Zach,
I’m not entirely sure how to start this, but I have some things that have been on my mindlately, and I think it’s high time I get them down on paper. So, bear with me, son, as I try.
First off all, I just want to tell you how damn proud I am of all of my boys and the love we’ve all found in fighting fire. Battling this beast is in our blood and in every beat of our hearts, and I can’t tell you how proud I am that you heard that call, too. This world will never fully understand the sacrifices we make, but we put on those turnouts and do it anyway. Not for glory or accolades, but because the innocent will always need a hero. That’s you, son.
You and Joel will fight a different kind of beast than I have, and you’ll see tragedies that fighting wildfire won’t ever show me. When that tone goes off, you won’t hesitate to run headfirst into that building, because you know someone needs you. That kind of bravery is reserved for a special few. All men are created equal, after all. But only a few become firefighters.
Thank you for sending me the pictures of the girls. I can’t believe how big Abigail is already, and now you’ve broughtBailey into this world. They’re beautiful, Zachy. I hope you love them with every beat of your heart, and that they always know how deep that love for them goes. I hate that I wasn’t around for you boys growing up. I let my love for fighting fire overshadow everything else, and it’s the only regret I have in this life. Choosing fire over your momma and you boys. I should have been home, with all of you, and I know that now. I spent the last thirty years with my heart beating on the other side of the country; with the family I so foolishly left behind. Your momma fought like hell to get me to stay, but my stubborn pride wouldn’t let me admit that I needed her more than I needed fire. That woman was willing to walk with me through the hardest parts of life, and I pushed her away. I pushed you all away, and I’m sorry, son. I hope you boys always knew, even if I was terrible at saying it, how much I loved you, and always will.
Now, I don’t know much about all that love and mushy stuff, but I know when something doesn’t feel right, like when the air shifts and you sense it before you see it in the trees. Love isn’t supposed to hurt, Zach, and it’s not supposed to be something you have to chase. If somethingor someone doesn’t fit… maybe it’s not meant to for a reason, you hear? If they want to walk away, you let them.
Because Zachy, when you find the one that fits… they’ll be the one standing next to you no matter what, walking with you through the toughest roads of this life, and they’ll never let you doubt that they’re where they want to be. Love is a choice, Zach. One you make every single day, on the good and beautiful days and on the ugly ones, too. You choose your person, and you fight like hell to keep it. And you know how you’ll know it’s right? Because they’ll be fighting with you, not against you. It’s you and her against the world, not each other.
You’ll know when you find it, son. Do this old man a favor, and don’t let your stubborn pride push her away. And if you do… you make sure you run like hell back to her. You don’t want to wake up an old man and regret losing the sunshine that brought your world to life.
~Dad
Folding the letter back up, I tuck it into the envelope and hang my head. I’ve thought it a hundred times, haven’t I? That Louise is the sunshine to my day. Dad didn’t even know she existed… but he knew I’d find her someday. And that I’d be a fucking moron.
I love this woman.
I love Louise.
Taking the now slightly crumpled notecard out of my pocket where it’s lived for the past several weeks, I tap it against my opposite palm before sliding my thumb beneath the flap and finally unsealing it.
Seeing her swoopy handwriting caves my chest in. Fuck I miss her so fucking much. Flipping the card over, I stop breathing.
Love you, more.
That’s it. That’s all the card says.
Like she fucking knew what I would need to see more than anything. Simple. To the point. No frills, just… Louise being Louise.
And I know what I need to do. What we all need to do.
Heading back down the hall, I knock on Abigail’s door once more, then come back to sit on the bed, pulling the tickets out of my pocket and showing them to her.
Clearing my throat, I ask, my voice breaking slightly, “What do you say we go get our Princess back? Any big ideas?”
Abigail nods, her smile wider than I’ve seen in a long time. “Oh, yeah.”
Fifty-Nine
Louise
It’s a bittersweet kind of day.
My last big event as a cosplayer, and my favorite one of the year. It’s big and grand and so much fun. My gown is custom made and bigger than my usual Rapunzel dress. This one is made with more intricate material and is floor length, with the big crinoline skirt beneath it. The sleeves are to my wrists and made of sheer organza with lace trim. Gold filigree adorns the bodice and through the pinks and purples of the skirt.
My hair is more ornately done than my usual braid with flowers, too. Smaller, intricate braids twist through, pulling it away from my face, but leaving the majority of my long hair to beleft down. I even have Rapunzel’s tiara tucked onto the top of my head, and my make up is professionally done.
Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Tiana, Elsa and Anna, Merida, Mulan… the gangs all here in our biggest and best gowns. The Grand Ballroom at Harbor Bay Inn is decorated, tables are set with gold candelabras and floor length tablecloths. A four-piece string quartet is in the corner, playing an assortment of Disney songs from the movies.
We’re all ready and waiting for our little princes and princesses to arrive.
“We’re so sad that you’re not coming back next year!” Lillian—Belle, today—says and hugs me tight. “Please make sure to come and see us. No one is going to be a better Rapunzel than you, girl.”
Reagan—our resident Merida—nods in agreement. “Can’t you just come back for this one event?”
