Ivy? Who is She?

Lily looks at Ivy and grabs her hands in hers. “Ivy you must go now time is ticking, you must return in seven days at midnight or you will be stuck in that dimension forever.”

She kisses Ivy on the cheek and, steps back with tears sliding down her cheek.

Ivy looks frantic and scared, “can’t I say goodbye to everyone first Nana?”

“No sweetheart it makes it harder.”

Ivy walks a few steps away from her grandmother with her left hand around the star pendant. She looks back to see if her grandmother was going to tell her this was all a joke. Instead she hears her grandmother release a sob and sees her leaving the room. Ivy puts on the mantle and recites the words Lily told her.

 

Hi Fellow Bloggers,

The scene above is a familiar (recent one) that I have posted from the books. I could have found some more enthralling scenes, but I didn’t want to give too much of the book away ahead of time. This scene was included in the excerpt I just posted last week so if you want to read about this bit of information I suggestion reading that before you dive into this post. I don’t want to spoil any perceptions about Ivy’s personality or character traits for you.

I have worked with Ivy for a few years now. She has developed into a lovely girl. Much more outgoing… She was really guarded… even in her family dynamics. I think she was afraid to prove that she was less than her sister Anna. She didn’t realize the very thing that made her different from Anna is what made her special. They are two different girls.

In this scene Ivy is being prepared to leave to find the herb for her mother. She is given a rundown of her history and then she is kind of thrust into the unknown. This scene shows Ivy’s vulnerability the most throughout the beginning of the book. She is very distraught. She planned to go on this journey with her sister. She didn’t feel she was qualified by herself.

This scenes represents her innocence and loyalty to her family. It is the precept of events that pushed her into being the Ivy I love. The one who is strong and is willing to fight for her family. She still has weakness, but they are more sharpened. She knows that she has thicker skin. It’s just sometimes life really sucks and makes you test the thickness, and it really hurts. Ivy goes through a lot in this book and the next two that follow so she has to experience this life changing journey on her own to be prepared for the rest of it. Breaking a family curse isn’t easy.

As I reread over this post I am always brought back to the sheer disparity and fear she feels her. Her thoughts float through my mind and I can hear her second guessing herself. I can feel her extinct to run away from this. Her desire to pretend that she has another choice. I mean she just got sweep away from her birthday party to be told you have to leave. When all she really wanted to do was go sit with her mother and show her the pictures she took from the party. She wants to curl up beside her and feel the love they share. She was is mentally distraught. I mean Ivy is on the edge of a breakdown. Somehow in that moment of putting on the cloak, reciting the words of travel, and stepping through into the Hall of Doors. She finds her resolve. She finds the strength to follow her destiny.

I guess I choose this scene, because it is when I saw Ivy for who she really is. I saw her strength and I admired her for it. I wished for the same thing in my life. This is where I become a champion of her.

