*Five Years Later...

Wednesday Addams stood in the back yard of her home while with a deadpan face she said, "Now children, concentrate... and fire at Will!" Wednesday then looked at her two young children: Harmony and Ana who were both holding crossbows. The two little girls both fired their arrows at a large pumpkin in the yard." With an excited face, Harmony yelled, "Yay! We hit William Tell Pumpkin Head!" Then Wednesday with an impressed face said, "Excellent. And you both hit him on your first shot. Your skills have improved children." Then suddenly from the bushes: an excited Enid emerged holding her phone out as she said, "OMG! You kids were amazing! I am posting your awesome archery skills online right now!" Then a slightly annoyed Wednesday said, "Enid. I thought we had discussed limiting how much you posted of our daughters online." Then a happy Enid said, "But Wens. Every time I post them shooting arrows, we always get the hashtag: #AddamsArchers trending." Then Enid pointed her phone at Harmony and Ana as she said, "Come on kids. Show the internet your awesome dance moves I taught you." Then Harmony and Ana began throwing their arms around as they began dancing around Wednesday. Wednesday stood with an emotionless dead pan face, as Enid said, "Come on Wens. Dance with our kids." With a straight face, Wednesday said, "No." Then Harmony and Ana began to pull on Wednesday's dress as they giggled. Enid then put her phone away as Wednesday said, "I thought as our children aged, parenting would get easier. But instead it has grown to become a greater torture than ever now... and that makes it so much more wonderful."

Enid giggled, and then said, "Hey kids. I made you fresh cookies and lemonade in the house." Then Harmony and Ana both yelled, "Yay!" Then as the two little girls ran in the house, Wednesday said, "Enid, you really shouldn't spoil our children. You bake them far too many cookies." Then Enid casually said, "Yeah, and you give them too many pet spiders to play with." Wednesday sighed and said, "Touche." Then as Wednesday and Enid began to walk towards their house, Enid said, "Oh. Your parents called Wens. Their house is being renovated soon because the pipes and electrical work for their place are way past overdue." Then Wednesday casually said, "Naturally. Uncle Fester used the keep the electricity taken care of when he used to live with us, and Grandmother before she passed away was quite effective at keeping all inspectors out of the home with her shot gun." Then Enid casually said, "Well when your parents said something about staying at a hotel in Transylvania run by some vampire, I told them I wouldn't hear of it; and said they could stay with us for a week."

Wednesday suddenly had a look of shock and horror go across her face, and with a wide eyed and a panicked voice said, "Why would you say that Enid!?" Enid looking a bit confused said, "Because they're family. I mean... we've visited them several times, but your parents have never visited us here." Then Wednesday with wide eyes crossed her arms as she said, "And I was planning to keep it that way indefinitely." Then Enid with a look of certainty in her face said, "Well I think we should definitely have them over. Harmony and Ana need to spend time with their grandparents, and I'd love to show some hospitality to the in-laws that helped us buy this home. What's wrong with that?" Then with a look of nervousness, Wednesday said, "It's simply that... my parents... they are them, and we are us. And the way we now live... it could cause... unpleasant outcomes." Then Enid with a little smile said, "Come on Wens. Your parents are great. What could go wrong?" Wednesday with a painful look in her eyes: simply groaned, and then walked away.

Several days later: Wednesday was carrying sound-proof panels into the guest room of her house. End immediately walked inside and said, "Wednesday, what are you doing?" Wednesday in a straight forward tone said, "Putting up sound proof panels in our guest room." Then a confused Enid said, "But your parents are gonna be staying here for a week. What if one of them gets hurt or starts feeling sick in the middle of the night and calls out for help? We need to be able to hear them." Then Wednesday with a slightly worried look said, "Oh. You do not want to hear my parents at night. Whenever they're on vacation in a new place... you hear things from them that you wish you could un-hear." Then suddenly the two heard their chiming door bell ring. A happy Enid then said, "Ooo! They must be here!" Then Wednesday and Enid walked down the stairs of their home as Enid looked very excited, while Wednesday looked angry.

