Nectar Hills - Chapter 5

Can you believe it? 5 … count ‘em … FIVE toddlers. What did we do to deserve … I mean … to be blessed with five healthy, happy boys? As much work as they are, I don’t think either of us would trade them for the world. Each one is special in his own way.

Meals seemed to run back to back with the boys. They were always hungry. I swear, that as soon as we got them all fed and out of their chairs, it was time to put them right back and start the next meal.



There were days when the care for the boys took its toll. El was affected more than I, but I was no less unscathed. I’m sure it was that she wanted a baby girl after the twins. We’ve tried, but perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be. I still can’t help but feel sad for El; she loves the boys, but a girl would have been so nice for her.



I must say, though, that having so many so close in age is very taxing. I have nothing but admiration for people who run day care centers. It takes a special person to WANT to take care of so many young children.



We put several toys and activities out on the deck for the boys. The house is just too small inside to have the boys AND their toys. They seem to like it just fine out there. I have noticed the brush growing up between the slats on the deck. I really need to get some of that cut back and cleared away before the city takes our home away.



I seem to always be the lucky one to draw potty duty. Now that the boys are potty trained and can go on their own, someone else [namely me] must go behind them and keep their potties clean. We could only fit three potties in the bathroom, so they [and we] will just have to make do.





I’m glad the twins took to walking so quickly. It gives El and I some extra time to ourselves. With the two of them more mobile, we could spend more time with the triplets. True, we still weren’t afforded the time we needed to get our lives back in order, but the blessings outweigh the hardships.



El gets out and takes walks, and I tend to the garden as much as I can. I must admit, the weeds are winning the war. I was able to get my home business permit for nectar making from city hall, but the business was slow in taking off. Hopefully I can engage one or two of my progeny in the family legacy.

But, for now, I will settle for what I have; a beautiful wife and five wholesome, healthy children. We were fortunate that they played very well together. We seldom had to intervene on a scuffle between any of them. Thanks to Aunt Cin, and her excursions through town with El, the boy had many wonderful, even if some were used, toys to play with. Although busy with his own family, Uncle Val found time to make a toy chest for us to store the toys in. The kids are lucky to have such thoughtful relatives.



As darkness fell in the evenings, we would start to round up our brood and get them ready for bed. The evenings when El would get out for some time to herself, I let the boys slide and play a little longer. Smoky would sometimes come toddling over and ask for a story, saying, “Dada, boo.” The others, like a perceptive herd, would come toddling and crawling over as well.



I’m sure they didn’t understand what the story was about, but they would sit (for the most part), and listen to every word.



Although the others would wander off and return, Smoky sat there, looking at the pictures as I read.



I would occasionally notice the other boys just staring off into the corners of the room, but they would still sit there. Perhaps the tone of my voice made them feel safe. Well, that’s what I told myself, anyway.



The more and more I read to them, the longer they all sat there. I wonder if they were actually beginning to understand the story. Whatever their reasons for sitting there for such a long time while I read; I was just elated to have them all near.

On the evenings that El was out by herself or with her sister, she would call to check on how I was faring with the platoon. When my phone would ring, all of the boys would say “Mommy” in some form or another.



They would be so excited, that there was no way I was getting them down soon thereafter.

I think El secretly hoped I was having difficulty with the boys so she would have a reason to rush right home; but it always did her a world of good to get away. She would return many times with new books to read to the kids that she found on sale at the bookstore or that she borrowed from the library.



I had taken my first batches of nectar to the local consignment shop in hopes that I would be able to sell something; if even to get my name out there. We still didn’t know too many people in town, and Val had suggested starting there as he had taken up painting and was selling them on consignment there. You’ve got to start somewhere.



I was surprised when Blueberry Muffin called and said she had sold all but one bottle just two days later. I gathered up everything I had ready and took it down. It was selling surprisingly quickly and I have since been receiving private requests from townsfolk that happened to catch me at the consignment shop. The business was picking up, albeit slowly, but I was in no position to take on much more right now. At least this was starting to bring in some money.



I decided to take some of the extra cash and hire a maid to give El a break from housework. Of course it was partly selfishness on my part, as I did not want to empty the kids’ potties anymore. I called the local maid service and surprisingly, they had someone available and sent him right over for an interview.



I was a bit leery, at first, about having a male maid. Perhaps it was sexist on my part, but I was sure a man was not going to clean as thoroughly as a woman.

He arrived no too long after and introduced himself as Sacchrum Kane. He seemed competent enough; had good credentials; so I hired him on the spot.



He turned out to be every bit as good as the agency had said. I’m glad he proved me wrong. I will have to try harder not to be so stereotypical in the future.

When I told El that I had hired a maid, she was ecstatic. She bombarded me with questions about when they started and such.



From the reaction I got from El, I should have hired a maid a long time ago.



With the twins’ birthday rapidly approaching, we made some much need renovations to the house. We added a second floor, finished a room for the twins and moved our bedroom upstairs. We knocked out a few walls downstairs and expanded the kitchen and living rooms. We can hold off on finishing the rest for a little while; but it will need to be finished before the triplets’ birthday rolls around.

