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?"