Chapter 8 - Homeless In Sugar Valley

We reached Sugar Valley at nighttime after a day and a half of traveling. Our money funds shrunk quite a bit because of it but there was still some left, we just have be careful of how we spent it.

"It's s-s-so c-c-old here." I whimpered, rubbing my arms. I shivered when cold ocean air started to pick up.

"That building looks open. Let's go check it out." Thulian pointed to the lighted building not that far ahead of us. We quickly walked up to the doors and saw that no one was around. Much to our surprise, the doors were open and we quickly went inside.

"O.M.B." and "Whoa." Where the only things we could say when we saw the place.

There was a kitchen, a refrigerator, beds!, bathroom!, a T.V., a fireplace, and so many other things. It was like a small house on the beach!

I rushed over the fireplace and quickly started it. The place soon started warming up and I was no longer shivering. We looked around but we couldn't find anyone else around.

"We should stay here for the night. I don't want to go searching for somewhere else in this cold."

"What happens if someone comes by?" I was worried that whoever own this place might come back and get mad at us. Thulian didn't think that this building was owned by someone but by the city. He would end up being right but I didn't know it at the moment.

I felt my stomach gurgle and immediately rushed to the toilet. I hated the morning sickness the most and I hated it even more when I couldn't brush my teeth. I cleaned my mouth the best I could being going to find Thulian.

I walked over and smiled at the adorable scene. He looked so peaceful when he sleeps and I couldn't blame him for that. It was the only were we didn't have to worry. I gently laid down next to him, falling asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. It's been a long day.

Thulian spent his days searching the internet and looking for jobs in Sugar Valley. You would think it would have been easy; a college degree, use to have his company, intelligent and knows how to work with computers, but it is never that easy. Interview after interview, I could tell he was getting more frustrated and discouraged. I tried to talk him into letting me go out to find work but he wouldn't have it, not with me being pregnant.

We were just frustrated with the entire situation.

Not too long after, I felt the slightest bump on my stomach and my clothes were starting to become very tight. Thulian practically forced me to buy new clothes which I wasn't to happy about. I was scared, we were homeless and jobless but when I placed my hand on top of the bump, I felt at peace.

"Hey little one. This is your mommy. It's hard to believe you're in here right now but here we are. I just want to say that I might not be the strongest person out there but I will do everything and anything to protect you. I love you."

Thulian was very excited about the baby. One day he came in from job interview right at the moment the baby started kicking. He nearly tripped over the rug when rushing to feel the baby bump.

"Hey little guy. This is daddy. I have exciting news for you and your mommy." He looked up and I could see his eyes shining bright with glee. "I've got the job!"

"Omb! Are you serious? OMB!" If I could jump, I would.

"Yeah! I got accepted at Stone Corporations. Not the greatest job but it's a job. I start next week!"

"That's wonderful!" We celebrated that night, just the two of us.

With Thulian gone more often, it got very lonely. I spent my time at the library sometimes reading but mostly using the computers. I wrote little stories that I had made up when I was younger and even some I thought up at the moment. These little stories made me think of easier times and it was my small escape. Somewhere along the line I had the idea of making the baby a book. I know it was selfish to use the little money we had but I had to make the book the best it could be. It took a while but eventually I managed to finish it. Now all I had to do was wait.

We worried about the future, the present, about money and especially about the baby and my health, but we kept on the positive side and made the best of our situation. Our life is not a perfect life, far from it, but we were happy.

All too soon, my water broke and I felt the pains of labor. I never seen Thulian react so clumsily or unprepared but pretty soon we were in a cab to the hospital. I couldn't believe it has been already five months. Five short months and the baby is already on it's way. It's too unreal.

When wheeled into the delivery room, many thoughts ran through my head. I felt a hand squeeze my shoulder and looked up to see Thulian giving me that special smile of his. It calmed me down just a bit.

Nine long and painful hours later, our baby boy was born into the world. Our little prince; Dragonfruit Prince Rousette.

...

Our little prince was growing up so fast and he's so smart. Though he isn' talking yet, it was obvious to us that he's starting to acknowledge things and recognize objects and names.

We were still homeless though, hospital bills and baby items added up really quickly, but things were not as bad as before. Well, almost. Thulian was now working longer hours at his job and was coming back exhausted. There were times that I wish I could get a job but I couldn't at the moment. So I spent my days with Prince going to the park or the library, enjoying the peace and quiet.

But our quiet time was soon interrupted by a loud, "WHAT!?" I looked up to see a woman shouting and yelling into her cellphone, ignoring the fact that there were other people here. I ignored her the best I could but I couldn't concentrate with her talking so loudly. When she finally put away her cellphone, I thought that would be the end of things.

It got worst. Whatever happened over the phone obviously went wrong but it must have really affected her because she then started crying - loudly. Any hope for peace and quiet went out the window and I was no longer in the mood to stay in the park.

"Come on Prince, time to go!" Though I was annoyed at the woman for making such a loud scene, I still went over to see if she was okay.

"Ummm, excuse me? Are you ok?" I hesitantly walked up to her. She jumped up the moment I started talking and looked like a deer caught in the headlights. She quickly used her sleeves to wipe away the tears.

"Y-yea, I-I'm ok."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" She responded rather quickly and looked like she was going to cry again any second. It was probably best if I left. With a quick goodbye, I made my way back home.

What an odd women.

"I'm such an idiot! I can't believe I broke down like that, I must've look insane. My head is starting to hurt. Oh no, what is Ms. Elm going to say when I tell her about what happen. Oh, I'm going to be in so much trouble and - what's this?"

"A book?"

...

"Prince come on, say daddy. Now say it with me. Da-dee. Da. Dee."

"Dah!" Thulian sighed in irritation, having trying to teach him for over an hour with no progress. But I wasn't really paying attention to them.

"Is it here?... No... Where is it?" I was upset, the book I was nowhere to be found. I looked around the beds, on the floors and even in bathrooms but I couldn't find it at all. I was hoping that I could find in the bookshelves but it isn't here.

"Angel? Is everything ok?" Thulian interrupted my mutterings, probably to give himself a little break.

"I can't find the book I made and I've looked everywhere! I'm not sure where I put it." I was truly upset that I couldn't find the book. I made it just for Prince and it's already gone.

"Don't worry. I'm sure it's somewhere around here. You'll find it." His reassurance usually calms me down but now I feel even more worked up. 

Prince just giggled and looked up cutely at both of us, which lighten my mood up a little bit. He is such a happy child, always smiling and laughing despite our current situation.

"Well, I hope so." I forced myself not to think about the book and instead spend these precious moments with my family.