Episode 38: Starting a Family
Manny and Frida were so excited about having a baby. For the past few months they were going over things like doctor appointments, how they plan to raise the child, and baby names. Also they had to balance that with their jobs and Manny being El tigre.
"Surrender El Oso!" Manny said as he tried to stop him from robbing a bank.
"Never man!"
"Then we're doing this the hard way."
Manny easily kicked his butt and sent him to jail with the money returned.
"I'll get you for this man!" He shouted. "Oh and congratulations on the baby!"
Manny took a deep breath and sat down for a few minutes. Then Sartana robbed the jewelry store after that El Mal Verde terrorized the city. By the end of the day Manny was exhausted. He came home and collapsed on the couch. Frida arrived just an hour later from a doctor's appointment. Her stomach had gotten much larger during the past 8 months only one more month and the little Rivera would finally arrive.
"Hi, how was your day?" She asked eating a chocolate covered churro.
"Terrible! One crime raid after another. I don't know how my father does it." He said turning on the TV.
Frida sat next to him and kissed him on the cheek. After she finished her snack she pulled out some fabric, thread, and a needle.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm making a blanket for the baby." She answered.
"I didn't know you could sew."
"In 9th grade Mama made me take a sewing class, I never thought it would be useful until now."
As she sewed she started to hum one of her songs, suddenly she felt a kick.
"Manny! It kicked!"
"Really?"
"Yes. Feel."
Manny put his hand over her swollen stomach. At first he felt nothing but when Frida started humming again he felt a kick.
"Looks like our baby is a music lover." He said.
Then he felt two kicks.
"Wow! He or she is using both feet."
He stood up to get a drink. His hand had barely left her belly when he thought he felt a third kick. He placed his hand firmly back on her to double check.
"Is something wrong?" Frida asked.
"I thought a felt a third kick. Did I get you pregnant with a three legged child?"
"I seriously doubt that honey."
The next day Manny got a message from Sergio to meet him some where.
"Okay Sergio, what do you want?" He asked.
"I hear you and Frida have gotten married and are now expecting a baby."
"Yeah and?"
"Manny do you really think you can handle the responsibility? I mean really, did you plan on having a baby so soon?"
"I admit we didn't plan on it but we're happy about it."
"But can you handle it?"
"Well, I know it won't be easy."
"Exactly! So why don't you end your misery and divorce Frida so I can marry her."
"Oh so that's what this is about! No way dork!"
"I tried to be nice. Now I'm going to have to pull out the big guns." He said. "You know I happen to be connected to a lot of people, including social services."
"So?" Manny said confused.
"So judging by how young you are and you're past history of doing evil, social services might see you as an unsuitable parent."
Manny looked at him nervously.
"So they might take your baby away."
"You will never have our baby!"
Manny got up and left. But he couldn't help but worry. What if Sergio was right? What if he wasn't responsible enough to be a parent? He was only nineteen and he didn't have the best history of taking care of things. He remembered how he had killed every pet he had. He didn't want to lose his child. He couldn't imagine how heartbroken Frida would be if someone was to take their baby.
"What did Sergio have to say?" Frida asked when he got back.
"Oh nothing important." He lied because he didn't want her to worry.
"Sonething's wrong. What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to your wife."
"Okay but please don't get too upset." He sighed. "He tried to convince me to leave you."
"Ugh! Really?!" She groaned.
"Of course I said no! And when I did he threatened me!"
"Oh Manny I'm sure he won't be able to hurt you."
"Frida he wants to take our baby."
Frida looked at him horrified.
"What?" She whispered. "How?"
"He's connected to social services and he's going to try to convince them we're unsuitable parents."
Frida clutched her stomach protectively then she collapsed on the bed in tears. Manny sat next to her and held her as she cried.
"What does he want with our baby?" She sobbed.
"I don't know and I don't care! Because I won't let anyone take our child! This I swear!"
Poor Frida cried herself to sleep that night. The next day Manny called his family together and told them everything.
"Miho that's terrible! How can that little imp threaten to take your child?" Rodolfo said.
"This baby means everything to us." Manny said.
