The Urban Princesses: Rapunzel

Chapter 16

I broke out into sobs when I saw the smirk spread across his face. His hand snaked into mine and squeezed my hand gently.

I did it without thinking, I didn't need to think. I leaned down and pressed my lips against his. He wasn't shocked, he kissed me back. My heart fluttered, it felt so good, so natural.

We pulled away slowly.

"Wow, I got her to kiss me, I must be special." He smiled.

I turned to Winthrop. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." I wrapped my arms around his neck. I hugged all of the men, then I turned my attention back to Earl.

"Why did you come back?"

He held up a hand and stroked my face. "I never wanted to leave you in the first place."

I was confused. "Then why did you?"

"They set me up. The people I used to work with.... its a long, long story."

I smiled. "I'm just glad you're back."

He smiled back. "Me too."

The other men helped me carry him downstairs. I wasn't staying here another moment.

They hoisted him into a car and we started driving to the Snuggly Duckling. Earl squeezed my hand the entire ride. I snuck a few kisses on his cheek. It seemed like we were a married couple, I just seemed to know him so well. It took no effort to love him, I just did.

I bit the inside of my cheek once I realized what had just happened. I was an orphan and a legal adult. I actually have to find a job now, live a life now, and Earl may not be able to help me. He might get caught, who knew how long his bail would last.

We approached the Duckling and I sat down at a table with Big Len and Earl.

"Earl, what do I do?" He squeezed my hand again.

"You find your real parents."

"But what if they don't want me?" I said quietly.

He laughed. "Believe me, I think they will be relieved to find out that their daughter is alive."

"But what if they don't believe it's me?"

He leaned forward. "It's ok. If they don't listen, you know it's not worth it."

I smiled weakly. I hope it was worth it.

I heard the door blow open and before I could open my mouth, Earl was being dragged out of the bar.

"Bail is up." I heard the officer say.

Earl yelped in pain as they pushed him rather aggressively out the door.

I stood up. "Be careful with him!"

His eyes locked with mine and before he was dragged away, he said one thing. "Len will help you."

***

"I don't have any money."

"You can borrow some of mine."

"I'm not borrowing your money. You have been very generous, but I'll just have to," I took in a sharp breath. "Get a job."

"You can pay me back later."

"No, Len, you have done too much already."

He frowned, I smiled. "Its ok. Earl can't stay in prison forever." He probably could, and that's what scared me.

David brought over a basket of fries and I munched away on them nervously, trying to think of a plan.

"When are you going to reunite with your parents?" Len asked me.

Then it hit me, "Len! You're a genius!"

He looked bewildered. "I am?"

I nodded. "My parents! The millionaires!" Earl was the only thing on my mind, not even the fact that I was going to meet my real parents, that is what love does to you. Yes, I said love. I don't know how, but I had fallen in love without barely knowing what love is, but I could feel it, and that's good enough for me.

***

Len was making the call. I couldn't do it. I was too worried I might change my mind.

"I have the location of the lost girl, no I'm not joking with you. It's a long story. Here? You're coming here?" I heard Len on the phone, he said he would be quiet about it but I'm pretty sure the entire bar could hear. I gnawed at my raw fingernails. Would they actually believe me? Am I actually their daughter? Or did I push my mom out the window for no reason?

"Good news and bad news." Len came back over and saw down. "Which would you like to hear first?"

"Good news."

"Your parents are delighted they have found you, but the bad news, they are coming here right now to do a bunch of tests, so get your lab rat suit on."

My lab rat suit? I gave him a confused look.

"Oh, I was joking, there isn't actually a suit."

I let out a breathy laugh. I felt like I was going to pee my pants I was so nervous.

I sat impatiently as we waited for them to come. Would it be my actually parents? Or some official?

A few minutes later, the door opened and I snapped my head towards the entrance. A few large men in black suits and black sunglasses came in, a more casually dressed man behind him. The host pointed in my direction and my palms started sweating. Len leaned over and squeezed my hand, giving me a reassuring smile.

The men came over and swabbed my mouth, then asked me a ton of questions. I told them about how mother had kept me in the house for eighteen years, how I got out, but I didn't mention anything about Earl yet. The casually dressed man stayed leaned by the door way the entire time, watching me. His stare made my nerves go bonkers. One of the men dressed in black checked the DNA on the computer and whispered something to the casual man. He nodded and came over.

My heart was pounding in my throat. The man sat down across from me, and slowly, removed his sunglasses.

"Rose, do you remember me?" He said in a kind voice. It set me at ease.

His eyes were a vibrant green, just like mine, they seemed familiar, I just couldn't place my finger on it.

"I....." Then it hit me, why hadn't I thought of it before?

This man was my father.