Chapter 7: Anticipation
https://i.imgur.com/6rg9HGT.png?1
Taro woke very early Friday morning. Hungry, he decided he was a big boy and could get his own food. He tried not to be scared as he made his way down to the kitchen for some food all by himself. He brought the plate back up to the bright, familiar safety of his room and sat on his bed to eat.
https://i.imgur.com/WFP9Wvg.png?1
Not even 5;30, and Brianne was already awake. She wasn't sure how much of that to blame on her pregnancy, and how much on habit. She had actually forgotten that she was taking family leave today. What to do with that extra time? She didn't think she could sleep in, being too used to waking up early and needing to be doing something other than laying around.
Noticing the puddle on the floor and the sleeping dog nearby, she made a face. "Lucky for you you're asleep, Selma, or you'd be getting yet another lecture on driking from the toilet. You know how you love those," she told the dog, sighing.
https://i.imgur.com/Ghovmwn.png?2
Brhttps://i.imgur.com/eGHXQU0.png?1eakfast was the first order of business, naturally, and she took her time about it, managing to time things she finished after Viviana woke and joined her with her own breakfast.
https://i.imgur.com/NI3p2kH.png?1
Full of eggs and toast, Viviana cleaned up a mess Selma had left behind then went to get ready for school.
https://i.imgur.com/a5hj9wK.png?2
Brianne went into the living room to catch up on a show she enjoyed watching when she could, until she heard Harry coming down for breakfast.
https://i.imgur.com/DlTwVYm.png?1
Brianne and Harry had a lively conversation in the kitchen while he ate, during which Harry brought up the subject of a possible second dog while pretending not to notice Selma begging for some of his food.
They both agreed that now was not the time, and they didn't have the time or energy to devote to training a second dog, especially with Selma being so stubborn.
https://i.imgur.com/JovBBoM.png?1
Harry lavished attention on Selma to make up for scolding her again about jumping on the counters, and the puddle-drinking Brianne suspected had taken place earlier. He tossed in a reminder not to play in puddles for good measure.
"Now that that's out of the way, how about something fun? You did so well learning to sit, let's try rolling over on command, since you enjoy rolling in puddles so much," he said, standing.
Selma gave him a dubious look, and it took a while before she seemed to catch on.
https://i.imgur.com/KRSbgdi.png?1
While Harry was busy with Selma, Taro came downstairs and went straight for the stereo someone had left running, wanting to listen to music. He enjoyed it so much he began to dance, his efforts being better than his last attempt.
https://i.imgur.com/haSiKVG.png?1
Brianne decided to paint while she had the chance, as uncomfortable as she was. She didn't think she'd be able to for a while once the baby was born, and Harry was there if Taro needed him. She brushed the cobwebs off the easel, dusted off her brushes and paints, and set to work on a large canvas, painting fanciful pets.
https://i.imgur.com/JjVa15B.png?1
Tired of dancing, Taro wandered over as the training session was winding up, and began imitating Selma, much to Harry's amusement. He watched while Taro petted Selma, making sure he didn't pull her fur or anything. Though, Selma was very tolerant, being well used to children.
https://i.imgur.com/EbItlE3.png?1
Later that afternoon, Harry's younger twin brother Hikaru came to visit, and Brianne invited him to sit and chat over bowls of chili. Viviana came home from school not long after and joined in, eager to get to know her uncle better.
https://i.imgur.com/QY0vGfq.png?1
To his regret, Harry missed out on the visit because he was busy with chores, first repairing the downstairs toilet then tackling the dirty upstairs bathroom so Brianne wouldn't have to. This also had the added benefit of letting him keep an eye on Taro while he used the potty but letting the toddler think he was doing it independently.
https://i.imgur.com/BwcbxN6.png?1
Viviana got a late start on her homework, having spent so much time chatting with her Uncle Hikaru, but she knew it would be easy so she wasn't really worried about not being able to finish before bedtime.
https://i.imgur.com/FgQW5XX.png?1
Harry carted Taro off for a bath in the newly cleaned bathroom, once Brianne finished hoer own relaxing bubblebath.
https://i.imgur.com/m4USw1W.png?2
After his bath, Brianne decided to work with Taro on his manners again. Noticing he was getting tired, she watched while he climbed the stairs, then came up to tuck him in.
https://i.imgur.com/CrCUIOH.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/gT5pgYY.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/hqsVyYs.png?1
Once again, Harry found himself kneeling beside the upstairs bath/shower. This time, he was bathing a very smelly Selma, who seemed to be enjoying it. Brianne had begged off with her due date so close, claiming she needed to get out of the house. "The things I do for love," Harry mumbled to himself, not really minding. He did grab a towel to dry Selma before he could be subjected to his second soaking of the day, however.
https://i.imgur.com/zepBAgd.png?1
Brianne enjoyed her midnight swim, spending some time simply floating before she headed back inside without bothering to change out of her suit. She knew just how she would thank Harry for his patience and willingness to take on extra chores so she didn't have to do them.
https://i.imgur.com/cViLj6q.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/MfSTdRQ.png?1
Harry would much rather have stayed in bed cuddling with his sleepy wife, in fact he was sure that's just what he should have been doing. But he had only satisfied one of his appetites, and knew he would never be able to sleep comfortably if he didn't fill his stomach as well. He needed all the rest and fuel he could get with a new baby coming. So he was downstairs alone at nearly midnight bolting a bowl of chili so he could get back upstairs to his nice warm bed and Brianne.
https://i.imgur.com/7usbvtc.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/knJKMVl.png?1
Even with his meal finished and cleared away, Harry wasn't immediately able to go back to bed, some premonition telling him he would be needed. That was how he was on hand to spray the monsters under Viviana's bed almost as soon as she woke up screaming.
He must have done a particularly good job of it, because it wasn't long before the monsters were banished and daughter and father were both finally able to go to bed.
