Create a Family With a Twist 3

[kitkatcookie]

tw: ableism

[name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_m]Golding[/name_m] (25) is Arrio’s girlfriend and newly realised expectant mother. Although she’s a little nervous about the pressure’s motherhood promises, Yvaine’s determined to do all she can to provide the happiest life for she and Arrio’s child. She’s arranging maternity leave from her work as a teacher at a special needs school - a job she absolutely loves, and is thankful her employers and colleagues are so supportive of her - while overseeing her move from the apartment she was living in to live with [name_m]Arrio[/name_m] permanently. [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] used to share her flat with her older sister, the two only being 10 months apart in age and having graduated the same year from university, but when her sister became engaged, she moved out, and [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] was financially stable enough to maintain the lease, something she’s very thankful of given all the happy memories she associates with the building. She’s made friends with numerous other tenants and has promised to visit them, as it’s only a 15-minute bus ride away from it, and loyalty is something [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] highly values, having maintained numerous long-term friendships; having met her best friend in kindergarten.

This was shaped in part by Yvaine’s upbringing. Her younger brother was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 and is non-verbal, something her father struggled with immensely, blaming his wife and abandoning the family for almost a year when she was 6, citing himself unprepared to care for a child with complex needs. It resonated deeply within his daughters’ and older son, and [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] saw her mom constantly fretting at the impact it could have on her youngest child; refusing to resume the marriage when her estranged husband finally resurfaced. Yvaine’s parents have never legally divorced - to ensure there’s financial protection for their children - but she’s admittedly relieved her mom never agreed to a reconciliation, having not fully forgiven her dad for how he treated them. She’s been firm with him that if any of her children have special needs or disabilities, the first sign of bigotry or prejudice will be met with estrangement, as she refuses to let her own children go through the pain and sense of rejection she was exposed to.

[name_m]Arrio[/name_m] entered Yvaine’s life by chance, something she considers a fateful development. They both got the same bus back from campus every [name_m]Thursday[/name_m] afternoon, and one time ended up sitting next to each other thanks to how packed it was. [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] was way too nervous to speak to him, but when [name_m]Arrio[/name_m] accidentally left his phone on the seat, she quite literally chased him down the street to make sure it wasn’t left behind; leading to him giving her his number in thanks [and he admitted to [name_f]Moxie[/name_f], [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] and their other friend that he’d noticed her prior to them sitting together by chance]. PDA isn’t something the couple are big on - [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] hates excess attention, being an introvert who’s confidence only manifests at work when she needs to take charge of a class or speak up to help a student get the space they need - but she frequently writes [name_m]Arrio[/name_m] little love notes to express her affection; many of which pop up in amusing locations.

[jinxed_peach]

cw: loss of a spouse, cancer

[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] [name_u]Marlowe[/name_u] [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] [28] is a new friend of [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f]. They’re both in the same prenatal yoga class and [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] is three weeks ahead of her in her own pregnancy, but that’s not the only way she’s ahead of [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f], Sabrina’s got a five year old at home as well who currently in the middle of a dance obsessed phase and is absolutely running her ragged with all the ‘spontaneous dance parties’ in their small apartment. She’s gotta get that kid into dance class one of these days…

It’s just the two of them in the home these days, and it makes things feel extra lonely despite the chaos. [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] married her high school sweetheart not long after their graduation. They spent a lot of their newlywed days traveling and ended up naming their first child after the country they conceived in, as cheesy as it felt at first the more they talked about it, the more it just felt right. Their love for travel managed to continue after welcoming their bundle of joy, though they pulled back on the distance they travelled and started to stick within their own country instead of going across borders.

Things were good, happy, easy. Until her husband was handed a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer. It didn’t feel fair, he’d never smoked a cigarette in his life. There was talk of traveling once again but this time for experimental treatments that could give him a little more time, but in the end they agreed it wasn’t worth it. Instead they spend their time making memories with their child and with each other. They renewed their vows in a ceremony among friends and family just two weeks before his passing. Thankfully he went peacefully with [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] holding his hand and quietly humming the tune of their first dance song, It Had to Be You by [name_m]Frank[/name_m] [name_u]Sinatra[/name_u].

Loosing the love of her life was just as hard as everyone says it is to lose a partner, and so young as well. She tried not to let her grief eat her alive, as tempting as that was. There was a child to care for and a life that she knew her husband would have wanted her to live. She started attending a regular grief support group were she met another friend of hers, and started trying to find her new normal. When she missed her period she was hoping that it was just stress, the alternative was too heartbreaking to consider. But after a nearly unbeatable craving for pistachio cannoli she knew that her disrupted cycle was due to a pregnancy, she had experienced the same craving when expecting her first child. While having another baby was something she always thought would happen, she never dreamed it would be her doing it alone. Though she still wears her wedding ring and doesn’t really consider herself to be single.

She’s still got quiet a while to go before the [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] duo becomes a trio, even when it feels like it should still be a quartet. Having good friends and supportive family helps when the weight of her grief gets too heavy to handle.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Emerald[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Emi[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] (5) is Sabrina’s daughter and soon-to-be big sister. She’s kept her bonds with both sides of her family despite the loss of her father. Emi’s aunt gave her the locket she is wearing, a tiny picture of her father is inside. [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] loves Emi’s locket and that same relative is planning to get [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] a locket as well to surprise her.

