The Halfway Mark. Babies 49 and 50

 Doug and Drew were super excited to age up. "Hmmm. Should I wish for something useful or that flying car." Drew pondered. Doug laughed excitedly. "The CAR!!!" He said then blew out all of his candles. I watched as my two little boys aged up to exciting teens.

 I took Richard up to his cake and blew out his little candle. Then I picked up Ian.

 I brought him to the cake and blew out his candle. Matthew got out a noise maker and started to blow into it like crazy.

 "Don't strain yourself Matt!" I laughed as he blew and blew. "These things suck." he said after the noisemaker refused him anymore noise.

 I took Snow up to her cake and blew out her candle. I set her down on the floor next to her brothers and in a few minutes they all aged into little toddlers.

 My little Blues. Richard and Ian looked almost exactly alike, and Snow inherited her fathers bright blue hair.

 Doug and Drew aged up into fine teens. Drew was definitely going to be the class clown, he loved to pull pranks and really didn't mind getting in trouble. Doug however was definitely a trouble maker.

After birthdays came skill time. I grabbed Ian's little hands and lifted him to his feet. It took seven tries before he could even take a step on his own. It was all worth it though. Doug and Drew decided that they would help me and they each grabbed a toddler and set to work.

Doug grabbed Richard and was successful on the first try. Richard was toddling around in ten minutes flat.

Drew took Snow's hands and began teaching her how to walk. She was a quick learner and they were done in no time. Drew then took Snows hands and began to walk around in circles and dance with her. She giggled and laughed and spun around with him.

Although he didn't like to admit it, Matthew had a soft heart when it came to animals. More lately than not I haven't been paying our little Jumangi much attention. Matt brought it upon himself to make sure Jumangi got some love every single day. Whether it was a pat on the head or a little treat Matt did something everyday before he went to work and everyday when he got home.

I finally purchased a swing for the little ones. Three in fact. Snow, Richard, and Ian all fell asleep quickly when I put them in the swings. Doug came up and turned all of the swings on. He accidently put them on fast, which woke them all up quickly.

Snow wouldn't have it. She started to freak out. She kicked and screamed until Drew came and picked her up. "You can't do that!" He yelled at Doug with Snow still wimpering in his arms. "My bad!" Doug said in an irritated tone and he ran upstairs to his room.

That night the guys went to prom. They both rode solo, claiming they still had no interest in girls, and so they had some interesting pictures. When they got home they talked about everything, Doug got into a fight with the school jock because they were both wearing the same thing, he lost, Drew found the love of his life, or she found him either way, and one of my boys got prom King.

Drew got all of his friends and then some to put his name in the Prom Kings voting box. He didn't think they would actually listen to him, but they did. He was crowned King and was awarded with the highest honor, a quick crowd surfing before the teachers sent him outside for being too rowdy. He said it was perfect, and totally worth it.

The boys decided they wanted to get on with their lievs and age up. Me, being the softy that I am, gladly let them. It would make more room in the house. Drew and Doug blew out their candles and waited for Young adulthood to meet them.

They grew up into fabulous young men. Dougs greatest feature is his eyes, and Drew his sense of humor. They both moved out, Doug went to work in Bridgeport in construction, and Drew moved in with his lover her in Appaloosa Plains.

The next day, after Matt was at work I got a knock on the door. I quickly went to answer it because the little ones were asleep.

"Hello." I said stepping outside. Gently closing the door behind me. "Why hello there. I am E.T" The strange green man said. "E.T?" I asked with a slight laugh. "Well, it stands for Edward Thomas, but that whole movie franchise vampire thing ruined the name for me. Plus E.T is cooler." The random fellow said. "Oh yeah, I'm a challenge father." He added with a smirk. "Follow me then E.T." I said and I led him inside and up the steps.

He had very odd facial features. His mouth was a very thin and fine line. His nose was tiny and stubby, and his eyes were large and slanted, his hair was jet black with tips of green and white. Hate to say it like this, but his babies were going to be interesting.

