I make a mental note to call Mom’s travel agent tomorrow. “And your swimsuit…it looks B-Girl inspired,” I point out.
“Nice touch, huh?” she asks, watching for my reaction.
“Yes. I love that. And who’s this?” I ask, pointing to three small figures near the shore.”
She carefully gestures as she explains. “These are our children: Walt and Mary, and that’s our dog, Pixar.”
Pixar.
“We took our dog with us to Hawaii?”
“We take him everywhere. He’s a dog with super powers…he protects and babysits the kids.”
I laugh. “I see…but just two kids?”
“Well, I went from a firm zero to two with you, baby…so I wouldn’t push it.”
I take the book and prop it up on the nightstand so it faces us, before pulling her into my arms. “It’s perfect. I love your drawing, and I love you.”
She looks at me intently. “Really? You don’t mind if we only have two kids?”
“As long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy with anything that comes our way.” But then a thought occurs to me so I pick up the sketchbook again and examine the drawing more closely. “We had kids without being married?” I ask, feigning concern.
“What? Of course, we’re married. Why did you assume that?”
I hand the pad back to her. “Well, where are our rings?”
She rolls her eyes. “I see you’re a detail man. Do you have a pencil here, or do I need to get up and find one.”
“Open the drawer next to you,” I instruct.
She finds a pen, and with her tongue peeking out of the corner of her mouth as she concentrates, she carefully enhances her drawing by adding a tiny ring to each of our ring fingers.
“There,” she says, satisfied.
“That’s better,” I agree.
She studies the figures by the shore, and lightly runs her fingers over Walt and Mary. “I’m not sure I’ll be a good Mom,” she admits. “But you make me want babies, Nathan. You make me want a friggin picket fence and meatloaf on Sundays.”
“I make you want meatloaf on Sundays?”
“Yeah, she says, curling into me. “I wanna be your woo-man.” She giggles at her joke. “And I don’t know how good I’ll be at trying to balance having a career and being a mom one day, but I want to try.”
She has no idea what this is doing to me. I trail kisses across her cheek and pull her closer. “You’ll be great,” I say with confidence. “And we’ll do it together. We’ll be a team.”
“The dynamic duo,” she agrees.
“Anything else you want?” I ask.
“I want you to hold me tight. You have a way of making me feel like I’m all that matters.”
“Because…” I push her to continue.
“I am all that matters.”
“By George, I think you’ve got it.”
We’re wrapped in each other’s arms about to doze off when I’m compelled to bring up something that’s bothering me. “Brooke,” I whisper.
“Mmmm?” she responds, winding her arm even tighter around me.
“Walt Evans?” I ask, as I stroke her shoulder.
“Don’t forget his sister, Mary Blair Evans,” she insists.
“Mary Blair? The famous illustrator that worked for Disney?”
“Yes,” she replies, grinning.
I almost laugh out loud. She’s so damn cute…she’s killing me with this. “Brooke, love…those are great names. Grand, noble names, but…”
“Yes?” she says, I feel her body tense against me.
“I’m a Looney Tunes guy, Brooke. When you throw in Pixar, we got three for Disney, and a big fat zero for Warner Bros. It’s just not right.”
“That’s true…Disney acquired Pixar,” she responds thoughtfully. “Well, what do you suggest?”
“There’s a lot of greats of animation at Warner Bros.,” I point out.
“For the record, although I love their work, I’m not a fan of the name Friz…nor Chuck for that matter,” she huffs.
“Well, there’s Carl, or Leon…or how about Robert? There are two Roberts, Clampett and McKimson.”
“I like the name Robert,” she agrees. “Robert Walter Evans. I like the sound of that.”
I grin. She still got the Walt in there. “Those are some pretty big shoes for that little guy to fill,” I warn her.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “But he’ll have our toon-genes baby, and all our love to help him along.”
“And don’t forget Mary. She very well may outdo us all,” I point out.
“Mary’s going to kick ass,” she agrees. “She’ll be our little Power Puff Girl.”
“Anything else?” I ask. “As long as we’re sorting this all out.”
“Let’s see,” she says, thinking out loud. “We’ve got the love nest with the picket fence.”
“Check,” I respond.
“Two kidlets, Mary and Robert.”
“Check.”
“A Golden Retriever named Pixar.”
“Golden Retriever? I like those…check.”
“Meatloaf on Sundays.”
I laugh. “Check.”
She pauses.
