𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝐉𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐀𝐔

Chapter 4 - Jack's Daughter

It's 8:19 a.m. already. I didn't leave my room, and I can't even sleep. I can't stop thinking about or comprehending what occurred last night. I came into the living room after having a shower and changing into something more casual, taking a deep breath before I ran into her again. I noticed Rapunzel had removed her beanie, revealing her pixie cut and her clothing had already been changed. She was dozing on the couch next to her kid.

I approached them, staring down at Rapunzel how much I used to like her bright blonde hair and emerald green eyes with her quirky personality. I realised that the small child had already awoken. I stared at her in astonishment; she is incredibly beautiful. She has enormous blue eyes, a little nose like her mother, plump red lips and cheeks, and lovely light brown long hair. She had a strong Rapunzel-like appearance.

I knelt beside her, and she was staring at me with her baby teeth showing. She began to mumble something. I smiled as I placed my hand in her little chubby ones. She swiftly grabbed my fingers and began to play with them.

My fingers linked with hers, and she began to explore our hands. When I tickled her palm, she burst out laughing. I, too, laughed. Who says I'm not fond of children?

"She got your eyes,"

I raised my head to see Rapunzel had awakened. She gave me a sincere smile. I inspected her features and saw that she was much paler than normal, that her cheekbones were visible, and that she had dark bags under her eyes. It saddens me to see her in this state. But once she smiled at me, I just felt a little relieved.

For some reason, I'm not sure whether I still have those romantic feelings for her, but I do care about her and hope she knows it. However, she should have been angry with me because I abandoned her in such a way. Now, I knew she was going to die... I'm not going to let it happen.

"Jack, can you promise me something?" She asked.

"Sure, anything," I shrugged.

I can see her tears cuddled in her eyes, she didn't let it fall. "Take care our daughter when I'm gone? Run away from this place,"

"W-wait. Punzel, I think it's best to stay here. No one will know this place,"

"My father and the Stabbington brothers are coming to Brooklyn, so they'll know. They're under my father's orders. They intended to take her. You must go Nashville. Kristoff, my cousin, can help you, and her birth certificate is on hand. Because our names are on her certificate, you must have it before they do. They wouldn't be able to take her that way since you are her legal guardian," In a soothing tone, she said.

"You're not coming with me?" I asked, holding her cold hand in mine.

She grasped my cheek with her weak smile, "I can't, Jack. I'm not strong enough. You have through this on your own. I know all of this happen too fast for you. But, I need you to accept our daughter,"

I sighed and let go of her hand, just as she did. I fixed my gaze on the small girl. This is something I need to do for her and...our daughter. "Can you tell me her name?" I inquired, my gaze falling back on Rapunzel.

She giggled softly and saying, "Cara Jacqueline--Frost,"

"Lovely name you picked," I grinned.

"Really? Jacqueline was my idea. It's like your opposite name, Jackson," She proudly said it.

I hummed, "Do you want to eat something?"

"What? are you going to cook?" She laughed.

I stood up and rolled my eyes. I grinned because her laugh makes me really happy. "Of course, I cook. You'll just have to wait and see,"

"Ummm, yeah. Jack, I want to teach you about how to raise Cara," Rapunzel mentioned.

I looked at her with a small smile. "Okay, after breakfast. Yeah?" I chuckled as she nodded.

***

"Cara should not be given whole peanuts, almonds, seeds, or popcorn. Fish with bones, as well as dried fruit like raisins. Next, hard sweets, particularly gum, marshmallow, nut or seed butter on a spoon, can choke her. Last but not least, large lettuce and spinach pieces. Do you see what I mean?" She explained everything carefully from the start because I was a slow learner.

I sighed and scribbled on the pad. "Okay, I understand. But I'm worried I'm not going to be able to do it. What if I'm incapable of doing this task? You know how much I adore children, but this is...impossible for me."

"Jack, there's nothing you will be afraid. You can do this--" Suddenly, she coughed loudly and clutched her stomach.

I put down the pad, scooting closer to her and rubbing her back, "Punzel, are you alright?" I asked in worry tone.

She whimpered, leaning against the couch, "It was nothing. It's just the s-stomach ache,"

I sighed shakily, fearing she'd go soon. Suddenly, there is an immense pounding on the door. We were both staring at the door. "Is it them? What are we going to do now?" She asked hastily.

"Try bringing Cara inside my room. Hide in plain sight. Don't come out till I say so "Rapunzel swiftly obeyed my instruction. I made my way to the door, telling myself to be unassuming. Then I leaned against the door, listening to see whether the person was still there. It wasn't the Stabbington brothers, I hoped. "Who's there?" Through the door, I queried.

"Who do ya think it is? Merida! Are you going to open door or what?" Merida whined.

That's a huge relief. When I opened the door, Merida was standing there with a bag of cookies. "This is something I brought you. I hope this doesn't bother you."

"Oh, thanks," I said, taking it from her.

"Hey, do you want to go dinner with me tonight? Because I don't have any assignments going on, so I'm bored as hell," She asked me.

Oh, crap.

I scratched my nape, glancing behind me before turned to her, "I-I'm sorry. I c-can't... I had to do something for this night."

"Oh, it's fine," Merida sighed, she sounded downcast and I feel horrible of myself. I wish I could go, but I need to keep an eye on Rapunzel and Cara in case something happens to them. "If you change your mind, please call me, okay?" She stated her case.

"I'll do that, and I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I said and she just smiled then walked through the corridors without saying anything. I simply shut the door and walked inside. Man, I just felt awful, but what can I do? Maybe I'll ask her once things have calmed down. I can't just ditch Rapunzel now... her child is also a member of my family, and damn, I'm a father.

"Who's that?"

I startled when Rapunzel was already in front of me as she was carrying Cara. I caught what was she was asking. "It's just a friend. More like she's the landlord this apartment,"

"Oh. What did she want?" She asked, putting Cara down on the carpet.

"She only gave the cookies, that's all," I replied, handing  her the cookie packets. She took it from my hands and sat down on the couch slowly. Every motion she made, I observed her grasping her tummy. I'm beginning to be concerned about her wellbeing. I'm hoping she can keep her illness in check for a little longer.

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