A/N: It took me a good minute to get this chapter written (I know it's a little shorter than usual, but what can you do?). This particular chapter has a moment in it that originally made me want to write this story (at the very end of the chapter). I hope you can see where this story is going now. lol

P.S., I really do appreciate it when my work is recognized. Always a great feeling! :)

Disclaimer: As always, I don't own Meet the Robinsons

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Good News and Bad

May 2020

"Franny!" Cornelius called, swinging the front door to the Robinson mansion open. He ran inside, frantically pulling off his lab coat while running into the kitchen. "Franny!" he called again.

"What is it Cornelius?" a high-pitched voice asked behind him. The young inventor whipped around, a huge smile plastered on his face.

"Mom, where's Franny? I have amazing news."

Lucille chuckled, turning back to the oven to check on her chocolate chip cookies. "I think she's upstairs, honey." Determining the cookies were done, she reached in with an industrial strength oven mitt (that, of course, Cornelius had made specially for her) and set them on a cooling rack. "So, what's the big news? Care to tell your dear, sweet mother?" Lucille said, winking at her son.

"Mom, you'll never believe it," Cornelius began. A thought suddenly occurred to him. "Actually…on second thought, I think I'll just make my announcement at dinner."

"Oh. Okay, honey. It's your announcement." She smiled as he kissed her cheek and left the kitchen.

Cornelius made his way up the huge flight of stairs, looking around every corner for any sign of Franny. Eventually, after not finding her anywhere, he decided she must be in their bedroom. He reached for the handle to the door and froze, second-guessing the sound coming from behind the door. He couldn't tell exactly what he was hearing, but the sound had been so sweet upon meeting his ears that he instantly wanted more.

He opened the door just a crack and peeked in. Sitting on the couch on the far end of the room was Franny laying casually on the couch rubbing her tummy and…singing? Cornelius knew his wife loved all things music, but he had never really heard her sing. At least, not like this. She smiled down at her abdomen, rubbing lazy circles while singing "You are my Sunshine." Cornelius believed in that moment that he was witnessing an angel. The scene before him was so heartbreakingly beautiful that he didn't realize her angelic voice had drawn him into the room to stand behind the couch.

Franny, continuing her song, smiled up at Cornelius. It took everything in him not to melt into a puddle in front of her.

Franny finished her song, punctuating it by kissing her hand and placing it on her belly. She looked up and met her husband's gaze. "Hi, honey," she said as he leaned down to kiss her softly.

"I don't think I've ever heard you sing."

"Oh. Well, how'd I do?"

"You sound like an angel," she said, making his way around the couch. Franny sat up, so Cornelius could sit behind her, then relaxed into his arms.

"You're just saying that," she said, waving a dismissive hand at him.

"You're right," he said, smiling into her hair. She gasped and turned around, lightly batting him on the arm. He laughed. "Franny, I was kidding."

"And to think, I was going to name him Lewis," she sighed.

"He?" Cornelius asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I don't know yet. Dr. Shelton says it's too early to tell, but I just have this feeling, you know?"

Cornelius did know; he could just see Wilbur laughing and saying, "That is an excellent point." He smiled fondly at the image. "Yeah." A moment of silence passed before either spoke again.

"So why did you have to run to the office after my appointment?"

Cornelius bit back a smile; he didn't want to ruin the surprise. "Oh, um…There was an emergency meeting and Dr. Ekhardt said it was imperative I attend." It wasn't a total lie, but he wasn't going to spill the beans just yet.

"An emergency meeting? They couldn't have dealt with whatever problem they were having without you?"

"I'm afraid not. This particular meeting called for my expertise."

Franny chuckled and rolled her eyes. "So modest," she joked. Cornelius smiled warmly down at her and kissed the top of her head.

"Of course. And by the way, I think tonight's dinner will be very memorable."

"Really?" She paused. "You know, I was just thinking. I want to announce our little miracle," she said smiling down at her belly again.

"Really? You don't think it's a bit too early?"

"No. I mean, it's not like we're announcing it to the world. We'd just be telling the family."

Cornelius contemplated it for a moment, biting the inside of his lower lip. After deliberating for another minute, he finally said, "Okay, sweetheart. If that's what you want."

