Chapter 1.7: Married Life

Blue, Twinbrook

I fell asleep that night next to Goodwin, my husband, completely content. Okay, so maybe we didn't fall asleep right away... all I'll say is that I had a very good night.



I woke up that morning, still unable to believe my luck. I was also ravenous.

I waddled out of bed, making sure not to wake up Goodwin (which is easier said than done when your stomach is the size of a beach ball), and quickly put on my pink dress. It really was amazing how it hid my stomach. I wondered if the dress was somehow magical- but as far as I knew, my magic only worked on people, not things. Was there someone else magical in Twinbrook whose specialty was things?

An interesting thought to consider. Maybe after breakfast.

I rushed to the kitchen and pulled out the first box of cereal that came in contact with my hand. Just as I started to eat the cereal, I felt my water break. Then the contractions came. My first thought was to mourn the loss of breakfast, but then the pain became much more urgent than the hunger.



It hurt! You knew it would, the Guardian said oh-so helpfully, You are a doctor. What did you think, that it would be a walk in the park?

"SHUT UP!" I screeched. I didn't want to listen to a Guardian who had never given birth and therefore could not even remotely sympathize with my pain. In fact, Justin was lucky he was far away, because I was ready to attack him for putting me through this.



"What's going on?" Goodwin said sleepily, walking into the kitchen. I briefly felt remorse for waking him up, until I remembered that he was a man and would never give birth.

"What do you THINK is happening?!" I screeched in between contractions.



I'd heard that most men panicked when women gave birth, but Goodwin was surprisingly calm.

"We need to get you to the hospital," he said, both serious and determined. "Come on, I'll help."



Goodwin held onto me as we walked out the door and got into the cab he had quickly called. He sat next to me, holding my hand and whispering in my ear. I was a nervous wreck between the pain and the fears. What if I wasn't ready to be a mother? What if he or she hated me?

Goodwin must've guessed what I was thinking, because he whispered gently, "You'll be the best mother in the world, you just wait."

"I don't know," I said back, but I could tell that I was smiling a little. How could Goodwin make me so sure of myself?



We ran in, causing some other locals to freak out. After a few hard hours in the hospital, I emerged with what surely must be the most beautiful baby girl to ever be born. When I first set eyes on Raven, all of my doubts seemed silly. I would care for and love this child as long as I lived. I would try my best to be a good mother because that's what Raven deserved.



I felt bad when Goodwin and I entered the nursery. "We haven't finished decorating yet," I said quietly.

"You were a little early," Goodwin replied. "Don't worry, I don't think Raven knows the difference yet. But you know what, I'll go buy some paint right now. Will you be okay without me for an hour?"

I nodded my assent and placed Raven in the crib (thank goodness we'd bought one already).



After Goodwin left, I stared at her for over a minute, watching her small chest rise and fall with each breath she took. I couldn't believe this sweet child was half Justin.

"No," I said to myself. "Goodwin is her father."

And I knew that it was true. Just as I would never be like my mother, I would make sure that Raven did not turn out like Justin.

The next few days were exhausting but happy. Raven woke up at odd hours and had a shrill cry that rang out throughout the entire house. Goodwin and I took turns feeding her and changing her dirty diapers. We were constantly tired, but it was a pleasant kind of tired. Goodwin and I became closer than ever, tied together in the bond of caring for Raven.



In the hours when Raven slept, we talked and laughed and kissed and made love until we were dumb with joy. One night we sat outside in our underwear until 3 am, just enjoying each other's company. Our married life, in my opinion, was absolutely perfect.



Eventually, Goodwin had to return to work, but not before he found the number of a local teen babysitter and insisted that I call it if I needed any help at all during work hours. He even promised he would come home from work at the first call. I wasn't planning on calling him or the babysitter though. Raven was mine, and I knew I could take care of her myself.

I had called my boss, but she insisted I stay home for as long as I wanted. She claimed she was sending reduced paychecks over until I came back. I was amazed by her kindness, and promised to stop in a few times to see the patients anyway. I missed working, but someone had to stay home with Raven.