Chapter Three Second Excerpt

It’s been an entire year since I posted more of the story. Here is a long excerpt for you to make up for that. I will do the excerpts probably once in a while. Even though I want this blog to represent my series. I want to do other things on here than just post snippets of the book. I have a lot of fun ideas and post in store. If you haven’t read all the other excerpts before this one… this scene won’t make much sense to you. So just click on the Excerpt Category and they will all be available to you. Happy Reading.
The twins walk down stairs and stand in front of the large mirror in the foyer. Ivy looks at Anna in the mirror with her blonde hair curled and pinned up. Mom outdid herself again with the dresses. Anna’s dress is bright lavender with hints of pale pink. The dress is corseted and ties in the front under her bust, while the dress ends at the knee with ruffles. It’s one sleeve hangs off the shoulder revealing her creamy skin. Her pale pink pumps have a lavender flower on the sides.
Ivy’s dress is corseted as well but it crisscross ties in the front. The sleeves are made of a sheer material and drape off her shoulders and down to her knees like a medieval chemise. The dress is floor length worn with green sheer laced pumps. Her strawberry blonde hair is curled beautifully around her shoulders.
“My girls! You look absolutely beautiful.” Jacob walks toward them. Kisses them both, and hands them their mask for their Medieval Masquerade party. Their mask had small white feathers attached on the right side. With crushed mosaic pieces on the mask matching their dresses.
As they open the sliding door everyone outside shouts “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Anna’s friends are dressed in pastel colors and Ivy’s friends in earthy colors. A large tent is set up with a portable Vinyl tile dance floor in its center. The tables and chairs were covered with medieval decorations. There are about a hundred friends and family members standing outside with smiles on their faces.
The path leading to the tent for the birthday girls to walk through was a drawbridge. Among the activities around the tent, there were competitions being played for the hand of a lady; knights in armor; and a jester telling jokes. There was a small jousting tournament being held off on one side; and an apple-bobbing contest on the opposite side next to a horse and its trainer, giving rides to the party guests. There was lanterns strung up and great music blaring.
Anna looks at Ivy with surprise and shock in her eyes. “Our parents did an amazing job, they totally rock!”
“I know!” replies Ivy. “This is really cool!”
Lily walks over, gives them both a hug before telling them to go mingle. Ivy hugs her dad and grandmother, then tells them thank you before walking off to enjoy her party. Anna has already inserted herself as center of attention, as her cheerleading squad surrounds her. They all look breath taking wearing pastel colors. They each give Anna a hug and squeal in excitement.
“Anna! Your party looks great, It’s so cool that your parents planned something so… cool.” says a short blonde.
“Happy Birthday Anna, I can’t wait until you open my gift. You’re going to love it!” Hannah her perky best friends says. She has on a pale blue dress and her brown hair is up and curled, she looks flawless.
“Thanks guys, let’s dance.”
While there dancing several friends run over and hug Ivy.
“Hey Ivy, you look amazing. Thank you for inviting me.” She says as her dark cheeks flush. She is the only African-American person Ivy has met that blushes.
“Lisa, how could I not invite my best friend?”
Ivy and Lisa have been best friends since freshman year. She is the sweetest girl and is always looking out for Ivy. Her petite frame is encased in a midnight yellow dress that flows out around her. She had on a beautiful pair of yellow pumps by Blahnik. She steps aside so a few of Ivy’s other friends can squeeze in hugs and congratulations as well.
“So what do you want to do first, Ivy? Have you ever ridden a horse side-saddle? We could go do that first!”
“We? Lisa, since when do you ride horses?” Ivy asks.
“I would have tried it for your birthday. If you asked me!” She replies with her hands on her hips.
“I have had several birthdays with you being my best friend. Most of which I have wanted to go riding with you. All of those times you declined.”
“Well, I am an adult now. Things have changed.”
“I saw you a few days ago.” Ivy says looking her up and down. “Not much has changed.” Ivy says hugging Lisa as she laughs.
“I won’t give you a sarcastic remark because it’s your birthday. But if you call me tomorrow I promise not to let you down again.” she says smiling back. “Do you want to ride side saddle or not.”
“I can’t imagine it being very comfortable. But I guess I could give it a try.”
They head over to the horses and listen to the trainer instructing the girls how to sit on the horse. When Ivy’s turn comes, her cousin Derek helps her on the horse. She positions her legs into the stirrups, as the trainer walks the horses around by the reins. After the round, she gets off the horse and walks back over to a cheesing Lisa but is intercepted by Liam there stable overseer. He gives her a hug and wishes her a happy birthday. He has on a black suit with a blue cravat and cufflinks. The suit forms to his chiseled form. His green eyes light up in merit. His brown hair falls over his eyes and there is a bit of stubble on his dimpled cheek.
“Are you having fun? Poison Ivy,” he asks.
“I was Liam bean, until you came over.” she says poking him in the arm. “How is my good friend, who is unfortunately your beautiful wife, Aubrey doing?”
“She is doing fine. She’s somewhere with the kids. I wanted to make sure I gave you your gift in case we had to leave early.”
“What did you get me?” Ivy says.
“It’s a picture of the last time we hung out at the waterhole. You couldn’t have been more than thirteen years old. You were such a duckling back then poison Ivy.”
“Thank you for those kind words on my birthday Liam. They truly warm my heart.”
“Well, that’s what I’m here for. Aubrey gave you some girlie stuff. That you are going too totally love.” He says imitating his wife.