Emi’s a loving dancer and adores the music, living for dancing her heart out. She used to honestly be a terrible dancer but is now doing better after watching dance videos. [name_f]Emi[/name_f] is good friends with another kid who wants to be in dance classes: a child of Yvaine’s older brother! She loves playing dance games and bopping to the moves. All of her music is modern upbeat dance style but she still happens to love [name_m]Frank[/name_m] [name_u]Sinatra[/name_u], asking who he was after she overheard it playing in the house. [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] secretly thought to herself, “YES!” when [name_f]Emi[/name_f] expressed interest in him - her middle name [name_f]Frances[/name_f] was a feminised [name_m]Frank[/name_m] after [name_m]Frank[/name_m] [name_u]Sinatra[/name_u]. Her first name was related to her birthstone, which was also her father’s birthstone. When they found out she was due in [name_f]May[/name_f], [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] and her late husband were planning to name her [name_m]Taurus[/name_m] with nickname [name_f]Tara[/name_f] since most people born in [name_f]May[/name_f] are a [name_m]Taurus[/name_m], like Sabrina’s husband. They ultimately decided [name_m]Taurus[/name_m] wouldn’t fit as a usable name, which was worth it because [name_f]Emi[/name_f] was born in late [name_f]May[/name_f], under the sign of [name_u]Gemini[/name_u]! However they did want a [name_f]May[/name_f] connection and almost wanted to simply name her [name_f]May[/name_f], but felt she should have a longer name and choose for herself whether to shorten it. They went with [name_f]Emerald[/name_f] and [name_f]Emerald[/name_f] decided she liked going by [name_f]Emi[/name_f]. They almost actually named her [name_u]Gemini[/name_u] after her true sign but they’re glad they didn’t do that, especially since her first name wouldn’t have connection with her late father. The same aunt of Emi’s who got her the locket is planning on getting her something emerald-themed on her next birthday in late [name_f]May[/name_f], and [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] loves Emi’s closeness with said aunt.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_u]Leon[/name_u] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] [name_m]Jr[/name_m]. [to be born in July] is the soon-to-be little brother of [name_f]Emi[/name_f] and [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] and her late husband’s only son. The latter of whom he will share a full name with. His mother is currently just three months pregnant with him and therefore is unaware of the fact that he is a boy, but she will learn of this information soon when she receives the results of her prenatal genetic testing. When she finds out that she is having a son it is going to reignite some feelings in her as she is still grieving her husband, though aided by her family, both her own biological one and her in-laws she will get through the difficult emotions. Eventually she chooses to name him in honor of the father that he tragically did not get to meet with a slight change being that she will refer to him as [name_u]Leo[/name_u] to mark individuality from his father’s memory, or possibly LJ for ‘Leon Junior’ depending on what she thinks will fit him better once she meets him face to face.

Despite having plenty of support people to choose from, [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] will also end up choosing to go through labor and delivery with him all on her own. As intense as the idea sounds, to [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] it is a time for her to remember and reflect on the memory of her husband as she gives birth to their child. Though during roughly the midpoint she has a brief breakdown in tears as she is devastated that her husband is not with her to welcome their child. She will then end up calling [name_f]Emi[/name_f] on FaceTime (who gets watched by one of her aunts), the little girl notices her mom crying and then tries to cheer her up with a funny story about her dad. Spirits lifted by her child, [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] then will have an easy delivery without complication.

After his arrival baby [name_u]Leo[/name_u] is going to be loved by both sides of his family, and particularly his older sister. Several of them comment on his resemblance to his father. While [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] will still feel that her family is missing an important piece, her son is the perfect addition.

[kitkatcookie]

Darcey Catherine Quinn (24) is Leo and Emi’s aunt, sister-in-law of Sabrina and the third of four children. A jewellery maker who went straight into a metalworking apprenticeship, opposed to bothering with the formalities of college, Darcey not only gifted Emerald her beloved locket, but crafted it herself for the child of her late brother. The two weren’t exactly inseparable growing up - it wasn’t a personal issue or gripe between them, Darcey merely had a closer bond with her younger sibling, who’s non-binary and only 2 years their junior, with them acting as a duo frequently - but once they’d matured more and she was figuring out her future, Leon gave her priceless advice regarding her choices, something she still treasures to this day. Knowing Emi and now her unborn nephew won’t get him as a father hurts her deeply, but Darcey protects her niece from this sentiment given they’re so young, and works hard to distract Emi from adult sorrow, instead having started to teach her how to make jewellery for herself using beads and little charms.

Generally considered the most patient and yet determined sibling, Darcey’s always been someone who prefers privacy, including how she handles grief. When her brother passed, she was careful to inform Sabrina of this well in advance, as she worried about seeming cold or even detached from the situation, when in reality she only mourned in the expected ways when given absolute privacy. It did also make her a little antiser about her own health and she’s been careful when organising doctor’s checkups, albeit nothing excessive to cause further strife within the family. Darcey also found keeping a diary very helpful to come to terms with things, and has let her sister-in-law know that if Emi ever wants to do something similar, she’s more than happy to show her the ropes.

Having just moved in with her girlfriend, the couple aren’t planning on starting a family yet, given their ages and both being relatively new in their chosen careers, but they have adopted an Italian greyhound - Luigi, whose name absolutely influenced their choice in which dog they took home - and dote upon him. Darcey’s careful when Emi or her other nieces, born to the eldest Quinn sibling, are around him thanks to his nervous disposition, but socialising him is important - especially given how loving her family is, exactly what he deserves. She’s also avid about biking, having taught herself BMX tricks, and cycles everywhere she can, although sometimes she has to relent and fall back on her trusty tiny car, known for having the smallest seats imaginable to allow for boot space. For Christmas, Darcey’s best friend got her a bread maker, which she hasn’t quite cracked yet, but her failed creations at least are making good compost at her parent’s allotment.

[jinxed_peach]

tw: terminal cancer and mention of accompanying symptoms (weight loss, coughing up blood, and others)

Leon Thomas Quinn [May 7th 1994 - December 28th 2022] is Darcey’s older brother, Emi’s (and later Leo’s) father, and Sabrina’s late husband. Pictured here holding a two year old Emi in a bistro in Lisbon. She and her mother were the absolute heart and soul of Leon’s life. From the moment he laid eyes on Sabrina during freshman orientation in high school he had begun to fall for her. They thankfully had several classes together and a friendship grew between them. The following year their school was having a winter formal, he was determined to ask her in a memorable way. So he spent three months learning how to play a certain song on guitar and in the lunch room one day he serenaded her and asked her to the dance.

