By Jeffrey David Grossman
(Schucart residence, 21 years in the past)
(Sophie is being tucked in after being read a book by her father)
Sophie: Daddy, why is mommy getting bigger?
Bob: What do you mean, sweetie?
Sophie: I used to be able to sit on mommy’s lap, she used to be able to pick me up, but now–
Bob: She’s carrying a baby, Sophie.
Sophie: Where’s she carrying it to? Is she holding onto it for someone?
Bob: Er, let me rephrase that, you know how chickens lay eggs?
Sophie: Yes.
Bob: And some of them turn into little baby chicks? You know, like Booker and Sheldon on Garfield and Friends.
Sophie: Mommy’s carrying a chicken?
Bob: Well, your mom and I were going to wait to tell you kids, but – Sandy, can you come in here?
Sandy: (Yawn) What’s up dad?
Bob: Well, remember how big your mom got when Sophie was about to be born?
Sandy: Yeah, so?
Bob: Well in a few months you’ll have another brother or sister.
Sandy: Oh, great, more stinky diapers and endless nights of screaming. Joy to the world. (He goes back to bed)
Sophie: I’m going to have a baby brother or sister?
Shari: That’s right, angel. Bob, you couldn’t wait a little longer to tell them?
Bob: She was curious and I thought she would be able to handle it.
Shari: Sophie, are you excited to be a big sister?
Sophie: I’m— something? (Yawn) good night mommy, good night daddy.
(Both of them kiss her on the forehead and leave the door open a crack with the night light on)
(Next day, living room, Sandy and Sophie play Candy Land)
Sophie: Sandy, are you not happy about having another child in the family?
Sandy: What if I am? When you were born, mom and dad bought me a giant toy crane, doubt they’ll even try this time around.
Sophie: You didn’t want to be around me?
Sandy: Like I said, you stunk, you wouldn’t stop screaming and crying, and the way you ate made me sick.
Sophie: Funny, you just described everything about the way you are now.
Sandy: If I have another sister, I think I’m gonna move to Australia.
Sophie: Looks more like Lord Licorice’s dungeon. I win!!
(Blows a raspberry, and Sandy storms out of the room)
Debbie: Looks like you beat him at Candy Land again.
Sophie: Aunt Debbie!!!
Julie: Don’t forget about me!
Sophie: Aunt Julie!!!
(She gets up and hugs the both of them)
Julie: I guess your mom told you the big news, huh?
Sophie: Yeah.
Debbie: Well, honey you don’t sound so thrilled. What’s wrong?
Sophie: Sandy didn’t want me as a sister, and now I don’t want a younger sibling either.
Julie: What, did he give you that spiel about smelly diapers, yelling and crying? Please, Debbie and Shari invented that one.
Debbie: How would you know? You were too busy occupying space and ruining my hearing!
Shari: Yeah, and never forget that BOTH of you did that to me.
Julie: Well you ready to go, big sis?
Shari: Yeah, just give me a minute.
Sophie: Where are you going mommy?
Shari: Planning a baby shower.
Sophie: it’s going to rain?
Debbie: No sweetie, it means it’s kind of like a welcome party for your future brother or sister.
Shari: Gramma Anne is going to stay with you for the afternoon, you’ll be good for her, right?
Sophie: Yes, mommy.
(Meanwhile in another part of Remington Springs)
Rebecca: Bella, you want some applesauce with your lunch?
Bella: Yes, mama. Aren’t you hungry?
Rebecca: Well I am eating for two, but I think I can wait a little longer.
Bella: What does that mean, mama?
Robert: You know how Aunt Esther is your mother’s little sister?
Bella: Like how Uncle Randy is your little brother?
Rebecca: Exactly. Well, in a few months, you will be part of the big sister club!
Bella: You mean you’re gonna have a baby?
Rebecca: Yep, that’s why I didn’t go swimming this summer.
Robert: Their loss, babe. You’re beautiful no matter what size you are.
Rebecca: (Giggles with a smirk) Careful Rob, with my hormones on hyperdrive, I might accidentally think you were calling me “fat.”
Bella: (exasperated) Daddy, how could you?
Robert: No, that’s not what I—Becca you know I wouldn’t—
Rebecca: Relax, honey, I was just joking (kiss).
Bella: Will it be a boy or a girl?
Rebecca: We’ll know soon, I’m going to see Aunt Susan at AbGen and have my test done, it’s called a sonogram.
Bella: That will tell you if you are having a boy or a girl? How?
Robert: We’ll explain when you are a little older.
