Chapter 18: Two gardens, one feud
Authors note: Thank you all for the reviews once again! I still can't believe I have hit over 60 reviews! Keep them coming people! Thank you so much! Anyway in this chapter a new gnome shall appear. I'm guessing we all know who right? Well if not I won't ruin it for ya. Enjoy!
Over the next few months nothing much happened for the blue garden. Well the gnomes were preparing to celebrate little Gnomeo's first birthday if that was something interesting. Also the fact the blues had managed to win nearly every single lawnmower race match there was all thanks to Gnorman. He had totally beat Pansy every single time and proved her lawnmower to be not as worthy as she bragged out. He had most definitely shot her theory down in flames!
But today everyone's attentions were not just focused on the lawnmower race taking place out back again. Today the majority of the red gnomes were outside the garden awaiting the re-match between Gnorman and Pansy, but many remained inside the garden, for a very special thing was about to happen for the red garden.
June had awoken in the morning with extreme stomach pains and she knew that the baby was due anytime this month. She knew her baby was coming today, so she told Redbrick and a local doctor (the same unfortunate doctor who had to endure Pansy's pregnancy) and prepared herself for some severe pain. Some gnomes had decided to stay in the garden and await the news of their leader's child. June was about to give birth in the garden shed so Pansy got her lawnmower out earlier than she usually would. She wanted nothing to do with her brother or his wife's birth. She had despised it from the very beginning and knew that if she didn't teach Tybalt what she wanted him to be soon, she feared that he and his new cousin would be friends. And that was something she couldn't afford to have.
As Pansy prepared her lawnmower for the race she heard several cries coming from the garden shed. She knew June was in labour and she hoped she went through as much pain as she herself went through when she had little Tybalt. Pansy checked that her lawnmower was in perfect condition for racing with before she decided to quickly wash it before taking it out back. While she did this the little red gnomes all made their way eagerly towards her and much to her annoyance they decided to ask her a very stupid question.
"So are you going to be there for Lord Redbrick and Lady June when she has her kid Pansy?" The little gnomes asked in unison. Pansy stopped what she was doing and glanced down at the gnomes raising her eyebrows in a "Are you kidding me?" way.
"Am I heck! They weren't there when I had Tybalt, why should I be there to witness the pain I had to go through? And besides, I hate them and there kid and quite frankly I don't want anything to do with it!" Pansy then went back to cleaning her lawnmower and the gnomes glanced at each other before replying to her.
"But why?"
"What? Why?" Pansy choked in disbelief "have you grown up with the father of that child? I have, and to be quite honest I wouldn't care if he smashed in hell! After all the things he did to me, I am surprised I am still here!" Pansy then looked away in a sad rage as she remembered all the reasons why she hated her own brother. And she had her reasons, not all of them were out in the open either.
"You ready for the race Pansy?" another familiar voice broke in and the little gnomes and Pansy all turned to see Boris walking over with little Tybalt on his sturdy shoulders. Tybalt was smiling and laughing on his fathers shoulders and grinned at his mother.
"Good luck mummy! You'll be great!" Pansy couldn't help but smile at her son.
"Yeah, let's go cream some blueberry pies!" Pansy clenched her hand into a fist and bashed it against her hand determinedly. She then turned away and said through gritted teeth "I'm not letting that blue hated jerk win again. This time he's going down!" She was prepared to win today! Even if it killed her!
…
"Oh where is she?" Gnorman muttered impatiently as he watched the growing number of red gnomes disperse out of the gate to watch the race. But there was still no sign of Pansy. But to him it was a typical start to every race, she was always late.
"Be patient Gnorman, you can leave her at the starting line when she comes out any minute now," Blueberry explained as she held her one year old Gnomeo in her arms. He had indeed grown over the past few months. He was beginning to get more colour on his hat and his hair was the same colour as his mothers and fathers, but it had the same shade as his mother's hair always had. Blueberry still had blonde hair, but hers was beginning to fade slightly. But so was everyone else's. Even Redbrick's hair was beginning to get less brown.
