Chester was disappointed to find that the appetite suppressant gummies did not taste nearly as good as Jackie, nor were they effective at reducing his hunger. Sometimes he could suck on them or chew on them, much like a smoker trying to quit might chew gum as a distraction, but they did not satisfy in the same way.
Even so, Chester got a better handle over his cravings and didn't lose control again. Jackie was more attentive to his needs, and Chester improved his communication with her so he didn't reach the point where he couldn't control himself. Therapy helped as well, since he learned better coping skills to deal with his issues. Occasionally, he even went to "Maneaters Anonymous" meetings in the alternate giant world to gain a wider network of support, where he could connect and commiserate with other giants who shared the same problem. Such meetings did not exist in the Land of Giants. With the increased support, the couple made progress and fell into a comfortable rhythm.
Their son grew quickly. After a while he was weaned off breastmilk and could eat baby food. Jackie found her energy returning as her blood magic was no longer sapped away with every feeding. She was still very busy with raising the child, but the situation with Chester's voracious nature wasn't quite so dire. She made time for her hungry husband, as best she could. She felt closer than ever to him, despite the difficulties, since they faced their challenges together.
Chester tried his best to keep his giant relatives away for as long as possible, but of course he couldn't hold them off forever. Jasper, his brother, was the first to visit. He stopped by when Hunter was still a tiny baby. Jasper was charmed by how remarkably miniscule the little bean of a being was. He congratulated the new parents and teased his more serious brother about the size of his son. Jackie was relieved that he didn't try to touch his new nephew and had no impulses to eat him. As much as she liked Jasper for his easygoing, boisterous personality, she still felt a bit uneasy around him. While it had been an accident, Jasper drank up Jackie in a beer when she first met him. He always joked to her about how good she tasted and how much he wanted to eat her again. He was a good-natured guy, but he was still a giant, and Jackie suspected the jokes weren't entirely unfounded, judging by the hungry glint in his eye. She laughed them off, but she stayed close to Chester whenever his brother was around.
Soon after Jasper's visit, Chester's parents came to the house. His father made no effort to hide his disappointment when he beheld for the first time his infinitesimal grandson. The gargantuan man looked down his nose at the insignificant creature in the crib and dripped with condescension when he glanced down at Jackie. She met his glare with defiance, refusing to avert her own gaze. Chester rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, not sure what to say.
While Chester's mother harbored a similar attitude, she was more amenable. Despite her negative first impression, she had to admit the baby, so ridiculously tiny, was cute. She just didn't want her grandson to be that small, that irrelevant. Nevertheless, her heart swayed in his favor when he clutched her fingertip with his tiny hands and giggled. She left with a warm glow, in contrast to her sullen husband.
Their son said his first words and took his first steps. Jackie tried to teach him to say his name: Hunter. She'd agreed to name their son what Chester desired. She hoped that the name would suit him, and he wouldn't become the hunted instead. For the time being, he was safe in Chester's giant house. He hadn't encountered any giant strangers, and Jackie wanted to keep it that way.
Hunter continued to grow. As a toddler, he was rambunctious and fearless, full of hyperactive energy. Chester was delighted that his son, while still very small, was no longer quite so fragile. The giant father could hold the child and let him climb up his fingers and play, using the hills and valleys of his massive hands as a playground. He had to be cautious while walking around his home, lest he accidentally step on the little toddler that lacked the common sense to get out of his way. His son liked to cling to his shoelaces or climb on his boots and go for a ride as he walked. He rose to the challenge of scaling his giant dad all the way to the top (he didn't get very far, and Chester usually had to rescue him from his pant leg).
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The Half-Blood Giant
FantasyThis is a sequel to my story "The Giant" and a crossover which will feature the world and characters established in "Boarding School for Giants" and its sequel. Chester and Jackie have a son, a half-human, half-giant hybrid who will struggle to find...