Hello, again. It's me, Coralie. Oh, don't be so disappointed, I'm sure Rosetta will be back with lots to say very soon. As of right now, she's distracted between her baby girl and her logic building. She's doing very well indeed.
I thought perhaps I'd weigh in on how things are going, and what it's like to be immortal. There was a night, not so long ago, when I was outside playing fetch with Sherlock and happened to glance in the nursery window. There I saw my legacy, three daughters working together toward restoring Classical sensibilities to the world.
Well, if I ever doubted the Watcher's reasons for bringing me back from the bin, that was the moment that all doubt fled. We've had our share of heartache and loss, but when it comes down to it, what I saw through that window makes it all worth it, now, doesn't it?
Rosetta is a nurturing sim, which will do well for her in the teaching career, but I admit I monopolize little Eden as often as I can.
She's a sweet baby, and never puts up much of a fuss at all, even when she's starving or bone tired. Now that she can talk, we have much fun together.
Her real favorite, however, is easily her Daddy.
If I'm honest, young Hiram and I have a bit of an unspoken war for Eden's affections.
But then, I'm old and lonely, and nothing will ever really live up to the bond you have with a parent.
I think it is a right as an old lady, much older than most, and as a great grandmother to moon over a nooboo when one is within grasp. To watch her perfect eyelashes flutter to sleep and arrange her teddy bear just so, in case she wants to snuggle it in the night.
Some lessons are meant for the sturdier, more youthful among us. Hiram is great with rough housing and walking lessons.
"C'mon, Bug!" he says. "You can do it!"
At this point, it's nearly 6pm, so I'm doing what anyone my age would be doing.
"Daddy, I did it!"
"You did, Bug! Look how high you fly when you walk to Daddy!"
"Yay!"
When I can't get to Eden, of course, I can always play with my other baby. Hiram says Sherlock's behavior toward me is special and that he's likely marked me as his official owner. Hiram said "BFF," but it doesn't sound natural coming from me.
I've considered cloning him when he becomes an elder. Yes, I realize that sounds beyond insane, but it's hard to keep losing those you love. My Mona Lisa, unfortunately, had to lose the love of her life before she'd even finished her immortal requirements and could spend real quality time with him. Luckily, her true soulmate is still around for a while.
My daughters. Sweet Ophelia, still too shy to call me Mother unless she forgets herself. My heart will ache like it did when I lost Carlotta when she goes. It is a comfort, you know, to see Carlotta's beautiful deep blue eyes staring back at me when I speak to my granddaughter. It is a shame that Rosetta never knew our Carlotta.
Oh, but listen to me, prattling on! I had a purpose here. Firstly, I'll show you the first additions to Eden's museum room. I love Mona Lisa's portrait. I think it captures our Eden splendidly.
Now! There was something I wanted to share. I wanted to talk about the unsung hero of our plight so far. This man:
Emmett has not been kindly used by the Classic family. Jilted, brainwashed, forced to retire, and at least one false death, and yet he retains a sunny outlook and a sense of real affection toward all of us. I'm sure you remember this happening several weeks ago:
Now, I'm old. I've heard many rumors in my day, but the fact that our household was full and Emmett is an elder made me sure that he was safe in that shuttle. That was until I saw him waddling past me several days later.
The poor man was oblivious. He said something about needing to hit the treadmill. He'd just built a dollhouse for Eden and seemed sure he was just adapting a pot belly in his old age.
He was wrong.
We never did get her name. She vanished through a vortex in the floor almost the instant she was born. Emmett put on a brave face, but I could tell the loss pained him.
It was barely two hours later that this happened. Again.
Grim appeared in a puff of smoke, and for the first time in my many encounters with him, he sighed. He was
annoyed!
"Are we doing this again, Emmett Classic?" he bellowed, in his gravelly voice. "I have actual reapings to get to. Stop eating the jelly beans, you ridiculous man!"
Then, Emmett was restored. He shuffled sheepishly back into the house and fell asleep in a rocking chair. Hiram, knowing how much his wife wanted to really meet Grim, officially, kept him around the only way he knew how. (Watcher's Note: Hiram did this autonomously)
Let it never be said that my grandaughter's husband is afraid to flirt with anyone. Anyone at all. He did manage to confound Grim for long enough that Rosetta made it outside.
"Oh hello!" She said. "You were at my wedding. I desperately wanted to meet you! I made a snowman of you once!"
It's an unusual life we're leading, but every new daughter has made this family all the richer. I cannot wait to see what Eden contributes to the world. For now, I must go write a novel about the Grim Reaper and a man who kept dying. I think Emmett will have a long elderhood, despite himself.