The Bittersweet retirement of Hopediah Plantar.

Upon opening his Eyes Hopediah Plantar couldn't help by smile.

The Bittersweet retirement of Hopediah Plantar.

Upon opening his Eyes Hopediah Plantar couldn't help by smile.

Life was good, he was rich and famous, The farm was one of the most successful businesses in all of Amphibia, and more importantly his family was reunited after ten years.

He sat up and got out of bed, he didn't want to admit that it was getting harder and harder to do so, his joints ached, his balance was off, and he usually found himself wanting to go back to bed.

Though that was the case for most Amphibians in the morning.

Getting dressed he went downstairs to start preparing breakfast, he passed the doors of his grandchildren ignoring their loud snores, (And one Electronic snore.)

Arriving downstairs he briefly looked in the direction of the couch where a small brown skinned human lay. The human had been a recent addition to the house, only here for a few days according to his human granddaughter.

Entering the kitchen he started to prepare breakfast, twenty minutes later the Spider eggs were scrambled, the beetle beacon and Larva Sausages were cooked.

He was about to pour the batter for the pancakes when he heard the sound of alarms coming from both upstairs and the basement.

Leaving the batter he went to the living room where he saw the basement door open, a head poked its way out of the hole.

"Morning Hop-Pop." said the human women climbing out of the basement, she was carrying what Hopediah recognized from his time on earth as a gym bag.

Hopediah nodded in her direction, "Morning Anne, Breakfast is almost ready."

Hopediah had started to believe that he would never see his adopted granddaughter ever again, a part of him had made peace he would pass on before he would see her again, she was safe and that's all that mattered.

Now she was back and the idea of losing her again was terrifying.

He watched at the girl, (He knew she was a woman, but he would never accept it,) as she walked over to the boy lying on the coach.

"Hey Max, Wake up," she said.

The boy shuffled and covered his head with the blanket, "Five more minutes," he said sleepily.

Hop Pop watched as Anne rolled back her eyes, and ripped the blanket way from him, The human boy was wearing shorts and a shirt sat up, gave her a glare, and then yawned.

He then felt his back, "Ugh, how can anyone sleep on that couch?"

"Be grateful you're being allowed to stay here at all," replied Anne, "Though you aren't wrong, that couch was lumpy when I slept on it."

"It's a Plantar family antique," Hopedaih replied trying to defend his coach.

"It smells of frog farts," replied Max.

"MAX!" Anne was about to say something but then just shook her head with a weak smile, "No I can't defend it, it does smell of frog farts."

Hopediah grunted, though he would admit that it was nice to see his Anne still spoke her mind.

Max had been a bit of an intrusion to the Plantar farm, but he was one that Hopediah was willing to let off, he seemed nice, but Anne had said he was a bit of a prankster.

The noise of footsteps running down the stairs grew closer and down came Polly followed by Sprig, Both of them were carrying bags as well.

"Morning everyone," said Polly.

"Morning guys." said Sprig who sat down on the nearest chair.

The sound of stomps making their way down informed Hopediah that Frobo was joining them, thankfully he didn't need to sit, he'd just stand, still wanted a plate for some reason, unlike the rest of his children he wasn't carrying a bag but a box.

"Morning family," said Frobo.

"Morning kids."

Max and Anne finally reached the table, Hopediah could help but feel nostalgic at seeing his grandchildren together at the table, he fought back the urge to cry.

He picked up plates of food and deposited them in front of his family and new human guest.

Anne, Polly, and Sprig instantly went to work picking up whatever they could get, Frobo did the same opening his head and throwing the food down there, Hopediah once asked Polly why he needed to do this, she had tried explaining it to him.

He fell asleep almost instantly.

Max just sat there looking at the food, like it was something alien to him.

Picking up a fork he picked up a grub sausage and looked at it like it was poison.

Hopediah was about to ask what was wrong with him when he remembered humans typically didn't eat insects.

"What's wrong Max? Don't like Larva sausages?" said Anne with a cocky smile on her face.

Max looked at her defiantly, like any ten-year-old does when challenged.

"No, I'm just getting used to it."

"He's just like you used to be Anne." said Polly with a laugh.

"Well it's been a while since I've eaten any bugs." said Anne

"Liar." said Max bluntly.

