Brian & Ellie 5: Family Life
Based on the TV Series "Family Guy"
Sequel to "Return of The Labrador"
CHAPTER 6
Family Summer Vacation
After they had their dinner, the dog couple have a surprise for their puppies. "Kids, your father has something to tell you," said Ellie.
"What is it, Dad?" asked Martin.
"Kids, your mother and I have booked us a Family Vacation." said Brian.
"Really? Where to?" asked Harry.
"Well, we'll be leaving Ohio." their mother said. "And we'll be going to Texas."
"Texas?" said Genie.
"Also known as The Lone Star State?" asked Dean.
"Yeah, that's right." their Dad said. "For one week, we'll be staying at our holiday ranch in Austin, not only that, we'll be fishing in Lake Austin, watching rodeo shows, making our own BBQ's and Pecan pies, and to top it all off, we'll show you how to lasso the haystack."
"When do you think we'll leave home for Texas?" asked Brian Jr..
"We'll be leaving by the end of July." their mother said.
"Which will be next Saturday." their Dad said. "So you pups better start thinking about what you want to take on your vacation."
"Dad, what will it be like in Texas?" asked Coco.
"You'll see when we get there." their Dad said.
The following Friday evening, the puppies packed their toys and gadgets into their backpacks. "Are you guys looking forward to our first Family Vacation?" asked Brian Jr..
"Uh-huh." said Tammy.
"It's only almost 18 hours from home." said Dean.
"Don't worry, Dean," said Sally. "I think Mom's BMW would go a bit faster than Dad's Prius."
"Okay, if you're going to compare the average speed between Mum's BMW and Dad's Prius, I can't even take it seriously." said Eli.
"Don't worry Eli," said Frank. "When we arrive at Texas, we're gonna have lots of fun."
o - o - o - o- o
Later that night, after the puppies have been tucked in, the dog couple lay in their bed collarless.
"Ooh Brian, this is exciting!" said Ellie excitedly. "All 17 of us are looking forward to our first Family Vacation! We're off work, and schools finish, we're spending the whole Summer together as a family!"
"I know you're excited for our Family Vacation to Texas, but how do you think we'll be getting there?" asked Brian. "I mean, with us on the plane, Martin said that he was afraid of heights."
Ellie giggled. "Silly doggy." she said giving her husband a noggin. "We're not going on a plane, we're going on a road trip to Texas there."
"But it's only 18 hours from here." he said.
"Don't worry, honey." she said. "I think we'll find a motel halfway."
"Where do you think we'll find a motel?" he asked.
"Well, maybe somewhere around Tennessee, or Arkansas, who cares? I think we'll be fine driving in my car." she said. "Anyway, remember what you wished for on your birthday?"
"Yeah, what about it?" he asked.
"Well, you wished to see your mother again, so I thought about it and booked our vacation to Texas, and find your Mom." she said.
Brian froze. "We're gonna what?!" he said in shock.
"We're gonna find your Mom, Brian." she said. "You felt sentimental about her, so… yeah."
"But... Stewie and I had to bury her, because she was… stuffed." he said.
"Brian, stuffed or buried, your Mom still loves you, even if you got married to me and we had puppies of our own." she said. "Tell you what, let's have a good night's sleep, and tomorrow, we'll leave Dogtown, and drive our way to Texas."
"Alright, honey." he said. "I've told our pups we'll be leaving at 6:30. And I've set our alarm for 5:45, that'll give me enough time to put my Prius into our garage."
"Sure honey," she said kissing him. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, babe." he said, then they turned their lamps off and went to sleep, as Ellie wears her sleeping mask around her head and over her eyes.
The next morning, the alarm clock reads '5:44 AM', then rolls over to '5:45 AM' and buzzes. Brian then shuts off the alarm, opens his eyes, got up out of bed, stretched and yawned, and scratched his butt with his claws as he walks his way to the master bathroom.
As Brian uses the master bathroom, Ellie moans as she stretches her limbs and sighs. She takes off her sleeping mask and puts on her purple collar. She then got out of bed, as she heard Brian flushing the toilet.
After Brian had washed his paws and brushed his teeth, he left the bathroom. "All right, Brian?" Ellie asked.
"Completely." Brian said putting on his red collar.
"Alright, we should be all set for Texas." she said entering the master bathroom and using the toilet. "Are you sure you want to put your Prius into our garage?"
"I'm sure, dear." he said. "You got our fishing gear?"
"Yeah, I packed it in our suitcase." she said. "I've also packed your camera. I said I need it for us to take photos for our memories."
"Alright, hon." he said. "When do you think we'll have breakfast?"
