“MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!” I heard from upstairs. I ran up the stairs, two at time. Vera rarely yelled for me or her Dad.
When I got there she was climbing out of bed, scared. “What’s wrong?” I asked her, worried. Apollo was amazingly asleep.
“I had a bad dream and then there was a noise under my bed.” Vera told me, on the verge of tears.
I hugged her close to me “It’s okay, sweetie. It was just a dream and it was probably Sabrina under your bed. You know how she likes to get into things.” I explained to her, still hugging her.
“Can you check?” Vera asked softly.
I released her from the hug and nodded. I got down on my hands and knees and checked under the bed. “All clear.”
I got Vera back into bed and stayed with her until she fell asleep. That was the first time that had happened and it made me a little sad. I didn’t like my babies being upset.
To cheer her up, though I think she had forgotten about the dream before I did. Also to help her deal with us remodeling the room to make it more for both a boy and a girl. We got her a small laptop she could use for school and to play games on. She liked it a lot.
“You know, it won’t be long before Apollo is a child.” I told Pak one evening, I had been looking through the calendar and realized how close it was coming.
“That’s not the only birthday coming up.” Pak told me.
“Ah yes, I had realized that too.” I said, grumpily.
“You’re always going to be beautiful to me, ku’uipo. Even with silver in your hair and wrinkles. Pure beauty.” He said, caressing my cheek.
I melted. He still knew what to say to me and somehow knew I was worried about how I’d look, vain yes. But you get that way a bit in my line of work.
“I love you, Pak.” I told him, pulling him close and hugging him. I felt a bit better about my upcoming birthday after talking to him.
“I love you too, Evie.” He replied, hugging me back.
I shifted some focus back to my career. I didn’t really have to do much anymore. Release a video now and then. Make charity appearances – those were important to me. It was the main reason I kept my name in the spotlight. I loved being able to help others.
Soon it was time to make Apollo’s cake. My youngest was having his birthday and I realized, he was most likely my last baby. I was sad about that for a few seconds before realizing how blessed I was to have him and Vera.
I got dressed and caught my husband coming in the door. He had been somewhat secretive lately. He was up to something. But I didn’t jump to the usual conclusions, I trusted him.
“So what have you been up to, my handsome hubby?” I asked, flirting with him and batting my eyelashes at him.
“You’ll see when the time is right.” Pak told me. He was not budging.
I went and got Apollo. He actually let me help him blow out his candles, I was surprised but pleased.
Pak went out before Apollo’s birthday and got him a science set. The first thing he did with it was blow something up. I wasn’t too sure the set was a good idea, but Pak thought it was. So I kept quiet.
At least Apollo was really good with the cats. As is Vera, teach them early and teach them right when it comes to handling pets.
“I feel like Salem is judging us again for making love.” Pak told me quietly.
I looked over and Salem was starting Pak down. I had to laugh. Salem had done that off and on during my whole relationship with Pak.
“He’s just letting you know who the man of the house is.” I said, joking.
Pak chuckled a little bit “There’s a diving suit in the bathroom for you, ku’uipo. Put it on. There’s a boat outside that’s waiting to take you to a diving site.” Pak told me.
So that was some of what he had been up to.
I spent an hour diving. Pak did it all the time for work, I could see why he liked it. Granted he had an advantage I didn’t. He is a mermaid. He could do it without the gear, I couldn’t. I enjoyed it though.
The boat brought me back home and Pak texted me, telling me to change into my swimsuit and meet him in the water.
I swam to him and wanted to ask who was watching the kids, but he didn’t give me a chance to. I knew he wouldn’t leave them unattended, so I put that out of my mind.
He took me frog hunting by the waterfall. I had hunted frogs before, but never in the water. It was a different experience. It was more fun.
After frog hunting, we splashed around in the water like little kids.
Naturally with the two of us, things turned romantic. We weren’t strangers to the waterfall.
“This has been a great birthday, thank you.” I told him before heading back towards the house.
“It’s not over yet.” Pak told me in a playful tone.
So there was more.
When we got back to the house, Pak started grilling fruit. One of my favorites. I went inside to change into my workout gear, I was going to do a little yoga before dinner.
