Death by pony

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Britney wanted to be really prepared for the baby and she had to drive Ben to JC's house so instead of driving home after she stopped at the library to read parenting books.

Ben had an amazing time at JC's house. She met her little brother Dylan and her dad who insisted he just call him Gaven and that Mr. Robell was to formal.

JC let Ben hold her hamster named squiggles. He was sweet, fluffy, and adorable.

Eventually Britney picked him up to go home and he worked on his yoga.

Art and Britney started talking about baby names as they finally got the results in the mail. They were having a girl!

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One morning Britney decided to take a day for herself before the baby got here. Self care was important for her and the baby right now.

She decided to hit the beach and enjoy the serenity of the water and waves.

An what's a trip to the beach without a little swimming. It felt amazing on her back. It felt like all the weight had been lifted off her spine in a way she didn't know she needed.

Towards the end of the day she decided to have a little fun in the sand but it only lasted so long.

Her body was over it and it was time to go home and lay down.

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So my computer died. Until I can get a new one and access my hard drive I can't make any new posts. I think their are two or three scheduled posts left and then gonna be on hiatus for a bit

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Ben kinda kept to himself not really interested in all the baby stuff. He was more concerned about his academics. Keeping his grades up was very important.

He also made sure to prioritize his mental health with the stress of tryouts approaching. Not psyching himself up was the most important part.

Art made sure he made time for Ben to help him train. He didn't want him to feel forgotten about with a baby on the way. Britney even joined to. She couldn't help as much but she was going to cheer him on regardless.

An in the middle of it al he made a new friend named JC and she refused to tell him what it stood for. That was cool with him as long as she was willing to hang out with him.

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They kept it on the down low for as long as they could but eventually her bump started to show. They gave Ben the honor of being the first to know as the soon to be big brother. He was excited for his parents and couldn't wait to have a sibling.

Next they told Arts parents as the logical next step and they were happy and excited for them. "I'm always ready to embrace a new grand baby. I know you've wanted this for a while and I'm happy you finally have your chance." Jen was always so warm and supportive. It was just what she needed.

Raf and Jen wasted no time on a remodel to the house. A new baby meant they needed space and that was only going to happen with a new bedroom.

They pulled all the old baby stuff out of storage for their new grandbaby and it still looked fantastic considering it went through Artemis and all his siblings and then Ben. They were also thankful they weren't going to spend a fortune on new baby stuff. Now it was time for the long road ahead.

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Ben was going to try out for football and he thought he had a good chance but it could always be better. He started building up his legs to try and get faster and if nothing else better endurance.

Ben even asked Art for help with practice and Art was so excited to have something to bond over with his son. Art had always been into athletics and now it was something they could do together.

Raf also approached Art but for a very different reason "Is Britney pregnant?" Art was really confused "Um, not to my knowledge. Why?" Raf crossed his arms and leaned against the counter "Son, your mom had 5 kids so I got real familiar with the signs. The nausea, constantly tired, starving but can barely eat. You should talk to her." He looked at his dad very skeptical but it did make sense when you looked at it that way so that's what he did.

He went and asked her "My love, have you taken a test?" She looked at him confused "A pregnancy test." She shook her head "No, should I?" He nodded "I think its worth checking." So she did and five minutes later it changed everything. Thy were having a baby.

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Rafal and Jen took a moment to touch base with their son "Artemis, not to put you on the spot but what are you going to do with your life? Ben's pretty much grown at this point, you and Britney are married, are you going to get a job? A hobby? Anything besides being a dad?" Art was caught off guard. His parents had always been supportive but he hadn't realized that they were waiting for him to do something. He had been thrown into parenthood when his peers were going to college and starting careers and he... He had stayed stagnant. "I um, I'm not actually sure. I don't think I ever stopped to consider that one day I'd be free to just do stuff, not after Ben." That's what they had suspected. Jen smiled and took his hand "Well you start figuring it out. We wanna see you do good things with your life." They left it at that and Artemis was left to really consider what he wanted to do with his life.

Ben started high school not long after and he also had to start considering what he wanted to do with his time. This was the last stop on his public education journey and four years would go by fast.

