"Hi!"
"Hi mom,"
Gladys embraced Lola.
"Bugs dear, great to see you," she hugged him as well, "and my two darlings!"
"Hi," he said
"Hi grandm-uff!" said the twins as they were smothered by her hug
They came inside. The house was filled with delectable aromas. Upon entering the living room, they noticed they weren't the only ones here.
"Brendan!"
"Lola!"
The two siblings embraced each other.
"It's been ages since I've seen you!"
"Yeah little sis," he noticed Bugs and the kids, "hey Bugs! Great to see you!"
"Likewise," smiled Bugs
"Hi uncle Brendan!" said the twins
He hugged them both.
The twins also saw their grandfather there. Larry got up from the couch he was sitting on.
"Hi family," said Larry
"Grandpa!" tackled the twins
"That makes me sound old…"
"You are," smirked Lola
"Hardy har har…"
After a while of chit chatting, Gladys drew everyone's attention.
"You guys want to watch a movie?"
"Ok," said the kids
Gladys smiled and went to the stand and looked through her collection of home videos. She then pulled out a tape.
"Wait mom…" said Lola, "is that what I think it is?"
"No…"
"Then?"
"It's your cousin Jasmine's…"
"Oh…"
"You two were so cute. I have to show this one."
Lola and Brendan looked at each other and rolled their eyes. The rest however, were a little curious.
Gladys put on the tape and played it. The picture came into focus.
They were at the Statue of Liberty. Twelve-year-old Lola was looking out the observatory, wearing a green crown. Beside her was sixteen-year-old Kate, wearing a similar crown.
"Wow mom! This is so exciting!" said Lola
"It's beautiful isn't it?" responded Gladys
"It sure is! I can see the whole city from up here! Wow! Those Twin Towers are so tall!" exclaimed Katie
"We should head down soon," said Alex, "I don't want to leave Marian alone for so long."
"But Brendan is with her," said Lola
"No, it's better that we go now," said Gladys
The girls reluctantly left with the two adults. After climbing all the way down, they found Brendan and Marian waiting for them at one of the benches.
"How'd you like the view?" asked Marian
"It was cool," said Lola
"It was so wonderful! I could see the whole skyline!" said Katie
"Hey Brendan…"
"What?" muttered their acrophobic brother
"You missed out on a lot of fun,"
"Shut up…"
He folded his arms and turned away from his sisters.
"Marian, you alright?" asked Alex
"I'm fine, you worry too much,"
"But you're condition is too delicate…it's a bad idea that you've come out,"
"Alex darling, I'm pregnant not sick…" she smiled, "you can't lock me up. I'm a free spirit! Besides, I want to spend time with the family."
"He's right," said Gladys, "you have to be careful."
"Oh…" she waved them off, "you're being silly."
"Well, we should head off, the last ferry is about to leave for the day," said Alex
The group went off towards the dock. The kids rushed towards the front, while Alex and Gladys helped Marian find a seat. The three siblings pushed their way past the other kids trying to get to the bow of the ferry. They made it in time as the boat blew its horn and pulled out of the dock.
Alex came with his camcorder to find the kids.
"Hey guy and gals," he said, "say something to the camera."
"Hello my adoring public," said Katie, "I'd like to thank all the little people I had to step on to get here."
Behind her Lola was making fun of her by sticking her nose up on the air and lip syncing to what she was saying. Brendan was adding an extra set of bunny ears to her head. They quickly stopped when Katie faced them.
"Uh…" said Brendan, "hi?"
He pulled Lola into the camera's view
"Umm…hi there! This is Lola reporting from the S.S. Drip, we are currently heading thirty-miles per hour…err…knots…whatever it is! Towards the island of Manhattan…we have just come from visiting the big green lady in the middle of the bay, aka the Statue of Liberty. Here with me is Brendan Bunny. Brendan, what did you see?"
"I didn't see nothing…"
"Eww…double negative…"
Just then there was a bit of commotion towards the back of the ferry.
"Ladies and gentlemen, there seems to be a disturbance in the ferry. Let's investigate shall we?"
Alex and the kids went to see what it was about.
"Alex!" came a familiar voice, "it's Marian!"
"What!?"
He pushed through the crowd and found Marian taking quick breaths, grasping onto Gladys's hand.
"The baby's coming!" she cringed
"Ok, just keep breathing…I'll…I'll…" he was becoming nervous
"Go tell the captain!" yelled Gladys
"Right!"
Alex went off to seek the captain.
"Oh my gosh! She's having the baby!" said Katie excitedly
Lola and Brendan looked on with confusion.
"And we'll be back after these messages,"
Alex raced through the ship until he finally found the captain.
"What's wrong?" asked the captain
"My wife! She's having a baby!"
The captain pulled out a radio.
"Coast guard, cost guard. This is Captain Barlow of the 'Liberty Ferry', I need an ambulance at the dock ASAP; I have a woman in labor, over."
