Chapter 9-11

The day of the wedding has arrived. Chantilly and Obsidian decided to get married in the yard just like Mac and I had. They wanted to keep it private.

As her pregnancy progressed, Chantilly became more and more excited. She and Obsidian were in the process of setting up a nursery.

 Until one day, things took a turn.

Chantilly: Mom! Something's wrong! There's so much blood. 
Lavender: S***, you need to get to the hospital. It sounds serious.
Obsidian: I'll take you, Tilly. Let's go!

Tilly and Obsidian were gone for hours. When they finally came home, I knew it wasn't good news. I could see it on their faces.

Lavender: Oh, sweetie, come here.
Chantilly: I-I lost the baby, Mom. He-he's gone. What am I going to do?
Lavender: I'm sorry, sweetie. It happens sometimes, there's nothing you can do. I know it's hard, but we'll get through it.
Chantilly: *crying* I-I know, I miss him already. How did this happen?
Lavender:  You couldn't have prevented it, honey. 

 She lay on the couch with me for a little while, silent and sobbing, then she eventually went up to her room to be with Obsidian.

 It's so hard to see her in so much pain. I know it's going to be rough before she gets back into the swing of things, and puts this in the past. I just hope that that moment happens sooner than later. For her sake.

Chapter 9-12 -->

<-- Chapter 9-10

Chapter 9-10

 Chantilly and Obsidian have been dating about two years now. Damn, how time flies. 

Obsidian asked Mac and I if we could help him with a surprise for Chantilly, and of course we agreed. She won't see it coming.

Chantilly: C'mon guys, what's going on?
Lavender: Just keep your eyes closed. No peaking.

Mac: Alright, open them!

Chantilly; Oh, hey, baby. I didn't know you were coming over today. I'm a little confused though, what was this all about.
Obsidian: I have something I want to ask you.
Chantilly: Um...okay?

Obsidian: Chantilly Lace, will you marry me?
Chantilly: Omigosh, Obsidian. Yes. Yes, I will. As long as we can wait until after we graduate, okay?
Obsidian: Sounds good to me.

Two months later...

*whispering*

Lavender: What's going on over there?
Chantilly: Mom, we have an announcement to make.
Lavender: What is it?

Lavender: So...what's the big announcement?
Chantilly: Obsidian and I have decided to move up the wedding.
Lavender: I thought you were waiting until after graduation?
Chantilly: Well...there's been a change in plans...
Mac: Oh? What made you change your mind?

Chantilly: Obisidian and I are having a baby!
Lavender: Oh, wow! Congrats you two!
Mac: I'm gonna be a grandpa? That's awesome, sweetie. Congratulations!

With that unexpected turn of events, Chantilly and Obsidian start planning their wedding.

My baby is getting married!

Chapter 9-11 ->

 <-- Chapter 9-9

Chapter 9-9

[phone rings]

Lavender: Hello?
Violet: Hey, Lav, it's me, Violet.
Lavender: Oh, hey Vi, what's up? You sound upset.
Violet:*sniffles* There's been an accident, Lav. Mom and Dad...they didn't make it.
Lavender: Are you serious? What happened? 
Violet: Car accident, they died on impact...it was horrible, Lav. 
Lavender: S***, I-I can't believe this. How is everyone holding up?
Violet:We're hanging on...barely. We don't know what do now. I mean, they've always been around and now...they're not.
Lavender: Do you want me to come down there?
Violet: No, it's okay, we'll manage. I'm sure you're busy. We'll keep in touch, alright?
Lavender: Yeah, okay. Call me if you need anything.
Violet: Will do, Love you, Lav. Later.
Lavender: Love you too, bye.

 The news didn't sink in until after I hung up. They're really gone. I won't see them again, at least not in this lifetime. I sat on the ground of the balcony and started bawling like a baby.

 Macadamia: Hey, what's wrong, baby?
Lavender: My sister called...my parents...they died in a car crash...
Macadamia: Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. That's awful. 
Lavender: I feel so...empty. I don't know what to do.
Macadamia: *sigh* I know this sucks, and life isn't fair, but you need to be strong. You can't let something like this destroy you, no matter how bad it is. Unfortunately, that's how life is. 
Lavender: I know. I'm grateful to have had them as long as I have. Your parents died when you were young, right?
Macadamia: Yeah, my dad died of cancer when I was a baby, and my mom died when I was a teenager. 

Lavender: I'm sorry. I feel like I'm being so selfish. I can only imagine losing them when I was that age. I don't think I could've handled it.
Macadamia: It was hard but I dealt with it...in time. That's partly what made me turn to making music. It was my therapy.
Lavender: Wow, I never knew that.
Macadamia: Most people don't. It's not exactly something I thought should be public knowledge.
Lavender: It's just...hard, you know...to process...and think that they won't be there anymore. 
Macadamia: I know, trust me, babe. Just let it out, you'll feel better. I'm here for you. I'll break the news to the kids so you don't have to.
Lavender: Okay... 

It was another bump in the road of life. As expected the kids were upset by the news. It was difficult but we all eventually got over it. Since then, Chantilly decided to put her time into being a internet personality doing beauty videos and reviews. She has gotten really good at it and her channel is growing pretty fast.

She also has been bringing her 'friend', Obsidian over almost everyday. I suspect that there is more than just friendship going on between them.

