Some of you are going to kill me but this was the best thing to do.
Elsa sat in her car with Anna, who was driving. She had tears going down her face, but she wasn't making a sound. She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't. not here. Not in front of Anna
She knew what he was doing.. it was best for the little girl. but that didn't stop her from feeling angry, sad and disappointed.
Maybe she couldn't understand it; she had never known anyone in the situation that Joseph was in; he didn't know until a few weeks ago. he had more of a right to be angry than she was. So why did it feel so wrong?
She had spent the past few months with him. she had grown to love him.
But now? she felt so conflicted and she wasn't sure what she was going to do. They hadn't broken up (Elsa was not going to give up that easily), but that still was no comfort considering where he was at the moment.
He was staying with the Dunbroch family for a little while. In order to get to know his daughter. But he felt he needed to be alone with her. Kelly would need to adjust to having a father in her life. Having Elsa around wouldn't exactly be the best (since Merida and Joseph would have to explain the situation to Kelly). Elsa was inclined to agree; it was important for Kelly to bond with her birth parents. In all honesty, this would have made Elsa a fourth wheel, since Joseph would be focusing on Kelly.
Elsa was just fine with that. if not for the fact she and Merida still had a very tense relationship with one another. Though the three had managed to calm the situation down, Elsa still felt wary of the other woman. Even though she trusted Joseph not to sleep with her, she didn't trust Merida in keeping her hands off her Fiance.
Maybe she was jumping the gun on this on; Merida may not be that type of person. But considering the fact that they used to date, there was a problem. Of course people change and maybe Merida didn't have feelings for him. unlikely considering the way she had acted when they first arrived at the house.
Elsa knew that Joseph had that affect on woman at one point in his life; well apparently Merida had been the reason!
That being said his heart was in the right place. The child did come first. She needed to learn more about her father, considering that he had missed all of her life up until that point.
That still didn't stop Elsa from being angry. She had spent the last five months of her life with the man she wanted to marry and now she wasn't sure what was going to happen. Joseph wasn't leaving her; they were still together. But she was concerned if it would stay that way.
She didn't want to lose him. but things had changed. He had a daughter to think about now. children always came first in this world. Kelly needed her father. Now, more than ever. But Elsa wanted him to stay with her. staying with Merida was just the easier of the two.
Not only was staying with Merida important for getting to know Kelly, they needed to figure out custody and visitation. Merida was relatively far from where Elsa grew up, let alone where she lived. How was Kelly going to stay with her father at all? It would certainly be tough unless Merida moved.
Now maybe that was the case. Merida was a grown woman; she was probably staying with her parents because of the party. So Elsa didn't know where she lived. Either way it didn't really matter. Joseph was going to stay with Merida until the whole mess could be sorted out. Elsa was going to hate this.
She wanted to feel secure, she really did. But it felt difficult knowing that he was with the woman who once held his heart. He was strong, but the danger was always there. Merida had probably seduced Joseph the night Kelly was conceived. That's what she wanted to believe anyway. But of course she wasn't sure since she hadn't been there at the time.
No matter what had happened she still had to deal with the consequences of Josephs and Merida's actions. She wasn't enjoy it, but it had to be done.
Which was why she hated the fact she was on her way back home, alone. Joseph had promised to keep her updated and he would be back home as soon as all the affairs were taken care of.
But that just couldn't come soon enough could it?
Sometimes, she wondered if her life would ever just go right. it seemed things just kept going wrong at every turn, no matter how lucky she managed to get with some things.
Well, she was just going to have to deal with it. she didn't like it, but there was nothing else she could do.
Elsa hated this. She wanted to get ready for her wedding, which was only a few months away, but… a lot could happen in such a large amount of time. She just wanted everything to be ok again.
But how was she supposed to feel ok when her Fiancé was off with another family! She wasn't going to trust Merida, no matter what happened. Though Merida was definitely cordially when they had talked, that still wasn't enough to calm Elsa down.
There was just too much at stake here.
But there wasn't any other choice. Joseph had lost four years of his life not knowing his daughter. Elsa knew that he wanted to get to know the little girl. No doubt she wanted to do the same. So there wasn't anything wrong with that. She just wasn't happy that it was happening to her and her Fiancé.
Just why did it have to happen to her? First Anna and her cheating boyfriend, and now this?
Was the world just out to get her family? She really needed to please the world. Or perhaps she needed to get it mad. Life was just really confusing right now and she wasn't sure what to think exactly.