Upon arriving at the dock, the Alex and a crew member helped Marian off the boat and into the ambulance. The couple went together inside the ambulance. Gladys, with camera in hand, and the kids took a cab and followed them.
Gladys and her children arrived at the hospital just as Marian was taken through the emergency doors. They rushed out and followed her. They found the room where Marian and Alex were. The doctor and nurses were too preoccupied to notice the visitors there.
"You're doing great Marian," said Gladys
Alex was holding onto Marian's hand as she heaved.
"Push!" commanded the doctor
Brendan was about to puke. Lola and Katie looked on wide eyed; however Kate's look was more of amazement, as opposed to Lola's, which was slight disgust.
Marian screamed in agony, the kids cringed. Then another cry was heard in the room. Then everything seemed to stop.
"It's a girl," said the doctor
Marian and Alex were in tears when they saw their daughter for the first time.
"Oh Alex…" she sighed
"Marian…she's gorgeous," he smiled
"Oh my goodness…" she cried of utter happiness
"Let's name her…Jasmine,"
"Jasmine…" she repeated, "I love it."
It was a tender moment, and Gladys caught it all on tape.
"Wow!" said Kate
"Wasn't that something?" exclaimed Gladys
"Beautiful!"
Gladys turned towards her youngest.
"What's the matter Lola?" asked Gladys
Lola turned towards her mother.
"I am never having kids…"
"I think that is so hilarious…" said Brendan
"Shut up," said Lola
"The irony of it all!" he laughed
The others in the room laughed as well.
"Oh really, mister manly man?" Lola reached for the controller
She fast-forwarded to another part of the tape. The family burst into laugher when they saw the young Brendan fainted on the hospital floor.
"Har har har…" he muttered
After a good laugh, Gladys took out the tape and put it back in its casing.
"What shall we watch now?"
"Why can't we watch HBO like everyone else?" complained Lola
She shooed her and continued rummaging through her collection of family tapes.
Lola was getting thirsty, so she got up from the couch and went to the kitchen. After getting a bit of juice, Larry came in.
"Hey kiddo, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure,"
"Your mom needs a cake from the bakery, can you go pick it up?"
"Ok,"
"Here's the receipt,"
She took the slip of paper from his hand.
"I saw her pick out one of your tapes,"
"Oh," she said catching onto his drift, "thanks dad."
Lola finished her drink and went out of the house. As she was about to open the door to her car, Sean came running out the house.
"Mom? Can I come with you?"
"Sure,"
Sean got into the passenger's seat. Lola started the car and backed out of the driveway. Her parent's house was a twenty minute drive on the highway to the bakery. When they got into town, they found the bakery on the main road.
Once inside…
Lola gave the man at the register the receipt and waited for him to get the cake. Sean was looking through the glass, eyeing the sweets hungrily. The man returned from the back with the cake. He gave it to Lola in a white package. Sean looked sad and reluctantly left the display of delicious dilectables. Lola noticed his expression.
"You want something?"
"Umm…can I get those cookies?"
Lola looked at the chocolate cookies he was pointing at. She nodded.
"Can I get a box of those cookies?"
The man complied and presented them with a lavender box full of the cookies. Lola paid for them and Sean smiled.
"Thanks Mom!"
They went out to the car. Sean opened the trunk and Lola put the cake inside. They went inside the car and drove off again.
While on the highway…
"Mmm! These are so good!" said Sean through a mouthful of cookies. He handed his mom the box, and Lola took out a cookie for herself.
"You're right!" she said after taking a bite
They both finished off the cookies.
"We have to get rid of the evidence when we get home," smiled Lola, "or they'll complain 'why didn't you buy some for the rest of us!'"
"It's our little secret,"
Sean was in thought for a moment. As they got off the highway; Sean finally gathered the courage to ask his mom something.
"Mom, can I drive?"
Lola looked at him, then at the road. They were off the highway, and there was practically no traffic on these roads.
Why not?
Lola parked on the shoulder.
"Ok," she said unbuckling the seatbelt and opening the door. Sean smiled and eagerly got out of the car. He sat on the driver's seat, and felt the steering wheel in his hands. As Lola got in, they both buckled up.
"First thing you do is adjust the mirrors,"
Sean moved the rear-view mirror, and made sure the side-view mirrors were alright. He grabbed for the stick.
"Put your foot on the brakes first,"
"Which one's the brake?"
"The big one,"
Sean did so; then put the automatic car into 'drive'.
"Ok now…slowly…woah!"
Sean let the brake go too fast and stomped hard on the gas.
"Easy easy!" said Lola
Sean took pressure off the pedal and drove at a slower pace. They came to an intersection, with a stop sign.
"Ok, now slowdown,"
Sean let go of the gas and stepped on the brake. The car stopped abruptly at the sign.
"Sorry…" said Sean
"You have to slowdown to a stop…ok? Now look both ways then go."
He did so and they continued on their way. Sean was starting to get the hang of it.
"Who taught you how to drive?"
