I wanted to have the next chapter up by New Year. Just made it. Thanks for the reviews. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.


"Cluck-a-deedle-dee!"

Ella and Areida were awoken by a loud, off-key screech outside the window. Looking toward the window, they saw Socrates, perched on a tree branch, screeching in at them.

"I don't remember asking for a wake-up call," muttered Areida.

"Good morning, girls," said Socrates. "I trust you both slept well?"

Ella smiled. "Like a baby. Can I just have five more minutes?"

"Well, Aggie said she has breakfast ready, so I suggest you get dressed and head down.

PING!

Ella rolled out of the bed and started getting dressed. Areida watched and followed suit. Socrates chuckled as he watched them get dressed and head downstairs. He flew down to the kitchen.


In the kitchen, the girls found a hot breakfast waiting for them, eggs, bacon, hash browns, French toast, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and coffee. Aggie was seated on the far side of the table, combing her hair, which, at the moment, was in her lap.

"Good morning, girls," she said, looking up at the girls. The girls just stared in shock at her bald head and the scalp in her lap.

"Oh, don't worry, girls. It's just a spell."

"Y-you have a spell to take your head off?" stuttered Ella.

"It's just easier to comb the hard-to-reach places." Aggie combed two more spots, then replaced her scalp on her head.

"Curiouser and curiouser," muttered Areida.

"Come on, girls, let's eat, and I can send you two home."

As the three sat down to eat, Ella suddenly heard the sound of ringing chimes.

"What's that?" she exclaimed.

"It's the crystal ball," answered Aggie, "Apparently, I have a call." She waved her hands and her crystal ball hovered over to the table. Aggie waved her hand again, and the face of a young man appeared in it. Ella and Areida immediately recognized him from his portrait on the wall.

"Robert!" Aggie exclaimed to her son.

"Hey, Mom," Robert replied.

"How's Japan?"

"Wow, Mom, you would not believe the monsters they have out here. Out here, they call their giant monsters daikaiju. Now, I've seen some bizarre creatures, but this is a whole new level. In the past month, I've seen a beetle that spits grenades, a monster with a buzzsaw in its chest, and a three-headed dragon named Ghidorah. But those are just the bad ones. They also have monsters that protect the country, like a giant butterfly named Mosura, a winged reptile named Radon, and a spiked turtle named Anguirus. But their prized monster is a giant fire-breathing dragon named Gojira." Robert held up a picture of the monster. Aggie and the girls gaped in awe. "Yep, 400 feet of terror! Oh, and I use the term 'fire-breathing' loosely, because the locals call it 'atomic breath'."

"Atomic breath?" stated Aggie.

"I know," replied Robert, "I don't get it either. I think they said that the fire from atomic breath will kill you after the fire's already been put out. Eh, I just don't get it. The point is, where Gojira goes, you have to wait about a week to go back there. But enough about me, how are you, Mom?"

"I'm well," answered Aggie, "I'm in good health, thank you for asking, everything is business as usual here on the farm, and...oh, Robert, say hello to my houseguests, Ella of Frell and Areida of Ayorthia."

Robert turned around in the crystal ball. He smiled at the girls. "Well, hello, ladies! Robert Percival McPhiney, at your service." Areida blushed.

"So, how long are you to staying with my mom?"

Areida answered first. "We got here last night. Your mom gave us a place to stay, but we're leaving after breakfast." She suddenly had that enamored look in her eyes. "Wow, you're cute." She suddenly slapped her hand over her mouth in embarrassment. "I didn't just say that!" she stated through her fingers.

Robert chuckled. "It's okay, you're not so bad yourself. Hey, whatever the owl say about me, it's not true."

"Socrates didn't say anything about you," said Ella.

"Oh, good, then no worries."

"Will you be home for Halloween this year?" asked Aggie, "Your father was asking about you last year."

"Yes, I will. Sorry about last year. Didn't you tell Dad I was detained?"

"Yes, but that's a weak excuse when it comes to family."

Robert nodded. "I understand."

