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.

Gen. 2: Baby 30: Fang-tastic...

Just when I think the heat will completely consume me, it fades away and I feel like...myself...but a more awake, aware, and alive version of myself.  Wow...

So, what's a new vampire girl to do?  Get a makeover!

After my makeover, which includes finding some hot lingerie, I head to the vampire house, because the next thing a young female vampire needs is a young male vampire...at least for a little bit.

And once I get there, who do I see but Qhuinn.

BONNIE: Hey hot stuff.

He turns around and his jaw drops.

QHUINN: Bonnie?

BONNIE: Yup.

QHUINN: So it is true...

BONNIE: What is?

QHUINN: Humans can be turned into vampires here.

BONNIE: Didn't you believe it?

QHUINN: We can't do that in our world.  Actually, converting humans is really just an ability our enemies have.

BONNIE: Wow, that has to suck...

QHUINN: Yeah, it makes it difficult...

BONNIE: So, Qhuinn...you know how you all have agreed to father children for me...
QHUINN: Yeah...uh...that's great...
BONNIE: Gee, what every girl wants to hear...
QHUINN: Um, sorry...I used to be better at all this...
BONNIE: What changed?
QHUINN: I think I fell in love...or realized I was...

BONNIE: I get it...
QHUINN: But we are here for a purpose, so...
BONNIE: Sooo?
QHUINN: I'm going to go take a shower.

After the water starts running, I join him.

A DAY LATER...

The lullaby didn't steer me wrong.  I am definitely pregnant with my first vampire child.

Getting used to being a vampire is difficult.  I'm such an outdoorsy person that I can't stand having to stay inside during the day, although I'm getting used to it.

....Okay, I'm getting used to it since I have almost scorched myself on the first day.

I come inside to see Harper pillow-fighting...with herself...hmmmm...

...and Camila talking...to herself...

BONNIE: Aren't you all supposed to be doing activities together?
CAMILA: We don't have to mom...Jelly Bean doesn't like Harper.
BONNIE: Jelly Bean?  Who is Jelly Bean?
CAMILA: You don't see him?
BONNIE: Nope, can't say I do.
CAMILA: Jelly Bean doesn't like you either.  He says vampires are scary.  Are you scary, Mom?

BONNIE: Do you think I'm scary?
CAMILA: Hmm...sometimes...
BONNIE: Sometimes?
CAMILA: When you get mad...I can see your fangs now.

Hmm, I didn't realize I could use my fangs as a motivator in child rearing...great idea?  Or the greatest?

Haha, sometimes I wonder why child protective services hasn't found me yet.

Despite frightening them, soon it's time for my triplets to age up.

Camila is just as much of a girly girl as she was as a child.  She even wears a big bow in her hair.  She looks a lot like me, but her face is longer and she has brown eyes.

Harper is a bit on the punky side, but her sisters still convince her to wear makeup.  She digs her makeup though.  She also has brown eyes.

Trinity is the only one of them that inherited my blue eyes, and she has reddish colored hair - where that comes from, I don't know.

Even if my fangs scare my children, they do nothing to convince the dog not to sleep on my bed.

He just snoozes away.

BONNIE: If you're going to sleep on my bed, could you at least not take your part out of the middle?

He just rolls over and snores some more.

Damn dog.

Of course, I don't have time to argue with him anymore because my baby takes that moment to be born.

And into the world, my first vampire baby is born.

Baby 30: Lachlan Reed

I think he might have one green eye and one blue like his father.

Gen. 2: Babies 18 & 19: Girls Are Too Damned Dramatic

Remember how I had an unexpected phone call last time, but then went into labor?

Well, it was my sister, Caroline.

Bonnie: Hey!  What are you doing here?!

Caroline: What?  I can't visit my older sister?

Bonnie: Older by three minutes, lady.  Let's not get carried away.

Caroline: Three minutes, three years, I just find solace in the fact that you're always going to be older than me.

I nudge her in the ribs.

Bonnie: So, what brings you here?

Caroline: Oh, you know...just doing some traveling...

There's something she's not telling me.

Bonnie: Okay, what's going on?

Caroline: What?  What do you mean?

Bonnie: Don't give me that.  You always pick your cuticles when you're nervous about something...

Caroline: Are you kidding?  I'm always nervous about something...OCD, remember?

Bonnie: Yeah, but this is something different...what is it?

Caroline: Okay...don't hate me...

