Flynn here...Monday confessions

Hey everyone.  Yes, I am stealing my wife's title for today's post - I couldn't think of anything else  :P
Last night I had the most awful migraine ever, and so we both stayed up till really late.  I was surprised to awake at 6 in the morning, when Rapunzel woke me up by pulling her arm out from under my back.
I looked at her groggily and told her good morning.  I heard how gravelly my voice sounded, so I cleared my throat.  She took a deep breath and pulled her pretty face up to smile at me.
"Morning - feel any better?"  she asked, turning her head to look at me with a creased brow.
To attempt to lighten the mood, although I still had a tiny bit of a headache, I said, "Right now, I feel pretty great," referring to the fact that my wife was at my side.  I gave her a squeeze with my arm, which was around her.  She rolled her eyes, which was at least halfways the response I wanted, and I added, "No, really, I feel a lot better than I did last night, that's for sure!"
She leaned over me and gave me a kiss.  I could see the relief in her eyes.  "I'm sooo glad."
Which was what was nagging at me in the back of my mind.  If these migraines turned into a chronic event, I didn't want her to be worried all the time about me.  She deserved much better than that.  I bit my lip.
Rapunzel sat up, and so I did too.  She turned her face towards me and smiled, put an arm around my waist, and asked, "What?  I know you're thinking about something."
I looked at her, too, and watched her blink her big, emerald-green eyes at me, waiting.  I put an arm around her and held her tight to me for a few seconds.  Then  I stood up, and headed for the 'deck' in hopes of clearing the thought about chronic migraines out of my head before she hounded at me too much.  But it was too late for that..she followed me out and waited.
Finally, I spoke my concern, and told her that if she didn't want to deal with that chronic possibility, we could call it quits and I would understand.
Her eyes teared up, and she grabbed at one of my arms, smoothing my sleeve with her hand.  "Oh, Flynn...no way, never, ever in a gazillion trillion years, am I leaving you just because you might have a bad headache once in awhile!  Now I know it's not as bad as I thought it was originally.  In case I've never told you, I love you so much.  And if you ever end up in the Dumpster, I hope I go at the same time, cause I could never live without you.  And if you think I don't want to be your wife anymore because of some piddly headaches, you've got another thing coming, mister!  Regardless, she [Tangled Fan], said it was from sleep deprivation, not just because."
My taut, knotted-up stomach immediately relaxed, and I felt relieved.  I found her hand and loosely held it, until she grabbed me up into a hug, sniffing and wiping her eyes.
I kissed her hair and wrapped her in my arms, and we just stood there.  Eventually, she pulled away from me enough to see my face.  "You get some idea like that in your head again, and I'll swat you one," she joked, winking.
I smiled at her, and she pulled away to braid her hair.
I went off towards the other end of the 'deck', to go peer out the window, wondering if it was going to be another crummy-weather day.  It didn't seem like it!
When I heard Rapunzel grumbling, "Stupid ribbon anyhow...can't get it unknotted to save my life...why won't this loosen up?  Rrrgh!" through her teeth, I turned to look at her.  As soon as I did, I saw she was trying to hold her braid in place in one hand and unknot her ribbon..using her teeth.  I started laughing and strode over to her.  "Spit it out and let me get that for ya."  I picked the knot loose, tied her hair up for her, and finally stopped chuckling at the situation.  We'll not elaborate on the fact that the ribbon was kinda damp from her spit.
"Thanks," she laughed.  I nodded.  I would've kissed her cheek, but we both turned when we heard the babies waking up.
We both sat down and picked them up and hushed them before they started to even whimper.
"We're getting to be old pros at this."  Rapunzel giggled, and I was amused, because I'd been thinking the exact same thing.  I slung my free arm around her and nodded in agreement.
She leaned over to talk to Allie.  "Tell Daddy he's silly, huh!"  I felt a warmth envelope me to hear her call me 'daddy' when she was talking to Allie.  I don't know why though, but I just did.  I plopped a kiss down on Rapunzel's head, and Allie grinned.  I could tell Rapunzel was wrapped around the babies' little fingers.
And then Jase came tearing over.  Rapunzel scooped her up, too, and then Janet came out as well.  She talked with both of them for a few seconds, and then turned to me, and asked if she could take the girls out for a girl's day out.
I agreed to care for the babies and that I would be fine.  She handed Hallie over to me and leaned over to kiss me goodbye.  "See you later."  She said, smiling.
I shifted the babies to one arm and brushed some hair away from her face, pausing to cup my hand over her cheek.  She gave me a loving look and put her hand over mine, squeezing it.  She seemed to stand a bit reluctantly  when Jase came back over.
Pretty soon, Merida was working her way down the shelf, and they all left.

