I'm baack!! My side of the engagement & homecoming (=

Hi all!! I'm baack!!!  Sooo glad to be back!

 And...

My arm works!  Woooohoooo!  

(In case you haven't noticed, I'm in a generally awesome mood right now.  Wouldn't you be too?!)  

I can move my hair and actually brush my hair now!  Yay!!

And if you haven't already heard via this post, Flynn and I are officially engaged.  

I suppose before I show any pictures or continue into the homecoming, I should tell my side of the engagement.  

So after Flynn left Sunday, I was feeling pretty drained - emotionally, mentally, and I don't know what all else!  I wasn't sure what I wanted, either.  I mean, I did like Flynn - come on, every time I as much as saw him, I got all butterfly-ey in my stomach.  (I know, butterfly-ey isn't a word but that's the best description I can think of :P).  But weren't we going a bit too quickly?!  We'd known each other for quite awhile if you count the time we were beside one another at the warehouse.  But still.  But after I'd thought a long while, I was pretty okay with it.  

And then I overheard Tangled Fan saying that if she couldn't fix my arm, she would likely get rid of me on eBay.  I'd been told about eBay before by Rayne.  Whatever dolls weren't liked or whatever, were sold on there.  Um, no thanks.  

So I asked one day, just generally, if dolls were sent to eBay if they were engaged to a doll here.  When Tangled Fan said no, that they'd likely stay together if they were engaged, and not be sold or anything, I knew what I had to do.  I didn't want to be sent to eBay just because I was dragging my feet a little - especially if Flynn was okay with being engaged already!  

After my surgery, Tangled Fan explained that my arm surgery either might not completely fix it, if at all, or it would fix it completely and everything would be all happy.  

So when he visited again Tuesday, I was really awkward and quiet because I didn't know what to say to explain that.  So I finally just let 'er rip.  

And then Flynn kind of hesitated, and if I'd had a stomach, I probably would have felt like my stomach was likely dropping clear down to my plastic toes! So much so that I just had to sit down, before I threw up or passed out or something - I was fairly certain of my fate at that point.  I know there are thousands of other Flynn dolls out there, but they weren't my Flynn.  They all have different personalities, you know.  

But then he grabbed my arm and fairly yanked out the ribbon.  At that point, I REALLY almost passed out, but from excitement.  I could hardly wait till he was done braiding my hair and fixing the ribbon onto my hair, and as soon as he did, I wheeled around and grabbed him into a kiss.  So there - we're engaged now, so I'll let you get to enjoying our pics!  Phew, this is gonna be one lonnng post.  Sorry!

I think this should be our official engagement picture.  :P What do you think?

In this one, we were trying to make that heart sign with our hands, but Flynn's hand is, like, HUGE compared to mine, so it's a pretty funky-shaped heart.  But you get the idea :D

Once we were done with engagement pictures, we were finally able to go back to the shelves.  

First we made a pitstop to visit Rayne, Blondie, and Merida.  

As soon as we entered, all heads turned to me. 

Merida was the first to jump up and grab me into an excited hug.  Then she held me out at arm's length and exclaimed, "Your arm!  It's fixed!"  

I laughingly held my arms up and everyone cheered.  Who knew us dolls could get so excited about someone's arm surgery going well?

But Rayne knew something more was going on.  

Pointing, she asked, "Did I see something in your hair?

With a small...okay, fine.  With a HUGE grin, I pulled my hair up to show the ribbon, and she clapped. 

"Wonderful!  Any plans made yet?"

"Not really,"

"Oh, you can wear my dress and veil!"

"Oh, no - they're yours!"

"I'd love for you to wear them.  It would look GORGEOUS on you."  

"Well..."

" 'Why, yes, Rayne, I would LOVE to wear your dress!' "  She said, laughingly.  

"Okay..why, yes, Rayne, I would LOVE to wear your dress!" I giggled.  "No, really, thanks."  

  

Blondie threw her arms into the air.  "Oh, it'll be an awesome wedding - I know it!"  

We all chuckled.

So then we talked for a good while.  So long, in fact, that Flynn finally decided to just go back down to our shelf and sit.  I suspect his back was getting to him, what with having to stand stooped over for such a long time.  

Before I left, I unbraided my hair (which had become somewhat messy), and tied the ribbon at the top of my head.  

Yes. I know.  I look like I'm wearing rabbit ears. :D  

Flynn met me just before I entered the shelf.  

"Home, sweet home," he trailed off. "Er...shelf, sweet shelf."  

I laughed and he grinned.  I was glad he was back to his silly self!  

