Well now. Back to the other side of this story. Elsa is not happy, so is Joseph? probably not!.
Also two things. A reviewer of mine Jacob Flores politely asked me to read his story, and I did. so do me a favor. Since he hads been a follower for so long, please go and read his story too. I promise, you'll like it.
Also, I saw Idina Menzel in concert! she was awesome!
Joseph and Merida sat on a bench watching as Kelly played in the backyard of Merida's parents house. It had been several days since he had opted to stay and it wasn't getting any easier. There was a hole in his heart; like a deep cavity that couldn't be filled. He thought what he was doing was for the good of everyone, but it didn't stop him from feeling terrible. He saw the look in Elsa's eyes. She was hurt. He had broken his promise. He couldn't blame anyone but himself. He could blame Merida, but that just seemed unfair. Yes Merida and Kelly were the reason he was here, but blaming Merida for him staying (at least completely), was a dumb thing to do.
He had already blamed Merida for so much; putting all the blame on her was just plain childish. Kelly was a joint effort; he was as much to blame as Merida was. Now he just wanted to make things right again.
Kelly was his daughter. She was his flesh and blood. She needed her father, especially at this age. Children always needed both parents. Merida had done a fine job raising her. even without him he was certain Kelly would grow into a fine young woman (lets not think about that just yet; she is still a toddler).
But still there were something that a father or mother couldn't do that needed to be done by the other parent. At least that's what most people thought. It wasn't like he was the best role model for that parenting style since he spent most of his life traveling. Even so, Merida had told him about the problems that Kelly was having at school with the other children. About how they bullied her and teased her about the fact she didn't have a father. He hated it, but children were children. They didn't really know any better. Still it didn't stop him from wanting to make Kelly feel better.
Speaking of Kelly, she was initially confused as to why a friend of her mothers was staying with them.
It had been a confusing conversation, to say the least.
Joseph and Merida watched as Elsa left with the others, leaving them alone. Neither of them were feeling happy at all. Merida would have relished in the fact Joseph was staying here, but considering she was over that, she hated how things were ending now. sure, she and Elsa weren't friends, nor likely were they ever going to be, but now? she was wishing that she hadn't been so standoffish to Elsa.
The look on Josephs face. it was the same look that he had given her all those years ago. a look of helplessness and pain. Only now it seemed even worse. He was more in love with Elsa than he had ever been with her.
She would have been jealous, but she just felt sad. They really hadn't consulted Elsa on what she thought. But what else was there to do? If Joseph wanted Kelly in his life, they needed to establish some common ground. They really couldn't do that over the phone; it was pretty hard as it was. Kelly didn't even know her father, nor the fact that he was standing right here. They were going to have to tell her eventually of course, but how they were going to do that was going to be difficult. Children were very emotional. Kelly would be really happy, or really upset about that. so they really weren't looking forward to that conversation.
But it needed to be done. Joseph and Kelly had been apart far too long. It was time that Kelly finally met her father for real. She might be upset or happy (probably both) but in the end, it was something that Merida was hoping for now. it was her own fault anyway.
With a sigh, Merida took Joseph to the backyard, where Kelly was waiting her with uncles and Grandparents. They were very good at distracting her (Kelly absolutely loved fun, especially when her uncles were involved). Unfortunately nothing was going to distract Kelly from this one.
Merida felt both a light hearted feeling and a sense of dread as she took Joseph to Kelly. She had waited for this for so long, but she was now wishing that it were under better circumstances. However looking back at Joseph he was smiling. He was trying to hide the pain he was feeling for the sake of his little girl. Merida felt herself smile. Joseph and Elsa would have to patch things up, but for now, Kelly was what was important.
Merida would help him with Elsa later. She owed him that much, considering that she was the reason all of this was happening in the first place.
"Kelly!" she called to the little girl. Kelly looked up from her playtime, an ever so wide smile on her face. she stood up and teetered towards her mother, screeching with laughter. "mommy!" she flung herself at the red head, who caught her and wrapped her arms around the little girl. she kissed her face, pecking every inch she could reach.
Joseph smiled. now that was love….
But… would Kelly understand what he and Merida were about to tell her. he really didn't know much about children. He would have asked Anna but considering she would rather him drop dead at the moment, she was not going to be very helpful.
He didn't really know much about the minds of children. He was hoping to learn with Elsa (who probably also hated his guts) but now he was going to have to learn with Merida. Of course Kelly was already four so there was a difference between her and an infant. So while it might seem easy at the moment, it wasn't going to mean anything until he actually raised a child to that age himself.
