Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 117 - Turning Five

Routine has a way of making the days go by more quickly than it seems they ought to. Even with medical tests for Melody the second week in January and doctor appointments every two weeks after that, the month of January passed very quickly. The medical tests went well. Melody was stable and growing. She did so well on the new combination of medicines it looked like at first, February would go by quickly too. In fact, the only weekend of any note was the three-day weekend just after Melody turned five. That stood out for the Abernathys, helping them to mark the passage of time.

Although Melody celebrated with her immediate family on her actual birthday on February 14th, that day was a Thursday, an inconvenient day for a party. And so Susan decided to take advantage of the holiday weekend a little later in the month to make it easier for those who needed to travel to join them for the occasion. Zack planned to come home from school for three days. Matt and Ashley managed to get an afternoon off from work, and even Julie managed to come for the weekend.

On this particular weekend, Alan uncommonly had to work, and so it was only Cindy and the children who flew down on Friday evening.

"You came by yourselves?" Susan asked in surprise when Cindy pulled up in front of the Abernathy's house in a rental car with the two children.

"Olivia wouldn't hear of staying home, especially when she found out Alan was going to be away from home anyway," Cindy told her. "She insisted. She's not even three yet, and she can generally talk us into doing anything she really wants. Heaven help us when she turns thirteen."

"Indeed," Greg remarked. "Alan phoned me last week and told me about his business trip and the meetings he is attending. Susan and I are grateful you and the children decided to come by yourselves. Welcome, Cindy."

"Thank you," Cindy told him.

"I didn't know Alan ever traveled on business," Julie remarked.

"He doesn't very often ... but when they decided they need him in New York next week, he made the last minute decision to go early to visit with your Aunt Norma and the rest of the family for a few days ahead of the meeting instead of coming here and trying to fly to New York on Sunday or Monday. He thought giving himself the weekend to adjust to the time zone was a better idea," Cindy explained.

"He will be better rested for his meetings," Greg acknowledged. "And I'm sure Norma appreciates the visit. She's called several times to visit since Liam and Malcom and their families returned home. Apparently their visit with us made quite an impression."

"A good impression I hope," Susan remarked.

"I believe that is what Norma is trying to figure out," Greg said truthfully.

"New Year's made an impression on all of us," Cindy told him.

"Why? What happened?" Julie asked.

Cindy studied her for a moment.

"Aside from the problem with Melody I mean," Julie added.

"We spent time in the cave. Beyond that, I don't even know where to begin," Cindy told her. "In fact, every time I try to write down the story I heard, I find I can't write fast enough to capture everything ... there was so much that happened while we were down there."

"What sort of thing happened there?" Julie asked.

"Memories ... loads of them," Cindy told her. "Come on, help me get the children's things settled and I'll tell you about it."

"Okay," Julie agreed.

"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to leave Olive upstairs with us while you do that?" Susan asked.