The months following the deaths of Zoysia, Kurtis, and Violet felt like winter in the hearts of the family. They had to go through the motions of everyday life, even when they felt like plants trying to weather a heavy frost. Eventually, though, they began to feel a thaw, and a little of their grief started to melt away.
As a kind of spring stirred in Nandina’s heart, she felt the time was right to move on with her romantic life. She loved Brady – had loved him ever since prom night – and she yearned for him to become a true part of her family. So she invited him over, set the scene, and asked him a very important question.
“No,” he said.
Shocked and dismayed, Nandina asked him through her tears why he wouldn’t marry her. Brady gave her a sad, tender look and said that it was not that he didn’t love her; it was just too soon. She had gone through a terrible time of grief and change in her life, and he wanted to be sure she made the decision under the right circumstances, not as a way to escape her sorrow. As he walked away, Nandina sat on the grass and cried.
Camellia watched over her nieces and nephew with care and concern, as the only remaining member of their parents’ generation. She tended the garden, showing the younger ones how to fertilize the more exotic plants, and she repaired household appliances when they broke down. She only wished she could repair a broken heart as easily.
Nandina threw herself into her career, spending time training, running plays with her teammates, and even discussing work with her manager when they ran into each other in the park. Shavonna, her boss, noticed the increased effort and decided to promote her.
Ivy was making an effort to socialize with her boss, too. She found it distasteful to go out among crowds, but a little chat in her boss’ home she could manage, especially if it meant getting picked to move up when someone was… given a new home. With barred windows. If the organization needed someone to step up, then why shouldn’t it be Ivy?
Kale was working away at his journalism career. Although he did occasionally spend a few minutes in the family garden, he would much rather spend his time crafting cunning articles or sly plots at his keyboard…
…or visiting the local restaurant to sample its new dishes and write a review. If he invited a certain someone to accompany him, why, that was just to get another perspective. Surely a woman’s opinion on the eggplant parmesim would enrich his review?
Quiana, however, found Kale to be sweeter than the watermelon cobbler and whipped out a surprise to let him know.
Petal spent most of her time studying cooking, learning recipes, and helping out in the garden. All after school, of course, but she was looking forward to graduation. Nan had to really work to convince the frugal girl that it was worth going to prom and making a night of it, but she couldn’t convince her to buy an extravagant dress. Still, Petal looked like a fresh spring bouquet as she went to the dance.
Although Nandina was very dedicated to her athletic training, she was finding she enjoyed more and more the simple, earthy pleasure of sifting the loose, dark soil through her fingers as she planted a seed in the garden. It was very soothing to know that the heirloom tomato plants she tended were of the same strain that her great-great-great grandmother had grown in the very same spot.
One evening as she was working in the garden, she heard a familiar voice calling to her over the fence. It was Brady. Hesitant to read anything into his presence, she glanced at her Aunt Camellia and then motioned Brady to come through the gate.
A few awkward moments passed as they tried to make small talk. Nan fidgeted, tucking a stray strand of hair back up into her cap. Brady shifted his weight from foot to foot, cleared his throat, and then asked if Nan would mind if he went to Petal’s upcoming graduation. Nan, a little surprised, raised an eyebrow at him.
Brady explained that he had read in the paper that Petal was going to be valedictorian, and even though he hadn’t seen much of the family lately, he still felt like a proud almost-uncle. Nan bit her lip, and Brady rushed to say that he would understand if Nan didn’t want him to be there, and he would never want to hurt someone he cared for so deeply…
Nan gazed into his eyes and saw truth there.
And so the voice calling over the fence became a nightly happening. He would come through the gate and work side by side with Nan, their hands brushing together as the breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees above them. One night, as they were washing the soil from their hands before dinner, Brady took Nan in his arms and whispered to her that he had something important to ask her.
“Nan,” he whispered. I’ve seen you crushed by grief, and I’ve seen you grow strong again. I told myself I had to stay away and let you be your own person, but without the sun of your smile, my life was nothing. If you…”
“No! Wait!” Leaving Brady stunned with a no of her own, Nan crouched and turned to pull out a small box.
Nan grinned at Brady and held out the ring. “You should know by now how competitive I am. I asked you first! Now, marry me?”
They had a private ceremony right away and decided to celebrate with a combination reception/birthday party in a few days on Nan’s birthday.
Nan was a little concerned about the number of birthdays she was racking up, but she knew she had plenty to celebrate. Surrounded by family and friends, Nan and Brady made the most of their party. Even Petal’s dad was there, which made her very happy. Petal hoped he would be at her graduation, too.
He didn’t make it to the otherwise happy ceremony, however. Petal ran into him in town not long after, and they chatted a little. Although it was a hard thing to swallow, she realized that they might have some pleasant chats, but they would never be really close. She missed her mom.
Meanwhile, Nan and Brady were busy trying to generate some business for the diaper and formula industries. They tried…
…and they tried…
…and they tried, but no pregnancy. Not to be defeated, Nan finally saw a doctor for fertility treatment. Finally…
… they knew that the next generation was on the way! On maternity leave from work, Nan could think about nothing but baby. She talked Brady into watching cartoons with her, and she talked about all the precautions they would need to take to baby-proof the house.
Brady was not too sure about the need for drastic measures, but he was very happy about becoming a father. He had always loved children and even worked as a babysitter in high school to earn some money.
When Nandina thought she couldn’t possibly get any bigger, the blessed day arrived, and she knew it was time to go to the hospital. Brady was nervous, but made sure they got there in time. In answer to their long wait…
Laurel and Holly Foliage finally arrived, ready to be cuddled by their tired but happy parents.
Across town, all was not baby powder and peekaboo.
Ivy had found something to occupy her time with that would keep her away from the family’s cooing and cuddling. A few explosive devices, a rocket or two, and her plan would be realized.
—
Looks like Ivy is very much following in what she called footsteps a few generations ago.
Love the name Laurel.
Hi Pink! Yes, a certain great-great-aunt of hers would be very pleased with Ivy.
Glad you like Laurel’s name. I suppose it’s just as well that this is an estrogen-dominated household, since foliage-related boys’ names are less common.
I could feel your frustrations with the conception! More girl Foliages… must be something in the water. Lovely names though. And Ivy… naughty naughty…
I was trying so hard to get her preggie before her adult birthday, and it just wasn’t happening. And yes, more girls. I really would like to know why; I make sure that Foliage mothers-to-be stay away from watermelon. I’ll be interested to see if I get any boys out of the Surrounded by Family generation when I do it.
Good to see you!
Ooh, I love the names of the new babies! It’s too bad that you had such a hard time getting them to conceive, but at least you got twins when you finally did. 🙂
I wonder what Ivy’s nefarious plan is??
Yay! I’m so glad people are liking the names!
You’ve been a busy reader today!
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