Mother and Daughter were lounging around in the living room. Together they were strolling down memory lane; Talking and reminiscing about the past. Well…Gladys was doing most of the talking and Lola was listening. Lola was beginning to lose interest on what her mother was talking about, so she began to look around, accompanied by the occasional "ah huh" to disguise her wandering. There was a family portrait on the wall opposite them that she was analyzing. She was there as a baby, cradled in her mother's arms; to her right was her father carrying the tiny Brendan in his arms; and to her left was the young Kate. She kept looking around and she spotted the family albums in the bookshelf. And atop the television set, there was a set of old video tapes that were home videos of the family and such. And among those tapes was THE tape. The one that caused her so much humiliation over her lifetime…
"Oh goodness…the dreaded tape…" said Lola covering her face
"Ah yes, one of my favorites…" gloated Gladys
"Why do you always show that tape when company comes? It's embarrassing…" she said peeking through her fingers
"But it's my miracle…" she said hugging it
"It sure seemed like torture on tape,"
"Oh stop it…that day was just….wonderful for me,"
Gladys was nearing the due date. Everyday it was getting harder and harder to do simple things, like cooking, cleaning, and even getting up from a seat. She knew any moment that her child was going to arrive soon. She was very excited and anxious for the arrival.
This day, the Bunny family was in their home. They had the rest of the family there for a gathering and were enjoying the good times. The family was just finishing lunch; which consisted of pasta, sodas, juice, and salads all around.
Among the family was George, Larry's younger brother. He was Larry's opposite in personality; he was much more friendly and outgoing. He had slightly darker fur and dirty blonde hair. His eyes were blue just like his brother, though. George then called to the family:
"It's time for the family scrimmage now!" he said
The family then gathered their bearings and went out to the yard. It was very spacious. By the fence there was a shed, with all of the gardening tools and the sports equipment. The family took out chairs and placed them in the yard. Gladys was helped by her younger sister, Marian, outside. Marian looked a lot like Gladys, with her raven hair and light brown fur, the major difference was her lighter brown eyes and her button nose.
"Wow, Gladys, you're about to burst!" exclaimed Marian
"Yeah, I hope the baby hurries along. My back can't take this much longer…" said Gladys as she was helped into the chair.
"That baby's coming soon, that's sure,"
Larry and George were the last to leave the house.
"This year it's basketball, right?" asked George
"Yeah, we'll play in the driveway," answered Larry
"Where are the hoops?"
"I'll get them from the shed,"
Larry went to the shed and carried out a basketball hoop. George went in to get the other. A few others helped them set things up in the driveway. The spectators adjusted their seats to view the game in the driveway.
"All right, since there are only five to a team, we'll have two games," explained George, "to make things fair, we'll have one ladies game and another men's game. That way it's even. So, ladies up first."
The female members then talked among themselves and decided on teams. Little Kate sat on the chair next to her mother.
"I don't wanna play basketball…" she whined
"You're too young to play in the game anyway," said Gladys
"Why can't we play dress up or tea party? Then I bet I'd win!"
"I'm sure you would," said Marian who was cradling the sleepy Brendan
The ladies game then began. One of the teams had mostly older women, like mothers and aunts. The second team consisted of the daughters and cousins. They played diligently for every quarter. Neither side gave in. "I really wish I could play…" thought Gladys but couldn't due to her condition. The game ended with the younger ones victorious.
Next up was the men's game. They also picked their teams. Their set-up was a little different. Larry's team consisted of his nephews and a few cousins of his. The other team had George, his own son and some of his wife's brothers-in-laws. They began the game. Both teams were top notch. It seemed as though it was going to be very close. It all came to the last quarter…
Larry's team had possession. They raced to the basket but the other team stole it. They attempted a back door move, but they failed. Then Larry had the ball. He did some really cool moves to dodge the opposing team. Gladys and Kate were cheering him on.
"Go! Dear! Go!" shouted Gladys for a while until she couldn't anymore
"Daddy daddy, he's the best! He's the one who beats the rest!" chanted Kate as she did a cheer with her little pom-poms.
"Gladys?" asked Marian as she observed her sister
"I think the baby wants to play basketball…" muttered Gladys
"Huh?" she asked confused
"IT'S TIME!"
"Oh…"
Larry was feet away from the basket, but George blocked his path.
