Chapter 3.3 ~ Growing

Life got hard in different ways after I left home. I no longer had the constant guilt surrounding me with every wall, and with disproving eyes always on me. Nope, here I was free of that, with the trials and tribulations of being a housewife to an army man.

It wasn't too many weeks after our wedding night that I started seeing signs of something interesting around the corner. I had learnt enough in Health class to know a few signs, and a test from the local store confirmed my hunch. Against all odds, Amethyst Carmody was becoming the one thing she loathed most: A Mother.

It was so odd to think that 25 years ago this had been my mother, but she had had a much different predicament. It irked me to have an extra connection to her, another thing I could supposedly use to 'relate' to her, but as much as it sickened me I couldn't find a way to be upset with the turn of events.

It didn't take Mike a minute to get excited. Every night would end with a goodnight to the baby. Well I say baby, but twins ran in the family, aside from myself that is. I had to expect twins too.

I'd get my own goodnight too, one that I cherished every time, and looked forward too every day. No matter how hard a day Mike had had at work, I'd always get every ounce of energy he had left, a love so strong I couldn't imagine it ever breaking down.

Mike worked more now. Things got riskier everyday, with him climbing up the ranks with great ease. I knew that being a solider had it's risks, and to expect the worst news everyday: "Honey? I've been deployed." I'd not heard news of it yet, but  I knew it could happen any day.  He would spend endless hours explaining his work to me, the risks, benefits, everything. Nothing swayed my worry, only soothed it for a day or two.

Mike never swayed in his dedication to me and the baby even through the tougher times at work. That's why I loved him, someone I could finally count on for once in my life. Someone who wouldn't be swept away from me in a whirlwind move made by someone I thought I knew. 

I had a lot less to do these days. I was lonely, though I'd never admit it. I may have had almost everyone hating me at home, but there were always people there. I found it strange to be alone in the house all day. I'd take Tim out for walks whenever I felt up to it, which wasn't often for a while, since my morning sickness went on for longer then I'd expected from my research. Tim enjoyed the walks, and we had a lot of time to bond with each other.

I'd sit around and watch TV whenever my back hurt too much, or when every jolt made me throw my cookies. I'm pretty sure I've watched every episode of  "Family Sim" since time began 100 times over.

I spent a lot of time on the phone with Moon, and Jet if she'd answer. We'd grown closer since the wedding, having finally broke down the thick wall that had separated us since my Father's murder. They were both excited for the upcoming birth, Moon was betting on two girls, and Jet one boy. They had money on it and everything.

The nursery was built, one for a boy, and one for a girl because we planned for another at one point, and we'd better prepare for either outcome regarding the genders. I liked the girls nursery better myself, with the cute butterfly theme, but that's just the silly 'Momma-to-Be" syndrome kicking in.

At the end of my pregnancy, Mike started to worry like an old lady, about just about EVERYTHING! The floor being too slippy, the bed not soft enough for my tender midsection, the cleaning products being too strong...and Tim being a raging ball of germs and dirt. Mike insisted on a bath every night, especially if Tim wanted to spend the night in our room. I never thought it necessary, but to appease Mike, Tim was bathed regularly. The bonus was that he smelt good all the time, never a bad thing with the intense pregnancy nose kicking in.

Tim was allowed to sit with me after his baths, and we would enjoy some quality TV time, or fall asleep together on the couch, depending on both our moods. He was such a gentle giant I didn't once worry for the vulnerable package I had carried for nine months, or for the babies after they came into the world. He wouldn't do anything to put them in danger, in fact, I expected quite the opposite, a diligent guard dog.

It was when I was watching said TV that the first signs of labor kicked in. A small tickle by my ankle made me flinch, and when I went to itch my leg, I felt wetness. I immediately stood, and the first contraction hit. Hard.

"Mikeeee" I yelled. Nothing "MIKE GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE, I'M BRINGING IN A BABY"

That got him coming. It sounded like elephants on the stairs, and withing a half second he was in the hallway with the car keys and my jacket.