"It's...nice," I said.  "Different from the other shelf, but nice.  It just feels kind of weird being down here alone!"  

He nodded and patted the box (it was a Hallmark 2012 ornament...of me.  Tangled Fan is quite the, uh, Tangled.  Fan.  Heheheh) and I clambered on top of it to sit.  He took the chair, and we talked for a good long while, just about stuff in general.  

I daresay that I look forward to many a night of doing exactly this with Flynn!  (=

Flynn again - update on Rapunzel & just general updates

Hey again - it's Flynn again.
Well, most important news first - Rapunzel finally had her arm fixed last night.  I just came back from visiting with her.  Before I go into the details of the visit, there's another update I wanted to add.

I was moved to a different shelf, lower down.  Actually, it's the last shelf on the shelving unit.  There's not too much space, because as you can see, there's a lamp and an alarm clock on there as well.  But hey, it's got this neat chair (the one I'm sitting in), and I can go out to stand on what I call the 'deck', but it's actually just where the dresser starts (the shelving unit is part of a dresser, so it's set up on top of the dresser.) so I won't have to stand all bent over all the time.  But it's pretty lonesome by myself here - but it's not permanent.  

And as you can see, Merida, Blondie and Rayne are all still on that shelf.  It's just up and over one, so it's not too hard to get over there to visit - Rapunzel was pleased to know that.

I asked Tangled Fan why she moved stuff around, and she just said that it was looking to crowded up there with all of us there.  And yeah, I suppose it was:

Anyway, moving on.  

This morning, I was able to go see Rapunzel, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post.  Before I continue, I want to say something I just thought of.  Our whole relationship kind of reminds me of the song "Into the Open Air", which is a song in Merida's movie, Brave.  I found a YouTube link - click HERE to listen to the song.  I would explain why it reminds me of our relationship, but it's kind of hard to explain. 

But anyway.  This morning, after Tangled Fan dropped me off to see Rapunzel, she went out to feed her horses, so that meant I had about an hour to visit.  

Rapunzel looked pretty droopy,  I suppose it was because of having surgery on her arm, but she swore it was because of the heat.  (It's been awfully muggy and hot here.)  

I was still a bit concerned about how awkward it might be between the two of us, and so we just sat  in silence a few minutes after exchanging hellos.  

I kept glancing over at Rapunzel, and a few times caught her glancing at me, chewing her lip as if she wanted to say something.  Finally, the silence got so unsettling that I finally just said something. 

"Do you, uh, want me to braid your hair or something?  Get it out of your face so you're not so hot?"

Her hair truly did look messy.  I suppose she hadn't brushed it since she left on Friday, because of her arm.  

"Oh, would you please?  I would love you forever if you did that!  I tried to earlier, but I got reprimanded to not move my arm."  She rolled her eyes and pointed with her other hand at her arm, which was now wrapped in some sort of foam or something, to keep her from bumping it or hurting it or something. 

Seizing a joke opportunity, I said, "Hey, if you'll love me forever for just braiding your hair, you must be pretty easy to please.  I'll take the job!" I chuckled at the end, so she knew I was just joking around.  

To my relief, she laughed.  Since it was hard for her to sit up with just one arm, I helped her sit upright, and got to work braiding her hair.  

And then I realized it.  I'd made a bad mistake.  I didn't have anything to tie her hair with.  I tried holding it for a few seconds and then letting go, but it didn't stay.  I didn't have anything to hold the braid in place with.  Except for that stupid purple ribbon that was still in my pocket.  

Ohhhhh no...my mind wailed.  

"Uhh..I don't have anything to keep it in place.  Ex-except for that, uh, ribbon.." I finally managed to say.  

Rapunzel swallowed to audibly that I heard it.  

"Dolls aren't supposed to wear ribbons in our hair until we're engaged.  Er, rather..until they're engaged."  At this point, I was wondering to myself if I could ever be around this doll without embarrassing myself so horribly.  "You know how I said last time that I didn't want to have you propose until my arm was fixed?"

"Ye-e-e-ah," I drew it out, wondering what in the world she was getting at.  I was fine with that.  I was just kind of standing here.  With a handful of hair and nothing to tie it with.  That's normal, right?

With a grumble and a grunt, she managed to stand up without help, and suddenly turned to face me.  I was trying hard not to lose my grip on her hair, but I did, and when I did, it loosed from the braid quickly, whipped back behind her, and knocked her off balance, because it was so thick and heavy.  

Nope.  Never gonna be able to do anything without embarrassing myself around her. Never.  I thought, as I grabbed her good arm to keep her from falling. 