I also missed Goodwin. He was great about watching Raven when he got home to give me a bit of a break, but even then we got to spend so little time together. One of us was always with the baby or sleeping or practicing something for work.



When I began throwing up again, I was almost entirely sure that I was pregnant. It was too similar to last time. I did take the pregnancy test, and sure enough, Goodwin and I would be having another child.



After I took the test, I stood in the bathroom, entirely conflicted. A large part of me was excited and happy, but my more practical side wondered how I would care for two babies with Goodwin at work. When would I return to the hospital? How many people had died that I might have been able to save?

You cannot think that way, the Guardian said. You must live your own life. Your dreams and desires come first.



The Guardian was right, of course. I smiled. Another baby! Goodwin would be so excited! I quickly dressed in a maternity gown and ran out of the room to tell him, already anticipating his smile.

When I found Goodwin in the kitchen, I ran up to him excitedly. "Goodwin," I cried, gesturing excitedly. "I'm pregnant!"



I don't know what it was, but something about the new baby sent Goodwin into a frenzy. It was like when I was pregnant with Raven, except even more intense. Oh, he was happy. In fact, he was so happy that when I told him I thought he was going to sob with joy. He pulled me into his arms and didn't let go of me for the longest time.



But already his eyes were gleaming with an emotion other than love. Something closer to determination.

We broke apart and then he hugged me again, as though he couldn't bear to be physically separate from his unborn child- and me, of course.

"I'll take care of you forever," he whispered into my ear. "No matter what I have to do."



I was so sure after he said that that all of my fears had been for nothing. Yet only the next day we fought for the first time ever when he discovered we didn't have enough money to buy another crib.

"How could we have been so stupid?" He cried. "What were we thinking when we bought those curtains? We should have saved that money!"



"We didn't know," I said, trying to calm him down. "We'll have enough money after you get your weekly paycheck tomorrow."

"That's not the point, Blue," He said, his voice exasperated. "We need to be more careful, we can't buy whatever we feel like just because we have the money!"



I tried to reason with him, but he insisted on rushing out to search for some gold or valuable rocks to sell. So began his obsession with making more money in whatever way possible. He worked the night shift at the station sometimes because he got paid more for it. A friend told us that the Scientific Research Center was paying good money for insect donations, and after that Goodwin would capture and sell all the insects he could find.





In the rare times when Goodwin was actually home, he spent time with Raven. She was getting older, and I could hear her giggling and gurgling in her particular way whenever they were together. Somehow, I just couldn't join them. It felt too much like an intrusion on the private father-daughter time.

Sometimes he took the time to unclog the toilet or repair a broken object. Apparently he had been practicing his handiness a lot lately, and was getting really good at it.



Between everything, I was pretty miserable and lonely. My face seemed to be stuck on some kind of painful grimace that just wouldn't go away.



I tried to talk to Goodwin about it a few times, but he always got the wrong idea.

"I miss you," I told him with a forced smile plastered on my face. It was one of the rare days when we were eating dinner together. "I feel like we never see each other anymore, and I'm getting a little tired of sitting at home by myself." I'm lonely.



"You know how much I want to be here all the time," he said, and I could tell he meant it. I didn't like the knowing tone to his voice though. "But we need money. The kids need food, we need food! I'll take off time when the new baby is born, but for now why don't you hire a babysitter?"



I didn't want a babysitter though. I wanted Goodwin to make just a little time for me. As much as I knew he was only trying to care for Raven and I, and even the unborn baby, it didn't make me feel any less alone.

After Goodwin left and I had done the dishes, I stood there silently. My head hurt so badly. I held my hands to the sides of my head and grimaced. I had the feeling that something had gone wrong, but I had no clue how to fix it.



When I was sad, I held Raven against me and listened to the comforting sound of her heartbeat. I looked down at her and saw pure love in her eyes. I knew she loved me unconditionally, and that was enough to ease my heart for a while.



