South Park in the Emotional Warzone Chapter 8: On the Road to Romance
Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 is here. The time has come for Kenny and Lola to be wed. They along with Larry, Barry, Penny, and Kenny's sister Karen have left for Estes Park the night before. The morning of had everyone of Kenny and Lola's friends and family make the drive for the wedding.
Just like Felix promised, the night before they had to leave he asked his mother if Stan and Lyra can ride with them, using father and daughter's gas conservation as an excuse. Bebe was completely on board with the idea, and she called the Marshes up. Stan accepted the invitation, and Felix smiled to himself, knowing that his Operation Cupid can go into effect. When Isabella received the word on Stan and Lyra's invitation, she looked less than thrilled, still feeling as though having her brother setup his mother with another man is wrong, even if both Stan's wife, Wendy, and Bebe's husband, Kyle, are dead and it doesn't matter. She just felt as though her mother would be betraying her father if Felix's plan works.
Anyway, it was almost 10:00 on that Saturday morning, 9:55 AM to be precise, and the Broflovski's had finished loading their car with luggage. Bebe had one huge suitcase and she told her kids to make sure they pack enough for one night. So she, Felix, and Isabella loaded the suitcase with clothes for the wedding and the trip home, pajamas, and any toiletries that they may need. Bebe also packed a bag for the baby of the family, Matthew. His bag had everything one would expect a baby would need like clothes, toys, food, formula, and ear plugs in case the music at the wedding was too loud.
The Broflovskis were ready to go. They were just waiting for Stan and Lyra Marsh to arrive. It was now 9:57. The three kids were in the van, seatbelts buckled, while Bebe was standing on the end of the driveway looking up and down the street for Stan's car.
"Where could they be?" Bebe said mildly annoyed. "It's almost 10:00."
Inside the Broflovski minivan, Felix was also getting annoyed and a little bit nervous.
"I hope they didn't change their minds at the last minute." Felix said, nervously.
Isabella was hoping against hope that the Marshes did change their mind and are traveling on their own to the wedding. If that was the case, then Felix's Operation Cupid would be a no go. Isabella then stuck her head out of one of the vehicle's windows to try and get her mom's attention so she could come to the van and drive off before Stan and Lyra showed up.
"Hey mom," Isabella shouted. "I don't think they're coming. Can we go now so we don't get caught in any traffic?"
Bebe didn't hear her as she finally saw Stan and Lyra drive up the street to her house. She waved the father and daughter down as they pulled up in the driveway and parked next to the van.
"Alright, they came!" Felix said excited.
"Oh lucky us." Isabella muttered sarcastically.
Stan and Lyra got out of their car with their luggage as well as something else. Lyra appeared to be holding a Canon video camera.
"Hey, Bebe." Stan said. "Sorry we're late."
"Yeah, I was looking for my video camera in my mess of a room." Lyra said holding it up to show her. "I want to record every bit of this wedding so we can look back on this moment 20 years from now. But like daddy said, we're sorry we're late."
"That's fine, better late than never." Bebe said. "Just load up your luggage and hop in the van."
Stan and Lyra made their way to the trunk of the van, and loaded their luggage. Once that was taken care of, Lyra made her way to the backseat with the rest of the Broflovski kids. Stan looked to see Bebe grabbing the keys from her pocket.
"Bebe, do you need me to drive?" Stan asked.
"No, it's okay." Bebe said. "I've driven this thing hundreds of times. Just head up to the passenger seat and relax."
"If you insist." Stan said. "I just thought it'd show chivalry if I drove, that's all."
Bebe smiled and said, "I appreciate the gentlemanly gesture, but really I've got this."
"Okay." Stan complied. "But if you ever need a break from driving, just pull off the side of the road and we can switch."
"I'll keep that in mind." Bebe said. "Thank you."
With that Stan settled himself into the passenger seat, and Bebe settled herself in the driver's seat. With one turn of the key, the Broflovskis and the Marshes were off to Estes Park for the McCormick-Johnson Wedding.
