For the next three hours. . .
I had come with almost nothing. The ideas that I had came up with too much work. Which involved time that I did NOT have.
I decided to stop things for a little while and go to check on the children.
Bailey had already left, the baby girls were sleeping peacefully and Liam was playing with his elf hand puppet.
I sat down with him and we both smiled.
'Did you know about the bell?' Liam asked.
I raised an eyebrow. 'What bell?'
'The Bell in the attic. It was big. Like REALLY big.' Liam took off his puppet and standed up to look at me. 'I was looking through the attic and found the BIG bell at a corner of the attic.'
I frowned. 'When?!' I asked in surprise.
'While you were giving the baskets to the new neighbours.' Liam looked down at the floor.
I sighed heavily. 'Liam, you know very well how I feel that you go explore without my knowledge or consent.' I scolded him softly.
'Sorry.' Liam pouted.
I sighed once more, but then, the bell have me an idea. 'Liam, about the bell. . . Can you bring, me to it? I feel like it could be useful.' I asked him taking his hand.
'Okay!' Liam smiled and brought me upstairs, where the latter of the attic was still down.
Seeing it like that, a big question came up to me. 'Say how did you even got to the attic? Last time I checked the latter can only be accessed by pulling the string to the attic.' I pointed out.
Liam smiled and looked at the latter. I looked at the latter too. The latter itself started to tremble and then, it started to move upwards, slowly, and carefully shrinking back into the attic, with the attic door on the roof closing abruptly making a big *bam!* in the process.
I blinked and then looked at Liam. 'Since when were you capable of doing this?' I asked him kneeling infront of him and taking him by the shoulders.
'Em. . . A few days ago?' Liam tried to remember. 'I do not know. . .' He admitted. 'But I've been practising! Mostly with my toys.' He told me.
A frightful thought came up to me. 'D-Did you ever use it on your sisters?' I asked tearing that he did.
'. . . I tried. . .' Liam looked away, seeing my expression darken, he quickly added something else. 'I-It never worked though! Every time I tried to lift them up, I just could not! They are too heavy!' He tried to ease the problem.
'That is not the issue Liam.' I clarified. 'You've been sneaking and doing who-knows-what behind my back and you actually tried to lift your sisters in the air without full knowing what it could happen!' I scolded him. 'While I am grateful that you are taking me to the bell, I cannot ignore the fact that you are hiding things from me and that disappoints me. Do you not realize that one minor mistake could be fatal?' I questioned him. 'One small accident or one moment you loose focus or control could hurt someone or yourself! Is that what you want?!'
Liam looked down at the floor, with tears in his eyes he shook his eyes. 'I'm sorry! I'm sorry mommy! I-I just wanted to help you! I-I just wanted to lift my sis-sisters and rock them so you do-do not need to do it!' He exclaimed crying his heart. 'Waahhhh!'
I took him in my arms and opened the attic once more. 'Apology accepted Liam. But you have to understand, you are what your sisters are Liam. A baby. Despite being half-elf, you are still a baby. You are becoming a toddler yes, but you are still a baby.' I reminded him as I climbed up the latter and brought us to the attic. 'I, on the other hand, am a mother. You and your sisters are my responsability. You do not need to help me, Liam. Not yet at least.'
'When?! When can I start to help!?' Liam asked with desperation. 'All I do is play! While you suffer to work!! Big brother and big sister are away and I am the oldest after them! Why can't I help you?!'
'Because you are still too young!' I responded him. 'You haven't even left the diaper yet!' I pointed out. 'In human terms, if you still wear the diaper you are still a baby!' I raised a hand to stop Liam from responding. 'And most baby are not allowed to leave the diaper and be potty trained, until they are around. . . Five to six years.' I lied to him. Actually some babies are indeed able to leave the diaper around two or three years of age, but Bailey told me that over here, many people prefer to keep their babies from helping them (unless it is absolutely necessary, like in times of war) until they are around five or six years in age. I recalled. For both Liam and my sake it is better if he believe's he cannot start helping until he's five. . . Or six. . . Maybe a bit later, but then again, five or six are the ages when children start school so it is better to stay between those ages. I told myself. 'Which means, you will still be a baby, until another two or three winters.'
Liam was unhappy, and pouty, but stopped trying to insist and sat down frowning like the baby he was.