The Guardian was also a comfort, talking to me at all hours of the day about mundane things. Making me laugh and smile just a little. Of course, it was always at the back of my mind that the Guardian would not be mine forever. Raven or maybe a yet unborn sibling would claim the Guardian and then I would be left to my own thoughts.

The days went by in a blur of Raven and chess practice and missing Goodwin. My stomach began to grow, so quickly that it felt as though I was heavier each day. Despite everything, I was excited to meet my second child.



Raven was getting bigger and bigger too. I realized that she would be a toddler soon. I dreaded it more than anything. Babies were bald, but toddlers... well, they had hair. Usually the same color as one of their parents. Every time I held her, I wondered.

After that, even Raven was hardly a comfort to me. I was as big as a whale, my husband was almost never home, and my lovely daughter could very well have inherited my blue hair and with it a power that it could be so tempting to turn towards destruction.

I couldn't summon much enthusiasm when Goodwin came home and announced he'd won the coveted "Firefighter of the Year" Award. He hung up the prize axe on our wall, and all I saw was a sign of how little I saw him.



I started to think of the day I gave birth as some kind of magical day. Goodwin said he would take time off of work when the baby was born. We would be together again, and surely he would forget about money then.

It was a shock when about a week before my due date Goodwin called from work to announce that he would be taking more hours at the station for the next few weeks.

"But I thought- weren't you going to take time off?" I asked quietly into the phone, my face devastated.



"I know I said that Blue, but we need this money so badly. Just a few more weeks, then we'll be fine. Please, trust me."

I could hear the strain in his voice. All of his extra hours were taking a toll on him too. I didn't want to stress him out more, so I agreed, trying to keep my voice happy. After we hung up I ran to the chess board and sat there practicing until I heard Raven crying from the other room.

The next few days passed similarly. I was beginning to think that by the time I went back to work I would amaze everyone with my new-found logic skills. The thought didn't give me that much comfort.



I was resting one day when the contractions came on, so suddenly I woke up gasping. Sleepily, I registered a few key points. I needed to get to the hospital. Goodwin was at work. Raven was here, and I couldn't leave her alone. I tried to walk to the door, but the pain was too strong. I wouldn't be able to go anywhere without someone supporting me.



Another wave of pain hit, and I didn't know what to do. I didn't think I had ever felt so helpless in my life. The Guardian was saying something, but my mind was so panicked I couldn't hear. Unconsciously, I dialed the number I knew so well, hoping against hope that he wasn't too busy to answer.



Goodwin, Twinbrook

It had been a busy day at work. The kind of day that made me want to go home and sleep until I felt human again.

Actually, not much different than most of my recent work days.

I had put out a relatively large fire that morning. Only one woman was home, and luckily I carried her outside before she got hurt, but the whole experience was pretty draining. The house had sustained a lot of damage and I hated to see the woman crying at the charred remains of her plants and paintings. Just when I got back to the station, I'd had to run over to the school, only to discover that some high school kid had pulled an alarm.



After that, I had fixed the station computer. My boss was relying on me more and more for repairing broken objects and maintaining and upgrading the alarms and fire trucks, a fact which I was proud of. It was tedious work sometimes though, especially when my mind was miles away.



No, I could care less about that old, cruddy computer. All I could think about was Blue. Home, all by herself. She hadn't been sounding so happy lately, I could tell, and it nearly broke my heart. Why wouldn't she hire a babysitter, or invite over a friend? She needed someone to talk to while I was so busy.

As I ate a hasty bowl of cereal, I considered taking time off of work for the millionth time. It was so tempting. But I had to make sure we didn't go broke while Blue was off of work.



I was completely shocked when my boss came over and promoted me to a Fire Captain. He said I was going to be given even more responsibilities around the station and that it would be my job to coordinate the my coworkers during emergencies. I was unexpectedly sad- I had the sneaking suspicion that this would mean yet more overtime hours at the station, more nights away from Blue.

