Romance Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Stars Above - A Cassunzel Fanfic ❯ Chapter 27: The Joy of Creation ( Chapter 27 )

Cassandra didn’t even see it coming as she was shoved to the ground from behind. She got back to her feet angrily and whipped around only to be socked harshly across the face and fall to the ground once more. She tried to get up only to be punched in the stomach. She gripped her stomach tightly as she gasped for air and looked up at her attackers. There were three men in total. One was a dangerously large man and the other two by his side were smaller but a good size as well. She guessed the largest man ran their little trio.

“Worthless bitch,” The largest man spat. “How dare you show your kind in this village.”

Cassandra spat out blood as she gave the man a smirk. She was outnumbered, she knew, but she wasn’t about to let them see her fear. “You three seem to be the only ones who have a problem.”

The larger man's eyes darkened as he looked at one of his partners. The smaller man rushed forward and kicked her square in the stomach as she groaned and nearly fell to her side. “You will only speak unless I can say you can speak!” The leader narrowed his eyes.

Cassandra, as stubborn as she was, raised an eyebrow and responded with a sarcastic comment. “Yeah, I don’t really work like that.” That deserved her another fist to the face. Cassandra was about to say something else but she heard a familiar voice.

“Cass!” Cassandra’s eyes widened. No. Not now. God, please not now. But Rapunzel was at her side in an instant as she frantically gave her a look over for her minor injuries. Rapunzel snapped her eyes up and gave the men one of the worst glares Cassandra had ever seen on her. It was terrifying. “What did you do to her?!”

The leader smirked. “Look who it is. The dyke’s little pet.”

Rapunzel shot to her feet. “Excuse me?!”

“You know,” The leader started as he took a step towards her. “You’re too beautiful to be seen with someone like her. Come with me and I promise you I’ll show you a good time.” He reached his hand out to touch her but she roughly shoved it away.

“I wouldn’t be caught dead being seen with you!”

The man's eyes darkened as he looked Rapunzel up and down. “You want to be a disobedient little bitch and be treated like you’re one of them? Fine, I’ll do this the hard way then.” The man threw his fist forward so fast that it caught Rapunzel off guard. She waited for the inevitable blow but it never came.

Cassandra was on her feet as quick as lightning, in front of her, grasping the man's hand so tight you could hear the bones already starting to crack. The man tried to escape her grasp but she only squeezed tighter as her eyes narrowed dangerously. The man let out a pained yelp as he felt his bones snap. Cassandra still didn’t let go even though he was nearly screaming in pain and desperately trying to escape her deathly grip. Rapunzel placed a hand on her shoulder. “...Cass...”

Cassandra seemed to consider her as she held onto him just a couple seconds longer before kicking him in the stomach and throwing him to the ground. “Touch her, look at her, even be in the same breathing space as her and I will make sure your death is slow and incredibly painful. Do you understand?” Her voice was cold, harsh and dark.

The man, gripping his hand to his chest, whimpered and nodded before he jumped to his feet and cowardly took off running, his men following close behind. Cassandra waited until she couldn’t see them anymore before she turned around and her dark, cold eyes softened into one of concern and love. “Are you okay?”

Rapunzel gave her a sweet smile. “I’m fine, Cass.” Her smile dropped. “Are you okay?”

Cassandra nodded her head. “I’m fine, Raps,” But the statement didn’t sound fine. Rapunzel could hear the internal agony in her voice. Her point was proven when Cassandra avoided her eye contact by directing her eyes downward. Rapunzel shook her head and sighed as she pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and started wiping the blood from her face softly and lovingly. Cassandra tried to push her hand away. “Raps, I’m fine-”

“Shush, you,” Rapunzel said softly. And Cassandra did.

It was silent for a couple of minutes before anyone said anything. Cassandra’s eyes were still downcasted and her hair fanned over her face. “....I’m sorry.” Rapunzel heard after some minutes.

Rapunzel pulled her hand away and fixed her with a confused look. “What? Cass, none of this is your fault.” Rapunzel tried to make eye contact but she still refused to look at her.

“But it is,” Cassandra responded. “....I-I knew this was gonna happen.. I shouldn’t have gotten so comfortable.. I shouldn’t have let my guard down…” Cassandra finally looked up to meet her eyes. Rapunzel’s heartbroke at the unshed tears she could see in her eyes. “...You were almost hurt.”

“But I wasn’t,” Rapunzel responded as she placed her hand on her cheek. “You saved me, like you always do.”

Cassandra let out a weak chuckle as she wiped the tears off her face that escaped her eyes. Poor girl was trying so hard to hold them back as she sniffled.. “I’m pretty sure you’re the one who saved me.”

“I wasn’t just gonna let them treat or talk to you like that.”

“R-Raps, they weren’t.... they weren’t just talking about me.”

