Gen. 2: Everyone Has Skeletons In Their Closet...

BONNIE: I love you too.

I can't believe he told me he loves me!  And I can't believe I said it back...but I honestly think I love him too.  This weekend has been magical and it only keeps getting better.

With those words, we go to bed...and don't sleep.

The next morning, I wake up in his arms and couldn't be happier.

BONNIE: So, what's on the agenda for today?

BRENDAN: Well, since we got out of bed...I say...let's get right back in bed...

BONNIE: Hmm, I'm definitely down with that...but how about some breakfast...do you have any eggs?  I can whip up some pancakes or waffles...

BRENDAN: No way!  You're not lifting a finger while you're on vacation...how about I take you out for breakfast?

BONNIE: Hmm, I can do that.

So we get dressed and start to head out...

As we get to the door, his phone rings.

BRENDAN: Hello?  Oh hey...yeah, I'm back in town.  What?  Right now?  Can it wait?  I have a guest...no, okay, I understand.

He gets off the phone looking grim.

BONNIE: What's the matter?

BRENDAN: I'm sorry babe, but I have to go into work...

BONNIE: Right now?  They can't go without you for a little bit longer?

BRENDAN: No, I'm sorry...

BONNIE: But I'm going home tomorrow...

BRENDAN: I know, I promise I'll be home in time for dinner.  I'll take you out somewhere nice...I'm sorry, it's just...my boss just got into town and insists on hearing my report.

BONNIE: *sigh*

Brendan takes me in his arms and kisses my forehead.

BRENDAN: I'm so sorry baby, I'll make it up to you tonight, I swear.

BONNIE: You better really mean that.

BRENDAN: I do...I promise.

He leaves in a hurry, after a kiss and a quick I love you.

Unfortunately, there isn't much to do in his house.  He has a computer and a TV, but we all know how I feel about those things...so I read for a little bit, begrudgingly flip through the TV, and call the kids.  Everything is going fine there, which is good.

I debate going out on my own, maybe looking to see what kind of houses they have for sale here, but I am sure I will get lost and I don't even know this address to get back here.

No, staying put is probably the best idea...so I do the only thing I know how to do...I clean.

I know, pathetic, right?  Eh, it's what I do.

Thankfully it takes me all day and I even whip up some goopy carbonara for dinner.

When Brendan comes through the door, he is floored.

BRENDAN: Baby, what did you do?

BONNIE: Do you like it?

BRENDAN: It smells clean in here...and...there's a food smell...oh, wow, you didn't...

BONNIE: Surprise!  Let me get you a plate...

Ever the bachelor, Brendan doesn't have a dining room table, so we eat dinner on the couch in front of the TV.

BRENDAN: Baby, this is amazing!  

BONNIE: Don't mention it.

BRENDAN: And the house...when did you have time to do all this?

BONNIE: While you were working, silly...

BRENDAN: I feel so bad...how am I going to make it up to you?

BONNIE: Oh, don't worry, you'll find a way...I can give you some ideas...

BRENDAN: Oooh...

We are interrupted by the sound of Brendan's door opening and closing followed by a voice...a female voice....

I walk into the kitchen and see a tall, beautiful woman with jet black hair, dressed to the nines.

FEMALE VOICE: Hello?  Brendan, honey, are you home?

Brendan honey?  What?

To beat it all, Brendan looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

Before I can ask him who this chick is, she comes up behind him.

HOT CHICK: There you are!  

She pulls him into a hug...a very friendly hug if you ask me.  Who is this chick?

And he seems to be hugging her back, just as tight.

I duck back into the living room before she can see me.

I can't believe I was so stupid!  Here I am, spending the weekend with a guy I barely know, telling him I love him...putting my heart on the line...

BRENDAN: Bonnie?

He interrupts my thoughts.  I will not cry in front of him, I will not cry.  I can't.

BONNIE: What?

That sounds pathetic...or pissed off...I can't tell which.

BRENDAN: Bonnie, I'm sorry...I know what this must look like...

BONNIE: Probably whatever it is...

BRENDAN: No, it's not...she's nothing to me...well, not anymore.  She's my ex-girlfriend.  I don't know why she's here...I'll try to get her to leave.

