The Haunted House

April 14th, 2023

@ The Tran Family

After Sebastian and Vivienne departed for their own to-dos, Carrie followed the Tran women into the lovely, lush garden.

It was otherworldly here, the space felt completely isolated from the surrounding land. A gated island, a little world in a bubble of its own. The rose bushes grew so tall and thick, it was difficult to see over and around them. The sound of babbling water from ornate fountains tinkled about the growths of beautiful flowers and shrubbery. If it weren’t for the lack of other natural noise, it might be quite peaceful.

But, there was a lack, and it was unsettling in a very miniscule way that might’ve not even been detectable. There was no bird song, no sound of breeze rustling the foliage here, no insect din and no small creature movement. The only sounds being the chatter of the guests and the trickling melody of moving water.

The community of stone statues weren’t as welcoming of hosts as they perhaps should’ve been. They felt standoffish, judging even, with their fixed eyes and keen ears.

The stone table draped with the bright color and topped with the lavish spread of lunch foods was a highlight amongst the deep, dark greenery. Carrie joined the group of women there, smiling and chipper as usual.

“Well, how does it look, ladies?” Carrie Mae prompted, gesturing with a sweeping motion of her hand to the picnic spread. “Is there anything missing here that I can grab to make this just right?”

Following the awkward interaction in the courtyard, the Trans were ready to eat their lunch and enjoy the picnic with Carrie, who had worked ever so hard to get it together for them. Despite the strange happenings in the mansion itself and the rather bleak and somber vibe that the courtyard's architecture and lack of ambience it provided. Nonetheless, Veronica's face lit up once Carrie had shown up to join them. "It looks wonderful. And I don't think anything's missing. Plus it's safe for us to eat. I don't anything that we can't as I'd hate for anything to go to waste." She said. "Thank you for being a gracious host."

Each of the girls chimed in to say thank you one by one, smiling as they too got ready to eat. Just as Veronica grabbed a plate to start stacking it with food, her stomach proceeded to let out a loud and eager growl. "And the little ones certainly very appreciative." She said with a shaky voice, very much embarrassed by how loud that growl was. "Probably not the best idea to take one last vacation when I'm so close to giving birth, but I think I'll be alright." She said, looking down at the belly, proceeding to put her plate on top of it and began eating her meal, the plate perfectly balanced and steady whilst on top of the swollen belly.

“I’m hoping this will be a lovely, relaxing get-away for you before it’s time to buckle down with your new schedules,” Carrie Mae agreed, settling in and making herself comfortable with the gals.

“Ya know, we’re hoping to provide a spa experience here with the pool area. Salt water, mud masks, seaweed wraps, massages, hot stones - the whole package! As you can imagine, it isn’t quite ready to go, but I do have some facial masks that I brought with me. I wouldn’t mind sharing, it’s all the best, most high-end and natural ingredients,” the bubbly blonde rambled as her guests munched their lunches.

“Have any of you ladies looked into those sensory deprivation tanks? Pretty innovative, I think. I’ve tried one myself, thrilling, really! I’m looking forward to investing in one or two for the hotel spa!”

Light rays of sun trickled through the clouds like spilling gold, graciously warming what it touched and chasing the banks of fog deeper into the forest. The sugared grapes sparkled under the light, ice cubes in the glassware refracting and clicking about pleasantly. A single robin fluttered onto a branch overhead, twittered, then fluttered off again. It all looked like a perfectly crafted scene.

Valerie was quick to agree when Carrie expressed excitement for their vacation, about how it'll be a lovely and relaxing get-away before all the babies arrive. The second oldest Tran Sister proceeded to look over at Veronica's massive baby bump. Naturally, with twins, it was likely Veronica was going to be the busiest of the new moms! Her attention soon turned back to Carrie as she spoke about the Spa Experience in the pool area. Jessica and Linda's face lit up at what Carrie listed: Salt Water, Mud Masks, Seaweed Wraps, Massages, Hot Stones...The whole nine yards! However, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Vivian grimace at the mention of hot stones. "Mmmm, I don't know about the hot stones, but everything else sounds lovely." Vivian speaks up.

Veronica simply smiles as she balances a plate on her belly, while Valerie simply nods. "Yeah, maybe not the hot stones, but everything else sounds good. And I think we could all really use it with how achy we all feel day to day." She says.

Then Carrie moved over to the Sensory Deprivation Tanks, the girls all looked at each other. "Mmmm, not really. We didn't exactly get to talk to our Doctors about using those. And I'm probably too pregnant to use one anyway." Veronica chuckled as she took the plate off of her belly.

"Well, maybe we can use them up to a certain point. After all, you did make all the way out here." Victoria chimes in, concerning the Sensory Deprivation Tanks that could be coming in. "I think they'll be a lovely addition if they're as thrilling as you say."

