Xaiden stood at the end of pagoda beach and let his line sink into the clear water running beside the walls of downtown Pagoda Isle. They were so crystal clear that he could see the fish swimming along the sandy bottom.

The birds of the marshland were stirring and the air was filled with their small calls. Xaiden twitched his line, waiting for breakfast to bite, his camp from the night before still set up behind him.

After his recent graduation his father had given him an open ticket to fly anywhere in the world. His father had tried to do that for his older brother Jacob Dylan as well, when had graduated years earlier,  but Jacob was too scared to travel in a foreign land alone. Xaiden though, he had been waiting with increasing impatience throughout his last year of his high school for it to be *his* turn for the gift.  When it finally was he had chosen Asia as his destination and for the last year had happily backpacked around the cities and villages, finally settling in little Pagoda Isles, where he had lived for the last three months, working odd jobs, fishing for food, and setting up camp in any open private spot he could find.

He pulled his line in, giving up for the morning. He still had plenty of left over fish he could eat. He breathed deeply of the clean air and and stared out over the light blue water and differing greens of the marshland plants

He loved it there, he thought. He had loved Asia so much that he had gone beyond the time he was supposed to have spent there. The phone calls and Letters from home stopped being friendly curiosity about his travels, and had become more insistent and demanding on his return date. Xaiden had kept putting off his return, even starting to avoid his family calls and letters. A recent call though, was one he could not ignore. It had been from Jacob Dylan. To hear from Jacob at all was suprising, with how engrossed he was in his studies to become a doctor.

“Xaiden?” The uncertain voice had questioned when he answered.

“Jacob? Is everything okay?”

“No. I need to talk you. In person. Can you meet me somewhere in the town your at? I’m flying in tomorrow.”

Xaiden didn’t hesitate. For Jacob to make the effort to travel into a foreign town at all, let alone do so on his own, something had to be wrong.

He packed up his camp for the evening and cycled into town on the rusted bicycle he had bartered a child out of at an earlier village. He walked into the samll courtyard that he had given Jacob as the meeting place, hoping that it would be an obvious enough spot for Jacob not to get lost.

He didn’t have to worry. He spotted his brother as soon as he stepped through the thick ivy hedge. He looked fidgety and uncomfortably hot in the inland humid heat. He, like the rest of his family, was used to the cool breezes of crescent cove.

“Jake,” Xaiden greeted, walking over the clover strewn grass to his brother, “What’s happened?”

“Can we go sit at the chess tables?” Jacob asked.

Xaiden tensed. He knew Jacob lost himself in chess when he was scared or nervous. He just nodded though and followed his brother over to an empty chess table. Xaiden sat down, frowning in serious concentration over the chess pieces. The tense lines the creased his forehead worried Xaiden even more.

“Come on Jake, tell me what’s wrong.”

“You need to come home,” Jacob  said, “It’s dad.”

“What about him?” Xaiden asked, feeling guilt at that fact that there was some sense of relief that it was his father and not mother in trouble. He absently moved a chess piece, the sun setting now and the board hard to see.

“What’s wrong wtih Dad?” He aske,d “He’s not….” He felt a lump start in his throat at the thought.

“No,” Jacob said, but it wasn’t said with that much conviction. “He’s sick Xaiden. Youwouldn’t even recognize him. His hair is all white now, and he’s lost so much weight. He tried to hide it for so long….and mom, mom’s taking it hard. Trying to look after Cloie and Arianna and now Caleb who is into everything.”

He was tryign to process what he was hearing. “So…is he.. dieing then?” He finally asked, wincing himself at how blunt it sounded.

“I don’t know. I’m not a full doctor yet. And he’s refusing to leave Crescent Cove to get medical treatment. You have to come home Xaiden. I’m not the one they need right now. I’m trying but…well I don’t think I have to tell you what I mean. I’ve never been the family guy. That was your job.”

“How are the girls doing?” Xaiden asked, thinking of little sisters who would now be teenagers.

“Cloie is horrid,” Jacob answered, not hiding his annoyance, “A punk brat. Arianna is hiding in art, quiet, kind of just…closing up. They all need you Xaiden, not me.”

Xiaden looked down at the chess board, thinking of his own situation he was in.

“It’s not so simple to just up and come home,” He said, “There’s something I did…kind of spur of the moment, without really thinking. I haven’t told you guys yet. I’m engaged Jacob.”

Jacob looked up at him. Then he shoved back his chair and stood up. “I should have expected as much from you.”

“I never said I wasn’t coming back!” Xaiden snapped back at him, “I just said it was complicated. I don’t know if she’ll want to come or not. We had plans…to live free, backpack around the world, no worries, you know? Going home to look after a sick father in law might not be her idea of a good time.”

Jacob stood over the chess table, looking down at his little brother.

He hated having to beg him to come home, hated having to ask anything from him. After all *he* was the oldest, *he* should have been looking after his family. But he couldn’t. They didn’t need him. They needed Xaiden. They had fallen apart without Xaiden, and nothing *he* could do would bring them together.

“I’ll call her tonight,” He said to Jacob, “And tell her the situation.”

“If she doesn’t want to come?”

“Then…I guess I go alone Jacob. I’m not as irresponsible as you might think Jake. Mom, dad, the girls, you always come first. *Family* comes first. Grandpa taught me that.”

Jacob looked quickly away at the mention of their deceased Grandfather, not wanting to remember that horrible trip to France where he had passed away. He still remembered the night clearly when he had yelled at his little eight year old brother that their grandfather’s death was *his* fault. He had never apologized to Xaiden for that, and had never told anyone the guilt he had carried with him since then. It was part of what caused the distance between himself and the rest of his family, knowing how quickly he could attack and hurt one of them.

Xaiden stood up from the chess tables. “It’s getting dark. I should phone Rose and meet her. Where are you staying?”

“I’m leaving this morning,” Jacob said, “2am to be precise. I just flew in to get you. I’ll stay here and wait for you.”

“Thanks for giving me so much time,” Xaiden said with sacrasm and walked away. He phoned Rose to meet him at the local cafe and then found himself running through the darkened downtown streets, feeling the power of his legs carry him, as he burned through all the frustraton, desperation, anger, and fear.

Rose had already ordered when he finished running and made his way to the cafe. She looked up, concerned. “Xaiden?”

“I’m going to order.” He went inside trying to compose what he was going to say.

He came out and sat down next to his fiancee.

“What’s wrong Xaiden?” Rose asked. “You sounded so serious on the phone. I’ve never heard you sound serious.”

Xaiden looked at Rosen in the light of the small table lamp; noticed the way the light played on her olive skin and made her blue eyes sparkle.

He loved her, didn’t he? It was a question he had kept asking himself since he proposed. If he did, why was he ready to take off and leave her? He was just so young. *They* were so young and the engagment was such a spur of the moment event, without any real thought. They hadn’t even talked of a wedding date, hadn’t really acknowledged the engagment at all.

“Xaiden!” Rose said, trying to get his attention.

“Sorry. Look, Rose there’s a problem. I have to go home. My dad, he’s sick.  My family needs me. I just saw my brother today. He’s leaving at 2 am. I’m going with him…and…”

“And am I coming? Is your question,” Rose said, blunt. She was always blunt, to the point.

“Yes.”

Rose looked down, a look of disappointment on her face.

“When I thought of marrying you…I…I didn’t think of ever leaving here Xaiden. I thought of backpacking, fun, freedom. I didn’t think….well I didn’t really think of anything. Maybe we got engaged to soon. Maybe we should just make it an amicable split, okay? I mean, I can’t go home to your family. I don’t *know* your family. I barely know *you*. Let’ s just call it a mistake and move on?”

Xiaden stared at her, a mix of sadness and relief. “Okay,” he said finally, “I should meet Jacob.” He stood up from the table, looking down at his now ex fiance

“If you ever…” he started, but she interupted.

“You guy your way Xaiden, and I go mine. An amicable split. Blame in on the ideals of youth.”

Xaiden hesitated, wanting to say more, wanting to make things right, but he knew he couldn’t. Everyone had to go through this, he thought, everyone had to go through a first heartbreak. He turned away and walked back into the darkened city streets to meet his brother.

His brother was still standing in the courtyard of Peace.

“Good, you’re back!” He said, “I hate how dark it is here! So? One ticket or two for home?”

“Just one.”

“He’s performing tonight. And hon! You look so handsome – what is the new uniform?”

Jacob smiled, “I passed my last training test! I’m officially a paramedic now. I wanted to tell dad..and you.”

“I’m so proud Jacob! Good for you!”

Xaiden came down the hallway. “Hey Jake, what’s with the whole, ‘proud of you, good for you’ stuff.”

“I’m a paramedic now!”

“Hey, nice going. Oh – and look at *this*” He pulled out his report card and gave it to his brother. Each subject had a huge B+ next to it.

“No A’s? I mean with how much I tortured you-”

Xaiden snatched the report card away, “Thanks for the support bro.”

“I just meant-”

“It’s fine Jake, I know what you meant,” Xaiden said good humored, “I’ll get A’s next semester.” He walked into the living room, calling, “We’re all watching a movie if you want to wait for Dad with us.”

