At Sunday. . .
The funeral came and went. As someone who does not believe in deities in general (but does believe in magic and power of nature), it was hard for me to pay attention to what the priest (the same one who came to help before) was saying, sit in a bench and stand from the bench simultaneously as everyone else.
But because a lot more people were waiting to bury their family members, the priest was nice enough to make it short, and give me back Prim's ashes inside the salted walnut wood box.
The apartment residents, including Karga, all payed me and Prim their respect and went back to their lives.
It was hard to not to cry in front of my children, which is why I sent them to take care of the animals and play outside while I gave myself a little space to cry for my client, my worker. . . And my friend.
For that I felt it was the only way I could ever tell her that I loved her.
A few days later. . .
I was able to buy a few walnut seeds from a nut and peanut farmer that came to the market today, as well as a whole bunch of nuts to use for me and my restaurant.
Better than I had in days, I asked Michael to dig a grave with me so we could finally bury Primrose, and the tree on top of it.
I decided to plant the tree in the middle of the backyard. That way, Primrose will be able to see her baby girl grow.
Once we were done, I gave Michael a silver coin, which he took it gadly and left, but not before paying his respects once more.
'Hopefully, you'll be able to find peace.' I patted the little hill it had formed after planting the walnut tree.
Afterwards, I returned to the restaurant, finding Minerva's mother, Bailey, nursing both girls with great care and softness in one of the restaurant chairs, with the stroller that I have bought in the city before near her. 'Hello again. Thank you for nursing them for all this time.'
'Thank you for being generous enough to pay for it.' Bailey answered smiling to me. 'Most people in the countryside just offer food and water to wet nurses, and barely enough to keep nursing the babies.' She recalled. 'You have no idea how bad it is.'
'No. But I can imagine.' I took my pouch out and gave another silver coin. 'Which is why I am offering more money so you can keep nursing for me.' I exhaled exhausted. 'At least, until they both stop needing milk.' I told her.
'In that case, you are going to have to pay me for quite a while.' Bailey chuckled. 'Your babies won't stop needing nursing until after their second or third summer of life.' She let me know. 'In fact, not too look too greedy though, but, some people prefer to keep nursing their children until their fourth summer of life. Mostly because there have been cases of other types of milk being, too risky. . . B-But it is your choice anyway!' She told me.
So, it is preferably their around two to three years old until they stop nursing. And even then it is safer for them to keep nursing them until after four years old? Figures. If babies were delicate in the modern world, in this primitive world, they can easily die from a single cold. I sighed heavily at that. 'Understood. For now, let's keep it like this until they are both above two years of age. The red hair one is practically about to turn one year old in the first week of July and, Indigo is just a newborn.' I told her. 'After they turn two, I'll decide whether they will be given more or if it's enough.' I let her know.
Bailey nodded agreeing with my terms. But then thought about something and frowned. 'They newborn's name is Indigo? Isn't it like, too early for her to have a name?' She asked worried.
'Yes, but, her mom, the one I payed the funeral for, wanted her child to be named "Indigo Poppy."' I told her. 'Regardless of whether the baby was a she or a he, she liked the names Indigo and Poppy, so that's why I am calling her that. To fulfill one of the last few wishes she asked before she slept forever.' I told her while letting a bitter tear leave my eye.
Bailey looked at me with sympathy.
I cleaned the test almost immediately. 'Anyway, do you have like, any names for red heads?' I asked pointing to baby girl number one. 'She's about to turn one, but I cannot figure out what name would suit her.'
'Hmmm. . . .' Bailey seemed to be thinking hard for that one. 'Well, I kinda suggest that you choose something along the lines of "heaven" or "heavenly." Mainly because, if she is to marry someone somewhere else, people might confuse her hair with a "bad omen" or, worse case scenario, a wi—ehem, an evil witch.' She quickly corrected herself with the last part, most likely because she knew my daughter was practicing "good" witchcraft.
'I see. . .' I nodded understanding the dangers of red hair. I should be able to reduce some of the names that I had for her. I smiled to Bailey. 'Thank you.'
Bailey smiled back and nodded as she finished nursing my babies and picked up Minerva who had been taking care of Liam. 'Say, do you have any. . . Job offers? Not for me, but for my husband. He has been laid off from his construction work in the city and, I fear he might see the alcohol as a good "solution" eventually.' She asked.
