Gen 8 Ch 3

Aunt Jade was at it again. Topaz had heard soft footsteps in the middle of the night, followed by the sounds of one of Agate's childhood video games, emanating from the study. Of course she had to investigate. Ghosts might scare most people, but not her.  Her mother brushed off the nightly noises, saying it was the house settling, but Topaz knew better.

Usually her great aunt would simply ignore her presence, but tonight she rose slowly from the old computer chair, and floated toward toward Topaz. Jade nodded knowingly as Topaz once more tried to ignore the nausea that had been plaguing her for the last few weeks. This time she failed, and found herself running for the bathroom.

She was surprised to see her aunt still waiting in the hall, after she emerged from the bathroom.

"Good for you, girl," her aunt laughed in her breathless, ghostly whisper. "I waited too long. I was too old by the time my Crystal arrived to really enjoy her. But you - heh heh. Just remember what I told you, though."

Topaz remembered. Stand on your own. Don't get tied down. There's always more fish in the sea.

But right now, she was more concerned with the implications of what Jade had just revealed. She rubbed the back of her neck in consternation. Could it be that she was pregnant? But - how? She had never...

Her aunt was fading in the light of dawn, but Topaz heard her laugh as she faded, "Tabitha's magic never fails..."

It was while she and Raven and Coal were visiting with Jojo, that Topaz revealed her secret.

"It happened in Egypt," was all the explanation she would ever give to her family.

Jojo was ecstatic at the prospect of a little niece or nephew, and Coal and Raven were thrilled about grandchild number two.

It so happened that Jojo had an announcement of her own. Topaz' baby would have a new little cousin joining her.

While Jojo and Topaz talked pregnancy and babies, Raven kept big sister Reagan occupied.

To keep herself occupied when she wasn't painting, Topaz decided to redecorate the downstairs entertainment area, using the wonders she had brought back from her Egyptian travels.

"What do you think?" She asked her brother when he came to visit.

"It's nice. You forgot the toy box though."

Topaz let out an exasperated sigh. Then she had to laugh; he was still the same old Agate, and she loved him dearly.

He was much more excited about the new life inside her, than any of the amazing relics surrounding them.

"I can't wait for the babies, can you sis? You'll have to come visit, we have a ton of toys at our house!"

Topaz didn't doubt that, and assured her little brother that she'd bring her little one to visit often.

Eva became a regular fixture in her life. She took the announcement of Topaz' pregnancy with a grain of salt, and never showed much interest in the new life growing inside her.

She always seemed to have her mind on other things....

...and more often than not, invited herself over to spend the night.

It was one of those nights, that Topaz awoke to sharp pains in her belly.

Eva completely freaked out, and in the end it was her mom who bundled her off to the hospital.

The next day she arrived home with not one, but two beautiful little girls. She named the one with her own dark skin Rose Beryl, and the one with lighter skin Coral. As she stood there, it hit home - she was a mother now, and to not one but two precious daughters, and she was overwhelmed with the responsibility of it all.

She wasn't sure what she would have done without the help of grandma and grandpa.

She had hoped that Eva would want to be a part of this whole adventure, but it was not to be. The second Coal started going on about his wonderful grandchildren, Eva reacted like some trapped creature.

"Excuse me, look at the time. I think I'm late for work!"

Eva was always happy to meet Topaz at Eugi's for drinks, although she always made a excuse when Topaz invited her home. Topaz was glad for the company, and the respite from the demands of her twins, but it grated that Eva showed no interest in her babies.

Eva always had other things on her mind, and their nights together always ended the same...

...in the elevator at Eugi's, more likely than not.

As time passed, and Rose and Coral grew into toddlers, she thought she had dispelled the wandering spirit inside her. Her children were enough, more than enough to keep her occupied.

Then one day, her phone rang as she worked at her easel.

"Ms.  Moonstone? I have a client, an art dealer in France, who would like to purchase some of your paintings. He would like to meet you in person, if possible. I have tickets ready for a flight tomorrow morning. Will you go?"

Update

Sorry there's been no update. My little dog has been sick, we had to have him put down today. Maybe later this week I'll get a chapter up. I have most of the pics, just haven't felt like writing anything.

Gen 8 Ch 2

Topaz was sad to see Jojo and her brother move out of the family home. But Coal and Raven had bought them a sprawling ranch house in the hills across the bridge - perfect for the large family that they both dreamed of.

Even though he was off on his own now, Agate would often meet the family at Coal's now very popular Community Garden.

He never failed to pack along one of his favorite cars, just in case he got too bored.

The day after Topaz returned from Egypt, she eagerly headed over to the consignment store to check on the paintings she had dropped off before she left.

"Your paintings are selling quite well, Ms. Moonstone. We'll be happy to take as many as you can provide. You have considerable talent."

Topaz blushed at the compliment. Soon she would have enough money saved to continue her adventures.

It was such a gorgeous day, she decided to walk the few blocks home from the consignment store. As she passed by the local tattoo parlor, she was intrigued by the colorful designs on display. On the spur of the moment, she  walked in to investigate further. Her recent trip had not cured her restlessness at all, and she had a sudden urge to do something wild and crazy.

"What can I get for you? This butterfly is popular with our female customers. Or perhaps a small rose on your ankle?"

