Arthur's Baby Problems

A/N: This is a prequel for "Naomi's World". You can read either piece first; it doesn't matter. Important notes:

*This piece has nothing to do with Sophomore Sorrows or any other piece besides "Naomi's World"

*This piece is rated K+. No naughty bits here (I could probably rate it K actually)

*Enjoy the piece:)

Chapter One

|Baby Brother Blues|

Arthur looked up from his reading to see DW and Kate moving into the living room to watch television together. Kate was pretty mature for her young age of four, so she often sat in with DW while she watched her shows. DW was seven this year, her favorite shows revealing the change. Out was Mary Moo Cow and related specials; in was Pretty Little Ponies and Princess Tales. Kate followed suit, and Arthur sighed with contempt.

Arthur was the Read's only boy, and though he was close with Kate, he didn't have the sisterly bond she and DW seemed to share. While their arguments were the fiercest, they made up much faster than Arthur could dream of, and he was getting jealous. He never really wanted DW or Kate, but now that they were here, he wanted what they had. He wanted a little brother.

The idea was preposterous at first. Arthur's parents were growing older, and thanks to their aging parents and growing careers, their schedules were booked. Lately, Grandma Thora needed more help than usual, for example, and Arthur knew a new baby would really throw a wrench in things. Money was probably tight too, and the house was already pretty crowded with five people living in it. Babies would just make more problems, too many problems. Yet Arthur found himself still wanting another baby, a baby brother in particular.

A few days later, Jane noticed her son was looking more down than usual. He sighed when he received his plate of pancakes, the opposite of his normal reaction. She was concerned, so when everyone else had left the table, she gently touched his hand. Arthur looked up, his face twitching as he realized he was alone with his mom.

"Hey, honey, what's the matter? You've barely touched your pancakes, and these are your favorite! Or I thought they were. Please tell your old mom that cinnamon-pecan is still your favorite blend," Jane pleaded with a light smile. Arthur nodded. "Well then, what's wrong? Are you getting sick? Having trouble at school?"

"I'm fine," Arthur said blandly. Jane nodded sarcastically, "Yes, you're always perfectly fine when you turn down your favorite pancakes and take too long to eat. Arthur, I've been your mother for thirteen good years now. I know when something's wrong, and I know the best ways to get that information out of you. Now, do I have to use these secret weapons or are you going to be honest with me?" Jane asked with a smile.

As she asked, Arthur looked up to see DW leading Kate into the yard. They moved to the swings, and the two began taking turns pushing each other. Arthur sighed heavily as Jane turned to see what he was looking at. She nodded, taking her dishes to the sink.

"Your father and I have been talking along those lines. Even though we're so busy with work and our parents, we still miss having a baby around. Kate will start school next year, and well, I'm going to be pretty lonely when I'm home," Jane laughed, turning around and sitting next to Arthur. "I can't guarantee a brother, but I think we are going to try for a new baby, for our sake. Just please, whatever you do, don't tell your sisters. Kate's been driving me nuts about not being the baby anymore, and DW wants a sister who can't already read her school books," Jane winked.

"Thanks, Mom," Arthur smiled, beginning to eat. Despite the pancakes being cold, they were still delicious to him, and his energy quickly returned. He gathered his coat and grabbed his basketball, then he walked to Buster's condo. Buster was happy to see him, and they made the short walk to the complex's basketball court while talking about the latest issue of Bionic Bunny.

"I heard a rumor they were going to start a new series like they did with Dark Bunny, but you know how those online forums are. Half the people on there are just looking for attention," Buster laughed, throwing the ball towards the net. It bounced off the backboard and ran into the fence. "Aww, I'm just not good at this. Hey, I heard the park is having some kind of festival today. I wonder if they have good food."

"It's a quilting festival, Buster. I doubt they'll have any food," Arthur groaned. His father would be there with Grandma Thora and her friends. The man would be miserable, and Arthur didn't really want to see him like that. "Do you have any new video games?"

"Nah, Mom cut my allowance when I wouldn't take out the trash on time. I'm saving up for that new one coming out next week, the one with all the super heroes, but I think I'll have to wait for a used copy. Rattles might have it though," Buster shrugged, grabbing the basketball and heading towards one of the benches. "Nah, I couldn't get a bootleg copy of the game, not even that one."

