Generation Two - Chapter Eighteen

Amelia's room had turned out beautifully. Leon and I had wanted to keep a certain colour theme in both children's rooms, and had picked turquoise for hers. Soft accents of that and white decorated her room, which we had even followed in her teddy bear. She loved cuddling up to him, and wouldn't fall asleep unless he was right there next to her.

It was too early to tell, but we thought that she liked the colour theme. Sometimes we'd go into her room in the morning, and she'd be lying in her crib simply looking around and cooing to herself. We could follow her eyes as they moved over the patterns, almost as if she was appreciating them. She was too young for anything like this, of course, but we couldn't help but wonder. Maybe she'd have a high IQ, like me?

Just like every other baby she'd wake up in the middle of the night, screaming and crying from the top of her lungs. At first we had thought that she was simply hungry, or needed a nappy change, but neither of these option had been true. She simply wanted a hug and a cuddle.

We didn't think that she was scared of the dark, but we couldn't be sure since we couldn't ask her. However, she always went back to sleep once she had received some hugs, so we eventually decided that she just got lonely quickly.

The first year with her went by in a flash. She grew up so quickly and right in front of my eyes, that I was a little reluctant at first to buy her a birthday cake. The renovations had taken a proud chunk of money from our savings, on top of which we were tired from work and having two young children, so that we decided on only having a small party for her. Just Leon, Rhys and me. She was too young to remember her first birthday anyway, or at least we hoped so.

She grew up to be beautiful. Amelia had Leon's eyes and, well...

...we didn't really know where she had gotten her hair colour from. Leon was sure that no one on his side of the family had anything but red hair, with the occasional occurrence of strawberry blonde. I, however, had never met my grandparents. I remembered that Mum had had brown hair, but Amelia's was much darker than Mum's had been. Unless I remembered it wrong? No, I was confident that Mum's hair had been much lighter than Amelia's was.

Leon knew that I would never have cheated on him. Considering how long it had taken us to take that step, the idea of me sleeping with someone else was just too far fetched for him. I was grateful that he trusted me and never even suggested it, but her hair colour confused us nevertheless. In the end we settled on the idea that my grandparents or great-grandparents must have had the same dark colouring, and let it rest at that.

Shortly after their birthdays, we had received an odd package in the mail. Rhys's had arrived first. Perfectly timed for his birthday, we found a doll in our mail box. It was an odd looking little thing, mostly different shades of green with a weird ball-like thing on its head. It was soft, however, and it was accompanied by a small piece of paper. We didn't find a name on it, a return address or any other kind of hint as to who had sent it, but Rhys's name had been written on it.

I had wondered whether my brother had sent this doll. We still hadn't heard anything from him personally, just news on TV every now and again. I had told Leon about my suspicions, and he had agreed that it was possibly his way of apologizing for having missed my wedding, his birthday and so many other moments of his life.

We had given him the doll, just to see how he would react to it. It wasn't exactly cute, or your normal child's toy, so we were unsure what he would think of it. But he loved it. From the moment we first presented it to him, he had wrapped his heart around that doll. He was always cuddling it, and humming to it. Once Leon had taught him how to talk he was even singing to it.

Then Amelia's birthday came, and again we found a doll in the mail. The "letter" was the same, not giving anything away about the sender's identity and only stating her name. Just like her brother had done, she took to it immediately. The colours were different, but the overall design was the same.

Ever since her birthday, Amelia was crying for attention more than she had done before. We'd only leave her alone for one minute and she'd be crying until we'd pick her up. The only thing that could stop her from crying was when she cuddled that doll. We eventually had to accept that the best solution was to never take it away from her. Once we had decided on that she hardly cried at all. And when she did, one look at her doll was enough to comfort her. We were happy that she was happy, and left her to it.

