Moonstone Manor - A Random Legacy: February 2011

A short chapter dedicated fully to Rocky's 'Party to Remember'

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It was the day of Opal's eighteenth birthday, and Rocky spent the whole day in the kitchen, making sure everything was perfect. All those cooking lesson he was forced to take as a child were finally paying off.

The guest list included Ruby, her husband Alexy, and their son Andre. Opal invited her friend Jupiter from school, Jupiter's mom Lola Belle, and of course Jett. Rocky's teammates Richie Striker and Mr. Big rounded out the guest list.

"Hmmm, I wish.... ......sorry, I can't tell you or it won't come true!"

"Happy Birthday, Opal!"

The menu included eggs machavellian, lobster thermidor, and key lime pie, all of excellent quality.

Dayna provided five varieties of perfect drinks.

Jett took a turn at the piano first.

Then Opal performed her newest composition, 'Never Again'.

Ruby added a new autograph to her collection. She also took the opportunity to announce that she and Alexy are expecting a new addition to their family.

The party was slowly winding down, when Opal whispered in Jett's ear.

" I have something to ask you."

"Jett, you are my best friend...you are sweet, and talented, and funny.."

"...and I love you so much. Will you marry me?"

"Oh, Opal, yes! Of course I will!"

Jett and Opal moved their own private party out to the hot tub.

And later, upstairs...

*ring*

Rocky was on his way over to check up on Ruby and Andre. Jasper and Jada had sadly passed on, and Ruby had moved into an apartment downtown with some artist.

Ruby was surprisingly lucid for once.

"Alexy and I are getting married! Can you believe it? And I got accepted into flight training at the military base!"

"Hey there, Andre! How's it going?"

"Great, Uncle Rocky. I'm gonna have a daddy! Alexy is a super great artist, he's gonna teach me how to paint!"

Rocky was meeting all kinds of new people through his celebrity connections.

"Dayna, Opal, meet Vlad. He owns a shipping business here in Bridgeport, and just recently acquired a part ownership of the stadium."

Friendly Opal was quick to greet her dad's guest, but Dayna felt prickles of alarm up and down her spine.

"OMG ROCKY!"

Dayna had heard there were vampires in the city, but she never expected to see one in her house, conversing with her daughter no less.

"Excuse me while I go check the sink real quick.."

"Sorry about that, Vlad. My wife gets a little emotional sometimes. Don't take it personally."

Dayna was still shaky the next day, so Rocky took her out for a relaxing evening in town. Things started out slow.

"No more vampires in the house, Rocky. Promise me."

"I'm sorry, Day. He seemed like such a nice guy. But you're right, I promise."

"I wonder if I can make flaming drinks like this?"

"I bet you can, Day. You should try."

After a few drinks, Dayna was ready to shake things up on the dance floor.

Rocky signed a few autographs.

And Dayna collected a new autograph from her favorite actress. Dayna was so excited at this, that all was forgiven. And Rocky made sure to screen his house guests more carefully from then on.

Opal was doing well in school. She even signed up for piano lessons.

But her heart was still in fashion design, and she spent hours at her drafting table, sketching her latest creations.

"Thanks for having me over for dinner, Opal."

Opal had brought a new friend home from school.

"Be nice to him, daddy," she had warned her father earlier. "Jett has had a hard life, but he's really sweet underneath, once you get to know him. And he's a really good musician, wait 'til you hear him play."

"We've been friends for a long time now, right Jett?"

"You're the best friend I've even had. When I'm with you I forget how much my dad hates me."

"You know, for my fashion class final exam, I need to do a make-over on somebody, with before and after photos. I was wondering if you..." Opal hesitated. She knew how attached Jett was to his "look".

"Anything for you, Opal. Just.. nothing too drastic?"