That song he played for her? It Had to Be You by Frank Sinatra. Unknowingly kickstarting their shared love for his music.

They continued to date all through high school and at their graduation party he surprised her with a proposal, they married in an intimate ceremony a few months later. They both attended the same university, every summer and spring break was spent taking trips across the world. After graduation they celebrated with a backpacking trip across Europe. Upon getting home Sabrina found herself feeling rather sick and tired, as well as constantly craving the pistachio cannoli that they had in Italy. Funnily enough it was Leon who finally asked “Do you think you could be pregnant?” A trip to the doctor’s later and they found out he was right.

After doing the math they realized that they must’ve conceived in France, both that and their love for Frank Sinatra is what lead them to giving Emi the middle name that she has. A tribute to their love of travel and ol’ blue eyes.

When Emi was seven months old was when they started traveling again. It was critical to them both that they instilled the wanderlust in their daughter as well. Emi cut her first tooth in Vienna, said her first word in Budapest, and took her first steps in Copenhagen. By the time she had more stamps on her passport as a toddler than the average adult.

Things were good for the Quinns, trips they loved, a beautiful daughter, and of course each other. Though as they spent Emi’s third birthday in Shanghai, Leon started to feel as if something was off. He had a cough he couldn’t shake and accompanying chest pain. He initially wrote it off as being caused by the air quality in the city, but when it continued well into their stay in Prague he began to worry. Still he had convinced himself that it would go away on it’s own. When he found his jeans continually slipping off he started to realize that there was something more seriously wrong. Still, he knew there was nothing to be done about it in the middle of another country, instead hoping it could be dealt with once he was back home…

Over breakfast in their hotel one morning he fell into a coughing fit that wouldn’t stop. Drawing the concern of Sabrina as he covered his mouth with a napkin to protect her and Emi. When he pulled it away and saw the spattering of blood on the cloth he knew that they would need to cut their trip short.

Once they returned home the first thing he did was make an appointment to see his doctor. A few weeks later he was told that he had lung cancer. Sabrina was supposed to be there with him at the appointment that day but was called in to pick up an inconsolable Emi. Looking back she wonders if the little girl knew that something was wrong. After getting the news alone the first thing Leon did was get into his car and cry the entire way home. One he parked in their driveway he forced himself to pull it together before he went inside, not wanting to unravel in front of Sabrina.

With the future uncertain, they promised one another that they would enjoy whatever time they had left, whether that be fifty days or fifty years. Eight months of chemo later and he was officially in remission. Never once in the entire time did he cry in front of his wife during the duration of his treatment.

Things were good for a while, they were planning on going back to France for their tenth wedding anniversary, but when discussing their plans for the trip’s schedule. His cough abruptly returned. Leon had a sinking feeling about it, despite Sabrina’s optimism and hoping that it was simply benign and unrelated.

Sabrina was there beside him when he was informed that his cancer had returned, and that it was terminal. He was given seven months to live. Upon hearing the news, he sobbed.

Still trying to convince herself that things would be okay, Sabrina started looking into clinical trials in other countries. Each of them offering varying amounts of borrowed time. She begged him to consider enrolling in one, but they both knew that was betting a lot on something that wasn’t guaranteed and wasting time he didn’t have. They instead resolved to hit every location on their dream destinations, a goal achieved with the help of friends and family who partially financed certain areas of the trips.

Though they cancelled their anniversary trip, instead they planned a vow renewal. It was just as intimate as their first ceremony, but some how it felt more special.

Shortly after Leon entered in home hospice care as his conditioned worsened. Towards the end he was too weak to be out of bed for long periods of time so he instead set to writing letters to Sabrina and Emi to be opened after he was gone. He wrote as many as he could, including writing letters to be read at Emi’s potential future wedding or college graduation.

Being in Sabrina’s arms and listening to her softly hum the tune of their song while Emil laid her head across his lap was all he could as for in a final moment.

Emi’s sixth birthday will be the first time that one of his letters will be opened, Sabrina is already preparing for the emotional affair that it will surely be. Though there’s a certain excitement for both her and Emi to hear from Leon again, even if it’s only on paper. They’ve been ensuring that the new baby will know about his father in every way they can. Lately Emi’s been laying her head on Sabrina’s belly and telling stories about Leon. Sabrina knows that it’s still much too early in her pregnancy for her unborn child to actually hear their sister’s voice, but the sentiment is too sweet and she doesn’t have the heart to break it to her.

Though her grief comes in waves, she feels like things are gonna be okay. At least for now.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Adair[/name_u] [name_m]Eilon[/name_m] [name_m]Golding[/name_m] (28) was [name_u]Leon[/name_u] Sr’s best friend and Yvaine’s older of her two brothers. He is a single father to a 5-year-old girl whom he adopted 2 years prior. He may consider dating, but he’s the type to take life 1 day at a time. [name_f]Music[/name_f] has helped [name_u]Adair[/name_u] cope and he’s especially a fan of indie and alternative rock. He’s heavily grieving over his friend’s death and still has disdain towards his own father for how he treated the family. He keeps his feelings of his father away from his daughter and [name_f]Emi[/name_f], especially since the latter lost her own father. [name_u]Adair[/name_u] never wants to come off as an ungrateful son and knows he’s lucky both his parents are alive, but [name_u]Adair[/name_u] despises his father’s ableism and never treats his brother like he’s a lesser person.