“Why’d you invite *him*,” Cloie said under her breath as she frowned over her English homework.

“Because I’m your brother whether you like it or not,” Jacob said as he came in. He was feeling good that evening, and even his ill tempered sister didn’t bother him. In fact, he found himself smiling down at her ,feeling some admiration for how she always spoke her mind.

“Just don’t say anything to bug me,” Cloie said to her brother,”I have this English assignment I’m late on.”

“Want some help?” Jacob offered.

“I don’t need help from *you*.”

Xaiden spoke up from where he sat next to Arianna, “Just let him help Cloie. it”ll get done faster and then you catch a watch the end of the movie.”

“Fine. But only because *you* said to.” She moved aside so Jacob could sit next to her.

In the hallway River glanced in and smiled at the site of all her children together, talking, laughing, being one happy family.

She rested her hand on her pregnant belly. “Well little one, you’re coming into a good nest.”

Two weeks later the last of the Nash clan was born, little Caleb Jonathon. Woalfe was at work, and when River phoned for help it was Jacob that was in the ambulance.

As she lay there after a long birth, holding her last child she felt like she could see into the future, see all five of her children going on with their lives, making choices, building careers, having families, growing up and growing together.

“We did good didn’t we?” She said to Woalfe when he finally made it to the hospital, and entered a room crowded with his four other children.

Woalfe held his wife’s hand, “We did,” he said to her, feeling the love and warmth in the small room.

“You’re father would be proud Woalfe,” River said, “He would be Really proud.”

Cloie tugged her father’s arm, “Come on, I want to hold the baby! Jacob’s had him forever.”

Woalfe laughed, and headed over to Jacob and his newest son.Yes, he thought, his  father *would* be proud.

***************

This was the life, Woalfe thought as the the ocean breeze blew in the smell of BBQing hotdogs and the sound of his two girls laughing behind him as they played tag.

He decided to have the impromptu Sunday park lunch to rid himself of the uneasy feeling caused by a strange nightmear the night before that had continued to plague his thoughts. He had dreamed that their move back from France had been a disaster, that it had torn the family apart. He dreamed that Xaiden had run away,  eventually ended up in the military, that they all lived in different cities and never saw each other.

“You’re just worried about Xiaden’s grades,” River tried to assure him that morning, “We’re all doing fine. We love Crescent Cove.”

And they did. Cloie was a grump, hard to wake up still, but had adjusted well to the freedom quiet island life had allowed her. Jacob was living on his own now and doing well at his training and school, better than in France in fact since the hospital on the island was smaller and less chaotic. It was just Xaiden that worried him.. he was so…so what? What was it that worried him so much? He was just so different than the others, so stubborn and set in his ways, so unafraid of anything. Just the other weekend he had been arrested for protesting outside of town hall against their plan to remove the jellyfish from all the local ponds.

He remembered the next morning, how casually his son had brushed the whole episode off. “It’s not a big deal dad,” he said as he sat down at the breakfast counter, “It’s just a minor fine.”

“That *you’re* going to pay,” Woalfe had told him, stern

“Whatever dad.” He walked away into the dining room to sit with his mother, once again brushing him off as non important.

What had gone wrong between him and Xiaden, he had wondered that morning as he watched his wife and son easily talk. Why couldn’t he reach him that way River could? Was it because of his closeness with Jacob; did Xaiden still feel a sense of favoritism? If that was it he didn’t understand it, considering his son had two other siblings, and now the sudden unexpected news of yet another one being on the way.

He flipped the hotdogs and one dropped onto the ground. He glanced around quickly to see if anyone noticed, snatched it up and put it back on the BBQ.

Why *did* the dream bother him so much he pondered again. River had tried to assure him more later that morning, “Xaiden is doing well Hon!  There’s nothing to worry about. He’s even taken your order to get tutored by Jacob.”

And it was true, every evening now after school Xaiden  went dutifully to Jacob’s house to get help with his homework.

Xaiden hated it, but Woalfe had been firm with him, stating that it was either that or he would not be allowed no access to the family car. Despite how easy it was to ride his bike everywhere in town, the threat was still enough to convince him. Teenage boys were still teenage boys.

Woalfe finished the hot dogs and carried them to a picnic table. Maybe River was right, maybe he was worried about nothing. Maybe he was just worried about Xaiden because he felt so distant from him, like he didn’t really *know* him, and with how fast he was growing up, he wanted to be there to be able to help and direct him. He knew that on outward appearance it may have looked like Xaiden knew exactly what he was doing in life, that he was nothing like Jacob so wouldn’t need guidance, but Woalfe knew better. Xaiden would need just as much guidance, if only in the opposite direction, to rein himself in instead of put himself out.

“Girls!” He called to the twins, “Lunch is on!”

He heard Arianna shout to her sister, “Race you!” And Cloie’s irritated, “Wait up! I’m not fast like you!”

Even as he looked at his two healthy daughters,  the strange uneasiness lingered.

Jacob stopped by the next morning.

“Hey son,” Woalfe greeted Jacob, “What brings you here on a Saturday?”

“I wanted to see how Xaiden was. Is he feeling better?”

Woalfe stopped stirring the pancakes. “…feeling better? What do you mean Jacob?”

“He hasn’t been at my place for torturing the last week. He said he was sick.”

Woalfe set down the bowl of pancakes and shouted, “Xaiden, get down here! Jacob, wait outside – he’ll be out with you in a minute.”

Jacob quickly escaped the house. He knew how stern his father could be when he was *really* upset.

Xaiden walked down the hallway, just as Jacob passed him. “You’re in trouble,” Jacob said to him.

“It’s never a big deal,” Xaiden said and headed down the hall, unconcerned.

“What is it dad?” He asked, leaning nonchalantly against the door frame.

“You’ve lied to your brother to skip out on tutoring.”

“Just for this week. I was going back next week.”

“You’re going to his place *now* and you’ll be working there this *whole* afternoon-”

“But dad-”

“Now!” He pointed towards the front door.

Xaiden grumbled but wandered out towards the front porch where his brother waited. Arianna came down the stairs, hearing the short argument.

“Xaiden where are you going?” She asked, “I thought we were going to the beach…”

“Sorry sis. I have to go to Jake’s to study. I promise I’ll take you after dinner tonight, okay?”

Arianna sighed, hiding her disappointment. It would just be another boring Saturday sitting in the park playing chess with Cloie. She still couldn’t figure out Jacob’s and Cloie’s obsession was such a slow moving game.

“So what’s the verdict?” Jacob asked when Xaiden appeared.

“I’m stuck with your for the afternoon,” Xaiden said, “To catch up on the torturing I missed during the week.”

Jacob pouted, “The *whole* afternoon?”

“Don’t be a wimp. I don’t want to do it either. Anyway, it’s not like you have anything else to do.”

“Actually, Xaiden, *I* do. *I* have *real* school and *real* training. I’m not some punk teenager flunking out of high school.”

Xaiden looked down, hurt again by Jacob’s callous remarks about his struggles with school.

“I’m not flunking,” He tried to defend, “I have a C average. That’s not flunking.”

“No, but you said it best with *average*. *Average* people work at Hogan’s diner slinging out fast food to overweight customers. Come on. Let’s get this over with.” As he turned to leave Cloie threw a clump of dirt at his back, saying,

“I’m average too!”

Arianna looked down, quiet, “I got a C this semester too…”

Jacob turned away from his sisters, frustrated, always saying the wrong thing that made everyone upset. “I was only talking about Xaiden,” He said, “You’re only in elementary. It doesn’t count yet. Come on Xaiden – before I get more dirt thrown at me.”

Xaiden  followed after Jacob, sneaking a thumbs up sign to Cloie which made her smirk and laugh. They walked the short distance to the small beach house Jacob rented. They settled on the floor and Xaiden pulled out the history assignment he was supposed to have worked on all week. “This all just seems so confusing and boring,” he said to his brother as he struggled to understand the explanations that Jacob found so easy, “I mean, what does this question even *mean*?”

Jacob sighed, deciding that for once he would have to play the part of big brother. Whether he liked it or not, he *was* the head of the Nash clan when their father eventually passed. Who else would look after everyone? Not Xaiden, that was for sure. Xaiden was more likely to take off to China or somewhere and never come back. Jacob put the work down and said to his brother, “Lets you and me talk.”

Xaiden looked down, expecting mean comments and insults.

“You might find the work boring. Okay. I get that. School isn’t…what do kids say. “Your thing?”

Xaiden smirked at Jacob trying to sound cool, “Yes Jacob, that’s what us ‘kids’ say.”

“Anyway the point is, it’ll seem pointless and boring if you don’t have an end in mind.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, Xaiden, what do you want to *do*. I mean, *after* highschool, with your life. If you had a plan, a goal, it wouldn’t seem so pointless.”

“I don’t know, I don’t plan like you…I mean, I just don’t know.”

“Why don’t you go into politics?” Jacob said.

Xaiden looked at him, “What?”