I blinked at the deafening silence...for a few seconds.  Hallie started huffing, so I took them out on the 'deck'.  I walked back and forth for awhile, and then went back onto the shelf when they had both fallen soundly asleep in my arms.  Smiling to myself at how serene they looked, I set them down to nap and yawned.  I was still tired, and I could feel my twinge of a headache start to worsen, so I retreated to go nap myself, in hopes of making the headache go away before my wife came back home.

I got up a few times with the babies, but they were pretty good.  After awhile, my headache finally went away - thank goodness!  It was afternoon before the girls finally all came back home.  Jase and Janet left to play in the corner, and Merida and Rapunzel came over towards me.  Linking her arm in Rapunzel's, Merida cocked her head and said, "And here's yer lovely wife."  She giggled.
Rapunzel laughed at Merida, but then randomly ran and scrambled up to Rayne's shelf.
Merida looked at me with a brow quirked, nodding her head towards where Rapunzel had stood seconds ago.  I shrugged, frowning in confusion, and she shrugged too.
When Rapunzel came back a couple minutes later, Merida turned towards her.  "Don't need to worry about coming back quick - I can watch these gals for any amount of time.  It's boring up on that shelf!"  When Rapunzel gave her a thankful smile, she added, with a grin that spelled 'trouble', "Now, go enjoy your hubby and smooch while you're not interrupted by the kiddos."
It worked.  Rapunzel put a hand over her eyes and turned a lovely shade of crimson.  "We don't...well...we talk, aaand walk, and-" I came up behind her, gave her a peck on the forehead, and felt the need to tease as well.
"And smooch."  I grinned, and she gave me a shove.
Merida was laughing at our antics.  She snorted when Rapunzel shoved me, and that made her laugh even harder.
"Shush," Rapunzel told me.  "It's not all we do.  I take it you're feeling fine now, 'cause you're back to your usual self!"
"Just go!"  Merida was fighting laughter now, but her eyes were tearing from her effort.
Rapunzel laughed a thanks, and I led her down to the floor.