Sergio entered and sat next to him.
"So Manny, did you reconsider my offer?" He asked.
"No! Nothing will convince me to leave my wife!"
"Then see you in court."
"What?"
"A custody battle. Hope you have a good lawyer."
...
The court case was on Thursday. Manny was so nervous but he was determined.
"Grandpapi, did you find me a good lawyer?" He asked.
"Sort of. I am your lawyer."
"Papi! You've never been to law school!" Rodolfo said.
"How hard can being a lawyer be?"
"Oh we're doomed!" Manny said.
The judge took his place at the stand.
"All rise." He said.
"You're honor." Sergio said. "I am here to prove to you all that Manny Rivera is an unsuitable parent."
"Objection! He is so!" Grandpapi said.
"Mr. Rivera you will have you're chance to speak." The judge said.
Manny was called to the stand.
"How old are you Manny?" Sergio asked.
"I am nineteen years old."
"Nineteen! Much too young to raise a child!"
"I object! You're nineteen too you dolt!" Grandpapi said.
"Okay you have me there, but look at his records of villainy."
"Hey I didn't do that much." Manny said.
"Oh no? Role the clips."
A video projected Manny wearing the Bronze Boots at age 13, he was causing havoc with Frida.
"What are you doing in this clip?" Sergio asked.
"Um...hanging out with Frida." He said trying to be innocent.
"And what exactly are you doing with her?" He asked.
"Kicking storage cases."
"Oooh! How destructive! And what are these you are wearing?"
"My father's boots."
"Did he give them to you?"
"No. I stole them."
"Stealing from your own father! And that's not all."
He showed clip of Manny buying the cursed guacamole that turned his father and grandfather into zombies. Then it showed a clip of him robbing banks, going on those evil dates with Zoe, pranking Vice Principle Chakal, and causing major damage to the city. The next clips showed Manny stealing and lying to his parents, tricking Grandpapi, and putting Frida in dangerous situations.
"As you all can see. Manny Rivera is a destructive villain and cares nothing for his family." Sergio said. "Which is why his child should be placed in a more loving and responsible family."
"Wow! He's good!" Grandpapi said.
"Well, has the jury reached a verdict?" The judge said.
"Yes, your honor we find him-"
"Stop!" Frida entered the court house.
"Who are you?" The judge asked.
"Frida Rivera, your honor. Wife of Manny and mother to be." She said. "I am here to prove that he can be responsible and loving. Role the clips Daddy!"
A video projected Manny turning his zombie family back to normal and sacrificing himself to save them. It showed him arresting all the villains, stopping disasters, the time he saved a bus full of kids from Sergio which put him in an awkward situation. It showed the time he chose to save Rodolfo and Grandpapi instead of rulling with Django and Sartana. Him embracing his mother, father, and grandfather. The last clip showed him catching Frida and she kissed him.
"My husband may not be perfect. But he has a good heart and family always comes first for him." Frida said. "I love you so much, Manny."
"I love you too Frida."
They hugged each other.
"That was beautiful!" The judge sobbed.
"I object!" Sergio said.
"Overruled!" The judge said. "Jury, sniff! Your verdict?"
"We, sniff! We find him a caring and kind father! Oh hold me Janet!"
"No!" Sergio shouted.
As everyone left the court house Sergio grabbed Manny and pulled him aside.
"Don't think this is over! One way or another I will have that baby!" He whispered.
"Over my dead body!" Manny said.
He pulled away and left.
...
"Frida I have a surprise for you." He said.
"What is it?" She said.
He took her hand and led her to a door. The room this door was attached to had been left empty when they bought the house but Manny had made good use of it.
"Ready?"
"Yes." She said.
He opened the door to reveal a nursery. The walls were painted bright yellow and there was a box of toys. There was also a wooden crib with the blue blanket Frida had made tucked inside and a mobile of red, blue, and yellow stars hung over the crib.
"You made all this?" Frida gasped.
"You like it?" Manny said.
"I love it! Oh Manny it's wonderful." She threw her arms around his neck. "You're going to be a wonderful father."
"And you're going to be a wonderful mother." He said.