~Rapunzel and Eugene~
"Rapunzel, you've locked yourself inside for days. I think it's time to get you outside in the real world." Eugene stated. Starting two weeks ago, Rapunzel had been really distant. Sure, they would talk about their day still, but she always seemed somewhere else.

"No. I'm alright, really." Rapunzel assured. Rapunzel didn't want to go out. She felt everyone around her could tell she was pregnant. She could almost feel their shaming eyes pierce through her skin and into her soul. She didn't like that feeling.

"Rap, come on." Eugene encouraged. Rapunzel hadn't moved from the couch in days. She spent most of her time binge watching sixteen and pregnant. It was odd since Rapunzel wasn't very fond of reality shows, but hey, when you start watching something, you have to finish it.

"I don't know. I'm not really ready to go out." Rapunzel mumbled. She wasn't sure what to use for an excuse. She didn't want Eugene to get the idea that she didn't want to be around him.

"I'll wait. I just don't like watching you sit around here all day everyday. It makes me sick." Eugene explained. He couldn't tell if Rapunzel had ever recovered from her sickness. She hadn't complained since that morning, but she didn't act like her usual bubbly self.

Rapunzel bit her lip, unsure what to do. "Fine, I'll go. But only if the other couples are there as well." Rapunzel argued. Rapunzel never felt judged by them. After all, they were all going through the same thing, well, they were.

~Anna and Kristoff~
"What a cool spot? Now tell me again why we're in Berk." Anna commanded as she slurped on her drink. Anna wasn't going to have anything alcoholic until later that night. It was rude to drink before everyone else get there, right?

"I don't really know. Eugene just sent us a text saying to meet him at the bar here." Kristoff explained. It was pretty random too. It seemed rushed, like they had something important to tell.

"Hmmm. That's a little strange, but hey, it is a Friday and I haven't seen them since Hawaii." Anna replied. She messed with her straw in her cup, swirling the drink back and forth, creating patterns.

"Sup guys!" Jack greeted as he patted Kristoff on the back. Jack was ready for a Friday night out with his friends. He took a seat beside Kristoff.

"Hey!" Anna and Kristoff smiled. Kristoff and Elsa had settled their differences, courtesy of Anna. But that didn't change the fact that he hated Jasmine with twice as much hate as before.

"Hello." Elsa grinned as she took a seat beside her younger sister. Elsa intently listened to Kristoff and Anna talk about work. Kristoff babbled on and on about how stupid some of his coworkers were while Anna rambled about the people bringing in their pets for ridiculous reasons.

"Oh and guess who I met on the street like two weeks ago." Anna declared. She hadn't told anyone because she didn't feel it was necessary, but yesterday, he called her and begged to met again.

"Who?" Jack asked as he ruffled his hair. Jack smiled as Anna built up her anger. Anna could be very dramatic, so Jack was ready to be entertained.

"Hans!" She exclaimed as she slapped the table with both hands, making their drinks shake. Everyone jumped from the impact and noise she made. Elsa choked on her water.

"Hans? Like your ex boyfriend?" Elsa gasped. Elsa never liked, Hans. Elsa could tell he was just using Anna for something, but Elsa couldn't pin it down. He has been soo, well creepy. He acted like she was property or something other than what she really was.

"Yes! He's been giving me these creepy voicemails." Anna shivered.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Kristoff questioned. He could have done something about it if Anna would have told him.

"Well he wasn't really a threat until recently. He wants to meet up and talk about 'us.' Apparently we're meant to be together." Anna puffed. She hated Hans and the thought of being with him for eternity gave her nightmares.

"We should go. Together." Kristoff smiled. Everyone was surprised by his response. They turned and gave him a questioning look.

"What?" Jack asked. This really was turning out to be an entertaining story.

"Don't worry, I'll bring my hammer and smash him into a millions pieces." Kristoff chuckled as he pounded his cost against his hand. Suddenly, two people sat beside them.

"Ya know, a frying pan works just as well. It also covers more surface area," Eugene smirked. Everyone smiled, surprised by his answer. They were happy that they finally arrived. "It's actually a great weapon." Eugene added, remembering the time he and Rap took out her crummy ex boyfriend.

"Hey guys!" Anna greeted. Rapunzel gave a small smile and looked back down. She really didn't want to go to a bar. Now they'd be suspicious if she didn't order anything alcoholic. After all, the last time they went out together, she got drunk.

