Shrek: Forever & Always [Book 4]

Chapter 05: An Argument Between Lovers

*Willow/Anastasia's POV*

Fiona followed Shrek out of the building after his outburst. I handed Arrietty to Doris and looked from Doris, to Zero, then to Alice. "Doris, Zero, Alice, look after the children. I'm going to follow them. One of us has to make sure that anyone outside doesn't get in his way."

Alice shrugged her shoulders. "Why? It's not as if he's gonna hurt anyone."

"This is Shrek we're talking about." Zero pointed out. "It's been a while since he took his anger out on anyone. He's been doing well up until a moment ago."

Doris nodded as she adjusted Arrietty in her arms, who was looking around in confusion. "Although Shrek has been able to stay calm and composed on the outside, he must have tried very hard all this time to keep his feelings locked away inside, including the stress he's been feeling since the Charming incident. That's just how men are. They would rather not talk about their feelings. Trust me." She winked at us.

Zero blinked. "Yeah...what he- I mean she-...what Doris said. There's also the pressure he's been put through today as a parent of triplets."

Alice gave him a look. "You'll be going through a similar thing with our child when they're a little older as well."

Zero laughed a little nervously. "Aaaaand I'm totally looking forward to it, babe." Giving her am assuring thumbs up.

I shook my head at the King and Queen of the Fairies. "Well, it didn't help that almost everyone was pestering him."

"I probably would have done the same thing if I was asked about a thousand questions by different people all at once." Alice added. "It's too much pressure and stress, which isn't good for the baby."

"Mama, uncle Shrek sad?" Arrietty asked.

I smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. "A little, but don't worry. Auntie Fiona is seeing if he's okay, and Mama is just going to make sure all is well, and to support them both because they are our family, and that's what we do. We help each other out."

I placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Your uncle Shrek will be smiling again in no time. It just takes time, that's all. Auntie Doris, auntie Alice, and uncle zero will take care of you. It'll only be for a little while. I'll be back soon. I promise."

"Love you, Mama." Arrietty said with a grin while waving at me.

"Love you too, my little Princess." I waved at her before walking out of the building and caught Fiona and Shrek's conversation. Shrek is still wearing his pink party hat as he argued with Fiona.

"Oh, great. So, this is all my fault."

"Yes, but you know what? Let's talk about this after the party at home."

"You mean that roadside attraction we live in?" Shrek did a little weird dance. "'Step right up! See the dancing ogre! Don't worry, he won't bite!'."

He stopped doing the weird dance and walked around Fiona, removing the party hat from his head as he spoke. "I used to be an ogre." He scrunched up the party hat in frustration. "Now I'm just a jolly, green, joke!"

"Okay." Fiona walked over to Shrek, who had his back to her. "Okay, maybe you're not the ogre you used to be...but maybe that's not such a bad thing?"

Shrek shook his head in denial. Not wanting to believe the words she's saying. "I wouldn't expect you to understand." He walked away from her. "It's not like you're a real ogre."

He turned round and face her again. "You've spent half your life in a palace."

"And the other half locked away in a tower." Fiona spoke as calmly as possible.

"Until your knight in a rusty helmet came to rescue you along with an unsung hero." I added. "The bathroom wasn't exactly the nicest thing in that tower though, mind you." Fiona smiled a little at me as I went to stand beside her.

Shrek sighed and turned around. "Look, all I want is for things to go back to the way they used to be."

I raised a brow. "How far back are we talking exactly? Back to when people were afraid of you?"

Shrek nodded. "Exactly." He started pacing around. "And when I could take a mud bath in peace. When I could do what I wanted, when I could do it, back when the world. Made. Sense!"

Fiona looked upset. "You mean back before you, Zero, and Alice rescued Willow and I from the dragons keep?"

Shrek stopped to face Fiona directly. "Exactly." Fiona was horrified by Shrek's response.

My eyes widened. "Shrek..."

Fiona breathed in and out before slowly walking over to her husband. "Shrek, you have three beautiful children, a wife who loves you, friends who adore you...You have everything." 

She frowned at him. "Why is it the only person who can't see that is you?" She turned around and gave my shoulder a light squeeze, making eye contact with me

I placed my hand on hers. "I'll join you in a moment."

"Thank you, Willow." Fiona said before walking back to the door and opening it. She glanced back at Shrek and shook her head slightly in disappointment before closing the door. The party seemed to have resumed from the sounds of it, which is good. It gives everyone a change of subject after what happened earlier.

I turned around to face Shrek. "Listen, Shrek-"

"That's just great." Shrek threw his hands up in frustration. He mumbled to himself and walked away. I watched him leave with a huff.

I thought I heard rustling behind me, but when I glanced behind me, no one was there. I turned around and shook my head. "Must be my imagination. It's been a long day. Better go after Shrek and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." I walked away from the building to follow after Shrek.

I hope he doesn't do anything stupid.

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**End Of Chapter 05**
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A/N: We're almost at the main event!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm surprised I even managed to publish it earlier this time 😂

Anyway, what are your thoughts on what might happen next? I'm actually interested to know what you think might happen 😁

Also, thank you to those of you who answered my question about Shrek 5...
such a long wait 🫠 but don't worry, I'll be doing some Halloween and Christmas specials in between!

See you next Sunday! 🙋🏻‍♀️