"About 9:30." she said wiping her crotch with toilet paper, then she dropped it in. "But don't worry, we'll have breakfast along the interstate." She then got off the toilet and flushed it, then she washes her paws in the sink. "So when do you want to wake our kids?"
"About 6." he replied. "We'll get our puppies ready for Texas."
"I'm sure we will, Brian." she said brushing her teeth.
While Brian opens up the garage door and parks his Prius inside, Ellie looks at her watch (which Vinny gave to her on her fifth Birthday) and it reads '5:59 AM', then she opens the puppies' bedroom door slowly, then she wakes them up with her soothing voice. "Pups, pups, it's time to get up." she said, then the puppies did a big stretch as they wake from their sleep.
"Oh, hi Mom." said Brian Jr..
"Hi," their mother said. "Are y'all excited for Texas?"
"Heck yeah we are, Mom." said Harry. "This will be our first Family Vacation."
"Of course it will, Harry." their mother said. "Now hurry along, your Dad will be waiting for you downstairs, and don't forget your backpacks." Then, the puppies got out of their beds and their basket, then they entered the bathroom for them to use.
After they used the bathroom, they went downstairs with their backpacks, followed by their Mum. "Are we really going to Texas in your car, Mom?" asked Jenny.
"We are, Jenny." their Mum said. "I've told your Dad we're not going on a plane."
"Phew, I thought I was afraid of great heights from the plane." said Martin.
"You'll conquer your fear someday, bro." said Coco.
When the family is loaded inside Ellie's Blue BMW, Ellie starts her car. "Okay family, who's ready for a long drive?" asked Ellie.
"This is gonna be a long day." said Dean.
"Okay, but before we do, have any of you been to the bathroom?" their Mum asked. They all nodded.
"Alright, Texas, here we come." their Dad said.
"But what will we have for breakfast, Dad?" asked Martin.
"We'll be having pancakes." their Dad said.
"Yay, pancakes!" cheered the puppies.
"Brian, are you sure those are…" Ellie started before Brian weighs in. "...Our kids?" they both said, then they both chuckled.
"Of course they are, sweetie." her husband said, then he kissed her.
"Mornin' Brian." said Zack who stood behind the fence. "You goin' somewhere?"
"Yeah, me and my family are going to Texas for a week." said Brian.
"Texas?" said Zack. "I've been there with my family. Took my Mom, my wife and my pups there last Easter."
"Ho ho really?" said Brian.
"Yeah." said Zack. "But other than that, you and your family enjoy your Summer Vacation."
"Okay, I'll see you in a week." said Brian, then the family drives off onto the road on their way to leave the street.
"And watch out for Mexicans crossing the border!" called Zack waving to the BMW. "He he, I doubt that Mexicans will trespass in this country."
"Zachary, come help your mother with the stairs!" called Beatrice.
"Oh, Mom!" he moaned before coming back inside.
o - o - o - o - o
And so, the New Griffins drove out of Dogtown and left Ohio, as they began their long journey to the South of the U.S. via the Interstate. While the puppies are currently asleep during the journey, Ellie glanced at the rising sun on her left side, while keeping her paws onto her steering wheel.
"Ellie, this isn't the first time you're witnessing the morning sun, isn't it?" Brian asked.
"Does it really matter, Brian?" Ellie asked without taking her eyes off the road. "I think that the glorious sunrise on the Eastern beaches is just as beautiful as the majestic sunset on the Western beaches."
"You have a very good point about the sun views from the beaches, my dear." he said. "How long do you think we'll be there for Texas?"
"Only 17 and a half more hours." she said.
"17 and a half?" he said. "But by the time we get there, it'll be like two and a half hours later than our puppies' bedtime."
"Don't worry, hon." she said. "After dinner, we'll find a motel to stop for a night halfway."
"I'm sure we will, babe." he said.
Suddenly, the dog couple heard a growling sound. "What was that?" she asked.
"I don't know." he said. "I thought I heard growling from somewhere."
"I thought it sounded like coyotes." she said. Brian looked through the window on his right.
"Ellie, there are no coyotes here." he said.
"Hmm, must be my imagination." she said. They heard it again. "There it is again."
"Maybe it's around here somewhere." he said.
"What do you mean?" she asked. They've heard a growl again.
"That's what I mean." he said looking through the rear mirror.
"Aaww, it sounds like someone's hungry." she said.
One of the puppies' stomach was growling, disturbing Dean's slumber. "Will you cut that out?" asked Dean. "I need my sleep until we arrive at Texas."
"Sorry brother," said Brian Jr.. "I'm just so hungry, I can't wait for pancakes."
