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GalacticGal's avatar
GalacticGal
Seasoned Ace
2 months ago

Cantrell: The Early Years

And So We Moved, a Cantrell: The Early Years Save

“Lulu,” Joseph said. Seeing her frown at his chosen nickname for her, he began again, gently taking her by the shoulders. “Louise, I know you’re in your second trimester, but not that far into it. Besides, the journey normally only takes about two months’ time. This is a tremendous opportunity for us,” Joseph continued.  “Here I get peanuts for doing the same job I’m being recruited for. I’ve already been promised over 200,000 Simoleons up front, if I take the job. The only catch, it’s on Vulcan. I served some of my time as a Marine on the red planet. It’s really a lovely place. Good people, if not a tad stiff in some manner, but you’ll adapt to it. I promise.  I personally know Ambassador Sarek. Oh, and his wife, Amanda, is human. She’s also a teacher.”

“But we’re to live in a compound? They keep all of the human residents in a compound? I don’t like the sound of it. Joseph, I don’t.”
“It’s not what you think. The Vulcans rely on Logic and have trained themselves to avoid emotional statements as much as possible. Neighborhood implies emotion by the very nature of the word.  It’s a very nice neighborhood, I’ve been there. We’ll likely not see too many Vulcans there. So, you’ll have the opportunity to make some friends. Human friends.”
 
Louise lowered her head for a moment and let out a long, audible sigh. She really didn’t want to go.  Gazing up again at him again, she said, “I’ve got one very active baby with another baby on the way. Being cooped up in a small spacecraft spells nightmare for me.”  Joseph’s light blue eyes were aglow at the prospects of finally getting ahead in his chosen career.  Another look at Joseph and Louise relented. She did love him so. Against her better judgement, she found herself saying, “Oh, all right. We’ll give it a try. But, if things don’t work out, please tell me you have an exit strategy.”
 
“Exit strategy? Oh, sure. Yes Ma’am.” His smile was tentative, since he had already signed a two-year contract, renewable if he performed well at the job at hand.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
The trip was long and arduous.  The craft, already old, had several breakdowns along the way. Having to be towed, via Tractor Beam, to a Space station equipped to make repairs took way more time than expected, its location drawing them several parsecs off course. Again, due to the availability of out-dated parts. The advanced simoleons were meant to cover their housing. Sadly, the almost ancient Skiff took most of it just to get there. They could not afford the costs of repair, let alone the expenditure of time. Repairs took weeks. 
 
Waylaid as they were, virtual prisoners in their own ship, the repairs notoriously slow, suddenly Louise found herself in labor. “Oh, Joseph, this isn’t gas at all. This is the real deal. This baby is coming now. And I mean, right now.”
 
“But we’re still parsecs away from Vulcan. The mechanics have assured me we’ll be on our way again very soon. Can’t you wait for another hour?”
“Yes, Mr. Genius, I’ll just tell the baby to put things on hold,” she said, the humor curiously lacking from her pretty face. Then narrowing her eyes as if in contact with the baby inside of her, she shook her head. “No . . . no, somehow, he’s just not listening. He says he’s done baking and wishes to come out, now.”
Joseph gazed at his young wife, “I’m in trouble, huh.”
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
True to their word, the mechanics finished up their work and bid the Cantrell family a Bon Voyage. The ship was still slow, which left Joseph in a near panic. Soon their toddler, Aaron was walking. Louise having to chase after him, who seemed to have a very bad case of the wanderlust. Or, perhaps he was just Inquisitive. At any rate, Louise was certain the mite was intent on exploring every nook and cranny of this sad vessel.  She longed for the moment she could beam down and check out the only house they could afford with the leftover funds.
 
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Five months after their second child arrived, their craft all but drifted into Vulcan’s atmosphere, where again, a Tractor Beam was used to pull them into the active space port where they offloaded. A crew was there to secure their luggage and little Aaron’s stuffed bear, that lay neglected on the deck. When his parents were able to interpret his anxious squawks, it was soon recovered. “Heaven forbid, Bear should get left behind,” Louise said, presenting it to the tot. By the iron grip the child had on the brown, stuffed replica of the Terran mammal, peace reigned once again.
 
Their second child, another boy they named Erik, was no longer a newborn when they finally reached Vulcan space. Emerging from the craft in the hangar, a small delegation of Vulcans and Humans greeted them. Joseph had kept them apprised of his travel woes, which phased them not at all. He was given the day off to get his family situated in their new home. The couple only saw it virtually and had contracted a builder to make an archway between the two smaller bedrooms the boys would share. Among a few other alterations.
 
Getting a chance to tour it, though soon brought Louise almost to tears.  Beaming down to see the house in person shattered her expectations. If she found being cramped in a small spacecraft for nearly eight months was a nightmare, these quarters were equally small if not smaller. Two bedrooms, as per their changes, one bath, but the entire place was just small, the rooms cramped, not at all like the pictures online. Being rather adept at photography she should have realized the angle used was in an almost deceptive way. The kitchen was a bit of a joke. Strictly speaking a one-butt kitchen--- if it was even large enough for one. They had a small island added, for more working surfaces.
 
No laundry room, whatsoever. She had the movers place the stackable washer and dryer in the corner of the main bedroom. There simply wasn’t anywhere else it could go.  Joseph quickly settled into his new job, taking over the recently vacated 5th grade class at Province Elementary School, serving the Human Compound.
 
