The minute Leopold left the house, Emily ran to the door and
threw herself against it crying, "Papa, papa." Emily's attachment to him
was stronger than ever. She had rarely been separated from him, and Stuart
was the only one who could get her to stop crying if he wasn't there.
Kate went to her trying to pick her up but she fought her, "Emily, Papa is coming back soon. Hush now. " But for some reason Kate didn't believe it. She felt something.
Emily shook her head, "No, no....want Papa now!" Philip picked up the wooden horse and brought it to her and she pushed it away, "Papa's horse...want Papa!"
The study door opened and Margaret came in, "What is going on in here? I heard the ruckus all the way up in my room." She looked at Otis and Millard standing in the corner. The look of concern on their faces evident and then at Kate frantically trying to calm her daughter. The absence of Leopold confirmed by the disposition of young Emily. Everyone in the household knew, Emily's sweet temperament dissappeared the minute he would leave her. "Where's Leopold?"
She stooped down and picked up Emily, who was still wailing, trying to sooth her. "There there, darling." Margaret never had any children but had a natural mothering quality to her, and although Emily didn't stop crying, she rested her head on her great aunts shoulder and put her thumb in her mouth.
Kate was relieved that the wailing was now reduced to quiet sobs, and gave Margaret a smile, "Thank-you." Margaret was waiting for an answer and didn't receive one. She looked at the two men, as Kate turned away and walked towards the window, looking out into the wet and windy night. She was silent for a few moments, thinking of Leopold and the children on the bridge, her hand went to her mouth and she began to bite her fingernails something she hadn't done since she left the 21st century.
When she turned around she noticed all eyes on her, "Margaret, would you mind getting Sophie to take the children up to the nursery."
Philip crossed his arms, "I want to wait here til Uncle Leopold brings Stuart and Charlotte back. I don't want to be treated like a baby, Aunt Kate."
"No one thinks you're a baby, Philip. But Uncle Leopold left the responsibility of Emily in your hands til he returns. And that's an incredibly important job."
"It's a job for a girl!"
Otis gave the young lad a pat on the back, "Come along, young man. I might be persuaded in reading a bit of that fairy tale your Uncle started last evening."
"But then Stuart will miss some it, that wouldn't be fair."
Sophie had entered the room and Margaret placed the nearly asleep Emily into her arms. Philip gave his aunt a questioning look, "They're coming back aren't' they, Aunt Kate?" he was looking very serious.
"Of course they are."
"but all the stories....Uncle Leopold says that the portal can close...what if they can't get back?" Otis couldn't help but notice Kate holding back, biting her lip clenching her eyes shut. A possible tear? The events of 6 years ago, and Kate and Leopold's meeting were never discussed with the servants. But Otis knew more about Leopold than anyone. And the stories he told the children, were not stories, but events that had taken place. And although hard to fathom, nonetheless, they happened.
Kate looked up and their eyes met. Nothing needed to be said, she knew Otis understood her concern, he gave her a reassuring smile, "Leopold has never let this family down. You must have faith in him, your grace." Kate knew he was right. He then escorted the child out of the room, Philip reluctant but obeyed.
As soon as they left Millard questioned Kate, "Pray tell, what is this all about Kate. Bridges, portals....never coming back? This sounds like Leopold's tall tales for the children."
"I wish that was all they were, Millard. I'm worried." She turned back to the window, looking out hoping to see the mare carrying Leopold pull up in front of the house .Stuart nestled in front of him. For the past 6 years, life with Leopold had been a challenge, an adventure. There had been hurdles to go over, they didn't always agree, but Kate could never imagine life without him now.
Margaret moved towards her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Kate, I can't bear to see you like this. You must calm yourself."
Kate turned abruptly, "I'm going to find him." She headed for the door and Millard stopped her.
"You'll do no such thing. I refuse to believe Leopold isn't returning, and you will stay here with your daughter and wait for his return, like other women would do."
"I'm not other women, Millard and you know it. I can't sit here, idle, just waiting."
"If you haven't noticed the storm is becoming worse, and I don't think it's a wise idea for you to venture out in it." Margaret once again gave her husband one of her scornful looks, he still sprouted his mouth off without thinking at times. "Millard, be of some use and have one of the servants fetch the authorities, I am sure that might reassure Kate."
"I don't think anything can reassure me, and really, Margaret, the authorities won't be much help in this case."
"Well, I always find tea comforting. We can hold off dinner til Leopold and the children return. I will have Cook bring us some tea." She took Millard's arm, he seemed reluctant to leave her.
"I have never seen her in such a state, this is so unlike her." Millard whispered to his wife, the sound of concern in his voice as she escorted him from the room."I really do believe I must fetch the authorities, Margaret."