I chuckled as I used my apron to clean his tears. 'Come now, show me the bell and I will reduce your time out sentence from twenty minutes to fifteen minutes.' I proposed.
'Fine.' Liam grumbled still upset but cooperative and made me follow him until we came up to a small corner at the back of the attic and found a whole-hand-sized hand bell with the handler intact made of bronce. 'Here.' He pointed the bell.
I smiled as I picked it up. 'Wow, it is heavy.' I noted impressed. 'It needs some restoring, but. . .' I shook the bell a little. *Ding! Dong!* The sound was beautiful. 'Yeah, it will work.' I took Liam back downstairs and set him on the corner of his room. 'You are in time out for fifteen minutes. You'll be free once you hear the second bell, alright?'
'Alright.' Liam answered resigning to his fate.
'Ver well.' I made the bell make its Ding-Dong, and smiled. 'Your time-out starts now.' I left him in our room, where he sat in the corner will I got to work.
I quickly went into creating a new schedule for everybody in the the apartment complex and the farm home and cottages.
I designed the first two week schedule for everybody and then set a table with the timeline for the bells.
"The first bell will be set at six in the morning, when the sun is rising up. Everybody who works full-time for farming, guarding and cleaning is to wake up and and start their daily routines. It is also the time where the night guard finishes his night shift.
The second bell will be set at nine in the morning for those farming and cleaning to rest and eat breakfast as well as the guarding staff, without leaving their work places.
The third bell will be set at nine and thirty in the morning so they can go back to work.
The fourth bell will be set at twelve in the afternoon so farmers, cleaning staff and half of the guards can go on their lunch.
The fifth bell will be set at one in the afternoon so the farmers and cleaning staff go back to work, while half the guards switch places to work while the other half goes to lunch.
The sixth bell will be set at two but less loud and more for the other half of the guards to go back to work.
The seventh bell will be set at seven in the night, which is when the sun goes down and it is time to rest. And for the night guard (Moonfang) to start his shift."
I was perfect. I kept on to make more schedules for the workers that lives in the apartment and making a big announcement about the bell to put on the front door of my restaurant as well as to let everybody know about the bell and to not freak out.
While it the middle of that, I took a break and made the bell make its Ding-dong, to then hear the little and fast steps of Liam coming back downstairs and going back to the kids' inside playground.
It took up to three in the afternoon, but soon as I was done with everything, but before that, I decided to take a few of the schedules and bell schedules papers and the bell to the apartment complex.
As soon as I was there, I started to give out the flyers to everyone I could see and went straight to Finn Calloway. 'Good afternoon Mr. Calloway, how's your stay been so far?' I asked.
Mr. Calloway was drinking tea with a loaf of bread and jam. 'Really well, Miss Baker. Not everyday your new employer gives a "welcome gift basket" that saves you from buying food for the first few days.' He chuckled in relief appreciating the gesture.
'I am glad you liked the basket.' I sat with him in the common area. 'I apologize asking for something so soon, but I do not believe this can wait.' I gave him his schedule to work and the schedule for the bell. 'These schedules for the next two weeks are the hours you'll be working starting tomorrow.' I told him.
Mr. Calloway looked surprised but appreciated the schedule. 'These schedules are much more clearer than in any other job that I have work for. But I have to ask, what bell are talking about?'
'You see, that is the thing. . .' I took the old bell from the basket I was holding and showed it to him. 'This is the bell, but I do not know whether it will last longer or just for a few weeks. Can you check it out and tell me your thoughts?' I asked giving him the bell. 'It's the old bell from my restaurant, back when it was a sugar mill.' I explained it to him.
Finn Calloway inspected it throughly inside and out, from the handler, to the clapper (the thing inside the bells that clashes on the inside making the Ding-Dong sounds). 'Hmm. . . It is made of bronce. Some parts of the waist are dented as well as a tiny part of the lip, and the clapper's unison with the inside of the crown is too damaged to be repaired.' He declared. 'But outside of that it is in pretty good shape and when it comes to old bells, it is most definetely not the worst that I have seen.'
I exhaled a bit relieved. 'How much do you think it could cost me to get it repaired and polished?' I asked.