So on top of having to adjust to the stronger pull of gravity on this planet, the thin atmosphere, which made breathing a bit harder for them, the hotter than blazes temperature, even in winter, which dropped to nearly unbearably cold temperatures once the sun went down; she also now had a new challenge before her.
 
 Louise found herself confronted headlong with Sibling Rivalry. Being an only child herself, this was foreign to her. Yet, Aaron was clearly jealous. He had a nasty case of it, she noted.  So far he contented himself to pull at little Erik’s feet whenever Louise sat down to breast feed him. Louise had to be on her guard to make certain her toddler didn’t further act out his feelings 
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Having learned of such beasts as the Sehlet, often domesticated to her confusion, the bear-like animal had six-inch fangs.  Or worse, the known predator called Le-matya, which bore poisonous claws.  She worried Aaron would wander off someday and they would forever lose him in this almost hostile and alien world. She still just didn’t understand what it was Joseph found so enchanting about this place.  
 
Despite it all, Louise found a job in the Painters Career. She was something of a prodigy, herself, when it came to translating images to canvas.  She painted to relax.  The more she created, the better she felt, as if driven to express herself in this manner. The fact that her work was drawing notice was nice and it did help to keep her at the easel. When she wasn’t running after Aaron, that is. He was most certainly a handful, that boy, with his rather reckless desire for adventure.
 
She was already making her mark on the Art world, having achieved the status of Proper Celebrity. She refused to let it go to her head, and instead decided the Paparazzi who hung around outside of their little dwelling, would be her first friends in this alien place.
 
Busy taking care of her two children, in between dealing with Morning Sickness again, she soon realized they had been a bit on the capricious side when they ‘initiated’ their new home, shortly after moving in. What were they thinking?
 
Faced with a third child under the age of four, she worried that the Daycare wasn’t being run as well as they promised.  Often, Erik came home hangry with a wet diaper and exhausted. But, could they afford a nanny? This prompted her to produce more paintings which she sold to an Art Collector, which returned many more Simoleons that just selling it straight out.
 
All for now. Thanks for reading! :)
 

 

stories
  • GalacticGal's avatar
    GalacticGal
    Seasoned Ace
    2 months ago
    The Disparity In Time, On Vulcan, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part One Update
     
    Settling into their new home, on this hot, arid planet that was completely foreign to her; Louise found it necessary to create a routine that best suited her young family. Something of which her own mother used to do whenever the Ilsen’s were stationed on yet another foreign planet inside the United Federation of Planets. Her father was an Admiral in Starfleet. They moved a lot when she was growing up. Still, this was her very first time on Vulcan.
     
    She was quick to note the days were longer here, taking this into consideration as she calculated her schedule. Seems it took this planet a bit more time to rotate than Earth. They went from a twenty-four hour day to a whopping thirty-two hour one. The sun rose at about six-forty-seven in the am and set at about eight-twenty-nine pm. While she worried her children weren’t sleeping through the entire night, once she realized the disparity in time, she relaxed and figured out a way to make certain her boys got their obligatory twelve hours’ sleep.
    Despite the heat during the daylight hours, when the sun finally set, it quickly grew horribly cold.  So much so, the couple added a stove very similar to the ancient Benjamin Franklin stove, just to assist their heater while it was yet dark outside.  Louise realized they arrived smack in the middle of Vulcan’s winter. And quite dismayed they still had weeks to go. The months turned out to be longer, too. 
    Regardless of her efforts, soon time was but a passing concept on Vulcan. “Joseph,” she began one evening after they had dined. The dishes cleared away for the evening, she was sitting in the Livingroom, and he was at their tiny dining room table, grading papers. “I’m very confused.”
    He looked up from the papers to give her his full attention. “About what, my dear?”
    “My system is still on Earth’s time after all of this time. Days — weeks have gone by as far as I can tell, anyway. Erik is getting bigger and bigger, yet I confess I have no clue just how old he is. Shouldn’t he be crawling by now? Or has he slowed down to Vulcan time?”
     
    “No, he seems to be on track, as best as I can tell. You just need to stop fretting. He’s perfectly healthy and completing the expected milestones.”
    “That’s true, he’s able to roll over from his stomach to his back.”
    “Ans from his back to his stomach, too. So, see? He’s perfectly fine.”
    *~~*~~*~*~~*
    In spite of her fears, Erik was very busy completing milestone after milestone, mostly on his own, too.  Pretty soon he was able to actually hold and shake a toy, too. Without him dropping it on his head. This was a worry, given how gravity tended to defeat him.
    “Joseph, why are we taking so many pictures of the baby? He's not our first, you know."
    “Precisely because he's not our first. Have you ever gone through your family's photo albums and your siblings are all complaining in your ear, the baby pictures are all about you Where are the pictures of them?"
    "I'm an only child,” Louise said, “Oh, look, he’s got complete command over that toy. Gravity or not,” Louise said.
    “Oh, look, he’s got complete command over that toy. Gravity or not,” Louise said.
    “Overachiever, that one,” Joseph said.
    “Oh, don’t pin that one on him, please,” Louise said. “Although I will confess, he’s a lot like you. Very enterprising.” 
     
