"This will be my first time celebrating mother's day," Malice said to Sarah as two sisters worked on getting a good breakfast ready, "Or at least the first where I'm able to celebrate it with you rather than just being there."
Sarah nodded as they moved about the kitchen to make sure things like the eggs and ham and bacon were ready. It was something that the Wesley family did a lot for days like Father's Day and Mother's Day. Sarah had fond memories of helping her dad make breakfast in bed for Mother's Day and going with her dad to a little league game, even if she wasn't playing in it, for Father's Day. That sort of thing was rather fun, and those traditions weren't about to go away just because the Wesley family by accident or design had become Animalians. For the moment, Sarah and Malice were focused on making breakfast while Sarah's father, Thomas, was looking for the newspaper.
"And I'm glad mom lets me see her as "mom" and not as something else," Malice said slowly and with a small smile, "I really do love you all."
"And we love you too," Sarah answered and took a sniff, "and I think everything is done... or at least done enough."
"It does smell good enough," Malice agreed and moved to turn the knobs on the stove to turn the burners off.
With spatulas and a serving fork, the managed to assemble a plate of fried eggs, a couple of slices of ham with a few slices of bacon as well, which they placed on a one of the best dinner plates that the Wesley family had. As they finished, they turned to find Thomas Wesley back.
"How are you two coming?" Thomas asked them.
"I think we're ready," Malice answered as she presented the breakfast plate to Thomas Wesley and while Sarah was at the sink filling a glass with water. She also noted the rolled up newspaper under Thomas's arm and saw that he was ready, and since being uplifted, Malice had no reason to fear a rolled up newspaper.
"It would appear so," Thomas gave a smile, "though we'll need a tray..."
With that Thomas turned and collected a wooden tray and held it so that Malice could place the plate on it and while Sarah placed a glass of water as well as a knife and fork as well. Once it was ready, Thomas then offered the tray to Malice with a smile. Feeling welcome and seeing Thomas Wesley as her father just as she saw Julia Wesley as her mother, Malice only smiled and took the tray. From there, they made their way to the main bedroom where they found Julia resting in bed with her hands resting on her womb and as she looked down to her swollen middle.
"Happy Mother's Day, Mom!" Sarah and Malice said together.
"Oh... that looks wonderful," Julia looked up with a smile and gave a sniff, "And it smells wonderful too."
"Malice and I worked to get breakfast," Sarah said to her.
"I got you the paper," Thomas spoke to her and offered Julia the paper, "something to read and have a happy Mother's Day."
Julia smiled, "Eggs, ham, and bacon cooked by my two wonderful daughters and the paper to read from my loving husband. Thank you so... so..."
Thomas paused and his ears soon perked as Julia seemed to pause in her words and her eyes visibly began to squint.
"So... aaaaaaaAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGH!" Julia's comment went from thanking her daughters into voicing some pain and as her hands went to her middle.
"MOM!" Sarah gasped, worried and fearful.
"It's okay..." Julia said slowly, "but... I... think... it is... time."
"Time?" Malice asked slowly and then her eyes widened, "You're having your puppies!"
"They're... on... their way..." Julia answered.
There followed hasty action. The tray of food was set down and forgotten. Thomas hurried to help Julia get dressed and sent Malice and Sarah to get the Wesley's car ready to head to the hospital. Many of its offices might not be active on a Sunday, but there would be enough that they could all handle any potential emergencies. When they were ready, the family was soon on the road to the hospital. Julia sat carefully in the front seat and remembered the breathing exercises that she'd been taught during her pregnancy with Sarah. The pain of labor was there, but surprisingly, it didn't hurt quite as bad as she thought it would.
"I'm sorry we weren't able to get you breakfast on time, mom," Malice said weakly, feeling like all the preparation and loving things for Mother's Day were wasted.
"It's okay," Julia spoke slowly as Thomas pulled into the a spot outside the door to the hospital, "I know you all wanted to make a loving gesture... but... your younger siblings had plans of their own. And... maybe... this... will... bring... us... all some joy."
"How fast are the contractions?" Thomas asked to her as he came around to help Julia out.
"Faster than they should be... or... faster than they did when I gave birth to Sarah," Julia answered, "But... I... think... can make it."
Sarah and Malice could both hear the pain in Julia's voice. Even if it didn't hurt as much as labor with Sarah, it was still labor and Julia was doing her best to power through it. They came into the hospital entry area and Malice rushed up to the clerk on duty.
"You gotta help!" Malice said quickly, "My mom is having puppies!"