Generation 1: Part 16. Leaving

Although technically everything was fine in the household, there were some problems that didn’t quite reach the surface. Cella often stayed out after school, doing her homework on public places, talking to some friends when these were available for a little chat, just sitting somewhere and reading the entire evening. She didn’t really feel beloved, she didn’t feel like she fitted in. Arvid was the big boy who almost was an adult, Brianna was almost as old as him and could be trusted completely. Chrissi and Stiles spent hours talking to them, listening to what they have been doing all day, who they met and what they had in mind for the evening. But Cella was still young and wasn’t treated that way. Instead, she was left alone for not yet being interesting enough. At least this was what she thought. So she stayed out, being on her own.

When she actually WAS home (which mostly happened when there were weekends as she couldn’t go to school then), she spent hours trying to get away from her life and making up a new one. One day she was a dangerous monster walking the earth, the next she was a good fairy. Her imagination helped her going through that time. Without it, she probably would have spent the entire time sitting on her bed, thinking about how life could be.

Still, life was going on! Before they realized it, it was Arvid’s birthday. Finally he was done with school and all the trouble teenagers had to go through – including his first love, Elissa who had aged up into a young adult a few days ago and apparently decided that she wasn’t interested in him for the moment – instead she hit on Stiles, who refused her flirting. Anyway, this day was not about her, but about Arvid. Having his entire family around him (except Tammie, his half-sister), he aged up into quite the cutie.

Having cake together gave the family a last chance to sit together and talk. Little did they know that everything would change on that day.

Walking down the stairs in order to change into some more comfortable clothes, Stiles felt weird. His whole body felt like he wasn’t quite down-to-earth! What was going on? The next minute he couldn’t feel his legs anymore, then his arms. His time had come and he had to go and leave his beloved family.

There was no way he could possibly impress the Grim Reaper – the figure in the black coat just laughed and told him to get up.

Chrissi was devastated. Not only had she lost the person she loved the most in the entire world, but also his income. As she was a little afraid that the bills would eat them up, she talked to Cella about it. What a strange way to start a relationship with one’s kid. But Cella understood what her mother meant and tried to consult her so that there was nothing but grief remaining.

Although Stiles’ death was incredibly sad, it actually helped the relationship between Chrissi and Cella grow! Mother and daughter now spent more time together, in the mornings, in the evenings, at night. Now that there were only four people left in the household, everyone took more care of the others. Especially after they had seen how easily a life could end!

It was hard for everyone. Chrissi missed her husband, who had been around half of her life. And even if her band, Dark Velvet, carried on, it wasn’t the same any more. So there was not much fun in her life right now. Poor girl.

But she really, really, really wasn’t the only one crying when no one was watching. Everybody had witnessed Stiles dying and this is something you really cannot forget ever. Seeing a beloved person stop breathing and observing the empty body is awful, no matter how old you are. (Yes, I know what I am talking about)

Finally, something good happened! As Arvid had finished high school a short time ago, it was now time to get all dressed up and go to the ceremony in town hall to receive his diploma. Chrissi was so incredibly proud of her only son and she only wished Stiles could be there on that happy day.

To celebrate, the entire family went into the fancy restaurant close to town hall. But after their delicious dinner (and the horrendous bill) it all came back to them. Somebody was missing. There was a hole that couldn’t possibly be filled.

It was time to visit the graveyard, where Stiles had been given the prettiest grave available. For a moment Chrissi didn’t care about how much money she would spend on this, because it was for her husband and it was the last thing she could do for him. He was gone forever. Being there with the entire family made all the emotional walls break down and finally they really could consult each other.

Yet apparently something had gone wrong in a few minds – like Arvid’s, who all of a sudden found himself flirting with a strange woman he had never met before and who was way older than him! He didn’t know her name but just felt like he had to flirt with her. Weird. Very weird. Fortunately they didn’t end up going home together or being really interested in each other.

Especially since she wasn’t exactly prude.

Although it took them some time to get over Stiles’ death, Chrissi and her kids finally realized that they had to move on. For ages, Chrissi had now been wearing that slutty (sorry,but that’s what it is) outfit and hairstyle and she didn’t want it any more. She wanted to look grown-up and just like herself. Which is something that worked out pretty good, I think.

That day, she met Sunny – the first time for ages! Both had been wrapped up in their own lives and didn’t have much time for each other. Sunny didn’t even know about Stiles’ death! When Chrissi told her the news, she couldn’t keep herself together and started crying there and then. Sunny tried her best to cheer her up and at least halfway succeeded.

Apparently, it was the week of meeting old friends! At a party Chrissi went somebody she hadn’t talked to for quite some time, although they were in the same band – Cycl0n3! He had really become old, but still looked like always. They talked for ages, catching up, making jokes about the past. If they hadn’t known before, they were now positive that they would always stay friends. Nothing else. (Especially since Cycl0n3 still was happily married!) It was good to know that in a world where everything could fall apart within seconds, you had something to count on. 

Author's notes: So, it's true. Stiles died :( Although I had thought about it for a few days, I didn't think it would happen on his son's birthday! That was so sad. And I almost missed taking pictures, because I was being online at the same time, talking to a friend. And at that moment I heard the familiar melody of the Grim Reaper! I am really going to miss him, after getting used to him so much... In addition, now there is nobody left to do the cleaning... ;)

Oh, by the way, I think I have made my decision about who will be my heir. It was close, really. 

Thanks for reading :)