"Just try it, bro," said George
"Watch me," said Larry
Larry easily bypassed George and jumped. This dunk would win the game for his team. But from the corner of his eye, he saw a group forming around his wife. He stopped in mid air and dropped to the floor.
"Time!" he said making the signal and dropping the ball to rush towards his beloved.
They all stopped and went to see what was going on. Larry made his way through the crowd to her, she was in pain.
"Larry…the baby…" she struggled to say, then she yelped, "NOW!"
"Everyone, give her room!" yelled Larry, "George, start my car. Marian, call the hospital. Everyone else, hold the fort."
George took Larry's keys and went to start the car. Marian ran into the house to call the hospital. Larry helped his wife off of the chair and led her to the car. Marian then came back out and went towards them.
"I told the doctor you're on your way," she said
"Thanks," said Larry
The other family members were worried as they saw them drive away in a hurry to the hospital. Marian followed them in her car, as did George in his own car.
Larry drove as he usually did: as a madman. Gladys was making him even more nervous.
"What the hell are you doing!" she yelled
"Driving!" answered Larry
"The hospital is the other way, down Grand Ave!"
"No, it's up Union Street!"
"Ahhh!" she yelled as her pains increased
Larry cringed at her screams. He tried to calm her, but she would not be comforted. The ride finally ended when they pulled up to Emergency at the hospital, but the journey by all means has just begun.
Emergency workers came in and helped Gladys onto a wheelchair. She was screaming as they took her to the labor room. Larry looked more and more concerned as he too went in there. Marian and George weren't far behind. George noticed that Marian was carrying a video camera.
"What's with the camera?" asked George
"I want to get the miracle on tape!" she exclaimed
In the room, Gladys was placed on the bed. Larry stood next to her, he was holding on to her hand. He looked kind of scared, which was strange behavior for the usually stern Larry. Marian snuck inside the room
"Look what you've done to me!" yelled Gladys, "I hate you! Ahh!"
"Please Gladys, don't be so harsh," he said calmly
"If you were me, you would be harsh!" she shot back. She then noticed Marian with the camera. "Get that camera out of here!" she yelled
The doctor and nurses were all over the place and it looked like chaos.
"Push!" they told her. They wiped her forehead with a towel and did what they could to calm her down.
She kept yelling and pushing. Larry was sweating and trying to help but he looked so helpless.
After a final push by Gladys, a baby's cry was heard.
"It's a girl," said the doctor
The doctor gave the baby to the nurse, who wrapped her in a blanket. She then gave her to Gladys. Gladys was tired but she looked at her baby girl with a tearful smile. The baby had tan fur, with peach colored fur on her cheeks, a tuft of blonde hair, and blue eyes just like her father. Larry looked at her and a glow filled his face. They looked so happy. Larry leaned over the bed and kissed his wife.
"I love you," he said
"I love you too," she replied
At that, Marian cut the tape for she was overwhelmed with emotion.
In recovery, Gladys was finally relaxed. Larry was tired from all the excitement as well. Marian and George decided to let the couple have their alone time.
"She's so beautiful…" said Gladys, "she looks just like you."
"Yeah…" sighed Larry
"What are we going to name her?" she asked
"How about Stephanie?"
"Nah…"
"How about we name her after my grandmother?"
"Dolores? Hmm…. no, I don't want her named 'pains',"
Larry gave her a look.
"What? It didn't hurt that much…" she said defensively
"How about the shorthand version, Lola,"
"Lola? Lola Bunny. I like the sound of that!"
"Lola it is then…"
Larry gave her a kiss; then let Gladys rest in the room.
He went out of the room and found his brother and sister-in-law waiting for him in the hallway. They began walking towards maternity as they talked.
"How is she?" asked Marian
"She's ok," he answered
"Everything turn out ok?" asked George
"Yeah, everything was fine," answered Larry
"You know what?"
"What?"
"This is the longest time-out in the history of basketball…"
Larry just smirked in response.
They made their way to the room. They peered through the glass and saw all the newborns. In the center, there was Lola. She was asleep, wrapped in the blanket. She then opened her eyes and looked around. She felt uncomfortable, and struggled with the blanket. She got it off and she was there in her diaper. She then started to cry. It was audible even from outside.
"Aww! Poor girl…" said Marian
"She has her mother's voice…" thought Larry
She eventually stopped when she looked out the window and saw them there. Curiosity filled her eyes. She looked at Larry mostly.