'Hmm. . .' Finn Calloway thought about it for a second. 'Well, if you want it done by tomorrow in the morning I can have it done. It will take about eight to ten hours of work. It will not look pretty but the music will be much better and especially with the clapper replaced.' He told me. 'If you want it as good as new, you give two or three days and the bell will sing as if it were the first time.' He promised.
I thought about it, and quickly started to get my pouch. 'I want to have it done as soon as possible, so for tomorrow will do. I find the utility far better suiting than the beauty right now.' I told him giving him, sixty coppers. 'Have these sixty coppers in advance. Once you have the bell done, I'll give the rest of the money. Sounds good?' I gave him my hand to seal the deal.
Finn Calloway streched my hand with a look of determination. 'You have a deal. The bell shall wake up everyone in the neighbourhood tomorrow morning.' He promised.
'I truly hope it does.' I told him and then went on to tell the rest of the residents what the schedules were all about.
Once that was done, I went to the small farm and cottages where I found the families and Ivy helping each other to move themselves in.
'Good afternoon everybody! Everything okay?!' I asked looking at the mess the gardens were.
'Do not worry Miss Amy! We are just trying to organized ourselves so things don't go south tomorrow.' Ivy let me know. 'Oh! And I just sold them some mini pumpkins too!'
'Really?! They are going to eat really well tonight then!' I smiled at that. 'Just, please help me and do not grow the seeds of the pumpkins.' I asked the families. 'Ivy is already filling my warehouse to the top with those in the warehouse.' I pointed to Ivy.
'Do not worry, my husband and sons are planting kale, lettuce carrots, radishes, and cabagge.' Mrs. Rosewood let me know.
'That's wonderful!' I exclaimed happily. 'How much until the first batch?' I asked.
'I am afraid that will happen until well in November at the lastest.' Mrs. Rosewood looked a bit down.
'Well, as long as you keep working I find myself at ease. By the way, is your cow milking, by any chance?' I asked her.
'Why yes, she's giving good amount of milk despite the moving and very well in late September.' Mrs. Rosewood conffirmed. 'Do you wish to have some of it, Miss Baker?'
'You know it. I actually use it as an ingredient for A LOT of my baked goods, and I can also make cheese. So, how about this: five coppers per liter.' I proposed.
Mrs. Rosewood nodded but then thought about it for one more moment. 'Callum! How much milk does Evangeline makes!?' She called out to the other side of the house.
'Eh. . . From six to seven liters per day!' Her husband answered from the other side of the house.
'Six to seven liters.' Mrs. Rosewood answered more calmly.
'In that case, since you still have young children, how about I buy you three liters per day? It would fifteen coppers per day, and, if you want, I can pay each week the money.' I proposed my final offer.
'That would be of very much help, mam.' Mrs. Rosewood accepted.
'Great!' I smiled and then looked at the newly wed couple. 'Anything done so far?' I asked the Ironhide couple.
'W-We just finished moving in, and saw the family moving in, so I decided to help, but then my wife followed me despite knowing very well that she should not walk too much on the last days of her pregnancy.' Hughard exhaled exhausted looking both annoyed and lovingly at his wife.
His wife was tall for a human woman, clearly from another kingdom or place, but she was the exact embodiment of "exotic" in terms of average people in this kingom. Black hair, dark cinnamon skin, strong body yet curvy at the same time, and had bracelets that were definetely not made on this kingdom.
'Well hello there, you must be Mrs. Ironhide, right?' I asked her.
Mrs. Ironhide just smiled.
I blinked and looked to Hughard. 'Still adjusting and learning our language, am I wrong?' I asked him.
Hughard nodded sheepishly. 'Yeah. . . Em. . .' He turned to see his wife took a deep breath. 'Isabella, te están preguntando que si ahora eres mi esposa.' Hughard spoke spanish.
Mrs. Ironhide raised her eyebrows and nodded repeatedly with a bright smile.
As for me, I was surprised to know and understand what language she was speaking. Unless I am wrong, that would be spanish in my old world. I recalled.
'My apologies again, she comes from the "Solaria Kingom." There they only speak the "solar" language.' Hughard explained.
'I see. . .' I nodded. 'Well, in that please let her know, that I am not someone who discriminantes newcomers as long as they do not try to kidnap children, rape, or murder anybody.' I used a joking tone.
The Rosewood couple looked shocked at my poor excuse of a joke, but Mrs. Ironhide laughed heartedly once she heard the traduction.