"Pancakes? Did you say pancakes?" said Brian-John.
"Yeah bro." said Coco. "With Maple Syrup."
Frank's stomach was growling too. "Oh man, I'm so hungry, I could eat some bacon." said Frank, then he looks at Mitzi sleeping, then he imagines one of her legs as two strips of bacon, then he gnaws on one of them.
"Ow!" said Mitzi jumped up from her sleep. "Mom, Frank gnawed on my leg!"
"Frank, don't gnaw on your sister's leg." their Mum said.
"Geez, I'm sorry, Mom." he said letting go of Mitzi's leg. "I'm just so hungry."
"Look, your Dad said that we'll be having pancakes, so we'll find a diner along the way, so give that until 9:30, okay?" she said.
"Yes, Mom." he said.
o - o - o - o - o
Later at the interstate diner, the family sat at the table eating pancakes for breakfast.
"These are great, Mom." said Martin.
"These pancakes are delicious, Dad." said Dean.
"I especially love what goes with the Maple Syrup." said Coco.
Brian chuckled. "I'm glad you kids enjoyed this." their Dad said.
"I agree with your father, kids." their mother said. "This is the exact diner that serves coffee and breakfast this morning."
"You can say that again, Mom." said Sally.
"Well, you know what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day." said Frank.
"Well said, Frank." their Dad said. "And that fills up our energy to start the new day together as a family."
"I'm sure it will, Dad." said Brian Jr.. "Can't wait to enjoy a bit of Texas."
Brian chuckled. "I always knew you have confidence, son." their Dad said.
o - o - o- o - o
After breakfast, the family drove onwards heading South on the interstate. The family began to sing, something like this.
"We're all on the road to Texas
We're having our week's vacation."
"Take it, Elle." said Brian.
"We're a special happy couple,
Just like Romeo and Juliet." sang Ellie.
"'Cept we're both a pair of dogs."
"And we've got a long road yet." he sang. "Take it, kids."
"We're all on the road to Texas," sang the puppies.
"We're certainly be as fun as."
"We'll be fishing on the boat, where as on the lake," sang Coco.
"And all the BBQ's and Pecan Pies we can make." sang Sally.
"We'll have a good Summer around,
Like Bugs Bunny to Pismo Beach, we're Texas bound." sang the family.
"Hey Dad, how did you come up with this stuff?" asked Brian Jr.
"Oh, Stewie and I used to sing about Rhode Island a long time ago." their Dad said. "Ready for more?"
"Heck yeah." said the puppies.
"We're all on the road to Texas
Where we'll stay for a long week." sang the family.
"Whatever happens down there,
We'll have a good time." sang Brian.
"And we'll enjoy ourselves
Even if it costs us a dime." sang Ellie.
"We're all on the road to Texas,
And no more school 'til September." sang the family.
"We'll learn how to lasso the haystack, and watch the rodeo." sang Brian Jr..
"And we'd like you to stick around and enjoy the show." sang Frank.
"We'll always be around,
Like cowboys and cowgirls,
We're Texas bound." sang the family.
"Once again, we're Texas bound."
"Ha ha ha," said Brian. "Takes back musical memories."
"And only 16 hours to Texas," said Ellie. "And what a nice way to pass the time as a family."
"Amen." said Brian Jr..
A little more than a few hours later, the family is still enjoying their road trip apart from singing road songs, they played a bit of I-Spy along the freeway.
"I spy with my little eye," said Sally. "Something beginning with… T."
"Mmm… is it Tree?" Ellie guessed.
"Nope, keep going." said Sally.
"Is it Telephone?" her Dad guessed.
"Nope." she said.
"Is it Turmoil?" guessed Dean.
"Not that one." she said.
"Oh, is it Tumbleweed?" guessed Brian Jr..
"How did you know, Junior?" she asked.
"Easy, saw it tumbling towards us." he said.
"Ah." said the rest of the family as they saw the tumbleweed tumbling past them.
"My turn. I spy with my little eye, something beginning with… B." said Brian Jr..
"Is it beef burger?" guessed Dean.
"Nope." said Brian Jr..
"Is it bathroom? I really need to go." guessed Brian-John holding onto himself.
"Nope, keep going." said Brian Jr..
"Is it a billboard?" their Mum guessed.
"Of course, how did you know that, Mom?" he said.
"It just went past us." she said as they pass the billboard saying 'Billy Joel, still a rock legend'.
"I don't mean to break it to you, John," said Mitzi. "But why did you say that you need the bathroom?"
"Because I gotta go, and we just went past the rest area." said Brian-John starting to sweat.