    Soon, with a little help, he was sitting up on his own.
    This set up an entirely new problem; they only had one highchair and Aaron would frown whenever Erik was using it. “No, mine,” he would say, and all but stomp his foot. Little brother turned out to be one messy eater, too. Before anyone else could use the baby chair, it had to be polished to perfection, which also made things complicated. Louise couldn’t just switch out babies.  Fortunately, Aaron was able to grab a serving for himself and was fond of sitting on one of the living room chairs, to her chagrin. A light gray fabric. Who in their right mind would use that fabric in a family home?
    Not their style preference, but the furniture came with the house, so they only had to purchase a crib and a toddler bed, making things a tad easier on them. She hoped that neither of her children would manage to irrevocably stain the upholstery, since the couple could ill-afford to replace it.
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    To help them both reconcile the time differential, Joseph found an App, of the Terran Calendar they both were more familiar with; 2259, which was nearly at its end. “Oh, my Christmas is almost upon us,” She said, examining the tabular array on the app. “Has it really been almost a year since we left Earth?” Most of this time, true enough, had been spent in outer space, she conceded.
     
    “I’m afraid so,” Joseph said. “See? Time is flying.”
    “That means Erik is almost a full year old. And he’s still not crawling.”
    Joseph smiled and said, “He’ll be fine, stop worrying, you’ll give yourself an ulcer. Besides, he’s found his own way to get around. He creeps like no baby I have ever seen. As for the upcoming holiday, I shall soon have a surprise for you.”
     
    The day before Christmas arrived, Joseph pushed open their front door, "Louise, it’s here,” he called joyfully as he carried the freshly cut pine tree through the doorway. He set it in the middle of their small living room. Tears moistened Louise’s blue eyes. “Oh, Joseph you are a wonder!”
    “I just love Christmas, is all.”

    The couple worked well into the evening, getting the tree dressed, as well as the house, which quickly became a family Tradition for them. In just a few hours they finished just to realize they had Christmas services to attend, in a short while, as they crawled into bed to catch a bit of shut eye.

     Working so hard and so late, getting up the next morning was a bit of a chore. But they managed and off they went to the holiday services at Saint Paul’s Little Church in the Province.  Joseph quickly joined the choir, baby Erik harnessed to his back. Having been a choir director at their Earth parish, Joseph even offered his services as an Assistant director, if needed.
     
    The music seemed to excite Erik. Louise glanced over at the choir to see his tiny arms waving in time to the a Capella choir, as if he was the director. This warmed his mother’s heart. 
     
    More to Come . . . 

     

    • GalacticGal's avatar
      GalacticGal
      Seasoned Ace
      2 months ago

      Christmas on Vulcan, A Cantrell: The Early Years, Part One Update

      Reaching home again it was time to celebrate. "Let the festivities begin,” Joseph chortled, throwing open the front door. He loved this holiday and was determined to make the most of it despite the alien environment they found themselves in. He could tell Louise wasn’t overly thrilled to be here. He was determined to bring the smile back to her face, nonetheless. Gazing up at the sky, cloud over and rain, at least. Just a few drops, doesn’t need to be a downpour or anything. He’d wish for snow, but they weren’t at a high enough altitude for that.

      “Shall we see what Christmas treasures await you?” The couple barely had time to pass out a gift or two, one to each boy, when a knock at the door, surprised them.  “Well, now, who do you suppose that is?” Louise scooped up Erik, who clung to the small, cloth camping buddy toy, only to drop in as his mother opened the door.  “Oh, Father Winter,” she said, seeing the warmly cloaked man walking down their front walkway. “It’s Father Winter.” she said over her shoulder to Joseph.  She immediately left the house, Erik on her hip.

      Father Winter, who was on his way to another house, quickly turned around when she hailed him. He gave her a bright smile, as she approached him, babe in arms.
      “Father Winter, I would like you to meet our newest family member. This is Erik, Erik this is Father Winter. You know who he is. We read about him in your new Christmas book.

      “Aye, he’s a fine boy.  A fine boy, indeed. Be ready for this one,” Clement said, with a wink. “He’s one special little human.” Louise furrowed her brow at this. Of course, his parents thought him special. Aren’t all kids special, each in their own way? She silently pondered. Louise would often reflect on Father Winter’s words as Erik grew. Erik. On the other hand,  was unsure of this stranger and didn’t take too well to being held by someone he didn’t know.

      “Oh, my, please don’t take offense,” Louise said, as she gently took the infant from the man’s arms. “He gets a tad cranky when he’s overtired. Erik, what a fuss you’re making.” Turning to go back inside, she tossed over her shoulder, “Won’t you, please,  come in?”

      Moments later, Father Winter was busy delivering packages to this little human family. Placing them in a nice array at the bottom of the tree.

      *~~*~~*~~*~~*

      After Father Winter left their house to continue his rounds, Joseph took Aaron out back to show him the new toddler gym.  The boy was elated and took to it immediately. He clapped his small hands, giggled and crawled up a tube before Joseph could even snap a photo.

      All-in-all Christmas had been a success.

      A week later, amidst their tree the couple was ready to ring in the Terran New Year with toasts, kisses and joy. The Vulcans, if they even celebrated such an event, which Louise doubted, had some time to go before they would flip their calendars to a new year.
      *~~*~~*~~*~~*
      Louise had many questions. Very few Vulcans were employed by the company she worked for; not that Vulcans didn’t produce some wondrous works of Art; but on the whole as a Society, much like music, they found it too emotionally based. And yet they did appreciate music and Art, on the whole.  It left her wondering. Just who are these people and why am I here?

