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Why me?
May 6, 2005 16:42:59 GMT -5
Post by Firefly on May 6, 2005 16:42:59 GMT -5
Chapter 45
The rest of Summer didn't seem to different than any other Summer. Jack and I were happily married, we visited Elli and the Doc often, and I continued to go to the Goddess Pond every morning with Popuri. She is getting rounder and rounder, and we have fun picking out names for the baby.
We found out later that Mary married Gray as we expected, and had a very small, private wedding. She invited no-one but her parents and Saibara. The Mayor barged in, of course.
Elli and I are both pregnant, and the babies are due sometime in Winter. Now all three of us (Popuri, Elli and I) visit each other weekly to discuss baby issues and names. Its more fun than I thought!
I woke up on Summer 26, and, as usual, went to the Goddess Pond. Popuri was not there. She never came. I grew very worried-- what if she had left for the city earlier than planned? My stomach tightened at the thought. I asked Jack first if he had seen her. Then, I ran to the Beach, with no luck. Finally, I decided to tell Elli. When I arrived, I heard screams. What was happening? I ran inside, only to see Popuri inside a bed, and Elli and the Doc crowding around her! I gasped, having forgotten that today was the due day for her baby! I paced, unsure what to do. I decided on just waiting. Which I did.
After what seemed like hours, the screams stopped. I rushed over. Popuri was smiling sleepily, holding a little pink-haired girl in her arms. "Hey, Ann," she mumbled. "I'd like you to meet... Crystal."
***
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Why me?
May 6, 2005 16:46:54 GMT -5
Post by Firefly on May 6, 2005 16:46:54 GMT -5
Chapter 46
A few days later was Crystal's Baptism. I was the godmother, much to my exitement. It was a beautiful service, but it reminded me that in a few days Crystal and Popuri would leave for the city, not to be seen untill next year. I couldn't bear the thought.
On Fall 1, Elli and I were at the dock at Mineral Beach, saying our good-byes to Popuri. She, too, looked sad.
"I tried convincing Kai to stay here longer, but he didn't know where we'd stay. I don't think it'd be healthy for Crystal to live at the Inn forever." She turned to me. "Sorry, but the rooms are too smal for a family. I... I just don't see another choice." And she was crying, we all were. It was so sad, one of my closest friends leaving for a whole year! I had only known Crystal for five days! Would she remember me? As I tucked a strand of dark pink hair behind Crystal's ear, an idea popped into my head, but I was unsure if it'd work.
"Poppy," I asked, turning to her, "you could stay at our house! It is very large, and there are two extra beds."
Popuri looked exited. "Please, Kai," she begged. "Think about it. It would make me- all of us- happy. And," she held up her baby, "think of Crystal. Wouldn't it be better for her if she had nice, fresh country air to breathe? And she'd have lots of friends here, too. Please?" Her eyes were wide and hopeful. Kai took a deep breath, thinking.
"Well," he paused. "...I guess it would be better for Crystal." Popuri hugged him around the neck.
"Oooh, thank you, Kai!" she squealed. She looked at me. "Ann, we'll help, too. I don't wanna be a moocher. I'll work at Mom's, and Kai will work at his place. Some of the money will go to you. Right?"
"Right," Kai agreed.
I smiled broadly. Things couldn't be more perfect.
***
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Why me?
May 6, 2005 17:46:51 GMT -5
Post by unavaliable on May 6, 2005 17:46:51 GMT -5
popuri moving in
that was a twist
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Why me?
May 6, 2005 17:57:40 GMT -5
Post by Butterscotch on May 6, 2005 17:57:40 GMT -5
The tone of this story sure has changed! ^-^
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Why me?
May 6, 2005 21:27:38 GMT -5
Post by Kayla on May 6, 2005 21:27:38 GMT -5
Great story...
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Post by Firefly on May 7, 2005 7:28:20 GMT -5
The tone of this story sure has changed! ^-^ I know... its getting closer to the ending, though. |
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Post by Firefly on May 7, 2005 7:50:17 GMT -5
Chapter 47
And so, Kai and Popuri came to live with Jack and I. Jack, thankfully, doesn't mind, and I think its fun, almost like having a sister.
Autumn breezed by, and soon I found myself staring at Jack's calender, which read, 'Fall 29'. I was very round, and I had had odd cravings for... lets see, grape juice, chocolate, honey, ice cream, and especially carrots. I thought I would turn orange frm all the carrots I ate! Jack joked around and said I had eated half of his profit.
As noontime approached, I felt ver, very sick. My vision was blurry, my head was spinning, and my stomach was uneasy.
"D-dad, can you c-call J-jack over here, p-please?" I stuttered, placing my hand on the table for support. Doug looked at me worriedly.
"Sure, hon. Are you okay? Maybe you shouldn't work untill that baby of yours is born."
