Sunday, September 21, 2014

Chapter 18, Man, I Feel Like a Woman

Chapter 18
Man, I Feel Like a Woman
~~


~Logan's POV~



So much had happened over the last few months...


Baby #13 Blake became an adult, a fine young man, the spitting image of me.
June had gone off to boarding school, it was a rough decision to make, but she was getting the help she needed.
We talked frequently on the phone and I received progress reports often.



Baby #15 Mia became a stunning teenager, the spitting image of her mother.
She was still obsessed with cats, and kept Willard at her side.



Mia's twin brother Chance, baby #16 became a handsome teen, the spitting image of myself, as most of my sons are.




Baby #17 Iris Fey was a spunky active child now. She also looked just like me, aside from her sunshine yellow skin. She entered gymnastics and was practicing to become "the best acrobat ever"

My six babies with Chloe were toddlers, and although some were struggling, they were all still with us.



#18 Steven Fey looked just like me, including my bald little toddler head.
He was developing fine, and quite clever for his age.



Baby #19 Samantha was also a carbon copy of me, with my mother's curls.
She was also doing fine physically, although she had a stubborn streak and could often be found bossing around her siblings.



Baby #20 Meredith was the first werewolf baby of the bunch. She was a good mix of Chloe and I, with my hair and Chloe's blue eyes. She was a sweetheart, always full of smiles even through her many lung treatments. She'd already been through five surgeries, but she was a strong one.



Baby #21 Ky


*Picture coming soon*
Baby #22 Charlotte

Charlotte was our only little girl with Chloe's blue hair, something I loved about her.
Charlotte was diagnosed very early on with Failure to Thrive, a condition where she wouldn't eat. She went to therapy to work on this, and delays she had in speech and physical development. She worked hard each day and was improving in leaps and bounds. Chloe and I were ecstatic about her progress.


*Picture coming soon*
Baby #23 Kay

Kay was me through and through in looks and personality. Pureed steak was her favorite food to sink her little fangs into!

Kay was the smallest and most fragile of the babies. She was a tiny little thing, but she had a bright soul and a brave spirit. She was born with a hole in her heart and although she was having corrective surgeries, it was something that she struggled with daily. She seemed to know she wasn't a "normal" child and snuggled with all of us extra. The doctors were all expressing concern that her time was limited. She was just starting to stand and talk.







We'd also made a move, I thought it was in the best interest of the family.
You see one day I'd been flipping through the paper when an ad jumped out at me.

Hello there friend,

Are you feeling sick and out of place?
Sick of feeling bad that there's no one around like you?
Sick of those smiling neighbors telling you to enjoy the "sunset" in the "valley?"

Then come to Midnight Hallow where it's GOOD to be one of a kind! 



So I found us the perfect house online:



Only when we showed up, it looked more like this:



But it was fine...after all it had it's own special...charm.


Becks had also moved to Midnight Hallow, right across the street from yours truly.
Paige and Iris played daily, and Becks was a frequent visitor to our household. 
Sometimes I even allowed her to bring Neil over with her.
Sometimes.

Chloe had moved to Starlight Shores, but visited frequently to check in on our babies.
She attended all their treatments and harassed all their doctors, making sure they received only the best medical care.

