Beauty Contest
"Hmmm…" Lou said, looking at the newspaper as Tommy rode on his rocking horse, a cowboy hat on his head (a gift from his Aunt Miriam). "Little Miss Lovely Contest. First prize for the baby girl is a boatload of toys. For the proud father…" He nearly went starry eyed. "A Deepfisherman 9000!"
Lou paused, looking up at Tommy who giggled before he tumbled off his horse, blinking before laughing in delight as babies did.
"Well, only one thing to do here!"
~Two days later~
"Thanks for doing this, Drew," Lou said as he, Stu, Didi, Tommy, Drew, and Charlotte all sat in the audience, clapping as Angelica performed for the judges.
"Hey, we were going to enter anyway, Pop. But I know Angelica is really happy you took interest in her doing this."
Lou sighed. He had been SO CLOSE to thinking he could dress Tommy up as a girl and enter him only to remember that he did have granddaughter already. He'd been utterly ashamed and embarrassed that he'd forgotten all about Angelica and had quickly called up Drew and asked if he could come over to dinner, to talk not just about the pageant but how he'd been neglecting the little girl.
"You know, it was fun spending time with her. I remember when she was Tommy's age… a spitfire then and a spitfire now." He smiled fondly. "Actually reminds me of your mother, in a way. She was just as determined to get her way, same as Angelica is." He sighed as Angelica moved to finish her song. "Drew, I'm really sorry about neglecting you and your family. I swear I'm going to do better."
"Thanks, pop," Drew said softly. "I know-" He stopped and stood up the clap, the rest of the family doing the same with even Tommy, noticing what everyone else was doing, joining in. "I know Angelica really appreciates it. To be honest… I think she's been feeling a bit neglected lately. She was the only baby in the family and everyone doted on her… and then Tommy showed up and suddenly he was stealing the attention."
Tommy frowned. He didn't do that… did he?
~11 Months Ago~
"Coo…coo… cookie!" Angelica proclaimed.
"Oh my goodness!" Charlotte gasped, everyone at the party stopping and staring at the little girl. "Her first-"
Before she could finish a horrid smell filled the air.
"Poopie!" Tommy cheered, rocking back and forth in his baby chair, grinning as everyone looked at him. He squealed even as the blonde girl glared at him. "Yay! Poopie!"
~MC~MC~MC~
"Well, I promise to spend time with your family, Drew. Equal time for everyone." Lou placed a hand on Drew and Stu's shoulders. "I'm proud of you boys."
"T-thanks pop," Drew whispered, Stu at a lost for words even as Angelica won the competition.