4 years later …..

Reagan sat in her backyard watching the birthday festivities feeling very melancholic.

It had been four wonderful years since she and Evan were married in a magical ceremony in Sulani. Their fairy tale life had continued since then, without skipping a beat, all the way through today, their twin daughters’ first birthday. She loved her husband and the life they’d made together more than she ever thought possible.

After Grayson, their first child, now three years old, was born, life only got better. Evan wasn’t joking when he told her he wanted to have babies. He has been nothing, if not a wonderful, loving father to their children.

Grayson made parenting seem easy. He was well behaved, loving, smart and sweet.

The girls, well, they were a different story, but Reagan wouldn’t trade them for a thousand more Graysons. She couldn’t help but think about the wonderful crazy that the girl’s birth brought to their household. She had been, and still was, happily exhausted most of the time.

Her father was right. Twins were definitely double trouble. Not to mention they were identical, making it difficult to tell them apart. They had to use a permanent marker on the bottom of their tiny twin feet to keep them straight. Twin A was Alexandra, born first, and Twin B was her identical sister, Cassandra.

Grayson pouted because he wanted a G on his foot, so Evan, ever the patient father, sat down with him and marked a G on the bottom of his little foot. By the time he was done, they were both laughing hysterically. Grayson proudly showed everyone that would look.

Even as infants, the girls were inseparable, sleeping in the same bed. It was a trick her father taught her. They comforted each other, and thrived when together, only to cry when separated. They slept touching each other. Sometimes they would wake up totally switched.

Reagan noticed tiny little nuances early on, so she was confident she could tell the girls apart, especially as they got older. Poor Evan wasn’t around them as much because he had gone back to work. He relied heavily on the color of their clothing, or a quick peek at the bottom of a foot when he didn’t think Reagan was watching. Cassie, as they had begun calling Cassandra, was usually dressed in pink. And her sister Alexandra, or Alex as they had dubbed her, wore anything but pink. Even Grayson was beginning to be able to tell who was who simply by their little voices.

Seeing Evan with the girls melted Reagan’s heart so much that she had a strong desire to give that man more babies to love. She could feel her womb clench as she watched him cuddle their children. He had completely fallen in love with his two identical little angels. He adored Grayson, and was an excellent father to him, but the girls totally had him under their spell.

However, as much as she wanted more babies, she knew they were at their limit. Reagan couldn’t have survived this past year without the help of Dannie who, at this very moment, was holding Alex while Cassie begged for cupcakes. She came over nearly everyday to help her with the three toddlers after Evan left for work. Dannie was a wonderful grandmother to her children, and by extension a wonderful mother to her, helping her navigate motherhood like only a mother could do.

Today was bittersweet for Reagan. She and Evan had agreed she would go back to work at C&M after the girls were a year old … and therein was the real reason for her mood. She knew if she told Evan she wasn’t ready, he wouldn’t push her, but she knew she needed to get back. Ami and Noah would be retiring in a few years and they needed to be ready to take over the final stages of the construction.

She looked out at their family party. She laughed to herself. The men and women had self divided. The women were on one side of their small back yard gossiping, preparing cupcakes and watching out for all the toddlers, not just her and Evan’s three but also Ryan and Maribel’s two children. Four year-old Samantha and their 18 month-old wild child, Tyler.

The men, on the other hand, were huddled around the grill, where Elliot cooked their lunch. They must have been discussing the importance of the latest draft picks, or something equally world changing, because every once in awhile it got loud as they argued their point.

She saw Evan glance her way and frown. He immediately removed himself from the men, leaving them to solve world peace without him, and made his way towards her. She smiled when she saw him coming. That’s when she realized she had been frowning and that’s probably why he left his Very Important Conversation.

When he sat down, he automatically slid his arm around her. “Hey you, are you okay?” he asked.

He could read her moods so well. Reagan sighed and laid her head on his shoulder, “Yes, it’s just, I don’t want to leave them. I feel like my mother, more concerned about the business than my own children.”

“Stop that,” said Evan as he caressed her, “you’re a wonderful mother. They’ll be fine with the Nanny. And since we’re so close, you can drop in and check on them whenever you want. In fact we can do it together.”

