Zander has officially got around to upgrading the toilet, it now cleans itself, which is handy. If only he could manage to make it so it stops clogging all the time.
Ana didn't make it to the toilet, so her body is telling her what she guessed.
She had a shower and brushed her teeth.
"Babe, I have some news for you." Ana preceded to tell Zander.
"I finally get a pet donkey?" He questioned.
"Erm no. . . . . . . I am pregnant." She said as she looked into his eyes, hoping he would not be afraid, or not want the child. She had waiting a long time for her own children seeing as she was not aloud to see her nephews. Instead of finding what she was searching for, his eyes crincled as he smiled. He kissed her softly on the lips and held her tight.
"That is the best news I have heard in a while."
The next day Ana and Zander went out shopping. They scoured the baby shops for hours. Finally they decided they would get a green and yellow crib and some similar coloured curtains. They wanted to buy more but that was all their budget allowed them for now. They stopped at a hardware store also, safety was specially important to them, they didn't want their little bundle to hurt him or herself.
Then afterward, it was time Ana bit the bullet and went to say goodbye to her mother. This was the hardest thing to do ever...... even after seeing her ghost depart. At least she was a ghost and still there then. The aching feeling in her chest consumed her emotions and she let go.
After Ana and her hormones had calmed a bit Zander hugged her. Then he felt her belly.
"You know that a part on your mother will be in this child, her spirit, and she will always be here to keep you and our family safe. It is what she does my love."
Ana smiled at the man she loved so much, he had a heart of gold that boy.
Ana decided lady needed some attention, she had been rather neglected so she gave her a good old brush down. While doing this though, she could no help but think about Rue, and how everything was going. Jarabi left with the boys. They still live in town though, Ana let them know that they are all welcome to her house. She still feels the loss though, a part of her is missing. At least she has Tegan and Jade. Both girls have partners. Although she is a bit worried about Jade, she married an older man and got pregnant. Tegan moved in with a nice young man from school. Both girls seem very happy though. So she can't complain.
Later on Lady Muck found the paparazzi snooping around the house. Lady does not appreciate this. So she pee's on her.
Ana and Zander sit down to dinner and discuss baby things and names. Zander things that Tulip and Frank would be lovely names..... Ana stays silent and she eats.
Ana can't help but laugh when she does the washing up and puts the left overs away. Zander comes up with the most humorous things sometimes.
Giving all that, she likes to look after her, and gives her a massage to ease the pain of the extra weight she is carrying in her stomach.
Zander goes fishing, he is lucky the part behind his house has a little pond.
While Ana reads a pregnancy book, although Lady thinks she should be catching up on the local gossip.
Time flies and soon they have a beautiful baby boy. His name is Vett . . . . . not frank.
Ana tucks the cute little bundle into his bed.
Before crawling into her own bed. She is so tired but glad everyone in her house is safe and happy.
In the morning Zander finds Lady checking out the baby. Vett is sound asleep still, so he takes Lady out side.
Trying to teach her to sit has been a mission.
...............she got it in the end though.
Ana and Zander have not lost their love for one another over a silly baby, if anything they wish they had time to do it more.
"What do you think about having another baby? I think it would be a better idea to have children close in age." Ana asks.
"I think that is a perfect idea." He winks suggestively, then slides over top of her. "I can't think of a better time to practice either."
As soon as Ana found Rue, she called the Ambulance straight away. Ana struggled to watch as they rushed to fill her sister with tubes and what ever else they do. All she new now is that they still had hope.
Rue had spent a while in an emergency room. Ana was not aloud in there, she had called Tegan to come down. Tegan had bought with her a spare set of clothes, who wants to wonder around in a wedding dress.
The hospital had sorted Rue her own room, it was expected that Rue was going to sleep awhile, after they pumped all the poison out of her body. No one actually knew why it had come to this, why would she do this to everyone else, just after the passing of their own mother? Ana was breaking and everyone new it, she never left her sisters side. She never answered her phone, in fact she had it turned off. She slept in the chair beside Rues bed and she counted everytime the nurse/doctor come in.
After a whole 3 days of being out to it, Jarabi decided it was time to let Rodrigo to come see his mother. Jarabi was just so hurt that his wife was selfish enough to do this to them, her children and her family. How could her counselor not pick up that something was wrong? It was easy enough to blame everyone else, but in the end it was RUE's decision - no one else.
"I just can't bring myself to bring Coy in, he just started school and I doubt he would fully understand what is going on, especially when his own mother can't respond to him." Jarabi was explaining to Vance after asking after his younger Nephew.
"This is understandable, but you can't keep him shut out. He is an intelligent little tyke and he will understand more then you realize. We are all going through great pain and he will see this in everyone."
Jarabi nodded in agreement and the two carried on talking, trying to keep their minds off what was in front of their eyes.
Rodrigo stepped around the other side, watching the machine that kept his mothers heart beating. A single tear fell from his eye. As he stepped back Ana come up behind him holding him. Attemping to keep them both whole. That bond that these two had was sealed, they had become the greatest of friends and it broke Ana's heart to see her nephew going through this pain. For the rest of the day he just cried into his Aunts arms until his father decided he needed to go home.
