Chapter 16: Fui Quod Es, Eris Quod Sum

Elizabeth gets a surprise call from Catherine one afternoon. The fact that Elizabeth had been planning on calling her oldest later that evening leaves makes her smile. Elizabeth takes it as a sign that Catherine misses her as much as she misses Catherine.

"Hi dear, I was just going to call you! How are you?"

"Oh, really? Wow, we must be on the same brainwave or something. I'm good, how are you?"

"Pretty well. Work is rather dull, but filing reports isn't known for being an exciting field. I wear my trenchcoat to work, just to make it seem more exciting."

"Well, let me know when you start handing out speeding and parking tickets. Carmen says he'll give up driving when that happens, because he has a feeling you'd give him tickets just for kicks."

Elizabeth chuckles. "Your father was just saying the other day that he's grateful he bikes everywhere. Well, he bikes when he leaves the house, that is. So, what's new with you?"

"Well, Mom, I just wanted to call to tell you that Carmen and I got married this morning," Catherine says. "I'm sorry you and Dad weren't able to be there, but Carmen and I figured that with the, uh, tension between you and Bess, it would be better if nobody was there. So we went down to our favorite spot on the beach this morning and got married by ourselves. I hope you aren't too upset that we didn't have a big party."

"I'm not upset at all, dear," Elizabeth replies. "I think you made a prudent decision. If you and Carmen are happy, then I'm happy, too."

"Really?"

"Of course! Your wedding day should be a happy day, and I wouldn't want my relationship with Bess to interfere with that happiness. Perhaps you and Carmen can come 'round in a few days and we'll have a family dinner to celebrate."

"That's a great idea! We couldn't fit everybody in our new place anyway."

"Your new place?"

"Oh, yes.  We moved this morning to a small house. We had enough money saved, and frankly, living with the Raleighs is...taxing."

Elizabeth laughs. "I'm sure. Well, your father and I will come by with a housewarming gift in a few days. Just let us know when you are ready for company. I'd hate to intrude."

"Sure thing! Well, I'd better go, I'm in charge of dinner tonight since Carmen has to work, so I'd better get started. Love you!"

"Love you, too, dear. Bye!"

"Catherine called me. She and Carmen got married this morning and moved into a new house," Elizabeth tells Robert when she gets home.

"Really? Did they elope?"

"Yes. They got married on the beach this morning, just the two of them."

"Sounds lovely," Robert says wistfully. "Is there a reception we should be planning or contributing to?"

"No, I think they just wanted a quiet wedding. I told her we'd have them over for a nice family dinner when they have the time."

"Sounds great." Robert pauses for a moment. "So, when do we get to start asking for grandchildren?"

"We don't ask Robert...They just tell us when they are having children, if in fact they want them."

"Well, drat. I was going to ask for one to celebrate Philippa's birthday."

"Do that, Robert, and you'll wish you hadn't..."

The beginning of Jane and Manu's first date is a little awkward. They sit at the bar and have a drink, making disjointed small talk. Jane begins to worry; she's used to the conversation flowing easily between them. Was kissing Manu and agreeing to go on a date a mistake? She pushes those fears to the back of her mind, but she can't banish them completely.

After a half hour, Manu spots the shuffleboard. "You any good at shuffleboard?" he asks with a grin.

"I've never played," Jane admits.

"That's really sad. We're going to fix that right now."

Manu shows Jane how to play shuffleboard. He still can't figure out how he was lucky enough to get a date with her.

Once they begin the game, the conversation starts to flow again. Jane begins to relax. She tells herself that they were just nervous while at the bar, and tries to enjoy herself.

"Okay, you've beaten me five times. Let's dance!"

"I am the shuffleboard CHAMPION!"

"Yes, I know. Will the Lord of the Shuffleboard deign to dance with me?"

"I'd never say no to a dance with you, dollface."

"You're a pretty good dancer for a girl who spends all her time in front of a computer or with her nose in a book," Manu remarks. "Where'd you learn these moves?"

"My sister Philippa," Jane mumbles. "She's the dancing queen."

"Well, you can be my dancing queen, if you like," he replies, waggling his eyebrows.

"Manu, I don't know if I can date somebody who told that corny of a joke."

"Sorry! I'll shut up while I'm ahead, shall I?"

"Please do."

The Dancing Queen and Shuffleboard King danced merrily all night long. There was much rejoicing.

Jane was sorry that she had to go home. Their first date had ended up being better than she expected, and she is eager for the next one.

"How was your date last night?" Philippa asks over breakfast the next day. "Did you have fun?"

"Yes, yes I did. Thank you for, um, asking."

"What is Luigi's like? Are there lots of people there?"

"No, it's very quiet, generally. It's nice and cozy."

"Is the music good?"

"Yes, it's really good. There's lots of room to dance."

"Will you and Manu take me there sometime?"

Jane chokes on her salad. "Um, sure, Philippa, I'll take you for a birthday present," she promises. "If Manu can't make it, then James will come with us instead."

"You're awfully chipper, Philippa, Lady of the River Dance."

"It's my birthday tomorrow!"

"So it is! I take it you're looking forward to becoming a teenager?"

"Yes. But mostly I'm looking forward to the party. I love parties, they're so much fun! Catherine will be there, did you know? That makes me really happy. She called me last night to tell me!"

"She wouldn't miss your birthday for the world, squirt."

