Some anniversaries are good things - For slowlyburn

[thepainted_lady]

Lydia had missed the last fourteen birthdays with her daughter. To be sure, sometimes she'd managed to send cards, but she hadn't always been able to get away, to send them, and to send too much would risk them tracking back to her. And letting the family know about her past, to be able to make the effort, wasn't always easy. Trips to the post office would be noted, possibly questioned. She'd tried, but she knew it hadn't nearly been enough.

This year, she was determined to do better.

That Amanda was turning fifteen, such a painful year in Lydia's own past, she was sort of trying not to focus on. It was going to be a good day. She was still getting to know her daughter, and had been uncertain what, exactly, she'd like, but she had one idea for part of spending the day she hoped she would approve of, at least, if the gifts weren't quite...right.

All gaily wrapped in bright paper, she had several packages. Inside were: a hand-woven charm bracelet; a brightly colored, butterfly hoodie; and a smaller box containing an aquamarine belly button ring. She has a matching amethyst--her birthstone--one in another box...as a thought that, maybe, if Amanda wants...they could go into town and get piercings done at the same time.

She's let the right people know it's Amanda's birthday, and there will be a larger celebration later, but for now, she just wants to have some time that's just hers with the daughter she's spent too much time away from.

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[slowlyburn.livejournal.com]

Most birthdays were woken up to Aunt Carol's hands gently prying her awake with soft, tone deaf singing of Happy Birthday as she held a cake with however many candles her age was that day, all lit up and ready for her to huff away with a single breath. Poof. All gone. And every year, even if it was a school day, Aunt Carol always allowed her to play hookie--even if she was a stern enforcer against it--just for this day. When she was younger, Aunt Carol always said: "It's because you made my wish come true." Being told at three that you were adopted went a lot smoother with that explanation, even if you were never told the whole story, much less anything about your mother.

This birthday there were no songs--at least not yet--and no cakes lit with candles that her uncle got it into his very, very lame head to make them the "hard to blow out" kind when she began puberty. Every single time he did this, especially when she just woke up, it became less and less amusing. Aunt Carol thought so, too.

Yawning she threw her legs over the cot and stretched her arms heavenward. She was mindful not to wake up Jennie, the little girl she had grown attached to since Gail and Chris offered to make Amanda apart of their act, who was fast asleep, lightly sucking her thumb. Rubbing her eyes she made her way towards her mother's trailer, once dressed in casual attire so she wouldn't sully her costume while doing chores, lightly knocking on the door after hopping on the wooden steps. She wasn't expecting much, really, but, it became a bit of a habit to say "good morning" to her mother. Mostly, because she spent fourteen years of her life not being able to. Fourteen years of her life not even knowing what she really looked like, save what her Aunt had told her, which wasn't much.

[thepainted-lady.livejournal.com]

The knock made Lydia smile and move quickly to the door. The morning ritual was one she was starting to really look forward to, to get to actually see Amanda after so long not. She still had reservations about her being here, but the longer she was, the more grateful Lydia became, letting Samuel ease her fears and starting to believe him when he insisted Amanda belonged here, with them.

She smiled more when she saw her daughter, reaching out to hug her impulsively, if a little hesitantly, still cautious with her, longing to be everything she could be to her, but aware of the gap her actions had caused.

"Happy birthday!"

[slowlyburn.livejournal.com]

The hug was an unexpected, but welcomed, gesture; Amanda, just as hesitantly, still cautious herself, returned the hug with the same warmth. It was guarded, still, over the fact that while she was a part of Lydia, they both were still getting used to each other. For a long time Lydia was just a faceless person that she spent nine months growing inside her womb--now she was flesh and bone and had a face. She had a face, a history, a smell and Amanda finally knew what her mother sounded like.

No matter any gaps or hesitation on her part when Lydia hugged her, she felt like she had found a home. She had one, once, but ever since her power manifested things with her aunt were strained at best. But, with Lydia, it felt like she managed to salvage what her genetics betrayed her with the woman who raised her. She felt like she belonged.

Pulling away a little, she gave a sheepish--if not bright--grin. "Thanks," she replied in kind, really trying in vain to hide the fact her face lit up when her mother greeted her. It was difficult not to beam, to feel a warmth that reminded her of Christmas Day as a little girl. It was...special.

[thepainted-lady.livejournal.com]

Lydia's smile was just a bit sheepish as well, as she stepped back to let Amanda the rest of the way in to the trailer. Smoothing her hair back and trying not to fiddle with her skirts, she glanced at the little table where the presents were stacked, then back at her daughter, indicating the bright packages with a little wave of her hand.

"We usually have a special dinner and cake and such in the evening when it's someone's birthday in the family, but...I thought you might like your presents this morning. At least from me. That we could sort of celebrate just us for a while..." Before everyone else intruded and Samuel came in with his flair and dazzled them all.

She bit her lip a little bit, still uncertain, but giving Amanda a hopeful smile.

[slowlyburn.livejournal.com]

Amanda's smile widened all the more and, much like a normal teenager actually pleased with something their parent did, threw her arms around Lydia in another impulsive, but tight, embrace. "Thank you so much!" She gushed, honestly meaning it, too. She still didn't understand why Lydia had so many worries about her being here, at the Carnival, but, Amanda thought it was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

The incident with Caleb was just one flaw. But she didn't want to think about him right now--she wanted to just be happy because she was fifteen years old, because she was spending her first birthday with her mom, and with other people like her she didn't feel like such an outcast.

[thepainted-lady.livejournal.com]

Lydia hugged her back, just as tightly, feeling a little more relaxed and warmed by her daughter's enthusiasm. She brushed a hand through her hair, tucking it behind Amanda's ear.

"Go ahead and open them. I thought, maybe, we could go into town for the day, too. Samuel excused us from chores, since it's your day."