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Aleena brushed Sonia’s fur and spines. “Now, you can change into your play dress after the family photo.”
“Yes, Mother.” Sonia replied.
Manic groaned as Brendan combed Manic’s spines. “Ah, Dad, I like them messy.”
“They’re too messy.” Brendan said. “I’m not smoothing them down.”
Aleena laughed as she put the bonnet on Sonia’s head.
Brendan sighed. “Good grief, I should’ve known you’d complain too.”
“Sonic doesn’t want to wear his pants again?” Aleena asked.
Brendan scoffed and shook his head. “He’s acting like he’s being killed.”
Sonic, wearing a suit, marched in. “Why do we have to dress up?”
Aleena and Brendan glanced at each other.
“Uh… tradition?” Aleena asked.
Manic sighed. “Why is it a tradition?” He asked. “Can’t we just start a new one?”
Aleena sighed. “Please let me take one nice picture, then you can change clothes.”
*
Aleena had the children take their places by the rose bushes in her garden. “Okay, don’t be silly; just smile.”
The triplets smiled.
Aleena took their picture. “Now, go change clothes.”
Sonic and Manic raced inside.
“Finally.” Sonia said, marching into the house. “The stupid lace is itchy.”
Aleena sighed and shook her head. “Why do we torture ourselves to dress them up for a picture and delude ourselves into thinking they’ll wear the outfits for dinner?”
“Our families made us dress up.” Brendan said. “They always made us dress up.”
“Yes, well, we’re not doing this again.” Aleena replied. “My nerves can’t take it.”
Brendan hugged Aleena. “Relax, I’ll handle everything else.”
“Thanks.” Aleena said.
*
Gerald, Maria, and Shadow showed up along with Uncle Chuck.
Shadow looked less than thrilled with his button up and tie while Maria seemed quite happy with her slip dress over a t-shirt, and slide on shoes, and a wide headband in her curled blonde hair.
The triplets (Sonic and Manic wearing nice t-shirts and sneakers while Sonia wore a sundress and jelly shoes)
“Aww, that dress is so pretty on you, Maria.” Aleena said.
“Thanks.” Maria replied.
“You look like Phoebe from Friends.” Manic said.
Aleena glanced at Manic. “So you really weren’t asleep while Dad and I watched tv?”
Manic shrugged. “I thought you knew I was awake.”
Aleena sighed. “At least it’s not Ren and Stimpy, I guess.”
Shadow raised an eyebrow. “Why do you hate it?”
“It’s the same reason I don’t let you watch it.” Gerald said.
Brendan pulled the ham out of the oven. “Okay, dinner’s ready.”
*
Shadow frowned as his plate was served to him. “It’s too hot.”
“Let it cool down.” Aleena said.
“Shadow, you don’t mind warm mashed potatoes.” Maria said. “Eat those first.”
“‘Kay, thanks, Mrs. Hedgehog.” Shadow replied.
“You’re welcome.” Aleena said, walking over to the adults’ table. “When you’re done eating, you can have a chocolate egg and we’ll go out for the egg hunt.”
*
Everyone gathered in the backyard.
“Okay, whoever finds the plastic gold egg, wins the grand prize.” Uncle Chuck said. “Whoever collects the most eggs and doesn’t have the gold egg, gets the second place prize. No fighting over it. Shadow, Sonic, don’t use your speed.”
“Yes, Uncle Chuck.” The triplets and Shadow replied.
“Go hunt.” Uncle Chuck said.
The triplets and Shadow hurried off to find the eggs.
Uncle Chuck sat down at the patio table with the adults.
“Aww, look at them.” Aleena said.
“So what’s the prize?” Brendan asked.
“You’ll see.” Uncle Chuck replied. “Don’t want them to overhear it. It’s not much, but it’s something any of them could enjoy.”
Sonic cheered.
“He’s got the gold egg.” Maria said.
Gerald looked at Shadow. “Don’t complain, Shadow.” He said. “It’s supposed to be fun.”
Shadow went back to the hunt.
*
Uncle Chuck inspected the children’s baskets. “Okay, Sonic won the grand prize.” He said. “Shadow won the second prize.”
Sonia hugged Shadow.
Shadow half smiled.
Uncle Chuck handed gift bags to Sonic and Shadow. “Here you go.”
Sonic and Shadow opened the bags; Sonic pulled out a handheld Pinball game while Shadow pulled out a soccer ball.
“Thanks, Unc.” Sonic said, grinning.
“Thanks, Uncle Chuck.” Shadow said.
“You’re welcome.” Uncle Chuck replied.
Shadow opened the soccer ball box so he and the triplets could play.

*
Aleena and Brendan settled on the couch as the triplets watched It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown.
“That was nice.” Aleena said. She sipped her tea. “I’m glad Chuck had the idea for an egg hunt prize. It was better than having more or less a second Christmas by buying each of them an Easter basket.”
“Me too.” Brendan replied.
Aleena yawned.
“Go ahead and take a nap.” Brendan said. “We’ll be fine.”
“Thanks.” Aleena replied. She kissed Brendan, then headed to her room.