Free Baby Cakes by Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk

I’m gonna call you that, since Mom and Dad don’t have any names for you yet. I just want you to know I’ve been practicing a lot and I’m ready to be your big sister. Actually, I’m really looking forward to meeting you—even if I’m a little scared. But I want you to know I will do my very best. Truly. I even have your first bedtime story all picked out for you.” She held up a copy of Charlotte’s Web .
    Delaney hit the button to stop recording. “I think that’s a wrap. All I need to do now is add a cool sound track…”
    â€œOf course you do,” Kylie said. “That’s our Delaney!”

As the red velvet curtains rose on the auditorium stage, the characters of Charlotte’s Web appeared to leap off the pages of the book (thanks to Lexi’s amazing set!) and spring to life. Olivia flapped her feathered arms and honked; Harrison—dressed in a black leather jacket and sunglasses—did his creepiest rat crawl. An assortment of geese, cows, lambs, and even two kids playing the back and front of a horse made their way onstage.
    â€œWhere’s Delaney?” Sadie whispered to Kylie in the audience. “Isn’t she supposed to be on the farm?” All of the cupcake club were there to see Delaney star as Wilbur—even Juliette and her fiancé Rodney.
    â€œI’m not sure I would have directed it this way,” he said.
    â€œShhh!” Juliette hushed him. “This is not Shakespeare and you’re not the director. Delaney is!”
    Kylie looked around, but there was no pink pig in sight. “I’m sure she’ll make a grand entrance.”
    Of course, she was right. Delaney burst onto the stage with an “Oink!” and did a cartwheel. She wore a pink shirt and leggings, with a curly tail attached at her waist and her pink pig ears perched on her head.
    â€œWill anybody be my friend?” she asked the barnyard animals hopefully before launching into a perky tap-dance routine.
    â€œA friend is someone to play with, to stay with, to dream with, to scheme with…” Delaney sang.
    Mr. and Mrs. Noonan were seated in the front row and beamed with pride.
    â€œShe’s great!” Kylie said, applauding.
    Suddenly, Sophie’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker. “Salutations, Wilbur! I’ll be your friend. Go to sleep now, and in the morning, I’ll show you who I am.”
    â€œLights down! Cue the curtain!” Ms. Kutchen called from the wings.
    The lights dimmed, and everyone raced offstage to get ready for Charlotte’s web-weaving scene.
    â€œRemember, no worries. We got you covered,” Tyler assured Sophie.
    Corey held up his hands: he was wearing his dad’s no-slip work gloves. “Okay, here goes…” Sophie said. As the lights came back up, a web of silvery thread was draped across the proscenium.
    â€œWait ’til they see your entrance,” Delaney whispered, giving her friend a tiny push into the center of the stage.
    â€œI am Charlotte, and this is my web,” Sophie said softly. As the music began to play, Tyler and Corey tugged on the rope and she gently rose in the air. She did a beautiful aero-ballet routine, twirling and swirling, high above the stage.
    â€œOh!” came a loud voice from the audience.
    â€œWow,” Harrison whispered in the wings. “Someone really likes this number.”
    â€œOh! Oh!” came the voice again. Delaney knew that voice. It was her mom!
    â€œOh! I think it’s time!” Mrs. Noonan moaned.
    Delaney ran over to Ms. Kutchen. “Stop the show! My mom is in labor!” The house lights went up, and the show came to a screeching halt. Delaney ran into the audience. A crowd was already gathered around her mom.
    â€œIt’s okay, Laney,” her mother assured her. “The babies are just getting ready to make their grand entrance.”
    â€œWhat? Now? It’s too early!