Chapter 20
Happy birthday/Step 2
October 31, 1998
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, dear Cerise..." We sang to our daughter.
"Yum yums!" She grabbed at the cake.
"Here you go." I gave her a little piece.
I finally get what you've been saying
Now that we're knee deep side by side
The storm clouds are circling above us
As we struggle against the tide
"It's time." The warring families unknowing agreed. They went to claim their own.
"Dada lolo Mama. An-an my." Cerise smiled, waving her arms around with her mouth full.
"Did you hear that?" Red jabbed me.
"Yes, I did." I grinned.
I feel your grip firm on my shoulder
But this fear in my head won't subside
They patiently circle around us
As we hold out
The age old tale of star crossed lovers had gotten a new twist since Cerise was born. And it would wind a little more if the family surived this... If they could surive.
"Wahh!" Cerise had eaten too much.
"I got her." Red held the crying baby, walking around the room. Cerise went on and on for an hour or so before calming down and getting sleepy.
"Night, Sweetheart." I kissed her on the head. Red smiled and took the baby to her crib.
Oh father, why have they forsaken me?
You warned me that they would
Because it's passing down the bloodline
It's spoken and misunderstood
The path to the battleground was clogged with bodies. Live bodies. There were no neutral faces, no emotions colored without a tint of anger. Violence was a dark cloud ready to storm on them.
I sat on the couch, happy with how I arranged Cerise's presents. Red came back out. She sat with me and we cuddled.
We're losing light
And strength of will
The darkened depths beckoning still
Then we hold on against the tide
"Stop!" Mama Wolf howled. Hood and Wolf alike listened, "You want Red back, we want Red gone. I know where my son took his daughter to celebrate."
With that, the she-wolf lead her enemies to her son.
"DADA!" Ceris' yelled.
"I'm coming!" I yelled. Walking through the wood floored halls, I found the temporary nursery. I lifted the one year old. She nuzzled into my shoulder.
"Baddy?" Red asked.
"She's ok." Her diaper was dry. I went back to the living room.
"Let's open presents, Sweetie." Red took her while I got a bright bag from the table.
Another storm you're left to fight alone
Remember son, you're reaping what you've sown
Under the waves we're sinking like a stone
I'm sorry son, you're reaping what you've sown
No one said the families had to get along. No one said a few insults couldn't be flung. But everyone agreed not to fight. Two teens had held off as long as they could, but a fist fight was going to break out in those close quaters. How close it could have become a riot, only God knows.
Another storm you're left to fight alone
Remember son, you're reaping what you've sown
Under the waves we're sinking like a stone
I'm sorry son, you're reaping what you've sown
"Mama, Mama." Ceris' sang.
"What? What?" Red tickled her. They laughed. Then she let chose which toy she wanted try out frist. The little girl chose her favorites: Dollie and Wolfie. She tried her best to walk and show them around, but she still had to crawl to get places. And she babbled while she crawled, telling them everything about the cabin she had seen.
You're reaping what you've sown
You're reaping what you've sown
"Ah, we're almost there. Half a mile now." One of Bad Wolf's brothers announced.
"Uphill!" Several family members, Hoods and Wolfs, complained.
"Shut up." Mama growled.
You're reaping what you've sown
You're reaping what you've sown
"Ceris', come 'ere." I reached under the table for her.
"No." She gave me Dollie. It was a start.
"I"m taking Dollie with me and we'll have a great time watching cartoons..." I turned around.
"Dada!" She crawled out from the table and grabbed for me. I picked her up and took her to the couch.
We're slowly losing ground
And hope is harder to maintain
We know the prayers we prayed
Feel lost like tears in the rain
The water is pulling down
The moon's eclipsing the sun
The ending that we knew would come
Has finally begun
"I'm hungry." A preteen whined.
"Go hunt." A Wolf barked.
"We'll eat later." A older Hood woman stopped the argument.
"Baddy, you go tuck her in and I'll get dinner started." Red told me.
"Alright." I got up and carried the little body with me to her crib. I sang to her and she fell asleep.
You're reaping what you've sown
It's finally begun
You're reaping what you've sown
I'm sorry son, you're reaping what you've sown
You're reaping what you've sown
You're reaping what you've sown
"Ah." Mama smiled. The cabin was dark brown wood and square. The chimney smoked lazily. Balloons peeked out the window. A happy atmosphere was about to ruined. Lives were about to ruined.
"Red? You should go check on Cerise." I waved.
"Really? I guess it wouldn't hurt." She walked away.
This sorrow weighs down on my shoulders
This fear is getting harder to hide
You'll leave me alone in this darkness
Left to hold out
Against the tide
My son rushed to the door and nearly broke it down, "What- what is this? Why?"
"Get the bitch and we'll leave you to celebrate." I said slowly.
"Mom..." He frowned.
"Bad Wolf, it's time." I looked at him.
"Just one more day. Not now. She won't understand." He plead.
"Do as I say!" I growled.
"I know what my daughter needs. Not right now." He said.
"Red! Red!" A Hood yelled.
I stopped him too late. Red came to the door with Cerise. She paused, not knowing what to do, "Yes?"
"It's time for you to come home." Someone else told her.
"I'm sorry?" She furrowed her brows.
"Leave the villian. You've done more than enough." They explained.
"I decide when I leave. Not you. Didn't you not think that a child is still a child and I can't just leave?! My own baby died! I CAN'T LEAVE now." Red woke up Cerise. I took her and calmed her down.
There was a hesitation that shouldn't have had the weight it did. I couldn't grab Red in time as they grabbed her hand and started to walk off. Red started to cry. She made Cerise upset too. I was trying not to join them. An angry mob comes storming to my door only to walk away quietly? The lack of violence was almost hurtful. Nothing to get angry at. Nothing to blame.
"MOMMY!" Ceris' yelled. Everyone froze.
"Cerise, she's- she's..." I teared up.
"Mommy?" She offered.
"...Yeah." I sniffed.
Red sobbed. Her frist word was for her mother. And they were taking her away. Mama, why? Cerise isn't going to have a mother and it's your fault.
"Hey, Bad- Ow! She kicked me." Mary rubbed her arm. Cerise cooed. I smiled and went back inside.
They tried to get us out, but we going to stay in the cabin for as long as I felt like. They took Red from us so we go away. Cerise didn't know what to think. She wasn't sure why Mommy was gone. I stayed as calm as I could as Mama knocked at the door again.
Song used: Against The Tide by Celldweller