When we were down there, Rapunzel took my hand and we walked.  She had a carefree spring in her step, swinging her arm back and forth, [and my arm too], and chattering about her day.
"We had a lot of fun today.  Thank you so much for watching the babies!  How were they?"
"I'm glad you had fun.  They were really good, actually!  So what all did you do?"  I enjoyed watching her talk with a sparkle in her eye and such an innocent smile on her face.
"We went over to visit the 18 inchers.  Merida visited with Angus, and Jase got to sit on Angus with her.  She really enjoyed it - we'll probably end up having to ask Tangled Fan to find a horse for Jase, based off of the huge smile on her face! Janet visited with the mini dolls, and I visited with Julie, Elizabeth, and Christy.  They're so nice!  Kailey's still a bit off-putting, but I just don't talk to her, cause I know she doesn't like to be friendly, or whatever her problem is. Thank you so much, again, for watching the babies!"
While she talked, I started to think about what I wanted to tell her.  You already know I'm not the best with words, so I was pretty nervous.  Finally, I stopped walking.  Rapunzel turned around and asked me what.
I pulled on her arm carefully, and it sent her right into me. "What?" she repeated, putting her arms loosely around my waist.
I wanted to tell her, I really did.  And there was something else I wanted to say, too.  So instead, I made a joke.  "Just...I dunno.  Just cause you're my wife, and I love you to plastic bits and pieces."
She giggled,  and I got that funny feeling in my stomach again (the good kind, not the migraine kind :p).
"Oh, you.  You're bad!  But I love you, too.  And I'm glad you're back to yourself!"
 I put an arm around her, used my other hand to remove one of her arms from my waist, so I could hold her hand.
Rapunzel leaned her head on my shoulder for a few minutes, but then she looked up at me with questioning eyes, slipping her hand away from me.
"Why're you so, like, affectionate with me?  I mean, it's not like I don't like or appreciate it; but I was just curious why."
I took  a deep breath, and told her my fear that our marriage would fall apart because I rushed her.
And then I decided I wanted to tell her the other thing, too.  I opened my mouth, but she stopped me.  "Before you go on, I want to say this - Don't you ever, EVER, think our marriage will be wrecked 'cause we moved quickly. Or because of injuries or headaches.  It was just as much my fault as it was yours that we moved fast.  And mine that you got that headache.  And truth is?  I'm glad we got married so soon - I can enjoy you as my hubby for longer, now!"
I was going to contradict her, that she wasn't at fault for anything, but I just smiled hugely at her, relieved. She smiled back, and my heart sped up as I considered what I wanted to say next.
I led her up onto the chair, but then I decided not to say anything.
"Whatever it is you wanted to say, I won't laugh or anything.  Just say it," she smiled still.  Obviously, she hadn't forgotten, and wouldn't drop it, either.
I fidgeted around plenty, and then I just spilled my guts to her, with all I wanted to say to her about how much I really did care about her.
When I opened my eyes, which I'd squeezed shut while speaking, to keep focus, Rapunzel was crying openly.
I panicked.  "I told you I wasn't good with words.  I'm so sorr-"
She broke me off.  "No!  You..you were perfect!"
I smiled at her and reached to wipe her wet cheeks.
"You gave such a gorgeous speech.  For a guy who supposedly is awful with words..I don't think you give yourself enough credit.  I feel the same way about you.  I still get the butterflies and a tingle up my spine when I see you, and I feel like a little schoolgirl with a gigantic crush, every time I see that cute little grin of yours - yeah, that's the one" - she said when I grinned at her - "and you're so handsome, and soo impossibly sweet.  It never fails to amaze me how gentle you can be.  I mean, in the movie, you were some ruffian...but I guess after you met me in the movie, you turned into a sweetheart.  But anyway.  You do have a way with words, by the way.  You make my knees go to Jell-o...either that, or it's just this heat - but I don't think so. And I just love you!"  She finally finished, and I was fighting tears myself - one tear had already escaped.  It takes a lot to make ME cry!  She gently wiped the tear from my cheek, and my heart nearly faltered.
I leaned into her until our foreheads touched.  She and I stared at each other, but she quickly shut her eyes when they started to cross [I kid you not].  Abruptly, she pulled away.
"What?"  I asked, wondering why she was so jumpy about displaying her affections.
"They can probably see us from here," she said, casting a guilty glance up towards the shelves.  "And I dunno.  I just feel a bit awkward being so open in our affection - but you know what?"    
"There's no other place around here that we CAN be at that dolls aren't gonna see us."  I finished for her.
"Exactly."
"So why feel awkward?"  I asked, confused.  "If it makes you feel weird, I'll.." I started to withdraw my arm from her shoulders, but she snagged my arm and held it.
"No.  You know what?  I'm gonna stop holding back and feeling awkward about it. If some doll has an issue with me loving you, they can keep it to themselves!"
I felt like teasing her after that.  "So you won't mind if I do this?"  I tried to ask with an innocent expression on my face.
"Do what?"  she asked.  I grabbed her and started to tickle her.  [even though we're plastic, we can still be ticklish, mind!]  She yelped in surprise and elbowed me.  I made an exaggerated fall backwards, as if she'd knocked me down, and she flopped down as well, dissolving into giggles that made me grin.  I slipped my arm around her, and she rested her head on my chest and smiled sweetly at me, laughter still glimmering in her eyes.
After not too long, she dozed off, exhausted from her sleepless night, probably.  I looked at her to make sure she was asleep and not just laying really still.  Her eyes were shut, a peaceful grin still played across her pink lips.  I slowly stroked her hair, hoping not to wake her up.  And then I guess I must've nodded off for a bit, too.
When I woke up, the sun was starting to set - I glimpsed it through the window - and Rapunzel was still out.  Her smile was still on her face and I hated to disturb her, hoping she'd wake up without me doing anything to wake her.  But after it grew dark, I knew we needed to get back to Merida and the kids.  I tried to ease her up off the chair to carry her to bed, but she quickly woke.
"Flynn."
"What?" Even though I knew full well what 'Flynn' meant.
"Put me down."
"I'll just-"
"Put me down.  Please,"
I sighed, but did give in, lowering her legs, but still keeping a hold around her shoulders.
"Thank you," she said, kissing me on the cheek.
So then we went home, and were greeted by Merida.
I peeked around and saw all the kids were sprawled out in random spots, played out and sleeping hard.
Rapunzel and Merida chatted quietly for a few minutes, but then she left, and my wife turned towards me, unbraiding her hair.
"And thank you for this wonderful day, again."  She grinned, then went to lie down behind the lamp.  I followed her and sat down.
Leaning down, we shared a goodnight kiss, before I lowered myself down beside my wife.  Rapunzel fumbled around till she found my hand and grasped it, with a smile that lit the darkening room.  I smoothed my hand over her hair over and over.  "You're the best wife anyone could ever ask for, and never forget that I love you." I whispered to her, though I didn't think she'd soon forget the love we shared for one another! Anyway, then I was asleep too.

