The Miracle
A/N: In this chapter; the reunion continues…
A/N#2: This story "kind of" follows my other stories, so you might recognize a few of my OCs here that are still awaiting their full development there… I am also providing this spoiler alert. That said; I hope not to spoil things too much.
A/N#3: This is my own tear transference story. I hope you enjoy it. And, oh yes, I do not own Tangled or its primary characters, though I do own mine and the idea…
Chapter Twelve: The Reunion, Part 2
"Who are these people?" Rapunzel asked as she finally took in the sight of the large group of visitors.
"I…, I do not even know where to begin." Eugene stutteringly answered.
Fortunately for Eugene; William, sensing his distress, quickly came to the rescue as he gestured for him to go back to where Becky was standing and took the lead as he came over to his daughter and, while gently leading her towards Mistress Cassiopeia, placed his arm comfortingly around her shoulders.
"Daddy?" Rapunzel asked as she looked up at her father's bright blue eyes; eyes that sparkled with a renewed happiness.
"Let's begin with the woman who I consider a very good friend of the family dating back to your grandfather's reign. Rapunzel, I am pleased to introduce to you Mistress Cassiopeia of Avandell."
"I am most pleased to make your acquaintance Princess Rapunzel." Mistress Cassiopeia replied as she bowed before her.
"As am I, although I cannot say for certain where Avandell even is." Rapunzel answered; the uncertainty very evident in her voice.
"All in good time, my princess. Here is not the place to discuss it."
"I understand. Daddy, who do we have here?"
"This, my dear, is another very good friend of the family, dating back to my tenure as the crown prince when I was but nineteen years old. This remarkable woman is Lady Annabella, also of Avandell who did much to assist me."
"So pleased to finally make the acquaintance of the brave Coronian Crown Princess."
"As I am to make yours. Although I do not consider myself that brave." Rapunzel said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, that is not what I heard; my lady." A blue eyed and blond haired man added as he gracefully bowed before her.
"This is Annabella's husband, Lord Andrew. He also played a pivotal role in an operation I led when I was the crown prince."
"I am so pleased to make the acquaintance of one who has so nobly assisted our fair kingdom." Rapunzel answered.
"I too am quite pleased to make your acquaintance."
"As I already know that you have had the opportunity to meet with the fine parents of Rupert MacIntyre, let's move on to the first of two amazing couples who just arrived in our fair kingdom this very day along with Mistress Cassiopeia, Lord Andrew and Lady Annabella. Before I begin, though, I want to give you a moment to see if you might be able to determine who this first fine couple is, as well as their importance." William stated as he directed his daughter towards Katelyn and Kevin.
"Ah, a challenge. How I love a good challenge. Let me see." Rapunzel smirkingly replied; taking one from Eugene's book, as she closely looked at the two parents of Amanda.
Rapunzel stood there easily for two or so minutes closely looking over the varied features of Katelyn. First, she noted the stunningly bright blue eyes. Eyes that actually seemed to glow with some sort of internal fire. Eyes that she found hauntingly familiar. She found herself unavoidably looking over to the smiling Amanda and back to the woman as she compared feature after feature. Second, she noted the black hair, lightly streaked with grays here and there. Finally, she noted that the woman carried herself as did her daughter.
"Could it be…?" Rapunzel whispered to herself as she turned her attention to the man. She somehow knew the answer to her question even as she asked it to herself.
Rapunzel again stood very quietly as she studied the features of the man; tilting her head from side to side and holding her chin in her hand as she pondered his identity. First, she noted the matching high cheek bones of both father and daughter. Second, she noted the matching noses, although Kevin's was lightly freckled, as was hers. Finally, she noted that the man's flawless teeth with a minor cross bite completely matched that of his daughter.
"I cannot believe it! Although I know it absolutely to be true as I somehow sensed it as it occurred." Rapunzel happily replied.
"I take it you figured it out?" Eugene asked, with a smirk; his own freaking out a thing of the past, it seemed.
"Of course! I cannot tell you how I know, but I am so happy to meet you Katelyn and Kevin McAllister!" Rapunzel loudly squealed as she moved forward and hugged the two quite shocked parents of Amanda.
