You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.
- Barbara De Angelis
Hey guys! This is my first story ever! So i hope you like it! This story takes place after splendor! Ages have been tweaked just a bit! reviews welcome! enjoy!
PS i do not own THE LUXE SERIES, ANNA GODBERSEN DOES! enjoy!
Chapter One: December 31, 1899
*FLASHBACK*
"Come along, Lizzie." Elizabeth Holland/ Keller's ears perked as she heard her husbands voice and hand pull her forward.
She smiled inside of her hooded coat taking in the warmth and love of her companion. Will's perfect bright blue eyes and loving smile were enough to bring her to joyous tears, and to lead her through the train station.
The station itself was buzzing with a life that only New Years Eve could create. Everyone was scrambling to get tickets to their desired destinations, to the place they wanted to be when the New Year started. Elizabeth herself could not wait to be on a train headed back to California. Back to her simple, non glamorous life. Where she didn't have to be "Elizabeth Holland" the goody two shoes New York golden girl.
Suddenly, Elizabeth felt herself come to a halt. The stations crowds were getting suffocating. Causing Will to pause in the middle of the floor.
"Do you know what astounds me?" Will asked, pulling her closer to him as if not to lose her .
Elizabeth chuckled. "And what might that be?"
"Even on the last day of the year security is so overbearing." he commented, looking around as he made his speech.
He was correct. She looked to see more than fifty officers, all carrying guns. They were probing the station, almost as if they were looking for something…or someone.
That was when the paralyzing thought hit her, the life ruining truth that would destroy and conquer.
Elizabeth felt herself tense. She leaned forward quickly pulling Wills face down to her. "We must get out of here immediately." she commanded above a whisper, looking around to see which train would be closest for their escape.
"Lizzie, you are so impatient. Our train will be here shortly, but for now, my dear, I believe that you need to relax." His eyes offered sympathy.
Elizabeth sighed, "I don't believe you comprehend what is going on," she pulled him to face her again, "The officers are looking for us."
Wills eyes grew wide and his body tensed, almost destroying her hand which he still held, "Do you think your mother….."
She shook her head, "I'm not sure. We just need to board a train, now."
They turned hurriedly their eyes searching desperately for a boarding train, as other passengers passed by then non the wiser.
"That ones leaving for Arizona." Will said not waiting for her commentary.
Weaving through the crowd they finally reached the trains platform. A man in a blue suit and a golden hat stood at the door checking for tickets. They both knew what they must do, sneak on the train and pray that nobody noticed.
Moving with a crowd of people still hand in hand, they moved swiftly entering the car . Will and Elizabeth moved along, in the line unnoticed. Until the man in blue grabbed her arm firmly, "Ticket please?"
Elizabeth gulped her eyes, meeting Wills anxious ones. She nodded silently, handing the gentleman her ticket.
She let her eyes wander to the other side with the passengers loading luggage, to Will.
"Excuse me….."
Elizabeth's gaze shifted back to the man, who was full out, shamelessly staring at her.
"Aren't you…." the man began.
"No." Elizabeth tried to protest.
"Elizabeth Holland!" the man yelled.
It was as if all time stopped. The fifty something guard that were hovering all exploded onto the scene at once accusing Will of kidnapping her.
Before anymore could be said.
Before Elizabeth or Will could get away or say goodbye.
Guns were drawn and the love of Elizabeth Holland's life was killed before her very eyes.
"Elizabeth? Elizabeth, darling, wake up!"
Her eyes snapped open meeting the gaze of her newest husband and life long friend, Teddy Cutting.
"Are you well?" he asked, his face normally sharp and fresh shaven looked ghostly white.
It was only then that she felt the wet tears running down her cheeks. Turning her head, Elizabeth wiped them away before smiling brightly
"I'm fine Mr. Cutting, thank you."
Leaning down he kissed her cheek softly, "Glad to hear it, Mrs. Cutting."
She smiled shifting her body to get up out of bed. The sun streamed in through the windows, announcing a well advanced day.
"Why did you let me sleep so late?" she shifted past him, grabbing her robe and tying it to her small frame.
Teddy, already dressed and looking very stressed out smiled. "You looked so peaceful, also, all the hours that you have been spending by your mothers bedside." he stopped, there wasn't any need to go farther.
Elizabeth shivered, thinking of those hours at Germancy Park number seventeen watching her dying mother. Just like when she and Will had first come back, perhaps that what had prompted the memory.
"… a letter ?"
Being far away in thought, she only caught half of her husband sentence.
"What was that darling?" she smiled faking innocence.
"I said with your mothers health fading, don't you think Diana deserves a letter? You haven't spoken to her in quite some time." Teddy asked.
She nodded. Her younger sister Diana had not written in months from Paris. It was as if she had dropped off the face of the planet, then again…. The young girl did have a good reason…..
"I suppose I should."
Later that morning, pen in hand Elizabeth sat down and had finally composed herself enough to write the letter.
"Mrs. Cutting!" the eldest maid, Mrs. Stevenson sounded running into the room.
Annoyed she answered with a sigh, "Yes?"
"Master Keller is in a fuss again. Perhaps you could come on calm him?" the maids British accent sounded desperate.
Elizabeth walked up stairs waiting at the top for the maid to give her the fussy baby. She smiled, her and Wills fussy baby.
It was then that she noticed that she was standing outside of her husbands office, and there seemed to be a heated argument going on inside.
"Mr. Mason I just need your help. No, I can get you the maps and everything you could possibly need. All I want is the cash." Teddy's voice sounded.
"Are you sure you are willing to risk so much? Its not exactly the safest thing to do. Think of your wife and child." Mr. Mason, Teddy's boss tried to reason.
"I have. Just do what need to be done." Teddy sounded angry.
"Alright. It's a deal." Mason said defeated.
What was Teddy taking care of? What did Teddy need Mr. Masons help with? Why was she to be considered?
Elizabeth sighed rubbing her temples, feeling the ever immanent pressure build.