My boss handed me my new uniform and told me to change immediately. I pretended to be grateful. It's more money, I reminded myself.

I was about to check and make sure the alarms were working right when my cell phone started to ring. I wasn't surprised to see it was Blue calling, and when I saw her name on the Caller I.D. I smiled immediately. It always brightened my day just to hear her voice.

"Blue," I said. "What's going on?"



"Goodwin!" she cried, and I knew something was wrong. Her voice was desperate and she sounded as though she'd been crying.

"Blue!" I yelled, running to my car. "Are you okay?!"



"The baby's coming! Right now! I can't walk, I can't get to the car, and I don't know what to do!"

"I'm coming," I said, determined. "You'll be fine, I promise!"

As I drove I grew nauseous with fear. All I could think was that I should have been there for the whole pregnancy. How could I have left her alone? If Blue was hurt now, it would be my fault. I vowed that if Blue gave birth to our child safely, if both of them were okay, I would put work as my absolute last priority.



I hope you enjoyed this update (even though it's not exactly the happiest)! Remember that comments and feedback are greatly appreciated! And get excited for the next chapter, because you'll be learning a whole lot more about magic and Twinbrook itself :)

Chapter 1.6: Without Words

Blue, Twinbrook

I woke up the next day feeling refreshed and excited. I dressed myself in one of Goodwin's mother's old outfits, and I was too happy to even mind how tight the suit was (and, I suspected, how out of fashion I looked). Yes, I was still homeless, and I didn't think Justin was coming back anytime soon to apologize, but something had changed. All the obstacles standing between me and the future I wanted suddenly seemed much less daunting.

I had made a new life for myself once, and I knew that I could do it again.



You're not alone, my Guardian whispered in my head. Goodwin will help you put your life together.

"And you?" I asked jokingly, trying to mask my actual concern. As if I could! The Guardian knew everything I felt as clearly as if it was written in the air. "Will you be here to help me?"

I will be here for as long as you need me, the voice replied, but someday I will be needed by another. By your heir.



"My heir..." I couldn't finish the thought. It was too strange. I was suddenly anxious and scared. I wasn't ready for children, not when I wasn't even able to take care of myself. What kind of mother would I be for a child of mine?

You will not always feel this way, the Guardian said. And the time when we must part is far away. Now, you must focus on repairing your life.



The Guardian was right, of course. So I devoted my day to fixing all of the problems I'd created for myself.

First, I went into work and apologized for my lousy behavior over the past few weeks. To my absolute shock, my boss accepted the apology easily and gave me a promotion! "We've been waiting for you to get through whatever problem you were having," she said as we left the work building at the end of the day. "And I'm so glad to hear that your heart is back with us again. You'll find it's easiest to forget a bad time, or a bad person, by focusing on helping others. And if you need anything at all in the meantime, please let me know."

She gave me a knowing look, and I suddenly understood that she thought Justin had been a cruel boyfriend, maybe even an abusive one. Well, her belief wasn't so far from the truth. And what else could I say? That he had tricked me, tried to kill me? I didn't even know the full story of what had happened, except that my magic could have killed me and that Justin knew it even as he urged me to use it.



That night, I went home and sat for a long time with Goodwin, talking about anything and everything. I learned about the changes in his life, we joked a lot, and slowly I began to feel as though our friendship had never taken a break at all.



Suddenly, I pictured what it would be like to kiss him, right then and there. I willed the image to leave my mind, but the harder I tried the more intense the vision became.





The Guardian's snickering drove the image away. Goodwin, who had finally noticed that I wasn't contributing to the conversation at all, asked if I was okay. I shrugged my shoulders, sure that I was completely red, and muttered nonsense under my breath till Goodwin decided to leave it alone.



'He's not for you,' I told myself sternly. 'He has a girlfriend, remember? Are you even over Justin yet, to be thinking of someone else this way?'

