Chapter Seventeen

The Kids are Growing up so Fast

The new baby arrived a few months later and they named him Gene. He was a grumpy, cranky baby most of the time and kept waking Casey up from his naps. Gene although an infant seemed to derive some sort of pleasure from upsetting Casey and getting him to fuss. William and Jessica kept having to get up multiple times each night to calm Casey and to get Gene to be quiet. With the lack of sleep, they decided that it'll be a while before they decide to have another baby. William was hoping that Gene will be the last, not that he didn't like all his babies. He wanted time to enjoy all of them and he was afraid with more than his time would be to split up and someone may suffer from lack of attention. 

 

 

 



Ever since meeting Jonas at the skating rink, Sydney has been calling him every chance she gets. She just wants to hear his voice and doesn't understand why he's begun to sound annoyed when she calls. He has a younger brother that's about Sydney's age, so she's been using him as an excuse to go over to the Ingberg house. But whenever she goes over, she winds up following Jonas throughout the house like a lost little puppy.

"Sydney, honey why don't you go outside and play?" Jessica suggested as she was busy feeding Casey.

"Do I have to?" Sydney asked hanging up the phone.

"Yes, it's a nice out and you need some fresh air."

"I hate being outside." Sydney grumbled to herself as she got dressed to go outside.

She thought for a while what she was going to do when she had the idea to build an igloo. That way she would be able to play inside but still be outside. It was a brilliant idea even if she had to say so herself.

 



It was soon Roberts birthday and since Evelyn's birthday was so close to his they decided to combine the two. It would make things easier when they went to school as Evelyn is starting a year early due to her exceptional scholastic scores. So they invited some friends over to help celebrate with them. Robert looks a lot like his dad, except he has his mothers eyes.

It was getting late and a little dark by the time they got everyone gathered together to watch Evelyn blow her candles out. She grew up into a very striking little girl, who had a very unique sense of style. As it was getting so late and the kids had to get up early to go to school the party soon ended.

The next day Sydney accompanied them to school. They stopped short of the door wondering what their first day was going to be like.

"Come on guys, there's nothing to be afraid of." Sydney told them as she walked past and on to her classroom.

"Well this is it, Robert. You ready?"

"Yeah, I guess. But I would rather be at home playing chess."

"So would I. But maybe we can play once we get home."

"If we don't have homework."

"Oh I forgot about homework."

A teacher walked out the school door towards them. "Hey kids school is about to start. Do you need help finding you rooms?"

"No, we just weren't ready to go in yet." Robert replied.

Sydney asked Jonas's little brother if she could come over to his house and do their homework together.

"No that's not a good idea."

"Um why?" Sydney asked.

"Because you creep Jonas out when you follow him around."

"What? I don't do that" Jessica objected.

"Well it sure looks like it to me. But for now, if you really want to do homework together it'll have to be at your house. Got to go before I miss my bus."

Sydney moped around the house after that. She couldn't believe Jonas could be so mean and worst yet he told his brother. How can I go to school and see him again. She had all these worrisome thoughts running through her head and hardly understood anything she was reading. She was afraid it was going to be a long school year. But one thing for sure she wasn't going over to the Ingberg house, stupid boys!

Towards the end of the school year they were busy planning a birthday party for Casey. They had a lot of people invited and everyone was excited. Robert was probably the least excited as it meant he was going to have to share a room with Casey. It wasn't that he didn't like Casey, he just enjoyed having his own space. However he thought it might be nice to have someone else in the room too. Casey was an ok kid and seemed to be content to go along with the crowd. Robert was hoping that Casey being younger, he finally had someone he could boss around.

Soon after Casey's party it was Gene's birthday. They had decided to have a quiet family gathering as it was so close to Casey's birthday party. Gene grew up into quite the little firecracker. He seemed to delight in causing other people discomfort. William has noticed this unsettling trend but is hoping that it's just a phase and he'll soon out grow it. Right now he looked to be an adorable, sweet little boy. 

Chapter Sixteen

Father Daughter Day

 

"Sydney thank you so much for helping your mom and me with decorating for Casey's party."

"Your welcome. He's kinda cute, so I wanted to help."

