You know, as busy as I like to stay, I can't imagine my mind spinning faster than it is these days, as we prepare to finally depart for Moonlight Falls. There are so many possibilities on the horizon and yet so many old comforts I finally have at hand again.
I waited until after the wedding to make a scene, because we've all been so enamored with our lost loves. But, by the Watcher I have missed my grandfather so much. So, so, so much.
How strange it is to see him young and handsome and without glasses! No matter, I can't imagine enjoying a shock to the system more. In fact, I bet none of us can.
"Rosebud," he says, "I can't get over seeing you all grown up."
"And with a great-great-great granddaughter besides!" I laugh. Maybe not much has really changed under the surface, though.
"Well, at least now you can give yourself your own baths," he jokes.
"And do my homework by myself," I counter, which makes him frown a little.
"Well, I can always help if you need it."
There's been lots of planning and deliberation, but the 8 of us haven't strayed far from each other. We know our last days as a single unit are upon us.
And already, there's a new addition! I can't believe I forgot to mention it. Meet my new uncle, Randall GilsCarbo.
Randall's first birthday is the event we're all hanging around to see. After that, the moves will start. Eureka and I have already chosen our beach hut and found a renter for most of the year. The Classics have decided that summers will be spent on the island, no matter what.
A strange woman moved into town recently with a keen interest in Granny. Or perhaps we should all begin to call her Coralie? She certainly isn't a Granny anymore.
Anyway, this woman issued a mysterious invitation to my grandparents, saying she had very important information to discuss, direct from the Watcher, which would sound crazy if we hadn't communicated directly with the Watcher ourselves.
Her name is Briar Rose, and she has strange purple-ish skin. Only Granny and Grandpa Camillo have met her.
She has two teenage daughters who seem very, very bored with their mother's doings.
But one person who is very interested is Granny. She says Ms. Bliss is going to be the Watcher's next dynasty founder and that it is her responsibility to offer advice.
The two of them have actually become rather close, perhaps because Granny can so relate to a new founder's anxieties. Plus, to our horror, Granny told us that the daughters (including the baby growing in Briar Rose's belly) will have to start over on their own as well.
But anyway, that's not our intrigue. They will have their own story we're all sure. As for us, we have to decide what's next. Where our ideal destinations could be.
We have to decide if old habits are really the best ones for a new life.
Silvia, for one, decided it was time for a change. I'm rather proud of her if truth be told. It's hard to break off from the familiar. It's absolutely hard to break off from Freddie. But she made a choice.
One that caused a good deal of scandal on the island, which is free of supernaturals except for a few witches.
"After Randall's birthday, I'm off to somewhere with less sun," she says contentedly, a sharp little smile playing on her lips. "Lots of shade."
Freddie has been staying with Eden and Eunice, but has decided to find a little place of his own until he decides where to go. He suggested providing them with more children, but Eden happily declined.
"We have an exciting plan for that!" Eden said. "We can't wait to show everyone!"
Then he set their house on fire, which Eunice didn't appreciate.
She proceeded to put it out on her own while the other two ... well, did as Eden and Freddie do.
Allegra too is staying on the island for now, too overwhelmed by options to decide where she'd go. Eureka did her best to talk her into joining us, but I suppose we all must let go of our daughters now.
My own daughter gave me the most thoughtful goodbye gift. I can't tell you what it is just yet. But it is the most perfect thing anyone has ever given me.
Well, that's not true. Hiram gave me Eden. She might be the most perfect thing anyone's ever given me. My little Bug.
The day of Randall's first birthday rolled around all too soon. You can see us all being quite ourselves in this photo, particularly my husband flirting with thin air.
This was the first cake we'd all gathered around that wasn't on that beloved island counter in our Monte Vista kitchen. And that was okay.
Randall grew up as cute as they come, with his mama's ginger hair. He's a genius and easily impressed. Very good traits for being born in a non-active household.
Grandpa Ed seems thrilled to have another son. He seems like a very good father. Maybe he'll help little Randall play with his peg box too.
But it was my Dad who was cuddling Randall the most at the party. The rest of us were at the grill or swimming and he was tickling his little brother within an inch of the little boy's life. Later he said to me, "you better be prepared to not be an only child anymore, Rosebud."
I think I am prepared. In fact, he better be prepared to maybe have more than one grandbaby soon! Oh, but for now, in these final hours together, I've allowed myself to nod off in total contentment.
Sure, a healthy cell splits into many, and we're about to do the same. But before the Classics go through their own mitosis, here's one perfect moment. As a unit.
