Gen 2 Ch 4

Amber rushed into the house to check on Kay and baby Nate.

"Are you alright?"

"We were so lucky. The only damage is to the deck furniture."

Amber and Kay were both so shook up, they decided to put the renovation on an indefinite hold.

Next Amber went to check on her car. There was nothing left but piles of scrap. She collected some of the more interesting pieces. She had a few ideas for some metal sculptures. Then she called a taxi and headed home in the middle of the day, something of a first for her since Leah and Jasper had started high school. She made a bee-line for her bedroom to change out of her sooty clothes...

... and was shocked speechless to see Leah and Jackie in her bed.

"Mom! What are you doing home?" Leah squeaked.

"I'm really sorry, Ms. M. I'd best be going now. This was all my fault."

"I somehow doubt that. But your mother will hear about this, I promise you."

"As for you, young lady, I am disappointed in you. You should know better. You are grounded. And I will be home at 2pm every day for the next few weeks until you graduate."

"I can't wait until I can graduate and get married. You've never even had a boyfriend, you just don't understand!"

Amber didn't understand, and Leah's words hurt her to the quick. She turned away so Leah wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.

It was an excruciatingly long three weeks, for both Amber and Leah, but finally Leah's big day arrived, and Jackie showed up bright and early.

"So what do you think?"

"Oh, Jackie, it's beautiful!"

"Let's get married as soon as possible. I can't wait to start our family. I know the perfect venue, the little gazebo at the beach. What do you think?"

"Sounds good, love. I'm sure whatever you plan will be great."

Unfortunately, when the time arrived, Leah was feeling a little under the weather, and didn't think she could make it through a party at the beach. She was adamant about not postponing the event, however, so Amber hastily placed a collection of potted plants in the back yard.

Jackie looked a little nervous at having to say his vows in front of a crowd, but Leah simply radiated with joy.

Jasper had begged his mom to invite Chiquita, and was overjoyed when she actually decided to come. He kept glancing her way as the ceremony came to a close.

Leah made a mad dash for the bathroom as soon as the final kiss was over.

Amber followed to check on her.

"Are you alright, dear?"

"Ya, I'm fine mom. ..aughhh"

"Maybe we should take you to the doctor."

"No need, already been. Don't say anything, but the doc thinks I might be pregnant. It's too early to be sure though, I need to go back tomorrow. Don't worry, we have a cute little place already picked out, with a nursery and all. We'll be out of your hair right after the party."

Amber just sighed and shook her head. That's not what she was worried about.

"So Jasp, I broke up with Jeffry. I gotta warn you, he's not happy with you. You should watch your back." Chiquita winked at him coyly.

"Okay, I will."

But her words went in on ear and out the other. His heart was pounding as he looked into her eyes, and the only thought in his head was how beautiful she was when she smiled at him. He never noticed Jada in the background, staring with a forced smile on her face.

Jada continued to stare, even as she danced with her mom. Jasper was oblivious to everything but Chiquita's arms around him and her lips on his.

But the very next day, Jada showed up right after school, uninvited.

"Don't you know that girl is bad news? She is nothing but a flirt. She will break your heart, Jasper."

"Don't talk that way about my girlfriend, Jada. You don't know her like I do."

"Grrr... I give up! But don't say I didn't warn you."

Jasper couldn't stay mad at her though, and soon she was cheering him on as he kicked some gridiron butt.

"Touchdown!"

Leah was indeed in a family way, and Amber was actually starting to get excited about having a grandchild. Jackie and Leah had found a cute little house, and of course they asked Amber to decorate for them.

"You are such a great mom, sweetie. And Brandi is a beautiful baby."

Now that she could set her own hours, Amber enjoyed taking an afternoon off here and there to play with Brandi at the park.

Meanwhile, things we not going so well with Jasper. He was hanging out at Quita's, and who should show up but her ex-boyfriend Jeffry.

Jeffry was not pleased. "Hey, what are you doin' with my girl?"

"Last I heard, she is not your girl anymore!"

"Well, I think you musta heard wrong then."

"Quita? What's with this guy? I thought you said you broke up with him."

"Excuse me boys, I think I need a snack."

Chiquita just walked right on past to the kitchen.

Jasper followed, and tried to put his arm around her.

"Stop it, Jasp."

"What's up, Quita? I thought..."

"You thought wrong. Jeff and I had a big fight right before your sister's wedding, but we're back together now."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I think you should go now."

All he wanted to do was burst into tears and run home, but he managed to compose himself enough to walk stoically out the door, and across the two backyards that connected their houses. He slammed the door to his room, and lay on his bed staring blankly at the ceiling until he fell asleep.

The next day was Saturday, and he planned to spend the day moping in his room. He had completely forgotten it was his mom's birthday, and Leah and Kay had gotten together and planned a big party. Leah came knocking on his bedroom door.

"It's party time, Jasper! You have to come out now. I even invited Chiquita. She's at the door now!"

Jasper groaned out loud. "You have got to be kidding me."

But he dragged himself out, and faked a smile for his mom as she blew out her candles.

Chiquita totally ignored him, even pulling out her homework when she saw him approaching. So he decided to flirt a little with Jada, hoping to make Quita jealous.