I thought about it. 'Well, I've been thinking of creating more small homes. Maybe some even bigger homes to rent out. If your husband is up for it, I can contract him for the summer.' I offered shrugging my shoulders. 'It might be best for him to bring a single paper with his skills and knowledge, though, before I give him a job.'
Bailey gasped as she smiled brightly. 'Yes! That would be delightful. I'll let my husband know as soon as I get home.' She thanked me and then took her daughter's hand and left quickly.
I waved them goodbye, and then took both babies and Liam to sleep. I decided to give Liam the smaller and wooden crib because, while he was bigger, he was still small enough for it. While the babies took the bigger crib.
I exhaled exhausted.
'Mother dearest!/Mom!' The twins came running.
'Sshhhhh!' I shushed them. 'Babies sleeping, thank you.' I pointed at the three babies sleeping soundly.
'Oops.' Both of them covered their mouths.
'Let's talk outside.' I said to them as I pushed them softly to the exit. Then I closed the door and smiled the best that I could. 'Now, what is happening?' I asked them.
'We overheard you talking to Bailey about making more mini houses.' Charlie admitted. 'And, even though it is a good idea, we both believe that first you try making bigger houses. For variety. Before making more mini houses.' He gave his and his twin's opinion.
'I see. . . Why do you both think that?' I asked them with my hands on my hips.
'Well, we mostly think of it as such, because it makes the rent thing look more appealing.' Charlie told me. 'That and because, a lot of men tend to be already married or even with children. Not as often as women, but history and geography classes have taught us that a lot of young people tend to marry long before even leaving their family's nest.' He explained it to me.
'Oooooohhhh!' I nodded finally understanding. 'So that is why my mini houses were taking long to rent.' I murmured. People prefer to look forward to marry before making their own homes. No wonder. I nodded understanding.
'Yeah, which is why Lottie and I believe it might be best for you to make normal size houses for, couples who just got married, or families looking for a new temporal home for the winter or in the mean time.' Charlie suggested,
I nodded taking their advice seriously. 'I see, thank you very much you too.' I patted their heads.
They both smiled.
'By the way, mother dearest, Professor Witch said that the hot chocolate mint flavour was so good, She asked when you'll bring it again.' Lottie told me.
'Hahahaha, well, chocolate mint is a winter especial, so, technically speaking, it will probably come back in winter.' I told Lottie.
'Oh. . . Witch Professor is going to be sad for a bit.' Lottie said.
'Buuuuut, I believe I have made some ideas with mint for the summer season. . . I haven't put up much thought on them because of, well, everything happening.' I admitted shrugging in the end.
'We'll help you!' Both twins raised their hands.
'Great! That will be amazing!' I admitted and took their hands as we went downstairs and to the office. I have been worried about being to abusive or neglectful to the children, but, a lot of people make their children work since early years, which means I should do the same. . . But with less stress and abusive behavior, of course. I told myself. After all, they've been receiving more education and knowledge than Amelia ever had about this world, so it is best if I rely on them for information about the kingdom, its history, its geography and, practically everything else. I nodded to myself and them as we sat down and discussed things for summer season especials and how the new houses would look like.
. . . . .
A few hours later (plus a few brakes to take care of the babies). . .
Charlie and I came up with this summer's special menu to out beside the usual menu:
"Summer Season is here! And we will enjoy it with a breeze!
Appetizers:
— Sliced Fruit bowl (includes: blueberries, oranges, strawberries, watermelon, apple, pear)
— Corn on the cob (a half of a sweet boiled corn in a small stick)
—Cucumber and goat cheese sandwiches.
Breakfast:
— Goat cheese quiche (a savoury/salty pie of goat cheese)
— Berry Bronce Toast (Three sliced of Bronce Toast, with berry sauces, fresh berries, and whipped cream)
Lunch:
— Summer Sandwich (A whole loaf with beef, ham, bacon, lettuce, tomatoe, cucumber, onion, and cheese)
Snacks:
— Cucumber bites (mouth-bite-broad-sized cucumber slices, with our newly home made cream cheese, cherry tomatoes and black people)
Dinner:
— Street Corn Pasta Salad (rolled pasta, roasted corn, spinach, lettuce, and garlic cloves)
Sweets:
— Mint cheesecake (cheese with mint sauce over it)
— Strawberry hand pies (mini pies fieles with strawberry filling) (2 per serving)
— Frozem popsicles (options: water or cream) (water flavor options: watermelon, fresh fruit) (cream flavor options. Chocolate, vainilla, berry milk)
Drinks:
— Iced tea (black, lemon)
— Strawberry and mint mojito (rum infused with mint tea, fresh straberries and fresh mint leaves)"
'Phew! That took a while!' Charlie exhaled sinking in his chair.