Merida laughed hugging Kelly tightly to her. she gave her daughter a smile, before asking "Kelly, is it alright if I tell you something important."
Kelly nodded vigorously, grinning madly "of course mommy!" she said happily. It wasn't like she could argue with her mother anyway. and beside, important was… she couldn't describe it, it was too much for her four year old mind.
Merida nuzzled Kelly's nose. "I want you to meet someone. She turned to Joseph. Kelly smiled "your Mr. Joseph!"
Joseph smiled, but it was strained. There was a lump in his throat. "Kelly…."
Kelly's face fell. She could tell that something was wrong. No adult was this quiet unless something was wrong. So what was wrong with Mr. Joseph?
Joseph sighed. He really wasn't sure how to go about this. he just learned he was a father and he was nearly overwhelmed. Kelly probably was going to take it much worse, considering she was much younger and might not be able to process the information as well. "Kelly… I'm your father."
Kelly, as predicted looked shocked, her green eyes going wide. She started to hyperventilate in Merida's arms before promptly fainting right then and there.
Merida gripped Kelly tightly to prevent her from falling backward. She sighed with relief. Kelly falling to the ground was the last thing she needed right now. well… at least now she knew the truth. But know they had to wait until she woke up. which could be a few hours considering that she knocked herself out cold. At least she was ok.
It had taken a few hours for Kelly to wake up and even longer for her to accept the reality that her father was here with her. she had been happy about that afterwards, hugging Joseph tightly while crying, begging him never to leave. It made Joseph sad. He had no choice, really. He was staying so he could get to know Kelly, but in the end he wasn't going to stay. Kelly was so happy that her father was here that she had yet to ask why her parents weren't married. neither Merida and Joseph wanted to answer that question. the trying something that a child really didn't need to hear. Kelly was a illegitimate child. She was born out of a night of passion and anger. Of course Merida didn't regret it and neither did Joseph. They didn't care that a night of passion, rather than marriage led to Kelly, they were just happy that Kelly was brought into the world.
She was so happy, even after learning about Joseph's identity. In fact, by Merida's observation she was happier than ever before. well at that was a plus in every shape and form.
Joseph and Merida had yet to really talk to anyone about the custody issues that they were inevitably going to have. They were trying to come up with an agreement themselves. That and trying to keep Kelly happy. Joseph had already learned so much about her. her favorite color, food. you name it, Kelly had told him.
The world had yet to know his relation to Kelly. Of course while Merida worked at her own gym (though she was hoping to become a lawyer, for Kelly's sake), since he was the face of a company, the media was going to be all over it. he hated it, plus Kelly shouldn't go through a media circus. It was going to cause a scandal, and it wasn't something that he wanted to put them through. Then again he had stayed out of the public eye; he wasn't exactly known for being crazy like other CEO's. so even if it was a media craze, hopefully it wouldn't be too terrible.
He and Merida wanted to take Kelly out, but they were still trying to work out details. Besides there was still so much to do at the Dunbroch estate. But they were going to after they finished with all the details.
After that, they were going to have to talk to Elinor (who insisted on being their lawyer for this) Elinor….. Well Elinor took things rather well after Elsa had left.
Elinor's eyes blazed with suppressed anger as she glared at Joseph. It looked like she had been waiting years for this moment. which was no doubt true, any parent would be angry about what they had did that night. She had already yelled at Merida, but now she was going to have the chance to eviscerate the man who got her daughter pregnant.
That being said, Elinor absolutely adored her granddaughter. She was everything that Elinor could ever hope for in a grandchild. Even without her or Fergus there to help her (which they provided while Kelly was still an infant) all of the time, Merida had matured greatly and raised Kelly efficiently.
The only thing that Elinor hated was the sheer irresponsibility behind Kelly's conception. Merida had said it was a night of anger because of the argument she and Elinor had earlier that day. So of course the bedroom had to be the best remedy for it.
Well, at least Merida learned not to go crazy with anything else after that.
But now she was trying so hard to incinerate her kind of son in law; the father of her grandchild; the ex lover of her daughter. Unfortunately, Joseph was not at all intimidated by her, even though she was going to rip him apart.
Joseph just stared at her waiting for her to explode.
Merida on the other hand, stayed by Joseph's side, holding his hand. Though she already went through this several years ago, she knew how terrible her mother could be when angry (though she had stopped being intimidating.)