"I thought Rattles got in trouble for that," Arthur murmured. Buster shrugged again, "I don't really know Rattles that well, not since he got sent to that alternative school. I just heard someone else talk about his video game and movie business. Most of his games don't even work," Buster laughed, sighing heavily. "Why does today feel so weird? It's like we don't have anything to talk about for some reason."

"I don't know," Arthur replied, looking over the complex. Most of the leaves were blown off the trees the week before, so the place looked barren and almost creepy. "My mom and I had a talk this morning. Her and Dad are thinking about having another baby, but we can't tell the girls."

"Whoa, another baby? Arthur, you'd have to move if they had another baby, not unless you're going to give up having your own room," Buster gasped with wide eyes. "You'll never get any sleep, and if it's a girl…"

"I know, I know," Arthur nodded, "but I think it's worth it if I have a baby brother. You've seen DW and Kate—"

"Yeah, I've seen them fight like cats and dogs in an alligator pit," Buster scoffed. "Arthur, I guess it's cool that you'd have one of the biggest families in Elwood City, but think of the pressure, the responsibility. You'd have to help out even more around the house, and your parents? Aww, I bet they wouldn't be fun anymore."

"They're already not that fun anymore," Arthur noted, remembering all the nights where one or both of his parents fell asleep on the couch while the kids waited for them to finish their television show. "But maybe a new baby could make them more fun, give them new life or something. I don't know, Buster, but I do want a baby brother. What I have with you is pretty cool, but we're friends. Even if we wanted to be family, it would never happen."

"My mom calls you the son she never had, but yeah, it's not the same," Buster laughed. Arthur nodded, "You get it now. I want what DW and Kate have. Yeah, they fight pretty badly, but they're always close in the end, even if it doesn't last that long. A new baby might help them be happier as well."

Buster smiled, "I can't make you feel bad about your dream, Arthur. I hope your parents do decide to have a new baby, and for your sake, I hope it's a boy. Now, can we at least walk to the Powers' ice cream shop? I hear Mrs. Powers made toffee for the new flavor in response to The Sugar Bowl's new toffee-coffee supreme," Buster moaned. "November is such an amazing month."

Arthur agreed, depositing his ball at Buster's house before following him towards the ice cream shop, laughing at Buster's latest jokes the entire way.

|Date Night?|

That night at dinner, David fixed the family a mash up of Jane's favorite dish, complete with a berry-centric fruit salad, baked chicken with her favorite spices, and strawberry lemonade with a hint of fresh lime zest. The kids weren't necessarily happy with the dinner choices, but Jane was head-over-heels, laughing at any little thing David said.

"Mom, are you sick?" DW asked darkly. Jane laughed, "No, DW, I've never felt better! I had a rough day doing some emergency paperwork for Millicent Crosswire, so I'm just happy to be here. And this meal! Oh, David, I haven't had anything this delectable in months! What made you do all this?"

"What does delegatable mean?" Kate asked. Arthur smiled, "She said 'delectable.' She means the food tastes really good," Arthur laughed. Kate nodded, but DW wasn't satisfied with Arthur's definition, "Is that all it really means, Arthur?" she asked coldly. Arthur nodded. "Well I doubt that. Mom, what does 'delectable' mean?"

"Arthur had it right, dear. David, did you hear me?" Jane asked. He nodded, "I got your text earlier that you were having a bad day, and then Mrs. Barnes gave me these fresh strawberries from Chile and Mr. Powers told me about these organic chicken breasts at the grocery store, so it all came together," he explained. Jane moaned with delight, "Oh, you know me so well, David! Kids, what are you doing tonight?"

"Pretty Little Ponies is—"

"There's a princess movie marathon at the Cinema Club. I'll take the girls if you give me the money for each of them," Arthur said quickly. At first, DW scowled at him for interrupting her, but when he mentioned the marathon, she smiled brightly. Kate bounced in her chair, "Wow, can we go, Mom? Can we?"

"That sounds so nice of you, Arthur. David, is that alright with you?" Jane asked with a bright smile. David grinned, "How could I say no to such an offer? I'm glad you're taking an interest in your sisters' interests, Arthur," David said, handing him a twenty from his wallet. "In fact, you should call Emily, Mei-Lin, and Binky. Make it an entire outing. Just give me back that change," he winked. Arthur nodded, excusing himself from the table while his sisters began a song session of the best princess movie tunes.

