The Atwood DITFT: Generation 4, Chapter 7
Author's Note: Welcome back to the Atwood legacy! I... don't really have anything to say right now. What?? That never happens! Oh, other than, I apologize if this is the last update of this legacy for awhile :S As I may have mentioned, I'm having a hard time with writing the rest of this generation. I'll do my best to keep up with it, but I'm having a bit of writers block I guess :P Also because I'm having so much fun playing the Richmond family, lol! I'll probably have another chapter of that up soon, so you can look forward to that! (Those are posted on my main roxmorgirl page, and you can read them even if you've never read a Richmond chapter before! <3) Anyway, here's chapter 7!!
The Atwood DITFT: Generation 4, Chapter 7
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Joey was growing bigger and bigger. Graham noticed her love for everything pink and girly, and couldn’t be happier to oblige his princess.
“What do you think of your new tutu, sweetheart?”
“I love it, Daddy!” she exclaimed.
“I’m so glad,” he replied. “I’m sure you’ll get lots more presents once your grandparents and aunts and uncles get here, but I thought you’d like to wear this for Christmas, huh?”
Joey squealed happily. She couldn’t wait for her family to visit! She had only met them once before, since the trip from Monte Vista to Meadow Glen was quite far. But they had all spoiled her and drowned her in hugs and toys, so she remembered them fondly.
“Now, why don’t we fix up a present for Mama before she gets home?” Graham suggested. Joey was quite a late walker, and hadn’t yet learned properly. Graham figured now was a great time to surprise his wife by finishing the job.
“I’m going to go over there, and I want you to see if you can walk all the way to me, all right?”
Joey shrieked with excitement. Graham laughed at her fearless expression, then backed up.
“You did it, Princess!” Graham exclaimed.
“Yay, Daddy!”
“I’m so proud of you. I love you, Joey.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
Before long, Genie arrived home from the horse show she had been competing in. Graham congratulated her on her win, then prepared to show off their daughter’s newest skill.
“I’m doing it, Mama!” Joey cried.
Genie smiled. “Good job, sweetie!” But the smile didn’t reach her eyes, and Graham noticed, as he always did.
“Graham, can I talk to you a second?”
Unsure what could be going on-she had been so ecstatic a moment ago when she had arrived home-Graham followed his wife into the hall.
“I just… don’t you think that outfit is a little too… I don’t know… girly?” Genie said.
Graham was baffled. “Genie, what are you talking about? She loves it! Of course it’s girly, that’s what Joey likes.”
“Yes, but Joey’s a toddler, she doesn’t really know what she wants,” Genie protested. “I just want to make sure…” she sighed. “I just want to make sure she’s…”
“Make sure she’s what, Genie? Why don’t we focus on making sure she’s herself? Joey couldn’t be happier with that tutu I got her for Christmas, and I don’t know what you want me to do about that.”
“I just don’t want us to dress her too girly!” Genie cried. “And your family is coming over soon, and I want them to like her, too… I just want things to be perfect for Christmas, okay?”
“And they will be, Gen! I don’t know what you’re getting so worked up about. Joey looks like a princess and my parents and siblings are going to obsess over her all day tomorrow. Please don’t be worried. They don’t care if she looks too girly, and neither do I. I don’t want you to be upset about something that’s just not an issue,” he finished plaintively.
Genie sighed, feeling that nothing she had said had come out right. I didn’t explain that well at all. And Graham won’t even try to understand. She shrugged. “If Joey really likes it, I suppose…”
“She does,” Graham confirmed. “Now, can we go help her put out cookies for Santa, please? Or something to celebrate her finally walking?” His patience was slipping, and he knew it. But he couldn’t help it-a person could stand only so much of this. And besides, it was a different story when it was directed not just at him, but at his precious daughter as well.
* * *
The next morning, most of Graham’s family arrived from Monte Vista for Christmas.
Jackie and her wife Bellatrix were there.
So were Beth (pregnant again) and her husband Michael. Their two children had stayed behind in Monte Vista with Logan’s wife and children.
However, Logan himself managed to make it!
Rue and James had come as well, Rue bringing her burgeoning love for cooking and spending most of the day preparing their dinner.
Somehow, though, everyone was rounded up and crammed into the living room for present-opening time. Joey sat excitedly on the floor by her father, ready for whatever gifts were coming her way.
They even managed to patiently take turns opening presents.
“What did you get, Grahammy?” Rue called.
Graham blushed, glaring at his father. James burst out laughing. “I’ll tell you later, dear,” James said, glancing meaningfully at the oblivious toddler nearby.
“I don’t believe it,” Graham mumbled. “As if a sex toy is anywhere near an appropriate Christmas gift.” Only Beth, who was nearby, heard him, and she burst into a fit of giggles.
Later, delicious food was served, and Graham’s sisters, brother, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and parents all took turns holding and tickling little Joey, who reveled in the attention.
It was a wonderful Christmas.