Margaret closed the door behind her, and turned to her husband."We will respect her wishes at this time, dear husband. He has only been gone for a short while. You know Leopold, he has probably gotten involved in some game with the children or in showing them one of his many finds throughout the city. He will return shortly, I am certain." But even Margaret wasn't certain.
Kate struggled through the next few hours. She endured small talk with Millard and Margaret through tea, but found herself drawn to the window time and time again throughout the evening. Finally, she excused herself to her room. Millard stood up, "Kate, I must insist I contact the authorities at this time."
Kate was adamant, "No." How could she ever explain the portal and the bridge to anyone here. "I must go check on the children. You go on and have dinner. Everything is going to be fine." In the past hour or so, Kate knew what she had to do.
She went up to the nursery. Sophie had bathed Philip and he had his dinner upstairs. When she walked in he was saying his prayers, and Kate overheard his last request, "And please God, look over my sister, who I loathe most of the time, but really she isn't all that bad. I want her to come back safe. And Stuart...he is smarter than me, and tougher and braver...and I wish I was more like him. I really miss him, God." Their was a slight tremble in his voice and then he continued, "And most of all Uncle Leopold. He needs to come back for Emily and Aunt Kate. They love him so much and are so unhappy he is not here. I guess I am too. He is the only father I've ever known, and I can't imagine a life without him in it. Please look after all of them and bring them home soon. Amen."
Kate moved over to the bed, she glanced over to Emily's crib, and Emily was asleep in her clothes. Once asleep no one dare wake her by removing her clothes, or there would have been another outburst. But at least she was asleep. She sat on the edge of the bed as Philip climbed into it. "I don't want to go to bed, Aunt Kate. I don't think I will be able to sleep."
"Well, I might need your help."
His eyes brightened. "Really?"
"You are the man of the house right now. Leopold has left you in charge."
"Uncle Millard is the man of the house." he said a little aggravated. "I'm just a boy."
"But Leopold asked you to look after me and Emily."
"Oh, that...you don't need looking after, Aunt Kate."
"But I will need looking after. I need you to show me where Stuart climbed up the bridge, and I need your help with Emily, if we are going to find Uncle Leopold, and your sister and Stuart."
"We're going to jump off the bridge?" all of a sudden he seemed a little frightened and his voice raised.
Kate put her finger to her lips, "Schhh...I don't want to wake Emily just yet. And I really don't want any of the servants to know."
"But maybe it's not safe...maybe they're dead." he felt ashamed for saying it.
"I don't think you think that."
Philip looked up at her sheepishly, "It's a long jump."
"Do you believe, Uncle Leopold's stories?"
He nodded.
"Do you want Stuart to have an adventure without you?"
He shook his head no.
"Then this is something we must do. Now go get dressed, quietly. I have a few things I need to get for our trip. And then we'll wake Emily."
"She will scream, Aunt Kate. ."
"Not when she knows she's going to see Leopold." Philip smiled, his aunt was right. He got out of bed and began to dress.
Kate went to her room, and found her wallet. It was something she kept close to her at all times. Strange as it may seem, but it was the only thing she had of her previous life. She opened it and looked at the photograph of Charlie...her brother. Oh, how she missed him. The thought of seeing him again was overwhelming. What would he being doing now. What time would they arrive in? Kate didn't have any answers but she knew she had to go. And leaving the children behind didn't seem right. Emily needed Leopold and Philip, well, he had it the worst of all of the children. He struggled to keep up with Stuart, wanting to be as smart, as fast, as brave, as tall, as his cousin. And he looked up to Leopold like he was some kind of a God. Phillip couldn't be left behind. It would break his heart. He was so like his mother, frail and sensitive. And the look on his face of fear at the thought of jumping from the bridge. He was scared but at the same time, excited. And proud that Kate needed him.
She looked through the wallet and good old 21st century currency was still inside. That would be of some help once they got there. She looked down at her clothes. Wishing she had something more appropriate to wear, and then remembered her riding habit. That seemed much more sensible then this awkward bulky dress. After changing, she slipped the wallet into her jacket pocket and crept back into the nursery, making sure no one saw her.
Philip was dressed and ready. He stood up straight and tall, "I'm all ready, Aunt Kate and I am going to be brave. Just like Stuart and Uncle Leopold."
"I know you will be brave, Philip, and your uncle would be so proud of you doing this for me and Emily." she smiled at him and a broad smile appeared on his face. She went over to the crib and as gently as she could picked up her sleeping daughter who started to squirm and then whimper. Emily rubbed her eyes and saw her mother's face and the began to sob into her shoulder, "Papa...where's papa?"
