Despicable Me (9 page)

Back at Gru’s house, it’s bedtime. Gru goes in to say good night to the girls, but they have a request for a bedtime story.

“
Sleepy Kittens
!” they beg.

Gru gives them a funny look. “I already picked out a book,” he says.

The girls can’t believe Gru has brought a book. He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls it out. It’s called
One Big Unicorn
.

Agnes is delighted. “This is going to be the best book ever!”

Gru reads the book, then stands up and turns out the light. But then he pauses in the doorway. Surprising himself, he walks back to Agnes and gives her a kiss good night. He kisses
Edith. Then he bends down to kiss Margo, who gives him a big hug in return. Gru is shocked, and then he smiles warmly.

The next day, the three girls stand behind the curtain on the stage inside Gru’s underground lab. Classical music begins to play as the curtain opens to reveal Margo, Edith, and Agnes looking splendid in their ballerina costumes. The girls start to dance, just as they did in the recital… but this time with big smiles because their special guest is in the front row.

From the audience, Gru looks on proudly. Next to him sits his mother and behind him, every single minion.

“Nice work, Gru,” his mother says. “You turned out to be a great parent, just like me.”

Gru decides not to point out how wrong
she is. Instead, he smiles up at the girls. Agnes smiles back at him, then she motions with her hand for him to join them onstage.

Embarrassed, Gru waves her off. Margo and Edith waggle their fingers, trying to get Gru up onstage.

“Come on!” urges Margo.

“No, I’m fine,” Gru responds, shyly blushing.

Margo reaches down with her arms out, and a sea of minions carries Gru forward to her. Gru tries to resist, but there is no getting out of it. He hops onto the stage, amid claps and cheers.

Gru takes a deep breath and then… leaps, twirls, and kicks right alongside the girls! The crowd goes crazy, giving them all a standing ovation. Unable to resist joining in the fun, Dr. Nefario and his Boogie Robots even sneak out from the wings and bop to the beat. It’s a dance party!

With the flick of a switch, a minion sends the
stage rising up into the air. The roof slides open, revealing a huge, full moon shining above. Gru gazes up at the moon fondly and looks back down at the girls with a smile. Then the new family dances the night away.