Generation 3- Chapter 2: Viva La Chambrie!

Well I finally got everything worked out for the surprise I had been planning for the family. As soon as Thyme had celebrated her birthday and school was out, we three Tea girls would be on our way......to Chambrie, France! I rushed home with passports in my hand.

I was enjoying my last summer before beginning school. I still had a big decision to make regarding which school I was going to go to for the medical program. I had been accepted to the local university as well as on in Briocheport. I hoped this trip would help me decide. The thought of leaving Dad and my sisters was a difficult one to bear, especially considering that I didn't have much of a relationship with Dew Drop.

Before long, Thyme's birthday rolled around and we celebrated it with just the four of us Teas.

 

 Thyme definitely takes after Dad but has a different look about her that either myself or Dew. She's excited about the whole idea of going to France although she's into the whole stereotype of what someone from France dresses like. Thyme has grown up to be interesting to say the least...not only is she a little "eco-friendly" or "eco-obsessive" as I'd like to call it, but she's a brilliant artist.

Before we girls, or Dad  realized it, it was time for us to head to France! We jumped into the car and headed to the airport with Dad looking us on from the door. Who knows what he'll do with the house all to himself!

We arrived at the travelers hostel that the travel agent had arranged for us. It was a beautiful city of stone and elegant design. I was beginning to understand culture shock. 

Thyme, as usual, in her own little world, told us "Bye ladies!" and headed off to who knows where. Strange girl. Dew and I decided to stick together. Our systems were thrown off a little from jet lag so even though it was breakfast time we were starving for a heartier meal. We headed to the cafe in the market square hoping they'd have something to offer our growling bellies.

Sure enough, with a little help from my two years of high school French, I was able to conjure up some grub from the locals.

 However, much to my dismay, the conversation with my sister was lacking. I had been hoping that this trip would strengthen the bond of our relationship but so far, she had been an unwilling participant. I asked her what she might like to do. Between mouthfuls she mumbled "museum" so I made arrangements while she quietly stuffed her face.

We arrived in front of a sprawling brick building. "It oozes culture" I joked with Dew Drop. She laughed and to my surprise grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door.

"Margarita, if I had to spend my first day in France with anyone, I'm glad it's you!" she said cheerfully. I couldn't help but beam. The day was getting better. We walked through the maze of velvet ropes and our jaws dropped at all the beautiful pieces of history housed together.

At first we saw no one else in the building with us except for a few fleeting glimpses of staff here and there but it wasn't long before we didn't care. We wondered from room to room in silence and awe. We moved in silence through the building. I was staring at a painting when I heard Dew Drop call my name from down the hallway. Without looking up, I stepped backwards and into a warm body.

I heard "Ooof!" followed by a stream of French including a few obscenities. "I am so sorry! I muttered, picking myself up. Pardonez-moi!" I guess in my trance-like state of museum browsing, I had not notice the increase in activity around me.

I looked up and saw that the victim of my mis-step was a very good looking French boy. "Ze fault is all mine, mademoiselle" I couldn't help but grin and blush looking into those very sexy eyes.

"Je m'appelle Margarita" I said, holding out my hand.

"Please mademoiselle Margarita, speak ze English for moi. It is that I am learning, I am Limon Drop Shadow but please call me Limon."

"Nice to meet you Limon. I'm sorry again about bumping into you."

"But mademoiselle, it is nothing to be sorry about. I am glad to have met such a beautiful woman."

I blushed, how is it that he has no problem with saying that part in English? But yet, he's very charming and good looking and I would like a guided tour from a local. "It's my first day here in Chambrie with my sisters. We are wondering where you locals like to hang out, we'd like to find the hot spots?"

"Margie, it would be my delight to take you and your sisters out on ze town! May I pick you up zis evening? Are you staying at ze hostel?"

"Why yes we are! How'd you know?" I must have looked a little puzzled.

"Do not worry Margie...ze hostel is ze only place in town for tourist unless you have family or friend here."

We parted ways and I head off to tell Dew Drop about my little adventure. She had been watching amused from down the hallway. Of course it was only natural that she teased me for the rest of the tour. When we arrived back in the hostel. I went upstairs to get ready but Dew Drop and Thyme met up in the kitchen. Apparently Thyme was elusive about where she'd been.

 

"I can not believe we are in France and you are eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!" Dew Drop exclaimed, "And are you going to tell us where you've been all day"

"It's good and my favorite!" Thyme replied indignantly. She took a huge bite and then stated with her mouth full, "Ihf bin ouw andh about".

"Fine! Don't tell us, but we'll find out anyway." Dew Drop said frustrated. "Oh look, Limon is here to take us to the Nectary! Do you want to come?"

