𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝐉𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐀𝐔

Chapter 6 - Merida and Jack

We've made it to Merida's residence. Her flat is far larger than mine. Much more appealing. Despite the fact that she stated that she shared with a pal. Still, I was looking about the place, noticing that everything around me was more expensive than what I had in my flat. The walls are accented in beige and marble, while the floors are caramel coloured tiles and the furniture appeared to be worth hundreds of dollars. Which made me anxious, so I took off my shoes so I won't dirt the floor. 

After I changed my clothes into the sweats, I was sitting cautiously on the carpet with Cara because I had this crazy assumption that Cara would rip off this expensive-looking sofa. In any case, she isn't in the mood to sleep just yet. I'd done all I could to get her to sleep, but she was just too active. Merida had gone out earlier to get the ticket bus. She assisted me in changing Cara's clothing earlier since I couldn't figure out how to change her diaper. But I have Cara's care instructions just as I did Rapunzel's.

She was now scribbling on the page. I kept an eye on her in case she bit the crayon. She clearly loves sketching. Hmm... similar to Rapunzel. I feel bad about leaving Rapunzel in such a state... I was not sure what happened to her now... I hope she was okay, since Frederic would never hurt his own daughter.

Cara nudged her hand onto my lap, interrupting my contemplation. I smiled and brushed her hair while staring at her. "Ma-Ma," she guffawed as she murmured something while clapping her hands. My smile faded as she mentioned her mother. She may never see her again. My parents died, my sister was placed in an orphanage, and I am unable to return home. First and foremost, I need to keep my vows to Rapunzel.

"Da-Ma-Ma?" Cara squeaked.

Maybe I should teach her to call me 'Dad,' I groaned. Ugh—It makes me feel awkward to be called that. Because I'm now her father, I can't let her call my name. "Call me, Dad," I said, pointing to myself in front of Cara. This isn't going to work, I thought to myself.

"Da-Ma?" She said, tilting her head to the side.

I shook my head, "No. Say, Dad or Papa,"

"Da-Da?"

"No, Papa," I corrected. 

"It-Da-Da!" She clapped her hands and exclaimed. I frowned, but at the very least, she addressed me... 'Dada'? That was adorable. Her cuteness was something I admired. Rapunzel suggested that I teach her to talk, thus I should do so.

I looked up to see Merida approaching, then shut the door behind her. "I've got the ticket, and on my way here, I watched them carrying your ex-girlfriend into their car," she explained as she sat on the carpet with Cara. 

"Perhaps they'll return Rapunzel to her parents," I murmured.

"You never told me that you have a daughter," Merida asked.

"I only found out yesterday. Rapunzel informed me that she is my daughter and that my parents died a few months ago, and that my sister was placed in an orphanage... It everything occurred so quickly, "I explained myself. Merida gently caressed my hand, causing me to raise my eyes to her.

"I'm sorry for your loss. Are you sure Rapunzel told you the truth? About this kid is your daughter?"

"I suppose so, I recall that we did..." I drifted off, remembering that night when Rapunzel and I did something regrettable, but we got a tiny angel in return: Cara. Sure, I couldn't recollect much, but I shook my head slightly and continued, "Anyway, Rapunzel has her certificate with my name on it, and I need to go to Nashville to collect those papers," I told honestly.

 Merida nodded her head "I believe you--well, this kid... Cara, huh?" 

"Cara Jacqueline," I said, smirking.

She added with a sincere smile, "She has the best name." Merida chose one of her sketches to inspect "Wow, such a vivid drawing. Cara, you made it "She complimented Cara while gazing at the drawing. I watched Cara lifted her hand, snatched the paper from Merida's grasp, and mumbled angrily. I bursted into laughter. "Hey, that's not cool "Merida had a sulky expression on her face.

"Well, you were rude to take someone's drawing," I said.

She hummed, "Are you sure you can't stay here?" 

I shook my head, "No, I can't. I really need to go to Nashville,"

"Why?"

"Because I need to get her birth certificate before they do," I explained.

"Those twins?" 

I nodded, Merida gazed down with a frown on her face. "Okay, I will come with you," 

"What about your college? I don't want--"

"It's okay, my friend Moana can cover for me,"

I let out a sigh, "I'm afraid I won't be able to accept your offer this time, Merida. You've done so much for me. All these years, I've been grateful for it. It is really appreciated. But this time, I'm going to do it by myself "I stated this as I rested my hand on her shoulder.

As she gazed at me and her shoulder where I touched her exposed skin, her face grew scarlet, as if she was ashamed. Yes, of course. I let go, embarrassedly scratching my forehead. "I'm sorry, I didn't intend to touch you," I said, my cheeks flushed with guilt.

She burst out laughing. "It's all right. There was nothing wrong with it" Between her laughs, Merida added. "At the very least, let me drive you to the bus station," 

"All right," I said, gazing at Cara, who was already yawning and rubbing her eyes with her hands before laying her head on my lap. "I'm guessing she was finally tired," 

"Bring her into my bedroom, you can sleep there as well," Merida said, running her hands through Cara's hair.

"What about you?" I inquired.

"I can sleep on the couch," Merida remarked, pointing the couch beside her. 

"No, you can sleep with Cara, I'll just sleep on the couch instead,"

Merida scowled as she stood up, and her head flinched "I'll need a few moments. Bring Cara into my bedroom when I tell you to," She gave her order and walked out of the living room. I cleaned up Cara's mess, and then I heard Merida calling my name. I took Cara to her room carefully. Then I came to a halt when I noticed Merida in her sweatpants, arranging a second mattress alongside the bed with a cover and pillows on it.

"You may sleep on the bed with Cara, and I'll sleep down here," Merida said, pointing to the mattress. When she invited me to sleep in this room with her, I gulped slightly and looked everywhere. This might be the first time that the girl asked me to sleep in the same room other than Rapunzel. But I can deal with the fact that we'll be sleeping seperately.

"Why don't you sleep with Cara while I sleep on the mattress? I don't think you're a gentleman if you sleep there "I remarked playfully, earning a slight slap from Merida  as I carefully lowered Cara onto the bed and wrapped her in a blanket.

Merida rolled her eyes, scoffing, "Fine," She climbed her bed and lay beside Cara.

I plopped myself on the mattress, covering the duvet on mine and ready to sleep. 

Before I laid down, I heard Merida say, "Goodnight, Jack."

"Goodnight, Merida," I whispered as I closed my eyes and went asleep, laying down to face my back at her. I crossed my fingers that nothing bad happens to us tomorrow.

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