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 Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:24 am
Keeta rushed around tidying the house. Not that it was filthy, but the subconcious part of her brain was wanting this to go as smoothly as possible. This somehow, in her thinking, included the removal of anything that might tip Rhine off to Camille's presence before she was ready to introduce him to the little girl.
A great deal of this was for Camille's sake as much as Rhine's. The little girl had proven to be quite introverted and while it was clear that she could speak, and speak rather well, she chose to remain silent for the most part, just watching. If something frightened her or made her nervous, she would even hide behind Keeta, whom she had already begun to see as her parental figure and guardian. Keeta wasn't too sure how she felt about this, as the idea of being a parent of two made her nervous and she hadn't had the chance to go back to the shop yet and discuss her options with the owner. Not that she just wanted to rid the house of Camille, she just didn't want to let the little girl down if she wasn't ready for the resposibility. Camille deserved better.
And with a sigh, Keeta remembered one more thing. She had also promised Ceres that she would look after Natalia when she was gone. That made Keeta the potential mother of three...and it was a frightening prospect.
Keeta glanced into the livingroom, where Camille and Joel were watching a Blue's Clues cartoon on the television. Keeta didn't quite understand the appeal, but the children seemed to enjoy it, so she didn't mind. Joel was adjusting surprisingly well to having Camille around all the time. No he didn't get along with her to where he wanted to share his things, or play with her, but he was starting to tolerate Keeta giving Camille equal amount of attention.
Frowning, she pulled herself away and continued to clean, glancing at the clock...soon she would put them down for a nap (Camille was currently sleeping in the middle of Keeta's bed at bedtime), and wait for Rhine to arrive.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:26 pm
Rhine's hair was still dripping wet at the ends from his quick shower. The heat of the summer made him feel as if he didn't belong in his own skin because it tightened around him as all the moisture was sucked out of him. He had long ago gotten over the complaints he had about his body...
He couldn't place the reason but he felt unnerved as he reached up to knock on Keeta's door... He was trying to be 'formal' and not arrive in her bathroom for once. He tightened his grip on the rolled up plans for the new cafe that had just finished completion- soon they would be moving into the three story building. He was worried that the love of his life wouldn't like how it had turned out though he had tried his best to make sure both couples had their needed privacy by adding another floor all together to the business/home.
"Brother," Natalia said curiously as she felt her brothers tension that she didn't understand... Despite how much she was around all her siblings she felt that she might not ever figure any of them off. She gave her brothers hand a good squeeze as she waited just as impatiently as him for Keeta to open the door... She enjoyed her visits with the lady that was both her aunt and her sister.
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Kawaii_Hime_Ceres Captain
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:31 pm
Keeta had finally finished cleaning and seemed satisfied at her inspection of the house. For all intents and purposes it looked normal, but clean. As soon as she had finished, she had taken Joel and Camille to their respective rooms for their naps. She had taken Camille first, because she never fought against anything reasonable, and it was of more importance that she disappear first. Joel, however, was another story. Despite the fact that he was cranky and clearly tired, he wasn't going to go down without a fight. She finally just decided to leave him and let himself just cry himself to sleep, if she stayed it would just make it worse.
She had only just left the room when there was a knock on the door. She blinked, confused, wondering if someone else had decided to drop by, because it wasn't Rhine's normal way to come in the front door. The surprise was evident on her face as she opened the door, and Joel's cries could easily be heard through the opening. After the inital groan of frustration at Joel, she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Rhine and giving him a quick kiss, trying to make herself act normal.
"Didn't expect you to come in this way....Sorry about the noise. I just put Joel down for a nap and he's none too happy about it." She looked down at Natalia, not wanting to ignore the girl, and lightly patted her head.
"Hi there hon. Decided to come with your big brother today?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:00 pm
(since Joel is 'grown' I'm making Natalia seem a bit older since all I am waiting on is art...)
"Thought we'd be different and show up on your doorstep." He grinned and wrapped his arms around her. Being this close he could pick up the tenseness in her body and how the hug felt almost practiced- necessary. What he didn't know is if it was because he had startled her by knocking on the front door or if it was something else.
"You should know by now that the last thing that bothers me is noise." He caressed her cheek and smiled. "After all he is our son." He knew it wasn't by blood but it was by choice. Joel and Keeta was a package deal and he was more than happy to have them both in his life... And, he couldn't wait to know more about the little boy. Soon they would truly be a family living under one roof.
"Yes!" Natalia clapped her hands in delight. "Brother told me you are going to dress up in pretty dress and say I do..." She grinned. "I just hope it means you'll ride horses with me and have tea parties every now and then and that I get to play with Joel more." She put her hands on her tiny hips and stood there 'puffed up'.
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Kawaii_Hime_Ceres Captain
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:30 pm
Keeta chuckled at the little girl's enthusiasm. Well she certainly planned on doing all those kinds of things with Natalia. She not only wanted to build a good relationship with the girl, but it was practically her job, what with Ceres...no...she wouldn't think about that now. There were too many other things at the moment.
"Well that's the plan," she said kneeling down to Natalia's level. "We still need to buy the pretty dress and make lots of plans first though, so you might have to wait a little while. I think I can fit in some visits with Joel and tea parties and horses in the mean time though." And I'll even have another friend to play with... Keeta added in her head.
