing, yet at the same time, we knew exactly what was going to happen. By the time the wind blew out the last candle, I hadn't needed it to keep warm.

Okay. Hopefully that wasn't too graphic. Anyways! So I know the last three chapters were kinda short, and that it's annoying clicking the 'next' button, so that's why you got this... sorta long (not really) chapter. It kinda works out too. You get your long-ish chapter, and I get the romantic stuff out of the way so we can progress in the story! It's a win-win! Sort of...

Btw, who else is glad that Rapunzel finally stopped being so moody?