"I love you soooo much!" I said giving Tom a kiss. He pulled me down on the couch and we both laughed. "Baby, why did it take us 5 years to realize we really feeled this way about each other?" I asked him, resting my head on his shoulder. "Ashley Renee, you ask me that all the time." Tom laughed "Yea I suppose I do. And anyway, Im glad we got to be such close friends for so long before we atarted dating. Thats why this relationship is perfect." I couldnt wait to tell everyone the story about Tom and I. Its like a fairy tale, a dream come true. I finally felt like I had a happy ever after life. "Mom! I cant find an outfit for the dinner! Help me!" Chrissy yelled from the other end of the house. "Well maybe you should unpack all of your boxes maked 'clothes'" I teased. We had just tranferred our stuff from the apartment to one of the town houses. THe one closest to the forests so I could be close to the Black. "Youre not helping!" She whined. "Chris why do you care so much about finding the perfect outfit..." I asked her shuffling through her clothes. "Because mom. I have to look my best. Epecially since I havent seen these people in so long. Its important I look thin and pretty." Chrissy whined some more stomping her feet. I just shook my head and sighed. I picked out a couple of outfits and then let her moan and complain while she tried them on. I plopped on the couch next to Tom. "Fifteen year olds!" "Ash, dont you remember what you were like at that age?" "Yea, 70 pounds heavier, big glasses, braces, and weird hair. I didnt worry about clothes becuse nothing was flattering." We both laughed. It was so true. "MOM!" Chrissy yelled again. Sometimes she was a handfull. But I also wasnt used to this girl stuff. We got along so well being so close in age. Sometims I still cant belive I adopted her. We are only 6 years apart. I am 21, and she is 15. Thats sister age. Its no where close to being mother daughter age since I couldnt give birth to her when I was 6!! But she really needed a home, and I was ol enough, and we all know the story. I just hope in a few years it doesnt get worse. When she is 18 I will be 24. Thats just...weird. Oh well we will see. We both love each other so thats all that matters...and I would be ok with it if she didnt call me mom. Something to talk to her with on another day. "I look fat in all of these outfits." She pouted. I bit my lip trying to not loose my patience. I suggested a few more but she turned her nose up at all of them. "You have some money, go buy a new one." I told her. She thought for a moment and decided that was the best idea. "But we have to go now!" "Come on tkt. We have to take Chris to the mall" I said grabbing Tom's hand. Tkt was a pet nickname. T for Tom, K for his middle name Kelby, and T for his last name Thompson. "What about the food we are cooking?" he asked "Oh right yea. OK well I will take Chris to the mall, you finish baking the cookies, and make the egg salad, and the deviled eggs. And take Iya for a walk." I kissed him and ran out to the car where my impatient 15 year old daughter was waiting. We spent 3 hours at the mall. I loved Chrissy dearly, but man! Just when I was about to loose my temper she gave me hug and said she loved me and thanked me for taking her shopping. "Smells good in her!" Tom did a great job finishing up with the food. We put them in nice dishes, Chrissy changed and we all walked over to Toby and Lor's place. I couldnt wait to see everyone for dinner, catch up on the time we have missed, and talk about the fun we used to have. I couldnt wait to show off Tom. We really loved each other. And tomorrow morning we need to go horse shopping so I was hoping the others would know of some good auctions, or would know someone around here thats selling a horse or two!

*This is all I can write for now - I'm not too inspired today! I don't want to talk too much about Tom because I really don't know anything about him! Sorry if I said too much already, Ash, and sorry for not writing too much to work with! I'll be back when I am more inspired!*

Toby and Loranna couldn't contain themselves about entertaining guests in their new house. Loranna had already consulted me six times about what the perfect meal should be like and how everything should be arranged. They really were liking the space and Toby had been busy for the last couple weeks painting and constructing beds for the triplets. Lor was thrilled that Charlotte, Ethan, and Logan each got their own room, and now that they were sleeping through the night and there was less fighting over space, she had been more energized than ever.
The night of the dinner, Jakob, carrying Kyle, and I headed over to their house (Damhnatt was already there as she had been watching the triplets for the afternoon while their busy parents muddled about in the kitchen). Toby welcomed us in and I was instantly jealous. We would be moving soon, but I couldn't wait! They had painted and furnished the place beautifully. Loranna offered us some drinks (Jakob had a Guinness as per usual and I drank orange juice) and Toby explained to Jakob what he'd done with the place. Damhnatt came and joined us with the triplets and things started to pick up.
The doorbell rang and Toby went to greet Ash, Chrissy, and Tom. I was excited to get to know him as Ashley has been so enthusiastic about ensuring everyone he was different. They got their drinks and joined us in the living room while Loranna and Toby continued to rush around the kitchen getting things together. Tom offered to help out in the kitchen but Lor kindly refused and insisted he sit down and meet everyone. I was already impressed. Jakob, who was sitting next to me so that he might best attend to any of my late pregnancy needs, turned to me and smiled. "That's what I like to see!" he said.
"Everyone, this is Tom," Ash said, smiling. She pointed out each one of us to him and he smiled at each of us and told us what he had heard about us from Ash.

-Scarlet

Bryan had madrian and sean for the weekend...which always made me nervous but I had to bite the bullet and hope for the best.

"Mindy, they won't think any less of you because you can't fit into old maternity clothes," Mack tried to soothe. i was at that point in my pregnancy when I felt ugly, fat, and useless. My maternity clothes were old, worn and unfortunately I was not sixteen anymore. I leaned my head into Mack's torso and sighed.
"Mack, what if they do?" He laughed at me. "Listen to yourself, you sound sorry for yourself. Buck up, the pink you had on before looked nice," He was tired and I could tell. I was sorry that I was a high maintence pregnant woman, I really was. "I've just never had twins before Mack, I don't know how to look pretty when I'm this big." "Mindy, trust me, you've never looked more beautiful, I swear." I groaned. "OK fine, I'll wear the pink. Is Danny ready to go?" Mack nodded and breezed out.

I walked up the path towards Loranna and Toby's house, and sighed. They already had a pretty garden and toys in their front. I patted my tummy remembering the house in Greece and how much I'd enjoyed that. Mack wrapped his free arm around my enourmous waist while I rang the door bell. Everyone was already there, but that was OK seeing as I have never been known for my puntuality. "MINDY!" Loranna shrieked. I embraced her. "Lor, it's been a very, very long time!" I smiled. "Yes, it really has. Mindy how far along are you?" "Just my fourth month...I"m having twins," I said a little bit sadly. "OH MIndy, let me know if you need clothes!" "oh Lor, that would be such a blessing!" I hugged her more gratefully. "Bby," Danny crooned from my legs. I squatted down and lifted his light frame up. "yes," I kissed his head and we ventured further into the house.

Mind walked in and ran over to give her a hug. We talked for a little while about Chrissy, her kids, and her pregnancy. "So, where is this boy?" She asked me. "Oh gosh, I left him alone when I ran over to say hi you you!" Mindy laughed and followed me over to where Tom was sitting with Chrissy, Scarlet, and Jakob. They all looked like they were having a good time. Tom stood up as we approached, and shook Mindy's hand when I introduced her to him. I saw Scarlet grinning at Jakob. I felt like Tom passed the test, and they all knew I was right. Tom was different. My real family, the one right here at Evergreen, liked him. We were all together and it was perfect. Lor announced that dinner was ready and we all gathered around the table to eat. "So mom, tell them about how how you guys met!" Chrissy said. I blushed and Tom squeezed my hand. "After dinner." I laughed, becoming suddenly shy.

**grr. writers block**