Author's Note: Thanks for the review, and BebeLover- yes you're exactly right :P

This is a two part chapter- mainly because I got distracted while writing, but part two won't take long to post (Though I may make you wait just a little bit so I know you're all filled with anticipation for the next chapter)

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I claim to own, the Addams Family in any of it's forms

Wednesday tugged on her mother's dress, "Mother?"

Morticia looked away from her husband and smiled at the small child, "Yes, Wednesday dear?"

"Mother, when are Granny Frump and Aunt Ophelia coming?"

"In Ophelia's letter she said they'd be here tomorrow, in time for your party," Morticia answered, leaning down to scoop the small child into her arms. "Are you excited darling?"

Wednesday nodded, "Yes mother, I'm going to be four, you know."

"Oh yes, I know," Morticia gave her a kiss. "Now, it's time for you to get to bed."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes darling, you don't want to be too tired when Granny Frump and Aunt Ophelia arrive, do you?"

Wednesday shook her head, "But I won't be, I'll be too excited to be tired."

Morticia started up the stairs, "Now darling, it's already almost midnight, and you know the rule."

Wednesday pouted.

Gomez leaned over the railing of the stairs and called down, "Pugsley, time to get ready for bed!"

Pugsley came bounded up the stairs, unlike his little sister he loved going to bed- he was plagued with nightly nightmares.

"I can get ready by myself," he announced to his parents.

Morticia looked a little hurt as she glanced at her husband. Gomez shrugged a little.

"Alright darling," she attempted a smile. "I'll be in once I've put Wednesday to bed to say good night."

Pugsley ran off ahead. Morticia and Gomez continued to Wednesday's room.

"Mommy?" Wednesday looked at her mother. "Are you excited about my birthday?"

"Of course I am darling," Morticia replied, her voice brightening as she put her daughter down on the bed.

"Are you excited father?"

Gomez nodded as he opened one of her drawers, pulling out a little blue nightgown, "I can hardly wait."

Wednesday beamed, raising her arms as Morticia pulled the girl's dress over her head.

"What are you getting me?" she asked.

"I can't tell you that!" Gomez cried out dramatically, passing the nightgown to his wife. "I'd rather tear out my eyes than spoil the surprise!"

Wednesday giggled at his show.

"There you are darling," Morticia pulled back the covers on the bed.

The girl scrambled in.

"Would you like a bedtime story, darling?" Morticia asked.

Wednesday nodded, "Yes, can father read me something by Mr Poe? He does it so funny."

"Of course darling," Morticia gave her a kiss. "I'll go and put your brother to bed, good night darling."

"Good night, Mother," Wednesday replied, before turning her attention to her father, who sat poised at the foot of the bed, book in hand.

"TRUE! -nervous -very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why WILL you say that I am mad?" he began, eyes opened wide.

Morticia smiled at the scene as she left the room and headed for her son's bedroom. She rapt her knuckles gently on the closed door.

"Pugsley darling, may I come in?"

"Yes, mother!" he called back. "I need a hand!"

She pushed open the door, and had to surpress a laugh as she saw her son tangled in his pajama top, his head somehow poking out one of the arm holes. She drifted over to him and pulled the top off, rearranged it, and had him dressed for bed in a matter of seconds.

"Thank you mother," Pugsley's cheeks were slightly flushed from his efforts.

"Why didn't you call for help sooner?" Morticia asked as she tucked the boy into his bed, pushing the octopus tank close to he could pet it goodnight.

Pugsley looked down, "Uncle Fester said that you baby me too much. He said I'll never be a man unless I learn to do things myself."

Morticia huffed, "That's ridiculous."

"That's what he said."

Morticia smoothed down the boy's hair, "Now darling, you listen to your mother. Doing things yourself doesn't make you a man, a man is someone who isn't afraid to ask for help when he needs it. Like you just did when I was at the door."

"You mean I am a man?"

She nodded, "Yes, darling. And when you're grown you're going to be as wonderful a man as your father is."

"I hope so," Pugsley grinned a toothy grin at his mother. "Thank you mother."

"Would you like me to read you a story?" she asked.

Pugsley shook his head, "No, tell me one of yours."

"Alright darling," Morticia thought for a moment, and then began. "Once upon a time, in a dark and dreary land, there lived a little boy named Pugsley..."

Morticia lay with her head on her husband's chest. His hand lay across her rib cage, running gentle circles with his thumb.

"Darling, are you still awake?" he asked.

"Yes dear."

"You seemed distracted tonight," he told her. "I'm worried about you."

"You don't need to worry about me dear," she replied. "I just can't stop thinking about what Pugsley told me tonight. He said Fester told him we baby him too much, and that he wasn't a man."

"That's preposterous!" Gomez shouted.

"Shush darling," Morticia rolled over, placing her hands over his mouth. "The children are sleeping."

"Sorry Cara," Gomez responded. "I wonder why Fester would tell the boy that."

Morticia shook her head, "He does have some funny ideas."

"I'll have a word with him tomorrow morning," Gomez told her. "And get him to amend his mistake."

"Thank you darling," Morticia replied, giving him a gentle kiss. "We should get some sleep now."

"Good night darling."

"Good night Bubbeleh," Morticia replied.

"Tish! You know what that word does to me!" Gomez cried.

Morticia allowed him to kiss her up and down, knowing neither of them would get any sleep just yet.