"Good luck in the race today Gnorman," a small voice came from behind them. It was Wisteria and she was followed by her mushroom companions.
"Haha thanks but I doubt I'll need it! Pansy has practically lost every single event this year. I think she's loosing it entirely," Gnorman boasted confidently.
"Well be careful out there, I don't want you getting chipped or anything silly!" Blueberry said receiving a brief hug and kiss from her cheery husband.
"Yes madam! And you little man, watch for me when I come across the finish line and win yet another race!" Gnorman tickled little Gnomeo who began to giggle with laughter. Blueberry smiled adoringly at her son as he glanced up at her and giggled again. Wisteria watched the scene before her and thought it was one of the sweetest things she had ever seen. They were all soon brought back to reality when Pansy decided to make her dramatic entrance. Many blue gnomes booed her when they finally saw her come out on her lawnmower being pushed by the small gnomes. Boris also made his appearance and still had Tybalt balanced on his shoulders.
Surprisingly enough Tybalt looked big for his age. Physically he was just like his father and he could speak and everything. He was almost three years old and he already looked like a five year old. But looks could be deceiving as he still struggled with many words and he still acted his age. Wisteria couldn't help but give the child a look of dread, she knew that child would cause drastic problems for her in the distant future, but she didn't know what impact he would have on both gardens. Neither did she want to; what ever Pansy was going to do to that poor gnome, Wisteria knew it wouldn't be good.
"Alright you, ready to get your gnome arse whipped?" Pansy stormed up to Gnorman who just smirked at her as she frowned.
"Nope, because I don't see a whip. By the way where is your brother? I was rather looking forward to him witnessing your next defeat," Gnorman asked. Pansy just put her hand on her hip and didn't bother smiling to his comment.
"Well while we are racing my stupid sister in-law is having her blasted child in our garden shed. So I am afraid my darling brother won't be able to see my victory today." Pansy then glanced behind Gnorman to Wisteria and smirked wickedly.
"Hey Wistie, how've you been keeping? Still keeping your hat in one piece I see," Pansy teased and Wisteria glanced up and felt her all around cracked hat. She sulked unhappily and Blueberry decided to step in before Pansy really got her best friend down.
"Leave us alone Pansy! Don't you have a race to loose?" Blueberry asked and Pansy swiftly turned her gaze to Blueberry and her smirk disappeared in a flash.
"Excuse me; was I even talking to you? And now you mention it, I don't have a race to loose. See ya at the finish line Gnorman, if you can make it that far!" and with that Pansy walked away to her lawnmower.
"I guess I'd better go gear up. See you three at the finish line!" Gnorman waved before he too went to his lawnmower. Blueberry waved back and then turned to Wisteria who still held her hat weakly. Blueberry nudged her softly and smiled.
"Hey… don't let her words get you down. You're a blue gnome, and a very cool hippie. And what was that old saying you used to say to me as we grew up? Hippy and…?"
"Proud…" Wisteria muttered "but Blueberry, lately I just don't feel proud of who I am. I know in the human world back in the sixties and seventies hippies weren't exactly popular within the general public but we all had a right to fight for peace. I just wish we still had that here…"
"Well perhaps one day, things will change. But there is no way we can back out of this feud now. Not even if I wanted to." Blueberry said this truthfully and she was right. It was too out of control, everyone accept Wisteria were now a part of it. And Gnomeo and Tybalt would grow up to hate each other's guts. And to think this feud started all because of Wisteria. Ever since the day her hat smashed, there had been nothing but chaos. And now they were paying for it. But there was nothing Wisteria could do, or say for that matter. She would just have to stand there and take it all until everyone realized what a big mistake they were making.