"Hey there kid…" he whispered, "how are ya?"
She gave him a baby grin.
"That's good," he said
She giggled
"That's a good girl…" he said, "my little girl."
"Hey little girl…"
"Huh? Oh hi dad," said Lola
Larry had come from upstairs and greeted his daughter. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and sat next to her on the couch.
"Had a nice nap?" asked Gladys
"I slept like a log…" said Larry
"You always do…"
"So what are you up to?"
"Nothing much, just reliving my miracle…"
"Ah huh…" he gave Lola a glance and she replied as such
"You know Gladys, I could go for some of your famous milkshake right about now…" said Larry
"Really? I'll make some right away…"
Gladys got up from the couch and went towards the kitchen.
"Why couldn't you come sooner?" asked Lola
"I need my beauty sleep…." he said sarcastically
"Well of course you NEED that…but I need my sanity as well…"
"With your husband…I'm surprised you still have it…"
"With mom I know yours skipped town a long time ago…."
They looked at each other…
They smiled
Moments later…
While Lola enjoyed the peaceful silence, Larry went towards the bookshelf. He picked up an album and brought it back to the couch. He started to look through it, until one of the photos caught his attention. Lola looked on over his shoulder.
"Is that Kate?" she asked
"Yeah…" he answered
"She was so cute,"
"The pout on her face isn't very cute…"
"Well…"
"She's always pouting…"
Inside the Bunny home…
"Auntie M, when is my mommy comin' home?" asked Kate, "I haven't seen here since she left the party."
"She's coming home today," answered Marian
"Really? Yay!"
"You're going to meet your new baby sister,"
"A sister? Wow! I got a sister! I got a sister!" she chanted joyfully
After a few days, Gladys and Lola were able to go home. The car pulled into the driveway. Kate ran towards the door. Out from the car emerged Gladys from the passenger's side and Larry from the driver's side. Larry went to the side door and opened it. And from the back seat he took out a little baby car seat. And in the seat was a sleeping little Lola. When Gladys opened the door, she was tackled by an eager little Kate.
"Mommy!" she squealed
"Hey there Katie sweetie," greeted Gladys
Just then Larry walked in with Lola.
"Daddy! Daddy! Let me see!" she said jumping up and down
"Hold on there, Kate," he said
Marian came and greeted her sister and brother-in-law. The other family members came from the rooms and greeted them as well.
"She's so cute!" they would say
"Aww,"
"So beautiful,"
Little Kate was trying to get in the crowd.
"I wanna see! I wanna see!" she begged
She was getting frustrated that everyone was paying more attention to the baby than to her. She stomped her foot and yelled, "I WANNA SEE!"
"Relax, Katie," said her mother, whom was now holding Lola in her arms, "you want to see her?"
"Yes!" she said coming up to her
Gladys bent on one knee so that Kate could get a good look. Lola just opened her eyes, and looked curiously around herself. She then looked at Kate. Kate came in close.
"Hi little sister!" squealed Kate
At that instant, Lola began to cry.
"Katie!" scolded the family
"What'd I do?" she said taking a step back
Gladys rocked Lola in her arms.
"It's alright sweetie," said Gladys to calm Lola
"Hey…I'm…the sweetie…" muttered Kate
Larry came and patted Kate on the shoulder reassuringly. She looked at him, with a large pout planted on her face; and with a 'humph' she stomped to her room. Larry looked on, but decided to give her some time alone.
"From that moment I knew…" said Larry
"Knew what, Dad?" asked Lola
"That…Kate was going to be jealous of you,"
"Jealous?"
"Yes. That's why you two never really got along…"
"Heh…I guess you're right,"
"My milkshake brings my man to the…" chanted Gladys as she walked into the room
"Mom! Stop…right…there…" said the disturbed Lola
"What? Is there something on my face?"
"No, I just don't want to know what the rest of those lyrics were,"
"Oh Lola, grow up,"
Gladys set down the tray of glasses on the coffee table. Larry reached for a glass and began to drink his milkshake.
"So…what did I miss?" asked Gladys
"Nothing much…" answered Lola
Gladys reached for the photo album. She smiled at the page it was opened too.
"My little Katie…" she said
She admired the photos on the page. They were all of Kate and Lola. There was one where baby Lola was yawning and Kate was off to the side. Another of where she is holding Lola and Kate has a forced smile on her face.
"She was such a cute little grump…"
"…always causing trouble…"