"B-but Dad, the b-baby isn't d-due untill early Winter!" I protested. "Can you p-please j-just take me t-to the C-clinic?"
Doug rushed over, and took my hand. "No time to call Jack. You're looking paler than you were when Jack took you to the Clinic for eating so much food..." he shook his head and tried to chuckle, but he looked worried. "Here we are. Good thing we're not too far from the Clinic."
As he said that, my mouth got very watery. Uh-oh. I know what comes next. I lurched forward and threw up, outiside the Clinic. Dad tried to keep me from harming myself or the baby, but still go into the Clinic.
"Ann!" Elli called worriedly. She rushed over as fast as a pregnant woman can, and felt my head. "No fever. I think..." She paused, then called her husband.
"Ann, I've got good news, and bad news." the Doc told me after a few tests.
"Good n-news first."
He looked at me, then spoke. "Ann, you are expected to give birth to your baby tomorrow. It will be slightly early."
That wasn't too bad. "Bad news...?"
He sighed and looked weary. "Well, you are pregnant with three children." My face paled. Three? He continued, "There is a very good chance that two will survive, but..." He cleared his throat and looked truly sad. "...One might not live."
I burst into tears. One of my babies, not survive? This was terrible! Doug looked very shaken as well. But the Doctor had more. "Since you are younger than most women who give birth to triplets, there is a chance you might not survive, either."
***
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Post by Kayla on May 7, 2005 9:50:41 GMT -5
 She might die?
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Why me?
May 7, 2005 13:23:42 GMT -5
Post by moko on May 7, 2005 13:23:42 GMT -5
wow! triplets! gosh, poor ann.....................
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Why me?
May 7, 2005 14:59:15 GMT -5
Post by Firefly on May 7, 2005 14:59:15 GMT -5
She might die? Yeah...  Its sad, I know. |
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Why me?
May 7, 2005 20:03:12 GMT -5
Post by Butterscotch on May 7, 2005 20:03:12 GMT -5
You can't kill Ann! Not after all she's been through! |
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Why me?
May 7, 2005 20:30:57 GMT -5
Post by Firefly on May 7, 2005 20:30:57 GMT -5
You can't kill Ann! Not after all she's been through! ... Says who?  No, I'm kidding. Ann will survive but-- -covers mouth- Can't tell you more. |
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Post by Firefly on May 8, 2005 7:53:43 GMT -5
Chapter 48
I just sat there, paralyzed with fear. Triplets... how was that possible? I'm only twenty-two...
Doug suddenly jumped up and bolted out of the door. My face paled. It must be really bad for dad, tough Doug, to run away. Now I was angry. How could he leave me here? He's my dad, for crying out loud! Aren't they supposed to help?
As I quietly fumed, Elli wobbled over to me. "Ann... I'm so sorry... good luck."
I sniffled a little and nodded. "Thanks. You too."
"You know, if you're lucky, the youngest might die, so you'll be safe." Elli said after a moment.
"B-but I d-don't want it t-to die!" I wailed, sobbing. "Isn't t-there another w-way?"
Elli looked thoughtful. "I... don't know. I'll read up on it. Since you are supposed to give birth tomorrow..." she looked at me sadly, "...I'll hurry." With that, she walked over to the bookshelf and took out an enormous book. I winced.
"ANN!" A voice yelled. I whirled around. There was Jack, panting heavily. Had he run all the way here?
Doug was right behind him, also panting. I felt like a complete idiot. Dad hadn't abandoned me; he had gotten Jack for me! How could I ever think of my own dad that way? I felt my cheeks turning hot.
"Oh, Ann, I'm sorry," Jack whispered as he knelt by my chair.
"Its not your fault..." I sniffled. I turned to Doug. "Thanks, Dad..." I mouthed. He smiled weakly. I was the one suffering, but he'd suffer longer if I--
There was a sound outside, and suddenly Popuri popped inside. "ANNIE! Are you okay?" She rushed over to me. "You're going to be okay! You have to be okay! Please!"
"I'll try, Poppy..."
Popuri was crying, now, too. "You're my best friend!" she wailed. "Everyone else thinks I'm an airhead! I can be somtimes, but I'm smart, too! I can be smart!" Startled by this breakdown, Ann patted Popuri's back.
"Its okay, Poppy," she soothed. "I'll be fine. I'll be fine."
But in my heart I knew that might not be true at all.
***
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Why me?
May 8, 2005 16:29:16 GMT -5
Post by moko on May 8, 2005 16:29:16 GMT -5
it's all so sad! |
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Post by Firefly on May 9, 2005 7:10:44 GMT -5
it's all so sad! Don't worry... nothing too bad will happen... Sorry for the delays on the next chapter. Its nearing the end of the school year, and I'm very, very busy doing exams and such.  |
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She might die?
Its sad, I know.
