A full month has passed ever since the Romeo and Juliet play. It had taken some time, but CatNap and DogDay have started going out and hanging out with the other Smiling Critters again. Although they are still on their way to recovering. The two opposites may have started going out again, but they've been chatting with other critters.

Well, CatNap and DogDay would talk to the other critters again; but not to each other. Whenever they are face to face with each other, they would blush like crazy and look away. In a sense, everything is almost back to normal with the Smiling Critters.

Or so it was thought.

It was another sunny day out. The showers have ceased and now flowers are blooming in fields. Once again though, today isn't a hangout day for the Smiling Critters. They already had another sleepover at DogDay's house last weekend and now everyone is either at work, at college, had booked a day off today or don't have any shifts today and don't have to book a day off.

CatNap doesn't have a shift today, so he has a day off to read, sleep or watch the Amazing Digital Circus again. He decided to sleep today instead. He felt like a change from watching the Amazing Digital Circus would do nicely. No one is coming over because of work, so this is the perfect time for him to sleep the day away.

CatNap lifted up his bedsheets and sat on the bed; lifting his legs on the bed as well. Before he could lie down and tuck himself under the covers, the doorbell rang. The purple cat groaned in irritation and got out of bed. So much for his plan to sleep all day. He walked towards his elevator and pressed the call button to go down.

After the elevator ride, CatNap opened the door. His annoyance turned to surprise to see Hoppy with another critter with her. The other critter is a yellow elephant, and they're much smaller. They even have a tuff of blue hair for bangs. They're also holding what seems to be a plushie of Bubba with their trunk.

"CatNap, I need your help right now!" Hoppy cried in distress. "It's an emergency! I want you to do me a favour right now!"

"Right now?" CatNap asked.

Hoppy nodded quickly. "Right now right now." she answered. "Bubba wants me to watch over his little cousin while he's doing some test for who knows what. He apparently didn't want any distractions, so Mr. Big Brain thought it was a good idea to call me to do some babysitting WHILE I have to get ready for work!"

"Wait wait, time out." CatNap interrupted. "Can you at least tell me how all this happened?"

"No time!" Hoppy snaps. She then bent down at the child's level. "Gabby, this is CatNap. He'll be watching over you while I'm at work. Be good to him alright?" The child didn't even get a chance to answer as Hoppy shoved them towards the purple cat. She then took off running. "I'll let Bubba know you're watching over her CatNap!" She called over as she disappeared down the street.

The two critters stood in silence for a moment, then without another word they reentered the house and took an elevator back to the main floor. CatNap was used to the quiet, but this isn't a good silence. He cleared his throat to catch the child's attention, and the child looked up.

"Hey there kid. I guess this transition was unexpected huh?" he asked lightly. "Anyway, your name is Gabby right?"

The child nodded with a smile. "Yeah. My name is Gabby Gabbaphant." the child introduced herself. Judging by their voice, CatNap could tell this was a little girl. "When I grow up I wanna be a pasture that weds couples."

CatNap chuckled at the child's cuteness. "If that's a dream job, then that'll be a good one." he complimented.

Gabby frowned. "What's a dream job?" she asked.

"A dream job is a job that you have a passion for." CatNap answers. "For me, I have a dream job as a sleep therapist because I have a passion for helping critters get some good sleep. Cure them of their sleeping problems basically."

Gabby nods understandingly. "That's cool." she complimented.

"So you're Bubba's cousin?" CatNap asked changing the subject. "I was wondering why Bubba isn't looking after you. Just curious, that's all." He patted the little elephant's head gently. "I wouldn't mind looking after you."

"Well, my mom dropped me off at Cousin Bubba's first; but..." Gabby started as she started her tale.

Flashback start

Inside Bubba's house, Bubba was anxiously gathering up his notes for a test. Even though Bubba is the smartest out of all the Smiling Critters and he always passes his tests and quizzes with all A's in high school, the elephant is always anxious when it comes to studying and preparing for them. Bubba stopped and let out a frustrated groan. He realized he couldn't bring notes to a test.

'Great. Now I have to look through all my notes I took this week and memorize everything within...' The blue elephant worriedly looked at his watch. '...ten minutes." Once he realized the time he let out a frustrated cry. Tears had formed in his eyes and he did his best to wipe them away. 'I'm never going to pass this test!'

Bubba's distressed thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He quickly wiped away any remaining tears as best he could as he hurried out of his room to answer the door. He was surprised to he a taller blue elephant just like Bubba but with a darker blue tuff of hair with Gabby beside her.

