Everybody was in the mess hall for Dahlia's 12th birthday party. Flora was placing the finishing touches on the cake, and she had deputized Ivy to gather enough silverware and plates for everyone. Lily and Violet were putting up the decorations that Rose could find, recycled from previous celebrations. And Mari was preparing the tattoo gun.
Dahlia called from the hallway, "Can I come in yet?" She rocked on her heels, waiting for the go-ahead. She remembered when she was Flora's helper, and the family was preparing Violet's birthday party. Everybody on the ship got one party. and after years of dreaming, it was her turn. She even had her music list ready.
Ivy ran out and grabbed Dahlia by the hand. "It's time! It's time!"
The mess hall looked pretty, with streamers running the length of the dining room. The banner with the HAPPY BIRTHDAY letters was spread out again; Dahlia saw the corner fold she had put in the letter D six years ago. All other details were obscured from her view as the family converged to present the cake. While they sang, Dahlia's eyes feasted on the chocolate iced cake with neon green trim, and "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" in letters crowning a fondant pink-and-red sculpting of her namesake.
There were almost enough pieces of cake for everyone before they had to cut into the fondant blossom. Mari had not cut herself a slice yet. Instead, she slid the piece square in Dahlia's view, and asked, "Is this one alright?" Dahlia nodded and exposed her right shoulder. Mari got out the tattoo gun, and began to trace out the blossom's pattern, as the rest of the mess hall watched.
Each wince made the younger ladies giggle, which made Dahlia swallow her tears back. Rose patted her hand. "It's looking real good. I love it! And if I love it, I know you're gonna love it!"
"Once the swelling stops," Violet said, from across the room.
Rose shot her a look, then returned to soothing Dahlia. "Now, have you thought about what you wanna do now?"
Dahlia pondered for a moment. "Well, I liked doing the navigation a lot. Piloting's okay, but I like looking for the stars, listening for the different planets..."
"She's a very good student, too," Mari said. "Although she's fixated on finding echoes."
"The other day, I found Jackson's 5!"
The mention excited the room; Lily turned up the music for a moment, which started the dancing. Rose patted her patient's hand and drew her attention. "What else would you like to do?"
"I don't know, there's so much!"
"I know, I know. And you'll have time to learn it all. But it's time to choose what you will do to take care of this family."
"And some jobs will choose you," Mari added. "You're still going to help me with waste reclamation maintenance later."
"Marigold!" Rose scolded. "Not everyone's finished their cake yet!"
After the celebration, it was time for one more ritual. Dahlia ran ahead of everyone else to the garden, carrying Azaelea's piece of cake. Ivy caught up in the time to open the door for her.
In the center of the garden, Azalea was misting the strawberries when the girls found her. "We've been waiting for all of you to get here!"
"Here's half the flower for you," Dahlia said, offering the cake.
Azalea gave the pair hugs, and then said, "You know what goes good with chocolate?" She snuck three berries off the stems, passing them out. "A little something before the slowpokes get here."
"Is she awake yet?" Ivy said.
"Nope. She's still in the soup."
Dahlia and Ivy ran over to the lab section of the garden, where the growing chamber was running. They could see her curled up in there, floating in the 'soup'. The girls were mesmerized.
Azalea tapped the top of Dahlia's head. "Have you thought of a name yet?" But she remained silent.
The rest of the family arrived, chatting excitedly. Above the din, Mari asked Azalea, "Is everything alright?"
Azalea nodded. "All we have to do is push the button."
Lily and Ivy nudged the birthday girl toward the control panel. The others waited, remembering the tradition. Dahlia looked over her family, her sisters all watching with electric anticipation. She looked at her littlest sister, floating, waiting. Dahlia took a deep breath, and pushed the button...
The chamber began to drain. Mari looked over Azalea's shoulder, monitoring the baby's status. Dahlia was still silent, prompting a curious look from Lily. "...well? What's her name?"
"Clover." Dahlia watched the 'soup' recede, easing the baby downward. "Her name's Clover." Dahlia took the baby in her arms, as she opened her very familiar eyes.
inspired by Discover Magazine article, "Privacy Pact for the World's Most Famous Cells"
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