1Parents of Circumstance
Chapter 9: Family Feud
Blossom burst out laughing, Will looked at her puzzled, "what, have I got somethin on my face?"
Blossom managed to stop laughing, "no, no it's just... you're the last person I expected to see here now."
Will laughed, "yeah I can imagine. Can I come in?"
Blossom mentally kicked herself, but grinned at him, "of course."
Will walked in, it looked the same as it had before, but for some reason, the atmosphere was different.
Buttercup walked up to him, "hello William."
Will froze at the saying of his real name, "yea know, you're the first person who's called me by my real name since I came to Endsville."
She grinned, "you like William better?
Yes," he didn't even have to think about it.
"That's good", she said sliding into him, "cause so do I."
Blossom was dumbfounded, first Buttercup was saying she hated him, now she looked like she was close to giving him a cuddle-n-kiss. True she knew that Buttercup had been lying about hating him before, and actually really liked him, but her all of a sudden being all coy and affectionate towards him was just plain shocking.
Bubbles who had been listening to Buttercup's confessions like a Catholic Priest was far more prepared for this and was only slightly surprised, but neither of the girls were as surprised as Will.
Bubbles had to struggle to keep her self from laughing, the look on his face was priceless. He moved and looked as though Buttercup was a poisonous insect, that if you moved, it'd bite you, and he was trying to figure out a way to remove her.
Their parents came from discussing in their room, to see who the father of their first grandchild was.
"Anyway William", Buttercup said "these are my parents."
"Um... hi", he greeted nervously.
Mrs. Utonium laughed, "no need to act so nervous, we were told the whole story."
Will breathed a sigh of relief, Buttercup pressed her back against his chest, "do you think that I would put you in an awkward position?"
Will gave her a weird look, and she noticed the rest of her family was too, though Bubbles wore hers with a grin.
She stopped leaning on Will and took a step away, "sorry."
Will felt a stab of guilt, like he betrayed her, "It's okay", he said coming up beside her, wrapping his left arm around her waist and pulling her closer, "everyone deals with stress in their own way. Just do me a favor, and take it one step at a time."
Buttercup blushed slightly and smiled, "okay."
Margaret smiled, Buttercup was lucky to have a boy who was not oblivious to her feelings and was considerate enough to act on that. She looked at her husband who frowned as Buttercup and her... "boyfriend", hugged. She elbowed him gently, but forcefully in the side, "let her grow up", she whispered, "she'll need to do as much of that as she can."
Buttercup pulled away from him, "so, weren't you supposed to show me something?"
Will slapped his forehead, "right." He gestured towards the door, (which Blossom had absentmindedly left open) and whistled.
Suddenly the door was pushed open, to reveal a huge scorpion. It skittered over towards Will, and he knelt down and vigorously rubbed his right claw. "Everyone meet Ferratus."
Buttercup gazed at the amazing creature in front of her: Ferratus was the size of a large dog. His claws were only slightly shorter then her arms, his bent forward tail went up to her midriff and his legs were nearly as long as her own. His exoskeleton was a dull copper colour, that had a black tint on his claws and stinger. He had four eyes and a mouth that was flanked by four mandibles.
"Hey Buttercup", Will called, "why don't you come and rub his claw."
Buttercup gulped, "okay."
Her sisters watched anxiously as she knelt down beside the large creature, Blossom in a fighting stance ready to pounce should the beast dare try anything.
Will shook his head, "don't do that, it makes him edgy."
Blossom reluctantly settled down but still readied herself.
"Hey Blossom", Bubbles said, "why don't we go into the kitchen and get some refreshments."
Blossom grinned, "yeah, lets go", the two sisters left and went into the kitchen.
Mrs. Utonium cleared her throat, and grabbed her husband by the arm and led him to their bedroom to have another chat.
Buttercup leaned closer to Ferratus and slowly outstretched her hand and gently rubbed the top of Ferratus' claw. He shifted towards her, causing her to flinch, but Will put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"He won't hurt you, as long as I'm here, let him get close."
Buttercup gulped, but she trusted him.
Ferratus moved closer to her, until his claws were on either side of her, and his head was almost touching her belly.
Will noticed her anxiety and took hold of her hand, "it's okay, let him."
Buttercup swallowed and nodded, she felt Ferratus nudge his head under her shirt and moved his mouthparts over her belly, causing her to giggle.
Ferratus stopped and stood motionless in front of her, and moved his tail forward.
"What's he doing?",Buttercup asked nervously.
Will grinned, "he's waiting for you."
Buttercup stared at him.
Will pointed, "just put your lips on his stinger and drink till you're full."
Buttercup gave him a look that said "are you crazy."
He took her hand again, "I wouldn't let you do it if I didn't know it was safe, please."
Buttercup gave in, "Alright", she said gently, "I trust you."
Buttercup leaned forward and put her lips around Ferratus' stinger and closed her eye. Almost immediately she felt a warm liquid fill her mouth, it was soothing, it relaxed her tongue and mouth. She swallowed and felt it sooth and heal her acid burned throat and esophagus and fall into her stomach. She drank more and more until her stomach was full. She pulled away causing some of the liquid in her mouth to drip onto her chin, and she let out a cute burp. She wiped her chin with the back of her hand and looked at it. The liquid was a light purple colour and sparkled a little. She licked it off her hand and turned to Will, "what was that stuff?"