W egot to work quickly and the jingle followed shortly after. He said goodbye and left. I went and got the little ones up and dressed them and fed them then we played with the xylophones.

A lone deer came jumping through our lawn at three. I brought the kids to the door and we watched it bounce across the street and down the road. That was one thing I liked about Appaloosa Plains, the wildlife was quite interesting.

The pregnancy effects were taking hold fast. I threw up twice the day E.T came over,which was quicker than usual.

Bridget surprised me and came over. "Hey stranger!" She said walking into the house. I gave her a tight hug. "Where've you been?" I asked. "Well actually Spence, Bethany, and I went to Champs Les Sims, it was beautiful!" She exclaimed. "I know right! I hope I can take more of my kids there one day."I said staring out the window, but that was never going to be a reality, we were in debt already as it is. "Speaking of that your at... 45 kids right?" Bridget asked. "48, and I'm pregnant." I replied. "Holy- you amaze me Cait. You really do." She said staring at my petite belly. "I try." I replied with a smile.

We continued our little gathering by starting a pillowfight in the boys room. We stopped and took a few pictures too, while the feathers flew in the air. Bridget thought it would add a cute effect.

She blinked in about six of the pictures, so we only had one really good one, but she didn't really care. We went back downstairs and she made herself comfortable on the couch. I loved that girl.

"Oh no! Richard! Its..... THE CLAW!!!" I exclaimed as I raised my arm into the air. "No!!!" Richard squealed.

I brought my arm down and tickled him on his little belly. He squealed with excitement and burst into laughtr.

My baby bump started to show at the end of the day. The baby gave a light kick and I rubbed my belly in response. "Hey there little one, or ones." I whispered.

Matt bought a squirrel. Yes I said squirrel. Not a rat, or a mouse, or a guinea pig, a squirrel. He named it Elephant and he played with it on a daily basis. Sometimes if I came into the office he would be telling it a story. I walked in while he was telling his little squirrel all about the sky. "You've lost it.." I said with a smile. He looked at me then at the squirrel. His cheeks instantly turned red and he returned Elephant into his little cage. "I was just telling him about nature..." Was Matt's final defense. He started to laugh then exited the room. I looked at the little squirrel. "You are kind of cute.." I whispered and I stuck my hand in the cage and picked up the little creature. I started to pet him, then I started to hum him a song. Matthew came back in. "I guess I'm not the only one then?" He asked his cheeks returning to their usual color. "I guess not.." I replied with a smile.

I began to paint a picture, boredom I guess. Then Snow, Richard, and Ian began toddling around my legs. "Alright, alright." I said and I picked Snow up. "Wanna age up?" I asked touching her little nose. She nodded in agreeance.

I took Snow to her cake and had her blow out all of her candles.

Then Richard blew his candles out.

Then Ian blew out all og his candles by himself.

Richard and Ian are almost exactly alike. They've all inherited their fathers bright blue hair. Snow is definitely the leader of the three, what she says goes with the boys. That's my little girl!

Matt told me there was a lot of shooting stars outside, so we went out and low and behold shooting across the sky were what seemed like a million stars. We sat down next to each other and enjoyed the show. "It's beautiful." I gasped watching them shoot all over the sky. "You could make thousands of wishes." Matt whispered. "I don't need wishes." I whispered back. Matt looked at me, puzzled. "Why not?" He asked. "My one wish came true, you're home and safe." I whispered. The rest of the time he nuzzled closer and closer, but we stayed silent.

Matt went inside and started to play with Elephant some more. I still think theres something wrong with that connection, but I wouldn't tell Matt that. He coud play with his little squirrel all he wanted to. It didn't but me one bit.

The next day while Matt was at work and the kids at school I went into labor. It wasn't that long, it was just painful as all get out.

In the end however I was quite satisfied. I gave birth to two little boys.

"Welcome to the world, Patrick, Welcome to the world Mikey." I whispered as they fell asleep in their cribs. "I'm half way there."

The Banquet. (A random post)

This is attemptedly written in third person, I may screw up in some places but hey its a first try!