(Car honks outside house)
Rebecca: That’s gotta be mama, I’ll probably be gone for a few hours. (Kisses Rob) Be good for daddy Bella. (Kiss) (She walks out of the house)
Robert: Well, looks like it’s just you and me, princess. Wanna grab lunch?
Bella: I’d love that. Daddy, can we also go to the toy store?
Robert: We just went there last week for that Slip n’ Slide and you haven’t even taken it out to play.
Bella: With all the rain, I’ve not had a reason to use it. Can we return it?
Robert: I think I still have the receipt. Why? What is it you want sweetie?
Bella: A Cabbage Patch Doll.
Robert: I didn’t know you liked those. I thought you preferred doll houses and stuffed animals.
Bella: If I’m going to practice being a good big sister, I’ll have to hold something that’s more realistic than a big ol teddy bear, daddy.
Robert: That’s the reason you want it?
Bella: Kinda silly, I know, but I’m so excited to be a big sister that I can’t contain it! I wanna be ready for when that little bundle of joy comes home!
Rebecca: (Psicon from car) Aw, Rob that is so sweet! Take the checkbook on my dresser, this one’s on me.
Robert: (Psicon) She’s telling the truth? She’s really that excited?
Maddie: (Psicon) She’s just like her mother, maternal and caring, just like when she was Bella’s age.
Rebecca: (Psicon) Go on Rob!
(A few minutes later at Toys R Us)
Robert: God, things were a lot different when I was your age, as far as toys go, I mean.
Bella: Like what? What were you into? Cap guns and G.I. Joes?
Robert: Those, Dick Tracy handcuff-and-badge sets, yoyos, slinkys, silly putty.
Bella: I bet you were a cute little boy at that age. I wanna see some of those pictures if we have them.
Robert: (Blushing, Robert spots a sales associate) Excuse me, miss, where are your Cabbage Patch Dolls?
Clerk: Over in aisle 7, is it for this little cutie I’m seeing in front of me?
Robert: It most certainly is. Bella, tell the nice lady why you want it.
Bella: My mommy is going to have a baby soon, and I’m hoping that holding one will make it so I can practice rocking my little baby sibling to bed and comfort her when she—or he—cries. I wanna make sure I’m ready to spread my love to him or her.
Clerk: (Starts to tear up) She’s telling the truth? (Robert crosses his heart) Well sir, I don’t know how you did it, but you have raised what looks like the most unselfish, sweetest, and most adorable little girl that has EVER come into this store. If you don’t already, You should be proud.
Robert: I’ve got so much pride in me right now it’s probably fifty times over the legal limit. C’mon Bella.
(Aisle 7; dolls and stuffed animals)
Robert: Oh, that’s what these are. I heard about these down at the precinct, they’re all the rage with kids now. Oh, and they come in a variety of colors.
Bella: Daddy, look at this one! It’s so cute! Can I have this one?
(She holds up a black CPD, female)
Robert: That one?
Bella: Yeah. Why? What’s wrong with it?
Robert: Nothing, but you’re sure you don’t want a blonde one or a red haired one or
Bella: Nope. My mind’s made up. I want this cute little African American one! (Looks up) If that’s okay with you daddy?
Robert: It’s what you truly want, Bella? (Bella smiles and nods as she fawns over the little doll)
(An African American woman walks by with a child in her stroller)
Lady: Mister, you have a very special little girl, I hope you know that.
Robert: Thank you. That’s very sweet of you.
Lady: No what’s sweet is her. (Gestures to Bella who still is fawning over the doll) That right there is heart. There needs to be more of that acceptance in this world. And it looks like you’re doing one heck of a job.
Robert: Golden rule. (The lady gives a nod with a smile and continues to walk, waving hi to little Bella)
Bella: Bye! Have a good day, maam! She was nice, wasn’t she daddy? The kind of woman I’d want this little bundle and the one mama’s carrying to be like.
(Robert looks down at his little girl, he is perplexed, that she’s thinking about this child first and that she doesn’t care about race. A smile sneaks up on to his face and he lifts up Bella and they head for the cashier.)
(In the car)
Robert: Lemme buckle you into your seat, princess. (Snaps the seatbelt in) You like her, Bella?
Bella: I sure do! Thank you so very much, daddy! (Pulls the doll gently out of the box and starts to hold her.)
Can you show me how you’re supposed to hold a baby, daddy?
Robert: When we get home, for now you can hug her anyway you want.
Bella: Come to mama, “Ariella!” (She snuggles with the black doll in the backseat)
Robert: (to himself) Jones you lucky, lucky bastard. (He nods his head in disbelief and he starts the car)
(Schucart house)
Sophie: Gramma, why do people have babies?
Gramma Anne: Because they are sweet and adorable.