He introduced himself to new people to try and make some friends. That was an easy first step right?

He ended up hitting it off with this girl Abby and her friend Eliza. Abby was on the debate team and Eliza was just enjoying her new found freedom.

After that it was off to his first class and he was ready to learn.

Back at home Britney had started feeling sick. Hopefully it was just a stomach bug and she would be fine in a few days. Today though she was going to take it easy.

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Ben was turning 14 and it was going to high school starting in the fall. It was an exciting time for the family.

Getting older meant some re-decorating of his room. Gone were toys that he had long stopped playing with replaced with new hobbies.

He had started getting really into Yoga. He had always been pretty athletic and now he was shaping his mind with his body. It seemed like the perfect next step especially going into this next step in life.

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After a little while Raf seemed to jump into action. Everyone was very confused to see him just silently cooking in the kitchen.

Being a good wife Jen checked on him trying to be bigger than her own grief. "Just trust me, I think this is crazy too but its the only thing I can think of to do right now and maybe it will help." Jen just nodded and went back to her spot on the couch to sit in her thoughts.

Raf went to the ghost of his son "I think I can fix you if you will let me try." Trying sounded better than his eternity of dead "Why not."

Raf sat him down and set a plate of strange food in front of him "when my dad died, papa went a little crazy trying to bring him back. He found this recipe that allegedly can bring back the dead. While we could never confirm it I figure we could at least try the crazy recipe your grandpa left." Artemis was skeptical and looked between the plate and his dad. He sighed to himself. He couldn't get more dead right?

It felt weird eating as a ghost but this may be his fathers only way to cope.

He started to feel weird and got up. he felt... tingly?

Suddenly he felt power surge through him as air filled and burned his lungs.

He was alive! What kind of voodoo was his grandpa doing?! It didn't matter, he was back!

"Oh my god it worked! I thought dad had gone crazy! Oh thank god, I dont think I could live if I had to bury my own child."

He found Britney and she was so happy to see him alive and breathing. She pulled him into a very passionate kiss. Before he could even think to inform his mom or son Britney was pulling him to their room to be undisturbed.

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Things could never be good in this house for to long. Art was just in to silly a mood and suddenly he couldn't stop the laugh from coming out!

He couldn't stop thinking about Ben in his final moments. His son would loose both his parents before he was even a teenager and that felt cruel and unfair as he felt his soul leave him.

The reaper came for his soul soon enough. It was just his job after all.

Britney begged for his soul and a second chance but her pleas fell on def ears.

Art had the mind to stay as a ghost. Little creepy and unsettling and didn't help the situation.

Ben soon joined the scene and him and Britney were inconsolable. Raf seemed unusually calm but they figured everyone deals with grief in their own way.

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Things were going great in the house. Ben was almost out of middle school. He was a straight A machine and sharp as a tac.

Artemis was learning new skills and filling his time.

He was really into multi craft and learning to use his hands. While knitting hadn't panned out wood work seemed to be working much better for him.

Jen had joined her husband in the glory of old age and they were settling nicely.

Britney was starting to settle with the idea a baby may not be in the cards for them and that was fine. She had Ben and that was enough if that's all she got. She was still going to be an amazing mom for him.

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Art and Britney were keeping the romance alive while they tried for a little one. Britney thought he had somehow managed to become more romantic during it all.

They were attached at more than just the lips and she appreciated his attentiveness.

Everyone seemed to have advice for Britney and while some was helpful, some seemed unwarranted. not that she didn't appreciate her sibling in laws. The ones who weren't parents shouldn't be giving her parenting advice.

It was actually harder than they expected. Ben had happened so fast by accident first try that the time it was taking for a second kid was discouraging.

For Britney every negative test felt like a door closing more and more. Artemis tried to reassure her though and it did help her keep her chin up.

Through it all though Art never stopped making sure she knew she was perfect and loved no matter what and that made her feel like she was his everything. An that was really the secret to a healthy marriage wasn't it?

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Artemis got an unexpected call from his sister Aphrodite. The whole family was invited over for a surprise.

