Newhaven: Week Eight - The Charles Family
Previously for the Charles family: Matriarch Amy passed away, son and hopeful political heir Augustus celebrated his birthday, daughter Bronwyn turned her husband into a fellow werewolf, Augustus invited his girlfriend Candence to move in and Bronwyn and Merlin found out they were expecting.
Augustus had hoped his father would be proud of him when he became a senator, but it seemed his father only pressured him further to ‘be ready’ to take over the role of Mayor.
Guy was, of course, proud of his son, yet he couldn’t help but worry what would happen to the fledgling community of Newhaven after his demise. He would feel so much better knowing he would be leaving it in his son’s hands.
Augustus was pleased when his sister delivered her baby. Madeline provided a welcome distraction for her besotted grandfather.
Indeed sometimes it seemed her parents had to fight to get some time with their precious little bundle.
The new parents found their nocturnal habits were actually a blessing when it came to child rearing, as they were already awake when it was time for Madeline’s night time feeds.
During her maternity leave, Bronwyn, for the first time, actually spent some time with her brother’s girlfriend Candence. Despite the differences in their personality, and Bronwyn’s ongoing inability to play a game of chess without cheating, the two soon became best friends.
As such it was to both Candence and Bronwyn’s excitement when Augustus proposed to his girlfriend. The two friends quickly went to work on planning a roof raising wedding party.
It wasn’t long before family and friends had gathered at the property to celebrate the nuptials of Candence and Augustus Charles.
The couple became newlyweds in a beautiful beachside ceremony.
Not long after her uncle’s wedding, Madeline celebrated her first birthday. Guy was still devoted to his only grandchild and hoped he would live long enough to see her reach her school years.
But it was not to be. Guy passed away peacefully at home not long after his son’s wedding and his granddaughter’s birthday.
Guy had led the expedition to Newhaven, and had guided the community from its very first day until his last.
Charismatic and liberal, Guy enforced the acceptance of diversity in Newhaven, which he and his fellow founders had decided was the key to its success so very long ago. Aside from criticism over his decision to build a luxury residence for his family, Newhaven had been happy with the leadership Guy provided.
All of Newhaven grieved Guy’s passing, although understandably, it was his family who felt the loss most keenly.
Little Madeline especially made it clear she missed her grandpapa. Both Bronwyn and Merlin made sure to devote as much time as they could to her entertainment in an effort to bring the smile back to her face.
It appeared Augustus took the news of his father’s passing the hardest though, almost immediately hiding from the responsibilities that might now fall to him.
Candence, despite giving up her own political career to support his, didn’t find her foremost concern to be how Augustus’ current despondence would affect his political ambitions. She was more worried on how he would be able to face the upcoming challenges of parenthood.
She was pleased she would have her sister-in-law on hand to help, even if Bronwyn did some sometimes offer some unsolicited advice:
Bronwyn: “...and let me tell you, childbirth, is not like it is on TV. The baby just doesn’t come out all clean like that, it’s covered in all sorts of...”
Augustus: “Is this really necessary?”
Candence: “Actually, I think you could probably stop there too.”
Not long after returning to work, Bronwyn had been promoted, achieving her dream of becoming the Hand of Poseidon. This meant she had a much more relaxed work schedule and was considering if she and Merlin should have another baby, especially as Madeline was now about to celebrate another birthday.
Although she could be incredibly grouchy, Madeline was an extremely outgoing, active and playful child (0/10/9/9/1). As such she was incredibly excited to start school so she could meet other children to play with.
She soon became fast friends with Nichola Baruch despite their very different personalities.
She was glad to have Nichola as her friend as her new baby cousin was still too small for her to play with.
Candence had given birth to a brown haired, green eyed son they named after his late grandfather Guy.
Much to Candence’s relief, Augustus didn’t shy away from his duties as a dad.
And as it turned out, he didn’t have to worry about taking on the responsibilities of Mayor either.
While Augustus knew his dad may have been disappointed that he wouldn’t be following in his footsteps, he only had to look at his wife and toddler son for him to be proud of all he had achieved.