Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Early the next morning.

Frank and Ava each carried a little kid down the stairs. As soon as they reached the first floor, the two little ones were running to have fun.

Grace doted on his grandchildren very much. Instead of carrying the kids to the dining room, he sent breakfast to the entertainment area. She fed them one by one. Soon, William cdown from upstairs and joined the feeding team.

At the dining table, Alex was already eating breakfast. Ava took the bowl and fork handed over by Frank. "Alex, I'll accompany you to the interview today. | know you want to refuse, but you don't know how to go there. When you find a house and a job, | won't get involved in your business anymore, okay?" Frank ate his breakfast in big mouthfuls and echoed, "Yeah, that's quick. Ava knows the way. Just let Benjamin drive you there." Alex was not someone contentious. The sooner she settled down her job and house early, the sooner she could earn money and retire. She agreed. "Okay." Frank had always been very efficient, not to mention that he only asked his subordinates to find a rented house.

Taking a bite of a hotdog, Nona climbed onto his father's lap. "Daddy, | want it." "What? Watermelon juice?" Frank brought over a cup of watermelon juice and pointed at her daughter with his fork.

Nona nodded cutely. "Yes." Frank removed the hotdog from Nona's chubby hand and took out a tissue to wipe his daughter away bit by bit.

After that, he even took his daughter's hand and sniffed it. The little girl chuckled and raised her little hand to smell it herself.

Ava smiled and said softly, "I think the hotdog is too dry. She must be thirsty. Give her a few watermelon juice.

And Alex, take whatever you like. Hope you like it." "Alright, thank you. It's a delicious breakfast." William was still with his grandson in the play area. He held a hotdog in his left hand and milk in the other. Cyril took a bite of a hotdog and went to play with building blocks. After finishing that bite, he ran over to take a sip of milk and went to play with toys again. William squatted around and waited for his grandson to cover.

Frank carried his daughter and scooped half a spoonful of watermelon juice. He blew on it and fed it to his daughter. Ava wiped her daughter's mouth with a tissue while Grace sat down to have breakfast opposite.

Nona stopped eating after a while. Her mouth was full of juice. She turned around and kissed her father before running to play with her brother.

Ava saw the sparkle on Frank's face and helped him wipe it off carefully. Frank enjoyed his wife's care and said to Alex, "I've already gotten someone to find three houses. The prices are not bad. Go with Ava and take a look. Get Benjamin and Yana together. If they are all not suitable, find another one." Alex did not expect that she had already settled the house when she was sleeping. Why did he not say anything just now? "Thank you." Frank said calmly, "You're Ava's friend. I'll be your friend." "Alright, callif you need anything in the future. I'll always be there." Grace quite liked Alex's personality. She was carefree. There was a hidden tenacity in her eyes. It seemed that Alex was a strong and enterprising woman. As an experienced woman, she had always been good at judging people. She could also tell Alex was sincere with her daughter-in-law and conducted herself in their family.

Benjamin and Yana drove Alex and Ava to the houses after breakfast. Alex had confirmed the house by lunchtime, at 400 dollars per month. A bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom were all present. The dwelling was small, about 500 square feet. A balcony was also available. In a gated block, the community's environment was calm and clean. The landlord was a frail old lady.

The old lady's son had bought this house for her. However, now the old lady was too old to live alone. She did not want to walk, either. After her son brought her over to live together, this house was put idle. She had lived here for more than 20 years and could not bear to sell it, so she rented it out.

Alex frequently told the old lady that she would keep the house tidy and in good condition when she rented it.

Only then did the elderly lady sign the contract without hesitation. She even stated she'd cover to take a peek from tto time. Alex gladly agreed, knowing that the elderly lady had feelings for this place.

A technology business called Alex at 2:30 p.m. and informed her that the interview would begin at 2:30 p.m. Ava accompanied her to the company. Everything went off without a hitch. She completed the employment formalities as soon as she finished the interview. The probation period salary was two thousand dollars. It would then increase to three thousand dollars when she was accepted as a permanent employee. Her remuneration would then be adjusted based on her years of service.

Alex was very satisfied with her salary. The rent was 400 dollars. She could save at least 1,000 dollars after paying the bills for necessities. The rest of the money would be spent on a vehicle.

When they returned to the rental apartment, Frank had already sent someone to deliver Alex's luggage. To outsiders, Frank's actions seemed to be chasing Alex out of his family, but to Alex, Frank did something considerate. He knew that she would get her suitcase after finding the apartment, so he sent it over in advance.