The years flew by weirdly fast. Before I knew it, my baby boy was having another birthday, and I was greeting his guests - who were mainly my colleagues from work. Sadly, when I was looking back over the last few years, I didn't seem to remember much apart from work. As if nothing much had happened, but I knew that it had. Our children were growing up, for one. Leon had done most of the teaching with Rhys and Amelia, because I had been working or preparing myself for important football matches. Since my car pool didn't arrive until 2pm, I had stayed home in the mornings and Leon had come home just before I had to leave, taking care of our kids in the afternoon. I had gotten them dressed and fed, some of which Leon had done as well, and then I had simply watched them play.

Even now on Rhys's fifth birthday we had invited my colleagues plus some friends. I didn't like that I seemed to be missing so much of their young lives, but I was close to reaching my lifelong dream. Soon I'd be there, and then I'd be able to retire early maybe. I'd see those parts of their lives my own mother had missed out on. It wasn't much, but it was a small comfort if nothing else.

Soon it was time to blow out his candles. Rhys was getting rather adventurous, so I had to be careful when he threw himself at the fire, holding him back so he wouldn't get hurt.

He was laughing and smiling, and even sang most of Happy Birthday with us. We cut him a big piece of cake, which he loved. He had grown up to be a very handsome young man! He looked more and more like his father, but I was definitely apparent in his features, too.

We had thought that maybe now he was older he'd forget about his doll, but he didn't. If anything he grew even more attached to it. Wherever he went, the doll was coming, too. We were sure that we were only imagining it, but the doll seemed bigger. Almost as if it had grown with him, but that was impossible.

To make things more weird, he was still talking and singing to it. Sometimes we even saw him whisper to it, then he'd be quiet as if he was listening, and then he'd giggle and laugh as if the doll had told him a joke. He was still young, we knew that, but didn't kids usually grow out of their imaginary friends around this age?

Amelia was just as close to her doll, but she always made room for cuddles. She was growing up quickly, which made me dread the day she'd be starting school like Rhys was in a couple of weeks time.

I tried my best to make time for her as much as work allowed. When I wasn't in the stadium, I was often on the phone to my boss and co workers, hoping that improved relationships would bring me closer to that last promotion. I didn't have time to teach her how to walk or talk, but I managed to make time for her and Rhys, too, which was enough for me.

Thankfully, Leon's hours were a lot more flexible. I knew he hated staying home and missing work, but he didn't seem to mind turning down contracts if it meant spending time with his kids. He had already taught Rhys how to use his potty and how to walk, and now he didn't mind teaching Amelia all over again.

It also helped me feel okay with not being there as much as he was. They didn't learn any of their important skills from me, true, but they learned them from their father, which was fine with me. And they did get to spend time with me, just not as much as I would have liked.

I was so close to earning my promotion, I knew it. Not long ago I had heard my boss talking to someone, saying how a win in our next match would guarantee me superstar status. In other words, a promotion. Only a day after I had overheard their conversation, she had approached me with a book and had asked me to read it. It was mostly theory and psychology for athletes, but I knew that doing her this favour couldn't hurt.

Not much longer, and the dream I'd had ever since childhood would be fulfilled.

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And this is it for Ebony's generation! I'll put up the heir vote tomorrow ^^

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Pics of the renovated house + one extra!

The stairs are kinda in the middle of the living room... The red room is Ebony and Leon's bedroom, yellow is Rhys's bedroom and turquoise is Amy's room, plus there's one bathroom next to the master bedroom.

View from outside, including Rhys's first school bus.

And Leon and Rhys rocking it at the karaoke machine! :D

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Wishes fulfilled

Buy a doll house

Chat with Leon

Throw birthday party for Rhys

See Rhys age up well

Buy a costume chest

Buy a toy oven

Generation Two - Chapter Seventeen

"Who's daddy's little star?" Leon loved his son more than anything. When he wasn't at work he'd be cuddling him, talking to him and making him laugh. "Can you say Daddy?"

"PRRRRRRR!" Rhys gurgled happily, breaking out in laughter when Leon picked him up and tickled his tummy.

"That's right! Daddy!" It was hard to believe that it was already time for Rhys's first birthday. One year had gone quickly. One year in which we hadn't gotten much sleep.



