Bebe Populous’s latest pregnancy had been a strange experience.  Her body felt somewhat different to usual, but she supposed that was a result of mating with a ghost.  She kept having to remind herself that had happened.  It seemed so surreal.  But the child growing inside her felt different to the previous four children she had borne.  She was a little nervous and hoped the baby would be OK.

The baby’s due date came at a chaotic time, as all three of Bebe’s sons were growing up.  Her youngest, Declan, was first.  She could see so much of his father Xander in him, and that always made  her smile.  Xander would always have a special place in her heart, even if they would never have a grand romance.

Brad was the next to have a birthday.  Again, Bebe could see so much of his father, Connor in him, particularly in his bone structure and nose.  It fascinated her how her children could all look alike in some ways yet still look so different in others.  Genetics intrigued her as a scientist and she couldn’t wait to see how the rest of her children grew up.  She was so proud of the responsible young man Brad was turning out to be; like his big sister Annalise, he was more than willing to help out with his brothers and help look after the home.  Yet his birthday was tinged with sadness.  The older her children got, the closer they would be to leaving home, and though that was important for Bebe and for her plans for the future that they grew into responsible adults and struck out on their own, she knew it would be hard to let go when the time came.

As for little Cameron, the thing he wanted for his birthday was a fishing rod, just like his big sister.  He was so excited that he’d be able to go out fishing with her now he was a big boy.  Cameron had a mostly peaceful nature, though he sometimes got a little nervous and preferred to sleep with the light on.  Sometimes, though, Bebe could see an expression on his face – a pout that was almost a scowl – and she could see Jared Frio shining through.

As for her new son, Eddie, well, there was no mistaking who his father was.  Bebe loved her new son but his presence alarmed her.  Because she’d been so worried about his health, she had him at the hospital.  The midwife who delievered him was taken aback.  Bebe had to reassure her that she was a scientist and was testing new things out in genetics, but the midwife wasn’t entirely convinced.  Bebe was a little anxious, too.  What if this baby needed different care from the other children?

Poor Cameron was terrified when he saw Eddie.  He’d been expecting a baby brother or sister who looked a little like Declan had not so long ago.  He wasn’t expecting a ghost of a brother.  Annalise and Bebe had to sit up all night and calm him down, convince him that Eddie was a special little baby who needed as much love as any other.

Brad was very attentive to Eddie, and helped Cameron and Declan adjust to the new arrival.  Bebe was pleased that all her boys were developing a bond.

Eddie wasn’t a difficult baby to care for.  He ate, slept and needed changing just like all babies.  But when he cried, Bebe could hardly bear it.  It wasn’t a normal baby’s cry, but a mournful wail.  She hoped her boy wasn’t in the pain that he sounded as though he was in.  When he was older she resolved to get him to talk to the best therapists and counsellors.  However much love she and the rest of her children lavished on him, he would always be the odd one out and though to Bebe that made him more special, she worried that Eddie would struggle with it.

Annalise was still enjoying her fishing a great deal, and loved taking Cameron out and showing him the best spots in the Valley.  She also found plenty of time to help her mother out by harvesting and refeeding the special ‘life fruits’ Bebe was growing behind the lab each day.  Annalise was somewhat quiet and Bebe worried for her; she hoped she was doing enough to keep her daughter happy.  Annalise never seemed distressed, but she was so different to her mother in so many ways that Bebe couldn’t help but be concerned.

Bebe got straight onto helping Declan with his potty training – it was a joy to help him become independent, as it was to train all of her children to adapt to life.  But she still felt the need for a partner, someone to help her with an increasingly difficult task.

She hadn’t seen Asa for a few days.  His rejecting of her proposals had stung more than she cared to admit.  She thought that the guy was surely insane – he had spent so much time around her house, he seemed to like her and yet he wouldn’t commit.  But though that thought was at first a flippant one, the more she wondered.  Asa really did seem disturbed at times.  What if his horrible upbringing had scarred him?  What if he was too scared to be part of her family for fear it would be as painful as his growing up?

He had long wanted to tour the City Hall.  Bebe thought he was pretty crazy for this – what was so exciting about a couple of old busts of the Pleasants and Landgraabs and a bunch of filing clerks?  But she wanted him in a good mood, so she called him and asked if he would meet her there.

She couldn’t believe how nervous she was as she proposed yet again.  She had decided that if he rejected her this time, she would walk away, for his sake, her sake and the sake of her children.  But she had butterflies.  She couldn’t quite believe how much she wanted – maybe even needed – him to say yes.

Although Bebe didn’t know what had changed, she had finally won his heart. Bebe’s husband Asa Populous went home with her that night, as he had done many times, but this time it was for good – and Bebe was glad.

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