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"Frank! Frank, Frank Frank!"
Julie Joyful ran up to her best friend as he hurried down the yellow stone path. She bounced up to them the way she usually did, but Frank Frankly wasn't his usual self at all! The stern and serious butterfly enthusiast was sweating and panting and looking quite a bit nervous!
"Gosh, Frank!" Julie exclaimed, starting to run alongside him. "What's the matter? What's all the hurry for?"
"Sorry Julie!" Frank responded. "I can't really talk. I've got to get to the hospital."
"The hospital?" Julie asked. "Well, why would you need to go to the hospital?" Then, she gasped. "Oh! Is Eddie having the baby?"
To her surprise and delight, Frank nodded. "Oh, congratulations!" she giggled. "Here, let me come with you."
So, Julie and Frank stormed their way through the neighbourhood, all the way to the hospital. They passed Howdy Pillar's "bugdego" first. Frank suddenly got an idea.
"Flowers," he said to Julie. "I should bring Eddie flowers."
Julie usually wouldn't hesitate with such a gift, especially for such a grand occasion, but today she looked doubtful. "Are you sure there's time?"
"We'll make time, Julie," Frank said to her. "We'll make time."
So they burst into Howdy's bugdego like they were on a mission. The caterpillar was more than a little stunned at their sudden entrance.
"Ah! Frank. Julie," he greeted warmly, nonetheless. "Whatever can I do for you two?"
"Howdy! I need your help, and quickly," Frank answered. "We need flowers. The most colourful, most beautiful ones you've got!"
"Eddie's having the baby!" Julie added, excitedly.
"Oh I see! I see!" Howdy nodded. And soon he handed Frank a bouquet with every colour you could imagine, even decorated with little fake butterflies. He waved them goodbye as they ran out to continue on their quest. "Good luck, Frank! Congratulations on the little one!"
Next they passed Home, where Wally Darling and Barnaby B. Beagle sat outside. Wally was carefully painting Barnaby's paws, but they both stopped to wave at Frank and Julie.
"Hey guys!" Barnaby barked. "What's the rush?"
"Eddie's having the baby!" Julie responded, loudly.
Barnaby laughed. "The mailman? Talk about a special delivery!"
Wally just smiled. "Oh, exciting! It'll be nice to have a new neighbour," he said. Then he brightened in realisation. "Oh, that's right! I was painting the nursery for you two. I'll go finish it now."
"Oh, thank you, Wally! That would be great," Frank smiled. "Sorry for the short notice."
But Wally shook his head. "Oh, it's the least I could do for a good friend."
Barnaby nodded. "Here, I'll help you, Wally," he offered.
Wally nodded in acceptance. "Okay, Barnaby," he laughed. "Just don't kick the paint bucket over by accident this time."
And with that, Frank and Julie were back to their mission again. This time, they passed Poppy Partridge in her barn. "Why, hello there Frank and Julie!" she greeted them, waving a feathered wing.
"Hi Poppy!" Julie waved and enthusiastic arm back at her. "Sorry, we can't really talk. Eddie's having the baby!"
"Oh my!" Poppy chirped. "Well, well, I actually made something for this very occasion. Wait here..."
She entered her barn and, after a few seconds, came out with a freshly knitted blanket. It was blue and pink and looked soft to the touch. "I finished this just a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to give you this when the baby was born, so I figure I'll just give it to you now. Congratulations!"
Frank and Julie thanked her earnestly for her kind gift and then went on their way again! Next they crossed by a grand park. Their final place on their way to the hospital! Unfortunately, they also crossed their friend Sally Starlet doing an outdoor rehearsal, which would have been a welcome visit if they weren't in such a hurry. But they were, and in their hurry Julie tripped over one of her handmade props and Frank had put a foot right through one!
"Woah, woah! Frank! Julie!" Sally exclaimed, crossly. "I spent a whole day on those props!"
Julie pouted at the dent and hole they had left in the two props. "I'm so, so sorry Sally!" she apologised earnestly. "We're just in such a big hurry! Eddie's having the baby!"
Though still somewhat annoyed, Sally's anger at the two immediately seemed to vanish at that. "Oh! I understand now!" she said. "I apologise too. Congratulations, Frank! In forgiveness for the mishap, I will dedicate the final product of this play to your new family of three!"
After thanking Sally, and apologising once more, Frank and Julie continued on their way and were finally at the hospital! Frank's heart was thumping in their chest as they ran up to the receptionist. "H-Hello!" he stammered, before his words came out as fast as a race-car! "I'm looking for my husband! Eddie Dear! He's having a baby right now, and I brought him flowers and a blanket and we're getting the nursery painted and-"
"Ah, Eddie Dear?" asked the receptionist. "Yes, he's in room 205, just down the hall. You can't miss it!"
Frank smiled at her, and then looked to Julie. "I'll stay here, for now," said Julie. "You can have your special moment with Eddie, and come get me when the baby comes!"
So, Frank marched up the hallway, counting the doors as they went. 201, 202, 203, 204... 205! Taking a big, deep breath, Frank opened the door.
Eddie was inside, beaming down at a little pink bundle in his arms. Frank slumped in the sudden realisation that he'd missed the big moment! "I'm late," he muttered miserably.
To his surprise, Eddie shook his head gently. "Only by five minutes," he said. "It's okay, I forgive you." Then his smile brightened again, almost as if he was trying to make the sun feel jealous. "Now, come! Come meet the little one!"
Frank quickly recovered from his temporary let-down as he walked over to see his baby girl for the first time. She had Eddie's orange skin and dark lashes, but Frank's dark hair and thick eyebrows. She was adorable. She was sweet. She was everything. She was perfect.
"What do you think we should name her?" Eddie asked.
Frank outstretched a finger to the baby, who immediately reached a tangerine hand out of her blanket swaddle to hold it in her own tiny hand. Frank cracked a rare smile as he thought hard about the question. "What about... Juniper?"
Eddie smiled too. "I like that name too."
So that settled it. "Welcome to the world, Juniper Frankly-Dear."