Coraline 2: The Fate of the Beldam

Archer's Birthday Party

Thursday morning was Archer's 6th birthday, and he woke up excited. Coraline and Mel made him blueberry pancakes with bacon and mixed fruit, which was his favorite breakfast. Wybie came running into his room, picked him up and flung him onto his shoulders. "Happy birthday small fry!" He says, carrying him downstairs. Cypress and Phoenix followed them downstairs, and ate breakfast with the rest of the family. Phoenix was more excited for his brother than he was about his parents finally paying attention to them. Every once in a while, Coraline's phone went off, but she ignored it, making Wybie proud.

After breakfast, Charlie pulled up in front of the house with a large box. He and Wybie opened it to reveal a large bouncy house. Charlie got it set up with the air pump, then let it start inflating. "Once you three have gotten dressed and brushed your teeth, you may go use the bouncy house." Cypress and Archer immediately cleaned up their plates, and went to get dressed, but Phoenix gave her a blank look. "Really Mom? I'm 11, I'm way too old for bouncy houses." Coraline's face sunk. It broke her heart to hear Phoenix talk to her like that, knowing that he was growing up so fast. She knew better than to let her sadness get to her though. "Watch your tone with me Phoenix Sterling." She says.

When Coraline turned her back, Phoenix rolled his eyes, which Mel noticed. She cleared her throat. "You do not roll your eyes at your mother young man." She scolded. Phoenix was still annoyed, but didn't dare roll his eyes at Mel. Not only would Mel tell him off, but so would Coraline. He didn't need both his mother and grandmother hounding him. He just cleared his plate, and walked away. Just as he started making his way up the stairs, Archer and Cypress came running down and headed out the door. The bouncy house was ready.

"Take your shoes off!" Wybie says to the kids. Archer and Cypress quickly tossed their shoes off, then ran into the bouncy house. There was a slide on the edge, so the kids were bouncing, running around and going down the slide all morning. While the kids were jumping, Charlie, Wybie and Coraline brought out Archer's gifts. Luckily, Archer was having too much fun to notice. Wybie went back inside and found his speaker that he brought with them for the barbeque, then played music on it while the kids played outside. It was a nice warm day.

Coraline went inside and made lemonade, then brought it outside. Mel prepared snacks and placed them on the table. Around lunch time, River and Chad showed up with their family. "Hey Loper!" River called out. Coraline approached them and hugged them both. River and Chad got married not long after Coraline and Wybie. They had 2 kids, Aaron and Brandi. Aaron was Archer's age and Brandi was only a few months younger than Phoenix. Brandi played with the kids in the bouncy house until lunch.

Mel and Coraline prepared a large lunch, as if they wanted to create an all you can eat buffet. River and Chad brought some drinks and gifts for Archer. After lunch, Charlie and Wybie agreed to take the kids down to the nearby lake to play as long as they didn't go too deep. The kids grabbed their sandals and got into the car. River and Chad followed Wybie and Coraline to the lake with Mel and Charlie not far behind. Phoenix only played in the lake with them because his siblings and friends were there. Coraline liked that Phoenix was finally off his computer, but she was still freaked out about what Phoenix showed her last night.

The whole family was at the lake until around 4:30. "Alright everyone! Let's get back to the house! We'll play some games!" Coraline shouted to her kids. Archer and Cypress ran to the car while Phoenix took his time. Brandi and Aaron got in the car with River and Chad and made their way back to the pink palace. Mel and Charlie returned to put out the games and pinyata earlier. When everyone got back, they raced into the house. "Everyone take off your shoes before you go in the house!" Wybie called after them. Everyone but Phoenix listened.

"Phoenix Sterling Lovat, take your shoes off!" Coraline scolded. Phoenix groaned loudly, but obeyed. The kids started a game of pin the tail on the donkey while Coraline and Mel prepared to make dinner. "Go Archer go!" Cypress cheered. Coraline giggled hearing Cypress cheer him on. Coraline put some chicken in the oven, then peeked into the hallway to see that it was Phoenix's turn. Phoenix often liked to be funny and purposely try to avoid putting the tail in the right spot just to make Archer laugh. He ended up putting the tail on the nose of the donkey which made the younger kids laugh.

When dinner was ready, it was still clear and sunny outside, so Mel and Coraline agreed to let everyone eat outside. Charlie set up some light smoke to keep the mosquitoes and other bugs away while everyone sat down. Coraline brought out the baked chicken while Mel, Wybie, River and Chad brought out the sides and drinks. "Delicious Aunt Coraline!" Brandi says. "Well thank you honey." Brandi and Aaron always saw Coraline and Wybie as their honorary aunt and uncle as did Cypress, Archer and Phoenix with River and Chad. There were almost no leftovers once dinner was finished.

Coraline wanted everyone to rest their stomachs before cake, so she agreed to let Archer open his gifts. He started with the bubble machine from Cypress. "Woah! It makes bubbles!" Archer says with glee. Wybie went to put batteries in it while he opened the lego race car set from Phoenix. "You and I can try it out later before bed, pal." Phoenix says, playfully slapping him on the back. Archer liked that idea. He also got a teddy bear with his name stitched in the middle from Mel, a set of markers from Aaron, a spider man action figure from Brandi, a dinosaur blanket from Chad and River, he loved the remote control helicopter from Coraline and Wybie as well as the bike from Charlie.

"I sure hope we have the space for all of this on the way home." Wybie whispers to Coraline. "Of course, you know I always plan for that." By the time the wrappings were cleaned up, it was time for cake. It was getting dark, so Charlie deflated the bouncy house, then helped Mel, Coraline, River, Chad and Wybie take everything inside. Coraline took out Archer's cake and put the candles on it, lighting them one by one, then set it down in front of Archer. Everyone started singing happy birthday. Once they were done, Archer blew out the candles as everyone cheered. Coraline sliced the cake and passed out slices to everyone. Archer was clearly pleased with his birthday party.

Around 8:00, River and Chad were leaving. "Thanks for coming. Archer really seemed to love it." Coraline says, hugging them. "Any time loper." River answers. "Bye Aunt Coraline!" Coraline and Wybie waved to their friends and the kids as they walked towards their car and drove off. "That was nice of them to visit today." Wybie says. "I know. It makes me wonder if they've been in Ashland waiting for us." Coraline and Wybie went back inside, closing the door behind them. Archer was in the living room with Phoenix playing with the lego race car set, just like Phoenix promised.

"Alright birthday boy. It's time to get ready for bed." Coraline says. "Aww Mommy, can I stay up a little longer?" Archer whines. Coraline thought for a moment. "Oh, alright, but I still want you to get into your pajamas and brush your teeth." "Deal!" Archer immediately got up and ran up the stairs, making Coraline and Wybie giggle. It was closer to 8:40 when Archer and Cypress went to bed. Coraline and Wybie tucked them in. "Did you have a good birthday Archer?" Coraline asked. "Are you kidding? It was the best!" Archer answered. "Well Son, I'm glad to hear it."

Wybie tucked him back in, then Coraline kissed him goodnight. They both went over to Cypress and kissed her goodnight as well, walking out. Phoenix was sitting on his bed with his earbuds in, on his computer as always. Coraline went downstairs with Wybie to finish cleaning up what was left of the celebration, then sat with Mel and Charlie watching TV. Around 10:00, everyone started going to bed. Coraline was the last one to make it upstairs. While she was leaving the living room, she looked over at the door. "He said he had the best birthday. Top that." She says, walking out. Little did she know that the door opened slightly after leaving with the doll's head poking out.