Sophie: Are you going to love it when it’s born?
Gramma Anne: Of course, Sophia. What kind of great-grandmother wouldn’t love her own grandchild?
Sandy: You’re still trying to soften the blow, Sophie? It’s not gonna happen. I stand by what I said, babies are disgusting annoying little creatures.
Gramma Anne: Sandy, you were one of those “annoying, disgusting little creatures” once, you know.
Sandy: Well, I’m not one anymore. I grew out of it, but Sophie won’t stop being annoying and disgusting (sticks out his tongue at her)
Sophie: Oh yeah, real mature Sand, maybe the problem isn’t having a little sibling, it’s about becoming a big sibling!!
Sandy: Never forget that this big sibling knows how to give wedgies and Indian burns.
Sophie: Native American burns, smarty-pants!! Gramma, is it really as bad as he makes it out to be?
Gramma Anne: Of course not! Now keep in mind that it will be hard for a few months, it will be quite an adjustment and you’ll have a lot of changes to deal with—
Sandy: Yeah, and they’re gonna put you on diaper detail to handle all those changes! Heh heh!
Gramma Anne: Sanford M Schucart, one more smart remark and you’ll be in time out in that corner over there! Do I make myself clear?
Sandy: Yes gramma.
Gramma Anne: That’s better, now go do your homework.
Sandy: But I don’t have any.
Gramma Anne: Well then go find some then.
Sophie: Gramma, can we watch Sesame Street?
Gramma Anne: Of course, — how do you work this weird little gadget?
Sophie: Here, give it to me Gramma, I know how to operate it. (Presses a button on the remote and the screen turns on.
Gramma Anne: Huh, well I’ll be darned.
(A few months later at AbGen, in the delivery room)
Dr. Grossman: Congratulations Ms. Jones, it’s a girl!!!
Robert: Oh my god, she is beautiful!! Becca, we’ve made another miracle!!!
Rebecca: Here, let me hold her? (Robert gently puts the infant in her arms) Hello my little angel.
(The baby coos almost like a laugh, and a light escapes from her mouth, flying out of the window to the second star)
Robert: What was that?
Rebecca: That was another miracle birth, Rob. Oh god, she is so beautiful, she’s absolutely perfect! (Nuzzles her nose with hers) We’ll need to pick out a name that matches her cute smile.
Robert: I think I know just the one. (Gently picks up their daughter in his hands) How does the name “Ariella” sound?
Rebecca: (Sob) It’s exactly the right name for her! Welcome to the world Ariella Jae Natalia Jones! (Ariella coos again) Rob, how in the world did you come up with that name?
(Robert thinks back to the past few weeks when Bella was tending to her doll, and calling it her little Ariella)
Robert: Would you believe a little angel?
Rebecca: You know, I think I would. Oh, I can’t wait for Bella to meet little Ariella! (Kisses Ariella’s cheek)
(Maddie comes in)
Maddie: I’m glad that you said that because I couldn’t keep her in the gift shop. (Lifts up Bella in her arms)
Rebecca: Bella, welcome to the big sister club. This is your little sister Ariella Jae Natalia Jones.
Bella: That’s what my doll was named! Daddy, mama didn’t know that did she?
Robert: I knew, and I couldn’t think of a better more fitting name for her.
Bella: (Lifts up her doll) Look Ariella, it’s newborn Ariella! See? See?
Maddie: C’mon Bella, let’s get you a shake from the cafeteria downstairs.
Bella: But Gramma, I wanna be with my little sister!
Maddie: That’s exactly what your mother said when I gave birth to your Aunt Esther.
Rebecca: Oh, don’t worry. I promise that you will have plenty of time with her, my little daisy.
Bella: (Blows a kiss) I love you all. (Maddie lifts little Bella up and takes her out of the room as Bella continues to wave goodbye)
Robert: (Sighs in relief) That’s such a comfort.
Rebecca: Why, Robert? You thought that Bella wouldn’t love our little newborn?
Robert: The thought did cross my mind; I was hoping that the credulity would be torpedoed somehow.
Rebecca: Two miracles in one day, I’m so happy I could fall asleep.
(Nurse Jones comes in)
Frizzletop: Excellent timing cuz. Dr. Grossman wants me to take little Halotop here to the nursery.
Robert: Halotop, huh? I like that.
Frizzletop: Wasn’t hard. She’s got all the signs of being an angel, just like her parents. (Lifts up baby Ariella and kisses her through her mask) C’mon sweetie, let’s give mommy a little rest.
Robert: Take good care of our second born, Susan?