The conversation she had with Merida and Joseph didn't help very much either.
Elsa was waiting with Rapunzel and Anna while Joseph and Merida were having their talk. Eugene Kristoff and the others were playing pin the tail on the donkey. Well they needed something to do after all. They were just trying to relieve themselves of the stress that the girls were still carrying.
Elsa looked at Rapunzel who was fidgeting just as much as she was. She seemed scared too, almost like she was afraid of what would happen when her two friends came out.
Well they all agreed on something here at least.
They had been in there for quite some time. Elsa never felt this worried in her life. Sure talking with each other wasn't going to be very short; it was a girl they were talking about, not a small topic that would take mere minutes to deal with.
"Rapunzel" she said, causing the other girl to jump, probably from the silence being broken.
Rapunzel looked at Elsa. Her eyes showed that she was just as worried as Elsa was. Her face was set in sadness. "Yes." She asked. Her voice warbled. She was trying not to cry. Elsa was trying to do the same. But it was very difficult. They were all just so worried about what was going on and the tension was getting to them big time. There was never a point in their lives they felt scared (ok maybe not since they were younger, but considering this was a matter of secrets and lies) there was so much to consider here.
Elsa gulped "how long…. How long have you known about Kelly?"
Elsa had seen Rapunzel's reaction to Elsa's arrival. Like she wasn't supposed to be here. Elsa was initial surprised, but considering that Rapunzel was an 'auntie' to Merida's little girl it wasn't very difficult to come to the conclusion that Rapunzel had known about Kelly for some time. Just how long was the question.
Rapunzel felt her face drain of color. She knew that was coming. She just wished Elsa wasn't asking her that now. She wasn't prepared to answer that question. She knew that her cousin was not going to like what Rapunzel was going to say to that. But what choice did she have? Rapunzel was a very bad liar; she always told the truth. So when she was going to tell Elsa the answer to this question, well…
"I knew about her when Merida told me she was pregnant." She said wincing.
Elsa felt her eyes widen. Of all the people to hide this….Rapunzel?! Her cousin. Her fiancé's best friend?! Why? She wasn't a liar, but this…. Kelly was not her secret to keep. She should have told Joseph (but they wouldn't have met each other then) first things. Friends don't do that to one another!
Why would Rapunzel torture herself like that, let alone the people most important in her life! She had known Joseph since childhood! Over a decade they had been together! All the times they had, the laughs they shared! Did they mean nothing to Rapunzel? Surely that meant more to Rapunzel than keeping this secret.
"Why?" Elsa asked her cousin. "Why would you hide the fact your best friend was a… he was your friend! You've known him much longer than for much longer than you've known Merida!" Elsa screamed at her younger cousin.
Rapunzel flinched, feeling the sting behind Elsa's words. But she was right. She should have told Joseph years ago, but Merida had begged her not to because she was scared and was later convinced she could raise Kelly on her own. Since then it had been Rapunzel's mission to make sure Kelly was as comfortable as possible. Merida wasn't always going to be there so Rapunzel stepped in to babysit whenever Merida asked. Rapunzel enjoyed it.
That didn't stop her from feeling upset about the lying though. She never broke a promise, but she was keeping and breaking one all at the same time. She hated what she had done, but it was done. The truth was out now.
Tears began to leak out of Rapunzel's eyes. She felt terrible. She was both a good and a lusy friend. This all could have been avoided if she told him. But how could she? It wasn't her place to tell Joseph the truth. It was betrayal of the highest order.
Even worse, when Elsa and Joseph started dating, Rapunzel couldn't tell him he was finally happy after Merida left him. Could she really break them up? Well she might have anyway. Elsa was mad at her for this.
But the truth came anyway by Merida. When she found out Elsa was dating the father of her child. She had been insanely jealous, wanting to break them up. Rapunzel could tell that from her actions. She had lightly flirted with him at the party. Merida hadn't done anything to hide it. It shocked Rapunzel that she had even attempted it. But Merida was passionate to say the least.
Either way there was no way to change the fact that it was a bundle of lies that led everyone to this point. It started when Merida got pregnant and it got to this point. Merida and Joseph were busy talking about Kelly while everyone was waiting out here hoping that everything could just go well for everyone.
Hard to relax when you were in this situation.
Just what were they going to do? Rapunzel felt so guilty. If she had just told the truth…
But nothing could be done.
Elsa frowned staring at her ring. The ring that Joseph had given her that night. The night they got engaged. It seemed so long ago now. Like a vague memory. She had been so happy that day, like nothing could ever go wrong.
