Generation 1 Chapter 12: Amani Vista

 

During my third pregnancy, I had the most abnormal cravings. Yet again, what pregnant woman doesn’t? When I was carrying both Bee and Amanda, I had intense cravings for grape flavored popsicles, but besides that, I simply ate like a mad woman.  This time around, Red Delicious apples were my new best friend, well, that and chocolate chip pancakes with loads of whipped cream.

 

Teaching Amanda all of her life skills has been surprisingly easy, not that we’re complaining. I suppose Concord and I had just expected it to require more effort and perseverance after raising Bee with her learning disability. But nope, Amanda had grasped the concept of walking within a matter of days, was consistent with letting us know when she needed to use the bathroom and was picking up new words at lightning speed.   

 

With our new baby almost here, Concord and I have finally agreed to adding an intricate extension onto the house. What do I mean by intricate? Well, we’ve decided to invest in a second floor.

Builders added a few square feet onto what used to be the girls’ room, and we soon had ourselves a luxurious new eating area. 

 

Upstairs, the girls received a much more spacious room for the two of them to share.

 

We also made sure to incorporate a few more bedrooms, knowing we were going to need the extra space in the future. Of course, we decorated one of them for the little one that was inside of me. Who I was desperately hoping was a boy…

 

The other bedroom we had built Concord refused to convert into a nursery before I had at least delivered our third child. For now, he was using the room as a place to practice his new hobby of inventing.  

 

On top of all that, we managed to squeeze in two full bathrooms on the second floor as well as a functional hallway. We made a few other changes downstairs, too, like expanding the kitchen and moving the living room to where we used to have our kitchen table.

My once three room house wasn’t looking so small now.  

 

Adjusting to school ended up being quite difficult for Bee, something she had initially hidden from us. But when her first midterm report was sent home in the mail, we knew she had been lying about the extra help she was receiving at school. She explained to Concord and I that she was embarrassed of being treated differently, and how she hated that she couldn’t understand things as quickly as some of the other kids in her class. From there on out, the two of us made sure to set aside some time every night to work on her homework together or review for a test, even if it did end up taking a matter of hours.

 

Realizing how much time and dedication it would actually take Bee to answer a mediocre math problem really struck me hard. There were other kids out there who were skipping grades when my little Bee was barely passing the first grade. Not that I would change Bee for the world, she’s perfect just the way she is, I just longed for my children to have an easier time than her, watching one child struggle was difficult enough. So I decided I needed to buckle down and make sure I was taking every possible precaution regarding my current pregnancy.

One day, when I was headed to wash my hands, I noticed I had forgotten to put the laundry detergent away from earlier that morning. But then a thought struck me: Is it because you’re not clean enough on the inside? Is that why Bee ended up being born the way she is? I was internally agreeing with my subconscious, knowing that it was all my fault. That Bee’s disability could’ve been prevented. Hastily, I unscrewed the cap to the laundry detergent, poured the liquid so it coated the bottom of the cap, and drank the chemicals.
This child was not going to end up with a learning disability because of a mistake I made. Not this time.  

 

With only a few days left in my third trimester, I wasn’t surprised when I went into labor before my predicted due date. I was outside painting when my water broke, and I immediately screamed for Concord. He called a babysitter in record time and then ushered me to the hospital to deliver our third child.  

 

Much to my delight, I gave birth to a precious, baby boy, Aiden.  

 

But to me dismay, he was also born with a learning disability much worse than Bee’s. Doctors were baffled by this occurrence, as my pregnancy had gone so smoothly and had shown no signs of any complications. They said they think it may have been due to some heavy chemicals I may have accidentally inhaled while out and about town… But I knew the real reason.

Maybe I just hadn’t downed enough of that stuff for it to actually work…

 

Did I mention Concord and I got a new bedroom set when we renovated the house? Well we did, and we’ve been looking forward to… uh, testing it out for quite some time now.

