Chapter 19 - Life Starts Here

I waited nervously, wringing my hands as I mulled over the enormity of what I was about to do. What if she said no? What if she liked someone else? What if she wasn't the 'marriage type'? It was a spur of the moment decision to propose, but it just felt so right. Becca is the love of my life and I just couldn't imagine growing old with anyone but her.

'Hey, Loner!' I heard a yell and turned to see my girlfriend jogging towards me.
'Hey, Lovely.' I smiled.

She came over and pecked me on the cheek. 'You're not going to try and jump off this cliff are you?'
I chuckled. 'No. I, uh, got you these.' I thrust a crumpled bouquet of white roses into her hands.
'Oh, thanks! They're lovely.'

She stroked my cheek and I took her waist in my arms. She looked so beautiful standing there, her hazel eyes expectantly gazing into mine. I was getting choked up at the thought of getting to spend the rest of my life with this woman. Tears began to well up in the corners of my eyes.

'Honey, what's the matter?' She looked concerned as she wiped away a tear with a slender finger. Her fingernails were painted a pleasant dusty rose.
'I just... I'm fine.' I tried to remember the words to my hastily prepared speech, drawing a deep breath and pulling away from her. No turning back now.

'Rebecca, when I first saw you in the lunch queue at school, I thought you were the coolest person ever. Your crazy yellow jumper and bobble hat said it all, and before long we were inseparable.' She looked at me quizzically, trying to suss out where I was going.
'I can't remember the exact moment when it hit me that you were the one, but I know now that I have someone seriously special in my life. Your patience and kindness to others inspires me every day. I love and respect your spontaneity, it makes me want to try harder to be that way myself. Your sense of adventure is unlike anything else I've encountered, so, uh, let's go on an adventure together.'
Her eyes widened as it dawned on her what I was trying to say.

I fumbled in my pocket for the ring. It was my grandmother's - gold with a gleaming emerald in the centre. I finally got a hold of the box and held it up to Becca triumphantly, nearly falling over as I tried to get down on one knee.
'I love you beyond compare, so... um... do you fancy getting marri-'
I couldn't get the last word out. Rebecca had launched herself at me and was peppering my face with kisses. She yelled between each kiss.
'ARE... YOU... FREAKING... KIDDING... ME... OF... COURSE... I'LL... MARRY... YOU...!'
I chuckled, then broke into full-blown, uncontrollable laughter. She'd said yes!
'YOU SAID YES, YOU SAID YES, YOU SAID YES!' I shouted at the top of my lungs, falling back so I was lying down with her on top of me. She pinned me down with her arms either side of my shoulders and beamed down at me before leaning in for a kiss. I gasped for breath, worn out from laughter.
'Do you want your ring then?' I grinned.

I helped her to her feet, returned to one knee, and slipped the ring onto her finger. She collapsed into a fit of giggles again and I let her fall into my arms as I stood up.
'Just so you know, I think you're pretty great too.' She mumbled into my chest. By this time we were both crying tears of happiness. I caressed her hair with one hand and rested my chin on her head.

'I know. I think I'm pretty great too.' I joked.
She looked up at me with a mock-irritated look.
'Kidding, sorry. Perhaps we should check in to a hotel?'

So we called a taxi and set off for a dishevelled motel across town. We didn't care that it was grimy. We had each other. That was all we needed.

Although it was a little unconventional, I decided the first person to know of our engagement should be my little sister Hazel. We were pretty close and I knew she would be delighted. She was.
'So I'm gonna be a bridesmaid!?' She squealed.
'I don't see why not! You'll have to ask Becca really nicely though, and promise you'll study hard at school.'
'I will, I will!' She chattered before running to her room to plan out the whole wedding.

We asked Mum and Dad to join us in the dining room. Becca was trembling with nerves but I couldn't see why. My parents adored her; they'd known her for longer than four of my siblings had been around. Still, I squeezed my fiancée's hand reassuringly under the table. 

'So, Rebecca and I have some news for you guys.' They looked at me encouragingly. 'Um, I don't really know how to do this, so I'm just going to come out and say it. We're engaged!'

A gasp came from both parents.
'Oh, my darlings, I'm so happy for you!' Mum cried, reaching across the table and clutching Becca's hands. 'Tell me ALL about the proposal. Did he do it right? Did he get down on one knee?' Rebecca was grinning as my mum gushed at her.
'Yeah, he did. He's a proper gentleman.'

