Emma & Malcom Peabody

Chapter 5: A day with Monet

Once Emma discovers that her parents used to use the WABAC when they were younger, she gets really angry. That's when her brother decides to help her, and both start having a conversation for the first time in eight years.

-Yes! But why are you, Penny wearing Sherman's glasses?-asked the old man

-Because I'm… I'm not Penny and he isn't Sherman-explained the girl

-What? But you're really similar to them! I would have bet that you were them-

-Well… we're their sons-she finished making Monet shock

-What? How old are your parents right now?-

-They're old…-whispered Malcom.-They're like forty…-

-They actually are thirty-six-said Emma.-Have they come here?-

-Of course! Those three used to travel through time ALL the time!-

-Wait! You know about it?-asked the red-haired boy

-Of course! Those three and the WABAC… How do you think that people wrote books about time machines? It was because of them-

-They… they never told us about it-said Emma sadly

-Well… perhaps they didn't want you to be in danger. You'll see… there are many dangerous places to go-

-But why? Why they had hid it? It's so… UH!-she screamed angrily and ran away

-Emma! Wait!-said her brother running behind her

Emma ran as fast as she could and stopped when she got to the garden's bridge. She sat there and looked at the pond with an angry look. Her parents lied her! They always said that it was wrong to have secrets, to lie, to hide things! But they never told him that they traveled through time. She felt sad and disappointed… The only person on her family who didn't lie her was Malcom, and he was the only person she hated.

-Are you alright?-asked Malcom behind her

-What do you want? You don't even care about me…-

-No, but I must say that I understand why our parents didn't tell us-

-I do it too… but it makes me angry knowing that they hid something like this!-

-They knew that we… or at least I would want to use it-

-I'm still disappointed-

-C'mon, Em! You always call me silly and idiot…-

-So?-

-Don't you think is silly to get mad at our parents for a lie they said to protect us?-

-I thought they'd never hide us anything…-

-Please, Em! Stop your tantrum, you…-he tried to say but she interrupted him

-You don't understand!-she exclaimed.-You never had a good relationship with our parents! But I do! They are everything I have and I always tell them everything! And I thought they will do it too… Perhaps I just can't trust no one-

-Emma, I know you're really close to our parents but…-he sighed.-Well, they aren't your friends… if they know it's the best for us, they'll lie-

-But…-Emma looked at his brother "I don't have any friends" was what she wanted to say. But she couldn't say that. Not to him. She didn't trust him yet. He was beside her because they traveled together and they had to go back together or their parents were going to kill him.

The girl just looked at the pond, ignoring him and trying not to think about her family, her friends or her brother.

Malcom sat behind her, but she didn't even move. He was worried about her. He felt a lot of sadness all of a sudden. Perhaps the brothers and sisters actually have a special bond that makes them feel what the other is feeling. But he was sure about only one thing: she was feeling wrong. He expected her to say something… but she didn't.

-I'm really sorry about well… our parents and… about all I've said about you-apologized Malcom

Emma turned his head and faced him. For the first time in eight years he apologized for something and he really seemed as if he meant it. It was really obvious in his eyes that he was really sorry about everything.

-No, it's ok-she said.-You're right… I exaggerated the situation as always-

-You didn't… you're really close to our parents and I should have understood-

-Yeah, but how come would you know that?-

-What do you mean?-

-You're never close to me… or to our family-she said standing up

-If I'm not it, it's not because I don't want to-he muttered standing up too

Both of them went back to the place where Monet and his wife were.

-Is everything ok?-asked the painter to Emma

-Yeah… I've been better, but it's ok-

-Well… if you've traveled here, it must be because of something…-

-Emma really adores your paintings-said Malcom

-Do you, Emma?-

-Yes…-she said still a bit sad

-Well… I'm working in a painting that you may like…-he started to walk to the garden.-Follow me, kids!-

Malcom took Emma by the hand. Any of them remembered the last time in which they hold hands before. And that's when they realize: they have never been holding their hands before.

-Where are you going?-she asked

-Here!-said Monet pointing a tree near from the bridge and the pond

-What's there?-asked the young boy to the man

-This…-Monet started to take out paintbrushes, painting, and a painting which wasn't finished from the water-lilies

Emma opened her eyes and smiled. Those were the water-lilies she had on her bedroom!

-Would you like to paint the water-lilies with me?-asked the man taking out some empty frames with space so they were able to paint.-Take a paintbrush and start, my little artists!-he screamed continuing painting while Emma and Malcom looked at each other and smiled.

The both ran and took two paintbrushes and painting. They started their "masterpiece": Malcom painted the pond and the water-lilies, while Emma focused on the bridge. But both of them were away, so any one will see the painting until it's finished.

After a few hours of working, painting, making jokes, telling stories and laughing… both pictures were ready (the Monet's one not yet, of course).

