Secret Surprises

What if they didn't have to live in that little camper? Since my dragons are going to be permanent residents, they would still have to be here quite often. Plus I don't know how clutch timing is, but I know after ten months my dragons would be able to live on their own on my property (though wouldn't be mature until they are ten years old). Edna said she had only raised two clutches, and one of them was technically her mothers clutch, but would I be sent eggs that were closer to their hatching date? I don't think I want to start all over when I am in my seventies.

"No" I said to myself, slapping my cheeks. I need to focus on the boys. I have a lot of property, I could get them a house. Though I doubt Bill would agree to building a whole house, even if it was for himself. I need to ask Mrs.Horn on how to do this. I know I have unlimited funds, so could I get people to build a house here while we simply watch, but that would mean more people coming to my property, and potentially seeing my dragons. On the other hand, those boys have done so much for me, and though I made meals for everyone every day, I don't feel like that is nearly enough payment. I could make it simple. three bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. If I made it fancy, I know Bill wouldn't be happy. Since the dragons were asleep, I went to talk to Mrs.Horn upstairs. The boys weren't in the house, so I closed and locked the windows, and locked the door. "Girl what are you doing?" Mrs.Horn asked. "I need to talk to you about a surprise for the boys, but I need your knowledge of how to buy things with the dragon money people." I said. "She put her hand on her face and slowly shook her head. I must have sounded ridiculous. "Firstly the "dragon money people" are the financial branch of The Department of Dragon Preservation, or DDP. They don't just give money for random whims, they are not going to buy a bounce house for a kids birthday or anything of that nature." she said, sounding condescending.

I rolled my eyes "Those are two men and a boy living in an old camper on my property. Once Jasper gets a little older it will be essentially three men in one camper." I said, "I think we should build them a house on the property. Since my eight dragons will be permanent residents, I will have the excuse that I need their help near constantly. I won't ask for anything fancy. Especially since it has to blend in with my old house. Just three rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a livingroom. Even if we made it exceptionally small, it would still be bigger than their current living space." She scratched her chin. "In the long run it is better to have them living normally. They could make the excuse that they feel they are being treated unfairly." she said. "With your argument, plus their complaints, this could work." she finished. I looked a little defeated, well that would ruin the surprise, and Bill would never agree to help." I said.

She smiled "Well if Bill is your biggest concern, I bet if you only asked Will he would comply. He is your age, and works just as hard as Bill, so he could make the argument for all three of them." she said. I rubbed my chin again thinking "...but what if he refuses?" I asked. "Honey he only benefits from this, and no matter what you ask that boy; as long as YOU are the one asking, he will agree." I didn't quite understand why she emphasized that I be the one to ask him. Maybe he disliked this woman as well and was just putting up with her; just as I was. I thought. "I have no idea how to contact these people can you help me with talking to them?" I pleaded. She nodded with a smile on her face. "Now how are you going to busy the boys while this house is being built? Even with the DDP working on it it will take at least two days. I scratched my chin again a habit I seemed to be picking up when I was thinking. The dragons will still want nests when they are still small, but too big for the den. I can have them build sheds with nests that match the preferred climates of the dragons. like a hot spring near a creek for Valorous. They will probably park their camper closer to the woods for covinence. That's what they did when they made a meadow for Callalilly." I rambled excitedly. Mrs.Horn was softly nodding her head, and was clearly thinking my plan through. "We could deliver their meals to them, so they wouldn't have to come to the house." she said.

"Great idea!" I exclaimed.

We went upstairs with my cell phone, just in case the boys could hear us. The den would be more soundproof than upstairs, but I still wouldn't let Mrs.Horn near my dragons.

"Okay Ivy the number is (261) 892-9811-07." she said. "That is too many numbers for a phone." I said. "Yeah well if you were a secret organization you wouldn't want anyone calling with a wrong number, or even worse make a business phone contract with some company." Mrs.Horn said. She made a good point.

I dialed the number carefully making sure I didn't screw up. "You have reached the DDP, please hold while we connect you to a representative." I could hear from the phone. "Now state your name before someone answers." Mrs.Horn said. I did ask commanded in a whisper. "Ivy Jenkins" I said into the phone. The machine voice spoke again "Ivy Jenkins. What is your given task as a member of the DDP?"

I looked down at Mrs.Horn.

"Dragon Caregiver." she whispered again.

"Dragon Caregiver." I said into the phone again. That answer felt wrong. I was much more than a caregiver. I was a parent, I raised and loved my eight babies, but if I was taking a more demeaning title to help the boys I would take it.