I had invited his uncle Caelan, but just like on my wedding he didn't show. We had hardly heard anything from him since he had moved out. Every now and again we'd hear that a new book was out, but that was it. At first I had tried to congratulate him on his success, but our phone calls had gotten shorter and shorter until I had stopped trying. If he wanted to ignore me, and shut us out to this extend than fine.

Caelan had been the only guest we had invited for Rhys's birthday, so the party ended up being even smaller than we had planned.

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Rhys... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!" It was just me and Leon singing, but it didn't sound too bad. Rhys seemed to know that something special was happening, because he was gurgling and laughing more than usual. I blew out the candles for him, and together with Leon I watched him grow up. And what a handsome young man he was!



Daddy was as taken by his looks as I was. Leon's red hair and my green eyes looked magical on him, we had an inkling that we wouldn't be able to keep the ladies away once he started High School. Something that was still very far away, thank the Maker.

"Can you say Daddy?" Leon had been trying to get him to say it ever since Rhys had been born. Needless to say, he hadn't gotten very far due to his age.

"Aaaah?"

"Dad-dy, Rhys. Say Dad-dy."

"Da-y?" Rhys repeated, and Leon was beaming with pride.

"Ebony! Did you hear that? He said Daddy!"

"He didn't, he said Day."

"That's close enough, isn't it?" I shook my head, but Leon seemed happy.



I couldn't blame him, of course. I loved my son to bits, just as much as his daddy was. However, I knew that Leon still wanted a little girl, so I wasn't surprised when he asked me one evening if we could have another baby. For me, the timing was right. I had just been promoted again, and was now the team leader. My income wasn't too shabby, and Leon was also doing well. We knew that, if we were really going to have a daughter this time, we'd need to expand the house. Rhys wouldn't share his room with a girl forever, once he started school he'd be demanding his own space.

We had started making plans for a second floor, and where we would position the stairs. It was all slowly coming together, and just in time, too. I knew I was pregnant again.



Unlike last time, I wasn't willing to give up my exercise too soon. After I had had Rhys working out had felt fantastic, but I had felt so out of shape. This time, I wanted to keep going until I simply couldn't.

I was allowed at work a little longer than last time. I wasn't playing, but seeing their team captain on the field (even if I was only standing or sitting down) helped their morale, and I was able to motivate them before games.



Soon I felt too sick, though. The morning sickness was a lot worse than it had been with Rhys. I was throwing up at least three times a day, which made it difficult to keep enough food inside me for me and the baby. I often just pigged out on watermelons, since they seemed to be the only food that was staying inside me. They were healthy and delicious, but I would have preferred a more varied diet during that month.



Leon was thrilled when I told him that we were having a second baby. He looked a lot happier and more relaxed this time, which I probably owed to Rhys. He was more used to being a father now, and knew what he had to do to take care of a baby.

His enthusiasm was intoxicating. He was constantly on about how he'd spoil his little girl, and how he was looking forward to decorating her room. It didn't take long until I was hoping for a little girl, too.



Rhys was the only one who was really indifferent. We had told him the good news right after I had told Leon, and he had taken it very well. He was excited to be a big brother, and asked me every half an hour or so how the bebe was doing, and when they would be able to play together.

His speech was coming along well. He wasn't talking properly yet, but he was trying new words every day and was improving quickly. We had bought him a little xylophone as a reward, and he loved playing with it. Since I couldn't do much anyway I joined him, moving my fingers to his melody. He didn't seem to be too sure of what to do, or which notes to combine, but he was enjoying it, and that was enough for me.



Leon was fantastic during my whole pregnancy. He tidied often, and was also cooking again. His food really was yummy now, and I was grateful to get a proper hot meal into me after a month of having lived of watermelons. He seemed to be liking it, too, and I knew that he was pleased with the quality of his food, sometimes even surprised.



"Hello in there, baby girl! I'm your daddy! Can you say daddy?" He was just as doting as he had been with Rhys, although maybe more deluded.

"Sweetheart, the baby can't say anything yet. You'll have to wait a little while for that. And how do you know there's definitely a girl in there?"

"She told me!" He was grinning up at me, looking very happy indeed.

"Did she now? How did she do that?"