If I had to guess, Isabella Ironhide must actually be from another continent. I determined. Brought here through slavery, kidnapping or by force, sold to some soldiers who then used her as a"trophy wife." I deduced with sadness in my heart. She must have been terrified, but at least she was lucky to be won by someone as kind and, well, practically sexy as Hughard, who clearly cherishes her and is willing to do everything for her. I looked to Hughard who smiled like a fool in love (because he was) with his wife. But then I cleared my throat and started to give them the schedules. 'Here are the schedules for tomorrow.' I stated. 'I am going to use a bell which will be signal of walking up, breakfast and back to work, lunch time and rest, back to work again, and the end of the day.' I explained.
'Oh wow, thank you miss Baker.' Mr. Rosewood nodded in surprised along with his wife.
'No problem! As for your children, I am to expect that they visit me starting from ten in the morning so they get to help in whatever they can and want, alright?' I proposed.
'Of course.' Mr. Rosewood nodded understanding. 'They're checking the list of the jobs beside helping in the farm, but we still thank you for everything.'
'Us too, miss Baker.' Hughard added taking his wife's hand who smiled.
'You are welcome, anyway I'll go back home now, you guys make sure to read the rules for everything and stick to the schedule and deadlines, alright?' I told them and they nodded. 'By the way Hughard, when you have time, bring your wife to the restaurant, I would to offer her some part-time or casual jobs, depending on whatever she's comfortable with.' I told him.
'Sure, of course!' Hughard agreed immediately and then turned to see the Rosewood couple. 'Do you guys need anymore help, or everything is fine now?'
'Do not worry young man, everything is now good thanks to you help.' Mr. Rosewood assured him. 'You go bring your wife back to bed, she clearly looks like she's about to pop any day now.' He pointed out worried.
'I know I know! But. . . She's too stubborn sometimes.' Hughard exhaled exhausted.
Mrs. Ironhide gave a soft blow on the arm of her husband.
Hughard looked over worriedly. '¿¡Q-Qué pasa qué sucede?!' He asked her what was wrong.
'Es hora de comer.' His wife patted her belly, clearly stating that she and the baby were hungry.
'Oh-oh, ¡si si! De acuerdo.' Hughard agreed to go now. 'Em, nice to meet Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood!' He bid his goodbyes. 'See you tomorrow Miss Baker!' He bid me goodye and left with his pregnant wife back to the cottage.
I chuckled as I made my way back to my home, where I found Liam taking a nap with his sisters. I chuckled again and brought them all to their cribs and made my way to make the rest of the paper work. Afterwards, I made dinner for both Aurora Brielle (just very little) and Liam, while Bailey returned yet again to feed both Aurora and Indigo.
After she left, I decided to rest and spend the rest of the day resting with my children.
The next day. . .
At five fifty-five in the morning, I received a knock on my door, so I went to check things out. 'Who's there?' I asked opening the door.
'My apologies my lady.' The voice of Moonfang was heard from where I was, as I opened it, I saw the dragonborn and Mr. Calloway on the other side of the door.. 'But Mr. Calloway said that he wanted to deliver a package to you.'
Mr. Calloway showed the bell which was good as almost new. It had a new clapper and the dents were no longer there. There were new scars from where the dents were, but as I made the bell do its Ding-dongs, the sound was way better than before. 'It's perfect, how many hours did it took you again?' I asked.
'It took me from four in the afternoon to two in the morning.' Mr. Calloway yawned. 'I was able to get three hours of sleep before rushing to deliver this to you.' He responded.
'Well, I am glad your being honest, since I payed you sixty coppers in advance, I basically payed for four hours, which means I still need to pay for another six hours. . . Wait here as I go get my money.' I requested as I returned inside and went to the office to get my money. As soon as I returned, I started counting how much money I still had to pay. 'Let's see, six hours multiplied by fifteen copper per hour equals, ninety.' I determined out loud and gave him the money. 'Just so I know, what chimney did you used?'
'The one in my mini house. With a bit of Moonfang's help towards the end since he was curious about the noise I was making.' Mr. Calloway responded. 'Do not worry, I always clean the chimneys that are not mine after work every time.' Mr. Calloway promised.
'Very well and thank you.' I said to him. 'Since you have been working fill late at night, how about you go and sleep some more? I'll make the bell ding-dong for those who have to work early today, but you can take your sign to wake up at the second bell.' I proposed to him.