“The girls made you something as well. They have spent the last two weeks held up in their room making it. I’m sure I’ve never bought so much glitter at one time.”
“Well make sure you tell them thank you in case I don’t see them. I’m sure I’m going to love their gifts. Give them a hug and a kiss for me too. Now go have fun harassing someone else.” She says as she takes the shiny green gift bag he hands her and hugs him again.
Ivy walks over to Lisa, thankful that she has calmed her heart rate from the horse ride.
“So! How was it?”
“It was… awkward. I wasn’t comfortable at all; and hopefully I will never have to do that again.” Ivy responds.
“Let’s go dance, my favorite song just started.” Lisa says grabbing Ivy’s arm.
They rush over to the tent with the dance floor, and Lisa starts to dance. Her hips sway and her arms wave as she moves to the beat. Ivy on the other hand is a very graceful dancer, she moves very purposely. She allows the music to flow through her and tell its own story with her movements. She hears applause as the song ends, and Ivy realizes that she and Lisa were alone on the dance floor. She grabs Lisa’s arm, who is bowing as if she was just bestowed the greatest of honor and rushes off.
“Why didn’t you mention no one else was dancing? You know how I get when music comes on.”
“I told you I loved that song, I didn’t care about the lack of other people dancing. I preferred it that way, more room for my moves to have moves. Besides everyone loved you out there, you’re a great dancer. Let’s go eat I’m famished after all that hip thrusting I just did.”
They head to the dining tent to a long table that is set in front of a dozen others. Ivy and Anna were to sit at the middle of the table, Hannah sat next to Anna, and Lisa sat next to Ivy. Jacob and Lily sat at the end of the table. There were glasses full of sparkling cider or champagne at each seat. The rest of the party guest joined them and the food was served. After dinner, Ivy and Anna cut their three-tiered cake. It was a beautifully decorated red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, their favorite. At the top was little replicates of them with their dresses and mask on, standing on top of the words Happy Birthday.
After all their friends and family received their dessert. It was time to open their tower of gifts on a table with them neatly stacked up. The ones for Anna had pastel wrapping paper and the ones for Ivy had earthy wrapping paper. If it was for both of them it was wrapped with white paper. The girls received many gifts: Anna got the new dress and skirt she had been asking her mom to make, and Ivy got new paints, brushes and a new canvas from Sarah. From their dad they both received debit cards. Lily gave Ivy a new sketch book and a beautiful jewelry box, and she got Anna new CD’s. Hannah gave Anna the new Louboutin heels she had been wanting. Lisa gave Ivy a beautiful charm gold, bracelet with several charms on it already: a dancer, a lily and a rose, her favorite flowers, a paint brush, a book, and a charm with the words best friends forever.

Deep Thoughts with Jacob

Elissa: Finally we get to hear from you Jacob. Are you nervous about the questions I will be asking?

Jacob: Should I be nervous?

Elissa: I wouldn’t be. I just want to ask you about Sarah.

Jacob: Well in that case ask away.

Elissa: What was it like watching her during those seven days?

Jacob: I thought you were asking about Sarah?

Elissa: I am.

Jacob: Not really.

Elissa: So will you answer the questions.

[He sighs]. Jacob: I don’t know if you’ve watched someone on the edge of death. They seem to slowly fade away each minute. You have no control over it. No way to stop it, and you’re supposed to be able to make things better in the family. It was like watching myself slowly fade as well. Who was I without her? She was the love of my life. It was the hardest things I’ve ever been through. I couldn’t be anyone else but her husband. I couldn’t leave her side.

Elissa: So you wouldn’t have been able to move on?

Jacob: Move on to what? I built my life beside her. Without her it would be like splitting a building in half and expecting it to still hold up.

Elissa: What about the Ivy and Anna?

Jacob: They would still have me, but I think without her I would change.

Elissa: What were you thinking about on the last day?