      Come New Year’s Eve she decided to query her husband on the matter. “Joseph, tell me something,” she said after dinner. Having finished cleaning up the mess of the evening meal, she took her glass of imported Von Haute Estate Meloire and sat in a chair in the living room. “I’ve been doing some reading and some observing.  Why is it, do you suppose that there’s such a distinct difference between human children who are only a month or two apart in age, but can bear such a striking difference in their development yet none for Vulcan children?”

      “The disparity in age, that’s why,” he said, he set his grading book aside, for now.
      “Come again?” He took a seat on the end of the sofa, nearest the chair where his wife sat
      “Easiest way I can explain it, is that for every two point five standard human years in age a Vulcan only ages one year.”
      “Oh, how curious,” she said.
      “Note, I said Human years. They are actually much younger in Vulcan years. It’s a two point five to one, ratio, my dear.”

      Louise took a slow, contemplative sip of her Meloire. “Really? As in a seven-year-old Vulcan is actually only three in their development? How on Earth, er Vulcan, do they betroth babies the way they do?”
      “It’s a Clannish Thing. A leftover from their Beginnings. It’s all about Power.”
      “So sophisticated on the one side and yet so . . . Backwards. What a conundrum.”
      “Yes.”
      “And why do so many very talented people all but shun the practice of Art?”

      Joseph just gazed at her and said, “To understand that, you must come to understand their history. The emotions of a Vulcan actually surpass those of any human in depth and scope.”
      “Are you saying their feelings are stronger?”

      “To the point that they very nearly destroyed themselves, yes. Wars, murders, mayhem. They nearly brought this Great Society to an end. Seriously, they faced total annihilation at their own hands.”
      “So, you’re saying they had no choice other than to scale it back.”

      “More than that, even. It took Surak and his teachings to turn things around. They adopted Logic as their guide; suppressing their emotions to a point that it became, inappropriate to display outward signs of emotion in public, for at least a human millennium.”
      “So, that’s why he's so revered and why it’s so rare to see a Vulcan laugh, cry or . . . hence the word Compound instead of neighborhood.”

      “Now you understand. Not every Vulcan has adapted to the suppression of their emotions, though, but enough have to make things work.” Louise took a thoughtful sip of her juice and then gazed over at her husband. “ I can’t believe you were once involved with one years ago.”

      “She used me,” he quickly said, looking away. 
      “You said she was curious about humans.”
      “Yes, and she used a mindmeld on me to get into my head. Had she locked our minds together, as was her plan . . .” his voice trailed off.

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to open an old wound." Joseph waived her off.
      “I was a young Marine. Auld Lang Syne,” he said, standing up. “Look, it’s almost the New Year.” Glancing at the television on in the background. He took the bottle of fizzy juice from the fridge and popped the cork, then quickly poured two glasses. Toasting each other they drank to each others’ health and sealed it with a kiss at the stroke of midnight. 2260 had begun.

      *~~*~~*~~*~~*
      Juggling her daily job tasks along with soon-to-be three children, the eldest one quite rambunctious, Louise realized she already had her hands very full. She was torn; knowing they needed a larger abode, and at the same time, she needed some help. Beyond what Joseph did, which was quite a bit, when he wasn’t at work. She also realized that Nannies didn’t come cheap.

      Erik, not quite crawling, was well able to scoot about their small home.  He was also a bit of a terror, his interested mind getting him into not a little bit of trouble.

      Finally, he was able to pull himself onto his feet, too. Even though the seasons were longer here on Vulcan, her children grew at the rate expected of humans. Which relieved the new mother immensely. 

      Thankfully, Aaron was more than happy to play out in the backyard on the toddler gym Father Winter had brought him for Christmas. With Erik in the back carrier, she could paint while aslo keeping an eye on Aaron. When the third baby came along, she was uncertain just how she would manage, but for now, it worked.

      Thanks for reading. All for now. :)    

  • GalacticGal's avatar
    GalacticGal
    Seasoned Ace
    2 months ago
    Baby, Maybe?, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part One Update
     
    Joseph came home from work one evening, strangely dazed, looking as if he carried the weight of the universe on his broad shoulders. “Joey?” Louise said, busily spooning food into an expectant, hungry baby, which she immediately set aside. “Is everything all right?”
    “Yeah, I think I’m just getting bogged down at work. I don’t know, it’s a great school, wonderful staff, everything almost takes care of itself, but I’m just, I don’t know. . . I’m starting to feel — a bit burnt out.”
     
    “You are working awfully hard. You always do. I should think you wouldn’t have to keep selling yourself. They’ve seen your credentials and your work ethic. I know you. You push yourself harder than is needed. Maybe you should take a bit of time off. Just a day or two to relax and unwind. Play the piano — do something creative. Might do you some good.” Joseph gave her a wan smile. Noticing little Erik sitting in the highchair, he walked over to pick up feeding the little guy, where his wife left off.
     
    “So, what would you like to try tonight?” Joseph asked. Erik gazed up at him, expectantly, if not a tad warily. Louise had informed him the child was a good eater, but he didn’t at all like mango
     
    “Okay, let’s try something you haven’t had before, shall we?” Glancing at the jar’s label, he said, “I promise it’s not mango. Mama says you just don’t like that at all.”
     
    After giving him a spoonful, Joseph couldn’t tell how the baby felt about it. “Well, yes, no, maybe so? Another bite to help you make up your mind?”
     
