Eisenstern 1.13
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The kids decided that the leaves had to go, and went outside on their own and raked the leaves. There were lots of questions about whether we had any rakes, where they were, how to use them, what to do with the leaf piles, but I was rather proud of them for picking up something like that on their own. Drake and I would’ve never asked it of them, but neither do either of us have the time for such things.
Drake’s a rather successful author now. It’s hard to go out in public with him these days, as I have to fuss with his fans to get time with him sometimes. It’s not like I mind it-I’m happy for him-it’s just that the more time goes on, the more it feels like we’re never together enough.
Maybe that’s a strange way to feel when I was the one that decided to get a job working for actual ever.
Now that my potion adventures are behind me, however, I’m enjoying the time to just play with sparkles and lights. It’s rare that I have time to just play with magic anymore, but I always did enjoy it. Of course, I used to be younger and have more free time on my hands. Ha.
Diaval, of course, spent the entire time at my feet, watching.
Speaking of Diaval watching, he’s also decided that he needs to look after Freya.
Interestingly, Diaval’s never done this with either of the boys. I have to wonder if he’s looking after the children that aren’t occults, just in case some big-bad witch tries to turn them into a toad. The thought is amusing to me, but, you never know… cats are mysterious in and of themselves, but familiar cats are even more so.
Diaval’s turned out to be a fantastic addition to the family, and I’m sure he’ll serve as a perfect, steadfast familiar for generations of Eisensterns to come.
In the meantime, I had a little surprise up my sleeve.
Drake and I had never really talked about it, but when the subject had come up, he’d never seemed against it, just, confused at the idea of someone wanting to marry him. But I’ve already spent most of my adult life with him, and I can’t see things any other way. Why wouldn’t I want to marry him?
Sure, the kids are kids now, and it seems like a strange time to suddenly decide we’re getting married, but… then again, the hustle and bustle of the everyday has settled down, and there’s time, now. My bosses even really like me, so I’m sure I could get the time off.
Bryn and Dustin spent an evening building a snowpal. Hah, I’d forgotten snowpals were things that could be built until I looked outside and saw them building one. I used to build those a lot when I was pregnant with Bryn.
That time seems so far away, and yet also like it was only yesterday. I’m not sure what to make of this strange revelation.
It’s good to see the kids being kids from time to time. Cynemaer seems to be aware he’s different from his siblings, though, and tends to keep to himself and do his own thing. It’s rather unfortunate, but neither can I force the kids to do anything. Well, I could, but it typically turns out rather counterproductive.
At least he doesn’t seem lonely. Maybe he has friends at school.
I’d already made a robotic arm some time ago, and recently thought to toy with the blueprints for the computer glasses that I’d gotten some time before. They were a little tricky to construct, but when I got them done, they did seem to turn out okay.
I spend a lot of time checking the weather on them now. I’m still not making quite as much at work as I’d like, but we’re very stable now. Between that and Drake’s book royalties, I’d even call us moderately wealthy.
Still, everything I do feels like it’s not enough. Drake tells me I worry too much, and he’s probably right. I just don’t want to mess anything up.
So came the holidays again. As typical, Bryn’s birthday wasn’t long after, though this time around her birthday fell on Winterfest itself. What a strange outcome, but Brynja didn’t seem to mind it.
We had our usual ham dinner, complete with cat, and then brought out the cake.
Now that Brynja’s a teenager, she can help around the house in ways she couldn’t before, and almost immediately she went to give Freya a bath. I was absolutely pleased with that. There are more hands around the house now, and Bryn can handle more adult chores, and that takes some weight off myself and Drake.
But, shortly after the festivities ended, I made the decision to quit my job. I’ve reached the top of the ladder, and things don’t seem to be improving. With the hours I work, I’m still never home, and I’ve decided I’d rather be home.
Unfortunately, the next day, mother had passed away. The kids only met her once, but her loss was felt throughout the house. While mother and I have never had much of a strong relationship, she was still my mother, and I felt it too.
I’ve tried to stay strong for the kids, and they’ve all been handling their grief in positive ways, writing in their journals, talking to each other. Instead of pulling away from one another when they’re hurting, the kids pull together, and that’s something I like to see that they do.
Bryn, as usual, was the first good example.
With mother gone, however, that meant father wasn’t far behind. I called only a few hours after I got the news.
“I heard your mother’s gone,” he said. “How are you and the kids holding up?”
“Okay,” I answered. “Dad you know if she’s gone…”
“Ah, don’t worry so much Ezio,” he said, a laugh in his voice. “I’m still kicking, and have no intention of slowing down anytime soon. I’ll be around to bug you for a while yet.”
That was the last conversation I had with him.
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