Jacob: I honestly can’t remember. I was so weak with exhaustion and hunger. I wasn’t taking care of myself. The days were running together.

Elissa: What happened when you saw Ivy return?

Jacob: I didn’t see her come in. Nothing really registered for me until she started giving Sarah the tea. When I heard Sarah spurting I snapped out of my trance.

Elissa: Sarah says you’re very protective of her.

Jacob: Wouldn’t you be? She almost died… twice.

Elissa: I guess I would too. Are you content with life? Within two years almost lose your wife twice, married both your daughters, and became grandfather.

Jacob: I am very content with life. I feel blessed to have all that I do. I wouldn’t trade it.

Elissa: That’s good. I hope that you continue to feel that way about life. We’ll chat again soon?

Jacob: I think that will be fine.

Deep Thoughts with Lily

Elissa: Hi Lily. I was wondering if you would be interested in have a bit of a conversation with me for my blog.

Lily: Well certainly. Hunter told me that you wanted to ask me questions.

Elissa: So you won’t mind.

Lily: Not at all dear. Ivy says you’re a dear friend, and I respect her choices in character.

Elissa: That was sweet of her. I consider her one of my closet friends as well. It’s not every day that I can say I know someone who travels to different dimensions to heal her mother, and marries a prince from that dimension.

Lily: Well our family is a bit Unique to say the least. When one is cursed you have no choice but to pull through and face the consequences.

Elissa: So what was it like watching your daughter so ill, and then having to send your granddaughter off to the unknown?

Lily: It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Even though I knew the day would come where I would be the mother and grandmother… I just thought. I couldn’t have known how hard it was until I was in the mist of it.

Elissa: Would you say it was more difficult than seeing your mother sick and having to travel yourself.

Lily: I can’t say that. It was a different type of pain. Yet it was on the same level.

Elissa: Did fear creep in when Ivy left? Did you ever think that you wouldn’t see her again?

Lily: As the day grew later on her last day before she would be stuck there forever. I started to prepare myself for a vacancy without her. I didn’t doubt her ability to succeed. Not once. However so many other things factor into her travel that can prevent her return. The ideal of forbidden love is so heavy in our blood that it can sway you. It did for me.

Elissa: What do you mean it did for you?

Lily: I feel in love during my travel. I unlike Ivy didn’t resist the temptation.

Elissa: Well I’m sure your forbidden love wasn’t engaged to be married in a few days…

Lily: No he wasn’t, but I still had the same responsibilities to my family as she did.

Elissa: You can’t continue to blame yourself Lily. You were a different person back then.

Lily: Much easier said than done.

Elissa: Life is full of difficult hardships that try to bind us to our past. In order to experience the joys of our present/future we must leave it there. Do you feel that being Hunter’s dimension causes you to remember more?

Lily: No, I really enjoy the peace it brings me. I go there often to learn about my family. I think by knowing and connecting some of the pieces I can move forward.

Elissa: I hope that you do. I have one more question for you.

Lily: What’s that?

Elissa: Would you tell Sarah she’s next?

Lily: Of course.

Chapter Three First Excerpt

Chapter Three

       The twins’ rooms are very similar to each other. The door to Anna’s walk in closet is on the left wall of the room, along with her entertainment area. Which includes a large flat screen television propped on the wall, in front of a, half-moon leather couch. And a glass table propped on wooden legs between the couch and the wall. A Lavender multilevel stand containing all her favorite DVD’s and CDs next to her computer desk, angled on the far left corner of the room. There are two night stands on each side of the, queen-sized canopy bed centering the cream carpeted floor of her room. An elegant vanity table with a bench on the right wall. The door in her room leads to her adjacent bathroom, with a large full length mirror by the entrance. Everything in Anna’s room is pale pink or lavender with cream-colored undertones. There are a few exceptions between the architecture of the two rooms. Anna’s doesn’t have a window, whereas the right wall of Ivy’s room includes a window seat facing the house, with a beautiful view of their garden. Ivy Isn’t into watching television so there isn’t an entertainment area in here room. That space is used for her arts and craft supplies.

“Did you speak with Nana?” Anna says, as Ivy walks in.

