There where many factors that John hadn't considered. The rising cost of penthouse rentals was the first, the fact that Tamara had a daughter, the legal fees had put a huge dent into the account, not that he regretted that decision for a moment. While John had enjoyed the view from the penthouse, there was very little else he liked about cramped penthouse living, and he had moved his family to a houseboat.
Tamara had always gotten seasick at the slightest sign of bumpy weather, and John had sold the houseboat at a great loss to move them here, and bought a horse for Emily as well. Despite having a bill reduction due to solar power, and an environmentally friendly house design, city living was costlier than he had anticipated. With Tamara pregnant, there was going to be another child to provide for.
John's father Eric had always told him, 'It takes money to make money'. Rather than dive in and go ahead like he normally would, he had run through his plans with Tam. Tam was worried it would leave them dangerously short on simoleons, but approved his plan, because she could see how passionate he was about it, because he had thought it through, and because he had actually checked with her first.
John reopened the old Bridgeport vampire dive bar 'Nightcrawlers', as a slightly more upmarket dance club with the name of -KnightGarden-
John hired enough staff to cover the bars, with himself on call as an emergency barman, this left him free to moonlight at other venues, and look after the kid or kids while Tam was at work.
As John reshuffled the tables for the third time before opening night, it occurred to John, that this was the future that he had always wanted, he had just never realized it.
John crept home after midnight. He lightened the refrigerator by one plateful of leftover cookies, rather than cook and risk waking everyone up. He poked his head Emily's room for a moment, confirmed that she was sleeping, then tip toed to the main bedroom. John had expected to Find Tamara sleeping soundly on the new hover bed that they had bought. Instead, it was empty.
John wandered out to the barn, expecting to find Tam in the workshop, instead he found her standing in a trance at the washing line. John slipped his arms around Tam, and gently rubbed her slightly expanded tummy. "A § for your thoughts?", John whispered into her ear. "I was just thinking how different this pregnancy will be from Em's", Tam replied, as she slowly turned around to snuggle John.
"With Em, I was locked in a private hospital room, not allowed to do anything but watch approved TV. This feels more normal, more natural.", Tam explained, "Despite the aches and pains, I think I prefer this. And having you with me.", Tamara continued, lifting her head to kiss John.
Time marched on, as it always does, Tam's tummy grew larger, the garden grew larger, and Knightgarden made enough money to support itself and its employees. It wasn't the get rich quick plan that John had secretly hoped for it, and it hadn't paid for itself yet, but week to week, it wasn't costing them anything.
Tam waddled out to the garden and picked a fresh apple.
Tam waddled to the letterbox, and recycled the newspaper after quickly scanning the headlines.
When she had been pregnant with Em, her parents wouldn't allow her to waddle.
Tam enjoyed the freedom to waddle whenever she felt inclined to do so.
Emily was excited, soon she would have a birthday, Princess would be old enough to ride, and she had read something on the internet that might be the solution for something that she had planned for Dolly.
"I'm sorry Dolly, I know you really want to play eight now, but this research is really very important, you'll see!", Emily told Dolly. Dolly was a little sad that Emily didn't want to play, but Dolly understood that when Emily was being all sciency, it was an important edumacation thing. Everybody in the family spent time reading books. It was important. Dolly wished she could read real wordy books instead of just picture books.
John brought Tamara a fresh coffee, and they sat silently reading for a while. John eventually broke the silence. "Considering we all do more reading out here, than inside, we probably should invest in some porch lights here". Tam leaned over and kissed John on the cheek, without taking her eyes from her science journal.
Time marched on.
John emailed his siblings, with attachments of images of Tam's increased bump.
Tam settled in on the ugly milk crate couch that had been in the house since they had bought the place. Tamara had replaced it three times so far, and each time by the end of the day, she had returned the new couch, and had John reassemble the old hobo special. It was just so impossibly comfortable!
Emily looked over her shoulder, before pulling a collection of small bottles from her school bag.
"No, Mrs. Jettstar, the school is certainly not accusing Emily of theft, but she was seen near the senior's chemistry lab yesterday, and we hope she might have seen something.", said the nervous voice on the phone.
John watched Emily stride to the school bus, she wasn't acting suspicious, she wasn't acting like a sneaky thief, besides, Em had everything she wanted didn't she? Tam and John gave her everything she asked for, not that Em was a demanding child, and why would Emily steal chemicals anyway, she had access to a fully equipped chem lab in the workshop.
John's thoughts were interrupted by a cry of pain. "The baby is coming", Tam cried. "I'll get the brooms!", John yelled back across the yard. "I am not flying to the bloody hospital dumb ass, call a bloody taxi!", Tamara yelled back at him. "I suppose that is kinda logical', John mumbled to himself as he reached for his mobile phone.
"Look, I'm really sorry!", John explained to the taxi driver, "In all the rush, I forgot to grab my wallet, but you know where we live, drop by in a few days and I'll pay double, I swear!"
John and Tamara left the hospital the next day with baby Edward, John looked around nervously, hopefully it wasn't the same taxi driver that took them home.
Tamara had rocked Edward all the way home in the taxi to keep him from grizzling. 'Like his father, obviously doesn't like taxis' thought Tamara. Princess came trotting across the yard to investigate the newest member of the family, but Tamara went into the house without introducing the baby. Tam was more focused on a real coffee.
"I have a new baby brother!", Emily gushed, "And I have something new for you too Princess!".
John helped fit the halter, and supervised as Emily lead Princess around the yard. Not that John knew a whole lot more than Emily about horses, but he kept one eye on Princess while he rang his mother with the good news anyway.
While Tam and Edward were sleeping, John placed a call, hoping to chat with Lil, Lil however was in a conference with King Jasper, so Angel relayed the information. "So the kids got pointy ears, but no Vamp mark, no Fae wings, and his eyes have no Wolf glow?", Angel clarified. "Yeah", said John.
"Considering the powerful magic that brought you and your siblings into the world, it wouldn't surprise me if he was some kind of hybrid, but I'll pass the details to Lil for you and see what she knows.", Angel reassured John.
As John disconnected the video call, he heard Edward wake up, John had concluded that the sound reminded him of the sound a kitten might make if you stood on its tail.
"Hello Evil Grumble-Bum!", Tamara cooed as she scooped Edward from his cot,
and attempted to settle him.
Authors Note:
Knightgarden is a money sink.
Tamara has achieved her LTW of Tinkerer
John has achieved his LTW of Master Mixologist
Emily is not a Klepto: The theft was required for an upcoming chapter.
Edward is not Evil: He is a grumble bum however.
Princess is, and has always been a Princess
Dolly is Dolly, for now :)
Does Emily need the chemicals to make Dolly real? I really want Dolly to be real (if you couldn't tell).
ReplyDeleteYes, I have always had problems with IF's, this is by far the longest I've had one remain in game, and If luck holds I am going to Pinnochio Dolly.
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