Later:
As the group of six entered the highway entrance, Lyra got a text on her phone. She took it out of her pocket and saw that it was a text from Lindsay Tucker, Craig and Heidi's daughter. It said…
"We've got big big big news coming your way. Can't wait to tell you *smiley face emoji*"-Linds
"Hmm" Lyra said intrigued.
"What's up?" Isabella asked.
"That was Lindsay." Lyra said. "She says she has some news for us."
"As long as it doesn't overshadow what we have planned." Felix said, playing a Chinpokomon Ultra Sun on his 3DS. "Speaking of which, what took you so long, Lyra?"
"I had to get this bad boy." Lyra said as she showed off her camera. She turned the camera on and pressed the record button. "We're gonna document some things today." She said as she panned the camera to get everyone. "We're all off to Estes Park for Larry and Barry's parent's wedding, wave everybody wave!" When she said that, everyone, sans for Matthew, waved at the camera.
Lyra then brought her attention to Felix's game. "Let's see what Felix is playing." She zoomed in on the 3DS screen. It was then she noticed that he nicknamed one of his Chinpokomon after Chelsea Donovan. "You named your Chinpokomon after Chelsea."
Embarassed, Felix closed his 3DS. "No…you're seeing things!"
"Felix has a girlfriend, Felix has a girlfriend." Isabella teased sing-song like.
"Now, Izzy, you leave your brother alone." Bebe said sternly.
"Yeah, there's nothing wrong with young love." Stan said. "I think it's cute."
"We're not in love." Felix said in defense before blushing. "We're just…friends that are really close."
Even baby Matthew giggled at that.
"Oh, what do you know? You're just a baby!" Felix said, resulting in Matthew giving him a raspberry.
Suddenly, the car slowed down as our heroes have entered the most dreaded part of any road trip: The traffic jam!
"Ugh! Traffic Jam." Isabella groaned.
"Come on, Izzy." Bebe said. "Learn to make light of a bad situation."
It was then that Felix whispered over to Lyra, "I know how we can make light of this situation. Get part 1 of Operation Cupid started."
"Let's do it!" Lyra said. "Hey, Mrs…uh…" With Kyle dead, Lyra wasn't sure to address Bebe as Mrs. Broflovski or Ms. Stevens.
Bebe, sensing Lyra's confusion on what to call her says, "You can still call me Mrs. Broflovski if you like, Lyra."
"Okay." Lyra said. "Anyway, why don't we listen to some music?"
"Good idea, Lyra." Stan concurred.
"What do you have on your iPod, Mrs. Broflovski?" Lyra said, winking at Felix who chuckles to himself.
"I have just about anything and everything." Bebe said. "Just tell me what you want to hear and I'll see if I have it."
"Well, I don't know about you, but I can go for Piano Man by Billy Joel." Lyra said, trying to sound as innocent as possible.
"I didn't know you like Billy Joel, sweetie." Stan said. "How'd you hear about him?"
"Uh...internet." Lyra said.
"Hey, I'm down." Stan said. "What do you think, Bebe?"
"Put it on." Bebe said as Stan grabbed her iPod and put the song on.
As the song starts, Bebe and Stan decide to sing along to the music.
"It's nine o'clock on a Saturday. The regular crowd shuffles in." Stan began. "There's an old man sitting next to me. Making love to his tonic and gin."
"He says, 'Son, can you play me a memory? I'm not really sure how it goes. But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes." Bebe joined in.
As the adults sang, Felix and Lyra swayed to the beat.
"I might just look up more of this Billy Joel guy when we get home." Lyra said enjoying the music.
"Forget that." Felix said. "Look at our parents."
Felix pointed at Bebe and Stan singing. Lyra was so happy to see this and she grabbed her camera and started recording them.
"Sing us a song, you're the piano man! Sing us a song tonight!" Bebe and Stan sang. "Well, we're all in the mood for a melody, and you've got us feeling alright!"
As the two continued to sing, Felix looked over at Isabella and said, "Look sis, it's working!" Isabella didn't pay Felix any mind. She was looking out the car window, thinking about her father.
"Izzy, you feeling okay?" Felix said.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Isabella answered.
As Piano Man kept playing, Isabella kept getting visions in her mind of her and Kyle.
