Axel sat playing downstairs playing video games. He usually did this every morning while Reese got Cassidy ready for school.
Cassidy tried once again to get her dad's attention before going to school. She didn't know why he didn't want to spend time with her, or with mommy most of the time. Instead, he was either downstairs playing video games or out at the bar he worked at. She tugged at her sleeve nervously. "I'm going to school now." She announced, hoping for a reaction. Axel didn't even blink. "That's great, Cass." She sighed and walked out of the room.
Li Li grew up into a teenager! She really is a good kid, who keeps her grades up and has been on the honor roll since childhood.
Han tightened the grip on his pencil. He had been beyond stressed out lately, not that he would tell anyone this, not even Grayson. He knew before too long he would age up and the legacy would become his. He felt so pressured by this. He didn't even have a girlfriend yet and was a misunderstood artist. Han felt he was the last person on the planet who should be trusted with the legacy.
He was also concerned for Selah. She had been bullied in school lately and was starting to shut everyone out. He wondered of Jack and his mom would put her in a private school if he asked. He asked Selah how her day went and she shot him a weary look. "How do you think? Tina hates me and is always having her group be mean to me."
Grayson piped up. "Just tell Tina that you have a cousin and big brother who will not be happy if they don't stop."
Han rolled his eyes. "Great idea, Grayson! Threaten children...I don't see how that could backfire." Selah tried to disappear. She wished Han would just stop asking about school. She wished she wouldn't have to go anymore.
Emerald and Jack had been discussing the kids starting to age into teenagers. "It feels like yesterday they had all just become children! Now your Cassidy is already a child, I can't believe she's eight already!" Jack confided. "I worry about her constantly. I used to think when Reese grew up I would be done worrying about her, but then Cassidy came along." Emerald nodded. The whole family really worried about Reese. Axel wasn't exactly husband material, and they all were starting to see this more and more. Emerald tried to be positive, "Maybe things will get better."
Axel's friend Cannon had come over to hang out. They had been friends since first grade. Cannon had always been there for Axel, through all of elementary, middle school, and high school. They went to all the best parties, and dated all the prettiest girls. When Axel told Cannon that his girlfriend was pregnant back in high school, he stuck by him. They had always joked that they would be bachelors forever. Cannon was surprised Axel had actually married Reese. Cannon's own life and views had changed a lot and now he realized that maybe being a family man wasn't all bad. Axel seemed happy enough.
Reese entered the room, clearly annoyed. "I need to talk to you about the credit card payment." Axel virtually ignored Reese and kept playing his game. Cannon was take aback. He never seen Axel be so rude before. Even in middle school, Axel never flat out ignored a girlfriend. Reese didn't look a bit surprised. "Please, Axel, this is important."
Axel threw down his controller. "Seriously, Reese, do we have to do this right now? My friend's over for Sim's sake!" Now this was an Axel Cannon remembered. Axel always did have a bad temper. He decided to defuse the situation.
"Axel, let's go play fooseball at the bar." Axel looked like he didn't know what to do. He clearly wasn't done yelling at Reese, but he did want to hang out with Cannon. To motivate him, Cannon stood and headed toward the car.
Selah aged into a teenager! She looks a lot like Jack. Hopefully, now that she is older she won't get picked on so much in school.
Xander's daughter Anne also aged into a teenager....she is a fae like her dad! She looks more like Xander than Emerald. Same long face and everything ;)
And surprise, surprise, Zane and Irena had another set of twin girls! They named them Elizabeth and Ella. The girls were precious, and a wonderful addition to the family! Sydnee now began to wonder if she and Jack should have another child.
They did only have three at home, all teenagers and she wanted to feel needed again. But then Sydnee would argue with herself that there would be more grandbabies to love on as the last three grew older.
Andrea had just arrived back in town after living in Bridgeport for the last few years. She had gotten the keys to her apartment when her phone rang. She was delighted to hear Axel on the other end. "Of course I'd love to see you! Tomorrow would be better though, got to get settled in." She hung up the phone. She didn't plan on breaking up Reese's marriage. She just wanted to have a little fun and some excitement. Axel was fun and exciting . She didn't know if she was still attracted to him or not, but she definitely wanted to find out.
Cannon and Axel played foosball in the dimly lit bar. It was past closing but being a mixologist, Axel had a key. Cannon had noted Axel's attitude since they left the house. Cannon scored the match point and Axel sighed disgusted. "I just can't focus! Reese is driving me crazy these days!" Cannon asked. "How?" Axel snorted. "How? Just by being Reese. It's like she just won't ever leave me alone. Sometimes I think she got pregnant just so I would stay with her." Cannon bit his lip. His own sister had gotten pregnant in high school and it hadn't been on purpose.
Axel clapped his hands together. "At least Andrea is back in town. That's something to look forward to anyways." Cannon remembered Andrea. She had been one of the most wild girls in their graduating class. He never really liked her and dodged her most of high school. Even then, he had a feeling she had a slightly insane side.
Axel pondered absently almost to himself. "I wonder if she really wants me to wait till tomorrow before coming over. Maybe I should go over tonight."
Cannon felt slightly sick to his stomach. "Your being serious?" Axel nodded. "It's not like it's a big deal. As long as Reese doesn't find out it won't hurt her." Cannon felt conflicted. In high school they both had reputations as scumbags. They both cheated on girlfriends, ran around partying, and in general caused trouble. But this felt....wrong. Axel was married, had been married several years and had a daughter. For once Cannon didn't feel admiration for his best friend, he felt disgusted.
Cannon spoke his mind. "What are you thinking, man? Andrea is psycho! And...your married. This isn't high school anymore. I mean, you could lose your family." Axel shrugged. "You say that like its a bad thing." He looked down at his energy drink and sighed. "I used to think I wanted the whole family life, but it was a stupid decision. I mean, I only did it so Reese wouldn't date anyone else." Cannon's eyebrows knit together. "You are unbelievable." Axel spit on the ground. "Forget you." Cannon squared his shoulders. "You know what, forget this, man! You want to screw up your life I'm not going to stand around and watch it happen!" Cannon left the bar. Eighteen years of friendship over. Whatever.
Alissa held Elizabeth. She couldn't believe she had younger sisters! She was shocked when her parents announced their pregnancy and thrilled when her mom had twins. Alissa always felt lonely. Andrea was very self involved and they had never been close. Andrea didn't keep in close contact with the family, and didn't even know she had younger sisters! Hopefully, these little sisters would be close to Alissa. Or at least need her in their life. Alissa wanted her own kids someday, but not till she met the right guy. And there were very few princes around these days.
Zane entered. "What are they still doing up? Its super late!" Irena sighed. "We went shopping in Roaring Heights and they slept in the car the whole way there. Their just not tired yet." She smiled at Zane. Alissa watched her parents exchange a loving look. She wanted a relationship like their's someday. "Can you believe we've had four girls?" Zane asked. Irena shook her head. "And two sets of twins! Where does the time go?"
At that moment, much to everyone's surprise Andrea burst through the door dramatically. "OH! Bridgeport is just so dull these days! I need to be home! Amongst family!" Alissa and her parents stared in shock. No call, no letters for years and Andrea just showed up! Well, that was Andrea's style.
Andrea stopped her dramatic pose and really looked at her family. Her parents had aged some. She suddenly saw the cute toddlers. "Oh, wow, Alissa congratulations on your girls. They are adorable!"
End of Part 14
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