“Anything else?” I ask as I pull her up over me. All this talk is making me wild. I want her again…badly.
The good news is I think she wants me again, too. She spreads her thighs and lifts up so she’s straddling me. “You,” she whispers.
“Me? Oh, you’ve always had me.”
She nods, then leans over and kisses her way up my neck. “Yes, most definitely you,” she chants; her expression loving as her breasts graze my chest. I reach up and fill my hands with her softness.
“Are you sure?” I challenge playfully, as I give her my love.
The heat is radiating off her. She swivels her hips provocatively.
Oh, Brooke…
She nods, certainty in her big blue eyes.
“You.”
The End
Acknowledgements
My first support team for my writing efforts was my spirited daughter Alex, my sweet sister Cheri and dear friend Lisa Fortunato, who cheered me on before I’d even found a single reader. They always made me feel that my efforts were worthwhile-that it wasn’t insane to be writing late at night after working long days. I love you guys for that and so much more.
I appreciate that my husband and daughter put up with me as I got lost in the world of my characters. I often forgot about things like dinner and that my Mac didn’t always have to be perched on my lap.
I will forever be indebted to the fan fiction community, who welcomed and inspired me as a reader and writer. The amount of creativity, artistry and support I found there changed my life in many ways. I have made friends from all over the world and had incredible experiences I would’ve never imagined. There are so many wonderful readers who reviewed, blogged and tweeted about my stories and inspired me to keep writing. I’m too afraid to miss someone to list everyone’s names, but know that I adore and am thankful to all of you.
In the fanfic community I also found my story support team when I was joined by four exceptionally bright and talented women who pre-read and helped me edit my stories. Love and endless gratitude to my fic sister Azucena Sandoval, Laura Edmonston, Jenn Miller and Kathy Wallace. I’ve also been lucky to work with Jada D’Lee, a terrific designer, who rendered magic creating promotional banners and trailers for my stories. Elli Reid continually supplied me with amazing imagery to inspire my writing. The generosity of all of your time and support, my friends, will never be forgotten.
When I made the decision to publish a new cycle of editing began. Many thanks to Angela Borda, Susi Prescott, Aviva Layton, Melanie Mueller and Judy Marks who took my hand as we traveled down the tough road of editing for publication. I have learned so much from each of you and I’m very grateful.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the artists in the animation and comic world. Words cannot express how much
I appreciate the incredible talent and heart of gold of brilliant artist Juan Ortiz, who illustrated all but two of Animate Me’s illustrations, including the cover drawing. He went above and beyond what I had hoped for my story and brought a charm to the drawings that made me unbelievably happy.
I am so lucky to have Juan and the terrific men in my life who have helped and encouraged me to chase my dreams. Thank you to Tad Marburg, Michael Senich, my brother, Rob Clampett, David Johnston, Niall Leonard, Vince Musacchia, Alex Costa, Jack Morrisey and Erik Odom.
Hugs to my team at Clampett Studio Collections: Susan Avendano, Susan Barrett, John Murphy and Michelle Smart who welcomed with great enthusiasm and support the news that I’d be publishing fiction. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.
And continuing the theme that it takes a village to self-publish a book, thanks again to Juan Ortiz for the wonderful cover character drawing and Jada D’Lee for the perfect book cover design, both made me cry tears of joy. Many thanks to David Johnston for his flawless cover photography, Skye Moorhead for her photoshop work and Erik Odom and Anais Mendoza for contributing their beautiful hands. Thanks to Kirk Mueller for early development art. With the production of the book trailer, thanks goes to David Johnston and Daniel Peacock for cinematography, actors Michael Senich and Anna Koehler for their enthusiasm and great work, and Renegade Animation for bringing the cup art to life. Thank you to 52 Novels for formatting, and to AToMR and JeantheBookNerd guiding me through book blog tours.
And I’d like to wrap up this novella of thanks with love and gratitude to the amazing woman writers and friends who guided and supported me through the challenges of publishing and life. They never let me stop believing I could do this. I have so much love for my Lost Girls: Erika Leonard, Susi Prescott and Dawn Carusi. Also endless admiration and appreciation for S L Scott, Mary Whitney, Liv Morris, Killian McRae and Judy Marks. You women rock.
It’s been an extraordinary journey and I’m so grateful for all of you.
Coming November 2013
When reality show producer Sophia is assigned to convince Christmas fanatic Will to be on their holiday special, she imagines him to be an oddball momma’s boy wearing a reindeer Christmas sweater. What she doesn’t expect is the handsome, mysterious man who captures her attention, and seems determined to win her heart.
