FicWad

Manic, Sonic, and Sonia put on their shoes.
 Brenden slid his jacket on. “Okay, kids, are you ready to go to Blockbuster?”
 The triplets cheered.
 “Can we get popcorn too?” Manic asked. “Please?”
 “Sure.” Brenden replied.
 “Why can’t we go to the movies though?” Sonic asked.
 “For one, there’s nothing playing that we really want to pay to see in the theater.” Brenden replied. “Two, it’s really expensive to go to the movies, even when your mom remembers to sneak in snacks.”
 “I can’t believe I forgot last time.” Aleena said, loading dishes into the dishwasher.
 Brenden picked up his keys. “Are you sure you don’t want to go with us, Babe?”
 Aleena gave Brenden a look. 
 “I was just trying to be nice.” Brenden said, hugging Aleena. “Enjoy your alone time, you earned it.”
 “I love you.” Aleena replied.
 “Love you too.” Brenden said. “Let’s go, kids.”
 *
 Brenden walked the triplets into their local Blockbuster.
 Manic hurried over to the popcorn and grabbed a couple of bags. 
 “No, just one.” Brenden said. 
 “Can we get soda?” Sonic asked.
 “No, your mom doesn’t want you to drink too much soda.” Brenden replied. “Now go pick a movie.”
 The triplets led their dad through the aisles.
 Sonia picked up the Titanic videos. 
 “No, that’s a four hour movie and you’re too young for that.” Brenden said. 
 “Aw, but Bunnie got to see it.” Sonia whined.
 “We’re not Bunnie’s parents.” Brenden replied. “Put it back.”
 Sonia put the tapes back.
 Manic picked up Dumb and Dumber.
 “No, your mom was ticked off when she found out I let you watch it.” Brenden said.
 Manic put the video back.
 “Oh, and don’t pick up Speed again, Sonic.” Brenden said, looking through the videos. “Your mom recorded it the last time it was on tv.”
 Sonic picked up the Matrix. “How about this?”
 Brenden looked at the video. “That’s fine.”
 Manic hurried over to Brenden with the Jurassic Park vhs.
 “Great choice, Manic.” Brenden replied.
 Sonia held up a vhs. “How about this?”
 Brenden looked at the tape Sonia was showing him. “Cats don’t dance?” He asked. “Never heard of it, but it could be good. Alright, if those are your choices, we can go.”
 The triplets handed Brenden the tapes.
 Manic looked at the tv mounted on the wall and pointed at it. “Aw, is that the boat movie Sonia wants to see?”
 Brenden looked at the TV, which was showing the scenes where the Titanic was sinking. “Yeah, that’s Titanic.”
 Manic’s jaw dropped. “I don't ever want to go on a boat.”
 “Yeah, can’t blame you.” Brenden said, walking the kids to the counter. “But that incident changed the way they handled shipwrecks, so it’s a little safer now.”
 “Wait, that actually happened?” Manic asked.
 “Yeah, a lot of people died.” Brenden replied.
 “Then who wants to watch that movie?” Manic asked.
 “Yeah, it’s sad.” Sonic added.
 Brenden and the kids stood in line.
 “Yes, it is.” Brenden replied.
 Sonia looked at Manic. “But it would be sad to be eaten by a dinosaur.”
 “But Jurassic park isn’t real yet.” Manic said. 
 “Manic, that’s not gonna happen.” Brenden replied. “Neither is Skynet, so don’t worry.”
 Sonic huffed as he waited on the guy in front of them. “Ugh. This old guy is taking forever.”
 “Sonic.” Brenden scolded.
 The guy turned around.
 Sonic’s eyes widened. “Oh, hi, Gerald.” He said, grinning nervously.
 Gerald chuckled. “No offense was taken, but you know you’re gonna get old one day too, Sonic.”
 “Exactly.” Brenden said, looking at Sonic.
 Gerald stepped aside. 
 Brenden stepped forward and set the videos on the counter along with his membership card.
 “Where’s Shadow and Maria?” Sonia asked.
 “Oh, Shadow and Maria were playing a game of Aggravation and didn’t want to come.” Gerald said. “So I’m renting Titanic for Maria. She’ll watch it while I work, which reminds me, do you mind if Shadow comes over tomorrow?”