"Last night when you were sleeping, I could feel her kicking. I talked to her to calm her down since I didn't want it to wake you, and that's when she told me!" His enthusiasm was amazing. He was glowing almost as much as I was, but I was worried that he'd be disappointed if we were having another boy. I didn't mind, but he seemed so convinced that I was having a girl.

We had started on the house renovations. Contractors were coming and going, but they never disturbed me. They were all men Leon knew from work, and they got the work done well and quickly which I was grateful for. I had never seen anyone work so fast, and we often wondered if they were vampires. Then we remembered that they worked during the day, and dismissed that idea. Then I remembered the vampire I had met at the park, and wasn't so sure any more.

Either way, they were getting the work done, and we had bought a crib and wallpaper for when it was finished. It was all coming together.



By that point my treadmill was a definite no, of course, but I still managed to get some exercise. We had bought a stroller for Rhys, which he loved to bits and I enjoyed our daily walks, too. Some times he would stretch out his little arms, and point at certain objects that fascinated him, other times he tired himself out quickly doing just that, and fell asleep before we returned home. We could never walk for too long, since my back hurt as badly as it had done during my last pregnancy. Plus my feet swell up very quickly because of the walks, but I loved every last second of it.



It was very different this time when my water broke. It was already gone eleven pm, and Leon had gone to bed. Rhys had been asleep for hours, the only reason I was still up was because my back had hurt too much for me to sleep.

When the pain coursed through my body I tried my best to stay quiet, because I didn't want to scare Rhys, but I had to get Leon's attention somehow.

"LEON!" I was half hissing half shouting, hoping that Rhys would stay asleep through it.

"What's wro- Oh MAKER!" He looked half asleep, but seeing my pain filled face woke him up immediately. Thankfully, he was a lot more composed this time, and quickly called a baby sitter for Rhys. He grabbed my bag, helped me into the car, and off we were.

Baby number two took it's time coming out compared to Rhys, who had nearly been born in the reception area. It was still a quick birth, however. After five hours it was over, and the midwife placed my daughter into my arms.



Welcome to the family, Amelia Blackwood.
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Wishes fulfilled:

Throw a birthday party for Rhys
Reach lvl.8 of career
Buy a stroller
Buy a toy box
Master athletic skill
Chat with Leon
Go on a stroll with Rhys
Have a child
Have a girl

Generation Two - Chapter Sixteen

Married life didn't feel that different to me. Everyone was always saying how married life was great, but to me it didn't feel any different. I was wondering whether that was because Leon and I had already been living together for so long before we got married. That wasn't to say that I didn't enjoy it! Nothing changed for us, however, we still treated each other the same way we had done before. Life was good.



It was roughly two months after we had gotten married that I really wanted Leon to read Baby Incoming: Preparing with vigilance. I didn't know for sure yet, and hadn't done any tests, but I just had this gut feeling that we had a little one on the way. On top of that my period was about two weeks late at this point, which had never happened before. We had been trying, but not desperately. We both wanted a child, but we also wanted to take our time with it. We still had some good many years left before I'd be too old, so we simply wanted to be pregnant when the time was right.



As it seemed, the time was right earlier than expected. I woke up one morning feeling incredibly nauseous, and only just made it to the toilet in time.

I threw up nearly every morning for the next few weeks after that. Sometimes more often than once. Crouching over like that as often as I was set my back on fire, adding to that my daily workouts and it soon became very painful for me to move. Or sit. Or lie down.

I was craving a massage, badly. Leon sometimes massaged me, which felt great, but I had heard of the miracles a professional one could perform on your back, so when the pain became a little too much for me I went to the spa late one evening, and booked one.



Because it was already quite late they had a few openings, and managed to squeeze me in which I was extremely grateful for. My pain was completely gone after that, and because I was sure that it wouldn't last I enjoyed it while I could.

Soon after that I started showing. The tiniest baby bump was apparent underneath my clothes, and I could feel my shorts getting tighter. I quickly changed into something more comfortable, and went to tell Leon the good news.