Their attraction is undeniable, and as charming Sophia convinces Will to work with her, she slowly unwraps the secrets in his past that make this determined and soulful man still yearn for the childhood he never had.
When the chaos of production starts, will Sophia be able to keep her promises to protect Will from being exploited, or will the bitter truth of reality television be a runaway train of disaster for both of them?
Join Sophia, Will and his dog Romeo to enter the world of his enchanting holiday house where stars shine indoors and snow is always falling…365 days of the year.
About the Author
Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director Bob Clampett, grew up surrounded by artists and animators. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, she has been VP of Design for Warner Brothers Studio Stores and taught photography at UCLA. Today she runs her own studio and as the Fine Art publisher for Warner Brothers Studios has come to know and work with some of the world’s greatest artists in the fields of animation and comics.
From this colorful background comes Ruth’s first novel, Animate Me.
Ruth lives and works in Los Angeles, strictly supervised by her teenage daughter, who helps plan their summer around their yearly pilgrimage to the San Diego Comic Con.
Connect with Ruth:
RuthClampettWrites.com
https://twitter.com/Ruthywrites
https://www.facebook.com/RuthClampettWrites
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4115217.Ruth_Clampett
To see the artwork of Animate Me illustrator, Juan Ortiz:
http://www.juanortiz.org/
And check out Vince Musacchia’s art on his blog:
http://vincemusacchia.blogspot.com/
End Notes: Chapter Cartoon Quotes
i Pinky & the Brain, “Pinky and the Brain: Pinky Suavo” 1997, Warner Bros. Animation
ii Pepe le Pew, “For Scent-imental Reasons” 1949, Warner Bros. Animation
iii Batman & Robin, “Batman Television series: The Cat’s Meow” 1967, 20th Century Fox Television
iv Superman & Lois Lane, “Superman” movie 1978, Warner Bros. Pictures
v Winnie the Pooh, “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day” 1968, Walt Disney Studios
vi Hefty Smurf, “The Big Smurf” 1987, Hanna Barbera Productions
vii Barney Rubble to Fred Flintstone, “The Flintstones Movie” 1994, Universal
viii Betty Boop, “Baby Be Good” 1935, Fleischer Studios
ix Wallace, “Matter of Loaf and Death” 2008, Aardman Animations, Ltd.
x Pokey, “The Gumby Show: Pokey’s Price” 1966, Clokey Productions
xi Velma, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You: Hassle in the Castle” 1969, Amblin Entertainment, Hanna Barbera Productions
xii Cheshire Cat, “Alice in Wonderland” 1951, Walt Disney Studios
xiii Dee Dee, “Dexter’s Laboratory: LABretto” 1998, Cartoon Network Studios
xiv Buzz Lightyear to Woody, “Toy Story” 1995, Pixar Animation Studios
xv Tweety Bird, “Birdy and the Beast: 1944, Warner Bros. Animation
xvi Doug, “Up” 2009, Pixar Animation Studios
xvii Edna Mode,” The Incredibles” 2004, Pixar Animation Studios
xviii Daffy Duck, “Duck Amuck” 1953, Warner Bros. Animation
xix Peter Pan, “Peter Pan” movie 2003, Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures & Revolution Studios
xx Speed Racer, “Speed Racer: The Most Dangerous Race” 1967, Tatsunoko Studio
xxi Kevin Parker,” Spider-Man” movie 2002, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Marvel Enterprises
xxii Hogarth, “The Iron Giant” 1999, Warner Bros. Studios
xxiii Cinderella, “Cinderella” 1950, Walt Disney Studios
xxiv Beany Boy, “Beany and Cecil: Beanyland” 1962, Bob Clampett Productions
xxv Homer, “The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror IV” 1993, 20th Century Fox Animation, Gracie Films
xxvi Spongebob Squarepants, “Spongebob Squarepants: Dying for Pie/Imitation Krabs” 2001, Nickelodeon Animation Studios
xxvii Cecil, “Beany and Cecil: Cecil Meets Cecilia” 1962, Bob Clampett Productions
xxvii iBatman, “Batman: The Killing Joke” 1988, DC Comics
xxix Mike Wazowski, “Monster’s Inc.” 2001 Pixar Animation Studios
xxx Marlin, “Finding Nemo” 2003, Pixar Animation Studios
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