last chapter before the conflict begins

Elsa Joseph Kristoff and Anna finally arrived at the Dunbroch estate (Elsa had decided it was best if all four of them went, if just for a little of support) they were immediately amazed by it. The house was huge, almost castle like, similar to the one Elsa and Anna had grown up in.

It was a little extravagant, but they weren't going to complain. After all, it was a party going on, so why should they complain.

Well except for the reason they were even at this party in the first place.

Elsa cringed remembering the exact conversation she had with Anna. Needless to say Anna did not take it as gracefully as Elsa had

"He's a WHAAAAAAT?!" Anna screamed over the phone. Elsa had to pull away from said item, because Anna's voice was very loud at times especially when she was upset or angry.

It wouldn't surprise Elsa if she were feeling both right now. After all Elsa was feeling the exact same way. The only reason she was going to the party was for moral support (and to find out f what she suspected was really true)

She just didn't like the idea that Joseph had an ex girlfriend who was the mother of his child (whom judging by his reaction, didn't seem to know existed.) that being said she needed to set things straight with Merida, namely, what the three of them would do now that Elsa knew about her fiancée's daughter.

It also struck as odd that it happened the way it did. Weeks after meeting Elsa, she sends an invitation, to her house inviting her over to the party of a 3 year old? There was something more sinister going on and Elsa was sure she wasn't going to like it

"I know Anna. He never told me, and I actually think he didn't know himself. He said that Merida left him. I think she left him before she knew she was pregnant."

Anna huffed on the other end of the line. "Even so, why now? After all this time not telling him…. what changed?"

Elsa bit her lip. This was a tough question to answer. But she had an idea "I think I met her a few weeks ago at a restaurant in town. She must have seen Joseph and me and gotten jealous"

It was ridiculous to say the least. Couples broke up all the time, sometimes over the dumbest reasons known to man. That being said a child wasn't something you keep from a parent. Joseph had every right to know about his child, even if he didn't have a hand in raising her.

So why did Merida keep her daughter a secret? Elsa wasn't sure; At least for the moment.

But now with the entire house of the Dunbroch family looming over her, Elsa wasn't sure she wanted to be here.

She glanced at Joseph, who looked just as upset as she felt. She wasn't surprised at all by that. His ex girlfriend invited him to a party. One he hated parties and two he broke up with her, but now he was here because of his child

While dating another woman

Elsa hated the fact that they were here, but it had to be done.

Joseph sat staring at the picture of the little girl that was apparently his daughter. What else was he supposed to think? Merida said she was about to be three. She ran off on him four years ago. They had a night of passion just weeks before that!

She clearly resembled Merida, but her eyes and hair color were the exact same as his.

Why would Merida go through great lengths to hide her from him? He glanced over at Elsa, who was doing her best not to cry.

"Elsa… I'm so sorry. I have to know. If this girl is my daughter… I need to know why Merida would keep her from me."

Elsa hiccupped; she wrapped her arms around her self, turning away so he wouldn't see the tears running down her cheeks.

Joseph was her fiancée, her lover. She wanted him to be the father of her children. But he had another daughter, with an ex girlfriend who may still love him. But she couldn't have him.

Joseph couldn't just leave her. He may want to see his new daughter, but he wouldn't just leave her for that reason. He was far to kind for that. Merida was just using their daughter to drive Elsa away

Joseph wrapped his arms around her pulling her close "Elsa… I would never hurt you.

Elsa turned in his arms leaning against his chest. She believed him. it just didn't help her unease.

If Merida wanted a fight, she was going to get one. Elsa did not like top be confrontational, but she wasn't just going to let Joseph go because that is what Merida wanted. Even so it was Josephs decision. Merida couldn't just control someone like that.

It was just that she had put everyone in such a compromising position. No matter which way it was put, someone was going to lose. Elsa just hoped that everything would work out well for everyone.

Even worse, how would it affect the little girl? She never knew her father, and would no doubt want him to stay with her. Could he refuse her? Elsa knew what it was like to grow up without a parent. This little girl wouldn't want Joseph to leave (if she knew about their relationship).

Elsa just couldn't argue with that. Every child needed a mother and a father. Merida had refused her daughter of that all her life. Now that her father was coming; How could Merida just allow him to leave? How could Elsa?

She shuddered. She loved Joseph and would never consider leaving him over this. They would get through it together.

