Generation 1, Chapter 1: Forgive and Forget

~<3~

 My life after finishing my challenge just seemed to fly by. I mean it wasn't long before Oscar and Lessie became old enough to move out on their own and start lives of their own like many of my children have.
Oscar stayed in Hidden Springs and planned to stay for a couple years to train at the military base before hopefully heading over seas and into the real action- as he calls it.
Lessie had plans much different from her brother. She moved to Appaloosa Plains; where she adopted two large dogs. She is currently attempting the 100 puppy challenge with her new friend Sunshine Starr, child #6 of Ashby Lemi's 100 baby challenge.
As for Draaier, he is currently a teenager and is attending Hidden Springs High School. He's making good grades and seemed to be pretty popular among his classmates- especially the girls.

 Today was special day; it's Draaier's birthday. My youngest baby was now gonna become an adult and leave the nest. I would be lying if I say I wasn't upset, but I know every kid must grow up and as a mother I have to let him go.
I was in charge of heading down to the store to buy the cake. I would make his cake myself like I have with my other kids, but Draaier insists I buy the cake. He told me that he prefers store bought cake over homemade. I didn't take it personally; I was never really good at baking anyways. I payed the clerk the 15 Simoleons and walked out the store with cake in hand.

 I was just about to head to my car when I heard a familiar voice call out to be.
"Dawn?" I turned around, only to see Cassidy sitting in one of the near by benches. She looked up at me with a frown painted on her face and she looked upset. "Dawn can we talk?"
Cassidy motioned for me to sit beside her and strangely I did. I walked back towards the bench and sat down- placing the cake gently the ground by my feet.
"First of all I heard about your engagement with Newbie and I wanted to congratulate you." Cassidy hadn't wasted a precious second when I sat down to start talking. "And I wanted to apologize. I know what I've done to you and Newbie in the past is unforgivable but I'm hoping we can finally put the past behind us on and move on and I would really like it for us to be friends."

 I was caught off guard by Cassidy's apology and frankly I didn't know how to answer her the first 2 minutes after. Yes, Cassidy nearly broke up Newbie and I's friendship by turning Newbie against me, but she seemed to really want to make emends.
"Cassidy you hated me before, why do you want to be friends now?"

 "I was jealous then. You were so pretty and Newbie was the perfect guy. I had my heart broken many times by men because better girls came along. I didn't want it to happen again. But I'm putting it all behind me and I want to make it all better between us. What do you say? Friends?"

"Well I'm not sure about friends, but I'm willing to forgive and forget what happened between us, but I can't speak for Newbie."

 "Oh that's a relief, I almost thought you weren't gonna forgive me, and I understand you can't speak for Newbie but it's great to hear that I got your forgiveness. You know I feel just awful about everything I've ever done to you and Newbie. I'm just glad we can finally move on and possibly be friends some day."

 "Yes, maybe some day. Well I gotta get going, I have a cake that I need to get home to a eager teenage boy." I leaned over grabbed my cake bag and started towards the parking lot.

 I didn't go home right away, instead I drove around town for a while. I couldn't help but shake the feeling that me forgiving Cassidy was a mistake, but everyone deserves a second chance and I'm willing to give Cassidy that chance.

 While I was driving home I came across a lovely looking house here in Hidden Springs. It looked beautiful and stood right next to the lake. Wouldn't it be great to live here after Newbie and I get married? I can just imagine it now, Newbie and I siting on the front porch watching our kids playing in the yard. That is if we ever have kids. I mean Newbie and I never talked about possibly having kids together after getting married. Yes, we have our sons Dallas and Tucker, but it would be nice to have kids with my husband.

It was getting late so I headed home where Newbie was waiting for me on the porch. "Hey beautiful! where have you been? I thought you went out just to get a cake, not be gone all day."
I flashed him a smile and joined him over on the love seat. "Oh, I went for a drive around town."

 "Newbie I saw the most beautiful little home across town. It's right next to the lake and just a couple blocks down the road from where you proposed me. I think it'll be perfect for after we got married. I know you would want to see the house first but I love it so much and I know you'll love it too and--"

 "Dawn! I will do anything to make my girl happy. So if getting this house will make you happy then we'll get the house."
"Really? You mean it? Oh, Newbie! Thank you!"

 I threw my arms around Newbie's neck, nearly knocking him off his seat, and gave him a long kiss passionate kiss. I didn't want to let Newbie go, I wanted to keep my arms around him forever and ever. I couldn't of found a more amazing guy to be engaged to.

 When we finally released from our kiss Newbie looked me in the eyes and smiled. "Now let's get inside and celebrate a birthday. I'm sure Draaier has been waiting long enough."

 Draaier stood proudly by his cake- smiling at the crowd of family and friends cheering him on. It was a big day for everyone. Draaier was becoming an adult, I was losing my youngest baby, and it finally means my challenge is officially over. Now all I have is Newbie.

 We all sung and cheered for Draaier when he began to lower his head and blow out his candles. It wasn't long after that he became a handsome young man and looking just like his daddy.

 Everyone surrounded the cake in the matter of seconds after Draaier grabbed his piece and took his seat. The cake was gone in minutes- leaving nothing but crumbs and a cake knife. I probably should have grabbed two cakes for this birthday boy, but at least everyone got a slice- even though that slice wasn't much.

The party went great. Everyone ate cake, congratulated Draaier on his big day, and we all got caught up in each other's lives. It was all going smoothly, but once everyone started leaving I started getting a little emotional. Draaier was leaving, my last baby was leaving me. Who knows when or if I'll ever have more kids.

When 8pm rolled around everyone was gone- including Draaier. The house was empty besides Newbie and I. I started to get a little teary eyed as I began to really realize that my challenge is over and all my kids are gone. Newbie seemed to notice that I was upset and grabbed my hands in attempted to comfort me.
"Don't worry Dawn, you'll he him again soon. It's not like he's gone forever."
"It's not why I'm upset."
"It isn't?" Newbie looked at me questionably.
"I miss having babies to take care of, and I'm scared you might not want any more kids with me."

Lowering his head and shaking it back and forth- Newbie chuckles. He smiles as he looks back at me.
"Dawn, there's nothing more that I want to do than have more kids with the woman I love."
My face lit up when Newbie said this and I couldn't contain my excitement. "What?! You really want more kids with me after we're married?"
"Of course. As many as you like."
A tear fell down my face and I ran in Newbie's arms. Knowing that Newbie wanted more kids just as much as I did made me want start the wedding planning as soon as possible.

~<3~