Reagan leaned into his embrace and he took the opportunity to kiss her sweetly. “I love you ReaBear. If it isn’t working we’ll regroup, so stop worrying and enjoy the party.”

She wondered if he had any idea what he still did to her, even after 4 years of marriage and three kids. If he did, he must’ve made it his life’s goal to make her a pile of goo in his arms as often as possible. “I love you too Evan and I’m ridiculously happy. Just feeling a little anxious is all.”

“Daddy!” called out Grayson toddling up to them, apparently wanting a little Daddy action for himself.

“Hold you!” he demanded as he held his chubby little arms up to Evan. “Pweese,” he added to ensure he got picked up.

Evan shook his head no and chuckled softly as Grayson stood there giving him the but-I-said-please look when his father refused to comply. Reagan thought Grayson was the most beautiful child she’d ever seen, just like his Daddy, but then she was most assuredly prejudiced.

“Hey buddy. What do you want?” Evan finally asked.

“Come pway!” he begged, changing tactics to get his daddy’s attention.

“I’m talking to Mommy right now, we can hang later, promise,” replied Evan. Grayson’s bottom lip stuck out further, evidence of his displeasure at his father’s denial.

Since he wasn’t getting anywhere, Grayson decided to take matters into his own hands, and began to climb up into Evan’s lap.

“Oh look Grayson,” said Reagan excitedly, trying to distract him, “Aunt Taylor is handing out cupcakes. I happen to know, she made your favorite, chocolate!”

“Chock-it!” he squealed and quickly backed out of his father’s lap, making a beeline for Taylor.

Evan laughed. “Well, looks like I rate below ‘chock-it’ cupcakes. As long I’m still your favorite, I guess I can deal. Now, where were we?” he asked, making his voice sexy as he leaned in and plucked her lips with sweet kisses.

Reagan halfheartedly tried to wiggle out of his embrace. “Evan! We have guests!” she whisper-yelled through her grin. In the four years since they’d been married, she knew everyone was probably used to his very frequent PDA. He was probably worse than her Grandpa Ben, if that was possible. And truthfully, she wouldn’t have it any other way. It thrilled her – every single time.

“Fine, but you owe me later,” he whispered in her ear and then gently nipped her earlobe with his teeth before releasing her.

Yep, she was a complete puddle of goo. Mission accomplished. She shivered and giggled. “I’m counting on it,” she said as they stood up. Then she grabbed his arm. “Come on. Let’s get a ‘chock-it’ cupcake before Grayson eats them all. I have a feeling I’m gonna need my strength.”

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3 years later ….. Twins 4, Grayson 7, Tyler 4 and Samantha 7

Reagan and Evan took the kids on their first ever family vacation. Glamping. They choose this to appease Grayson and his friend Greg Cunningham because the boys had begged Evan to take them fishing. When they arrived, Greg grabbed the tablet and the three of them looked up what kind of lures to use to guarantee catching a fish.

After breakfast, Reagan packed grilled cheese sandwiches for the guys while she half listened to the chatter of her four year-old girls telling each other crazy stories only they could understand.

When they got ready to leave, Evan kissed Reagan goodbye, totally humiliating Grayson in front of his friend. “See you tonight,” he whispered to her.

Finally, she said goodbye to the guys as they set off with their lunch to go rent fishing poles and tackle for their fishing expedition. Reagan couldn’t help but giggle at the prospect of two seven year-old boys telling Evan how to fish and what to rent. All three seemed to be having a good time regardless.

At just 4 years-old, the girls were still too young to go fishing, so Reagan looked forward to a little alone time with them at the cabin. She made her way to the bench by the toys to keep an eye on them. She missed them so much since she’d gone back to work. But they were just fine as long as they had each other.

As usual, the girls were entertaining themselves without a care in the world. She watched them running around chasing butterflies and squealing.

When they got bored with that, she put them in their swimsuits and let them play in the kiddie pool.

Watching them made her think about herself and Ryan at that age, and even now for that matter. It was definitely a twin thing. They were so in tune with each other. Next year they’d start school. Reagan hoped that as they grew up, they would continue to be a comfort to each other as they faced what life would inevitably throw at them. Maybe they wouldn’t beat up each other’s boyfriends though. She giggled a little remembering all the times Ryan tried to defend her honor. She loved him for it.