While Ana had popped out home to have a shower, Rue had woken up. The nurse let Ana know that there was no serious damage and that her counselor and shown up and spoken to her. They all decided that it was best if Rue was transfered to a rehabilitation center. They had spoken to Jarabi about the options the other day. Ana cursed herself for falling asleep after her shower, she wanted to be here with her through all this. "I am so sorry." Ana croaked.
"Listen, I don't know how to say this. I don't want to see you anymore. It is too hard looking at you, you remind me of Mum, everything I hated you before, I you even more for it now. I need to start fresh again, I need to get my life back. I can't do it with you."
Ana just stood there staring at her sister, who she sat here eagerly awaiting to wake up for. Then she cuts her out?
Ana found the courage to keep her cool and just as she was about to walk out the door.
"I hope you know what your doing." she said softly. "I do." Replied Rue - with no feeling at all.
Ana rushed home. All she wanted was to cry on Zander, but when she started to explain to him what happened he started yelling at her.
"I can't FUCKING BELIEVE that after everything you have been through with that CRAZY BITCH that you would ignore me for a fucking week while she is there and come back to cry on my shoulder. Both Tegan and Jade have been here with me because you are so fucking wound up in someone who chose to end their life, right at the time when everyone needs them the most." he burst out.
"WHAT THE HELL!" She screamed back at him.
"I am sorry for yelling at you, but I can't do this with your family right now. I had no family and your all falling apart, your sister is in control of you all. I just can't sit here and watch it any more."
Ana glared at him for a moment. "Where are you going?"
"You will know, if you really want to find me." he said.
With that...... he ran out the door.
Ana sat out at the back porch watching the sunset, over the garden of a man who she loves so much. She felt numb, like no one wanted her. At least Lady was here to give her cuddles, but it was not Zander. She sat here thinking of places he would go, or who he would of gone with. "What if he found another woman? It better not be that Cindy...... No he wouldn't do that." That is when she remembered talking about the coast of where he grew up.
The next day she drove a few hours north, she wanted to give him space to think also. Ana walked around the coast, she couldn't see anything. So she decided to go more inland, until she seen a small lake. She seen a figure in the distance. Ana would know that body no matter how far away it was.
So she ran as fast as she could. Zander seen her coming, he was admittedly surprised. He was positive she would be at her sisters side trying to get Rue to forgive her. But here she was.
She jumped on him and held onto him. Not ever wanting to let go.
"I am so, so sorry Zander." Ana wanted to cry but seeing his face made her so happy.
"Just stop it. You being here is enough words for anything. Actions speak louder then words, this is now. Lets not waste time on pointless banter yeah? Zander spoke with confidence. Ana pull her lips in a smile.
"Come here" Zander said as he pulled her into a hug. They spent the day walking in the bush track and admiring the beautiful things that surrounded them.
As the night started to seep in, the couple ate some salad out side. It was never this warm in Queenstown. "Should we have a spa?" Zander suggested. "I didn't bring my swimmers though." Ana replied with a pout.
"Are you planning on being a prude forever? After all we have been through? Life is too short." He went off and turned on the spa removing all his clothes. Ana eyed the way he moved with a grin on her face. Zander winked at her and got in. She pulled the straps off her shoulders, leaving her dress to drop to the floor and proceeded to follow.
Ana and Zander sat in the spa, talking about things that they needed to now they had time to settle down.
The one thing lead to another, the anger and hurt transformed incredibly in one day. All they had now one some intense passion.
Today was a special
day, it was the last day of freedom and all that jazz. It was the
day before the wedding. Ana decided she would have a long soak in
the bath, while Zander was out attending to the garden. Zander had
almost had a heart attack when he walked into the bathroom. Ana had
submerged herself into the bath to see how long she could hold her
breath. Zander just sighed as he walked to the shower.
Zander pulled his
Fiance into an Embrace and smiled at her.
“You are one amazing
woman, you know that right?” He softly spoke.
“Well, you certainly
make a woman feel it!” Ana said returning the smile that was full
of happiness and promise. “Do you know where you boys are heading
too?” She added.
“I am not sure yet, I
think we are just heading out to a bar for a bit. That I know of
anyway.” Then a little smirk erupted from his lips.
“Just don't let
Rodrigo drink please, he has enough to deal with as a teen, then
having to deal with he effects of Alcohol. Don't you think?”
Zander just stared at
her eyes, then after a moment agreed with her that she was right.
Ultimately it was his fathers choice.
The couple had a quick
make out session before Zander ran out the door. The girls had a
arrived.
Ana did not have any
female friends. I would say that having 3 sisters would be enough
to keep you on your toes anyway. So this day was a Malkier female
bonding session. When the girls arrived Rue and Jade had Ana dress
is a bachelorette costume. Then Tegan done what she does best . . .
. . . . . .
Making a mess.
She
sprayed Ana with champagne. “This is how they celebrate in
Simfrica.” She said.
“Sure . . . . . you know there is
starving children in Simfrica?” Ana said.
“There is starving
children no matter where you go Ana........” Something cut Tegan
off as she looked behind her.
