Elise was being tucked into bed by her parents, this was an act that she thought she was too old for. However, the series of events had reminded her now more than ever that she was still a child.
"Did you enjoy your dinner tonight?' Elijah asked to which she nodded her head excitedly.
"Of course she did, I had to ask her to slow down, her cheeks were so full because she wasn't chewing her food" Rena smiled as she looked at Elise
"What's the matter?"
"I was eating so much because I know we might never eat that food again" Elise spoke with her mouth covered by the blanket; her words still clear.
"Why would you think that?" Rena now remembered why. Since the children had begun training she had changed their diet which consisted of a lot of vegetables. Elise knew that her mother wanted them to be healthy, but that did not dispute the fact that they missed the foods that tasted good.
"I'm sorry that I made you think that. I guess your diet could be a little more well-balanced. I promise that it will be" Elise smiled and was shocked to know that her mother was willing to change.
"I guess you would like the same food you had tonight for your birthday?"
"Yes please"
"Also, can you invite all of the girls in the kingdom who are close to my age?"
"Can we ask why?" Before Elijah posed the question he had looked at Rena who had the same facial expression of wondering why Elise would want something completely out of the blue. It was not unreasonable or a strange request, it was that this was the first time they have ever heard this.
"I had a lesson with Master Philus on the History of Elensia and I learned that the King and Queen would invite children of the noble families to events to solidify and maintain their relationships." Rena looked to Elijah
"That is a really old custom, that eventually dissolved. Are you sure you want that?"
"Yes, except it should be only girls, it nobles and non-nobles"
"Music to my ears" relief washed over Elijah's face
"They should be no younger or older than two years"
"What else, what gifts should they bring?"
Elise had thought long and hard about this and she already had an answer
"I want them all to bring the same gift, flower crowns"
"Flower crowns?'
Elise thought of the simplest gift she could think of, the gift of the flower crowns would pair well with the celebration taking place in the garden.
"Yes, I don't need much"
"Well okay then, flower crowns it is. I will send out the invitations. Goodnight Elise"
"Goodnight" she simultaneously received kisses on her cheek and forehead.
Rena and Elijah closed the door to their bedroom
"Well, if we were unsure whether or not to proceed with Elise's birthday, she just cast away any doubts."
"She is growing up"
"I like the idea of her interacting with children her age. Although The Sirrah didn't have as many people as Elensia, it changed my world when I became friends with Jessica and Meera. I hope she finds friendships like that."
Rena smiles to herself, in a split second the smile fades at which Elijah takes note. He placed his hand on her shoulders, trying to look down to see her face. Her arms crossed over her body, she knows she has to look up and say what she is feeling. But would he understand?
"I'm failing"
"What?"
"I'm failing as a mother, failing to build the mother-daughter relationship."
"No, you are not"
"Our daughter just said that she ate as she had never seen food before because there is a chance she might never see food like that again." Rena knew she was going to cry
Elijah moved her to sit on the bed, wiped her tear away. She looked up at him to see a smile on his face and it was as if for a brief moment she forgot why she was sad.
"Every time I see you without children, do you know what is the first thing I always think about?" Rena shook her head
"I remember the conversation we had when I told you that I wanted to marry you." Her eyes widened because she knew exactly what he was referring to
"You thought I was joking when I said that I will make you my wife. When I said I was serious, you said that you didn't think that you were the wife I needed because you knew I wanted children. I said of course I do, I've seen you with children and I know you like them too. You will be an amazing mother, then you said.."
Before Elijah could continue the story Rena jumped in
"I'm not too sure about that. I don't think I can raise a child because I didn't have much time with my mother to build our relationship. And I was right."
"No, you are not. We both had to figure parenting and we still are and we still we are, even when they become adults themselves and have their kids."
"You may not see it, but I do. When you brought Elise, Renner and Eon into the world, the joy I saw on your face shows up every time you look at them now"
Rena smiles, her tears stopped
"I just want what's best for all of them. When I started their training I thought about the skills they would gain, the diet I just thought about them being healthy. I didn't think about how they would receive it because down the road it would be all worth it. She shook her head again with her eyes closed, I'm raising them as if they were from The Sirrah tribe instead of The Sirrah and Elena. She buried her face in her hands
"Why didn't I see this before, it's funny"
"What is?"
"Elise is teaching me how to raise her without her even knowing that she is doing it"
Elijah agrees with her statement
"In her training, she is a true Sirrah just like you"
"And when she is not, she is every bit of you," Rena says moving her hand to Elijah's cheek, her thumb caressing it. Elijah takes her hand and kisses it, she pulls him into her and kisses his lips
"I love you, Elijah" he has always been her calm. That was one of the promises they made in their vows when one of them falls, the other will catch them.
But what happens if both are falling?