"I feel over dressed.. Do I look alright?" Caitlin asked staring down at her dress and back up at Matthew. It took him a moment to respond, he was over taken by her beauty. At first he didn't know what to say, he could leave it at fine, or perfect, but she was more than that to him. He got closer to her leaning over the table and with a soft chuckle said. "You look better than anyone else here or in the world, I mean look at Tabitha!"

 Caitlin giggled and stared him in the eyes. She too was lost at words of what to say. He was her all, it was that simple. "So what is this for?" Caitlin asks. "It's for all of the cops who have been promoted in the last month, Tabitha and Reginold put it together. It's a "Family" Banquet but they specifically said not to bring your kids." Matt says. "That is hilarious!" Caitlin says starting to laugh.

 "Reginold! You should start your speech! You mustn't keep everyone waiting!" Tabitha exclaimed with a worry look. Reginold rolled his eyes. "Tabitha, you worry too much. Just wait a few minutes let everyone get settled. Fruder and his wife just walked in five minutes ago." He said in the same boring monotone voice he had used with his wife for over twenty years. "Well alright then.." Tabitha replied, trying to seem like she thought it was okay, but for the next five minutes she anxiously tapped her foot and checked her invisible watch.

 "Fruder! You told me there would be food and everything!" Fruders wife Linda exclaimed. "There will be. Food come momentarily my dear." Fruder replied with his strong French accent. "It better be! I'm missing The Days Of Our Lives for this!" Linda said puffing out her chest, revealing a small tissue. She quickly stuffed it back into its correct location, leaving it looking a bit lumpy then went to twirling her hair around her long manacured finger.

 "Look at all of the other women, am I wearing something to flashy?" A jittery Trina asked her husband. "I dunno." He responded. "Maybe I should go to the bathroom and switch, I brought another dress along.. What do you think?" She asked tapping her fingers on her bare thigh. "I dunno." Her husband replied again.

 Once everyone was sitting down and settled Tabitha silently kicked her husband from under the table. "Get up there!" She whispered angrily. Reginold stepped up to the microphone and looked at the "crowd."

 "Uh, hm. hm. My wife Tabitha and I would like to thank all of you for coming to this wonderful banquet. We usually put one on around the holidays, this time it was a bit late, and its more for respecting those who have been promoted in the last month."

 "I personally would like to recognize Matthew Humphrey, he came from a little nothing person to a Lieutenant in about two weeks. I would also like to personally recognize Fruder Calzone, nobody ever thought you'd become a patrol officer! We thought you'd be piled under reports for the rest of your career! Good job fellows! Anyway, my wife's sister made two very large turkeys for this event, and It'd be my pleasure to let you eat!" Reginold finished his speech and everyone clapped.

 Once everyone got their food a soft murmur filled the room. Talking about fish, and friends, and various other things. Matthew took a bite of his food and just about exploded. "This tastes like as-" "Matt..." Caitlin corrected him. She took a diligent bite, as Tabithas eyes wandered to their table where the loud disturbance was about to take place. Matthew took a bite and smiled at Tabitha. Once she looked away Matt took the mouthful and spit it in his napkin. "Matthew, you amuse me." Caitlin said laughing pushing her plate away.

 After the rather chewy, rather uncooked meal Reginold called all of the men up to give their speeches about how honored they were about being promoted. Matthew and Caitlin had practiced this a few times, Matthew had a bad case of stage fright, that needed to be solved before he went up, but when he did he seemed perfectly at ease. Matthew gave a wide smile to everyone. "I am quite honored that I have gotten so far in such a short time. I would like to thank my boss." He points over to Reginold, and Tabitha lets out a gasp because pointing is not the polite thing to do. "But, I believe the one who needs the most thanking is her over there." He says pointing right at Caitlin. "I couldn't do it without you sweety!" And with that Matthew returns to his seat. The look on Tabithas face is a mix between disgust and disbelief, and it makes Matthew and Caitlin burst into bubbles of laughter.

