Happy Birthday Barbie part 2 & 2nd week anni xD

Bright and early Thursday morning, I awoke cuddled up to my husband.  I sat up, and he, who was awake already, sat up too.  Right away, I noticed how hot it was in the room.  Again...it's been soo  muggy lately :(  

"Good  mornin', beautiful, how was your night?  Mine was-" I elbowed him and chuckled quietly when I realized he was singing lyrics from "Good Morning Beautiful" by Tim McGraw; and then I reached up and kissed his cheek.  

As I was doing so, I heard faint cries coming from the top of the shelf.  AGAIN. 

I jumped up.  "That's it.  We're gonna talk to Tangled Fan if it's the last thing we do!" 

He grabbed my wrist and got up too.  "I'm coming, too.  Jase is still asleep and I can hear and see her from the chair."  

I pounded on the printer, and Merida, Blondie, and Rayne all came down.  Merida was lugging some glass jar with her, and Blondie had...the hair brush?  

They set the jar down and Blondie started beating the brush against the glass.  Merida was kicking it and holding her bow high above her head, waving it.  

I looked at Rayne as Flynn linked his arm with mine protectively. Rayne looked at me. 

Rayne shrugged.  "I think she's having a bit too much fun with that."  

"Ya think?" I joked, and she chuckled.  "I feel like I should get in on it, but I think they're making enough-"

"What on earth is going on in here?!"  

Well...it worked.  Merida froze.  Rayne clasped her hands and tried to look normal.  I pressed a little closer to Flynn, not removing my other hand from my hip.  Blondie slammed the brush down hard one last time, and then looked up.  

"Ummm...We have...that is...we've...Rapunzel!  Rapunzel has something she has to tell you!"  Merida said, gesturing towards me with her bow.  

"I-" I broke off when everyone looked at me.  

I gestured aimlessly with my free hand, and Flynn clasped the other one, giving me an encouraging smile.  

I finally spit it all out about HB, and Flynn added what Jase had said.  Merida told Tangled Fan that she would back me up if she didn't believe my story.  Rayne said she would too, and Blondie nodded in agreement. 

"Well..just to be sure, I'll ask HB about this.  I'm pretty upset she lied, AND I'm upset that she hasn't been doing anything with Allie and Hallie."  Tangled Fan said.  "I'll go do it now."  

We all turned towards the shelf.  HB was gone, the babies were wailing.  I saw they were terribly close to the edge.  

"Grab them bef-" 

They started to fall.  

I pressed my head up against Flynn's shoulder and wrapped my arm around my stomach, feeling nauseated.  Rayne clasped her hands to her stomach as if someone had punched her.  Blondie screamed.  Merida hit her knees with a gasp and covered her face.  I started to cry and Flynn held me tight, and I could hear him breathing kind of heavily, as if he were trying to calm himself down.  Either that or hyperventilate.  

"Got them!"  Tangled Fan said.  We all turned towards her and she brought her hand over.  Sure enough, the babies were both in her hand.  She'd caught them! 

The four of us gave a collective gasp.  

"I guess I'll toss them in the box up in the attic - nobody else'll want them-" 

"Wait just a second."  Rayne stepped forward, anger flashing in her eyes.  I backed up a step in surprise and pressed closer to Flynn.  "Rapunzel cared for those babies for a WEEK, the week she should have been honeymooning, and when she had no clue what to do and was overwhelmed!  Don't you think you should possibly ask if she wanted them BACK, after you so rudely took them from her?  And Merida's helped her so much with those kids, and she so loves that little Allie, that don't you think you should pardon your 'married couples' rule just for her?  She will be a lot better a mother than a box FULL of Barbies would EVER be!"  She was shouting by now.  

I glanced over to Merida, astounded.  She looked back at me with wide eyes.  And Flynn looked like he was deciding whether to be surprised, horrified, or entertained by her sudden and unexpected outburst.  

"And while we're at it...Why do I have to stay locked in that stupidly wretched doll stand ALL THE TIME?  Every morning, Merida and Blondie have to help yank me out of that stupid thing, and yet you put me in it anyway!"  She huffed and looked relieved to have that all off of her chest...even though that last part had been completely random!  

Tangled Fan paused, and she looked as if she was thinking.  

And then she silently held Allie out to Merida.  "I assume you will take better care of her, than what HB did?"  

Merida looked up, beaming.  "You bet I will."  

"You're sure you're ready for motherhood, Merida?" I asked her.  "Trust me, you don't want to rush into it."  

"If I can keep this baby away from HB, yeah, I'm ready."  She took Allie carefully into her arms and stared into her eyes - their pale blue eyes matched almost exactly!  I couldn't help but smile at my friend's mesmerized expression.  

And then Tangled Fan held Hallie out towards Flynn and I.  

"I apologize for taking the four of them away from you - I was in a hurry and didn't think to ask.  Forgive me?" I nodded.  

"Did Janet get a good family?" I asked.  

"Yeah.  Non-Barbie, so don't worry.  Non-HB."  She joked.  

"Okay," I laughed.  

I took Hallie into my arms and Flynn gave me a one-armed hug, kissing my hair.  I smiled down at Hallie and she stopped whimpering and gave me a sweet little grin that made my heart squeeze. When I looked up, Tangled Fan had left.

Merida held Allie to her chest, picked up her bow - which she'd dropped - and pointed it at me and Flynn.  "Flynn."

"Yeah?"

"You planning on doing anything with her today?"

"I was...Kind of planning on it, cause it's our two-week anniversary...why?"

I refrained from telling Flynn that we didn't have to celebrate every week we were married.  It's not like I didn't enjoy it, and we might as well enjoy our marriage and our love that was still relatively new..but I was just kind of embarrassed.  I didn't have anyone else to talk to, to ask if it was normal to celebrate two-week anniversaries.  

"I was gonna teach your wife here how to shoot a bow and arrow. She might have to fend off an angry HB."  She laughed.   

I looked at her, wide-eyed.  "Isn't that...dangerous?" 

"Dangerously fun!"  She joked.  

"It's just morning right now, so it can't hurt."  Flynn said.  "I want to watch THIS - good entertainment!"  

"Hey, I bet you can't shoot either!"  I said, and he gave me another one-armed hug to tell me he was kidding.  