"My dad,"
"Oh,"
"It wasn't easy, I'll tell ya that…"
The Bunny family had finally acquired a house in the suburbs. It was a cozy place, just the right size for them. The children had begun school again and life finally seemed normal.
One day, Lola came home after her after school activities. Her mother had suggested giving them all extracurricular activities. Lola was taking gymnastics class, Katie was taking piano lessons, and Brendan was on a baseball team. Lola set down her duffle bag and went upstairs. She changed into her regular clothes and started doing her homework.
After awhile, Larry arrived home.
"Lola?" he called
"Yeah?" she answered
"Come downstairs,"
Lola shut her book and went downstairs.
"Come on kiddo, remember what I promised today?"
"The driving?"
"Yup,"
Lola smiled. Earlier that week, Lola had gathered the courage to ask her Dad if she could drive the car. He'd been so busy, he didn't have time. But now she was going to have her chance.
He went out back to get the car. Lola went to get her jacket; she saw her brother plopped in front of the TV.
"Where you going?" he asked
"Dad's gonna let me drive the car,"
He looked at her, then let out a small chuckle.
"What?"
"Heh…you have no idea what's coming…"
Lola cocked an eyebrow. She walked out the door and went inside the car. Larry drove the van out, to go to the park where she could practice.
Once they got to the park, Larry and Lola switched sides. Lola was excited, she clasped onto the steering wheel and took a close look at the speedometer. Larry got inside the passenger side. He buckled up, and she followed suit. She made a grab for the stick.
"First thing you do is adjust the mirrors," he commanded
Lola moved the rear-view mirror, and made sure she could see the side-view mirrors alright. She tried again for the stick.
"No, put your foot on the brakes first,"
She looked down at the two pedals.
"Which one's the brake?"
"The big one,"
Lola did so
"Now you can put it into 'D',"
Lola pressed the button on the stick and pulled down towards the 'D'.
"Ok now…slowly…!"
Lola let the brake go too fast and stomped too hard on the gas.
"Lola! Easy easy!" he yelled
Lola took pressure off the pedal and drove at a slower pace.
"Not so hard, ok?"
"Sorry…"
They came to an intersection, with a stop sign.
"Ok, now slowdown,"
Lola let go of the gas and stepped on the brake. The car stopped abruptly at the sign. Larry glared at her.
"Sorry…"
"You have to slowdown to a stop…ok? Now look both ways then go."
She did so and they continued on their way.
After a while of practicing and going round the park, Lola was finally getting the hang of it.
"You want to drive home?"
"Uh…ok,"
Lola exited the park, and took the car on the streets. There was no traffic, so Lola went a little faster than what she had been doing at the park. She got to the busier part of town, and there were more cars on the road. Lola was starting to get nervous.
She came up to an intersection; the light had just turned yellow. There was a hasty driver behind Lola who honked at her to hurry up. Lola got nervous and ran through the intersection.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" yelled Larry, "the light was RED!"
"No it wasn't…it was yellow…" she mumbled terrified
"When it's yellow, you have to SLOW DOWN not SPEED UP!"
"But…that guy was…"
"I don't care. You have to do what the light says!"
"Ok…" she squeaked
Lola clutched the steering wheel and was extremely quiet and tense throughout the rest of the drive.
Lola pulled up to the driveway and turned off the car. They both got out of the car. Lola handed her father the keys. He took them and put his hand over her shoulder.
"You have to understand Lola, that driving is a big responsibility," he said calmly, 'you did very well for your first try."
Lola smiled weakly.
Once they both entered the house, they were both surprised to hear yelling in the house. They walked in further into the house, and they saw that Gladys and Katie were arguing. They turned and saw them enter; they became silent for a moment.
"Lola, go upstairs," said Larry
Lola obeyed.
Once she was upstairs, she saw Brendan leaning over the railing. He motioned for her to be quiet. The fight resumed.
"You don't appreciate anything that I do! I'm always left out, pushed aside. You never cared for me!"
"You are so ungrateful! I gave you life! Is this how you repay me?!"
"I never asked to be born!"
"How can you have such disrespect for life?!"
"It's my life! I can do whatever the hell I want with it!"
"Don't you dare talk to me that way!"
"Kate! Do NOT raise your voice in this house like that!" yelled Larry
"You can't tell me what to do! You're not my father!"
Lola and Brendan heard running footsteps. They both hid away, and saw it was Kate who ran up the stairs and locked herself inside her room. They could hear Gladys crying downstairs.
"What did I do wrong to deserve this??" she wailed angrily
Lola looked at Brendan. She was scared and confused.
'You're not my father?' What did she mean by that?
"Mom?"
"Hmm?"
They had just arrived back at the house. Sean had turned off the car and everything.
"You ok? You seemed to be gone for a moment,"
"No I'm ok,"
"You sure?"
"I'm fine don't worry…" she smiled reassuringly, "you should worry about that cake though…" she said changing the subject
"Oh no…"