Sunny Side Up

The following morning, Lilly woke up and went to Alexander to hold her nephew for the first time. "Hey there little man... Good morning..."

"Shuushuushuu... Momma will be with you in a little while. She just needs to get ready for the day." After taking care of his needs, Lilly went off to help with some task down at the bookstore.

While Lilly was gone and Alex was asleep, Pearl took the time to call home. "Hi mom... It's Pearl." "Hi sweety! It's great to hear from you! What's up?" "Umm... Well..." Pearl glanced back at Alex. She told her mom all that happened and how depressed she was.

"You know you can always come home sweety..." "I know mom... But I think it might be better to tough it out here... I mean really, we just got here." Pearl winced at her own words. They just barely moved in and Pearl had gotten herself knocked up and dumped all in one blow. Even though she had said it out of anger, Lilly was right. She wasn't much of a genius. "Besides, I have Lilly with me and she's actually been a great help." "Okay dear... But always know that the offer still stands. I love you honey." "I love you too, mom."

Late in the afternoon when Lilly was done doing... whatever it was at the bookstore, she got talking to a few people outside. There was this cute chef outside but his son was there doing homework so I'm sure he was married. Oh well.

Suddenly Lilly decides to pick a fight with a fairy. I really don't think that's a good idea... By the way, see the red headed woman with the baby? That baby is Jaycen's too. And that woman is married. Yeah.

Lilly came home to join Pearl on the couch after surviving her encounter with the fairy. Pearl slowly looked over at Lilly. "The baby's crying..." Lilly scrunched up her face. "Then go take care of him....!" Pearl sighed and got up. "Fine..."

"Geez, Pearl. He's not that bad. Just needs a hug, a bottle, and a diaper change from time to time." Pearl couldn't help but smile a little bit at Alexander's smile.

After taking care of Alex, Pearl got to work on her current book. "Hmm, you know..." Lilly looked over at Pearl. "I think what you need is to find a way to connect yourself to Alex other than, 'that llama hole's' son. Maybe you could put him in your books? Make him part of the adventures." Pearl shrugged a little. "Yeah I guess..."

Lilly walked over to the crib and picked Alex up. "I think it'd be worth a shot. I know this sweet little man's going to grow up and be so much better than that son of a dog." "And when he grows up, you'll turn in to a cranky aunt that likes to complain and point out people's flaws." Lilly shot her a glare. "Hey! I can't help it if people are obnoxious, related to me or not! The nice thing about babies is they can't argue back with you." And that, folks, is why Lilly shouldn't have kids.

Pearl did decide to put Alex in her books and it helped bridge the gap between them somewhat. As the days went by, Pearl decided to throw a birthday party for Alex. She tentatively invited Jaycen to the party.

He arrived as did a few other guests including the fairy Lilly argued with who was kind enough to bring stir-fry with him. With a wish and a prayer, little Alexander aged up to a toddler.

What a handsome boy! He's certainly going to look like his father but he looks so sweet with Pearl's eyes.

After the party, Jaycen was seen playing with some of Alex's new toys. He was promptly asked to leave.

Early the next morning, Pearl woke up, followed by Alexander. She brought him from his new room in to the living room so she could keep an eye on him while she did some chores.

After she was done she had planned to get working on his skills but he was playing with the xylophone and she thought his music skills were just as important. So she plopped down at the desk beside him and began work on a new book.

At some point Lilly woke up and decided to play with Alex before she had to go with work. "He's got quite the knack for this, huh? Think he'll continue this skill when he's older?" "I dunno. But it would be kind of neat. I bet mom would be happy."

After Lilly left, it was time to get down to business. Smelly business that is.

Oh yeah, this is serious business. Just look at that face!

Pearl was finally going to start on his skills when she heard about the summer festival in town. Well she couldn't pass that up and decided to take Alexander down to the festival grounds.

It was kind of empty but it was in the middle of the week when everyone was at work. Pearl didn't mind though.

Pearl found some Black Eyed Susan’s and decided to pick some.

After picking the flowers, she spotted the photo booth and thought to take a picture of her and Alex. I didn't get a picture of it, but trust me, it's sweet.

Next, Pearl decided to try out the roller rink. She sat Alex down where she could see him and began to try it out.

Pearl was doing alright until she slipped up. "Whoa!"

Lilly came by after work and had Pearl come join her at the hot dog eating contest. "On your mark... Get set... Go!"

Pearl's in the lead! Go, go, go!

Yay! Victory! It probably helps that one girl forfeited.

Looks like scarfing down numerous hot dogs isn't for everyone.

Glowing from her victory, Pearl decided to join a water balloon fight. Alex laughed hysterically as his mother got pelted with a water balloon.

It wasn't long after, that the family went home. After dinner and settling Alexander in, Pearl left him in Lilly's care so she could go hang out at the festival grounds again. "Just you and me giggle box! Let's finish tuckering you out before bed, huh?" Alex squealed in laughter as his aunt tickled him.

Pearl relaxed by roller skating. The slightly cooler night air felt nice as she rolled around the rink. She was getting better and not flailing about so much anymore.