Enid then opened the door, and saw a smiling Gomez and Morticia outside. Gomez made a big grin as he held out his arms and said, "¡Hola mis amores!" Then Enid immediately hugged Gomez and Morticia as she said, "Hi mom! Hi dad! It's so awesome to have you here!" As Gomez and Morticia hugged Enid, a smiling Gomez said, "It's wonderful to see you too Enid. Thank you so much for inviting us." Then as everyone noticed Wednesday standing away from them with a deadly glare, Morticia smiled and said, "Ah Wednesday. Still full of so much woe." Then as Gomez walked into the house he said, "I'm surprised you kids knew we were here. You know your doorbell is almost as quiet as a mouse. You should really invest in a much louder doorbell like we have in our home." Then Wednesday rolled her eyes as she said, "And the judgmental comments begin." Then a curious Morticia said, "Girls, where are the grandchildren?" Then Enid casually said, "Oh. They're at school right now. They started kindergarten about a month ago."

Morticia suddenly looked horrified as she said, "You sent your children away to school? Was this some punishment for misbehaving?" Then Enid looking confused said, "Well... no. It's just that the two of us have jobs during the day, and we want our girls to spend time with other kids." Then Gomez with disappointment in his eyes said, "But if you wanted to have children, why would you send them away at such a young age? It makes no sense." Then Wednesday gave her parents a deadly glare as she said, "Because father, I don't intend to hide my children from the rest of the world as long as possible safely behind spiked steel bar fences with poisonous spiders, headless dolls, lions, and explosives. They need to learn at a young age now that they are going to grow up surrounded by uncomfortable peers that will intend to encourage them to play games on the playground, go on play-dates, and partake in arts and crafts activities. It may seem harsh, but they must learn how unusual the rest of the world is now rather than later."

Then suddenly the four heard the sound of a car honk. A smiling Enid then said, "Oh. The girls should be arriving any second. Our hired help always brings them home every afternoon." A curious Morticia then said, "Oh. Did you two hire your own butler to help take care of the children?" Wednesday with a glaring look said, "Mother, I would never hire a mere butler to transport my children to and from school... so I hired mercenaries." Then suddenly from a car: two very large bald men with many tattoos and chains on their bodies appeared and carried Harmony and Ana to the house. One of the men carried Harmony on his shoulders, while the other man carried Ana upside down with one hand. As Gomez and Morticia looked surprised, Wednesday said, "Mother, father... this is Des and Troy. Due to the pressures that came with running my multiple businesses, raising our girls, and having to... eliminate so many enemies; Enid suggested we hire some help. Des and Troy are quite effective at managing our finances, babysitting the girls, and have a 96% effectiveness rate at committing homicide without arousing suspicion." Then as Ana was carried into the house she said, "Wee. I love being upside down!" Then an excited Harmony said, "Can we do another hit and run with you guys tomorrow!?" Then the large man: Troy said, "Only if your moms say so. We'll see you girls tomorrow."

The large men then left, and then a smiling Gomez said, "Nietas, we're here!" Then an excited Harmony and Ana yelled, "Grandpa! Grandma!" Then Harmony and Ana immediately hugged Gomez and Morticia. Then a grinning Ana said, "Did you bring us presents Grandpa?" Then Gomez held out a big box as he said, "You bet I did. I got you girls a model train set. It's exactly like the first one my parents gave me when I was the same age as you girls. I know you two are gonna have so much fun exploding things on it!" Then a happy looking Harmony said, "Cool. Lets have Anorexic Barbie ride the train. She needs to take her mind off her issues." Then as Wednesday and Enid stood off to the side, a smiling Enid said, "Aww. Look Wens. Your dad got the girls trains to play with." Wednesday rolled her eyes as she said, "Indeed. And then watch as he quickly takes over the project and tells the girls they're doing things incorrectly... just like they'll be doing with us all week." Then Enid put an arm around Wednesday's shoulder and said, "Come on babe. Your parents just want what they think is best for us and the kids. But they still love us as we are. That's way better than the way my parents treated me. Come on. I'm sure once they get a good nights sleep in the nice bed I made for them, they'll be much happier tomorrow morning."

That evening: Gomez and Morticia stood in the guest room with horrified looks as they starred at their bed. With astonishment, Morticia said, "What kind of peculiar bed is this? It's so soft and fluffy." A confused looking Gomez then said, "I know. I mean... I wouldn't put pressure on the girls to give us a nice bed with needles all over it. But I would've at least expected a nice pile of bricks to lay on." Then a saddened Morticia said, "Oh Gomez. Is this Wednesday's way to get back at us for saying those judgmental words earlier? I only want what's best for her and the grandchildren." Then Gomez took Morticia's hand and said, "Now dear, we've been in more unpleasant circumstances than this. Remember when we went to the beach when were young and realized that sun lotion doesn't give you a sun burn, but rather prevents it?" Morticia looked sad as she said, "Oh yes. I went home without a single burn mark on my skin. It was horrible." Then a smiling Gomez said, "But we still managed to have fun that day. So we'll have fun here. Come on. Lets give this fluffy bed a try." Then Gomez fell back onto the bed. As Gomez felt the bed shift to his body, he giggled a bit and said, "Morticia. It feels like I'm slowly sinking into quick sand; just like on our second honeymoon. Hey... you wanna recreate the experience?" Then Morticia began to take off her dress as she said, "I'd love to dear."