They were so sweet, they almost made her want another baby. Her biological clock was beginning to count down. She was turning 30 this year. She knew people had babies much later in life, but she wasn’t ready to start the sleepless nights all over again, stretching herself thin to care for four children, god forbid another set of twins would happen. No, she was content with her family and in the knowledge that her children, and Ryan’s too, were being raised by loving and doting parents.

When she thought about doting parents, she had to laugh. Yes, Evan totally spoiled the girls, but they were still well behaved. Disappointing Daddy was not acceptable to them. But using their wiles to get their way usually worked.

Actually, it was Ryan’s wife, Maribel that went overboard. She was a helicopter mom unlike any she’d ever seen, at least when it came to their daughter. As a result, Sam was a precocious little 7 year-old. She was a beautiful child, but already self absorbed. Ryan’s 4 year old son, Tyler, on the other hand, was all boy with way too much energy and zero attention span.

At Maribel’s insistence, they had Tyler tested. The doctor said when he started school, they’d know more, but he was likely ADHD and would probably need medication. Reagan couldn’t help but wonder if it was just his bid to get attention from his mother. But if he really did have problems, not giving him the help he needed wouldn’t be good for him, so she was glad they’d taken him to get checked.

Before she saw the guys, she heard their voices drifting in with the breeze, laughing and talking excitedly. Reagan watched expectantly for them, and when she saw them come around the bend, she smiled as a warm feeling rushed through her. They were all having such a grand time rehashing their fishing expedition. “Girls,” she called out, “the guys are back. Let’s get inside and get dried off so we can have dinner.”

Thankfully they stood up to get out without a fuss. “Yay! Are we having hot dogs?” asked Alex.

“Yes! Hot dogs! And marshmallows too!” added Cassie as she grabbed her sister’s hand to climb out of the pool.

“Yes, we are,” replied Reagan, “but you have to let Mommy and Daddy help you with yours. Now come on.”

Cassie saw her father before they could get inside. “Daddy!” she yelled excitedly, and both girls took off towards their father as fast as their little legs could carry them.

Evan scooped up Alex and grabbed Cassie’s hand and walked them back to the cabin while the boys took off to start gathering wood to make a campfire.

“Catch anything?” asked Reagan when he got closer.

Evan laughed and looked at the twins. “Just these two scrumptious little girl fishes.”

“We’re not fish Daddy!” said Alex.

“So I can’t eat you both up?” he asked, blowing bubbles on Alex’s neck. They both began to giggle and said ‘No!’ at the same time.

“So, any real fish?” asked Reagan.

“We did catch a couple, but we got really good at catching seaweed,” he replied still laughing. “The boys had fun anyway. Grayson won the bet on who could catch the biggest seaweed fish.”

“Good thing we brought hot dogs then,” she teased and walked the rest of the way back listening to the twins telling their father all about swimming.

They got the fire going and everyone eagerly ate a couple of crispy hot dogs and burnt marshmallows. Apparently catching seaweed works up an appetite. It also tired out the kids.

Once the kids were all in bed, Reagan crawled into bed with her husband. The way he looked at her let her know, it was going to be a prefect ending to a perfect day. Reagan decided glamping wasn’t so bad after all.

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Meanwhile, back in Newcrest – Ryan and Maribel’s home.

“Ryan, look!” said Maribel excitedly. “Here’s an ad for a casting call. They are looking for a child to film a commercial in San Myshuno. ‘No experience necessary’.” She scoffed at that. “But with Sam’s experience with beauty pageants, ballet classes and gymnastics, plus the little spot she did to promote the child’s gymnastics classes at the gym, she would be a shoe-in for the part.”

Ryan sighed. “Bel, she just turned seven. What about school?” Bel was totally living vicariously through their daughter. Samantha seemed to enjoy all of the activities though, so as long as it didn’t interfere with school, what could it hurt? “And what about Tyler? Won’t he be jealous?”

“He’s too little to care or even notice,” said Bel rolling her eyes. “He spends all of his time playing in the dirt, throwing stuff and crashing toy cars together.”

“MOTHER!” called out Samantha right on queue, “Tyler’s making a mess again!”

“See what I mean,” said Bel, but made no move to clean it up. “Sam, come here, I want to show you something,” she said instead.

