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“Good,” I nod. “Is everyone already there?”
“I think so,” she confirms. “When are Rock and Daisy coming back?”
“Half an hour maybe,” I shrug. “Something like that.”
“Well, I’ll head out then as well, Leo is waiting for me outside the cave,” Willow comments. “We can’t have the cake be late on the leader’s birthday.”
“No way,” I chuckle, and she joins in.
Over the course of the past five years, we have grown very close and, in her, I found a real sister, a real sibling bond that I never had with my biological sister. Willow and I are not in any competition, and everything we do together, we do by helping each other. At first, I found it strange, but little by little, I realized that is how it was always meant to be.
I occasionally write and call my family. The version I gave them was that I live in Pinehaven, married to a man. A simple story, which is good enough for them. I told them that the marriage already took place, and I didn’t want anything big. They never questioned this decision, nor have they expressed any desire to come and see me. Strangely enough, that’s fine. I don’t miss them. Maybe because they never provided me with what a real family is supposed to provide you with, and that is unconditional love. Here, I have that, and so much more.
I watch the last villagers rush off to the waterfall, and I realize that I’m all alone. It feels strangely calm and exciting at the same time, as I decide to wait for Rock and Daisy at the village square, sitting by the small fountain. I consider bringing a book to read, to pass the time, but I don’t want to have a single moment of this magic pass me by. I want to inhale it fully, live it completely.
So, I sit by the fountain, looking up at the sky, thanking the heavens for bringing me here to this magical place and offering me a chance to stay here, making it my new home. My forever home.
“Mommy, mommy!” I hear a little voice shout from the distance, and I know that they are back.
Rock is walking by her side, her tiny hand grasping his finger. Immediately upon seeing me, she lets go of him and rushes toward me, radiating an infectious energy that she spreads wherever she goes.
As she’s running, her curly hair jumps up and down, framing her cherubic face. Her hair is a mix of shades of both Rock and me. Her eyes, which she got from Cal, sparkle with a curiosity that absorbs every detail of the world around her. She reaches me and jumps into my arms, nuzzling her freckled little nose against mine.
“Did you have a nice walk with daddy Rock?” I ask, kissing her forehead.
“I did!” she squeals with delight.
I near her face, whispering the following words into her ear. “You know what time it is now, right?”
Her eyes widen with joy, and she glances at Rock, then back at me. “Mhm!”
“Hey, what are you two whispering about?” Rock nears me and bends down to kiss me on the forehead.
“Oh, nothing,” I smile, and Daisy and I exchange another meaningful glance, which makes her burst into an uncontrollable chuckle. “We were just thinking of going to the waterfall, if you want to join us.”
It is then that he notices there is no one around. His brows furrow. “What’s going on?” he asks, sounding concerned. “Where is everyone?”
“Uhm… busy,” I explain. “don’t worry about that.” Daisy and I walk over to him and take him by both hands. “You just come with us to the waterfall, to rest a little.”
He doesn’t seem all that convinced, but he acquiesces. “Alright,” he says, looking at me, but my smile reassures him.
We walk slowly, with Daisy stopping by every lovely flower or curiously shaped rock to pick it up, until her little hands can hold no more. Then, it is Rock’s turn to be the holder of our daughter’s treasures, but he doesn’t mind.
“Are you sure everything is alright?” he suddenly asks me, while Daisy is out of earshot.
“Positive,” I smile again. “You worry too much.”
“You sound like Cal,” he frowns playfully.
“Sometimes, I sound like him, sometimes like you,” I chuckle. “And you love it.”
He is unable to resist chuckling himself. “I do.”
As we approach the waterfall, we are met with a scene that takes Rock completely by surprise. The entire village is huddled together, with picnic blankets strewn all around the pool of water, with all sorts of food and drinks already set upon them. It is a visual feast, just like I described it to the cooks. There are fruit platters, cheeses, quiches and savory tarts, freshly baked breads and spreads, finger sandwiches, dessert delights and of course, the most important part: the cake.
At that moment, all the villagers, with Cal standing in front of them, shout at the same time. “Happy birthday!”
The sound of laughter and clapping immediately fills the air, outvoicing the humming of the water and the chirping of nearby birds.
