3.4 Bossy

Gabby adjusted well to her position in the household. Unlike Kelsey, she didn't mind the wasteful spending on expensive luxury items. She rather enjoyed them, actually. Gabby definitely had an appreciation for the finer things in life.

She was also quite adventurous, dragging Phoenix out of the comfortable confines of the house and subjecting him to possible political scandal. It was all in good fun... as long as he ripped up the pictures into the smallest pieces possible.

Despite never really knowing her mother, Ami mirrored her ideals. She was concerned with the environment and how much waste they were causing. She lectured her father about all the things she'd learned about 'going green' and how they needed to do more for nature.

She'd even put recycling bins everywhere.

Overly concerned with using renewable resources, Ami was determined to show her family the value of a good, organic meal. It was an earnest effort, but she didn't quite the skill or ability to wow anyone quite yet.

Gabby had her own ideas about change in the house, specifically, where they were going to put Ami's soon-to-be half-sibling. It was only a matter of time. You can only be so careful for so long. Gabby was thrilled, but concerned about Phoenix's reaction. Kelsey's death had been years before and they'd been together for awhile since. Still, he had an election coming up and a pregnant girlfriend probably wouldn't look good on the polls.

Phoenix wasn't upset. Ami already treated Gabby like her mother and she was okay with having another baby in the family. Phoenix had been thinking about it for a while, but this certainly pushed his plans up. He and Gabby would have to get married quickly now versus having a nice, elaborate wedding.

The family took a trip to the beach to celebrate the news and unwind. Alex missed his houseboat, but he recognized how much easier things were now that he was an old man. He kept to the sand while the mermaids spent their time in the water.

Ami went on about catching some fish in an effort to prepare herself for a life of 'living off the land.' Yes, living off the land in a grand mansion on its own island. Phoenix just rolled his eyes. It was easier than arguing with her.

Phoenix and Gabby were okay with the arrangement. Honestly, Gabby was just happy to finally be a Voss--she'd done her time, put in all the hours, it was certainly time for her to take Kelsey's place at Phoenix's side officially. A grieving widower was great at the polls, but it was time for a new angle.

Ami hoped that her new sibling would be as green minded as she was. It was going to take a lot to turn this house around. All they were missing was a butler and they only reason they didn't have one was because Phoenix wasn't sure he wanted someone around pinching the good silver.

She was frustrated with her grandparents. They were too busy giving one another googly eyes to bother trying to correct their son's behavior. Her dad was too materialistic. He needed to realize that having stuff wasn't everything!

Gabby went into labor while Phoenix was lounging in the hot tub. Her angry shout was enough to have him out of it and at her side in an instant. Gabby wasn't the type of lady you messed with--she was tough. She even kept Phoenix in line.

Larry joined the family. Ami was unimpressed. She had been hoping for a little sister, not an annoying little brother. He'd just throw trash around and ruin stuff.

At least her grandpa Alex was always around to cheer her up. He even introduced her to the old Voss tradition of pillow fights. For being an old man, her grandpa sure did act like a little kid sometimes.

Gabby was a doting mother, almost too much so. Phoenix constantly called her a 'baby hog'. She wouldn't let anyone else near little Larry, wishing to keep him all to herself. It took Maya extricating himself from Gabby's arms for her to finally let other people have their turn at cooing over the new baby.

Ami was not impressed by the fact that she had to share her room with a crying baby. Of course, it was economically responsible, but still. He cried a lot. And he was annoying. Ami needed sleep to change the world!

Larry eventually became a toddler. He had his grandma Maya's hair, but seemed to take everything else from his mother, Gabby. Of course, grandpa Alex approved of his hair style.

Ami feels like she is far too busy trying researching solar panels to bother with homework, but Phoenix is adamant. He's very involved with her academia and has even mentioned university. Ami is pretty sure grandpa Alex told her about how Phoenix always skirted around his academics, so why was he all up in her grill? She sighed, knowing that arguing only got her the stern look.

At least Gabby is more willing to bend to Ami's likes. She teaches her about cooking and how to best use natural ingredients. Ami is enthralled. She can't wait until she's able to use the stove without her dad throwing a fit and threatening to hire a butler.

Gabby even gives her all of her old books and lets Ami read through them at her leisure. Ami loves reading, so she's happy to sit around in her room and read. Gabby is usually there with Larry, trying in vain to teach him how to say words other than 'poop' and random giggling.

Of course, no one was around when her toy boat mysteriously floated right in front of her. Ami thought maybe she was just delirious with hunger and inched by it. She ignored the cold feeling that followed and ran quickly downstairs for breakfast.

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Ami wears a long skirt, but if you look at her pajamas, you can see her cute little pink scales peeking out. She's a mermaid. Larry is not. Her favorite color is gray, but she came with pink scales. Gray is very drab, so I'm constantly pairing it with pink to match her scales. 

Gabby is family-oriented, so she's all about babies. Maya is an elder now, but Alex is still quite a bit older than her. :( 

Ami is Eco-Friendly. I love how she's a complete counter to her father. ;) Kelsey's ghost continues to haunt, specifically poor Ami and her room!