Later on, whilst Mum insisted I help her make celebratory pizza for everyone, I saw Dad talking to Rebecca.
'Welcome to the family, Becca. We're so pleased to have you.' He smiled as he patted her shoulder.
She was obviously overjoyed about hearing this. 'Oh, thank you, Mr. Bird, sir.'
He laughed. 'Please, call me Dayvid, Dear.'
At that she threw her arms around him in an affectionate bear hug. He looked perplexed, then smiled and hugged her back.

This was it. This was where my life began.

Chapter 18 - New Beginnings

It felt so good to finally be tossing my diploma! After what felt like centuries of studying for my degree, I earned a first in alchemy. Becca and I were going to try and start a daycare soon, but selling the odd potion here and there would surely help finance a few things.

'I'm so proud of you, Darling!' Mum gushed as she patted my cheek. I blushed.
'Thanks! It feels pretty cool. I'm looking forward to getting into the world of work and maybe settling down!'
She smiled fondly. She'd been finding the whole process of me growing up pretty difficult. I think Dad was worried too, though he seems to be hiding it better.

As a graduation gift, Cescie had found and captured a raven for me. I called him Edgar; after Edgar Allen Poe. He was really rather friendly, and enjoyed sitting on people's shoulders.

Celeste's birthday was not long after mine and she decided she wanted to become a freelance writer straight away rather than spending three more years in further education.

She said goodbye to her room, which Hazel was to inherit, and packed her things into a suitcase. Mum was even more concerned about Cescie than about me. She went on a huge shopping trip to get everything Celeste could ever need or want for in her new house, despite the fact she was only moving down the road.

Rosie watched her leave in the new car she'd been given by Great Aunt Adeline for her birthday.

Her new house was a quaint little two bedroom. Rickey, who now had a job as a police officer, would be moving in within the week.

Mum and Dad had been able to buy the house for her. Our money troubles were well behind us since our grandparents' inheritance fund was quite substantial, not to mention the fact that both my parents had recently been promoted.

My little potion business was doing fairly well. My godfather, Branch had ordered a love potion for his big date night.

I had been trying to brew said potion, but I must have added a wrong ingredient because the liquid seemed to have a strange, orange glow.

I decided to test it out on Hatty. She was more than happy to give it a go.

To my surprise, Hatty was suddenly swathed in hundreds of violet bubbles the moment the potion touched her lips. When they dispersed, an oddly dressed, but pretty woman was standing there with an inane smile on her face.
'Hatty?' I stuttered.
'Jas! It's me, I'm finally a real person!' She giggled in delight.

'Oh my word...' I breathed as I placed my hand on her shoulder to make sure I wasn't seeing things. She smiled and lent in closer so I could get a better look. Her eyes were a stunning turquoise, though they appeared to change colour in the light. She cocked her head to one side and gave a mischievous grin.

Without warning, she lent in and kissed me hard on the lips. I was so surprised I didn't think to pull away. She stepped back and laughed, 'So that's what it feels like!'
Horrified, I backed out of the room and ran downstairs.

When I reached the hall my phone began to ring. The caller ID showed it was Becca. I answered.
'What do you want?' I spluttered nervously into the phone.
'Whoa there, and a hello to you too! I just wanted to say hi!'
'Oh, sorry Sweetie. It's been a stressful day.' I sighed, I could feel the guilt rising inside me.
'Aw, miss your sister?'
'Yeah, something like that. Listen, can I call you back? There's something I need to do quickly.'
'Sure thing. Don't take too long, Darling. Love you.'
'Love you too.'

'Stupid, stupid, stupid,' I thought as I raced around the house to find Hatty, who had apparently left my room.

She didn't take it well when I told her she had to leave. I know it sounds cruel but I couldn't risk anything romantic happening with her again.

When she left I picked up my phone and dialled Becca's number.
'Helloooo?' She crooned.
'Hey. Listen Honey, do you think we could meet up?'
'What, now? It's coming up to one in the morning.'
'I know I just... need you I guess.'
'Aw, okay Love. Shall I come over?'
A thought struck me. 'Actually, no. Meet me at Rocky point.'

Chapter 17 - The End of An Era

I could barely contain my excitement.

Hazel and I were on our way to see Katie, my sister, who I hadn't seen in nearly two decades. She had finally gotten around to moving to Moonlight Falls with her husband Brett, stepchildren Mimi and Jake and her daughter Jolene. At the same time, my Aunt Adeline and three of her daughters moved into a little house just across the lake from us.

Brett and Jolene were waiting for me at the end of their drive. I hadn't seen him since school!

Jolene was a very pretty girl, with olive skin and Katie's flaxen hair.

As soon as I had entered their lovely little house, a furry face appeared from behind the sofa. Of course, Katie would have a pet raccoon. She's rather eccentric like that.

