Serenity didn't want to explain that one of the reasons she had left was because humans were so brief. She wasn't ancient, but she was around fifty already. She could continue on as long as belief sustained her. When she had first held an infant Jamie he had been so breakable and it had terrified her. Now she was back in their lives and...this.
"I'm sure it does," she said with a nod. "I don't know what to say, Tommy. I'm sorry."
Thomas smiled brightly and it caused a twinge in her chest even as he said, "take what we're given, don't we. I'm still here, and that's what matters!"
"And it's your birthday," Serenity said again, trying not to focus on the fact that Thomas was going to die horribly at some point in the future, barring accidents or other illnesses.
"It is! Jamie and I have the usual family gathering later."
"I remember the one for your sixteenth birthday," Serenity said with a slight smile. To Jamie she said, "I was there and he was so annoyed at having to spend time with his parents. Thomas kept sipping vodka out of a water bottle."
"I won't be doing that tonight," he assured his son.