Will smiled, "it's a special liquid that will keep you healthy, reduce your morning sickness, give you more energy, and give you and the baby, plenty of nutrients. It will also help prevent deformation and other abnormalities. It will help it and you develop, and it will...uh...alter you in several other positive ways."
Buttercup arched an eyebrow, "alter?"
Will sighed, "yeah, after birth it'll...uh...sweeten and improve your...uh...
"Milk?", a voice said.
The other two turned to see Bubbles standing in the kitchen entranceway.
"Uh...yeah..., thanks Bubbles."
She shrugged, "glad to help."
Buttercup blushed, feeling embarrassed.
Blossom emerged from the kitchen with a tray of snacks, "hungry?"
Billy's mom stood motionless for a moment, Mandy thought she was going to snap. Gladys suddenly ran towards them, Billy put up his hands and turned his head, expecting the beating of his life. Instead she ran past him and ran towards Mandy.
Mandy had no time to react, she felt Gladys' arms wrap around her and closed her eyes, 'oh no, she's going to crush me', Mandy thought as she was being squeezed
"Oh Mandy", Gladys said through teary eyes, "I'm so happy!"
Mandy opened her eyes, confused, and looked at Billy who had the same expression.
"I knew that behind that cold sour exterior, you really loved Billy."
Mandy blushed.
Her parents however snorted, "come on, we know our daughter, and she would never willingly have sex with anyone, especially not Billy."
Gladys released Mandy, "and just what's wrong with Billy?", she shouted angrily.
"I think", Phil shouted back, "the question is, what's right with him."
Suddenly a new voice arose, "wud yea shut up, can't a scotsman get some sleep." An older man with a large build and a big nose and grey beard and balding head appeared from the hallway. "You people could wake Wallace himself."
Mandy recognized the Scottish man as Billy's grandfather.
"Oh, hi dad," Harold said, " we were just arguing about whether Billy being the father of Mandy's as yet unborn child is a good thing and a bad thing."
Billy's grandpa's eyes widened, then he turned to Billy, and they narrowed. He started walking towards Billy.
Billy gulped, 'now I'm gonna get it', Billy thought.
Billy's grandfather stood in front of him and stared down at him, "is this true?"
Billy gulped but he stood up strait and looked his grandfather in the eye, then answered, "yes."
Billy's grandfather stood there a moment motionless, and in an instant his expression changed, "well good for you lad", he said slapping Billy on the back, almost knocking him over.
"Good!", shouldn't you be telling me I'm to young or I've been irresponsible, or something."
Billy's grandfather snorted, "bah, to young only applies to boys Billy. But you, you are a man now. When you replied yes to me, you looked me in the eye, you had pride in your unborn children, that shows the responsibility of a father, which you will soon be. And I, Angus McNaise will be with ya both, every step of the way."
Mandy couldn't help but feel proud of Billy also, "Billy, in the hospital, you prevented me from making a terrible and... cowardly mistake. If that doesn't make you a man, I don't know what does."
Billy smiled, "thanks Mandy, means a lot coming from you."
Mandy's dad interrupted the sentimental moment, "and I'll bet it was while or right after you made that mistake that he took advantage of you!"
Mandy growled, "no one ever takes advantage of me, EVER! For your information I got pregnant before I went to the hospital! What happened was we went to the underworld and some out of luck matchmaker impregnated me with Billy's sperm cells."
Angus was grinning from ear to ear, "ha, ha, this is what you need lad", he said patting Mandy on the head, "a high spirited lass with lots of spine. Not to many these days you know."
Everyone was silent for a moment, "but couldn't you have gone with someone with better genes?", Claire asked.
"Or brains.", Phil added.
Angus' face turned red with anger, "and what's wrong with me family's genes?"
"Everything", Phil said, "Billy is the worst possible father there is.
Is that so", Gladys growled, "well I can think of lots of girls who would make better mothers to my grandchildren then that sadist you call a daughter.
Mandy looked hurt, it made Billy angry.
"Your wrong", he fumed, "Mandy's perfect she's smart, beautiful, and I know she'll love our kids. You have now right to judge how good a mother she'll be, but I know she'll be as much of a mother as you, if not more so." Billy breathed heavily having run out of breath.
Mandy had tears coming from her eyes, she went over to Billy and pulled him into a tight embrace, "thanks Billy."
Billy returned the embrace, "all I did was tell them real facts."
Angus put a hand on Billy's shoulder, "you did good standin up for your lass Billy, shows real spine." He went over to Mandy and put a hand on her head, "you're a good lass Mandy, and as far as I'm concerned, you're part of the family now."
Mandy smiled and wiped a few tears from her eyes, "thanks."
Angus nodded, "but I think it's time you two leave for a while so I can talk some sense into these idiots."
They nodded, Billy ran to his room and quickly came back down holding a violet-red trench coat. "You forgot your coat last time you came here," he said as he held open the coat.