Or she would have, if Elinor hadn't said. "Merida, I understand that kelly was a joint effort, but I've already yelled at you. Leave." Her voice was deathly calm. Merida sighed and left the room. she wasn't going to like this at.
Elinor continued to glare at Joseph "you… you took my daughter… my daughter! to bed! You got her pregnant! And I don't care what your excuse is, you should have been there for her!"
Joseph stared blankly at the older woman. He had ceased contact with Merida after she ran off on him. She had broken his heart, not even telling him she was pregnant. Merida might have told Elinor that (how else was she supposed to explain why she and Joseph weren't together any more)
"I am only helping you because you are the father of my granddaughter. I am aware of your relationship with that young woman; you made it clear. But now, you have a daughter to care for. Regardless this mess was your fault. If you want any sort of relationship with Kelly, you will listen to me I that understood."
Joseph nodded "understood" he really couldn't argue with Elinor on that. She was really stubborn. Plus she really wanted to get to know Kelly, even if he couldn't always be there for her.
Elinor gave him a twisted smile. "Good!" she said with a sickly sweet voice. She then walked away.
Joseph sighed. Elinor was not going to forgive him so easily, but at least she didn't start a screaming match. Not that it would have helped the situation at all in any way. Elinor just wanted to protect Merida and Kelly, but she was mature enough to get her word across the room, without resorting to screaming at someone to do it.
Either way, it didn't matter as long as Elinor wasn't fighting both of them on the matter. Kelly was the important one here.
But they would worry about that later. Once Kelly woke up, Joseph ands Merida would talk to her.
Today, it was a family day. Joseph Merida and Kelly had spent the entire day just doing whatever. So far it was piggyback riding hide and seek and a large amount of other things that Kelly asked them to do. So far it had been fun, but now Kelly was in her own jungle gym, graciously made by her grandfather. Well she was having fun at least.
Kelly was happy after the past few days. she was happy that her father was finally here with her to do all the things that she wanted to do with him.
The only problem Joseph and Merida were having was how to tell Kelly that her parents weren't together. Well she already knew that because Joseph was marrying Elsa. But she seemed so happy about the fact her father was here with her anyway that she hadn't thought about it.
There was still so much to do outside of the business side of this adventure though. Kelly was going to go into another year at preschool (Merida put her into a small program the year before) and she wanted Joseph to take her this time. Well he couldn't argue (she had mastered the puppy dog face, only it was worse since she was a child; how could he say no to that?) plus according to Merida that might help with the teasing that she got from the other kids.
It bothered him that Kelly had these problems, but hopefully it would stop after the kids knew about him. perhaps even get Kelly a few friends.
Children could be relentless sometimes, but they didn't know any better. Still didn't make teasing ok.
Merida smiled as she watched her daughter. Kelly was happier than she had ever seen her before. It was all because Joseph had come to see her. well Merida had asked him to come, but Kelly was happy about it anyway.
The only real problem was that Joseph was in a word, miserable. Not about this, but about his relationship with Elsa. Merida of course regretted it. Well she regretted semi breaking them up any way. Elsa hadn't screamed at him or taken off the ring. She just walked away struggling not to cry. So here he was with his ex lover watching their daughter having the time of her life while trying not to show how sad he was.
He hadn't attempted to contact her at all. He must have assumed she wouldn't answer. after a few months you kind of know some things right? Merida wanted to help him with that, she really did. True she wanted him for herself, at least in the beginning, but now she was happy to just settle for some custody rights with Kelly so the three of them could spend time together as a family.
Hopefully Elsa would want to be apart of that. besides Kelly had seen other kids interact and said she always wanted a sibling; which was something that Merida couldn't provide, but Joseph could, that is if he married Elsa.
But what if Elsa didn't take him back after this? well there really wouldn't be any relationship left would there. Merida saw only two possibilities. Either Joseph would leave everything behind, or stay with Merida.
While Merida would be more than happy to rekindle the flame she once had with Joseph, she wasn't sure what option was more likely to happen. They had been apart for so long. Back then, she had been his first love, so would he cone running to her for comfort. If that happened Elsa would never want to see him again.
If Merida had broken his heart (which she did) that outcome was going to destroy it. she didn't want to be responsible yet again for breaking Joseph's heart. She had already done that and she hated it. of course he had moved on but it was still her fault.
For now she wasn't going to worry about it. They needed to be happy. Joseph and Elsa were going to deal with that when he returned to her. for now, she was happy.
More is to come so stay tuned. Its going to be sad. leave your thoughts, cause maybe it could help make the story a little happier.