 When all of the speeches were done Tabitha cued for the music to be turned on. It played a classic piece and everybody got up to share a dance. "Oh Kent." Martha sighs as her husband sways her back and forth.

 "I can't believe that rookie Matt has a career like you. He is too young. It took you ten years to become a lieutenant, and he waltz' in and gets to it in two weeks?" Tabitha complains to her husband. He smiles and takes her hand. "Baby, why don't you ever take a deep breath?" He asks and he spins her slowly around.

 "I don't think Tabitha likes us." Caitlin whispers to Matt. "That's okay, she doesn't have to like us." He replies with a smile. He takes her hand and pulls her close to him. "She's got her panties halfway up her ass anyway, I don't think she likes anyone, I bet she freaks kittens out too." He adds. Caitlin laughs, and turns everyones heads. After that, there was no more classical music by Tabithas request.

 When everybody tired of dancing they moved onto the alcohol session. Caitlin sat down with the other women at the bubble station. She sucked in a lot of air and blew into the machine. "You've never done this. Have you?" Tabitha asks blowing out an assortment of fruit flavored bubbles. "Well, I, um, no." Caitlin answered truthfully. "All you gotta do is put this in your mouth, take a breath in, pull it out, and blow." She said, then she followed her exact instructions and bubbles flew from her mouth. "Your turn kid." She said motioning to Caitlin.

 Caitlin did as she was instructed and cotton candy flavored bubbles flew from her mouth. She did it a few more times.

 "That's so fun!" She exclaimed. The other women laughed. "How old are you?" Trina asked. "Well, twenty three." Caitlin replied shyly.

 Tabitha laughed. "You are just a little one. I told Reginold." Tabitha said blowing more bubbles. "After a while being old, gets old. I tell you once your forty four your not going to want to age anymore. It gets boring after that." All of the women laughed at Tabitha's remark.

 "I'm forty seven and I feel just fine!"  Trina pipes up, the others laugh again. "I have four kids, I'm just fine. You got any kids?" She asks staring at Caitlin. Caitlin was prepared for this question, she took a deep breath and began to laugh. "I've got 48 kids!" The other women laughed except for Tabitha. "You one of them challenge mothers?" She asked. "Actually I am indeed." Caitlin replied proudly. "Hmph." was all that Tabitha replied with.

 "I have a friend who did that. She has 100 of the cutest kids anybody could ask for. I admire all the women who put themselves through that. I never could." A silent Martha speaks up. She looks at all of the other women, hiccups, and lets four tiny bubbles escape her mouth. The other women laugh and continue with their bubble blowing.

 "A fruit drink Matthew. Really?" Reginold asks as Matt asks for a random drink. "They taste good, even if they are girly." Matt replied spinning the little stirer. "I'll have a shot of tequilla." Reginold asks the bartender and she gets to work. "See this is like fruit punch, and what your drinking is like a slap in the face and a bee sting." Matt says with a smile.

 He takes a sip of his drink and sits down.

 "I admire you kid. You're pretty good." Bob said talking to Matt. "Thanks." Matt replied stirring his drink. Reginold got up to go find his wife. "Don't let him get to you, him and that wife of his are the definition of ghetto snobs. They live in a one bedroom house, they can barely afford their water bill, and yet they pretend they have all this money. Its pitiful actually." Bob says, then he takes a swig of his drink and its gone. "You've got something good goin for ya. Don't lose it." Bob adds then he gets up and walks away, leaving Matt both stunned, and surprised, thats the most Bob's ever said to anyone. Ever.

 The banquet ends pretty quickly, Bob and his wife were the first to go, everybody else practically followed as Tabitha got more and more jittery towards midnight. Caitlin and Matt were the last ones there with them. "Finish this dance then leave?" Matt asked swaying to the beat. "Deal." Caitlin said smiling. When the song ended Caitlin enclosed herself around Matt, suffocating him with a large hug. "I love you." She whispered burrying her face in his tux. Matthew hugged her back and rand his hand through her hair. "I love you too." He whispered.