Looking at the luggage in front of her, Alex looked at Benjamin to help carry it up. There was also a bag of daily necessities that Grace had gotten someone to prepare in advance. "Ava, your mother-in-law, and your family are all nice. The only love I've felt from my elders in my whole life is from your mother-in-law and your mother. | don't know how to thank you. After I settle down, I'll treat everyone to a meal. Don't mind the place." Ava refused. "I'll wait until you get your salary. Don't treat us since you've just started working. Save your money, understand?" "Alright, when | get my first salary, I'll treat you to a meal." Ava followed Alex into the rental apartment. She looked around and was very satisfied with the place. Although it wasn't a big house, but enough for one person to live. "Alex, work hard in Athana. Find a man here if necessary.

So we can have fun together often in the future." Alex, who was tidying up, was amused by Ava's words. "I'm quite satisfied with my current state. | don't intend to find a boyfriend. It's understandable if you wantto find a girlfriend. | only have a little feminine characteristics from head to toe." Alex seemed to be talking about others' matters. She put Grace's things in a good order, took them out bit by bit, and arranged them neatly. "The living environment since | was young has long killed my idea of starting a family. It can be said that | don't have any idea of marriage. I'm not joking with you. | think Stella's idea is quite good, but | don't agree with her about sleeping. | plan to do something meaningful in the future, but this matter doesn't necessarily mean getting married and having children. For example, helping homeless dogs and cars, or more meaningful things like volunteering at orphanages, teaching, and so on. | think it's very good." From her friend's words, Ava could tell that Alex was serious. She could also tell that Alex had already planned her future and was no longer joking. She had just said something about getting a boyfriend casually, but Alex reacted so violently and rejected her advice. "Alright, | was just joking. If you don't plan to get married in the future, just take my kids as yours. Let them call you godmother." Alex smiled. "I don't want to be confused about the difference between a man and a woman. If you want to callthat way, callGodfather. It sounds nice." These words made Ava laugh out loud. She could not help but rub Alex's short hair. This topic had been skipped.

Ava would never mention it again. She helped her to tidy up the room. The two of them chatted and laughed, talking about what life would be like to live in Athana.

On the weekend, at the barbeque shop next to the University of Athana.

The women at the table were all sitting in a private room. They were all standing and clinking glasses of fruit juice in their hands. They said in unison, "Cheers." After that, everyone took their seats one after another. As the person who was the host, Natalie greeted, "Don't say that I'm stingy. You're the ones who wanted to eat barbecue. Don't blme in the future. Alex, don't stand on ceremony. Relax! This is the barbecue restaurant that Sherri and | have been eating at since we were in university. It tastes quite good." Sherri grinned. "What? Don't blyou for being stingy. You can just say that to me." Natalie smiled and said, "There are so many people here. How could | say that to you alone? You're afraid | forget who you are?" Everyone laughed. Alex replied, "Alright, Natalie. As long as you don't mindeating too much." "Eat as much as you can, just like Sherri." Natalie's shoulder was patted by her best friend beside her. The two of them joked.

This meal was organized by Natalie to welcthe arrival of Alex. It was also to have a fun tfor girls. Let their men stay at hto take care of their children.