Vision 1: While at the park, baby Isabella is shown taking her first steps, and Kyle was there to capture it all on recording.
Vision 2: Isabella's first day of Pre-School. She was nervous but Kyle gave her a hug and told her that he'd be right there at the bus stop when she arrived home. Fast forward a few hours later and Kyle is there to greet a happy Isabella who is carrying a colorful crayon drawing of her, Kyle, Bebe, and Felix.
Vision 3: Isabella's 5th birthday. Kyle had gotten his daughter a Barbie Dreamhouse Playset. Isabella was so happy she hugged Kyle warmly, causing him to smile back.
Vision 4: Now it's Isabella's school play. When it was all over and the children did their curtain call, Isabella saw her family in the front row. She loved how happy and proud her father looked, clapping and cheering.
Vision 5: Kyle and Bebe telling Isabella and Felix that Bebe was pregnant with Matthew and the four gather in a family group hug.
With all of these memories flooding back to her, Isabella let out a sigh, wishing that Kyle were still here so they wouldn't have to do Felix's plan. It was at that moment when Piano Man ended and Stan and Bebe talked amongst themselves.
"That was a great song." Bebe said.
"Billy Joel is definitely a music legend." Stan said. "You're a pretty good singer, Bebe."
"You're not so bad yourself." Bebe said with a smile before realizing they've reached the end of the traffic jam. "Hey, check it out!"
Bebe pointed at what caused the traffic jam: A car crash caused between three cars. An ambulance was there to take away those that were injured. Lyra, with her camera, recorded the wreckage.
"Wow!" Lyra said in amazement.
"Lyra, don't film other people's misfortune!" Stan scolded. "I raised you better than that."
"Sorry, dad." Lyra said embarrassed.
The group of six drove even further down the highway. After some more driving, singing, and otherwise lollygagging, Felix and Lyra spotted a billboard that advertised the Golden Diner.
"We're getting close to the Golden Diner." Lyra said.
"Time to initiate the next phase in our plan." Felix said before turning to his mother. "Hey, mom? Do you mind if we stop of somewhere to eat? I'm getting hungry. And I think Lyra is too, aren't you?
"Oh, yes, so hungry." Lyra said holding her stomach.
"I could go for a bite, myself, Bebe." Stan said. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all." Bebe said. "Where do you kids want to eat?"
Without hesitation, Felix answered, "Golden Diner, please."
"I haven't been there since I was a kid." Bebe said with a little excitement.
"Me too." Stan said. "I think you've made a good choice, Felix."
"Yeah, well, you know me." Felix said. "A boy with good taste."
It was then that Lyra got another text, this time from Chelsea.
"Uh-oh." Lyra said when she read it.
"Uh-oh funny, or uh-oh Operation Cupid is getting compromised?" Felix asked.
"Just read this." Lyra said handing Felix her phone which had Chelsea's text. It read…
"The fam and I are gonna be a bit late to the diner. Try and stall for time."-Chel
"Late?!" Felix shouted, causing Bebe and Stan to take a glance back at him. Felix had to think of a cover-up so that his plan won't get compromised any further. "Uh, I have an assignment in math class that I forgot to do and if I don't do it before Monday it'll be late."
"Felix, I keep telling you time and time again, get your assignments done on time." Bebe scolded, believing her son's lie.
"I know." Felix said. "When will I ever learn?"
Lyra leaned close to Felix and whispered. "Nice save, dude." Felix gave her a thumbs up as a result.
Bebe drove the car to the Golden Diner. As the car inched closer to the aforementioned restaurant, Lyra and Felix started to think of ways they could stall for time so that the Donovan family could arrive. When they finally got into the parking lot, Stan spotted a parking spot they could use. "There's a spot." Stan said.
"Uh, don't you think that's a bit far, dad?" Lyra asked.
"What do you mean?" Stan asked.
"It's just that…" Lyra tried to think of a good excuse. "It's very warm today and I don't want to be all sweaty when we go in the restaurant."
"Plus, such sweltering heat isn't good for baby Matthew." Felix chimed in. "The least amount of time we have to spend outside the better."
