Chapter 9: A brace of birthdays

Finally, the days of Tamara’s maternity leave have ended.  It’s Friday, and she has to head back into work after several weeks off for the baby.

Back to work

Tammy doesn’t actually mind it — she was getting ready to go a little stir crazy staying home with the baby every day — but she does wish she could have had one more day off… It’s a bit annoying to have to go into work for just one day before the weekend starts again.

Birch stays home with the baby, of course.  Ash spends a lot of time sleeping, which gives Birch a chance to putter in the garden some more.  This is important, after all, because it’s one of the family’s main sources of income.

Gardening while babysitting

Birch’s lettuce plant is coming along nicely, which should give him lots of greens to use in his Autumn Salad — one of his specialties.

When he’s done with the gardening, however, Birch has a much more important project. Today is not just Tammy’s first day back to work. It’s also her birthday — the first she’s had since Birch met her.  He wants to throw a nice party for her, so he calls up her friends Cycl0n3 and Blair and invites them over for dinner and cake.  Luckily for Birch, Tammy doesn’t suspect anything, and the party is a complete surprise.

Tammy's birthday

Tamara makes a wish, and the others twirl noisemakers as she blows out her candles. Afterward, Blair asks, “What did you wish for?”

Tammy smiles and says, “I can’t tell you or it won’t come true!”  So… what do you think she wished for?

After blowing out the candles, everyone settles down to have a nice piece of cake.  The baby is the only one to miss it — he’s asleep in his room the whole time.

Let them eat cake

The party was a great success, and Tammy heads into adult hood in a great mood.  She also gets a nice weekend right away again — what a tough life she has, eh?

On the other hand, perhaps the weekend is a good thing — because Ash’s birthday comes right on the heels of Tammy’s.  This time Tamara is the one to plan the party. She invite over her good friend VJ Alvi, who brings a plate of hot dogs to help the celebration along.

Party guest -- with food!

As the adults sit down to the birthday dinner, VJ nudges Birch and says, “Would you like me to put the hot dogs on the grass for you?”

As Birch turns red, Tammy frowns and says, “What do you mean, VJ?”

But VJ just smiles and says, “Ask Birch.”

“I have no idea what he’s talking about,” says Birch stonily.

Another birthday feast

Before Tammy can ask for clarification, she hears Ash fussing in his room, and brings him out to enjoy the company. Everyone sings, “Happy birthday,” and Ash officially becomes a toddler.

Ash ages up

The guests all brought presents of course, and so after the rousing chorus of “Happy birthday,” Birch spends a few hours playing with all the new toys.

New toys!

Finally, however, it’s Ash’s bed time, and Tammy puts the toys away.

“Let’s go, little man,” she coos. “Time for beddy-bye.” And she lifts Birch up and takes him to the crib.

With that, our two birthdays are over, as is the weekend. It’s time for Tammy to get serious about work now, and for Birch to get serious about gardening. What’s in store for our Founder’s family next week is anyone’s guess.

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