(Frizzletop winks)
(Two weeks later, in the delivery room down the hall from this same one)
Dr. Grossman: Okay, Sharon, just one more push and then we’re home free.
Bob: Squeeze my hand, Shar! YAHHHHHH!!!!!
Shari: Too hard?
Bob: (high pitched voice) nonotatall!
(WAHHHH!)
Shari: Dr. Grossman, is it a boy or a girl?
Dr. Grossman: You are the proud parents of a beautiful bouncing baby boy, Mrs. Schucart. Mozel Tov!
Bob: I hope he was joking about the bouncing part, two kids are big enough of an earthquake.
Shari: Far too late to worry about that now, Bob. Aw, just look at him! He’s so precious! Look at those tiny little hands and feet!
Bob: I’ll go down to the waiting room and call your sisters!
Shari: What about your dad? Aren’t you going to tell him?
Bob: Don’t need to, he’s already outside.
Alvin: Bobby, you lucky son of a gun! Congrats!!! We’ll be right back, Shari, I’m reserving my spot to hold my grandson right now!
Shari: Don’t worry Alvin, you’ll get your chance. You two have some phone calls to make in the meantime!
Bob: Right. Come on dad.
Alvin: I know a place that specializes in chocolate ciga—(door closes)
Frizzletop: (in scrubs) Mrs. Schcuart, I need to take your son to the nursery, get him examined.
Shari: Can’t I hold him a little longer?
Frizzletop: It’s funny, my cousin just gave birth a couple of weeks ago and she said nearly the exact same thing.
Shari: Do you have kids, nurse?
Frizzletop: No, I don’t. But with my two nieces and two nephews, I feel as close to a mother as one can be. Now you get some rest, your son is in good hands.
(A week passes. Scene: Jones Manor)
Robert: Well, Bella, have you been practicing?
Bella: I have, daddy. I’ve waited so long for this moment, I wanted to make sure it was perfect.
Robert: I’m sure it will be. Can you show me?
Bella: Arm gently supporting the head and securely holding the legs with the other arm, like this. Is that right?
Robert: I think you are finally ready. And just in time, too. Ariella’s now awake from her nap.
Rebecca: It looks like little Ariella is just as anxious as you are Bella! Okay, now gently, gently… there you got her. (She gently hands the black-haired little infant with tiny tic marks on her cheeks to her eldest daughter)
(Bella looks into the little infant’s eyes. A tear starts to roll down Bella’s cheek)
Bella: She’s perfect! Like a newborn kitten. Aw! Hello, my beautiful baby girl. (Nuzzles against her, gingerly) Oh, you are going to break a lot of hearts someday. (Bella gently rocks Ariella in her arms and hums a lullaby)
Robert: She’s a natural! That seems unnatural. I didn’t think little kids like this took to babies like this.
Rebecca: You’ve never seen what a family is like in the Pixie Nation, Rob. It’s hardwired into our genes.
Robert: My human DNA doesn’t pollute or dilute that?
Rebecca: I’m part human too, you know; and it doesn’t seem to have. Can I hold her now, Bella?
Bella: Sure mama. Okay, little Ariella, ready to go to mama?
(As Bella hands Ariella back to Rebecca, Ariella starts to cry uncontrollably)
Rebecca: That’s the first time she’s cried for anybody! I wonder what could be wrong.
(Bella holds Ariella a little longer and she stops crying. Again, she tries to hand Ariella back to her mother, and again Ariella screams unfettered)
Bella: I-I think she doesn’t want me to let go of her. (Brings Ariella back to her chest, Ariella’s cries stop and she lovingly nuzzles Bella) She doesn’t want to leave me! Is that it, Ellie?
(Ariella giggles with delight at the sound of Bella’s voice)
Robert: Rebecca, I think she’s right! Let’s give it the litmus test. Let me try, Bella.
(He tries to lift Ariella out of Bella’s arms and again she screams, like a regular baby crying for a pacifier, she stops the instant she’s back in Bella’s grasp)
Bella: I don’t think Dr. Spock ever planned for this one, mama.
Rebecca: I’ll say! I never thought that I’d be jealous of my own daughter.
Robert: This is one bitterly ironic enigma.
Bella: Let me try something, mama. (Gently-voiced) Ariella, I love you with all my heart, but so do mama and daddy. They love you so very much, and they’ll be better equipped to handle your needs and wants. So please be the good little girl that I know you can be and go back into their arms and feel their love for you? I promise I’ll always be here for you. I’m never going to leave your side. (Kiss) I love you, Baby Doll.
(Bella gives Ariella to Rebecca and Ariella doesn’t make a sound, she smiles at her mother and falls asleep with her thumb in her mouth)
Robert: (Stammers) Wha- wh- what– D-did I just see what I thought I saw, Becca?