Claire, the nurse who'd helped Chloe through her pregnancy, stayed on living with us. She worked the medical equipment both Charlotte and Kay needed, and helped drive to therapy. 
She was a true blessing, and there was no way I could do it without her.

~~~~~~~

"Happy birthday dear daddy, happy birthday to you!" my kids finished singing, all clapping their hands and cheering.
"Make a wish dada!" Steven cheered, clapping his chubby little hands together.
"I can't think of anything else I'd want right now, just having my family is enough," I said.
Mia rolled her eyes, "In that case let's wish for some bacon ice cream."
"To bacon ice cream!" we all cheered.

I sat rocking Kay on my lap while my kids approached me with presents.
June had sent a gift from boarding school, and when I tore off the paper I was delighted to see a new tackle box. When she came home we could fish together like old times.

"Don't freak out," Mia told me as she approached me with an awkward smile.
"Mia..."
"Ta da!" she said, bringing a dog into the sitting area.
"Mia," I groaned.
"Oh come on dad, it's a Yoshi dog, how can you not want that?" Iris said, petting the dog excitedly.
"It's great," I grumbled.
"Just think, you'll finally have someone who understands your shedding problems," Mia said cheerfully.
I just glared at her.

"I did not get you a dog," Chance said, and I gave him a thumbs up.
"Suck up," Mia muttered.
He handed me what looked like a magazine.
"It's a comic book, starring you. I wrote and illustrated it myself," he said proudly.
"Wow Chance, this is amazing!" I said proudly, choosing to ignore the title "Wolf Man"

Iris smiled as she handed me a rectangle box.
"Mama Becks helped me pick it out special for you," she told me happily.
I opened the box and rustled through the tissue paper.
I almost jumped out of my chair and dropped Kay.
"A Charizard shirt! No way, this is amazing!" I said, unable to hide my excitement.
She smiled and flung herself into my arms.
"I'm glad you like it!" she told me.
"I love it!"

"Mom helped the babies make their gift," Chance told me with a smile.
I looked at Ky sucking his thumb on the floor and Charlotte laying on her play mat and smiled.
"I'm sure it's wonderful," I told him.
Each of them had given me a set of their hand prints.
"These are great, I'll hang them where ever we have a room!" I said.

"Can we eat the cake now?" Mia asked.
I laughed and nodded.
"Yes, time for cake and ice cream!"
"Bacon ice cream!" Samantha cheered, running into the kitchen.
"Yes, bacon ice cream for everyone!"


~Iris's POV~

"Chance! Keep your stupid comic books on your side of the room!" I heard Mia scream from the floor below me.
I sighed at the noise, then remembered I had to monitor my breathing when holding moves.
I exhaled slowly.
"Well if you could keep your cat on your side," Chance replied, sounding annoyed.
I wrinkled my nose.
I could hear the toddlers all banging pots and pans in the kitchen.
Was it too much to ask for some peace and quiet?

I fell out of my pose disgracefully and scowled.
Banging on the floor I hollered, "Both of you shut up!"
"Can it pineapple!" Mia yelled back down at me.
"Iris, Maxxie is here!" Claire called from down the hall.
I perked up, finally someone to play with!

I raced into the entry way where Aiden and my dad were doing a "bro hug" or whatever.
I smiled at Maxxie and waved, and he halfheartedly waved back, looking bored.
Whatever.
"Happy birthday Logan!" Aiden said, clapping my dad on the back. "Have I got a great gift for you!"
My dad looked kind of scared. Aiden gave Maxxie a glance.
"Oh right, happy birthday Mr. Fey," Maxxie said, shuffling his feet and looking around.
My dad and Maxxie's dad went off into the kitchen, probably for some bacon ice cream.

Maxxie frowned, "Your house is weird," he said distastefully as he looked around.
I was aware that my house was weird, and did NOT look like the picture.
"Your face is weird," I told him, something I'd learned from Mia.
He didn't look offended, and we rolled our eyes at each other.
"Let's go do something," I said, anxious to finally have someone around, even if it had to be him.
"Fine, fine," he said, and he followed me.

~~~~~~

"We had to go here?" he complained when we arrived at the park.
I rolled my eyes for the 30 billionth jillionth time.
"Did you want to listen to screaming toddlers?" I asked him sarcastically.
"Push me!" I cheered, running over the swingset.
"Why don't you push me?" he said, arms crossed over his chest.
"I will after, we can take turns."
He got behind me and started pushing me.

