Post 1.13 | Rules | Family Tree | Post 2.1
A/N: This is a pretty long chapter, way longer than I usually write for this family, but I just really wanted to get to Kevin’s generation.
The news of Kayla’s pregnancy caused some surprise for all of the members of the family, and changes had to be made to the house in order to make room for the newest member to arrive.
Unfortunately, this meant a lot of work for Tim, who had to transform their small 3-bedroom house into a 5 bed-room house. He was determined to give the twins their own spaces, and while it took a lot of adjustments, it was finally completed late in winter.
The kids were thrilled with having their own spaces, no one minded they were small. Jennifer could finally play her guitar without feeling like she was always bothering her brothers.
Ryan and Jennifer continue to help on the farm all the time. Jennifer enjoys getting her hands a bit dirty in the dirt, which she says no one ever expects, and Ryan enjoys helping with the chickens.
Tim is very proud of his garden, and the life he has made here in Willow Creek. The greenhouse keeps everything warm and growing even in the dead of winter, although it does take a little extra care.
When they aren’t helping in the garden Jennifer and Ryan often can be found dancing or listening to music. They have different tastes sometimes, which can lead to arguments, but nothing too major.
Jennifer continues to also help Kayla in the kitchen. This is extremely useful for Kayla who, while still fairly early in her pregnancy, is starting to feel its effects.
Ryan and Kevin enjoy the occasional “guy time” in one of their tiny rooms, or just getting out of the house for a bit. It seems clear Ryan looks up to his older brother.
Tim and Kayla did find out that Kevin was really worried about his test scores, even though he didn’t have to be. They tried to encourage him not to worry so much. They also found out Ryan had been getting bullied at school, but he told him he had dealt with it.
Kayla knew, from her past pregnancies that getting in a workout was not always an option as she got bigger and bigger, so she takes as much time as she can to stay fit now. With large blizzards happening this winter, having a soccer ball to juggle makes it easier to stay inside and stay fit.
Even with the weather, the cowplant still needs to be fed, and Tim tries to always feed him right away, but sometimes it requires a break in the storm before he’s able to get out with the packaged meat.
Kayla was having doubts about this pregnancy. Not that she wasn’t willing or excited to be having another baby, but she knew they were getting older and the rest of their kids were already teens.
Tim assured Kayla that they could handle it, they could handle anything that came along. Kayla spent the afternoon canning and prepping some ingredients in her new kitchen appliances thinking over what he said.
Kevin brought Ash home from school today, and Tim and Kayla were happy to meet one of the kids’ friends. Ash joined Jennifer and Kevin to play games. Ryan came over shortly after and joined in on the fun as well.
Ash was invited to stay for dinner and it seems they are not only Kevin’s friend, but at least friendly with all 3 kids. Kayla was glad the kids were making friends in school.
While the kids went back to video games in the living room Kayla let loose on Tim. She was tired, the house was a mess (at least in her eyes), the kids were growing up so fast and she didn’t know if she wanted to go back through nights of no sleep, and diaper changes again. Tim didn’t know what to say, so when Kayla went up to lay down Tim cleaned up the kitchen and thought about all she said.
After a fairly restless night of sleep Tim was still thinking through all Kayla had said while he went out to tend to the chickens. Kayla had to work today and she basically left without saying much.
Tim knew he had to find a way to help ease Kayla’s fears, and while he looked at the flaming-eyed rooster, who had never lost those eyes, he pondered what to do.
When Kayla got home, feeling more pregnant than she had when she left Tim was ready for her. He pampered her a bit (although letting her go inside might have been a good idea too), and told her how excited he was, but made sure to tell her about his nerves too. He was excited, but he shared many of the same concerns, and so he told her all about his own fears. This was their little nugget though, and he wanted to meet them.
Kayla relaxed, realizing Tim was right, although it was also a relief to know he shared many of the same concerns. She was still a little scared, but she also wanted to meet this new little one. That evening Tim watched her train, tried out some ball juggling himself, and they spent time together.
The kids, meanwhile, had a homework party with another friend from school. Kevin was also busy forming a plan in his mind based on some things they had learned at school.
The spice festival came into town, and it was a pleasant evening so Tim and Kayla decided to take the family and some of their friends out to enjoy the night. Kayla even ended up beating the spice challenge!
Life continued on, Kevin researching things on his computer, trying to make plans for his future, Jennifer continued to practice guitar and was considering writing songs, and Tim kept up on the farm, and of course, the cowplant.
When the new year was here the family took a leisurely morning, Kayla making up some breakfast and the kids annoying her with noisemakers. Kevin had plans for the day though.
Kevin went out to talk to his father about what he wanted to do. He started by asking Tim if he could have some of the current harvest, which Tim agreed to. He thought Kevin was finally taking an interest in the farm. Kevin quickly let his dad know that wasn’t the case, explaining how he had been learning about how to make drinks. While Tim didn’t understand his fascination with it, Kevin explained all the science that goes into making a good drink, including good quality produce.
With produce in hand, Kevin went to the marketplace that had opened up where the old museum used to be. It had a little bit of everything, but for Kevin’s purposes, it had exactly what he needed. A fizzer and a place to stomp nectar.
Kevin came home elated with what he had accomplished and while Tim still didn’t understand the interest, or why this would be the path his son would take, he couldn’t deny Kevin’s excitement.
That night Kevin proudly presented his first batch of fizzed drinks for the new years. Jennifer said it was pretty good, Tim found he really liked the fizzed drinks, but poor Kayla had some issues. The flavor was ok, but the bubbles did not sit well with her. Still, Kevin felt it was a great success.
