Gen. 2: Aspirations of Being An Only Child

POLLY: Serge, why did Mom have to have more babies?

SERGE: That's her thing Polls...she's doing a 100 baby challenge...you know that.

POLLY: Yeah, I know...but why did she have to have so many?

SERGE: Just lucky I guess...

Polly has been having trouble not being the baby of the family anymore.  I feel for her, I really do.  Not only is she not the youngest anymore, but she has to share her attention with four screaming infants.

I remember when my mom had the quints and she almost lost her mind, I can't imagine having five babies.  One would think adding an extra here or there would matter much, but it does.

It seems like my work is never done.  As soon as they have all been fed, changed, and given enough attention, I have to start the whole vicious cycle over again.

Julianne tries her best to help, but I'm stubborn.  

JULIANNE: Where do you need me Mom?

BONNIE: Oh, I got this honey...just go relax.

JULIANNE: Number 1, no you do not have this.  I can smell that at least one of them has a dirty diaper and two are crying.

BONNIE: Yeah, but I really want to handle this myself.

JULIANNE: No offense, but that's insane.  Come on, let me help.

I really have no choice but to let her.  There are two of them screaming, one has a dirty diaper, and one has to be fed...and I only have two hands.

BONNIE: Okay, fine...I'm just going to go sit down...

I take Liberty and sit in the rocking chair to rest for a bit...and I think I go into a coma.

When I wake up, Liberty is crying and Julianne is gently taking her out of my arms.

When I walk back into my room, all the babies are gone.

BONNIE: Jules!  Where did they all go?

JULIANNE: Calm down Mom, follow me...

She has calmed Liberty and she is leading me into the living room.

Where she has set up four swings where each of the babies is sitting, blissfully pacified.

BONNIE: Oh wow...

JULIANNE: Right?

BONNIE: These swings...are...genius.

JULIANNE: I had Serge grab another one...so we've got them all covered.

BONNIE: Uh...okay...I'm gonna...

JULIANNE: Why don't you go take a nap?

BONNIE: Uh...yeah...nap...

I sleep peacefully for an undetermined amount of time...I obviously needed it.

Meanwhile, Polly has taken up painting.  She's an artistic soul and only feels complete if she is creating.

After awhile, the babies are ready for bed, so Julianne and Serge move them back into their cribs, which wakes me up, but I feel amazingly refreshed.

I scoop up Haylia and declare it to be their birthday!

I dress Haylia in red and she has her father's eyes and coloring, but looks a lot like me.

Rayn is next...she looks like her father but has my coloring and black hair, I am only guessing from my mother.  I put her in green.

Next up is Liberty.  She looks almost identical to Rayn but she has my hair and coloring.  She wears yellow.

Last up is Nellie with my hair color, her father's coloring, and my eyes.  Blue seems to be the best for her.

As soon as we get them all aged up, Serge reminds me that tonight is prom night for him and Julianne.

Of course I get them to strike a pose for the camera before they leave.  They are so gorgeous!  I highly recommend Everard genetics!

About an hour into their prom, Julianne texts me to say they won Prom Queen and Prom King.  I don't know why they choose a brother/sister pair, but whatever.

At home, I am stuck with an overly whiny Polanne because she wanted to go to prom too...

So I bribe her with cake, cookies, and having a friend over and she is happy.

After our little party, I read her her favorite story about Snow White and Rose Red.

Of course she falls right to sleep and I let her sleep in my bed.

Of course, I don't know who would want to sleep in my room.  I always have four screaming toddlers in it.

Liberty is always the first to wake up, and thankfully she isn't so loud she wakes up the rest of them right away.

It's difficult to split my time enough to even get their basic needs met, much less teaching them anything, but I manage.  I would hate for them to be the only kids in school unable to walk, talk, or use the bathroom.

Soon, it's Polanne's birthday and her only wish is to be big like Serge and Julianne, which makes it easy.  Nature can manage that one for me.

And it does just fine.  Of course I am annoyed when she insists on wearing her hair just like her Aunt Gia and when Gia sends her more clothes that probably cost more than this house, but what can I do?

She is definitely a beautiful young woman.