A wide eyed and disturbed Wednesday and Enid laid in their bed in the middle of the night as they heard noises from the nearby guest room. From the guest room, the two heard Gomez said, "Here comes your snake my little snake charmer." Then the two heard Morticia said, "Mmm. Come into my basket!" Then the two young women heard Gomez and Morticia make many grunts and moans. A disturbed Enid then looked at Wednesday as she said, "So... where did you put all that sound proof paneling you had?" Wednesday in a straight forward tone said, "In the girls bedroom." Enid nodded her head and said, "Good... because I would not want them to hear this. Wens... did you have grow up hearing this throughout your entire childhood?" Wednesday nodded her head as she said, "Indeed." Then a sympathetic Enid said, "I... I think I understand a bit better why you grew up not so well adjusted now."

The next morning: an exhausted Wednesday and Enid sat at the kitchen table of their home slowly slurping on coffee. Wednesday was wearing a black robe, and Enid was wearing a pink robe, and both had dark bags under their eyes. A fully dressed Gomez then walked into the room as he said, "Ah! ¡Buenos días mis niñas! What a beautiful morning. Oh, by the way. I hope Morticia and I weren't too loud last night." Wednesday's eyes widened with anger, while a calm Enid said, "Well... we could hear a little. But hey. I hope me and Wednesday have as much passion in our relationship when we're your age. I think it's beautiful you and Morticia still act like newlyweds all these years later." Then Harmony and Ana walked into the kitchen as Harmony said, "Mother. Mommy. When are we going to school?" Then an excited Gomez said, "School!? Well guess what girls!? Today you're not going to school. Today, you're spending the whole day with me and your Grandma." Then an excited Harmony and Ana yelled "Yay!" Then a disturbed Wednesday said, "This was never discussed." Then Enid took Wednesday's hand and said, "Babe... they don't see their grandparents enough. Missing one day of kindergarten won't do any harm." Wednesday sighed and then said, "Very well then. Father, children... enjoy your day together."

Several hours later: Morticia was walking through the park with Harmony and Ana. As the three walked together, Ana said, "Is Grandpa gonna come join us later?" Then Morticia shrugged and said, "Well... now that you both have taught Grandpa Gomez how to use that virtual reality device of yours, I don't think he'll be joining us for the rest of the week."

In Wednesday and Enid's house: Gomez sat in a chair wearing a virtual reality headset. As Gomez played with a game controller, he said, "My God. I can create train sets in this virtual reality beyond anything I thought was possible... and I can explode them all in an instant! My God, what have I been missing out on!?"

As Morticia, Harmony, and Ana walked through the park: a smiling Morticia said, "Ah. Look at those clouds. Such a gloomy day." Then Harmony pointed off to a nearby hill and said, "Oh no. Look. A sick cat." Harmony and Ana then rushed over to a small cat lying in the grass. The small cat was breathing but barely moving. A worried Ana said, "Oh no. It looks sick; like it's suffering in pain." Then a smiling Morticia said, "Ah yes. What a wonderful day for suffering." Then as Harmony took off her jacket and put the small cat in it as she said, "Quick. Mom said if we ever find a sick animal, we have to take it the animal hospital to get medicine." Then a confused Morticia said, "Well I don't see why we'd need to stop the little animal's pain... but I don't wish to contradict your mother's wishes. Lets go."

A few hours later: Morticia, Harmony, and Ana sat in the waiting room of an animal hospital. Morticia looked calm, while Harmony and Ana looked worried. As Ana looked down as she said, "I hope the kitty is okay." Then a doctor walked over to the girls and said, "Girls... listen. I'm sorry to have bad news but... the cat you found didn't make it. It died. But thank you for trying to help." Then as the doctor walked away, a sad Harmony said, "The kitty died? You mean it's never coming back?" Then Morticia said, "Yes girls. But remember. Dying is a very natural part of life, and we all do it eventually. But remember, death doesn't have to just be something that's only discussed in your Health class in school, or something you look up online. It's something you can talk about with your parents, myself, and your grandfather whenever you want. Now you may feel the rash impulse to do it while young, but remember you only can take away your life once, so save that magical moment of death for when you truly believe you're ready. Do you understand girls?" A confused Harmony and Ana then nodded their heads.

