"Darling, please eat something" Jane almost jumped at her father's comment.
It had been two days since Jane had returned and from the moment she entered the house she immediately locked herself in her room. While the Professor seemed to be more functional and cheery it was probably due to the fact that his depression had passed on to his daughter.
"I . . . just don't seem to have an appetite today" Jane was holding a teacup but not once did she take a sip from it.
"You didn't even comment on the new walls" the Professor said eating his pasta.
The brunette did a small smile "Don't worry daddy, I love it"
"How is that friend of yours that got stabbed in Crown Court?" Archimedes asked trying to make some conversation with his child.
"I . . . uh . . . well he seems to be stable" Jane tried to recall what Merida had told her last night. "They say he should be waking up by next week"
The old man sighed "Ah yes, school will be starting soon, and you'll be leaving by next week"
At this Jane's expression changed from distant to alert "I can stay if you want" the tea in her cup shook at her quick movements "I'm sure the people at . . ."
"Its fine Jane, you don't have to worry the world for me" he chewed "Nyum perpetbly pie"
At this the girl rolled her eyes "Daddy how many times have I told you to chew before you speak" she groaned "Honestly, how do you manage to survive alone when I'm gone?"
The Professor frowned for a moment but it went unnoticed by Jane "I think you ought to start packing"
Jane sighed and stood up placing her cup on the table "I guess you're right, I better remind Merida as well when she gets back"
"That girl almost visits that friend of yours everyday" the Professor commented "What was the person's name again? I fail to recount it"
"Arthur Pendragon" Jane said leaving the kitchen.
The Professor nodded and was about to sip Jane's abandoned tea when he realized "Arthur? Ector's young boy?!?" he slammed the cup "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Oh . . . I forgot you were acquaintances" Jane blinked "But when I asked if you wanted to come you said you wanted to hunt voodoo dolls with your cousin"
"Nonsense" he was rushing to finish his meal "Bepa bopping pear"
The girl closed her eyes "There you go again Daddy"
He swallowed the remnants of his pasta "We're visiting the young boy, I can't believe I didn't recognize him from the news reports"
"I think they . . ." before Jane could reply her phone rang "Hello?" she answered "Merida? . . . Clothes? . . . Overnight? I thought . . . your turn? . . . has he . . . oh not yet . . . well then alright . . . yes . . . oh do they mind if daddy comes with me? . . . Alright then see you later"
"Well then?" the old man asked.
Jane checked her phone noticing that it was already 15 percent "I'm going to bring Merida her clothes because she's staying there overnight, so behave"
The man did a toothy smile "Well of course not, I'll be at my utmost behavior"
Jane raised a brow.
PAGE BREAKER
The Parias family was also having their lunch with Chicha whipping up her famous Paella and Tortilla Espanola. Though most of the week Esme had been spending time with her father just to try and catch up with lost time. The man hadn't met Phoebus yet but they had planned to have one big meal together before the two left for college again.
Right now Esme was helping her aunt fix the table while Pacha and Phoebus played with the kids, Mirage was talking on the phone with one of her clients.
Chicha sighed "Even at time like this she's still having a business conference" she said placing the dish at the center of the table.
Esme was placing spoons and forks "There's no such thing as a day off for her"
"And you'd think your father could have at least given her that" the older woman shook her head.
Esme shrugged "Papa . . . umm dad" she was still wondering exactly what to call him "Even if he did she'd demand for more work"
"You go call your mama then, I'll go get our men and the kids" Esme couldn't help but blush at her aunt's comment about 'their men'.
The younger girl then headed for her mom's office, and as she expected she found the business woman on her desk seemingly arguing with whoever was on the phone. Esme just stood there waiting for either the call to end or for her mother to acknowledge her, the former had happened around two minutes later. When Mirage ended her call she saw her daughter.
"How long have you been standing there?" Mirage asked putting her phone down.
Esme smiled "Not that long, we're about to eat though"
The platinum blonde slowly rose from her seat "I see . . ." she walked around her desk seemingly arranging some papers, she then turned her back on her child "So . . . is your father treating you well?"
"He is" Esme replied "He asked if I wanted to spend the summer in his ranch in Mississippi"
Mirage nodded "What did you say?"