Steadying her, I apologized.  

"Don't be sorry."  Rapunzel said.  She touched my cheek and whispered, "My arm's fixed now."  

"I know, but you almost fell, and that wouldn't do it any-"

"No," she laughed.  So obviously, I wasn't getting the point.  "My arm's fixed now."

"Yeah...," I said slowly.  What on ...OHH.  I thought.  "Oh.  Oooohhh!"  

At which point she got the giggles.  So much for being droopy because of the weather.  

"I'm sure Tangled Fan would give me a rubber band to tie your hair back with if we wait - you don't really want to get engaged just to get your hair pulled back, do you?"  I laughed, but suddenly I was the one feeling like I was rushing!  Awkward.  

"I thought a lot yesterday, and Sunday after you left.  I was kind of an emotional wreck, because of my arm aching so bad, I was wanting to just go back home to the shelf, and I just didn't know what I wanted!  You know everything about me, and I about you.  So what's a few more days' difference?  And it's not like we're getting MARRIED right now - just engaged.  I just didn't know how to say it, exactly.  But I'm ready when you're ready.  So there- I finally spat it out."  She smiled, eyes bright and she seemed relieved to have gotten that out.

I stood there and stared at her.   I opened my mouth and licked my lips, but nothing came out.  What do I do now?  I hadn't practiced or anything.   

"If you wanna wait, that's fine," Rapunzel said softly again, once back to her somewhat droopy state.  She went to sit down, but in one swift movement (or, at least I thought it was swift) I snagged her good wrist, pulled the rather crumpled ribbon from my pocket, and asked her to marry me.  

Rapunzel was somewhat speechless, so she just nodded and stood while I braided her hair and tied the ribbon carefully in place.  Then, she just kind of whirled to face me and pulled me into our first real kiss.  

Rapunzel told me to add in this post that we didn't do any engagement pictures right away because of her arm, but we'll be doing them as soon as her arm is good to go, probably by the end of the week.  

I told her about the whole shelf-re-arranging thing, and although she seemed somewhat sad that she wouldn't be able to be around Merida and Rayne and Blondie most of the time, she also was kind of happy to have some more space.  And I told her that it wouldn't take much to be able to go see them anyway, and she was a lot happier then.  

Unfortunately, Tangled Fan came in all too soon to come and get me.  Today, though, Rapunzel and I hugged and I told her I'd see her soon, unlike our rather awkward visit on Sunday.  She smiled and waved at me as I left, and I felt melancholy to leave - although the whole situation is quite surreal to me.  I don't feel any different, I just feel like the same old Flynn.  Not like an all-new, engaged, soon to be husband Flynn.  

By the way, we didn't discuss any wedding dates.  I'll keep you all up to date on everything, and I really, really hope Rapunzel will be back soon - she also wants me to tell you all that she'll include her side of this visit in a new post as soon as she gets back, and that the engagement pics will be included there.  

I'm hoping that the next post will be by Rapunzel, but I'll let you know if any major events happen.  

-Flynn.

Flynn here..update on Rapunzel

Hey, everyone - I hope I can do this right; I'm not all that into writing or stuff like that.  Rapunzel just told me to type whatever I was thinking or feeling, what others said, etc., that would be found 'interesting to the readers'.  Well, I suppose you aren't interested in the fact that Merida was up early this morning, grumbling about her legs.  You're probably wondering about how Rapunzel herself is doing.

     First I should clear something up; she actually had to go with Tangled Fan to get her arm fixed on Friday.  I'd just cleaned out her 'drafts' section and posted everything to keep you all up to date.  It's Sunday, so after church, Tangled Fan promised me I could go see her.

So as I was sitting in anxious wait, Rayne came up to me.
"Worried?"
"Ahh, no. She'll be...fine.  I know it."  I kind of fibbed there, but Rayne probably knew that.
"Yeah, right.  I can see you're totally freaked out." Rayne laughed.  "She'll be fine, don't worry."
"But I'm kind of worried about how she will think about me."
"Because she's getting surgery on her arm?"
"Noo, no, no, not because of that.  Because I kind of, well.." I went to the edge of the shelf and pointed down at the ribbon. "I know she saw it when she left.  I saw the panic in her eyes when she looked back up.  One minute, she's acting like she likes me, and the next she's acting like not so much."
"I see." Rayne said.  She patted my shoulder.  "I can see it in her eyes and how she giggles and smiles at you. Don't worry - and if she doesn't accept right now, she'll probably just need some time, but she'll come around."
"But what if she hates me for wanting to rush into things so quickly?  I mean, we knew each other at the warehouse, and talked all day and everything, because there was nothing else to do.  But...ugh.  You women are too complicating."
"Hey, we're not as complicated as you think." Rayne laughed and then left.