"Oh please, John." she said. "It's been several hours since we're on a freeway. And now you're telling me that…" Before Mitzi finish, she saw the rest of the puppies needing the rest stop. "Oh come on."
"Are you pups alright?" their Mum asked.
"We have to go to the bathroom, Mom." said Brian Jr..
"Really badly." said Brian-John.
"This is what happens when we drank too much apple juice." said Frank.
"Oh my gosh, their little bladders." she said. "Hang on pups, Mommy's gonna pull in." She then pulled over to the side of the road to the woods. "Alright, this is where we call a bathroom break."
"In nature?" said Mitzi.
"I'm afraid so, Mitzi." their Mum said. "Sometimes you might need to answer your nature's call, literally in the woods."
"How long were we in this car?" asked Dean.
"Only several hours after breakfast, brother." said Sally.
"Finally, I could stretch my legs a little." he said.
"Brian, I'm taking our pups to the bathroom." Ellie said to her husband. "Are you coming?"
"Well, actually, I don't mind going too, Elle." Brian said to his wife. "God knows how many cups of coffee I drank recently."
"You only drank weekly every morning." she said.
"I know, I've been countin', hon." he said.
o - o - o - o - o
After they got out of Ellie's car, the family have arrived in the woods for their rest stop. "Alright Brian, you take our sons to the trees, and I'll lead our daughters to the bushes." she said.
"Okay, babe." he said, then he kissed her. "Meet us back here?"
"Sure, hon." she said. As Ellie leads their daughters to the bushes, Brian leads their sons to different trees for their pee break.
Seconds later, Ellie's the first one to pee in a bush in her squat position.
"How come you get to go first, Mom?" asked Genie.
"Because Moms like to go first sometimes, Genie." their Mum said urinating. "It's not that bad that you have to go to the bathroom outdoors."
"Not that bad?" said Mitzi. "I thought I always hated the smell of pee everywhere."
"That's indoors, Mitzi," said Sally. "This is outdoors Mom's talkin' about."
"I agree with Sally, Mitzi." their Mum said finishing up and walking out of the bush. "Now, care for a pee in a bush?"
Meanwhile, Labrador puppies and Coco are by each tree with their legs up. "I can't believe we'd stoop so low to take a whizzle on the tree." said Brian-John.
"It's not that bad, John." said Coco whizzing on the tree with his leg up. "Public restrooms are for humans, and we're dogs, so we're marking our trees out here."
"That's right, John." their Dad said as he finishes urinating on the tree and puts his leg down. "Every dog has to go some day."
"Now you're making sense, Dad." said Frank.
Meanwhile, after the Saluki puppies did their business in the bush, Mitzi is still struggling. "I can't believe how you made puddles in the bush, it's unsanitary." said Mitzi.
"Come on, Mitzi, we just did a piddle in a bush." said Lottie. "Don't be such a wuss."
"Yeah, so why don't you just go along with it?" asked Jenny.
"I don't know about this, sis." said Mitzi.
"Come on Mitzi, it's not that bad." their Mum said.
"Mom." said Mitzi rolling her eyes.
"Look, Mitzi." their Mum said kneeling down to her daughter's eye level. "Relieving yourself in nature is healthy for us dogs. It's a part of a dog's life. Don't you want to be a dog?"
Mitzi sighs. "I guess so, Mom." said Mitzi, then she walks into the bush, squats down her legs and does her business. She sighs as she piddles.
"See, now you're doing it." their Mum said. "I told you it wasn't that bad."
"Yeah, you go girl." said Sally. "Let it all out."
"Well, you guys are right." said Mitzi. "It is healthier than piddling indoors."
"And this is the good part." their Mum said. "After we did our businesses, we'll meet back with the boys."
After the family did their business in nature, the parents let their puppies into Ellie's Blue BMW, as Brian headcounts them. "Okay, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen,"
"Wait a minute, where's Junior, Dad?" asked Jenny.
"Fourteen." finished their Dad. "Hmm." Brian looked around the forest and found Brian Jr. peeing on a tree with his leg held up. Brian chuckled. "Looks like you had to go after all."
"I know, Dad." said Brian Jr. still urinating. "It's been a struggle finding the right tree."
Brian chuckled again. "A pup's gotta do what a pup's gotta do." their Dad said, then his son's bladder is finally emptied.
o - o - o - o - o
Afterwards, the family continued their road trip along the freeway.
"Feelin' better, Junior?" asked Sally.
"All better, Sal." replied Brian Jr.. "All our bladders are completely empty for the rest of our trip."