Meanwhile at the starting line all the gnomes at each side of the fences cheered on either Gnorman or Pansy, but mostly Gnorman's name could be heard. Many red gnomes actually remained silent instead of cheering on their representative. Perhaps they were sick of Pansy playing by the rules and loosing every time. Perhaps it was time she cheated and aimed to do something to hurt Gnorman to teach him a lesson on messing with her. These thoughts had taken over Pansy's mind for the past few days and it seemed like the only valid option available. Gnorman was clearly the better lawnmower racer out of the two of them and without cheating; Pansy wouldn't be able to beat him. He was too vast and experienced for her liking. This made Pansy jealous of him to some extent, but the other half of that jealousy was hatred, pure hatred. She hated any blue gnome but he, Wisteria and Blueberry seemed to be the worst ones out of the lot. And recently Pansy was taking a real dislike to Blueberry's little boy Gnomeo, he would grow up to defy Tybalt and she didn't want anyone to stand in her sons way. But this Gnomeo and now her brother's daughter or son stood in her way and she didn't like that. If Tybalt grew close to either one of them, Pansy's entire plan could go out of the window. No, she had to get him to grow up to hate them, and if it took solitude and abuse to get him there, then that is what Pansy would take.
"Ok you two, you know the rules and all that but it is my job to remind you of them at the start of each race, and blah, blah, blah," one of the blue gnomes said with the look of sheer boredom in his face. It was also evident on his face as he looked completely fed up of repeating himself.
"Do what you want Nigel," Gnorman winked doing a final check on his lawnmower. Pansy on the other hand wasn't as patient as her rival so she said it how it was to the blue gnome.
"Just get on with it! I want to kick some butt here!" the gnome sighed and muttered something under his breath before speaking to them.
"No road rage, no biting, no spitting, no eating, no drinking, no sleeping, no dying… and finally no cheating," the gnome then smiled for the first time ever in his life "well that's me done!"
"Wait, you need to give us the flag to go," Gnorman exclaimed as the gnome made his way to the other blue gnomes. Nigel swiftly turned around and gave a frustrated sigh before he went back and finally finished his job entirely.
"I do this too often," Nigel muttered as he made his way back to the two competitors starting their engines. "Alright, on your marks… get set… GO!"
And with that both Gnorman and Pansy were off for another great race!
…
"Come on Lady June, you can do it!" The doctor called out as June continued to scream in agony as she was giving birth to her child.
"It's not that easy! You're not a girl so how can you possibly know how much pain I am going through?" June said between deep breaths.
"Because I am a doctor and I have witnessed many births, now push Lady June!" The doctor explained while getting her to push even harder.
"Stop calling me Lady June while I'm in labour!" June called out angrily and the doctor just gave Redbrick a small glance and whispered.
"Is she always like this?"
"No, not usually," Redbrick replied "is she going to be ok doctor?"
"She'll be fine," the doctor said coolly "when she learns how to PUSH!"
"I'm pushing!" June gasped in even more pain. She then glanced over to her husband and held out her hand "Redbrick, can I hold your hand?"
Redbrick handed over his hand and smiled but that soon disappeared when June grasped his hand so tightly, he thought it would snap off as a result of the sheer pressure she was releasing. "Ahhhh!" Redbrick gasped "how much longer until the baby comes out doctor?"
"Any second now…" the doctor replied "another push Lady June and we shall probably see the hat of this child," the doctor directed and June pushed again in sheer pain.
"I don't know how much I can take of this!" June screamed squeezing even tighter on Redbrick's hand. He too gasped in pain and she immediately let go of his hand and took the force out on something else she got her hands on.
"Do it for the child June. Do it for us!" Redbrick encouraged comfortingly.
"Aha!" The doctor called out unexpectedly. "We have a hat. Red as can be and I can see a hint of brown; we must be getting to the head. Keep pushing Lady June, we're almost there!"
"About time too," June muttered and began pushing again despite the exhaustion taking over her.
"We're about to have a baby June! Our baby!" Redbrick smiled putting his hand on June's shoulder comfortingly. June smiled briefly at him before gasping in agony once again. The doctor was now beginning to get his gloved hands to hold something. And suddenly yet unexpectedly the pain stopped. June was just gasping in long breaths to get her energy back as she no longer had to push. The doctor smiled and Redbrick and June waited eagerly for the doctor to give them their newly born child.