"So Rapunzel, how're things coming along? Have you painted any more houses?" Elsa questioned. Something seemed off with Rapunzel, but Elsa couldn't place it. She didn't seem bubbly. She was more nervous or depressed. Elsa knew that feeling.

"No, not recently, but I've painted some of the rooms in the house." She softly spoke. Rapunzel was afraid to speak too much. She didn't want her secret to burst out.

"Sorry we're later than planned. Nerd over here had to file some papers before Monday." Merida teased as she pointed to Hiccup. They took their place beside Rapunzel and Eugene. They were happy to be out on this beautiful, Friday night.

"Meri!" Elsa greeted. Elsa had grown very fond of Merida. They shared a common interest of being independent.

"What? No greeting for me?" Hiccup smiled. Elsa sent him a playful glare.

"Now that everyone's here-" Eugene started as he rubbed his hands together. He glanced over at the couple, wondering what their reaction would be. Merida crossed her arms across her chest, making him smirk.

"Eugene, if I remember correctly, wasn't it you two who were late the first time?" Merida fired back. She smiled, wondering how he would respond.

"And the time after that." Elsa chuckled as she folded her hands on her lap.

"And the time after that." Anna added as she rolled her eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey! It wasn't just me! Rap over here slowed us down sometimes," Eugene teased as he playfully nudged her side. She quickly covered it, afraid. Eugene noticed her reaction. She didn't smile like usual. He quickly wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I'm just teasing." Eugene smiled, trying to make her feel better.

"I know." She mumbled. He kissed her head and rubbed his hand up and down her arm sympathetically. She wasn't offended by his jokes. She was afraid he would hurt the baby. Not that he would know. He pulled her chair closer to his and let his arm hang on her shoulder.

Everyone could sense that Rapunzel wasn't herself. Usually she would fire back a response, throwing Eugene under the bus. She would laugh and smile, but instead she acted like she'd been to a funeral. Everyone knew why they were called together now.

"I think we should order some drinks." Jack smiled. He hoped that would lighten the mood. Rapunzel liked alcoholic drinks. Maybe if she got herself drunk she would spill her problems.

"Yeah, shots all around! Drinks on me." Kristoff declared. Everyone, except Rapunzel, cheered. They knew tonight was going to be fun. The bartender passed shots of tequila to each one of them. Rapunzel eyed the evil drink. There was no way in hell she was going to drink that while she was pregnant.

"Three! Two! One!" Jack counted down. Everyone's head's tossed back as they downed the drinks. They came up gasping from the strong taste. Eugene looked and saw Rapunzel hadn't touched her drink. She became lost in thought as she looked at the monster.

"Do you want it?" Eugene asked. She jumped from his voice. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, but if she didn't want a drink, she definitely wasn't herself.

She leaned in closer to him so no one else could hear. "I'd rather be the designated driver tonight." She whispered. She had to come up with an excuse for not drinking.

"Kay. I'll drink this so Kristoff doesn't think you're being rude." Eugene replied. He wanted Rapunzel to join in and have fun, but he wasn't going to push it. It wouldn't help. He was going to let her chose how she wanted tonight to go. He was just going to help her out as much as he could. He threw back his head, taking Rapunzel's shot.

"Thanks." Rapunzel softly smiled. Eugene didn't like seeing her look so down, but she wouldn't tell him anything. He kissed her head, doing all he knew to comfort her. She was one who liked holding hands and cuddling, the little things.

"Hey bartender! Beers all around!" Anna shouted. Anna was ready to get hammered. She didn't care how tonight turned out as long as she had fun. She looked up at Kristoff and saw how happy he seemed.

"Yeah! Let's get this party started!" Jack cheered as he raised his glass high. Eugene ordered Rapunzel a coke so she would have something to drink that looked alcoholic.

"Everyone, I want to make a toast!" Elsa smiled. Everyone turned their eyes to her. Elsa was never one to speak out in front of them spontaneously, so they were excited to see what she would say. "I want to cheer to this fabulous, gorgeous group. We've taken on almost four months of this marriage and we haven't backed out. We've done what everyone has said we couldn't. That's something to be proud of. Cheers to us!" Elsa spoke.