Time for more birthdays; the twins become children.



First up is Dusty.







And then it’s Smoky’s turn at the cake.







That proved to be a long day. While rounding up the kids to put them to bed, we found Coal fast asleep on the deck; the underbrush reaching through the cracks to gently caress him. I will have to take care of the brush. I can’t put it off any more.



That said, I made my way down the stairs at the back of the house to get started on clearing the brush away.



This is going to be a lot of work; I need the exercise anyway. The only exercise I’ve gotten recently was from mashing grapes for the nectar; neglecting the upper body.



The next big event was the first day of school for the twins. The summer passed all too quickly and the boys would begin their first year at Sugar Valley Elementary. El walked them to the bus. The tears rolled down her cheek as the bus pulled away from the curb.



End Chapter

Nectar Hills Gen 2 Heir [Opinion] Poll

I am looking to choose the generation 2 McWine heir very soon. I have indicated [opinion] as I have one of the boys in mind, but am curious to see what others think. If you would like to leave comments as to why you chose the way you did, I might feel inclined to change my choice.

Below are their CAS portraits, dressed as I envision them to be as they grow up, along with their current traits. All traits have been acquired randomly. There has been no gender manipulation in either of the births. Jag and El both still have the wish for a girl, and I may try to fulfill those wishes, but I don't foresee that child being considered for heir/ess.

Twins (Teen)

Dusty (gamer extraordinaire)
Traits: Good, Genius, Computer Whiz, Bookworm


Smoky (family man)
Traits: Family-Oriented, Disciplined, Eccentric, Great Kisser


Triplets (Teen):

Onyx (musician)
Traits: Virtuoso, Perfectionist, Clumsy, Excitable


Coal (musician)
Traits: Loner, Star Quality, Virtuoso, Childish


Grey (athletic)
Traits: Brave, Athletic, Hydrophobic, Commitment Issues

Nectar Hills, Chapter 4

It was always a blessing when we could get the twins to bed at the same time; which wasn’t often. El was always so beat from just tending to them, that she would take every opportunity to get some sleep in.



I began to spend less and less time in the garden or working on in the shed on the machines to help out with the boys. I look forward to spending time with them. It’s a nice diversion from the grease and grime I usually find myself covered in.



As the days go by, the boys play together more and more and actually get along with each other, which is a blessing in itself. They can play for hours with each other and we can get some other things done.



I was quite at a loss one day when, for breakfast, El placed a plate of birthday cake; old birthday cake that tasted of freezer burn; in front of me. It took everything I had to choke it down; it was so dry, no amount of juice or water made the task any easier.



I also noticed that she had donned a less than stunning dress in blue, of all colors.



I did attempt to inquire as to where it came from and why she was wearing it, but the look on her face was enough for me to drop the subject of the ugly blue dress.

In the coming days El was slowing down, becoming more tired as they passed, and falling asleep as soon as her head struck the pillow. Something was definitely amiss.

I took every chance I could get to teach the boys to walk so they could better get about the house on their own.



It soon became evident that El was once again pregnant. As she began to show, signs of morning sickness subsided. She spent many days playing in the sprinkler, letting the boys dig in the mud in the garden all the while. They all had fun.



Potty training was difficult with two strong-willed children. The boys always seemed to mess in their diapers on the way to the potty, making the trip pointless. The few times we were able to get them to the potty were profitable, as they learned to use them very quickly.



I’m just not sure whether it was worse to smell the diapers or the potties. Neither one was pleasant to clean up.



With the arduous tasks of teaching the boys to walk, talk and use the potty behind us, we were able to spend some time alone. El would crank up the old Victrola and we would dance together; not that we were even a threat to Gingersnap Rogers and Alfredo Astaire, but we enjoyed ourselves.







I had more time to myself now, with El and the boys going to bed earlier and sleeping longer. I took the time to catch up on some reading. Cin would coax El into going to the library with her and she would bring home all genres of books; from self-help to cook books. I enjoyed reading, so it didn’t really matter what the subject was.



The time arrived; El was going into labor; so I called a sitter, got the boys settled and rushed El to the hospital.



Unlike Cin, El was not going to have her children at home. She is so shy; she didn’t even want me in the delivery room.



An orderly met us at the door and quickly guided El into the wheelchair and carted her off to delivery. I paused for a moment in front of the doors, a feeling of uneasiness passing over me; and I would soon find out that it was not unwarranted.



Back at the house, another harrowing scenario was playing out which would affect our family.



The sitter, for whatever reason, lit a fire in the old stove that was in the house when I moved in. I had never really found a need to light a fire, so I was not aware of how unsafe it really was.



The fire department was quick to respond; keeping losses to a minimum.



It did not take long for the blaze to intensify, first engulfing the corner of the room in a fiery furnace; spewing sparks about in search of a new place to light.

One of the boys was trapped out on the deck, and the babysitter, in an attempt to rescue him, got trapped inside the blaze. All attempts to rescue the sitter failed and he forfeited his life that night in a brave, yet futile act.



