Chapter 9: Boys Become Men
It wasn't long before it was time for my last little boy to grow up into a man. Geraldo didn't want a party, but I insisted, ever the party animal.
He was so handsome! He looked so much like my uncle Malcolm it was a bit scary.
He decided to grow some facial hair, afraid that his chin was a bit on the weak side.
He called his high school sweetheart to meet him at the park. She had grown up a bit as well. Okay, she had grown up and out ALOT! That didn't seem to matter to Geraldo though.
After reaffirming their love and commitment to each other, they moved into a little house together. I was very sad that my youngest was now on his own.
Phillipe was inviting all of the Valley's best chess minds over to challenge them to a game of wits. He won hands down every time.
It seemed that while he was in France, he became rather close to a lady over there. He invited her to visit.
Her name was Adele, and she seemed really into Phillipe. This bothered Jules a bit because she had been a classmate of his and Yves.
The massive age difference didn't seem to bother Phillipe at all, and the two became an item. Adele moved in, and the two were wed in a small ceremony on our property.
My brother Billy came over to challenge Phillipe, but lost shortly after. He wasn't too upset, and congratuled his nephew on his recent marriage. Seems Adele had put an announcement in the paper.
It didn't take Adele long at all to become pregnant with my first grandchild. Phillipe was so excited, and wished for a little girl.
I let her have my guitar only because I was so focused on painting, that I never used it anymore. She had a desire to top her guitar skills, and painting, just as I had so long ago.
She went into labor one day after spending it playing the guitar as she usually did.
Phillipe took her to the hopsital, a little bothered that it was so late in the day.
And my little granddaughter Evelyn was born into the world. She was a bit of a loner, and a light sleeper, but quite adorable.
It wasn't long before Adele was again pregnant, and Phillipe couldn't stop holding his little girl. For someone so 'evil' he was a fantastic Dad.
Late one evening, Jules woke up and grew into an elder. He wasn't much happier as one, still a regular grump.
And my sweet husband Yves, soon followed. My little 'boy toy' was now an elder too. He quickly retired, but Jules kept going in his line of work because he wanted to top it before retiring himself. He was only three promotions away.
Yves got a little makeover, and the three of us started a regular elder schedule of early to bed, and early to rise.
Yves spent most of his time reading; he liked setting goals of how many books he wanted to read. Once he had devoured all the books we owned in the home, he went to the bookstore and bought out what he could there.
Before we knew it, Adele gave birth to a little boy. His name was Gary, and he was also a loner, but a bit of a heavy sleeper.
Evelyn grew up into a very pretty little girl, looking like her mother in the face, but having her father's hair.
It was about this time that Yves pulled Phillipe aside to let him know that we had decided that Jean would take over the legacy. Phillipe wasn't the least bit upset, and informed us that he was okay with moving on.
He packed up his family, bought a nice house inside town, and moved out. Phillipe wasn't even the least bit upset, in fact, he seemed quite pleased.
Jean on the other hand, didn't even notice. He was so focused on getting his Perfect Aquarium, he was rarely home. He was always off fishing.
One day he even pulled this little gnome from the waters. It was called a Sleeping Gnome, whatever that means.
He even liked to fish late at night in the local graveyard. It didn't seem to even phase him when the ghosts came out.
One night, he caught himself a death fish. It looked as scary as it sounds! I refused to allow such a thing in our house, so Jean ended up selling them all.
Once he believed us that he was now the heir, Jean insisted on taking a trip to China, but alone.
He mostly fished, not even bothering to do any of the quests or adventures available. Jean was just obsessed with getting that Perfect Aquarium.
Not to say he didn't try and find a girlfriend. It seems this one was already married.
This one, while pretty, was already in her prime adulthood. Jean just didn't feel like rushing to have kids like Phillipe had because Adele was so much older.
So, back to Sunset Valley it was.
While Jean was busy trying to find a wife while not fishing, Yves and I spent a lot of time together. I got the feeling my time was coming, but I still felt so spry. I had time.
One day Jean came home with excitement, he had finally caught enough Perfect fish for his aquarium. He set it up to show up, and then promptly sent all the fish off to be mounted. I guess he had never intended to feed them or keep them alive, he just wanted to have one.
He also told me how while at the park, he had met someone.
He invited her out to the beach the next day to continue getting to know her. Jean, the romantic, had hired a friend to serenade them as they talked.
She was very receptive to his advances.
They even became a couple right away.
But she turned him down when he proposed. "It's too soon." She told him, but promised that it didn't mean they had to stop dating.
Jean was convinced she was the one, and insisted he would continue to woo her.
Ah, my life has been good. Sure, I may have changed a thing or two, but I had a lot of great luck. Yves was possibly the best luck I ever had, and my boys are something to be proud of.
I'm going to go to bed now, and finish up in the morning!
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This is Yves here, I found her book on the computer soon after, well, it is hard to say. Let me finish her story for you.
My lovely wife woke up the next day, and danced until the rest of the house arose. She loved to listen to that kidz music channel all the time, and I loved watching her.
She even finished one last painting, one of the town we lived in and loved.
After breakfast together, she got up to give me one final hug, and then she was surrounded in golden light. My beautiful bride was leaving me.
Jules ran into the kitchen to see why I had cried out. He was also upset to see her go, the two had made peace so long ago.
But me, I was devestated. What would I do without my love? I had left my home country for her, and did everything for her. And now she was gone.
I felt it fitting to throw one last party in her honor. I invited all of her siblings, Phillipe, and Geraldo.
Jean's love also came when she heard the news.
She even insisted on moving in to help us three men. How would we go on without the existance of a womanly presence?
Though she had requested she be placed in the local graveyard, I could not bring myself to do it. I wanted her to be near me, even if only in memory.
I am sure that my future daughter-in-law will be a great joy. So, I end this, and hope that my son Jean will take up the pen to continue the life journey of this family legacy.
RIP Esmerelda Landgraab, a joy to love and so full of life. She will be missed.
Prologue Part 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/
Chapter 1/ 2 / 3/ 4 / 5 / 6/ 7 / 8