BONNIE: You can't just tell her to leave?

BRENDAN: It's complicated...

BONNIE: Why?  It seems pretty simple to me.

BRENDAN: Bonnie, please...I can't ask her to leave.

BONNIE: Why not?

BRENDAN: She's my boss's daughter.

Well, isn't this just dandy.  

DADDY'S LITTLE SKANK: Well, who's your little friend?

Little friend?

BRENDAN: Gia, this is Bonnie...she's...um...we're seeing each other.

Gia?  What the hell kinda name is Gia?

To her credit, she looks slightly shocked.  I'm trying to decide whether I should stake my claim to Brendan...I don't know, either mark him or pee a circle around him...or if Gia and I should team up against him and kick his ass.

Looking at her, I find it difficult to imagine we would ever be on the same side.

GIA: Oh...well, what a pleasant surprise.  I wasn't aware that you were seeing anyone, Brendan.

BRENDAN: *stutter, stammer* It all happened kind of fast...

With just about every ounce of sincerety I'm sure she could muster, she walks up to me and takes my hands and kisses me on the cheek.

GIA: It's a pleasure to meet you.  Brendan is a great guy.

She lets go of my hands and turns to Brendan.

GIA: Congratulations.  She seems charming.

Hmph.  Well, I'm glad I met with her approval.  Unfortunately, my grandmother's voice comes into my head spouting something about guests in your home and I remember my manners.

BONNIE: *warm, fake smile* We were just finishing with dinner, can I offer you a plate?

GIA: *condesending laugh* Oh, I can't possibly eat.

Of course you can't, anorexic b--

BONNIE: How about something to drink then?  I'm sure Brendan can make a pot of coffee or tea...

GIA: A mineral water would be wonderful.  Brendan, I'm sure you still have some in your fridge?

BRENDAN: I'll go get you one.

Brendan takes off like a little lap dog.  I kind of feel sorry for him.  I know this is an awkward situation he's in, but I can't help but be pissed off at him that he didn't at least mention this woman before now.

Gia and I sit down on the couch and start to engage in some forced awkward conversation.

GIA: Tell me, how long have you and Brendan been seeing each other?

BONNIE: Um...I don't know...a few weeks...

GIA: Are you from the area?  What's your family name?

BONNIE: Reed...and no, I'm not from here.  We met in Legacy Island.  That's where I'm living now.

GIA: Is that where your family is from?

BONNIE: No...um...my mother is from Butterfly Acres.

GIA: Oh, how quaint.  And your father?

BONNIE: He's from Sunset Valley, I believe.

GIA: Ah, so you're not close with your father?

BONNIE: No.

GIA: I can't imagine not having my father in my life.

BONNIE: Oh, I have plenty of family in my life...

GIA: I'm sure.

Ugh.  I've just met this woman and I hate her already.

After some more awkward conversation, Gia leaves and I pack my bag to head home.

Instead of taking a long drive back, Brendan puts me on a red eye flight back to Legacy Island with promises of returning there as soon as he can.

Thinking about everything, it might be a good idea to make a permanent move to Lucky Palms.

Gen. 2: Get Out of Jail Free Card

The drive to Lucky Palms is long, but he drove the whole way, so I got to sleep.  That was probably a good thing because I caught up on my lack of sleep for the first part of my adult life when I started having children.

When we get to his house, it's beautiful.  It's right on the pier, which is awesome, and it's really modern.

Brendan asks me if I want to relax for a bit, but having slept the whole way, I'm full of energy, so I ask him to show me around.  He decides to take me to the Perfect Paradise Pool first.

The pool is on the roof of the building, which makes it perfect for looking at the rest of Lucky Palms.

BONNIE: Wow...

BRENDAN: Awesome, isn't it?

BONNIE: Yeah...I've never really been to a bustling city before.  

BRENDAN: Ha! Well, it's not really a big city with skyscrapers and everything...

BONNIE: Yeah, I know, but it's a bigger city than I've ever lived in.  I lived on Cornucopia, which was a small island town, then I stayed in Butterfly Acres for awhile and then Legacy Island, which has buildings, but it still has a small town feel to it.

