Single Parent
2 Children
Career: Law Enforcement (Forensics)
Goal: Perfect Children (level 3 on all toddler/child skill items, including books, level 3 of teenage job)
Just for Fun: Hands Off ( No Hand of God for dishes, laundry, etc)
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Amber took a leave of absence from work, so she could dedicate all her energy to Leah and Jasper.
Jasper was an adorable toddler, and he warmed to Amber very quickly, as he was too young to understand the tragedy that had brought him to her.
She found some of her old toys in the basement. He especially loved the peg box. Amber was amazed, she still remembered how frustrating that toy had been.
It took Leah a bit longer, and Amber was glad that Leah adored her little brother so much. At least it gave her some semblance of normalcy. But Leah was a good child, and she never complained.
Leah absolutely loved Amber's TV. Amber barely watched it, but Leah could be found glued to the shopping channel constantly. Amber tried to distract her.
"Leah, what's your favorite color?"
"Hmmm...white I guess."
"Well, uh... besides white,what's your second favorite color?"
"Hmmm... I do like yellow, too."
"Great! How would you like to help me redecorate your room?"
"I love my new room, Auntie Amber! I never had my own room before, I always shared with Jasper."
Amber also discovered her old bake sale table in the basement, the one she had begged her mom for weeks to buy. Then after she got it, she was way to shy to actually sell anything with it. But not Leah! She was out there every morning before school, selling her muffins to the neighbors.
It touched Amber's heart when after the first morning of muffin sales, Leah dropped all her newly earned money in an envelope and sent it off to a charity for needy orphans.
Amber had one hard and fast rule concerning her need for privacy. Her studio was off-limits to Leah and Jasper. But as time went by, more and more she would find that Leah had snuck in there to play with her paints and easel. Finally Amber had had enough, and bought Leah her own easel. She set it up out on the back deck, in order to keep the mess outside. Once Leah had an easel of her own, the TV was practically forgotten.
Amber still kept up her weekend visits with Kay. Kay's daughter Jada was the same age as Jasper.
And Leah and Jackie became best friends. Jackie's favorite game was tag, and that's what they played at his house.
But when he came home with Amber, out would come the controllers, and they would be stuck in front of the TV until Amber made them start their homework.
Before she knew it, it was time for Amber to plan Jasper's birthday. She invited Kay and her family, but they were busy that evening.
So it was just the three of them. Amber could hardly believe Jasper would be starting school the next day. She informed city hall that she would be available again for work, on a part-time basis.
Jasper definitely took after his sister when it came to painting. After Amber found him her studio for the third time, there was nothing to do but set up another easel for him next to Leah's on the deck.
Amber started taking decorating jobs again, but she always waited to start until the children got on the bus, and she was always there to greet them when they arrived home. Her career was advancing again, albeit a little slower than before.
For Leah's birthday, she told Leah she could invite two guests. Amber still didn't appreciate a house full of people. So Jackie, and Leah's friend Sharita came to celebrate. Amber couldn't hep but wipe away a tear of happiness.
Leah was growing into such a wonderful young woman. She enrolled in arts school, as she really seemed to have a talent for it.
Just a few days later, Amber noticed that Leah and Jackie were becoming a little more than just best friends. Amber smiled at that. Leah was a lot like her friend Kay, always going on about how wonderful it would be get married and have children of her own, and Amber was determined not to foist her own workaholic nature on her adopted daughter.
Leah had started a new class in school, called "Fashion Design", and was so excited about it. She convinced Amber that it was time for the both of them to head down to the Salon and get makeovers.
"You could really use a new look, mom... I mean Auntie Amber. You're such a well known decorator, you need to look the part."
Amber wasn't at all sure about the whole idea, and hemmed and hawed when it came to choosing a new hairstyle.
"Let's see, I think you need your hair pulled back a little from your face."
In the end, Amber agreed to the style that Leah recommended, as she was slightly overwhelmed by the whole process.
It would take some getting used to, but Amber cautiously decided she liked her new look.
Leah, on the other hand, knew just what she wanted, and had fun posing in front of the mirror, as Amber thanked the stylist.
"I want a perm! Lots of curls, and don't cut it! Just trim the ends."
The next day after school, Leah was in front of the TV, but instead of the shopping channel, she had the fitness channel on. And she was exercising! What could possibly have brought this on?
"Oh, I want to look nice for the fashion show we are having in Design Class."
She showed off her complete new look at Jasper's birthday party. Jackie was there of course, and Jasper's friend Chiquita.
Jackie obviously appreciated Leah's new look as well.
Jasper grew into a handsome teenager, and Amber was proud when he chose to enroll in military school, and also found a part-time job at the police station. Now that her children were older, she felt she could throw herself into her work again. Her goal of being the best architectural designer in Twinbrook was yet to be achieved.
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