Jada just rolled her eyes at him.

Jada and Quita joined Amber at the table for cake. Jasper found a seat as far away from them all as he could. He couldn't believe all three of them sitting there chatting away like they were best friends.

When he went to bed, the two girls were still out on the front porch. They hung out there till the wee hours of the morning, and he just knew they were talking about him.

His own birthday was not long after, and he let Amber buy him a cake, but refused to invite anyone over.

"Do I really have to wave this thing?"

"Happy Birthday, Jasper!"

Amber was so proud. It was time for Jasper to take over as heir to Moonstone Manor.

Gen 2 Ch 3

After Jasper's birthday, Chiquita Racket continued to be a frequent visitor at the Moonstone's. It frustrated Jasper that his mom and sister seemed to monopolize her whenever she was over. He knew she already had a boyfriend, but he still held out hope she might change her mind. Until then, he had to be content to be just friends. Finally he could stand the chit-chat no longer.

"Hey, Quita, let's get out of here for a while."

"Wow, cool truck! It looks like a classic."

"I guess it is, it belonged to my grandfather. It's been sitting in our garage for years."

"Your grandfather? Who was he?"

"Sinbad Rotter. Have you heard of him?"

"Whoa! No way! My Uncle August works at the police station and told me all about him! He was a famous master thief in his day."

Jasper was thoughtful at that. Amber had never told him that part. He wondered if she knew.

But his mind was soon drawn to more pleasant matters, as they arrived at the community pool.  There was hardly anyone there, and it was getting close to dusk. Now was his chance.

"You are so beautiful, Quita. I love hanging out with you."

"Why, thanks, Jasp, I like hanging out with you too. But you know I already have a boyfriend."

"Well, you should break up with him. You know Jeff doesn't treat you right. Please?"

"Oh, Jasp, I don't know what to say. I know he's a little hot headed, but I do love him."

"Will you at least think about it?"

"You're so sweet, Jasp. Okay, just for you, I'll think about it."

He wanted to kiss her so bad he could hardly stand it, but he knew she wouldn't like it. So he went home still frustrated.

"So mom, Quita told me some stuff about Grandpa Sinbad, that he was a famous thief. Is that true?"

"Well, Jasper, I suppose it was. I never paid a whole lot of attention to what my dad did for a living. I know he made a lot of enemies in his lifetime, but he loved my mom and me every much in his own way, and that is how I remember him."

Jasper frowned.  "If I ever catch a thief, they'll end up in jail. Officer Knack down at the station has been teaching me about the neighborhood watch. If I can pass the test, he's gonna promote me."

Not long after, Jasper was awakened in the middle of the night by a noise outside his window. There was a thief sneaking through the bushes!

He remembered his training, and quickly and quietly called in to the station.

Officer Knack soon arrived, and Jasper remained calm while his boss ordered the thief to stop.

The thief was not cooperative.

"Watch my back, Jasper, I'll take care of this."

"I think I could have done it myself!"

"I'm glad you didn't, Jasper. You followed procedure exactly. I'll see you get your promotion to neighborhood watch for your help in catching this wanted felon."

Jasper was extremely proud of his new uniform. And every day, as he went off to work after school, he passed Jackie on his way in. Amber didn't get home from work until six, and he wondered if his mom knew what Jackie and Leah did all afternoon by themselves.

All Amber's hard work had finally paid off, and everyone was excited about the ceremony at city hall. Amber was nervous, as she still was uncomfortable in crowds. But she had learned to control her anxiety over the years, and her hand barely shook as she accepted the key to the city. She was so proud that Kay and her family, and her wonderful children, were there to witness the moment.

She had a shy moment as the mayor shook her hand, but then she made it through, as everyone clapped and cheered.

They decided to continue the celebration with a picnic at the beach. Kay even brought her newest addition, baby Nate. As Amber fed Nate his bottle, Leah and Jackie were having a rare argument.

"But Sweetheart, what's wrong with wanting lots of kids?"

"You know I like my privacy, Leah. How will I get my alone time, with a house full of kids?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something. You could have a private study like my mom has. I know we can work it out, Sweetie."

Amber sighed. She wished Leah had more ambition that having a house full of kids. She was so good at fashion design, she could do well at it if she tried.

Amber left the teenagers to watch Nate, while she joined Rob and Kay. Jasper seemed to be getting along well with Jackie's sister Jada, and Leah had eagerly agreed to watch Nate.

"So, Amb, now that you are a famous architect, do you think you'd still want to build us a book nook? The kids really need a good place to study."

"Don't be silly, of course I will. I'll stop by tomorrow morning to measure."

Jasper invited Jada home after the picnic, and Amber was pleased they seemed to be getting along so well.  She heard them laughing and giggling together late into the evening, as she prepared her samples for the job at Kay's the next morning.

The next morning, Amber parked her car in Kay's driveway, and was making her way to the front door.  She had traded in her little sports car years ago for the SUV she needed for two children and stacks of fabric samples. Suddenly a tremendous explosion erupted behind her.

She turned, just in time to see her car explode in a gigantic fire ball!

She watched in awe as debris flew everywhere.  And there, right in front of Kay and Rob's, was a huge crater, with what looked like a meteor buried deep in the earth.