Rue had the look of
horror in her face. Everyone still so still as they watched Jordan
run out the door covered in sparkles. “MOM, WHAT THE FRICK IS
GOING ON!” Rue screamed. Rue started to follow her mother, then
Ana ran too. She was rather confused, not know what was going on, or
how to deal with the situation.
The woman, who they met
outside, had lost her flesh. She hovered on the deck smiling at the
girls. Rue burst into tears, the moment she had seen her mothers
life less silhouette. Ana just stood there staring in shock. This
is not how it was meant to happen.
And it wouldn't be a
Malkier episode without its share of drama, would it? The “Dancer”
of all things turned up just in time. Jordan giggled, “My babies,
you must not be sad. My time has come, each of you have given me
something amazing that I will carry with me for all eternity. You
have all made me so happy. Tell your father I am sorry, and I love
him!” At that Rue choked again, and Ana went onto the lawn with
her guitar.
“That's my girl.”
Jordan whispered. She was not ready to go, but she was not afraid
either. She had for filled her life, bought up 4 beautiful girls,
had a bunch of beautiful friends, become an esteemed actress. But
most of all, she loved, with all her heart and soul.
“Oh Grim, there you
are sweetheart.” Announced Jordan. Grim screws his face up a bit.
“is this woman mad?” he thinks to himself. “Oh fuck it, I shall
just play along too.”
He puts on an girlish
voice “Oh Daaaaarling, come give Grimmy a hug.”
Jordan just giggles
“Now you must know, I am a married woman. How do we do this
anyway?”
“This woman is
awfully strange, may be she was ment to come long ago.” Grim
thinks. “Eh, just hop right in.” He says calmly.
Jordan flashes a huge
grin to her girls, jumps into the air summer saulting into her
forever after.
After Ana had finished
with the song, she ran to Tegan and cried. Together the joined in a
mash of tears. She always had this special bond with Tegan that she
never had with the other sisters.
When her eyes were red
and blood shot, she ventured up the stairs to head inside. There
stood Rue.
Not sure what to do,
Ana stood there and stared.
Rue took her sisters
shoulders and pulled her into a hug. Holding her there, Rue was now
numb and felt nothing, the shock was imbedding into her bones.
“Look you moron if
you hadn't noticed, we are not really in the mood for dancers right
now. Here....” Jade threw cash at the guy “....take your cash and
skedaddle.” and with that, she collapsed onto the couch.
As the rest of the
girls come into the room Tegan though that she should still make a
toast.
“I know that this is
going to be really hard to get through right now, but Ana I think you
should still get married. It is a gift to find someone as amazing as
Zander, to help and support you and love you no matter what. To
Ana.....” Tegan quickly passed around glasses of bubbly and then
raised hers …....... may you live your life just like our mother,
and love every moment.”
Everyone raised their
glasses, replying with a lifeless “cheers.”
Everyone seemed to just
sit in silence for a bit. Until Ana got out the guitar and started
playing
“Remember when I
cried
to you a thousand times
I told you everything
You know my feelings
It never crossed my
mind
That there would be a
time
For us to say
goodbye.....”
Then Zander burst
through the door. He took Ana in his arms and she cried. The rest
of the girls thought it was time to go see their dad.
Zander pick up Ana and
carried her to bed, helped her into her normal clothes. They lay on
the bed together numb, while the tears were flowing from Ana's
eyes. But she knew, no matter what, that as long as she was in
Zanders arms she was protected.
The next morning, after
the longest night of her life. Vance come to see his girl. When Ana
seen him, she fell into his open arms. It was not the same as when
she was a little girl, but it was just as comforting (just a little
less muscle)
“How are you holding
up dad?” Ana asked as she looked her father in the eyes.
“Good as expected, I
guess this is what happens when you date a older woman.” He said as
he let out a sigh. “I didn't come here to talk about me Ana, I want
you to go through with the wedding. I
think it will be good
for the family, if we had something happy to look forward to.”
“Dad, I don't know if
I can do this with out her.” Ana felt ashamed at saying this.
“Honey, Your mother
will be with you always. Do you think she would be up there knitting
a bloody scarf? NO! She will be following you for the most important
gifts in your life. She would not want you to stop living your live
because she had to have a unplanned exit in this world. If anything,
do this for me. I want to see all my girls married before my time is
over.” He smiled at her and held her hand. “Your sisters will be
here in a hour.” Vance kissed his daughter, that reminded him so
much of his wife, on the cheek and headed home. “When did Dad get
so bossy.” Ana mused.
Ana got ready and
stared in the mirror. All this did not feel real, something was not
sitting right in her stomach. Nor did she care how she looked any
more.
She walked into the
living room and her two youngest sisters were there. Ana looked
around the
room thinking for a
moment and then it hit her, right smack, bang in the face.
“Where is Rue?” Ana
asked.
“Don't know she isn't
answering her phone and Jarabi said she was staying at the hotel you
two got for the night.” Jade explained.
That is when Ana ran as
fast as she could. When she walked into her room, the vision she
got is what she feared the most. “Rue, what have you done.”
* * * * *
Close ups of the girls - Tegan (I find her rather beautiful)
