GEN IV: Chapter 21

A few weeks passed and with Jennifer's new acceptance of Adelaide, she and Brian saw each other more frequently and more openly. The two of them were going steady, and hadn't even shared a first kiss. Certain tensions were running high between the two of them but there relationship was going well. Jennifer was happy to watch Logan while her the two of them went to movies, or dinner.

Jennifer and Logan's birthdays were fast approaching. Since they fall so close together they were going to celebrate with one big birthday party. Also, to make for a great get together, since Carla's birthday was so near Logan's, they were going to have a cake for her as well. All three were to celebrate on the same day, just one week away.

Logan spent most of this morning playing. Sitting in a chair pretending he was the best racer in the world was one of his favorite things to do, he would sit there for hours. In addition to that, the sandbox was second on his list of best toys. He would frequently go out and sit to throw sand around, or build some kind of sculpture.

Jennifer came to hang out with her brother one day, she had been sitting there only ten minutes when Adelaide came from across the street to say hello.

"I saw you guys out here and figured I'd come by and say 'Hi'. How are you?"

"Great. We're just waiting for dad to come home, he's out working."

Adelaide stayed with Jennifer and Logan for an hour or so before she went back to her house. She came back over the next day after the kids went to school to hang out with Brian. The two of them played a game of chess before coming out to soak in the jacuzzi.

Brian and Adelaide sat in the swirling water for about an hour before Brian finally made a move. All he did was kiss her.

The relationship between the two of them had been going on for so long without so much as a kiss. Now, amongst the swirling hot water, with that one kiss - that one touch of their lips - the floodgates opened wide. A small kiss turned into a small makeout session, which continued on to slipping off the bathing suits.

Right there in the middle of the neighborhood, in broad daylight, Adelaide and Brian dove beneath the water and made very passionate love to each other. The tension that had built up between the two of them during there relationship was all released in that 2 hours. After such unbridled passion both of them felt much better and more relaxed. In addition to this, Brian's emotions and feelings were finally sorted out. He knew exactly what he wanted.

Adelaide and Brian stepped out of the hot tub, dressed and embraced. While Brian had her close he whispered in her ear.

"Adelaide, I don't want to let you go. Move in with me. Stay here, don't go home."

Adelaide was surprised. "Are you sure? What about Jennifer and Logan, will they object?" She asked.

"Logan adores you, and Jennifer has come to love you as well. They might be shocked, but they'll come to terms, no worries."

It was a good thing Jennifer had decided to stay and do her homework at school, if she had caught the bus home when school let out, she would have walked right into Brian and Adelaide heating things up in the jacuzzi.

Later that afternoon Brian and Adelaide discussed her moving in with the children. Jennifer accepted it with as smile and a hug, and Logan cheered. He said he would be happy to have Adelaide there all the time. She had become pretty important to Logan.

Another week passed quickly, filled with school and work. Adelaide made herself at home nicely and settled into a routine with no problems. She even took over the garden since Jennifer really did not seem to enthused about it. She could not wait to get digging every morning.

The morning of the party arrived and Brian interrupted a game of chess that Adelaide and he were playing to make a phone call to Dylan. Just a few days prior to this one, Brian had called many friends to set up for the birthday celebration this evening. Dylan had been the only person he was unable to reach. Though he only lived next door, Brian used the phone to call again - successful this time. Dylan said he would come right over and the festivities could begin. It was perfect timing actually because the guests started arriving as soon as Brian hung up.

Jennifer was the first to blow out her candles, though she did not make a wish. She knew what she really wanted could never come true, so she didn't bother. She was still sure that her mother was watching her, whether visible or not. She glanced at Adelaide and felt happy to at least have her there. A woman that she knew cared about her.

Jennifer grew to a lovely young lady. She posed and strutted, showing off her new form.

*** Writers note: Just wanted to say that the remaining pics were edited in Picasa, I needed them lightened so we could see them. The party was at sunset and night, so they were to dark to see. I hope they came out okay :-) Sorry back to the story ***

Carla came next, and did not hold back on the wishing. She wished to be normal again, for her bones to catch up with her so she could fit in again. Her wish was granted, as the doctors had predicted, her body entering the teen years was perfect. She smiled and cheered with such happiness that everyone around couldn't help but sigh and smile with relief along side her. Carla was beautiful once again.

Logan's celebration was last in line and he was so thrilled to blow out his candles that he nearly forgot to wish for something. He thought of his wish as his own breath snuffed out the flame, a very simple and thoughtful one. A happy family. He was pretty sure he already had that, and he wanted it to stay that way.

Pretty soon a crowd of guests pushed in to get some cake.

After the party had ended, everyone said their goodbyes and went home.