"I declined his offer" Esme played with her fingers "We don't know exactly how summer will go; we still have to talk to Phoebus' parents"
"I'm not trying to be pessimistic here but" Mirage slightly turned her head "What if they reply badly?"
"Phoebus said they wouldn't have a choice either way, his mother doesn't seem like the person to tell people to . . . 'take care of things' . . ." Esme air quoted.
"What do you plan afterwards?" Mirage asked "Studying will be hard for you, you'll probably have a baby bump when you graduate. Then there's morning sickness and cravings, you'll also be very high on hormones so you don't exactly know what to expect."
The younger girl nodded "I am very aware of that, I've been planning for everything the whole break from breathing exercises to what to pack when the baby's due"
"I assume you didn't go to the ob-gyn yet"
"We don't have a doctor yet" it's not like she could have looked for one in the limited amount of time.
By this time Mirage fully face Esmeralda "I just talked with Dr. Possible"
"Isn't she a brain surgeon?" Dr. Anne Possible was Mirage friend whom she met at a conference in Dublin five years ago.
"She's referred me to one of her colleagues, though you'll have to meet them first to be sure" Mirage crossed her arms "And I'm sure Buddy is phoning his friends as well"
Esme did a little smile "So . . . it's not Mr. Pine anymore?"
"The name Benedict never suited him" the woman went for the door "I think it's about time we eat"
"One last thing" Esme said.
Mirage turned around.
"Thank you"
The older woman's eyes softened "I don't know what I'm going to do with you, I could hardly handle your cousins and now you're giving me a grandchild"
"At least you won't chase them around with a walking stick" Esme joked.
Mirage raised a brow "When you were a child I was already chasing you with one"
"Mama" Esmeralda wrapped her mother in a hug "They can't be that bad"
Mirage shook her hand and returned the hug "I just want you to know, I'll be there for you" she held her daughter's cheek "If you need help in anything, don't be afraid to call me"
"What if you're busy?"
"I'm sure your father won't mind" Mirage smirked "He'll probably mandate me to call you anyway"
Esme smiled "He's taking the dad thing a bit too seriously"
"Oh you think this is serious?" the two left the office and went for the dining room "You should have seen the time he tried to chase your uncle Koko's chicken . . ."
PAGE BREAKER
She starred at the gloomy sight of Big Ben that was just across the river with a bored look on her face. Anna had been sitting in that chair for almost three hours, she spent two of those watching Zoella videos and now her phone was dead.
Being in a hospital was both dreary and dull and it didn't help that most rooms were either colored grey or beige; this room was painted the latter. The girl was currently watching her soon to be brother in law, who by some miracle managed to survive a stab wound despite the massive blood lost.
Right now the doctors expected him to be up at any moment or so but their best bet was around next week. It was a good thing that Arthur was a blood type B and not those super rare people who have to wait for who knows how long just to locate a single bag of the body fluid.
Anna sighed and shifted her gaze from the dreary view to the boy in the bed, he was paler than normal but he was healthier than yesterday. She didn't see him being brought to the hospital and it was only now that visitors who were not immediate family could visit. Though according to Elsa who had seen him after surgery it was almost as if he was two steps away from death.
Right now Elsa was conversing with the Pendragon's doctor for his diet for the next couple of days leaving Anna technically alone. Sir Ector had hired his old Navy friend who now ran a security agency to guard the hospital and the apartment leaving old Kaye trapped home with 10 or so former SWAT team members watching all parameters.
Even before the police found out from CCTV footage that Hans was the last one to enter the restroom before Arthur was found stabbed Anna already had a gut feeling he did it. Though what really surprised her was how Hans had actually done it.
Sure she knew from experience that Hans had tried to drown her once, but at last minute he relented. So what was it that drove Hans to almost kill his cousin? "I should be mad" Anna spoke out her thoughts knowing no one could probably hear her "But I'm more confused".
It was at this moment that Elsa entered the hospital room "I brought bagels" she said clutching unto the paper bag as she tried to close the door.
"Anything other than hospital food" Anna stood up from her window seat and took the bag from her sister.