"It's only 65 degrees outside, Felix." Bebe said pointing at the car's thermostat.
"And it's only a short distance, Lyra." Stan said.
Bebe parked the car, and it was then Lyra had another idea.
"Real quick, everyone, can we do a prayer." Lyra asked
"Why?" Stan asked.
"Don't we usually say grace before meals, dad?" Lyra asked.
"Yes," Stan began, "At dinnertime and in the sanctity of our own house."
"Can we do this, please, daddy." Lyra said. "It'll make me feel like a better person."
"If you really want to, I guess we can." Stan said.
"Let's just make this quick." Isabella said. "I'm so hungry!"
Everyone, sans for Matthew, joined hands as Lyra began the prayer. "Dear Lord," she began, "Thank you for all of the blessings that we have in our respective lives. Our health, our friends, our family, thanks for all of it. And thank you for giving us all the energy to get out of bed in the morning each and every day. Let us and our friends have a safe trip to and from the wedding, and let Larry and Barry's parents have many happy years together as a married couple. Let the food that we eat here today be well cooked and not give us the runs later. I hope you are watching my mom and Felix and Isabella's dad in heaven, making sure that they're always thinking about us as much as we're thinking about them. And another thing, please let Tom Holland get a third Spider-Man movie sometime in the near future, and let Chris Evans reprise his role as Captain America one more time, even if it's just a cameo and it lasted 30 seconds like in Thor the Dark World, it's better than nothing."
"Are we almost done, Lyra?" Stan asked. "We're kind of on a schedule here."
Lyra struggled to think of more things to pray about. "Well, uh, I…uh…"
Suddenly, everyone heard the honking of a black colored Cadillac Escalade. They looked to see that it was the Donovan family, who spotted their car parked.
"Is that the Donovans?" Bebe said surprised.
"Praying time is over." Lyra said as she did the sign of the cross. "Father, son, holy spirit, amen!"
Stan, Bebe, and Isabella got out of the car, but Lyra whispered over to Felix saying, "Get Matthew's juice ready."
"Gotcha." Felix said. He turned to his mother, who was getting Matthew out of his car seat, and said, "I'll take care of Matthew's baby bag, mom."
"Thank you, Felix." Bebe said as she, Matthew, and Lyra joined everyone else. When the coast was clear, Felix began to prepare his little concoction.
Out in the parking lot, everyone else decided to greet the Donovan family. The family of four got out of their car, looking just as hungry as our heroes.
"Well what a surprise." Stan said.
"I know." Red said. "Small world isn't it?"
"Yeah, Chelsea and Tommy asked if we can stop off here for lunch, and here we are." Clyde explained.
"We were feeling hungry as well, so the kids said we should eat here too." Bebe said. "A total coinky-dink, isn't it?"
"I'll say." Red said. "So, we all going in?"
"Yeah, babe, let's go." Clyde said.
"Wait," Chelsea said, "Where's Felix?"
"Wait up!" Felix said, coming up with Matthew's juice in his left hand, and the baby bag in his right. "Sorry I'm late, just had to get Matthew's stuff."
"Very responsible of you, Felix." Red said.
"Yeah, I figured since dad died I'd try and help mom out as much as I can." Felix said.
"Just try not to take things too seriously so you don't end up having fun." Clyde said. "Life's too short, you know."
"Can we go in and eat now, please?" An impatient Tommy said taking a puff from his inhaler.
"One more thing before we do!" Lyra said before turning to her father. "Uh, dad, Felix, Izzy, and I were wondering if we can sit with the Donovans and hang out with Chelsea and Tommy…if that's okay."
"We don't mind if you don't." Clyde said to Bebe and Stan.
"I don't see why not." Bebe said. "Just leave Matthew with us."
"Sure, thanks mom!" Felix said before Lyra grabbed him by the ear and whispered, "What are you doing, we need Matthew for this! You can't just hand him over to your mom."
"All we needed him for is for part three of our plan." Felix whispered. "It doesn't matter who he sits with, so long as Matthew drinks his prune-apple juice."
"Hey, are you kids alright?" Stan said. The two kids looked to see him, Bebe, Red, and Clyde looking at them quizzically.
