Chapter 3-6

Holly has grown into a young adult. She and Blossom (who is now a teenager) have become very close.

Blossom has become very self conscious about her birthmark because of the "cool crowd" at school, and frequently comes home crying.

Blossom: I'm so ugly. This stupid mark on my body is hideous and everyone makes fun of me!
Ginger: Honey, you're a beautiful woman, that birthmark does nothing to conceal your beauty. The others at school are just looking for someone to pick on. Don't let it get to you.
Blossom: Thanks, Mom. I'll keep that in mind.

She has since taken up painting, as a form of stress relief and as a creative outlet. 

Since her birthday, Holly has been acting different. She changed her appearance drastically and is out all hours of the day, coming home only to sleep. I just hope she isn't doing anything stupid.

I caught her coming home one night. I instantly knew something was up. She looked horrible.

Ginger: Where have you been, young lady? 

Holly: *slurring* Wouldn't you like to know?

Ginger: Are you drunk? Seriously Holly, this is what you've been doing every night?

Holly: Not EVERY night, but yes. I've been going to the club and having fun!

Ginger: Listen here, if continue this behavior, I'm going to have to ask you to move out. I don't want to do that, but I can't have you here coming home drunk late at night and being a bad influence on your sister! 

Holly: Fine, whatever. I'm goin' to bed.

After my conversation with her, she stopped going. I was pretty surprised, honestly. I didn't think she would listen to me, being that she is hard-headed like her father. 

A couple months after the incident, she pulled me aside. 

Holly: Mom, I have a problem.

Ginger: Okay, what is it?

Holly: Well....I'm pregnant.

Ginger: Are you f****** kidding me, Holly? Just what all were you doing at the bar?

Holly: Having fun, like I said, drinking, dancing...

Ginger: and hooking up. With who?

Holly: *embarrassed* I may have hooked up with one or, maybe five guys, whoever was up to it at the time.

Ginger: Oh, Holly. Why did you do this to yourself? You couldn't at least use protection?

Holly: I was drunk, Mom. I know, it was stupid, and now I have to deal with the consequences. I don't know who the father is. I barely even remember what the guys looked like, let alone their names. 

Ginger: So what are you going to do?

Holly: I'm going to raise the baby alone. If I happen to find out who the father is, then I'll deal with it, but for now, I'll do it myself. I'll get a job, and save up to be able to move out on my own.

Ginger: Okay, if you need help the three of us are here for you.

Holly started to show pretty early on in her pregnancy. She went to the doctor and discovered that she is having twins, both girls.

Her pregnancy progressed and she just kept getting larger and larger. Yep, definitely twins. 

The day before her due date, the twins arrived. She named them Sage and Rosemary.

  

Chapter 4-1 -->

<-- Chapter 3-5

Chapter 3-5

Brief life update time.

Mom passed away a month ago. The mood in the house is finally starting to get better following her death.

  
Blossom is now a child. As she aged, we noticed something a little different about her. She has splotchy skin on the left side of her body. Mandarin and I panicked, thinking something was wrong so we took her to the doctor for a checkup. Fortunately, it turns out it is a birthmark, so it's nothing to worry about. It is odd, though, that it didn't appear until around age 6.

Blossom looks very similar to Mandarin, and the two of them are very close. She's definitely a daddy's girl.

She idolizes Holly, and follows her around the house a lot. Holly will babysit her while Mandarin and I are at work. 

I have decided to teach Holly self defense. If she can defend herself, I feel that she'll be a lot better off if a situation should arise if she were going to be assaulted or attacked. She has taken the training to heart, knowing that this skill is something that will be helpful in the future. 

As for me, I've been working on my skills. I have used the creative juices that run in my veins to hone my painting skills. Also, I have been working out and eating healthier; I have so much more energy since making these changes.

 Chapter 3-6 -->

<-- Chapter 3-4 

Chapter 3-4

Holly's birthday came and went, and she is now a teenager. Right after her birthday, dad passed away. We all were very upset but Holly seemed to take it the hardest.