"Actually, I know how to shoot a bow and arrow."  

"Really, now.  Why don't I believe that?" I joked, before giving him a quick kiss on the jawbone, which was the furthest up I could reach with Hallie in my arms.  

"Then it's a deal!"  Merida said.  "Why don't we get at it?" 

"I'm leaving before arrows start flying," Rayne laughed.  

She walked past, and I hurried after her.  "Hey, Rayne?"

"Yes?" She turned to look at me with her normal pleasant smile.  

"Thank you so much."

"Oh, anytime!  Why don't I watch Jase and Hallie for you two whilst you and Flynn are out with Merida?"  I hesitated, feeling kind of bad to make her babysit.  "Of course you want me to!  Blondie and I need something to do - Merida's usually our entertainment."  

We chuckled, and Merida yelled an 'I heard that'.  Which made us ALL laugh!  

Anyway, I told Rayne thank you again, gave her Hallie, and Merida gave her Allie; and then I told her where Jase was.  

When I turned back, Merida was pulling her arrow out of her quiver.  Flynn stood back.  

She explained how to shoot it, pausing so I could get an idea on how to hold it.  

"And then ye loose the arrow - like so..." she pulled back just a bit farther on the arrow and then loosed it.  It went flying, and then bounced off the window!  

I gasped.  "That was pretty cool."  

She handed me her arm guard, the bow, and the arrow.  Flynn stepped closer and leaned up against the one chair rung.  I looked back and laughed.  

"If any a time to stand back, it's now - you shouldn't trust your wife with weaponry she's never used before."  

Merida and my husband laughed.

I wriggled into the sleeve, and held the bow up, laced the arrow straight across...but it just didn't seem right.  

"Hold your one arm stra-a-a-a-ight out - like this.  And then use your other hand to yank back on that string and arrow with all your might - like this."  

Merida mimicked the position I needed to have, but I still fumbled, hopelessly embarrassed.  

Flynn stepped forward, took my one arm and pulled it back towards him, and he straightened my other arm out almost the whole way.  

"There ya go."  Merida held her hands out.  "THAT'S exactly how you hold it!" 

I was excited to finally have the right position, and accidentally let my grip go on the arrow.  

It pinged off of the metal edge of the table in front of us, and ricocheted.  

Flynn grabbed me by the waist and yanked me backwards, grabbed Merida's arm, and pulled the both of us away as the arrow bounced back our way.  

It landed on its side, right on the chair.  

"You're right.  Maybe I SHOULDN'T trust you with weaponry you don't know how to use!"  Flynn joked.  

"Oh, hush up," I said.  Now that I knew I didn't hurt anyone, I got the giggles.  

Merida stood - when Flynn had yanked her towards us, she'd fallen to her knees - and gave me a playful shove.  "You'll catch on.  But your lesson learnt for today is: Never, EVER shoot anything towards something it'll ricochet off of.  Like metal." 

I laughed harder.  "S-s-sorry!  I didn't break anything, did I?"  

"Nope," Merida went over to pick up the arrow.  

I noticed Flynn still held me tightly.  "You can let go now...no flying arrows to shield me from.  Right now, anyway."  

He laughed, and let go of me.  

Merida handed me the arrow and told me to try, try again.

So I did...and I actually didn't almost kill anybody!  :D

After that, Flynn left for awhile and Merida and I took turns shooting the bow and arrow.  It was actually a good bit of fun! 

Eventually, though, Flynn came back over and asked if he could 'steal' me.  

Merida said that even though stealing was bad, she'd let him anyway, and I chuckled.  

"Hey, thanks so much!"  I called after her as she hefted up her bow onto her shoulder.  

"Yep!  See, it was a lot of fun, wasn't it?"  

"For sure!" I nodded and watched her walk away.  When I turned back around, Flynn was standing so close I rammed into him.   

He held out his hand, so I took it.  

We made our way down to the floor and walked.  Flynn asked how everything had gone with Merida, so I ecstatically filled him in.  When I was done with my monologue, we walked in complete silence.  I could feel him staring at me, and my face grew red. 

Fumbling for something to say, I took his other hand and wrapped one arm around his waist. "So, no dancing today?"  I said with a grin.

He suddenly looked as if he'd forgotten something.  

"Oh, I'm so sorry - I totally forgot to ask Rayne to play the playlist I'd made up last Friday...What with the kids and-"

"It's fine - I was just wondering - and half teasing, too, because we'd done it every other time."  I smiled up at him, and he almost looked like he'd lost himself in my eyes or something - it made my face get hotter!  Could I embarrass myself any more?  Apparently so...

We climbed up onto the chair at his suggestion.  

He just stood, looking at me, and I leaned 'casually' up against a rung of the chair.  

I fiddled with my braid, which was becoming pretty messy.  

"I need to-"

He suddenly leaned over and swept me up into a passionate kiss, cutting me off.  

My hands made awkward jerking motions, in my surprise, but then I put them up on his shoulders.  My knees started to go out from under me and a tingly sensation gripped my spine.  I was a bit shocked/surprised/whatever you want to call it.  But when he finally began to slowly pull away from me, I stood on my tiptoes to return the kiss, not wanting to let the warmth of his go. 

Yeah, I know.  I'm pathetic.  [ ; 

When I pulled away from him, I let my hands slide down to hold him around the waist, comfortably, with a sigh. 

He reached over and pushed some stray hairs away from my face, and let his hand linger on my head a moment.  "I love you," he whispered.  Chills rained down my arms - but they were happy chills :D  

"What was that for?" I asked, finally finding some words to say around my thundering heart.  

"Just because," he gave me that grin and I smiled back at him.  

"Because why?" 

"What, can't I kiss my beautiful wife when I feel like kissing her?" he said, trying to be serious.  

"It's not that I don't appreciate it..." I winked and he started to lean down again. I pushed him away and laughed.  "You're laying on the sweetness just a bitttt too thick, honey."  

He pulled me close again and put his forehead on mine.  I put my hand on  his face and smiled at him before shutting my eyes.  

"Two weeks ago, I never would've guessed we would be so open like this.  I never would've guessed we would've ended up with four kids, losing them all, and then getting two back, either.  And I never would've guessed how much I love you!"  He whispered, still standing close to me.  

Despite the oppressiveness of the muggy weather, I was in no big hurry to pull away from his arms.  