BRENDAN: Well, living in Lucky Palms is a one-of-a-kind experience.  Think maybe it might be where you want to live?

BONNIE: I don't know yet...

BRENDAN: That's okay...right now...I bet I can hold my breath longer than you can!

He strips down to his bathing suit and jumps in the pool before I can say anything. 

BONNIE: Hey!  It's not a race!

I jump in behind him.

Little does he know, I have stellar lung capacity.  I think it comes from a long line of yellers.

Sure enough, I win!

I head up for air and to brag.

BONNIE: Haha!

BRENDAN: Yeah, yeah...

BONNIE: *splash* Oh, come on, don't be a sore loser.

BRENDAN: Oh yeah?

He splashes me back and starts to chase me around the pool.  We make a game out of it until he catches me and grabs my ankle.

I scream and try to kick away from him, but I'm really loving it.  He pins me on the wall and his warm body feels nice against me in the slightly chilly pool.  

BRENDAN: Thought you could get away from me, huh?

He tries to kiss me and I playfully turn my head away, of course this gives him a clear shot at kissing my neck, right below my ear, which, as it turns out, feels amazing.

He presses a little harder against me and I realize I'm going to have to slow this down before we get inappropriate in a public place.

BONNIE: Hold it!  Someone is going to see us!

BRENDAN: No one is going to see us...we're the only ones here...

BONNIE: What about the owners...there has to be someone running the place...

BRENDAN: We have the place to ourselves, babe, don't worry about it.

BONNIE: Hmm, well...in that case...

I duck under the water and swim away from him.

BRENDAN: Where are you going?

BONNIE: You'll have to find out.

I swim toward the edge of the pool and climb out, heading toward a more intimate location.

Hmm, perfect.  It's even a little secluded, so even if someone shows up, they might not see us.

BRENDAN: You are just full of surprises, aren't you?

BONNIE: I try.

I guess something has come over me while being on vacation, because it sounded like a great idea to strip out of my bathing suit and hop into the hot tub.

BRENDAN: Are you lonely in there?

BONNIE: I could use some company...if you're not too bashful.

BRENDAN: Hmph, please....

With that, he strips down and climbs in next to me.  

I lean my head back and pretend I'm not peaking...but I totally am.

BRENDAN: Whoo!  You like it hot!

BONNIE: Hehe, do I ever...

BRENDAN: I meant the water...

BONNIE: Oh...I knew that...

BRENDAN: Can't get any better than this.

BONNIE: Really?  I have some ideas...

BRENDAN: And what would those...

Before he can finish his sentence, my mouth is on his.

He doesn't say anything, but I can tell he agrees that this is much better.

We make out in the hot tub for awhile and I realize then how much I have missed human interaction from people that aren't my children or my family...especially this kind of human interaction.

Of course, I forget that I don't have a built-in alarm system that tells me when I should probably stop, so it's Brendan that pulls away first.

BRENDAN: Baby, if you want to do anything else today, I strongly suggest stopping right now.

BONNIE: Who says I want to do anything else?

BRENDAN: You did earlier, remember?  You wanted me to show you the sights?

BONNIE: I think you're doing a good job of that...

BRENDAN: *groan* If we don't stop, I'm not going to be able to control what happens next.

BONNIE: Don't fight it...

BRENDAN: As much as I don't want to, I also don't want the first time we make love to be in a public hot tub.

Damn it.  He had to go and bring that up, didn't he?  And I can't lie and say that we would just be having sex, because...I know what just having sex is, and because of the nature of our relationship, we could never just be having sex...ugh.  Making love it is...and not right now.

BONNIE: *pout* Okay, fine.  Where to next?

BRENDAN: How about a movie?  We have an IMAX here...

BONNIE: Hmm, okay... 

The cab ride to the theater is even interesting.  I find myself astounded by the tall palm trees and beach feel of the whole town.  It's all so pretty.

Of course, I don't have a clue what the movie was about.  I was otherwise occupied.

BRENDAN: Any time you wanna go home, you let me know...

BONNIE: Hmm...sounds tempting...

BRENDAN: Or...we could go to Drinks at Diamondbacks...