More bottles of Kevin’s fizzing drink were consumed throughout the countdown to midnight, and Ryan enjoyed the drinks too. The whole family was up cheering in the new year together when midnight hit.
As the celebration was finishing up, however, Kayla suddenly felt her water break. Kevin was immediately nervous it was from his drink but his mom assured him there was nothing to worry about, this was totally normal.
Tim grabbed the bags and worked to get them to the hospital on the icy roads as quickly, but safely as possible. After what felt like entirely too long for Tim they got checked in and the newest little Emerson was born. Kayla looked down into her sweet face and immediately knew, her name was Rachel.
Winter started to fade away and spring flowers began to pop up everywhere. Tim was quite enamored with his baby daughter. Kevin even found himself rather smitten with his new sister.
With spring finally here that meant Tim was able to fish at the fishing spot near home again. Everyone was happy the blizzards were over and the chill of winter was leaving again.
Ryan started helping his dad raise a large pumpkin, and Ryan couldn’t help but take a picture of it. Spring Day also arrived and with it the flower bunny, whom Jennifer enjoyed talking with.
Ryan was growing up and began to enjoy the small talk with his family, and decided he had outgrown the mischief of his youth. Tim and Kayla were actually quite happy to have that stage behind them.
Kayla was happy to be able to start taking care of the chickens again and juggle the ball outside. When she was pregnant before the smell of the coop always got to her. She was very sure she was done with kids now.
Tim and Kayla are happy all of their kids are close, and hope they will help take good care of Rachel. The twins especially seem to be closer than ever now, maybe the separate rooms were good for them.
Tim still loved his garden, and he was thrilled to have Ryan and Jennifer help him whenever they were willing. He was sad Kevin wasn’t going to take over, but he was proud of him all the same.
No matter how many times it happens it’s always sad to Kayla and Tim when their chickens pass onto the other side. The cycle starts all over again with new chicks being hatched, but it’s hard to take.
Kevin: Hey Ryan you wanna…..WHAT ARE YOU DOING???? STAY AWAY FROM THE COWPLANT!!!!
Ryan: It’s all good Kev, you’re too……..CRAAAAAAAAP!!!!!
Tim was furious with Ryan for his stunt with the cowplant. Everyone was relieved that Ryan was ok when the cowplant spit him back out but Kevin was so shaken up he didn’t even want to go into the backyard at all.
Ryan stayed mad at himself for quite a while. He couldn’t believe he fell for the cake, he knew better. Kevin was worried about his brother, but it always startled him when he’d start yelling at himself. Kevin could not understand how his dad could keep that blasted plant around and felt like saying “told you so” to everyone.
Rachel was getting bigger quickly, and it felt like only yesterday they were rushing to the hospital in the wintery weather. She is a very calm little girl, and Tim and Kayla are very thankful for that.
Kevin and Ryan seem to be heading into a competition time with each other, turning everything into a debate, or a race. That included trying to get the table set one night.
The kids say school has been going well for them, they all hang out a fair amount in school, but Kevin also came home and told Tim and Kayla about making team captain. He called for a computer science fair, and one is actually being set up!
Kayla is totally enamored with Rachel. It’s hard to believe she was ever worried about having another baby. She’s a natural mom and Rachel is learning new things all the time.
Sometimes it’s late at night before Tim is able to get through the chores to go to his favorite fishing spot. He’s determined to try and learn all he can about fishing and be even better at it.
Life continues on for the family with the kids doing well in school, and Rachel getting older. Tim and Kayla knew they would have a toddler again before they knew it. Ryan and Jennifer continue to help in the garden, especially with the cow plant, although Ryan has let Jennifer take on more of that responsibility.
Sadly the another chicken was lost to the other side. It continues to be the cycle of life on a farm, but Kayla hates losing her chickens, regardless of the reason.
Tim is just as smitten with his youngest as Kayla. He gives Rachel a bath and just couldn’t help but be a little overwhelmed by the cuteness of it all.
The kids continue to bring friends home from school now and then, and they do love to play video games together. Kayla is back to cooking meals for the family but she does wish the kids would help clean up a little more often.
Kayla is a great mom to Rachel, and it’s hard for anyone to believe when she starts learning to sit up on her own. They really do grow up so fast.
Kevin continues to lead the computer club, and he works hard to try and win the computer science fairs, but so far it has not happened. He says it’s ok, they have a young team and Kevin knows the other participants are really quite good.
For some reason, both Ryan and Jennifer get really moody and downright mean. Tim and Kayla both try to talk to them about it, but there appears to be a bit of a block there right now.
They do seem to confide in Kevin though, and he tries to assure his parents it’s nothing they need to worry about, just a lot of things going on around them, and the idea that he will be moving out soon.
This culminated right before Kevin’s birthday with Ryan picking a fight with Kevin and declaring he hoped Kevin’s business idea would fail. Tim and Kayla could tell it hurt Kevin’s feelings but tried to assure him Ryan didn’t really mean it.
Right before his birthday, Kevin was told to go milk the cowplant. He didn’t want to, but it needed doing and no one else was able to. Tim assured him the cowplant had been recently fed and there was nothing to worry about, but as he attempted to milk it the cowplant jerked up and Kevin ran back inside. Never again…..
A small party was thrown for Kevin’s birthday, and he invited some friends over from school. Kayla baked up a cake, and even Ryan celebrated, having tried to make up with his brother some. He doesn’t really want Kevin to leave.
Tim and Kayla were both so proud when they found out that Kevin was going to be honored at graduation. He had worked so hard and had to overcome some things, but he was well on his way. He would be moving out soon to travel his own path, but they are sure to all be together again soon.
Post 1.13 | Rules | Family Tree | Post 2.1
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