"How was your day?" Leon had just come home from work, and I decided that his asking me was the perfect moment to tell him.

"Eventful." I winked, hoping to make him curious.

"Eventful? How so?"

"You know how you really want a little girl, and I really want a little boy?" The oddest mixture of confusion and realisation hit his face.

"Yes? Are you saying-"

"I'm pregnant!"



I wasn't sure why he was so surprised. He had pretty much guessed it, and the fact that I hadn't had my period for three months now should have been a certain give-away, too.

"You mean- I'm gonna be a daddy?"

"Yes, we're going to be parents!" I was so excited by then, but it couldn't match the look of pure happiness on his face.

"I'm gonna be a daddy!"

I went on maternity leave shortly after that. Since my job involved a lot of physical exertion, it was deemed safer for me to start early. Also, some of the matches were quite rough, and I didn't want to risk hurting my baby.



I hated it. I had nothing to do at home apart from feeding Ted, which only ever took a minute. For the rest of the day I was bored and in pain, and I couldn't do much about it. I was so close to fulfilling my life-long dream, but I felt like I couldn't do anything to advance in my career.

So one day, I decided to invite my boss and some co-workers over. I was bored out of my mind, and was excited to have someone to talk to who wasn't my husband or my fish. In the past I had focused on staying fit, and winning matches, but I had never put in quite the same effort with my colleagues. We were playing together after all, so I figured it might help to become more friendly with all of them.

By the time they left again I didn't feel like I had made any new friends, but I did feel like I was on the right way. It was a start, and I was happy with that.



When I only had two months left to go before my due date, I started going through catalogues and online shops. There were so many things I wanted to buy, and it was a real pain to choose the perfect high chair, the perfect toy or the perfect crib. Leon helped me pick, which I thought he was enjoying just as much as I was.

In the end we decided on a cute high chair with an underwater scene, including bubbles and little yellow fish. We didn't pick any toys just yet since the baby would be too young for most of them anyway, but invested  into a good baby bed instead. It was exciting when it all arrived, even if I couldn't lift most of it and had to wait for Leon to come home. We placed it all in Caelan's old room, which had just the right size for it all.



In the last two weeks, Leon stayed with me and worked from home. I could see that he was missing his job, and told him that he should go back, I'd phone him when the contractions started, but he wasn't having it. He didn't want me to be on my own when it was time, and insisted.

Him being home with me was nice. I'd feed Ted and read a book, while Leon painted. His customers had really taken a liking to his sketches and occasional paintings, so he used the time to work on some more. That way, he could be in the same room as me, just in case I went into labour early.



And then one day, my water broke. I couldn't possibly describe the pain that coursed through me, but I toppled over and screamed. Leon was in the living room watching TV, but he came running when he heard me.

"What's wrong?" He screamed, sounding a lot more scared than I was.

"Nothing's wrong, silly! The baby's comAAAARGH!" I was trying to sound calm, so he would calm down, but the flashes of pain made that a very hard job indeed.



"Oh, Maker! What do I do?" I could see he was panicking, so I did the only thing that seemed logical in that moment.

I screamed at him. "GET ME TO THE FUCKING HOSPITAL, LEON!" Suddenly, I knew something was wrong. Or maybe it was normal? My contractions had only just started, but this baby was wanting out now. I really couldn't waste any time.

Leon still looked a little shaken, but he managed to help me into the car and drove like a madman to get me to the hospital on time.

We had only just made it to the door, when a doctor took one look at me and got me to the first possible room. It wasn't in the baby ward, but the first room past the reception. This baby really didn't waste any time, and was born almost immediately.

"It's a boy!" The midwife announced, and I sank back into the pillows, holding out my arms so they could put him into them. Leon and I had discussed names, so we'd be able to call him by his name as soon as possible.

Rhys Blackwood. Welcome to the world.

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Wishes fulfilled:

Visit the park
Work out for 6 hours straight
Get a massage
Go to the day spa
Chat with Leon
Clean the toilet
Buy a high chair
Have a child with Leon
Have a boy

Generation Two - Chapter Fifteen

The first thing that had come to my mind after Leon had proposed to me was I want a bachelorette party, so here we were! Everything had been off to a good start. I had rang up some friends, had chosen the Brightmore club for my party, and had waited it out while the months crept by.

