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.

Monday confessions

Monday morning, I woke up at 6, pretty early compared to our late night up because Flynn had a migraine , which is pretty rare amongst dolls.  

I was laying with my head on his shoulder, and his chin was propped up on my head.  I didn't want to move, but my arm was also falling asleep. I carefully moved my arm, and his head lifted from mine.  

"Morning, gorgeous."  His voice was a bit gravelly still, and he cleared his throat.  

This morning, I didn't chide him for calling me 'gorgeous'.  I was just glad to be with him - usually, dolls that ended up feeling like he did last night, end up mashed in a Dumpster by morning.  Umm, no.  

I took a deep breath in and raised my head up to smile at him.  "Morning!  Feel any better?"  

"Right now I feel pretty great," he joked, giving me a squeeze with his arm.  I rolled my eyes, and he said, "No, really; I feel a lot better than I did last night, that's for sure."  

I leaned over and gave him a relieved kiss.  "I'm so glad."  

He gave me a small grin, which faded and it seemed as though he was thinking about something.

I sat up, and he did too.  "What?  I know you're thinking about something."  I gave him an encouraging smile and put an arm around his waist, and he did the same to me, holding me tightly. 

He stood restlessly, and I followed him out to the 'deck'.  

"There's a chance I'll have them chronically.  Migraines, I mean.  I know how upset and scared you were last night, and I don't want to put you through that again, if they are chronic.  If you don't want to, I understand fully."  

My eyes teared up.  "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."  I grabbed his arm and rubbed my hand up and down his sleeve.  "In case I've not 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 said it was from sleep deprivation, not just because."  

A relieved look washed across his face, and he took my hand gently into his.  I marveled at how gentle he could be, and grabbed him into a hug. 

He kissed my hair and stroked it a few times, but then just put his arms around me as well and we just stood there for I don't know how long.  "You get some idea like that into your head again, and I'll swat you one," I joked, in an attempt to lighten the mood, pulling away a tiny bit and winking at him.  He smiled at me, and I left to go brush and braid my hair.  When I was done braiding, I realized my ribbon was knotted, and I was growling at it, holding my thick braid in one hand and picking at the knot with my teeth, grumbling at it.  

Flynn took one look at me and laughed. "Spit it out and let me get that for ya."  He chuckled the whole time he was picking the knot out.  Within seconds, it was out and he'd tied it in a neat bow around my hair.  

"Thanks," I laughed. He nodded, and we both turned to the now-familiar sound of the babies waking up.  We went over and picked them up before they started to cry.  

"We're getting to be old pros at this," I laughed when the babies silenced immediately.  

He slung his free arm around my shoulders and nodded.  I noticed Allie was studying me intently with her icy blue eyes.  

I leaned across Flynn to smile at Allie.  "Tell Daddy he's silly, huh!"  Whilst I was leaning across him, he plopped a kiss on my hair.  Allie smiled, and my heart squeezed.    

And then Jase came running out.  I shifted Hallie to my other arm and scooped Jase up into my lap.  "Aren't you sleepy yet?"

"Nope!"  She smiled at me, complete with dimples.  

"Okay," I grinned at her.  

Then Janet came hurrying over.  "I just woke up.  Want me to take the babies?"

"No, that's fine, honey; thank you, though!"  I turned to smile at her.  She grinned in relief and collapsed back into her chair.  

Soon, an idea formed in my mind.  

Turning to Flynn, I said, "Could I take Jase and Janet out for awhile today?  Would you be alright with the babies?  If you aren't, that's fine too, I can-"

He grinned at me.  "I can take care of them.  You go have a girl's day out."  

I smiled at him, then I handed Hallie over to him.

I asked Jase to go brush her hair and get ready, and Janet to climb up onto the printer to ask Merida if she wanted to come, too.  When they both left, I leaned over and kissed him goodbye.  

"See you later," I smiled.  He shifted both the babies to his one arm and brushed the hair from my face, cupping my cheek in his hand once he was done.  I put my hand up to his and gave it a squeeze, and then I noticed Jase was coming back over, so I stood up and turned towards her.  

Janet came over, too, and said Merida would be down in a second.  When Merida was here, we were ready to go.  

I suggested that we go visit the 18 inchers, and Merida nodded excitedly.  

"Exactly what I was wantin' to do!"  she beamed.  

