(Rose's P.O.V.) -Epilogue; 9 years later-
I paced through the waiting room at the hospital, scared for my Mom and new sibling's well-being. "Sis, stop pacing or you're gonna make me dizzy!". proclaimed a slightly sleepy voice. I halted at once, sighing, "I couldn't imagine what Dad is thinking right now. He gotcha be freaking out!".
The voice spoke, "You're 16 years old, and you're acting like Dad! You know Mom is strong, and our sibling's gonna be fine. You felt their kicks for gosh's sake.". I looked over to see Comet, my 8 year old brother. He came by pumbersella on our first official Christmas Eve after Dad and Mom got married months earlier.
Ironically, there was a shooting star that night which Mom wished on, and it was not even a hour later when the humdrum horn sounded out to call out about the small group of pumbersellas, there was Comet outside our lair's door, and Max heard him like he'd for me that fateful night years and years ago.
Comet took after Dad with his green hair, through it was a shade darker like the shade of mistletoe green, and his eyes took after Mom; sky blue. Being very hairy like our dad, he took to wear a couple of layered clothes when it comes to the harsh season, but for the mild season, he's casual like me and Dad, wearing a simple overalls outfit with a shirt here and there.
He's remarkably smart like Dad and me, yet he's prone to be nervous/excited like Mom when it comes to competition while I am artistic and funny as a prankster. He's more outspoken than I ever was at his age, but I beat him with my sassy attitude.
He playfully teases me and Cindy about kissing and stuff, but I always get him back with my pranks. My relationship with Cindy has been incredibly fantastic. I cannot wait to marry Cindy after we graduate from University in five years as we've skipped a couple of grades here and there. Mom and Dad has been happy for us like Pops and Mum aka Cindy's parents has been as well. Heck, even Cindy's big bros, Stu and Drew was even happy for us too.
I blinked out of my thoughts, "I know, Comet, but Mom is getting older, and I heard natural childbirth is harder on older adults than young adults. Heck, Mom was 28 when she and Grinch got me, and she was 35 years old when we got you. She is 44 now for Who-God's sake!". Comet sighed deeply, "Rose, you know Mom never gives up on anything. You guys told me the story numerous times, and she told everybody that she loved Dad!".
I sighed lightly, "Fair enough. Dang, right now I'd wish for a invoice from Max...". Comet frowned, sighing sadly at that as I looked down in sadness. This year was both happy and sad. We are expecting a sibling yet we are mourning a family member as well. Dad was heartbroken the most. His roar of heartbreak was heard from Mt. Crumpit to the outermost skirts of Whoville beyond.
Max passed on from very old age, for a dog of his breed. He spent nearly 16 years with us, counting the two years he was on the streets before Dad took him in. God, the funeral was so bittersweet that all the pets of Whoville actually howled/catcalled out as a farewell, and all the people was there including my sweet Cindy. She loved Max as much as I, and my family did.
Comet whispered softly, "Do you think he'd appreciate the fact that our sibling's going to be born on the day he was taken in by Dad all these years ago?". I smiled weakly as I looked at him, "That, I have no doubt of it. Heh, do you remember his dancing all those Christmases? He was so funny!". Comet giggled, "And how Mom would be surprised every time when Max would act as Rudolph as well.".
We shared laughter from remembering the good times about Max and his presence. Suddenly, we hear doors creak, and we look over to see Dad in scrubs, smiling proudly. We held breath as Dad announced, "It's a girl!". I whooped in joy, "Told you, Comet! You owe me 10 bucks!". Comet groaned lightly, "Remind me to give the stuff later when we get home. Dad, can we see them now?".
Dad smiled brightly, "Of course, come on! Mom's doing great, and so does she, too.". We followed him into the hallway to the pediatric wing. We entered a room where Mom is resting upon a upturned bed, cradling a light pink bundle. Mom looked up in delight, "Hello, kids, say hello to your baby sister.".
She lightly raised the bundle slightly to reveal the baby within, and my heart melted at the adorable sight as I heard Comet speak, "She's really cute.". Comet was right. Our baby sister took after Mom in appearing as a Who, but her skin, it was a complete surprise! It was a rich brown, like milk chocolate. The tiny tufts of hair upon her forehead is like a sandy yellow color.
I blinked, asking, "How come her skin is not pale like yours, Mom?". Mom chuckled, "Your father had theorized that our skin colors must have combined into this wonderful shade of brown that your sibling has. She has received my hair, of course, from when I was a child, yet we are waiting for her eyes to open before we have you and Comet to decide together to name her.".
Comet gaped as I gasped, sputtering in surprise, "You want us to name her?". Dad chuckled, "It makes sense as Mom had Rose picked while I had Comet picked. It's your turn.". I traded looks with Comet, and from a signal from me, Comet spoke delightedly, "We'd love to! Come on, baby sister, open up those bitty eyes so we can see you fully.".
He softly encouraged our baby sister, and sure enough with cooing and babbling, our baby sister opened her eyes, revealing orbs of golden amber, and we all gasped in amazement, and I spoke, "Dad, I think she got the golden sclera from your eyes.". Dad hummed, "That makes sense, and it's incredible. She looks even more beautiful, love.".
Mom agreed, "Yes, she will be beautiful just like her older siblings. What is her name, my darlings?". After long glances at our baby sister, I and Comet walked away a little ways from the bed, and argued back and forth until we agreed on a perfect name.
We returned to our family, joining by the bed, and we chorused together, "We name her Maximum!". Dad and Mom looked shocked for a second, then they looked at each other, and with smiles, Dad spoke, "That's perfect, and we will call her Maxi for short. Heh, Max would be psyched out about it!". Mom giggled, "You would have been right. Maxi Grinch, welcome to the world.".
Maxi gurgled happily, blinking her sleepy eyes at us, and I smiled widely, knowing that Whoville including Cindy shall know of the newest resident, the third child of the legendary Grinch. I cannot wait to help my family to show Maxi everything. She will be spoiled, yes, but she will be a great person in the future.
Above in the sky, among the stars, a round of stars collided together to form Max the dog, who danced in joy and happiness for his newest mistress, psyched to be the one to honor the child with the feminine form of his name. He knew in his soul that his family is moving on, living happily ever after, and there wouldn't be a better ending than this.