Sabrina stopped me though. She kept meowing at me, which she rarely did. She kept pacing and meowing until I paid attention to her. That seemed to calm her down for a few minutes before something started happening.
Ares and Xena were born. They looked a lot like their Dad, I got all giddy and kept squealing about how cute they were. I got kittens on my birthday, not a bad gift from the cats.
Vera congratulated Salem on becoming a Dad by giving him attention and cuddles.
We all ate dinner together out on the patio. It was perfect to me.
I still had to age. I blew out the candles on a Sugar Free Carob Coconut Cake. The same exact kind of cake that I made for Pak during his first birthday with me. The fact wasn’t lost on me. He did it in purpose. A reminder of all the time we had been in each other’s lives.
My birthday wasn’t so bad after all until…
We lost Salem that night. We had gained Ares and Xena. It was a sad night. Vera wasn’t there, she had gone to Dominic’s house for a sleepover after I blew out my candles. I wasn’t sure how to tell her.
Love Day arrives. The kids make valentines at school and pass them out. Eat candy. Think their parents’ kissing is gross. The normal stuff.
Pak and I spend the entire day together.
Even though we have been together for years, it turned out to be one of my favorite days we have spent together. Maybe it was because we just slowed down and enjoyed being with each other. We got to reflect on our lives together. How we met. How we fell for each other but were both stubborn about admitting our feelings for each other. Our marriage. Our kids. Our life.
We also celebrated “Egg Day” which including a visit from someone dressed in a giant bunny outfit and the kids hunting eggs we had hidden in the bushes and behind things for them. We didn’t really have grass to hide them in, so we had to improvise a bit.
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At the very start of summer, I get sad news.
I suppose one would ask why I’d cry over the man who broke my heart when I was young. We had made amends in the past. Hadn’t talked in years. But what I went through with Brandon had made me appreciate Pak and his love even more. It had given me most of the drive I needed to succeed in my career. He was still a human being. A flawed one. But we all have our flaws. I know I do. Even though he had broken my heart. A small part of it still cared for him. So yes, when I heard he had passed away. It did make me sad.
The kids wanted to go to the beach that night, I agreed. Wanting to get out of the house. Distract myself. It makes me happy to see them doing stuff together. Having fun.
“I know now it not a good time. But I figured I might as well tell you when you’re already sad, instead of ruining things when you’re happy.” Pak starts out.
That didn’t make me nervous at all.
“I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you this. Or if I even should, but knowing you. I know you’ll want to be prepared.” He continues.
“Okay. Just tell me.” I tell him. If he kept going without saying it, I was going to get more nervous.
“Since I am a merman. We tend to have longer life spans than humans.” Pak started to explain. “I’m going to out live you, Evie.”
My heart broke. Not for me, but for him. I tried not to cry, the kids are nearby. All this never occurred to me.
“That doesn’t mean anything is going to happen anytime soon.” He added on, seeing my face. “I knew this all along. I knew it when I started to fall for you. I think that was part of the reason I was afraid to.” Pak admitted.
I’m just still trying to process what he’s telling me. He grabs me and holds me.
“But I don’t regret anything. You’re the one I’m meant to be with. Until the end.” He tells me, holding me close.
It’s a lot to deal with. I didn’t want to leave any of them behind. Somehow, I always thought I’d out live him. I was very wrong.
We end the night with a bonfire. I put the conversation in the back of my mind and enjoy the time with my family.
The next day comes. It’s time for me to bake another cake. I couldn’t believe it. It doesn’t seem possible. My little girl is getting older.
We’re all there when she blows out her candles. I’m thankful we all get to see this moment together.
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My name is Evie Jean Grant-Uha. I’ve been through heartbreak and triumph. I have loved and lost. Found real love. Found family in my husband, kids and cats. I have my home. I have succeeded in going from having nothing to being wealthy. I have found what I was looking for. What I was longing for. I have no regrets.
<-previous
The start of Generation 2
Note from Queenie – This is the end of Generation 1
My name is Evie Jean Grant-Uha. I am an Internet Superstar and an Global Superstar. I made it to the top after starting out with nothing.