Elsa removed her coat and placed it on a coat rack, she was wearing a cotton gray blouse, white pants and blank heels, her hair was in a tight looking bun and Anna noticed a diamond ring on her finger that was shaped like a rose.
"Is that . . ." Anna pointed at the ring.
Elsa took a seat near Arthur's bedside "Yes, it's my engagement ring" she toyed with the piece of jewelry on her finger.
Anna placed the bag on a table and went over to her sister "Let me see it"
"So you could scrutinize it?" Elsa lifted her hand showing the ring. "Call it tacky or something but it's a ring, and I think it was nice of him to buy one than give me his mother's"
"He didn't give you his mom's ring?" Anna lowered her sister's hand.
"I . . . told him not to" the older girl sighed "I just feel that it's one of the few things that's left of Aunt Ingraine and that he should have it as a reminder"
Anna took another seat on the room and sat across her sister "So how did you get the ring? I mean he's been out for a while now"
"It was delivered to me" Elsa placed her palms on her lap "You can go back to the apartment if you want to I'll take it from here"
"Nuh uh" Anna stood up "You've been here for three days, you need to sleep don't worry I'm not alone I'm gonna be with Merida"
The blonde raised a brow "You dragged her into this?"
"Well she seems to know basic nursing" Anna reasoned.
"For animals" Elsa deadpanned.
"You really need to sleep" the younger Vintterdotter held her sister's shoulders "I mean look at you, I mean I know you're pale but this actually looks unnatural for you"
Elsa closed her eyes "Anna, he practically got stabbed because of me. . ." she took a deep breath ". . . this is the least that I could do, it's a wife's duty"
Anna stood straight "You're not married yet, and even if you were you need to sleep" she crossed her arms "You wouldn't want your husband to see a ghost when he wakes up"
The woman took a moment before she opened her eyes "I'll leave around lunch" she turned to her sister "Go eat the bagels they're getting cold"
Anna took a bagel from the bag "Aren't you gonna eat? Uncle Ector says you hardly eat"
"He just doesn't see me but I do" Elsa pushed away Arthur's bangs "I've been eating chicken noodle soup"
The bagel was hanging from Anna's mouth "You've been having that a lot ever since . . ." she paused "We stayed in Arthur's place"
At this Elsa gave her sister a look "We have separate rooms, also don't talk while chewing"
Anna chewed on "It seems like you're the one implying something"
The blonde rolled her eyes "I don't think this is the proper place for that kind of conversation"
"Ok I'll shut up"
PAGE BREAKER
"All you have to do is say 'I can'" Genie said wearing a hot pink tracksuit, neon colored sweatband and glowing sneakers "Look at the people at all those weight loss competitions, their trainers may have treated them like wild boars and stray dogs but with will and motivation they managed to push through it all"
Aladdin was blinking holding his game controller. He was just trying to spend a nice afternoon playing FIFA when all of a sudden his uncle came out of nowhere and gave him another random speech.
"Young boy" the older man held his nephew's shoulders "You are about to be a man, and everyman needs a whoo-man"
"To think that living with you for five years I would have gotten used to this" Aladdin said.
"LISTEN TO ME BOY!" Genie raised up his voice like those preachers on a Sunday sermon "Your mother won't live loooonnng enough, science still doesn't have a cure for her illness and time will only tell when the good Lord will take her away"
The Arabian slapped his forehead "She has a cold Genie, don't make everything dramatic"
The man gasped "You're starting to sound like your father!"
"Well you're starting to sound like a lunatic" Aladdin groaned "Would you just go continue your jogging and let me be"
"I cannot allow a lost soul to wander this Earth unaware and unmanned with knowledge!" Genie raised his finger.
"What is that even supposed to mean?"
"You" Genie shifted his accent to that of the Terminator "Need a girlfriend"
Al's jaw drop "You need a life"
"I have one, and in this life of mine I help other people's love life" for those who are unaware Genie is a professional matchmaker. He was very proud of his track record as he even had his own show about it (not to be confused with Millionaire Matchmaker though).
The young man decided to just pause his game "Ok, I know you have concerns about my love life because of my parents failed marriage. BUT, the fact that they dated at a very young age was one of the reasons that their union did not last"
Genie raised a perfectly manicured brow "Don't you go messing with me boy. I have a master's degree in psychology . . ."