I had invited Danielle, but she wasn't able to make it. Work commitments were keeping her in Riverview, which was fair enough, but I had been dying to see her. Mariah made it, but left again after having taken a good but short look at the club, so it ended up being just me and Tess, my sister-in-law-to-be.



I was a little upset at the lack of interest, so I hit the bar. I had never been much for juice, but that night it tasted amazing. We didn't need the others to have fun! Me and Tess were going to have a brilliant night on our own!

Tess had taken a strong interest in the hot tub, while I wanted to dance. Since Mariah hadn't stayed long I asked Tess to make a toast for me, which she declined because she didn't think that she knew me enough. So that hadn't gone well.



I had another drink to cheer myself up, and ended up buying the whole bottle of nectar. By that point I was a little juiced, and spraying Tess with it seemed like a good idea.

"TESS!" I screamed, getting her to turn around so I could empty the bottle right into her face.

"N-HAHAHAHA!" The beginning of her protest was quickly silenced by the fizzy nectar. I wasn't even sure what it was by that point, just that it tasted good and that it made Tess smell like strawberries.



I somehow woke up in my bed the next morning, but couldn't quite remember how I had gotten there. All I remembered was hysterical laughter and a taxi, and slumping down into my soft bed. Leon and I had decided to have one day between my party and the wedding, and even though I had protested at first I was grateful now. My whole body was hurting, so I spent my day relaxing.

In the evening, I had a sudden urge to use our telescope. My nerves were dancing samba in my head, and searching for new planets seemed like a good way of stopping the madness. I wasn't very successful with my search, but it did make me feel tired. Against my expectations, I was able to fall asleep the night before my wedding.



Also surprising was when I was feeling very calm in the morning. For a moment I was wishing that Mum could have been there, helping me get ready and holding my hand, telling me I looked beautiful, but the thought disappeared quickly. I had long since made my peace with Mum's passing, and wouldn't allow anything to make me feel sad on this day.

Instead, I did my own hair, and zipped up my own dress. I told myself that I looked pretty.

And then, finally, I walked up to the altar on my own, where Leon was waiting for me.



We had paid good money to set up our own little wedding arch and seating for the guests. It was amazing how much money you could spend simply on borrowing stuff for one day! All of it had set us back a bit financially, but Leon and I were doing so well that we weren't worried about money any more. We knew we'd have the money back in no time.

Caelan didn't come. I had no idea what could keep a self-employed writer from attending his sister's wedding, but I was angry with him. The only thing making up for it at least a little was that both Connor and Danielle had made it, which cheered me up instantly.



I felt the teary eyes of our guests on me as I started reciting my vows. "Leon Parker, when you asked me out to prom I only saw you as a friend. However, that night changed everything. You were so caring and so careful to make me happy that night, that you became more than a friend to me. Since we were children you have treated me like the most amazing person in this world, and I am sorry that it had taken me so long to feel for you in the same way. If you will allow me, I will make up for it in every way that I can until death do us part." My mouth was forming the words I love you but no sound would come out. I had done my best writing my vows myself, which hadn't been easy for me. I had never been very romantic, but felt that I had done a good job.



I was already crying by the time Leon started his vows, but hearing his affectionate voice only made it worse.  "Oh, Ebony Blackwood. I can't believe it has taken me this long to propose to you and make you mine. Living with you, being with you, has made me very happy so far, and I don't doubt for one second that you will continue to make me happy effortlessly. It seems so easy for you, and I will try my best to make you as happy as you make me, 'til death do us part. I love you." He slid the ring on my shaking finger,and held my hand for the tiniest of seconds before letting go and leaning in for the last part of the ceremony.



Our first kiss as husband and wife was the most magical and beautiful experience. I could hear clapping and sniffing coming from our friends, and couldn't help a huge smile from spreading as his lips found mine. I was still crying, but I was laughing, and I was enjoying every second.



