Chain Reaction 3.1.99: The Next Goth Baby

Alaric

      Kyra and I have been back from our honeymoon for a month now. I've started my label Goth Records. I've hired a few soundboard artists and an accountant. What makes me nervous is that I sunk my own money into purchasing the recording equipment. Well, it's money I made from my mixing and investing, but it still makes me nervous. Of course, if I end up in a jam, Dad will happily step in, but I would like to see if I can do this by myself.

     My first recording session: Benjamin Love. We decided just to go with his name, not try and come up with some catchy title. Working on getting him started pushed me to hire a small art department, including a photographer. Next will be advertising.

     This morning, however, I'm taking the day off. Kyra Goth sits down next to me once I've finished my breakfast.

     She can't sit still, looking like she's about to burst.

     "What is it?"

     "I'm pregnant!"

 

     She motions to her belly. "We have the next little Goth on his or her way."

     I lean forward and kiss her. We said we wanted to start a family quickly, and thank plum, we didn't have any trouble getting her pregnant.

     I smile and sit back.

     "What's this 'his or her' thing you're saying? It's a boy. Goths make boys."

     She giggles at my expression. "Then what about Diamond?"

     I wave downward with my hand. "Eh, I blame Selena."

     She laughs harder.

     Poor Selena. She never got married, never even got engaged again after she and Dad broke it off before he started dating Mom. Dad supposes it was because that meant her allowance would stop. Well, it's stopped since Diamond became an adult, but Selena was smart and invested a part of what Dad gave her.

     I like my half-sister Diamond more now than I did when we were kids. Getting away from her mom helped her, I think. I feel bad for her that she wound up with a mystery pregnancy. She had a boy named Julian, and Mom is frequently over there playing with him to help out Diamond. Dad keeps bugging her about getting a DNA test done at least to give them a clue as to the boy's paternity. It's almost like Diamond doesn't want to know.

 

     I make a few phone calls and invite over some family members.

     "Not that we're complaining," Dad tells me after he and Mom arrive, "but why the impromptu party?" He looks like he hopes he already has his answer.

     It's strange, but he's started dyeing his hair grey, worried his darkening hair would spark alarm and suspicion. Looking at them, he and Mom could be the same age. She's decided to give in finally to Mother Nature and allow her hair to start to grey.

     I hear another voice from the front of the house, "Something smells good! And I see I'm in the right place. Your house is nice, Alaric." It's Grandma, and she was here at the wedding. Her memory is failing her.

     "Thanks, Grandma," I tell her, not telling her how she's been here before.

 

     She has a seat and keeps talking, "Graham is working late. He'll be here later." She's getting worse. Aunt Isabella and Uncle Braydon have been taking care of her, and they took her to a doctor. Grandma's on some kind of brain meds, but they don't think they're working.

     I watch Dad just kind of look at her for a second before he quickly turns to me and says, "I heard you're finishing up Benjamin's first album. How exciting!"

     Getting me to talk about work is the death sentence for any other topic of conversation as far as I'm concerned. Once I get started on it, I can't stop.

     "It is," I answer. "And something somebody said the other day has me pondering a new idea. Well, it's an old idea, but it's not been done for a while. It might be time to revive it. I'd have to talk to my advertising team, though. Once I have one in place."

     Mom smirks. "Nothing like being specific."

     I smile. "Sorry."

     Kyra finishes with her amazing meal, and we all grab a plate. Diamond finally shows up, saying her sitter was late. I told her she didn't need to get one, but she shushes me, saying she has plans for after this too. I shrug.

 

     Kyra tells Mom first how she's going to be a grandmother.

     Then she gives Dad the news.

 

     Mom and Dad stay longer than anyone else, and at the end of the evening, I give her a key to the house. I'm going to be busy more than I'd like, so I'm hoping Kyra will let Mom help her with stuff when she gets a chance.

     Mom looks absolutely beside herself the entire day, thrilled to be a grandmother soon. Not that she hasn't been already, but well, yeah.

     Thankfully, Kyra is thrilled to have Mom help in whatever way. Mom retires from her short-lived science career track, and she's here frequently, whenever Diamond doesn't need her help.

     My life feels like a dream. A wonderful dream come true. Kyra's pregnancy goes well, and she wants to have the baby at home since the hospital has started having issues with the birthing machine. As long as she's safe, that's all that matters.

     When the terrifying day arrives, I'm not ready!

     Somehow we make it through, and we have...

    ...a boy! Of course!

     I'm a dad.

     "Well, little Darius, what sorts of adventures are you going to get up to?"

 

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That's all for Generation Three, both strings! To those of you who've gotten this far, thank you SO MUCH! Gen 4 is going to be busy, so I hope you stick around!

photo credit to nck_gsl on Pixabay

sneak peeks:

Benjamin grows up DREAMY!

And here's a mystery surprise:

She's not been introduced at all, but I have big plans for this lovely lady.

Obscure hint: we briefly saw her grandparents in a few chapters.

See you in Gen 4!