With no more babies on the horizon, little Xenia quickly became the centre of everyone’s attention in the Populous household, as the whole family entered into a more ‘normal’ routine of work, school, chores and childcare.

Wendy, Willow and Vikram loved taking care of their little sister as much as Asa and Bebe did, and the little girl was never short of food, hugs or someone to play with.

Bebe’s thoughts were never far from family, and whilst she felt a sadness at her own decision to have no more children, she thought of her and Asa’s wonderful extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Asa’s daughter, Natasha, was pregnant with her first child, whilst Paige was expecting her third…

…as was Bebe’s great-granddaughter and Asa’s granddaughter, Barbara.

Barbara’s eldest son, Lorenzo, was a teenager now, and although he called Bebe his grandmother, he was technically her great-great grandson. Bebe wondered if Lorenzo would one day make her a great-great-great-grandmother.

However, whilst their family was welcoming new arrivals, they also had to say farewells. Olenski and Maria passed away, and Asa was leaving work one day when he witnessed his son, Sterling, being welcomed into the afterlife.

Bebe’s grandson Isidro, Cameron’s boy, also passed away, meaning she had now buried four of her own grandchildren.

Their home was always open for their extended family (even though they didn’t all always see eye to eye!). Now Asa was rising up the political ranks, he used these gatherings to help garner support for his campaigns.

Asa was delighted when the townsfolk elected him mayor. He resolved to do his best to keep the citizens of Sunset Valley happy (after all, the majority of them were family!)

He made sure he spent lots of time with family, hearing their concerns…

…and he got to know the few residents of the Valley he wasn’t related to. Asa wasn’t averse to using his well-defined body to garner the female vote…

It had been a long time since he and Bebe had been intimate with anyone other than each other, but he was pleased to know he still had his charms.

Vikram was still working hard on his dream to become a tinkerer. He played many games of chess with the twins…

…and insisted on applying an upgrade to every item in the house.

Bebe hoped her son would take his love of upgrading and use it at the Bistro instead. She was fed up of the shoddy old ovens always blowing up in her face.

Despite occasional equipment malfunctions, Bebe’s scientific gastronomy was proving a hit and she was actually enjoying the work. However, one thing was never far from her mind – there was a painful void inside her at the thought of not being a new mum again…. and Bebe realised that there might be a way of keeping true to her vow and yet filling that void…

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<< 57. Accepting a decision

59. Having a Stalker > >

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