Just after I spoke my title, the voice changed from a mechanic woman, to a deep husky man's voice. "Ahh Ivy, I have had yet to speak to you. I am Paul Reese. I have heard quite a few things about you." Paul said over the phone. I snapped my head at Mrs.Horn who mouthed "sorry".

"All good things I hope." I said calmly over the phone.

"Well... certainly some good things, but many odd things as well." Paul said matter of factly.

"I have come to take that as a compliment" I said. 00am "As you have probably learned I had no idea what was happening, and I am all new to this with very little knowledge, so I am doing things my way." I smiled proudly as I said this, though he couldn't see it.

"I hear your eight dragons are going to be permanent residents." he said.

"You have heard correctly, and because they will be staying with me, I have called you to ask for some help." I said.

I could practically hear his eyes roll. "No one ever calls me to simply chat." he said in attempt to sound sarcastic, though it was obvious that was clearly what he actually wanted.

"My hired help William, William Jr., and their trainee Jasper..." I looked panicked. How could I be so close to them and not know their last names? I looked at Mrs.Horn who rolled her eyes. "Shmit." she said in a soft voice. Then left.

"Shmit." I continued over the phone, "I believe they deserve better housing. All three are living in an RV parked on my property. It is simply too small for all three." I said.

Paul replied, "If it is too small, then why have I heard no complaints from them?"

I rubbed my temples. "Because the father William is so stubborn that he wouldn't ask for help if he was living in a cave in the woods, and his sons respect him too much to go around his back." I said. I didn't think he would simply go along with my personal views so I decided to lie a bit. "The sons would never call you or complain to their father, but I have gotten close to the whole family, and those boys hate being in bunk beds, even though one is fully grown, not to mention how tight everything is." I said. I knew the boys never complained, but I knew they would like this, especially Jasper.

"Hmm...So what are you asking for?" Paul asked.

"I want a house built next to mine on my property. Three bedrooms, a bathroom, a livingroom, and a kitchen. Just the basics. I will use my own pay to decorate and furnished the place." I said confidently. I could hear multiple people discussing what I had proposed. "Miss Jenkins, without one of your workers input I am afraid there is nothing that I can..." before Paul could finish Mrs.Horn brought a confused Will into the room by his ear. She whispered harshly to Will, just quiet enough to avoid Paul hearing.

"Listen, Ivy is trying to get you a real house, just tell the guy on the phone how great it will be, complain about your bunk bed and tiny living space, and agree with whatever Ivy says, then you will get your own room." Mrs.Horn lectured. When she wanted to be, she could be scary, I guess that is how she dealt with dragons.

"Fine Paul here is my worker William Jr." I said, thrusting my phone to a very confused Will.

"He...Hello sir." Will stammered trying to get his bearings.

"Hello son, I have been informed of your living conditions, and would like to hear your opinion of it." Paul said in a way that made him sound like a teacher giving a quiz.

"Ummm. The place is way to small for two men, and a boy who will soon enough hit puberty and be larger. Sleeping on a bunk bed isn't ideal when you are twenty-eight. We also typically use Ivy's bathroom for showers, and eat at her house because it is easier for us to move around." Will said freely. I didn't need to give him suggestions. Turns out he truly just didn't like the camper.

"Alright son you may go, hand the phone back to Miss.Jenkins." I heard Paul say.

"Alright Paul, do you believe me now?" I said into the phone. Now Mrs.Horn and Will waited silently sitting in front of me.

"I will send out men from the DDP to build the house on your property. We will start on Wednesday. It will take roughly two days to build the home, and another to wire and set up proper plumbing." Paul said.

I tried not to squeal into the phone. I successfully continued in a professional manner. "Thank you Paul I appreciate your understanding and timely service." We said our goodbyes and I hung up.

I gave Will and and Mrs.Horn a huge hug. "Now I can finally pay you guys back." I said to Will. He smiled. "So now what." he said. "Okay I have this plan." I explained keeping it a secret and giving Bill over the top tasks to keep him busy, and away from the house.

Will interjected "There is a flaw in your plan." he said. "In order to do these extra tasks, he will need to go to the city and buy things. That will only take a day."

"Okay then." I thought for a moment, before I found the answer. I snapped my fingers. "Mrs.Horn go with him to do some shopping of your own. Use my card, and buy the basic needs for the new house. Beds, full size mattresses, bedding, kitchen ware, some groceries, hangers, dressers, a TV with a wall mount, and a nice couch. Tell him most of it is for my house, and some of it is for when you return home. No offense, but the thought of you going home will make him less grumpy. That way you will have to stay for two days. Halfway home tell him you forgot to buy me some female hygiene product that I asked for. He won't ask questions." I said. I may be lacking in some areas, but turns out I am a good liar.