"Mo fhanks!" Thyme replied, mouth still full and covered in jelly.

"Suit yourself," Dew Drop said shaking her head. She turned to me as I came down the stairs, "You're sister is driving me crazy, and your date is here"

Generation 3-Chapter 1: Welcome to Margaritaville :D

Note from the Flutterby: Forgiveness for the cheesy title but I'm a Buffet fan. Also... didn't really want to break this chapter up after all so it is really long, bear with me. :)


A lot of time has passed slowly for the Tea clan since Mom's death. I've taken over the family more out of necessity than want. I know my mom, Candy, probably told you a lot of things about me but I don't know most of it because we don't know where exactly she hid her journals. Maybe they were lost in all of the renovations of Grandma and Grandpa's room, Dad redid it for me.

Well I'm sure you are a lot more interested in what's going on with everyone else.

Dad has been spending a lot of time both inventing and working around the house. I think he's going to scale back on the inventing now...

So as to prevent the whole spontaneous combustion thing. However, prior to this accident, Dad had invented something spectacular and even received the key to the city for it!

He's taken quite a few adventures and brought us some neat trinkets from both the past and future, however, he's disinclined to allow any of "his three girls" to use it due to the dangers involved with molecular reassembling and such. I think in all honesty he's just trying to keep busy to keep from thinking about Mom.

Dew Drop threw herself into a part-time job at the grocery store and into her high school social agenda--the one I had managed to awkwardly avoid at least so far. She pretty much lived at the beach on the weekends when she wasn't at work. I think it may have been hard for her to be at the house.

Poor Thyme was so young when it happened that the full force of Mom's death had alluded her. She was a happy go-lucky little girl who made friends very easily. Dew Drop and I looked at her with big-sisterly love and a little jealousy at she was able to avoid the pain that had shaken our worlds.

My graduation from high school and 18th birthday were coming within day of each other. Aunt Bubbles came over to check on us frequently (I think she felt lost without her twin in the world) and pulled me aside one day to ask me about having a small party with the family and maybe some friends.

I really didn't know if I was feeling up to it, but the look on Aunt Bubble face made me say yes. That and her murmuring something about her feeling an obligation to Mom to throw me the best graduation party ever.

So the day soon arrived and I was escorted to my cake in front of all my family and a few random friends Aunt Bubbles had decided to invite with Dew Drops help.

(I swear I don't know about my sister sometimes....hehehe.)

 I looked at the cake, wondering what I could realistically wish for and it came to me....for my family to be happy again.

Here goes nothing....

Other than the ugly dress, I think I look pretty good as young adult starting to make my way into . A lot like Mom but not bad. This dress had to go so I headed into the house to redo my hair and put on something a little more me.

I went to Mom and Dad's room to use her mirror to do my hair because I was feeling sentimental and for some reason, the picture on mom's nightstand seem to be saying something to me (not literally) so I decided to look to see if there were some of Mom's old clothes for me to wear. When tried to open the first drawer it was hung on something. I pulled and wriggled it and one final jerk opened the drawer but sent me reeling backwards. When I stood up to look in the drawer, there was one of Mom's journals lying on top of a beautiful red shift dress with a note pinned to it that said "For Margie's graduation". I picked it up rubbed the beautiful fabric between my fingers.

I tried it on and came out of the room to some "ooohs" that issued from my Aunts and cousins. I looked around the room for Dew Drop but she was no where to be found. I was grabbed by Dad and ushered up towards the stairs with nothing but a "Congratulations and Happy Birthday darling girl" from my dad.

When I opened my bedroom door I was shocked at what lie in front of my eyes. So that's what Dew had been up to.

My room had been completely transformed from a teenagers sweet to an adult room. I smiled at the thought that my family had forgotten their sadness at least for a day to make my day special. I'm a lucky girl!

The rest of the evening was spent visiting with family and entertaining friends. Some pics from the party for you to enjoy:

Aunt Bubbles and Uncle Blood Orange cutting a rug....

don't think Uncle B. Foster liked this much. hehe

 Cousin Shelton and Thyme hanging out talking about whatever it is 4th graders talk about :)

Dew Drop and I scoping out my high school crush on the unattainable (but somehow at my party( Tucker Pop.

Me getting the nerve to talk to Tucker (not that he was interested) and Rebecca getting furious at me for doing so.

We were cool again once she realized I was over him as a crush. Go for it girl!

 

Last but not least me and Uncle Pepper getting our groove things on after a little too much juice. 

 I had spoken with Dad about one other thing I'd like for graduation that involved the summer and my two sisters and he said he'd think about it and get back to me. Overall it was a fantastic party and I wearily, but happily crawled into my new bed that evening.

For the first time in many months I dreamt of the future instead of the past....