That night, after dads extensive cooking lesson and a nice walk with Embry through the woods, I had a dream about my mom again. This time it was much farther back than I had ever remembered. My mom was across from me, camera in hand and grandmother was beside me, pointing down. My gaze drifted toward where she was pointing and found an impressive cake sitting there. Immediately my instincts went wild and I plunged my face into the chocolaty mess. This brought joy to the two observers, but especially my mom. She was glowing with pride and happiness, the pride being for both herself and me. My grandmother just gazed lovingly, appreciating that her daughter had managed to give her a grandaughter.
As the memory dragged on I began to realize now that the first time you go through something, you don't see the detail. But through the second and third time scanning the memory, however, you start to pick up new details. That's how I felt in the memories; My younger mind sufficed with "'Ommy and Amma are 'appy," and then was done with it, focusing more on the cake or anything else nearby over any other details. My older mind, on the other hand, could see that Mom was fidgeting and looking around nervously, even if she was overjoyed. Her hands constantly moved and her eyes seemed to darken before my eyes, scaring the more knowledgeable part of me. Grandma still looked at me lovingly, but occasionally shot glares at my mother, looks that I read as 'don't ruin it.' Part of me started to wonder if Grandma knew about what mom was hiding from us.
I started to observe more, mainly to answer my ever growing amount of questions but my pudgy little hands had other ideas. They grabbed two fist fulls of the the delicious looking cake and slammed them both up to my mouth. The impact from the cake caused it to splatter all over my face and clothes, which brought forth disapproving but amused tut's from grandma and a nervous sounding laugh from my mom. Grandma shot her another look before turning to me.
"Allie sweetie... you're making a mess." She told me, taking my chocolaty fists into her soft hands. "You're getting bigger now, so you need to learn to be responsible..." She pressed her lips to my hair before stepping back. As she moved the scene faded like a transition in a movie, turning into my grandma's newest house. I was now older now as well and sitting at the same table that had made the move with us. There was a cake in front of my eyes, just as before but this time with four candles protruding from it. Mom was looking at me impatiently and tapping her wrist.
"Come on Allina, hurry. I need to get going."
Grandma cleared her throat and glared over at my mother who rolled her eyes and turned to the door.
"Mommy has to leave, Allina." She said quickly, giving up the waiting game it seemed and crossing the room to hug me carefully. I inhaled her scent and sniffed, clutching her shirt as I clung. She stayed like that for awhile before finally pulling away and lifting my hands
"Be good Allie." She whispered, kissing my forehead before walking out.
After that I turned to my candles and blew, both my current and younger mind wishing for my mom to come back.
Embry woke me early that morning, looking at me disapprovingly. His chocolate eyes scanned me and his frown deepened considerably. I only gazed at him sleepily, wondering if the wetness on my cheeks was sweat or tears. I had a bad feeling it was the latter.
"Why are you crying?" He asked, tilting his head and confirming my fears. I only blinked and then looked at my wall that had been recently coated with pictures. Most of them were taken in the happiest six months in my life. Embry and I eating cake together; or rather him spooning it into my mouth and me blushing wildly as my dad and Emily snapped pictures of us. It was Embry's nineteenth birthday in the public eye and forty-eight years old to those in on the secret. Embry and I's spare hands were intertwined beneath the table, barely visible in the picture.
"Allina..." Embry began, slower this time, but I shook my head and waved him off. I didn't want to bother with this conversation and explanation of all the complex emotions I was feeling. I really, honestly just wanted to sleep, but knew that wouldn't be possible. My brain knew what my body and main part of my mind didn't want to process.
Today was my birthday, the first one without my mother at least making a cameo in my entire life.
AN: So this was a birthday treat from me to you and a birthday presentish to my super-fan IRL.... Muahaha. Happy Birthday to us, Allina and any of you who have birthdays coming up. And thanks for the Alerts and Reviews guys (I think I had some) you've made me feel better and up to writing... I love you all (but not in a creepy way).
Also school has started so let the juices flow.