My heart swelled and I kept my eyes closed until I finished my answer.  "Two weeks ago, I never would have guessed we would be this way, either.  I never would've guessed ANY of this, either!  And I pretty much knew I had the world's biggest crush EVER on you, but I didn't really know how much so!  And by the way...love you too."  

He smiled at me and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. "HAD the world's biggest crush ever on me?"  

It took me a minute - okay, so my mind was a bit boggled at the time - but I finally got it.  "You're bad.  Now I don't just have a CRUSH on you...Now I have the ribbon to prove it.  And you obviously had a crush on me in order to give me that ribbon."  He chuckled.  

I could've stayed there forever, but my motherly instinct kicked in.  "We should, uh...we should probably get back to the kids."  

He nodded in agreement, took my hand, and we went back to the shelf.  

Merida was asleep on the floor, sprawled out, with Allie, Hallie, and Jase laying sleeping all around her. 

I giggled quietly at the sight, and Flynn shook with the attempt to keep his laughter bottled up inside of him. 

"Should we leave her here tonight?" I whispered...but it was loud enough to wake my friend.  

"WHO'S THERE?!" she yelled, quite loudly.  I was amazed that the babies slept through it.  

"It's just us," I was dying of laughter by now.  

"Oh.  Oh!" she jumped up and smoothed her crazy hair from her face.  "They were good.  The babies were a bit fussy but nothing totally crazily out of hand.  And Jase was very good.  She played herself out."  

"Thanks so much," I gave her a quick hug, and she scooped up Allie.  

"I'll see ya all tomorrow!"  Merida grinned before she left.  

As soon as she left, Hallie started to cry.  Yawning, I went over and scooped her up.  

"It's alright, sweetie-pie!" I bounced her and smiled down at her, my heart squeezing.  

Jase woke up long enough to want a hug from Flynn and I, and then she retreated to the alarm clock by herself and plopped down.  I think she may have fallen asleep before she even sat down!  

After awhile, Hallie STILL wasn't asleep.  Every time I'd lay her down, she'd start screaming.  

I glanced at Flynn.  "I bet this is because of HB."  

"Uhhh-huh." he said, sounding very unhappy, indeed.  

I suppressed another yawn.  "Hallie, baby girl...go to sleep..."  I crooned to her for awhile, but she still would cry the second I put her down.  

My eyes were super-heavy and I needed to go to sleep.  I sat down instead of pacing back and forth.  Within minutes, Hallie was sleeping in my arms, again.  Glancing at the clock, I realized it was close to one in the morning...we'd been at it since 10.  Wiping my eyes, I realized Flynn was standing with his arms out.  "What?"

"You go to sleep.  I'll take care of her the rest of the night."

"No...you'll get a migraine."  I shook my head.  

"Don't worry.  You need sleep!"  He raised his eyebrows and wiggled his fingers.  

"Sit." I whispered.  He obliged, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.  "That's better," I joked quietly, trying to wake myself.  My eyes still rolled around in tiredness.  

He opened his mouth to tell me to go lay down, and I shook my head, saying I was fine.  

After awhile, Hallie FINALLY let me put her down without waking and crying hard. I gave a victorious smile to Flynn, and he gave me a quick little kiss.  

And then we hurried to bed to get some rest before the next scream-fest commenced!  =D  

Flynn here - update

Hi everyone  -
We STILL don't know what's going on with the kids.  Tangled Fan's hardly been around.  When she is around, though, I get so mad I can hardly stand myself!
I've also kind of been getting angry with myself, too.  To watch my wonderful, sweet, carefree wife just wilt underneath the pressure of the whole situation, was just beyond horrible.  I knew that if I had not brought up the idea of fostering, we BOTH wouldn't be going through this, let alone her!  I've been trying to be strong, but it's hard.

So today, when Rapunzel left me alone for a good while, to go talk with Merida and the gang, I finally broke down.  The still quietness was deafening, and I just collapsed into the wicker chair and bawled like a baby, I am ashamed to admit.  You see, I'm used to being a tough guy that doesn't cry.  And I can't be that guy right now.  And on top of all that, I can't be the strong husband my wife needs!
Regardless.