"What about Jasper?" Will asked. I keep forgetting key points, its good that Will is here.

Mrs.Horn rolled her eyes "Children these days." she said looking at us. As if we were toddlers. "Ivy, Will, the boy is twelve. Just tell him he will get a secret surprise if he goes with your dad." I thought about it, but that plan wouldn't work for this twelve year old. He was too smart and mature, and would know something was up.

"That won't work." Will and I said simultaneously. "I will point out to dad how little Jasper knows about the real world, and how buying, trading, bargaining work. If dad thinks he is neglecting one son of "his vast knowledge" then he will teach him."

We all nodded and left. I went to wake up the dragons for lunch, Will went back to working, and Mrs.Horn did whatever she does when everyone was working. During the next few days Will, Mrs.Horn, and I were dropping subconscious ideas into Bill's head. Dropping ideas that Jasper needed to learn things in the city.. When Tuesday arrived I gave the new jobs to Bill

"Why in the Hell do they need their own personally suited outdoor nests for?!" Bill shouted. "Those dragons are my babies, and the thought that they will be sleeping outside alone soon scares me!" I yelled with fake anger and worry. "They have gone their whole new lives sleeping together in a warm nest. Coruscant already has a nest of sorts in the freezer barn. I said. I don't need them to be that big, a simple shed to cover a pool of warm water for Valorous, a shed with the equivalent of a birds nest inside for Vainglorious, a bigger shed by the lake for the Gull Wings to sleep in together, just a plain shed with grass under it for Callalilly, Another simple plain shed with hay for Switch, Hell all Somnolent needs is a plain shed to keep him dry. these are only for while they're still small. They aren't even going to be the ones with floors" I tried to put sadness, worry, and desperation all into that statement. "Fine, but only because listening to you is my job." Bill huffed. I fist bumped Will under the table, then walked over to Bill and gave him a grateful hug, though I was more greatful that our plan was going well than for his efforts.

The next morning at five am I made doggy bags for Jasper, Bill, and Mrs.Horn, and coffee for the adults, as they loaded into the truck. Jasper wasn't happy about going, and Bill wasn't happy about bringing Mrs.Horn, but everything was going off without a hitch. Three hours later Will and I greeted the DDP builders, they had a dragon with them that I recognized as a Blade Runner, though it was missing a large portion of shiny metalic scales on its standing chest, leaving the area grey and tender. a man noticed me staring at the odd dragon. "Thats Draco." The man said "Have you ever seen a dragon up close?" he asked. It was a valid question if the eggs I had were unmatched, but it had been two weeks since then. "Yes I have a clutch of eight." I said. The man looked shocked that I had said eight. "Why have you named him and kept him? Surely not for manual labor only." I asked. He gave a light smile and looked at the beast who was busy helping with the building process. "You see how exposed his chest is? It lacks the heavy metal scales that protect its surprisingly fragile body. their scales and horns are simply armor to frail bodies. This guy hatched without those scales. He is also blind in one eye. Usually if a dragon is disabled the DDP will take charge of it once it is grown, protect it, and in cases like Draco, let them work." I looked at him curiously "Let them work?" I know Valorous would want to work if he were disabled, but what did the DDP know about their personalities? "Yeah some of these guys just want to help, this guy is tall, strong, and sharp. With him, our work time is halved." He smiled again grinning at the dragon. "Does the DDP really watch after the dragons so closely?" I asked, also looking at the dragon, whom was now sawing 2x4 boards with its tail, as though they were butter. "Of course. The DDP is mostly made up of family members of the women with the dragon gene. The ones who didn't get the gene." I smiled at how much he obviously cared. "Hugh! Get over here quit slacking off!" I heard from one of the other workers. "Well I'm off take care of your dragons." the man said as he walked off, putting on a helmet.

I walked back eventually running into Will. "So now what do we do?" he asked.

"Umm do you want to help me with the dragons?" I asked him not really sure on what he wanted to do. "Sure." he quickly said. Only then did I remember that they had another hour of nap time before training some, then having lunch. "Except they are all asleep right now. There was an awkward pause between the two of us. Then Will lit up. "I want to show you something." he said smiling. He grabbed my arm and led me to the side-by-side. I want you to see Reticent and Blithesome's future home.