I have slowed down on my work in my older age, but still devote some time to it. I’ve earned my rest.
It is rare that I go out in public and not get recognized by my fans. I’m used to it. I love using my status for charity work. That makes it all worth it. I love helping others.
The most important titles, the ones that mean the most to me – are Wife and Mother.
I am a mother who had to tell her little girl that her favorite kitty had passed away.
Vera was very sad, heartbroken. Salem had been her buddy since she was born pretty much. It broke my heart to see her so sad. But I understood. I was heartbroken too.
I sat down on the edge of her bed and rubbed her back while she cried. Eventually her sobs stopped, turning into sniffles. She moved to get up, so I gave her room.
To my surprise, Sabrina came up to Vera. Sabrina was trying to comfort her, that’s the only way I could take it. It was sweet to see. I think it meant a lot to Vera.
“I know it hurts, Sweetie. I won’t lie to you, it’ll hurt for a while. We can take comfort in the fact that we gave Salem a happy and long life. He was loved. He knew it.” I told my daughter, hugging her.
“And we have his kids too. It’s kind of like still having him.” Vera said, calming down more.
“Yeah…it kind of is.” I agreed, pulling back and checking her face for tears. They had dried.
I left Vera with Sabrina, who was actually letting Vera hold her. I was quite surprised by Sabrina’s actions but maybe, she needed the comfort too.
Vera was right. We do have Xena and Ares. Though they couldn’t replace Salem, I could see him in them both.
The kids have started doing their homework together. Vera has finally accepted the fact that she has a little brother. I’m relieved they are getting along.
Apollo brought home a school project. Pak and I helped him with it. Vera gave her approval after it was done. It was great spending that time with our son. I want to be involved in our kids lives as much as I can. I know Pak feels the same way.
Apollo seemed to have two sides to him. He could be fun and loving.
Turn your attention from him though and he could get into messes, or create them. Again, I realized how much Vera had spoiled us. He had a good heart though, I could tell.
Even when I had to quietly fight with him to go to bed. He wanted to make his own bedtime. The rest of us weren’t having it.
Salem and Sabrina were back at it. At first I was very resistant to the idea of kittens. But I also realized, Salem was nearing the end of his life. Kittens would be little pieces of him still around. I kind of wish I had that with Cleo. But when I got her fixed, I couldn’t afford taking on any other pets.
I wasn’t going to coax them though. If it happened, it happened. But I was going to try to spoil Salem. Well spoil him more than I already did.
Since my ER visit, I've just been trying to do things that I enjoy and rest (obviously I still have to go to work) Sunday I didn't feel too well but I don't think I ate enough with my medicine. Once I had some lunch, I felt better. Anyway -
Ares has his Dad’s eyes. Xena has her Mom’s eyes. I also knew it was time to make a special trip.
I feel bad, but it had to be done. Otherwise we’d end up with a lot of kittens. Hopefully they all stop hating me someday for taking them to the Vet and having them fixed.
Vera has started violin lessons. Even if she doesn’t stick with it, I still like to encourage her to try new things.
This is not a new thing, unfortunately, for Apollo.
“APOLLO PAKA’A GRANT-UHA!!” I yell at him.
He freezes in the middle of flinging more paint on my floor.
“And what do you think you’re doing?” I asked him, placing my hands on my hips. Waiting for an answer, though none of them would be a good enough reason for making a mess on my floor.
“I felt like creating art?” He asked, sheepishly with a smile that might fool others. But I am his Mom.
I closed my eyes for a second and blow out a calming breath. “Clean this up. No TV or computer for a week.” I told him sternly.
“You’re mean.” He told me, pouting as he goes to grab the mop.
Someday he’ll be broken of this habit. Hopefully.
I later catch Apollo hugging the huge stuffed cat we’ve had since before Vera was born. He just had to go and be cute.
Speaking of cute, the cats have forgiven me for their trip to the vet.
They are back to their normal selves.
Since Apollo can’t watch TV or use a computer, he has taken up reading. Which is certainly a good thing.