I hardly even noticed Rapunzel when she got back from her visit with Merida, but she for sure noticed me.  Unfortunately.  And that upset me even more!
"Are you alright?" She asked me.  I jumped up when I saw her, swallowing hard to try to collect my thoughts.
"Uh, yeah - everything's fine."  I fibbed...yes.. I fibbed.
Rapunzel didn't believe me though.  "I know better than that.  Tell me - it's good to let it all out, trust me!" She pried.
"No, it's-"
"You know, we're husband and wife!  You are supposed to tell me all your troubles."
I looked down to avoid my wife's searching eyes.  "I don't see the need to tell you about it when you know, too."  A tear dripped off of my nose - I was afraid to tell her why I was mad at myself.
She grabbed me into a tight hug, and that's when I totally just lost it.  Here's this tiny, thin girl that's almost a head shorter than me, and she's trying to comfort me.  There's just something wrong with that - I should be comforting HER!  I buried my head in her shoulder and started sobbing hard.  I hadn't cried hard since Friday.  She stood and kept her hold on me until I finished, pulled my head up, and looked at her.
Finally, I partially spilled what the problem was.
She bit her lip and put a small hand on my cheek.  "I know, honey; I know.  You don't have to be the big tough guy right now - it's fine to let a few tears fall once in awhile."
"But what about you?  You need someone stronger than this to help YOU get through it-"
She broke me off.  "Flynn, I didn't marry you because you were tough.  It's perfectly natural to be upset right now - you would seem really weird if you weren't sad.  And you've helped me already - just the fact that I know you're here with me? That's a comfort, and-"
I cut her off, almost accidentally blurting the rest of my concerns.
After that, I was just mad at myself and walked away from her.  My thoughts were racing and I could hardly hear her yelling at me.
Why did I even ever drag her into this?  And now I was really messing up our relationship.  We hadn't really talked much since Friday - we'd just sat around.  Why had I messed this up?
I was just so mad at myself, and I know I shouldn't have been.
"...You'd best turn around and calm down.  Getting-"
I thought about and realized that by walking away, I wasn't doing anything good for the relationship, either.
I froze, turned on my heel, and grabbed her up into a kiss.  She jumped in surprise, and I think I almost knocked her over with my suddenness.  I put my arms around her and held her as closely as I could - I didn't want to let go of her.  The past couple of days, I'd been so on edge about waking up someday and finding HER gone, too!
Finally, I took my lips from hers, but I still held her closely.
"What in the world?  I don't - I mean..." She fumbled, and I could tell she was horribly confused.
"Just thank you for being you.  And not blaming me for anything when I deserve blame-"
She cut me off.  "Excuse me, but you do not deserve to be blamed for this.  It was Tangled Fa-"
I didn't want to get into it again, so I brushed my lips with hers, long enough to silence her.
"You're terrible, you know that?  I'm trying to say something, something possibly important, and all you want to do is KISS me?"
I finally saw some of her silly spunk, and I smiled at her, deciding to make this moment of sudden silliness a bit longer.
"Well, what other way could I get you to be quiet?  Usually, you're like a dog with a bone - once you have something, you don't drop it till it's all said and done.  But hey, it worked - didn't it?"
She fumbled around for the rest of the sentence in order to prove me wrong, and she failed.
I tried to suppress a laugh, and grinned at her.
"You're bad, but I love you anyway."  She gave me a small, sweet smile, full of innocence.  I also noticed how happy she seemed to be, now that I was...teasing her?  Uh, okay...but hey, if it makes my girl happy, I'll tease her to no end!
I gave her another quick little kiss.
"You're a little over the top now, hon."
"Well, I haven't kissed you at all since Thursday, so I need to catch up!" I joked with an attempt at an innocent face.
She rolled her eyes, but then at the mention of Thursday, she immediately sobered.  Her lovely smile faded again, and her eyes clouded over with grief again.
My own smile faded, and I felt bad for bringing it up.  
I brought her chin up and she looked at me.  "I know what you're thinking...please stop."
I kissed her again, and she pressed into the kiss, almost like she desperately needed something to distract her.
I finally pulled away, and she took in a shuddery breath that made my heart twinge with sadness.
"Tomorrow, I WILL confront Tangled Fan.  She'll give me the scoop on this whole situation, or at least she'd better!"
I was afraid she'd end up getting tossed away if Tangled Fan got too mad or something.  I didn't see Tangled Fan doing that, but you never know.
"It's not worth getting into a fight over," I warned.
"You know what?  If she wants to toss me out in the Dumpster because I want my kids back, she can!" She said with such bitterness, I was taken aback slightly.
I desperately wanted to distract her again.  I needed that funny little moment of happiness back.
"See...I told you.  Like a dog with a bone." I winked at her, and she gave me a slightly flustered little smile.  She quieted down after that, and I rubbed my hand on her back; she leaned up against me.  I decided that even if we didn't get the girls back, that I should be thankful for my sweet wife.  And from now on, I was going to do anything in my power to seem unconcerned and to keep HER unconcerned, too.  Wish me luck, guys - it's gonna take a LOT to get her to stop worrying.

Quick Update...

Hey everyone...
Haven't seen Tangled Fan much lately, and when she does breeze through, it's to do something, such as clean guinea pig cages (we share the room with her AND her guinea pigs) or put clothes away, or whatever.  I want to stop her and demand to know what's going on, but I don't want to seem horribly rude.
At this point, I'm READY to be rude!  Flynn's face gets all red and twisted up when he sees Tangled Fan entering the room, so I know he's about ready to snap.
It's been pretty hard on us, as you can imagine.  Having your kids only for one week, and then ripped away from you, and one tossed away to Goodwill??  Um, no.

I heard her scrummaging around in bags yesterday, so I'm so hoping she finds the Goodwill bag...and then we could at least have Jase back with us...I can only imagine what's going through all those poor kids' heads right now :(

Today I left Flynn have some alone time and I went up to see Merida, Rayne, and Blondie.
They were really bummed out that there were no updates.  I told Merida that Allie had been adopted out to someone else already, and her face just fell.  I hated telling my best friend that news!  She'd been sooo attached to Allie.  Rayne was trying to be upbeat and commented that maybe things would turn out okay and everyone would be brought back to us, and I tried to smile thanks, but it's like my face is made out of cement - I couldn't move my lips to smile no matter what!  Blondie was very quiet, and I saw a few tears dripping off of her cheeks.  She'd only met the girls once or twice, but she'd really liked Janet, I think.
When I left the shelf for our shelf, I hugged all three of them and thanked them for being there for me and Flynn.