"Hey Bubba, I'm so sorry to come by unannounced; but it's an emergency and I need to ask you for a favour right now." the elephant informed him quickly.

"Right now?" Bubba asked in distressed surprise.

The elephant nodded. "Right now right now." she answered. "I'm looking for a new job, and there's a secretary position at that health center close to back home and they want to interview me right now. They're taking an applicant who's regularly available, so if I miss this there may not be another chance." She sighed before continuing. "Can you watch Gabby for me? My brother and his wife are on a cruise vacation and I'm left to babysit her. It'll only be for a few hours. I'll be back soon."

"B-But Mom, I can't." Bubba sputtered. "I have a test to-"

Bubba's mother sighed in relief. "Oh thank you so much son. I always knew I could count on you." she said before turning to Gabby. "Now be good to your cousin sweetie." She bent down to Gabby's level and kissed her forehead before standing back up normally and leaving in a rush to where her interview was going to be.

"Yay Cousin Bubba!" Gabby cheered as she rushed inside the house passing by a still stunned Bubba.

"I...I...I..." Bubba sputtered now feeling overwhelmed. He sighed and then closed the door.

A bit later Hoppy left her carrot house to get to work. Just before she left the front porch however, she saw Bubba running towards her while carrying Gabby in his arms. He was panting hard when he approached her and he even looked to be a sobbing mess. Before Hoppy could ask Bubba if he was okay, the elephant quickly passed Gabby from his arms to hers.

"Hoppy, this is my cousin Gabby and I need you to watch over her." Bubba explained quickly. "I have a test to take and I can't watch her, but I'll come back to pick her up. I promise. The test won't take too long. See you soon." He then ran off to his new college; leaving Hoppy alone with Gabby processing what had just happened.

"Eek! Stranger danger! Stranger danger!" Gabby shrieked as she struggled to get out of Hoppy's hold.

That got Hoppy out of her frozen state and gazed at the elephant child. She sighed. "Look, I'm no stranger and I'm sorry kid; but I can't watch over you today." she apologized to the child. She then added to herself. "I'll have to find someone else to watch over you instead." She then started running towards the other houses; knocking on each door to see if any critters are available to babysit Gabby.

Flashback end

"...and I guess that's how I got here Mr. Cat." Gabby finished.

CatNap nodded taking notes. During the flashback CatNap had taken notes. He usually takes notes from his therapy patients to help them with their sleep problems, then submits them over to his supervisor so the patient can be given prescriptions that'll work for them. This time though CatNap can piece together himself that Bubba and his family are sometimes a real...piece of work. When he was done, he gently put a hand on Gabby's shoulder this time.

If Bubba being a piece of work isn't bad enough, it seems Hoppy can be the same thing as well.

"I'm sorry about all these transitions." CatNap apologized. "Not to worry though, I'll take care of you until either Hoppy or Bubba come here. I'm not sure if there's anything you'd like to do in the house honestly, but why don't we stop by at the store and find some things you'll enjoy? Sound good? Maybe we'll get you some yummy snacks too."

Gabby sticked her tongue at her upper lip at the thought of getting snacks. To her when it comes to certain meals a day, snack time is the best time. She clapped her hands in excitement.

"Yeah! Let's do that! Let's go!" she exclaimed while jumping.

CatNap lightly chuckled at Gabby's excitement and lightly grabbed her with his tail. "Alright, then what are we waiting for? Let's go." They both got in the elevator again and left the house.

It took the two twenty minutes of walking (or piggyback riding in Gabby's case) to get to the store, but they got a cart and entered in the store. CatNap put Gabby in the cart seat and fastened a seatbelt on her. Surprisingly the seatbelt clicked together. Then again, Gabby is a toddler elephant.

The shopping went by smoothly. Gabby pointed out with her trunk which toys she likes when the two reached the toy aisle, and in different food aisles Gabby pointed out what kinds of food she likes. CatNap would take the items out and put them in the cart.

When they picked out the last item needed before checking out, they had unexpectedly met DogDay in the same aisle. The purple cat paused in his tracks much to Gabby's confusion. She looked behind her and did see why.

After picking out his item and putting it in his own cart, DogDay turned and paused when he saw CatNap. The two critters blushed. This encounter may appear to be pretty awkward for them.

"Your faces are red." Gabby pointed out; breaking the staring contest that only took what felt like seconds.

"They are?" CatNap meowed nervously at Gabby.

