Chapter 50 Friends And Family

"That was better than I could have ever imagined! After watching others do it for so long, I had almost thought that I might be disappointed, but the wait was worth it!" Gaia exclaimed from my lap, and I smiled.

"I am happy that you enjoyed it, but how do you feel now? Your body should have gone through some changes, right?" I asked because there was outwardly nothing different about Gaia.

"I feel more connected to nature, and my control of nature has increased dramatically," Gaia explained, and the water in the bath rose back up, and flowers grew around the edges.

"Ahh, there we go! Maybe you can help me with building the barrier? We will have to create trees around the city, but the whole place will end up becoming a forest by the time we are finished," I explained, and Gaia nodded.

"I will help you with whatever I can," Gaia replied, and I kissed her again, pulling her into my chest.

"This is nice up here, but I need to go find the grumpy one," I said as I let go of her.

"Yes, I think that I am going to stay up here for a bit," Gaia said as she slipped off my lap beside me.

???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????-????????????.????????????

I stood up and then turned back to kiss her one more time. Her lips were so soft now, and Gaia smiled up at me as we broke apart.

I turned back and headed down the stairs to first find Amy to get some new clothes and the Miss Grumpy Pants. Even though I knew she would complain, Victoria was the best girl for this next job, I had to do.

On my way down, I grew some shorts just to keep myself covered, and It was a good thing that I did. I nearly ran into Victoria, who was walking past the stairs in thought.

"Watch where you are going! How did you even get up in the bath? Where is your new pet?" Victoria growled, shaking her finger at me, but I grabbed her by the wrist.

"The first two things I will tolerate, but I will not have you talk down about any of the other women. I respect each of you, and I don't care how you want to act around me, but you had better show restraint. No one is my pet. I only have friends and family," I said in a low voice and let go of Victoria's hand.

"Sorry," Victoria said quietly, rubbing her wrist.

She was wearing a white and yellow sundress that ran to the floor. It made her red hair and green eyes stand out, and it was hard to stay mad at her.

"Come, let's go find Amy, and then I need your help with something. I am sorry that I almost ran into you, and I was up in the bath after helping heal the sick in the other Great Tree and all over the city that I am connected to," I explained, and Victoria nodded, but she didn't look at me.

I had probably scared her because I didn't usually talk to her like that, but she also typically wasn't so callous as to insult others. Maybe there was something on her mind that was bothering her, but I could pry that out once we were outside.

"Amy is still in your room. What do you need me for?" Victoria asked as we started to walk.

"Your parents and grandparents owned greenhouses, right? And you have worked there before, so you will know where the seeds are. We can also go make sure they are okay and guide them to the Great Tree," I explained, and Victoria grabbed me, making me stop.

"You promise?! Will you help them?" Victoria asked with a frantic look in her eyes.

I grabbed her by the shoulders and looked directly into her scared green eyes. All she had to do was ask.

"Stop acting so silly! We aren't kids anymore, Vic! You just have to ask, and I will try to help in the best way that I can. I get it; you don't know how you feel about me, fine, but if something is bothering you, come and tell me," I told her, and she looked away from me.

"I'm such an asshole to you all the time. Why do you even act like this?" Victoria asked, still not looking at me.

Melody had just stepped into the hall but then backed off and went back inside her room.

"I don't need a reason to want to help someone I care about," I said plainly, and Victoria looked up at me quickly with challenging eyes.

"I don't get it or understand you, but if you say you will help them, I will try to trust you and help," Victoria said, and I let go of her shoulders.

I patted her on the head, and Victoria scowled, but she also blushed slightly. I grinned and turned her around to head to my room.

I caught a glimpse of a grinning Melody as I walked by her room, but she didn't say anything. I was sure that she was pleased with the results, but I still wasn't sure if I had gotten anywhere with Victoria yet.

"Did you recall the clothes I made you already?" Amy asked after the door spun open.

The room was filled with wooden copies of each of the girls, and they all had piles of dresses beside them. It looked like Amy had been working non-stop since I left.

"No, they are just wet, so I was going to ask you to make me another set. After that, I want you to take a break for the rest of the day. You are pushing yourself too hard right now," I explained to Victoria, walking into my room.

"Sorry, I just really enjoy this, but I am starting to get a bit tired," Amy said with a smile.

"These dresses look really nice, Amy! You really have an amazing imagination!" Victoria said as she went over to look at a green dress that was hanging on a copy of herself.

"Thank you! I always wanted to make dresses, but my father disapproved," Amy said with a beautiful smile and then looked at me, asking, "What can I put you in this time?"