GEN III: Chapter 7

Charlie got up in the morning and realized Daphne was still in the bed. That was unusual, she was usually up before him every day. He figured by the time he was done with him morning routine in the bathroom she would be awake, so he went about his business. When he came out though, she was still sound asleep. Charlie looked at her for a moment and considered waking her. He wanted to see her, and the baby. Charlie decided he couldn't be selfish, and let her sleep. Obviously she needed it. Unfortunately he only had time to have a quick bowl of cereal before he left for work. Daphne was still asleep.

When Daphne did get up, at about 11 AM, she went directly out to the garden. While she worked her plants, she thought about the baby. Her stomach was growing fast, and her emotions going a little crazy. She was tired all the time, and never seemed happy. She was beginning to love the baby in her belly though. Daphne had - at first - been a little withdrawn about it, and unsure. The main thing Daphne worried about was if she could handle a baby. She had never really had any around her in her life, and was completely inexperienced. Daphne made herself feel better about it by telling herself that no first time mother knows it all either.

Daphne finished working the plants, and even planted a few of her own before she realised how hungry she actually was. She dusted off and went inside to get a bite to eat.

Daphne brought her dishes to the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher. As she left the room though she found herself face to face with Hayden and Isabel.

"Daphne, you've been acting strange. What's going on?" Isabel asked. She glanced at Hayden, who just shrugged as if to say 'I'm only here cause you asked me to come.'

Daphne glanced around for Charlie. He had come home and kissed her hello while she was gardening. At the moment, he was unavailable though. She figured it was okay to tell his parents without him, maybe.

"Well, actually. Sorry I have been acting odd lately. I got the news not too long ago and wasn't sure how to break it just yet. Anyway Charlie and I are expecting a baby. I'm due not too far from now really." Daphne was mainly addressing Isabel since she's the one who asked the question.

Isabel faked surprise. She did a really good job at pretending she didn't know. Hayden's reaction was genuine, he was shocked, and then happy.

Hayden smiled and felt Daphne's growing belly. He had only just now noticed that she had a bump there.

"Wow, I just can't wait to see the little one! What do you want a girl or boy?" Hayden admitted he would definitely enjoy a little infant in the house again, it had been a while.

"Both Charlie and I are hoping for a girl, but as long as the baby is healthy, either is fine." Daphne said to Hayden.

"You have to come see what we did for you, Daphne. Come this way!" Isabel interjected. She was just to excited to finally reveal what she had put together. She led Daphne to the downstairs room, Daphne recognized it as the first room that Charlie and her had spent the night in. She wondered what Isabel was going to show her.

When they walked in, Daphne was surprised. The whole room was repainted white, and re-carpeted, also filled with baby things. "Oh my! When did you do all of this Isabel?"

"Oh I started about a week and a half ago. These things were in the basement, I just pulled them up here while you and Charlie were sleeping." Isabel finished giving the tour of the baby's room, and felt Daphne's belly. "Anything for our little grand baby!"

Daphne smiled at Isabel. She was glad that everyone was so willing to accept the newborn, even though it was a surprise.

While Isabel and Daphne were in there, Hayden located his son - the soon to be father. Charlie was in the sitting room when he saw Hayden come in looking for him. Hayden saluted Charlie and congratulated him.

For a minute Charlie was confused, but then realised the only reason he would be congratulated. Isabel came in then yelling "Yay! A new baby". She hugged Charlie and laughed. Right away she whisked Charlie away to show him the nursery as well.




When all the gushing over the pregnancy was over, the family sat down to dinner. Cedric was home from work and pulled out some leftover sushi for everyone.

Cedric was feeling a little odd at dinner. Basically all day he was slightly shaky, and very on edge. He needed to do something and hadn't done it in a while. It was staring to get to him, like an addict going through withdrawal.. After dinner he took a little walk outside. Three houses down, Cedric knocked on the door of a fairly expensive looking house.

He was greeted by the man of the house and said "Sir, I'm very sorry to interrupt you but I have just been walking a very long time. I could really use a restroom break."

The gentleman didn't hesitate to let Cedric in his home. "Sure, anything. The bathroom is just upstairs - first door on the right."