While [name_u]Adair[/name_u] prefers to be single, he supports [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] and [name_m]Arrio[/name_m] greatly as a couple. He feels the two suit each other. Like [name_m]Arrio[/name_m], [name_u]Adair[/name_u] is also working in HR for the same college. [name_u]Adair[/name_u] is also appreciative of his other sister, 10 months older than [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f], and congratulated her on the engagement she had. From his late friend [name_u]Leon[/name_u], [name_u]Adair[/name_u] has gotten into culture a lot too and is doing a travel trip with his daughter in honour of [name_u]Leon[/name_u]. Adair’s daughter is actually adopted from a foreign country, which also made [name_u]Adair[/name_u] very fascinated by the world. His daughter doesn’t know too much about cancer but is aware it can kill and that people lose hair as a result of chemotherapy. It’s inspired the young girl to grow her hair long and get it cut to donate it as a wig. She remembers Adair’s friendship with [name_u]Leon[/name_u], and she can’t imagine her friend Emi’s grief - alongside the grief of [name_u]Adair[/name_u], [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f], [name_u]Darcey[/name_u], and others [name_u]Leon[/name_u] knew. In addition to other cultures, [name_u]Adair[/name_u] is also closer with his own Scottish heritage and is fascinated by the history.

[wandering_willow]

[name_f]Arwen[/name_f] [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u] “ Wennie “ [name_m]Golding[/name_m] (5) is the adopted daughter of single father [name_u]Adair[/name_u] [name_m]Golding[/name_m]. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though she has no other parent, Wennie is a daddy’s girl to a T and the two are inseparable. [name_f]Arwen[/name_f] and [name_u]Adair[/name_u], despite not being biologically related, absolutely love each other. Wennie knows about [name_u]Leon[/name_u] Sr. and the tragedy that enlisted after his death, and is hoping that when she donates her hair it’ll make a difference to somebody out there. [name_u]Adair[/name_u] admires his daughter’s courage and determination to help the cause and wishes everybody could be as courageous and determined to help others and as kind as her, and finds himself inspired by her every day. Truthfully, Wennie didn’t have the best past- she was put up for adoption the second she was born.

Her parents were 14 and 15, and her mother wanted to keep her but her parents (Wennie’s grandparents) demanded that she put the baby up for adoption. All [name_u]Adair[/name_u] knows about Wennie’s bio parents is that one was [name_m]Black[/name_m] and the other was [name_f]Asian[/name_f], and they were teenagers who were “deemed unfit to raise a baby.” The couple was “deeply in love” but broke up soon after they were forced to give up their baby. However Wennie’s bio mom wants to establish contact with her soon and is actively trying to find her through a PI. While [name_u]Adair[/name_u] would be open to having Wennie have a connection with her bio mom, he knows he’s always going to be her dad no matter what. Wennie was bounced from foster home to foster home soon after she was given up for adoption until she fell into her father’s arms- he was enamored with the little girl and decided to keep her.

Now Wennie’s living her best life- she is good friends with [name_f]Emi[/name_f] and is helping distract her from the painful loss of her father and comforting her in the grieving process. Wennie is a kindergartner, and she’s ready to take on kindergarten with ease!!!

[jinxed_peach]

[name_f]Tianna[/name_f] [name_f]Anabelle[/name_f] Watterson [5] is a friend of Wennie and [name_f]Emi[/name_f]. She’s the youngest of four kids and a bright young girl. She loves to play ‘restaurant’ with her older siblings, with the one being closest in age to her being 16 since [name_f]Tianna[/name_f] was actually an unplanned pregnancy, though she’s now the light of her family’s lives. Her oldest sister actually has two kids older than [name_f]Tianna[/name_f] herself. The three young kids king of act like cousins instead of aunt and niblings, it’s actually one of Tianna’s favorite fun facts to tell other people about herself. A lot of other kids her age don’t believe that she’s already an auntie.

When she gets older she wants to be a chef just like she likes to play now, specifically a pastry chef since she loves to repeat words she hears and the one she’s been parroting since she was three which is ‘croissant.’

[kitkatcookie]

[name_u]Kade[/name_u] [name_u]Elijah[/name_u] Watterson (19) is Tianna’s brother and the second born sibling, usually considered the most easygoing of all his parents kids. This hasn’t led to him playing peacemaker or overseeing that things don’t get too out of hand actually, it’s more that [name_u]Kade[/name_u] can be relied on if someone just wants to chill out and ignore whatever stresses might be happening around them. He’s joked about this being somewhat clichéd, as he’s an avid surfer, but usually when his siblings closest in age want to relax, they play some [name_m]Mario[/name_m] Kart and discuss the positive things happening in their lives currently. [name_f]Tianna[/name_f] used to ask [name_u]Kade[/name_u] if he was sleepwalking when he got up in the morning, as he really isn’t someone you can string a good conversation with when he’s just woken up [something shared by his dad and 16-year-old sister], and this inspired him to go as a zombie for Halloween when he was the one to take her and his sister’s kids trick or treating, to give her a well-earned break.

People often ask [name_u]Kade[/name_u] if it bothers him being the only boy in the family - more so now that he has three sister’s, and such an age gap with the youngest - but he’s honest when he tells them it doesn’t. Aside from the fact one of his paternal cousins is only 5 months younger than him and they’ve subsequently become best friends, in spite of living a couple hours drive apart, he never felt stifled or outnumbered when negotiating with his sisters as a kid. He actually admits it was preferable in some ways, as [name_u]Kade[/name_u] could compare himself to his male friends growing up - never being as talented at football or wrestling as they were, which caused some insecurities - and he knows having a brother would play on his mind more so. His parents strove to ensure ideals such as toxic masculinity didn’t control their son’s perspective on himself though, and [name_u]Kade[/name_u] overcame these doubts by the time he was in his mid-teens, recognising what he’d once been hung up on didn’t even really interest him, and it was more a pressure of conformity that pushed his insistence on engaging in those oastimes.