    Joseph paused for a bit in between bites, after seeing the expression on Erik’s little face. Suddenly the boy screwed up his features and let out a howl.
    “I’m so sorry, son. I’ll just put this on the list of things you really don’t like. Let’s try some finger food.
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    While Joseph was busy feeding Erik, Louise answered her phone.  “Oh, Jay, hello. Okay, where? Vector 972 — Oh, that’s on just the other side of the of the Province. Yes, in the Moo Goo Tai Pan Valley, yes, that’s the best pronunciation I can give. Yes, thank you, that sounds fun.”
     
    Joseph looked up from one messy Erik. “What sounds like fun?” he said.
    “We’ve been invited to a spontaneous dance party on the other side of the Province. I think we should go.”
    “I do, too. Might just be what I need to shake this funk of mine.”
    “We have evening credits at the Daycare. Let’s go.”
     
    After Joseph quickly cleaned up Erik, they grabbed both children and dropped them off at the Daycare. Then it was on to the Bluffs. The dance party was already in full swing. This didn’t stop the couple from jumping in. For the first time all week, Louise saw the carefree smile return to her husband's handsome face. Unfortunately, she also experienced quite a hitch in her side. Close to her due date, she was hopeful.
     
    “Joe, I’m sorry to break things up, you seem to be having the time of your life, but I think we need to go home.”
    “But we just got here,” he complained.
    “Now, Sweetheart. I’ve got this curious hitch in my side . . .”
    “Are you saying it’s go-time?”
     
    “Maybe. I hope so. I just know we need to go and go now.”
     
    The brand new fully loaded Hovercraft that came as a perk with the job, flew them across the vector that made up the Human Compound and named the Province. They swung by, picked up their children and got home again in less than fifteen minutes.
     
    Louise excused herself and went into the bedroom, where she expected her labor to fully begin. She would contact her human physician from there. Sadly, the hitch in her side faded away.  She came back out into their small Livingroom.
     
    “Braxton Hicks?” Joseph asked.
    “Must have been a false alarm. I’m so sorry, Sweetheart. You were having such a nice time, too. Can you ever forgive me?”
    “Don’t trouble yourself over it. We’ll just have to do it again.”
    She sat down and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’m so done being pregnant.”
    “I know you are. How about if we get the Kiddos to bed and I’ll give you a nice back rub?”
     
    “You are the best and I don’t deserve you.” He smiled at that.
    “Yes, you do.”
     
     
    All for now. Thanks for reading :)

     

      • GalacticGal's avatar
        GalacticGal
        Seasoned Ace
        2 months ago
        Nearly a Full Boat, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part One Update
         
        Louise couldn’t get any bigger at this point. She was huge. After the one false alarm she was beginning to fear her state of pregnancy was for keeps.  Or she wasn’t pregnant at all and had just gained an unsightly amount of weight.  Oddly enough, whenever she gave this notion any real thought, she would receive a rather brutal kick from the Being within.
         
        Their house was way too small. Erik was getting to be such a big baby. Still not crawling, but he was able to pull himself up on a piece of furniture.  Glancing at the 2260 calendar, even though Vulcan’s season didn’t align, Erik’s first birthday was upon them. They left church just after they shared one cup of coffee with their Church Family during Coffee Hour.
        Happily, Erik was so worn out he fell asleep almost as soon as his blond head hit the crib mattress. This left Louise some time to bake a chocolate cake for the wee one.  Feeling almost sentimental about him not being quite such a baby anymore, she got another hitch in her side and wondered, if this baby and Erik would end up sharing a birthday?
         
        Joseph took Aaron out back to help keep him occupied and allow Louise to have the kitchen to herself. Aaron was always asking a lot of questions. Sometimes he would pester his mother so much while she cooked, she would accidentally leave out a few 

        key ingredients.

        After about an hour or so, Louise called them back inside, baby on her hip.  “Come on,” she said, as she stepped out onto the backdoor stoop. “Erik says he’s ready to blow out his candles now. And he would be most pleased if the two of you would join him as he celebrates this milestone.”
         
        The cake sat on the end of the kitchen counter, candles ablaze.  “Okay, take a big, big breath and blow the candles out like this,” she said, as she carefully blew out just one. She quickly relit it.
         
        Closing her eyes, she made a wish for Erik.
        “Okay, now. Big breath and — blow!”
         
        Erik’s light blue eyes grew very large.  “You did it, you got them all!” How did you manage that? Total breath control, my word.
         
        In another minute Erik was a Toddler. “Oh, there’s my big, big boy!”
        *~~*~~*~~*~~*
        One late afternoon, three weeks later, Joseph came home from work. He seemed to have a bit of a bounce to his step. He joyfully, in fact, collected the mail from the mailbox out front, separating the bills and letters from the junk mail, and then pulled open the front door. “Honey, I’m home,” he called out. Louise smiled. She had watched him from the window. She approached and gave him a kiss.
         
        “You look as if you’ve had a terrific day, come sit down, and let’s eat.”
        “I have indeed. I have news and an announcement to make.”
        “Oh? Please spare me the suspense, I’ve been having a lot of Braxton Hicks today.”
         
        Joseph nodded and smiled as he said, “I have been promoted! With it came a tidy raise, and a bonus.  A bonus. And you know that house we looked at over on Old Penelope?”
        “You mean the one that was built there after old man Cahill passed away? The Spanish, almost adobe-style house?”
         