"Oh, yeah, we're fine…just two friends talking and sharing secrets." Felix said. "Don't worry."
"Alright, we ready to eat, everybody?" Clyde asked.
"I'm ready to eat, dad!" Chelsea said as the group of ten walked into the diner.
Inside the diner, the place was packed. What does one expect from a Saturday lunch rush? Anyway, two waiters, one with combed down brown hair and the other with gelled back black hair, came up to the group and greeted themselves.
"Hello." The brown haired waiter said with a bow.
"Welcome to Golden Diner. My name is Lance." Said the black haired waiter.
"And I'm Franco." Said the brown haired waiter. "We shall be your servers today. I see we have a group of ten?"
"Actually, Franco, the three of us will sit together." Stan said as he pointed towards Bebe and Matthew.
"The rest of us will sit together though." Red said.
"So I'll find two tables then, and get a high chair for the baby, correct?" Lance asked.
"That's right." Clyde said.
"Very well then." Franco said. "I'll guide the six of you to your table while Lance takes care of you three."
"That sounds fine." Tommy said as Felix handed his mom Matthew's baby bag, containing his food and juice.
Franco guided the group of seven to a big table, placed their orders, and left them by themselves. When Franco left, Felix and Lyra looked to see that Bebe, Stan, and Matthew weren't sitting too far from where they were.
"Good, they're not too far for us to see what they're doing." Felix said.
"Yes, but there's so much noise that it's going to be hard to hear them talk." Lyra said, clearly showing distain for distracting sounds like the crowds talking, people eating, and silverware making contact with the plates.
"Why do you want to hear your parents talk, kids?" Red asked.
"And why did you guys want to sit with us?" Clyde chimed in
"It's a part of Felix's plan to get our mom and Lyra's dad together." Isabella answered rather bluntly.
"Aw, Izzy, I wanted to tell them." Felix pouted.
"Is that right?" Clyde asked.
"Yes father." Chelsea said, answering for her friends.
"Hmm, I don't know, kids. I'll admit what you're trying to do is a nice gesture…you can't just make two people fall in love." Clyde said.
"Thank you! At long last, a voice of reason has appeared!" Isabella said.
"I think it's a really nice thing they're doing, sweetie." Red said to her husband. "Besides, I think this'll be good for the both of them, especially Stan, who needs to get out there again."
"It's just that love requires compatibility of characteristics." Clyde said. "As far as I know, the only thing Stan and Bebe have in common are dead spouses."
"It's a start." Red said. "And besides, that's why people go on dates so they can acquire compatibility."
"Exactly." Lyra said. "If all goes well in our plan, maybe we can get our parents to date."
"And we already know my mom and Lyra's dad love Billy Joel among other singers and artists." Felix chimed in.
"How do you know that?" Chelsea asked.
"I just showed Lyra a list of songs on my mom's iPod and she circled the ones her dad likes." Felix explained. "I think having similar music tastes is a good start."
Taking a puff from his inhaler, Tommy chimed in with something. "Uh, wasn't there something you wanted to ask our parents, Felix?"
"Oh yeah!" Felix said with a snap of his fingers. He turned his attention to Clyde and Red and said, "I have something for you two."
Felix took out an envelope from his pocket and slid it over to them.
"What's this, a hit list?" Clyde joked.
"Open it." Lyra said. Clyde opened the envelope and found the $80 that the kids have compiled over the past week. Clyde and Red looked at the cash in amazement as though they've never seen money before.
"So that's why you two have been on top of your chores the past week." Red said to Tommy and Chelsea.
"I had a feeling something was up when they offered to clean the gutters." Clyde chimed in. "So, why are you showing us this?"
"That money is going to be used to buy a bottle of wine for my dad and Mrs. Broflovski." Lyra explained.
"Only problem: Neither of us are 21 so we can legally buy it." Felix continued. "That's where you two come in. We want you to buy a bottle of wine, and gift it to our parents, making sure you attach this note to it."
With that, Felix slid Clyde and Red the note that his friend Bobby Melman wrote.
"What's the note going to achieve?" Red asked.