Currently majoring in mechanical engineering [a shock to some people, as academics don’t seem to match such a laissez-faire personality], [name_u]Kade[/name_u] attends college close to home and tries to visit at least twice a month. Although he can drive he currently doesn’t have a car, so it’s the train for him, and this journey is how he met his significant other. They’re genderfluid, using they/she pronouns, and rely on the same route to get back home from work. After realising they saw one another at least once a month on the platform, [name_u]Kade[/name_u] decided to strike up a conversation - with some teasing from a close friend making him take the leap - and there was a spark almost instantly when they began talking; in particular having a love of unusual music and tendency to wind down with classic comfort video games from childhood. [name_u]Kade[/name_u] hasn’t introduced them to his family yet [but they’re very aware he’s seeing someone], namely because he wants to time the visit to avoid his sister’s kids enquiring if the couple have picked out a wedding date yet.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_u]Kameron[/name_u] [name_f]Eliana[/name_f] Watterson [22] is [name_u]Kade[/name_u] and Tianna’s eldest sister, as well as stay at home mother to soon to be three kids. She loves being a mom and considers it ‘her best and most favorite job’ though her motherhood journey got off to a bit of a rocky start. She was just 17 when she became pregnant with her first child, interestingly enough her mother sound out that she was pregnant with [name_f]Tianna[/name_f] a few weeks before! Sometimes [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] wonders if it was her shock over her own pregnancy that lead to Mrs. Watterson being so supportive and lenient with her pregnancy. Regardless, [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] is very thankful for her, and her then-boyfriend-now-husband. He actually proposed to her on the spot after she told him about the baby, instantly dropping to one knee when she blurted out “I’m pregnant!” since she had no idea how to say it eloquently. They married at city hall a few days later since it was legal for two 17 year olds to marry with their parental permission. [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] kept her last name though has given her children their father’s name.

It was strange being pregnant at the same time as her mother, though it did make them strangely close, even having a joint baby shower to sort of lean into the bizarre situation. Despite being a few weeks behind her mother in her pregnancy, [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] actually delivered her eldest son three days before her mother delivered her sister. Much like during their pregnancies, the mother and daughter remained very close as their children went from newborns, to toddlers, and now to children. As a result their kids are very close as well, more like cousins than uncle and niece.

[name_u]Kameron[/name_u] became pregnant again at 19 and felt a much more confident the second time around. Though her mother was not pregnant alongside her this time (which both of them were actually pretty glad about) their bond was still very much there. When she welcomed her daughter she actually gave her a variation of her mother’s name in her honor.

She loves how often [name_u]Kade[/name_u] visits and loves how much her kids love their uncle. She highly admires how he’s pushed through his insecurity and is now growing into a well-rounded young man, hoping her own kids will bloom into their adolescence and adulthood with the grace that he has. She’s very excited to meet his partner and welcome them into the family.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for aforementioned cancer and body image issues.

[name_f]Tressa[/name_f] [name_f]Coral[/name_f] Watterson (16) is the third-born sibling, behind [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] and [name_u]Kade[/name_u] and ahead of [name_f]Tianna[/name_f]. She’s about equally close in bonds to all her siblings, especially given the four living such different lives. She’s a happy-go-lucky spirit and she’s always feeling a sense of togetherness within her family. Her passion is hip hop dancing. However she’s not the type to be as happy in the mornings and doesn’t consider herself a morning person. She’s also not talkative about something that worries her - she’s not confident with her body. Although [name_u]Kade[/name_u] is the only male, he’s the one [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] would feel the most confident opening up to. She loves [name_u]Kameron[/name_u], but secretly never wants to be pregnant because she doesn’t want to put her body through it. She won’t tell [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] in fear that the latter would take it personally, which [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] never intended against her. She won’t tell [name_f]Tianna[/name_f] either because she worries this would ruin the fun they have playing ‘restaurant’ together. Plus [name_f]Tianna[/name_f] is so young that the only body change she recognises in herself is a loose tooth, so she has nothing to relate to. While [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] would feel most comfortable with [name_u]Kade[/name_u] given these reasons, she’d rather not tell anyone at all.

Initially she found [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] the hardest to relate to, but got closer after [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] was able to calm herself down given the stress of everything moving so fast. During her third pregnancy, [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] benefited through the prenatal yoga class that [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] and [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] attended. [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] is happy for this, given that she was the one who recommended it to [name_u]Kameron[/name_u]. However [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] feels immense guilt given an incident where she blurted something stupid and insensitive to [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f]. She saw pictures of [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] and her late husband [name_u]Leon[/name_u] and asked, “Wow lucky, how does he manage to lose weight quickly?” [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] looked in the most defeated look and softly stated, “He had cancer…and died.” [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] didn’t know he died and felt like the world’s biggest idiot and immediately apologised profusely, but knew she had hurt [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] with her terribly spoken words. [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] resented [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] for saying that and felt like [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] embarrassed her at the prenatal yoga. [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] also profusely apologised to [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] and wanted to admit her desire to know other people’s weight loss was because she had body image issues. However she didn’t want to ever sound invasive of other’s business and didn’t ask again, especially given the response she got. She also didn’t want to make herself look like she was playing victim in the scenario. So she never told.

[name_u]Truth[/name_u] is, while [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] did have a bad feeling about her body, she likely wouldn’t take any drastic measures to lose weight - at least not soon. [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] is a very open individual about her goals. When she tells someone her goal, it will almost certainly be achieved, either already achieved or currently in progress. But if she has a plan and doesn’t bother to tell anyone, she isn’t serious about it and doesn’t care to go along with it. She knows given her incident with Sabrina; and she hopes to never blurt out to [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] about her desire to not put her body through pregnancy. It would turn her from the happy-go-lucky family member to the black sheep of the family. Like [name_u]Kade[/name_u], [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] is close with her paternal cousins and doesn’t care about genders, especially since these cousins are very non-judgemental. She enjoys dancing around them and letting loose with herself when they’re here like her best self again.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Abrial[/name_f] " [name_f]Bri[/name_f] " [name_f]Tallulah[/name_f] Furness (3) is Tressa’s niece and the soon-to-be middle child of [name_u]Kameron[/name_u], who [name_u]Kade[/name_u] calls ‘Detective B’ affectionately. Currently, Bri’s in the phase of life where she wants to know absolutely everything, and questions have become her primary means of communication. It didn’t surprise her parents that the revelation of their third pregnancy prompted this: [name_f]Bri[/name_f] seems to be wanting to assure her status in the family now she’s no longer going to be the youngest, and has decided knowing about the wider world will give her what she’s seeking out. Of course this doesn’t exclude vital questions such as ‘why can’t I feed the nursery fish gummy bears’, but her parents are always happy to accommodate their daughter, who’s always had a curious streak about her.

