Sacrifice, 2004

Givar, winter, 2004
Lyndon is 50, Nicole is 48

It had taken more than a few weeks of calling local residents and petitioning to church members, but Nicole had finally reached her goal. She had raised §800 for Give for a Change. This years funding was destined to go to the Sweeny children for a few items for Christmas as well as some much needed food. Tobi still needed help and even moreso since he was expecting his fifth child with live-in partner, Cameron. Nicole thinks about how much she wanted to have children and unable to give birth, she and Lyndon adopted and fostered children. While staring at a tiny puppy, Nicole wondered if they should do it all over again. Should they adopt or foster another child? They were older, yes, but no where near dead.

"What do you think of adopting another child?" Nicole asks as the couple waits for thier meal to arrive.

"Another child? We just got the twins into university! We just moved into a smaller apartment for goodness sakes. You want to start all over and adopt another child?"

"Sometimes," Nicole mumbled, biting her lip.

"Let's wait a year and see," Lyndon reasoned. "I think once we get used to having an empty house and enjoying the two of us alone again, you might change your mind."

Nicole nodded. She knew he was right. The timing wasn't good for another child, they both had dreams and goals that they wanted to accomplish. Lyndon was starting his private counseling services and applying for a position with the Medical Centre. A child at this time would hinder his counseling sessions. Nicole was busy as well, she was successfully teaching music with the academy and the university had contacted her about a possible adjunct position. She wouldn't be able to accept if they had another child to care for.

Yes, the timing wasn't quite right. At least they could enjoy quiet moments like tonight, laying in the grass and staring at the double moons.

The nest simday, Nicole guided a young woman's fingers over the piano. Occasionally, she taught private lessons when the mood struck her, but she made sure not to keep her schedule too full. As the girl practiced a melody, the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Humphrey? This is Johan Dawson, the Educational Director."

"Hello, how are you?"

"I am well. I was calling to see if you gave my offer any thought?"

"Oh, yes I did. I would be happy to teach a few classes at the university."

"Great, I'll arrange your schedule bewteen teaching at the academy and teaching at the university. You would get a small raise of course, unfortunately nothing substantial at this moment."

"I understand."

Lyndon was making gains in his business endeavours as well. The church was still going well. He made sure to have a rousing sermon each Sunday, be available for weddings, baptisms and funerals and still ensure that the church was well maintained. His small salary from the hood council only streached so far, thankfully his counseling services were augmenting his supply.

Currently his client roster included Grex and Ginger Grey who were still working on strengthing thier marriage. He doubted that he would continue to see the couple as they had rebuilt thier foundation and was headed towards a destiny of joy and success, that's how Lyndon saw it.

"We've been very consistent with our intimacy." Grex volunteered.

"Wonderful, that's very good."

"No, it's been great!" Ginger boasted. "Absolutely wonderful, heavenly, great."

"I don't think he wants to know details, Ginger." Grex assured his wife.

"But it is great!"

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They're at this strange age of before retirement, but after kids. It's no wonder Nicole wants a baby. I might indulge them with a pet instead.