Sheesh, what a difference a new mattress can make!

 

Bee never ceases to amaze me, picking up new hobbies left and right no matter the difficulty. Lately, she’s been focusing on chess, quite the convoluted game for a girl with a learning disability. She never gives up though, continuing to try her best even if she doesn’t understand the rules one hundred percent.

I’m so proud to be able to call myself her mother.  

 

Aiden soon became a little tyke, too, almost becoming an exact carbon copy of his father but with my green eyes.  

Of course, it wouldn’t be a new addition to the Vista family without Albany’s sacred gift giving of those stuffed animals… Aiden decided to name his Riddle.
God help us all…

Generation 1 Chapter 11: Amani Vista

 

Walking up the front porch steps, I couldn’t help but smile. My life was amazing, it nearly resembled perfection. I have a loving husband and two adorable children, what more could I ask for? Not to mention the ultrasound had gone flawlessly, the baby was growing right on track and appeared to be perfectly healthy. I had my dream job, and a flourishing home. In fact, Concord had dropped me off at home so he could head out and order some lumber for additional extensions. 

 

“Amani, you’re home so soon!” Brock greeted as I stepped through the doorway. “How’d the appointment go?”

“Great, no problems as of now,” I remarked, patting my stomach. 
“That’s phenomenal news!” he agreed, a bit too enthusiastically.
“So how were the kids?”
“What kids?” he asked, staring intently at something on my face.
I whipped out a tissue and wiped my noise before laughing, “You know… Bee. Amanda.” 
“Only joking!” he smiled. “They were… very understanding and cooperative.”

 

“That’s great! Well, I’m just going to go pop in and say hi, then,” I announced, heading in the direction of their room.

Abruptly, Brock grabbed my shoulders and spun me around, “What do you say we, uh, just sit out hear? And talk?”
Frightened by his firm grasp, I obliged, “S-sure.”

 

He hastily led me to the couch where he propped me down next to him. Unsure of how to react, I sat there in the awkward silence, contemplating what to do.

“This is…” Brock started, trailing off with a smile.
“Excessively weird?” I finished bluntly.
“I was going to say romantic,” he corrected.  

 

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head, and I blinked repeatedly to make sure the scene in front of me was actually realistic rather than a figment of my imagination. “Excuse me?”

“What? Come on, you can’t tell me you don’t think this is romantic! Just you… Me… And this couch…”
“Brock, I’m married,” I declared, stressing the last word heavily.  

 

“No one says you can’t still have a little fun,” he flirted, inching closer.

I immediately bolted out of my seat, “Actually, you know what, I did. In my vows, on my wedding day, which you attended!”
“Please, no one actually follows through with that crap. Do you need me to remind you about the current divorce rate in our country?”
A sudden cry sounded from the girls’ room in response to the insult, “Mommy! Mom, help us! Please, Mom! Please!”

 

“What did you do to them?” I gasped, sprinting to their bedroom. 

“Amani, wait, I can explain!” Brock begged, standing up and racing after me. Before I had the chance to reach their room, Brock restrained me from behind. “It doesn’t have to be this way, Amani.” He spun me around, dipping me as if we were in the middle of a dance routine. Hungrily, he began to lean it to kiss me, his hands slowly slipping lower and lower down my back. Reacting on pure instinct, I took a supporting hand away from his back and punched him where the sun don’t shine. 
That sure got an immediate reaction. Instantly, he dropped me, and proceeded to fall backwards into the wall. As if the pain I had just inflicted wasn’t enough, he banged his head against the wall, knocking him unconscious instantaneously. Thankfully, I was prepared for my landing, and caught myself on my elbows and forearms.  

Three hours and a lengthy interrogation with Bee and the police later, Brock left our house with multiple child and sexual abuse charges. I can’t believe I had actually once been friends with such a deranged, conceited man…

All that matters now, though, is that my family and I are together and safe from once less creep in the world.