It didn't take too awful long to get over to the dresser where the 18 inchers resided. 

As soon as we got there, Merida climbed up onto Angus and held her hands out for Jase.  I held her up and Merida set her down onto her lap and talked with her.  

As for Janet, she went over and found Samantha and Nell, and sat to chat with them.  I scooped up Julie when she came hurrying over, and talked with Elizabeth and Christy.  

We all stayed for a good while, but eventually, Merida said we should probably get back to see if Flynn had survived.  :P

She handed Jase back down to me, and leaned down to give Angus a kiss in his mane, wrapped her arms around his satiny neck for a few seconds, and then climbed off.  Janet came hurrying over, and talked excitedly about her visit with the mini dolls.  She also mentioned how Kailey wasn't very friendly with her, and I said it wasn't with just her.  

When we got back to the shelf, I put Jase down and she scampered over to the corner to play her game she liked to much.  Janet thanked us and then went over to play with Jase.  

Merida linked her arm with mine and cocked her head, turning towards Flynn.  

"Annd here's your lovely wife," she giggled.  

"Oh, quit," I laughed.  

Suddenly (and completely randomly), I remembered that I needed to thank Rayne for orchestrating our day yesterday.  

"Wait a sec," I said, before racing over and scrabbling up the shelf.  

I said a quick "Hello" to Blondie, and then raced over and grabbed Rayne up into a big hug.  I must've surprised her, cause her arms flew out and her eyes bugged.  

"Have a nice day yesterday?"  

"Oh, it was wonderful!  Thank you so, so, sooo much!"  I gave her another squeeze and then stepped back.  "I don't know how to repay you, ever!" 

"You can bring those little youngsters up tomorrow, and I'll watch them.  I've been wanting to meet them!"  She said.  

"Okay, it's a deal!" I smiled.  

"Now go have some fun," she winked, and I left.  

When I came back down, Merida turned towards me.  "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!"  

I smiled in thanks.  

"Now, go enjoy your hubby and smooch while you're not interrupted by the kiddos," she teased.  

I put my hand over my eyes in embarrassment.  "We don't....well...we talk, a-and...walk, and..."

Flynn came over behind me and gave me a peck on the forehead.  "And smooch." he grinned, and I gave him a push.  

"Shush," I laughed.  "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 said, who was laughing pretty hard at our awkward antics.  

"Thanks," I laughed, waving at her as I let Flynn lead me down to the floor.

Since it was sooo muggy and hot, I just took Flynn by the hand, swinging my arm back and forth, and told him about how our girls' day out.  

When I was finally through with my chatter, I glanced back at him, because he'd stopped.  "What?"

He pulled my arm, and swung me in towards him.

I put my arms comfortably around his waist.  "What?" I repeated.  

"Just...I dunno.  Just 'cause your my wife, and I love you to plastic bits and pieces," he joked.  

"Oh, you."  I giggled.  "You're bad.  But I love you too.  And I'm glad you're back to your self."    

He took one of my arms from his waist and took my hand, smoothing his thumb back and forth on the back of it.  I leaned my head on my shoulder, in no big rush to keep going.  But there was something I'd been wondering.  I gently slipped my hand away from him and looked up.

"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."  

He took a deep breath and glanced down at me.  "Well....I'd read in lots of places how marriages were wrecked because the couple rushed into things and didn't know each other, or anything.  And I don't want that to happen-" he broke off and grabbed my hand up again.  "I just so don't want to lose you because I rushed you.  I dunno what I'd do."  He mumbled that last part.  But then he went on.  "I'm awful with words, but I've been wantin' to tell you something."

"Before you go on," I stopped him, "I want to say this:  Don't you ever, EVER, think our marriage'll 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!"  

His face split into a huge smile, and I smiled back, my heart leaping.  

We climbed up onto the chair, and he seemed to have lost his nerve about what he wanted to say to me.  

"Whatever it is you wanted to say, I won't laugh or anything.  Just say it," I said, still smiling.  

He repositioned himself, slid an arm around me, cleared his throat...twice...turned to look at me..and then he finally spoke. 

"I'm not good with words, but I've been wanting to say something." He was talking so quietly that I had to lean into him to hear him.  "You're...well..don't feel, like, weird because of this.  Okay?" 