Ryan laughed to himself as he got up to check on Tyler. It was that or cry. Bel was right. Tyler and Sam were total opposites. Samantha was as girly girl as you could get and Tyler was all boy. Aggressive and loud, while Sam loved to dance and do gymnastics. She actually did cartwheels or danced practically everywhere she went.

He looked at his son playing in the floor, doing exactly has his wife had said. He cringed at the thought that he might be a little ADHD. Ryan knew he, himself was impulsive and didn’t often have a filter, so he figured poor Ty came by it naturally. He was as different as night and day from his sister’s little boy, Grayson. Grayson was quiet and generally entertained himself when he was Ty’s age. Now that he’s in school, he excels. Ryan hoped when Ty started school, he’d calm down. Ryan couldn’t bring himself to scold him. “Tyler, what are you doing?” he simply asked.

“I make green and blue roads,” he explained like it was perfectly okay to pour the paint on the floor. Thank goodness it was washable.

“We need to clean it up,” he said. “You don’t pour paint on the floor Ty,”

“I sowwy Daddy,” he said almost in tears, “I need roads for my cars.”

Ryan got the mop and began to clean. He wondered if he and Reagan were that different as kids. They played together so much that they probably balanced each other out. His children never played together. Sam would scream bloody murder if Ty touched anything of hers. Bel even allowed Sam to have a lock on her bedroom door to keep him out. Sam was almost three years older than Ty, so maybe that was part of it, plus Bel spoiled the crap out of her. Sam definitely ruled the roost.

The care for each child also seemed to be divided between the sexes. Tyler usually came to him, and if Sam wanted something she went straight to her mother. He was a little worried about Bel’s lack of discipline when it came to Sam. But he knew he was just as lax with her. Sam knew exactly how to get her way with him. All she had to do was stick out that bottom lip and she had him. Damn. Why didn’t someone tell him raising kids was this fucking hard? He loved them though. And he would be sure they knew it. He couldn’t imagine life without them.

When Ryan finished, he picked up Tyler to protect the floor from further green and blue roads. He walked over and told Bel and Sam to go ahead and schedule an appointment for Sam. Bel leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks babe. You’re the best!” Then she and Sam ran off to go make the call.

Thank goodness the gym was doing well. Otherwise they may not have been able to afford all the outfits, entry fees and classes that Sam was enrolled in. Plus a Nanny for Tyler. Even though Bel didn’t have a job, keeping up with Sam was the equivalent of a job. So they needed someone to be there for Tyler.

Total Mind and Body was a high quality gym with more than just exercise equipment and personal trainers. They had various yoga and workout classes, activities for the kids such as gymnastics classes and swimming lessons. There were exercise classes specifically for seniors in their indoor pool. A babysitter so patrons could bring their kids, a masseuse, hot tub, steam room and even a manicurist. Bel’s input was invaluable for attracting patrons of all ages.

Nearly every residence in Newcrest had a membership and used one or more of the services they offered. TM&B had also garnered memberships with those as far out as Willow Creek and San Myshuno. They now employed a large staff, including not only professionals but high school kids as well.

Ryan has been approached several times for the option to franchise his business. Or even buy it outright. Ryan wasn’t quite ready to sell. But he knew, if he didn’t start franchising, that the competition would soon copy his business model and he would lose out.

While Bel was on the phone setting up the appointment for Sam, he decided to call Will Redcliffe. He sat Ty down next to him and dialed, hoping the little boy would stay put for the duration of the call. Will had just graduated from law school, specializing in corporate law and was now C&Ms official attorney handling all of their legal needs. Will’s fiancée was had joined his practice and expanded it to include family law. Between the two of them, Ryan knew they could help him with the franchise and also advise how to structure a trust for any money Sam made, to ensure she had it for college and after.

Got to Chapter 4.01 >>>>>>

Go back to Chapter 3.68

A/N – This wraps up Gen 3. It started out only 2500 words and wound up 3500, so I apologize for the length. Also, thanks for hanging in there with me through my work travels and real life adventures that kept me away from my computer for almost three weeks.

A Gen 4 prologue will begin with the next chapter and we’ll have another small time jump into the early teen years of Grayson and Samantha. Also, the very first Casting Call sim was featured in today’s chapter.

Thank you Haswh for Greg Cunningham. ❤