I'm hoping Rapunzel wants to keep the tradition of having evenings to ourselves, because I've begun to really like it, and I tend to be able to tell her lots of things that are on my mind, during then.

Wedding Day!!!!! (=

Hi everyone!!

It's the moment you've all been waiting for...well, at least..the moment WE'VE all been waiting for over here!!  

The morning of July 4th dawned horribly muggy and rainy.  Again.  But that didn't dampen our spirits!

I also finally decided - Merida would be my maid of honor.  Rayne agreed and was actually relieved that I chose Merida.  Win-win!

I had spent the night with them up on the shelf, to keep tradition - The bride and groom aren't supposed to see each other the day of the wedding.  I think that you humans have that tradition as well?

We rummaged around in the dresser for a good while.  Blondie found a hair clip that matched PERFECTLY with Merida's dress -we'd found a fancy Barbie dress lying in one of the drawers back over at our shelf, and decided Merida should wear it to my wedding because she was the maid of honor.  Merida was not amused, but she's such a good friend that she agreed to wear it anyway.

Rayne pulled Merida's hair up (which was NOT an easy task! :P)  and clipped it carefully with the hair clip.

Blondie's hair was braided, and Merida wrapped a necklace around her neck several times until it was short enough for her to wear.  

And then Rayne and I exchanged dresses.  

Although they'd all seen me in Rayne's wedding dress before, Merida gasped, pointed, and said, "Now THAT is perfection!"  

Blondie gave a little, excited giggle, and Rayne clasped her hands in excitement as well.  I felt a sudden wave of embarrassment - I wasn't used to so much attention!  

"C'mere," Merida said, gesturing.  I did, and sat down.

Merida knelt behind me and got to work with the hairbrush.  She's actually quite the hairdresser!  

We tried two different looks.  The first one was having my hair loose, and me holding the engagement ribbon...

And what we were planning to do anyway - braided hair with the engagement ribbon tied in place.  

We decided that the braid worked the best.  

Annnd here's a picture of all us gorgeous gals.  I think Merida looks best - I heard that pink doesn't look good on redheads, but I think she looks AMAZING in that dress!  I think she was starting to even like it.  

Suddenly, though, we heard familiar whistling.  Flynn!

"Oh no!" I squeaked, pulling the veil off, crouching and twisting the skirts around my legs so the skirt wouldn't poof out so much.  