BONNIE: For what?

BRENDAN: What else?  Drinks.

BONNIE: Oh...

We head in and the place is crazy crowded.  After a couple drinks we're ready to leave.  As much as I would like to head back to his house, my stomach growls.  He of course, doesn't miss it.

BRENDAN: Hungry?

BONNIE: Starving actually...

BRENDAN: There's nothing at home...we can hit the Blooming Cactus Bistro...they have the best spinach dip ever.

BONNIE: *groan* Don't mention food until it's in front of me.

We get there and are waiting for our food when these two people come up to us.  

MAN: Hey Brendan!

BRENDAN: Uh, hey man!

WOMAN: Hi Brendan!

BRENDAN: Hey, Yolanda!  Guys, this is my...Bonnie, Bonnie, this is Barry Gilbert and Yolanda Shaw, old friends of mine.

They are both very cordial, but I am fixated on the detail that Brendan didn't introduce me as his girlfriend.

Yolanda sits down next to me and starts chatting my ear off.

YOLANDA: Have you ever been to Lucky Palms before?

BONNIE: Nope, this is my first time.

YOLANDA: Oh, you have to go to the casino, Brendan, you are taking her to the casino, right?

BRENDAN: I wouldn't dream of letting her pass it up.

On the cab ride over there, I try to stifle my desire to be a paranoid girlfriend.

BONNIE: So they seem nice.

BRENDAN: Who?  Yeah, they're alright.  

Now he seems distracted, which makes me more paranoid.  Maybe the reason he hasn't wanted to sleep with me is because he doesn't really like me...

Ack!  I have to stop thinking like a crazy woman!

I try to think of something I can say to figure out why he wouldn't want them to know he has a girlfriend, but everything I can think of sounds paranoid and/or crazy.

"Do they know you have a girlfriend?" - Paranoid...and possessive.

"Why didn't you introduce me as your girlfriend?" - Demanding, and possessive.

"Did you ever date that Yolanda girl?" - Paranoid and crazy.

Ugh.  I just decide to sit back and shut up.

As soon as we get to the casino, Brendan sits down at the black jack table.

I venture over to a slot machine.  Hmm, this looks a little too techie for me.

I break even after putting a couple quarters in the machine before deciding to join Brendan at the table.

Brendan tries his best to teach me how to play black jack, but I still don't get it.

Not to mention he's being awfully distant.  I'm just not really into this right now.

I think he picks up on that, thankfully.

BRENDAN: You're not having that much fun, are you?

BONNIE: Machines aren't really my thing...

BRENDAN: Hmm, okay...wanna go back to my place?

He gets a randy look on his face and I can't help but laugh.  Of course, I'm kind of out of the mood now.

BONNIE: I don't know, maybe you could ask your girlfriend if she wants to go back to your place...

Okay self, what did we just talk about?  Wasn't it something about not saying anything that makes you sound like a crazy girlfriend?  Yeah, threw that right out the window.

BRENDAN: What are you talking about?

BONNIE: Well, apparently I'm not your girlfriend because you didn't want to tell those people we were dating...

BRENDAN: What?!  Bonnie..

BONNIE: Are you ashamed of me?

BRENDAN: Why would I be ashamed of you?

BONNIE: I don't know, but apparently you didn't want anyone to know...the only thing I can think of is that you're ashamed...

BRENDAN: Baby, that couldn't be further from the truth...those people aren't my friends, they're just acquaintances ..ones that gossip like crazy.  I don't want everyone talking about me.

BONNIE: Who cares?

BRENDAN: Did you really want to sit there and talk to them for who knows how long telling them every detail of our love life?

BONNIE: Well...no...

BRENDAN: I didn't either.  I don't want anything else to stand in the way of taking you home and keeping you in my bed all night...and all day tomorrow.

BONNIE: Well...if you put it that way...

We run out of that place like it's on fire and catch the first cab that comes our way.

As we sit side by side in the cab, he puts his hand on my knee...and slides it up my thigh.  Totally unfair.

In retaliation, I reciprocate by putting my hand in the same place on his thigh, gently squeezing.

He lets out a barely audible breath and I know I'm getting to him.