“Look, Xaiden, you’re constantly protesting, you’re loudmouthed and obnoxious, you don’t care what people think, and I see you with Cloie and Arianna – you can lead. Politics is a perfect fit for you. Why not dream big? Why not become mayor or something?”

Xaiden laughed, “*Me*, *<ayor*? Do you realize how long that would take?”

Jacob threw his hands up in defeat. “I give up. Lets just get back to work, and get you through high school so you can work at Hogan’s diner, and I can get on with the rest of my life.”

Xaiden tried to explain himself. “Jacob, I don’t think like you. I don’t plan that far ahead. So much can happen, so much *does* happen, how can I decide to be mayor when I’m in grade 11?”

“People can,” Jacob said, “It’s you that can’t. You can never see the big picture.”

Xaiden sighed, “No, the problem is I *do* see the big picture. I see *life*”

“Life-”

“I don’t want to argue anymore Jacob. Let’s just get this assignment done.” He sat back down on the floor. Jacob sighed in defeat and sat down with him. So much for him being the great new leader of his family. He glanced at Xaiden as he worked. Would *Xaiden* end up being the one everyone looked up to? Would his little brother end up being the leader of the Nash clan? The thought both worried him and relieved him. It would allow him to just live his life, without having to worry about the welfare of his brother and sisters, and now the new one on the way.

“Jake!” Xaiden snapped him back to attention, “Hello? History report.”

“Okay, right, sorry. So in 1959….”

“Xaiden, it’s late. You have school tomorrow.”

“Tell me about it dad,” Xaiden said, his voice tired. “I’m trying to finish this history paper I have due, and then there’s the algebra, and the science experiment. I’m pulling an all nighter. Again.”

Woalfe sat down at the table.

“I didn’t realize you were having trouble in school. You got C’s on your last report card.”

Xaiden frowned, annoyed that a ‘c’ was considered a good grade for him. He had never felt ‘stupid’ before but since starting high school he sure did. Now he was really seeing the difference between him and Jacob. “A C isn’t a great grade dad,” He said, “What school will I get into with a C grade?”

“I didn’t know you wanted to go to college…”

“Well I have to do something. What am I going to do? Work at the  supermarket my whole life and mooch off of you guys?”

“If you were having trouble why didn’t you ask for help?”

Xaiden didn’t answer that. He knew he should have. He was just prideful and stubborn and didn’t want to admit that he couldn’t’ do it on his own. He went to the fridge to pull out a few mushrooms to add to the salad he was making

As he did, he asked his father, “So where were you all day? Mom said something about the visa office.”

Woalfe leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “Don’t tell the rest of the family this news yet okay?” he said, “I want to tell them myself.”

Xaiden paused in his salad making and looked over at his father, “What’s wrong Dad?”

“I couldn’t get out visa’s renewed son. They don’t consider my music a steady enough career for us to stay here. I could only get Jacob’s renewed because of him being in school and working, but for us….”

“Do you  mean we have to go back to America?”

“It’s looking like that son.”

“Wow.”

“What do you think?” Woalfe asked.

Xaiden was quiet and then said, “I’m not against it…I think school is easier in America,” He said, “It’s hard to always translate my thoughts into french for school reports. I get marks deducted all the time for wrong spelling and grammar. I don’t know how Cloie and Arianna will take it though. They don’t really know any other home. They speak french almost better than English. Where are we going to move to?”

Woalfe stood up and looked out the window. “There’s a place I remember living as a kid for a bit with Dad. Saskan Harbour. Of all the places I’ve lived that was my favorite. I’m thinking there.”

“Sounds good dad. I’m all for it. As long as we’re all together that’s all that matters.”

“What if Jacob decides to stay?” he asked his son. He had wondered about that. How Jacob would take leaving behind his training and school ,especially since his visa was fine.

“He won’t,” Xaiden said, sure of himself, “Hey may act like he hates all of us, but he doesn’t really. He’s just Jacob.”
The next day they called a family meeting where Woalfe told the family the news. River was quiet, as was Arianna. Cloie pouted and stormed. “I have friends here! This is my home! I don’t want to move away to some other country!”

Xaiden tried to calm her, “It’s okay Cloie. It’s an adventure-”

“I don’t care about adventures! I’m not going!” She stormed away to her room, slamming the door.

Everyone then looked at Arianna. She hesitated in the spotlight, then finally said, her voice quiet, “Is Jacob going to come…” She wasn’t afraid of moving, as long as everyone was together. But to have her brother way off in France while she was in America…

“Are you?” Xaiden asked Jacob.

Jacob didn’t answer right way. He didn’t want to seem like a scared child, but to be in France *alone*. He wouldn’t be able to handle that.”I’m sure I can find a school in America,” he finally said, “I mean, we’re a family, shouldn’t we stay that way?” He was surprised he had said the last part, because he actually believed it. Despite how much his siblings  annoyed him, they were still his *family*. He didn’t want to be separated from them. Especially now that he was just starting to get to know Arianna.

Arianna smiled, “Then I’m okay going! As long as we’re all going.”

River forced a smile, “I was having a bit of trouble with the language. I guess it will be nice to speak English again.” She hid her feelings of loss of her peaceful country life for the second time.

And that was that. Together, as one whole family, they left their mountain village in France to the large coastal inland of America.

(authors note: Sorry for the lack of photos. I had to use just the ones I took before realizing I had to move the family because Neverglade lagged on my computer. Hence, why I had to move them from ‘France’. They now live in the custom hood of Saskan harbour.)

“What are you doing up?” He asked, some annoyance in his voice. He had hoped to have the morning to himself. It was one reason he always got up early.

Arianna stopped. “I’m sorry. Cloie was snoring and I couldn’t sleep…”

Jacob watched his sister’s reaction. He forced his annoyance away, reminding himself that eventually her and Cloie and Xaiden would be all he had. “Do you want to eat breakfast with me?” He forced himself to ask, hoping his voice didn’t betray his reluctance

“Sure!” This was the first time her brother had ever invited her to spend time with him. They made their way to the kitchen where Arianna poured herself a bowl of cornflakes.

“Not eating the gross sugary stuff?” Jacob said as he pulled out supplies to make waffles

“I don’t like it. Dad buys it for Cloie. She had three cavities the last dentist appointment.”

This made Jacob laugh, imaging his ill tempered sister being drilled on in a dentist chair, “How did she take that?” He asked, amused

Arianna grinned too, “She shouted so much they had to put her out.”

Jacob laughed again.

“What are you laughing at?” A grouchy Cloie asked, coming into the kitchen, “And what’s that gross burning smell?”

“We’re laughing at ypu,” Jacob said,”And your last dentist appointment.”

Arianna looked down at her cereal, hoping her sister wouldn’t be upset at her for telling.

“Thanks a  lot sis,” Cloie said, walking past her to the fridge.

“I’m making waffles,” Jacob said, “If you want to wait.”

“So *that’s* what that gross burning smell is. No thanks.” She opened the fridge as Jacob checked on the waffles. Black smoke came out of the oven

“What is that smell?” Xaiden asked, coming into the kitchen.

Jacob pulled out the waffles, black.

“It’s Jacob’s great cooking,” Cloie said.

Jacob was now getting overwhelmed by how many people were in the small kitchen. “I’m going to eat breakfast out,” he said, turning and fleeing the overcrowded kitchen to the small bedroom he shared with Xaiden. He dressed and started to leave the house, hesitating at the door as he did, to hear the easy chatter and laughter coming from the kitchen. It made him feel empty and alone. Why couldn’t he get along with everyone the way Xaiden did? With a sigh, he left the house.

He ate breakfast at the small bistro in town, then headed to the hospital for his first training shift. He stood up straight as he walked in, pretending the confidence in himself that he didn’t really have. The shift luckily, was easy, just orientation. He still found it hard to work amongst so many people rushing around him, and the bright overhead lights and the sounds of beeping and the intercom calling doctors and making announcements. By the end of the day he was strained and tired and wondered if he had made the right decision. Maybe the medical field wasn’t what he was cut out to be. As he left and walked away from the hosptial he found himself making his way towards the school his siblings attended. He stopped outside and looked at the clock on top of the building. Xaiden would already be out and off doing whatever it was he did all day, and it was almost time for his sisters to be getting out. He then did something completely out of character for him. He sat down on a bench and waited for his sisters.

The bell rang soon and kids began to pour out the door. Jacob went around to the front doors and waited, looking out for his two sisters. They were the last two to come out. Arianna walked quickly through the door with Cloie calling after her, “Arie, wait for me!”

“I’ve waited for almost an half hour for you!” Arianna called back, and then saw Jacob. “Jake?”

“Hey, I um..” he hesitated, awkward. What did he want? Why was he there? “Look, do you guys wan to do something. Like, hang out somewhere?” He finally asked.

“Really?”

Cloie looked towards the swings, waiting for her sister.

“Yeah, I mean, why not? What do you want to do?”

“I want to go on the swings!” Cloie said, “Come on Arie!”

Arianna ignored her sister this time. “I kinda wanted to go the art gallery. Xaiden was supposed to take me but he said he had some history paper he had to do…”

“I can do that,” Jacob said, finding a certain sense of pride in being the big brother. He looked over at Cloie, “Cloie, are you going to come?”

