Author's Note:

Sorry about the delay! This seems to be a relatively slow chapter, but those are sometimes the hardest to write. Anyways, hope to update soon! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 10

"Here we are, ladies! Lunch!"

Thomas and Stellan entered the dining hall, their arms laden with large platters of food. Warm sandwiches, soup, and assorted pastries steamed as the men dropped the plates on the table in front of their wives.

"Wow! Looks beautiful!" Rosie said, smacking her lips and grabbing a cube of cheese off a plate. She had put Rapunzel down to nap only a few minutes ago.

Freja smiled sideways up at Stellan. "And you men made this feast all by yourselves, did you?"

"Yep!" said Thomas.

"Mostly," said Stellan.

Freja giggled. She could still hear the kitchen staff in the next room, tidying up dishes and talking in hushed tones. Shaking her head, Freja reached out and took her husband's hand in hers.

"My love, you are simply too good to me."

"I know," Stellan said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

Freja dug into the wonderful meal. She stopped after just a few bites. She felt hungry, as usual, but for some reason the thought of food turned her off. Taking a small nibble off the corner of a sandwich, she sat back in the chair, resting her arms on her abdomen.

"Sorry, I don't have much of an appetite."

Rosie cast a sideways glance at her sister.

"It's nothing!" Freja said firmly. She turned to Stellan, "How's the packing going?"

"It's being worked on right now. There will be no problems leaving tomorrow, I am sure."

Freja sighed. Her nightmare had shaken her to the core, but now it seemed just that. A nightmare. Nothing more.

The afternoon was quiet and peaceful. Rapunzel slept while Thomas, Rosie, Stellan, and Freja lounged on the soft chairs that had been moved out onto the balcony. The sun was soft and warm in the sky, and a gentle breeze cooled their skin as they soaked in the light. No one felt much like doing anything besides relaxing. After all, there was a new baby in the castle. They had to take rest when they could get it. Rapunzel woke up a few hours later and Rosie carried her out to the family, laying her softly in Freja lap.

"There you go," she grinned, "Practice."

Willing to oblige, Freja laughed and cuddled her niece. She ran her fingers through her fluffy golden hair, noticing that it had grown to nearly covering her peach-fuzz head.

"Was her hair always this long?" Freja asked.

Rosie looked over at them, her face quizzical. "No. I was wondering about that myself. It seems to be growing very quickly, doesn't it?"

"Well, maybe that's just how it works. I don't know. I've never had a baby before."

Stellan laughed, "Well, you'd better get used to it."

His wife grinned at him, "Same goes for you! Here you go! Practice!" Rapunzel switched hands.

Freja watched as Stellan looked down at the baby princess, his eyes full of emotion. She couldn't wait to see him as a father. She felt Elsa kick, and rubbed her belly.

Thomas watched his daughter as lights danced in his eyes, "I'm sure her hair is just growing so well because she's healthy."

"Yes, you are!" Stellan cooed to Rapunzel, bouncing her softly up and down, "You're just a big, healthy girl, aren't you? You are! Beautiful little girl!"

"Umm, Stellan," Rosie said carefully, "I just fed her so… you should be…"

Blech. "Oh, great."

"…careful."

Freja laughed freely as Stellan wiped spit up from his shirt, making a face.

"Thank you for your lovely gift, darling," he said to Rapunzel, "But I think it's time Auntie Freja took over," he leaned close to the baby's face and whispered, "Maybe once more? Just for her?" and handed Rapunzel back to his wife.

Thomas stood, his large frame blocking the sun from Rosie's eyes.

"I have an idea," he said, "It's tradition to do something special to celebrate the birth of a princess. We need to do something the people of Corona can see and remember. Here's what I propose. Tonight is your last night, Stellan and Freja, in Corona. Why don't we have a launch?"

"Oh! What a marvelous idea!" Freja exclaimed, while her sister applauded at the thought.

Stellan was the only person who looked confused, "Sorry, what's a launch?"

"It's an old Coronian tradition! Only happens on special occasions, usually. We release flying lanterns into the sky, just as soon as the sun goes down! It's one of the most beautiful things on the planet!"

Rosie smiled as Freja handed the baby back to her and waddled to the edge of the balcony, looking out over Corona.

"It will be a welcome fit for our Princess Rapunzel!"