Chapter 8: A Hard, but Good, Life...

* I just wanted to add that this is my last post pre-Generations.  After this things should get a bit more interesting with the new memories feature as well as pranks and such :)  I'm looking forward to all the new options to add to the storyline! Now on to the story...*

A few weeks have passed since Tanya clears the air with Christopher and before she knows it Brent becomes an energetic toddler.  Christopher is away again on SCIA business and can't make the party so Tanya decides to just keep it a small celebration.  She realizes she is soon to have her hands full when the new baby is born and spends as much of her time as she can with Anderson and Brent.  Tanya is worried they will feel left out with the baby as it will take more of her time in the beginning.  She thinks Anderson will handle it well since he is getting older and has been through it before, but Brent may not understand why Mommy is so tired and seems to love the baby more.

Before she knows it, it's time for the baby to arrive!  Tanya calls Grady, who rushes her to the hospital where she gives birth to a beautiful boy.  Tanya struggles with a name and realizes that her first two sons had names following the alphabet and decides to continue the pattern and use C for the first letter.  She contemplates a bit more.  "Charles?  Nah, too common.  Carl?  Nope, too bland.  Hmm... Chase!  Yes, Chase it is!"

A few days after Chase is born, Anderson celebrated his birthday and grew quite the teenager.  

He was super excited and couldn't wait to blow out his candles.  Unfortunately his father canceled at the last minute and couldn't attend the party, but Anderson understood and was just glad to have his mom and Brent there.

He knew now he would enjoy many more freedoms and couldn't wait to embark upon the journey of high school.  Anderson was sure that many more opportunities awaited him and couldn't decide whether he wanted to stay a free-spirited artist or settle in to a part time job after school to help his mom with some of the bills.  He knew Tanya could use the money from a job, but she could also use the help with Brent and the new baby on the way.  She had her hands full and wasn't able to find much time to write lately so the royalty checks were getting smaller and smaller each week.  Anderson wondered if he could manage both work and painting while still in school?

Anderson realizes that with the new freedoms of being a teenager also comes new responsibilities.  Soon he and Tanya develop a routine where he keeps an eye on Brent while she writes for a couple hours.

Anderson uses this time to teach his little brother how to talk and the two quickly form a bond that can't be broken.  Tanya loves that Anderson wants to help out with the younger boys but she starts to worry that he feels an obligation to do so and is taking on more than he can handle.  He should be enjoying his teen years, not feeling like a teenage father.

The two go get makeovers together.  Tanya decides it's time to ditch the pink rocker hairstyle and goes back to her natural auburn locks.  Anderson decides to get rid of the bowl hair cut for something a bit more hip and grabs a few new clothes for when he's not painting.  Maybe that girl he has had his eye on in Math class will notice?

When they get back home Tanya makes lunch for the two and sits Anderson down to talk.  She explains that he should enjoy his high school years not be burdened with helping to raise the younger boys.  Anderson tells his mom that he really does enjoy spending time with his brothers and doesn't mind helping out.  Tanya makes him promise to let let her know if it becomes too much and he agrees.

Tanya sets out to teach Brent to walk and after a few days he takes his first steps towards her without holding on to anything and she is ecstatic.  She just can't believe how lucky she is to have such wonderful children.  Some days she tries to imagine what life would be like if she had followed her original dream of the rock star life, but she wouldn't trade this for anything!