"How did you…?" Katelyn and Kevin asked, their eye beseeching Cassiopeia to explain how this was possible.
"In good time…" Cassiopeia replied as she effectively hid her own shock of the event.
"We are most pleased to meet the fair crown princess." Katelyn and Kevin haltingly replied as they slowly recovered from their shock.
"Please do not be so shocked. I somehow knew of this event…" Rapunzel stated confidently, though she soon trailed off.
"Here is not the place to discuss this. We can explore this later after our lunch. I guess I will take this opportunity to give you a second challenge as I present our second couple." Katelyn replied.
"Ah, a second, and much easier challenge." Rapunzel said as she took in the appearance of two who were so obviously Eugene's parents.
"I take it from your confidence that you already know?" Catherine asked as she slightly more effectively hid her own shock.
"Of course!" Rapunzel happily replied as she walked over to Kimberly.
"And…" Eugene prodded.
"The hazel eyes are the giveaway, you know."
"A lot of people have hazel eyes, Rapunzel." William stated, not quite convinced.
"That is true, father, but not green and yellow dominated hazel eyes. Kimberly's eyes exactly match those of her son, Eugene!" Rapunzel categorically stated to the shock of all present. Poor Stephanie and Chelsea, nearly passing out from the shock of it all, found themselves leaning upon the other for support.
"But…"
"There is more. Anyone who has taken the time to really and truly appreciate how handsome Eugene really is…"
"Rapunzel…" An uncomfortably blushing Eugene said, much to the amusement of all present, especially the happily giggling Becky and the two visiting crown princesses who completely agreed with Rapunzel's evaluation of the situation.
"Oh, Eugene; you do not have to be so humble with me. We have been through way too much together for such nonsense. Besides, you know it is true. At first I thought you were kidding about the super human good looks and all, but now that I have now traveled to two other kingdoms, I can state without fear of contradiction that you are the most handsome man on all of Io; not to mention the bravest, kindest, and so on. One I am proud to call my boyfriend, although…"
"Ok. You can stop now! I am convinced…" Eugene blushingly replied as the others chuckled at his continued discomfort and certainty that a royal engagement was so obviously in the offing.
"Anyway, Eugene; your father Keith obviously bequeathed to you the flawless nose and silky hair!" Rapunzel concluded with a flourish.
"We are pleased to make the acquaintance of the fair crown princess Rapunzel." Kimberly and Keith also quite hesitantly replied.
"Very good, Rapunzel. You are quite brilliant!" William stated, his own shock hidden by a huge smile as his daughter took in the sight of little Becky.
"Thank you father. I guess that leaves only one more introduction to be made. Yes?" Rapunzel happily replied as she took in the sight of the suddenly quite shy young Becky as she attempted to hide behind Eugene.
"Ah, Pascal, look who is suddenly so shy." Rapunzel said to her friend and companion as he scampered down her arm to peek at the blue eyed little one hiding behind Eugene.
Little Becky, having become the friend of Pascal during many of their previous orphanage visits slowly emerged from behind her new dad's legs as the chameleon beckoned to her as he turned possibly every color in the rainbow. Eugene, gently encouraged her forward towards his girlfriend as he got down on his knees and hugged her around her waist as she emerged further from behind him.
"You are so adorable, my darling little Becky. I can see why Eugene loves you so…" Rapunzel squealed in delight.
"I…, I a…, I am pleased to meet you Princess Rapunzel." Becky nervously replied, unsure of how Rapunzel knew what she did.
"Oh. You do not have to be so formal…"
"…I don't?"
"Of course not, my sweet little one! Why would you be so formal with your new mother?!" Rapunzel answered with a bright smile and happy giggle as she took in the look of shock on the girl's face.
"Mother?!" Little Becky blurted out, amazed at the turn of events.
"Mother?!" William, Catherine, and Eugene echoed; the shock etched into their features.
"Mother." Rapunzel, Katelyn, and Kimberly confirmed as the three knowing women looked upon the awestruck Eugene.
A/N #4: What happens next?
A/N #5: Please review…