Merida and Rayne stepped in front of me, and Blondie in front of them.  

It must have looked pretty amusing to Flynn, - Blondie's pretty small compared to the rest of us.  

I heard Flynn ask where I was at, and they said that he couldn't see me anyway, because of tradition.  

"The ceremony's about to start, and the 18 inchers" - I peeked upwards towards the dresser, and saw that Elizabeth, Christy, and Hailey were watching us with smiles.  Oh, and there was Julie! I wanted to wave but didn't want to be seen by Flynn.  -"are getting a bit restless."  

"Okay.  Well, turn around, then."  

He did, and with a lot of skirt rustling, Merida and I slipped around a corner until Flynn 'assumed the position'.  

Rayne and Blondie walked down the aisle side by side, and then turned off to the side to sit and wait for the ceremony.  As we waited to make our grand entrance, Merida talked.  I was starting to feel queasy. 

"Should I be doing this?"

"Yes!  Of course."  Merida said.  "Ya like him, don't you?"  (Oh - you may notice that I've been typing Merida's monologue without the Scottish accent attempt - it's to make it easier for everyone else to read.  :P)

"Yes.  I love him.  But still - we've only known each other a little while since we've been out of our boxes."

"But you've known him for a good while overall?"

"Yeah..."

"Then you're good to go.  No secrets?"

"No..."

Suddenly, we heard Blondie call out a question as to where we were.  

"Showtime," Merida said.  

I followed her out, clasping at my stomach when I felt nauseated.  "I can't do this."  I mumbled quietly.  I tried to turn around, but Merida kept me snug at her side.

"We're right in front of Flynn, and he's seeing every move you make, so don't do anything 'less you mean it.  Rapunzel, we all know how you are with important decisions.  Do you want this guy, or do you not?  Because I think you're about as ready as you can be.  But if you don't want to, better decide now, or forever hold your peace."  she whispered.

I finally looked up and saw Flynn waiting.  For me.  Just a few steps and I would be a married doll, to the doll I did, in fact, love dearly.  

With a deep breath, I took a sudden step forward.  Merida was a bit surprised, I think, but she tried to keep in step with me.  

When we were in front of Flynn, Merida gave my arm a squeeze and then went to sit by the others.  

Flynn gave me that adorable grin of his and held his hands out.  I took them and grinned too.  Merida jumped back up, untied the ribbon from my braid, and handed it to us. 

The doll marriage tradition is that the engagement ribbon is held in both the male and the female dolls' left hand, then tied in a knot.  

And here's the knot!!  We managed to get it right in the center of the ribbon, which was pretty cool :D

As soon as the knot was made, Flynn dropped it, tipped me back, and we kissed.  

After that, I scooped up the ribbon and Flynn linked his arm in mine, before we walked side by side back down the aisle.  He took the ribbon from me and set it in a safe place.

And then after that, we had to have a quick photoshoot, of course.  We didn't get as many pics in as what I was hoping, but oh well!  

I just noticed that I didn't get a picture with Rayne and I! :(  

Then I gave everyone hugs and thanked them for participating and making the best day ever even better! :P

After that, Flynn and I headed back to our shelf and just sat and talked...   

..For a little while, anyway.  After a short amount of time, Tangled Fan suddenly bustled into the room, picked us both up, and tossed us onto the bed, asking us to model for her while she drew.  (See...she even DRAWS Tangled stuff. It's a bit creepy, actually; how much of a Tangled Fan she really is.)  

I was a bit miffed, naturally.  Well, wouldn't you be, if you had just gotten married less than two hours ago, and were recruited, quite quickly, to model for drawings, rather than relax?!  Regardless...I requested some more pics - since she had her cell phone with her anyway.  And she told us that whatever sketches were good enough to finish up, we would be allowed to have hung up in our little shelf spot.  

So this was our first modeled position.  I guess it was supposed to be like from the movie, where Rapunzel and Flynn are dancing in the Kingdom Dance, and finally run into each other just as the music ends?  I'm not sure, though.