"Well your help was much appreciated; especially now since your mom is having another baby."

"Another one! Aren't you guys ever gonna stop?"

"What can I say? Your mom enjoys having babies. With the new baby coming it does mean you and Evie will have to share a room."

"What! No way! I don't want to share a room with Evie. She'll ruin my stuff. It's not fair!"

"Calm down. You know her birthday is coming up and she'll be bigger and not as likely to break your stuff."

"Why can't she share a room with Robert?" Sydney asked still not liking the idea of sharing her room.

William sighed a little wondering where Sydney got her selfishness from. "Evie and Robert can't share a room. As soon as Casey is old enough, he'll be sharing a room with Robert. So the plan is Robert will get your old bed and you'll get a bunk beds. So how about you and me going tomorrow and picking out your new bunk bed."

"I can choose anything I want?" Sydney asked warming up to the idea.

"Anything. Then afterwards you and I could go to the art museum and then to the park to ice skate. We'll spend the whole day together."

"Ok that sounds like fun. But I still don't like the idea of sharing a room with Evie, but I guess I'll live."

Smiling a little, William said "I know you don't, sweetheart. But I'm proud of you for be willing to give it a try."

Getting up to clean up her cake dish Sydney asked "What if the new baby is a girl? Can I have my own room then?"

Chuckling a little at her persistence, William said "Princess I'll build you a room of your own when your mom has a girl."

"Great! I'm gonna hold ya to it."

"I know you will but don't get your hopes up. You only have a 50/50 chance of it being a girl."

"I know, I know but I'm betting on this not being your last baby. Mom is baby crazy."

"That she is but it's time for bed young lady, we have a busy day tomorrow." William hugged Sydney before shooing her off to bed so that he could finish cleaning up after the guests.

 

Shopping for bunk beds went fairly quickly as Sydney was more interested in getting to the art museum then in buying bunk beds. She enjoyed art and dreaming of the day when she would be a famous artist with her artwork hanging in every art museum around the world. But mostly she enjoyed the one-on-one time with her dad.

"Dad do you think I'll ever be good enough to have my paintings in a museum?"

"Sure anything's possible. If that's your goal, you have to keep working at it. The most important thing is not to give up on your dreams. No matter what obstacles that might come up that may make you feel like giving up."

"But what if someone says I have no talent?"

"Honey, don't ever let someone's opinion form your opinion of yourself and don't let them take your dream away from you. Always remember that's one person's opinion, don't let it become yours."

The continued to roam the art museum. He appreciated his daughters enthusiasm and hoped that she would attain her goals. He wondered if she would like to go away to an art school when she was older. Maybe that would be something he and Jessica should look into, it might help give her an added boost in her chosen career.

"Honey it's getting late, so if you still want to go ice skating we need to get going."

"Oh alright but we can come back, right?"

"Sure princess."

It was later than William had planned on going skating but there were still plenty of people out enjoying themselves. It had been several years since William had skated, so he was a little shaky on this feet and he wasn't much help in teaching Sydney how to skate.

It wasn't long before other more experienced skaters offered to help. That was when Sydney met Jonas Ingberg. He was older than her about 15 or 16 but she thought he was the cutest boy she had ever met. As she stared at his eyes she would trip and knock into him and they would both fall on the ice. Her heart would skip a beat when he would bend down and help her up. William wasn't sure how he felt about observing his daughters first brush with puppy love but he knew he wasn't ready for the thought of her growing up and dating. But he knew the boy was too old and was only being nice so there wasn't anything to worry about. As it was getting late, he decided it was time they were heading home. 





Chapter Fifteen

Not What it Seems

 

 

 Its been a few months since their fight and neither one has been able to talk to the other about it. One night before retiring for the evening, they were each lost in their own thoughts. Jessica felt completely misunderstood. She knew she didn't resent Evelyn but she was jealous of her. Well not exactly her but of William being the one to carry her for 9 months, to feel her growing inside him, moving, kicking, she loved the entire experience and she didn't have that with Evelyn. She resented that William had that experience and not her. How could she explain that she wanted another baby to experience having a baby growing inside her again? How could she be jealous of her own husband? She should be happy that he was able to experience that with Evelyn instead of resenting it!