Nothing would stand in her way. Merida was not going to take the best thing that ever happened away from her.

The four exited their car and made their way up to the house. From outside everything appeared to be quite normal. There wasn't any sort of indication that there was anything going on. If there was a party it was happening inside or somewhere else.

Joseph was not happy about this. Merida had a lot of explaining to do and he was going to make sure they had that talk long before the day was over. He just needed to get her alone first. He did not want to have in argument in front of her family, nor his friends.

He was sure Fergus and Elinor weren't going to be happy about this either. Of course Merida was the one who had left him (Merida might have explained it differently to her parents) their grandchild was left without her father to raise her and guide her. He wouldn't be surprised if Elinor went on a very long rant trying to put him in his place

Naturally he would shrug it off. Elinor was a rather intimidating woman, but she really held no power over him. Still he might deserve it, since he had no hand in raising his child (though he did get Merida pregnant)

Whether or not Merida's parents were still angry over that (if they were indeed angry; probably) wasn't the issue now. It was whether or not they expected him to stay for the little girl that was no doubt inside that house waiting for her birthday party to begin.

They would want him to stay. But he couldn't. He wanted to get to know about his daughter, help raise her, but he had a life with Elsa a woman that he truly cared for. He couldn't just walk away from that. He was going to marry Elsa and have a family with her. If Merida wanted him to be a part of their daughter's life, she was going to have to learn that. If she wanted to marry him, then she should have said yes all those years ago.

Well, at least now he knew why she had run off.

But she didn't have too. He would have married her and helped raise the child that they created together. That's what was most important.

But that no longer mattered. Merida was left to deal with the consequences on her own and he had a new life. He wouldn't leave it behind.

Still he was not looking forward to any of the conversations that were going to await him. how was he going to explain to the birthday girl he was her father. Would Merida or anyone else get in his way?

Even worse, how could he explain to her that he loved another woman?

But all those things would have to be explained long after the party.

The four made their way up to the extravagant front. Door. Quickly Joseph knocked, waiting for someone to answer the door. The front door opened revealing the Dunbrochs head maid.

Her name was Maudie. Joseph had met her once before on his first and only visit to the Dunbroch household. She was very meek and was very easy to scare. There had been so man times where the triplets had her nearly sent to the infirmary for almost scaring her to death multiple times.

In short, she was the triplet's favorite pastime when they were younger. Or at least that's what he heard from Merida when he first met the older woman. by then, the triplet were reaching double digits and while they continued to play pranks, they were far more sophisticated than that.

He doubted though that they were any more mature these days. at least when it came to pranking. Though he assumed they wouldn't be playing any pranks today because it was their niece's birthday party.

Well that was one less thing he had to worry about.

Maudies face broke into a very large grin upon seeing Joseph. Clearly she recognized him and didn't seem to hate the fact he wasn't around (that is if she knew)

"Joseph!" she cried happily stepping aside to allow the four entrances into their house.

They did so. Joseph looked around. Not much had changed in the past four years. Sure there was a large amount of party favors in the room but it looked virtually untouched from last time

Well it wasn't like they needed that much redecorating the house itself was very huge. If they wanted to redecorate one room, they would have to do most of the house along with it.

So it was safe to say there really wasn't any need to do it in the first place.

That being said there wasn't an inch of the room not covered by some birthday themed something. There were "happy birthday Kelly!" signs everywhere

"Kelly…" Joseph whispered. Merida must have named her that.

Speaking of which… where was she. He was honestly surprised that she hadn't made an appearance with Kelly. Considering the fact that's why he was here. It was surprising she wasn't nearby.

She was probably somewhere making sure everything was going well for whoever was joining the party.

Well at least she was through. He glanced at Elsa who was practically squeezing his arm. He could tell she was nervous. Even if she was not trying to show it, she wasn't looking forward to meeting Merida.

He couldn't blame her. This was going to be pretty uncomfortable for everyone. Thats why he had asked Kristoff and Anna to join them. In case something went wrong, they would be there to help Elsa out.

He just hoped that it wouldn't come to that. The last thing he needed was a full out catfight between these two women. Naturally they probably were more mature tan that (Elsa had never once gotten into a fight with anyone), but with Merida's temper, he would never know what could happen.

Merida's temper had gotten her into trouble on more than one occasion while they were dating. If she ever felt insulted, she would just slap the person, she would give him a black eye. He had seen her do that.