“Yes, I spoke with her she said that she would talk with me later after the party.”

“So we will make plans tomorrow after you and her talk. I guess that’s a good thing. Are you excited about our party in a few hours?” I wonder what they planned. Do you think it’s themed? Who did they invite? I hope this is it up to our expectations.”

“Yes of course don’t we always have great birthdays, Anna? I’m sure everything will be perfect. It’s not as if dad planned it alone, Mom and Nana helped. If he did that’s when I would be frantic.”

“Yeah, our parties are usually amazing. Except for last year. That was an awful birthday spent in the emergency room. No one even knew it was my birthday too, it was all about Ivy! I mean how can you walk into a glass door, fall backwards and get a small concussion?”

Ivy ignores her sister’s complaints and goes into the bathroom. She searches under the counter for Anne’s curling wand, along with a comb; bobby pins; and products to hold the curls.

“Anne it’s already one o’clock. We should start getting ready. Do you want to wear your hair up or down?” Ivy asks.

“I want it curled then pinned up.”

“Okay. I think we should go show Mom how our dresses look on us once we are dressed.

“Yeah, sure. That’s a good idea.” Anna sits at her vanity mirror with her dress on; she has her make up laid out in front of her. “Letting the primping begin!”

There hours later, the girls emerge from Anna’s room and hear music blasting from downstairs. They head over to the guest bedroom near their room and Sarah is sitting up in the bed watching television.

“Girls you look beautiful.”

“Thanks Mom!” They reply together as they walk into the room towards the right side of the bed.

“I am sorry that I can’t make it to your birthday. Usually the curse doesn’t take effect so soon. I would have still been able to handle your party; I am just to weary to move.”

“We know Mom; we just want you to get better.”

“You remind me so much of myself Ivy. I wish you didn’t have to go on this journey.”

“I know Mom, but I will do whatever it takes to make you better.”

“Yes Dear. Anna you are just like your father, so charming and beautiful. So strong, much more suited for this journey in will but the curse chooses who it wishes.” Sarah lifts her hand toward Anna, who takes it in hers.

“Girls it’s time for your party. Your friends are showing up and you need to greet them,” Jacob hollers over the music.

“Bye Mom we love you.” They say as they kiss her cheeks.

***

Deep Thoughts With Anna

Hey Anna I know Ivy probably told you that I was doing Forums with the family. She told me some very insightful things about love and her perspective on it. I just want to give the readers a chance to know you. Are you okay with me asking you questions?

I don’t think you are actually giving me a choice. Its like when Mom ask me to do something, but really she is telling me to go do it. She’ll be like: “Anna will you fix go to the grocery store for me and pick up a few things? You don’t have to go if you don’t want.” When really she’s saying you are going to the store even though its nine minutes to seven and we live two hours from the city. I need some ice cream and were all out. I think this forum is just like that. So I suppose we should get started on going to the store. Figuratively speaking of course.

Ivy was telling me that Lily has had such an impact on her growing up. Would you say that your relationship with her is as close?

I love Nana and I think we are pretty close. But there is something special about their relationship, when you are around them together it’s like you’re experiencing the same person at different walks of life. They are both into the same things and they are close because Nana is Ivy’s confidant. I am closer to my mother and not just because we both have a deep love for fashion. Although that doesn’t hurt. Mom just gets me more than anyone else. She has a way of saying I love you that makes everything wrong in my world see insignificant. It makes everything in my world better, It changes my perspective on things. Imagine what happens when she says more than that to me.

How is your relationship with Jacob?

Dad is awesome, he usually doesn’t say much. When he does there is a deep respect and authority that comes from him that no one questions. He is a man of a few words but they are always relevant and necessary to the situation. He doesn’t work to the point of where its impossible to spend time with him. But every now and then he has projects that he use to get so focused on that we wouldn’t see him as much.  When Ivy and I turned six he started a father and daughter day. Every Sunday since then we go do something together for a few hours.  It is the fondest memories I have with him and I truly cherish those moments.

So since we can clearly see that you love your family is there anyone else beside them that you love?