El flat our refused to stay in the hospital after learning that she and the babies; yes babies; were all healthy and received a clean bill of health.

As we turned down our street, we saw flashes of red cutting through the darkness in the distance. As we neared the house, we saw the fire truck taking up a good portion of the road.



I raced into the house, instructing El to stay put with the babies. To my horror, I found there was only one firefighter battling the blaze. To her, it may have seemed small and insignificant, but to me it was a blazing inferno, threatening my family and our livelihood.



I grabbed our extinguisher, and took up a position along side of the firefighter, who suddenly became distracted by activity on the other side of the room.



“Pay attention to where you’re spraying,” I bellowed through the smoke-filled air.

“You seem to have it under control,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“What?” I screamed, “You’re the professional; do your job already!”

My extinguisher jammed and as I was trying to determine the cause, I noticed she had stopped spraying the flames; her attention completely turned to the other side of the room.



After mumbling some obscenities at the firefighter for leaving me to finish extinguishing the blaze, I was able to fix the jam in the extinguisher and eradicate the flames myself.



As I turned to put the extinguisher away, I saw what was causing the diversion. El had entered the house with the babies. I was beginning to get angry, feeling the heat rise in my veins. I was appalled that the firefighter not only did nothing to keep her outside through this ordeal, but that she was going gaga over the babies along with the second firefighter who had quietly materialized during this ordeal.



I asked the firefighters to leave as calmly as I was able at the point.

“You guys should be more careful next time,” my orange female friend said as she was leaving.

It took every ounce of El’s strength to hold me back. I was already peeved that I was left to attend the fire on my own and find the firefighter cooing over my children; that that comment just sent me over the edge.

As I was calming down, I heard one of the boys crying. It seemed to be coming from outside on the deck. Again, my blood began to boil as I found Dusty out there screaming; scared out of his wits. It took some time to get him calmed down as well.

We found beds for our new guests and got them tucked in. As I was getting the last one settled, El began screaming. I raced out to the living room to see what was the matter, only to be run down by her as she flew past. I noticed her clothes were on fire as she disappeared into the bathroom.



I was pleased to see she had the good sense to run to the shower to put the flames out.

I raced in to the living room to find the stove had once again spread its fiery embers to the surrounding area.



I began to battle back the smaller blaze this time, yelling to El to see if she was alright.



I told her to get the twins out of the room as they were sitting on the floor right next to the blaze.



She moved them to safety and came to aid with the fire. As much as I appreciated the assistance, her aim could have been a little more accurate. It was she, this time, that picked the faulty extinguisher and it jammed on her.





El was so exhausted from the events of the day that she just could not continue. The heat had taken its toll and she gave up.



She had every reason to collapse right there, but she wasn’t about to give in just yet.



Just as the flames were extinguished, the firefighter burst through the door. Seeing that the flames were put out, she mumbled something about wasting her time.

When I asked her what she had said, she again stated, ““You guys should be more careful next time.”

I’m sure my glare got my message across without words. She hurriedly turned and left. I returned to the stove and removed every last bit of ash from the interior.



What a way to welcome our new bundles home.

I went in to check on the boys one last time before going to bed myself. They were all tucked in safely and sleeping soundly; the twins Dusty and Smoky and the new triplets, Onyx, Coal and Gray.

I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I awoke on the floor of the very overcrowded nursery.



I made my way to the bedroom and heard the cries of one of the babies just as I was slipping under the covers. I returned to the nursery and saw to the babies’ needs.

As I held each one, I teemed with pride at having such healthy children; all sons at that. I momentarily felt a pang of disappointment as I remembered how much El wanted a girl; perhaps next time.



I was feeling somewhat refreshed and coherent, so I decided to practice on the keyboard my parents had sent. We’d had to move it to the living room to make space for three more cribs.



The ordeal with the fire would go on to haunt us in the coming weeks. Dealing with the insurance company was most definitely a trying process. After putting out well over §3000, all the insurance company would reimburse us was §193. Sure it was something, but not nearly what it cost in repairs. I began to question whether having insurance was worth it at all.

A few days later, as I was getting the twins ready for the day, I heard the music box begin to play in the nursery.



The babies began crying. I heard El begin to hum, but the cries only got louder. When I peered into the room, El was standing next to the music box, rock to and fro to the music, humming to herself.



She did not respond to my voice, so I move to the babies and took care of their needs. El just rocked to and fro.



At my insistence, she began taking strolls into the city every day, just to be alone for a time. All of the boys in one room was just too much for her to handle at times. She seemed to be able to cope more easily after having gotten away from me, the boys and the house.

Dealing with the boys got easier as the days passed. It was time for the triplets’ first birthday. It was such a beautiful day; we decided to set up tables on the deck for their cakes. I made my way to one of the cakes with Onyx, and El tripped on one of the toys and almost went over the rail; head over heels. It wasn’t funny, but I felt the need to stifle a chuckle.



First up was Grey;





Then Coal, who was in desperate need of a bath;





and finally, Onyx.