“You mean spend time with you? I don’t think so.” She walked away towards the swings.

“Fine. Make sure you get home by curfew,” Jacob said in his best ‘big brother command’ voice, and then walked away with the ‘good’ twin as he now thought of Arianna. They caught a taxi to the art gallery and walked through the posh interior. Jacob was interested in watching his younger sister look at and study each piece of artwork. He had never considered his siblings as being particularly intelligent but he was starting to see a different side to them, well, at least to Arianna. Arianna paused at one painting and stared at it.

“I didn’t know you liked art,” Jacob said, standing behind her.

“I do,” she said, and then, “And writing. I write. Stories and stuff. I want to write novels.”

“Since when do you write?” Jacob asked, surprised, and slightly impressed. He may have been good and logic and chess and astronomy but creative he was not.

Arianna glanced up at her brother, surprised and pleased with the attention he was giving her. “I started writing last year. I won an award on my short story in school. The competition was town wide!” She beamed as she said this.

“Nice job sis.” He frowned, thinking, why hadn’t he known that? He *lived* with the girl.

Arianna then stepped back from the painting, “We should go home. I have homework to do. Lots of it actually. I don’t like the teacher this year. She gives us too much work. Cloie is always in trouble for not doing hers, and she can do it so easily. She’s smart like you.”

“You’re smart too if you’re writing.”

Arianna shrugged, feeling embarrassed by the comment, “I’m not that great at school though. I do okay but it’s hard. I don’t understand it all.”

“I could explain it to you. Or atleast try to.”

Arianna looked up at her big brother. “Really?” She couldn’t hide the excitment in her voice, to have her brother’s attention for the whole afternoon.

“Sure,” Jacob said, feeling mature and grown up with his little sister’s attention. “Let’s see your work and I’ll help you.”

Arianna dropped her backpack and pulled out her work. Jacob sat down next to her, and together they worked on the problems.

He had lived on his own in a small house for nearly a month now and the lack of transportation was just one of the many things he had had to get used to. Everything was different – he had to cook, clean, and work now too, a pathetic job as a coffee courier. It was way below his intelligence level he knew and for the last month he had really thought about what he wanted to do in the long term. Being a coffee courier for the rest of his life was not an option.

“Are you still open?” He asked breathless, as dashed into the small bookstore.

“Five minutes Jacob, so look fast.”

“I know what I want.” He went to the far biology and anatomy section. Lately he had discovered a fascination with the human body and how intricately everything worked. He grabbed a huge tomb – a whole weeks pay cheque – and dropped it on the counter.

“What *are* you doing Jake?” The regular salesperson asked, “Are you building Frankenstein?”

Jacob frowned. He hated when people butted into his business. “I just like reading,” he said, “To get a *real* job you need knowledge.” He sneered as he said the ‘real’ job part. The salesperson didn’t ask anymore questions, she just handed out the change and bundled up the book. As Jacob left, she muttered under her breathe, “not like coffee courier is a great job either oh mister genius.”

Jacob stopped and stood outside, looking at the setting sun

He had come to a decision of what he was going to do with his future the other day, and it was also his ticket back home. He tucked his huge book under his arm and made his way to his family’s home.

“Jacob!” River greeted when she saw her older son, “Hon, it’s good to see you!” She reached for a hug but Jacob stepped back and held out his hand instead. River hid her hurt feelings, reminding herself that Jacob was just trying to find his way in the world as a grown up man.

“Is Dad home?” Jacob asked.

“He’s doing a performance…he won’t be done until later.”

“I’ll meet him when he gets off,” Jacob said, and then,”Can I have something to eat?”

“Of course, make yourself at home.”

Jacob went into the family home that was once also his. Despite how much he hated how cramped it had been, the truth was, was that he was deathly lonely living on his own. His family had been his only real social contact. He walked into the kitchen just as Xaiden pulled some left overs out of the fridge.

“Can you get me one?” Jacob said.

“What are you doing here? And, no, I won’t.”

He sat down at the table. Jacob grabbed himself a sandwich and sat down across from his brother.

“So where have you been?” Xaiden asked, not hiding his hurt feelings, “You haven’t visited once.”

“I have work now, and stuff to do.”

“Arianna keeps asking about you.”

Jacob frowned. He wished his little sister would leave him alone. “Well she might not have to miss me much longer,” he said, “I might be moving back.”

Xaiden stopped in mid bite.

“What? Why, what happened?” He had mixed feelings about the news. In some ways he missed his brother, it seemed lonely with just him and his sisters, but on the other hand the peace from rude comments was also nice.

“Nothing *happened,” Jacob said, “I just want to go to school, I want to train to be a doctor.”

Xaiden stared at him. “Doctor? You?…I can just imagine your beside manner…”

“Beside manner or not, at least I’ll have a real career. Let’s see where you go with your grades. I’m going to go meet dad; he should be getting off now.” He stood up and washed out his dish, and left. “Bye mom” he called as he walked out the door

Xaiden finished eating and pulled out his homework. He didn’t let on how much His brother’s comment about his grades hurt. The truth was, he *wasn’t* doing well in high school. He frowned over his homework, frustrated.

He needed help but everyone in the family was so used to him stubbornly doing it on his own that they never offered and he was too embarrassed to ask. With a sigh he gave himself up for a late night of academic struggles.

Jacob made his way to the theater where he knew his dad would be playing. he saw him coming out.

“Jacob!”

“Dad, why are you dressed like that?”

Woalfe laughed, “It was a 70′s party I was playing for. What brings you here so late?”

“I needed to talk to you about something. Can we sit?” He nodded towards the chess tables.

It was late and Woalfe was tired, but he relented and sat down at the chess table as Jacob arranged the pieces. He never did understand his son’s fascination with such a slow paced game.

“So what’s going pal?” He asked.

Jacob frowned in serious concentration over the chess pieces. It made Woalfe smirk. Jacob may have been an adult, but he would always be his little boy.

“I want to be a doctor dad,” Jacob said.

“You what? When did this happen?”

“I’ve been doing a lot of studying of anatomy and biology this last month,” Jacob said, “And I think that’s what I want to do. But I need to go to school or something, and well….can I move back home? I don’t think I can work at the business center and train at the same time”

Woalfe was quiet. Was this just a ploy of Jacob’s to get back home without outright saying he wanted to move home or was this real? “Have you looked into how much school would cost and where?” He asked, testing the waters.

“I can work study at the local hosptial,” Jacob said, “I can work there for experience and then study online at one this school in Paris. It’s a good school, and since I’ll be working I should be able to help pay for it….”

Woalfe quietly listened. Perhaps his son was serious. It would be good if he was, good that he found himself a direction. “Are you sure you want to move home?” Woalfe asked, “You know how noisy it can be with your siblings and if you need quiet to study…”

Jacob held his chin and seriously pondered the question

What his father said was true, it *was* noisy and busy and crowded at home. But at the same time…it was *people*. He didn’t like being alone all day with just him and his thoughts.

“I think I do dad,” he said, trying to sound mature and grown up.

Woalfe looked at his son’s face. He knew there was more reason to move back home than just school. He didn’t push the matter though, allowing his son to keep his pride. “Okay pal. You tell your landlord you’re moving and I’ll let the family know.”

Jacob looked up, “So..that’s it? I’m just back home?”

“Yeah, that’s it. As long as you’re studying and working you welcome as long as you want. But, Jacob, you need to treat you’re family with more respect. I’m serious about that. Especially your sisters.”

Jacob looked down at the chess board. “I’ll try to dad.” He said, and he meant it. His parents wouldn’t be around forever and then all he would have were his brother and sisters. He knew he needed to repair his relationship with them, and as hard as it would be to, he would try his best.

(author’s note: I don’t think I have yet to say the full traits of of the kids.

Jacob: Coward, mean spirited, loner, genius, bookworm

Xaiden: Loves the outdoors, slob, inappropriate, daredevil.

Cloie: Grumpy, genius, mooch

Arianna: artistic, athletic, clumsy

After the party, Jacob went outside and looked out over the valley.

Xaiden, just starting high school himself came out from the back patio. “Hey bro. What’cha doing?”

“Just thinking about stuff.”

“Oooh, so enigmatic!”

Jacob raised an eyebrow at him, “You used a word over two syllables?”

“Ha ha. Should I remind you that I haven’t been in the dumb class for ages?”

“Should I remind you you’re still pulling straight D’s?”

Xaiden shrugged, unconcerned. He came up to the railing beside him. “So, what *are* you doing?”

Since the trip to France and the subsequent move the two boys had finally found an ease with each other, seeing the qualities in each other that complimented there own. Their different personalities still sometimes clashed, but for the most part their sibling squabbles had been left behind at their old desert home.

“Life, the universe, and everything.”

“So just minor stuff huh?”

“It must be nice to be like you and not think.”

“Ha ha.”

“I’m only semi joking Xaiden. I mean, to just be…normal…would be nice.”

“Wait…are you calling me dumb again?”

“Oh forget it! I’m going to go for a walk.”