And I guess this was supposed to be like in the movie, where Rapunzel finally realizes that Flynn isn't coming back for her.  We had a bit too much fun with this one.  I kept giggling.  

"Oh, Rapunzel, Rapunzel, what is wrong, my dearest?"  Flynn joked.  I have no clue how he kept a straight face, because I couldn't!  

Still keeping my position, I busted out laughing so hard I had to lean up against him.  

That's when Tangled Fan glanced over.  She looked at us, looked at her paper...looked at us...with a confused look on her face.  If I would have had tears to run down my face from laughter, that's what would have been happening.  Even Flynn lost his composure.  

"Very funny, guys..."  I guess she finally ditched that position idea, because she erased a lot off her page and explained to me what she wanted for the next one.

I actually liked this pose, and she showed me the final sketch, which was also good.  

Then we were able to have some picture taken.  

As you can see in this picture, I have to stand on Flynn's boots, on my tiptoes, and Flynn STILL has to ben down some in order for us to kiss.  It stinks being short!  =P

And this one looks funny.  In reality, Flynn was just holding my hair.  But at the angle in which it was taken, it almost looks like he's wrapped in my hair.  Like in the movie :D

'Stargazing'...only there weren't any stars to gaze at.  

Suddenly, Tangled Fan dashed for her window and slammed it shut.  

"Rain was coming in," she explained. 

She left the room, and we clambered up onto the windowsill to look out the window. 

"I so wish it would stop raining so much.." I grumbled.  

Flynn nodded, and then stepped aside.  

"What?"  I turned my head to ask him.

"I have...well, that is..."

"Spit it out," I urged with a chuckle.  

"Tangled Fan came to me this morning before the ceremony, and said that she'd found some little five-year-old girl in her closet that would make the perfect first kid for us."  He said quickly, then grinned.

"Note how she told you, not me," I muttered quietly.  

Sure, I'd thought about kids.  I wanted kids.  But that was definitely moving too quickly.  Not only were we married already, but having a kid around already, too?! 

"Flynn."  I wasn't sure what to say, to explain myself, so I just gestured.  

He caught my hand mid-gesture, and pulled me in to him.  "It's fine.  I can understand why you don't want to. I just would really like a family, and when she said that she'd likely be either selling her on eBay or sending her to Goodwill, I just thought it would be a great opportunity.  She said it would take quite a while before we would actually become the guardians of her, so it's not like we'll be parents by TONIGHT or anything.  Even I know that that would be moving too quickly!"  Flynn explained.  "But if you don't want to, that's perfectly fine as well." 

"She'll be gone soon? Like if we don't say we'll take her, she'll be gone by the weekend?"  

"Likely, but I'm not sure."

I shrugged my shoulders and pressed my chin up against my one shoulder, turning away from Flynn to think.  

I remembered how I'd felt when I'd held Julie.  I'd suddenly felt the need to have a little child to tend to - it would sure take the dullness out of the days.  But then I wouldn't be able to go exploring the room with Merida anymore.  Unless, of course, those days would be when Flynn watched her.  And an older child would be perfect to start parenthood off with - not a wee baby, although I wouldn't mind having one of those, either!  Oh, goodness.  There I go again with the big decisions!  I needed to talk with Merida, or Rayne, or someone.  I could talk with my own husband,  (oh, he can be a bit of a risk taker, but I still love the guy - enough to  'squee' when I typed that!) Anyway, but Flynn was pretty biased.  Och.  

Finally, I turned back to him and looked at his face.  He looked like an excited little kid himself.  I imagined Tangled Fan telling that little girl she might have found a home for her.  I bet she had looked just as excited.  And then maybe I could take her with me and Merida when we went to visit with the 18 inchers, so she could play with Samantha, Julie, and Nell - they'd love that!  How disappointing would it be to Flynn if I told him no?  Would he hate me forever, for giving up the chance to save a doll who'd likely been here for a long time?  Us dolls have to stick together, you know.  I know he would probably respect my decision as his wife, but then would I hate MYSELF if I told him no?  Maybe I'm thinking into it too much.  I tend to do that, in case you haven't noticed already :P  I had to say something.  