Seeing her pretty face fills me with pride. She's grown into a wonderful, caring young woman. It makes me sad to think she'll be a young adult within a couple years. I don't know what I'll do when she isn't around anymore. 

I guess time will tell.

 Chapter 9-10 -->

<-- Chapter 9-8

Chapter 9-8

Macadamia's POV

[knock on the door]

Macadamia: I'll get it.
Lavender (from upstairs): Okay, I'll be down in a minute.

[opens door]

 Macadamia: Oh, hello, how can I help you?
??: H-Hi, Macadamia...Mr. Snow...my name is Almond.
Macadamia: Please, call me Mac. It's nice to meet you, Almond. What brings you here?
Almond: Well, sir...Mac, I'm here because I wanted to meet you. I'm your son.

 
Macadamia: My son?
Almond: Yes, sir. My mother was a fan of yours back in the day.
Macadamia: I see. Hmmm...I suppose that's possible.  

I stand there in confusion. Who is his mother? I know I slept with a lot of women before Lavender, but I just can't figure it out. I believe him; I can see he's telling the truth, and I do see the resemblance between the two of us.

 Macadamia: Well, I'm glad you reached out to me...son. Come here.

I pull him into a hug. Poor kid. I wish I knew about him, I would have been involved in his life.

Almond: So, you believe me?
Macadamia: Yes, I can tell you're mine just by looking at you. Welcome to the family. 

I can see the relief on his face. He was stressing out about this,; I could tell the moment I saw him. 

Almond: *smiles* Thanks...Dad. Can I get a picture?
Macadamia: Yes, of course. You're family now; you don't need to be so formal.

Lavender (coming downstairs and around the corner): Who is it, honey? Oh...a fan, I presume?
Macadamia: Lav, this young man is my son, Almond.
Lavender: Oh, I see. *smiles* He looks like you...a little bit. Nice to meet you, Almond. I'm Lavender, your father's wife.

Almond: Hi, Lavender. Can I call you that...or..?
Lavender: Lavender is fine. Come on in, make yourself at home. 

Lavender's POV

Almond stayed for a little while and met his brother and sister. He politely made his exit, clearly overwhelmed. He's a sweet kid, and very nervous. I would probably feel the same in that situation. After he left, I found Mac outside on the balcony.

Lavender: What's wrong, Mac?
Macadamia: I didn't even know. I feel like such a bad father. I wish I could have been in his life, ya know?
Lavender: I get it. I'd want the same thing. You wouldn't have known about Chantilly if we hadn't run into each other in town.

Macadamia: That's true. Are you mad?
Lavender: About the kid? No, of course not. He's a teenager, obviously he was born before you and I met, when you were still living the bachelor life. I'm not angry with you. The past is the past, nothing can change that.
Macadamia: Good, I was worried. I don't want to upset you again.

Lavender: I love you, Mac. Something like that isn't going to make me leave you, relax. At this point, I'm not going anywhere, no matter what stupid things you do.
Macadamia: Gee, thanks. You make it sound like I do stupid things all the time.
Lavender: Well, you kinda do.
Macadamia: Yeah, I guess you're right.

I hug him from behind, and I feel his tension melt away. He was truely freaking out that I would yell at him about this. We stayed out there for a while, just enjoying the nice weather and the quiet of the night.
 .........................................................................................................................................................

 This week we had several visitors. My brother, Astro, came by while he was in town. It feels like forever since I'd seen him, yet he's the same goofy kid that he's always been.

 Later in the week, my old friends Cocoa, Poppy and Merlot stopped by. It was really nice to have the gang together like old times.

Lavender: Hey, guys, great to see you. Come on in.
Cocoa: Damn, nice house, Lav. I'm jealous.
Lavender: Hah, thanks. This is my daughter, Chantilly, and the little one is Aster.
Chantilly: Hi! 
Cocoa: Hi, sweetie. You're a pretty little thing aren't you? I remember when you were just a little baby, you've grown so much since then.

Macadamia: Hey, Poppy. I remember you from the show. It's nice to see you again.
Poppy: Yeah, I remember. I was such a little fangirl back then. Merlot was a good sport about it, thankfully. I probably couldn't handle it if the roles were reversed.
Macadamia: I don't blame you.

 Poppy: Hey, Lavender. I can't believe how much everything's changed. You are sure living the life now, huh? 
Lavender: I know, it's changed a lot, but I haven't changed...much. A little less naive, less obsessive maybe, but the same more or less.

(Aster comes out of nowhere)

Aster: Hewwo. Me Aster.
Poppy: Oh! Why hello there, Aster. Where did you come from? What a little cutie you are. 
Aster: I hide good, yeah?
Poppy: Yes, very good. (to Lavender) He's so precious. He I can see a bit of you in him.
Lavender: Yeah, I see it too. My little mischievous kiddo. You should bring your girls by sometime. They'd like that.
Poppy: Yeah, maybe next time. 

The three of them hung out for a few hours before they had to head back home. I was glad we were able to catch up. I really miss having them around all the time. Sometimes life just gets in the way and makes it hard to put time aside for friends especially when we live a couple hours apart, so I'm happy they're still around when I need them.
............................................................................................................................................................. 

Since that day, both of the kids had birthdays. Chantilly is now a teenager, and Aster is a child. I'm really starting to feel old.

They're growing before my very eyes, and honestly I'm not ready to see them go off on their own.

I need to savor the next years while I can. 

Chapter 9-9 -->

<-- Chapter 9-7