The Secret Life of Brian

by LDEJRuff

Chapter 14 - Stewie's Wish and Tracy's Recovery

Time had passed, and within that time, Peter had convinced Carter to bring the carnival back. It was hard work, but he did it. Now with the carnival back at the Quahog mall, the Griffins were in line for Stewie to see Santa, and they were next in line. However, Vinny had noticed that Stewie was wearing a sad expression on his face.

"What's wrong with you, Stews?" he asked, getting Stewie's attention. "You're next up to see the big guy himself and you look like a piece of spaghetti on the street."

"Where are you from again?" Stewie asked.

Vinny answered, "The Manton Avenue section of North Providence. Used to be heavily-attired, now lousy with Dominicans."

Peter, however, was amazed. "Oh, this Christmas Carnival has everything," he said. "Games, food... Oh, my God, it's the carolers from A Christmas Story."

Said Asian carolers were singing "Deck the Halls", but were having troubles with their L and R sounds.

"That's right, America," Peter addressed the viewers. "Don't forget: your beloved holiday movie is incredibly racist."

"And flom not that rong ago," a caroler added.

Back to Stewie and Vinny.

"You got everything you wanted here, Stewie," Vinny shrugged. "What's your problem?"

"I don't know," Stewie answered. "I thought having the carnival back would make me happy, but it still feels like something's missing."

"Yeah, it's always something," Vinny replied. "Like when I finally got to sleep with Mary Lou Gallo. She had a look, but when you got up close, she also had a smell."

"Oh, Stewie, you're next," Lois said, bringing her infant son to the Mall Santa's lap. It was now time.

"Ho, ho, ho," the Mall Santa began. "Mall Santa is brought to you in part this season by Chipotle. Between good and garbage, it's Chipotle. So, what do you want for Christmas?"

"Oh, what do I want for Christmas?" Stewie asked himself. "What do I want for Christmas?"

Stewie looked around him, seeing the remote flyer planes on display, some toys being rung up at the toy store cashier, his father being pushed by a couple teenagers, who then tossed his hat back and forth, then at the game store, and the gift-wrapping department. All of this seemed to be a bit too much for Stewie.

"I'll tell you what I don't want for Christmas," Stewie said. "All this cheap plastic junk. Do you know what I want for Christmas?" he continued, this time, with a sad look on his face. "I want my friend back."

"Your friend?" the Mall Santa repeated, confused.

"Yes," Stewie replied. "My best friend. My dog, Brian. He's dead. It's our first Christmas without him and no one's even mentioned his name."

Vinny's expression changed to that of guilt. He wanted to tell Stewie that Brian was still alive, but kept his promise not to, for Brian's sake.

"I don't care about this stupid carnival or Christmas," Stewie continued. "I don't care about anything except Brian. I want Brian." With that, Stewie started shedding tears.

"You want me to put a dead dog under your tree?" the Mall Santa asked, confused.

"Yes," Stewie answered. "And, uh, I... I'd like a bike, too."

On that, Stewie saw that two parents had bought their son a bike. The rest of the human family members were sad about what their youngest member said.

Author's note: Yeah, I know these few bits are from the storyboard animatic version of "Christmas Guy" found on Disc 2 of the Season 12 DVD, but I decided to add some bits from the final process. Anyway, back to the story.

"Excuse me for a few minutes, guys," Vinny said to the Griffins sans Stewie. "I need to go to the Macy's to try on a suit."

With that, Vinny went over to the Macy's, picked up his phone and called Brian.

"Hello?" Brian said on the other line, as the screen once again split to show him in the living room of the Flannigan residence on the left side of the screen.

"Hey, B," Vinny replied.

"Oh, Vinny," Brian said, smiling. "How are things with the Griffins?"

"They're going smoothly," Vinny answered. "Peter managed to convince Carter to bring the carnival back. However, today, while Stewie was on the mall Santa's lap, he said that he wanted to have you back."

Brian's expression changed to that of sadness.

"However, I couldn't say anything," Vinny continued, "just 'cause, you know, I'm still keeping my promise."

"Hmmm," Brian moaned. "I see."

"Anyway, I have an idea," Vinny continued. "I'll try to act like you for him."

"What?" Brian replied. "But Vinny, I don't know if that idea's going to work. I mean, we've been apart for many years that you don't know what I'm capable of. I usually ask for a dry martini at a bar, and I'm a politician. Plus, have you read my self-help novel, Wish It. Want It. Do It.? It's a bestseller."

"Oh, yeah, I've read your book," Vinny answered. "I've written something a little similar called Wish It. Want It. You Blew It. It may not be much, but it'll at least help the reader get better."

"You're not rivaling my novel, are you?" Brian asked, confused.

"No," Vinny shook his head. "Anyway, I hope my acting like you will try to cheer him up."

"Well, okay," Brian sighed. "Anyway, I'm going to the hospital in a few minutes to check on Tracy. The doctor said that she'll regain consciousness within the week."

Vinny chuckled in gesture. "I guess this means that Stewie will get his wish then, right?"

"I dunno, Vin," Brian replied, unsure, "but we'll see. Thanks for calling."

"You're welcome, B. Talk to you later."

With that, both dogs hung up. The screen expanded to show Vinny's side, as he began to address Bruce, who was an assistant there.

"I'm here to find a fancy suit and a pair of glasses, please."

Later that night, Brian spent another visit at the Hospital, like he said he would. He prayed near Tracy's bed, hoping that she would recover.

"Oh, Tracy," he thought. "Please, wake up. Dylan needs you."

A few minutes had passed, and Tracy slowly regained consciousness, opening her eyes for the first time in several months. She groaned, placing a hand on her head.

"Where the hell am I?" she asked herself before noticing Brian. "Brian? Is that you?"

Brian's attention turned to her, and he was surprised and happy.

"Tracy," he whispered. "You're awake! Oh, Dylan was so worried about you." With that, he gave her a hug.

"What happened?" Tracy asked.

"You were in a coma, as a result of a car crash, several months ago," Brian answered, a tear falling from his eye. "The person who caused that crash, an old man named Leo, died some time after. But you were knocked into a state of unconsciousness that resulted in a coma. Oh, Tracy."

"Brian," Tracy began, "what time is it now?"

"It's almost Christmas," Brian answered. "Wait until Dylan hears about this. I...I took care of him for you while you were out."

"Do your owners know about this?" Tracy asked.

Brian shook his head. "They think I'm dead. Most of Quahog did. I did what I did so I could be with Dylan."

"Oh, Brian," Tracy understood with a smile. She then hugged him back.