Bebe Populous’s twenty-fourth pregnancy had been a successful one in many respects.  She had rarely suffered from sickness, tiredness or soreness.

And yet it was bittersweet.  For Bebe had decided this should really be her final pregnancy.  She had buried three of her grandchildren now and she had long ago fulfilled whatever intentions she had for a huge family.

She cherished every moment of this pregnancy, and from time to time shed a tear as she thought this could be the last time she would ever experience the familiar swelling in her tummy.

As she left the hospital with baby Xenia, she ran, afraid she might break down in tears on the ward she had grown to know so well.

She resolved that if Xenia really was to be her last baby, she would tend to the little girl carefully and enjoy every moment of raising her.

As Bebe welcomed one child, it was time to bit farewell to another, as Udagawa’s time to move on had come.

She had become a striking young woman, and took up a post at the science facility as so many of Bebe’s descendants had done.

Before she left, though, Udagawa insisted on being the one to put her baby sister to bed.

As Bebe prepared and ate her next portion of ambrosia, she wondered if this would be her last, too.  If she wasn’t going to have any more babies, maybe there was no point in prolonging her youth. She would have to speak to Asa so they could decide together what their future should hold.  Bebe couldn’t help but feel things were never going to be the same again.

Vikram was still working hard at building up his skills.  He saw Glenn on a regular basis and was learning to appreciate the best of both his human and his simbot sides.

It wasn’t long before the twins had their birthday.  Both wanted to be scientists and were excited about all the new things they’d be able to do as teenagers.

Wendy went straight to help clean up the kitchen

Whilst Willow took in the stars on the gorgeous warm night.

Bebe and Asa sat silently, children and grandchildren around them, in deep contemplation about what their future might hold.

Time seemed to fly by and soon Xenia was a toddler.

Bebe held her youngest child close and secretly willed her to stay this young for a long, long time.

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