| Aztec Legacy |

The tension between Artie and Coatlicue did not completely go away, but at the moment it was overshadowed by the pure joy of becoming new parents. They were both willing to put aside their own difficulties to ensure they could give the best lives possible to Metzli and Chantico. Of course, this included some changes to their baby preparations. Now they needed another crib, twice the amount of diapers, and twice the energy, love, and attention.

Lookin’ good there, momma! Slim and sexy again with no maternity clothes.

(Note: She was standing right over the crib in this snap. I had to crop it, otherwise it looked like she was about to beat Metzli with the spinning thing. o.O)

Soon after bringing the twins home, Coatlicue grew into an Adult. Just in the nick of time too! She had her children, a house, a job, and her man, all taken care of before having to worry about becoming an elder. Only one thing was missing…

The thought jumbled around in her head for days. Artie was behaving much better than she expected. They took turns alternating between quick naps and taking care of the girls. She often woke up to the sound of Artie’s low, smooth voice singing lullabies to them, or his and their laughter mixed together in the air as he tickled and played with them. There was no doubt he loved them unconditionally, tirelessly. And no one can love a child like they love their own.

She waited with ring, on one knee for him in the girls’ room. She wanted them to witness it, even if they were too young to remember or comprehend it. When he walked in to check on them and saw Coatlicue there, he couldn’t speak, but only cover his mouth in shock.

“Artie, we created these beautiful kids together and I love you,” she began. “We don’t always get along but I can see how much you love them. I want you to be the only father they know. Will you become my husband?”

Artie’s mouth slowly went from an O to wide grin. He still didn’t say anything as he pulled Coatlicue into a tight embrace. While looking at his babies in their cribs over her shoulder, he whispered, “Thank you for forgiving me, wifey.”

Her heart leaped as she latched onto him and sobbed tears of joy. It was the sweetest thing she ever heard, in Artie’s style of course.

With lack of funds for a proper wedding, they got married privately at home. It was a quick, simple ceremony. They both had to return to feeding, rocking, and changing diapers around the clock. And Coatlicue had to return to work the next day! She was filled with anxiety about being away from her girls for the first time. On top of that, her first day back at work was also the twins’ birthdays! They needed money, but she hoped and prayed she wouldn’t be asked to stay late.

Luckily, there was naught to worry about. She made it home in time to prepare a cake and watch the amazing transition from baby to toddler! Chantico inherited her mother’s golden eyes and dark red hair from her father. Aside from the hair and skin tone, Coatlicue felt she was staring into a mirror when looking at her oldest daughter.

And babyfaced little Metzli received her father’s dark blue eyes and her mother’s exotic hair; platinum with dark roots and streaks, and red tips. I (Mia) just squealed when I saw that hair on her, looks so cute in that hairdo! I love it. =)

Artie’s birthday was not long after Chantico and Metzli’s. He was quite a few years older than Coatlicue, though no one quite expected this young soul’s sudden transition into an elder. Almost immediately, Artie felt overwhelmed by daily tasks with his kids while his wife was at work. His body was stiffer and couldn’t play with them like he used to, and felt tired more often. The constant needs of the girls only exacerbated his grumpy nature as his body became less able.

Although she knew he was still healthy, young at heart, and doing his best, Coatlicue secretly wondered in worry if Artie would be around to watch his kids become young adults, or even teenagers? And how would she help the girls cope with losing their father? How would she cope with it herself?

This entry was posted on June 30, 2009 at 11:11 pm and is filed under Generation 1, Generation 2 with tags artie, aztec, coatlicue, elder, legacy, toddler, twins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.