"Congratulations you two. It's a healthy and colourful baby girl!" The doctor said cheerfully handling the tiny baby and wrapping her in some blankets. He was about to hand her to June until she stopped him unexpectedly.
"No wait! Let Redbrick hold her first," June then looked up at her husband who smiled adoringly at the child as he went to take her from the doctor. He stood there handling the baby for several moments before he glanced over to his wife who awaited his opinion on her.
"So? What does she look like?" June asked and Redbrick walked towards her and grinned softly.
"She has your eyes and your features. I don't think she has any of my features," Redbrick then handed the baby to June and she inspected her curiously.
"You're right. She does remind me of my former self, but you're missing one big feature here… she has your smile!" June pointed down and Redbrick sat next to June on a small pot of paint and they both gazed down at their new daughter happily. Redbrick kissed June's cheek and held her hand.
"I am so proud of you," he said softly and she smiled. Both gazed into each others eyes, her green eyes into his brown. And it remained this way until the doctor broke the silence by asking a very important question.
"So what are you going to call her?"
Both June and Redbrick glanced at each other and smiled and then they revealed their answer in unison.
"Juliet!"
…
"Get ready to eat my dirt Gnorman!" Pansy yelled as she overtook Gnorman on her lawnmower. He wasn't prepared to let her win and pulled up along side her.
"Not today Pansy!" Gnorman shouted back over the sounds of their lawnmowers going on full power. Pansy noticed Gnorman was edging closer in front of her and she decided to put her plan into action finally.
"Yes today Gnorman!" Pansy laughed as she rammed her lawnmower into Gnorman's causing him to briefly loose control.
"What the heck are you doing? The rules say we can't cheat!" Gnorman exclaimed catching up to Pansy as they approached the finish line. Pansy laughed again as she was prepared to release the final blow to finish him off.
"Well you should know I don't go by silly rules. See ya around chum!" Pansy then slammed her lawnmower yet again into Gnorman's and this time he wasn't so lucky. His lawnmower spiralled out of control and flung him off of it onto the ground. The lawnmower on the other hand just cut out and fell on its side. Luckily no damage was done to it, but for Gnorman on the other hand…
"YES!" Pansy cheered as she raced past the finish line. Many red gnomes including Boris cheered and clapped for her as she came off her lawnmower. The blue gnomes on the other hand weren't cheering, not only had they lost, but they thought Gnorman was seriously hurt or even smashed. Blueberry rushed over to Gnorman and all the blue gnomes tensed up. But all was well when soon they appeared, Blueberry's arm around his shoulder while he limped a little. But over all Gnorman seemed alright, he was still in one piece so that was a good thing.
Wisteria held onto little Gnomeo while Blueberry brought back Gnorman from the wreckage. She feared the worst for him when she saw Pansy slam her lawnmower into his. But she cheered with the other gnomes when he appeared unharmed. She couldn't help but sigh a sigh of pure relief, this situation could have been worse, much worse!
"I'll be fine Blueberry! Just a twisted ankle as all," Gnorman insisted as he limped over to the rest of the blue gnomes.
"You need a sit down and a rest. I'll have our doctor check it out just to be safe," Blueberry explained still clinging onto her husband.
"You're such a good wife do you know that?" Gnorman smiled.
"I know," Blueberry said simply as she grinned "and a good mother and leader. I'm good at everything aren't I?"
"Yes I will fully agree with you on that one," Gnorman smile then faded when he turned back to the lawnmower that remained on its side. "Sorry about the lawnmower though. I've wrecked that up good and proper now haven't I?"
"No, that can be replaced. You on the other hand cannot," Blueberry then stopped but held onto Gnorman as they turned to see Pansy with her fellow red gnomes applauding and being obnoxious.