Later that night, as each family member was headed to their room for the night, Logan saw Adelaide blow past him to get to his bathroom. He wondered briefly what that was about before picking up his room and getting ready for bed. A minute later when Adelaide left the bathroom, she looked slightly pale.

"Sorry about that, your bathroom was closest. I think I had too much cake." She said to Logan. "Well, goodnight darling, sleep well. Happy Birthday." Adelaide hugged Logan and left for her own room.

Brian felt her snuggle up next to him and felt complete bliss wash over him before he fell asleep.

To be continued...

GEN IV: Chapter 20

Brian woke the next day to find his bed empty. He got up, made it quickly and went to shower. He found himself really anxious to know if Adelaide was still there or if she left already. During his very quick shower that was all he could think about, and he hoped she was still there.

Adelaide had gotten up about an hour before Brian and went downstairs for a drink. She heard Jennifer in the living room and decided to take the first step in establishing a relationship with her. Adelaide didn't like the fact that Jennifer wouldn't talk to her. Especially since she liked Brian so much, and she was sure that his daughter had a big influence on him.

"Jennifer, hey. Can we talk?"

Jennifer cleared the chess table and looked up. Her eyes were very swollen and red. When she looked at Adelaide, she actually smiled. It was a very small smile, but it was one none the less.

"Hi, Adelaide." She said. Jennifer hesitated and said, "I'm glad you're here. Yeah, we can talk."

'She's glad I'm here?' thought Adelaide 'okay, weird.' She was a little thrown by that statement and nearly forgot what she was going to say.

"Well, I.." Adelaide began.

Jennifer interrupted, "Can I talk first? I, um, I feel I owe you an apology. I never gave you a chance. The moment my dad started showing signs of coming out of his depression because of you, I began to hate you. You," She took a breath. "You came into our lives and started healing him before I was ready for him to heal. Before I was ready to heal. I've always been a girl quick to judge - and normally judged wrongly. I hated Logan when he was born, I was wrong to do that. I did the same to you, so I'm sorry. I'm sorry for disliking you before I get know you." Jennifer paused for a second.

Adelaide stared at her. Where was this coming from? She studied Jennifer's face, her puffy and red eyes held shadows beneath them as well. Adelaide realised that Jennifer had probably stayed up all night thinking about this. Beating herself up over it even.

"So, I want to start over. You do seem like a great lady, I've seen you with Logan and he just adores you. It's time for me to give the chance I should have given you when we met."

Adelaide smiled. What she really wanted to do was hug Jennifer, but she knew that would be way too forward. "Wow, Jennifer. You are so awesome. Very mature, I know you're going through a lot. I didn't and don't want to impose in any way, but I'm sure we'll be good friends." Adelaide tried to keep her composure, her insides were jumping for joy. For more than one reason. She wanted so much to be able to talk to Jennifer without getting distasteful looks from her. Also she knew that Jennifer would be more willing to accept her seeing Brian, and that thrilled her.

Brian came downstairs and found the girls talking in the living room. He was surprised, shocked even, to see Jennifer smiling at Adelaide.

"Is everything okay in here?" He asked hesitantly.

Adelaide looked at Brian and smiled, "Every thing's perfect. Just perfect." She looked at Jennifer, then she left the room figuring she wanted to talk to her father.

"Daddy. Hey. I probably should apologise to you too. I've been a... well a brat to you. Of course you know I had my reasons, but I think I was a little out of hand. I just really miss mom."

"Honey. I completely understand. You don't have to apologise at all. I get it, I do." Brian hugged Jennifer.

"Thanks dad. I also want you to know," Jennifer took a breath. "that Addy's cool. Not that I want you to marry her or anything, but I don't hate her. If you are interested in her, if you like her. If you really like her then don't let me stand between you and your happiness."

"Thanks sweetie." Brian wasn't sure what else to say. "You know, you act so grown up some times I forget your still a teen."

"Actually dad, my birthday is only a few weeks away. I'm not so young any more."

Adelaide poked her head in. "Hey Brian I have to get going. I just wanted to say goodbye."

Brian looked at Jennifer, then turned and hugged Adelaide. "I'll see you at Johanna's party later okay, she invited you too. Formal dress."

"Great, okay. I'll be there." Adelaide smiled at Jennifer, "Bye Jenn. C-ya Logan." Then she was out the door.

Brian sat down with his kids to enjoy a snack made by Logan himself. Logan had become pretty good at making muffins. He thought about selling them at the local park, but they never lasted it long enough to do that.

"So I won't be too late tonight, but Jennifer if you could make sure Logan is in bed by 9. It is a school night you know."

