It's strange completing a goal that has been your entire existence for centuries. You are struck at once with a sense of sadness and of triumph. And so, it was at my request that we trekked once again to the park on the edge of Monte Vista, where Eden awoke the totem so that we may speak to the Watcher.
We were offered congratulations in the extreme. The Watcher was very happy.
"I know you all have different plans and places to go, but to start with, we are going to establish a new home base, and that will be Coralie's choice."
So I thought and thought of lounging in the sun with Carlotta and our dreams for a second youth. It seemed like nothing but a blink of the eye and suddenly we were no longer in Monte Vista. The air smelled of salt and sun and in that instant we were encased by a warm glow.
"Welcome home," the wind seemed to say.
We, all of us, were a bit shell shocked, and took ourselves inside to relax and discuss our next move. Of course we were all very anxious to see our husbands again.
"We mustn't be selfish," I said. "We have to thank those who got us here first."
And so after much deliberation, we split into two groups. Eden, Mona Lisa, Rosetta, and I purchased a second house, a bungalow near one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
Eden asked that we leave her alone for the actual resurrection. "It isn't pretty," she said. That was really all we needed to hear.
It seemed like a dream. Soft, salty air blowing across my face and Carlotta, slowly ascending the steps of the bungalow, spry and healthy and pink, cheerfully saying hello while we awaited the arrival of Ed.
We tried to ignore the unpleasant noises of Eden's work and I told Carlotta we had a second step to her welcoming party. She seemed so calm. So completely prepared for this return from the afterlife.
"We knew you'd come back for us," she said, with a smile.
And I told her to go downstairs while Rosetta prepared the potions.
We watched from a distance as they drank. After all, we would be consuming the same potions in the morning if all went well.
I must admit, seeing them young again was as shocking to me as it must have been to my daughter and my granddaughter and my great granddaughter.
But possibly not nearly as shocking as it must have felt to them, to regain youth, life, and one another all in the same hectic moment.
Eden stayed by, ready to explain if any explanation was necessary, but the two of them were so entranced with each other, they didn't bother to acknowledge the hows or whys.
The first thing they did was renew their vows.
And of course there was a wardrobe change, back into the colors and styles that they'd loved in their first youths.
They asked about Goopy and we assured them that he'd be by to visit soon. We hadn't addressed anyone but them, because without them, our dynasty would've never left the ground.
"It's so wonderful to be with you again," Carlotta said, holding me, her young, soft arms strong around my frail old body. "I've missed you so."
And so we left them to get reacquainted with all they'd found in the little bungalow by the beach. And we headed back to the new house, feeling as though we did what was needed for our first steps.
That night, Eden awoke each of the human tombstones in our family chest. She did so while we all slept and did not interact with any of the awoken, not even her wife. "They are confused at first," she'd said to me. "It's easier this way."
When the sun rose, we traveled down to the dock near the house and listened as the Watcher gently whispered her permissions to us. These were the last moments of eternal old age. And good riddance.
Rosetta passed out the pale pink potions and we all knocked them back as quickly as we could. They weren't much for the taste buds.
I was the first to regress. It was a strange sensation indeed, but not at all unpleasant. I suddenly felt so ... whole. So able.
"Granny?!" Champagne cried. "I don't know what I'll call you now! You are
gorgeous!"
How strange to be a young woman while Champagne dips her feet in the cool shoreline, old and wrinkled. But the sparkles came for all of us over the next few hours. One at a time. The majority of the girls into that same genetic hairstyle.
When it was all done, we gathered our things and walked toward the house again. It was time to get our old appearances back and then the moment of truth - to seek out our loved ones.
For all being of the same line, we all handle these things much differently. Allegra and Champagne and Eureka bubbly and excited. Rosetta and I quiet and pensive. Mata Hari tapping away on her tablet with ideas and thoughts, Mona Lisa unable to contain a smile, but saying nothing, and Eden ... oh, darling Eden, still such a child, splashing delicately in the water with her favorite toy, waiting for what this new life will bring.
