Karina Reaches Her Teens

Cape Garner was a wonderful place to live. With the scenery and the mountains in the background across the Sound, it was quite the scenic place to make a home.

...and of course another cycle of the moon happened, with nothing much really happening this time around. But of course, life and the usual day-to-day tasks that needed doing were the things that kept the Chikamoris busy.

There were always things to do like fishing, leaf-pile woohoo (OUCH...ANTS!!!), risking rabies, and jamming with family. So much to do.

River, also feeling that she needed to do this, something that prompted her, ended up going down to the shrine to the ancestors and praying, while Haruo discussed things with Braden, on how he was going to take over the every day duties of the household. It just seemed like it was the thing to do, whether it was a sense of something that needed to be done or whether it was some other-worldly prompting.

Braden was uncertain as to why his dad was discussing matters like this, but he shook it off as his dad feeling his age creeping up on him. His dad wasn't young any more and Braden could see the worry lines creasing his dad's forehead. Meanwhile, Alfredo took care of the garden, and Karina came out to talk to Grandpa about fishing and other things.

It was Karina's birthday and she aged up to teen not too long after her adoptive aunt.

The party was wonderful and everyone was able to have a slice of Karina's birthday cake.

Haruo did spend some time fishing...enjoying the peace and tranquility of the Sound. And other members of the family did what they had to do. River headed off to the bookstore to grab some books. Colin looked up the weather (there was snow in the forecast) and River came home to sit down and read.

That night River came down to spend a little quiet time with Haruo. "We've had some good years together, haven't we?" said Haruo quietly as he gazed into River's eyes.

"I'm hoping for many more..." River replied...as Haruo gathered her into his arms. "I love you..."

...and so they headed off to bed...

And So Life Goes On...

The days for the Chikamoris went by...as life's tasks kept being dealt with.

...and the season went from early fall to late fall...and the weather changed in tune with more torrential rain.

...and to fulfil a wish that River had, an adoptive daughter came from Social Services.

Of course she was just at the cusp of being a teenager so her birthday came up and she went from a child to a teen at her birthday party.

Evidently the birthday cake was good.

And of course there was the usual task of raking the leaves.

...and there were the never ending bills which with the inclusion of that large gemstone worth over §300M, it proved to be quite a financial kick in the teeth in terms of income taxes.

Of course, River and Haruo took a lot of time for each other. Spending time for a change in the hot tub that they'd put into their house. At least it would make it so that they would have something to hand over to their children. They had been together for so many years that it was something to behold. Their love for each other was as strong as it was the day they had laid eyes on each other for the very first time.

Of course, that led to other things in that hot-tub.

...which led to other things...elsewhere...

However, Kyla couldn't do everything alone so that led to yet another situation where Haruo and River had to hire someone to come in and do the garden; another live-in solution.

Alfredo Morales was able to take care of the garden and do minor repair jobs around the house when Kyla was busy with things like taking care of the house, cooking and laundry.

...and one of the first things that he set about doing was taking care of the broken dishwasher.

Haruo did take some time and spend some time honoring his ancestors...it was just a feeling that it was something that he needed to do...and then he spent some time with his wife.

In the morning there were things that needed to be dealt with and Greta had a few things that she needed to discuss with River.

...and again night fell on Cape Garner Island.

Kyla did a whole round of cooking in order to replenish the fridge so that the family wouldn't run out of left-overs.

...and of course there was always morning fun-time...for River and Haruo.

Brianna took her adoptive sister out bowling, in order to get to know her.

...and things went on as usual in the Chikamori household...