#gen1.5

[myheartsstories]

Roselyn Forest, an independent Alien! And the Rose Gen, because I found it just too funny...

[clovervalley]

                                     Happy Birthday, Zuri!

[myheartsstories]

Best siblings ever!

[clovervalley]

Sophia: “Okay, so just put your head next to mine and look more into the light”

Zuri: “Am I ‘hip’ yet”

Sophia groans and rolls her eyes-

Sophia: “I swear, you’re worse than my mom!”

Ruby: “Hey, I heard that!”

Sophia *sweetly*: “Love you Mom!”

[clovervalley]

Zuri’s birthday was a whirlwind of laughter, love, and of course, cake lovingly prepared by Eddie. Zuri could tell that her mom was holding back tears the entire time, seeing as Gemma never thought that she would ever get married, much less have a teenage daughter. 

Gemma wanted to make Zuri’s maturing into a teen one to remember (she is, after all, Gemma’s first child). Eddie and Gemma had spent ages trying to pick out the perfect gift, thumbing through magazine articles and clicking on websites that boasted they had “10 perfect gifts for your teenager”. But nothing felt right, like it was meant to be opened and adored by their pride and joy. And then they walked into an antique store, and there it was.

Gemma: “Hon, your dad and I hope you like it. You’re such a unique and beautiful person, and we wanted your birthday present to represent that.”

She handed a delicately wrapped gift box to Zuri, whose smile seemed to be glowing from happiness and a little bit of sweat from the afternoon of celebration. 

Zuri: “Oh, momma. I’m sure whatever you picked out is perfect. Don’t doubt yourself so much!”

Zuri began to carefully untangle the bow and moved her fingers along the taped seams until the present was revealed. A tan, leather bound book sat on the kitchen table, enticing Zuri as she examined it.

Eddie: “It’s a journal. We found it in that new antique store you said you wanted to check out.” 

Gemma: “We figured that since you were into history and artifacts, you could write your own autobiography! Or, you know, your teenage crushes.” 

Zuri breaks into a grin and hugs the journal to her chest.

Zuri: “Oh, guys, I love it! Now I can record my findings when I discover a new rock or something. And when I’m famous, I won’t even need to write out my teenage years, it’ll all be written down!”

Gemma beams, watching her baby (not so much a baby anymore) with excitement in her eyes.

Gemma: “I’m glad you like it, baby. Your dad and I love you very much and just want you to know that.” 

Zuri: “I know, momma. I know.” 

[clovervalley]

Cason ran up to Zuri, excitement in his eyes. Zuri smiled and waited for Cason to catch his breath.

Cason: “I got you a p-p-present too, Z-Zuri!”

Zuri: “Wow, thank you! What is it, Cason?”

Cason: “I m-m-m-m-made y-you a d-d-d-drawing! I h-h-hope you like it!”

As he handed over a masterpiece of dry macaroni and cheap crayons, Zuri grinned. Her baby brother, although struggling immensly with his speech impairment, always tries to make Zuri smile. He’s constantly finger painting or making little animal sculptures out of clay and leaving them on Zuri’s bedside table as an offering. Zuri loves him so much, and he’s Gemma and Eddie’s little angel.  

Zuri: “Oh, Cason! It’s beautiful! Thank you so much, little one.”

[clovervalley]

Zuri still plugs her nose as a teen

ok girl I see you

[clovervalley]

Sophia: “Let’s go see what the boys are up to, shall we??” 

She grabs Zuri by the hand and drags her outside, pulling the door closed behind them.