Ivy told me you were very nosy. Do you love anyone besides your family?

I love all people because God has loved me so completely. Once you experience his love it’s impossible not to love like he does.

Well I suppose I could be vague like Ivy was and tell you that I do love others beside my family. Like you I love all people. that love is different from the love I have for my family. The love I have for a spouse or a child. the love I have for extended family and friends. I do love several others beside my family. I love them to the point where they have become my family.

So are you telling me that you are married with children?

If that is what you walked away with from the reply I would not be able to change your mind. Would I? I do not want to give away spoilers, Aren’t the bloggers reading my family’s story?

Yes they are reading some of it. Are you ready to share your story with the world? To have everyone dissect and analysis your families choices and decisions.

I am as ready as anyone would be in this situation. I think the family can handle just about anything. We have been cursed for several generations. I have enjoyed talking to you but I have some loved ones to take care of.

Alright Anna, Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few of my questions. I hope all is well with the family. talk with you soon Anna.

Chapter Two second Excerpt

Content to see her sister happy, Ivy continues her search to find her Grandmother. Lily steps out of her room just as Ivy reaches it. She turns towards Ivy, wearing knee length light blue dress with black baby doll shoes. Her shoulder length hair is pulled down, with her bold curls randomly massed on her shoulders. I definitely see where Mom gets her looks, Ivy thinks, their hair-color reminding her of a Tennessee sunset. “I know why you’re here Ivyna” She says. We aren’t going to discuss anything until after your party.”
“What… what are you talking about Nana? I didn’t uh come to ask you any questions about yesterday,” Ivy stutters. I’m just a little scared… I mean all of a sudden I’m told there’s this quest I have to go on to find an herb for mom. No one is telling me facts, where am I supposed to get it? How long do I have? I’m not happy with these half-truths and I need you to tell me what’s going on. You have always told me I can come to you about anything… Well I’m here.”
“Ivy I know what you are going through. This happened to me as well, just like every other first born in our family since the curse. It is not something we can change or explain. We must follow our destiny. I knew earlier than you did because my Mother thought it would be best if she told me when I was younger. I was fourteen when she sat me down and explained our history. I promised myself that I would tell my daughter when she turned eighteen so that she could have a normal life. We are not telling you half-truths. Your father thought it would be best to wait until after your party to tell you everything you need to know. You deserve to have a wonderful time before everything changes.”
“So you will tell me everything later tonight?”
“Yes Ivy, there is much to prepare you for. For now go eat breakfast.”
“Yes Ma’am. I love you Nana, very much.”
“As I love you dear.”
Ivy embraces Lily and heads toward the kitchen downstairs for breakfast.

First Excerpt of Chapter Two

Ivy abruptly awakens from her dream. In the dream she was standing at a table in a huge castle talking to a queen about a betrothed ball, with a handsome young man and a girl sitting at the table, their eyes fixed on her. That was a very weird dream! She gets up from her bed and stretches her toes, then slides them into her black slippers. Ivy takes her wrapper off the chair in front of her desk, to slip on over her green shorts and white tank top, then rushes to close the window that is letting in the cool morning breeze.
She looks at her alarm clock. 10:15 am. She heads to her adjacent bathroom to wash her face, and out the door; to talk to her grandmother. Ivy walks out of her room and is shocked from all the decorations everywhere. Everything was either earthy colors which are Ivy’s favorites or Pastel colors which are Anna’s. I wonder how Dad and Nana put all this up last night without us hearing. I know Anna is a deep sleeper but almost anything wakes me up.
Wandering down the hallway, Ivy decides to check every room except her mother’s. Her grandmother likes to walks through the house praying. She passes the library, which holds a few hundred books that one ever reads besides herself. As Ivy passes the family room looking for her grandmother, she sees her dad’s latest hobby: a newly installed aquarium in the den upstairs. He loved fish, but he hated feeding them. He built a massive fish tank in the wall, and added hundreds of different fish with unique colors and patterns that Abbey, the housekeeper, now cares for.
Ivy continues her walk down the long hall, peaking in several different doors in search of her grandmother. There are seven bedrooms upstairs, and three downstairs most of them with adjacent bathrooms. The ceilings are much higher than Jacob’s tall stature, and there is lots of rooms for family and friends to visit. As she nears her grandmother’s door, she thinks about all the years of wisdom her presence provided. Lily hasn’t always lived with them. She decided to move in two years ago after her husband died. It was one of the happiest days of Ivy’s life. I was so excited that I would get to see her everyday instead of summer’s and holidays. Before then, the girls stayed with her once a year in California while their Mom and Dad vacationed.
Deep in her thoughts, Ivy nearly collides into Anna. Ivy steps back and sees the excitement in her sister’s blue eyes. Anne wore her long blonde hair piled on top her head in a messy bun. She had on her favorite lavender shorts and cotton black chemise.
“Not dressed for our party yet I see?” Ivy asks.
“Not yet. Probably because we always get dressed together,” she replies with a silly grin on her face.
“Happy birthday” Ivy says, giving her a hug.
“Back at cha! Have you spoken with Nana yet?”
“Not yet. I was actually on my way to talk to her now. I will meet you in your room once I’m done.”
“Alright. See you then.”