        “Yes, that’s the one. Nice big yard to give the kids room to run around. I believe we now have the proper income to allow us to make a bid on the place. I drove passed it on my way home today, and it is still listed.”
        “Joseph, don’t tease me.”
        “I’ll call the agent right now.”
        “That’s terrific,” he said into his phone, “I look forward to hearing back from you.”
        Well?” Louise said, rubbing at her lower back. The cramping hadn’t really let up, as she thought it might. In fact, the pangs were coming closer apart with more intensity. Joseph gazed at his wife. 

        “Are you all right?”

        “I think I may really be having the baby, this time. The Braxton Hicks seem to be moving into something far more productive.” With that she got up and walked into their bedroom. In only moments Joseph heard the distinct hum of a personal Transporter, as the human physician, Doctor Lawrence, arrived.
         
        “Honey,” Joseph called out to here, “the realtor said he was going to call the owners of the house and advise them of our bid.  We could hear back from him very soon.”
        “Wonderful, I’m having the baby right now,” she said.
        “Fantastic, had I known this is all it was going to take, I would have sought other good news to bring home, sooner.”
         
        “Is that what did it?” Doctor Lawrence said.
         
        While Louise was busy in the other room, Joseph took a look at his two Toddler sons, “Whose turn it is to go first for a bath?” With the scarcity of water on this planet, the family chose to use the bathwater, twice. First one boy and then the next. The parents, each took very short showers.
         
        At once harsh babbling was exchanged between the two of them. 
        Picture of Aaron and Erik in front of the tub
        Before it came to blows of one sort or another, or likely shoves, Joseph said, “Boys, boys, no need to expend unkind words to each other. Daddy will decide.” Turning, he focused on Erik. “I know, it must be your turn, You’re looking pretty grimy. You must have thoroughly explored the back garden. Am I right?” he said, snatching Erik up. Noticing his mismatched apparel, he said, “Did you get dressed in the dark? Or are you just a tad on the Bohemian side?”
        “We have another son,” Louise hollered from the main bedroom, halfway through Aaron’s bath.
        By the time Joseph had bathed both of the older boys, the newborn had awakened from his light snooze. Grabbing up a bottle and very carefully heating it up in the microwave, he went to meet his third son. Since they both agreed early on, they didn’t opt to have the child’s gender revealed to them hoping for the surprise. The couple had decided should this child be yet another son, they would name him Joseph Alistair Cantrell, III. He would likely go by Joey, Jr., but that was his preference to make.
         
        Gazing down at the rather handsome lad, Joseph’s heart swelled with pride. Three sons. He had three sons to carry down the family name and legacy. “Hello, there, Joey. I’m your Daddy.”
        When next the newborn squalled, Erik came running into his parent’s bedroom. He stopped short in front of the funny basket his parents had brought in. Peering into it, he thought, What’s that?

        *~~*~~~*~

        As the clock drew near the seven o’clock hour, Joseph rounded up the other two children. “Honey, is Aaron in there with you?”

        “No. Just Erik. He’s fascinated by the noises Joey makes. Did you check out back?”
        “No, but I will.”
         
        Sure enough, Aaron sat in his little Toddler Swing, gazing out at something. Perhaps, just the skyline. He was obviously lost in thought.
         
        “Aaron?” Joseph said, gently, drawing the almost four-year-old’s attention. “What is it? What’s wrong, son?”
        “What you get another one for?” Joseph hunkered near the swing. He ran a hand over his face, trying to figure out a good way to answer the boy.
        “Because mommies and daddies make families. And this is our family. Mommy and Daddy always wanted a big family. Lots of children, round about our table. You know the Mason family at church? They have five children with another one on the way.”
         
        “Too many. I don like so many. No more attention for me.”
         
        “Aaron, son. You will always be the Firstborn and that’s a very special mantle to wear. Believe me, I’m the firstborn of your uncles and aunties. Besides, we love each of you equally. You’re all different, you’re all special in your own way. We love all of you. You’re our family.  And one day we hope to have more children. Mommy wants a baby girl.”
         
        Aaron furrowed his brow. “A girl? What’s a girl?”
        “Well, let me see if I can boil this down for you. A girl is what your Mommy used to be before she grew up.”
        “Huh?”
        “It’s okay. You’ll get it in time.”
         
         
        All for now, Thanks for reading! 
  • GalacticGal's avatar
    GalacticGal
    Seasoned Ace
    21 days ago
    I have removed Louise's Descent, since it was well out-of-sync. It's proper position is after the Pang of Adolescence. It will be returned. Thank you for indulging me, this was by far easier than having to move up the posts below. Leaving me the chance to post something new. 🙃
     
     
     

     

    • oolonglong's avatar
      oolonglong
      Seasoned Adventurer
      21 days ago

      My heart goes out for the entire family but especially for Louise. She needs help.

      • GalacticGal's avatar
        GalacticGal
        Seasoned Ace
        20 days ago

        Thank you for reading. Yes, this is quite the blow to the family having Louise be not quite right. It hasn't affected her art, happily.

  • GalacticGal's avatar
    GalacticGal
    Seasoned Ace
    2 months ago

     

    Moving to Old Penelope, Province, Vulcan, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part One Update
     
    The owners of the house readily accepted the offer the Cantrell’s made on their house on Old Penelope.  Things ran smoothly all the way through escrow and upon the final Walk-Through, the couple saw some things that needed to be changed. The place needed a slight refreshing. They hired a local Contractor to change out the flooring, and wall treatments were changed more to their liking.
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    This took an additional few weeks to be completed.  During this time, Joey grew into an Infant.
    By this time, on the new three-year Human calendar app Joseph supplied, the human holiday of Liberty Day 2260 was upon them. Which suggested on Earth it was early Fall, already. Deciding to get their laundry done rather than move with dirty clothes and such, the couple opted to let their older boys sleep until they awoke on their own.
     
