Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 2: Birthday

"Aww...I can't believe my little man's going to be seventeen!"
Natalie cooed, hugging me tightly.

"Hah...yeah. Seems like my sixteenth was only yesterday."

"Well, I guess since you're a real big boy now, you won't be going to the aquarium again?"
Paul lowered his newspaper and chuckled, his chubby stomach jiggling as he did.
He looked just like a lavalamp...

"I was too old for it even then. But it was still nice of you both. I think this year I'll just relax, see some friends maybe. I'm not fussed."

"But you're still getting presents, young man. You can't hide entirely. Oh, and we've got someone coming over to see you!"
Natalie cheered, passing me a cup of tea.

"Really? Who?"

"Your Grandma Jean. She's coming all the way from Spain to stay for a while. She's even considering moving back to England."

"Gran? I haven't seen her since I was fourteen!"

"Then it'll be nice for you two to catch up."

It seemed a bit random that my Grandma was coming over...but Natalie had told me it was her very own idea in the first place!
Why would Gran want to come over now? Why not any other time?

It just seemed a little random.
She hadn't fussed much about any of my other birthdays.

"Anyway, you should get to bed, James. And tomorrow morning you'll be a whole year older."

"Yeah, thanks mum. The tea was nice."
I rinsed out the cup and made my way up the stairs.

"No problem, sweetie. Sleep well."

*****

'Hey Nim. Tell Köleil she's safe.'

I lay my phone down on the side and let my body fall upon the soft haven I called 'the bed'.

The room was dimly lit, only illuminated by the reddish glow of my computer background screen.

It was a picture of me and Köleil in Autumn.

Among the red and orange trees, we stood in the centre of those woods. I wore smart jeans, a dark blue shirt and a open-zip jacket whereas Köleil wore one of her usual cute dresses and an ankle-length grey coat with a fluffy collar, wrists and rim.

Myrora had given her an autumn hat too.

As we made our way to Lumai's house through the woods, Köleil had said her legs were aching since she'd been training just before.

So, when she didn't expect it, I lifted her up in my arms and carried her little, featherlight body with ease.

She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and giggled as we walked on.

Nim, her eyes glistening with romantic awe, begged us to let her take a picture.

So we stopped and she did.
And it's been one of my favourites from then on.

Ever since I put it on my computer, Natalie would go on about my girlfriends 'lovely hair'.

Of course, I said she'd dyed it.
Natalie still knew about Köleil and they got along well. After Kö fixed her memories, taking away all the bad stuff, we decided to reintroduce Köleil.

Just as my girlfriend though, not as someone who LIVED with us.
Also, whenever Köleil came over, she'd have to wear these blue contact lenses.

I didn't care what colour her eyes were, her hair was, if she had wings or powers or not.
She was still Köleil.
And she was still mine.