(Chapter 9) Goodbye Again?

Keith and Stephanie got a surprise on their honeymoon... Stephanie became pregnant. After many months of anticipation the day we had looked forward to had finally arrived.


Stephanie seemed to be in a great deal of pain.


She asked me why I never told her how excrutiating labor was...



But I told her soon it would all be worth it.


And it definitely was! We thankfully welcomed a healthy baby boy into our family. Keith and Stephanie named him Kevin.


They were so happy!

And needless to say, so was I. I was very grateful to have gotten to see the birth of at least one of my grandbabies. Let's face it, I certainly wasn't getting any younger.

Soon after Maddox and Sebastian left for college.



My poor Maddox, I thought I had taught him to dress better than that.


There - that's much better!



Instead of going to SSU like the rest of our family, Sebastian decided he would rather attend La Fiesta Tech. It was alright with me. Also at La Fiesta Tech was Sebastian's girlfriend, Caryl Pai.



As sad and difficult as it was, I knew there wasn't much time left for me. It was time I wrapped up a few loose ends. Since there wouldn't be anyone to take of Linus I decided he should go to Stephanie.

Imagine my excitement when I made it to little Kevin's 1st birthday! I felt so blessed.

My little baby's baby was growing up. It was such a proud moment.

What a handsome little fella he was! Looks like he got a mixture of him mom and dad's hair color. But he clearly resembled his momma.

Melissa and her long time boyfriend, George McCarthy were engaged. What an exciting time for my family. I took comfort knowing all it would be okay once I was no longer on this earth.

Sebastian was the next Stratton to be inducted into the Secret Society.

Maddox wasn't far behind, although he wasn't sure what was happening at first.

He almost thought a prank was being played on him. It looked like the tradition was continuing... all of our children were a part of the Society.

Marisol graduated with honors...

Followed soon by Melissa. Could there have been a prouder mother?

Immediately following their graduation, Melissa and George got married. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Our whole family was there - even Mark in spirit.

They looked so happy and I could only hope it would last. Melissa's father and I had shared many wondeful years together so that was my wish for her.

And they left for their honeymoon. Would they come back with the same surprise as Keith and Stephanie had? And if so, would I be around to witness the birth of yet another grandchild?

It wasn't to be. I was in my garden doing what I loved when I got a strange feeling... one that I wasn't alone.

At first I was a little apprehensive. I didn't want to leave my children and little Kevin. I had so much to teach them still! But then I thought of my Mark.

I had missed him for so long...

I knew soon I would be with him again.

Would the family continue to thrive without the matriarch they had come to depend on? Who was destined to be the heir? Only time would tell...