"Well I don't want to keep you two on the porch all day. Come in!" she said stepping inside and making way for them.
"Can I get you guys anything? Water? Juice? A snack?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:21 pm
Natalia clapped in delight in the fact that Keeta would be doing all those things and more with her. She was over joyed to have her joining the family. Having been here enough times previous she had memorized enough of the home to navigate without to much assistance.
Rhine grinned as he stepped inside. "Perhaps I should arrive via the mirror in the bathroom more often so you won't have us on the front porch all day." He was merely playing and his demeanor showed this. He kissed her again on the cheek.
"How about you lend me your kitchen and I'll fix us lunch..." Even though he did it for a living he loved to cook... It had after all started out as a hobby which rolled into a passion and went from there.
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Kawaii_Hime_Ceres Captain
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:33 pm
"I suppose that works..." Keeta said, the thought of Rhine cooking in her kitchen never having occured to her.
"Everything you need should be in the cupboards. If you tell me what you're planning I can help you fidn your way around." She glanced at the papers he held.
"So what's this you've brought with you?" She knew she was stalling by providing conversation, but part of her was hoping a good moment for introducing Camille would present itself.
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:40 pm
Rhine looked down at the rolled up parchment and then back at Keeta. He ran his hands through his hair- almost nervously as reaction to her question. "These... Well..." He laughed dryly. "They are the lay out for the cafe and living quarters... Nothing that cannot be looked at over lunch." He smiled as he headed to the kitchen. He really didn't want to get into it before they were sitting down because if changes needed to be made he wanted to have the ability to take notes.
"Not exactly sure what I'll fix..." He said with a grin as he disappeared into the kitchen. He was one of those that could mix a little this, little that and create a dish on the fly with little to nothing at all and it actually be considered a good meal.
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Kawaii_Hime_Ceres Captain
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:39 pm
"Ok....well if you want to know where something in particular is let me know. I'm sorry to say my kitchen is not as well stocked as yours. I hope it has everything you need." Keeta was very curious about the parchment, but resisted the impulse to roll it open and look at it while he was cooking.
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:03 pm
The clanging of cabinets and pots was heard but for a short moment before it was fairly silent. He opened the refrigerator several times over and at points you could almost swear he wasn't even in the kitchen at all for how silent he was.
"Come and get it," he called out as he pulled out a casserole dish from the oven. The dish contained nice sized pieces of chicken that had simmered in tomato soup, rice, and green beans.
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Kawaii_Hime_Ceres Captain
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 10:44 am
As Rhine had been preparing the food, Keeta set the table in the kitchen with plates, glasses and all the necessary utensils. She was ready by the time he annouced that the meal was finished cooking.
"That was fast! And it smells wonderful!" she remarked as she headed to the fridge to get out beverages.
"What would you like to drink Rhine? Natalia?" As she waited for their responses she unconciously glanced toward the clock. She probably had another 30-45 minutes before all hell broke loose and both the toddlers woke up. Keeta knew she needed to find a way to broach the subject before then.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 4:47 pm
"Anything natural- fresh squeezed is preferred" Natalia replied. "Mother doesn't allow pop... or some of them other drinks that you find in other realms." Her tone revealed her rolling eyes.
Rhine chuckled and said nothing about when you get older. He ruffled his sisters hair and helped her to the table. He held her hand and showed her the empty plate and silverware.
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Kawaii_Hime_Ceres Captain
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 5:04 pm
Keeta chuckled at Natalia's grown-up response before bringing two pitchers to the table. One with apple juice and one with water. She seated herself as well and started to seve herself a portion of the casserole and then served the others.
She watched as they began to eat and she waited until Rhine had just put a mouthful of casserole in his mouth before speaking. She didn't want to be inturrupted and her 'confession' came tumbling out.
"Umm....Rhine. I have something to tell you...this past week I acquired a daughter. Her name is Camille and she came out of the Monet painting I bought."
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:29 pm
Rhine continued to chew the already well chewed bite of food. He wasn't furious not in the least but he figured it was best to not say anything just yet. Finally he swallowed- silently enough before pouring himself some water and taking a swallow.
He grinned his goofy little smirk. "I believe my mother's saying applies to this situation," he finally said after a short period of time- which could have easy seemed longer than it was. "There is always room for one more. I just don't have the means to will a room into place so I'll have to hire the crew again to add a wall... Granted both rooms won't be as big as the one but they will still be more than big enough."
He ran his fingers through his hair and scratched behind his ear. "Though, in the future... As much as I like having more and more kids we might want to plan a bit better so I don't have to make accommodations on the fly," he said with a chuckle.
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Kawaii_Hime_Ceres Captain
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 8:49 pm
Keeta watched him nervously, waiting for his reaction. It seemed to take forever before that smile appeared. She listened quietly as he spoke, trying to make herself believe he was sincere about being ok with the situation (apart from the inconvience of having to add another wall).
"You mean that? It's ok? And I know I would like to plan better too. I kind of freaked out when she showed up in my closet, but she's really sweet....And you don't have to build another wall, they're already sharing a room...." All this was said in a rush, an expression of her relief and gratitude.
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