Once on the phone with Binky, Arthur's inner voice told him what he'd just thrown himself into. His stomach tightened into a knot as he realized he'd be in a theatre for three hours with DW and Kate. And as Binky got back from his mom, Arthur discovered he'd be with Mei-Lin too. Next he'd have to call Emily's parents to get their word of approval. One boy, four little girls, and a night he'd be sure to try to forget as best he could.

|Gossip and Baby News|

"I heard you had an interesting night," Buster laughed as they boarded the bus. Binky, who was at a ballet recital the night of Arthur's movie marathon, made sure everyone knew what Arthur was up to. Snickers filled the bus as Buster and Arthur took their seats behind Brain and Alex. Alex had a slight smile on his face, but Brain's eyes remained lodged in a science textbook.

"I don't really want to talk about it," Arthur muttered, "but I did it for a reason. Mom and Dad seemed happy at home, and they were in such a good mood…"

"Holy Bionic Bunny, you were setting them up!" Buster gasped. "I can't believe you did that! Do you know what this means?" Buster asked. Arthur nodded as Brain turned around, "I could explain the situation to you, but I am doubtful your parents would appreciate me telling you where babies come from in such an informal way."

"We already know, Brain. Remember that new kid, Landon, from sixth grade? He told everybody before trying to show us some of his dad's special tapes. That's how he got suspended," Buster nodded. Brain scoffed, "What he told us was barbaric and highly untrue. Real reproduction—"

"Hey, hey, we get it," Arthur grimaced. "I…I know that's how it works, and well, if it works out—"

"You want more younger siblings?" Brain asked. Arthur nodded. "You have two younger sisters. The statistics of your parents having another daughter is rather high, actually. Science has proven—"

"Hey, Brain, do you mind giving us Friday's homework's science lesson instead?" Francine called, causing her friends to laugh. "Seriously, we don't get it," she added in a low whisper. Brain sighed, "I asked the principal if I could start a tutoring group, but he didn't think I was qualified enough for the job. I believe he was sadly mistaken. Alex, do you mind if we switch seats?"

Alex switched seats as Arthur stared out the window. Buster patted his shoulder, "Hey, cheer up, Arthur. Ooh, tomorrow is Taco Tuesday, and I think we're having spaghetti on Wednesday. It's going to be a great week!" he smiled brightly as the school reached Grebe Middle School.

Once inside, the boys moved into their homeroom class. Sue Ellen was roaming the desks, trying to get signatures for a petition project. The boys signed without listening to her spiel; they knew she'd give them the real reason again at lunch or some other time.

"Settle down, class, settle down," their homeroom teacher called as the first bell rang. The halls began to empty and seats began to fill as the teacher turned on the homeroom's television system. The principal appeared onscreen fiddling with his paperwork. "There's an important announcement coming that all of you need to hear. Armstrong, you'll get your moment. Sit down," the teacher sighed, returning to her desk as the second bell rang. Sue Ellen sat down as the last student darted into the room. A moment later, the announcements began.

"GGoood Morning, Grebe Middle!" the principal exclaimed excitedly. The only thing the students could think to do was groan gently. "Welcome to another wonderful week at a wonderful school. Fall is upon us, as is our annual coat drive. Please bring any gently worn coats, jackets, sweaters, et cetera to Mrs. Martin on Seventh Grade Avenue. Any other winter gear will help as well. Also, it's almost time for our annual homeroom competition food drive for the hungry. Start telling your parents to stock up on those canned goods! The winning homeroom will receive a special pizza lunch and ice cream party sponsored by our local businesses!

"Now, to the really important reason I've decided to call this announcement. As you all know, my wife and I were expecting our second child. Last night, Samantha Loraine was born at one a.m. weighing seven pounds, ten ounces. Pictures can be seen on the school's website, and thank you all in advance for your congratulations. Now, here's our eighth grade student president, Muffy Crosswire, for the pledge of allegiance. Muffy?"

"Ugh, a baby girl! See, Arthur, you're taking some wild chances," Buster whispered as the class stood and faced the American flag. Arthur shrugged as the words began. It was a chance he was willing to take if it meant a brother he could bond with, no matter what his friends thought.