Everyone lifted their glasses together, making them clink. "Cheers!" They shouted. They felt like they were on top of the world. They were taking on a crazy challenge that most people, including themselves, thought would never work out. They needed this night to themselves.

"Hiccup, is there something wrong with Rap or is it just me?" Merida whispered. She didn't want them hear. Merida wanted tonight to be fun, but it seemed like Rapunzel wasn't in the mood.

"There's definitely something wrong. Do you want to check it out?" Hiccup asked. Hiccup knew Merida wasn't one for emotions problems. She was a little too direct and didn't think much about other people's perspectives when she gave her advice. In a quick summary, she was rough.

"Hiccup, that's not a good idea. She needs someone like Anna. Anna's sweet and good with that kind of stuff. After all, Rapunzel and her have almost the same bubbly personality." Merida explained. Merida could never see herself advising Rapunzel about something emotional. That was almost like a nightmare.

An idea clicked into Hiccup's head. It was so crazy, it just might work. "Maybe that's it Mer."

"What?" Merida questioned. She had no idea what Hiccup was talking about.

"You should talk to Rap. Maybe she needs a blunt answer." Hiccup explained. Merida quickly started to refuse as Hiccup shoved more reasons down her throat. Eventually, Merida gave in.

"Hey Rap. Can you come with me quick?" Merida smiled. Merida wanted to take with Rapunzel in private. Maybe that will help her open up.

Rapunzel looked to Eugene for approval. Rapunzel really don't want to leave his side since he was being protective of her. Eugene nodded his head and helped Rapunzel down from the bar stool. "I'll be here when you come back." Eugene half smiled. Rapunzel nodded her head and followed Merida.

"Where are they going?" Elsa asked as she watched Rapunzel and Merida walk around the corner. Elsa was confused why she and Anna weren't invited.

"Merida's going to try to get something out of Rap." Hiccup explained.

"Maybe we should go along." Anna thought out loud. She started getting down from her stool, ready to help. She didn't really think Merida would be the best choice for these type of things, so she better go along.

"No! No! Merida has to do it." Hiccup refused as he held Anna back. He didn't want her to ruin his plan.

"And why's that?" Kristoff questioned, feeling slightly offended. He didn't know what was going on, but Hiccup wouldn't let Anna go, he wasn't impressed.

"Because maybe Rapunzel needs someone who will speak their mind about things." Hiccup quickly replied. Hiccup wanted his plan to work, but everyone else needed to cooperate.

"As long as it fixes her, I'm alright with it." Eugene answered as he took a drink from his beer. Everyone looked at him as shrugged his shoulders.

"She hasn't said anything to you?" Elsa questioned. She figured Rapunzel would be dropping hints about something and Eugene had just been ignoring them.

"Nothing. Ever since earlier this month she's been distant. She won't leave the house, won't take Max for walks anymore. Hell, I can't even remember the last time she sang a song." Eugene rambled as he ran his hand through his hair. He was spilling his worries onto his friends.

"Hopefully Merida find out." Jack softly smiled as he gave Eugene a pat on the back. Jack wanted the fun loving girl back. Everyone wanted Rapunzel back.

"If this doesn't work, I don't know what will." Eugene exasperated. He leaned his elbow on the table and placed his head in his hand. He couldn't think of anything that would cause her this much stress.

xxx

"Rapunzel, can I ask you what's going on?" Merida asked as they stood in the bathroom.  Merida pushed them into the handicap stall so no one else could see them. Sure, they could hear their conversation, but they wouldn't know who it was.

"What are you talking about Mer?" Rapunzel nervously chuckled. Rapunzel hoped it wasn't noticeable. If Merida could tell that she wasn't herself, everyone else could too.

"Rap, you aren't yourself. What are you hiding" Merida questioned. Merida had to get to the bottom of this once and for all. She furrowed her eyebrows at the brunette, hoping that would intimidate her.

"I'm not hiding anything." Rapunzel defend. Merida looked her over and stood in front of the door. Rapunzel wasn't going to get out that easy.

"I'm not letting you leave until you tell me." Merida declared as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the stall. Merida meant business.

Rapunzel anxiously nibbled on her bottom lip. She debated with herself about if she tell someone. If I don't tell Merida, who would I tell? Anna would freak out and tell everyone. Elsa would cause me more stress. Rapunzel looked up at Merida with tears in her eyes. Rap's eyes were bloodshot, showing she was fighting with herself. "What I'm about to tell you, you can not tell a soul." Rapunzel frowned.