I have to say, this is kind of fun, seeing what each of us can stand while the cab driver takes us to his house.

By the time we get to his house, we can't keep our hands off each other, but I am still a little hesitant.

He is the one that pulls away.

BRENDAN: Bonnie, wait..I want to tell you something..

BONNIE: What is it?

BRENDAN: I love you.

Gen. 2: Silly Rabbit, Vacations Are For People Without Children!

It's Birthday time in the Reed household once again, and I can say I'm pretty excited that there are going to be a few more self-sufficient (sort of) children in the house and not as many totally dependent toddlers!

Rione continues to look just like his father...and I think he has his big-freakin-dork gene...but hopefully he'll get a slightly-cool gene from me...(really, Bonnie?  Really?  You have a slightly-cool gene?  Okay, maybe not, but shut up, inner monologue!)

Adovie also looks like her father...and is shy and reserved like her father and brother, but hopefully having tons of siblings around all the time will bring her out of her shell.

Well, since Von, Niyah, and Tanison aged into teenagers together, they are all ready to embark on adulthood at the same time.  Can't say I'm happy about losing three of my babies at once, but what can I do?  Nothing, that's what...I pretty much just have to sit back, shut up, and let them do their thing.

Von is one good lookin' man, if I do say so myself.  Coming from Smith and Reed stock does a boy some good apparently...but don't think he's perfect, oh no, he has unfortunately picked up the sticky fingers/klepto trait and has big dreams of stealing lots of stuff...what's a mother to do?  *Sigh, shut up*

Niyah on the other hand, is Ms. Prim and Proper.  She would make a super snazzy librarian, but she has bigger aspirations, like being Leader of the Free World!  Moo-hahahaha!  Maybe she can make sure her brother stays on the right path, or at least never gets caught.

Tanison also has big dreams.  She wants to sort of follow in her father's footsteps and become an International Super Spy.  Well dayum!  This batch has proven to be an ambitious bunch!

As three of my children are graduating and moving on, two of them are embarking on school for the first time.

Showing her inner-nerd, Adovie is excited.  Is she excited about meeting friends and joining scouts or clubs? No, this child is excited about all the new pens, paper, pencils, and other school supplies I am hooking her up with.  And she can't wait to have homework...yes, you read that right, homework...what is wrong with this child?  I am more concerned about her than I am with the one that steals.

Well, I'm glad she's excited because I am excited to send her and Rione off to school on the first day along with their sisters.

I am perfectly content with Serge and Julianna at home.

As soon as I get them both down for naps, I get a call from my beau.

BONNIE: Hey!  I was just thinking about you!

BRENDAN: I'm always thinking about you, hot stuff!

BONNIE: oh how you talk!  *sarcasm*

BRENDAN: Yeah, well...so...have you given anymore thought to going with me to Lucky Palms?

BONNIE: I don't know...I just had these babies...

BRENDAN: Bonnie, the last time I asked you couldn't go because you were pregnant...I'm starting to think you are always either pregnant or have small children in the house...and I'm willing to accept that, but you need to be able to live your life too.

BONNIE: Hold on, this is my life...the life I chose.  I understand that choosing this life means that there are some things I just can't do...one of which run off on vacay with my boyfriend.

BRENDAN: Don't think of this as a vacation with your boyfriend.  You're looking into a new place to make a home for you and your family.  Think about it.  What is keeping you on Legacy Island?

BONNIE: I really love my house...did you know my grandmother designed this house for me?

BRENDAN: That's great babe...

BONNIE: And I love the location...having a house right by the ocean is perfect...

BRENDAN: We have water in Lucky Palms.

BONNIE: You are poo-pooing on my magic.

BRENDAN: I'm not saying it's not magical, but...

BONNIE: And this is where I have raised all of my children up to this point...

BRENDAN: Your mother moved, didn't she?

BONNIE: Yeah, but that was because she had a crazy vampire after her...

BRENDAN: Hmm, you'll have to tell me that story sometime, but seriously, don't you think she had the same worries?

BONNIE: Yes, but...

BRENDAN: And why did she end up back in Butterfly Acres?

BONNIE: To be closer to her family....