    When the two sleepy heads finally pulled themselves out of bed, The couple loaded up the clean wash, the children and various other small items. They had decided to let the furniture, with the exception of the kids’ room, stay with the house. Hopping into the Hovercraft, the family made the one-minute commute to the other side of the neighborhood.
    Pulling up to the front of the house, Joseph, Louise and their children debarked.  Joseph took Joey, leaving Aaron and Erik to run toward the front steps of their new house. The boys seemed eager to explore.  In no time, the couple managed to get the two Toddler beds and the crib set up.  They never had a changing table before, mostly for lack of room, but since this house was more spacious than they’d ever had prior, Joseph made certain one was delivered to the new place. Already set up and ready for use in the third bedroom. Here they also placed Joey’s crib.
     
    Louise, for the first time since they got here, was genuinely happy, at peace.  This was a lovely home, with a bit more room than before, although the bathrooms, all three of them were on the scrunchy side.  This made her wonder about Vulcans and their use of space. Was comfort truly not an issue to them?
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    Aaron had grown, so. A Toddler, still, but not for long.  He clearly was changing right before her eyes.  His face chiseling out a bit, losing his baby fat.  She baked a white cake early one morning.  Placing candles on it, he was called into the kitchen. This time the boy didn’t need assistance. He knew what to do and blew the candles out in one big breath. “Okay, do the twirly thing,” his parents chorused.
     

    He twirled so fast his parents barely saw it. Suddenly, this older boy was standing next to Erik and looking positively pleased with himself.

    His hairstyle took them by surprise, but they didn’t argue with the boy.  Instead, his father helped him with his homework, so that the next day he would be ready to enter the world of Academia.
     
    Joseph was glad he had a couple of days off. He found himself watching the clock, anxious for his firstborn to arrive home again. At ten minutes after the hour, Joseph caught a glimpse of the lad as he walked toward the front steps.
     
    Aaron came through the door bearing a sullen mood. Joseph was waiting for him in the Livingroom close to the foyer.  “Aaron, how was your first day of school?”
    “Not so great. I dropped my tray of food right in front of everybody. They all laughed at me.”
    “Oh, ho, no, I’m so sorry, son. It will get better, I promise. Come here, let me give you a hug. That is, if you’re not too old for one.”
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    As the family settled into their new place, Louise made a discovery. Things were, again, about to change.
     
    She went in search of Joseph and found him, as usual, spending time with their children. “Joseph?” She said as she entered the Nursery.
    “Babe, what is it? Something wrong?”
    “We’re having another baby! Oh, I do hope this time it’s a girl. It really feels like a girl, to me. And by the way, this one is my last. I am done.”
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    As the parents continued to work with Joey, helping him to achieve various milestones as he grew, time passed rather swiftly.
    At last, he was sitting on his own.  

    Feeding him, Louise came to the conclusion one day, that Joey and Erik were more alike than just the color of their hair. He proved to be just as messy an eater as his next older brother. Louise gave him a spoonful and then leaned back a bit as he splashed and made a mess.

    As she waited for the new baby to arrive, Louise busied herself painting. She had earned a raise, and was now a Master of the Real. Her paintings she sold,always to the Art Galleries, as these paid more for her work than Collectors, although every now and then she’d give a nod to the Collectors. She liked to think that by selling her work, even the so-called masterpieces, had helped them to be able to purchase this new house they were now living in. Certainly, her job had 

    its perks.

    One day, as she made brush stroke after brush stroke, she got a familiar feeling.  Labor!  Please be my baby girl. Please be my baby girl.
     
    “Joseph, it’s a G-I-R-L,” she cried out. “Oh, let me look at you, you sweet, sweet thing.”
     
    Erik, who was very curious about things, ran in first to see what his mama was so excited about. He stood there and just gazed at the funny basket.

     

    All for now. Thanks for reading!
     
    • oolonglong's avatar
      oolonglong
      Seasoned Adventurer
      2 months ago

      Thank you for sharing this new view of the Cantrell’s life. It’s nice seeing Eric and siblings as infants, toddlers and children!

      • GalacticGal's avatar
        GalacticGal
        Seasoned Ace
        2 months ago

        Thank you. I realize I took a gamble, so it's nice to get some positive feedback. :) And, by the way, I hit the Like button but nothing happened. 😮

    • GalacticGal's avatar
      GalacticGal
      Seasoned Ace
      2 months ago

      Thank you me, too. I'm so used to transferring the screenshots (after I use Paint on them, to crop, etc.) then to imjur, which I can then access on my other laptop.  I decided to simply transfer my Screenshot folders to this second laptop. Have to have my pictures, after all. :)

      • Ellupelluellu's avatar
        Ellupelluellu
        Hero
        2 months ago

        Its different for sure, but nice to upload straight to the site.   Imgur has giving many different troubles lately too🙂

  • pacer1965's avatar
    pacer1965
    Seasoned Adventurer
    2 months ago

    Really enjoying reading about young Eric and the rest of the family

  • GalacticGal's avatar
    GalacticGal
    Seasoned Ace
    21 days ago
    Dancing To My Own Beat, a Cantrell: The Early Years Update
     
    “They’re all fast asleep,” Joseph said, upon his return to the living room.  He had just made the ‘rounds. Sometimes Aaron was prone to get up and wander about. A proclivity left over from his toddlerhood. Which was quite a worry, given there were a few predatory wild animals down in the canyon. This canyon was just around the cliff side and behind them.  The Lematya, for one. A feline-type creature, very large, with poisonous claws.  Now and again a Sehlet might be encountered, but this bear-like animal was, for the most part, domesticated and generally the ones roaming had simply escaped their confinement container. Mostly a well-kept large crate often locked. Somebody’s pet.
     