Rebecca: (rocking Ariella gently) You most certainly did, (flirtatiously) “Captain Sunglasses.”
Bella: Wait that actually worked?
Rebecca: Like your father said, you’re a natural, Isabella.
Bella: B-but that was my first time holding her! She got that attached to me just like that?
Rebecca: Why so surprised? In our family, the little siblings have a strong affinity for their elder siblings. If you ask me, I think someone just got her first loyalty crush.
Bella: Who? Me or her?
Rebecca: Judging by the red in your cheeks, I think you both did.
Bella: Can I feed her tonight?
Robert: (Whispers to Rebecca) We’d better, otherwise it might result in untold bedlam!
(Rebecca laughs)
(Meanwhile at the Schucart house)
Bob: Sophie, do we need to talk?
Sophie: Did I do something wrong, daddy?
Bob: Of course not, sweetie! I’m just a little concerned. Baby Jesse has been home for a whole week and you haven’t even wanted to be in the same room with him. That’s not healthy.
Sophie: I don’t care! No one ever asked me how I felt about it!
Bob: I know that you were caught off guard but—
Sophie: I don’t WANT to be a big sister, daddy!
Bob: I think you should at least give it a chance before you dismiss it out of hand, Sophia. You’re actually very lucky, you know.
Sophie: Huh? Why am I lucky?
Bob: I would have killed to have a little brother or sister, or even a big brother or sister. I was an only child. It was very lonely for me growing up.
Sophie: Oh, daddy, that’s awful! Didn’t you have any friends?
Bob: Of course! I had a lot of good friends growing up, but it doesn’t take the place of family. Now you’ve got a little brother in that nursery that is vying for attention from his big sister.
Sophie: You seem so sure of that. I have friends who have little brothers, they said that they are always a pain.
Bob: That’s them, sweetie. You’re you, and you’ll make a wonderful big sister. You have to want to be one first.
Sophie: Sandy didn’t want me. Did you ever have this same chat with him?
Bob: That’s what you really believe Sandy felt?
Shari: What’s going on in here?
Bob: She thinks that Sandy didn’t want to be a big brother to her.
Sophie: He said that it was getting a toy crane that made my birth tolerable.
Bob: Sophia Danielle Schucart, you were sold a bucket of lies. Full tilt, undeniable lies.
Sophie: What are you talking about?
Shari: Oh, my little girl, that’s your brother just being a brother. He’s always loved you and contrary to what he says, he’s just trying to sound tough, he can’t picture a world without you or Jesse. He’s interacted with Jess quite a bit in the last week, and this time he didn’t ask for a crane.
Sophie: Sandy has actually opened up to Jesse? And he hasn’t complained?
Bob: Being a big brother to you helped make that possible. It’s not as alien to him now that he’s a little older and has a better view of things. You made that happen. That should make you feel good inside, because it makes us proud.
Sophie: (Thinks about those words for a second and her eye forms a tear) Mom, I think I should see my little brother, now.
Shari: That’s my girl. Come with me, Sophie.
(They walk upstairs to Jesse’s nursery, where he is in his playpen with some Fisher Price toys.
Mom, can we have a moment with Jess? You can finish reading to him later if you want.
Carolaine: Actually Shar, I’d better get going, I’ve got work in the morning. I’ll call you as soon as I get home. (Kiss) Sophie, hon, I think that he’s been asking for you.
Sophie: Goodbye, Gramma. (kiss) Mom? Can I have some time alone with him? I promise it’ll be fine.
Shari: I’ll be out in the hallway, sweetie. (she steps out of the room)
Sophie: Well, now “Baby Jess” let’s take a good look at you. (She gets down on all fours and crawls over to the side of the playpen, and Jess crawls up to her on the other side.) Hmm, you are pretty cute, I will give you that, but then, all newborns are cute. (She looks at him closely, and a smile forms on Jesse’s face)
(surprised) Heh, that’s an adorable little smile you got, kid. You’ll go pretty far with a grin like that. You know, maybe they’re right, maybe Sandy was just being a windbag. You don’t seem like a little blood-sucking horned demon. (Jesse stares back calmly) In fact, I’m sure of it. You are adorable. I’m Sophie. I’m your big sister. Hi. (Waves her hand, Jess gives a content giggle, a cooing sound that didn’t sound like anything she’s heard in the past week.)
Huh? Jesse, were you just cooing at me? (she points to herself and Jess starts to clap and squeal in delight)
Oh my god, you haven’t made any of those sounds before! I can tell! I’ve had my ears open all week! Jesse David Schucart, do you like me?
