Twins Again. Babies 4 & 5

The days passed quickly for the family of four. Soon it was the twin's birthdays.
Little Mary first.
Then Martha.
They both had their father's blue-blond hair, but Mary had her father's hazel eyes while Martha had Ari's crystal blue.
The girls were exceptionally smart and active. They loved playing with their toys in the front room, especially the toychest.
Ari immediatly started teaching them the skills they would need, starting with potty training. Ari loved spending time with her girls.
So too did older brother Sean. He played peek-a-boo with them on the floor before school.
Now though, Sean went to school. Ari watched him every morning as he walked out to the bus. He never forgot to wave to her from the bus window. She loved seeing her little man so independent but it made her wish for the little toddler who chatted so animatedly with her.
Sean and his father were close. Bryce often came over after school to help with homework and chat about school with his son. Ari was glad that Bryce and Sean were so close. She would have hated for him to not know what an amazing man Bryce was. Ari would never admit that she enjoyed having Bryce there as well. She had promised herself she wouldn't go there and think of the could have's. No, she was only happy that Sean had his father there.

The next afternoon, after Sean got out of school, Ari and Sean walked down to the beach. Ari's eye was captured by a well dressed man. He would do well for her challenge. (This is Felipe of the Brothers Household off the exchange made by chobits) She immediately began chatting him up.
She didn't get very far when she heard a familar voice behind her. Bryce had come to the beach too that day it seemed. She would never be able to woo Felipe with Bryce's eyes on her. She instead invited Felipe back home with her.
Little Sean's birthday was today. Saddly, Bryce couldn't come but Felipe and Ari cheered on Sean.
In a swirl of sparkles, Sean grew into a dashing teen.
"MOM! I'm wearing a dress." Sean was horrified to find that after the sparkles cleared he was indeed wearing what resembled a blue dress. Ari had to try real hard not to laugh at Sean's outraged face.
"It's not a dress, honey. It is traditional Egyption formal wear." Ari explained patiently, but Sean insisted he go change before they cut the cake.
With Sean tucking the girls in, Ari decided to continue what she had started on the beach. Felipe was indeed receptive. Ari had to back up and outline the rules of her challenge while he still had a relatively clear head. He waved them away saying he already knew. "How..." Ari pondered but figured it didn't matter.

Ari moved quickly and Felipe matched her easily.
Soon, sweet lullaby strains played in Arianna's ear.
Having completed his end of the bargin, Felipe left and Ari went back to teaching her precious girls their life skills.
Sean was an amazing helper. He learned gardening to help out with the plants.
Ari's suspicions were confirmed soon that yes she was indeed pregnant.

With Sean taking good care of the twins, Ari finally had some time to learn music. She had ment to learn it a long time ago but life got in the way.
Sean and Ari often team taught the active twins. The girls couldn't have been more different. Martha loved girly things like dolls and music. Mary however liked trucks and cars and logic blocks.
They both Loved to read.
Ari was surprised to feel the first contractions early one morning. Her days had been so full that she hadn't even realized it was time for her little ones to make their apperence.
Calmly, she called a taxi and went to the hospital. Everyone outside couldn't believe how at ease she was. They were freaking out even after she went in to the hospital.
Ari welcomed twin girls into the world, Callie and Rebecca. As she walked out to the taxi to head home, someone caught her eye.
Hank was waiting for her. He hastened to introduce his new housemate to her, Fred Stone. (thanks Nancy01905!) Fred had heard Hank and Bryce talk about the challenge and wanted to be part of it. Ari was thrilled that word was getting out about her challenge.