After 21 hours of tiring labor,  I gave birth to the three most beautiful being I'd ever set my eyes on. You heard me, three. Triplets most definately do not run in the family, but I guess I should have seen it coming.  Both Jet and Moon got their wish, with two girls and a boy.

I should probably introduce you to them all.

This is Simon. He's my baby boy, with mysterious blue eyes, and my blonde hair.

This is Stevie, with both my purple eyes, and blonde hair.

And finally, there's little Sierra, with the same mystery eyes as Simon, and her Daddy's hair color.

As I settled my now larger family into bed, I knew that although I was in for a lot of work, I'd never be lonely again.

Chapter 3.2 ~ Wedding Special!

A/N: Okay guys, so I'm changing it up for the wedding special! No writing, just lyrics. I hope that it can make an impact, and be a cool thing to try. I'd love feedback on whether to do this for future 'specials' in the legacy (funerals, weddings, etc). I think that this chapter will be most effective  if you listen to the song while you read it! So here it is: Christina Perri - A Thousand Years! (Open in new tab). Enjoy!

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Heat beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

But watching you stand alone

All of my doubt

Suddenly goes away some how

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything take away

What's standing in front of me

Every breath

Every hour

Has come to this

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I've loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

One step closer

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darlin' don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more..

Chapter 3.1 ~ Because of You

Things change. Seasons pass, days fade into weeks, then months and years. Then you blink, and you're all grown up, and there's no more playing around. You can no longer rely on everyone around you for support, you have to make decisions, and act on them, no matter what the results may be.

So that's what I did.

I remember that day like yesterday. When I close my eyes, it may as well of been, because everything it just as clear. The way I saw Dad on the floor, not breathing, one perfect hole in his black sweater seeped a dark river of blood.  Then I glanced around to see Jinx, my only means of female support since Grandma died, the same way, like a porcelain doll shattered on the floor. One more scope with my eyes brought me to my Mother, gun in hand. Mother. A term I use so loosely. I hate her. I despise her. She is the reason my life went downhill before it ever really started. She is the reason Daddy is dead.

I will not make the same mistakes that you did


I remember bolting out of the doorway when I regained the use of my feet, straight to the phone. I dropped it twice before I was able to fumble with the buttons. Eventually I was able to get through to the police, and make my plea for help. I told them in hushed tones that my Mother had just killed two people, had a gun, and I had four younger sister upstairs. That got them going. Within ten minutes I had four cop cars in front of our house, and in a blink of an eye Mom was in handcuffs.

I will not let myself cause my heart so much misery

The men came a few minutes after to take Dad and Jinx away. Everyone was awake by this time, and tears and questions were the order of the day. When everyone found out it was me who called the cops, they shut me away, and I became the enemy.

Two months later, Mom was put on trial, and given the lethal injection. I am not afraid to admit that I did not attend her funeral, nor will I ever visit her grave.

And so that brings us to today.

All grown up, and living my own life. Still living at home, but not for long. Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me re-introduce to you my family, and catch you up.

I will not break the way that you did, you fell so hard.

Let's start with my best friend, Tiny Tim. Hah... well when I got him, he was tiny. Uncle Dusk got him for me after I witnessed..it. My very own thing to love, and care for. Supposedly, he saved me from trauma, but inside I still go through Hell everyday.

We spend all day together, playing games, and having fun. He's a little ah... dim, but he's the best friend a gal could have.

Jet grew up to be a real looker. She could have easily won prom queen with just the votes from guys in school, but instead she chopped off her hair, and got into sports. She lives, breaths, and dreams sports and exercise, wiggling her way into every girls team in school, plus the boys soccer team. She now attends the local University with a sports major, and every team in the city has heard of her, and wants her to play for them. All that exercise keeps her out of the house, and that suits her just fine. She doesn't like to be around me anymore, because of me, Mom died. She doesn't seem to remember that Mommy dearest was a murderess.

This is Uncle Dusk, of course. He came to live with us when Mom was taken away, because he was in the last few weeks of his divorce anyway. Turns out Aunt Cherry had been cheating on him with the rich Mr. Gracciay the whole time. We're  a family of charmers apparently.