(Jesse reaches through the bars of the playpen and latches on to Sophie’s finger and laughs a happy laugh) Aw! You are so adorable! And that grip! You’ve got a grip of iron!
Shari: I see someone is making a good impression.
Sophie: Mommy, was I right? Jesse hasn’t made these sounds before has he?
Shari: No, he most certainly hasn’t, Sophie. I really think that you’re the one that he’s been waiting for. He’s crazy about you, sweetie. (Sophie’s face forms a happy grin)
Sophie: So, you really do like me, Jesse?
Shari: No, that’s not a giggle of mere like. He LOVES you.
Sophie: (moved to tears) Love? Really? (Shari nods) How do you know?
Shari: I’m a mother, I know these things. I’ll give you a little more time before I bring him downstairs for his feeding.
Sophie: He’s crazy about me… not as crazy as I am for him. (Beams at her little brother, she starts thinking to herself, unwittingly Psiconning the little infant) Look at you, so little and tiny, and cute as a button. If I hadn’t hidden under my shell like a tortoise, I would’ve seen the real you, not the lies that our brother fed to me. I squandered your first week of life, but I will work the rest of my life to make amends for that. I’m your big sister now, and I will be the best one that I can be for you. Jesse, I promise that you will live a happy life full of love, and I’ll be the one to protect you. I’ll be your guardian angel, a big sister that you deserve to have. I love you with all my heart, baby brother. I’ll make sure you grow up to be a good man, and that you are safe and cared for.
(Jesse coos again, almost as though he heard and understood what she was thinking.)
I will always be there for you, Jesse. That’s a promise… (she reaches for his hand and kisses it) my adorable little Care Bear.
(From outside the room)
Bob: Look at those two, Shar. They’ve really hit it off. It’s incredible.
Shari: Shh. (Whispering) Let’s go get the camera.
Bob: But it’s his feeding time, right?
Shari: In this case, I think we can wait a little longer to feed Jesse.
(A year later at Serene Plains Elementary: Lunchtime in the cafeteria, first day of school)
Bella: Anybody sitting here?
Sophie: No, feel free.
Bella: Thanks. We’re both in the same class, right?
Sophie: Yeah, I think so. (Notices Bella’s Jem and the Holograms lunchbox) Hey, I’ve got that same lunchbox! You like Jem?
Bella: Oh yeah! She’s truly outrageous!!! I’m Isabella, what’s your name?
Sophie: I’m Sophia, Sophia Schucart. And I’m the luckiest and happiest big sister ever.
Bella: That’s kind of hard when I’m the luckiest and happiest big sister ever, Sophia.
Sophie: You were bit by the big sister bug too, huh?
Bella: In ways you can’t imagine… well scratch that, judging by how you smile at the title I think we both feel the same.
Sophie: I have no problem sharing the title if you don’t. You can call me Soph or Sophie, Isabella.
Bella: You can call me Bella. And I happily split it with you.
Sophie: “Bella”. That’s such a lovely name. Like a princess.
Bella: So is yours. So, you have a little sister, too?
Sophie: A little brother, actually, and he is so adorable. I just love him to bits. For shy of one year, I’ve shared a special bond with my baby brother.
Bella: Same with me and my sister! Right down to the timeframe!
Sophie: No kidding! When was your sister born?
Bella: June 11th of last year
Sophie: Get outta town! My brother was born on the 25th!
Bella: Oh my god!! What’s your brother’s name?
Sophie: Jesse, Jesse David Schucart. What’s your sister’s name?
Bella: It’s funny, I actually picked out her name without even realizing it. When I was preparing to be a big sister, my daddy got me a Cabbage Patch Kid and I named her “Ariella.” I guess they liked it so much, they named her that. Her middle name is just as beautiful.
Sophie: What is it?
Bella: Natalia.
Sophie: It certainly is beautiful. Say, Bella, are you Jewish?
Bella: Why do you ask?
Sophie: I thought I saw you at our temple during Yom Kippur.
Bella: I was. Then I suppose it’s safe to say you’re Jewish also?
Sophie: Yeah! (Bella sighs in relief) Boy, first day of kindergarten and we have so much in common. Bella, do you wanna be my friend?
Bella: I thought we already were friends, Soph.
Sophie: If we weren’t already, we sure are now! (Sophie hugs Bella. They both open their lunchboxes) (Sigh) Happiness is a mother who knows what her daughter likes in her lunch.
Bella: Truer words are scarce at best. What’d she pack for you?
Sophie: Peanut Butter and Jelly with Marshmallow crème, mandarin oranges, Cheetos and some Little Mermaid fruit snacks and Kool Aid Cool Burst.
