CHAPTER 4: NEW KID IN TOWN

Sparkyville, USA, Location: The Pine Hotel

Linus, and Rerun were gathering their luggage to return to Boston. Larry, their father, was with them, as he was mailing his stuff by freight. It had been a trying week for the Van Pelts and they were glad it was over. Lucy's ashes were with Lacey, their mother, and it was doubtful that they would ever see them again until after Lacey's death.

"So, you have everything, dad?" asked Linus.

"Yep, all accounted for, son," Larry replied.

"I am glad you're coming with us," said Linus. "After everything that has happened, I'm ready to start a new chapter in all of our lives."

"Same here," added Rerun.

"Well, we will get by, boys," said Larry. "I'm ready to start all over again with you and finally be a real dad to you."

"You always were, dad," said Linus. "It's just, well… I won't talk about 'her' anymore. At least not for a while."

"Lucy or mom?" asked Rerun.

"Take your pick!" joked Linus. "But in all seriousness, I like to leave the drama that mom brought to this family here in Sparkyville."

"I can understand that," said Larry. Just then Audrey walked in slowly. She was holding her pregnant belly.

"Linus, you may want to reschedule our flight," she announced. "My water just broke."

A half hour later, Charlie, Violet, Sally, Schroeder, Tricia, Roy, Marcie, Franklin, Patty, Mark, Frieda, and Pig Pen were all at the hospital. They all met up with Rerun and Larry in the waiting room.

"So, what's happening right now?" asked Charlie.

"We don't know yet," said Larry.

"They just went in," added Rerun.

"I knew Audrey was due any day," said Charlie.

"I wondered why she took this trip knowing she could deliver at any moment," wondered Sally. "Schroeder, if we have kids, we're not doing any traveling." Schroeder just nodded in agreement.

About an hour later, everyone was still waiting. Some folks went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Violet showed Patty her engagement ring she had received from Charlie. Charlie, Franklin, and Rerun were chatting for a bit. Marcie was showing Tricia pictures of her boys. Thinks were calm for a moment. Then Linus walked out from the delivery room.

"Hey everyone," he greeted. "Audrey is doing fine, and I'm happy to day that I'm now the father of a healthy baby girl."

Everyone came up to congratulate Linus on becoming a first-time dad. Larry hugged his son and told him how proud he was of him. Rerun was elated about being an uncle. And he invited a few folks, along with immediate family, to see the girl. So he chose Charlie, Violet, Sally, and Schroeder, since they were the closest. All of them went where the nursery was. And the nurse held up Linus and Audrey's baby.

"I want you to meet Zoe Van Pelt," said Linus, softly.

"Oh Linus, she's adorable," said Violet.

"Absolutely cute," Sally agreed.

"Charlie," Linus began, "Audrey and I had already talked about this before. I would like for you to be Zoe's godfather."

Charlie was beside himself with happiness. "I would be honored, Linus," he said. "Also, I should tell you, Violet and I just got engaged to be married."

"Really? Congratulations, you two!"

"Thank you, Linus," said Violet. "And congratulations to you and Audrey on baby Zoe."

"Thank you." And they all continued to observe Zoe in the window. She looked exactly like Linus, but with Audrey's hair. Linus could not wait to embrace fatherhood. And he promised that if any problems occurred with her, he would take the necessary action to correct it or treat it. He was determined not to make the same mistakes his mother made with Lucy. And with a wonderful woman like Audrey in his corner, and his brother and father, he knew he had the help he needed.

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