"Why don't we sleep on it?  And I want to talk to Merida or Rayne, as well." 

"What is your personal opinion?"  Flynn asked, still looking a little hopeful.  

"I don't know, hon.  I just don't know...it's been a really long day and I just need to sit and think - you don't make life-changing decisions on a whim-" 

"But we've already made two of those life-changing decisions on whims within the past two weeks or so."  Flynn finished for me.  "I understand, and respect that."

We started to go back to our shelf.  

With a sigh, I asked him if he'd hate me forever for not wanting to take her in.  

"Rapunzel, I just took you as my wife today.  If I would hate you forever over something like that, I don't think I would be being a very good husband, do you?"  He asked, half-joking.  Then he turned serious.  "I love you.  Whatever decision you make is fine with me.  Just remember that I'm here if you want to talk about it, and I'll try not to be biased."  He put an arm around my shoulder and kissed my hair.  

Leaning my head against him as I walked, I told him I loved him too.  

What a day it was...I'm going to leave it at that and try to think about it some on my own before I go talk to Merida and Rayne tomorrow.

And on another note, happy 4th of July to all my readers!  I hope you all have a safe and wonderful day.  I know I had probably the best 4th of July a doll could ever have!!  (=

The 18 inchers and a date!!

Hi everyone!  Well, it's been nasty and rainy for the past week or so.  (That also is why some of the pictures are so dark - even with a light on, it's not that bright .)  So all of us dolls have basically just been hanging around on our own shelves, disgusted with the weather.  You know that feeling like what you humans have when it's a rainy morning and you just want to roll over and go back to sleep, all day long?  That's what we felt like.  

But regardless, Saturday, I decided enough was enough.  Sure, it's nasty OUTSIDE, but we're inside. 

"Want to go for a walk or something?"  I asked Flynn.  

Flynn, who was still somewhat stiff from his rather unspectacular fall from Maximus Wednesday, said he was just going to go sit on the windowsill and watch the rain outside.  

"Okay, if you're sure."  I said, beginning to climb up the shelf to go see if Merida or Rayne would go on a walk with me.

"Wait," Flynn said. 

"What?"  I asked, turning to look at him over my shoulder.

"C'mere," he said, and with a sigh, I started my descent.  

"Yes?" I asked. 

"Just be careful, okay?  Last time I declined going out somewhere with you, your arm had to be replaced!"  

I laughed. "I'll be fine."

I jumped up onto the shelf (he was on the 'deck'), bent down a bit and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. 

Then I went back up the shelf, pausing only to turn to wave at him.  

I turned to the other shelf, and said hello to everyone up there.  

"Anyone want to go for a walk?"

Rayne and Blondie shook their heads, but Merida was up and ready to go.  Although her legs usually bothered her during rain, she was restless and wanted to go.  

She and I quickly made the descent to a chair that was up against the shelf.  

"Why don't we go to see the 18 inchers?  I want to go see Angus, and that's where he's displayed at.  Tangled Fan has to have her displayed with Elizabeth because Angus is from that same doll collection.  Actually, Angus' name is really Patriot."  Merida rattled on.  We went from the chair onto a trunk, which was at the foot of the bed.  

The walk on the bed was kind of hard, because it's not a hard surface (naturally!) and Merida was having a really hard time walking across it.  Finally, we got to the head of the bed, and Merida climbed onto a pillow, jumped onto a dresser, and knelt down to help me up.  Once I was up, though, she ran for Angus.

She started petting and talking eagerly to Angus, and her gleeful grin made me remember that she was modeled to be a 16 year old, two years younger than me.  

But as I stopped watching Merida, I realized I was being watched.  By six HUGE dolls that made me feel dwarfed.  I put one hand to my stomach to urge my sudden nausea to go away, and gave a nervous, shy wave.  

Two dolls responded to my wave.  

"I'm Elizabeth," the one in the front said, "and this is my twin sister, Christy." 

"Hi," I said.  

"Glad to meet you! We love to see new faces."

"Same here," I smiled.  