"It was poetry"
"So I am very well aware of the fact that you" Genie flicked Aladdin's forehead "Are in a state of denial"
Aladdin sighed "There's no winning against you huh?"
"It's not a matter of winning or losing" Genie crossed his arms "It's whose side Morgan Freeman is on"
"Ok" Al raised his hands in defeat "What do you want me to do"
Immediately Genie produced his phone "Well of course, I expect you to call her"
"Genie!" the guy was now exasperated "You don't just call out people randomly, sure we went out on one date but that doesn't count as anything"
"YES.YOU.CAN." Genie yelled like he was Samuel L. Jackson on Coach Carter (or any other movie), he then gave Al his iPhone "Now go call the lady and ask how her break was"
Al took the phone and stared at the keypad "This is a bad idea"
"That's what they called the moon landing!" Genie again raised his finger to address a point "They called it blasphemous, a thing that was unachievable, something that was a little bit more impossible than the impossible! It was the dawn of . . ."
"FOR THE LOVE OF OK I'LL CALL HER!" Aladdin yelled not wanting to hear anymore rants from this man because it was just plain exhausting to go through it.
As he typed Merida's number a thought suddenly occurred to him "Wait . . . what time is it in Scotland?"
Breaker
"Thanks for bringing this" Merida said after meeting with Jane and her father and taking her things.
The Professor looked around "So where's the young boy?"
"Still in a coma sir" Merida answered.
"They must be taking in visitors now; you're not exactly family" Jane noted.
"Do you want to see him" the red head asked.
"Ah yes will you lead the way" Archimedes said a little too enthusiastically.
Jane explained while they went for the elevator "Father knows Arthur's adoptive father, you know Sir Ector"
"Oh I've met him" Merida nodded "Him and his son look very alike, though the latter doesn't seem to have brains"
"Ah yes, Kay" the Professor remembered meeting the young boy when he was in sixth form "He seems to be a more muscle person if I say so"
Merida looked at Jane at the corner of her eye and noticed she seemed off "You didn't tell me what happened" she whispered.
At first the Brit was confused before realizing what she was talking about and whispered back to Merida "I rather not talk about it, father is here and the atmosphere of this building is depressing enough"
It was now Merida's turn to seem insulted "Arthur's not dead"
"I'm not saying he is" Jane sighed "I'll tell you when he wakes up, you've been playing nurse to too many people"
Merida couldn't help but agree with that "I hope when it's my turn whoever's taking care of me better do a good job"
The elevator dinged declaring that they were on the right floor.
As they exited the elevator the Professor stopped "Uhh, I think I need to use the loo" he faced Merida "Would you mind showing me where it is"
Jane was about to point "Daddy it's . . ."
"No darling it's alright" the Professor took the bags from Merida and gave it to Jane "Why don't you go ahead to the room while your friend shows me where the loo is"
The brunette seemed unsure "But Daddy . . ."
"No it's alright Professor. . ." Merida tried to get her bags but the old man ended up pushing his own daughter away.
"Go on child we'll catch up" he waved.
Jane just sighed "Sorry about Daddy" she said giving the Scot an apologetic look.
Merida then led the old man to the restroom that was on the other side of the building, as soon as they reached the lavatories the Professor quickly ran inside.
The young girl just sighed and leaned against the wall, she shivered as the coldness muttering that she should have taken a jacket from her bag. She was only dressed in a loose black shirt and grey yoga pants.
"I really should consider nursing" she said staring at the hospital lights.
It was here that the Professor came out of the bathroom looking relieved "Well now that's settled" he said zipping his pants.
She kicked herself from the wall "Shall we go now Professor?"
The man looked up at her "That friend of yours that you fancy, is it the same young Arthur?"
Merida felt a bit awkward "Well Arthur is quite a common name . . ."
"It is him isn't it?" the Professor raised a brow.
The Scot sighed "Yes it's him" she looked at the smaller man from the corner of her eye "May I ask how you know him?"
The old man seemed fascinated by the mere coincidence "Why I never, I didn't realize that this whole time that you were talking about that young lad" he then gasped "So he had a fight with a former rugby player?"