Gen. 2: Sometimes a Little Overreaction is a Good Thing

With all the threatening calls from Nico, I am afraid for myself and for Polly.  I keep having nightmares about him doing something terrible...not only to me but to my children.  I don't know what to do.

Of course Polly can tell I'm afraid.  Having just learned to talk, she tries to reassure me.

POLLY: Don't be scared Mommy.  

BONNIE: I'm not sweetie...but I think we should go for a walk...what do you say?

POLLY: Yay!  Walk!

Usually for her that means she's being either carried or pushed around in a stroller, but what's the difference?

My first instinct tells me to go to Brendan.  Maybe he can help me figure out what to do.

BRENDAN: I'm excited that you thought of me, but honestly babe, I think being here is probably the worst place you could be.  They know we're dating.  If they're looking for you, this is the obvious place.

BONNIE: What do you suggest I do then?

That last line was a bit shrill, but I can't help it.  I am feeling more and more desperate and afraid.  I don't even want to take Polly out of my sight, not to mention my other children.

BRENDAN: The best thing you can do is just go home, make sure all your kids are safe...and just be careful.

Yeah, thanks, that sounds like great advice.  Not.

Regardless, I don't see that I have any other options, so I just head home.

Normal for us is more birthdays, so Serge & Julianna age up.

Serge looks a lot like me and is very popular with the girls.

Julianna is pretty and popular.  Just another example of the good Reed & Everard genes!

In the spirit of continuing on with life and acting like everything is normal, I decide it's time to find another baby daddy.  Of course, I wouldn't dream of leaving Polly with a sitter, so she's coming with me.

BONNIE: What do you say about getting you some little brothers or sisters, Polly?

POLLY: I'm Mommy's baby...

BONNIE: I know you are sweetie...

Okay, maybe this isn't her idea of a good time, but I don't have any other option.

I decide to be neighborly and go across the street to visit.  Maybe there will be a cute bachelor living there...

...but instead, the only person I meet is a woman that is obviously having a bad hair and makeup day...*gulp*

Yeah, I don't really want to bother her.  Let's get out of here.

As I head home, I get a phone call.

BONNIE: Hello?

VOICE: Hi...is this Bonnie Reed?  Daughter of Hadley Reed?

BONNIE: Um...yes...

VOICE: Oh, hi!  My name is Christy Quinn...you might not know me...

BONNIE: Christy Quinn?  Really!?  Of course I know you!  *inner girly sqeal!*

CHRISTY: *nervous laughter* Oh...well...um...

BONNIE: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable...but you're, like...baby challenge royalty.

CHRISTY: Um, thanks?

BONNIE: Okay, I'm sorry, I'll stop geeking out...what can I do for you?

CHRISTY: I was actually thinking I could do something for you.  I have a friend of mine visiting Lucky Palms and he's very interested in being a part of some baby challenges...and I was wondering if you wouldn't like to use him?

BONNIE: Really?  Sure!  I actually need a new baby daddy...

CHRISTY: Great, well let me tell you about him...

Her friend's name is Judd Barnette and she tells me he's a hottie.  I make plans to meet him later today.  I also call the local hospital to see if they can do another insemination for me.  So that's taken care of.

It's almost time for the kids to get home from school, so I take Polly to the park next to the school for a bit.

Even with all the playground equipment, she is mostly fascinated by her hand.  Hmph.  Oh well, either way I start swinging while she practices counting.  She is so smart.

When school gets out, Serge sees us.

SERGE: Hey Polly!

POLLY: Serge!  Serge!  Watch!  I can count to five!  1...2...3...5!

SERGE: Way to go!  What happened to 4?

POLLY: It got lost...

Serge and Polly are having so much fun, I almost hate to break it up, but I have to go meet Judd...

BONNIE: Are you ready to go Polly?

She hugs tighter to her brother.

POLLY: No!  I wanna stay with brudder!

SERGE: Yeah, I can take care of her Mom.

BONNIE: No, I want her to go with me.

SERGE: Mom, that's crazy.  What's she going to do when you're in your appointment?  She'll be bored.