After the cake had been cut, mostly eaten, and our guests had left we continued our own private celebration in the bedroom.

I was half wishing that we had waited until this moment, but it was too late now and it didn't really matter. It was fantastic, anyway.
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I'm sorry for the short chapter, the next one will be longer ;) Accept this photo of Ebony looking really pretty  as my apology:



Wishes fulfilled:

Throw a bachelorette party
Marry Leon
Talk to Tess

Generation Two - Chapter Fourteen

My little garden was starting to come along nicely. The first signs of vegetables were slowly showing, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I could harvest my first self-grown produce. The weather had been perfect for it  -mostly sunny and warm with the occasional shower.

Sadly, I didn't always have time to take care of it. Work kept me busy, and Leon wasn't much of a green thumb. I often found dead, brown leaves between the green, and was forced to cut them off. My plants were growing nicely, but they were also dying. Whatever produce I was going to have, it wouldn't be much.

While gardening was a great way for me to relax between work and training, Leon had found an even better way.

He had spent a lot of his hard earned money on a hot tub, which we placed behind our house. I knew he had wanted one for months, but had needed some time to save up for it. Once he had put enough money aside, he hadn't wasted another day before ordering one. It wasn't the cheapest one, but it definitely wasn't the most expensive one, either.

The first night once it had been installed and set up, we soaked for at least an hour. The hot water felt fantastic on my aching body, and for a while we both simply sat there, enjoying the relaxing feeling it gave us both.

I wasn't sure whether I was surprised or not, but Leon had voiced the wish to learn more about cooking. He didn't cook us every meal during the day, but he made us dinner every now and again. He had bought a book with ideas and instructions, and I saw him reading it most nights.

His food was good, too. Every time he learned a new recipe he was eager to try it out. It had been a long time since he had last burned a meal, and the quality of his food had definitely improved as well. But even if his food hadn't been good, I was still grateful to get a hot meal every now and then. A fresh, self-made hot meal at that! I wasn't one for cooking, and Caelan wasn't too interested in what he ate either, so we usually ended up eating cereal, toast or a ready meal. The difference tasted pretty good.

As it turned out, Leon was rather popular amongst his customers. Everyone seemed to love his work (with the occasional exception, of course), but he was still surprised when one of his previous clients invited him over to her party. He was allowed to bring a plus one, so I went with him.

Mariah Carey's house was huge! And she sure knew how to throw a good party! The guests were having fun, one of them even played the keyboard. Leon and I and some others were dancing to the music, there was food for everyone, and drinks were being offered, too.

However, after a short time I excused myself. I was very curious to see the rest of her house, not just the back garden.

I figured that a house as big as hers had to have some treasure inside it, so I went upstairs where it was quiet when no one was looking. My fingers had been itching for ages, it had been years since I had last taken something. She was rich, she wouldn't miss anything, and she would be ale to replace things easily.

At first I couldn't decide between her washing machine, dryer and her light, but took her light in the end. It was fairly easy to hide, and wouldn't be as obvious as a big bulky machine when I re-joined the party.

The rest of the evening Leon and I spent dancing and watching the stars. No one said anything, and I was rather pleased with myself.

The day after, however, Caelan had a big unexpected announcement to make.

"I'm moving out, sis." It wasn't completely unexpected, of course. Leon and I had thought that he wouldn't want to live with us together forever, especially now that he was earning a nice sum of money by himself and was financially able to afford his own place. But he hadn't mentioned anything, so I was still a little surprised.

"When? Where will you go?" I was happy for him, but I was slightly taken aback by this sudden decision, too.

"Tomorrow morning. I bought an apartment in the city." So it was only sudden for me then. He had obviously been planning this for a while. "I don't need to take much, just my clothes really. Why waste time, right?"

I nodded, and true to his word a taxi was waiting for him the next morning, ready to take him away. Of course I was thrilled for him, but the idea of living only with Leon was weird, too. All my life my brother had been living with me, and now suddenly he was leaving for the big city.

We promised to visit each other often, hugged, and then his taxi drove off.