Just then, there was a loud roar in the background.

"Aw, dang! Mom I gotta go! I'll be home this year, I promise! And ladies, I was nice to meet you both! Gotta go, Mom! Love ya!"

The crystal ball clouded over and went blank. Aggie set it down on the floor.

"Robert seems nice," said Ella, "And now, I know someone has a crush." She grinned at Areida, who was still blushing.

"Hush up!" Areida replied, giggling.

"If you'd like, Arieda, I could set up a date for you and Robert. He likes to flirt, but he's always a gentlemen." Areida couldn't answer. She was still blushing and giggling.

After breakfast, Aggie asked the girls to help with the dishes. "I know, last night, I just waved my hands and the dishes did themselves, but we can't just use magic for everything. "

Ella smiled, understandingly. "It's no trouble. We'd be glad to help." Areida nodded in agreement.

"Then let's get started." Aggie replied. She and the girls, quickly, cleared the table and headed over to the sink.

As Aggie and the girls finished washing the dishes, the door burst open and Elric rushed in. He looked out of breath and panicked.

"Elric," said Aggie, "Is everything alright?"

"It's…it's Maddie," Elric said, between gasps, "I think…it's time."

"The puppies are coming?" asked Ella. Elric nodded.

"Thank you, Elric," stated Aggie, "We'll be right there." She put another dish in the cabinet.

"But there's a problem," Elric continued. Aggie stopped to listen.

"We don't know why, but not doing anything."

A concerned look spread across Aggie's face.

"I'm on my way," she said, sternly.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Areida.

"Do you have any experience as a midwife?"

"Only a little. But I'd like to help. Besides, it's the least I can do for laughing at your animals."

Aggie smiled. "Very well, come along." Areida and Ella followed Aggie to the barn.


Out in the barn, Aggie gave Maddie a quick check. Apart from her light breathing, Maddie was motionless.

"Everything seems to be in order," she said, "But why isn't she doing anything?"

Areida spoke up. "I know I'm not exactly an expert or anything, but maybe she's nervous." She pointed to the other animals, which were gathered around to watch. "I know I wouldn't want to be on display if I were pregnant."

"That's crazy, Areida," replied Aggie.

"Well, as I said, I not an-,"

"I wish I'd thought of it first."

Areida was a bit surprised. "But you just said it was a crazy idea."

"Yes, I said it was a crazy idea, not a bad one. And some of the best ideas in history have been crazy ideas. Thank you, Areida."

Aggie turned back to the animals. "Alright, everybody out. Let's give Maddie some privacy. Rex can stay, because he's the father. Don't worry, you'll all get to see the puppies when they arrive." Slowly, the animals exited the barn. Just then, Maddie began breathing, rapidly.

"I think she's doing it," said Ella. Aggie and Areida knelt down next to Maddie.

Ten minutes later, Maddie gave birth to five healthy puppies; three girls and two boys.

"They're so cute," said Areida, "Welcome to the world, little ones."

Aggie stopped for a moment. She smiled at the puppies. Then, turned to Ella and Areida. They were such sweet girls, and it had been a while since she had had houseguests of any kind. She would actually be sorry to see them go.

As the exited the barn, Aggie turned to the girls.

"You know what?" she said, "You girls have really been a breath of fresh air in this stuffy, old house. So before you girls go, I'd like to give you both a present."

For a minute, Ella and Areida were speechless. Neither of them knew what to say. Ella was the first to speak up.

"That's…that's very kind of you, Aggie, but after everything you've done for us, it just wouldn't seem appropriate."

Aggie smiled. At least, they weren't greedy.

"Girls, take it from someone who was young once. Don't pass up a good thing."

The girls chuckled.

"So, what is this present?" asked Areida.

Aggie smiled. "Go to the hen house. Gather up all the eggs that say, 'take me', but leave the ones that say 'don't take me'."

The girls were confused. "What does that mean?" asked Areida.

"You'll find out when you get there," Aggie replied. And on that note, she turned an headed toward the shed.