Gen. 2: Babies 54, 55, 56, & 57: Come Back to Me

BONNIE: They're gone!  

BRENDAN: What?  Wait...who's gone?

BONNIE: Polly...Serge...at the park...they're gone!

I know I'm not making any sense right now, but my children are gone!  I knew I should have never left her here.  I don't know what to do.  I did the only thing I knew to do and called Brendan.

BRENDAN: Babe...calm down...what's going on?

I explain everything to him and he tells me to go home and he'll meet me at the house.  So that's what I do.

I literally run all the way home.

I can't believe this is happening.

Brendan meets me at the door with a hug.

I swear, if something happens to them...I don't know what I'll do.

I start pacing until Brendan tells me to just go sit down.

BONNIE: I can't sit down!  I can't sit down when my kids are out there, all alone...or maybe with a psychopath!

BRENDAN: Honey, I swear, you'll feel better if you just sit down.  I'm going to make some coffee...just go sit down.

I sit down and put my head in my hands.

I am completely numb.  I can't even cry.  What am I going to do?

Brendan comes over and kneels in front of me.

BRENDAN: Don't worry.  We'll find them.  I swear.  

BONNIE: But what if...?

BRENDAN: Don't even let yourself thing we won't find them, because we will.  I promise.  If it's the last thing I do.

*BRENDAN'S POV*

I leave Bonnie's and head over to Nico's house...or at least the last one I remember him living in.

I may not be as savvy as the Espositos, but I can jimmy a lock, which comes in handy because no one is home.

Of course when I get in, there is nothing there...or at least nothing that could be of any help to us.

Okay, Brendan, think.

The only thing I can do at this point is pick up the phone.

I shoot a quick text.

Hey G, we need to talk.

GIA: Brendan, I got your text, what's wrong?

BRENDAN: It's Nico...he has Polly...

Gia doesn't look surprised.

BRENDAN: Tell me you don't know anything about this, please.

GIA: I knew he was talking about wanting to raise her himself...

BRENDAN: Why didn't you say something?

GIA: I didn't think he would actually take her.  I tried to tell her she was better off with her mother...

BRENDAN: Which I'm sure he listened to...*sarcastically*

GIA: Yeah, well...

BRENDAN: Have you seen him today?

GIA: No...

BRENDAN: It's not just Polly...he has her son Serge too...or at least he's missing.

GIA: Uh-oh.

BRENDAN: Yeah...

GIA: Look, the only thing I know to do is to talk to Daddy...maybe he can shake some sense into Nico...if he can find him.

BRENDAN: Yeah, talk to your dad, whatever.  We just need to get them back.

GIA: Of course...I'll do anything for you Brendan.

BRENDAN: Do it for Bonnie too...

GIA: Right...Bonnie.

She said Bonnie as if her name tasted bad in her mouth, but I ignore it.  I have to make nice with her...she's our only hope.

*BONNIE'S POV*

I wake up very early in the morning with what else?  Morning sickness.  In all the madness I had completely forgotten that I was impregnated yesterday.

Either way, when I get done upchucking, I can't get back to sleep, so I just sit here...alternating from staring at the ceiling...to the floor...to the wall...to the windows.  There's just a lot of staring going on.

Part of me is on high alert.  Usually if Polly sees me stirring this early in the morning, she starts decides it's time to be awake for the day and starts yelling for me to get her out of bed. 

Normally I dread this, but I miss my baby so much, I would gladly go without sleep for the rest of my life to have her back...not to mention Serge.  He's usually so helpful in the morning.  Helping me while I fix breakfast, entertaining Polly, and cleaning up the breakfast dishes before school.  He is such a good boy.

What am I going to do without them?

It's all proving to be to much and the tears finally fall.

Brendan happens to walk in just as they start and wraps me in his arms.

BRENDAN: It's okay baby, I'm going to get them back, I swear.

BONNIE: I won't be able to live with myself without them, Brendan.  I swear I won't.

BRENDAN: I'm going to fix this.

With that, he gets dressed and leaves.  I certainly hope he can do something...

SEVERAL DAYS LATER...

Days and days have passed and I don't know what to do with myself anymore.  I call Brendan every five minutes, I am seeing Polly and Serge everywhere...I am losing my mind.

I spend most of my time wandering around the house.  I can't think of anything else to do.  

It's gotten so bad, I keep hearing things.

Like right now, I swear I hear Polly calling for me.

SERGE: Mom!  Mom!  Are you here?

And I hear Serge too...

Brendan walks in and snaps me out of my delusions, or at least I think he's going to.

BRENDAN: Bonnie, I got them back!  Come on!  What are you waiting for?

Sure enough, my little girl is sitting in the entry way as if she never left.

I run to her and scoop her up, barely being able to believe it.

Serge comes up behind me and gives me a hug.

BONNIE: Are you all okay?

SERGE: Yeah...yeah, we're fine.

BONNIE: What about Nico?  What's going on?

BRENDAN: Nico won't bother you anymore...

BONNIE: What happened?

BRENDAN: Nothing you need to worry about.

BONNIE: He isn't dead is he?

BRENDAN: *laughs* No, of course not.  Everything is fine, don't worry.