Except things did go wrong. Merida had shown up, bringing with her a wedlock child and unresolved feelings that were now causing trouble for Elsa. And now here Elsa was angry and scared. She just wanted everything to go back to normal; back when she was happy with the man she loved, when they were still going to get married. Now, she wasn't sure what to think.
She hated that she was in this situation. She just wasn't sure whom to blame; there were too many people to blame to begin with. She sighed. She wanted everything to be ok again.
But her heart was broken, ever since Joseph had told her he was staying.
Joseph and Merida walked out of the house, heading straight for the girls. They were given them smiles, like they had managed to work out everything that needed to be done.
Elsa returned her fiancées smile. Whatever had happened it seemed that the two had managed to come to some sort of agreement. Elsa was glad for that. This day had been very miserable for her. Ever since she had gotten to the house, Merida had flirted with Joseph at every turn. Joseph of course refused, but it still annoyed her
But now they should be able to leave that behind them.
The two finally reached the others. They were silent until Rapunzel looked at Merida "well…" she asked hesitantly
Merida nodded, looking at Elsa "Elsa…. I am truly sorry for the way I have been treating you. It wasn't fair to you. Joseph was the father of my child and I denied that to him because I was scared. It's my own fault. You have him now… I have to accept that."
Elsa was surprised by Merida's response the two hadn't gotten into any sort of fight, mainly because it was a bad idea anyway, but this was still unexpected. But she was willing to accept it
She nodded "its… Its alright" she said uncertainly.
"However…" Merida said, "I am asking you this… I know you are getting married, but is there any possible way Joseph can stay with me and Kelly for a while?". Her voice was soft and concerned
Wait what? Elsa gasped, before fully realizing what Merida was asking. Stay? What type of request was that? He was engaged. He could leave her now? She looked at Joseph, who bit his lip.
"Elsa it's not what you think…. Kelly I missed so much of her life. I need to tell her the truth. I need to spend time with her… if I am to be a part of her life; Merida and I need to sort it out. I can't just show up whenever I want to. I need to go to court for that. so I can't constantly commute from home and here. I'm sorry Elsa but this is for the good of everyone."
He reached for her, but Elsa pulled away, giving him a cold stare. She couldn't believe it. She knew he meant well, but this… of all things to do he had to do this? he was going to stay with the woman who made her blood boil. Forget the apology she was angry.
Anna however noticed this "Joseph! What are you saying?!" she screeched, jumping to her feet.
Joseph looked at Anna "Anna. I am not breaking off my engagement!" his voice was desperate, but soft "this whole mess is my fault. And Merida's. We need to sort this out, but it's going to take time".
Anna shook her fists, trying not to get angry "and by staying here, you think it makes everything ok!"
Merida sighed, "Listen! I'm nit trying to go behind anyone backs here! Kelly needs her father, but its not going to happen very easily!" she snapped her fingers "obviously I can't marry him, but he needs to play a role in Kelly's life!"
Everyone knew Merida had a point but that was not enough to stop any of them from being angry. Joseph was half abandoning them right now. They knew he wasn't trying to hurt Elsa, but this wasn't something they liked.
Anna stomped up to Joseph and slapped him across the face. She didn't hit as hard as Merida but that didn't stop it from hurting. She growled, "Listen and listen well. If anything goes wrong after today, you will never be allowed near my sister again!" she grabbed Elsa and proceeded to stomp away. Rapunzel watched them go, before looking at the other two "I'm sorry."
Elsa hadn't liked that Anna had slapped Joseph; he didn't deserve it. But she wasn't any happier about the situation anyway. Joseph should have been coming home with her. Instead they were fragmented unsure of what the future was going to hold for them. She was certain that he was going to return to her; he loved her as much as she loved him. But.. Merida was going to unnerve her until then.
It was just a terrible situation that shouldn't be happening. She should be getting ready. She was going dress shopping for her wedding dress. she was getting the catering from her favorite restaurant, booking the venue at the place she was going to get married at. But now she was just not sure what to do. She didn't want it to be all for nothing.
He was off with his daughter getting to know her, but she was struggling not to cry. She didn't want it to end this way. She wanted to get married and have children.
She sighed, trying not to cry. Sometimes looking towards the future was a good thing. Now, she dreaded what was to come.
Sorry folks but this had to be done. but don't worry! there is more to come! Don't think this will end badly for Elsa! she will be sad, but remember, she didn't break up with him!