“Wait, I wasn’t-”

“Tell the folks I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Fine!” He stopped himself just before shouting after him, “Coward.” Although they had managed to find a balance in their relationship, they still didn’t truly understand each other. Jacob didn’t understand Xaiden’s careless view on life, and Xaiden didn’t understand the way Jacob could turn an easy conversation into an argument with mean statements. Especially with his sisters. Arianna especially adored her genius older brother but Jacob would barely acknowledge her, and as for Cloie, it was almost outright hate between the two of them.

Behind him he heard the patio door open. Arianna came out.

“Where’d Jacob go?” She asked in her usual quiet shy way.

“He went for walk. He was thinking about life the universe and everything.”

Arianna gave him a puzzled look.

“He was being Jacob,” Xaiden said, annoyed.

“He’s acts weird sometimes because he’s different” Arianna said, defending in her quiet way, “He doesn’t think like us.”

“Yeah well, it still doesn’t give him a reason to be mean all the time. So what’s up little sis? Just looking for Jacob?”

“Cloie wants to go to the beach, but mom won’t let us go alone, and now Cloie is slamming doors and pouting…”

“…and you want me to take you guys?”

“…Well, Cloie really wants to go…”

“It’s fine little sis. Go get Cloie and tell mom I’m going with you. I’ll meet you in the truck.”

She gave her shy smile and disappeared inside to get her ill tempered twin sister.

Meanwhile Jacob walked down the road to the swamp land and stood in the evening air staring at the lights reflecting on the still water.

He was eighteen now and graduated. So now what? His whole life had been about getting through school and dealing with the noise and stress and then the commotion at home. Now…now what was he going to do? Just slack off and do nothing like Xaiden? He knew he couldn’t do that. He wanted to *do* something with his life. Something great that would bring in enough money to buy a huge house for his future family so none of his kids would ever have to be crammed together like sardines the way he always had been with his brother and sisters. But what kind of work could a scared socially inept nerd like him do? With slumped shoulders, he walked slowly along the bay pondering this problem

…At the beach Xaiden got out of the truck and shouted to his sisters, “Race you to the shore!” He tore down the bank with Arianne laughing and chasing after him. She was just as active as a kid as Xaiden had been, only more tempered and controlled. At the top of the bank, Cloie stood and watched her brother and sister race ahead.

She wasn’t into athletics the way her sister was, the way she always wanted to play tag or toss a baseball. Arianna had once said that she was just like Jacob, which caused one of their rare fights. She never wanted to be compared to *that* brother.

Arianna stopped at the bottom and looked up at her sister. “Come on Cloie, lets play tag! you didn’t come here to just stand there did you?”

“Fine…” She wandered down to her sister and slapped her on the shoulder. “Your it.”

She endured the game for as long as she could stand then stopped. “Okay, can we stop now? I’m tired.”

Ariana turned away, frustrated, “Well what did you come here for?”

“I came to look at the stars! It’s completely clear tonight and there’s going to be a meteor shower. Go fish with Xaiden if your bored.”

“I don’t fish,” Arianna said, but walked away to her older brother.

Xiaden glanced down at her. “Hey sis. Where’s Cloie?”

“Looking at the stars.” She knelt down and stared at her reflection in the water, thinking that it would be neat to paint. “She’s like Jacob,” She said to her brother, “They both think differently. They…I don’t know, they’re just different.”

“Just remember to never tell Cloie she’s like Jacob.”

“I know. I wouldn’t do it again.”

Behind them, Cloie stretched out on a patio chair. She looked up at the night sky, everything so calmly still and at peace looking, showing no signs of the motion and chaos the universe held.

..Meanwhile at home, Jacob walked in the door. River looked up at him, upset. “That was rude of you Jacob – leaving like that! We throw a nice family party-”

Jacob didn’t want to hear it, not now, not with how stressed his own thoughts were making him, “Don’t treat me like I’m a kid! I’m eighteen – I’m graduated! I’m a grown adult and I can go for a walk if I want to!”

River stepped back, shocked at her older son’s tirade. “Jacob Dylan..” She started to reprimand, but Jacob had already turned away and was leaving upstairs. “Jacob!” River shouted, “I’m not done-”

“I am!”

Xaiden heard the fighting as he pulled up with his two sisters. He walked in at the same time as their father. “Momma, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Woalfe, I need to talk to you.” She turned and headed towards their bedroom.

Arianna stared after them with big eyes. “Is Jacob in trouble…”

“Probably,” Xaiden answered casually, then, “You and Cloie head to bed. I’m going to talk to our dear big brother.”

He found him out on the small second floor patio, looking through their new telescope that Jacob had insisted on replacing the old family antique one wtih because it was more powerful.

“What’d you say to mom?” Xaiden asked.

“None of your business. And shouldn’t you be in bed? You have summer school.”

“You’re sure in a bad mood today. Think you’d be happy to be out of school.”

“You won’t understand until you graduate and have to look at your whole life.”

Xaiden shook his head and turned away, “Sometimes you’re just weird Jacob.” He walked away inside, checked on his sisters, and then went to bed.

In their parents bedroom, River hung her head.

“What happened?” Woalfe asked, worried, “What’s wrong?

“It’s Jacob. He’s been so snappy lately. What have I done wrong? I thought we gave him a great home but he’s so angry and mean…”

“Honey, look at me.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong. You *have* given him a great home. I think too good sometimes. He hasn’t really had to face life on his own at all. I mean, look at how he was too afraid to go to China on his own for a graduation present? You know the other three would have jumped at that chance, even Arianna.”

“Then what do we do Woalfe? I can’t stand how he treats his sisters, I hate seeing sweet Arie so hurt all the time.”

He pulled her into an embrace, “I know hon. I’ll deal with it. It’s time for the boy to grow up.”

Jacob was woken up early the next morning by his father. He grumbled, pulling the pillow over his head, “What?…It’s not morning..I’m not in school…wake up Xaiden…”

“Me and you are going fishing,” Woalfe said.

“I don’t fish. Xaiden fishes.”

“Well this morning  *we* fish. *Get up*” Jacob glanced out of his pillow and saw the seriousness on his father’s face. The ‘get up’ was not a request. Woalfe left and Jacob dragged himself out of bed

He dressed and reluctantly made his way outside towards the waiting truck.

Inside the truck, Woalfe clenched and unclenched the steering wheel. The whole situation had brought back memories of his own teen years, of walking with his ow father to the truck, knowing that their ‘fishing’ trip were really a ‘we need to talk’ trip. It just seemed right to do the same with Jacob even if Jacob didn’t like to fish. Jacob climbed in and they pulled out for Harper’s beach.

“You probably guessed I’m not happy right now,” Woalfe said as they drove down the cliffs towards the ocean.

Jacob responded by yawing, then said, “Yeah Dad I got that.”

Woalfe glanced at his son. Over his time in high school his mean comments and bad attitude had gotten worse and worse. They reached Harper’s cove and Wolfe started to unpack the fishing gear. Jacob stopped him.

‘Dad, you’re only here to talk, so why do we have to fish? I don’t like fishing, and I’m hungry so can we just get this over with?”

“Fine. I brought hot dogs. I’ll grill them.”

Jacob followed his father to the picnic area with slow lazy stride.  He sat down, his back turned to his father who grilled in silence on the BBQ pitt

Jacob watched the sun rise over the bay. He knew he was in trouble for arguing with his mother the other night but he didn’t care. He was scared right now, scared of his future and his impending adult life. He wasn’t ready for it but there it was. He wanted to go back, go back to being that child in Oasis  when life was all about him, before his brother and sisters were born and before their Grandfather died. He wanted to go back to when he had the support he needed. Now…now he was just lost in amongst the crowd, slowly drowning.

Woalfe brought over the hot dogs and set them on the table. Jacob turned around and started eating one.

“You had no right to talk to your mother like you did last night-” Woalfe started but Jacob interrupted,

“She shouldn’t have been upset at me going for a walk. I’m not a child anymore.”

“You’re eighteen Jacob Dylan-”

“Officially an adult!”

“Fine!” Woalfe set down his plate, “You’re an adult and want to be treated like an adult? Then you will be. It’s time you found your own place.”

Jacob coughed on his food. He stared at his father, “Are you…are you kicking me out?”

Woalfe softened when he saw the scared look on his older son’s face. “No, son, I’m not ‘kicking you out’. I love you and will help you get set up on your own. But I think it is time you try life on your own. Even if it doesn’t work and you have to come back, it’s time to at least try.”

“I…I don’t even have a job…”

“We’ll get you one this summer, okay? You’re not doing this on your own Jake. You have your whole family behind you.”

Jacob stared at his father, and suddenly noticed the gray that streaked his hair and beard. Was his father old? He had never considered the eventuality of his parents aging. Eventually his father would get to be their grandfather’s age and then…what was he going to do when he was completely on his own?

Woalfe noticed the terrified look on his sons’ face, “Jake, what’s wrong?” He asked, concerned, questioning whether he had made the right decision.

Jacob looked down.”Nothing Dad. You’re right. I have to face life on my own.”