While it was amusing, he did not want it to happen here. This was a happy day. While there needed to be some discussions, they would hopefully happen much later, when they could get some privacy

Maudies smile widened when she caught sight of Elsa and the others "why hello!" she said, "You must be Josephs friends."

Elsa stiffened she was more than a friend. She gave a tight-lipped smile. "My name is Elsa Winters. I'm Josephs Fiancée!" she all but growled.

Oh boy, Elsa was starting to get a little upset.

That wasn't good

Anna quickly stepped forward to ease the situation "I'm Anna Bjorgman!" she said with a much friendlier tone in her voice. She gestured to her husband "this is Kristoff, my husband"

Kristoff smiled briefly.

Maudie, if she was at all offended by Elsa's attitude, didn't show it. Instead she gave Joseph a smile "Merida is expecting you."

Joseph bit his lip. Of course she would. She was the one who invited him. He smiled "where is she? He asked. Maudie turned around gesturing for them to follow her "she is getting everything ready for Kelly! After all, its not every day a young woman turns 3"

Joseph smiled. Everyone seemed to be happy. The question was, how long would it stay like that.

Judging by Elsa's reaction, things might be getting a little heated, really fast.

The four followed Maudie to what appeared to be the backyard where they found Merida talking to Rapunzel

Joseph felt his heart stop dead. Rapunzel was here? He had no idea about that. Did… did she know about Kelly?

"Miss Dunbroch! Miss Fitzherbert!" Maudie cried. The two younger women looked at Maudie, then notice the others.

Rapunzel's face broke into a smile and she quickly ran towards Joseph and Elsa. She hugged them closely.

"I'm so glad you could make it." she said pulling away from them.

Joseph stared at her face. She was smiling, but her eyes were faded. Like she was hiding something,

She had to know. Merida must have told her. She couldn't have gone for so long without telling anyone. Rapunzel was Merida's best friend. There was almost nothing never kept from the other.

Joseph smiled "glad to be here Rapunzel." He said. He was always happy to see his old friend. He just wished that it wasn't under these circumstances.

His gaze turned to Merida, who was walking toward him rather sexily. Was she serious? She was literally trying to flirt with him while his fiancée was here?

This was… he couldn't describe it. He could feel Elsa tense beside him. He wasn't surprised. With the way Merida was looking at him, they were not going to get along any time soon.

Elsa glared at the red head woman who was eying her fiancée. She was right. It was the same woman she had met at the restaurant several weeks before. She couldn't believe it. She had tried to comfort the same woman who had once held a place in her fiancées heart!

And now here she was trying to steal him away. This was not going to be a very happy day for Elsa.

Still there was a little girl around so until there was a time that she could talk to Merida, she was going to have to deal with it.

Merida approached Joseph, batting her eyelashes. She was completely ignoring the platinum beauty, whom was currently sending daggers her way.

Merida looked at Joseph who was given her a smile. Oh how she missed that smile. She placed a hand on his chest, ignoring his stiffness

"Joseph it's so wonderful to see you again," she said breathlessly

Joseph ignored his ex's attempt at flirting with him. "Merida." He said, "How's your daughter?

Merida pilled her hand away. He was getting straight to the point wasn't he? Well she had told him about Kelly and he was certain to have questions about her. He was her father after all.

Merida wished she hadn't kept Kelly a secret from him because he was angry. Of course, he had every right to be. She never told him before and now that he was engaged, it was not the best thing to hear

She smiled at him, a smile that she knew he liked "she's fine. She's upstairs with my mother. Someone has to keep her busy so that she doesn't see all the work we have to do before the party even starts"

Kelly was very hyperactive and she couldn't wait to have her party.

But was she ready to face her father?

Kelly had no idea Joseph was her father, since Merida had forbade any questions about him in the first place. But now she had the chance to meet him.

More than just meet him. Get to know him, learn from him.

Merida needed Joseph here with her; To help her raise Kelly.

Unfortunately, Elsa wasn't going to let him go without a fight.

Merida was no stranger to such things. She had been in plenty over the past few years and had come out on top every time.

She looked at everyone else, ignoring his or her heated glares, before turning to Maudie "Could you please go get Kelly?" she asked her old maid.

Maudie smiled before making her way back inside the house.

Leaving the five young men and woman to stand there awkwardly to await the young birthday girl's arrival.

Any Thoughts on what will happen next? cause it won't be pretty