Generation 8 - Chapter 19

It was a bit of a family tradition to throw big parties for everyone's birthday. Wind likes to remind everyone that many many years ago the family never celebrated. Didn't eat cake or have presents. So now it was a big deal. 

Big deal.

Wind was about to celebrate a big birthday. Being a fairy meant you lived for a long long time. But eventually one was deemed an adult. I suppose after living for a 150 years give or take a decade, it was safe to say you'd grown up. She sent out invitations a month ahead, called in a caterer, order a special cake. Half of Dragon Valley was supposed to be there. Being in a place that was populated with mostly humans made the local fairy family very aware of time. Especially Wind. When you lived surrounded by other fairies, long years can pass without much notice. But when those around you are constantly looking older and older until one day they kick the bucket, well, that would make anyone feel out of sync with Time.

Cherish knew that Brenton's mortality weighed heavily on Wind's heart. She knew her GG had buried her father, mother, husband, son, and grandson. She also knew that Wind had grown up with humans before moving to Hidden Springs. Cherish didn't think it was a big deal. She understood her GG's perspective, but that was life. Fairies lived for hundreds of years. Ephriam would probably live forever. Humans, not so much. People were always dying, did it matter how long you outlived them? It was the balance of the world in Cherish's eyes. Did she want to see Brenton dead? Of course not. At this point in Cherish's life, she accepted that everyone would eventually leave her so...whatever.

The party was THE social event of the year. The house was packed. Musicians played, cooks cooked, people gossiped. Wind seemed to revel in it all. So did Fatima, but that didn't surprise Cherish at all. Fatima loved being around people and going to parties. She flitted from group to group with a grin the whole time. Cherish stood in the back. Smiled when people noticed her and otherwise avoided conversation. Eventually it was time to blow out the candles and eat cake. Cherish could see how much GG was enjoying herself and knew that Fatima was just like her mother.

Wind made her wish out loud. She wished for a makeover. The crowed laughed and told her she was perfect just like she was. But of course one of her clients is a personal shopper or designer or whatever it's called. Cherish was sure they had already arraigned for a day at the boutique and she was ever grateful she wouldn't be expected to be there! That was more of a Fatima thing anyway. Mother and daughter could go bond and stuff. 

"Hey Cher! Do you see that cute boy with the blue dreads?? Is he new? Have you met him? Is he in any of your classes? He looks more like your age. Should I go talk to him? Whats his name??"

Boy hungry as always. 

With a sigh Cherish listen to Fatima talk in a never ending stream of thoughts about the boys that had come with their parents to the party. 

Eventually Fatima had decided on which boy she wanted to overwhelm with her attention and flitted off. 

"Hello Cherish, How are things?" Grandma Maya asked.

"Oh! uh, good? It's a nice party...right?"

Grandma Maya had recently celebrated her 300th birthday. She refers to it as her name day anniversary. Cherish never really had any interest in fairy history or traditions. Plants didn't care how old you were.

"Have you decided what you're doing after graduation? I heard you weren't looking to go to uni. Will you stay at home?"

"I, um. Well, yeah. I mean no, I don't want to go to college. I don't think I need it f-f-for my plants. They'd die if I left anyway."

"I see..... You know, going off to school is over rated if you ask me." She said with a small smile. "You're good at what you do. I always look forward to my delivery from your garden each week. I think what you have here is a good thing. You should be proud. Not many others can be successful like you have been at such a young age. Not to mention finding so much satisfaction in it. If you ever need some space from this place, you're always welcome to come and stay with me and Ephriam."

Cherish had never felt so grateful towards her grandmother. These were words she hadn't realized she was longing to hear from someone until she heard them. Having someone give their complete support was amazing and Cherish knew in her heart she had made the right choice to stay and work with her plants.

"You go ahead and sneak outside, dear. I know these parties aren't your thing."

There is something to be said about wisdom coming with age.

***

Wind's Makeover

Brenton may be living alone, but he still has a thing for this chick

Mikey the dog and I don't remember the cat's name.