Week Three – Maternity Leave

<<Start at Week 1

Last week was fairly tumultuous for Lola Featherstone, falling for a married man and winning his affections anyway. This week our willful founder settles into wedded bliss – will she manage to balance her personal ambitions with family life?

SUNDAY

The sun is creeping up over Riverview on another Sunday morning after two lonely weeks of lawn living, Lola has found a mate and has a roof over her head. The newly-weds are resting fitfully, they were quite energetic before sleeping last night.

Lola just isn’t the sort to lie in bed when there are things to do so she’s soon out tending to her garden. The little vegetable patch is slowly expanding – got to get those 20 plants in and maintained before she’s an elder.

Her trowel abandoned, Lola has to dash inside – something is going on in her tummy.

It’s just as well that Lola likes to keep her hair neatly up and out of the way because Aiden isn’t at home to hold it back for her. He’s pursuing a whim to learn to fish. His catches are a little undersized for now but Lola’s garden will benefit from this new hobby.

Lola is a tough lady so she makes it out of the house and spends the afternoon in the library. Aiden stops off to see her before heading over to the diner. It’s his handiness rather than cooking expertise that has been requested and he pockets a little extra cash for his trouble. I’m sure they’ll need the extra for something soon.

Like purchasing nursery accoutrements, perhaps?

MONDAY

Manufacturing a tiny person insider her seems to suit Lola, she’s up early and feeling industrious. Her spare time will be drastically reduced when the baby arrives so she upgrades the sprinkler to auto-water.

Then another afternoon at the library; reading up on her “condition” while Aiden is at work.

Lola’s maternity leave and Aiden’s wages make enough for a cheap couch and outdoor games area for the future chess legend – he’s been wishing for both.

And after all, it is his birthday.

TUESDAY

Lola gets into the ice cream as soon as Aiden leaves for work in the morning. She stays in the kitchen, usually Aiden’s domain, to prepare a dish for a local cooking contest.

Urgh, sorry, only just noticed that the walls weren’t completely up in this shot.

Miraculously her simple Autumn salad scores her some prize money.

“They awarded me some bonus points for managing to haul myself through the door.”

Oh well, not complaining – the Featherstones are pretty much still living pay-cheque to pay-cheque – not such a good thing with a little one on the way.

It’s been a successful afternoon for Aiden, too. He was chosen to deliver a report at city hall and even had time to hit the childbirth section of the public library.

“Oof, she’s moving around an awful lot in there tonight.”

“Can I feel?”

“Of course, babes.”

“I did some reading, I think we can do this. The nursery’s ready, your over-night bag is packed, your boobs are looking great and I’m ready to cuddle with our little one.”

“Oh, good.”

And Sylar is born. He may not be a potential heiress but Generation 2 has to start somewhere.

Welcome home to your cupboard nursery, Sylar! He’s mummy’s little excitable genius. I was able to roll for both of Sy’s traits (I’ll be rolling for all traits besides the required green thumb and handy, just to keep me on my toes).

WEDNESDAY

Aiden is still worn out from a late night at the hospital when he heads off to work the next morning. Exhaustion seems to take some of the excitement out of the birth of his first child.

But he manages to turn things around by the end of the day.

“Congrats on that promotion, Mr. Featherstone. “

“Thank-you, Tricia.”

Aiden then clogs up the toilet and goes to bed for an early night. It’s just as well he married Lola.

After seeing to Sylar, Lola heads to bed herself.

But she doesn’t stay there for long. Sylar won’t stop fussing – Lola is up and down most of the night. It’s a near constant cycle of feed, snuggle, play, snuggle, nappy change, play, feed, snuggle. Aiden is allowed to sleep because Lola is the one with maternity leave. I wish you could choose which parent got time off – Lola is already anxious to be back at work.

THURSDAY

Aiden is up early and well rested the next morning. He spends some time with his new telescope and does some reading before work.

Lola tends to the garden and feilds a call from her boss. Meadow seems quite eager to talk to her and calls again later in the day.

Husband and wife rest together in the afternoon, Lola is pretty tired from being up with Sylar most of the night.

“Hey little fellow, it’s your daddy! What’s that? No babes, Mummy needs a rest for now so it’s just us blokes together. What to come watch while Daddy cleans some dishes for work?”

Not the most fascinating task for anyone, let alone a new born.

Oh my! It’s time for Lola to get that tingling feeling.

“You’re still the same beautiful woman I left my mansion and wife for.”

“Why thank-you, Mr. Featherstone-Jones.”

FRIDAY

By the next morning, Lola is regretting the fashion they’d chosen to chosen to celebrate her birthday in.

“I just want to get back to work! Sylar is lovely but I miss my job.”

She consoles herself by spending even more time out in the garden. The lime trees look as if they’ll be ready to bear fruit soon.

Aiden is more enthusiastic about a potential new arrival than his wife and stops off at the library on his way home for more reading on the subject.

Lola spends a lot of time in the bathroom that night, gazing down at her changing body and avoiding Aiden.

When Aiden is Zzzing softly she sneaks through into Sylar’s room to kiss him goodnight.

“Mummy does love you, but hope for a sister, little one. Don’t tell Daddy… but I think I even miss when it was just me and a bed beside the veggie patch.”

SATURDAY

It’s the weekend so Lola pokes Aiden awake when Sylar starts fussing in the other room. No work means no excuse for not taking turns.

It’s a happy day, anyway – even the bloke on TV seems excited about Sylar’s first birthday!

He’s ended up with his dad’s eyes and hair, little tyke.

After the party, Lola makes a break for it. With Aiden home to watch Sylar all day she can finally spend some time pursuing wishes out in the “real” world.

Aiden turns out to be quite good with his toddler. From guidance at potty time…

To several hours of play time. Sylar is fascinated by everything his dad shows him.

Lola is at the library, she immerses herself in study and then even has a chat to someone else while browsing the shelves. The conversation, of course, turns to gardening.

She’s actually talking to one of my hastily added townies – I was a bit irked by how white Riverview is – did anyone else notice that? I added a few families of various races and I’m thinking I should even add some pretty green and blue people.

When Sylar is settled, Aiden invites over his next ranked chess opponent – Sigmund and they attempt to crush each other’s hands before play begins.

Aiden doesn’t win but he still seems cheerful enough despite the defeat.

Then Lola is home and she seems to be refreshed from her day away from the house and family. There’s even a gift in her bag for Sylar and his soon-to-be sibling – 3 new children’s books. This is a pretty special treat considering the family tends to just rely on what the library has to offer.

So there’s the update for the week, thanks again to everyone who’s been commenting. Check back soon to see if we finally have an heiress.

>>Week 4

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