But as soon as I asked myself that question I knew the answer. I was completely and utterly over a man who would use me so despicably. A small part of me still missed him, but I knew that it was not actually him I missed. It was my fantasy of him, the idea of a noble man trying to save his friend from illness. My fantasy of a man who had loved me more than anything else. Justin was not that man, and I deserved someone more substantial than a fantasy.

But not Goodwin. He deserved to be happy with someone else, if that was what he wanted. He deserved a beautiful, kind woman like Jenni Jones-Brown, who did not trail magic and chaos wherever she went. I shifted myself away from him on the couch and tried to coach my face back into a smile.



I went shopping the next day, and was overjoyed when I found a dress just like the one I always used to wear. I had been sure I'd never find one like it again, and it was one of the possessions I had mourned the most after the loss of my house. But there it was, right on the rack. When I was wearing the dress again, I felt complete. It was yet another sign that I was ready to start fresh.

My days quickly fell into a routine: wake up, eat breakfast with Goodwin, work, dinner with Goodwin, chess practice or watching TV with Goodwin, bedtime.

I especially loved dinnertime because it gave us a chance to catch up on everything that happened during the day. Goodwin didn't miss dinner even once, not even the day when he came down with the flu badly and could barely get out of bed. It was the time together that we could always count on.



After I'd been at Goodwin's house for a little over a month, I started to notice myself feeling sick sometimes. I would rush to the nearest toilet to vomit, and then the nausea would pass. Goodwin worried about me, but I was sure I had just caught something from one of my patients.



Work dominated my life in the best possible way. I loved the sensation of helping, knowing that in a small way I had contributed to saving a life. At first I was reluctant to use my powers, but I soon realized that I could use small amounts without any danger to myself or others. Even my presence seemed to have a positive effect on patients, as if power oozed out of me unconsciously.

So I acted subtly. I pushed a little power into the most despondent patients, hoping to give them just a bit of hope. I found that using my magic to motivate patients to strive for health was the best way to alleviate pain and help them heal.

Sometimes I had to let my patients go. I cried for a whole day after one woman I had been caring for passed away at the hospital. Goodwin came with me to the graveyard to mourn for her after the official funeral had ended. He stood there silently, supporting me as I cried.



"You brought comfort to her final moments," Goodwin said suddenly. "You couldn't have done anything else for her."

"How do you know?" I asked.



I remembered vividly my last moments with her. I had contemplated expending more magic than usual to directly attack the cancer that was ravaging her body, even if I had to put myself at risk. But then she had stared directly into my eyes and said, "I think my time here is ending. Please, whenever you touch me I feel well again. Hold my hand and give me the courage to face what must come next."



So I held her hand until it went limp. Then I received permission to leave work early, drove home, and sobbed my eyes out.

"I know you, Blue," Goodwin said. "I know that you would have stayed by her side for as long as you could, bringing her peace."



"But I don't bring peace," I whispered. "I create problems for everyone around me. Your life would be so much simpler if I left right now!"

I motioned with my arms, showing how I could easily walk away. Except it wouldn't be easy. I didn't know what life would be like without Goodwin.



Goodwin gazed at me with an unreadable expression on his face. I wanted more than anything to know what he was thinking. "Maybe my life would be simpler without you," he finally said, and I wanted to cry. "But not for the reasons you think. If you left you'd find me much more sad than relieved."

"Why?" I said, hope returning as I spoke. "What have I done except made your life miserable? I abandoned you, then I suddenly came back to impose on your generosity for who knows how long! I even dragged you to this graveyard to make me feel better! When have I ever helped you, the way you've helped me?"



"Blue," Goodwin said softly, pulling me into his arms. "You're the one who's been through a hard time. You're the one who needs a friend right now. I know that when I'm experiencing a hard time, you'll be there for me, but now it's my turn to be there for you."

I was trying not to show how happy I was to be close to him, but I knew it was written all over my face. His kindness only made him more attractive.

He looked at me, a serious expression on his face. "You asked me why I bother. That's an easy enough question to answer."