I haven't slept a full night since I saw Daddy, and apparently, Dusk hasn't either since Mom died. We often spend the early mornings together talking, sometimes drinking coffee or eating cupcakes. It makes me feel safe.

I've learned the hard way, to never let it get that far.

Morganite completely changed. She hardly speaks anymore, only to the horses. She's turned into the perfect little Night-Owl, only leaving the house at night, to sit out at the lake with the wild ponies. There's no point trying with her these days, because she only pushes you further away.

Because of you, I never stray too far from the sidewalk..

Then there's Jade. Our dancer. All she does is dance, all day, all night. Non-stop. She dates around, and has ease in doing so, with her body perfectly curved due to constant cardio work. I'd tried to tell her that it'd be better to try and settle down, get a job, but she'll have none of it. Dance, then date, then dump, then dance, then dance, then dance. That's Jade's life, and we've all lost her to that world.

Because of you I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt

And finally, this is Mike. Who's Mike? Well, he's my fiance.

Yep, I did well. We met at a 'meeting', years ago. These 'meetings' were where I was sent after Mom was killed to ensure I didn't go crazy like her. His Dad had just been killed at war, and so that was why he was there. We turned to each other for comfort in dark times, and cried with each other when needed. It wasn't until we graduated that it turned out to be romantic, the relationship between us. His body was killer, and his personality was so caring. Knowing him was like a constant hug, and that was just what I needed. He trained for the army, and  quickly graduated into the ranks due to some connections his Dad had had. The day he completed his training was the best day of my life.

I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh everyday of my life.



We walked to the park where we had spent so many of our teenage days, and stopped at the tiny playground. The air was cold, and the leaves shades of orange and red, falling like snow from the sky.

I sat at the swing, and Mike swooped in and kissed me gently. His hand was soft on my chin, thumb brushing my cheek.

Because of you I try my hardest to forget everything

I sat there for who knows how long feeling the softness of his lips on mine, the whiskers on his face scratching mine in rough patterns. He suddenly shifted his weight and I moved to try and accommodate the extra weight put on the swing, only to fall off completely, my head falling into a pile of dead leaves.

Mike started laughing, then picked me up. We walked over to the slide, and sat there where there was slightly more support for us.

We chatted away, about his future in the ranks, and what I was going to do here at home with all my sisters without him. After I said that, he got real quiet, and thoughtful.

Suddenly he swung up from his seat on the step, and pinned me against the rail. My breath faltered, as it always did when he was this close. My stomach fluttered, and I slid my hand on his shoulder.

He brought his face closer to mine, so I could feel his hot breath on my face. His eyes bore into my soul, and he didn't move a muscle. After a minute he moved his mouth to my ear, and spoke quietly, lips brushing my skin.

"Marry me, Am."

I drew away, looking in his eyes for any hint of laughter.

"Then you don't have to stay in that house with all your sisters. you can live in a house with me, and be my wife. I can fight for you in the war, and we can grow old together. Marry me."

"Yes. A million times yes!"

And so I fell asleep that night in pure ecstasy, wrapped in his arms.

So I suppose that catches you up right? What? I forgot someone? Don't be a fool, of course I didn't.

Moon. The only sister to support my choice of marriage, the only sister to even acknowledge that it was a life changing event for me.  Possibly the only sister willing to attend my wedding.

She was the only other person to see my Mother in the light that I did. A cold blooded murderer. She claimed to have had a feeling about what went down that night, but she was only just toddling, so how could she remember something like that?

Because of you, I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty.

She actually hears me when I talk, a rarity in this house. She has strong opinions on life, and is starting university with a major in philosophy. It suited her well.

"Am I making the right choice? I can't rush into anything. But I have known him for years, and I'm 25. I can't wait forever."

She poked the fire mindlessly, and got a blank look on her face.

"Is any choice a right one? Could you not pick either path and wish for the other? Is there any way to be truly happy?"

"Thanks. That helped, Dr.Carmody. Remember to bill me to my personal account." I teased.

She laughed lightly, and shook her head. She was my sister, and I loved her dearly, as I did all my family, but from her was the only place I got it in return.

Because of youuu


Because of youuu


*Lyrics- Because of You; Kelly Clarkson*