Chapter 3.12 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 4.1

Generation Three: Red

Appearance: Red hair, scandalous clothing style
Traits: Romantic, Hot-headed, Art Lover
Aspiration: Serial Romantic
Occupation: Art Critic
House Goal: 30,000 worth

The Beginning of the End

My lovely daughter was growing up. And I couldn't do anything about it. I tried to help her as much as I could by regaling her with stories of when I first started out, but she laughed, waved me off, and said she would figure it out when the time came. To myself, I muttered "And it's coming!" and headed off to do some household chores.

I had become a real home-body these days. After reaching the top of my career, I had reduced my work hours, and I hardly ever even had to travel to the city anymore. So now, I spent most of my time home with my kids, husband, and Fish.

Fish had truly entrenched himself into our family, and everyone just loved him. Even if he WAS almost always underfoot. All the neighborhood kids (most of which were my relative in some way or another!) came over to visit Fish almost daily, and he was certainly happy to entertain guests.

When he wasn't entertaining, Fish was following one or the other of us around. He seemed to love to watch me paint, and would stand, sit, or nap next to me until I'd finished work on whatever I was working on. I think he is convinced he's my "muse". Maybe he's not far off, because my paintings could easily support the whole family without me needing to continue work in the city. Which, to be honest, I thought about.... but I couldn't see myself settling down from always having something to do.... to.. well, retiring to paint. The bank account was more than healthy, and I ruefully wished I could sew some of it into the suitcases Charlie would inevitably be packing soon. Just to, you know... help her out some. I could easily remember the struggle that the first days of my adult life had been, and I wished, more than anything, that I could make that easier for her.

Chris was also growing like a weed in a favorable soil, and soon it was time for him to start his school career, too.

He was just as rambunctious as his sister had ever been, and was also determined to be a top level Scout like she had finally become.

Beyond trying to be like her, though, he was clearly more artistic than Charlie had ever been. I tried to encourage his art, but usually he wanted to be outside like his sister. It's a wonder I haven't had to repair or replace the monkey bars I had originally bought for Charlie, because it seemed they were always out there playing on it, or just hanging out.

Charlie loved her little brother to distraction. She even offered to take him to the big park in Oasis Springs one afternoon, and he gleefully agreed.

Once at the park, however, Charlie was soon distracted from her brother (which he reported to me as soon as he got home - although I hadn't asked!) and was finding other teens to flirt with. She really did take after me in some ways. She told me later that the one that was REALLY cute was named Magnus, and lived in Oasis Springs with his family. I heard all about his adorable smile for days afterward.

Later that week, he was even invited over to the house, and quickly showed that he might be "keeper" material. He even offered to help mop up in the kitchen after I accidentally dropped a pitcher of water all over the floor. What a nice guy.

Chris wasn't just an artist and an athlete, however. He was also smart as a whip. He loved to play chess, especially with his dad, and he became a real quick study.

I had long since stopped trying to play against him, but Kado was still willing to lose .. so the rivalry intensified. Kado even tried studying some books on chess, but it didn't help much. Chris still often won.

Chris tried to explain his techniques to Kado, but clearly Kado just wasn't as good at chess as Chris. (Didn't stop him from trying, though!)

Charlie was a joy to have around the house, and as her days as a teen started to dwindle, I started truly dreading that birthday that was swiftly approaching. You would think I would be happy to see her take off on her own, and leave the "nest"... but no, I wasn't. I knew exactly how hard it was going to be on her... and I ached for the struggles that were coming for her.

Charlie tried to explain that she wasn't worried about it, and made herself basically indispensable around the house with her scout training... but I wasn't really all that sure. My dreams at night had become dark and uncertain, and it showed in the paintings I created.

Kado kept trying to tell me that things would be okay, that she was smart and resourceful, there was no reason for me to panic... but I'm a Mom. And that's what Moms do best.

Speaking of Kado, he'd recently picked up Flower Arranging.. and discovered a real aptitude for it.

He sold arrangements to many people in town, and made a hefty profit because he was using flowers he grew himself. It kept him busy, at least. Which was a good thing.

Slowly, I finally started getting used to the fact that I couldn't help Charlie, no matter how much I wanted to. My paintings became less... chaotic... and my dreams returned to normal.

Mom was still alive and kicking, as was Dad. They still came over from time to time, and I appreciated Mom's stories of how worried she had been about me when I first left home.

She confessed that she had been sure I wouldn't make it, especially when it turned out I was going to be a single parent.. but I had made it through, anyways. Us Naiades women were strong and resilient. Which had gone a long way towards making me worry a little less about Charlie's upcoming birthday.

Kado wasn't getting any younger, either. I was baking him a cake for his birthday, although he swore he didn't want to celebrate. While it cooked, I watched out the ocean-side windows as he patted and played with the dolphins. They had happily accepted him as one of their own, and he took every opportunity he could to spend time with them. He really had taken to being a mermaid in every way possible. You would hardly know he'd not been born one.

Flinching at that thought, I thought, again, of Charlie - praying that nobody ever found out that she wasn't a natural mermaid. The scandal.. and the dilemma, because as far as I could tell.. the rules stated that only the first female MERMAID of each generation was permitted to take over. Which would have disqualified poor Charlie had I not hidden the fact that she wasn't truly a mermaid. Worrying at my lip with my teeth, I turned to the kitchen to take care of the buzzing oven.

A little later, Kado was back, and thoroughly miffed that I'd made him a cake. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who had remembered his birthday, as well. A knock at the door signaled visitors just as Kado blew out the candles.

At the door, to Kado's surprise, were his two other kids. I graciously invited them in, and Kado bemusedly hugged both of them. They were already adults, but had taken time out of their day to wish their ol' Dad a happy birthday, which was super nice of them. I could literally count on one hand the amount of times both of them had visited, which was sad for Kado. I briefly wondered how he dealt with not really knowing his kids - then shushed my brain up. He had made his choice, and had never seemed to regret it. In fact, just the opposite. He radiated happiness every day.

Later, we showed his kids to the door, and retired for the night. I gulped, and pushed down the rising unease. Charlie's birthday was next.. and I was SO worried about how the rest of her life would pan out, that I just couldn't focus on anything else anymore. Kado reached over, almost asleep, and cuddled me close.

"Stop it, silly." he whispered. "Everything will be JUST FINE."

Cuddling close, I buried my face in his chest and tried to go to sleep. Hopefully... he was right. I listened to the slap of the waves against the piers under the house for a long while before it finally lulled me to sleep, safely curled up in Kado's loving arms.

Chapter 3.12 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 4.1