He pulled me even closer, wrapping his hands around my face, then he whispered, "I love you. I've loved you practically since I met you. I love how brave you are, how smart you are, how much you want to help others. I love that you are strong enough to fight against your mother even when it would be easier to give in. I love that you care enough about a person you barely knew to come to her grave and cry for her."



I broke away from Goodwin, completely in shock. "How can you say that," I began, even as my spirits soared. "You don't know-"

And then his mouth covered mine, and I forget what I was going to say. I forgot everything except for him, and how his lips felt, and the warmth of his hand on my back.



"What about Jenni!" I cried when we broke apart. I was dazed by Goodwin's kiss, but not enough to forget about his girlfriend. "I don't want you to break up with her on my account, if you're happy together."

Goodwin shocked me by laughing. "I broke up with Jenni the day after you came to my house!" he said, as if I should have known. "I couldn't stay with her when I knew I had a chance to be with you again. I'm surprised you even knew about her, I certainly never told you I had a girlfriend."

"I saw you kissing her," I said, looking down. "One night on the street." The image was still imprinted in my mind.



Goodwin must have sensed my sadness because he said softly, "I dated her because we were both lonely. I missed you so badly it hurt. Her high school boyfriend had just broken up with her. She asked if I wanted to give dating a try, and I agreed. But I think she knew it wouldn't last. She wasn't surprised when I broke up with her. In fact, I believe she recently got a job in Barnacle Bay, and last I talked to her she was happy to be starting somewhere fresh."

A strange lightness filled my mind. Relief mixed with happiness that there was nothing standing between me and Goodwin. Then, without thinking, I asked, "Did you two ever-?" I couldn't complete the thought, I was too embarrassed.



"A few times," he said softly, looking down as though ashamed. I was amazed that he knew what I was going to ask. "I don't cherish the memories though, and it was unfair to her, when I only wanted you. Jenni could sense I wasn't into it, so we stopped."

We stood there for a minute, silent. I didn't know what to do or say, and I had no clue what would happen next. Speak the truth, the Guardian said. Tell him what is in your heart.

"I understand," I said cautiously. "It was my fault for abandoning you so viciously, with no explanation."

I stepped closer, grabbing his hand. Taking strength from him so that I could find the courage to say what I had to.



"You told me something earlier," I began. "And I didn't know what to say back. I'm not always amazing with words. I said this once to someone else, but I realize now that what I felt for him pales in comparison to what I feel right now. I love you, Goodwin."

Goodwin smiled, and opened his mouth, no doubt to say something much more eloquent than my little speech had been. But I'd had enough of words for today. I covered his lips with mine, sure that I would never be this happy again.



After that night, life was infinitely more happy for both me and Goodwin. We went on dates together all over Twinbrook, and soon it was common knowledge that we were dating.

People I didn't know came up on the street to congratulate us, couples introduced themselves and invited us to parties. For the first time I felt like part of the community. I enjoyed getting to know new people. I even began to feel like I had made some other friends. It was a shock to realize that people besides Goodwin might actually want to spend time with me.

Some of my new acquaintances and friends dressed a little... strangely. Who was I to judge though? Maybe it was high fashion to wear masks and black and white stripes.



Goodwin and I spent plenty of time together though. We each took turns picking locations for dates, leaving it as a surprise until the very last moment. Whether we went to see a movie, or danced the night away at a bar, or simply sat on a bench at the park, we always had a good time. My feelings for him grew each day until I was sure that I could be with him forever and never feel differently.



Sometimes our dates were interrupted when I had to deal with a medical emergency. I had grown quite adept at diagnosing an illness, and always went around prepared with certain pills.

Goodwin understand and even praised me, saying that he loved my single-minded desire to help others. He never complained when we missed a movie or lost a dinner reservation because I had to help someone.





We also started to look for a new house. Goodwin's was nice, but I wanted to live somewhere fresh. Though we never said it out loud, it was understood that Goodwin would move in with me when we found the right home.