Slowly, DogDay approached the two critters and gave them his usual friendly smile. "Hey CatNap. Didn't expect to run into you here." he said awkwardly. "Who's this?"

CatNap's eyes darted from Gabby to DogDay before he spoke. "Oh hey DogDay. This is Gabby Gabbaphant; Bubba's cousin." he introduced the elephant toddler to the dog. "Bubba was supposed to watch over her, but he's got a test today and he needs to take it immediately. He then passed her on to Hoppy, but she has work today and didn't book any time off. She then passed her on to me. I was free today."

DogDay was surprised at all this. "Sounds like a mess." he pointed out.

"No kidding." CatNap said rolling his eyes. Now that they both thought of it, Bubba might be taking a test for his theatre class. "Bubba and Hoppy both owe me big time for this." the purple cat added.

"Well, do you need any help?" DogDay offered. That caught CatNap off guard. "I insist; plus I've got plenty of experience with kids."

"Hmmm..." CatNap trailed off then turned to Gabby. "What do you think Gabby?"

Gabby gave CatNap and DogDay a concerned look. "But don't doggies and kitties hate each other?" she asked. "In my kindergarten class a doggy and kitty would always fight, and they usually result to bites and scratches. It's really scary."

CatNap and DogDay were saddened by this. Gabby is a small child, and she doesn't deserve to witness these terrible fights.

"Well, it is true that most cats and dogs don't get along," CatNap clarified. "but not me and Day here. We get along very well."

"You may not believe it Gabby, but it's true in our perspective." DogDay chimed in. "If you want us to prove it we can. Is there any friendly game you have in mind when we arrive home?"

Gabby thought of a good game she and her now two babysitters could play with, and an idea came to mind. "Let's have a princess tea party!" the elephant toddler exclaims.

CatNap and DogDay glanced at each other before nodding at Gabby. "Sounds good. CatNap and I would love to play that." DogDay encouraged. CatNap nodded in agreement. In truth which he didn't tell the two critters, CatNap doesn't want to wear a dress. It just seems too embarrassing and weird for a guy like him to wear a dress; not to mention a crown too. He sighed. He just has to go along with it for today.

Later on after shopping and returning to CatNap's house, the tea party has started. CatNap and DogDay are in dresses and crowns while Gabby is wearing only a crown. They're sitting at a small table and have three empty cups. There was no actual tea to drink in the game.

"Eeee! This is fun!" Gabby squealed happily. She turned to CatNap. "CatNap, you are so pretty with that dress."

"That he is." DogDay whispered to himself.

CatNap chuckled at the compliment as another blush slowly started to form on his cheeks. Gabby saw this and smirked.

'So that's why that dog and cat get along. They love each other.' she thought. 'In that case, I must take action so they make sure they don't ever fight.'

"You know what Mr. Dog? You should date Mr. Cat." Gabby suggested to DogDay, then turned to CatNap. "Mr. Cat, you should date Mr. Dog; give each other a chance."

"Wait what?" DogDay and CatNap both asked in surprise.

CatNap cleared his throat before he spoke again. "Gabby," he began. "we don't have to date to get along you know. I don't have feelings for him quite like that."

"Oh. Well then let me help with that." Gabby offered, then raised her empty tea cup. "Let's start with a date! You and Mr. Dog are now on a date."

"Wait, hold on. What?" CatNap asked in surprise.

DogDay chuckled nervously while blushing as well. "I think this may be an okay game?" he enlightened. Of course that was a fail.

"Hold hand; like this." Gabby instructed as she guided CatNap's and DogDay's paws to have each other hold them like couples on dates do. She first opens up DogDay's paws, place CatNap's paws on top, then close DogDay's paws. CatNap and DogDay both blushed like crazy and they then both sighed.

'I swear if anyone does come in this house and sees this.' CatNap thought; hiding his annoyed expression that he wanted to show to DogDay and Gabby so badly.

"Perfect!" Gabby exclaimed. "Now you two are in love! You both should kiss now. That's what couples do on dates right? KISS!"

"Wait a minute. Hold on there Gabby, we can't do that." DogDay protested.

Gabby frowned. "Why not?" she asked sadly.

"Uhh..." DogDay trailed off, coming up with a good lie. "We have to...get married first. Yeah. Also, you have to have a license for that; and there a whole process so it's a little too complicated for that Gabby."

CatNap glared at DogDay. He remembered what Gabby told him she wanted to be when she grew up. 'Way to go DogDay.' he thought angrily.