When I got back, Flynn's face was tear-streaked.
"Are you alright?" I asked him. He was collapsed into the wicker chair.
When he noticed me, he jumped up and swallowed.  "Uh, yeah.  Everything's fine."
"I know better than that.  Tell me.  It's good to let it all out, trust me!"  I pried.  He started to refuse.  "You know, we're husband and wife! You are supposed to tell me all your troubles."
"I don't see the need to tell you about it when you know, too."  He mumbled, looking down as a tear dripped from his nose.
My heart ached and I strode over to him and grabbed him into a tight hug.
He buried his face in my shoulder and his whole body started jerking with the sobs he'd obviously held in since Friday.  I just stood and let him cry.  When he was ready, he pulled his head away from my shoulder and looked down at me.
"I'm just so..so used to being this big, tough guy that isn't bothered by anything, and isn't easily upset...and if something  bad happens, I can usually find a silver lining.  But with..with this?  I can't.  And I'm not used to that.  And I want my girls-OUR girls!  I want them back in our arms so badly."
I bit my lip and pushed away the tears threatening to sting my eyes.  I put a hand on his cheek.  "I know, honey.  I know.  You don't have to be the big tough guy right now - it's fine to let a few tears fall once in awhile."
"But what about you?  You need someone stronger than this to help YOU get through it-"
"Flynn, I didn't marry you because you were tough.  It's perfectly natural to be upset right now - you would seem really weird if you weren't sad.  And you've helped me already.  Just the fact that I know you're here with me?  That's a comfort, and-"
"But you wouldn't be going through this if I hadn't've suggested it!"  He blurted.
He pulled away from me and walked off. I followed after him.
"Flynn, calm down. Flynn!  Listen to me.  FLYNN!"  I finally yelled, because he wasn't listening.  I guess he was just so upset with himself that he couldn't stop and turn around to listen to me.  He still didn't.  "It was my decision too!  It's not your fault!  Now you'd best turn around and calm down.  Getting this worked up isn't good for-"
Whilst I was following him and chewing him out for being so hard on himself, he stopped, turned around, and grabbed me into a kiss, almost knocking me over and interrupting my sentence.
I could hardly remember the last time we'd kissed - we'd been too upset and our relationship, as I now knew, had suffered a blow.  My head spun and I couldn't think straight - what was he doing, anyway?  First he was crying, then he was mad at himself, and now he was kissing me with such passion that I almost started crying too!  Talk about  confusing - and men think WE'RE confusing!
Finally, he pulled away from me, but he still held me close in his arms.
"What in the world...?  I don't...I mean.." I fumbled for what I wanted to say, without sounding rude or unappreciative or anything.
"Just thank you for being you.  And not blaming me for anything when I deserve blame-"
"Excuse me, but you do NOT deserve to be blamed for this - it was Tangled Fa-" He kissed me again, but just long enough to cut me off from my sentence.  "You're terrible, you know that?  I'm trying to say something, something possibly important, and all you want to do is kiss me?!"
It wasn't a reprimand, but I was trying to get a smile out of him...and it worked.
"Well, what other way could I get you to be quiet?  Usually, you're like a dog with a bone - once you have something, you don't drop it till it's all said and done.  But hey, it worked - didn't it?"
"It was Tangled Fan that did everything, so..." I tried to finish what I'd been wanting to say.  "So, um..."
His eyes laughed for the first time since Thursday, and he gave me an 'I told you so' grin.
"You're bad.  But I love you anyway."  I offered a small smile, glad to have a glimmer of my old Flynn back.  Who knew that someone could miss being teased so much?
He gave me another quick kiss and then I told him he was being a little over-the-top.
"Well, I haven't kissed you at all since Thursday, so I need to catch up!" He joked.
I rolled my eyes and I sobered when I thought about Thursday.  We'd been a perfect little - okay, not so little - family then.  It was amazing how much could change in a matter of hours.  As I was thinking of this, Flynn gently brought my chin up so I was looking at him.  It was also amazing how quickly that dance in his eye had vanished.
"I know what you're thinking.  Please stop," he kissed me and I leaned into him.
My heart ached for a moment and I wished I hadn't've thought of that.  It had been so nice to be back to a sense of normality :/
I took in a deep, shuddery breath, and said to him, "Tomorrow, I WILL confront Tangled Fan.  She'll give me the scoop on this whole situation, or at least she'd better!"
"It's not worth getting into a fight over."
"You know what? If she wants to toss me out in the Dumpster because I want my KIDS back, she can!" I said bitterly.
"See..I told you - like a dog with a bone."  He winked at me, and I could tell he was trying to get me off the subject.  So I quieted down.

And that's basically what we're at right now.  Will keep you guys updated as necessary.  Not sure if Flynn will be doing a post with his side or not, you'll have to wait and see - I hope he does though, because it seems to give him something else to think about!

Flynn here..can you say worst day ever??

Hey guys...sorry if I seem a bit mean, but I need to blow off some steam.
So this morning, I was awakened by Rapunzel, who was frantically shaking my arm.
It ends up that Jase, Allie, Janet, and Hallie were all gone.

We searched for them for close to two hours.  Then, Rapunzel, Merida, and Rayne went off to search the 18 inchers' dresser.
I paced along the deck and worried for awhile.  But then I decided to keep searching for awhile.
It took those three several hours until they came back, and by then, I was back pacing the deck.
I saw my wife coming up the deck, and I stood still, trying to suppress my hopefulness.
But as she neared, I saw her red-rimmed eyes and she was biting her lip.  I almost lost it, and my face crumpled.  I did manage, however, to keep from bawling.

After that, Tangled Fan came walking into the room, waltzing through as normally as ever.  Told Rapunzel that Janet and Allie were adopted, Hallie was pending, and Jase had been carelessly tossed into the Goodwill bag.

Rapunzel looked like her knees just crumpled underneath her.  She buried her face into her knees and sobbed.
I walked over to her slowly, gathering my thoughts and composure.  She needed me right now.  Needed me not to be a complete mess.
"I'm so...sorry...I-I should've told her we wanted to adopt them.  And n-now they're gggone!"  She sobbed, and I bent to gather her in my arms.
"Shh.  It's okay." I reassured her further, carried her to the shelf, sat down, and held her on my lap.
She finally began crying.  Sobs wracked her body and I wondered if she could actually hurt herself from crying so hard.  I held her close and rocked back and forth.  I really struggled to keep from crying..but then I broke down and let a few tears loose.
She pulled away from me and looked at me, and I didn't meet her eyes.  She put her tiny hand on mine. "I'm so sorry.  I c-can't believe...I can't-" She started crying again, and I pulled her back in to my chest.
I tried to reassure her that everything happened for a reason, and that everything probably would turn out okay.
She pulled away and looked at me.  I tried to muster a brave smile, but it was shaky.  I wondered if Tangled Fan would've done this to me when Rapunzel's arm was messed up - if she would've just tossed her away carelessly, if I hadn't've asked her to marry me.  The very thought made me almost cry more.

Eventually, she calmed down and wiped her cheeks.  I cupped her cheeks with my hands.
"Everything will be okay - don't worry.  You'll see."
"But what if everything ISN'T okay?" She stared at me, demanding an answer.
"It just will be."  I pulled her close for a tight hug, and glanced at the alarm clock.  It was coming close to 9.  "Might as well get some sleep now."
I started to go to bed, and she snorted.  "Sleep? Right."