Being named in honour of her gran has also strengthened Bri’s bonds with her, and she loves going animal hunting in her grandparents garden. She’s quite solitary when conducting this or any of her other investigations, with the sole exception to this rule being her best friend - partner [name_u]Kade[/name_u] calls her - who she met at nursery, and the duo are already quite inseparable when attending on morning periods together. They live a 20 minute drive apart, and Bri’s friend’s parents both work long hours meaning she’s with her grandparents often, so when they’re together, she likes to make the most of this time. Still, for how she’s more content in her own company, [name_f]Bri[/name_f] undeniably adores [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] and [name_u]Kade[/name_u]: the coolest people on the planet in her eyes, even if playing restaurant isn’t her thing, so she usually goes off to find another member of the family to wheedle information out of about mammoths and dugongs.

[jinxed_peach]

cw: mention of aforementioned body image issues

[name_u]Wilson[/name_u] [name_m]Philip[/name_m] Furness [22] and [name_u]Mayson[/name_u] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] Furness [5] are Bri’s father and older brother. The two are often a duo, that is when Mayson’s not playing with [name_f]Tianna[/name_f] like he frequently is. They’re both definitely father and son since they both share the same smile and preference for loud music and Thai food. Something [name_u]Wilson[/name_u] is quite proud to have passed on to his son, though he does hope that [name_u]Mayson[/name_u] will grow into another one of his traits as well, patience, as at the moment the young boy is pretty impulsive and often can barely wait for his dinosaur chicken nuggets to cook. But he’s sure that virtue will come with time.

Despite his sort of ‘rocker’ appearance and interest in all things leather or black, [name_u]Wilson[/name_u] is a very gentle soul. He often spends evenings relaxing with some acrylic or oil paints and a canvas, crafting full paintings in a day or two. [name_u]An[/name_u] artistic ability he’s had since high school. He himself has always valued the sort of ‘softer’ things in life, such as the ability to wait things out and a solid conflict resolution as two invaluable traits to have in at least one member of the family. Right now it seems that he’s the one possessing those two in both the family he came from and the one he’s created with [name_u]Kameron[/name_u]. In the past he’s helped cool off any minor disagreements between his wife and her siblings, and as a matter of fact he’s still sort of in the process of helping them with one now. He was actually present during the ‘Sabrina Situation’ that he’s sort of jokingly called the faux-pas that occurred between [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] and [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] when the latter was over at the Furness-Watterson household for a playdate between her daughter [name_f]Emi[/name_f] and [name_f]Bri[/name_f] and [name_u]Mayson[/name_u] and [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] was picking up a forgotten laptop charger that she’d left on a previous visit.

That night [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] got a little heated after their guests had left and the kids had been put to bed as she complained about her sister to her husband while they watched a little TV to relax before going to sleep. “I can’t believe she said that!” and “Does she ever think before she speaks?” were among some of the statements that [name_u]Wilson[/name_u] sat silently and nodded along to, knowing his wife well enough to know that she often needed to get her own initial thoughts about something out of her head before she could settle down and be reasonable. Once that was through he was able to suggest that [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] have a little more sympathy for her sister, carefully implying but not being too outright about the fact that he suspected she might have some issues with her self image and confidence.

He had recognized it in [name_f]Tressa[/name_f], and even [name_u]Kade[/name_u] to an extent, after seeing it in one of his own siblings during their adolescence and coming close to struggling with it himself in his youth. Their conversation seemed to open Kameron’s eyes at least a little, but with the pregnancy hormones she’ll still need a little bit more time before she can patch things up with [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] without another fight erupting. She’s been trying to keep her mind off of that issue and focusing on remaining excited for her new baby’s arrival. [name_u]Kameron[/name_u], [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f], and [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f] have been often grabbing lunch after their prenatal yoga class which has given [name_u]Wilson[/name_u] plenty of time to work on a project for the nursery, he’s had [name_f]Bri[/name_f] and [name_u]Mayson[/name_u] collab on a canvas that he’d like to hang above the crib, hoping it might be just the thing to help distract his wife from the drama with her sister.

---

[name_f]Tressa[/name_f] and [name_f]Emi[/name_f] were created by @CherryBomb50

[name_u]Kade[/name_u], [name_f]Yvaine[/name_f], and [name_f]Bri[/name_f] were created by @kitkatcookie

[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f], [name_f]Tianna[/name_f], and [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] were created by me!

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Quinn[/name_u] [name_m]Albert[/name_m] Furness (25) is Wilson’s older brother whose tried his hardest to stay out of the ‘Sabrina Situation’ - not always easy when your first name just-so-happens to be her last name. He’s joked, “Remind me not to name my future kids anything that can be a surname.” [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] has no children but is considering adopting a child that he and his female friend are co-parenting. Both of them are planning to co-parent platonically, with no romantic connection. In fact, Quinn’s female friend isn’t even straight, she’s lesbian but only a few people know. [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] is one of the people who knows her sexuality and he’s a supportive ally, but she still feels apprehensive about telling more people. As much as [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] is excited to co-parent with her, he gets mistake a lot for her boyfriend. Which bothers him because them raising a child together might fuel those misconceptions further especially since both are single and not pursuing anyone else. He’s never going to out his friend but he wants to make it clear that the adoption-to-be is platonic…and he’s worried she won’t tell people that because she’s still closeted.

