1920s: Melanie Preston turns 15

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Mid summer, it is time for a milestone as Melanie Preston, Ida's eldest, turn 15. Ida has a hard time realising that her little girl is now growing up. That it's time for her to starting thinking of a future as an adult. "She was just born the other day! How has it been 15 years?" Still, she is proud, and of course Melanie deserves a big birthday party with the entire family present. As Tess, their maid, cleans the house, bakes the cake and prepares the food, all under Ida's careful supervision, The kids take the chance to play outside in the sun. 


Then the family arrives. Anna, still in route from Selvadorada, and Alice, living accross the country, are of course not able to attend, but Josephine and Nash are, since they've been staying in Willow Creek as their house is being built. The building is moving faster than Josephine would ever have dared hope. It has gone from just a foundation, to the walls being visible, to paneling in just a short timeframe.


Better yet, the house is right next door to Ida's place, Josephine's favourite sister, and the only successful woman in the family so far. Well apart from mother and herself, although she still has no children. "Soon", she tells her mother, as Abigail nags her for grandchildren. "Hopefully soon." The diaphragm has been passed to the back of the drawer now that a house is finally on the way.


The party is a huge success. Tess has outdone herself, as usual, and the food is delicious. They eat both in the dining room and the living room, as by now they are too many to fit around one table. But the mood is good and no one minds eating in the sofa.


Then it's time to blow out the candles. Melanie makes a wish, everyone cheers and sings and Melanie is now officially 15 years old! The first things he does, is cut her hair short, just like auntie Alice in the movies. She's so beautiful, if only Melanie could look like that! Of course, Ida thinks her daughter is beautiful. She has her mother's blue eyes, and her father's dark hair. "But I'm not movie-star beautiful!" Melanie insists.


And as there has been quite a few changes to the family lately, I think it's time for an updated family tree (although Josephine is protesting and saying that we should wait until she has a baby). I couldn't stop myself from adding Maurice to the tree too, even though he officially never made it in. Anna is insisting on that one.

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