The Valentine Legacy: 2.3
Welcome back folks with another update! When we last left off, Brandi was heavy with child and Artemis was told the purpose of the legacy. Now, tune in as we witness the first births of the third generation!
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The sun had set just after Raphael completed his tale. Suddenly, a piercing cry echoed from inside the house, and father and sun were drawn indoors to see what was happening. Natasha's presence, and the calming words she was whispering to Brandi explained the situation immediately. Brandi was deep in the throes of childbirth.
Several long hours of labor later, a son was brought forth into the world. Brandi held the child proudly above her head for all to see, but the pain she felt in her womb was far more than mere residual pain from the childbirth. She knew then that she was not done.
So, she handed the baby boy to Artemis, and mentally prepared herself to bring a second child into the world.
A short while later, the second baby was brought forth into the world. This twin was a young girl. Artemis and Brandi had decided to base their children's names off of Latin-based foreign languages. The first twin, the boy, they named Vincent, using the typical French pronunciation of 'Vin-SAWN' in order to escape the supposed 'curse' upon the name. The second child, the daughter, they named Esmeralda, Spanish for 'Emerald', and the name of a gypsy in a famous French novel. Neither of the children had inherited their father's brilliant green irises, opting instead for Natasha's hazel ones, but they were beautiful nonetheless.
After having laid the twins to rest in the newly-built nursery, Brandi and Artemis cuddled on the bed.
"The twins are great..." Artemis began, unsure how Brandi would take his suggestion after just giving birth, "But I feel like we may need more choices for the heir..."
Brandi smiled, and pulled her husband closer. "You read my mind, Arty."
And with that, the two lovers became one once more, ready to bring to life another child.
After Brandi left for work the next day, Artemis found himself crying as he recalled the tale his father had told him. He now realized that he would be basically training his children to kll his own, defenseless grandfather, now reduced to the state of a broken beast within his own home. What right did he have to force anyone to do this task? But he knew that he must declare an heir eventually, so he stowed his tears away, steeling his resolve.
As Artemis fed a bottle to young Esmeralda, he heard the omnipotent voice sigh.
Dejavu all over again... It never ends, does it?
He did this too... didn't he? Artemis asked. The silence was answer enough for him. Don't worry. I'll make sure my bloodline survives to end this needless tragedy.
I hope so... the voice answered back. But be wary of those who may come after you...
This... this image really serves no other purpose than to show that Raphael rocks. Even in his old age, he can still shred with the best of them. Rock on, Gramps. Rock on.
Every night after Artemis returned from work, he found himself skilling to make sure he would continue to get promotions. He was rising through the ranks slower than expected, but still going.
The days of Brandi's second pregnancy were speeding by, it seemed. The young twins kept their parents so busy, it was impossible to know which way was up, let alone how much time had passed.
Even after years of marriage and raising children, Raphael and Natasha still got along as well as they had years ago when they had first met. They danced together to a song they both knew which was playing on the radio, enjoying each other's company, for neither knew how long the other would stay with them.
More quickly than expected, the twins' birthday arrived, and Artemis threw a massive party, inviting everyone he could to come, including dear sister Persephone, who was now out of college, and living with her life partner Pamela. Pamela would have come with Persephone, but she was busy at work, and didn't want to create an awkward situation. Venus denied her invitation because she was out on a date, but expressed a wish for a happy birthday to the twins nonetheless.
Artemis stood before the first birthday cake, holding baby Esmeralda, and surrounded by his family.
Artemis helped the baby girl blow out the candles, and with a burst of confetti, Esmeralda aged into a temperamental baby who inherited her father's personality exactly.
Vincent, despite being the first born of the twins, was the second to grow up. He was the mirror image of his sister in personality, except he was slightly more active than his sister.
Artemis barely had time to set the twins in their cribs again before he was summoned once more by his wife's screams. The next child was ready to enter the world.
Thus, before the shocked eyes of all the party guests, Brandi went into labor. Aided by Natasha's medical experience, she brought into the world a baby girl. Artemis was overwhelmed by joy, and could not help but cry at the sheer beauty and magic of the moment.
Artemis left the room for a moment to regain his composure, and returned to find Brandi had named the babe Esperanza, a Spanish name meaning 'hopeful'. She was darker skinned, like her mother, and had her grandmother's hazel eyes. It seemed she had inherited Artemis's raven hair, the first child to have done so in the generation.
Artemis was so excited. The party was going excellently, and he was ready to really put to use some of his own guitar playing skills to entertain the guests, and perhaps make some money. So, he picked up the guitar, and began playing "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed.
"Well I just heard
The news today
It seems my life
Is gonna change..."
Artemis's rocking out brought great enjoyment to the guests, but all festivities ground abruptly to a halt when one Officer Mike Ternynk arrived and broke up the party due to noise complaints, even though there was no one within a mile or so that would complain.
Artemis was miffed, but paid the fine anyway, because the only other option was arrest, and he couldn't have that on his current job record. Only his dream job could do that.
Skilling the toddlers was a task the grandparents acomplished while Artemis and Brandi rested. Since all of them had been fed smart milk, teaching them to walk and talk was a simple task, acomplished in just a few hours.
The twins finished skilling almost simultaneously, and were swept into the arms of their grandparents.
Held by their grandparents, the twins smiled, having experienced their first really happy memory together.
After their grandparents headed for bed, the twins decided to play with the blocks and xylophone, cultivating their skills.
Artemis left for work the next morning, having been promoted to a Summer Band Camp counselor. The pay was okay, but it wasn't that much. However, he loved his work and was glad to at least be bringing in some money.
That night, when he returned home, he found his wife once more in the orange pajamas, and knew that she was, after their encounter the night before, pregnant.
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And that's all for now, folks! Tune in next time as we witness birth, growth, and death as one of the two founding members takes their leave, and new lives are created.