William felt horrible ever since he stormed out of the house that night. He just couldn't understand why Jessica couldn't accept Evelyn as her own. That hurt more than anything he could ever imagine. He could prevent what happened and Evelyn certainly couldn't. She was the innocent victim of all of this and William felt he had to protect her, to give her a place where she had a sense of belonging. But how could he do that when his wife, her mother resented her?
 "Jessica I'm going to China to learn chinese cuisine for the restaurant."

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"What do you mean 'a good idea'? It'll help me in my career."

"I mean with your PAASD you probably shouldn't go by yourself."

"I've been taking my meds as prescribed. My anxiety is under control. I haven't had any bad episodes. I'll be fine."

"Well you haven't been sleeping like you should and maybe I should go...."

"I'm not a child, so don't treat me like one" becoming irritated and frustrated that she felt he function on his own without her.

"William I'm only concerned about your welfare. Besides your therapist called to confirm your appointment. Why didn't you tell me you were seeing him again? You don't have to suffer alone."

"What, he had no right calling and talking to you about me. Whatever happened to doctor confidentiality?" He got up and started pacing the floor.

Watching William pace for a while, Jessica finally said "Just the fact that your seeing your therapist again only proves you shouldn't go to China alone. Besides we could use the alone time to talk without the kids around to interrupt us."

"Speaking of which, what do we do with the kids?"

"Well my parents have offered to babysit if we ever wanted to go on another trip. I think we should take them up on their offer."

Sighing in defeat William agreed. A few days later they had packed up the kids and headed to China.

 

They spent three days in China and the first day and half William spent learning Chinese cuisine. The rest of the time he spent with Jessica doing the mundane tourist attractions. It was a little irritating that Jessica felt the need to never let William out of her sight, like she was afraid he wander off and become lost. William was begining to think she should see a therapist so that she would quit treating him like a child and incapable of taking care of himself.

"Honey we've been in China for two days now and we still haven't talked. I think we should just stay in the hotel until we have cleared the air between us." William said finally ready to discuss their issues.

"I guess your right." Jessica said sitting down on the bed looking at William to start.

Sighing a little as he say Jessica was waiting for him to start he began by saying "I'm sorry for running out on you the night of our fight. But I don't understand why you resent Evelyn so much."

"I, I don't ... it's hard to explain."

"Try Jessica. I need to know. I can't even contemplate having another child, if you can't accept Evelyn as your own."

"I'm jealous" Jessica bluntly blurted.

"Jealous ... of Evelyn. Why? She's just a baby."

"No not of her but of you! You were the one who carried her, felt her growing inside you, kicking, moving. I'm jealous that you experienced that and I didn't. I want another baby to experience that again. I love all our babies but I cherish that experience and I know I should be happy that you know what that experience is but for whatever reason I'm not. I become jealous every time I think about it. I don't understand why I feel this way, so how can I even hope that you could?"

"Jessica if you agree to talk to a therapist about your feelings then I'll agree to be open to the possibility of more children in the future. Ok?"

Smiling a little ruefully, Jessica agreed. Getting up she said "Ok I'll make an appointment as soon as we get home."

Coming over to Jessica he gave he a quick hug saying "Thank you. Now let's do some exploring.

They explored one of the tombs. While Jessica was going through a pile of rubble, William found a hole to investigate. He stuck his hand in the hole and quickly pulled it again when he felt something move inside. His hand came out covered in bugs. He couldn't help but scream as he shook them off. In no time at all their trip was over and they went home much happier than they came.



 

Three months later, Jessica was enjoying a meal with Sydney while William was at work.

"Mom are you going to have a baby or are you just getting fat?" Sydney bluntly asked.

"Um what makes you ask that?"

Looking at her mom, she rolled her eyes and said "You're kidding righ? You've been wearing big tee shirts like my teacher did before told the class she was having a baby. So are you?

Feeling slightly uncomfortable with the conversation, Jessica simply shook her head and asked "Which would you like, a brother or sister?"

Mumbling with her mouth full she said "Neither but I guess I don't have a choice."