"Thank you." Cedric said and walked up the stairs. Though he didn't take the door on the right. He veered left into a different room.

He glanced around this mostly empty room for something just right. Then he spotted it. Cedric rubbed his hands together just a little bit, as if to warm them up and get them ready to move. He leaned forward just a little bit and paused. Then he snatched the small clock off of a side table beneath the window and tucked it into his pants.



He ran out then, down the stairs and paused long enough to shake the homeowners hand. "Thanks so much man." Then he was out the door.

Cedric was back home quickly enough no one really noticed he was gone.

That night, everyone in the house slept soundly. The next morning came quick though and Daphne was still not ready to get up when Charlie got dressed and left for work. She tended her garden when she did rise and spent most of the day with Hayden cleaning the house. Isabel watched TV upstairs with Cedric.



At some time, Isabel convinced Hayden to learn some piano skills. Everyone went downstairs to watch him learn and play.

Daphne looked up to see Charlie walking through the door. She hadn't realized that it was so late in the afternoon already.

"I took off work early today," said Charlie, "I just told them I had a pregnant wife at home that needed my attention."

Daphne smiled and hugged Charlie. Charlie leaned down to talk to the baby.

Charlie rambled on for a while toward Daphne's belly, and even played peek-a-boo. When he was finished, Daphne laughed at him and gave him a quick kiss.

"Your such a goof," She told him, "and already the perfect father."

Cedric watched the exchange of affection and yearned for the same thing. He had that with his girlfriend, but hadn't seen her in a little while.











Cedric picked up the phone and dialed Starr's number. He had a brilliant idea, one that he was very happy with.

Cedric met her outside, for a little privacy before coming in. He held her hands and stroked her cheek, then he gave her a big hug and felt like he couldn't hold it off anymore.

Cedric got down to one knee and pulled out a ring.

"Starr, I've been holding this for a while, looking for the right time to ask you. Then today I realized that anytime is a good time to propose to you."

Starr was shocked, but only for a minute. She had kind of been expecting it, but was never sure when it would be coming. Cedric wasn't one for doing things like normal people do and he constantly surprised her.

Cedric asked her "Will you wear this and be mine forever?"

"There's nothing I'd rather do Cedric, yes I will!" She held out her hand so he could put the ring on. It was a little big, but she'd fix that later. "Oh, it's beautiful! More than I could ever ask for."

Cedric smiled and hugged his new fiance`. The warmth of her body stirred other emotions in him that had been tucked away for a week. Starr felt the same emotions in herself and kissed Cedric passionately.




The two of them went inside, but couldn't seem to keep their hands off of each other long enough to share the news. Eventually things heated up so much they both marched upstairs to Cedric's room. Downstairs, the rest of the family could hear Starr's giggles and random thumping.

"Maybe you'll have another grandchild before you know it!" Charlie said jokingly to Hayden and Isabel. Everyone laughed.



Cedric lay in the bed to watch Starr get dressed. She was so beautiful to him. They had known each other since they were just little kids, and Cedric just recently discovered that he really loved her. He couldn't imagine a day without her, but keeping his secret was getting tougher. Cedric really didn't want Starr to know that he was a kleptomaniac. He thought that she would change her opinion of him if she ever found out.

"I gotta run for a little while Ced. Got lots of stuff to do at the house." Starr said. She paused for a second then added, "I'll be so happy to marry you." She kissed his cheek and left for her own home.




Isabel, Hayden, Charlie and Daphne sat down to a fresh dinner at 4:30 and by 5 Daphne stood up, yawned and stretched. She was nearly passing out in her food because she was so tired. She told Hayden and Isabel goodnight and kissed Charlie before going up to her bed.

The baby was due anytime now, and the extra weight Daphne was carrying made her tired more quickly than normal. She had a hard time making it through a whole day without a nap, and it was always early bedtime for her. She was getting really nervous about the delivery of the baby, and making plenty of wishes that everything goes smoothly.

Even though she hadn't started out the pregnancy this way - Daphne wanted nothing more to see the little child that she was growing inside. She was very much attached to the unborn child.