Harmonizer's Evolution (Balancer's Soul cycle) (35 page)

“First we will work on your vocabulary. If you need an explanation ask me for some assistance.”

Time seemed to fly for
their
family as
they
began these lessons. Pearl’s thoughts were
soft and tranquil as she read her mother’s mind. Sarah
went
through
the
English
vocabulary
in
her
mind and pa
i
red up many of the words with mental images
and objects
so
that
Pearl
could better correlate the meanings. Like pairing the word
apple
with the image of a red fruit that has a sweet taste. Connor was right about how quickly they learned to speak. When
their
daughter asked a question
Sarah would
correct her blocky language. She would then repeat her question with the correction and it became more fluid.

Before
they
knew it the day had become
quarter after
ten at night.
Sarah
knew that because Pearl’s thoughts had become sluggish. She was both tired and hungry.

“Conno
r,” his eyes opened and met hers
. It looked like this was the first time he’s opened his eyes since teaching Darrel
as well.
. “It’s getting towards their bedtime. Can you watch them for a few minutes while I prepare their bottles for them to sleep on a full stomach?”

“Sure, they are both very worn out.”

Soon after their feeding they were both fast asleep.
They
didn’t get a chance to lay down any ground rules. It didn’t matter because
they
would continue working with them in the morning.

A week has passed since Pearl and Darrel first used their telepathic abilities.
Sarah and
Connor
noticed that when they use their ability they don’t get headaches like unmated Balancers. It wasn’t a big stretch, because
they
’ve seen Keepers use their extraordinary powers
casually
,
without
the requirement of
a mate.

Both of their words
of the English language
have become perfect
ed
and they could now speak conversationally with most adults.
Connor
also found their telepathic range to be close to one hundred feet away. Any further and you don’t even know they were trying their hardest to talk.
They learned that intruding in on another’s thoughts were bad manners so they no longer do it without permission. If they were to break this rule they were confined to their crib for the rest of the day
, alone and without anything to do
. If they tried it again they wouldn’t get to see anyone except their parents
for a
full
week
.

Darrel tested his father’s
patience on this subject only once and found out who the boss of the house
really
i
s. Connor
placed him in his crib for his behavior and shut the door. He finally started wa
i
ling for someone to get him, but he found out what a timeout really meant.

Pearl saw all this and vowed to be a
good girl
forever
. Everyone knew she never wanted to be away from human contact for an extended period of time.

They really haven’t changed in the past week, but their features were filling out and becoming less wrinkled. And they were becoming even more beautiful.

The twin’s didn’t like the bottle
compared to the comforts of their mother’s bosom
, but they soon became accustomed to it.

Connor
went by Jack’s yesterday because of the news. The new numbers
were in. O
ver three thousand
and
six hundred were confirmed dead and they were still searching the ocean for any more lucky survivors. Some had been miraculously rescue
d
or washed up on shore. Plus the scientists were still dumbfounded because they haven’t found the direct cause of the incident
yet
.

Rhoda
was also feeling better yesterday and she
,
along with
David
,
came over
to find out the new trick
. Pearl and Darrel agreed to call them
Great-Grandfather and Great-G
randmother.
Neither
David nor Rhoda
were shocked
by their telepathy
, but they were thrilled to be able to converse with their grandchildren.

And there wasn’t any sign
of Veronica
showing up anytime soon
so Connor
took it as good news that Sorono was still well and the
other
Head E
lders were still unworried
about his absence
.

No news was good news.

Tonight Sarah decided to teach the twin’s about numbers. Pearl counted to three hundred and nineteen before losing her place. Darrel made it to three
hundred and
eleven before falling asleep.

The
days became soon became repetitive. It was a good thing because
all
newborns need
ed
a defined
structure. They would have their twice a day feedings as well as a nightly lesson which they always look
ed
forward to. When it became a hassle for everyone to come over to
the cottage
,
Sarah and
Connor
decided to alternate between going to
his
mom’s, her parents or
his
grandparents.
Darrel
became
fascinated when he watched
his Great-
Grand
father
and
Daddy
working in the forge. It seems like
his
son might lean towards being a Fire type. Pearl soon began getting in the habit of asking for
pretty stones
. If she is like her brother then she’ll most likely be favoring Terra
in the future
.