"Don't talk with your mouth full."

"Then don't ask me stupid questions while I'm eating" Sydney retorted.

"Don't talk to me like that young lady. Go to your room."

"Gladly!" Sydney got up and marched to her bedroom. Slamming the door shut Sydney threw herself on the bed wondering how many more brats she was going to have to endure.

 



It's been a year since Casey was born. Although he wasn't planned he was the best memento they had of their time in China. William loves all four of this children and loved coming home every night from the restaurant to play with them.

 

Tonight was especially important as it was Casey's birthday and they were celebrating as a family. Both Jessica and William were content and happy, having started couples therapy. Jessica learning to deal with her jealousy and to let William have more independence without worrying that he can't cope without her. 

When Casey grew up into a toddler, everyone was shocked that he blond hair. But he must have inherited it from Jessica as her father was a blond too. He stands out as different from the rest just like Evelyn with her green skin.



 

Chapter Fourteen

The Fight

 

 

It's been a rough year for William and Jessica. Things just haven't been right between them for a while. With taking care of the little ones and Sydney starting school they haven't had time to focus on their relationship.

 

Robert and Evelyn being so close in age enjoy playing together. One afternoon, after their nap they were in their new playroom building a fort with their blocks.

"No Evie that doesn't go there" Robert told his sister.

"Ok" Evelyn meekly complied with her brothers wishes.

"Why don't you build the walls for the fort, while I build the fort? Then we can play soldiers and Indians."

"Not cowboys and Indians?" Evelyn queried.

"No cowboys don't live in forts, soldiers do. The Indians don't like the soldiers building their fort on their land" Robert explained.

"Don't the Indians share?"

"No cuz the soldiers didn't ask. They just took the land."

History was one of Roberts favorite things and he always asked for his parents to tell him something about history. He also enjoyed explaining things to Evelyn, who took everything her brother said at face value and believed everything he told her. It sometimes hurt Robert's feelings that he couldn't get Sydney's attention but at least he had Evelyn

 Sydney disliked having younger siblings and wished she was an only child. She disliked sharing her things but mostly she hated sharing her parents attention with them, it was supposed to be all hers. But now that she was older it was easier to tolerate the little brats. She had big kid toys that they couldn't play with and she could paint.

The downside was the little brats were always getting into her stuff, no matter how many times she told them not to go into her room. She begged her parents for a lock but of course they said no. The way they reacted you would have thought she had killed the neighbors cat. She was glad she was in school, at least then she didn't have to deal with the little brats. Although if she had her way it would be them being sent away and she would be home all day. Life was so unfair!

 

One day while Sydney was in her "art studio", which was actually the kids playroom, her parents were involved in another argument. She rolled her eyes and said to herself "looks like the parentals are in another "heated debate". What a laugh, heated debate, more like fighting." The brats became quieter as their parents voices became louder. At least that was a bonus, thought Sydney, trying to concentrate on her painting.

 

"I don't understand why your so dead set against having more kids" Jessica said close to tears.

"Jessica three is enough. Can't you enjoy the ones you have?" William asked.

"You don't understand" Jessica said shaking her head.

"What don't I understand?" William wondered "Jessica tell me why, explain it to me."

"I want five babies. You know I always wanted a large family. If we could have three more than I'd have what I always wanted, dreamed of"

"Three more? We already have three, don't you mean two more?

"Well with Sydney and Robert plus three more that would make five."

"Whoa, what about Evelyn? Doesn't she count as one of our kids?" William said with mounting anger.

"No, yes, I ... William don't look at me like that."

William was stare at Jessica without blinking trying to comprehend what Jessica had just said. She didn't accept Evelyn as part of the family. How that hurt, he couldn't undo what happened and he wouldn't if he could. How dare she be so uncaring? William angrily turned away from Jessica saying "I'm going to work" and slammed the door as he went out.





Chapter Thirteen

Life Goes On

 

 

It was hard to believe that it was already Roberts birthday. So much has happened in the past year that it was good to have something to celebrate. They planned a small family gathering, not feeling up to having a lot of people over. William still became nervous and anxious in large groups and preferred to stay at home with his family. On the urging of Jessica he took a leave absence from the restaurant until he felt he could handle going back to work.