The girls smile and continue to enjoy their picnic with Carrie. Between the relaxing scene, the delicious food and the company of all five women present. But even with the sunlight, parts of the woods surrounding the secluded hotel was rather eerie. What a lovely day. "Oh, did I mention how far along we all are yet?" Valerie asks, looking at Carrie.

Carrie set down her glass of tea, ice cubes clinking pleasantly. The light felt nice on her face, not strong like she was used to down south. It was barely a soft whisper, but it was lovely here amongst subtle flowers and thick greenery.

She turned a dainty smile to Valerie and shook her head. “You have not!” Her gaze couldn’t help but gravitate down to the large, taught belly bloating beneath Valerie’s dress. “Do you mind if I feel?” She asked bashfully. “I love those round Pooh Bear bellies.” The blonde admitted. There was something very cute about a woman and her poor globe of a belly, carrying a whole new world beneath the skin. She supposed that must be an undeniable human trait, something incredibly female inside her that prompted her empathy and compassion.

Valerie proceeded to straighten out her long hair a little bit and then brushing it back to keep it out of her face and flowing down her back. And she couldn't help but smile as Carrie's eyes went down to her swollen belly. In Carrie's defense, Valerie had gotten pretty big and she was thirty-seven weeks along, about three weeks shy of having her baby. Granted she wasn't as big as Veronica, who had to wear plus-size maternity dresses the further along she got. Valerie proceeded to give Veronica a knowing smile. While Veronica proceeded to take a sip out of a glass of water, Victoria and Vivian were munching on some fruit, while Jessica and Linda were eating cheese and drinking some juice. Not to mention Veronica was having a little bit of fun balancing a plate on her massive belly.

Finally, Valerie looked back at Carrie, who asked if she could feel the belly. One thing that Valerie definitely appreciated was that Carrie asked first rather then attempting to touch the belly right off the get-go or without permission. When Carrie called them 'Pooh Bear bellies', Valerie started blushing a little bit. Admittedly, that was adorable of Carrie. "Yes, you can feel the belly. I appreciate you asking first." She said as she straightened out her dress. "I'm at thirty-seven weeks. Vonnie's at thirty-eight weeks with her twins. Vic's at thirty-six weeks, Vivi's at thirty-five weeks, Jess is at thirty-four weeks and Linda's at thirty-three weeks." Valerie added, informing Carrie of how far along she, her Sisters and their Cousins all were.

Within a week of each other.

Just as Carrie's hand landed on the belly, Valerie's baby began fidgeting and kicking at her touch. "Feisty today, aren't we?" She asked, smiling down at her belly, draped by her lovely dress.

“Just about t’pop!” Carrie cried gleefully, graciously lighting gentle hands onto either side of the expanded womb. The jerky movements from deep within Valerie’s flesh splashed a wide grin over Carrie’s mouth. She softly circled her thumb around what must’ve been an eager, little foot jutting out.

“I’m sure the little squirts got t’be ready to stretch those legs, got t’be gettin’ a little cramped in there. Huh, sweet baby?” Carrie cooed, directing her inquiry to the unborn child.

The blonde’s big, blue eyes lifted back to the group of women. “You must have some fabulous fertility genes in the family! What fate, to have all of you conceivin’ all at once! I’ll bet y'all will have some close cousins here, won’t ya?”

Valerie smiled as Carrie placed both hands on her belly, even more so at how she reacted to the baby kicking against her touch. Briefly, they saw the baby's foot as she kicked. Around that moment, Carrie circled her thumb around it before it had retreated. As she tucked strands of hair behind her ear, Valerie spoke up while Carrie cooed towards the unborn baby. "Oh I don't doubt it. They make it clear every day, but can't seem to make up their minds. Some days, these babies are stubborn like they wanna stay inside our bellies. Other days, they act as if they're ready to come into the world. So unpredictable they are." Valerie sighed as she watched Carrie's hands, still smiling.

When complimented on their fertility and asked how they all conceived at the same time, Valerie looked around at her Sisters and her Cousins, unsure of how to answer. "So, who wants to explain how we all conceived at the same?"

Victoria looked down at her swollen belly before resting her hand on it, admiring how much it grew. How much the baby grew while nestled within her. Finally, Carrie asked how they all conceived at the same time. This prompted Victoria to look up and exchange glances with her Sisters and her Cousins. This was followed up by Valerie asking who wanted to explain the simultaneous conception. "Mmmm, we all went to the same party and...things got a little out of control. That's really all. And by the time those tests came back positive, well...the Fathers were all long gone. We never really saw them again after that party and can only wonder where they all are now." Victoria sighed. "Three boys and four girls in all. Sure, six mothers, but Vonnie is carrying two. Identical Twin Boys."