Still, his female friend has helped him more than hurt him. She’s an expert in helping people understand body image and has helped the youngest Furness with this. [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] used to be a more worried person growing up but he’s relaxed with goat yoga and is even an instructor for this. Pertaining [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f], he’s decided it’s best to not get involved and let [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] have some uninterrupted time to speak however she feels but he genuinely wants [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] to feel better about her body and [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] to recover from the embarrassment [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] gave her.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_u]Dustan[/name_u] [name_f]Isla[/name_f] Cabelo [26] is the friend that [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] is considering co-parenting a child with. They’ve been friends for quite a while now, though only recently have they started talking about taking the leap into parenting together. It started sort of as a joke, with [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] one day gushing about her cousin’s new baby who arrived last summer. That cousin being [name_f]Renee[/name_f] Newlander and the child she welcomed with [name_u]Daniel[/name_u] [name_m]Phipps[/name_m]. [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] adored the little one and seeing the photos of them on social media, often sharing them with [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] which thus sparked up the conversation one day of if either of them wanted kids of their own. [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] felt as though she did, but was unsure about the idea of going through pregnancy considering that she has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or EDS which results in the extreme hypermobility of her ligaments and tendons. As well as some comorbidities that come with it. All together carrying a baby to term might not be in her or a potential unborn child’s interest.

Generally her EDS doesn’t effect her life too terribly, she wears braces daily on her major joints such as knees and wrists, plus a few more, to prevent dislocations. Sometimes she has some bad pain days but has been living with this for long enough to know how to cope. Although sometimes she and [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] end up spending a day curled up on the couch when it’s a little worse. Which they’ve discussed that if they do end up adopting a child together he would be willing to take on the majority of the parenting responsibility for however long [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] would need in the event of a bad pain day. Though for now they’ve kind of put that idea to the side.

The main reason she hasn’t officially come out as a lesbian is her self doubt. In the past she’s hopped around from label to label, considering herself bisexual, and then pansexual, even polysexual. All before finally realizing that she was in fact, a lesbian. She’s worried that if she comes out she’ll end up changing her mind and having to tell everyone that she did. In the past she’s been critiqued for being indecisive before so she’s afraid that this would be the ultimate thing for her family to chide her over should she end up going back on her word. At the moment she’s trying to work through her personal troubles with this but there’s not telling when she’ll eventually be able to life her authentic self.

She agrees with Quinn’s choice to kind of sit back from the whole [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] issue though she’s been a good ear to listen to him discuss the troubles with his in-law’s side of the family if he ever wants to vent. She hasn’t met [name_f]Tressa[/name_f] or [name_u]Kameron[/name_u] herself but does hope that they can resolve their issues and be good sisters again. Family is important to her and [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] can’t imagine not talking to her own sisters.

---

[name_f]Renee[/name_f] was created by @kitkatcookie
[name_u]Daniel[/name_u] was created by @cara_murvolio

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Nino[/name_u] [name_m]Brodie[/name_m] Cabelo (55) is the father of [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] and brother-in-law of Renee’s parents. He has three daughters, a wife, and and older brother. Despite their much different personalities, [name_u]Nino[/name_u] and his brother are very close. [name_u]Nino[/name_u] himself works for an upscale theatre and is bisexual, having a very liberal household. His older brother is a tall, middle-aged man with the strength and bearing of a veteran soldier, an experienced veteran of many battles, and a sharp mind to pair with it. He is stern and fair, strict but loving, and is a great role model for his nieces. He and [name_u]Nino[/name_u] are a great listener, and is a wealth of advice and knowledge, offering sage advice to his offspring. When he’s not hard at work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, often playing games and engaging in activities with them that allow them to bond and have fun. Sometimes [name_u]Nino[/name_u] worries his own brother has spent too much time in the military and worries if his brother regrets not starting a family. But deep down, his brother didn’t want to have his own children in fear of their family history of EDS. Neither brother has it but as proven by [name_u]Dustan[/name_u], it is very certain that it could be passed down again. [name_u]Nino[/name_u] loves all his daughters and is happy for his family but he doesn’t blame his brother and respects his decision. He feels bad for [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] on her worst days of the condition but finds her a strong woman and deserves all the love and respect she gets. After all, acts of kindness became commitment for [name_u]Nino[/name_u] and his wife, which eventually turned into marriage!

[name_u]Nino[/name_u] doesn’t know [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] is lesbian, only that she and [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] are not pursuing anything romantically. He’s convinced [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] is possibly still questioning but he’s not going to pry into it. [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] doesn’t always “seem” like a lesbian but [name_u]Nino[/name_u] would be supportive no matter what and would avoid stereotypes. One of his other daughters is also thinking a lot about her sexual orientation. [name_u]Nino[/name_u] himself is proudly bisexual but didn’t come out until he was nearly 30. He is one who likes to relax and have a good appreciation of family and humanity, which he’s getting a nice vibe from [name_f]Renee[/name_f] and Danny’s cute daughter [name_f]Estelle[/name_f]. [name_u]Nino[/name_u] is excited to find out who [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] and [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] adopt. [name_u]Nino[/name_u] isn’t very aware of [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] either and only knows from her that she is also a mum. [name_u]Nino[/name_u] is currently on good terms with all of his family and loves them for who they are.

Estelle was created by kitkatcookie.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_u]Corben[/name_u] ’ [name_f]Cori[/name_f] ’ [name_m]Anthony[/name_m] [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] [22] is an employee of [name_u]Nino[/name_u], they work as a bartender at the restaurant that he manages. Though they love their job immensely, they have a desire to pursue cooking as it has always been a passion of theirs, though culinary school is a bit out of reach at the moment since they’ve been a bit strapped for cash. A lot of their limited income has been going towards aiding their sister-in-law, [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f], and niece, [name_f]Emi[/name_f], as well as a soon to arrive nephew who will be here in [name_u]July[/name_u].