Chapter One of Forbidden Third Excerpt

This is the next excerpt to the books. I hope you enjoy. Tell me how you are feeling about it. If you have read so far I have blogged the prologue. As well as the entire first chapter, which ends in this posting.

Standing under the gazebo outside Ivy and Anna look at their home. There was so much information thrown at Ivy that she didn’t know what to do. She needed a walk. Nature always calmed and relaxed her, and she loved the garden behind her house. The garden was directly under her room, with a stone path leading to it close by. Ivy begins to walk in that direction, and passes by an old tire attached to a tree branch. It brought up memories of her and Anna swinging into the water when they were younger.
They built the pink and green tree house in the neighboring tree, with their Dad when they were seven, the paint chipping over time. They used to sit up there playing and acting out their favorite fairy tales for hours. Anna always wanted to be Rapunzel and Ivy had to climb up the tower to release her. Last time they went inside, Anna and Ivy carved their initials on the wall.
“Anna, do you remember us always playing here? This use to be our favorite spot.” Ivy says looking at the tire and tree house.
“Yes of course, back when we were best friends and shared everything with each other. What is going on Ivy? Why do I feel left out of something massively important?”
Ivy looks at her sister as her palms begin to sweat and her stomach knots up. Her heart beats faster and she breaths heavy as she looks at her sister.
“Nana and Mom want me to go on this quest to find a healing herb for mom. I’m not an adventurer; the ones I seek out are the ones in my novels. I don’t think I’m ready to take on such a challenge.”
“I could go in your place. I wouldn’t mind doing it. That way it gets done properly and mom doesn’t die. There’s probably only been a few women in the family whose mothers died in the past, doesn’t mean you’ll fail though. And besides, you can’t just let Mom die.”
“Why would you say something like that? I am trying to confide in you, and your being a jerk.”
Ivy storms off toward the water hole and plops down on the grass. The water looked cold and daunting, wanting to suck the life out of anyone who dared to enter. The wildflowers scattered around the water hole, looked dreary. As if at any moment they would be trampled and butchered.
She gazed up at the sky trying to find her inner resolve to follow her destiny. Anna comes and sits beside Ivy in the grass.
“I didn’t mean what I said Ivy, I’m just a little jealous you get to go on this great quest and I don’t.”
“It’s okay Anna, I’m just overwhelmed. If it makes you feel better I wish you could go instead too.”
“Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could both go? I mean we would get done faster and we could come up with a plan to show Nana that we’re prepared to go.”
“I don’t know if Nana would be alright with that, but it’s worth a try. I would much rather you are there with me than to go alone.”
“What we know is you need to travel to get the herb and it’s not somewhere close by. We also know that it needs to be done soon because Mom is really sick. We need a map and some facts to make this more effective. You can talk To Nana tomorrow and we can meet back here to start planning.” She says and pats her sister’s soft hand.
They sat there for several hours reminiscing about their childhood, and discussing what they hoped tomorrow would bring.