The frogs and robot looked at him confused, Anne looked horrified.

"What do you mean?" asked Polly.

Anne was about to cover Max's mouth, but he moved his head out of the way just in time.

"I saw her eat a cricket before she fed it to a frog."

Anne glared at Max, she made a silent vow to get revenge.

"So you still eat bugs on earth," said Hopediah smiling feeling proud that Anne's diet hadn't changed that much in the past decade.

Anne looked at her adoptive family and laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, but only to make sure the frogs we have at the aquarium are getting the best."

Max snickered, To which Anne glared at him again.

"Well at least I'm not a baby who can't eat a Larva Sausage," said Anne.

"I'm not a baby." said Max defensively.

"He's right there," said Polly, "Even babies can eat grubs, he's lesser than a baby."

Anne and Polly then high-fived.

Max gave them a hate filled look.

"Prove her wrong Max," said a supportive Sprig.

"Yeah Max prove her wrong," said Anne giving him a sly look.

Max looked at the sausage it wasn't moving at least, but the idea of eating grubs was gross.

Hopediah looked at some of his families faces, he didn't exactly enjoy how they were treating Max, which was especially hypocritical for Anne, he decided to give Max a good reason to eat the sausage.

"Hey Max, I'll pay you 20 coppers if you take a big bite."

Hopediah's grandchildren looked at him skeptically.

"Really Hop-Pop trying to bribe the…" Anne started to say before she was interrupted by a wet meaty crunch.

The four turned to see that half of the sausage had disappeared there was grease on Max's mouth, his eyes were big and wide like he couldn't believe what he had just done.

He swallowed and just sat there for a second, a look of surprise on his face.

"That was… Pretty good!" said Max excitedly.

In a matter of seconds he was chowing down on the rest of the breakfast, Polly and Sprig followed suit gaining just as much food, on their own plates.

Hopediah noticed the look Anne gave him, disapproving, he shrugged, he would admit that birding might not have been the best decision, but it was just the one time.

After a few minutes the breakfast was almost gone.

The only remaining item of food was a pancake.

Max was just about to scoop it up for his plate when Polly snatched it from him.

"Hey!" said Max annoyed.

Polly smiled, "Sorry Max, but I got it first," she said smugly, however before she could eat it Hopeidah coughed.

"Polly give it to Max." Hopediah said taking his role of patriarch of the family.

The teenage frog froze and looked at him in shock, "What?"

"You heard, give Max the pancake."

Polly just sat there looking at Hopediah her mouth open, "But I'm the youngest, That's how it's always gone."

"Well Sorry, but Max is the youngest and a guest, so be polite and give him the pancake."

Polly just sat there shocked how this had turned things around, how after years of getting away for being the youngest Plantar was now being forced to give something up, It was a completely alien feeling.

She just put the pancake on Max's Plate and sat there, like she was suffering from some sort of mental break.

"Hey Anne, can I borrow your phone?"

Anne shrugged and passed Sprig the phone, He took a photo of Polly, "Thanks, I'm going to keep this for when I need a good laugh."

"Sleep with one eye open," said Polly threateningly to her brother.

"So what are you kids doing today?" asked Hopediah.

"We're going to the lake," proclaimed Anne.

Polly was knocked out of her stupor and nodded, "Yeah, it's going to be lake day."

Hopediah grandchildren biological and adopted (and Mechanical) started to chant "Lake Day." in more and more aggressive tones. The old frog laughed and turned to Max.

"Are you going with them Max?"

The boy blushed, "Oh I'd love to, but I don't really have my trunks, Bummer looks like I'll just have to go to town or stay at the farm or something not involving swimming." he nervously laughed at the end of that.

"Wait does Anne have anything to wear for swimming?" Asked Hopeidah

"Yeah, I went back to earth to get some clothes to wear yesterday," said Anne, "Man it's great to go back to earth, I don't have to wear the same thing day after day."

"Well we better get going," said Sprig.

Hopediah watched as he saw his three grandchildren pick up their bags, "You want to come Hop-Pop?"

Hopediah felt guilty, he looked at his grandchildren with a sad smile, "Sorry kids, but I've got some business in town."

His grandchildren looked a little disappointed, Anne however just nodded, "Don't worry Hop-Pop, It's fine."