“Jacob, you have three siblings that love you. You’ll never be  on your own.”

The words sunk into Jacob. He had never considered his siblings anything but pests, but now…what would happen when they were all he had left?….It was true that he may have officially been an adult,  but at that moment he felt  like such a scared kid.

(author’s notes: The mountain town in “France” is Everglade from the sims 3 forums filled where I moved the french townies from France into. Also I had to skip ahead so far because I had written a few chapters in a different town that glitched on me and had to move them out of it. It was a completely different terrain so no way to really meld the stories together. Right now I’m leaning towards Xaiden as the heir, but Cloie is second in running. I am moving Jacob out so he won’t be as heavily involved in the story, but i am still playing him on and off and do have  story progression mod installed.)

Xaiden took on the big brother role easily and happily, showering his sisters with attention and affection.

“He’s doing really good isn’t he?” River said to Woalfe one night as she watched her younger son play peekaboo with his sisters.

“The responsibility has been good for him,” Woalfe agreed. Over the last year he had really seen his younger son blossom, even getting out of the remedial class and bringing home his first A report card.

“I’m going to get on the honor role like Jacob!” he declared proudly, when he came home with that first A. Everything he did took twice as much effort as Jacob but Xaiden wouldn’t give up and wouldn’t ask for help.

It was now his older son that worried Woalfe. He had turned thirteen and had had a growth spurt, being a good size taller than Xaiden now and most of the other students in his class. It seemed he had inherited his grandfather’s stature as well as his blond hair color. Jacob had also become preoccupied with teenage things, like pimples,  and his grades had begun to slip.

Woalfe knew the toddlers weren’t easy on Jacob’s nerves with how chaotic and noisy  they made the small house. Cloie especially loved to test the strength of her lungs.

“It’s like having Xaiden all over again,” Jacob had confided in him once, “School was bad but at least I could escape home. I can’t even do that anymore.”

Woalfe knew that it didn’t help that Jacob didn’t even have his own room, having to share with his hyper younger brother. Jacob would try to sleep early for school, but Xaiden would stay out until just before town curfew and then bolt home at the last minute, slamming into the house and waking the babies and Jacob up.

Woalfe also noticed how tired River was looking, since Woalfe was spending more time with his band, and was playing until the early hours of the morning so sleeping most the day, and was leaving River alone as parent. Woalfe knew everyone needed a break so when he got a bonus  from a performance he announced to his family at breakfast. “We’re going on vacation. To France.”

“Awesome” Xaiden shouted.

Jacob Dylan said nothing and then later to Xaiden when they were alone, “Don’t you remember that’s where grandfather died? How can you be excited?”

“I liked France,” Xaiden said, “Just because Grandpa died doesn’t mean I can’t like going there.”

Jacob sighed “At least it’ll be a break from the brats.” He grabbed his backpack, “Come on, there’s the school bus.” Xaiden bounded ahead of him while he lagged back, already exhausted from the chaos of home and now having to deal with the noise and commotion of Junior High. Yes, time away from the brats was much welcomed.

They left for France and booked rooms is a small hostel.  Early on in the vacation Woalfe and River decided to check out the Nectary, leaving Xaiden under Jacob’s care.

Xaiden pedaled after his older brother calling to him, “Why do we have to go the museum again? We went last time we were here!”

“I’m in charge Xaiden!” Jacob shouted back

“Fine! But Dad said I get to do something I want after!” He pedaled harder, passing by his older brother.

“Xaiden, wait!”

“I know where it is!” Xiaden shouted and speeded ahead.

He dropped his bike casually on the front lawn and jogged into the museum. As Jacob caught up to him, he looked around and noticed a roped off area. Jacob came in and found his brother.

“Don’t run off like that Xaiden!” Jacob snapped, “If something happens to you, *I’ll* get blamed.”

Xaiden ignored him, pointing the stairs, “Wonder what’s down there.”

“It’s roped off so we aren’t going down.”

“Hey, Jake, what’s that?” Xaiden said, pointing to a small hole in the wall.

Xiaden came up and stood over his brother.

“Put you’re hand in it. Maybe there’s something inside,” Xaiden said

“Why don’t you? I don’t want to put my hand in there.”

“Because I”m not tall enough. Don’t be such a wimp! Come on!”

Jacob thought about arguing further but it always bugged him when his brother called him a wimp. It bugged him because it was true. He didn’t have the same brave attitude towards life that Xaiden had. Jacob stuck his hand into the hole and felt around. He knocked into a switch and there was a scraping noise on the other side of the wall. Before he could say anything Xaiden had already run ahead.

“Jake!” he shouted, “It opened up a door!”

“Xaiden, don’t-” Before he could finish his little brother had run ahead through the door

Jacob hesitated a second before running after him. “Xaiden!” He shouted, his voice echoing in the corridor they had found. He finally reached Xaiden where he was stopped at the top of a set of stairs.

“We might have found a secret lair!” Xaiden exclaimed, “Lets go!”

“Xaiden stop!” Jacob grabbed him, “We can’t just go wandering around this place.”

“Why not?”

“It could be dangerous. Who knows how long this place has been closed.”

“Ohh, afraid of the boogie man?” Xaiden taunted, then pulled himself free, saying, “I’m going down.”

Jacob grabbed him again, a rare parental side of him coming out. “Let me go first,” he said, “To make sure it’s okay.” He started down the stairs into the dark

When he reached the bottom he found himself in a large empty room. Xaiden shouted, “I’m coming down!” He bounded down the steps, then looked around, disappointed, “Nuts, it’s just an empty room.” Jacob wasn’t so sure of that. He slowly walked around the perimeter of the room. “Whathca doing?” Xaiden asked. Jacob didn’t answer. He reached a torch and examined it. Curious now, he pulled it.

There was rumbling again and he looked behind him just as Xaiden exclaimed “Cool!” And  disappeared into another door

“Xaiden!” Jacob shouted, running after him. He caught up to him at the end, where he stood over a chest.

“What do you think is in it?” Xaiden asked.

“Something we shouldn’t take, because it’s stealing,” Jacob said

Xaiden stared at it for a while and then said with a sigh, “yeah, you’re probably right… It’s probably museum stuff.”

“Lets go back, okay? This place is spooky.”

“Okay.” Reluctantly Xaiden turned and followed his brother out of the maze they had entered.

“That was really neat Jake,” Xaiden said when they made it back to the museum, “I mean, you figuring out that torch and all. You really are smart.”

Jacob glanced down at his little brother, surprised at the admiration in his voice. He had never thought that Xaiden might actually look up to him. “Thanks,” he said, “But you were the one that got us down there.” He frowned after the comment. Was he actually saying something nice about his brother? Actually *seeing* something nice about him?….

Together they slowly walked back out into the France sun…

…meanwhile, at the the nectary, River leaned into a hydragea, taking a deep breathe.

“I love it!” She said, looking around at the nectary. “I absolutely love this place!”

“France or the nectary?” Woalfe asked.

“Both.” River answered and headed over to the community garden.

Woalfe followed, happy to see his wife relaxing. “I love the quiet Woalfe,” She said as she kneeled down into the dirt, “I love the peace. I love the country.”

Woalfe silently watched his wife. He hadn’t considered what River had given up when they moved to from their small country farmhouse. Woalfe had just assumed his wife had been happy all of these years in their suburban house downtown Oasis. He had never considered that she might not be….

***********

…..”Shoot!” Jacob said, looking at the setting sun, “We’re way late Xaiden! We need to meet mom and dad at the Cantina!”

“Race you” Xaiden shouted, running to his bike.

“Xaiden wait up!” He jumped onto his bike trying to keep up with his bottomless pitt energy brother.

Meanwhile, River looked worriedly about the Cantina. “Where are the boys?” She said, getting more and more scared as time went by. “They should have been here an hour ago.”

“Go get something to eat and relax,” Woalfe said, “They’re just probably off exploring and lost track of time.”

“That’s not something Jacob would do.”

“Yes, but it is something Xaiden would do.”

She finally relented and bought dinner. Just as she was finishing eating Xaiden raced in, shouting, “Mom! Dad! Guess what we did today!”

“You’re late young man!” River said, disapproving, “We were worried about you!”

Xaiden walked over to his mother, “Sorry momma. We lost track of time. It was awesome though! We found this secret tunnel in the museum and Jacob was smart enough to find a trap door. And we found treasure! We didn’t take it though because Jake thought it was stealing.”

Woalfe came up to his wife, “See, I told you everything was fine. Now lets go home.”

Relieved, River gathered her two boys up and headed back to the small hostel they had rented rooms at.

As they were nearing the end of their vacation, Woalfe curled up into River one evening and asked, both of them half asleep, “What do you think about moving?”

The next morning River asked, “Woalfe…do you remember what you asked last night? About moving?”

“Yes.”

“Were you serious?”

Woalfe came up and looked into his wife’s eyes. “Yes, I was. I didn’t tell you but I have a showing set up for a cheateau in a little town here called Neverglade. .”

“But…what about your career?”

“Maybe it’s time I stayed home more, to help with the girls. And there’s still places to play here..”

“Woalfe…” She reached forward and kissed him.