Caelan's move to his apartment made me realise something. Me and Leon - we were getting old. The first signs of wrinkles were showing on our faces, and I was starting to feel silly with my long hair and ponytail. I got it cut to something I felt more comfortable with, and was surprised by how much I liked my new hair style. Having short hair after having had long hair all my life took some getting used to, but I soon saw the advantages. I didn't have to tie it back for work any more to begin with, but decided I felt better that way.

We were both doing well in our jobs. I had been promoted to team captain, and Leon's reputation was spreading more and more throughout the city, too. We were both doing well.

"What are you doing today?" He asked me one morning. My hours hadn't changed much, so, once again, it was a Thursday morning.

"I didn't plan anything besides working out. Why are you asking?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go out?" This was definitely a week of surprises for me. First Caelan moving, now this... It wasn't like we never did anything together, but usually Leon let me know in advance, not on the day. I got the feeling like this was spontaneous for him as well, and was intrigued.

"Sure, that sounds nice. What did you have in mind?"

He gave me his cutest smile. "You'll see. I've got a few things planned." I had a good feeling about this, and decided not to complain about being left in the dark for once.

At first, we went to this Dive Bar, called "Pigskin Bar". Apparently, one of his customers had recommended it to Leon and he had wanted to try it. I was a little sceptical at first, since I wasn't too sure what a dive bar usually included, and was happy to see that it actually looked like a nice place. There were tables outside in a little garden-type area, and the window was a gigantic fish tank.

We started by playing a bit of table soccer. I had never played it before, and didn't think that Leon had, either, so we were both equally bad at it. We did a little better at the shuffle board, and had fun with both.

When we got hungry, we ordered some food at the bar. It was too early for cocktails, but thought that the food would still be good on its own. We had hot wings, and were surprised to see how big one portion was. We had to ask for some water after the first bite since they were so spicy, but they were delicious and we enjoyed them.

"Are you ready?" Leon asked me once we had finished the wings and had played another round at the shuffle board.

"Ready for what?"

"I have something... special in mind. Trust me, Ebony. You're going to love it." I couldn't tell if he looked nervous, but he was definitely excited. What choice did I have? I agreed. I followed him into the taxi, trying my hardest to figure out where we were going for the entire ride. Once we got out and started walking it was pretty obvious.

He had brought me to the other end of the waterfall - the one that started at our house, and ended in this lovely lake. There even was sand down there, so it could easily pass as a small beach. It had been a while since I had had the time to leave the house just to be around nature, so this was immensely appreciated.

I had not expected to be brought to a place this beautiful, but what I had expected even less was Leon dropping down to one knee, telling me to stay where I was.

"Ebony, I have loved you since we were children, and you made me the happiest boy in High School when you agreed to go to Prom with me. Then you made me the happiest man alive when you asked me to move here with you, and now I'm asking you to make me the happiest man again, for the third time. I believe I have waited long enough to ask you this. Ebony Blackwood - Will you marry me?"

I couldn't stop staring at him, kneeling before me showing me the most beautiful ring in the world. The air had caught in my lungs, I had never felt like this before.

"Y-yes" I managed to say between focused breaths, feeling an incredible amount of happiness rising up inside me.

"Then allow me to stick this ring on your finger, beautiful."

And I did.

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Note: Yes, Mariah Carey - I kid you not! 

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Wishes fulfilled:

Water plants
Improve Logic Skill
Earn a raise
Earn a promotion
Buy Something worth at least S250 (hot tub)
Go Hot-tubbing 2x
Meet a vampire
Steal something
Kiss Leon

Not much going on...

Hi there, everyone!

I just wanted to let y'all know that not an awful lot has been happening in my game lately. There were some interesting... events, but not enough for a whole chapter. Leon and Ebony have aged up and are adults now, and I think I'll give them a little push into the right direction. Nothing huge, but I might send them on a date and hopefully that'll inspire some romance.

I don't want to put out a tiny chapter for the sake of updating, as soon as more has happened I'll update. Until then, you'll have to wait it out just like I have to ^^

Thanks,

MischiefTheKitten