"My turn yet?" he asked after only a few seconds.
"No, like 3 minutes," I told him, and I heard him sigh behind me.
We talked briefly about our new houses, then the topic switched to school.
"You'll fit in fine, everyone is really weird," he told me matter of factly.
I shrugged, school was really only for art and gym class anyway.
Plus lunch of course.
"I''ll introduce you to some girls, I know TONS," he told me.
I scrunched my nose, "Tons?" I asked him.
"Yeah tons, what can I say, the ladies are pretty into my magic," he said, and I could picture the smug smirk on his face.

"PUHLEASE," I said loudly, jumping off the swing. "As if you know anything about girls."
"I know LOTS about girls," he said with a cheeky smile.
Then he had the nerve to wink at me.
"Yeah? Prove it!" I said.
Suddenly he was leaning toward me and closing his eyes.
I felt my cheeks heat up.
Oh my llamas, was he about to...kiss me?
I ran back to my house as fast as my feet could carry me.

~Meanwhile~
~~~Logan's POV~~~

"Surprise!" everyone called out from their obvious hiding places at the restaurant.
I acted surprised for their benefit.
A small gathering of friends had showed up for my 24th birthday party.
Becks and Chloe of course, both who had planned the whole thing,
 (although I suspect Chloe had mostly sampled the food).
Aiden, who was now living in Midnight Hallows.
Ariel, a newer friend and an upcoming mom in my challenge.
Willow, a fellow werewolf and friend from high school.


I would be having a family party later, so it was just me and my friends.
It was nice to have some adult company for once, even if we would spend a majority of time talking about our kids.
"What is he doing here?" I asked Chloe in a whisper as Neil walked in through the door.
"I don't know, but I'm about to get my flirt on," Chloe said, and she downed her drink and tossed her hair.
I rolled my eyes.
"Logan, happy birthday!" Neil said in an awkward cheerful manner, while I just stared at him.
"I got you something..." he said awkwardly, and he handed me a tidily wrapped box.
"Thanks," I said stiffly, ignoring Becks glaring at me.

Luckily, for the first time ever, I was saved by Chloe.
"So Neil, you come here often?" she said, batting her eyelashes.
I coughed to disguise my laughter.
"Uh..." he stuttered, while blushing.
I left them there to hang out with the guys.
By guys I meant Aiden of course.

"So, I did get you a little something something," Aiden said as I approached him.
"Please tell me it's not something that was once dead," I begged.
"Nope! Much better!" he said, and handed me a small booklet.
"Wow, spa coupons for waxing..." I said, a bit unsure how to act.
"I figured you could use them," he said laughing.
I laughed with him, "Thanks."

"I'm glad you were able to make it...with....everything," I said awkwardly.
Aiden had just been through a rough break up, and was pretty depressed.
He just nodded in response.
"Well if you need anything, I'm here for you. Unless it's food or money, then you're on your own," I told him.
We both laughed and I paid for our next round of drinks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Iris POV~


As I approached the house I heard screaming.
"AIDEN!" I heard Mama Becks yell.
"AIDEN!" I heard an unfamiliar voice yell.
"I SAID SORRY!" Aiden yelled.
When I reached the dining room I stopped short.
Mama Becks and Aiden were there, along with Claire.
But there was also some strange lady.
She had light blond hair and glowing green eyes and she was dressed in guys clothes.

"Iris!" the strange woman yelped when she saw me.
"How do you know-" I was cut off by Aiden.
"I promise I will change you back!" he said, hitting his wand before waving it around.
"No, no, I think that's enough magic for today," Mama Becks said.
What was going on?
"Aiden this is bad! What are my kids going to think?! I already did AI with my next challenge mom!" the woman shouted.
"Challenge mom?" I asked, and stumbled forward when Maxxie came running into me.

"Man you run fast," he said breathlessly.
He looked up at the strange woman and a look of confusion came over his face.
"Mr. Fey?" he questioned.
Everyones eyes grew wide, and my dad's friend Aiden looked really guilty.