'Tell me about it.' I exhaled sinking similarily in my chair.
'I have also finished sketching the new and bigger houses.' Lottie yawned as she passed me the new designs. 'They are not like the appartment complex and practically not the biggest mansion, but if we work it right, we might even transform them into small agricultural farms and be able to make our own food with the new employees rather than having to make deals with other farmers and having to change the menus every week. We might want to start producido cheap foods like cereals for both the restaurant and animal food, vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions and garlic, and even basic healing herbs like mint, lavender and rosemary.' She proposed with a smile. 'I do suggest we first try with two or three houses. One for each type of agricultural plants.'
'Understood.' I nodded to her as I say the sketches.
There were three different sketches.
The first sketch, was of a medium sized house, with a semi big barn on the side, and a field of wheat which was bigger than the house and the barn in diameter. On the other side of the paper, there were the measures, and the things they would need to make the house ready for either couple or a family.
The second sketch, was a normal sized cottage, with a field of vegetables that dobles the size of the cottage's diameter. On the other size of the paper, there were measures, and it was sketched for a fairy more newly wed couple, for there is only a room beside the máster bedroom big enough for a nursery.
The third sketch, was a small cottage, with a field that equallly sized field in diameter full of healing herbs. The sketches on the other side clearly state that, this particularly house is made for someone single but wanting to make direction living or searching for employment in the medicine, healing or magic field.
'These sketches are fantastic, Lottie. Thank you.' I thanked both of my children. 'To both of you.'
'It is nothing mom, the professors said that, since you are probably still making ends meat, we, as your oldest children, must help you.' Charlie responded with a smile.
I smiled back.
'Also mother dearest. . .' Lottie called my attention by making one of the chest lugagge appear out of nowhere (Guess she really does have a knack for witchcraft) and showed me a very beautiful statue of an angel. 'The statue itself was brother dearest's project for art and my project for witchcraft for the summer term. I was able to enchant it with a barrier against those who would have bad intentions. They let us keep it. Where should we put it though?' She asked.
I saw that the statue was showing little sparks of gold, probably the magic it was radiating, so I smiled. 'Well, the statue is too elegant to be out in the restaurant, so I am thinking of. . . Maybe as a garden decoration in the complex?' I suggested.
Both twins smiled and nodded excitedly agreeing to it.
. . . .
A few days later. . .
The summer specials were making profit as soon as they were available. When it came to the popsicles, Lottie helped me put ice (which she created with magic) in a few old chest, and with a wooden top, we made little holes in them while inside the chests, along with the ices, there were wood molds for the popsicles.
They've been a success among nobles and children.
As for the statue, I received help from Charlie and Michael to put it as a center piece in the middle of the patio. It is not that elegant, but it is beautiful. . . And surprise got way bigger that when it was on the luggage. The lugagge must have had some sort of spell to be able to keep the statue inside without breaking it nor forcing it.
'It is one beautiful statue.' Mrs. Fallbell told me. 'Your son is a very skillfull person.' She complimented me.
'Thank you. I only hope whatever magic my daughter put inside lasts a long time.' I told her my worries. 'I do not want to deal with more evil fairies and people messing with my life and those around me.' I murmured with annoyance.
Mrs. Fallbell nodded agreeing with me. 'Your daughter seems like a really skilled person. I give the magic about a year before she needs to recharge it again.' She bet as she walked away.
'Oh believe me, no one wants that more than me.' I agreed with her and walk back to the restaurant.
A week before the summer festival. . .
'Okay people, listen up!!' I called everyone's attention for this meeting. 'Before we finish today's meeting, Summer festivals are coming in a week, and I am open to suggestions for what we should bring for both festival in Silverwood and Barrenvale!' I told them as I sat down at my chair and table, with paper, pen and ink on hand.
Orson raised his hand. 'I mainly suggest things that are easy to do and take more time to rotten, like bread loafs, cookies, and jerky.' He advised. 'But if your daughter can use magic, then I recommend the frozen popsicles, they will probably attract more people and, therefore, more clients.'
I nodded writing down what he suggested. 'Anything else?'
