Meet the Colstons. Jarrad Colston is the GG Grandson of the only surviving Naval Officer that was part of those that were castaway on the Cove. He was the one that took control of the situation after the survivors realised they would more than likely be there indefinitely. Jarrad’s GG Grandfather, Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Colston took control of the whole situation and turned chaos into order.
He began delegating chores to everyone so that the colony of survivors had some sort of guidance and direction, assisting them to become responsible and focussed on the survival of all that were there with them. Down through the generations each and every Colston that came next were taught the same values and organisation. This was no different for Jarrad Colston. He had applied to be in the military. He’d met his wife Kaniesha at an Naval celebration. She was the sister of one of his fellow officers and they had a few too many drinks and ended up in the same bed. However, after that, they continued to see each other and ended up together.
After they were married, Jarrad and Kaniesha purchased a very modern, courtyard home in Nasa Avenue, close to his Barracks. So close in fact that Kaniesha could hear the bugle call every morning, which at times drove her crazy. All Kaniesha really wanted was to be married and have children. With Jarrad working hard but short hours the situation was ideal.
As soon as they could afford one, Jarrad procured a treadmill so that he could keep his fitness up for his job. He set it up under the verandah outside where their compact but enjoyable pool was set up.
Kaniesha, however had only one thing on her mind and that was to become pregnant as soon as possible. She had already furnished the nursery completely and every minute of the day she would read up about pregnancy and raising children. All she wanted was to have children surrounding her and that was her only wish.
The Colstons were a social couple and invited just about anyone into their home, providing them with meals and entertainment. This day, Marvin Bittner happened by and Jarrad invited him in to meet Kaniesha. He was a kind and gentle soul with a very active lifestyle. He and his wife Nadine, lived life to the max and made everyday count. He was a keen fisherman and Nadine loved her garden and was a spectacular cook.
When Kaniesha offered Marvin a meal she felt very nervous knowing just how used he would be to Nadine's cooking.
He didn't cringe or turn up his nose at her gourmet Autumn salad, so she sighed a deep sigh of relief when he commented on how nice it was. They talked a lot about their families and the same topic of conversation came up every time. How Castaway Cove came into being. Marvin was very interesting to talk to as he had a good knowledge from the stories his grandfather used to tell all of them about the history and the tales of deep which captured the attention of all the children and continued to do so.
Marvin was very considerate, even as a guest he would help clear away the dishes and help with the washing up. Kaniesha and Jarrad despite their age difference knew that they would become good friends and looked forward to meeting Nadine.
Later that night, Jarrad showed Marvin his telescope. Marvin spent a lot of the remaining time with Jarrad talking about the solar system and Marvin seemed to be fascinated by the stars and planets, which gave him the initiative to buy one of his own. While they were chatting, suddenly Marvin thought he had discovered a new star. He was so excited he almost lost his footing and insisted that Jarrad confirm it was a new star. As it turned out after plotting it on a chart and showing it to the Science Institution, it was confirmed that it was a new star. Marvin was allowed to name it what ever he chose. He decided to call it The Colbitt Star, which was a mix of Jarrad and Marvin's surnames, since he was with them when it was discovered.
That night, Jarrad and Kaneisha had discussed things and agreed that now was a good time to try for a baby. She had been preparing for this for the last year. Their plan was that as soon as they were married that was when they would start a family so she stopped taking contraceptives and prepared herself. They hoped they were successful the first time and the beginning of Kaneisha’s dream would come true.
For a time everything went along normally. Jarrad got into the Military after going through some tests and medical examinations. He continued his fitness regime while Kaneisha read even more about pregnancy and having babies.
Then the cravings started. Kaneisha at any time of the night or day, had the craving for icecream. She would make sure there were plenty in the house and sometimes she'd go through a whole carton in one sitting.
Of course then it would all come up again. Kaneisha was sure now that she was pregnant, but the confirmation wasn’t for another few weeks.
Finally she got the word and her pregnancy was confirmed. Kaneisha was so excited that Jarrad needed her to calm down enough for him to celebrate also. Although it was early in the marriage and their careers, they seem to be ready for the responsibility of a new-born baby.
While Kaneisha wallowed in her pregnancy, Jarrad looked in the paper for second hand fitness gear. He was fit and doing well at work, but was told he had to do some strength work. The treadmill was great for cardio-fitness but he needed a bench that had a variety of bench pressing exercises he could do to strengthen muscle.
In the end he found one in the classifieds which had hardly been used. A couple were moving into a smaller home and was getting rid of several objects that took up space in their large home they had been living in for thirty odd years.
Jarrad rang and ordered it immediately and it arrived a few weeks later. He got stuck into his strength workout and was soon handling the mechanics of the gym equipment.
Kaneisha on the other hand would take time out ocassionally to play the guitar when she wasn't reading. In between she would swim a lot. It was her way of staying fit and got her out of the house .
In the early stages, Kaneisha was keeping her weight down and she was full of energy, then in her second trimester she kept busy by spring cleaning everything. She began washing windows and scrubbing walls until she felt a sharp twinge and after going to the doctors, he told her she was trying to do too much. Jarrad would massage her tummy and her back after that so she would relax and stop trying to clean everything. He tried on several ocassions to hold her and reason with her about the baby's health, eventually he got through.
As time continued on, Kaneisha was growing fast and in her last trimester, at one point her doctor told her to watch what she ate. She was gaining weight and he was concerned with her blood pressure. She was also still doing everything the same way as she was when she wasn't pregnant and her doctor told her she needed to rest more, so Kaneisha went back to reading.
One early morning Kaneisha arose early. She was feeling unsettled and her back and shoulders ached. She walked into the kitchen and began getting things out in preparation breakfast. Suddenly she dropped the plates she was carrying doubling over in pain. The plates smashed into small pieces all over the floor. Screaming for Jarrad who was there in a flash, she told him this was it and it was time to leave for the hospital. The broken shards would have to wait.
When they arrived at the hospital, Jarrad was quite nervous. Kaneisha waddled into the hospital and the nurse met her with a wheelchair at the door. Her contractions were getting closer and closer so now it was just a matter of time.
After several hours of labour, a beautiful bouncing baby boy weighing about 7lbs 5oz, was born to Jarrad and Kaneisha who they called, Conrad. The first of many babies according to Kaneisha that were to be born in the Colstan family.
After a few days they brought baby Conrad home and the new family settled in well to a new routine and a new life.
Jarrad was really taken with Conrad and fascinated that such a miracle of life was home in his arms. He was always holding him, and playing and snuggling him at every opportunity.
...then reality hit and the dirty nappies and sleepless nights came into play. A new baby presents a whole lot of new challenges and together Jarrad and Kaneisha will step up and take them on board.
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