Chapter 1: Four Years Later...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ROSE AND TIM, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"

The twins, now eighteen and officially adults, blew out the candles on a large cake Norman had made in the household. Roger, Dorothy, and Norman clapped along with Rose and Tim's other siblings.

"Hey Dad, so… does this mean I can drink too, y'know since I can pilot a megadeus?" asked Tim, grinning.

"HA! Very funny. Don't push your luck," said Roger, raising an eyebrow.

Roger, now 46, and Dorothy, now 39, looked at each other and shook their heads. The twins were in their final year of high school. Rose was set to go to college near the mansion in Paradigm, known for its business academics, while working part-time at her parents' firm as an administration assistant/Negotiator-in-training. Tim, on the other hand, was completing the MP Academy and pursuing the route of being a mecha pilot.

"I never thought this day would come," said Dorothy softly to Roger as Norman began to serve cake, "I blinked… it feels like I just gave birth to them, and now…"

Roger grabbed her shoulder gently. "You're not the only one who feels that way, Dora Girl…" He sighed, and kissed her on the cheek, leaning into her ear.

"I mean, if you want another…" he whispered coyly.

Dorothy playfully punched him in the arm. "Even if I could, no. Five is more than enough and I don't need to worry about one going through high school when I'm 50-something years old," she whispered back, "Besides it's not my fault you couldn't stay off of me…"

"That was the second and third time. The first and last time I believe were of your own doing, Dora…"

"MOM! DAD! SERIOUSLY! GET A ROOM!" scolded Tim and Rose, looking disturbed at his parents' behavior. Unbeknownst to Roger and Dorothy, everyone had stopped what they were doing to observe their conversation.

Roger let out a laugh while Dorothy shook her head.