BONNIE: I'm sorry, that's just the way things have to be.

SERGE: Come on, I won't let anything happen to her.

BONNIE: I know....but...

POLLY: Please Mommy, please!

Looking at my children, I start thinking maybe everything will be okay.

BONNIE: Okay, but keep an eye out.  If anyone else, I mean ANYONE else comes into the park, I want you to take her home.

SERGE: Okay Mom...geez.

BONNIE: And I only want you all to spend an hour here tops.

SERGE: Okay...

BONNIE: I expect you to be home when I get there...clear?

SERGE: Clear as mud...

BONNIE: Don't be a smart ass.

SERGE: Okay...get out of here!  We'll be fine.

BONNIE: Okay...

Ugh.  Kids.

I quickly head to the theater where I planned to meet Judd.

Christy was right.  He is really cute.

I try not to be rude, but I want to speed this up, so we head right to the hospital.  Thank goodness he already knows the ins and outs of the baby challenge thing.

When I get home, I see Rione, but no Serge...and no Polly.

BONNIE: Ri...where's your brother and sister?

RIONE: You're gonna have to narrow that...which ones?

BONNIE: Serge and Polly...

RIONE: Oh...haven't seen Serge since we got out of school...why?

I lump forms in my throat as I run out the door.

I get back to the park and it's empty.

They're not here...

Panic starts to set in quickly.

Oh Lord, what have I done?

Gen. 2: Baby 53 Pt. 2: Crazy, I'm Crazy for Feeling Like I Was Lied To

May I introduce you all to the view from my back yard.  Can you say gorgeous?

Anyway...

The day after I had my appointment with Nico to impregnate me with Baby 53, I have a date with Brendan...and of course, I'm nauseous.

BRENDAN: ...so I want to find the biggest, juciest, greasiest burger possible today...I'm starving.

BONNIE: *puke in mouth*

BRENDAN: Hey, you okay babe?  You look a little green.

BONNIE: Oh, yeah, just Italian sperm taking a toll on me.

BRENDAN: Oh, so you...uh...what did you end up doing?

BONNIE: As if you didn't know, traitor...and for the record, in the future, please don't tell my business to other people...

BRENDAN: Oh...yeah, Gia...I'm sorry, babe, I just thought maybe she could pull some strings in the sperm bank or something...and I guess she did, right?  I mean, you're pregnant?

BONNIE: Dude, yes...and I thought you knew...she offered up her brother...

Brendan looks like I just told him I was giving birth to an ostrich.

BRENDAN: Nico??!!!

BONNIE: Yeah, why?

BRENDAN: Bonnie!  Are you crazy?  He's insane!

BRENDAN: What are you talking about?

BRENDAN: He's actually insane...like criminally...he got off on a technicality this last time, but he was certified insane during his last assault charge.

Assault?  Criminal?  Insane?

I think I'm going to faint.

I start to fall back and Brendan catches me.

BONNIE: Why didn't you tell me?

BRENDAN: Because I didn't know, obviously.  I never would have let you use Nico...he really is..well, let's just say unstable.

BONNIE: Can I get a restraining order?

BRENDAN: Won't help...

BONNIE: Why not?

BRENDAN: Trust me...

BONNIE: Well, what am I going to do?  How am I going to protect myself...and my kids?

BRENDAN: Baby, I promise you, I will do whatever I can to keep you and your kids safe.  I promise.

BONNIE: That's sweet hon, but can't we get a 'round the clock security detail?

BRENDAN: Let's just hope Nico forgets all about it.

Despite my worries about carrying a mentally unstable person's child, I have to continue with life normally for the rest of my kids.

Which of course, means birthdays...

Rione ages up to look just like his father, with his hair and everything.

Adovie looks like Spencer too, and both of them are so smart.

Being pregnant with Nico's child has made Brendan want to stay around even more...which I am definitely not complaining about.

...and my belly just keeps growing.

I find myself talking to my bump a lot this time, basically begging crazy not to be genetic.

Ultimately, whatever is going to happen is inevitable though, and that includes when my labor starts.

After a relatively short labor, I give birth to Baby 53: Polanne Reed.