Xaiden came in and saw his parents. “Ewww!” he commented. “Come on guys, kid in the room!”

They pulled apart and laughed. River looked over at Xaiden and said, “Guess where we’re moving!”

“Where?” He took ice cream out of the fridge.

“We’re moving to France!.”

“Like move live?”

“What do you think?”

Xaiden swallowed a spoonful of ice cream. Finally he said, simply, “Cool.”

And that was that. Woalfe sealed it with another kiss.

Today, though, was different. Today he was going to get to school early, and he was going to pay attention, and he was going to get his work done. There were only a few months of the school year left and he was determined not to fail. In remembrance of his grandfather, he was going to do good. He stood and placed his hand on his heart.

“I’m going to make you proud of me Grandpa, wherever you are.”

Jacob was already awake in the kitchen when his brother came in. “What are you doing awake?” Jacob said, annoyed. He enjoyed quiet mornings alone, without his noisy little brother. Xaiden ignored him.  He opened the fridge and pulled out a tin of ice cream. “You can’t have *that* for breakfast” Jacob said.

“You can’t tell me what to do” Xaiden answered, grabbing a spoon.

“You’re such an idiot.”

The insult hurt. Xaiden looked away, not answering.

Jacob had been increasingly grouchy since his father had pulled him and his brother temporarily out of school so they could mourn their grandfather’s passing. Xaiden had enjoyed the freedom, being able to spend time watching the baby grow in his mom’s tummy, but Jacob hated being ignored by his father everyday as Woalfe tried to deal with his own pain.

“Leave me alone Jacob,” Xaiden finally said and went into the living room.

He sat down on the couch and ate the ice cream.

Woalfe heard the voices and woke up. Sleepy, he made his way into the kitchen. He noticed Xaiden eating ice cream for breakfast and the scowl on Jacob’s face. He stopped, and looked at his two boys, and he felt like he was clearly seeing them for the first time. He could see the lost pain on Xaiden’s face, and the frustration in Jacob that he took out on his younger brother. “Dad?” Jacob asked, quiet, hoping for some shred of attention.

“Are you both okay going back to school today?” Woalfe asked.

“I am!” Jacob immediately answered. Xaiden didn’t answer.

“Xaiden?” Woalfe asked.

Xaiden looked over at him, “Sorry, were you asking me?” It wasn’t a smart alec question. Woalfe  felt like he was looking at his life for the first time, and clearly saw how much he had neglected his younger son and how much torture he allowed Jacob to heap on him. Xaiden was not a brat, or stupid, or a troublemaker, what he was was, was hurting little eight year old boy.

“I said I am,” Jacob repeated.

” I heard Jacob. Good.” He walked over to Xaiden. “Pal? Are you okay going back to school?”

Xaiden swallowed a spoonful of ice cream and looked up at his father. He had never seen his father look at him like that, like he actually cared about him.”Yeah, I’m okay…”

“Okay. If either one of you aren’t okay in school today, I want you to go to the principal and call home. We’ll come and get you.”

“*I* won’t need to,” Jacob said.

Woalfe ignored the comment, looking at Xaiden.”That means you too Xaiden. If it’s too much, for any reason, call us, okay?”

“Okay Dad…”

Woalfe left the boys then, going back into the master bedroom. Xaiden finished his ice cream breakfast and brought the tub back into the kitchen.

“You can’t put that back in the fridge!” Jacob snapped, “You ate out of it!”

“No one will know.” He put it back in the freezer.

“You’re so disgusting!”

“I’d rather be disgusting than a jerk like you.” Xaiden said and walked away.

The two boys stayed away from each other until the bus came. This time it was Xaiden who was first out the door.

Xaiden did work hard at school, determined not to fail. He found it excruciating to sit still all day and listen,but he forced himself too. As he bent over his afternoon work he almost felt like crying in frustration. Why couldn’t he understand the stuff they taught? Why couldn’t he be like Jacob? Maybe he was an idiot…. he swiped away a tear as he struggled with a math problem. The teacher, Miss Amber Strong noticed the demeanor of her problem student.

“Xaiden? Can you come here a minute.”

Xaiden sighed in defeat and followed the teacher to the back of the room, assuming he was once again in trouble.

“I’m sorry about your Grandfather Xaiden. And I’m proud of how hard you’ve been trying today. If you need extra help to understand the work I can tutor you for a few hours after class…” Amber had always liked her young problem child student. She knew he wasn’t a bad kid, not in the traditional way, he was just so full of energy that it had to be channeled somewhere.

Xaiden looked up at his teacher. “I’m not in trouble?” He asked, surprised.

“For what? You’ve done exceptionally well today.”

No one had praised him like that before. “I don’t want to fail miss strong!” He blurted, “I want to be smart like Jacob!” He looked down and sniffled

“Young man, you *are* smart like Jacob. And if you stay after school with me we’ll make sure you don’t fail.”

Xaiden walked back to his seat, knowing all the other students were watching him, wondering what he had done. He felt like shouting, I didn’t do anything! I’m not in trouble! Leave me alone! Instead he sat down quietly and went back to battling with the math question.

Jacob waited for his younger brother after school, then finally boarded the bus without him. Jacob assumed he had just skipped school. He didn’t know that Xaiden was at his teacher’s desk learning his math equations.

River was in the garden when Jacob got home.

“So how did school go?” She asked.

“Fine…Xiaden skipped I think.”

River looked up, “What?”

“He wasn’t at the bus after school.”

“Are you saying you don’ t know where your brother is?”

Jacob shrugged, not caring. “Dad around?”

“Inside…” she wanted to say something to her older son, wanted to make him see how much he hurt Xaiden by his attitude, but she stopped herself. Both boys were still mourning their grandfather’s death in their own way. She turned back to her plants, trying not to worry about Xaiden. He would come home when he was ready too.

Xaiden did come home, just before dinner.

“Xaiden!” River said, making her way up to him, “Young man! What do you think you’re doing worrying me like this! You can’t just take off-”

“Momma, I didn’t take off! I was at school.”

River stopped, “What do you mean? Jacob said you skipped….”

“I didn’t skip!” At that moment he felt like he hated Jacob. “Jacob’s a liar! Miss Strong was helping with math,” He said, “And guess what momma! I learned how to do it!’”

“Oh, Xaiden. I’m so sorry…” How could she just accuse her son? Assume he had done something wrong? “I’m very proud of you,” She finally said.

The praise made Xaiden smile. He had come home with extra work that Miss Strong had given him, to help him catch up, and although he was tired and stressed from the long day at school, he was determined to do as good as Jacob, so sat down in the living room and forced himself to start working through the work….

It became a routine for Xaiden as the weeks went on, to stay after school, and then go through his work at home. River noticed the seriousness on her young son’s face as he worked through the problems. She had offered to help but Xaiden refused, determined to do it on his own. “Jacob never needs help,” he had said. River began to worry about the stress her young eight year old was putting on himself. She found him, one early evening, passed out asleep on the couch.

She put a blanket over him, and went to find  Woalfe. Woalfe had still been distant with his family, wrapped up in his own mourning. “Honey?” she asked, coming out onto their back patio where he was looking out at the stars.

Woalfe wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist. “What is it River?”

She told him her concerns about Xaiden, about how hard he was working, trying to be like Jacob. “I’m worried about him Woalfe,” She said, “He’s trying  so hard to be someone he’s not, and I don’t know why…”

Woalfe was quiet, thinking. Finally he spoke. “I think it’s partly my fault River,” he said, “I’ve let Jacob get away with too much, and haven’t been supportive of Xaiden. Things are going to change.”

River looked up at him, wondering what he meant, but he was staring off into the distance, lost in thought.

The next morning Woalfe woke up early, before his family. He had meant what he said to River about things changing. His father was gone, and this was his family now, and it was time they acted like one. He went to the kitchen and started to prepare his father’s recipe of banana chocolate chip pancakes.

When he was done, he went to each room, waking up his family. The two boys came into the kitchen, still sleepy.

“What’s going on?” Xaiden asked, slightly scared that he was in trouble.

“Family breakfast!” Woalfe said, as bright as he could. He gave each boy a hug, surprising both at the sudden affection, and placed breakfast on the table. River then walked out, waddling with pregnancy.

“You cooked breakfast?”

“Yup! Banana chocolate chip pancakes!”

They all gathered around the table to eat

Woalfe looked around at his family, all he had left, and felt more determined in his purpose. “Things need to change,” He said after that had eaten in silence for a while, “We’re a family and we need to start acting like one. From now on, we have meals together-”

His speech was interrupted by Jacob snapping at his brother, “Can’t you eat with your mouth closed! You’re so gross-”

“*That* is also going to change!” Woalfe immediately stopped the impending insults, “Jacob Dylan, look at me.”

Jacob went quiet.

“The insults at your brother are going to stop as of *today*. I never want to hear you say another mean thing out of your mouth. And Xaiden, you are not to intentionally annoy your brother – no playing music and screaming when Jacob is trying to do homework, no ‘accidentally’ knocking over his water glass and anything else”

Xaiden quietly ate, and Jacob eyes widened in what looked like fear. Jacob was scared. He had always had the upper hand with his brother and it was this that made him feel safe in his father’s affection.