Gabby gasped as her eyes sparkled. To her, this was her chance to shine at her wedding pasture dream.

"Ooh, we're moving on to marriage already!" she squealed happily. She then cleared her throat." Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Mr. Dog and Cat. If anyone objects to this wedding, you may speak now or forever hold your peace. No? Okay then. Now you two can kiss and date."

"Wait, that doesn't make any sense!" CatNap protested again.

"Kitty, it's just a game. Relax." DogDay reassured CatNap softly.

Before the game could continue, the three critters heard the doorbell rang. CatNap quickly excused himself and entered the elevator to go down the ground floor. When he got there, the purple cat opened the door and was surprised to see Bubba there.

"Hey CatNap. Sorry to bother you on your day off. Is Gabby home?" Bubba asked. "Hoppy told me she's watching you and I'm already done my test."

CatNap nodded. "Yep. Me and DogDay are both watching her in fact." he answered.

Bubba smiled. "That's good to hear." he said. "I'm just here to come pick her up. My mother would be coming back soon and I don't want her to be mad at me for not watching Gabby."

CatNap nodded and lead Bubba to the elevator back to the main floor. Despite the protests of finishing the game Gabby was picked up by Bubba and he thanked both CatNap and DogDay. He did ask why they're in dresses, but DogDay told him not to worry about it. The two elephants then left the cat house; leaving DogDay and CatNap alone.

"Well, good thing Bubba stopped the wedding in time." CatNap said.

DogDay nodded at that. "Still, it was fun though. Maybe we'll wait on an actual wedding if we're up to it." He turned to CatNap. "By the way, I'm glad we're hanging out again."

CatNap nodded. "Me too. Maybe you wanna hang out again after my work shift tomorrow?" he offered.

The offer made DogDay's tail wag fast. "Oh yes yes!" he exclaimed. "I would love to!"

CatNap smiled. "Then we can do that. In the meantime, want to clean up my house together? We better put Gabby's new toys in a safe spot first."

"Sure thing. I can help." DogDay volunteered.

After returning to the house, CatNap and DogDay cleaned up the toys on the floor and stored them back on the ground floor. That floor serves as a storage unit. After cleaning up and getting out of the dresses, CatNap and DogDay spent the rest of the day cuddling on the couch.

It seemed like CatNap had a good day off overall.

THE END

A/N: Looks like that's it. That's the last episode of season 1 after almost five months since this book started. The idea started back when there weren't any Smiling Critters stories and chapter 3 wasn't out yet; also the success of my Poppy Playtime story "First Time Buy". Keep in mind that was before Project Playtime: I didn't include Boxy Boo in that story. I'll find a spot for him somewhere. I had an idea for my own Smiling Critters show based on an Aphmau roleplay called MyStreet.

Yep, I've made the Smiling Critters a family friendly slice of life show.

Now chapter 3 is out and there are a bunch more stories out there than there were before. Time flies by doesn't it.

Writing the story wasn't easy with writer blocks, lack of motivation to write, adult life, other stories in mind I wanted to write, and feeling directionless. Suffice to say, the season finale was a lot better than episode 9. Episode 9 was where I really felt directionless on where to take the story.

The lack of motivation part was because I didn't want to write Smiling Critters and instead move on to Mario.

Still, I had a goal and I wanted to achieve it.

For all that, I would like to thank you all for your patience. It really means a lot. Now without further ado, here's the last Comment Hall of Fame for the season.

The last comment is from BumpyProductions1

You were referring to the part where my OC Frolic Froggy is showing Snowflake Cat and CatNap the fanart of the SleepyDay ship. Yep, there is a lot. I even drew one along with Candy Cat for Pride Month 2024 on DeviantArt.

Before I go I would like to say thank you to everyone who commented and shared their OCs with me for this book. I had a good time reading through those comments. I would usually go for really good ones and sensical ones to be put in my Comment Hall of Fame. Also I would not know where to take the other episodes without your OCs, so a huge thank you to everyone on that one.

Also good news (and it'll be a long wait just a heads up): the Smiling Critters is going to have a second season coming out in 2026. Why 2026?

I still have some Mario book I need to either work on or get started, and they can take a long time with the reasons I've listed above. If you guys still want to follow alongside me, you can read my Mario stories so you won't get bored.

Well, that's it for the first season of the Smiling Critters. I'll see you guys next season in 2026. Don't know when in 2026, but I'll find an exact date when episode 1 is ready that time. Goodbye. supersader9 out.