Twins!! Babies 2 & 3

Ari stared out the window of the taxi as it took her and her newborn son,Sean, home. Bryce had insisted on seeing them home and Ari had relented. She was so tired but also so enthralled with the tiny life that lay in her arms.
Once Bryce had seen them inside, Ari tiredly told him good-bye. As much as she wished he could stay and take care of her, her logical side told her they would both regret it.
After changing into her night dress, Ari cuddled her son close. She smiled to herself as he yawned and sleepily gazed back at her. She placed him gently in the crib in her room and climbed into bed herself.
After a night of rather broken sleep, Ari dressed herself and fed Sean. She indulged for a minute in meaningless baby talk with Sean.
When she went to start the morning duties, Ari found that she felt much better if Sean was near her. She took him outside with her and lay him in the soft grass, where she could watch him. He didn't seem to mind a bit and indeed loved the outdoors.
Ari had hardly begun her work when her nextdoor neighbor walked outside.
Ari hadn't gotten the time to meet this neighbor and decided it introduce herself. She and the lady got along splendedly and come to find out, she is the town's best doctor. Dr.Blueflame told Ari to come back by any time and Ari promised she would.
As the day was still young, Ari opted to continue making social calls and pop in on Bryce's household. His roommate would be good for her next child. She would never admit it, but she wanted to see Bryce again too.
Bryce and Hank were conversing in the front room when Ari rang the doorbell. They had just been talking about Ari and Bryce's son, Sean. Bryce had been glowing with pride since his birth and Hank was anxious to see him.
Now sooner had Bryce opened the door, he had Sean in his arms. Sean gurgled happily as Bryce made faces and talked to him. It made Ari's heart melt to see him like that with their son.
Ari tried to convince herself that the trip hadn't been for her to see Sean with Bryce or just to see Bryce;though her heart told her differently. She had to concentrate on the challenge. Ari pushed away her feelings and began chatting up Bryce's roommate, Hank. Hank knew of the challenge from Bryce, so he imediately offered to be part of it. Ari was pleasently surprised at the ease with which Hank excepted. As she turned on her charm, Ari could feel Bryce's eyes on her. She could never go about suducing Hank with Bryce watching her. Instead Ari allowed herself to enjoy Bryce and Hank's company.
As she bid them goodnight, Ari wondered how long she could deny her true feelings for Bryce. His goodnight hug had made her heart race and she had been tempted whisper her love for him then. Yet, she knew if she told him the truth he would ask her to stop her challenge and marry him. That, she couldn't do. She would not condem him to death for her weakness. And that would be his fate, Death, if he married her before her curse was lifted. The curse that forced her to play with men's hearts but lie to her own. To deny herself her own dream but fulfill the dreams of others. That was her lot, her destiny; for she had been marked at birth by the symbol of the curse. The butterflies on her shoulder had shown she was the one.
The days passed, as time does, and before long it was Sean's birthday. Arianna invited everyone over and they celebrated this milestone joyously.
Especially Bryce. He put his all into celebrating his son's special day.
Sean grew up into an adorable toddler with his daddy's pink tinged hair and his mother's crystal blue eyes.
Ari was filled with sadness as she watched her son with his father and had to eat her cake alone by the window to keep her tears hidden on this happy day. Ari knew she would always see Bryce when she looked into Sean's eyes.
A close up of little Sean. He indeed was his father's son.
After she bid her guests goodnight, Ari put Sean to bed.
Little Sean was indeed a people person. He hated being left alone even for a short time. Ari had woken him up and put him in his high chair when the phone rang. She stepped in the other room to talk to Hank about coming over for the evening. Less than 2 minutes had passed when she started hearing Sean voiceing his opinion.
After breakfast, Ari settled on the floor with Sean to teach him to talk. His first word was phone, Ari was sure it had something to do with his tantrum earlier.
He was a bright young man and never hesitated to voice his opinion. Ari found she often would pick him up and he would chatter away. Most of it was still unintelligable but she listened intently none the less. He got the most animated look when he spoke.
Ari had..um..issues with the toilet. It broke often and she wasn't very good at fixing it. That day, right in the middle of potty training Sean it had broken and spewed water everywhere. Ari roared in frustration.
Sean immediatly wailed and Ari hung her head in shame as she realized she had frightened her son.
Ari took Sean back out to the play room and cheered as he played with his xylophone. He seemed to have forgotten the incident quickly but Ari had learned her lesson about temper tantrums infront of the kids. It wasn't a lesson she would quickly forget.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Ari scooped up Sean and greeted Hank. Time to get on with the challenge.
Ari put Sean in his crib in the adjacent bedroom and invited Hank back to her bedroom.
Ari hadn't been intimate with any man other than Bryce and found it hard to bury her feelings for Bryce as she and Hank woohooed. She was distracted but not so much so that she didn't notice the lack of lullaby.
Hank was not a very fertile man and it took six tries before Ari drifted to sleep hearing the melodious notes of the lullaby.
Ari gave him a warm "thank you" hug as he left for work. She hoped that the deed would get easier as she became more experianced. Wooing Hank had felt like betraying Bryce, though she knew it was necessary. She checked on Sean and climbed into bed herself, but slept fitfully.
Sean awoke the next morning to the sound of Ari throwing up. Ari knew this pregnancy would be different from Sean's. She never once threw up with him and barely into the first day, here she was heaving over the toilet.
I just find this picture funny. Mommy and son using the bathroom. Sean was indeed potty trained.
Ari was indeed with child and she wondered about her unborn child and hoped for a girl this time. She would get a wistful expression as she imaged a little red headed girl for her to love.
The days passed and Ari taught Sean to walk. His first steps filled her heart with joy.
Ari wanted the best for her son and decided to take him to the library. She sat and read for hours with him. He loved the pictures and often chattered to her as she read to him.

The next morning, as Ari picked fruit from her apple trees, she felt sudden contractions. This pregnancy was indeed different from Sean's.

Arianna hurried inside to call a taxi but instantly knew she wouldn't have time to get to the hospital this time around.

Welcome Mary Lee into the world. Judging by the size of Ari's stomach, Mary isn't the only one.

Indeed, Ari has twin girls. This is Martha Lee.
The girls are almost identical with Ari's crystal blue eyes.