Sleeping Beauty

Chapter Six: "Surprised Party"

Jack started to sing to himself, making his way up to the door. Just inside, he heard Flora blurt out. "He's back! Quick! Merryweather! The broom!" Jack waited a little bit, then tried to open the door. It was locked. From inside, Fauna called out. "Just a moment, Dear! We are tidying the place!" Jack rolled his eyes, leaning back against the doorframe as he hugged the quilt to his chest. He was in too good of a mood to be upset. Staring out in the direction that Mark had rode off in, he smiled to himself with a light blush. He couldn't wait for him to come back. He wanted him to wrap him up in his arms again. The door unlocked and Jack dreamily turned to open it. In was so dark inside, that for a moment he hesitated to enter. Inching in, he asked aloud. "Flora? Fauna? Merryweather? Why is it so dark in here?" Jack stopped as the fading light from outside shined in just enough to show the cake on the table and something wrapped up in cloth on the chair next to it. Going to the nearest shutter in the kitchen, he pushed it open as his guardians jumped down from the staircase and yelled out. "SURPRISE!" Jack jumped into the wall, then clutched at his heart.

He HATED whenever they did that. They giggled, pulling him away from the window. Giving him bright smiles, they wished him a happy birthday and Jack noticed they seemed to be wearing their knitted shawls now. It was unusual for them to be wearing them in the summer. Reaching up, they pulled him down to kiss his cheek in turn. Flora went first and pulled a small clover from his hair, before asking curiously. "Why do you have a clover in your hair?" Jack took the clover back from her, quickly telling her. "It was given to me." Flora's expression faded as she said suddenly very worried. "Given to you...?" Merryweather kissed him on the cheek next, then asked as she touched his damp clothes. "Jack? Why are you wet?" Excitedly, Jack told her. "I went swimming. It was a lot of fun." Merryweather blinked, mumbling out to him as she looked to Flora. "But you can't swim well..." Jack bit his lip, then blushed as he told her. "The water wasn't really that deep... and besides. I wasn't alone." Merryweather's jaw dropped as Fauna kissed his cheek, then Fauna asked as she pulled at the quilt. "Where did this come from?" Jack hugged the quilt to his chest more as Fauna pulled at it to see the design of it a bit more. That's when Flora gasped and stated aloud. "Jack, explain this!"

Jack set the quilt down on the small table in the living room. Taking a deep breath, he looked at them in turn and anxiously started to say slowly. "Ladies, I have something to tell you. Something important and I need you to let me finish before you say anything. Ok?" Flora moved to grab the back of the couch for support as her eyes widened. Fauna and Merryweather promptly dropped on the couch to listen, and Jack admitted openly. "Ok. So... I'm an adult now and I'd like to think that you know that I've been safe, and cautious as you've wanted. However, I have made a friend. Who now is... more than that." Fauna hugged herself a little, uttering out softly to Merryweather. "Oh dear... This is bad." Flora started to pace behind the couch, snapping out. "Bad? It's horrible! How could this have happened?! How could we have let it?!" Jack narrowed his eyes on Flora with confusion. While Merryweather drew his attention back by asking a little more calmly. "Let's all keep our heads. Jack? Who is this person?" Jack nervously squeezed his fingers, answering openly. "He's a woodcutter. His name is Mark Fischbach." Fauna tilted her head, mumbling out to herself. "Fischbach...? Why does that name sound familiar?" Flora threw up her hands, snapping over Fauna to scold Jack sternly. "How long have you been seeing this guy? How much do you even know about him?!"

Jack crossed his arms, getting a little upset as he retorted defensively. "I've known him since I was a kid. I don't understand why you are so upset. Did you think I was just going to live here forever? He's a nice guy. And I asked him to come here so that you can meet him. To see for yourself that there is nothing to-" Jack was cut off by both Merryweather and Flora gasping in shock. Fauna still seemed distracted with Mark's name. Getting to her feet, Merryweather pointed at Flora as she said firmly. "You see? I knew we should have told him sooner. This is your fault!" Jack looked between Flora and Merryweather, asking uneasily. "What are you talking about?" Fauna slowly got to her feet, slipping in with a gentle motherly voice. "Jack, there is something we have to tell you. Please, sit?" Jack cautiously took a seat on the little table by his quilt. Fauna looked at the others, then moved closer to kneel in front of him. Putting her hands on his, she looked up at him as she informed him reluctantly. "The reason this concerns us is that... No one can know where you are. Or... who you are." Jack raised an eyebrow, prompting Merryweather to chime in gently. "If people were to learn of who you are... Your life would be in grave danger."