Rapunzel gave her a small smile and rubbed her thumb over her cheekbone. “I know,” She responded. “But I told you before - I don’t care what they say. I don’t care what they think. It doesn’t matter because I, we, know the truth of who we are. I chose this life, Cass. I knew what I was getting into, I knew what it entailed, and I knew the risks of being in a relationship with you. And I don’t regret anything. I love you and what idiots like them say won’t ever change that.”

Cass sighed. “...I wish you didn’t have to be put through all of the hate, you don’t deserve it...”

Rapunzel’s eyes softened. “Neither do you, Cass.”

“I’m used to it, but you..”

“Cass, just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean it still doesn’t hurt or affect you.” Cassandra looked away and sniffled as more tears fell from her eyes. Rapunzel’s heartbroke as she placed a hand on her cheek. “Hey,” She said softly before pausing for a split second. “...Come here.” She didn’t wait for her to respond as she pulled her into her arms. Cassandra hid her face in her neck as she wrapped her arms around the princess, her form slightly shaking as she tried to compose herself. Rapunzel rubbed her hand up and down her back lovingly. “...I’m here love, I’m here.”

After a couple minutes, Cassandra eventually took a shaky breath and pulled away as she wiped her arm over her face to wipe her own tears away. Rapunzel gave her a sweet smile and placed a small kiss on her lips before she gently grabbed her hand and interlocked their fingers. “It doesn’t matter what they think, Cass,” She whispered. “Don’t ever feel ashamed of who you are. Okay?” Cassandra slowly nodded; scared if she spoke that she was going to break. Rapunzel gave her another sweet smile. “Come on,” Rapunzel began pulling her towards their temporary house and Cassandra followed.

A couple hours had passed since the incident. The men that attacked Cassandra were exiled from the village once the headmaster heard of what happened. For that, Rapunzel was grateful because she knew that Cassandra’s plan to painfully murder them were legit. As much as she hated the men, she didn’t want Cass to spend her time in jail away from her and the baby that was going to be born at any point now.

Speaking of babies... Rapunzel was spending time with Dallas when it hit. Gasping, Rapunzel dropped whatever was in her hands as she felt cool liquid slide down her leg. “Rapunzel! What’s-” Dallas stopped as her eyes widened at the puddle of liquid on the ground.

“D-Dallas, my- ugh, go get Cass!” Her voice was strained. Dallas gave her a quick nod and disappeared. Not even a minute later, Cassandra came rushing to her side. She was never too far away.

“Rapunzel!” Cassandra grasped her hand tightly as she placed a supportive hand on her back.

Rapunzel panted as she looked up at her wife. “It’s time.”

Cassandra stopped dead in her tracks as her eyes widened. “Now??”

"Yes, now!” Rapunzel let out a pained whimper as another contraption hit. “...And Nova’s not very patient.”

“Well, that would make sense, ’cause-”

“Cassandra!” Rapunzel growled as she gave her hand a specifically hard squeeze.

“Alright, alright! Jeez..” Cassandra picked her up bridal style as she rushed her to the hospital, Dallas close behind. Rapunzel was trying her hardest to focus on her breathing like she was taught but it hurt so damn much. “Hey, Doc!” Cassandra yelled as Rapunzel’s doctor turned in her direction. Her eyes widened.

“Is it time?”

“What the hell do you think??”

“Cass, be nice!” She heard Rapunzel’s strained voice. Even when in labor she still corrected her manners.

The doctor, having gotten used to people yelling at her because of worry and stress, nodded towards Cassandra before calling to her nurses. Rapunzel was ripped from her arms quickly. Cassandra tried to follow but the doctor stood in her way and gave her a sympathetic look. “Sorry Cassandra, you’re gonna need to stay out here.”

“What?!” Cassandra shouted. “There’s no way that I’m gonna-”

Rapunzel, who was being held up by a nurse, gently grasped her hand. “I’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

Cassandra’s eyes softened. “Are you sure?”

Rapunzel gave her a pained, but sweet, smile. “Mhm.” Rapunzel placed a quick peck on her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Cassandra responded with no hesitation. Rapunzel gave her another smile before she was ushered away and their hands lost contact with each other. Dallas placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as she worriedly watched Rapunzel be carried into the hospital room.

Dallas gave her a sweet smile. “She’ll be okay, Cass. We have the best doctors in 100′s of miles.”

Cassandra gave her a slow nod. “Right.” But she didn’t sound convinced, intense worry was lacing in her voice.

Cassandra paced back and forth in front of the hospital room. Rapunzel went in 45 minutes ago and hearing her cries of pain was nearly killing her. She felt so helpless. She couldn’t take her pain away. And they won’t let her in the room dammit. As another cry of pain could be heard, Cassandra decided to screw it, she was going to get in whether they liked it or not. She was about to bust down the door when the door slowly opened and the doctor came out with a sweet smile as she rubbed her hands on her coat.