"That's what she said!" Philippa starts bouncing around excitedly. "I'm so excited! Everything is going to be great! Plus, Jane said she'd take me to Luigi's as a birthday present! Isn't that great?! Catherine used to go there all the time, and now Jane goes there. I can't wait to go to a real club!"

"It's not really a club..."

"Sure it is! It's not like the Grind, but you can still dance there! Things are going to be so great when I'm a teenager. I can't wait!"

"Well don't forget to go to school. I'm sure Jane will only take you if you keep your grades up! Now, will you hold that pose a minute? I'm almost done with this painting and you're shaking the floor."

"Sorry!"

Philippa had hoped that her parents might be able to rent the Grind for her birthday party. Unfortunately, renting the Grind is a bit out of their budget, but Robert promises his youngest that they'll have her next birthday there. "We'll give you a proper send-off into adulthood," he says with a wink. In the meantime, her next birthday will be a simple affair at home.

Newlyweds Carmen and Catherine arrive early for Philippa's party, right behind William Cecil.

Elizabeth and Robert are thrilled to have Catherine home. The birthday girl is excited, too.

"Mom, it's MY turn to hug Catherine!"

"So, you're my brother-in-law, now."

"I guess so." Carmen smiles.

"Any, uh, words of wisdom to pass down?"

"So far, all I can say is don't fix the TV or the sink yourself until you've read a manual, and avoid inviting irritable family members over for dinner. Oh, and try not to live with your parents after you've married if they're nosy and have no boundaries."

"Right then...that's...that's helpful. Thanks, Carmen."

"Don't mention it!"

Philippa blows out her candles...

Presented: one of the most awkward family photos ever. 

...and becomes a teenager. Robert is struck at how much she looks like Elizabeth did at the same age.

"Elizabeth, she looks just like you did when we were in high school!" Bess Raleigh gasps. "She has better fashion sense than you did, though. Love the belted dress, dearie."

"Yes, well, Philippa has an artistic flair I don't have."

"Bess, why aren't you at Bunco?" Catherine asks. "You're supposed to be at Jocasta Bachelor's Bunco party."

"We finished early, so I walked over to wait for you."

"Why didn't you drive home?"

"We, erm, may have dipped into the nectar..."

"It's not a problem Catherine," Elizabeth says quickly. "There's enough cake to go around."

"Well, that went rather well," Robert remarks as Elizabeth slides into bed. "Not the blowout party she might have liked, but we'll rent the club for her adult birthday."

"Don't even talk about her adult birthday," Elizabeth shudders. "I feel old just talking about it. Bess has already gone grey. I found a few grey hairs myself this morning."

"Well, we've passed our tender years," Robert agrees. "But that's okay. Better over the hill than under it, my dear. Besides, if you ever miss your red hair, just look at Philippa. She does look remarkably like you."

"Doesn't she? She doesn't have my nose though, the lucky girl." Elizabeth sighs. "It is like looking at a photograph of myself. I wonder if she looks at me and sees herself in the future? Or if Catherine and Carmen look at us and see their future?"

"I doubt it. The young don't usually think like that. Their lives are so filled with boundless possibilities, they cannot see where they may end up. It's only in our old age when we get contemplative, seeing the markers in the past that led us to where we are now."

"Well, I've had enough contemplation for one night," Elizabeth yawns. "See you in the morning dear."

"Sweet dreams."
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Happy New Year to everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! My apologies for my absence again...my social life has oddly been active, which means less time at the computer. I feel guilty for being behind on everybody's stories. I promise to catch up with comments soon!

Robert's face in Philippa's age-up photo is priceless. Such a sentimental dad. Philippa was difficult to write as I haven't really developed her personality due to being focused on the twins. I settled for overexcited.

StoryProgession has been kind to Catherine and Carmen. They lived together with his parents for a few days, then they got engaged, got married, and then moved to a new house. If all the StoryProgression notes on them are true, they're happier than pigs in slop, strolling downtown making eyes at each other and holding hands.

For those of you wondering, yes, that blonde in the white jacket/black skirt is Margaret. There is no jail in game, and she crashed Philippa's birthday, getting in all my otherwise good photographs. She truly is a fiend. Here is a picture of her getting her groove on with Carmen:

Not pictured: Catherine coming to smack Margaret with the nearest utensil and ask Carmen why he's dancing with a convicted felon old enough to be his mother. 

The title is a Latin phrase, roughly translated to "As once I was, you are now. As I am now, so you shall be." I first read it in one of my very favorite novels, The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George (an excellent and hysterical brick of a novel, highly recommended), and it's stuck with me. It helps me be mindful and grateful for life.

BONUS PHOTO SECTION

Because I am the most hopelessly romantic person ever and have an obsession with wedding photography, I cloned Carmen and Catherine, dropped them into a new copy of Sunset Valley, and shot some "official wedding photographs" for your enjoyment.

Catherine's favorite color is teal, so I gave her a short teal dress with a flower in her hair for her beach wedding. Carmen got a nice checked shirt and cargo shorts.

A close-up of the previous photo.

Carmen and Catherine "got married" at  Recurve Strand. It's a very lovely place for photographs.

Same pose, different angle. I really like this shot.

Being young and playful on the beach.

The blushing bride.

The deep, soulful stare.

Smooches!

And they lived happily ever after.
Well, they lived happily as long as StoryProgression permits they live happily. But never mind that.