"I'm hoping that mom and Mr. Marsh will get the hint that someone wants them to get together." Felix explained.
"I don't know if a wine bottle is going to cut it, kids." Clyde said, feeling bad that he has to bust the children's bubble.
"Come on, dad, where's your sense of optimism?" Chelsea said.
"Yeah, daddy." Tommy chimed in, trying to act cool. "Stop being such a hob knocker. Getting up in our grill and harshing our buzz, you cray-cray?"
"I don't care how many cool words you use on me, it won't change my mind." Clyde said.
"Does that mean you're not going to do it?" Lyra said, sounding very disappointed in the process.
"Oh darn, guys, I guess Mr. Donovan isn't into it." Isabella said, trying to hide her joy on Operation Cupid being foiled. "Oh well, we can't say we didn't try."
Red however had another idea.
"Oh, Clyde." Red said seductively. "If you help the kids out with this plan of theirs, I was thinking when we get back home we could…" She whispered the rest of her idea into Clyde's ear, and he begins to giggle lustfully to himself. Red stopped whispering and Clyde looked at the five children.
"Okay, we're in." Clyde said, much to all but Isabella's delight.
"You did it, mom!" Chelsea said. "What did you say to him?"
"Uh…plans for a pizza party." Red lied.
"Pizza party!?" Tommy said excited. "Sweet."
"Wait!" Red said. "This pizza party is for mommy and daddy only…and it involves fine champagne…and a couple of canisters of whipped cream." Chelsea and Tommy looked confused, but decided to leave well enough alone.
A few minutes after that and everybody's lunch arrived. Clyde and Felix ordered some cheeseburgers with curly fries, Tommy ordered a bowl of mac and cheese, Isabella ordered a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with some chips, Lyra ordered some chicken tenders with French fries, Red ordered a BLT with some chips and a pickle, and Chelsea ordered…a Belgian waffle.
"A Belgian waffle, Chel?" Lyra asked confused. "It's almost 1:00 in the afternoon.
"Hey, it's got to be breakfast time somewhere." Chelsea said cutting off a piece of her waffle.
As Chelsea ate away at her waffle, she noticed Felix eyeing Bebe, Stan, and Matthew at the other table. "Everything okay, Felix?"
"I'm fine, just keeping an eye on those guys." Felix said as he watched Matthew down his juice like it was nothing. "Good boy, Matthew!" Felix said.
"What happened?" Lyra asked.
"The river is flowing. Repeat, the river is flowing." Felix said, using clever codenames, naturally confusing everyone.
"What?" Tommy asked chewing a spoonful of mac and cheese.
"Matthew drank the juice that we gave him." Felix explained.
"Well why didn't you just say so?" Lyra asked.
"Yeah, man, you're taking this Operation Cupid thing way too seriously." Chelsea said. "We're trying to get two people together not assassinate a president."
Felix ignored that and noticed that Stan and Bebe were talking while they were having their lunch. He tried leaning in closer so he could hear them better, but other patrons were beginning to stare at him. Noticing this, Lyra took action.
"Okay, Mr. Bond, bring it down a little people are beginning to stare." Lyra said, pulling Felix back to his seat.
"Sorry guys," Felix apologized, "I just wish I could hear mine and Lyra's parents talking, or at the very least be able to read lips."
"I have an app on my phone that might be able to help." Red suggested.
"May we borrow it?" Felix asked.
"Knock yourselves out." Red said, handing her phone over to Felix and Lyra.
Lyra reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of ear buds. She hooked it up to Red's phone and gave Felix one ear bud while she possessed the other. Felix found a microphone app and selected it, holding the phone out in hopes of hearing Stan and Bebe a little better. After messing with the range of the microphone a little and their voices came in clear as a bell. This is what they heard:
"How are you enjoying your lunch, Bebe?" Stan said as he put some salt and pepper on his Philly Cheese Steak.
"Very much, Stan, thank you." Bebe said as she took a bite of her fish and chips. "So, how's Lyra been doing since she got her glasses?"
"She's doing just fine." Stan answered. "She can see things from distances that I wish I could see from. Not to mention, if what she says is true, she's getting more compliments than she thought she would."
