Chapter 7: Mom, Dad and Gary.

CRASH!

"Oh dear." The sponge woman said as she scooped up the contents of the frying pan she had been using, being careful not to burn herself. "Honey is everything all right?" asked a male sponge coming into the kitchen. Obviously he was the woman's husband. "I'm fine." she insisted. "Everything is fine." Her husband walked over to help. "It's just," the lady began. "our little boy is out there and no one can find him." "I'm sure Spongebob will be ok." said her husband. It was true. They were Spongebob's parents. Harold and Claire Squarepants. "I don't know." Claire said. "It's been so long…" "I know." said Harold. "I knew that worthless holiday wouldn't be a good thing." said his wife. "As did I." Harold said. He sighed. "Oh Harold, where could he be?"
Claire asked hugging her husband. "I wish I knew." he said. "If I did, I'd go out and look for him." he said. "And I wouldn't stop until I found him." "At least someone cares." said Claire. Harold nodded. They both sighed. They went into their living room and sat on the couch. Gary slithered towards them. He was staying with Spongebob's parents until Spongebob would be found. Gary meowed. "Hey there little guy." Harold said to the snail.
Gary meowed again and rubbed up against his leg. "Aw are you hungry?" Harold asked. Gary surprisingly shook his head. Gary tried to crawl up Harold's leg. He got the message and picked Gary up, putting him in his lap. Claire petted his shell. Gary purred. "
You miss Spongebob too, don't you Gary?" Claire asked.
Gary nodded. He then started sniffling and warm tears gathered in his eyes. Harold wiped his eye stalks. Gary did feel terrible that he too was part of the "No Spongebob Day" fiasco. "Hang in there little friend." Harold said. Gary began to mewl loudly.
It was as though he was crying. Claire got up and got some tissues for the little snail. Gary sniffled. Claire wiped his eyes. "It's ok Gary." said Claire. Gary sniffled some more. Claire sighed. "Remember when he was born?" she asked. Harold nodded. "I can't remembering ever feeling happier." he said.

They began to reminisce seeing their little boy for the first time.

Harold paced back and forth in the waiting room. His wife had been in labor for nearly four hours now. So he was indeed very nervous. "I hope she's all right." He thought to himself, before shaking it off. "Don't start that now, Harold!" A nurse soon came in. He whirled around. "Mr. Squarepants?" the nurse asked. "Yes?" he replied. "It's over now." she said. "Your baby is born." Harold beamed brightly. The nurse led him back to the maternity ward. Harold followed until they reached his wife's room. When Harold saw his wife holding their new baby, his heart melted. He went closer to Claire."He's here, Harold." she said.
"Our son." he nodded. The baby in her arms began to coo. His parents gave out a chuckle. "What should we name him?" Claire asked."I don't know. What do you want to name him?" Harold asked. "A child like this deserves a unique name." said Claire.
Harold smiled. "How about.... Spongebob." he said.
Claire thought for a moment. "Spongebob Squarepants." she said. "It's perfect." "Spongebob Squarepants."
Hearing this, the baby boy opened his eyelids for the first time revealing his light blue eyes. "Harold, look." said Claire.
Harold smiled at the boy. "He has your eyes dear." he said.
She nodded. Spongebob cooed.

Harold and Claire were brought out of his flashback by Gary's mewling.
This time, he was hungry.
"Looks like you're hungry now." said Harold.
Gary nodded. He picked him up and took him to the kitchen.
Harold opened a can of snail food he kept on hand. He poured it in to a food bowl. Gary was soon eating his meal. "Eat up there, fellow." Harold said. Gary relished his food, mewling happily as he ate. Harold chuckled and sat back on the couch with his wife.
Claire embraced him. Harold embraced her back. Gary continued to eat. After he was done, Gary went into another room to take a nap.

Harold thought about his son. He was out there somewhere, probably very lonely. Then a knock on the door was heard. Harold got up to answer it. When the door was open, who he saw gave him a scare. "Yes indeed." Red said. "Would it be possible for me to come in?" he asked. "Why is that?" Harold asked. "I just want to talk to you." said Red. "About Spongebob."Harold glared. "You know something, don't you?" He said. Red just smiled. "If you did something to him…" Claire warned."I assure you, I haven't." said Red. "Cross my heart."

"You better not have." Harold said. "May I come in?" Red asked once again. Harold nodded. Red thanked them. "Now what do you know about our son?" Harold asked. Red smiled. "I know exactly where he is." she said. "Where?" Harold asked.
"Where is he?" Claire asked. "Ah ah." Red said. "Before I tell you this, you must promise not to tell anyone else.
Not even the snail." They looked at each other. "Trust me." said Red. "Very well." said Harold. "Please tell us." said Claire. Red just smiled at them. Red just smiled at them. "I'll tell you everything." he said. "But first, I'd like for you all to hear a little story."

(I know that "Claire" might not be her real name but it was on Wikipedia. I also her that Spongebob's mom's namw wasn't "Gretchen" either. If her real name is mentioned in the series, I'll change it.)