"Hey you!" Gnorman shouted and Pansy turned to Gnorman and grinned.
"Who me?" Pansy asked innocently gaining a few chuckles from other gnomes surrounding her.
"Yes you, why did you go against the rules and cheat like that? Lawnmower racing is a sport and if not played by the rules, it is not a proper game." Gnorman explained professionally. Pansy glanced at her fingers before glancing back at Gnorman and chuckled amusingly.
"To hell with the rules! I play my way now."
"Don't you realize 'your way' almost got him killed? Or don't you care?" Blueberry asked keeping a firm grip on her husband's shoulders as she glared at Pansy.
"Oh I am sorry, was I meant to care? I forgot," Pansy smirked and mimicked an innocent child as she said this. She then giggled causing Blueberry's glare to turn into a scowl.
"You two faced little-"
"Do me a favour Lady Blueberry, save the insults for others who'll listen to them." Pansy then glanced at Gnorman and waved "nice knowing ya Gnorman!" and with that Pansy and her other gnomes made their way into the red garden to celebrate their new victory leaving all the blue gnomes to scowl and cure at her cheating.
…
"Pansy, congratulations on the win!" The gnomes would say as Pansy made her way back into the red garden. She grinned and accepted their compliments. She hadn't had any in ages so it was a nice change to have some after so many losses to the blues!
"Thank you all so much, I don't know where I'd be without your support," Pansy grinned and then muttered to herself 'somewhere better if I was that lucky'.
"Hey everyone, Lady June has had her baby!" A gnome called out and immediately everyone's attentions were diverted from Pansy to the commotion going on in the shed. Pansy rolled her eyes and moaned, so much for those fifteen of fame!
Pansy rolled her eyes and checked her lawnmower as all the gnomes but her and Boris darted off to go see the new arrival in their garden. Pansy then noticed her son wasn't around and glanced at Boris curiously.
"Where is Tybalt?" Boris turned around and looked all around him before replying to her.
"He was here a minute ago. You don't think he… do you?" Boris then froze and Pansy rolled her eyes and jumped off her lawnmower.
"With that kid these days, I have no doubt," Pansy sighed and then began to walk away "come on lets go get him before he gets too close to this stupid kid of my brother's." And with that, Boris and Pansy headed towards the red garden shed to go find their son and stop him from being too close with Redbrick and June and now their new child.
Meanwhile in the garden shed June lay on some large packets of compost as she rested, but she didn't sleep yet. Sure she was exhausted after the birth but right now she was too happy to see her husband showing all the other gnomes their new daughter. But after a while some of the gnomes left and congratulated them once again and just as some of the other gnomes were leaving a small gnome pushed through the adults gnomes to get to where he wanted to go.
At first June and Redbrick were shocked to see their little nephew run over towards them. Pansy and Boris had kept him under lock and key most of the time and forbidden him to even speak to his aunt and uncle. But today he was too happy to even get noticed by his parents and he had managed to sneak off and see his new cousin. After the shock was over with, June smiled as her nephew waddled over to them, almost falling over in the process. The poor boy hadn't been walking long and he was still getting used to standing and walking let alone running.
"Hello little Tybalt, what are you doing here?" June asked as Tybalt approached her out of breath. She was now carrying baby Juliet and Redbrick stood next to her also smiling down at his little nephew.
"I came, to see tha baby!" Tybalt pointed his small chubby finger at Juliet who was sound asleep in June's arms.
"Alright then," June lowered Juliet down and Tybalt gazed at her smiling curiously.
"What's her name?" Tybalt asked glancing up at his uncle who put his hand on his nephews shoulder.
"Juliet." Redbrick replied also looking down and smiling proudly.
"She's small!" Tybalt muttered and June cracked a small laugh.
"Well of course Tybalt dear, you were like this once!" June explained.
"Was I?" Tybalt asked still smiling like he was having a really good time.
"Indeed," Redbrick smiled as they all looked down at the baby in a soft silence. But that historic moment was about to be broken and the doom of the future was about to creep back into the current situation.