"I swear." Merida replied. Rapunzel scoffed, obviously not impressed with Merida's response. Rapunzel held her shaking arms close to her body. Merida could tell Rapunzel must have done something horrible. Or worse, something horrible happened to her.

"I mean you can't tell your mother or Elsa. Even Hiccup. This has to stay with us." Rapunzel croaked. She didn't want this to spread without her permission. If word got out before it got to her husband, things would not go down smoothly.

"Rapunzel, I promise." Merida sympathetically smiled as she took a hold of Rapunzel's shoulders. Rapunzel looked to the ground. She fought with her conscious, trying to force the truth out. Immediately, her shoulders started to shake from trying to hold in her sobs. She had to be strong and let it out.

Rapunzel looked up at Merida with tears streaming down her face. Her green eyes showed fear. "Merida, I'm pregnant." Rapunzel sobbed. Merida immediately wrapped Rapunzel in a hug. Rapunzel cried into her shoulder. For what seemed like years, Merida listened to her sobs echo off the bathroom walls.

"Have you told Eugene?" Merida whispered. That was the first thing Merida could think to ask.

"No. I can't. What would he say?" Rapunzel interrogated. Rapunzel had fought with her conscience about this every night. Eugene could flip out and request a divorce, or he could jump for joy.

"I don't know, Rap, honestly." Merida replied as she ran her hand through Rapunzel's dark locks. Merida could feel her shirt start to get wet, but she didn't care. She finally knew why Rap was so distant.

"Merida, what if he leaves me?" Rapunzel sobbed. She spilled her inner thought with her, hoping she would receive some comfort.

"I don't think he'll leave you." Merida smiled. For what Merida could tell, Eugene wouldn't ditch her now. She wasn't great at recognizing people's emotions, but she could sense that Eugene was falling hard for her and fast.

"How am I supposed to tell him? What am I supposed to say?" Rapunzel croaked. Rapunzel hadn't the foggiest idea how to tell him the news. Is she supposed to write him a card? Shout when he walks in the door after work?

Merida took a deep breath, trying to think of a way to calm Rapunzel down. Merida knew that Rapunzel wanted answers to questions Merida couldn't respond to. "My first priority is you. Do you want this baby?" Merida questioned, ignoring Rapunzel's last questions.

Rapunzel quickly nodded her head. "Merida, I couldn't even think to have an abortion. This is someone's life. I mean, this is a tiny me and Eugene. I couldn't possibly-" Rapunzel shakily spoke.

"I understand," Merida cut her off. She didn't want Rapunzel to fret over her opinion. "My next question is, when do you want him to know?"

Rapunzel hadn't asked herself that. She knew she had to tell him sometime. She didn't think she had an option of when. "The sooner the better." Rapunzel declared. Merida nodded her head agreeing. It wasn't right to keep Eugene in the dark about this.

"Rap, if I was you, I would drop him hints. Then you don't have to work up so much courage to be shot down. For what I can tell, Eugene likes you, possibly loves you. I wouldn't worry about telling about the baby. I would worry about how to get ready for the baby." Merida advised. Rapunzel quickly wrapped Merida in a hug.

"Thank you, Mer. You're the best, ya know that." Rapunzel laughed. This was the type of comfort she longed for. Rapunzel finally felt...calm. Merida chuckled and rubbed Rapunzel's back.

"Rapunzel, I've known that for a long time," Merida teased. Rapunzel let go and started giggling. She wiped away her tears. She felt infinity better after spilling her secret. "Let's get your makeup fix up and no one has to know." Merida smiled as she led Rapunzel to the sink.

xxx

They walked back laughing. They took their seats again, looking like they were having the time of their lives. "How'd it go?" Hiccup asked into Merida's ear. She turned and looked at her husband.

"Good." Merida smiled. Eugene looked over at Merida and mouthed a thank you. He was grateful that Merida somehow brought back his sunshine. He didn't know if Merida was a witch or a sorceress, but whatever she did worked.

"What was wrong?" Hiccup questioned. He wanted to know the details. After all, it was his idea.

"It was nothing." Merida lied. She wouldn't spill Rapunzel's secret. After all, she knew everyone would find out soon. Might as well leave them with a cliffhanger.

~~~~~~~~~~