"Sure dad. No problem, have fun tonight and tell Aunt Jo that we say hello." Jennifer said, then she looked as though she remembered something important. "Right, you have not seen Carla since she was a toddler have you?"

Brian looked slightly confused, "No I guess I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Well because, well, she has a growth defect. Kids really give her hell about it at school. She is supposed to grow out of it by her teens. I'm hoping she does, but the scars of being tortured by these kids will last forever."

Brian was even more confused. "A birth defect? What?"

"No no, a growth defect. When she grew to a child, she never grew taller - stayed the same height of a toddler. The doctors say she's getting bigger now though and when she gets to her teen years, she'll be perfect."

"Oh. Okay, well thanks for uh... thanks for letting me know." Brian said. "I gotta get going, so I'll see you later."

On the drive over to Johanna's house, he was still proccessing the information given to him, at least he was aware.

Brian walked into Johanna's house and was instantly greeted by Dylan.

"Hey bro! How's it going? I'm glad you came!" The two shook hands, started chatting and enjoying the party.

At one point, Brian suggested that Dylan go and mingle with some girls. He needed a girlfriend. Dylan was surprised to hear that coming from Brian.

Adelaide showed up at the party a little later than everyone, she said she couldn't pick a dress.

Brian talked to almost everyone at the party, some women even tried to flirt with him. When he cut their advances short they got the idea that he wasn't interested. Someone started a movie, and eventually it captured the attention of every one at the party. They all sat, or stood and watched the entire film. When it was over, so was the party.

Everyone left pretty quickly except for Brian, he stayed behind to help with some of the cleanup.

When there was no more noise coming from the living room, Carla came out from her room in the back.

"Hey girly, it's good to see ya!" Brian said, hiding his shock. He was expecting something, but wasn't really sure what. He did very well at hiding the surprise in his face.

"Hey Uncle Brian, you too. How are you?"

"Good good, how come you didn't come to the party?" He asked.

"Oh well," Carla looked at her feet then back up, "I really don't like crowds. Mommy was supposed to tell you hey from me. I didn't think you'd stay after the party."

"She did, she passed the message. Though I'm glad I stayed late and got to see you. Do you need anything from the kitchen?"

"No, but I wouldn't pass up a bedtime story." She smiled so nicely at Brian that he couldn't refuse.

He followed her to her room and tucked her in. He sat on the edge of the bed and read to her until she fell asleep. Then he went home to his kids, who were already in bed themselves.

To be continued...

GEN IV: Chapter 19 - Part 2

Part 2 -

Brian went to her house and knocked. After just a moment Adelaide and a guy answered the door. Brian looked at the man. His eyes were very strange looking and his skin truly pale. Brian shrugged slightly and looked at Adelaide.

"You ready to get going?"

"Yes, well I just need two minutes. Come on in." Adelaide said.

Exactly two minutes later she came back to him, "Okay let's go, I'm ready now."

Rachel hit the swings almost as soon as they got there. Brian was swinging along side her, smiling and laughing about who was going higher.

At one point Brian stopped swinging and just watched Adelaide. At first she was unaware of his eyes on her, when she did notice his gaze she slowed her own swing and looked back at him. He had gotten to his feet.

"You know Addy,"  Brian began. "Do you.."

Brian was interrupted by Johanna.

Johanna happened to be at the park as well, by the fountain, and she noticed Brian here with a woman. She was just too curious to pass up the opportunity to ask him who she was.

"Brian, hey." She glanced at Adelaide then back at her brother. "How are you?"

Brian shifted his weight, he knew why she really came over. She didn't actually have anything to say, but he enjoyed seeing her anyway. "I'm good, um Jo-Jo this is Adelaide. Addy this is my sister Johanna."

"Adelaide, nice to meet you. Brian, how long have you been dating?"

Adelaide spoke up, "You to Johanna. Your brother and I aren't dating."

Johanna nodded, but didn't really look like she believed Adelaide completely. "Oh, well that's nice. When did you meet?"

It was Brian who answered, "Not too long after Rachel passed. She happened to be at the park for Jenn's birthday."

"Ahh. Well it's great to see you enjoying yourself. Really, I'm glad." Johanna smiled warmly she held her smile when she looked at Adelaide. "You too Adelaide. Again, it was so nice to meet you."

"Call me Addy please. Brian's told me a lot about you. I hope to see you again."

Johanna said goodbye, but glanced over her shoulders a few times as she walked away. She overheard Brian invite Adelaide back to the house for dinner and the offer was accepted.

They got home just as the school bus pulled away, dropping the kids off from school. Jennifer turned around when the door opened behind her.

"Dad, your home..." she paused when she saw Adelaide and gave Brian a very ugly look. He stepped back as if he had been slapped. "You brought her home again?" She whispered.