One Saturday afternoon, I decided to go pick some fresh vegetables at the community garden. I had woken up feeling a little strange and decided that I probably just needed to get out of the house.



But as soon as I bent down, I felt my stomach against my legs. A stomach that was larger than usual and incredibly swollen. I stood up abruptly, looking down and gasping. When had I gained all of this weight? I'd been noticing that my clothes seemed tighter than usual in the stomach, but I'd written it off. Now I was scared.



I rushed to the hospital and begged my boss to check me out, even though I was off of work that day. "What's wrong?" I asked her, gasping with fear. Because I thought I knew what it was, of course, I just wanted to hear her say something different.

"Nothing is wrong," she said, her voice filled with joy. "You're pregnant, Blue! Oh, you and Goodwin will be so happy! But don't worry," she continued, misinterpreting the devastated look on my face, "I'll give you plenty of maternity leave!" She winked and I pretended to be grateful.

After I left, I stared at the hospital building for a little while. It had always been one of my favorite places in Twinbrook, the place where all were helped, regardless of social standing or economic means. It wouldn't be long, I realized, before I was back there to give birth.



I couldn't go home after hearing that. I was afraid to even see Goodwin. I knew I couldn't tell him. My boss had assumed Goodwin was the father, as would nearly everyone else, but I knew the truth. I had never slept with Goodwin.

I decided to go to the park and practice chess. In fact, that's what I did every day for the rest of the week. I knew that if I spent an extended period of time with Goodwin then I'd have to say something to him. It was dumb, I know, but I couldn't say it. I was too afraid that everything would change. Would Goodwin want to be part of Justin's child's life?

I found a miraculous pink dress that seemed to eliminate all signs of my pregnancy. I wore that each day, but even then people at the park congratulated me. My boss had told a few people, and in Twinbrook gossip spread lightning quick. I hoped no one told Goodwin before I did.

As I practiced chess, I worried. I wasn't ready to raise a child. If Goodwin abandoned me, how would I take care of a baby by myself? Each day I went back to Goodwin's house more and more nervous.



Soon, I knew that it would be abundantly obvious, mostly due to my evasive behavior. Surely Goodwin had noticed?

So I told him that night. We were at the bistro. I had purposely chosen a public location because I knew that even if he was angry he wouldn't want to make a scene. I couldn't stand a loud rejection again, not like Justin's. Goodwin had decided on a fancy lobster dish, but all I had been craving was a hot dog. I stuffed the food in my mouth, trying to act nonchalant, though Goodwin no doubt saw right through my act.



"Goodwin," I said quietly over dinner. "I have something to tell you."

"I know," he said.

"You do?" I asked incredulously, choking on my food. "You know that I'm, I'm, you know."

I stumbled, still not wanting to say it out loud.



"You're pregnant," he said, looking...happy? But that made no sense! "You're going to have a beautiful baby; a boy or a girl or maybe even two-"



I cut him off, shocked. "With Justin's child," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Who may look just like him. Or he or she might have my hair and my powers and Justin's awfulness. Are you ready for that?"



Goodwin looked at me, then he stood up.

"What are you doing?" I asked. 'Are you leaving me?' I added silently.



That's when he went down on one knee, right there at the restaurant. I got out of my seat in shock.

"I don't care," he said quietly, so none of the curious audience could hear. "I wouldn't care if you were giving birth to a purple alien baby. Why should this change anything! I already knew what happened with Justin, and I have been prepared for a while now to raise children with you. This child will be one of ours, and he or she will never know a father other than me. Blue, will you marry me and make me the happiest father-to-be in the world?"



I stared at him for a second, unable to believe it, and then I responded so enthusiastically that the words stumbled excitedly over each other as they left my mouth. "Yes, oh, yes, please!!"



Everyone at the restaurant applauded as he placed the ring on my finger. He hugged me and our bodies reverberated with joy.