Suddenly, I felt a tug at my skirt.  I looked down, and saw a tiny doll, who looked exactly like the 18 inchers, only smaller.  

"Hold me!" she exclaimed.  She sounded really young.  

I obliged, and held her on my hip.  

Then, Elizabeth began with introducing the other four 18 inchers.  

"This is Josefina.  The one sitting beside her is Nellie; the one beside Nellie is Kailey, and the doll wayyy up there on top of Butter, the horse, is Kailey's sister, Hailey."  

I nodded a greeting to all of them, and everyone except Kailey smiled at me.  I get the feeling that Kailey didn't exactly enjoy new faces, but I didn't say anything.  After all, I had thought that Merida hated me, when in reality, her legs just ached.  

Each of us talked for awhile  - except Kailey and I.  When I went to talk to Kailey, she just mumbled something and turned away.  I realized there were two other dolls like the one I was holding - Hailey told me that they were called 'Mini dolls'.  Their names were Julie, Samantha, and Nells.  

Finally, we ended up leaving.  Merida said her legs were really starting to ache, and  she wanted to go back home before they hurt too bad to walk.  

When I left, I almost wanted to bring Julie with me - she was the 'mini doll' I had been holding - because when I left, she clung onto my skirt and pleaded with me to come back soon.

I don't think I'd have much trouble coming back again - although I was a bit intimidated, because their FEET are about as big as my HEAD!  

Once we got back home, Merida propped her one leg up, and the four of us chatted for awhile - just about general stuff.  

However, after a good long while of talking, Flynn popped his head in.  

With a wave, he asked if he could 'steal' me.  

"Ye could steal her, but come to think of it, stealin' is bad."  Merida teased. 

Flynn chuckled. "Sure."   

I stood, said bye to the others, and then followed Flynn.

"I thought you didn't want to go walk," I said.  

He shrugged, and I didn't question him further.

Instead, I took him by the hand and surged forward, chatting about basically anything.  He had a grin pasted on his face, as if every word I spoke enchanted him.

Finally, he spoke.  "When do you want to have the wedding?"

"Oh, I dunno.  Sometime this summer would be nice.  I was thinking on some holiday, but I don't think that would work.  What do you think?  Any specific time?"

He took me by the other hand as well, and said, "Why not July 4th?  It's a holiday, and it's in the summer!"  

I stood, speechless.  I mean, July 4th was only in a handful of days!  I thought we'd be engaged for a good while before getting married.  But you know me with decisions.  Especially important ones like this!

"I already asked everyone, and they all agreed that they could come that day.  If you decide to have it then, of course."  

I turned my head away.  "I-I don't know, Flynn.  I mean, really - we've only known each other for a few WEEKS, and been engaged for one of those weeks, already!  Don't you think we're going too fast?" 

He shrugged.  "In all those Disney movies, the characters get married to total strangers two days after meeting them!"  

"But this is not a movie," I countered.  

He nodded.

"I'd just be afraid we'd get judged for going that quickly."  

I took my hands from him and wrapped them around my torso, thinking hard.  

"It doesn't really matter - I just thought it would be an option."  Flynn said, trying to catch my eye.  

Goodness, what if even you readers thought we're going too fast?!  I don't want to lose any readers just because of that.  But at the same time, I didn't want to disappoint my fiance.  And really, I WAS about as ready as I could probably ever be.  Good grief, it would make living on a shelf with just him a lot more comfortable - since Tangled Fan moved us, I've been feeling horribly awkward.  Come on, really!  Wouldn't you?!  

So I looked slyly at him.  "It's an excellent option.  July 4th it is."

Then I turned around on my heel and grabbed him up into a hug, suddenly quite excited for July 4th.  

And really, that's not that far away.  

It's only four days away, really.  Wow.  I really need to get off here and start planning!  Like now!  I'll try to pop in and let you guys know how everything's going, but you might not hear as much out of me till the wedding post!  Goodness gracious, I didn't know you could be excited and terrified at the same time.  And I STILL need to figure out who's going to be my maid of honor!  Oh boy.