    Joseph took a seat in one of the side chairs. Louise smiled at him upon his return. “You had something to discuss,” she coaxed, sipping at her evening glass of wine.. 
    “Yes,” he said. “Erik’s birthday is coming rather soon.  I have a thought or two on what we should get him. I want it to be something that nurtures his interests.”
    “As we did for Aaron.” Louise nodded. “Is there something in particular you had in mind?”
     
    Joseph resettled himself into the chair, as if uncomfortable. “I’ve got a couple of items in mind. Problem is, both on are the pricey side.”
    “If you have a mind to get him his own guitar,” Louise smiled. “I can always paint our way into affording it.”
    Joseph’s eyes sparkled as he gazed over at his wife. “Yes, that was one of the items I had in mind.”
     
    “A guitar of his own is something I most certainly can support. He’s always been so interested in yours. Standing, staring at it as if it were some kind of magical device. But he was always so mindful not to touch.”
    “You noticed, too. But of course you did. Did I ever mention just how much I admire you? You’re a terrific mother, as I suspected you would be the day we met. That’s why I chose you, you know?”
    “Oh, you chose me?” She grinned broadly, her pretty face lighting up.  “And, here all of this time I thought I was the one doing the choosing. Huh, what do you know?”
     
    *~~*~~~*~
     
    Erik’s birthday came. His mother baked him a coconut cake.  “Whoa, the faeries are back,” The four-year-old exclaimed. “See, they’re dancing on top of the cake?” he said when called to blow out his candles.
    “Faeries?” his parents questioned in unison.
    “There aren’t any faeries, son,” Joseph said gently, “That’s the flickering of the flames.”
     
    “Okay, maybe they’re angels, since I see that at church, too. Bobbing and dancing. They’re very happy.”
    The parents shot each other a glance. “I guess somebody needs their eyes checked,” Louise said. “I’ll call and make an appointment.”
     

    Erik blew out his candles, twirled and suddenly a child stood where the toddler once did. " Hey, hey look at me! I'm big. Finally."

    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
     
    When handed his gifts, Erik was in awe as he unwrapped a large oddly shaped wrapped package. Opening the box in side, his eyes welled up. “My own guitar? This is for me? Thank you. Oh, thank you so much. Mom, Dad, you’re the best!”
    “Don’t forget to open the other present. It’s from your brothers.”
    The package was much smaller, but it contained a child’s size violin. Erik’s enthusiasm was no less for this second gift.
     
    “Can I play them now?”
    “Sure. Which instrument are you going to try first?”
    The boy picked up the guitar and to all those present, he played better than expected. While not perfect, he clearly showed talent and a proclivity for the instrument. The parents gazed at each other, both thinking prodigy.
     
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    Over the next few days Erik played the guitar, the violin and the piano. Each time he sat down, he gained more skill.  And, once he was fitted for his glasses, he excelled in his homework, too. “Wow, I had no idea the world was so clear. I thought everybody saw the world as I did. A blurry fuzzy landscape full of odd green shapes that moved in the wind. I can see. I can see!”
    *~~*~~*~~*~~*
    The time whizzed by more quickly now that two of the boys were in school, and Brianna spent time in a comprehensive Vulcan program. T’Pran had sought permission from the Council, in order to teach the child to vastly curtail her Wanderings. When her sessions were done for the day, T’Pran took time to teach the rest of the family how best to guard their own Thoughts. Shielding their minds from such an onslaught.
    Throughout this passage of time, Joey went from an Infant to a Toddler and then to a Child.Before anyone knew it, Joey was off to school with his brothers. “Goodbye, T’Pran, I hope you have a productive day,” he smiled as he left the house. Brianna was growing, too. Before too long she would be aging up to a child. Louise wondered if her daughter would be allowed to attend the human primary school, with her brothers, or if her schooling would be far more remote . . . The thought grieved her, but she now understood all of this training was to protect the girl and her family. Louise sighed, dreading the day of Brianna’s birthday, fast approaching.
     
     
    All for now. Thanks for reading!
  • GalacticGal's avatar
    GalacticGal
    Seasoned Ace
    21 days ago

    Okay, I'm very sorry, but I managed to scuddle my own thread over here. I discovered the last update for Part One of my Cantrell: The Early Years was out-of-place. I'm a tad hangry at the moment, and I really can't think when I'm this hungry. LOL I copied and deleted like the idiot I can be at times. I'll have to replace the now missing segments later. I would much rather they all be on a single thread such as this one, as I can't find the ones, I placed over on the WHIYGT? thread. Buried. They get entirely buried over there. Oh, well. I'm going to grab something to eat before the shakes take ahold of me.

  • GalacticGal's avatar
    GalacticGal
    Seasoned Ace
    21 days ago

    I am happy to report that I was able to place "Dancing to My Own Beat" in its proper place. I will seek to get "Brianna's Story, etc." after it, which means if I can do that, I only need to place two more before "Louise's Descent" which is already below.

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