And Peggy

Birthdays all around

Every year since I was a baby, father has given me two pearls for my birthday. These pearls make a necklace that I can wear once I have collected all of them. The necklace fits thirty six pearls which means that I get my pearls until I'm eighteen. Both pearls that I get are always the same colour but on a different birthday both pearls will be another colour. So far I have maroon, red, guava, orange, sunshine yellow, canary yellow, mustard yellow, lime green,  forest green, aqua, sky blue, ocean blue, mauve, lavender, magenta, hot pink and candy floss pink. Father said that on my eighteenth birthday along with my usual two pearls, he will give a charm that will relate to me and my personality in some way.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

On my 18th birthday (September 19) i wake up early and jump into mum and dad's bed to receive my presents (as per tradition). They reach down to get the bags that are stored under their bed.
The first gift that father passes me is a jewellery box containing my two pearls. They are rose gold. Also inside is a tiny charm in the shape of a bee. I smile, remembering the day at the beach with Stephan.

"We thought you'd like it." Father says, reading my expression. "The bee is feisty but sweet when it wants to be. It also likes to wear yellow."

My next gift is a canary yellow silk night gown. The fabric feels so nice on my skin. Tiger tries to roll around in it.

My final present from mother and father is a diary. I know for a fact that I will use it for three days before completely forgetting about it but I thank my parents anyway.

For breakfast, at my request, we have melted chocolate in a pot. We dip numerous berries into it. Mother disapproves at first but when she tastes the chocolate dipped strawberries, she hoards them all.

For the rest of the day, we stroll around the city. Just mother, father and I.

I buy a new dress, mustard yellow, one without so many layers so I can move in it.

We stop at the gelato shop. It is decorated with a pink and white striped banner. It's adorable. I get cinnamon and strawberry flavour in a cone. It lasts me all the way home.

For dinner that night, Amelia makes spaghetti bolognaisse. My favourite! I slurp up the spaghetti, the sauce flying all over my face. This earns a scowl from mother but father, to my surprise joins in with me. It turns into a competition to see who can slurp quicker.

Soon we have to stop the competition though when I nearly choke on a piece of spaghetti.

After dinner, we are sipping hot chocolate in the living room when there is a knock on the door. Hannah opens and returns to us, accompanied with Stephan.

"Stephan! Hi!" I jump up to hug him. He hugs me back and says:

"Happy Birthday Margarita Schuyler. I brought you a gift."
He fishes a small box out of his pocket and hands it to me. Inside are a pair of earrings. In the shape of bees. I throw my arms around him once more.

That night, I realise that I am now legal age. I can do what ever I want. I can drink now! I can attend social gatherings without permission.
I have to get married and have children now. It was always expected of me of course but it seems too soon. That's growing up I suppose.

================================

Two months later, November, it is mother and fathers birthday as well as Stephan's which is on the first. On that day, I ride to his house in the carriage, pick him up and take him for a drive. I won't tell him where we are going, only to wear comfortable clothes.
Half an hour into the trip, his curiosity catches up with him.
"Peggy, where are we going?"
"Not telling. It's a surprise."

10 minutes later

"Peggy?"
"Yes?"
"Where are your taking me?"
"For a birthday treat, now don't ask again."

5 minutes later

"Margarita Schuyler! As the birthday boy, I have the right to know where we are going!"

I roll my eyes at him, a smile playing on my face.
"Fine, we travelling to a magical place full of rainbows and unicorns."

He shuts up.

Finally, after forty-five minutes of driving, we arrive at a Forrest clearing. I thank our driver and lead Stephan out of the carriage.

"Where are we?" He asks to in awe, taking in the hundreds of trees that surround us.

"We are in Thain family Forrest. Just outside of New York. Now follow me." I grab his hand and drag him after me down a slightly damp fire trial.
I have worn my new simple dress so it is easier to walk in.

We link arms and stroll through the Forrest. It smells like Christmas trees. It smells like home.

There are redwood trees. Thick, red trunks that extend into the sky for days. The fir trees, occasionally spilling a pine cone or some pine needles.

Somewhere along the way we can hear a gushing sound. Like waves at the ocean. I know we're heading the right way. We keep following the track until we reach it.

A waterfall.

This waterfall isn't just a measly drizzle. Floods and floods of water are flying at seventy kilometres an hour into a crystal clear sandy pool. You can even make out tiny fish farting around. We stand to the side of the waterfall, occasionally getting some misty spray fall upon us.
Stephan is speechless. I plant a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Happy birthday Stephan."

We watch the waterfall for ten minutes, my head on his shoulder. Our hands intertwined.

While we stand there, I can't help thinking about John. He would've loved this. He was an outdoorsy kind of guy. I fiddle with John's ring on my finger. This would've been the perfect place for it to happen. For us to elope right by the waterfall. I love Stephan but John will always be my number one.

It's too much for me to bear. I pull away from Stephan and walk down the track, two fat tears fall down my face. Stephan follows me.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asks, concerned.
"I'm sorry. It's just..... I can't help thinking about John, my previous boyfriend. What my life would've been like if it were him who was here. I'm sorry. That's really selfish of me. But that why it hurts. Although I still have feelings for John, I love you now." I look up into his brown eyes with my sorrowful ones.

Stephan pulls me close and i burrow my head into his shoulder. He kisses me gently on the top of my head.
"Let's go home." He says and puts an arms around my shoulder, guiding me to our waiting carriage.

On the carriage ride home, we are both quiet. I hand him my present. I big box of baked goods that I cooked. There are gingerbread, chocolate chip cookies, rum and raisin and a normal cookie recipe that I filled with nuts of various kinds.
Stephan splits a gingerbread man with me and we munch on it together, careful not to get crumbs everywhere.

We drop Stephan home first.
"I'm sorry for my meltdown back there." I say. "I was selfish and it's not your fault John's dead and-"
"Peggy, it's ok. You miss him. I had fun today and I will definitely enjoy eating these."
He gives the biscuit tin a rattle. I smile and close the carriage door. As we pull out of the curb, I stick my head out and wave at Stephan until I can't see him. If mother makes me marry him, I won't mind.

Hey guys
I hope you liked that chapter that is a part two. I have posted an announcement on my profile regarding a choice about Peggy's love life. Please check that out and comment what you think.
I will be making a Christmas chapter.
Thanks for reading. Comment.
Cocolocosam 😊🐔