Seeing as the man would probably ramble into another topic Merida decided it was best they go "Professor, Jane is probably wondering what's taking us so long"
". . . Now my days in the rugby . . . Jane?" the old man seemed confused before he recalled "Ah oh yes Jane!" he again hurriedly ran down the halls.
Merida tried to catch up with the Professor who after a few moments stopped running "Is there something the matter Professor?" she asked.
When she saw the Professor's face she was getting quite concerned, it was the same expression the man wore during the first days of her stay at the Porter household. He seemed distant, his mouth was not forming a smile nor a frown, his eyes were watery but no tears would fall down and he would constantly sigh.
The man was clearly depressed again.
"Professor?" this time Merida shook the man, when no reply came she shook him harder "Professor!"
By the second time the man's eyes widened and it was as if he had just woken up "Oh . . . Hospital? Oh yes young Arthur" he shook his head.
Merida still had her hand on his shoulder "Professor . . . are you sure you're alright?"
The man gave her a toothy smile "Don't worry child, I'm as chipper as I always was" he then gently removed her hand and went on ahead.
The Scot watched the old man and took a deep breath before releasing it "Merida, why are you so involved in so many people's lives?"
BREAKER
The boy was seated in the middle of a lavish living room filled with Spanish furniture, paintings from almost a hundred years ago, china from the most lavish makers and curtains made from Indian silk.
The boy was around seven years old; he was kneeling against the rococo coffee table with pencils, crayons and several sheets of paper. His mess was in great contrast to the almost palace like looking room.
Crumpled pieces of paper were spread out on the Persian rug along with pencil shavings. The boy did not mind the mess he was making, his full concentration on whatever masterpiece he was making.
"Young Master!" the plump maid almost squealed when she entered the room "How many times have I told you not to make a big mess in the living room?"
Seated across the living room observing the scene unnoticed was the older version of the young boy making a mess.
Arthur was seated his legs apart leaning forward with his elbows touching his knees "Almost too many times Merryweather, too many times"
After blacking out and having a flash of his memories plough him he had assumed that he was dead. The blood may not be that much but he wasn't too sure if they found him in time.
And if Arthur were to be honest he would actually be better off dead.
It was getting a bit tiring playing with these so called games against Chernabog. He was starting to get a little bit annoyed with the situation that was placed against him and there were times where he wished he was a bit more selfish to just throw everything away.
Sadly he was not raised to be a dick and therefore has to deal with all the utter bullshit his parents dropped on him.
He should have taken priesthood while he had the chance; the hardest thing he'll have to do was just kneel there.
Arthur watched himself get chased by Merryweather avoiding a whipping from the maid, which he received quite a lot as a child. He wasn't that mischievous as a child, in fact he was very well behaved compared to other children. He was just a really messy kid, and Merryweather was getting tired of cleaning up after him.
While his younger self ran around the room Arthur stood up from his chair and went over the table that was scattered with his drawings.
At already a young age he knew how to draw, it may not be a masterpiece, (his sun looked like a starfish and whenever he drew people they had extra limbs) but there was quite an imagination in his head that was for sure.
He picked up the piece of paper that his younger self was drawing on a while ago. It was a very rough sketch of a woman, she was seated on a chair reading a book, she was wearing a veil for some reason and by some miracle she had only two arms.
Arthur placed the drawing down and as soon as he did the model of the said piece of art entered the living room.
As soon as Ingraine entered the room young Arthur quickly hid behind his mother's legs "Mother, you're home"
The maid quickly stopped running and placed her hands behind her back "Madam, you're back"
The mistress of the house gave a small smile "It seems like my son has been misbehaving at my absence"
"I was not being naughty" the young boy reasoned "I just made a mess" he muttered.
Ingraine shook her head "That's still being naughty, you don't expect Merryweather to clean everything for you now do you?" she pinched her son's nose.
"But isn't that her job?" baby Arthur spoke.
"It is not" Ingraine pointed "She's here to cook and clean the house, cleaning your messes is your responsibility"
The young boy pouted "Yes ma'am"
The older Arthur couldn't help but smile a bit at the scene and here he more than ten years later still an absolute mess especially with his mechanical pens.
"You too" Ingraine suddenly spoke looking directly at him.
