"Varinia, what do you like to do?"
"Collect treasures like Grandmother did."
"Are you going to get married when you grow up?"
"Most likely."
"You should marry a strong man, to help in the garden. I'm going to be too busy ruling to garden."
Atticus, get the idea of you ruling over me right out of your pointy little head. It's not happening."
Upon awakening, Annia felt a familiar illness turning her stomach.
Ammia was certain that another babe was on the way. She was so excited that she told Jair before Genesis had awakened.
"That is welcoming news, dear sister. I shall be an uncle again!" Jair hope that it might be another girl as he was growing irritated with Atticus' increasing arrogance.
Genesis was barely awake when Annia shared her news.
While Jair and Annia chattered, Genesis kept his concerns quiet. His elder years were fast approaching and he wasn't sure he'd see another child to grow up.
But he shoved these fears aside and joined Jair and Annia in planning changes for their home. Lilith had planned and started realizing the dream for a grand home with flowing water and lush plants. With crops doing well, it was time to start making changes. All in honor of their beloved matriarch.
Much to everyone's surprise, Tahash arrived. He had been concerned at her obviously growing frailty. He had hopes of speaking with his mother again and was devastated to hear she had left this world.
"I'm so sorry, Brother, we were blessed to have a great woman as our mother. We must remember the greatness and not fill ourselves with sorrow."
Tahash had news to share. Yejide had given birth to another daughter, named Juno. Tirzah was expecting her firstborn.
While Genesis attended to his duties, Delilah consoled her beloved brother.
After Tahash departed to return home bearing sorrowful news, Jair accompanied Delilah to the city square.
When they returned home they were amazed at the changes the workmen had accomplished in their absence.
The family now had a market stand for selling produce to those that passed by.
Then they noticed Genesis up at their mother's remain, mourning and weeping.
Jair lamented, "I fear our older brother is not strong enough to rule this household properly. Atticus needs a strong hand to keep him in check. Annia is blind to her son's ambitions and Genesis is too distracted."
"Those are my concerns as well, Jair. We have some years until Atticus is a man. You and I will have to try to fill in the void his parents are leaving in child rearing."
"Let's hope we succeed, as I cannot imagine how he'll treat us and his sister once he's in charge."
Annia gave Atticus the news that he would be a big brother. He seemed very pleased.
The evening meal was well prepared by Annia. She and Genesis had a surprise for the family. Now that the mourning period had properly passed, Lilith's room had been aired and cleaned. With another babe on the way, Genesis and Annia wished to keep their room near the children. Lilith's room would go to Jair.
Jair would have his own bathing room, toilet and privacy to write his stories without the family distracting him.
Jair liked to salute the sun as his mother had. He felt closer to her when he did.
Atticus' favorite was to pass time, was to play games of strategy. He dreamed of being a fearless ruler one day.
Genesis asked Jair to paint yet another family portrait. He was indulging Atticus, as the young boy wanted one where he was front and center. Jair gently suggested that overindulging Atticus might not be wise, but agreed to do ask his brother asked.
Jair wanted to wipe that smug little smile off his nephew's face.
"Annia, do you think we are too indulgent with Atticus?"
"He's just a little boy, Genesis. He's just repeating what the other little boys say at school. He will outgrow this idea of bossing everyone around."
Jair wasn't so certain. But Annia would not listen to his or Delilah's cautions as she would have listened to Lilith.
He removed himself from Atticus' presence as often as he could. He completed another story, "The Dove and the Ant"*.
Unknown to his parents, Atticus started asserting his position with others in the desert.
Annia was simply too exhausted to keep track of her son and Genesis was too busy.
Jair longed for the days when he could ask his wise mother for counsel.
Sometimes it seemed her presence lingered heavily.
The days slipped by with each family member in their own pursuit of duty and happiness.
The time arrived for Annia's waters to break. The birthing pangs come over Annia.
As Annia labored near the cradle, Genesis aged to his elder years.
As the sun breached the horizon, Annia gave birth to another daughter. They named her Livia.
Varinia was pleased to have a sister. She thought brothers were a bother. Atticus was thrilled to no longer be the youngest of the family. He now had someone he could boss around.
Genesis was delighted with his new child, but fretful that he wouldn't see her grow up.
Delilah took over the kitchen duties while Annia recovered.
Jair agreed to accompany Delilah to the city. She loved to be surrounded by the crowds. And she was proud to earn coins contributing to her family.
Jair practiced telling his stories in the looking glass while Annia fretted over Genesis' time left in this world.
Varinia was accomplished at gathering. She had learned from Lilith, but also possessed a gift for discovering more rare treasures.
Unlike anyone else in his family. Atticus took his studies seriously. He frequently worked lessons at home on his own.
Genesis wasn't the only family member aging, Annia was now an adult. She decided as the lady of a wealthy household it was time to dress according to her station.
Crystal collection is now complete.
*Excellent
Delilah has now earned a total of $2178 in playing the violin.
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