The days went by quickly after that. Goodwin worked hard, claiming he needed to bring in more money for our child. I was thankful that he seemed to spend more time maintaining the fire truck than he did actually putting out fires. Twinbrook was a safe neighborhood and didn't have many emergencies.



My boss had forbidden me to go back to work till the child was born, so I spent my days searching for a house. My belly was bigger every day. At fist it was unnerving, but then I grew excited. I had always wanted my own family. I missed Petunia more than ever, and I hoped that somehow my child would be able to meet her.

It was a shock when I finally discovered the perfect house. It was an elegant home, with a unique combination of colors. It was at the top of our price range and hardly furnished, but it felt right to me.

The next day, I brought Goodwin to see it. I stood behind him, hoping he loved it as much as I did.

"This is it," he said.



We purchased it then and there, both of use grinning excitedly. We explored, noting where we needed to redecorate, where we needed more furniture. We knew we didn't have enough money to finish every room, but we were too happy to care. I even saw an area in the back that would be perfect for a garden someday. It really was the house I'd always wanted.



We spent the rest of the day shopping, still caught up in our excitement. Then we walked around the neighborhood. I was so lost in Goodwin that I forgot the hour. I was completely absorbed in him when we found a marsh-type area. I found the reeds lovely, and told Goodwin to stop for a second.

We were both silent for a few minutes. Then he turned to me, smiling. "You're going to give birth soon," he said. "Let's marry now, before he or she is born, so that there will never be a point when I am not his or her father."



I smiled and nodded. I was ready to promise myself to Goodwin forever. We exchanged the rings we had bought ceremoniously, even though no one else was there.



We kissed for the first time as husband and wife, and I could swear that everything disappeared except for us.



"Let's take your last name," Goodwin whispered, still holding me. "I want all of our descendants to know that they are as free as birds. You made your own happiness, and they will too."

It did seem fitting that we kept the name that was not given to either of us, but rather chosen, so I agreed to Goodwin's request. I smiled at the thought that my future was opening in front of me like the wings of a bird. Goodwin and I were flying toward a complete life together, days that had not yet been decided but were sure to be full of happiness. I pulled Goodwin to me, both of us laughing even as we hugged and kissed, sharing dreams and promises without words.



I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out! I promise it would have been sooner but my computer crashed on me :(

I hope you guys are all happy that Blue finally has the life she's always wanted! :)

As always, all comments and criticism are greatly appreciated!

Excellent News!

My computer is finally all fixed!! Which means there should definitely be an update in the next few days!

Thanks to everyone for voting in the polls and sticking with me through the whole computer mess. I couldn't ask for better readers :)

Yet another poll, because I'm bored (what's new)

Hey everyone!! Thanks for waiting patiently with me. I've been working on the next chapter, but I can't do anything else now until I can take more pictures, so that means waiting till I can get my computer fixed.

In the meantime, yet another poll!!

How many kids should Blue have?

More Polls, Please Vote!! :)

I'm getting antsy to write more, so I've decided to create more polls!

Do you want Blue to have a boy or a girl?

The next two will actually contribute to what I name Blue's children in this generation, though chances are most of these names will show up throughout the legacy anyway:

What should Blue name her daughter?

What should Blue name her son?

Can't wait to see what you guys think, and feel free to comment below!

The Naming Poll- This One Should Work!!

Some of you may have heard, but my computer crashed (again! GRRRR!), which means it may be awhile till I can update. So to make the time go by a little faster, I'm putting a poll on here. I may add additional polls in the future if I'm feeling really bored.

My original plan was to name all of the future kids in the Bird family after different types of birds- Sparrow, Hawk, Oriole, etc. Do you like this idea? Do you think that bird names are just too out there?

Give your input and let me know what you think! Just vote in the poll below :)

EDIT: This poll has been closed!! No one has voted in a few days, so I'm guessing everyone who wanted to has!

The results:
Bird names- 8 votes
Regular names- 3 votes
Other- 2 votes

Therefore, bird names are the winner (plus that's kinda what I wanted to do anyway!).