The financial help has been mostly at their insistence, it actually took a bit of convincing to get [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] to take anything from them as she was no longer a SAHM but instead was working a semi-steady gig as a nanny, as well as now having the payout from her late husband’s, Cori’s brother, [name_u]Leon[/name_u], life insurance. [name_f]Cori[/name_f] instead suggested that she put that money aside for her children in the meantime while she gets back on her feet. This motion was also supported by their eldest sibling, who has children of her own and understands Sabrina’s desire to try and keep a strong front up for her daughter.

It’s been four months since [name_u]Leon[/name_u] passed away from lung cancer and things are still certainly healing up in the [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] family. [name_f]Cori[/name_f] has historically been closest with [name_u]Darcey[/name_u], although they’ve been headed in differing directions in recent years. Especially now as [name_f]Cori[/name_f] prefers to share his grief out loud whereas [name_u]Darcey[/name_u] is more cloistered, which has always confused them a little but they’re trying not to judge how she chooses to process things, Mostly they’re just glad that [name_u]Darcey[/name_u] has her partner to support her during this time.

In reflection, they were a little impulsive when beginning to dive through the stages of grief. Starting with a lot of binge drinking and eventually ending with getting a tattoo of a lily of the valley flower, which is the birth flower for [name_f]May[/name_f], in honor of their late brother who’s initials are hidden in the artwork as well. They’re doing a lot better now, though of course things aren’t perfect.

They’ve also been seeing a little more of [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] lately, [name_f]Cori[/name_f] at first met her at work and very quicky picked up on the fact that they were both members of the LGBT+ community since, as they said “Game recognizes game.” Having someone who understands what it’s like to feel conflicted about their identity has been a comfort for her, especially since Cori’s story has a happy ending as their family was very accepting about their being non-binary.

Things have also been greatly disrupted for their parents as well. Losing a son has been understandably hard but has also placed a lot of misplaced pressure on their marriage as well. [name_f]Cori[/name_f] is hopeful that they can work through it but does secretly worry that it might not be that easy. Unlike their siblings who have partners of their own, [name_f]Cori[/name_f] destresses these more tense aspects of life via a good venting session with his favorite co-worker, who also happens to be one of Nino’s daughters and a hostess at the restaurant.

---

[name_f]Sabrina[/name_f], [name_u]Leon[/name_u], and [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] were created by me!

[name_f]Emi[/name_f] was created by @CherryBomb50

[name_u]Darcey[/name_u] was created by @kitkatcookie

[CherryBomb50]

Evaluna Jenn Westin (24) is a good buddy of Cori, knowing them as Darcey’s girlfriend. Whenever Evaluna visits Nino’s theatre, she loves the bar there and strikes up a chat with Cori, whom she greatly relates to. Like Darcey, she also has a non-binary sibling, who is two years older than her named Moxie. Moxie loves visiting Evaluna’s shared home with Darcey and giving their Italian greyhound doggie biscuits. Moxie is an all-around dog lover and if anyone they meet has a dog, they get even more excited. Evaluna and Moxie love feeling in the community with Cori and Dustan as a lesbian and non-binary pansexual respectively. Evaluna has also gotten close with Moxie’s girlfriend Sparrow, who is a mutual friend of Renee. She finds Sparrow an intriguing individual and feels her sibling Moxie is always happy around her.

While Evaluna is a positive person, she feels bad for the Quinn family and how they’ve seen Leon quite literally deteriorate and die. She’s been Darcey’s rock during the process of loss and she’s helped Darcey find herself again while understanding she’s never quite going to be the same. Like her sibling Moxie, Evaluna thinks that some of the other family members could benefit from a dog or other support animal. However Evaluna won’t push this and if caring for an animal adds more stress than less, she won’t make the suggestion. Evaluna feels Darcey has really benefitted from their shared dog as well as Darcey keeping close with her BMX hobbies. Evaluna is a new freelance guitarist, performing solo or with several small bands but never being specifically tied to one. Music always eases her and she doesn’t travel without her guitar. She’s obsessed with bangles and wears a lot of them, especially some crafted by Darcey. Nino’s daughter who works at the restaurant side is a best friend of Darcey and bonding friend of Evaluna as well - she’s the gal who gifted Darcey the bread maker!

Moxie was created by me.

Sparrow was created by @I_meme_it.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_f]Anett[/name_f] [name_f]Willa[/name_f] Cabelo [24] is a mutual friend of [name_u]Darcey[/name_u], [name_f]Evaluna[/name_f], and [name_f]Cori[/name_f]. The one who gifted [name_u]Darcey[/name_u] the bread maker and the go-to listening ear for [name_f]Cori[/name_f]. Working at her father’s restaurant is more of a temporary gig to earn money as she’s currenting working an unpaid internship at a lab that specializes in neuroscience as a research assistant. She got her bachelor’s in neuroscience and is hopeful to go and complete her master’s degree so she can continue to work in that field. Sometimes she feels as though she’s the ‘nerdy’ one in the family, which has often been the subject of gentle teasing from her sisters, though she knows its all in good fun. Bother [name_u]Nino[/name_u] and her mother have been very vocal about how proud they are of [name_f]Anett[/name_f] and her choices to pursue such a competitive field.

She also seeks to work in disability advocacy, inspired by her sister. [name_m]Just[/name_m] within her current workspace, both the lab and the restaurant, she’s made some changes to improve accessibility. Which is something she’s pretty proud of.

Her social life is pretty limited to just [name_u]Darcey[/name_u], [name_f]Cori[/name_f], and Eveluna. She’s currently uninterested in dating after getting out of a relationship that lasted 8 years. They were both very committed to one another and even ensured that they attended colleges that were within a day’s trip to one another for frequent visits. Though recently they realized that their relationship was coming to an end, realizing that they were vastly different people now than they were when they started dating. Though they remain close friends now, but they are both pretty busy with work at the moment.

[name_f]Anett[/name_f] is also very close with her sisters. She’s the middle one between [name_u]Dustan[/name_u] and their youngest sister. As kids they fought relentlessly, but as they hit teenagedom things straightened out and they became one another’s best friends. Much to the relief of the girls. and their parents.