G III: Chapter 10

The day started just as normal as any other day. Charlie was off to work early, Isabel slept in - as did Cedric, and Daphne was up taking care of the babies.

Brian, being a toddler now, crawled all over the house and played with whatever he wanted. He didn't need Daphne's attention as much as he used to, but there was still little Dylan to keep her occupied. When Dylan was finally napping, and Brian building his blocks, Daphne sat down at the computer.

Daphne was job hunting. Charlie had originally suggested she be a stay at home mother, but when they had tried and failed to have a second baby, Daphne told him she was going to get a night shift job. She searched the web and found a position available in the ghost hunting field. If that wasn't a night job, nothing was. She would be on call from five in the evening until 3am.

Cedric left for his evening shift muttering to himself. He was unhappy with Starr's choices, they had talked it over and she had agreed to stick around for just a little while. Cedric knew how much she didn't want to be here, how she didn't want to feel tied down. He also knew that she never liked or wanted any children. They never intended on having any together, that's why they were a good couple - when it was just the two of them. Cedric had realised the night before that Starr lied to him when she told him that she would stay.

That night after work Charlie thought he'd walk home to help work through some issues. He hadn't gotten that far from work when a police cruiser came up to him. Cedric was arrested again. The cops had received an anonymous phone call that put Cedric at a few different crime scenes - mostly robberies. The amount of evidence provided was enough to put Cedric away for a long time. He was given a sentence of 25 - 30.

As the bar door slammed shut in his face, he thought of Starr. She probably did this to him, but why would she? This wasn't part of their plan either, they were supposed to run away together and move to Bridgeport. Apparently Starr had decided that she was better of without both Cedric and Dylan. Cedric would never admit it out loud, but he didn't want to be burdened by children either. Brian was fine, but that's because he wasn't Cedric child. Cedric could have left anytime.

Cedric was not a complete hard ass though, he did find comfort in the fact that he knew his family would take care of his son. Also he knew that Starr would never come to try and claim him. Dylan's family would be whole to him, Daphne and Charlie would play the mother and father roles, and he even had a brother. Dylan would be well provided for, probably better than Cedric could ever have done.

At home, Isabel received another call to inform her of her son's imprisonment. She was also told that this time, he wouldn't be coming back home for a while. Isabel shook her head, and cried just a little bit. Her tears were not for her son though, but for her grandson. Dylan had been left by both of his parents. She vowed to herself to keep him, and take care of him in this house with the help of Daphne and Charlie. She was sure they would take him in too.

Daphne's work schedule worked well for the family. Better than they had expected. She wouldn't wake up until about noon every day, then spend the afternoon with her kids. Charlie came home at 2pm, and everyone had early dinner together. Daphne would get to work while Charlie and Isabel took care of the children. When she got home in the middle of the night, most times Dylan was waking up and she took care of him before Charlie got up in the morning. He would take the kids and give them breakfast while Daphne worked in the garden.

The whole family seemed in sync. Each hour passed by so smoothly, the only problem was that the days and nights seemed to mesh together.

Charlie came to realise that inheriting this house he also inherited all of it's problems. He became the go to guy for all fix it jobs that needed to be done. He didn't particularly enjoy it, but who does?




Growing up means learning new things. Brian was big enough now he was taught to walk. Charlie enjoyed seeing his little man grow, but already missed him as a tiny infant. Now it would be different problems, some harder than others. Brian would be pulling books off shelves before he knew it, causing more messes than anything.

Brian's first steps were celebrated with hugs and kisses, lots of praise. Next it would be talking, and potty training.

No matter how busy they were, Daphne and Charlie always found time for each other. Whether it was just a small hug and kiss passing in the hall, or a secret rendezvous to the bedroom, they always showed each other that they were still there.

Daphne always fed Brian his lunch, then it was time to learn. She spent time teaching him to talk, being very patient. Brian was a very bright kid, and picked it up quicker than she thought.

Everyday when Charlie got home, the first thing he did was find Brian for a snuggle. He missed him during work. Then he went to Dylan to show him love as well. Dylan was an adorable baby and seemed to like Charlie best, though he loved Daphne like a mother.




It was time for Dylan's birthday. Daphne pulled him out of his crib and cuddled him, she looked at his angelic face and asked him "Are you ready to grow up, just a little bit?"

Dylan cooed at her, and she took that as a yes. Daphne passed the baby to his grandmother. Isabel would be the one to help him grow.

Everyone gathered in the dining room to blow out the candles for Dylan.

He grew up quickly and looked up shyly at his family. Being so little, he would not notice that his real parents weren't there. Isabel planned to tell him one day when he was older, but not for while.






That night, Daphne got a call for a job. She went to a house, pretty close to her own to banish some spirits. There were five of them littered through the house, and the residing family was frightened out of their wits.

Daphne took care of them quickly and moved on to a second call that she had received. This was going to be a good job. She was enjoying herself. The captured spirits that she carried could be donated to the Science facility, or sold for simoleans. This money would be in addition to her weekly stipend.

The first thing she did when she got home was run to the babies room. They were both awake and waiting for her. She took them and fed them their early morning breakfast. Afterward she cuddled each and tickle them. She never ignored Dylan either, she had come to start feeling like Dylan was her own. They were both her boys and she loved them equally. Dylan's personality was coming out more now that he was older. He seemed like a very brave and disciplined little man. He will fit in just fine in this house.