Gen 1- Chapter 15: Changes

A few months had passed by and Thistle had held her tongue about the book. In fact she had pretty much held her tongue about everything--at least to Strawkiwi. The couple had not been fighting but then again they had been avoiding each other as well. Time passed by and Strawkiwi's birthday rolled around. Thistle did not throw one of her usual parties due to the lack of money and her silent anger toward her husband. Pepper was the only one old enough in the house to notice the tension. He tried to ease things by throwing his dad a birthday party for his 30th birthday.

All: Happy Birthday dear Strawkiwi....Happy Birthday to you!
Strawkiwi was aging well.

Very well, and Thistle noticed it. In fact, the cold shoulder that she had been giving Strawkiwi was starting to melt because she missed him. It completely evaported when he set in front of her the next morning and asked her what she wanted. He told her he had almost finished the novel but it wasn't his best work. She was a little taken aback at first and chewed her pancakes slowly while thinking it over.

Thistle: What I want is everything to get back to normal, whatever that may mean. I don't want to be angry with you anymore.

Strawkiwi: I've hated the silence and tension between us Thistle. If you want me to get a different job I will. I'll do whatever it takes as long as I'm with you.

Thistle: I'll think it over and get back to you this evening.

Later that night the couple laid in bed. Thistle was silent and pensive. Strawkiwi pulled her over towards him and put his arms around her.

Strawkiwi: What do you want Thistle?

Thistle: I want to go back to work so that you can finish your novel. The bistro in town has offered me my old job back as lead pastry chef and I want to take it. The twins are old enough now I would feel comfortable leaving them with a babysitter a few hours a day. While we are at work. We can see if Pepper would be willing to help you with them when you are home.

Strawkiwi: If that's what you want that's what we will do.

Thistle was a little nervous as she put on her old uniform and headed to the bistro that next morning. She was uncertain about leaving the babies and even more uncertain about going back to a job that she hadn't done for years.

While Thistle was at work, Strawkiwi was playing housedad. The twins still required a lot of attention and needed some help with the basics.


Strawkiwi was teaching the tots to read.

Pepper was helping out with the twins, especially on the weekends. He was teaching Candy to speak like a "big girl".

And he was surprised at how fast she was learning.


Whenever she was home, Thistle was playing with the twins as well. She missed her babies when she was gone and work was keeping her very busy. Bubbles was not learning to talk as fast as Candy and Thistle seemed to have a little better ability with her than Pepper and Strawkiwi.

Honeydew was a little more of a solitary child. She loved to read and play chess.


She also was a little bit of a neat freak but with Thistle working and Strawkiwi working on his book, they had to admit they appreciated her help around the house.


Strawkiwi was finally finished with his book. He had sat at his computer for so many hours finishing his book and as he pulled his chair out from his desk, he looked around the office that had not offered much in way of creative inspiration. The room was a nice size and he suddenly got a great idea. With the royalties coming in from his prior books and the new book as well, the Tea family might have a little extra money. He would talk to Thistle about his idea that night and they would make some calls to see if he could make a certain little girls dreams come true.


Thistle almost cried with happiness when Strawkiwi told her about his book and his idea. They would turn the office into a bedroom for their eldest daughter.

The next day the couple sat Honeydew down at the kitchen table. At first she thought she was in trouble but when Thistle's face broke into a grin she knew it was good news.

Thistle: How would you like to come with Mommy and Daddy to Lowe's today?

Honeydew made a face: Lowe's?

Strawkiwi: Yes, so you can pick out some paint and carpet for your new room.

Honeydew: My very own room!? OMB! *jumps up and down squealing* I'm so excited! Can we make it purple?

***

Good news seemed to be all around. Pepper came dashing into the house the next day after school.

Peppercini: Mom! I've been asked to join the football team!


Thistle had played football with her big brothers when she was young and still had a great arm. She decided to show her son how to throw an awesome shot-gun pass. She knew Pepper had a good arm but didn't know how great a catch he was. As she threw her ace grade pass to him she was a little worried.

Pepper got smacked in the face with the ball. After a few hours of practice though, he had it down.

But Thistle couldn't help but be a little curious as to her son's sudden interest in sports and athleticism. Pepper had always been the artistic, guitar-playing type.

The answer was revealed to her when the phone rang and the voice of a familiar young girl asked for Peppercini. Thistle handed the phone over to Pepper who grinned when he heard the voice answer his "hello" over the line. Thistle furrowed her brow and started to turn away when she realized her the girl was.

It was Bridget...the babysitter!