When Summer Becomes Winter

Chapter 27: Birthday, Public Lovers, and Third Place Delight

Fall 27

My mother pulled the rope on the side of the large golden doors of the manor; a deep, gong-like sound came from inside as Ceci opened the door.

"Hello, Madame, Sir, Miss." Ceci greeted us, "And happy birthday, Rosalind!"

"Thank you, Ceci!" Mom exclaimed graciously as we entered the manor. Max's figure came from behind Ceci with a stern look on his face.

"Rosalind, we've talked about this. Just because you don't live here anymore doesn't mean this is no longer your home!" Max scolded as mom giggled nervously.

"Sorry, Max." Mom replied.

"Hm. No, I don't want to hear 'I'm sorry, Max'. I want to hear you say, 'I will let myself in and not ring the doorbell unless the door is locked and I left my spare key at home'." Max said as mom giggled.

"Alright then. I will let myself in and not ring the doorbell, unless it's locked and I left my spare key at home." Mom said as Max smiled.

"That's better! That goes for you too, Jack and Clara! Oh, and the baby as well! Speaking of, how is the little tyke?" Max asked as I smiled.

"It's doing well!" I exclaimed as Max squealed in delight.

"Leann and I are so excited to meet it! Not as excited as you and Leonel, of course, but still!" Max exclaimed.

"No, I get it. I think everyone is excited to meet this little one." I said with a giggle. The sound of footsteps from the hallway upstairs was heard.

"Are they here?" Leann asked with such excited anticipation.

"They are, my little fairy!" Max exclaimed as Leann squealed in delight as well, rushing downstairs.

"Hello everyone, and happy birthday, Aunt Rosalind!" Leann exclaimed as mom giggled.

"Thank you, Leann!" She exclaimed.

"Yes, happy birthday, Rosalind! You don't look a day over twenty!" Max exclaimed.

"Well, I've gained a lot of gray hair from worrying over my fireball!" Mom said jokingly as Max laughed in return.

"I think everyone in our generation has gray hair and wrinkles of some sort, but it's that certain touch that makes us youthful and beautiful." Max said as dad wrapped his arms around mom.

"Your brother's right. You're still as beautiful as the day I met you." Dad said softly to my mother as I heard someone sniffing to my right as I looked over at my cousin with tears welling in her eyes.

"Uh, Leann? Are you crying?" I asked as Leann nodded.

"Yes, but it's because Jack and Rosalind are so cute together! I hope to have what they have someday!" Leann exclaimed as Max smiled.

"Well, I know that you and Orland would make each other happy!" Max exclaimed as I saw Leann's face flush. I was about to squeal in delight. Were they a public couple now? Before I could make a sound though.

"And don't deny it either, Leann Fayette de Sainte-Coquille! I've known about your crush on Orland for a long while." Max said sternly as my eyes widened. So, they weren't a public couple. How depressing.

"Oh! You two would make a cute couple! I know Orland likes you as well, Miss Leann. It was super noticeable in the short story he's writing for Mana's final assignment!" Ceci exclaimed, my cousin's face burning deeper.