Arthur blinked, his seven year old self and Merryweather were now gone and the only two people in the room was him and his mother.
The woman moved towards her son "Don't be startled" she reached out and touched his cheek.
He knew that this was a dream. He knew that he was probably in some coma right now and that everything was just his imagination.
Then why was her touch so real?
"You've grown up so much" his mother said breaking him off from his thoughts "You looked just like your father when I met him, though I admit he wasn't as good looking as you are"
He just stared at her not knowing exactly what to say.
She stroked his cheek "I'm sorry, if I wasn't able to watch you grow up" she put her hand down "I'm sorry I wasn't there to put all the nightmares away, to kiss you goodbye when you go to school, to tell your first crush to" she looked down "It must have been really rough for you to suddenly just grow up"
He gulped "You have no idea"
There was sadness in her eyes despite the smile on her face "I don't think I would have done a better job though" she crossed her arms "You're a better man than I imagined you would be"
"Exactly" he looked away from his mother "What kind of man did you want me to be?"
"Well, every mother would want a brave, smart, strong and independent child. But for me the only thing I wanted was for you to remain kind" she took her son's hand "And I know very well that you've been very kind indeed"
He took a deep breath "Why did you just suddenly appear now" he still refused to look at her "All this time . . . I've called your name constantly in my sleep. You always appear dead in my dreams. I imagine Merryweather and the others but I don't see you"
Ingraine clutched her son's hand tighter.
He finally looked at her a tear flowing on his eye "I actually forgot what you looked like"
The older woman closed her eyes "I know. That that night was the worst night of your life." She sighed "I wanted you to forget about it"
"It's not that night that I forgot" he whispered "It's you who I forgot"
"Arthur please" she held his face again "You have to go back"
He looked at her confused "Am I still dying?"
"Medical science may think that they have lengthened human life but in all honesty it has decreased it. In the olden times people have lived till the age of 890 giving birth and now it's a miracle just reaching fifty"
The boy blinked "What's with the sudden statistics"
"What I am trying to say is" she held his tighter "It's your choice if you want to live or not, right now I'm here telling you not to come with me through that door"
He stared at the wooden double doors, if he remembered correctly they led to the dining room.
"Look at me Arthur" she held his face with both her hands "You will not follow me"
"What if I can't take it anymore" he closed his eyes not wanting to look at her face "What if I intentionally took the hit"
At this her eyes grew wide "You're not saying"
"Mother, what's the absolute point of all this nonsense" his eyes were still closed "I can't deal with all that, it's just too much I have nothing to lose"
"What about those you've left behind" her mother reasoned.
"Elsa and Anna are well protected I made sure of that" he opened his eyes "Vlad can't hide Hans forever. Kuzco will deal with that damn assassin and release everything against Chernabog and the estate will go to the two sisters"
"Your friends, Taran and Eilonwy"
He smiled "I'm pretty sure they made up, and if I die Taran will be even guiltier to stay with Eilonwy either way"
Ingraine sighed "You don't have a girl who's out there waiting for you do you?"
"I don't think me and Elsa would stand even a year" Arthur looked at the ceiling "I think it's better this way"
The woman dropped her hands "I didn't think I'd have a suicidal son"
"I'm sorry I had to die in a church bathroom of all places" he smirked.
That was when Ingraine remembered "Then who was that other girl you thought of before you came here?"
"Excuse me?"
"The one you imagined before me and your father" she pointed "The one with very wild hair"
He clicked his tongue while hiding a blush "There was nothing going on between me and her"
At this her mother smiled "Then I suggest you do something about that"
BREAKER
It was already late in the evening and Anna and Merida were watching old Doctor Who episodes on the small TV on the room. Anna was hugging her knees on the couch while Merida was sprawled on the floor while eating popcorn.
"Do you think it's fair?" Anna asked when the episode ended "That Rose would end up with a copy of the Doctor?"
Merida switched off the tely with the remote next to her "Well, at least they would die together?"