Bonnie: I could never hate you...

Caroline: Illena's here.

Bonnie: Shit.  I hate you.

Caroline: Don't be mad...

Bonnie: Why?

Caroline: She called me and said we need to go on a vacay, so I thought we could come see you...

Bonnie: You thought?  Or was it her idea?  The small children she's eating and spitting out aren't doing it for her anymore?

I turn around and see her on the swing set.

Caroline: Bonnie...She's...

Bonnie: Don't even start to defend her...and don't think I'm not pissed that you have apparently taken her side.

Caroline: I haven't taken anyone's side...Geez...I thought you would at least have grown up a little bit after all these years...

Bonnie: I'm plenty grown, I'm just not a masochist.  You know every time Illena and I get together we fight...like, epic fight...I really don't have the stomach for it anymore.

Caroline: Come on, sis...just talk to her...maybe you all can get along now...come on, didn't you say something about having daughters that fight all the time?  What would you say to them if they were in this situation?

Bonnie: I would tell them to stay on different sides of the continent...which was what Illena and I were doing...with great success...

Caroline: It wouldn't bother you that the two of them never got along?  Twins?

Bonnie: *sigh*  You know, it's a cheap shot to use my children against me.

Caroline: As an aunt, I feel it's my right.

Bonnie: Damn it.

Even though I would rather have a root canal and a gynecological exam at the same time, I walk over to my sister.

She looks over at me with a half smile, but doesn't say anything.  Hmm, could that be humility?  I guess we'll see.

Bonnie: Hey...

Illena: Hey...

Just as I sit down on the swing, a police officer walks over...how appropriate...

Bonnie: So...how are you?

Illena: I'm doing fairly well, actually.  My unit is being transferred and it might be to here.

Bonnie: It's a nice place to live.

Illena: Hmm...

There it is.  That "I'm Better Than Everyone Else" attitude I remember....not so fondly.

Illena: Well, Bonnie, I understand that you have taken on the same challenge mother did.  How is that going?

Bonnie: Oh...yeah, it's great...I just gave birth to my 16th and 17th children.  I've had like, fifteen girls in a row, which isn't natural, but I think it's some kind of payback...having all these children is a lot of hard work, but it's rewarding.

Illena: Oh...of course...

Bonnie: What about you?  Any prospects?  Any children?

Illena: Me?  Oh, Bonnie, I've had better things to do with my time than spend it having an unnatural amount of children.

Seriously?  Did she say what I think she just said?

Bonnie: Well, I don't consider it a waste of my time...

Illena: Oh, I'm sure.  Don't get me wrong Bonnie, I think it's a fine way for you to spend your time.

Bonnie: But what?  It's beneath you?  You know, being a mother is probably one of the most rewarding things anyone can do.

Illena: Well, I've been busy working for our government, consulting with the space program, solving wide-scale problems for our entire country, but I'm sure that pales in comparison to wiping runny noses all day.

Okay...bitch is going down.

Bonnie: Do you even hear yourself?  Do you know how insulting you're being?

Illena: Bonnie, I'm not trying to insult you.  If you are insulted by the facts, that's your problem, not mine.

Bonnie: They aren't facts!  They're your warped view of the world...if you had any idea what it was like to be a mother...

With that, Illena blows up as well.

Illena: Now who's being insulting?  Do you know how infuriating it is having no children of your own and being constantly reminded that the most important thing in a woman's life is being a mother?

Bonnie:  Well, maybe you wouldn't hear that so much if you weren't so dismissive...and quite frankly, an uppity bitch.

Illena: I'm being a bitch?!

Caroline takes that moment to intervene, thank goodness.

Caroline: Okay, well, that went...pretty much as we all expected.  Illena come on, let's go...Bonnie, I'll call you and we'll get together soon.

After I recover from the spat I got in with Illena, I come home to Peyton and Kennedy.

Bonnie: It's birthday time, girls!  Who's excited?

Peyton & Kennedy: Yay!

Peyton grows up to be slightly chubby with blue eyes and brown hair.  She looks a lot like her father.

Kennedy looks a little like me, but not exactly. I'm not sure where she gets her looks, to be honest.

That evening, it's Autumn's birthday.

She grows up to be a gorgeous teenager, as I expected.  She looks a lot like her father.

Of course, it seems like she has her grandmother's temper.  Francis comes over to see Peyton and Kennedy and gets a little fresh with her...she looks a lot older than she is.