-Ready to see mine?-asked Malcom

-Sure, if you're it too-answered his sister

-Ta-da!-screamed the both of them at the same time and showing their paintings. Malcom showed the pond, the water-lilies and a reflex of two kids, a blonde girl wearing glasses and a red-haired boy behind her on the water. And Emma painted the bridge, the pond, some water-lilies and the same kids that were in Malcom's painting, but in her image those kids were sat in the bridge. Everything in those paintings were done quickly and without details… everything but those kids. The kids were painted in a really beautiful way.

Malcom and Emma stood really surprised. The both painted themselves! Monet smiled. That bridge was now, officially, a really important place for the twins.

-Oh, that was amazing!-screamed Malcom getting into the elevator behind Emma, who was carrying the paintings

-I know right!-she said excited.-I still can't believe we met Monet, his garden and we… painted behind him!-

-I know! And what are you going to do with the paintings?-

-Hide them somewhere in here… while our grandfather doesn't look…-

-Perhaps he's already slept! We've been out for hours and…-the elevator opened and they saw a clock. Ten minutes have only passed from the moment they were gone. That meant that the time in which they used the machine didn't count… it's like they paralyze themselves in time when they traveled to the past.

They looked at the sides, their grandfather was in the kitchen.

-Hide the paintings-whispered Malcom to Emma.-I'll distract him-

Malcom got into the kitchen.

-What are you doing here?-asked the white beagle surprised.-You have already left!-

-Yes, but I… wanted… to… eat something! Yeah, I'm hungry!-

-Oh, fine…-he went to the refrigerator while Emma passed over the kitchen and went to their room

She opened the door carefully and started to search for a good place to hide them. She tried to put them under the bed, but the paintings were going to be seen, even though they weren't really big. Behind some posters… but it didn't work out neither. She opened the wardrobe, but it didn't seem like a good place… until she found something: a box with a padlock with key.

She opened it and found something really surprising: nothing. The locked box was completely empty. She put the paintings, which fit in perfectly, and locked the box with the padlock. Then, she took her bag, where she had a necklace that her mother gifted her for her last birthday with a really flashy trinket with the shape of a light blue butterfly. It was really beautiful, but too gaudy for her. She put the key right behind the butterfly and went out from the bedroom.

-Thanks, grandpa-said Malcom eating a cheese sandwich

-You're welcome… so, have you left your sister alone or…?-

-I'm back!-screamed Emma getting into the kitchen

-Oh, you got bored exploring the flat?-asked Mr. Peabody

-Yeah…-said Malcom trying to justify why they came back so early.-Moreover I was hungry… Would like a sandwich, Em?-he asked

-Nope, thanks Mal, I'm fine-

Peabody stared at them. When they came, they used to argue all the time and they called to each other "nerd" and "silly". And that… in ten minutes can't be solve. The beagle smiled. They have used the WABAC and, like he expected, their bond was starting to get fixed.

That night, Emma and Malcom were sleeping in the same room, but in different beds, of course.

Once Malcom was sure that their grandfather was asleep… he stood up from his bed and went to his sister's bed.

-Em, are you awake?-he asked

The girl opened an eye.-I'm it now… what's wrong?-she asked sleepy

-Let's use the Way Back-he said

-What?-she sat on her bed.-Are you mad? If someone discovers that we use it we'll be grounded! Moreover, you said that we won't use it again-

-But… Emma! It's a TIME MACHINE. It's a lifetime's chance!-

-No, I won't go with you-she said lying on her bed again

-Alright, I'll go alone-he decided walking out of the room on his own

Emma started to doubt about not going. Malcom was right in one thing: it was a time machine! Traveling through time is amazing! They could visit to the most important historical moments and people! No one could deny that it was a big temptation… And even though it was wrong lying to their parents… they lied them too. Moreover, she and her brother had a lot of fun the last time… But she knew one thing: if she accepted to travel now, there was no going back, Malcom was going to want to travel every time they come to their grandfather's house. And now on, she'll be his accomplice. But… Perhaps they were able to travel through time without telling to anyone.

Malcom opened the red door and looked at the elevator one more time disappointed. Surprisingly, he wanted to go with his sister. They had had a lot of time together the last time! And he knew it won't be as fun without Em…

He got into the time machine. And looked at the keyboard when he discovered something: he didn't know where to go. He didn't like history too much, so, obviously, he had no idea about what time should he write in.

-October 11th from the year 1942-said a girl voice behind him

-Emma?-he turned around.-You came!-

-Yeah… I will use the Way Back with you… but it must be OUR secret. No one can know about this, deal?-

-Deal!-he exclaimed while he started to write the date on the keyboard.-Which place?-

-Cuba-

-Cuba? Where are we going?-asked the boy confused

-Ha, you'll see…-

Cuba? Where do you think they are going to go? Would they get into more troubles in that time?

Find out in the next chapter!

(Thanks for reading)