"Ah good, if we have time, we'll still make it to Texas." their Dad said.
Later that evening, the sun began to set on Brian's right side. "Ellie, I hate to break it to you, but I think it's starting to get a bit dark." said Brian.
"Oh Brian, It's only 8 and a half hours from here." said Ellie.
"I know, but if we keep goin', we might not make it to Texas after our pups' bedtime." he said.
Ellie sighs. "Maybe you're right, hon." she said. "We'll find a motel halfway. And to eat too, because dogs usually eat at 7PM."
After they found a motel somewhere in Arkansas, the family is prepared for a good night's sleep. The puppies shared one bed, and the dog couple share the double bed. "Brian, even though we're stopping here for one night, do you think we'll still make it to Texas?" asked his wife.
Brian sighs. "Ellie, it's been a long day being in the car." her husband said. "I think a good night's sleep will get us there tomorrow."
"I know, sweetie." she said, then she kissed him. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, cutie pie." he said, then they both drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, the family checked out of the motel, had breakfast, and resumed their car journey on their way to Texas. After about 6 hours, they've passed the billboard that says 'Welcome to Texas'. "Here we are, family," said Brian. "Texas, also known as the Lone Star State."
"Is there a border where they keep Mexicans at bay?" asked Dean.
"That's what the president wants you to think." said their Dad chuckling. "It's at the South of Texas, but we're all going to Austin in here."
"Isn't Austin where you were born, Dad?" asked Jenny.
"I guess so, Jenny." their Dad said. "I was there with Grandma Biscuit and five of your Aunts and Uncles." he then turned to his wife. "Heck, if you and I were born in the same state, I would've met and married you first, before we met the Griffins." Ellie laughed at his joke.
"Yeah, that's very funny, Dad." said Coco.
Later, the family have arrived at their holiday ranch in Austin. Ellie parked her BMW in front of a garage. "Here we are, family," said Ellie. "Our Summer house for a whole week."
"Is this it?" asked Mitzi.
"It looks like the ranch that the Amish built." said Dean.
"Oh please, if anything, it could be this exact ranch from 'The Little House On the Prairie'." said Sally.
"Oh come on, pups." their Mum said. "This is the exact ranch from where your father was born."
Brian stammered. "It… it is?" her husband said.
"Sure it is, hon." his wife said, then she turned to their puppies. "Come on, pups, let's have a look inside." The family got themselves out of the Blue BMW, Ellie locked it up after all the side doors closed, Brian finds the key inside the keysafe in front of the ranch, unlocked the front door, and the family entered the ranch.
The ranch is a two-storey house that its exterior paint is red, white window sills and white doors. Inside has a kitchen, a dining room, family living room, and upstairs has two bedrooms and a bathroom (which obviously has a sink, a shower and a bathtub).
The family toured the ranch. They've toured the living room, dining room, the kitchen, the bathroom upstairs and one of the bedrooms. "And here is where you pups will be sleeping, two beds in your bedroom." their Dad said.
"We'll be sharing two beds, Dad?" said Lottie.
"Sure you will, kids." their Dad said. "Along with your siblings."
"Wait, if there's a bathroom up here, then where's the toilet?" asked Brian-John.
Ellie showed the family outside in the backyard. "Does this answer your question?" asked their mother showing them the outhouse.
"That's the toilet?" asked Genie.
"This is just an outhouse." said Frank.
"I thought it smelled like someone had too many beans," said Dean wafting in front of his muzzle. "Stunk up the whole thing."
"I wouldn't worry about that, son." their Dad said.
"The cleaning lady took care of that." their mother said. "And if it'll make you pups feel better, I'll bring up your Potty-Hydrant upstairs."
"Oh, that reminds me, Ellie, where did you put it?" asked her husband.
"In the back of my car, dear." said his wife.
"Dad, now that we're at our ranch, does this mean our vacation can begin?" asked Sally.
"Absolutely, Sally." their Dad said. And so, their Summer Vacation begins.
END OF CHAPTER 6
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Chapter 7 coming soon.
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Family Guy, which is a registered trademark of FOX and The Walt Disney Company. I do NOT own any of these Family Guy related characters, they belong to Seth MacFarlane, FOX and The Walt Disney Company. The story I tell here focuses on my fantasy of Brian X Ellie is my own invention and is not purported or believed to be part of Seth MacFarlane's story canon. This story is for entertainment purposes only and is not part of an official plot. I am not making any money of this fan fiction using any Family Guy characters. I am truly grateful for Seth MacFarlane for his awesome show taking place in Quahog, Rhode Island, for without his show, my story wouldn't exist.