Bella: That looks scrumptious!
Sophie: What about you, Bells? What’d you bring?
Bella: My mom’s specialty, a pancake sandwich with Canadian bacon and cheese, applesauce with extra cinnamon, Fritos, Capri Sun Fruit Punch, and some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Fruit Roll ups.
Sophie: Wow! That looks so delicious! (An idea pops into her head) Say, are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Bella: That we should split and share each other’s lunches?
Sophie: How did you—that’s exactly what I was thinking!
Bella: I guess it’s because we share so much in common already. And as for your idea, I’m totally game for that!
Sophie: Me too! (They divvy up their lunches, except for the drinks) So do you have picture of little Ari with you?
Bella: I taped it to the inside of my lunchbox, so that I can see that beautiful smile of hers wherever I go. And I’m guessing you have a picture of Jess in yours too?
Sophie: It’s like you and I were meant to find each other! Lemme see?
Bella: I will if you show me Jess’s picture.
Sophie: Done! Aw!!!! She’s so cute! She’s like a baby doll!
Bella: That’s my nickname for her! Aw, Jess is such a sweetheart in this one too!
Can we trade pictures? I’ll put another one of Ariella in my—
Sophie: I think I have better a solution. I’ll be right back. (She takes both pictures with her) A few minutes later, she comes back with a copy of the other attached to the original of the opposite.)
There! Whatcha think, Bells?
Bella: How did you do that?
Sophie: I’m not supposed to say, but my aunt is a teacher here, she went to the office and asked the clerk to make a copy, she then cut them and taped them together. Kinda like us, huh, Bells?
Bella: You bet! No amount of tape or glue can compare to how close I feel to you right now, Soph! Best friends for life?
Sophie: Best friends for eternity!!!
(Both) YEAH!!!! (hugs)
Bella: Would you like to come over after school? I know my mama and daddy would love to meet you.
Sophie: I’ll have my aunt call my mom. Are you sure it’d be okay with your parents?
Bella: It’s a chance I’d be willing to take. Hey, when we get inside from recess, let’s ask Mr. Lavine to switch our seats so that we can sit together!
Sophie: You think he’d do that?
Bella: I have a good feeling, just like I have a good feeling about our newfound friendship, Soph.
(Flash forward to the present: Kafe Soucie, Nicole Ariella, Bella, Jess, Soph, and Lexi are sitting at a booth in the back)
Lexi: Wow Aunt Sophie! That’s how all this started? Your friendship started because of my parents?
Sophie: You could definitely say that, my little kitten.
Bella: We did so much after school that first day, it was like we had known each other all our lives.
Sophie: And now we’ll be spending our lives together as a couple. I hope we don’t tire of the other.
Ariella: Put it this way, Sophcart, if you haven’t already, then you never ever will.
Jess: If you were a mortal earth couple and got old and crotchety, then probably you would.
Nicole: That’s what scared you most about growing old before achieving Panhood, Jess?
Jess: I told you about the whole Mertz-Syndrome thing, didn’t I?
Nicole: No, but I’m sure I am inferring properly what the context of it is just from the wording. (Giggles) Those two were always a bunch of laughs.
Bella: Well even with mortal earth couples, that’s not always how it works, Jesse. They didn’t work hard enough or want it enough to make it work.
Lexi: Do you guys ever argue?
Bella: Not that I can think of.
Sophie: Only about where to eat, sometimes. Other than that, nope, can’t say that we do.
Jess: That’s still not normal, big sis.
Ariella: I would be more than happy to be a disagreeable bitch if it will put you at ease, babe.
Jess: Called my bluff. Let’s not speak of it again. (All of them laugh)
Lexi: So, Aunt Bella, my mama cried like that when she was about to leave your arms?
Bella: (Looks intently at Ariella) Like she had a megaphone.
Ariella: Wait, I did? You never told me that!
Bella: Well it’s true, AJ. You never wanted to leave my side, at least not without my word that you would be in my arms again. And between you and me, (holds her sister’s hand) I never wanted to let you go.
Ariella: (Nuzzles her head on Bella’s shoulder) I can see how that would happen.
Nicole: Was I ever like that when one of you girls would hold me as an infant?
Sophie: (Scoffs) Are you kidding? Is she kidding? (Bursts out laughing)
Nicole: Am I missing something here?
Sophie: (fighting the giggling) I’m so sorry my little fawn, it’s just you were the opposite of Ari in that aspect.
Ariella: Yeah, unlike me, you weren’t choosy, you didn’t play favorites, Baby Doll. You attached yourself to EVERYONE, with that smile never leaving your face.