 “No, not at all.” Brenden replied. “He’s no trouble.”
 Sonia grinned.
 “Thank you.” Gerald said. “See you all.”
 “See you.” Brenden replied.
 “Bye, Dr. Gerald.” The triplets said as Gerald started to walk away.
 Brenden paid for the popcorn and rentals. “Okay, let’s go.”
*
 The triplets ran in and hugged Aleena. 
 “There’s my babies.” Aleena said. “What did you all pick out?”
 Brenden set the videos down. “The Matrix, Jurassic Park, and Cats don’t dance.”
 Aleena looked at the video. “Never heard of the last one.” She replied. “Looks cute.”
 “So what’re we watching?” Manic asked.
 Aleena picked up a small bowl. “I already got the names written down.” She replied. “I’ll draw and whoever’s name is on the paper is whose pick gets chosen.”
 Aleena closed her eyes and drawed a slip of paper. “Sonic.”
 “The Matrix it is.” Brenden said. 
 Sonic cheered and pumped his fists in the air.
 “Pick tomorrow’s movie.” Brenden said, getting the popcorn ready.
 Aleena closed her eyes and drawed another slip of paper. “Manic.”
 “Jurassic Park.” Brenden said.
 Manic bounced. “Yes!”
 “Then Sonia’s choice is Sunday’s movie.” Aleena replied.
 “Put the movie in the VCR, Sonic.” Brenden said, getting a bowl out.
*
 The triplets laid on their sleeping bags that were set on the living room floor while their parents were curled up on the couch.
 Sonia hurried over to Aleena and hugged her, hiding her face, at the scene about Neo’s nightmare.
 “What?” Manic asked. “You want to watch people falling off a ship, but you can’t watch the guy’s mouth get erased?”
 “Manic, you can watch this, but you freaked out over the alien in Independence Day.” Aleena said. 
 Manic shrugged. “Sorry.”
 “Hush, Keanu is talking.” Sonic scolded. He waited for a few seconds. “Can I change my name to Neo?”
 “No, your name is perfect for you.” Aleena said.
 “I guess you’re right.” Sonic said.
 Manic tossed popcorn at Sonic. “You just hate the name ‘cause they named you after the restaurant you were born at.”
 Sonic hit Manic with a pillow. “Shut up. I don’t hate my name.”
 “Settle down, boys.” Brenden scolded.
 “Yes, Dad.” Manic and Sonic said. They turned their attention to the movie.
*
-Saturday night-
 Manic, Sonia and Sonic laid on the floor, staring at the tv as they watched Jurassic Park.
 Brenden found a velociraptor plushie on the couch and tossed it at Manic.
 Manic screamed and threw it at Sonia as Sonic flinched.
 Sonia smacked the plushie away with her hands.
 Brenden laughed. “I thought the movie wasn’t scary.”
 Manic tossed the plushie at his dad. “It’s not. You just scared me with the stupid toy.”
 “Hush. I’m trying to watch the movie.” Sonic said.
 “Don’t aggravate them, honey.” Aleena said, playfully slapping Brenden’s arm.
*
-Sunday- 
 Manic and Sonic groaned as they watched Sonia’s movie pick.
 “Do they have to sing every time?” Manic whined. “It’s not like they’re at a concert.”
 “I didn’t like the Matrix, but I didn’t complain.” Sonia said.
 “That’s right, Manic.” Aleena said. “You should show her the same respect she showed you.”
 “Yes, Ma.” Manic replied. “Sorry, sis.” 
 “I forgive you, bro.” Sonia said.
 Sonic blinked. “Wow, that’s a short movie.”
 Brenden checked his watch. “Huh, we got a few minutes before bedtime.” He said. “Would you two like to read?”
 “No, we can play.” Sonic said.
 Sonia and Manic nodded.
 “Okay, then.” Brenden replied. 
 Sonia, Sonic, and Manic sat up and started playing with Sonic and Manic’s Hot Wheels collection.
 Aleena snuggled beside Brenden. “They’re so adorable.”
 “Well, they get that from you.” Brenden said, putting his arm around Aleena. “You’re adorable too.”
 Aleena smiled. “You are too.”