“Do we understand what I’m saying?” He asked both boys.

“Yup,” Xaiden quickly answered through a mouthful of pancake. He didn’t care about not being allowed to bug his brother since he only bugged him in revenge. He was just happy to be free of Jacob’s taunts and insults.

“Jacob?” Woalfe asked, his voice serious.

“Yes Dad….”

They ate breakfast quietly together, not comfortable yet in the unfamiliar routine. When they finished eating and the boys went off to get ready for school River sat back and spoke to Woalfe, who was cleaning up.

“Woalfe, I think this  a great idea,” she said, “I’m so glad this baby is going to come into a close family.”

“It’s going to take work,” Woalfe said.

“I’m up for the challenge.” She  stood up and went over to him, wrapping her arms around her husband. Woalfe leaned down and kissed her. He held her, his wife, his family, and him, the new head of the Nash clan.

River let go of her husband and went to help clean dishes when pain hit her. It was the familiar pain of impending birth.

“Honey, the baby…”

Woalfe quickly went into action, “Boys! Come here!”

River let out another cry.

Xaiden ran into the kitchen, “Momma, what’s wrong!”

Woalfe grabbed him, “She’s having the baby. I need to take her to the hospital, so I’m leaving you here with Jacob.”

Jacob came in, his face white. “You’re…you’re having the baby…now…”

River started to make her way to the car.

Woalfe took Jacob’s arm and looked down at him, serious, “Jacob Dylan, you listen to me. I need you to be the man of the house and watch your brother. I’m trusting you, do you understand?”

Jacob just nodded, staring at his mother. Up until this point he had managed to ignore the thought of having another younger sibling, but now…

Woalfe grabbed the bag River already had packed and said to Xaiden, “Xaiden, listen to your brother,” And then to Jacob, “I expect you to *look after* your brother.” With that he lead River to the car. Xaiden followed closely behind.

“Momma, are you okay? Is she okay daddy?”

“It’s okay, Xaiden. It’s all part of nature.”

“But momma’s in pain!”

River forced a smile at her younger son. “It’s okay little man. This isn’t the first time I’ve done this.” She kissed him and got into the car. Woalfe climbed in and started up, heading to the hospital

Jacob stared from the door, still pale. He could see his position in the family becoming less and less important. Xiaden walked back to the house and Jacob shoved him, “You shouldn’t have held her up dork.”

Xaiden glared at his brother, and for the first time, wasn’t scared of him. “Your a jerk,” He said, “And you know what? I’m going to be a way better brother than you. And I’m going to do just as good as you in school.” His head held high, he walked passed him.

At the hosptial River went through a rough delivery. The baby girl was finally born, but something was still wrong. “What is it?” Woalfe asked, beginning to get worried.

“I don’ t know. I feel like I need to keep pushing!” She did, and the doctors caught a second baby.

Woalfe stared at it, “We…had….twins…”

River breathed, tired, “Twins?”

The doctor took the babies. “Twin girls. I don’t know how the ultrasound missed this.”

“We had twin girls honey,” He said to his wife.

River gave a tired smile, “Welcome to the world Cloie and Arianna”

(author’s note: The twins were a complete surprise to me. Neither parents have the fertility perk)

Xaiden stared straight ahead, not responding. Was it his? He wondered. Jacob had told him that he was the reason for the trip to France. But how could it be his fault that his grandfather’s heart stopped, and that he now he lay unconscious in the hospital. He wasn’t in of  control that. But Jacob was so angry….

“If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be here,”Jacob said to him, “We’d be at home, safe with Dad.”

Xaiden still didn’t speak. The cell phone Woalfe had given Jacob rang. Jacob glanced down at it. “It’s home-”

“I want to talk to momma!” Xaiden shouted, reaching for it.

“Forget it! I’m talking to Dad.” He  shoved his little brother away, and stood up, walking across the Cantina they sat in.

“Dad?”

“Jacob! What’s going on? What’s happened? Where are you guys – I phoned the hospital-”

“We’re with some social worker guardian. Xaiden insisted on not staying at the hospital, so we’re at some Cantina. He’s being a brat-”

“Forget about your brother! What about your grandfather…”

…..Jacob didn’t notice Xaiden leave, walking outside. He needed some air, air not breathed by Jacob. He noticed their appointed guardian talking on the phone. The man then walked towards him, his face serious. Xaiden was already getting the sinking feeling in his stomach.

“Son, I’m sorry….”

Xaiden bolted. He didn’t know where hew as going, just that he couldn’t be there., not with him.

“Hey, kid, wait!” The guardian shouted after him. Jacob heard the shouts and came outside. He saw his brother in the distance, running. Jacob already knew what had happened. “He’s…?” he asked, his voice small.

“Yes. We need to get your brother-”

“He’s fine,” Jacob said, “He’ll go back to the hostel when he’s ready too. He’s always running around on his own. Can we go back?” He asked. He felt overwhelmed and alone. He didn’t want to be there, he wanted to be at home, with his father, safe.

The man stared after Xaiden, then gave  a resigned sigh and took Jacob with him, back for towards the hostel.

Xaiden ran up streets, and alleyways, and then down country roads until he was so out of breathe he couldn’t run any longer. He found himself in front of the museum Jacob had insisted on visiting the first day they were there.

He went inside and walked amongst the exhibits, trying to be brave. Inside though, he wanted to scream: it’s not my fault!…But what if it was? Would his father end up hating him the way Jacob did? He walked amongst the exhibits and saw the dragon statue that he had noticed when he was there with their Grandfather. Jacob had called it fantasy and ugly. His grandfather had said he liked it. It had been nice,  for someone to agree with him for once. And now that wouldn’t ever  happen again….

Back at the hostel Jacob did the only thing he could think of as he waited for his brother to be found, he pulled out his schoolwork. Angry, he worked through the math questions.

Why couldn’t his brother just be normal? Then they wouldn’t have even been there in the first place. But, no, Xaiden had to complain to his grandfather who actually believed him. Jacob knew Xaiden was just a whiner. Jacob had just as much trouble in school, and he wasn’t always skipping and getting detention or suspended. What kind of *8* year old mouths off to a teacher anyway? The longer he waited, the angrier he got.

As soon as he heard his younger brother’s footsteps on the front porch he ran outside.

“What do you think you’re doing just taking off!” He yelled at him.

“You never do anything but cause trouble!”

“That’s not true-”

“The guardian has half thecity out looking for you! Don’t you ever think of anyone but yourself. It’s your fault this all happened-”
“It is not-”

“If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t be here!”

He stood back and glared at his brother.

“You killed our Grandfather Xaiden,” He said, clear and bitter.

Xaiden didn’t speak. He stood there, his arms hanging at his side, feeling utterly defeated.

Jacob turned around and walked away inside. Xaiden didn’t follow right away. He sat down on the steps and cried.

The night the boys were returning back from France, Woalfe ran as hard as he could through the night streets.

He knew he should be there to greet his boys but he couldn’t handle it. It was the proof of the reality he had been trying to hide from. He ran harder, pushing his muscles as far as they would go.

At his home, the taxi dropped the two boy’s off. Jacob ran ahead. “Where’s Dad?” He shouted, slamming into the house.

River answered, “He needed to go for a run. He’ll be back soon…” She noticed the fallen look on Xaiden’s face. Although both boys would mourn, she knew it was Xaiden who would take it the hardest.  Jacob walked passed them to his room.

“Xaiden?” River asked.

Xaiden looked at her, then started to cry, “It’s not my fault! It’s not!”

River quickly pulled her son into her arms. “Honey, of course not!”

“We wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for me!” Xaiden sobbed, “Jacob said it’s my fault! It’s not!”

“Honey, honey, it’s not. Not at all. Your grandfather’s heart could have failed anywhere.”

As she tried to calm Xaiden down, Jacob stared out the window, waiting for his father’s return.

It was late before River finally got Xaiden calmed down enough to sleep. She was just working on convincing Jacob to go to bed when Woalfe walked in the door.

“Dad!” Jacob shouted, jumping up

“Jacob-”

Before she could grab him, he ran out of the room for his father.

“Dad!”

Woalfe stared down at his oldest son, the one who had inherited his father’s blond hair. His son, an eleven year old  little boy who needed him, and who he had no resources for at the moment.

“Dad?” Jacob looked up at this father, confused. What was wrong with him? Why was he just standing there?

“It’s time for bed” Woalfe finally said, turning and walking away

Jacob stared after him, then slowly turned and walked to his room. He glanced back at his father. His father was already disappearing into the master bedroom. “Dad?” He said, one last time. There was no response.

In the master bedroom, Woalfe wrapped his arms around River and held onto her tight. “It’s just us now,” he said, “It’s just us.”

(Author’s note: It was nearing the end of Kevin’s lifeline and I decided I wanted him to go out in a dramatic way. So in reality he didn’t ‘technically’ die in France, he ‘technically’ died when they got home, but I thought him dieing in France would add a lot more punch to the story.)