Generation 1 Chapter 10: Amani Vista

 

“Honey,” I called, absent-mindedly caressing my stomach, “We’re going to need to find someone to watch the kids while we go to the ultrasound this afternoon.”

“Why not call Albany? We always do,” Concord answered.
“She’s out of town at a business convention.”
“How about your parents, then?”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Well who do you suggest?”
I sighed, “Brock?”

 

“I want Auntie Albany!” Bee squealed. Her small frame emerged from her bedroom, and she promptly stood in front of us. My, she’d gotten so big over the years… My first born was already in kindergarten! Where has the time gone?

Be thankful, my subconscious reminded myself. If she hadn’t gotten older, Concord would’ve never agreed to another little one.  

 

“I know, Sweetie, but Auntie Albany’s away for work. So she can’t come,” I explained as she pouted.

“Amani, you know I don’t like that guy,” Concord stated, returning to our previous conversation.
“I know, Concord. But who else do we have? It’s not like we have an endless supply of friends to pick from.”
“Fine,” he mumbled.  

 

As the day progressed and our appointment neared, Concord was growing increasingly antsy about meeting up with Brock again. We both were, to be honest, after that whole engagement incident…

“You can go wait in the car, if you want to,” I suggested with a smile.
“Are you sure?” he questioned, evidently excited by the mere thought of it.
“Yeah, I’ll be quick with Brock. Promise.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in a few, then.”

 

Minutes later, the doorbell chimed, and Bee accompanied me in welcoming her babysitter.

“Amani,” Brock grinned, “It’s been so long.”
“Too long,” I agreed. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”
“No problem,” he declared, stepping into our humble abode.

 

Once I finished introducing the girls and explaining the necessities, Bee enveloped me in a bear hug on my way out the door.

“Don’t go, Mommy,” she whispered in my ear. “I don’t like him.”
I stroked her hair and pleaded, “Just give him a chance, Sweetie.”

 

*   *   *   *   *

As her mother retreated into the car, Bee quickly huddled into her bedroom where her sister, Amanda, sat playing with her doll.

“I hope Mom comes back soon,” Bee confessed, picking Tubby up from where she’d last played with him on the floor.  
Time dragged by as the girls sat playing with their toys, making up imaginary scenarios to act out with their dolls. They two youngsters were completely oblivious to the man standing by the door, watching every move they made.

 

“You certainly know how to keep yourself busy,” Brock remarked, slowly walking closer to where they girls were playing.

Bee jumped, startled by the sitter’s sudden presence. “Um, yeah,” she answered. “We like to play with our friends a lot.” Maybe it was the way he was approaching them, but Bee didn’t feel as if the man was one to be trusted. She grabbed her younger sister and brought her close, not wanting to see the man hurt either of them.  

 

“Friends?” Brock scoffed. “Those rag dolls aren’t real, they can’t be your friends!”
“Take that back!” Bee demanded. “Tubby is too real!”

“Pwuzzle, twoo,” Amanda defended. 
“Such idiotic little brats!” Brock exclaimed. “But that’s to be expected from a girl as stupid as you, Bee. With your learning disability and all…” A tormenting smile spread across his face.

 

“All that means is I think things differently than everyone else!” Bee insisted, blinking back tears.

“Aw, is that what your Mommy told you?” Brock inquired, fake compassion ringing in his voice.
“Daddy too…”
“Well your wicked mother’s a liar! And your dad-!” Brock paused, an evil sparkle twinkling in his eye. “Your dad has been lying to you since the day you were born.”

 

“…What are you talking about…?” Bee whispered.

“I suppose Amani- your mother- has been hiding that from you, too.  Concord isn’t even your real father, that’s just what your parents want you to think. Morals, or come crap like that. I… Now, I’m your real father. The father of both you twerps, unfortunately,” Brock lied effortlessly.

 

“No! You’re the liar! There is no way you could ever be my father!” Bee spat.