Finances were tight but they had some money in the bank and Jessica was able to grow good quality vegetables that she was able to sell to supplement their income. But their savings were almost depleted and Jessica was thinking she would soon have to look for employment. She worried about leaving William alone with the children not that she didn't trust him but she didn't want to put William under more pressure.

Jessica tried not to become anxious about their finances and focused on her family making sure everyone was happy and well taken care of. Robert was a mild mannered little boy, who much preferred his own company to that of anyone else. He liked being alone and could be found playing by himself much of the time. Which was good considering Sydney still hasn't accepted having a brother and would much prefer having her parents all to herself.
 

 

One day William was contemplating his life and everything he had experienced up until this moment. He remembered his mothers words to him when he begged to be allowed to home school so that he wouldn't have to face the school bully she told him "attitude was everything". She said if you believe you can face down the bully than you will if you believe he will beat the stuffing out of you then he will. It gave him the confidence that he needed to go to school and face the bully. Of course he came out of the altercation with a black eye and a week's detention but he maintained his self respect and the bully didn't bother him again. 

He was finding his mothers word's comforting now as he tried to overcome his anxiousness over going back to work. He had called the restaurant manager and told him he thought he was ready to go back to work if they could use him at the restaurant. His manager said they could always use a chef of William's caliber and that the restaurant hadn't been the same since he left. William was relieved that he had his job back and that he would start next week. He was going to miss not being able to spend as much time with the kids but he also knew that someone had to pay the bills.

"Come to Mama." Jessica said coaxing Robert to her while teaching him how to walk.

She laughed at his joyful cries "Look Mama, I do it." He looked more like he was trying march than walk but he was doing it.

Jessica loved teaching her babies how to walk and she noticed that the more Robert grew and was able to get about the more Sydney noticed him and was more apt to play with him. 

William enjoyed teaching Robert how to talk. Robert's first words were "mama and dada" and would sit gleefully saying mama and dada over and over again.

One day Sydney was in Roberts room playing with his blocks while he was gleefully repeating: "mama, dada, mama, dada, mama, dada"

"Robert, shut up." Sydney demanded

"Why?" Robert asked confused

"Cause I said so."

"Why?"

"You sound stupid, that's why." Sydney said staring at him daring him to ask why again.

Instead Robert laughed and went back to repeating mama, dada over and over again to the disgust of his sister.

 
She soon got up to leave in search of someone to make him be quiet.

"Mama make him stop" Sydney demanded when she found her mom.

Jessica looked down at Sydney and asked "Make who stop what?"

"Make Robert stop talking" Sydney demanded stamping her foot.

Trying not to laugh Jessica asked "Why?"

"Cuz he's making me made and I can't think with all that noise."

"Honey he's just learning to talk, leave him alone." Jessica told her.

Sydney pouted and grumbled to herself "first I get a brother I don't want and have to be nice to. Then I get a sister that I do want but don't like because she's green. I'd like her better if she were pink or purple but nobody asks me what I want before they give me these things."

Jessica tried not to laugh at the little tirade Sydney was having. Although she hoped that she would learn to like both of her siblings in time. She just couldn't understand why she resented both of them so much.

Soon it was Evelyn's birthday and William was becoming a little annoyed with his little princess who insisted on booing the birthday girl instead singing happy birthday. However when he turned to Sydney to tell her to stop she began to laugh and sing happy birthday too. William smiled at her and turned his attention back to Evelyn saying "Well pumpkin, ready to blow out your candle?"

Sydney was a very quiet little girl, hardly making a sound when she played. Although one day she found Sydney's ugly doll laying on the floor forgotten. She singing to it when Sydney came in and saw her playing with her doll.

"No that's my doll" Sydney screamed at her sister.

Evelyn started to cry but still clung to the doll refusing to give it to Sydney.

Sydney grabbed the doll yelling "It's mine, it's mine. Let go."

Evelyn struggled to keep a firm grip on the doll as Sydney continued to pull.

Jessica hurried into the room upon hearing Evelyn's cries and Sydney's screams.