I'd been trying to hard to avoid snapping at her pessimism and sarcasm, but I'd had enough.  Before I could catch myself, I wheeled on her.  "Your attitude won't help the situation, miss!  I miss them too, and I'm trying to be here for you, but you're making it awfully hard!"
My wife threw it right back into my face.  "Then don't be!  Don't worry about little old me, who has an ATTITUDE!  Nobody in our situation would be a little bit pessimistic, anyway!"
That wasn't what I'd said, was it?  "I didn't say -"
But she wasn't done.  "And how on earth do you expect me to NOT be mad or upset or anything? My children just got taken away from me!"
She started to turn away.  I told her to wait up a second, but she held a hand up and refused to look at me.  "I'm going up to see Merida."
"Rapunzel.  Rapunzel!" I called, but she ignored me and started walking.
I took one big step and grabbed her arm, dragging her around to face me.
"Let.  Me.  Go."  She growled with such fierceness, I wondered where it had come from.
I tightened my grip.  "I don't want to start a fight, not ever, and not now.  I'm sorry - it's just that I'm trying to keep an optimistic outlook, and I'm trying to keep YOU from worrying, too!"
Worried I might cut off circulation or something, I loosened my grip a bit, and willed my tears to go away. I hadn't meant to start this fight.  I knew she was thinking about yanking her arm from me, because her hand suddenly fisted and she tensed her arm.  She looked at my face, and I could see her face soften, just a tiny bit.  "And I just want to say this.  We're at the stage where we might try to start blaming others for what happened, when we really know it was Tangled Fan.  And if that happens, I refuse to fight with you or blame you for any of this - you can hate me or whatever all you want, but I won't.  I just need you to know that I'm just trying to be here for you, and be the faithful husband I should be."
"Did I say I hated you?" She started to bristle.  Again.
"No!  I'm just saying that I'll be here for you.  Even if you do end up thinking stuff like that.  Just listen, honey."  She nodded, breathing deeply.  Her face was red and tear streaked.  I started to cry, but kept on.  "It just gets a little hard when you're trying to keep an optimistic outlook, and the person you're trying to keep optimistic...isn't being optimistic!  I'm sorry I made that crack about your attitude.  It just...I just lost my cool for a minute.  And it just takes one sentence, one minute, to ruin a relationship.  I don't want that.  Baby, I soo don't want that."  I let go of her hand and added that if she wanted to go to Merida's, she could.
"No, I'm sorry.  You need me as much as I need you right now."  She did a little hiccup, and her face was horror-stricken.  She pressed her hands on her eyes.  "I'm so, so sorry.  I miss them so much!" she gasped as if someone had punched her in the stomach.
I stepped over and grabbed her up, holding her as close as I could.  She let out the most mournful sound ever uttered, and I started sobbing too, and shaking.  I was trying to be the macho man here, and it just wasn't working right now.
She wrapped her arms around me.  "Hon..I'm sorry..I'm so sorry.  You're right - they'll be okay.  Maybe we'll...we'll wake up tomorrow aaand find them all here again.  Maybe this is just a...dream."  She kept sobbing as she tried to take a breath in.
I put one hand on her head and held her close, putting my head up against her soft hair.  Taking several breaths, I tried to calm down.

I guess I must've calmed down, alright.  Next thing I knew, I had fallen down and Rapunzel was scrambling to get up off of me.
"You fell asleep.  Sorry, but I don't think I can carry you."  I knew she was trying to lighten the mood and joke, but I couldn't find a smile anywhere to give her - I wanted to, though.  I wanted to feel as carefree as we had been just yesterday!
I sat up, and she curled tightly up against me, putting both arms around me and putting her head up against me.  I think I fell asleep before she did.  It really was exhausting to be terrified.

Why did Tangled Fan take our kids????  I know they were just fosters, but good grief, ask a doll before you take them away in their sleep!
I'd like to say a lot of things to her, but I know that wouldn't be nice.  You can't beat up on someone based off of their level of ignorance, I suppose.  But still.  Us dolls have feelings too!  We're not all like "Oh okay our kids just got taken away.  It's fine.".  Ugh.
I'll try to keep you all updated..I'm sure Rapunzel will.  It kills me to see her like this.  If I could find them somehow, I would definitely try to - but I don't think I could.  Otherwise, we would have all of them back with us!  :[

Friday Fright

Yes, I know - tacky title, and I think I have some other post named similarly already.  But I couldn't think of anything else.

Friday morning, I woke up around 8.  With a yawn, I blinked groggily at Flynn, who was still sleeping.  I eased slowly away from him, so as not to wake him.  Surprised to hear the babies were still asleep, I stood to look at everyone, to make sure everyone was alright.

I froze.  The chair was empty.  Jase wasn't behind the alarm clock. The babies were gone.  Clapping a hand to my mouth and my other to my stomach, I ran to the printer, scrabbled up onto it, and asked Merida if the kids were up there.

Merida shook her head, confused, and I gasped.  

"They're..they're gone!"

"Och, no!"  Merida jumped up.  Her legs gave out on her, and she nearly fell.  I leaned over and grabbed her arm to keep her from plummeting off of the shelf.  She jumped back up and woke Rayne and Blondie.  "Get Flynn and we'll start searching for them!  Maybe they got stuffed in a drawer or something."  

I hurtled back over and flung myself down by Flynn, shaking his arm urgently and saying his name until he woke.  

"Good morning, sweethear-what's wrong?"  He had started to come in for a kiss, but froze when I jerked away from him.

"They're gone!"  I managed.  

"Who's gone?"  He was awake and alert now.  

"They are!"  I gestured towards the empty shelf, and he pushed past to see for himself.  

"Get down here and help us root through these drawers!" I yelled frantically, yanking on a handle with all my might.  Falling backwards onto the chair, I thought about how mean that had sounded.  "Please.  Flynn, please come and help us root through these drawers.  I'm sorry."  I crawled into the drawer and almost lost myself in amongst mounds and mounds of papers - the drawer Tangled Fan kept her finished drawings in.  I shuffled through and around piles, and they weren't in here.  Flynn was working his way quickly amongst the other drawers, helping Merida, Rayne, and Blondie; and we made quick work of all six of the drawers.  

Merida, Rayne and I left for the 18 inchers' dresser to go through those drawers, which held clothes (human clothes - not their clothes.)  No sign of them there, either, and it had taken us forever to go through them all!  

I was trying to keep from crying, but when Merida and Rayne hugged me as we walked back to the shelves, I almost broke down completely.  A few tears dropped, and I could tell both Merida and Rayne were devastated as well.  They were such good friends.  I thanked them for helping, and dejectedly wandered up to Flynn.  

He saw me coming on the 'deck', and looked so hopeful.  Like an excited little kid.  

I dreaded telling him we hadn't found them.  

I was biting my lip as I walked up to him.  He saw my face and his crumpled before he could keep his composure. 

Just then, Tangled Fan came walking into the room.  