Cornelius had never looked directly at the sun, but he imagined it couldn't be nearly as bright as the smile Franny had on her face at that moment. He reciprocated the expression and pulled her in for a kiss.

"Ahem," Cornelius grunted, tapping his spoon against his glass. The laughter and food throwing continued, so he tapped the glass a bit louder. "Ahem!" Everyone stopped what they were doing to glare at him for interrupting their fun. "Thank you. I apologize for interjecting, but I have an announcement. A rather big announcement." The family eyed him curiously as he continued. "As you all know I've been working very hard at Inventco, putting in extra hours and sucking up to my boss." He chuckled. "Well, today," he paused for affect. "Today it's finally paid off." Every set of eyebrows in the room was now practically touching the ceiling; everyone leaned forward, listening intently. "Today, Robinson Industries officially bought out Inventco. I am now the owner of my own corporation." There were gasps and whoops and suddenly there was liquid being spilled over heads and a pair of lips being pressed on his.

"Congratulations, son!" Bud said, walking over to pat Cornelius on the back.

"That's wonderful, honey!" Lucille called from somewhere within the chaos.

"Thank you, thank you," Cornelius said, motioning with his hands for everyone to settle down. "But that's not my only announcement." He smiled down at Franny, extending his hand to help her stand. "Sweetheart, would you like to tell them?"

"I would love to." Franny looked around the table, meeting each gaze as she passed. "Everyone. I know our family is crazy and that this house is filled to the brim with nothing but love and support for one another, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. So, I hope you all don't mind that," she smiled up at Cornelius, "we'll soon be adding to the chaos."

The family gasped; no one spoke for what seemed like an eternity.

"You're pregnant?" squealed Lucille.

Franny looked at her excitable mother-in-law. "Yes." She giggled, overflowing with joy. "I'm pregnant."

"Boy, that sure does explain a lot," Bud said. The family burst out laughing.

Suddenly the cheering resumed and didn't stop until it was time to disperse.

10:30

"Mmm, Franny. That was amazing," Cornelius said, trying to catch his breath.

She sucked a final time and was pleased with herself when a gasp escaped his lips. Her brown eyes looked up at him from under her eyelashes as he untangled his hands from her hair. Water trickled down her tresses and onto her back before finally splashing on the shower floor. She smirked as she stood back up. "I'm glad you thought so," she said, standing on her toes to kiss him. Franny had been reading quite a bit lately (and not just the classics) and was dying to try certain things on her husband.

Cornelius smiled against her lips, reaching to turn off the showerhead. "Where did you learn how to do that?" he asked, slowly moving his hands downward on her back.

Franny smirked and said, "Let's just say I did my research." She winked and quickly stepped out of the shower. Cornelius pouted at the sudden empty space in his arms and swiftly followed after her.

Franny, now wrapped in her favorite fuzzy green robe, climbed under the sheets and sighed contentedly into her pillow. She watched as Cornelius dried himself with a towel, slipped on a pair of light blue pajama pants, then slid into bed next to her. He held out his harm and she snuggled into his side.

Cornelius reached over and hit a button on the wall, effectively turning out all the lights in the room. "Goodnight, Franny," he whispered, kissing her forehead. She hummed, and he presumed she was almost asleep.

Cornelius closed his eyes and drifted off.

"You're not the boss of me!"

"Yes, I am! You're twelve and I'm thirteen. That makes me older!"

Cornelius turned over in his sleep, his eyes moving rapidly behind closed lids.

"Wait, Wilbur…what year is this?" Lewis asked as his new friend led him down the hallway toward the dining room.

"2037."

"I'm thirteen!"

Cornelius frowned in his sleep.

"2037…"

"Thirteen…"

Suddenly his eyes shot open; he looked over at Franny, then up toward the ceiling. He furrowed his brows, realizing that something wasn't adding up.

Wilbur, his future son, had taken him to the year 2037 when he was just thirteen.

Cornelius did a quick calculation in his head, his eyes widening. Wilbur was thirteen in 2037, which meant he couldn't have been born until at least 2024. Then again, he very distinctly remembered his future self telling his younger self that nothing was set in stone. Still…

Cornelius looked over to his wife who was sleeping peacefully facing the other wall. All at once an all-encompassing feeling of dread washed over his entire being. Something wasn't adding up and he was bound and determined to figure out what.