Brock swung his hand across the child’s face, “Don’t ever use that tone with your father again! You understand?” The girl simply nodded. 

Generation 1 Chapter 9: Amani Vista

 

“Come on Bee, walk to Mommy,” I cooed, outstretching my arms.

 

I let out a good natured laugh as she plopped herself back down, demanding Tubby. “That’s okay,” I remarked with a smile, “We’ll give it another try tomorrow.” Patience is key regarding a child with a learning disability; something I picked up excessively quickly the moment Bee hit the toddler stage. I understood learning the basic building blocks of life were going to be difficult for her, but I had no idea they would be to this magnitude. Hopefully Concord and I will adjust seamlessly with time. 

 

Bee’s still insanely obsessed with the makeshift toy Albany bought for her when she was first born. Tubby, as Bee calls her. Thankfully, the doll keeps her preoccupied a hefty portion of the day, allowing Concord and I to occasionally catch up on our hobbies, sleep, or you know… with each other.

Ahem.  

 

Recently, Concord and I have discovered we’ll be welcoming another bundle of joy into the Vista family. I’ve been attempting to be more nurturing and cautious this pregnancy, eating prenatal vitamins as instructed and reading up on tips that promote a healthy delivery. When I’m not giving into my savory sweet cravings, I’m eating tons of veggies and keeping a balanced diet. In other words, salad has managed to become my new best friend. Concord is such a sweetheart, too, voluntarily making my meals and even accompanying me in my health kick.  

 

Concord’s been improving miraculously with his sculpting skills. He’s been exploring different materials, like ice and wood, rather than sticking to solely clay. Now he’s capable of making a wide variety of items, he even constructed an adorable little toy box for Bee! She loves passing the time playing inside the bin with Tubby and all of her other toys.  

 

As my stomach grew in size, Concord stepped it up a notch and began to tackle most of the chores that needed to be taken care of around the house. I felt awful that I was leaving all of the dirty work to him, but it’s not as if I had all that much of a choice. My ankles were double their natural size and my baby bump restricted me to minimal movement.  

 

Practically every aspect of my pregnancy was similar to when I was carrying Bee, besides the fact that I was much more health conscious. Concord was constantly placing his hands on my stomach, making promises to the little one inside of me. Whenever Concord would begin to talk, the baby would begin to kick, leading me to believe somebody was going to be very attached to their daddy…

 

Once Bee had grasped the concept of putting one foot in front of the other, Concord readily began to try teaching her some basic words. Unfortunately, she wasn’t having any of it, insisting Tubby meant every single word in the English dictionary. Oh well, hopefully she’ll learn with time.  

 

This time around, my contractions weren’t quite as painful, which was a good sign, I hoped. Concord yet again failed to be helpful, leaving me to steer myself in the direction of the hospital. I’m just thankful he remembered to call a baby sitter. Thinking of the alternative most definitely wasn’t heartwarming…  

 

Much to my delight, I delivered a perfectly healthy baby girl, Amanda.  

 

Deciding to brainwash yet another one of my children, Albany bought Amanda a doll very similar to Bee’s, whom she’d already named Puzzle.  

Perfect, just perfect…

 

With two toddlers on our hands, time was the last thing on our mind. But sure enough, Amanda’s first birthday had managed to creep up on us. The only thing she had inherited of mine was her hair color, everything else was Concord’s. She had his pure blue eyes and gorgeous tan skin tone. Not to mention that she already appeared to be taking after his devilish good looks…  

“Please, Concord? I really want to have two little boys! It would be just adorable to have two little clones of you running around the house!” I confessed. 

“I know, Amani. I get it. But we have two rambunctious toddlers running around, one with a learning disability. I think we need just focus on them for now. Maybe when Bee’s a little older, then we can try.”
“But when I’m pregnant, that’s almost an entire year. They’ll still be growing-!” Concord let out a sigh as I protested. My OCD was beginning to get the better of me… You need to think of everyone else, I reminded myself.