"Where are they?" I yelled.  

"Where are-oh.  I didn't think you were planning on adopting any of them."

"Where are they?" I repeated, through my teeth.  

"Janet and Allie were adopted out.  I'm planning on someone coming to adopt Hallie tomorrow."  

"J-Jase?"  I asked.  

"Goodwill bag.  Sorry, I didn't realize.." She stopped.  "The Goodwill bag...Oh no!  I think it's gone!" She tore out of the room.  

I dropped to my knees, balled up, and sobbed.  

I heard Flynn walk up to me.  "I'm so..sorry...I-I should've told her we wanted to adopt them..and n-now they're g-g-gone!"  I sobbed.  I didn't realize how much I'd really come to love those four little girls.  

Flynn gathered me up in his arms.  "Shh.  It's okay.  Maybe she'll find Jase and those other dolls won't adopt Hallie, and at least we can still have those two."

He carried me to the shelf, sat down,and held me on his lap.  I felt like a seven year old, but I didn't care.  The dam finally broke and I cried hard.  Sobs wracked my body and Flynn held me close, rocking from side to side, with his head pressed up against my head. I felt my hair get wet.  

I pulled away and looked at him.  He wouldn't meet my eyes, but I saw his were red-rimmed.  

I put my hand on his.  "I'm so sorry...I c-can't believe...I can't-" He pulled me back in as I started to cry more.  

"I'm sure we'll be able to adopt others."  He whispered.  "Everything happens for a reason, honey.  It's not your fault.  You didn't know that this was going to happen."  

I pulled away again, but he still kept his arms loosely around me.  One look told me he didn't quite believe the words he was saying, either.  He tried to offer a brave smile, but it didn't do a thing, and his smile was shaking.  

Suddenly, I realized that this might've happened with Flynn if his migraine hadn't stopped.  I would've woken up and he would've been gone.  Just like I'd woken up and found the shelf empty.  

I leaned back into his chest, and just sat there, trying to calm myself.  My tears were all gone eventually, but I still felt awful and hollow.  

I loosed a shaky sigh, and I went to wipe my tears.  Flynn cupped my cheeks with his hands, and whispered that everything would be okay.  

"But what if everything isn't okay?"  I stared at him.  

"It just will be."  He pulled me in again into a tight hug, but then he must've glanced at the alarm clock.  "Might as well go get some sleep now."  He stood and I did, too, and he was starting towards bed.  

I snorted. "Sleep?  Right."  

He wheeled around towards me.  "Your attitude won't help the situation, miss.  I miss them, too, and I'm trying to be here for you, but you're making it awfully hard."  

"Then don't be!  Don't worry about little old me, who has an attitude.  Nobody in our situation would be a little bit pessimistic, anyway."  

"I didn't say-"

"And how on earth do you expect me to not be mad or upset or anything?  My children just got taken away from me!"  

"Rapunzel, wait up a second.  I just-"

I held a hand up.  "I'm going up to see Merida."  

He called my name, but I just turned away and started walking.  

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and pulled me to face him.  

"Let me go." I growled.  

He looked slightly shocked, but he tightened his grip.  "I don't want to start a fight, not ever, and not now.  I'm sorry.  It's just that I'm trying to keep an optimistic outlook, and I'm trying to keep you from worrying, too."  

He slightly loosened his grip on my arm, and I considered jerking away from him.  But he looked close to tears, and I could hear it in his voice.  "And I just want to say this - We're at the stage where we might try to start blaming others for what happened, when we really know it was Tangled Fan.  And if that happens, I refuse to fight with you or blame you for any of this.  You can hate me or whatever all you want, but I won't.  I just need you to know that I'm just trying to be here for you, and be the faithful husband I should be."  

"Did I say I hated you?"  I started to bristle.  

"No.  I'm just saying that I'll be here for you.  Even if you do end up thinking stuff like that.  Just listen, honey."  

I heard his honest attempt at being cordial right now and wondered how he could be.  

I nodded, taking a deep breath to try to cool the hotness in my throat, and he continued.  "It just gets a little hard when you're trying to keep an optimistic outlook, and the person you're trying to keep optimistic...isn't being optimistic.  I'm sorry I made that crack about your attitude.  It just...I just lost my cool for a minute.  And it just takes one sentence, one minute, to ruin a relationship.  I don't want that.  Baby, I so don't want that."  

He was in tears.  I felt terrible for starting all this.  He loosened his grip on my hand and let it go.  "But if you feel better going to talk things over with Merida, I understand."   

"No.  I'm sorry.  You need me as much as I need you right now."  I tried to suppress a sob.  I wished I could have held in my sarcasm and pessimism.  I pressed my hands on my eyes and squeezed them shut, trying to convince the tears welling in my eyes to go away.  "I'm so, so sorry.  I miss them so much." I gasped.  

He stepped over and grabbed me into a tight embrace.  "It's okay.  I miss them too." 

I let out a cry at how forgiving the poor guy was...I'd been plain mean and he still tried to comfort me. 

He was crying openly, too - his whole body was shaking with sobs. 

I took my hands away from my eyes and wrapped him in my arms.  "Hon..I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...you're right - they'll be okay....maybe we'll...we'll wake up tomorrow a-a-and find them all here again...maybe this's j-just a dr-dream."  I couldn't catch my breath without sobbing.  

He put one hand on my head and held me so tightly I could hardly breathe.  He pressed his own head up against my hair and I could tell he was trying to calm himself down.  

Finally, after I don't know how long, Flynn suddenly loosened his grip.  He started to tilt backwards. He was fast asleep!  How on earth could he DO that??  I grabbed frantically at him, and at least managed to ease his fall - I ended up being dragged down as well.  When he hit the shelf, he jolted awake.  

"You fell asleep.  Sorry, but I don't think I can carry you..." I tried to joke, but failed sorely.  

He sat up and I curled up against him. It was actually chilly, compared to our more recent muggy weather.  I  pressed as close to Flynn as I possibly could.  I just felt like I needed to hold onto something that I knew - or at least, I really hoped - that nothing would happen to.  And I think we both fell asleep that way.  

Why did Tangled Fan take our foster kids??  I mean, I get that we hadn't full-out adopted them, but still.  Ask as person before you take them all away!  Rather...ask a DOLL before you take their foster dolls away.  We have feelings, too - imagine if she had kids that were taken away from her!  She wouldn't like it much, either, I bet.  