Since
Kara’s
apartment is too small
to house a party,
she always visits once school is over. So as a result she and Mark surprised everyone
by starting the process of buying a new home. Apparently they are buying a plot of land beside
Jenny’s that has been vacant for nearly a hundred years
. Since Changers are also immortal their fortunes have piled up and Mark wasn’t lacking in the money department.
He bought the land outright.
He said “If there is ever an emergency we’ll be close by. Plus our strange family needs to stick close together.”

Since then a month has passed and Mark gratefully accepted
Connor’s
and Jack’s help, on building his new house
. During the building process they
had to put up a large
, opaque
plastic
screen
around his house. He wanted it to be
a
surprise for his
nosy
mate. Mark
ha
d Connor
periodically check
h
is mate’s
thoughts
to see if she has peeked and remarkably she hasn’t even considered checking
on
the progress. This
is
a side of
Kara
who was waiting to be overwhelmed
in surprise.

And also during that month
their
family voted and Deputy Burrow had
now
bec
o
me
the new
Sheriff Burrow. Everyone became pleased and
their
friend had all of
them come
over for his victory party
and celebration
.

The town had made the correct choice for Sheriff.

As Jack and Connor
put the finishing touches in the living room,
Mark entered. “Connor, Jack,” They
stopped wiping the windows to see him smiling
sheepishly
by the front door. “I just wanted to thank you again for giving me a hand. I just wish there was more I could do for the two of you.”

“Forget about being indebted. You’re family.” Jack stated with a grin.
“Wow, never in my life would I have said that to a Changer…”

His
best friend looked away and then around the room.

Connor
changed the subject. “Tomorrow’s the big day! What time is the revelation supposed to happen?
”

Mark’s
silver eyes found
him
and he retorted “Actually I was planning on bringing her here around noon because she only has the one class tomorrow. I’ll need to borrow your powers to pull off the plastic that’s surrounding the house. After the big showing
,
we’ll have a barbeque party for everyone. I’ve already packed all the meat out in the back freezer.”

He
walked up and placed a hand on
Mark’s
shoulder. “I’ll be here by quarter till
then, Bud
.”

“Thanks again, Buddy. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Jack and
Connor
soon left together.
They
moved under the
plastic
barrier
and started walking down the dirt
road.
He asked this question before, but
Connor
didn’t interrupt. “I wonder what other reasons he’s chosen to build a home so close to ours…”

After he finished speaking
his mind
Connor
gave him
his personal
answers to
the
thoughtful questions. “Take your pick. Maybe he just wants to be close or he’s doing this for Kara. He’s never had a loving family before.
Not even in his human one.
Maybe it could be that he doesn’t want to take the chance if someone
who lives around him
catches him changing or flying. Or maybe his apartment was just too sma
ll and he wants a larger home. H
aven’t you seen all the paintings that
is in Kara’s art room? The apartment must have been cramped. O
r maybe he would just like to invite everyone to his house rather than always coming over to ours…”
Connor
kept stating the obvious, but the wa
y Jack looked at him
meant that he hasn’t considered those alternatives.

By the time
they
walked the quarter mile
they
saw Jack’s house.
They parted ways
because
Connor
could feel that Sarah was already home
and waiting
.
It wasn’t long before his simple
home
came
in
to
view.

Connor
opened the front door and Sarah s
at
a
t the dining room table with their
children sitting in their handmade highchairs. “Welcome home, Connor. How is everything over on your end?”

“Kara’s house is finally finished. We’ll wait for their arrival at noon tomorrow. Were you able…”

She pointed by the fireplace. “Yes, I found the housewarming gift we saw at the market last week.” The gift was wrapped like a large birthday present.

“Welcome home, Daddy!”
Pearl mentally shouted sweetly. Her mental voice was preceded by her brother’s.
“Yes, Daddy’s home.”

They were both smiling as
he affectionately
rubbed both of their soft heads. “Thanks, kids. Were you on your best behavior?
If you were, I’ll read you a new bedtime story tonight so you can have happy dreams.”

“I was Daddy! But I cannot say the same for Pearl…”
Darrel’s eyes shifted to his twin sister. She in turn mentally shouted
“Shut up
,
Darrel!”

Sarah smil
ed
as the twins had already begun their sibling rivalry.