I put Hazel down on the carpet and felt a tap on my shoulder. I whirled round to see the grinning face of my big sister!
'Fancy seeing you here!' She giggled.

I immediately pulled her in for a hug.
'Oh, I've missed you so much!' I gushed.
'And I've missed you! Oh, you look so well. I can't believe my little Lizzy's all grown up! Come on, meet the family.'

I had such a wonderful time at Katie's and the time flew bye. I was disappointed when I realised that I needed to get home and cook for the kids, but I promised to pop round the following day.

I took Katie to the pool the next day to meet Aunt Adeline and my cousins.

It was so lovely to see them again! Aunty immediately pulled me in for a hug, though she was still wet from swimming.
'Oh, my dear, look how much you've grown!'
She was all over Hazel. I left my daughter with her and went to find my cousins.

There was Lisa, a biologist at the lab who specialised in genetics. She and her boyfriend, Jacob, were expecting their first child together. He would be joining her in Moonlight Falls shortly.

Next was Grace. She was a top stylist back in Champs Les Sims and couldn't wait to start updating the wardrobes of all the Moonlight Falls residents.

Last, but by no means least, was Bernie! It was lovely to see them all again. Aunty's eldest daughter, Scarlett, lived in Shang Simla with her boyfriend and four children.

Dayvid and I decided to invest in a resident maid! Despite her appearance, Bonehilda was a wonderful addition to the family. She made a great nanny too.

Celeste was really getting into her writing and had found herself an agent. I have high hopes for my lovely daughter!

With two generations of aunts to babysit Hazel, I was finally able to get into my work again. I was hurtling up the career path at breakneck speed; I must have had at least six promotions since I first arrived in Moonlight Falls - one for each of my kids!

One week before my birthday, I found a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers on the doorstep. Attached was a note that read:

'My dearest Lizzy,

I've known you for nearly twenty years now, and it never ceases to amaze me just how lucky I've been. You know better than anyone that I'm a pretty useless guy, but with you by my side I feel like I can accomplish anything.

As your birthday approaches, I feel like I should do something special. So for the seven days leading up to your big day, I'm going to shower you with gifts!

Your loving husband.'

True to his word, over the next few days I discovered gifts including jewellery, theatre tickets, and home made brownies.

The best present by far was discovered on the morning of my birthday. It was a dog! She was so friendly and the kids loved her, deciding on the name 'Rosie'.

I thanked Dayvid and took her out for a walk that morning.

First to the birthday cakes that afternoon was my wonderful Lydia.

She became even more beautiful than before. I think she looks like me, excluding hair, eye, and skin colour.

Helena was more excited than her twin sister.

She looks so much like Dayvid! I think she maybe has my eyes but the rest is all her father's genes.

Gorgeous little Hazel was next to blow out the candles.

My word, she is stunning! She has inherited my hair, skin colour, and face shape, but her beautiful golden eyes are Dayvid's.

It was finally my turn. I was actually looking forward to growing older. I'd done pretty well in having six children and six promotions before hitting forty.

Strangely, I didn't feel any different! Sure, I had the odd wrinkle here and there, but still the same old me.

My eldest son stepped up to his cake and, after deciding on a wish, blew out his candles.

This was the real moment I'd been dreading. Not because he was growing up, but because he would, no doubt, be leaving me soon. He'd have a family of his own, a career to follow, dreams to chase. I was happy for him, of course, but how much I'd miss him didn't bear thinking about.

Jasper was engulfed in bright red light and everyone stood back and shielded their eyes.

When they opened them again, my handsome son was standing in front of them as a fully-fledged vampire.

Rebecca aged up at our house too. She makes such a lovely woman.

I went up to my son and congratulated him.
'Don't go leaving me just yet, okay?'
'Of course, Mum! I haven't even graduated yet. I'm not going anywhere.'
Though tears were quickly welling up in my eyes, I smiled faintly.
'Seriously, Mum. I promise. Oh, come here.'

I had been hesitant to hug my son in case I embarrassed him in front of his girlfriend, but he pulled me towards him and held me close.
'It's not like I'm dying! I'm here for you as long as you need me.'
'I'm the one who should be saying that to you.' I whispered.
'We both need each other, Mum.'

Happy with his answer, and happy with my wonderful life, I left him alone in the kitchen with Becca.

I'm so proud of all my children, I'm proud of my amazing husband, now at the top of his league, and I guess I'm kind of proud of myself. I'm a pretty great detective and I believe that I'm a pretty great mum. Maybe someday I'll be able to say I'm a great grandmother too.