Calloway yawned. 'Sounds delightful. Goodnight to you too.' He bid his goodbyes to both me and Moonfang who nodded to him.
'Have a good half morning to rest.' I told him as I saw him walk back to the apartments and then look at Moonfang. 'Anything else to report?' I asked him.
'Not much, besides Mr. Calloway, some of the residents went to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I do suggest you make time for someone to clean the bathrooms up.' Moonfang stated.
'Oh, don't worry, the cleaners usually wake up and do that every morning together at sunrise.' I told him. 'Do you wish to have meal before finishing your shift?'
'Not today thanks to your welcome gift basket.' Moonfang answered looking a bit power at my body. Probably at my chest. But he quickly made his eyes look at me in the eye again. 'I shall head home now, good morning to you and good night for me.' He yawned as he walked to the apartments following Calloway.
'Good night to you too!' I said goodbye and quickly closed the door due to the cold morning. Then, I walked up to the attic and opened the small little window from where I looked out everywhere, took out my arms, one with the Bell and the other with my new pocket watch, and started making the Ding-dongs.
*Ding-Dong-Ding!* I used the pocket watch to pause for a whole minute. Then I went to do it again.*Ding-Dong-Ding!* I paused again but for thirty seconds this time. *Ding-Dong-Ding!* Paused once more for Fifteen seconds only. *Ding-Dong-Ding!* I then paused once again for ten seconds. *Ding-Dong-Ding!* I paused one more time for five seconds. *Ding-Dong-Ding!* Then I paused one last time for only three seconds. *Ding-Dong-Ding!*
As I kept making the bell sing, I saw more and more people started to leave their apartments and I could I could see the doors and windows from the house and cottages opening up, letting me know that they have awoken. 'Good. Everyone's awake. Let's see what else can I do in the mean time.' I smiled to myself closing the window and getting downstairs to get my children.
Bailey came to the house to nurse the babies while I fed Liam and myself.
'Say em, Bailey?' I called for her. 'How is your husband? Has he found any more work?' I asked.
'Yes and no.' Bailey answered chuckling. 'Believe it or not, we've been getting better thanks to your idea of "wood carving."' She told me smiling. 'Because of the various nobles and high status people that came to take a look at your houses, and you telling them about my husband doing the beautiful carvings of the table, chairs and bed frames, he's been getting asked to do wood carvings at a high cost and rate.' She explained with her smile getting broader. 'Although he keeps looking for construction work, I believe that, by the way things are going, my husband might be able to make a living out of this officially and start a small business of wood carvings just like you with your businesses.' She said excited.
'That's wonderful!' I told her and thought of something. 'And you know, how things are going with the new residents and the new farms, I believe I might ask him and other men to do more construction working in the future.' I said to her.
Bailey gasped. 'Really?!' She asked with her smile broadly.
'Rightfully so! Although, I am still deciding on what else to design.' I admitted. 'Hopefully I'll have a decision ready by around from spring to early summer at the lastest.'
'That's wonderful! I'll let my husband know about it.' Bailey said and then went on to focus on the girls.
I sighed. 'Also, the wives of the residential homes, are also pregnant.' I let her know.
Bailey turned to look at me with a smile, as if she already knew what I was I implying. 'I see. . . It, might be more convenient.' She chuckled nervously.
'Y-Yeah, do-do not get me wrong, I was really happy and relieved that you let me have someone willing to nurse my daughters, but. . .' I thought of best way to let her know what I was thinking. 'Let's be honest. Do you think you'll be able to handle walking all the way over here during the cold heartless winter?' I asked her.
Bailey thought about it for two seconds and quickly shook her head.
'I thought so too.' I nodded to that. 'I haven't hired any of them as my new nurses, but, as soon as I do, I'm going to have to let you go.' I put a hand on your shoulder. 'I still thank you for everything you've done so far.' I added,
Bailey smiled a bit sad but nodded understanding. 'Thank you for being patient and being able to pay me quite fairly.' She said.
I nodded to that and quickly made some tea and cookies. Once Bailey was done nursing the girls and had finished her tea, I brought out some muffins for her to eat and bring home to her family.
I let myself relaxed and made my way back to my daughters and Liam, who were now playing as they could.