She had a baby! A darling little girl named Jenny after her mother. Her siblings pointed out that their mom was named Jenifer but she insisted that Jenny was better because that was what dad called her. Either way Jen was so happy for her daughter and honored that her grand daughter had been named after her.

Jen took no time getting the baby into her arms. She was so small and all smiles. New little feet in the family were exciting and they couldn't wait to see what features would present as she got older.

Art looked at her and could just see the mischief in her eyes. She was going to be a hand full for sure.

Seeing a baby just kicked Britney's baby fever to 11. She couldn't wait to have a baby of her own. Not that she didn't love Ben but she wasn't around when he was this small and she longed for it.

Ben was happy to have another cousin and tried to make her laugh. She didn't really giggle but she smiled at him and that was good enough to call it a job well done.

Ben then had a million questions for his aunt. How did she get a baby? Who was the dad? Was she going to have another? She just laughed and kind of deflected most of the questions with "You'll find out when your older." Art found the question dodging suspicious and found away to ask when Ben wasn't in ear shot.

"So I don't mean to be rude but, who is the dad." She sighed "Remember that girl I was dating?" He nodded trying to be polite. "She was trans and we were careful but accidents happen. When I told her she just kinda ghosted and I haven't been able to find her since." He felt so bad for his sister "Well sounds like she didn't deserve you or this baby. We'll be here for whatever you need." She smiled appreciating his genuine enthusiasm. "Thanks Arty." They enjoyed the rest of their visit avoiding talks of the missing sperm donner entirely.

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Raf was officially old. He embraced the grey hair and wrinkles. Jen was with him just as she always had been.

Ben was excited to celebrate "So what are we gonna do for pop pops birthday?" Jen laughed "He is going to relax and enjoy a quiet night." He seemed a little disappointed "How about you and I go play?" That cheered him up real quick.

they went out and Jen pushed him on the swing to his hearts content. It was the moments like this with her grand son that made everything worth it.

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Britney was spending a lot of time inside after a recent incident.

She had been eaten and spit up by the cow plant. She had been really shaken up and the whole family was like a bomb went off. Ben seemed normal but for the rest of the family it pulled up some old feelings.

Jen decided it was time to take care of the problem. She didn't care if the plant was protected or not, it had to go. And go it did. It was kind of terrifying watching her take out a predator. Even if it was just a plant.

Artemis kept her company and made another attempt at a blanket. She appreciate the support even if their wasn't much he could do.

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Britney was excited to sit down Raf and Jen "So me and Artemis have been talking and were going to have a baby!" They were so excited for them "Oh my god! Are you already pregnant? Is it happening soon?!" Jen was ready with questions. Britney just laughed "No not yet but hopefully soon." Raf looked ecstatic.

Art wanted to try and make a baby blanket and tried to pick up knitting. He wasn't very good at it but an attempt was made.

Ben was thriving in middle school classes. He was especially loving the take home science projects. They were all happy to see him taking on the challenge with success.

"Hey bud, your report card came in with all A's! I think we should celebrate." He took a moment "Can I stay up late on video games instead?" Art laughed "I think that can be arranged." They let him stay up two hours late that night and he was the happiest kid alive.

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Ben was starting to venture out on his own adventures. Not far but he was taking him self down the road to the park. Art and Britney were glad to see that their small pushes for him to be more independent were working.

He even made friends with some ghosts. Who knew you could meet ghosts at the local park?

His favorite thing though was practicing chess and challenging random people there.

He ended up giving Bonehilda a run for her money.

Some fellow ghosts even stopped to watch as their match was coming to a close. Bonehilda won by a hair and she thanked him for a lovely game. He thanked her as well and joked that next time maybe he could beat her.

He eventually came home and moved through his routine when Britney came to say good night "did you have a good time at the park hun?" He nodded excitedly "Yeah, I met ghosts and almost beat one at chess!" She smiled "Alright, you sleep well, you got school in the morning." She made her way over and gave him a hug "good night bug." He squeezed her back "night mom!" That made her smile and kind of emotional but she let the moment pass without bringing attention to it and left the room.