A few hours later: Wednesday and Enid stood in front of Morticia and Gomez in the kitchen, as a frustrated Enid yelled, "WHAT!?" Then a calm Morticia said, "All I did was simply give your girls the birds and the bees talk. You know; that talk every child must hear about how just like birds and bees die in a short time, so might they." Then an angry Enid said, "But they're not your girls. They're our girls. We need to be part of the conversation when our children first encounter something like that." Then a skeptical Morticia said, "I apologize. But... I simply took it upon myself to have that conversation with the girls, because I never believed you two would do it yourselves." Then an upset Enid said, "What's that supposed to mean?" Then a sympathetic sounding Gomez said, "Look. We love you both and our grandchildren... but... we're just concerned your parenting techniques may not allow your girls to grow up into well adjusted women."

Then suddenly Harmony ran into the room and said, "Mother, mommy, grandpa, grandma! Come outside and play with me and Ana!" Then a slightly frustrated Enid said, "Not now Harmony." Then Harmony tugged on Enid's shirt and said, "No! NOW! Come play with us now!" Then Harmony ran outside as the rest of the family curiously followed her. Outside, everyone saw Ana laying on the grass in a cat costume as she said, "Oh no! I'm in pain. Ugggh!" Then Harmony put Ana in a large toy car and said, "Quick. To the animal hospital!" Then Harmony pushed Ana over to Enid and said, "Mommy. You're the doctor. Tell me. Is the kitty gonna be okay?" Then Enid looked at Ana and said, "Um... she looks okay to me." Then Harmony went over to Enid's ear and said, "No mommy. You're supposed to say she's dead." Then Ana jumped up and said, "I'm alive. Hee hee!" Then Harmony looking frustrated and said, "No. You're supposed to die. That's what happens."

Then Enid put her arms around both Harmony and Ana as she said, "Listen girls... sometimes... animals and people die. And we have to understand it could happen at any time. But kind of like how Ana jumped up just now... sometimes animals and people don't die, and they get to live to an old age." Then Wednesday sat down next to Enid and put Harmony in her lap as she said, "Indeed. The world is a place of cruelty, and sudden harsh surprises that include confronting death may hit you when you least expect. And the overwhelming emotions you confront may cause you to see no point in living. However... I would highly advise you both to keep on living. Because in the midst of the cold empty darkness... there is still a chance you might find a warm light that will suddenly make you want to surprisingly live as long as possible." Then as Enid held Wednesday's hand she said, "I know. And I'm glad I found your mother and we became each other's light. And now we get to confront all of life's happy moments and tragic moments together... but I'd rather meet death knowing I did as much as I could with someone I loved. And I hope you both try to live long enough to experience that too." Then Wednesday and Enid both hugged their daughters for a long moment as Gomez and Morticia watched. Eventually Harmony and Ana got up and walked inside.

As Wednesday and Enid stood up, Gomez said, "Girls... that was quite beautiful." Then Morticia said, "The wording was a bit strange for my taste. However... you two have allowed your daughters to see the world from different points of view of today... and now I believe I do as well." Then Gomez said, "Wednesday... I always thought when you raised your own children, it would be in a house as dreary as the one you grew up in; filled with lions, two-headed turtles, beds made of stone, a garden full of flowers with their petals cut off..." Then Wednesday with a deadpan face said, "My compromise with Enid was to allow only petaled flowers with thorns in our yard." Gomez held a hand up as he said, "But... despite how strange your family and your home is... you're a hard-working parent who loves her wife and loves her children. I couldn't ask for a better daughter." Then Gomez held out his arms. Wednesday stood still for a moment... but then she stepped forward and hugged her father back. Then Morticia and Enid quickly joined in on the long family hug, which lasted for a very long moment. Eventually the hugged ended, as Gomez said, "So... only if you both want to... how about we take the girls to the movie theater tonight and have them watch their first scary movie." Then a concerned Enid said, "You mean like a slasher film?" Then Morticia said, "No. We were thinking about the new My Little Pony film. Those bright and colorful talking creatures... oh, they're quite dreadful. So how about it?" Wednesday then made a big grin as she said, "Torturing my own children with my parents... bring it on."

THE END