Chapter 2.13 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 2.15
Generation Two: Brown Appearance: Brown hair, unkempt clothing style Traits: Loves Outdoors, Loner, Child of the Island Aspiration: Beach Life Occupation: Conservationist House Goal: 20,000 worth
I never worried when my kids headed out to the ocean. With being mermaids, we were all excellent swimmers, and we loved being in the sea. No, my worries this week were of a completely different nature. I watched Maricela, Alexi, and Kali cavorting in the waves past our deck, and frowned to myself. Kali still hadn't come around. She wouldn't speak to me, and I don't think she'd even taken a second look at her new little brother. Alexi kept telling me to wait - that she'd come around - but I wasn't so sure. She was, after all, my daughter, and came by her stubbornness honestly.
With one last look out the window, I sighed and headed back to Reed's cradle. He was sound asleep still, but would be waking soon for his feeding, and he was utterly adorable. It wasn't his fault that his big sister simply didn't want to have anything to do with him, and the rift in my family felt like it was tearing me apart. Miserably, I curled up in my bed and closed my eyes, waiting for Reed to wake.
Before I knew it, Alexi was shaking me awake.
"If you sleep too much now, you'll never sleep tonight, love." he said quietly.
"Oh, shoot. I didn't mean to sleep!" I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and yawning widely.
"I spoke to Kali." Alexi said, sitting on the bed next to me.
I stood up, and went over to feed Reed. Unsure of what he meant, I simply waited.
"I think she's going to come around soon." he said, smiling as he watched his newest son open and close his tiny fists as he woke up.
"I told her how much her attitude was hurting you. She didn't say anything, but I could see the guilt on her face. I wouldn't worry about this mood lasting too much longer. You'll see. Everything will be alright." He stood up, then came over and rubbed my shoulders lightly, watching his son with a smile.
"I wish I could be as sure about these things as you are, Aleki." I murmured.
"Yes, I know you. The worrywort." He kissed my temple, then left the room. I finished caring for little Reed, then headed downstairs as well.
Passing by Maricela's room, I overheard her and Jayce discussing their new brother.
"I wonder when he'll grow up so we can actually play with him!" Jayce said.
"I don't know." Mari replied, and hesitated, then said, "Where do you think Mom and Dad will put his new room? Will we get a new addition to the house, do you think?"
"I just hope we don't lose the TV room!" Jayce said, and I chuckled to myself. Leaving them to their conversation, I let my thoughts turn from Kali to contemplating rearranging the house. I glanced at the activity room, and an idea hit. We could move things around, put the activities upstairs with the TV.. and remodel this room... I wandered about the room, mentally thinking about how it could be re-done, fed the fish in their tank, then went to make dinner for the rest of the family.
After dinner, Jayce and Aleki went to play with the dolls, but from what I overheard, again the conversation was about Reed. Jayce really wanted a little brother to play with, apparently.
Unbeknownst to me, Kali was upstairs finally meeting her new brother. He got fussy, so she fed him a bottle, smiling at the way he kicked his little legs around.
"You're going to be up and about before we know it, aren't you, little guy?" she said with a smile. "Look at these strong little legs. Just wait until you get fins! You'll be a great swimmer!"
After playtime, Jayce spent some time drawing, and managed to finish his aspiration at the same time. He was becoming quite the artist, and his "I want to be like Kali" phase still hadn't gone away. Maybe it never would.
I grabbed a portion of steak and some vegetables for Kali, and, sighing, headed upstairs to make sure she would at least get some dinner.
To my surprise, I found her playing with Reed.
"Oh. Mom. You didn't need to bring my dinner up here!" she said, looking around a bit guiltily.
"It's alright. I wanted to make sure you'd eat." I replied, handing her the plate and fork.
I sat down on the side of my bed, and Kali sat down beside me.
"So you're not mad at your brother for being born anymore?" I asked tentatively.
"I never was." she replied, "I guess I was just being selfish. I'm sorry I hurt you with my attitude."
"Growing up isn't easy." I consoled, and smiled at her, "You forget, I had to do it once, too."
"Yeah. I guess I'm just worried about my upcoming birthday. Moving out. Starting from nothing. How did you do it?"
"One day at a time. You'll be fine, Kali. You're smart and talented, and should have no trouble finding a job. Have you put any thought to where on the islands you want to move?"
"Oh jeez, Mom. I have no idea. I hadn't even considered that. I could have done without having to worry about that, too!"
I gave her a half hug and chuckled. "You have time still, honey. It's not like you have to decide tomorrow."
She sighed and made a face at me, then took her dinner to her room.
I tucked Reed back into his bassinet, and smiled to myself. Aleki had been right. I had nothing to worry about.
Chapter 2.13 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 2.15
