Topaz was working on restoring an old end table. The family who'd brought it to her said it had been in the family for generations. She could certainly see that! The wood had that silky feel to it that only the old had. The family had been caring for it as best the could, but she could see the little dings and scratches that came with everyday wear and tear. She was being very meticulous, wanting to do a good job.
Her work as an explorer and archaeologist had led to this hobby which was fast becoming a more lucrative business. She'd always loved antique shopping and fixing things up, and just seemed to have developed a knack for it. Through word of mouth people started seeking her out to commission restorations of family heirlooms or their own antique find that they didn't have the experience to fix themselves. It was to the point where Topaz could probably support herself on this and could give up construction work on Hyperes altogether if she wanted. She didn't know if she wanted to though. It was more labor-intensive, but even without the good pay she rather liked watching the city being repaired. It was like a rather large restoration.
Topaz sat back and stretched, letting out a sigh as joints popped. Time to take a break. She went to the kitchen to fix herself a snack. Opening the pantry she noticed the snack pouches for the children were getting low. It wouldn't take her long to make more, and it might be relaxing. They were small, easy-to-grab things. Bags of crackers, nuts, or dried cereal, fruit pouches that didn't need to be kept cold. Granola bars, peanut butter cups. She portioned things out and put them in bags, then set them in their place in the pantry. Sometimes she and Keira were busy, so if the kids wanted something to eat it was easier to have food here ready for them. Or they might want to run off and play and wouldn't be close enough to home to ask for a snack to be made.
As Topaz worked she found herself getting lost in memories, a smile on her face. She loved being a mother, and couldn't have asked for more precious children. The more she reminisced, the more she found herself missing their younger days. Aah, they had been so adorable! She wished she could go back.
Topaz's hands froze as she prepared a snack of her own. Actually... There was no reason why she couldn't expand the family a bit. She didn't have anyone she could think to ask, but her entire reason for looking for a partner in the first place was because she wasn't really financially secure enough to be a single mom. That and she was still often away from home for days or weeks at a time. Now... Well she still explored, but not as often. She was making a lot more money and could easily support another child. There was even enough room in the house and it was perfectly set up for such a thing, though she might need to look at leasing something different once the kids got older.
Munching on her peanut butter, celery, and raisin snack, she walked through the house and took inventory. Yes, yes things were perfect for adding another member to the family. She'd have get a few special items, but those were relatively few and she already knew exactly where to go.
Feeling energized, Topaz finished her snack and went back to the table. She'd see if she could make more progress on her project first, and then she would see about setting up an appointment at the stone bank.