BRENDAN: And you would be moving to be closer to me...do you really care about me, Bonnie?

BONNIE: Come on, that's not fair and you know it...

BRENDAN: I know, but I'm not asking you to abandon everything and run away with me...just a vacation...

BONNIE: Hmph...let me think about it.

BRENDAN: Is that a possible yes?

BONNIE: Geez, you're worse than my kids!  It's a maybe...with a side of "don't bug me about it anymore."

BRENDAN: Yes m'am!

BONNIE: Okay smart ass.

BRENDAN: So what's on the agenda for tonight?

BONNIE: Rieba, Adara, and Emeri have been bugging me to age into teenagers, so we're probably going to go ahead and do that.  Do you want to come over for their birthday party?  They would love it if they could see you again.

BRENDAN: Ooh, sure...

BONNIE: Just be warned...they are going to be teenage girls...don't do anything too dreamy.

BRENDAN: Haha, I'll try to contain myself.

Well, turns out Brendan has something that keeps him busy for the beginning of the birthday party, but he promises to be there later.

BONNIE: Okay girls, to the birthday cakes!

INCOHERENT CHILD VOICES: Yay!  Woo-hoo!  Yippie!

First up is Rieba who looks a lot like me but has curly magenta hair and bright aqua-colored eyes.  No, those are not contacts.  She has enough alterations with the lip piercing she insisted on.

Adara is Ms. Spunky.  She's another fashionista with a lot of attitude...what child of mine doesn't have attitude?

Emeri is still the sweetest kid...and she has the biggest, prettiest green eyes.

Late at night, when the kids are in bed, Brendan finally makes it to my house.

BRENDAN: So, have you made up your mind?

BONNIE: *Sigh* I really want to...I do...it's just...I worry about the kids...

BRENDAN: Bonnie, the kids will be fine.  You've got three great teenage girls that can keep everything running until you get back...

BONNIE: Yeah, young teenage girls...I don't know...

BRENDAN: Do you trust them?

BONNIE: Um...

BRENDAN: Okay, do you trust your ability to raise good kids?

BONNIE: Well, yeah...

BRENDAN: So...

BONNIE: You're right...I just worry...I've never left for a long weekend before.

BRENDAN: They'll be fine, and if not, leave them enough money to hire a sitter.

BONNIE: Yeah, I guess you're right...

BRENDAN: Wait, I'm what?  *sarcasm, evil grin*

BONNIE: Okay, I'm glad you're proud of yourself.

BRENDAN: Baby, you're going to love Lucky Palms.  There's so much to do...you won't be sorry.

BONNIE: I hope not.

Nothing like a kiss to seal the deal.  I really do hope I'm making the right decision.  I really, really want to go with him, and hell, I could use the vacation, but I do worry about the kids.  I don't know if they will know what to do without me here.

I worry about it all night, then when I wake up, I see Emeri holding Serge, rocking him to sleep and putting him in his crib.

BONNIE: Hey sweetie, you didn't have to do that...

EMERI: It's okay Mom...I was walking past your room and heard that you were still asleep, but Serge was cooing like he was just about to start wailing, so I thought I would take care of him and let you rest a bit longer.

BONNIE: Well...thank you...you will make a good mom some day...

EMERI: I hope so.  I can't wait to have my own kids.

BONNIE: Even after having all these siblings?

EMERI: Of course.

Emeri reminds me of myself a bit when I was her age...except for having an evil sister.

BONNIE: I have a question honey...

EMERI: What would you think if I went away for the weekend...and left you in charge?

EMERI: Me?  I don't know...I'm not the oldest or anything...

BONNIE: Your sisters are older than you by minutes, and I would leave all three of you in charge of the house, but...would you be comfortable being in the house without me for the weekend...taking care of your baby siblings and making sure Rione and Adovie don't do any science experiments that blow themselves, each other, or the house up?

EMERI: hmm...Adara can be my muscle...

BONNIE: Haha!  That's probably true...so you think the three of you can manage without me for a weekend?

EMERI: You know what Mom?  I think we can.  You should go and have a good time.

After thinking about it a bit longer, I decide I may as well live while I can.

I pack a bag, call Brendan, and with that, we're on our way.