"But . . . wouldn't it seem weird?" the strawberry-blonde girl pondered "I know that the other Doctor was human so it would remove all those Timelord complications but . . . he's still a copy in the end"
"Anna it's a science fiction show" the Scot turned to her friend "Heck it's a show, don't get too invested with the logic"
"I just kinda feel bad for Rose" Anna continued her rant "Like she's been through a lot with the Doctor and all she gets in some second-rate version of him"
Merida did a gargle before replying "If there is anyone who deserves better its Donna, she can't remember ANYTHING!"
"But she got married and won the lottery" Anna rebutted "While Rose is stuck in some sort of wasteland"
"I am not having this argument with you" Merida took a pillow from the floor and rested her head on it.
Anna sighed and also rested her head on the couch's armrest "I still think . . ." she was cut off when Hey There Delilah started playing again.
Merida being too lazy to stand up crawled to whatever surface her phone was, which happened to be the bedside table, and kicked the table waiting for her phone to fall.
These made Anna raise a brow "Now that's what a call being a slug"
Still kicking the table "I don't wanna get up"
"But you don't even know if the floor is clean" Anna sat up from her place "Just stand up and answer the phone!"
"It's probably just my mom" Merida grumbled, just a few more knocks and it would fall "And I don't really wanna talk to her now"
The phone stopped ringing.
"MERIDA!" Anna stood up and went over to her friend "I thought you were the responsible one! What if that was an emergency?"
Still not moving "If it were they . . ."
The phone rang.
"Would call again" before Merida would kick the poor piece of furniture Anna snatched the device and answered.
"Hello?" Anna was glaring at the lazy Scot on the floor.
"Uh . . ." it was a male's voice "Is . . . this Merida?"
Anna recognized the voice from somewhere "Um, yes this is her number" she looked at her friend who seemed to be as confused as she was. "Who is this?"
"It's Al . . . Aladdin" the guy replied.
At this Anna snapped her fingers "Oh right that guy!"
Merida from the floor was starting to wonder who Anna was talking too "What guy?"
"Hold a moment" Anna told Al before covering the phone and kicking Merida in the gut. "Get up! It's Al!"
Merida groaned "Why did you have to kick me?!"
"Because you're being a lazy bum" Anna kicked her again "Now get up and answer this call"
"I can answer from the floor" Merida outstretched her hand "Now give me my phone"
Anna rolled her eyes before handing the phone "And Elsa said I was a slob" she muttered.
Merida ignored her friend and answered "Al?"
"Oh hey" the guy replied "Were you busy?"
"Well I'm on the floor"
There was a pause "You're what?"
"On the floor" Merida saw Anna face-palm "You know just hanging . . . though technically I'm laying"
"Ooook?" another pause "So how was your break?"
Merida placed her free arm under her head "Well, quite eventful to say the least. I've got two friends who've been hospitalized"
"Wow, that's terrible"
"I know. Well they're both fine, even though one of them is still in a coma" she eyed the bed that was literally next to her.
Again there was a pause "That sounds . . . horrible"
"It's depressing, but at least it serves good practice" Merida decided to change the topic "So enough about my horrid Christmas how was yours?"
While Merida continued talking to Al, Anna went back on the couch and sat. She checked her own phone and saw five messages. Three were from Elsa asking how everything was, one was from Tiana asking the same thing and another was surprisingly from Kronk.
She was a little intrigued by this especially when his question was what she wanted for breakfast tomorrow.
Anna looked at Merida who was still talking, she then stared at the screen before replying:
Uhh . . . mayb sme pancakes. U knw d prprly mde ones
She clicked send then waited for a reply.
What toppings?
Anna thought for a moment.
Blubery I gues? Y ask?
Anna tapped the side of her phone as she waited.
I thought u might have gotten tired of hospital food. And Kuzco, Malina and I are stopping by there tomorrow.
Well that made a lot of sense. Then why did Anna fell like she wished it was for a different reason?
"What does your sister want?" Merida asked, finally standing up as she was now stretching.
Anna almost jumped "Oh . . . it was Kronk he was asking what we wanted for breakfast since they're coming here tomorrow morning"
"Haggis" Merida quickly replied "Anything with Haggis"
"Oh alright" Anna texted Kronk, "So how was your chat with Al?"
"He wants another date when we get back at Disney"
At this Anna put down her phone "Did you say yes?"