"Dad?" I asked him, and the strange woman smiled weakly.
I ran from the room screaming.

~Logan's POV~





"Would you hold still while I do your hair?!" Chloe said, brushing out tangles of my now long hair.
She was snickering as she brushed, and I knew for a fact she was enjoying this way too much.
"Ok, I found something that will fit you!" Becks announced, coming into the master bedroom.
"That's a dress," I said.



"Good to know your vision still works," Chloe said shoving me, "Go put it on."
"You couldn't find anything that wasn't pink?" I growled.
Becks shrugged and Chloe rubbed her hands together gleefully.



"There is an uncomfortable breeze between my thighs," I stated, struggling to walk in this dress thing.
Chloe took one look at me and burst out laughing, where as Becks looked away.
I have such supportive friends.



"Awe, you look so pretty!" Chloe cooed, walking over to straighten out my dress.
I batted her hands away.
"How am I supposed to walk in these?" I muttered, stumbling over to them in my new heels.
"My flats would've been stretched out by you squeezing into them," Becks explained with a shrug.




"How am I going to continue my challenge?!" I shrieked, cringing when I realized how high I could scream now.
"Well I know this one guy..." Chloe began.
"CHLOE."
"Oh come on, he's good looking and-"
"CHLOE!"
"WELL JUST THINK ABOUT IT?!?!"
"You already have your next child on the way, I'm sure we can figure something out for after that," Becks said calmly. I rubbed my temples, always the voice of reason.
"Maybe Neil knows something that-"
"NEIL DOES NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THIS!" I roared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No! I potty standing up like Steven!" Samantha screamed at me, pounding her little fists into my chest.

"Samantha, girls go potty sitting down," I explained gently, frowning when she burst into tears.

"But I just wanna pee pee standing up!" she sobbed, looking over at Claire helping Steven.

"Don't you want to be a big girl and go potty like mommy?" I asked her, trying my best to make peeing in a toilet sound like the most desirable thing you could ever do in life.

"Momma stand up?" she asked me, and I shook my head.

"No, momma sits down," I told her gently.

"Then no, no momma. Sam Sam like dadda," she said, sticking her lip out.

I contemplated how much strength and energy it would take me to wrestle her onto that toilet seat.

"DAD!" Chance shouted, rushing into the bathroom.

"Dad is busy Chance," I said, nudging Samantha back toward the seat slowly.

"It's an emergency dad!" he shouted frantically, waving a piece of paper in the air.

"Uh huh," I muttered, wrestling Samantha's pull up down as she began to shriek and try to claw my face.

"Mia is gone!" he said, and I hissed in pain as Samantha stroked those little claws across my cheek as she screamed "PEE PEE STANDING UP!" over and over.

"She's with Jeanie working on a thing," I said, trying to remember exactly what she said before she'd left.

"No dad, Mia's gone, gone. She's not coming back," Chance said softly, and he held out the paper toward me.

I scanned it quickly.

"Call the police," I said, and ran frantically down several flights of stairs to her room in the basement.

She was gone.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SO SORRY THAT THIS TOOK FOREVER!!!

To everyone who waited and supported me through this, thank you SO much!

Thank you to Amy, Aiden, Christine, Rhi, and Josh (creators of Becks, Aiden, Chloe, Willow, Ariel, and Maxxi), I'm sorry I couldn't feature you all in dialogue and party pictures. At this point it's in the best interest of my challenge to do fewer pictures. HOWEVER, the next chapter should have plenty of pictures, so stay tuned!

Please let me know that you read this by leaving a comment!

Also, remember you can like my challenge page on FB to stay up to date with the latest news, photos, sneak peeks, and more!

CLICK HERE AND GO LIKE IT!


Also, my birthday is in a week (September 30th), so if you enjoy this please share it among your friends! That would be a wonderful gift to me!

Thank you, and see you next time!