Chapter 1.7: April and Rose

I smiled at my little April and gave her a bottle. I looked around and saw Rose. I ran over immediately. Better get you potty trained before its to late. I scooped her up in my arms, and we went to the potty.

I sat Rose down and I stood up and waited for her. I thought about teaching her skills and shook my head at the thought. Its going to be tough. Rose plopped herself off the potty and made a mad dash for her blocks, "No you don't!" I raced after her and picked her up. Nap time for my Rose. I set her down in her crib and walked outside. Work was tomorrow and I needed to get working on my guitar skill.

I played my heart out and then some more. April started to cry and I went inside. Jory was setting April on the potty, and I walked over, "Glad to see that you don't like diapers." I glanced at him then looked at April.
"Yeah, you know what? We should have another child." He lightly bumped his elbow into my side, "What do you think about that?"
"Aren't the twins good enough? I really want to work some more, get to the top. Ya' know?" I stole a glance at him then dropped my eyes, "I guess we could. Just one, but I want to get a little higher in my career. Okay?" I thought about what I was saying and nodded in self-approval.
"That would be great." He bent down and grabbed April, "You going to garden?"
"I guess so. Can you start to teach the twins to talk or walk?" I waited for him to say something but he only nodded. I turned around and left for the garden.

I watched as I gardened. Jory and Rose where sitting on the cobble-stone path. I worked around the weed and collected the food. When I was done I joined Jory.

Roses voice was petite and very feminine, like my grandmothers.
Jory talked and talked waiting for her to repeat a word, "Fork. Four-K. You try?" We waited to see if she would talk.
"Fawrk." She clapped her hands and repeated the word for a while. I went inside and took Rose with me.

Rose finally understood what potty was. I clapped and cheered in utter glee. The phone rang, "I'll get it!" Jory ran over and picked up the phone.

"Hello? The Green residence.... uh-huh.... Really?....Sure, I'll tell Sadie. Okay. Bye." He hung up, "Your grandpa is getting sick." My jaw dropped and I held back my tears. I nodded and went over to April.

I sat there and taught April to talk, "Trophy. Tro-fee." I smiled and waited.
"Troophy. Troophy." She smiled and rocked back and forth. I was a little surprised that Aprils voice was deeper. More like my mothers. I rubbed her back and praised her. The phone rang. I got up and ran over to the phone.
"Hello?.....Grandpa! I'm sorry! Are you okay?.....Really? Now?" I couldn't think. My grandpa is going to die soon. SAY SOMETHING! "Grandpa I wish I was there holding your hand right now. I really do, I can't say goodbye like this. Ill come to the hospital."

And that's what I did. I sat there holding his hand, saying our goodbyes. I cried when he went limp. I asked for his ashes and they said that they would mail them to me. I kissed his cheek and left with my tears devouring my eyes. I got home and sat through the night on the couch. Thinking about the memories we had. My alarm clock went off and I picked up April.

"Mere' April. Come to mommy" My little April slowly took her first steps then dived for my arms. I picked her up and praised her. I head a thump and saw that our sliding door just banged close. I sat down April and got up cautiously. I opened our door and slowly walked out and closed it. I took a few steps and scanned the yard. No one was here. Just Jory, Rose and me.

Jory was teaching Rose to walk and I went and joined them, "Jory? I'm going to work a bit early today. I want to see what I missed. I love you." With that I left. I hopped on my bike and went for my long day back at work.

Hours passed and people chattered. I must have been asked how my kids where about eighteen times. I was always more then happy to tell them how they where and even pulled out some pictures. The day went by and my boss offered me a higher job opening. Cassie Demoro was on maternity leave and she decided to quit working and become a housewife. Of course I took the opening and I rushed home to tell Jory the news.

Jory was sitting at the chess table and I sat down with him, "Hey Jory. How's the game going?" I smiled and quickly added, "I got promoted!"
Jory looked up and sat back in his chair, "Wow, one day and your up the ladder. Your a quick one, while your getting promoted, I'm playing chess to get smarter." He chuckled and put his hands behind his head.
"Are you sure chess will make you smarter?" I joked and I got up, "I called Brittney. She's coming over so we can hit the sack without any worries about Rose or April. Would you like to join?" I offered my hand and Jory took it. We walked inside and kissed the twins goodnight and hit the sack.

Brittney came in and took care of April and Rose, constantly changing and playing with them. I went to sleep and hope not to have one of my dreams.

I looked around at the meadow. I heard some voices and ducked under a bush. I peeked out and saw grandpa and grandma, and mother looking at me. I smiled and got up, brushing off the sparkling soft dirt. "I'm just getting a look from a ants perspective." I smiled and looked away.
"Its good to see you again, I'm glad my great-grandchild is doing good." Grandpa looked at the ground and a smile lit up his face. I looked at moms and grandmas faces too. They all looked at the ground. 
"What do you guys see?" I stared at the grass that lightly moved.
"Look, with your heart Sadie." Mom said without looking up or moving her lips. I looked at the ground again and I saw my house for a split second. 
"We'll work on it." Grandma smiled and she turned to the others, "I hear someone coming. Torrence? If that is I'd get out of here Sadie." her eyes widened and her hands looked for her necklace that she always wore. 
"I can't. I'm sleeping. I only come here when I'm sleeping." I looked around and pinched myself, "Ouch."
Mother looked at me, "Well work on you visiting whenever you want but know you MUST go. Think about pulling yourself away from Shimmer and back to your bed back at home. Clear your mind and do it!" 
I closed my eyes and thought about me walking away from Shimmer and back into my house and straight to my bed where Jory was. "Hurry! Sadie you must hurry!" I pictured myself laying down and into a deep dream about my kids. 
I heard a menicing voice, "Who in the world is THAT? A mortal? She ought to be cau-" his voice was cut off.
I opened my eyes and saw that I was back in bed. I shook off the voice and got up. I immediately went outside and got on my bike and peddled away.

I sped by the bridge and the town garden, the Celtic Crescent. I peddled faster then I ever had. I wanted to surprise them when I got home.

I rushed inside and went to the bakery, "Can I get two birthday cakes? White ones?" I waited for the woman to pack them up then I went back home. I got home and washed up. I changed into my new work clothes and went to pick up April.

April and I blew out her candles and I sat her down, clapping her on. Jory looked around and started to join in. April looked around, "Happy! Happy, happy, happy!" She clapped too. Rose watched from her crib.

April grew up and I was shocked by her hair and eyes. She was a female replica of Jory. She came over and hugged me, "Mommy, I can't see." she looked up and I glanced at Jory.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" I said as I lifted two fingers.
"Uh- four. I think. Yeah four. I can see them, but its really blurry mommy." April smiled and I looked at Jory.
"Maybe we should get her to the eye doctor. I think she needs glasses." Jory walked over and took Aprils hand. He walked over to the couch and told her to sit.

Jory and Rose blew there candles out and once again we waited, we clapped and shouted. The back of my mind thought about April's eyes. Will my Rose have bad eyes? I shook off the thought and clapped some more.

Rose had Jory's eyes and my blond hair. She was a lot darker then me and I was instantly jealous.
"Rose, how many fingers am I holding up?" I squatted down and held up all five.
Rose looked at me weird, "Four fingers and one thumb. Why mom?" I smiled and gave her a hug.