"As long as it didn't mess with my sched sure" Merida shrugged "I mean, I guess I owe him for practically ditching him last Christmas"
"You really need to give him a chance" Anna pointed "I mean how long it has been since you've gotten a boyfriend?"
"Anna it wasn't that too long ago" Merida sat next to her "But then again it wasn't serious"
"Come on, he really likes you" Anna gushed "What do you have to lose?"
Merida turned to the girl "Why are you so pushy with love? I mean no offense but shouldn't you be the cautious one? Especially after what you've experienced"
At this Anna closed her mouth.
"I'm sorry" Merida raised her hands "But honestly speaking. I'm not looking for anything serious right now"
"Sorry" Anna leaned against the sofa "I guess I shouldn't meddle with you or anyone actually"
"Yeah Art told me you've been bugging him and Elsa as well" Merida rested her arm on the arm rest and rested her head on her palm.
Anna was silent for a moment before replying "To be honest. I still cling on to that fantasy, despite everything that happened, that fantasy about true love" when Merida didn't say anything she continued "I mean I know I should be more cautious and I am really, I'm not that naïve. I know that there are guys out there who would try to take advantage of me. I've learned" she sighed "So I decided that I didn't want those around me to feel the same"
This made Merida snort "Anna I don't fall in love with the first guy that says hello to me"
Anna just smiled and hit the girl "I know. But love doesn't hurt you from that form alone. Sometimes the fact that there was no love at all could be deadly"
"Are you referring to" Merida again looked at the young man who was sleeping soundly in the bed "Art and your sister?"
"Elsa said herself she would be fine if Arthur got a mistress during their wedding" Anna sighed "I mean, I know they mean well with this but wasn't marriage supposed to mean something aside from well . . . being some sort of business merger"
"Well in theory" Merida spoke "They seem well together. They're smart, respectable and mature. Elsa would discipline Arthur if he did something stupid and Arthur who help her loosen up a bit"
"In theory" Anna looked at her friend "Merida, be honest with me"
The redhead looked at her from the corner of her eye "Are you gonna ask . . ."
"If those two weren't engaged, would you consider going out with Arthur?" Anna asked.
Merida removed her head from her palm "Even if you removed all the family drama he's had he'd still be a pain in the neck to date"
"Sorry wrong question"
"It is a dum. . ."
"Are you still in love with him?"
BREAKER
His head was starting to ache. The room was dark except a little bit of light. He could hear a lot of sounds. The buzzing of a machine. The dropping of water. The horn of a car that must have been hijacked. The snoring of a wildebeest.
He slowly opened his eyes. The room was dark so it was probably either late in the evening or early in the morning. His body felt a bit numb, especially the part where he was stabbed. His throat was dry and he was feeling really itchy on his knee.
Arthur tried to adjust his vision to the darkness and was grateful for the lamp that was next to him. He could see the Anna (the wildebeest) sprawled on the sofa not minding the sounds coming from her mouth, or the fact that her mouth was not only open but her tongue was out.
He tried to sit up but his body seemed heavier than normal and he went fell right back in the mattress. He grumbled knowing that it'll be awhile before he could actually move.
He was relieved to know that he could still move his hands so that was a plus. He was trying to look for the controls of the damn bed when the door opened. His eyes squinted at the sudden strike of light; he hardly noticed the figure that opened the door.
The door closed and he had to adjust to the darkness again. It was here that he noticed the familiar figure approach him. By the time his eyes adjusted he saw a freckled face crowned with large curly red hair.
"You're awake" she whispered.
He didn't think he'd wake up seeing her "Yeah" he croaked.
BREAKER
I am not even gonna make an excuse. This was a long time coming. And I'm glad to finally finish and publish this really. I thank all the people who still read this almost dead fiction of mine. This is my first piece of fanfiction so I feel obligated to finish it, even if it'll probably take another year for another chapter.
blue2dolphin2: I really thank you for being one of the longest readers for this one. I don't think this chapter was good as the last one. Glad you liked my tiny reference in the last chapter (if you remember XD) and as you can see Arthur is well and alive. Now why would I kill my main character.
Heyheykan: I'm surprised you actually read all of this. Hopefully you still love this story.
Also I used the app to upload this. It has a lot to improve I must say