"Okay, I promise," I said quietly, but didn't prod him.  

He squeezed his eyes shut and spilled his guts.  "I know, I know.  You know I love you, I tell you every chance I get, because I do.  But...well, you probably think I'm pathetic."  

When he paused, waiting for an answer, I said, "No...My guess was that you were just as crazy about me as I am you."  I wanted to kiss him but I didn't want to cut him off.  

"Here goes.  Every time I see you, my stomach feels funny - in a good way.  I-I love you so much it hurts.  I can't ever imagine not having you.  I hope you didn't have any hard feelings about rushing" - I shook my head-"A-and, well...I...I hope nothing ever comes between us, cause I don't think I could live without you.  And I'll never, ever give you up if you get hurt or something.  As Flynn from the movie would say, you are my new dream...only I'm not just taking a line from the movie.  You're perfection and you're so beautiful, and you're so sweet...and I don't know what I ever did to deserve you...and I just...thanks for loving me too.  I just hope you're not weirded out or whatever, from me acting so...uh..twitterpated.  So there.  That's what I've been wanting to say."  

By the time he stopped, I was crying.  

Flynn looked alarmed.  "I told you I wasn't good with words...I'm so sorr-"

"Noo!"  I yelped.  "You...you were perfect!"  

He smiled tenderly at me, and wiped my cheeks with such a gentle hand that I grabbed it and held it up against my cheek after he was done, while I gathered my thoughts.  "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..." Well, I won't include my whole spiel, as you readers are probably tired of reading about how much I love him, and he loves me, and this and that and whatnot.  But when I was done, he actually had a single tear streaming down HIS cheek, which I wiped carefully, my heart thundering.  

He leaned in to me till our foreheads bumped together.  He and I stared at one another for a few seconds, but then I shut my eyes, because they were getting unfocused.   

And suddenly, I remembered that we were right by the shelf.  I felt soo self-conscious that I pulled away abruptly, although I hated to.  

"What?"  Flynn asked me.  

"They can probably see us from here," I said, glancing up at 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 that dolls aren't gonna see us."  he said.  

"Exactly."  

"So why feel awkward?  If it makes you feel weird, I'll-" he started to take his arm from my shoulders, but I stopped him.  

"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 saw a mischievous gleam in Flynn's eyes.  "So you won't mind if I do this?"

"Do what?" And then he started tickling me, of all things.  I yelped, and elbowed him.  When he fell backwards, I collapsed with him, still giggling.

He laid there with a grin, and then slid his arm around my shoulders.  I rested my head on his chest and smiled.  I laid a hand on his chest and we stayed there.  

We must've both dozed off, because next thing I knew, I could feel Flynn pick me up.  It was dark.   I, for one, knew I was exhausted from not sleeping much last night and then my full day today.

"Flynn."

"What?"

"Put me down."

He started to refuse, and I repeated my request, adding a please.  

He sighed, but he did let go of my legs and carefully lowered me down.  I reached up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."  

We went home, and were greeted by Merida.

"The kids are all asleep.  They were all really good.  See you tomorrow!"

"I'll probably bring them up to you tomorrow, if we do anything tomorrow.  Rayne wants to see them." I smiled.  "Thank you soo much, again."

"Whaddaya mean, 'IF we do anything tomorrow'?"

"You need a break sometimes," I said. 

"And it ain't tomorrow!  I really enjoy babysitting them, truth be told.  Gets my mind off of my legs!" 

I gave her a quick hug and she was on her way up to her shelf.  

I turned back to my hubby as I unbraided my hair.  "And thank you for this wonderful day, again."  I went to lay down behind the lamp; he followed me and sat down in his usual spot.  He leaned down and we kissed goodnight.  But this night, he didn't sit up and sleep.  He laid down beside me.  I laid on my back, felt around until I found his hand beside me, and held it until I fell asleep.  He stroked my hair with gentle caresses for a little bit, and whispered something I didn't quite catch, because I was out cold within minutes.  (I've noticed that he puts most of his monologue on his blog posts..when he creates a post for this day from his perspective, I'll have to sneak over and check out what he said :P)  I was ecstatic to start tomorrow!!!

I've really grown to like and enjoy our evenings alone.  I wanted to enjoy this time for as long as possible, and hoped so much that we keep this tradition forever.  (:  

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.