Autumn: Are you kidding me?  You're old enough to be my father, and even if you weren't, you act like a big jerko!

Miranda, ever the diplomat, talks to her about better communication skills.

Miranda: See, in that situation, you should have politely declined his advances...

Autumn: Screw that, sis.  He tried to grab my ass!

Miranda: Eww!  Seriously?  Okay, than you should have slapped him...

Autumn: My thoughts exactly.

Next, it's Alexis & Scarlet's turn to age up.

Alexis has my hair color, but looks a lot like her father.

Scarlet looks a little more like me, and she has light brown hair like her great-grandmother.

Over the weekend, I work with the girls on their skills...Alexis picks up talking very quickly.

Just when I think things can't get anymore complicated, I hear Peyton yelling from outside.

Peyton: Mom!

Bonnie: What?  Why are you screaming?

Peyton: Look!

She pointed to an older looking little fluffy dog...obviously malnourished...

Peyton: Can we keep him, Mom?

Bonnie: *sigh*  Fine...what do you want to name him?

Peyton: Hmm...I don't know...

WHAT SHOULD WE NAME THIS DOG?  HE WILL REMAIN UNNAMED UNTIL SOMEONE COMES UP WITH A GOOD ONE FOR HIM...

Have I mentioned I love having children because I can use them as slave labor?  I still like to spend the weekends putting the kids to work.  Autumn helps with the young ones...

Miranda makes the beds...

Bella works in the garden...

Peyton takes out the trash...

...and Kennedy helps with the twins as well.

I leave the older girls in charge as I get invited to a party Caroline is throwing.  Apparently, she and Illena are moving in town.  Caroline got a job as a chef at the local bistro, and Illena is being transferred here.

Even though I never see Caroline, I meet Daniel Pleasant.  He is a local celebrity and is married with twin girls.  He mentions though that he would like to take part in my challenge.

When I get home, the twins have both learned all their skills, so it's birthday time!

Alexis is adorable in pig tails....

....and Scarlet is already starting with the eye-rolling....

Since all the girls are in school, I don't really know what to do with myself during the day...so I spend some time working out...that never hurts, right?

That night, Bella and Miranda tell me they have been working really hard and would like to age up, I have to agree with them.

Miranda ages into a resourceful young woman...she's not sure what she wants to do, but I have no doubt that she'll excel at whatever it is.

Bella, though she has attitude problems, is very capable and I'm sure she will make something out of her life.

Since they move out, I get to work immediately on finding another baby daddy.  I meet him at a club.  His name is Ed Henry.  He isn't the most attractive thing, but there's something about him...

Turns out he has heard of me and we get right down to business until I hear that lullaby.

The next day, I make a new rule...the girls keep missing the bus, so I'm making them wait.  I'm sick of getting notes from their teachers about how they are tardy all the time.

While they're gone, I try to teach the dog some tricks...geez, I need a hobby.

That night is birthday night.  Somehow, Peyton, Kennedy, Scarlet, and Alexis all have A's and are ready to age up at the same time, so I just let them go.

Though Peyton has a weight problem, it suits her somehow.  She is beautiful.

Kennedy is gorgeous as well, and she over-does it enhancing her beauty with too much eye makeup.

Scarlet is gorgeous with piercing blue eyes, reddish-brown hair, and light brown skin.

Alexis is also beautiful with her brown eyes and darker skin, and my hair color.

Since I have nothing but teenagers in the house, I busy myself with hobbies...like fishing...how I make a living...since I have a hard time getting out of the house, I need to find a profession that allows me to stay home.

Even though Peyton is heavyset, she is athletic...

Peyton: I don't know how you can never exercise and still be skinny Autumn...

Autumn: Don't ask me...

As time goes on, my belly gets bigger...there's definitely a baby in here...

Soon, it's Autumn's birthday.

She grows up to be a beautiful woman with dreams of being an interior designer.

After Audrey leaves, the other girls busy themselves with chores or hobbies.  Kennedy works on the garden...

Peyton cleans the inside of the house...

Scarlet works on writing a book...

Alexis tries painting...

...and I sit down with a book...

...until I am interrupted by labor pains!  Somehow, I look surprised here, don't I?

After several hours...

Baby 18: Cole Reed is born!  Finally!  A boy!

...and he is quickly joined by another little boy!  Baby 19: Leo Reed!