Rose ate the skewers in big mouthfuls. "Wow, it's so delicious. So good! Natalie, | want a little more. | want to eat steak, chicken tips, and..." Natalie called the waiter over and ordered a lot more. The waiter wrote it down and turned to leave. Sherri liked this kind of gathering. "I think, we'll go out for a meal together at least once a month. We don't have to go to a high-end restaurant. This is just right. Let the men stay at hand take care of the children, right?" Rose agreed. She kept eating and nodded. "Yes, no matter what, you have to free yourself once a month." "Stella and Leia March are absent this time. Don't forget to call them next time." "Are they on a business trip again?" Sherri nodded. "You didn't see Stella's post. [Take off!]." Ava said, "Stella likes it very much. She said that she especially likes to soar in the sky now. It's as if she has a pair of wings." Sherri added, "I think she wants to mutate. Why doesn't she say that she's a bird version of Frankenstein?" Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, Rose sighed. Everyone looked at her. Alex asked with concern, "Your stomach hurts." Sherri was overjoyed. "You're so straightforward. Look at her face, that means she is planning to do something big." Natalie asked, "I've prepared. Tell me, do you needto do first aid?" Ava was surprised. "Is it that serious?" Rose thought for a moment. 'Was it a big deal? | should be fine, but it might be something big for Edward Landor.' Then she finally told the truth, "I plan to have a third child next year." Natalie choked on the juice he had just drunk. "Pfft... Sorry, your words are so shocking. Givea moment." Ava handed a tissue to her sister and looked at Rose in a daze. Her eyes widened, thinking that she had heard wrongly. "You're not joking, right? Are you planning to hurt yourself again?" Alex felt confused. 'Why are you so obsessed with giving birth?" Sherri sighed. "To fulfill the Landor family's wish of having a girl, you do rack your brains to get pregnant." Rose felt weird that everyone's reaction was very strange. She held her chin and looked at them. She was as calm as usual. She took a sip of the drink and ate a mouthful of skewers. In her mind, there was nothing wrong at all. "I'm serious. | plan to use the method that Ava used to deceive my brother." Sherri did not know what method Ava used. She turned her head and asked, "Is there a secret to having boy-girl twins? Tell me, if | lose my job one day, I'll beca counselor to teach it." Natalie knew that her sister was too embarrassed to say, "Forget it. Hackett has numerous houses and every one of them can pay your lifetbills. Your Hackett won't let you suffer even if he has to die first." "I agree with you. My Hackett is always a good man. Alright, I quit it. Remember to tellwhen I'm about to die in uneployment." Sherri was not stupid. As soon as her best friend appeared, she knew that Ava did not want to say it. She did not force her and changed the topic. "Rose, if he finds out about your thoughts, he probably won't dare to sleep at night." Perhaps he could have gone for a vasectomy. Little did she know that this crazy idea had long been extinguished by Rose.

Rose warned Sherri, "Keep it a secret. If | can't get pregnant, I'll ruin your happy life with Hackett. | promise." After saying that, Rose even made a throat-cutting gesture. Sherri cooperatively shrank her shoulders.

The girls laughed out loud when they saw this. They all made a gesture before the belly. They were also looking forward to whether Rose could get pregnant. At the stime, they admired Rose's courage.

The women here were eating barbecue and chatting happily. On the other hand, men were also chatting on the phone.

Hackett shouted in their single men's group, "What are you all doing?" Chris held his son and replied with one hand, [Can you change the nicknames of the chat? I'm not a single man anymore. Do you still find it a proper name?] Frank followed, [Isn't this recording your highlights?] Trevon replied, [To remind you of your glorious history.] Reluctantly, Hackett sat on the sofa and looked at the two kids. He replied, [Alright, I'll change it then.] Joy was watching her favorite TV series, and Nathan was watching his phone.

After a while, Hackett changed the nicknof the group to Horrible Daddies.

Trevon looked at the nicknof the chat and narrowed his eyes. He typed a line of words. [Have you watched too many horror movies, or is your wife so horrible that you're traumatized?] Frank ironized, [Just forgive his poor vocabulary.] Hackett was unconvinced. [You're not taking care of kids, are you? Anyway, my wife went out to have fun. Do you have a wife by your side? Do you? Do you? No way. A bunch of pathetic men.] Chris retorted, [My wife went out to earn money and didn't go to the gathering.] Trevon and Frank could not refute Hackett's words. They were indeed at htaking care of their children, and their wives had indeed gone out for a meal.

Edward replied, [Babysitting at home.] Hackett was laughing. [Look, there's an honest guy. My brother-in-law is still the best.] The other three of them all followed, [Babysitting at home.] Hackett was dumbfounded. [What's wrong with you guys? Are you dumb?] Frank sent, [Do you feel comforted by sending our messages? | like to spend my twith my kids.] Trevon echoed, too! | love the t| spend together with my daughter." Chris added, [I love my son so much that | can't bear to leave him for even a second.] Edward sent at last, [You can't understand the love of being embraced by two sons.] Hackett was trying to turn the tide. [My daughter is also very good. She is my honey. Can your daughters be as gentle as mine? Are your daughters as smart as my Ruby?] Frank replied, [My Nona is a princess.] Trevon could always find the right words for his daughter. [You don't understand the happiness of twin daughters.] Frank retorted, [I'm afraid | can't bear the happiness of your two little princesses.] Trevon was mad. [Get out!] Hackett laughed out loud and sent a laughing emoji. Everyone could see how naughty Trevon's daughters were.

It must be torture to take care of these two little monsters.