We buried him in the family's graveyard. 

Because of dad's death, we haven't told her about her dad yet. We decided to wait until the mourning period has passed.
................................................................................................................................................................

  Mandarin: Holly, your mother and I need to tell you something.

I busy myself in the kitchen, while the two talk, chiming in when needed. This isn't going to be a pleasant conversation. 

Holly: Oh, okay. 
Mandarin: We need to tell you something that we've been meaning to talk to you about, but we wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand. 
Holly: Oh...my...God....I'm adopted aren't I?
Mandarin: What? No, not quite.
Holly: What do you mean 'not quite'? 
Ginger: What we're trying to tell you is that Mandarin here is not your father, biologically speaking. It's a long story. 
Holly: Seriously? *starting to cry* you lied to me all this time? 
Ginger: Honey, I need to explain the whole situation, and why we waited until now to tell you. It's not a story for young ears. 
Holly: Ugh, fine. 
Ginger: When I was 17, I was dating your father, one of the best football players at school... 

I told her the whole story, and she looked horrified.

Holly: I-I understand. I can't believe that happened to you, Mom. 
Ginger: After, your father and I broke up because he had no interest in raising you, Mandarin, who has been my close friend since childhood, jumped in to support us. After you were born, he took you under his wing, claiming you as his daughter.
Mandarin: That's right, Holly. Even though you aren't biologically mine, I felt a fatherly connection to you. I love you like you're my own, and that's never going to change. 
Holly: I love you too...dad. 

Holly, still in shock from what she heard, starts to cry again. Mandarin comforts her.

Holly: I need some time to think. Thank you for finally telling me. *turning to Mandarin* I appreciate everything you have done for me and Mom, I just don't know how to process all this.
Ginger: We understand it's a lot to take in. Just know that if you want to talk about it, we're here for you. 

She went to her room, and didn't come out much for the next week. She comes to me one day and asks if I have her dad's contact information because she wanted to meet him. I reluctantly give it to her. I'm not going to deny her wanting to meet him. I'm just afraid of what's going to happen when they meet.
..................................................................................................................................................... 
 
 Holly's POV

I get to my real dad's house, and knock on the door. He looks surprised to see me there, but let's me in without a word. Then he turns and smiles at me.

 Pomegranate: What's a beautiful young lady doing at my house? Looking to hook up?

Are kidding me? Is this a joke? I guess Mom wasn't kidding when she said he likes to sleep around and flirt with every girl he sees.

Holly: Ew, gross, no. I'm not here for that. I came here to meet you.
Pomegranate: *looking confused* Why? Who are you?

Holly: I'm your daughter. My name is Holly.
Pomegranate: You serious?....Oh I see it now. You look a lot like your mother. What I don't understand is why she told you about me knowing I wanted nothing to do with you. Sorry sweetie, but if you want me to give you money or something, it's not happening. 
Holly: Wow, you really are a jerk. Mom was right about you. What a waste of time. I'm leaving. Goodbye, Dad. 

Mom was waiting for me when I got home. I know she wants to know what happened and I'm going to tell her. 

 Ginger: How'd it go? Are you alright, sweetie?
Holly: You were right, Mom. He's exactly how you described. He tried to flirt with me at first, before I told him who I was.
Ginger: Dang, yeah, he hasn't changed.

 

 Holly: H-he wants nothing to do with me...I feel so unwanted, you know? My own father disowns me because he can't handle being a parent.

Ginger: I know sweetie, it sucks, but you have all of us here. We love you and would do anything for you. There is a reason we didn't tell you sooner. We knew this was going to happen, and we didn't want to see you so upset.


She pulls me into a hug. I feel comforted, but I wish I could get this kind of affection from the man who helped create me. I feel so lonely, even though I know I have love and support from everyone here in this house. Life really sucks sometimes. Guess I'm gonna have to get over it and move on.

 Chapter 3-4 -->

<-- Chapter 3-3