Topaz frowned at the selections. She was not going for cute. "No, I want this one. On my shoulder."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Topaz smiled, pleased with the result. Every time she looked in the mirror, it would remind her of her adventure in the Pyramid of Burning Sands. She could still feel the heat radiating from the walls, and the flames almost catching her as she leaped over the fire traps.

But returning to Egypt meant more paintings for the consignment shop. She was even getting some commissions now. Why anyone would want a rainbow zebra was beyond her, but she happily obliged.

When she wasn't painting, she was checking out the various clubs around town.

She always ended up back at Eugi's, though. There was something about her mom's place that was friendlier that most. Occasionally she would meet  Jojo there for a drink. It had been Jojo's idea to let her hair grow again.

"You always looked so good in that side braid. I don't know why you cut it all off."

"I know. I was mad at Eva, I shouldn't have let her get to me that way."

Everyone was thrilled when Jojo and Agate announced they were expecting their first baby.

"Hehe! I felt her kick!"

"Hehe! When are you gonna have one, Topaz? It would be so cool to be pregnant together!"

Topaz just laughed and shook her head.

"Who am I going to have kids with? I don't think I'll ever have kids."

"Aw, you'll find someone, I just know."

Topaz wasn't convinced. Sure, it would be great to have a kid or two, but with her traveling, and lack of a love life, it wasn't going to happen.

At last! This one should do it. Once it sells, it's off to Egypt again!

As soon as she arrived, Topaz checked in with the relic merchant again. Unfortunately she had not seen any mummitomium come into her shop recently. And when Topaz on an impulse asked after the strange woman she had met on her last trip, she was only met with silence. She thought she heard the merchant mutter something that sounded a lot like 'witch', as she turned away.

At a dead end where the mummitomium was concerned, she decided to investigate the Great Sphinx. Rumors she had picked up in the market spoke of a shrine deep inside, that would grant a boon to whomever might discover it.

As she entered the last room in the maze that was the Sphinx's interior, Topaz felt a sudden peace come over her. For a few moments everything was clear. She knew not only where to find the mummitomium, but also how she must tame the restlessness inside of her.

As soon as she left the glow of the Soulpeace Statue, however, the vision dissipated, and she found herself heading out into the desert. She walked, trying to clear her head, until she noticed the sun setting. It was getting dark, and she was out in the middle of nowhere.

"Still searching, I see."

Topaz glanced up in surprise. She had arrived at a small oasis, and there before her was the mysterious woman, the one the merchant had labeled 'witch'.

Before Topaz could say a word, she continued, " Come, sit with me a while. I rarely get company."

Intrigued, Topaz complied. It was so..peaceful here. It reminded her of something, right at the edge of her memory, but she couldn't quite place it.

After a while, the woman leaned over and whispered, "I can help you, if you wish it. A cure for your restlessness, so to speak."

She took Topaz' hand in hers and pulled her to her feet.

"Will you let me help you?" She whispered again.

Lost in her expressive lavender eyes, her heart now pounding in her throat, Topaz swallowed hard, and nodded ever so slightly.

"Come then, stay with me tonight."

Afterward, Topaz could never quite recall the details of that night; the sweet, intoxicating smell of incense filled her mind and blurred her thoughts.

She sleep dreamlessly, and woke the next morning before the sun. Tabitha - she had at last learned her name - sent her off with a gentle kiss and two pieces of mummitomium.

It was an easy task to bypass the traps into the Morcucorp headquarters, drop off the bribe, and acquire the location of the coveted relic.

The map showed a location deep inside the Pyramid of the Sky. She carefully checked the area for Morcucorp agents before venturing inside. After all that trouble, it wouldn't do to be followed.

The place was a maze of swamps and pools. Now she had to find her way through before the Morcucorp agents did.

Every second she was inside, she expected to see enemy agents creeping up behind her, but she managed to make it through, and claimed the relic for the people of Al Simhara. This was one piece that wouldn't be heading for the black market.

Back in Bridgeport, the whole episode at the oasis seemed like a distant dream. She certainly didn't feel any less restless than before. And the image of the mysterious Tabitha was fast fading from her memory. Before it faded completely, she stopped at the tattoo parlor. The tattoo artist eyed her strangely when she ordered a tattoo of a woman with long dark purple hair, but Topaz was pleased to have a permanent reminder of her second trip to Egypt.

After finishing at the tattoo parlor, she headed over to Eugi's, to meet up with the old crowd and relax a little. She was surprised to find Eva waiting in the lobby.

"I heard you were back. I was hoping I would find you here."

Topaz wasn't sure quite what to make of this.

"Uh, Hi Eva. What did you want?"

"I.. well, first I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you in high school. I was so afraid my parents would find out that I liked you. They don't approve of that kind of thing. And also.... have a drink with me? Can we talk?"

"Sure, I'll have a drink with you."

"Thanks, Topaz," Eva leaned closer. "This means so much to me."

Before Topaz realized what was happening, Eva's lips brushed against hers. She thought she had been over Eva for a long time now, but in that moment all the old feelings came rushing back, and she surprised herself by returning the kiss.

"I've never gotten over you, you know," Eva whispered seductively as Topaz hit the button for the lower level, and the doors closed behind them.