So I'll keep you guys updated best as I can...I'm sure Flynn will have a hot and enraged post up sometime..and he's surely entitled to it, between my behavior and Tangled Fan!  Poor guy.  

1 week anniversary :D

Thursday dawned muggy, but not rainy for once! We'd been married for one week already - Sometimes, though, I can't believe it's been JUST one week!  

I woke up to find Flynn already awake.  I propped myself up on my elbow and smiled at him.  "Morning," I said with a smile.  

He put a hand on my arm with a grin.  "Probably should get up now, cause they're expecting the girls soon."  

"Huh?" I asked, slightly lost. 

"Them." he nodded towards Merida's shelf.  "They're gonna watch the girls today."  

"Ohhh.  All day?"

He stood, and I followed him, grinning.  "What're we gonna do?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."  He tried to keep a stone face.  

"Fine."  I pretended to sulk, but then I grabbed him and tried to tickle him.  Unfortunately, I figured out that he wasn't ticklish.  So instead, he grabbed me back and tickled me.  And I'm super ticklish.  

"You're terrible." I pretended to be mad.  

"You started it," he laughed.  

I rolled my eyes and gave him a shove before he pulled me in for a quick kiss.  

Then, I decided I'd best get ready.  Since it was our 1 week anni, (it wouldn't be much of a big deal, but with us dolls, we never know when one or both of us are going to end up dismembered by a child or something, so we try to make the most of everything when we're married), I scrounged around and found a couple other outfits to try on.  

The first was a shirt and skirt set from Barbie.  It was cute, but I didn't really like how it looked on me.  Besides, I could hardly pull the skirt over my hips!  Didn't Barbies have any hips at all?!  I got the Velcro fastened, and then looked down.  Half of my belly was sticking out, and no matter how far I yanked the skirt up, it still showed.  Ummm, no.  

Next, I tried on the Barbie dress Merida wore at my wedding.  It was cute, but I think - no, I KNOW it looked better on Merida than it did me!  And it was pretty loose - one wrong move and half the bodice would slide down.  Ummm, no, again.  Sighing, I put my original dress back on and braided my hair.

Putting one hand on my arm, I walked over to Flynn and said, "I couldn't find anything decent, so this'll have to do..sorry."  

He split into a grin, though, and swept me up into a hug.  "You're beautiful."  

I smiled up at him...and then I spotted Merida peering down from their shelf. 

"You gonna bring them kiddos up anytime soon?"  She asked with a grin.  

I nodded, and we started carting the kids up to the shelf.  

Merida took Allie and Jase; Janet went to talk with Blondie.  

Rayne took Hallie and held her.  A huge, huge smile split her face.  

Hallie blinked at her, wide-eyed, and I held my breath in wait of a bloodcurdling scream to rise from that tiny baby.  

When no screech came, Merida, Flynn, and I  exchanged surprised looks.  Rayne caught on to our 'looks' and laughed.  

"You guys go have a nice, romantic day, now." She winked at me and I blushed.  

I waved to everyone, and let Flynn lead me down the shelf.  

When we were down there, I held his hand and we talked about whatever came to our minds.  He smiled whenever I'd talk, as if he was basking in every word I said. It made me feel kind of embarrassed, not used to being so loved!  Not like I don't enjoy it, though ;)

Then he swung me in towards him, as I heard some music come on.  "Dance?"

My heart flitted.  "S-sure," I smiled, carefully putting an arm around his waist and another on his shoulder.  He held me more comfortably than he had the other day.

And then we just danced.  Nothing too major-ly exciting about that...just enchanting and I hope I'm getting better at dancing!  And I'm so glad to have such a great hubby that will dance with a complete hopeless like me :P 

He'd put together a playlist on Tangled Fan's iPod.  I included the list of the songs, from YouTube, here - in case you want to listen to any of them (:

Back to Me Without You (The Band Perry)

Enchanted (Taylor Swift)

Innocent (Taylor Swift)

Postcard from Paris (The Band Perry)

Walk Me Down the Middle (The Band Perry)

All Your Life (The Band Perry)

Dancin' Away With My Heart (Lady Antebellum)

(Okay, so it should be pretty well-established that we LOVE The Band Perry by now. :D)  

When the music stopped, we eased to a stop as well.  

"Thank you for being such a wonderful hubby." I smiled up at him.

He impulsively tipped me backwards and gave me a big kiss, which I gladly returned.  He eventually tipped me back upright, and when he pulled away from me, he glanced sheepishly towards the door.  

Tangled Fan was standing there, with a big ole' grin on her face and her cell phone in her hand.  

Can you say, "knock before entering, PLEASE?!"  I mean, I know this is her bedroom, but...when there are dolls in here too, you'd think you would need to knock to make sure you weren't getting into the middle of something.  Just saying...Oh well.

She walked over to the shelf, picked up all the girls, and with her other hand, snagged Flynn and I up to do a photoshoot.  

I was pretty annoyed that we had to do this today, but that's another 'oh well'.  Here are our favorites:

This one is kind of a laugh.  Janet was the only one facing the camera.  

Flynn and I were looking towards the door after hearing something, and Jase..I'm not sure what on earth she was doing! :P

Flynn trying to be a big macho guy and have all four kids in one pic.  Janet got a good laugh out of him, and I did, too.  Almost everything about him makes me laugh or at least smile.  But we're still newlyweds, and anyway, off to the rest of the pics.  ;)

When we were released to do as we pleased, and Tangled Fan had set the kids back with Merida, Rayne, and Blondie, Flynn and I just meandered about and talked some more.  

After awhile, though, we heard some pitter-pattering, and climbed up to the windowsill to look out the window.

Annnd it was raining.  Again.  I put a hand against the glass and sighed.  "I wish this crummy rain would go away.  And bring some less-humid weather in!"  

Flynn nodded.  "That's for sure.  At least our plans weren't ruined!"  He grinned, and my heart thudded hard against my ribcage.  Be still, my heart! :D  

He reached an arm around me and kissed my forehead.  I wondered if the room suddenly got hotter, or if it was just my face.  

And right now, it's getting to be a really bad storm here, so I gotta go...!  Ugh, this weather.