Brian Ottomas Ch. 20 Two Birthdays

Heath was learning his way around the kitchen, slowly but surely. From the beginning at the new house he often fixed macaroni and cheese or sandwiches and soup on Saturdays or Friday nights for the girls or even the entire family.

 

After-school hours and weekends were spent outdoors whenever possible. The yard was big and surrounded on three sides by forest; cool and green even in the hot summer sun. Brian had bought up as much surrounding land as he could to keep neighbors from building too close. Between the playground amusements and the pool there was always something to do.

Not too long after they arrived Brian and Meadow took time for romance in their new bedroom.

“We actually have our room to ourselves, babe,” Meadow whispered to Brian, “No cribs, no changing tables. Nothing to spoil the mood.”

“Mmm, yes, I’m noticing that…”

They were still as deeply in love as when they first married, but some days they had very little time to express it.

Meadow realized over the next week that Elvis had taken to gazing into the mirror in the sewing room for long periods of time--was he becoming neurotic? Maybe the move had unnerved him a bit. She would have to give him a little extra attention and lots of affection. All she needed was a 75 pound dog with issues...

Brian had always been more than willing to cook his share of the meals when he was home and Meadow knew she was fortunate. In fact, when it came to her husband, she was blessed in many ways, she reflected with a smile. Between Brian sharing cooking responsibilities and Heath now interested in learning to prepare food 2 to 3 times a week, it really freed her up so she had more time to deal with Rocky and the babies and time, at last, to occasionally go shopping or sew. She still had not been able to get back to her painting, but she knew eventually she would.

Now that Heath was older he could be counted on, from time to time, to be the one who got Rocky up from his nap. He was very affectionate with his younger siblings and they all looked up to him, especially Rocky.

Elvis was, indeed, getting plenty of attention now, too, even though the house was always bustling with activity. All the kids loved the dog and played with him often. Heath took his turn walking him in the evenings, too.

Still working on his culinary skills Heath made a very light meal for supper one night and asked Aurora Berkeley to stay for the meal. It was okay to keep it light,Meadow said, because they’d be having cake after supper. It was birthday time at last for Rocky and Brook. Rockwell Brian would soon be going to school with Willow and Brook Elizabeth would be in high school with Heath.

"No way, Elvis," Heath muttered when the dog hung around while he prepared supper, hoping for scraps, "You have your own food--do you see me hanging around your food bowl? No." 

Meadow brought little Rocky over to his cake and they sang "Happy Birthday" as he smiled. He didn’t know what was going on, but he loved music so he tried to sing along. He was pleased they were all in such a good mood, he just had no idea why.

And suddenly he was a handsome boy with the same winning smile; no surprise, he’d been a darling toddler. And then it was time for Brook’s birthday and Rocky stood right behind her blowing his horn and yelling out her name.

“Make your wish, Kitten,” Brian urged his daughter, winking at Meadow. Their six children were the shining pride of Brian and Meadow. Brook’s cake was a double chocolate one; she loved sweets just like her mother, but in her case she preferred that they always be chocolate.

Thrilled to be a teenager, Brook had to wonder, though, why she ended up with shorter hair after her birthday than she'd had before. She had never worn her hair short until now and was not happy. In fact, she didn't want to go to school with it that way. Fortunately it was still Friday night.

"Oh, no, I look terrible! I hate it!" she wailed in misery.

Meadow finally spoke,

"You do not look terrible, Brook, honey, you look lovely. But if it really bothers you let me see if I can get you an appointment at the hair salon tomorrow and you can get extensions."

Meadow shuddered as she thought about the cost, but it would probably only be necessary once; Brook's hair was thick and grew very fast, all her children's did. She looked at Brian. He raised his eyebrows with a grin,

"You're in charge of the beauty stuff in this house, sweetheart; whatever you say."

"Oh, would you, Momma? I'd be so grateful forever and ever," Brook cried in that over-dramatic way teens had, "I promise I'll grow it out as fast as I can."

By Monday morning Brook had longer hair and a smile on her face. She'd also had fun going to the department store and trying out makeup. She had become quite a pretty teenager. Now she couldn't wait to go to school. Rocky was a bit nervous regarding his first day of school but Willow assured him that's she'd be there if he needed her and he would love Mrs. Spencer, his teacher. She knew because she'd had her last year.

Meadow had served cold cereal with strawberries and milk to the children earlier and was burping Raine when the school bus came roaring up amid the sound of grinding gears and the smell of exhaust.

They were ready and waiting and scooted out the front doors. It was a lovely summer day, but already very hot. The cicadas were singing and, as the children came down the porch steps, there was a very fat bumblebee moving about in the clumsy way bumblebees have. The flowers had drawn him and two graceful butterflies who were hovering above the red blossoms on the shrubbery by the steps.

Brian had been up late with North the night before so Meadow let him sleep in but when he awoke he was disoriented; he was used to being woke up before dawn and was still getting acclimated to their new home and new bedroom. How odd to wake in the daylight; it took a second before he even knew where he was. The babies woke early and so, often, he had to take a short nap after lunch so he could stay awake through the long nights at the club. He could hear Meadow downstairs talking to the dog; she'd just put Raine back in her crib and the baby was sleeping, but he could hear North beginning to get a bit anxious. Brian headed to the shower; it would be another busy day and evening, but at least he’d gotten a good 8 hours in last night.

 

The gardener arrived and began her work and then the maid came up the front walk. Once Brian let her know he was up and about Meadow took Elvis for his morning walk.

They were all adjusting to their new home and happy to be there. For supper that night Brian made a new dish; Crispy Chicken Chef Salad; a nice light meal in keeping with the heat. Afterward the family voted to have that salad added to Brian's repertoire and featured often in the summer.

Meadow was extremely happy with her new sewing room; everything was right at her fingertips; the sewing machine, of course, but also the dress form, an ironing board, full-length mirror, and various supplies including bolts of cloth. Everything she could want in one place; it was a dream come true for her.

Brook was working on getting in shape that night while Brian helped Rocky with his homework. He hadn't been in school long and he needed supervision. The next night it would be the twins' birthday. Everyone was anxious to see what their littlest family members would look like as toddlers.

Next blog update: Brian Ottomas Ch. 21 "We Are Family"