Crystal Visions.

The child of the wild: Part II

26th December: 2010. 

Stevie's POV: 

'' Oh gosh I remember when I was sixteen'' Lori sighs, all of us older women are gathered in the kitchen. As funny, daring and energetic of a child Ella is, she's also very shy and a humble-pie. She doesn't like to be the center of attention, and she prefers more intimate gatherings. Crowded rooms they overwhelm her sometimes. So it's just the Nicks's and my little family of 'Buckingham's' gathered to celebrate my sweet little baby's sixteenth. She's so precious, I really thought she was going to be a baby forever, but alas small things grow tall in the end. She's sitting in the lounge with her siblings, and Lindsey. We leave for LA, in a couple of days. She only just got up twenty minutes ago and how she manages to put her mane of a hair up into a perfect rapunzel-like braid and slip into a smock dress and make it seem less casual than it is. Absolutely astounds me, must be a little Kate Moss in the making... 

'' I do too, it doesn't seem like that long ago, but it was.'' I add.  

'' I remember when you were her age Tee-dee'' my mom says. I smile and place my hand on hers, she too has a habit of slipping into memories of myself and my brother Chris as little children. '' She's headstrong, and knows what she wants. Just like you, when you were her age.'' she adds. 

'' She is, and I feel like I'm looking at the perfect reflection of Lindsey and I combined. But she's so her father's daughter.'' I say, She has his habit of whinging when things don't go as planned. And...Because she's been doing her independent learning at such an astounding pace, she's waiting to receive her high school Diploma in February! She wants to go to UCLA and study the same Degree that Troy studied, Ethnomusicology. Troy had a real flare for world music, and I see he's handed that same fascination and interest of world music to Ella. I can't believe it next year she'll be in college, so many exciting things happening next year. I have another grandchild on the way. A little precious Grandbaby boy. The album is scheduled for release around may, it's not finished just yet, but may is definitely the deadline. I plan on touring as well, doing a massive tour, and Lindsey plans on touring next year as well. So 2011, is going to be a pretty big year.  

After preparing some food, we join everyone in the lounge for the most anticipated of parties. Gift unwrapping, we gave Ella half of her gifts yesterday and the rest today. Yesterday she basically got like a ton of clothes, today some special gifts that we thought would be better for today's occasion. I stand in front of Lindsey, his arms wrapped around my waist, and his chin resting on my shoulder. '' Did you get the dealership done?'' I ask him, we looked at a car for her, but knowing that Lindsey is really the one who knows 'cars' I left it up to him. I hear his voice make a constraint noise, '' I um. I actually didn't.'' 

'' You didn't!'' I hiss at him quietly, didn't disturb anything. She's still unwrapping her first birthday gift from Lily. 

'' Well I thought I'd talk to her to get an idea of what she wanted. Be smart.'' he replies. 

'' And what did she say?'' 

'' Stephanie, come on. Ella's not like regular teenagers, I mean this is a young girl who believes that no party, no matter how raunchy, alcohol fuelled, or as 'Dope' as it is. It won't be as good as going to Disneyland.'' 

Grateful for his lecture and reminding me of our youngest  child's innocence, I revert back to the question,

'' And what did she say? It's a car Lindsey, everyone wants a car.'' I say. 

'' Not our Ella-belle.'' 

'' WHAT?!?'' I suddenly hear everyone's movement in the room pause, Ella stares up at me with curiosity. '' Excuse us.'' I politely say, Lindsey and I go around the corner to discuss things privately.