LEPacy Challenge: Gen 9 - Big Changes for the Gains Family.

 Big changes are coming.

As summer approached and sketchy visitors continued to arrive on the Dumbledore doorstep at odd hours of the night, Athena grew more and more convinced that Elvin and Rachel were up to no good. Then they took to leaving their newborn lying in the yard. While Gus was in France on "business," Athena decide she needed to do some investigation.

When she got to the house, she saw her little half-sister at the door.  "What are you doing here?" Athena asked. "Does Dad know you are here?" 

"I'm just here for a playdate. Why do you ask?" 

"Oh, its nothing I guess," said Athena, eyeing the trash can. But she saw Elvin standing over by it and knew she would have to wait. 

Elvin picked up the baby before Athena could question him about leaving him lying in the yard. Maybe the baby was being looked after . . . . No need to call child services.

Elvin put the baby back down and went into the house. He didn't invite her in. After Elvin was in the house, Athena proceeded to rummage through his trash, looking for incriminating evidence. "What do you think you are doing?" inquired Elvin as he came around the corner.

"Oh! You startled me! I have volunteered to collect aluminum cans for the school fundraiser. I thought you wouldn't mind me seeing if you had thrown any away. It's for a good cause."

"Well, I guess there's no harm in that. Have at it. I have nothing to hide." At this point, Elvin went back into the house. 

"I bet he does have something to hide!" thought Athena, as she peered through his window.

She spied a young man talking with Elvin.

"Heath! What is my little brother doing here? Is he getting mixed up in criminal activities?" she wondered. "Why isn't he in school?"

Athena found some evidence in the trash that suggested that Elvin might be taking bribes for political favors, but she couldn't be sure. However, when she saw Jeremiah Henderson, a known criminal wearing a business suit and standing outside the Dumbledore household the following night, she was convinced that the Dumbledore family was in bed with the crime syndicate. 

 Meanwhile, Gus took a quick trip to France to deliver some important and sensitive documents to Colette Bonnet.

They got along really well, and she invited him inside. There he spied a woman he thought "blindingly stunning" painting at an easel. Her name was Beatrice, a single sister to Colette. (Frankly, I don't think she's very pretty at all, and I tried giving her a makeover, but it didn't improve things much. Oh, well, to each his own.) 

They really hit is off. One thing led to another, and they began flirting. Then they got more serious, 

and Gus found himself in her bed. After some risky woohoo, he serenaded her with his violin.

Gus, you are a bad, bad boy, and you are getting in over your head!

Gus was only going to stay in France overnight, and he asked Beatrice if she'd like to go to the winery with him.

He got a call from Jeremiah Henderson, who was checking to make sure the documents were safely delivered. He also told Gus that Athena had been lurking around the Dumbledore's house and that he suspected that she "made" him. 

This had Gus a little worried. What if she finds out he is involved in the crime ring? Oh, what tangled webs we weave! Gus and Beatrice continued their romance . . . .

but she refused to sleep with him again. She left shortly after his attempt, and I heard that she got hot n heavy with a man by the name of Francois Lambert.

(However, someone was getting some woohoo as I could hear the music. I checked upstairs and found Elliot and Noelle Saint James. They must be on their honeymoon as they did it twice during the time Gus and Beatrice were there.)

Gus came home with a couple bottles of wine and pretended nothing eventful happened.

He and Athena wanted a second child and risky woohooed autonomously. However, while everyone was asleep, Gus wrote love letters to Beatrice, and sometimes called her on the phone.

You are a bad, bad boy, Gus!

Time moved on and their birthdays arrived. Athena and Gus had their birthdays on the same day, met downtown after Athena got off work.

They were both pretty tired, so they shared some drinks and went home. 

Now both of them are experiencing a midlife crisis. Athena wanted to move to a new house - and so did I! The routing issues with this tiny house, large dog, two adults and a toddler always getting stuck at the top of the stairs was driving me crazy. Also, if they add another child, there won't be room for the crib, and one of Gus's goals is to own five nice vehicles, so he needs room for a five-car garage.

So they moved to this lovely, spacious house near the water.

It has a lovely view off the back deck.

Cooper had his birthday soon after they moved in.

I remodeled the kitchen and a few other places after this shot, so following you will see a few interior shots of the house.

This floorplan has a rec room that overlooks the main living area. They also have a weight machine and their special eggs displayed here. Cooper's imaginary friend Jellybean came to life and it turns out that Cooper, although he is only 1/4 imaginary friend, had the ability to take toy form too.

Athena can only see one of them. The day after Cooper's birthday, Athena took him to visit Aunt Gina and Uncle Josef.  They played on the trampoline and see-saw, and Uncle Josef presented him with an imaginary friend potion as a belated birthday present. Cooper was so excited!

He rushed home and offered to make Jelly Bean real.

Athena told him that Jelly Bean would not be the only new addition to the family, hopefully soon he would also have a baby brother or sister.

All seemed right with the world, but both Gus and Athena were getting itchy feet. Athena wanted to flirt with someone other than Gus, and Gus, after getting another promotion, decided he wanted to divorce Athena. He felt it was time to come clean about his secret life.  First he admitted he lost his political job and was now working with a criminal organization. . . .

Then he admitted to the affair while in France.

Athena did not take it well. "Do you realize I'm pregnant now?!?"

I gave you one child, and now I'm carrying another! And this is how you treat me!?!

You are despicable and evil! How can a cop live with a criminal? 

I no longer want to be married to you! I'm done!

They had not broken the news to Cooper yet, but Athena needed to get out of the house. She decided to take Cooper and Jelly Bean to the festival and get her mind off things.

As luck would have it, Nicolas McMahon, one of her coworkers, called and asked her for a date. "Why not?" she thought. She left the boys to enjoy the festival and met Nicolas a few blocks away.

She told him she was pregnant and wouldn't be to work for a little while.

Then, she told him she was leaving Gus and began flirting with him.

He seemed fairly receptive although he is married.  Maybe his marriage is on the rocks too. He did resist when she tried to rebound kiss him, however. 

To be continued.