Pansy wasn't particularly spreading her victory cheer at this current point in time. She should have by now, but something or someone was getting in the way of her joyful celebrations. As she marched over to the garden shed she felt a hint of anger rattle throughout her entire body. The thought of her own son getting close and happy with the gnomes she detested and had no choice but to call family made explode. She couldn't afford for her son to grow up to be soft and gentle with the blues or even his own family for that matter! No, if Pansy wanted her plan to finally dominate the garden one day, she would have to raise Tybalt in such a way that he wouldn't be able to stand the very sight of his aunt, uncle and now cousin. But Pansy's sights were about to go worse as she saw a sight she dreaded and feared to see.
When Pansy and Boris finally waltzed up to the garden she door they noticed it was ajar from how many gnomes had walked in and out. They opened it and there was a scene they couldn't stand to even witness right before them.
Tybalt was standing by his aunt and uncle over the baby gnome smiling adoringly at it. Tybalt also had Redbrick's arm around his shoulder and June stroking his arm softly and mother like. This scene made both Pansy and Boris fume with fury as all three gnomes didn't realize they even stood there. It wasn't until Pansy cleared her throat rather loudly that they noticed both gnomes standing in the doorway trying to hold back their anger and force a normal expression on their features. Redbrick and June suddenly tensed up as they knew Pansy and Boris would be angry with them, but they decided to take it and stand up for Tybalt if necessary.
"Tybalt," Pansy began plainly "what are you doing in here?"
"Oh mommy isn't it cool? Aunty June and uncle Redbrick are letting me see my baby cousin, they've called her Julie!" Tybalt called out excitedly.
"Juliet," June corrected as Pansy and Boris slowly made their way into the shed and made their way up to their son.
"Tybalt, go wait outside," Pansy ordered and Tybalt did as he was told.
"Ok, see you later aunty June and uncle Redbrick!" Tybalt waved as Pansy signified to Boris that he should take his son outside as an argument could flare up.
"Hello Pansy," Redbrick began as she approached them both, hand behind her back as her gaze was fixed upon their tiny daughter.
"Save the hello crap for another time brother, I want to know why you let my son in here without my permission," Pansy explained before going up to Juliet and examining her closely "ah so this is the brat eh? Funny, it looks nothing like you dear brother."
"For your information Pansy, your son ran into here before we could tell him otherwise. And what is your problem with not letting us see him anyway? We won't bite, and we are family after all!" June snapped defensively as Pansy glared at her.
"I have a problem with the way you two run this garden that is why, the blues have taken advantage of us far too much and you two do bugger all about it! I don't want my son growing up around gnomes who are incapable of doing anything!" Pansy exclaimed and just after she said this little Juliet woke up and started to cry.
"Now look what you've done!" Redbrick shouted as June tried to hush her daughter back to sleep "listen Pansy, it is you with the problem, not us. All we want is for our garden to be as good as possible but you make that very difficult with your stubbornness and selfishness. Why don't you let go of your past grudges and let the past go? Let Tybalt be the joy in your miserable life! He is a good little boy and deserves more love and attention than he currently gets. What do you say Pansy? Why don't we let this go and start afresh?" Redbrick then held out his hand in the hopes Pansy would agree. But she remained where she stood and didn't move a centimetre. After several moments of remaining silent Pansy decided to speak. But they were words neither Redbrick nor June were expecting.
"Congratulations with the child," Pansy muttered and turned around to leave. Her expression was blank and both Redbrick and June took a few seconds to get to grips with the situation. When they finally did they both spoke.
"Thank you," they both said in unison and when Pansy was far enough away she began to smirk menacingly. Oh she hadn't given up!
This… this was just the beginning!
Authors note: So awww Juliet is born! But what is Pansy plotting? And how does this effect Tybalt's future? And how will the blue garden react to Pansy's cheating? Will they want revenge? All shall be revealed in the next chapter! But in the meantime, review! Thanks!