This just made Hopediah feel worse, he was upset that he would miss out on seeing Anne again but well the farm wasn't going to look after itself, he had to meet up with some suppliers and then just do some shopping for the house it was difficult work, but he needed to do it.

Still didn't stop the look on Anne's face from breaking his heart.

"Oh, okay Hop-Pop, I get it you need to take care of the farm, we can meet up later." she said a sad smile on her face.

He nodded, "Sure maybe tonight."

Anne nodded and turned to the others, "Let's go guys."

Hopediah watched as they left, he felt the guilt take over him and tried to push it down.

"Um, Mr Plantar?" said a voice from behind him.

Hopediah tuned to see Max still sitting at the table he had a smile on his face.

"If you're going to town could you give me a lift, please?"

The old frog smiled, "Sure Max Just give me a few minutes I just need to get my things."

Max nodded and rushed to get his shoes on.

Hopediah was halfway up the stairs when all of a sudden something came over him, he felt his legs seize up, he's the world briefly went foggy, it became harder to breath, he felt his legs give up and felt himself falling.

…

Max Doe had not intended to stay this long with the Plantars, he had wanted to be away from the very first night, however after the fountain prank he felt Anne and the Plantars were keeping a close eye on him, they couldn't prove it was him but still.

The next day he had held back from playing pranks choosing just hanging with Lucian and Nicole, waiting for the Plantars to stop suspecting him.

To be honest the Plantars were perfectly nice frogs.

Sprig was welcoming and nice, he seemed to be one of those perpetual nice people.

Polly still held a grudge for him running away from her, he didn't feel bad about that, but he did have to admit that Polly seems a lot more fun than he thought.

He would admit her threats were a generally terrifying, he still remembered the words she said when she found him after what he did to the fountain.

He didn't seem to know that much about Hop-Pop (A nickname he wouldn't call him, one thing that Max had learned was that calling people by their surname seemed to help them think they had an air of authority.) but he seemed to be nice, he had welcomed him into his home and had offered him the couch.

However, he couldn't stay here he needed to go and soon, if he stayed any longer it might be harder to sneak away.

Max was about to get his shoes when heard a groan from the stairs, he turned to see Mr. Plantar falling.

In Max's head Mr Plantar was replaced with a human woman wearing a green dress likewise falling to the floor.

He was surprised just how fast he moved towards the stairs, he was able to grab the old frog just before he hit the stairs.

"MR PLANTAR!" shouted Max.

The old frog blinked twice and looked around, "Oh…" he said confused, "Sorry what happened."

Max helped him to stand.

"You fell," said Max worried, "I'll go get Anne and…"

"NO," said Mr Plantar scared, "You can't do that."

Max looked at him, he looked terrified, that look lasted for a second before it was replaced by a smile.

"Max, Listen what happened was just a small accident that us old timers have once in a while, I just need a minute to relax."

Max just looked at him worried for a second, "Okay, but you almost fell down the-"

"How about we make a deal?" said Mr. Plantar in the friendliest tone Max ever heard, in his head he was in a nicely decorated living room.

Max looked at him for a second "What?"

"A deal, you know, like with the sausage, you keep this secret and I pay you fifty coppers."

Max just stood there looking at the older frog, he was conflicted, on one hand he knew the right thing was to turn down the bribe. However, the money was a lot, and he'd need it in the future, he didn't really know how much fifty coppers could take him anything could help.

Maybe a bit more could help.

"How about one hundred coppers?"

Mrs Plantar looked shocked for a second before nodding, "Well I guess that could work."

Max held out his hand "Deal?"

Mr Plantar took his hat, "Deal."

Max pulled his hand away from Mr Plantars hand leaving a splatter of mucus.

"Okay I' be right back."

Again Mr Plantar made his way upstairs and this time made it up to the top without incident, Max just stood there and watched, hoping that it wouldn't happen again, a part of him felt a little guilty about taking the bride.

"Who cares, They're rich. We're not, We deserve their money."

Max shuddered as he remembered the voice, he looked up and swallowed, It was just this once, and never again.

Mr Plantar came downstairs and nodded to Max, "Okay let's go."

Max followed him trying to ignore the guilty feeling in the pit of his stomach.