GEN IV: Chapter 14

Rachel started the day off with all her chores. Unfortunately Logan wanted the day to go differently. He followed her every footstep asking her to play with him.

"Pay momma pay!" Logan said. "Pay wif Wogan!"

"I can't play right now honey, I have work to do." Rachel replied.

Logan would pout for just a moment before going right back to asking for her attention. Rachel started to get frustrated at him but put her emotions in check and took a different route to solving the problem. She bent down to pick him up.

"Yay momma pay!" He exclaimed. "Toss me, toss me!"

Rachel smiled at Logan, "No honey. How about you go play with Jennifer?"

Logan's face lit up, "Jenner! Peek-a-boo!"

Rachel nodded and carried him outside to his sister then went back inside to finish her work without distraction.

Jennifer waited until her mother was inside and out of sight before she played with her little brother openly.

When all the housework was done, which did not take long since the baby was not clinging to her, Rachel went back outside to get Logan and take him up for his nap. When she stepped out she noticed that Rachel was talking to her imaginary friend.

"Jenn honey, I think you are getting a little old for imaginary friends don't you? I mean your birthday is only a day away." She smiled at her daughter to lighten her tone, but she was serious. She had gotten worried about Jennifer because it seemed that her little girl preferred the company of her fake friend than her family. Rachel picked up Logan, took him upstairs and read him a bedtime story, afterward she went to the kitchen to start dinner.

Outside, Jennifer was taking her mothers words to heart. She was growing up, she would be in her teens soon and no teenager she has ever known has a friend that no one else can see.

"Okay Patches, it's time for you to disappear, or whatever you do. I just don't think I need you anymore. I'm glad you were here for me when I was lonely, but I'm getting older now."

She listened to Patches' reply, it was not a happy one.

"Oh come on! Just leave me alone please?" She said and stormed off.

Jennifer went inside and instantly gave her doll 'Patches' to Logan. She truly did not want her imaginary friend anymore and since that stemmed from the doll - she was willing to give it up. After she watched for a moment as Logan happily played with his new toy, Jennifer sat at the table with Rachel.

"So, my birthday is tomorrow mom. I want to have a party, can we do that?"

Rachel smiled, "Are you sure your birthday is tomorrow? I don't think so, you had a birthday last year!"

Jennifer smiled back, "Mom, come on."

"Yes, I'll make some calls and invite some friends over." Rachel told her.

"Be sure to invite Uncle Dylan and Aunt Johanna!" Jennifer said as she got up from the table.

Jennifer went up to her room as happy as could be.

Rachel watched her little girl disappear and felt a twinge of sadness. One of her babies was growing into a teen, and quickly. She looked for Logan. He had wandered into the living room with his new doll, she scooped him up into a cuddle.

"Oh honey I hope you never get any bigger! Stay this little forever." Rachel said to Logan. Then she sighed. "I know that's not possible, but as long as you stay as cuddly and lovable as you are - I'll be happy." She carried him upstairs to put him to bed.

The very next morning Rachel got up and called around to invite people to the party. Of course Johanna and Dylan were first on the list. She then got out the buffet table and set out the food. All around it's been a busy morning.

Jennifer was sent off to her last day of school with a task of inviting a few of her friends over as well.

Unfortunately just after breakfast the dishwasher broke and Brian had to fix it. That took ninety percent of his morning. Knowing the party was on the way Brian called to order a pizza, he didn't know that Rachel had already taken care of the food.

"Oh well, no big deal. Kids prefer pizza anyway. The adults can eat the real stuff." He chuckled when Rachel asked him why he did that.

In no time at all the Fuller house was packed with party friends. Some that were not even invited. Brian made sure to chase most of them off. Others were the parents of the kids that Jennifer had invited, so they stayed. Everyone was having a wonderful time.

When it came time to blow out the candles on the cake, Jennifer skipped the wish and went straight to aging. She couldn't wait to be a teen. With her friends and family cheering around her Jennifer aged gracefully. Checking out her outfit and hair, she became aware that she would need a makeover as soon as she had some extra time.

The family and guests ate cake, cookies and turkey at the table with some polite conversation. Johanna joked with Jennifer about the things that she had done as a teenager and things she put up with.

Jennifer giggled at her Aunts memories, but admitted that she wasn't a rebellious type really. She just couldn't wait to get into high school.

Toward the end of the party Dylan graced everyone with some music. There was some light dancing, but mostly everyone just stood and listened. Dylan did earn a few tips while he was playing too.

The party slowly came to a close, most people just seemed like they did not want to go home. One by one guests wished Jennifer a Happy Birthday again, said goodbye to the rest of the family and left.