Mandy smiled, she turned around and slipped her arms into the sleeves and let Billy put it over her shoulders. Billy put on his navy blue hoodie while she did up her buttons and wrapped the belt around her. Billy held open the door for her and followed her through.
"What did your grandpa do before he retired?", Mandy asked him.
"He was a wrestler", he answered.
As if by cue: "alright", Angus yelled from inside the house, "it's time for pain."
Mandy laughed, "so, where you wanna go?"
Billy tapped his chin, "let's go see how the other two are doing."
Mandy nodded, "good idea."
Billy grinned, "first time anyone's ever said that to me", they both laughed.
At the Utonium house hold, Bubbles and Blossom seemed to be doing their absolute best to embarrass Buttercup by showing Will pictures from the family album.
"Changed your hairstyle since then I noticed", he said.
Buttercup shrugged and resumed petting Ferratus, who was laying on the couch beside her.
"And here's a picture of Buttercup with her blanket", Bubbles said pointing.
Blossom took the picture out of the album, "I think she still sleeps with it", she said with a laugh.
Will took the picture and smiled, "some people are just comforted by things from their childhood, it helps remember things from back then, and it keeps your world broad. It can also be sentimental or can be there to give them confidence."
Blossom scoffed, "not me, don't need it."
Will arched an eyebrow and grinned, "is that so, what about that bow."
Blossom reached up and touched the bow she had on the top of her head, "what about it."
Will pointed at a picture in the album from when they were five, "isn't that the same bow."
Blossom's face flustered, "well, yeah but."
Will closed the album, "I rest my case."
Buttercup laughed, and the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it", Bubbles said as she flew to the doorway.
Billy and Mandy stood in front of the door until Bubbles opened it, "Billy, Mandy!" she said in surprise, "uh... come in."
Billy and Mandy walked in, and saw Ferratus, "what's that!", Billy asked surprised.
Will laughed, relax, that's just Ferratus.
Billy and Mandy sat down on the couch opposite of them, "sooo", Mandy began, "how you two doing?"
Buttercup smiled, "fine, parents took it pretty well."
Billy sighed, "wish we could say the same."
Will and Buttercup gave them concerned looks.
Mandy sighed and told them the whole story of what happened, and when she'd finished, Will and Buttercup had mixed expressions.
Will was the first to speak, "pretty odd how Billy's mom would be hugging you one minute and dissing you the next."
Billy gave a sour look, "actually knowing my mom, it's not that surprising."
Buttercup shrugged, "my parents were shocked but they got over it pretty fast.
Mandy sighed again, "well, at least Billy's grandpa likes me."
Suddenly Ferratus jumped off the couch and headed off towards the kitchen.
Will went after him, Billy curious, went with him.
Mandy waited until they disappeared from sight, then quickly went over and sat beside Buttercup. "Have you noticed", she asked her, "that Billy is suddenly acting smart?"
Buttercup shrugged, "well I don't really know Billy that well...
You didn't have to be around Billy long to know he was an idiot", Mandy said.
Buttercup shrugged again, "I just ignored him."
Mandy sighed, "well, Billy's... different now, he's smart considerate and braver. You should have seen how stood up for me, to his own parents, he... said he wanted me to be the mother to his children. Oh, Buttercup, now I feel such pressure, I-I... I don't want to disappoint Billy, he knows I hate kids, but for some reason, I feel, I feel like...
I know", Buttercup said putting her hand on Mandy's, "I don't like kids either, but when Will held me in the hospital, I felt safe secure, like nothing could touch me. Mandy, I... I love him, and I can tell he really wants this baby, and you know what, so do I. I may be to young, I may not be ready, but I love it, and if you love Billy, I know you'll love your baby too. Do you love him?"
Mandy blushed insanely, then she sighed and smiled, "yes, I do."
Buttercup paused for a moment and saw that her sisters had disappeared, she shrugged it aside, "Bubbles told me that what a baby needs most is love, and she knows a lot about that stuff, so just love it, and you'll do fine."
Mandy smiled, "thanks", the girls hugged each other, becoming sisters.
Will and Billy turned away as Ferratus proceeded to consume the two mice he'd just caught.
Billy turned to Will, "have you noticed how different Mandy is acting now?"
Will shrugged, "that was a very persuasive sermon you gave her in the hospital Billy.
Yeah, but still, I know Mandy, she wouldn't change just like that", Billy said snapping his fingers for emphasis.
Will sighed, "having a kid changes people Billy."
Billy shook his head, "not Mandy, and not so soon."
Will shrugged, "maybe it's another side affect of the spell, Buttercup's changed too."
Billy scratched his head, "maaaaybeee, but still..."
Will put a hand on his shoulder, "let's not worry about that now, cause right now, out girls need us."
Billy nodded, and followed him out.
Blossom and Buttercup waited for them to leave before they spoke, "hiding in the hallway was a great Idea Blossom."
Her sister shrugged, "only kind you get from me, but it seems that out little family, just got a whole lot bigger."
Hope you like my new characters and don't worry I'll keep workin on it.
Powerpuff Girls are copyright of Crag McCraken and Cartoon Network
The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy are copyright of Maxwell Atoms and Cartoon Network
