Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.28

Today my baby was growing up. I couldn't believe how the time had flown by. It seemed like only yesterday I was bringing Matthew home from the hospital and today he was turning 6. A big boy, going off to school in the fall. Growing up. Jonas and I decided to throw his party at the local candy store. Kids loved to hang out there to play games and have fun. Hope and Caleb couldn't make it out this time. Caleb's niece had been attacked and they were dealing with a family crisis. I felt bad for Starr. She was a nice girl, liked to have fun. I had an ache in my heart hearing what happened to her. I knew all too well how she was feeling.

The rest of the family was here to help us celebrate as was Wind who had been back to visit on several occasions. The party was a great success and everyone had fun.

Matt and Vor were as close as ever. Nearly every waking moment was spent playing together, well that was when Matt wasn't playing tricks on people. He was a bit of a prankster. Sometimes they were okay, other times, well he brought out the hot head in his father.I didn't mind too much, he was only being a kid.

A few months later, it was time for school. I got up early to make sure Matt had a good, hot breakfast, while Matt got up to make sure Vor had his morning meal.

Jonas had to hold me as I cried watching him get on the bus. I knew I couldn't keep him sheltered from the world forever, but it just felt like he was growing up too fast. Matthew was a smart boy, and did well in school, but Jonas and I would still help him with his homework sometimes.

We had a good routine, one would help, the other would cook dinner. Family meals was something we always made sure to do. Jonas' second store was doing as well as the first. On the weekends, he would take Matt with him and he'd spend the day helping to bag groceries or sweeping up the aisles. We may have been set financially, but we still wanted to instill in him a good sense of hard work. My parents did a good job not spoiling us, well Mom did, Dad spoiled us rotten, but we still grew up willing to work for what we wanted. Other than Erin who took advantage of all the spoiling Dad was willing to do. She was a good girl, with a strong head on her shoulders, she just needed to figure out how to put it to use. When she told us she was going on The One I thought she was crazy, but then I remembered how well it worked out for Hope and hoped it would be the same for her. Erin wasn't the only one my parents spoiled.

Matt had his own room at their house and he spent lots of time there. They'd bought him a tablet for his birthday and he loved that thing, always playing games or reading. For Halloween I think Mom gave him half the candy they'd bought.

 I told her she would be paying the dental bill for all the cavities. Matt was a great kid, had lots of friends and just like to have fun.

We did lots of things together as a family. I enjoyed spending time with my boys. The years passed and I was thankful for each one that still included Vor. My loyal companion was getting older, but wasn't ready to leave us yet. I feared the day it actually happened.

Matt aced all his classes and was on the honor roll every quarter. I couldn't have been more proud of him. His teachers expressed some concern over his little quirks. Having to wash his hands multiple times or have to always have exactly three pencils sitting on his desk at all times. Matt liked routine and order so Jonas and I weren't concerned. We hadn't been blessed with another child although we weren't doing anything to prevent it. At least not now, Jonas had been serious about not getting me pregnant again, but in the end he said he couldn't deny me something I wanted.

If it never happened, my life was not lacking. I loved my family and was more than thankful for what I had.

***A/N***

Grace is now at level 9 in her career. She needs nearly $56K to reach the top. Hopefully she'll get there by the time Matt is a YA or he'll be living at home for a while. LOL

My all my animal ages are set the same, 50 days. Vor is currently at 60 or so I think. I'm glad he's still hanging on!

Bonus shots.

Better shot of Matt who still looks a lot like his mother. I forgot to write down his traits. I know he was born with clumsy and neurotic, but I didn't write down the age up to child trait.

Grace 'cheating the system' didn't know fairies could do that, but she did.

Also while the family was at the festival Starr went into labor.

She and Boyd had a little boy. I forgot his name.