Adelaide didn't hear the words, but detected the tone in Jennifer's voice and politely walked into the living room so they could talk.

Jennifer put her hands out, "Please, dad. Tell me you are not involved with her. I don't think you're ready for that. I'm not ready for that. I love you daddy, I do, but please. Don't..." she stopped there. She really wasn't sure where to go from here, what she wanted to say exactly. It wasn't that she didn't want him to be happy - she did. She realised then that she had really been thinking of herself when it came to Adelaide. She didn't want some other woman put into her life to take over the mother model. Was that wrong?

Brian took advantage of Jennifer's pause. "I know. I know you aren't ready. I'm not asking you to be. I am not 'involved' with Addy." He hesitated, he wasn't being completely honest with his daughter. Should he be?

Jennifer snorted, a very disdainful chuckle escaped her lips. She could read her fathers face like a book, and she hated Adelaide for putting that look on his face. "You are falling for her. You are." Tears started for pool in her eyes.

"Jennifer, you need to watch your tone. Addy is my best friend but I won't lie to you..."

Jennifer turned away from Brian and started to walk off, forcing the tears from her eyes. "I don't want to hear it."

Logan had seen Adelaide come in and went in to her. While Brian and Jennifer were talking in the entryway, Logan was talking to Adelaide.

"Hey Addy, What do you get if you cross a snake and a lego set?" he asked her.

Adelaide smiled, "I don't know, what?"

"A boa constructor!"

Adelaide and Logan both laughed at his joke.

As Jennifer walked away from her father she spotted Logan laughing with Adelaide and it irritated her. She went up to Logan.

"It almost time for dinner, let's go wash up." Her words were short.

The two of them disappeared up the stairs. Adelaide went to look for Brian, she found him outside cooking hot dogs.

She was just about to say something when he looked at her and smiled, "There is a salad in the fridge for you. I know you're a vegetarian."

Adelaide smiled back. "Thanks Brian."

It did not take long for the hot dogs to finish cooking. Brian pulled them off the grill, placed them in buns and called his family down to eat.

No noise came from Jennifer's seat, but she kept an eye on Adelaide. She studied her as a psychologist would study someones body language. Logan tried to crack more jokes to make Adelaide laugh, he was good at that.

As soon as dinner was over Logan asked Adelaide to play a video game with him and they left to do so. Jennifer went upstairs and Brian cleared the dishes. Right when he closed the dishwasher his cell phone rang. It was a client.

Brian went to the bathroom and came out to the living room to ask Adelaide something. He paused though at the scene in front of him. Logan and Adelaide looked so at home with each other that he hated to break up the fun, even if it was only temporary.

"Hey Addy I've got a question for you." He waited for her to come up to him. Brian sighed and rubbed his neck. "Okay, a client of mine just called, some new evidence has turned up on a case I'm working." When he brought his hand down from his neck he unconsciously placed it on Adelaide's waist just above her hip. "Would you watch the kids for me for an hour, possibly two? They won't be any trouble, Logan will play games and Jennifer is probably in her room. Most likely you won't see her."

Adelaide smiled. "Of course I will, I'm happy to." She didn't miss the placement of his hand, her skin tingled under his touch. She wasn't going to say anything or react in anyway though. Since she found out about Rachel, Adelaide has not advanced on Brian in any way. She did not want to entice him, but did she want to ignore him either.

Brian thanked her and put on his work clothes, then left the house.

When he came back an hour later, Adelaide was waiting outside for him.

"You know I've been looking at the stars, there are a lot of shooting stars tonight. Do you want to watch them with me?"

Brian smiled, "I'd love to. Sounds fun."

The two of them sat in the grass and pointed out flaming meteoroids to each other. Brian couldn't help but feel their closeness. When he did, his feelings were always torn. He liked it, it felt good - but on the other hand, still being in mourning, he often wasn't even positive of his own feelings. It also felt horrible because he knew how uncomfortable Jennifer was about it.

His train of thought was interrupted by Adelaide getting to her feet. He followed suit. Adelaide stretched and yawned beside him.

"You know, it's really dark and nearly midnight.You shouldn't walk home, why don't you stay here tonight?" Brian offered.

Adelaide was shocked by the offer, but did not refuse it. She was too tired to walk home anyway. She wondered though where he wanted her to sleep, her unspoken question was answered quickly.

"You can sleep in my bed." Then he chuckled. "I promise I won't try anything!"

The two of them changed into their pajamas and went to bed. Adelaide fell asleep first. Brian watched her and had to smile just a little when she started to snore quietly. He watched her until she turned over and he couldn't see her face anymore. Just for a moment he refused the urge to snuggle closer before dozing off himself.

To be continued...