Bebe Populous was excited to be having her sixth child, and to be having a child with her husband, Asa.  However, she was increasingly becoming concerned about the mouths she had to feed and the cost of her growing family.  She was saving up for something very important and she needed every penny, but her family couldn’t go without, either.

She decided to enquire at the local corner shop to see whether they’d be interested in any of the produce she’d been growing, or any of the the fish that Cameron and Annalise had fished up that they didn’t deem suitable for their ‘perfect’ aquairum.  To her surprise and relief, she was able to make a decent profit.

Asa, Annalise and Brad encouraged her to take some time away from the home while she had chance before the birth.  She chose to spend time at the library reading new recipe books.  She was getting very into her cookery and found she was becoming rather skilled at it.

While she was out, she had a phone call from her neighbour, Leighton Sekemoto, who asked if she’d repair his broken stereo in return for a small payment.  She loved doing these little jobs for people – it gave her some more income and it also helped her to get to know her neighbours better.

Asa Populous was very excited about the imminent arrival of his first child, but he loved Bebe’s other five children, and when baby Eddie came up to having his birthday, it was his devoted stepfather who took him from his crib.

Eddie was generally a happy baby, and he seemed to become a happy toddler as well.  Although his wailing cry still pierced Bebe’s heart, the family were generally used to the difference between him and the others, and even Cameron, initially afraid, had grown to love his little brother.

Declan and Eddie happily played together, and Bebe and Asa were confident that they’d welcome their little brother or sister without many problems.

And that baby was a healthy, happy little boy.  Bebe allowed Asa to name his son, and he chose the name Fitzy.  She wasn’t entirely keen but allowing Asa this small concession was the least she could do, considering all she was asking of him as her husband.

Asa loved Fitzy from the moment the boy was born and couldn’t wait to start helping his son learn important things like walking, talking and using the potty. He wondered whether he would have any more children. He hoped so, but he was slightly concerned that every time he asked Bebe whether she would have more children with him, she changed the subject.  Bebe had always had such a love for children – what if it was something about him that was putting her off having more of them together?

While baby Fitzy was settling into the Populous household, his brother and sister were out at the beach, fishing as they usually did.

Annalise inspected her freshly caught blowfish carefully – she realised it was perfect. It was the last fish they needed to complete their perfect aquarium, to fulfil their dream…

Bebe bought her children surprise presents – lovely large aquariums to hold their collection. She was so pleased to see two of her children fulfil their dreams – and she could afford to purchase them now, as she had finally saved up for something she herself had been dreaming of for a long time…

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12. Making a Purchase > >