“Congratulations momma, you have a beautiful healthy baby girl.”

“G-Girl?” Cass asked and the doctor nodded. “...C-Can I go see her now?”

The doctor moved aside. “Of course you-” Cassandra didn’t even wait for her to finish as she rushed inside. The doctor shook her head and chuckled as she gently shut the door, giving them their privacy.

Cassandra stopped dead in the doorway and just stood there as she watched her wife smile and cradle her - their - daughter. Rapunzel was glowing. She had never seen her so happy before. Eventually though, Rapunzel looked up and fixed her with one of the sweetest smiles she’s ever seen on her. “What are you doing over there, silly?” Rapuunzel giggled. “Come over here.” Cassandra swallowed, her throat suddenly feeling very dry as her feet started moving before her brain could catch up. She gently dropped to her knees beside Rapunzel’s bed. Cassandra seemed to be frozen in place as Rapunzel giggled. “Wanna hold her?”

Cassandra quickly snapped her eyes up, a small amount of panic and fear in her eyes. “I-I don’t know, Raps, I... uh.. I don’t know how..”

Rapunzel gently placed the small bundle of joy in her arms anyway. Cassandra still looked panicked, like she didn’t know what to do. Rapunzel gave her a sweet smile. “Put your hand behind her head and just cradle her in your arms.” Cassandra swallowed and nodded as she did what she was instructed to do.

Cassandra finally looked down and got a good look at their daughter. Nova, somehow, looked like a mixture of both of them. She had beautiful brown hair but what struck Cassandra was the black tints in her hair. Samuel had dirty blonde hair. Nova's eyes suddenly opened as she looked up at Cassandra with beautiful emerald eyes. Cass kept one hand firmly behind her head as she was tucked in her arms and gave the tiny baby her finger. The baby gently sucked on it. "H-Hi, Nova." Cassandra finally spoke as the baby looked back up to meet her eyes. "S-She knows her name.." Whether she was talking to Rapunzel or herself, it was unclear. The baby suddenly reached her hands up towards her as she let out a small cute giggle. 

The more Cassandra stared at their baby, the more in love she became. Tears came to her eyes as she realized that this child was hers. This was her daughter. A daughter that she had with her wife. She finally got everything that she’s ever wanted. A family. Sniffling, Cassandra couldn't stop the tears that fell down her face even if she tried. 

She heard an amused giggle. "Cass, are you... crying?" 

"No!" Cassandra sniffled as she rubbed at her eyes. "...You're crying...!" 

Rapunzel let out another tired giggle. "It's okay, Cass." Rapunzel gave her an understanding, sweet smile as she placed a hand on her knee. Cassandra scooted, Nova still tucked in her arms, until she was laying in the bed next to Rapunzel. Rapunzel tiredly cuddled into her side as they both looked at their now sleeping daughter. There was a comfortable silence for 10 minutes before anyone spoke.

"...Thank you." Cassandra said quietly. Rapunzel looked up and gave her a confused expression. 

"For what?" 

Cassandra finally looked at her and Rapunzel nearly gasped at the tears running down her face. She never saw Cassandra cry like that before. Or, should she say, she never saw Cass cry so freely like that before. Ever. Cassandra gave her a smile that was filled with so much joy and love, it brought Rapunzel to near tears as Cass cupped her cheek. "...For everything." 

Rapunzel finally understood what she meant as she pushed herself up until they were face-to-face. Rapunzel leaned forward and their lips met. This kiss wasn't like the ones they shared before - it was soft, gentle, filled with so much love and joy, it was magical. It could have lasted minutes or hours and neither would have even realized it. Tears fell down from Rapunzel's own eyes as she cupped both of Cassandra's cheeks and pressed herself closer. Eventually she pulled back and fixed Cassandra with a sweet smile as she wiped away her tears with her thumbs. "I love you so much, Cassandra." 

Cassandra returned the watery smile. "....I love you too." Cassandra looked down and gently stroked the sleeping baby's head. "....I love you both more than life itself." Tears continued to fall down from both of their eyes as Rapunzel smiled sweetly and gently stroked Nova's hair. 

"You took the words right out of my mouth." 

Cassandra turned her head and placed a gentle kiss on Rapunzel's forehead. With her other arm, she wrapped it around the princess and pulled her close. The other arm still cradled the sleeping baby against her chest. Cassandra suddenly noticed how bearly awake her lover was. "Get some rest, Raps. I'll watch over both of you, I promise."

Rapunzel gave her a tired smile, her eyes barely open. "I know you will." She whispered. As soon as her eyes closed, she fell asleep soundly, cuddled against Cassandra. Cassandra put Nova in her arms in the middle of them and snuggled closer. She wrapped a protective arm around her wife and daughter and as she promised, she watched over the both of them.