I am so happy to have my babies back and I know they are happy to be back with me.

POLLY: Mommy...missed you!

BONNIE: I missed you too baby girl!

Getting her back was bitter sweet though, she had been gone so long, her birthday is coming up.

She ages up to be a beautiful little girl with dark, cascading curls and dark eyes.  Her Aunt Gia of course sent tons of extremely expensive clothes for her, which she was extremely excited about.

My next babies to age up are Rione and Adovie.  It's time for them to leave home.

Rione looks almost identical to his father and aspires to be a Chess Legend

Adovie, however wishes to be Surrounded by Family, even though she is just as smart as her brother.

My pregnancy progresses rapidly after the first little bit, and soon I can barely move.

I decide to work on my sculpting again when the baby decides to make an entrance.

As the labor progresses, I realize there is something off about this labor...and I'm right.

The first baby to make an entrance is a little girl.  Baby #54: Haylia Reed

Followed by her sister, Baby #55: Rayn Reed

...then a little chunky monkey...or monkette, another girl, Baby #56: Liberty Reed

...and finally, a fourth quiet little girl, Baby #57: Nellie Reed

Quads?!

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: Who Told You This is Acceptable Behavior?

Know that small hope that Nico wasn't even going to think about the fact that he has a baby?  Yeah, well, that lasted all of twenty minutes...long enough for the local paper to update the website announcing Polanne's birth, because he was immediately calling me, wondering when he can see her.

BONNIE: Um...yeah...sure, Nico, you can see her anytime...just call before you come over so I can have her awake and all that...

NICO: Whateva'

Hmph.  What kind of answer was that?

Unfortunately, I have no time to worry about the Nico situation because my children start screaming at me in excitement and I have to see what all the commotion is about.

And I see a cat they have already named George...

...and another cat by the name of Hazel.  Awesome.

So all the kids keep me so busy that it seems like no time before it's time for Polanne to age up.

Well, thankfully none of her father's side shows up, but her Aunt Gia gives her a whole wardrobe of clothes nicer than the ones I wear.

Polanne looks a lot like me, but she has very dark hair and eyes that must come from her father.

Also thankfully, she is giggly and adorable, and pretty much the light of my life.  It amazes me how such a delightful child could have come from such a wacko.

Late one evening after the kids got off school, I get a text from Brendan asking if I want to catch a movie.  Well, since Adovie and Rione are home and they can baby-sit, I don't see why not, so I text him back that I'll be there in five.

Of course, when I get there, he's nowhere to be found.  When I try his phone, there's no answer, and he's not answering his texts.

Hmph.  How rude.

After waiting fifteen minutes, I decide to screw him and go see the movie by myself.

MEANWHILE, AT HOME...

Rione has just finished his homework and is about to feed Polanne her dinner when there's a knock at the door.

He doesn't even get to it before it swings open.

NICO: Hey!  What's goin' on in here?

Uh-oh.

RIONE: Can I help you sir?

NICO: Yeah, I wanna see my kid.  Where is she?

RIONE: Um...who's your kid?

NICO: You know, she's just a little thing...

RIONE: Um...I'm not so sure about this...how do you know your kid is here?

NICO: Look, don't screw with me, kid.  I know she's here...

RIONE: Sir, my mom's going to be home any minute and then you can talk to her, but I think until then you should leave.

Nico laughs in his face.  I suppose I should be proud of my son for trying to stand up for his family, even though it scares me to think of what Nico could do when he doesn't get his way.
NICO: You do, huh?  Well, I don't think so...
Nico stands tall over Rione and is about to continue his thought when Polanne's voice carries from the living room where she is playing.
Nico smiles devilishly at Rione.
NICO: Well, ain't that somethin?  Sounds like she's right here.

He abandons whatever he was thinking about doing to Rione (thank goodness) and follows the sound of giggling.

NICO: There you are, little girl.

AWHILE LATER...

I come home from my movie and walk into my room not realizing anything is wrong.

Before I can change into my pajamas, I notice something strange on my private patio.

It's Nico.

BONNIE: Nico?  What are you doing here?

I was not prepared for his reaction.

NICO: You listen here, bitch.  I don't want anyone to try and keep me from my daughter again...

BONNIE: Excuse me?  Why don't you watch who you're talking to.

NICO: Oh I see, and all I see is a stupid girl...

BONNIE: Wait a second...I won't have you talking to me in my own house this way...

NICO: You better watch yourself girlie, or you won't have to worry about anyone talking to you any way.

BONNIE: Are you threatening me?

NICO: What do you think?

BONNIE: I think you better leave.

NICO: I'll leave when I finish telling you what I want to tell you. 

BONNIE: Okay...

NICO: Nobody's keeping me from my daughter...no one.  If you try it, you'll regret it.

Something about the look in Nico's eyes terrifies me.

He takes the back way out and leaves.

When he's gone, my first instinct is to check on Polanne.

Thankfully, she is sleeping peacefully in her crib.

Just in case I wasn't scared enough, the next morning I get a call from Nico.

NICO: Remember bitch, whenever I want.

With that, he hangs up the phone.

What have I gotten into?