Michael raised his hand. 'If your daughter can use ice magic, then maybe she can create a small frozen place inside a few chests and therefore, out things that can roten easily like meat, milk, and vegetables, for I've noticed that, ever since she started to experiment with ice power and spells on the warehouse, the food takes quite longer to rot.' He pointed out.
'Nice idea, Michael!' I nodded to it as I wrote down.
'How about some sweets? Besides the frozen popsicles, maybe some candy like lollipops, mints, lemon drops, and salt taffy. The kids will love it and will only bring more people.' Andrew suggested.
I nodded writing it down. 'Anything else?'
'Oh! Make a frozen chest, but not so frozen so that things like water, beer and wine don't get heated up. . . Okay, well, maybe let the beer and wine heat a bit better for the flavor, but put inside the frozen-but-not-frozen-chest drinks like water, iced tea, lemonade, etc.' Another chef suggested.
I nodded writing it down. 'Well, from the looks of it, I might need more than just one wagon.' I noted raising an eyebrow. 'Michael, if you are up for it, I am going to ask some people for help in making two wagons, and you'll be assisting them.' I told him.
Michael nodded excited.
'Good.' I reviewed the rest of the plans we already reviewed. 'Well, seems that was everything for today. I'll let everybody know tomorrow who will be coming with me, and who will be staying to take care of the restaurant. Good job people, you can go and rest.' I dismissed them.
Everybody left either after saying goodbye, waving goodbye as their leaving through the doors, or they ran to their homes with excitement.
I chuckled as I gathered the papers and then went into the office. There, I put away the papers and organized the mess in the table. As soon as I finished, I went upstairs where Charlie and Lottie were taking care of their siblings. Since they were becoming older and it was summer, I found it easier for the twins to take care of them.
But I did not put this new arrangement out of the blue, I told Minerva that since my twins were here and have become mire responsible, I was bound to trust them in taking her of their siblings for the summer, but once they go to school in the Fall, she will be called back.
Thankfully, Minerva took it nicely, mainly because I already promised her father a job in making three houses for me, which made her feel more relieved than ever. I wish she wouldn't worry about adult things, but in this type of world stuck in primitive life, one always has to worry for whether they will be okay in winter.
'Hi you five.' I let myself known.
'Momma!' Liam ran to me, extending his little arms and fingers to me. 'Are you done?! Are we finally going to be okay again?!' He asked.
'Of course! In fact, next week, we'll be going on a small trip to two neighbouring towns. Silverwood and Barrevale.' I told him picking him up. 'We'll be going to attract people with our food for the restaurant and, most importantly, buy new clothing for the twins.' I looked at the twins up and down.
The twins looked down at their clothes. The clothes were not torn or ragged, but it was clear that the twins had outgrown them. Which meant it was imperative to get a new wardrobe for each of them.
'What about me? And the babies?' Liam asked pointing at himself, and then the babie.
'Hehe, well, the thing is, your clothes are as loose to your body as it is tight ror the twins, therefore, it is not that necessary for you to get new clothes yet.' I told Liam. 'But we do need to get Indigo a few dresses, She's been borrowing from baby girl, which can become a problem in the future.' I murmured to myself the last part while taking Liam back to his seat. 'How about this, we'll see in the festival of they have something you'll like and I'll buy it for you. It might not be a bunch of clothes like the twins, but I hope it makes it even.' I proposed to Liam kneeling for him to see me face to face.
Liam thought about it briefly and then nodded. 'Sounds good to me!' Exclaimed raising his thumb. Clearly copying me.
I laughed. 'So, what do you children want to have for dinner?' I asked them.
'Oh, I already made dinner.' Charlie told me pointing to the kitchen where there was food already made. 'I didn't know when you were going to finish, so I made dinner for the five of us.' He let me know. 'I do not include baby Indigo, because, well, she's still a newborn, but I've been experimenting on a mix of cow milk, wheat powder and fruit to suplement a mother's milk. It is quite hard though.' He added.
'Oh, wow! Thanks Charlie!' I patted his head thankful for his quick thinking. 'I hope you were able to find everything you needed.' I said to him.
'Yeah, it was alright.' Charlie smiled proudly.
'Very well. Although I would appreciate it if you were to refrain yourself from feeding Indigo any sort of milk formula until she's at the very least three years old.' I asked of him. 'Same thing with baby girl.'
'Okay.' Charlie agreed and nodded.
We all ate the meal Charlie prepared. It was beef meat pie, buttered carrots and potatoes and fig tarts basted with a bit of liquid honey.
Netheless to say, it was delicious.