Gen 10 Ch 2

Now that Jack and Crystal were formally engaged, they made it a priority to schedule play dates so the girls could get to know each other before the big day.
"Hi, I'm Shani. Can I play on your computer?"

At first there wasn't much playing going on. Shani stayed glued to the computer, which Naomi could care less about, and Naomi hid in her room playing with her dollhouse

So Jack and Crystal kicked them both out into the back yard, where they finally found an activity they both could enjoy.

Crystal began to talk up Jack's Potion Shop during her performances, and soon he saw a huge uptick in business. He was spending so much time cooking up new recipes, that the business side of the shop began to suffer.

The only solution was to hire someone to run the register. Crystal was not exactly happy that the best qualified candidate turned out to be a cute young girl, but she was knowledgeable and Crystal finally gave her stamp of approval.

The day of the wedding finally arrived. Rose Beryl, Stephan and Diamond flew in for the happy occasion. Naomi was excited to show off her 'brides dress'.

They were married at sunset, the purple desert sky providing a perfect backdrop to the ceremony.

Naomi watched in rapt attention until the final kiss.
"Ew, gross. Kissing."

Shani's reaction was pretty much the same.

She was 'not a dress person', as she put it, and there had been a few tense moments beforehand regarding her wedding attire, which, as you can see, Shani won hands down. Her only concession was the lavender sweater, to match her dad's shirt, instead of the black one she had picked out.

Ah yes, the kissing part is over, we can celebrate again!

They rented a karaoke machine for the reception, and Stephan and Crystal relived old times belting out a few favorites, just like they had when Crystal was a child in Appaloosa Plains.

Diamond showed up in her sweats, but Crystal was so happy to see her family again, she didn't even care.

Sadly, they were only there for the day, but Rose had some good news as they said their goodbyes.
"We've talked it over, and decided to add Lucky Palms onto our itinerary. We have to get back now, but we'll see you for winter festival!"

Shani escaped the reception as soon as she could to get back on the computer...

...while Naomi played wedding with her dolls...

...and Crystal and Jack danced under the stars...

...before retiring to the bedroom for other fun activities.

Blending two families into one is never an easy proposition, and there were arguments to be had, and tears to be shed in this case as well, but on the whole things went smoothly, and life settled into a routine.
They let the girls choose their own themes for their bedrooms. Naomi picked a fantasy theme in her favorite color...

... while Shani chose a more modern look.

It wasn't long before Crystal began feeling sick in the mornings.

They weren't really trying to have a baby, but they hadn't been exactly careful, either. Crystal wasn't sure how Jack would react to the news.

She needn't have worried.

Spooky Day was fast approaching. Jack got the girls each a pumpkin to carve.

Naomi, true to form, carved a nice smiling face. Shani - well, she said it was a ghost. The Jack-O-Lanterns were set out on the front walk in anticipation of the long awaited Spooky Day celebration.
Unfortunately, Crystal had to work that night, but Jack promised to take the girls out trick-or-treating.

Shani was an alien, and Naomi a bunny.
After their buckets were full, Jack took them to watch Crystal's performance.

The casino had put her on maternity leave - siting something about liability - but Crystal suspected that her current condition didn't fit the 'image' the casino wanted to project. So she had gotten a gig in an older venue out near the military base. It was nearly empty when Jack and the girls arrived.

Suddenly Jack heard a familiar voice that set his teeth on edge.

"Well, well, look who's here, and not another soul in the whole place."

 Pascal was right. Jack glanced around. The manager was nowhere to be seen, and the place was empty. Pascal reached out to grab Naomi's arm, and Jack reacted instantly.

"I'm not letting you get away this time!"
"Daddyy! I have to go pee! Like right now!"
Shani was squirming, and Naomi stood rooted to the spot, as if in a trance. Jack's complete attention was on the danger to his family. Crystal quickly dropped her microphone and called to the girls.

"Shani, Naomi! Quickly girls, into the bathroom! Hurry!"
And run they did. Crystal was so proud of them.

Jack tried his best, and he did manage to land a few good blows, unlike last time. But still, even after Pascal was laid out on the floor, he managed to slip from Jack's grasp and slither off into the night.

"Jack! Where is he? I've got the police on the line."

"Too late. He's gone again. I have a feeling this won't be the last time we see him, though. We'll just have to be extra careful from now on."