Bella: Halotop, you weren’t choosy, your heart just was overwhelmed because it could sense how much I wanted you, you just latched on and all logic went out the window. With you, Nicole, you radiated so much love that it resonated with all of us on an equal level. It was like the glow of a sunrise.
Ariella: Correction: is, not was.
Bella: You know what I mean.
Nicole: You’ve gotta be exaggerating, Bella.
Sophie: No Nic, she literally is not. I was there, too you know. You were always so bubbly and cheery no matter who held you.
Bella: Actually, I take that back, there were times when I thought that you latched on to Sophie quite a bit more than us.
Ariella: Yeah, I remember now, too! Soph, she got so clingy and touchy-feely with her little hands like she was inviting you to tickle her!
Nicole: Okay, now you’ve annihilated credulity here, the both of you!
Lexi: But Auntie Nikki, Pans don’t tell lies. It’s gotta be true.
Nicole: There are ways that the truth can be stretched and still not be considered a lie, Lex.
Lexi: Hey, I grew up with Aunt Sophie, too. She brings out the best in people, just like all of you, so I think credulity is still solid mass in this instance.
Ariella: My daughter sounds exactly like my little sister! I don’t know whether to be amazed or melt like butter inside.
Sophie: I’m actually going through both, Ari. They’re so cute as twins.
Jesse: Sophie, You keep telling me that story about how I glommed on to you the first time you saw me, how would I have known to do that if I was only a week old? I really can’t say I believe that completely.
Ariella: Don’t dissect the magic, Tiger, just accept it for what it is. I, for one, have no doubt that you would latch onto Sophie like that, because I know that’s what I would’ve done.
Sophie: Oh, Ari, you sweet little lynx!
Lexi: I can’t sense this exponential level of love from any other inhabitants of this world from around this time period towards one another. That’s kinda strange.
Nicole: Is that something that bothers you, Lex?
Lexi: Not at all, Aunti—er uh, Nic, I just find it confusing, that’s all. If outsiders looked at us and saw that we didn’t so much as argue about what to eat for lunch, they’d never believe it, would they?
Sophie: Lexi, we are who we are and we are proud of it, we don’t have to answer to anyone about that.
Nicole: Believe me, Lex, you’re not alone. I’ve wondered that same thing many times over the span of my short little life.
Ariella: Same here.
Bella: Me too,
Jess: Ditto.
Nicole: But Mama and my biomom told me not long ago that love doesn’t divide, it unites. Those who can’t let love unite them, I feel sorry for them.
Lexi: I know that you guys couldn’t feel my emotions because of the chronotons in my Time-Prayer amulet, but I could feel all of yours, and that night in the living room, I felt like I was literally in a love inferno, like a sunspot.
Ariella: I guess you could call that a warm reception.
Sophie: Pan bump!
Jess: My little girl, you are our best example, you and Declan. We all bring out the best in each other, but we don’t remember the effect we first had on each other.
Bella: While Declan won’t remember the whole 8-year nap on Polaris, you, my little niece have seen firsthand how you’ve united us, and this is centuries before you are to be born.
Lexi: Mama, do you often imagine what my birth will be like, and when you come to the idea of my name and how I’ll look swaddled in your arms?
Ariella: Before you came to our time, I did.
Lexi: What changed?
Ariella: Now I don’t imagine, now I can actually feel what it will be like, and how like when Bella held me for the first time, I never want to let go of you either, my little girl—who is exactly the same age as my kid sister.
Jess: I’d hate to imagine all this if we didn’t watch Gargoyles and Back to the Future all these years, Ariella.
Nicole: Oh, it’s not that difficult, Jess, once you factor in the fourth dimensional coordination with both timelines and the energy that it takes to slingshot a person from one point in time to the exact intended point from either past or future, key in vectors Quantum energization
Sophie: You lost me with slingshot, my little fawn.
Nicole: Gotta give you props for lasting that long, Sophcart. I’m perplexed at this Time Prayer pendant of yours, I never saw that spell in the Nevertomes before. How did my biomom create that in your time?
Lexi: I’m not quite sure I understand it, for all I know I might not end up being born after all and my interference in the past will prevent–
Ariella: Aunt Esther knows what she’s talking about when she says you were destined to come back here, Lexi. Like I just said to your father, don’t dissect the magic, just embrace it and put your faith in it. Without faith, nothing works: magic, friendship, yourself.
Sophie: Well I know one thing from being your best friend for 20 years Bells, this family is many things, but we and lack of faith are two points that will never intersect.
(All lifting their glasses)
All: Cheers!
The End.. for now…
Seventh Ocean Media 