The day of Tabitha's graduation, I bought her a car. We were doing excellently financially, so I decided that the girls and I would no longer have to share a car. They could have their own, but, there would be no way what-so-ever they could park in the garage. That was for my car only.

After she graduated, before we even went out to celebrate over dinner, she went to City Hall and registered as a self-employed artist. I was concerned, at first, as I wasn't sure how much of a steady income it would bring her, but I didn't say anything. If being an artist made her happy, then she could be an artist, at least for right now, because she was living with me still, and doesn't need to worry about expenses.

After we came home, I spoke to her, and started talking about her plans for the future. I wanted to know what she planned on doing. I wasn't quite sure who I was going to pass my legacy on to yet, but I had to face it, I was getting to be old now, and my children were growing up, and I needed to start thinking about it.

I gave my oldest daughter a hug, and kissed her forehead, and then I stepped back, looked at her, and began to speak; "You know what my dream was when I came here to Riverview, Tabby. I wanted to build a beautiful home, and let my children live happily, grow up, and have all the things I never had, and I wanted to pass it on to my children, I wanted to start a legacy, and I think I've done a pretty good job. As you know, it wont be long until your younger sister graduates, just a few more years, and a few months before she graduates, I'll be turning 65-"

"Yes mom, I know. After a year, you're going to pick who you wish to pass your legacy to. I know, you've been saying this to me for ages. I just don't understand why you're talking to me about it now." Tabby said, cutting me off and looking slightly bored.

"I'm talking to you about it now, because right now is when you're going to be making all of your own decisions," I spoke while looking her in the eyes, "I'm talking to you about it now because I need to know if you even want to continue the legacy, because if your not even interested, there's no point of talking to you about it."

"Mom," she paused, "I'm going to tell you right now, that if you think that I'm the one you want to pass on the legacy to, then I will gladly step up and do the very best I can to live up to, and even surpass the name you've created for our family, and I'll do my very best to make sure that I make you proud."

I smiled at her and gave her a very big hug.



"Tabby, honey, you already do more then make me proud."

"Thanks mom," she smiled and hugged me back, "hearing you say that means a lot. I want to make sure that you stay proud of me, too."

"I'm sure you'll do that well, Tabby." I smiled.

We let go of each other and we went inside. I went to go clean up a little and prepare some more sketches and Tabby went upstairs to go paint.
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A few weeks after I spoke with Tabitha, we go to the park as a family to enjoy a day outside. It was a beautiful summer day, after all. We sit down and have a pick nick and talk about things going on in the town, when suddenly, Courtney spots a guy in her class.

"Excuse me, mom, Tabby, but I need to go over and say hi to Brenton." Courtney smiled as she started to get up.

"Oooh, someone has a crush now, does she?" Tabby teased.

"Ohmygod!" Courtney exclaimed, "Of course not! He's just one of my best friends. Can't a girl have a male best friend? Mom had like three!"

"It's true, I did, but I didn't jump up to see them if I saw them out about town randomly." I grinned.

"Yeah," Tabby agreed, biting her lip, trying to stifle a giggle.

"Oh my god! I do not like him! So, be quiet!" Courtney pleaded, while swatting at Tabby's shoulder.

"Why not?" Tabby questioned, "Is it because he's fat?"

"No! It's-" Courtney let out an annoyed sigh, paused and then stood up, "He's just my friend, and if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go speak with him."

As soon as Courtney went to go talk to her friend, Tabby burst into giggles, and I just shook my head.

"She could be just friends with him." I smiled, taking another bite out of my sandwich.

"Yeah, she could be, I suppose. However, I doubt it."

I just smiled, if Courtney did like this boy, then that was alright with me, I knew his parents, and I met him not too long ago, and he seemed like a pretty nice kid.
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That fall, Tabby met Kendrick Acker. He was the cousin of Tabby's high school friend. By Halloween, they were dating, and I met him on Thanksgiving. They really were quite cute together, except for when they'd make out in the living room, for everyone to see. I really didn't mind too much, but Courtney would complain, constantly about how they were being gross and should get a room. I would simply smile, and Courtney would go upstairs and call her friends to get adequate sympathy.

I thought it was good that they were so into each other, because that gave Tabby someone she could speak to, and be close to, and because she was a loner, she didn't have very many of those people.

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When prom came around for Courtney, she was more than happy to let me buy her a dress and style her for prom. She ended up going with Brenton, because the guy she had her eye on graduated last year, and couldn't make it to prom with her.

When she ended up not getting prom queen, I almost laughed, I thought she was joking, but no, she wasn't. She was the most popular girl in her school, and yet, she didn't win prom queen, but my loner daughter who knew next to no one was prom queen? I don't think I had ever been more confused then I was at that moment. It simply boggled my mind. However, she still had a good time, and she was still happy that she went.



One week after Courtney's prom, Kendrick asked if he could speak to me for a moment.

"Harmony," he paused, "I have a question for you."

"And what would that question be, Kendrick?"

"Well, I know you're technically supposed to ask the dad this, but because Tabby's dad isn't around, and you're the one who raised her, well, um, I want to know if you'd be okay with me asking your daughter to marry me? We've been together a few years now, and I love her a lot, and don't worry, she's explained the legacy thing to me, and I'm totally cool with that, and I would appreciate it if I had your approval to marry her."

"It's not me you have to ask, if you want to marry her, and she wants to marry you, then you two have my full approval. I would certainly not mind having you as a son-in-law."

"Really?" He asked, very excited.

"Really." I smiled.

He grinned widely, "Thank you, Harmony. You're awesome!"

I smiled, and told him to go on and spend some time with Tabitha.
I was excited for my daughter, and I was excited about possibly having grandchildren running about in the near future.
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About a month later, it was my birthday. I turned sixty-five years old. I had a rather small party, filled with just a few friends, and of course, my family.



Don even came, and we chatted for awhile. It was definitely safe to say that he and I had patched things up, and were friends. We weren't romantic by any means, but, we were close, and I think that having him come around more often had a positive impact on Tabby, and so far, she's told me that she has enjoyed getting to know her father.
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Right near the end of summer, it was Courtney's birthday, so of course, she had graduated right when school ended. Her father even came and gave her a birthday congratulations, and a gift, a beat-up car. She thanked him appropriately, and she told me that she had a great time at her party.

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A few weeks later, I sat down with her to have a conversation, very similar to the one I had with Tabby a few years earlier.

Before I could even speak, however, she interrupted me.

"Mom, I know that you're going to talk to me about the legacy thing, and I just want to tell you, and if you want me to take over for you, I'd be more than happy to. If you want to give it to Tabby, you can give it to Tabby. Either way, it's fine. I want you to do what will make you happy, okay? Whatever you chose, I'll do what it is I need to do."

I smiled at her, the similarity of what she said compared to her sister's almost made me laugh. They both were okay with being the heir, and even staying in this same spot and raising a family. I knew the choice was going to be hard, and I hoped, that within the next year, I'd be able to chose.