Gen 3 Ch 2

Little Ruby and Rocky were growing like weeds. Amber volunteered to retire in order to help out with the twins.  It seemed that one or the other always needed a change, a bottle, or just a snuggle.

Jasper was still devastated by Chiquita's loss. He refused to move her ashes to the graveyard, instead placing them in the corner of the backyard. Exhausted as he was at the end of most days, he still found time to shed a few tears almost every night. He blamed himself for not being there when she needed him most.

Many mornings Amber would find him still dozing on the stone bench in front of the grave.

His friend Walter tried his best to convince him to start moving on, to no avail.

"Your babies need a dad who is not obsessed with the past, Jasp. It was a tragic accident, it was no one's fault."

"I don't believe that! Quita was such a coward, she never would have lit a fire on her own. And what about the missing smoke alarm? I never should have gone to work that day."

Walter sighed. "You know nothing suspicious was ever found. It was ruled an accident, and the case is closed."

Jasper wasn't ready to accept the official report, however, and spent all his spare time interviewing anyone and everyone he thought might have seen something that day. Finally, one day shortly before the twins' birthday, he was interviewing Meghan Jones from across the street.

"Well, Officer Moonstone, I remember seeing Chiquita's old boyfriend Jeffry stopping by to visit that day as I left for school."

"I saw him leave shortly before the fire truck arrived. I remember because I was sick and came home early from school that day, and he almost ran me over he was in such a hurry."

Jasper turned in his report to his boss, but his boss was not impressed.

"Sorry, an interview with a schoolgirl is not enough to reopen this case. We've already interviewed Jeffry once, and the evidence is all circumstantial. It was just a tragic accident. You really need to get over this."

Disappointed, Jasper resolved to continue investigating on the sly, whenever he could find the time.

But time was something he possessed all too little of. Ruby and Rocky needed so much attention, and Jasper was determined to give them the best upbringing he possibly could, in order to make up for their mom not being there.  He provided only the best educational toys.

And he and Amber spent hours with the twins at the library, reading every book on the shelves.

He impressed his boss so much with his crime scene investigations, he was soon promoted into the forensics department. But the highlight of his day was coming home to his two little munchkins.

"Daddy's home!"

"Daddy!"

Leah stopped by frequently to visit, and she just adored the twins. They always had an enthusiastic greeting for their Auntie Leah.

But one day, Leah was obviously not happy. She seemed determined to start an argument.

"You spend all day with the twins. Why don't you come to visit me any more?"

"Well, sweetheart, Brandi is in school now, and you know the twins need me. What's really bothering you?"

"Oh mom, Jackie and have been trying for such a long time now for another baby, and it just doesn't seem to be happening. All I ever wanted was to have lots of children."

"Aw Leah, just give it time. Relax and enjoy Brandi for now."

Just relaxing must have worked, because just before the twins' sixth birthday, Amber became a grandma again. With Rocky and Ruby about to start school, Amber could thoroughly enjoy little Arianne.

Jasper threw a big party for Rocky and Ruby's big day.

"Now remember you two, I want you on your best behavior. Be ready to show off everything I've taught you!" He admonished them before the guests arrived. He was so proud of his children. He was sure they were the smartest kids in Twinbrook.

It was Rocky's turn first.

He seemed a little apprehensive about showing off his skills, but Jasper was sure he'd do just fine.

Next it time for Ruby to grow up.

Jasper couldn't help but thing how much she looked like her mom, and a stab of grief hit his heart for just a second.  But now it was time for the twins to put on the little show he had had them rehearse.

"Come on kids, it's time to start!"

But where were they?  It seems Rocky had become so nervous about the "show" he had wet his pants!

And Ruby followed suit soon after. Jasper was mortified for his children, and called off the performance.

"Don't worry about it, they are just kids. Accidents happen."

Jasper looked so upset, Jada decided that a change of subject was in order.

"Did you hear I broke up with my boyfriend?"

"Uh, no I didn't." Jasper's mind was elsewhere.

"I thought maybe we could catch a movie sometime or something, it's time you got out of the house more."

"Mmmm."

"I'll give you a call, okay?"

"Uh huh."

"Thanks for inviting me, it was a great party."

Jasper watched in dismay as she got up and walked to her car. Had he just agreed to a date?