Maverick turns 10!

Chapter 15: Tenth Anniversary

June 7, 1999

The day marks the 10th anniversary of Cody's birth and Cody Maverick actually turns 10 years old. It's been a full decade to being hatched and being different in all those 10 years.

The rest of the rockhopper colony in Shiverpool couldn't believe that 10 years has passed by so quickly because of Cody's birth. It just feels like it just came here and it didn't go by so quickly.

"Can you believe it's been 10 years since we've witnessed Cody's birth?"

"I can hardly believe it."

"Remember the blue-moon hatching ceremony?"

"How could I forget? It's like the biggest birthing ceremony in the history of birthing ceremonies. When the Mavericks' kids were born, one came out okay and as for the other one...."

"When that kid first hatched, his little feet popped out under the egg."

"That was so funny and so cute."

"Yeah, then the entire egg cracked open and.... he was anything but cute."

"I know what you're thinking. He was too small."

"Anyways, that was the one moment that still to this day, wish we could say that it didn't happen."

"We had to deal with this kid for 10 years now since he was small."

"I'm not so sure what he'll become in the next 10 years or so."

"I've heard that he's gonna become a surfer like Big Z."

Most of the penguins were in shock when they heard that Cody will be a surfer someday.

"Cody? A surfer?"

"He can't even swim on a board!"

"What possessed him to become a surfer?"

"Well, three years ago, Big Z came over to Shiverpool and all of a sudden, as he was walking, in comes Cody in front of him and he ends up getting the Big Z necklace."

"I'm guessing he looks up to this guy."

"It seems as though time has passed by so quickly."

"Yeah, it has."

Back at the igloo, Cody was sleeping in his room and most of his feathers were molting a little bit. He groaned sleepily and opened his blurry, tired brown eyes, and got himself out of bed. As he was walking, he went through the living room, seeing his mom there.

"Hey, mom." he said, sleepily.

"Good morning, Cody."

She looked at him and it was unexpected. He was growing a little taller, but not quite there yet. She could tell that he's getting a little older. She smiled and said, "So, how does it feel being 10 and all."

"Today's my birthday?"

"Yes. You've been talking about non-stop most of yesterday."

Then, it hit him. Today was June 7th. He looked up at the icy calendar and realized that it is Cody's birthday. He said, "Oh, you're right. It is my birthday."

"Yep. Can't believe it. 10 years old."

"Has it been that long?"

"Yes, it has. But it seems like it was just yesterday."

"How long ago was it?"

"Ten years."

"Wow, that's a long time."

"Long time coming."

"Hey, pipsqueak. Happy birthday to you."

Cody chuckled and said, "Same to you. It's also your birthday too."

"I know. I just like to say my day is better than yours."

Edna chuckled and said, "You two are really growing up. It just seems as thought you two were little eggs."

"Come on, mom. Not that story again."

"Yeah, we've heard it 982 times." Glen pleaded.

"I counted 983."

"Whatever."

"Come on, boys. Since it's your birthday, I might as well tell you about it."

"Do we have a choice?"

Glen looks at Cody and said, "Okay, hopefully this won't be a long story."

"Yeah, last time I heard it, it dragged me to sleep."

"Me too."

Cody and Glen sat on the couch with their mom and told them, "Well, it looks as though most of you came a long way since your births. I remember like it was just yesterday...."

The story comes....and the next chapter will be the grand finale!