"So what did you want to talk to me about?" asked Livy when we had settled her down in one of the armchairs in the living room (or common room) to talk.

"We both had flashbacks," Nina said quietly, all too aware of the fact that Patricia, Amber, and Fabian were sitting on the other end of the couches. "Of that day."

"Really? What time?" she asked, leaning in so as to not let anyone else hear our talking.

"Around eleven," I answered.

Her eyes widened. "Really? I did too. I had just gotten back to work and Martha had been eating. When she laid down for a nap, I blacked out. Alice asked me what was wrong, but I didn't answer." We both nodded.

"They did too." I jerked my head over to the Brits on the other side of the couch. "We didn't say anything."

"Good. I think it's best if we didn't talk about it…unless you want to," she said uncertainly.

We both shook our heads. We definitely didn't want to talk about it.

"FOOD IS ON THE TABLE!" called Trudy from the kitchen. Alfie and Mick came through the door so fast that they almost knocked Fabian down as he took his seat next to Nina's. Jerome casually strolled in and sat down next to Patricia. Mara quickly walked in and sat down too. Olivia and I were the last seated.

"So you are the famous Olivia who gets them out of school!" cried Jerome.

"Excuse me?" asked Olivia, laughing.

"You got Elaina out of school today," pointed out Jerome.

"I asked Trudy!" I retorted.

"I got permission," explained Olivia, "for Elaina to visit our g—"

"Miranda Coop's grave," cut in Nina. Olivia raised an eyebrow, but let it pass.

"Yea," I added.

"You really are stupid you know that?" asked Jerome.

"So are you bunny-head," I retorted, sending my sisters into giggles.

"I am not 'Laina!" he cried. My sisters stopped laughing immediately and we all glared at him. "What did I do wrong Martins?"

"Don't call me 'Laina," I growled.

"Why not?" he asked innocently. Nina, Olivia, and I flew to our feet.

"Just shut up!" yelled Olivia.

"Jerome, just be quiet!" cried Nina.

"Arse-face!" I yelled. Silence filled the room after my comment.

"Look, Elaina, I'm sorry for whatever I did, even though I didn't do anything wrong," Jerome said.

I sank back down into my chair and stared at my food. "Sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have yelled."

"So…how was your day Miss Martin?" asked Mara, trying to ease up the tension in the room.

"Call me Olivia, please Mara. I'm only four years older than you all," she said. "My day was great."

"So why exactly are you looking after your siblings?" asked Mick. Mara kicked him under the table. "Ow!"

"It's okay," muttered Livy. "It's only been since awhile ago that I've had too," she said stiffly.

"Oh, okay," said Mick, looking embarrassed.

"Oh my Egyptian gods! Look at the time! I have got to go! Wish you Nina! Wish you Elaina!" she called as she shrugged on her black coat. "See you guys Saturday! That okay Truds?"

"Of course lovie," Trudy called.

"Thanks! Bye!"

"'Wish you'?" asked Jerome. "Why did she say that?"

Nina and I stared at Jerome. "You've made enough offense for a week to the Martin family. You don't need to know," Nina insisted, before the two of us walked up the stairs and to the room we shared with Amber.

"I can't believe Jerome!" cried Nina. "I mean, what could possibly have been going through his brain!?"

"Nothing," I answered. "His brain is full of nothingness."

"Very true." I was sitting on the top bunk of the bed we shared and Nina was on the bottom. I flipped open one of my school books and began to work.

"Aggie, please don't ask me for another story," I pleaded after telling her a fifth story.

"But 'Laina, I don't wanna go to sleep!" she cried. I hugged her.

"Why not?"

"The lady comes and scares me!" she cried.

"Oh sweetie, it's okay. She won't hurt you as long as I live," I promised.

"Promise?"

"Promise. And I promise not to break my promise little Aggs." She giggled as I tickled her.

When we flopped back on the bed, she turned towards me. "Can you tell me something 'Laina?"

"What is it Aggie?"

"Who is the lady in white?"

"Can you describe her?"

"She looks like mommy and Auntie Morgan," she said, staring at my face.

I thought for a moment. "What does she do to scare you?" I asked quietly.

She stared up at her fan for a moment before answering. "She sings, 'If you light a fire, With an open flame, And leave the embers to wax and wane, The fire will live.' And then she tucks me in and keeps on singing."

I swallowed. "Agatha Ariel Martin, it is nothing to worry about. It's just a dream, okay, sweet?"

"Okay."

"Now, please to sleep. Love you." I kissed her forehead and got up, walked over the my mother who was reading in her bed, and sat down criss-cross-applesauce across from her. "Mom?" I asked.

"Yes, honey?"

"Why did Gramps have to get sick? Why did we have to fly here? Why did—"

She put down her book, and took me in her arms. "Elaina Eleanor Martin, you are a strong girl. And I wish you all the best of luck. I wish he would get better too. I wish my mother could live with us. I wish a lot of things Elaina, but I can't have them. That's what you have to learn my sweet." She kissed my forehead.

"What did Aggs mean about the white lady?" asked Mark from beside Mom. "I dream about her too."

Mom paled. "Everything will be alright Mark."

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Will you always be here?" he asked. Mom looked over at Olivia and Xander who were playing chess at the table, Aggie who was half asleep on the other bed, Nina who looked up from her history book she was reading, and me who was watching her intently.

"Marcus Milo Martin, I promise I will try and stay here as long as I can," she said before kissing his head, picking him up and carrying him to her bed to sleep.

Olivia looked up from the chess board and said quietly, "How can you lie Mom?" Mom walked over the four of us and sat down.

"I can't tell him that we all only live so long Olivia," she murmured.

"But Mom—!"

"Olivia Ophire Martin, please don't argue with me. I can't stand it." She looked up at us. "It's time for bed," she said suddenly.

"Mom!" complained Xander. "Can we at least finish this game?"

She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "You will all be the death of me. Especially you Xander Xeven Martin," she grumbled. "You too Nina Natalia Martin." She laughed a bit. "If only your father could see you now." We glance at each other and sigh, remembering the jolly fellow that our mother married. "Anyway, it is time for bed!"

"Very true," Nina muttered before getting ready.

A/N: So what do you think of these first two chapters? I like them. Should I continue to post the rest of the chapters? I have actually finished the story, so just leave a review and I will happily post another chappie or two! BYE!