"That's good." Bebe said.
"So how's your kids?" Stan asked.
"After his teething, Matthew is starting to get accustomed to solid foods as you can see." Bebe pointed at Matthew, who was happily eating away at his Cheerios. "Felix is hitting the books and getting his grades up, and Izzy recently ditched the training wheels on her bike."
"How's it going for her?" Stan asked.
"You know, she fell down a couple of times." Bebe said. "But after a few attempts, she learned about balance, and now she rides like a total pro. I was so proud of her, and I'm sure Kyle was smiling down on her from heaven on that day."
Bebe then gave a sigh and said, "It sucks when both parents can't physically be there to see a child's accomplishments, you know?"
"I know what you mean." Stan said. "Sometimes whenever Lyra accomplished something, no matter how big or small, I always imagine Wendy looking down on us and cheering her on."
There was an air of depression at the table that even Matthew sensed. Stan tried to lighten the situation by saying. "But hey, at least I'm here for Lyra and you're here for your kids, right?"
"I guess." Bebe said with a sigh. "That's one thing everyone is promised when they're born: Life starts, we live, and then one day, whether we like it or not, it just randomly ends. Life is definitely something we don't want to take for granted."
"Indeed." Stan concurred.
Back at the Donovan's table, Lyra and Felix, who had heard everything, took their ear buds out, and gave their phone back to Red.
"So, what happened?" Red asked curiously.
"Nothing what we expected." Felix said sadly. "My mom still misses dad."
"And that goes double for me too." Lyra said.
"Well, that's not surprising." Clyde said. "Bebe loved Kyle more than anything and same goes for Stan and Wendy. They were each other's first respective true loves. So, when something bad happens that causes that love to be ripped away from them, it hurts worse than any pain they had ever endured, like something clawing away at your heart. To Bebe, there will never be another Kyle, and to Stan there will never be another Wendy."
"You never forget love like that." Red continued. "The only thing you can do to experience that kind of love again is if you put yourself out there, and even then if your efforts come out fruitful, and you love suitor number two just as much…the pain and longing for your first love doesn't go away."
"What we're saying is, kids, even if you do get Stan and Bebe together, it won't entirely erase the memories and the pain that they have." Clyde said.
Lyra and Felix fell silent. Chelsea, Tommy, and Isabella awaited for some kind of reaction from the two kids.
"We just want to see our parents happy." Lyra said. "You know, give them someone to love. Everyone deserves a shot at happiness."
"That's why I came up with Operation Cupid." Felix chimed in. "I know the memories and the pain won't go away, but if we can get them together, we thought maybe it would cushion the blow…and we can have a family again. We just want to give everyone that happy-go-lucky, Hollywood ending."
"We understand kids." Clyde said. "We're just telling you the reality of things so you're not surprised if Stan and Bebe still seem depressed regardless if they're together or not, okay."
"Okay, Mr. Donovan, we understand." Lyra said.
"Is Operation Cupid still on?" Chelsea asked
"You know it is, Chel." Felix said regaining optimism. "It may be true that Mr. Marsh and mom will still miss their respective loved ones no matter what…but it still wouldn't hurt if those two experienced love the second time around. And I honestly can't think of anyone better for mom to be with. No joke, Lyra's dad is a cool guy."
"And your mom is a cool woman too, Felix." Lyra said. "Let's do this!"
"Matthew already drank up all of his juice." Felix said lookin at Matthew. "It's only a matter of time before the poo-poo train rolls into the station."
Saying that caused everyone, even Red and Clyde to laugh. It was then that the two adults got confused.
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Red inquired?
"It's a long story that I'd love to share at the next big gathering." Felix said. "Anyway, steps 1 and 2 are complete so I say we finish our lunch and proceed with Operation Cupid! Who's with me?"
Everyone but Isabella cheered at that. Isabella just slumped over, head resting on the table. "Someone please kill me." She groaned.
TO BE CONTINUED…
(Cue Don't Think Twice by Hikaru Utada (Once again, characters and events that have yet to appear/happen will be mentioned here))
(How did I live in a kingdom of thieves? And people who say things they don't really mean?)