"Sydney Marie Bennett what do you thing you are doing." Jessica demanded.

Sydney immediately let go of the doll upon hearing that tone from her mother. She knew that tone meant she'd better listen or she was going to be in trouble. Although from the look on her Mother's face she may already be in trouble.

"Sydney how many times have I told you that you had to share?"

Sydney just looked to the floor and shrugged not answering.

"Say your sorry." Jessica told her.

Looking up to her mother and over to her sister she began "I'm ... No I won't. It's mine." she stamped her foot and balled her little hands into fists as the defied her mother.

Jessica was shocked at her refusal and said "alright young lady if you won't say I'm sorry you'll have to stay in your room for the rest of day until your father comes and he won't be happy."

With that Jessica picked up Evelyn and carried her out and as she closed the door she heard Sydney throwing an all out fit. But she kept going as Evelyn was crying, needing to be comforted and changed.

When William came home from work he was greeted by Jessica alone. He looked around for his little princess and asked "where's"

"In her room. When need to talk." Jessica said in an agitated voice.

William sighed knowing that this wasn't good. Not if Jessica felt the need to start off immediately into a discussion as soon as he got home. Usually she would wait until after supper to discuss the days events or issues that needed his input.

Going into the house William said "Alright what's wrong."

Jessica told him about the fight that Evelyn and Sydney got into over the ugly doll and how she had lost her temper and told Sydney to stay in her room until her father got home.

William agreed to talk to her. He went to Sydney's room and found her pouting on her bed hugging the ugly doll. She sat up when William came in and smiled thinking she could finally leave her room. She immediately went to the door and

"Not so fast princess."

She slowly turned to her father and said "It wasn't my fault."

William just looked at her a moment and wondered how she had become so selfish but he knew it was partly their fault by doting on her. "Honey why can't share your toys with your sister?"

"They're mine." Sydney stated as if that should cover it.

Thinking for a moment, William decided to try a different tact. "How old you?"

"Four almost five."

"Right and when your five you'll start school. You'll be a big girl then, right?"

"Yes" she agreed.

"As a big smart girl in school, will you want to play with all these little girl toys?"

Hesitating for moment realizing she had fallen into a trap she said "No but she might want to keep some of her stuffies."

"That's alright princess you don't need to give up all of your toys. But what up this ugly doll? Don't you thinks it's time you gave it to your little sister? You know she'll love it as much as you and hardly play with it anymore."

"Yes but grandma gave it to me not Evelyn."

"That's right she did but Evelyn doesn't have a grandma to give her dolls. Don't you think your grandma would be proud of you if you shared your doll with her?"

"Alright daddy I'll let Evelyn play with my doll."

"And you'll tell her your sorry." William included.

"Yes dad" Sydney agreed.

On Williams next day off from work he spent time with Evelyn assisting her in learning how to talk. Jessica said she was a fast learner as she had practically taught herself how to walk.

Just like her older siblings she learned to say mama and dada first and than other words followed. Even Sydney took an interest in teaching Evelyn new words and laughing at her when she said them wrong. William considered telling Sydney to stop but decided not to as Evelyn seemed to enjoy having her sisters attention.

 

For Sydney's fifth birthday they decided to invite some friends over to celebrate with them. William was finding this birthday difficult, not wanting his little princess to grow up. He kept thinking she'd be going to school, then there would be boyfriends and then she want to get married. He didn't want his little girl growing up.

Sydney was excited when she received an easel for her birthday from her parents. She loved to draw and had begged, pleaded and hinted that she wanted an easel to paint. She squealed in delight and gave both her parents a quick hug before starting her first painting.

Her birthday party went on around her as she painted but she didn't care. It was mostly people she didn't know and they were old. Although some of the people that were invited didn't seem to like her mom either as she heard them arguing about something and she went to investigate but it was mostly over by the time she got there.

Then her parents started dancing, which would have been ok if they had danced with each other. Sydney didn't understand why they were dancing with other people. She didn't like it much and decided to go to her room so that she wouldn't have watch. She wasn't sure why it bothered her so much but it did. It somehow felt wrong.