Later that evening, many of the family had left. Rue was eating a final cookie from the bountiful platters. Joey, who couldn’t find her parents anywhere, had busied herself with her brand-new xylophone toy.
Graham returned from chatting with his triplet Beth, who was now playing away on the grand piano from the hall. He sat down to join Joey’s game as Rue began to wash dishes.
“You don’t have to do that, Mom,” he said. “Genie and I will get them all in the morning.”
“It’s no trouble, sweetheart!” Rue said lightly. “I know you two must have your hands full, what with four horses, a dog, and this little rascal on your hands.” She smiled down at her granddaughter fondly.
Then, as Rue turned away from the sink, she paused, staring at Joey. “Graham…” she said slowly. “Listen.” He did, unsure what his mother was talking about. “Sweetie, Joey is playing along with Beth’s piano music!”
Graham gasped. Rue was right! His little princess was tapping along to the tune of what Beth was playing. “That’s amazing!”
Rue began to dance, grinning. “If only any of my children had been so smart at that age!” she teased.
“Oh, come on,” Graham argued. “We were all too busy going on wild adventures, hoping to be like you when we grew up. We didn’t have time for being smart.”
Rue laughed. “Fair enough,” she agreed.
“Thank you for coming, Mom, and shepherding all of them out here as well,” Graham said fondly. “This has been a wonderful holiday.”
“I’m so glad we could come,” Rue said. “And I didn’t realize quite how big this house was! Next time, your father and I at least are going to be staying here!”
“Were you snooping in the bedrooms?!” Graham demanded.
“How else was I supposed to know if you’ve been cleaning properly?” Rue replied. “And let me tell you, there are a lot of bedrooms. There’s even one on the ground floor! It will be perfect for your father with his chair.”
“That’s true, at least,” Graham smiled. “You know you are welcome at any time.”
After the last of the family members had straggled out, Graham scooped up his daughter. “Well, now, Princess, it is way past your bedtime!” he exclaimed.
Joey protested. “I want to stay up and play with my new toys!” she begged.
“No, sweetheart, we’ve got to get you to bed. But I’ll play whatever you want tomorrow; how does that sound?”
“Yay!” Joey exclaimed.
“Now, I wonder where your mother is…” Graham said thoughtfully.
In fact, Genie had retreated outside some time ago. Overwhelmed by the number of people inside her usually quiet and safe home, she felt that taking care of the animals outside was the only thing that could calm her nerves.
Graham didn’t miss her help putting little Joey to bed, though. This was a routine he and his princess usually did without Genie’s help. “Good night, sweetheart.”
“See you tomorrow?” Joey asked uncertainly.
“Of course, Joey. We will play tomorrow.”
“Good night, little Princess.”
<3
* * *
“Graham, I think we should go see the doctor,” Genie said shakily. She had just come into the bedroom after her morning shower, and she looked ghost white with fear.
Graham looked up from his book. “What is it?”
Genie held her growing belly protectively. “It’s… like I have my period,” she whispered.
“But you can’t have a period right now,” he began, getting up.
“I know,” she said, her voice shaking with suppressed tears.
Graham’s mind was instantly a whirlwind. What’s happening? Is this normal? Is the baby okay? How soon can we get to the doctor? He tried to stay calm. “Okay,” he said, “Okay, I’m going to call the sitter. You lay down and don’t move until I come back for you. And I’ll call the doctor…” He continued talking to himself as he rushed out of the room. He didn’t want to panic in front of Genie.
Shaking hands pulled out his cell phone. Mindlessly he punched in the number for the babysitter. Miraculously he betrayed no hint of emotion as he talked to her. “We didn’t realize we had an appointment until just now… I’m so sorry about the late notice… See you in ten minutes… Thank you so much.”
Then the doctor’s office. “There may be some issues we would like to have examined… She’s not available? Well, can you make her available?” Now the desperation kicked in. “My wife needs to speak with the doctor immediately! There might be a real problem!”
Ten minutes of agony. Smiling face for the babysitter. Half-carrying Genie out to the car. Her quiet sobs filling the silence of the car ride. The soft music in the waiting room making Graham want to hit someone. Ten more minutes of agony. Fifteen. Twenty. Genie’s cries were silent now, but he knew they still came. He couldn’t look at her, but he knew she cried. How he longed to cry with her.
Nurses. Medical equipment everywhere. Genie on a cold table. Suddenly, the doctor hurrying in. “How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?” Genie’s answer was too quiet for Graham to hear.
Then everything was too quiet, so quiet he couldn’t block out the one word he didn’t want to hear: “Miscarriage.” It echoed inside his head, echoed, echoed. “Miscarriage.” Miscarriage. Miscarriage.
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I'm sorry D:
...But Joey and Graham are absolutely adorable together, right?? I'm sorry this chapter was actually mostly spam of the two of them... I couldn't help it :P THEY ARE SO CUTE! But then I went and ruined it..... Well, I hope you comment anyway? :P