(It's a sunny day and Wendy and Stan are dancing together outside and right next to them are Kyle and Bebe, who are also dancing. Suddenly, the sunny skies turn stormy and Wendy is ripped away from Stan, and Kyle is ripped away from Bebe, both couples trying in vein to reach out to one another. Wendy and Kyle go up into the sky, can the ground gives weight for Stan and Bebe to fall down)
(You're only everything I ever dreamed. Ever dreamed of, ever dreamed of)
(As Stan and Bebe fall, they are enveloped by a red colored paint type substance. Behind the paint is a shadowy figure. It smiles evilly. This figure is one of Jacques Brodeur)
(You must be kidding me, did you really think I could say no?)
(Stan's daughter Lyra, and Bebe's son Felix are running through a grassy plain and two balls of light fall from the sky. The light balls reveal themselves as Wendy and Kyle, who hold their hands out to their children)
(I want you for a lifetime. So if you're gonna think twice, baby. I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know)
(Cartman is standing in front of a statue of a heart. He pulls out a gun and shoots it, causing it to break. Shelly then appears and collapses to the ground, heartbroken)
(Everything is just right. But if you're gonna think twice, baby. I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know)
(Sometime later, Cody Oppenheimer finds the broken pieces of the heart and puts them back together)
(I really don't get what everyone else believes. So why do I say things I don't really mean, really mean.)
(Late at night, Lola and Kenny are in bed. But while Lola is sleeping, Kenny is looking up more information about the crystals he heard about in war)
(I'm only crying 'cause I never dreamed. It'd take this long, it'd take this long)
(Kenny thinks about General Rakish with the big purple crystal floating over him. Suddenly, eight more smaller crystals circle around the big purple one: A red one, a blue one, a green one, a gold one, a pink one, an orange one, a white one, and a black one)
(I want you for a lifetime. So if you're gonna think twice, baby. I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know.)
(General Rakish turns into another villain, Carlos Murciélago. The crystals are still floating over him, and the background changes to the grassy plain from before. The main adults and children are watching in horror at the sight before them)
(Everything is just right. But if you're gonna think twice, baby. I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know)
(Carlos summons a demon warship from out of nowhere and easily takes out the adults and younger children, much to the older children's horror)
(Don't think twice, don't think twice. Don't think twice, baby, don't think twice)
(The children are crying and look like they're going to lose hope when an astral projection of Sir Justice appears. The sight of the unknown hero inspires the children to not give up and put the villain down. The children and Sir Justice charge at Carlos and the warship)
(If you want to take it to an even higher level. All you gotta do is say the word, you know I'll follow. If you wanna take it to an even higher level. I don't, I don't bite)
(Outside of the dream, Isabella Broflovski is looking at a picture of Kyle. Behind him Stan places a hand on her shoulder, which Isabella brushes off and walks away)
(If you want to make it happen, nothing's impossible. All you gotta do is say the word, the walls will crumble. If you want to make it happen, nothing's impossible)
(Shelly gets up from her heartbreak and finds Cody holding a hand out to pick her up. Shelly grabs Cody's hand and we cut to the next scene)
(I want you for a lifetime. So if you're gonna think twice, baby. I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know)
(Stan and Jacques are fighting for Bebe's affections)
(Everything is just right. But if you're gonna think twice, baby. I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know)
(Felix and Lyra are in a dark area, the look behind them to find a older, dying boy in a hospital bed. This boy is named Byron. Lyra and Felix try and run to the hospital bed to see him, but once again, the ground gives weight and the two kids fall into darkness)
(Kiss me once, kiss me twice, kiss me three times. Cross the line)
(Stan and Bebe are alone on a hill somewhere admiring the sunset. The two of them look into each other's eyes before making a move to kiss each other)
(Don't think twice, don't think twice. Don't think twice, baby, don't think twice)
(Cut to night time on that same hill where the Marshes, Broflovskis, Donovans, Tweaks, Tuckers, Cartmans, Stotches, McCormicks, and Oppenheimers are looking up at a full moon. Some of the kids are asleep, but those who are awake are enjoying the company and the beauty of the night sky)