After what seemed like an eternity, Tangled Fan finally came into the room, with something behind her back.
"I have something for you and Rapunzel," she said, pulling a plastic horse from behind her back.  "It kind of looks like Maximus from the movie!"
I looked at the horse when she put it down.  It sort of did look like Maximus, but it was all gray with blue eyes.  And it had a pink saddle and bridle.  But regardless, I thanked her.
"Oh, and did you drop this?"  she scooped up the ribbon and handed it to me.  "And are you ready to go see Rapunzel?"
I nodded, taking the ribbon.  I wasn't sure what to do, so I just stuffed it down into a pocket.

It was a relatively quick trip with Tangled Fan carrying me in her hand.  I soon saw Rapunzel.
She was wrapped up in a towel, cocoon style, lying on her side.
I crept up to her, afraid to wake her if she was asleep, and she was; so I just sat there.
After a short time, her eyes fluttered open.  For a minute, I was so scared that I considered jumping up and running.  But then she gave me a warm smile.
"Hi," she said groggily.
"Hey," I replied.  "Is your arm better?"
"No.  Tangled Fan hasn't been able to fix it yet.  She's been too busy."
"What?!" I fairly yelled.  "Why can't she spare, like, just one hour to fix your arm?"
"Shh!" Rapunzel exclaimed.  "It's fine.  If I don't move it too much, it doesn't hurt much, and what's there to do around here anyway?"
"But still,"
"Why are you so...so...defensive about me all of a sudden?"
I gulped.  I wasn't the best at telling this kind of stuff, and usually I messed it up.  "Because."
She must've remembered the ribbon she'd spotted on the floor on Friday, because her eyes widened and she whispered, "Ohh."
Turning her head away from me, she fell silent.
"I, um...well, I'll have a surprise for you once you get back."
"It wouldn't be much of a-a surprise, because I know!"  She sounded like she was sobbing a little.
I took her chin in my hand and turned her head so I could see her face.  She was crying.  "Wh...wow, I really blew it, didn't I."  I didn't ask it, I knew it.
"No!" she wailed. "I blew it!  I wouldn't be acting so weird if I had just...I tried to forget about it - I even...never mind.  Does it matter?"
I knew Rayne was wrong at that point.  Boy, I'd blown it!  I muttered, "I-I have to go, I guess.  I should let you get some rest."
I stood to leave.
"Please...d-don't," Rapunzel sounded like she was going to start crying harder.  I turned back to her and saw she'd covered her face with her good arm.  That made me feel even worse!  Good grief, could I not do anything right?  But I sat back down beside her and wrapped an arm around her.  Once Rapunzel had finished crying, I said quietly, "The surprise isn't that. That can be forgotten or put on hold for a good while. Tangled Fan found a horse up in her attic that looks almost exactly like Maximus, that horse in our movie?"  I wasn't sure if that would cheer her up or not.
It did.
"Oh, really?" She brightened somewhat, and I grinned at her. "I can't wait to meet it!  Have you named it yet?"
"Nah, I figured I'd leave it up to you."
"Wow...I can't wait!" she repeated with a toothy smile.
At this point, Tangled Fan popped her head into the room and said she'd give us five more minutes till I had to leave.
"Ugh.  I'll be glad to be back once my arm's fixed.  I wish she'd hurry up, too, actually."  Rapunzel grumbled.
I nodded.  "So...no awkwardness between us because I goofed up?"
"You didn't goof up.  And no way!"  Rapunzel said.  "And you better come visit me again sometime, in case I'm not back soon.  Or else."  She tried to sound mean on that last sentence, but she couldn't pull it off.
I chuckled, and went to stand up again.  But this time, Rapunzel snagged my hand, fairly yanked me back down, and gave me a kiss on my cheek, giggling at my surprised face.  "Don't worry about that," with a gesture to the bit of ribbon peeking from my pocket.  "But don't propose now; I'd prefer to have a proposal when I don't feel like my arm's going to fall off!"
I almost choked, but I grinned and told her not to worry.  Then Tangled Fan came into the room, scooped me up in her hand, and after Rapunzel and I exchanged waves, she took me back to the shelf, telling me that Rapunzel should be back before next Friday.

I hope it isn't THAT long!  It'd only be a week, but wow.
And I hope you didn't find this post too mushy or dramatic or anything...but thanks for reading this the whole way through, if you managed to!
-Flynn Rider, stand-in author.