"Scchhhh...Emily...we're going to see Papa. " Emly's eyes lit up, and the sobbing stopped abruptly, "But you must be ever so quiet. Like the games you play with Papa when he's working." .
She loved that game. "I'm a mouse, papa says." she then covered her mouth with her tiny hand.
"That's right. You're a mouse, the baby mouse and I'm the mommy mouse, and Philip...."
"I'm the big boy mouse, who's brave."
Emily giggled and Kate smiled. "That's right, and we're going on an adventure to find Papa mouse and brother mouse."
"And horrible nasty big sister mouse." Philip added.
Kate took a big sigh. Was she doing the right thing. Involving the children like this? What if something happened to all of them? She tried to put the thought out of her mind, as they quietly crept down the stairs towards the front door. She heard clatter in the dining room, meaning Millard and Margaret had taken her advise and had gotten on with dinner. As she quietly opened the front door, the rain had let up slightly. And that meant the walk to the park wouldn't be so unbearable. She didn't want to risk taking a horse or buggy. It would only cause a lot of racket and someone would hear.
As they headed down the street, Philip happily skipped ahead of them, "I'm making sure everything is safe, Aunt Kate. I am going to look after you and Emily, just like Uncle Leopold said." Emily was now fully awake, she clutched onto Kate with a tight grip, and kept her hand over her mouth. She wasn't the lightest, but Kate had determination and the quicker they got to the bridge the better. Emily on foot would only hold them up. The streets empty because of the storm, the wet slick cobblestone roads glistened. The wind howled through the buildings and trees.
Kate's apprehensions were shadowed by the excitement she was feeling. Nothing would keep her from the rest of her family. And the family she had left behind. A tear came to her eye. She was going to see Charlie again. Never did she ever believe this could be possible. She quickened her stride to catch up to Philip, the bridge towering above in the distance.
Kate went to her trying to pick her up but she fought her, "Emily, Papa is coming back soon. Hush now. " But for some reason Kate didn't believe it. She felt something.
Emily shook her head, "No, no....want Papa now!" Philip picked up the wooden horse and brought it to her and she pushed it away, "Papa's horse...want Papa!"
The study door opened and Margaret came in, "What is going on in here? I heard the ruckus all the way up in my room." She looked at Otis and Millard standing in the corner. The look of concern on their faces evident and then at Kate frantically trying to calm her daughter. The absence of Leopold confirmed by the disposition of young Emily. Everyone in the household knew, Emily's sweet temperament dissappeared the minute he would leave her. "Where's Leopold?"
She stooped down and picked up Emily, who was still wailing, trying to sooth her. "There there, darling." Margaret never had any children but had a natural mothering quality to her, and although Emily didn't stop crying, she rested her head on her great aunts shoulder and put her thumb in her mouth.
Kate was relieved that the wailing was now reduced to quiet sobs, and gave Margaret a smile, "Thank-you." Margaret was waiting for an answer and didn't receive one. She looked at the two men, as Kate turned away and walked towards the window, looking out into the wet and windy night. She was silent for a few moments, thinking of Leopold and the children on the bridge, her hand went to her mouth and she began to bite her fingernails something she hadn't done since she left the 21st century.
When she turned around she noticed all eyes on her, "Margaret, would you mind getting Sophie to take the children up to the nursery."
Philip crossed his arms, "I want to wait here til Uncle Leopold brings Stuart and Charlotte back. I don't want to be treated like a baby, Aunt Kate."
"No one thinks you're a baby, Philip. But Uncle Leopold left the responsibility of Emily in your hands til he returns. And that's an incredibly important job."
"It's a job for a girl!"
Otis gave the young lad a pat on the back, "Come along, young man. I might be persuaded in reading a bit of that fairy tale your Uncle started last evening."
"But then Stuart will miss some it, that wouldn't be fair."
Sophie had entered the room and Margaret placed the nearly asleep Emily into her arms. Philip gave his aunt a questioning look, "They're coming back aren't' they, Aunt Kate?" he was looking very serious.
"Of course they are."
"but all the stories....Uncle Leopold says that the portal can close...what if they can't get back?" Otis couldn't help but notice Kate holding back, biting her lip clenching her eyes shut. A possible tear? The events of 6 years ago, and Kate and Leopold's meeting were never discussed with the servants. But Otis knew more about Leopold than anyone. And the stories he told the children, were not stories, but events that had taken place. And although hard to fathom, nonetheless, they happened.
Kate looked up and their eyes met. Nothing needed to be said, she knew Otis understood her concern, he gave her a reassuring smile, "Leopold has never let this family down. You must have faith in him, your grace." Kate knew he was right. He then escorted the child out of the room, Philip reluctant but obeyed.
As soon as they left Millard questioned Kate, "Pray tell, what is this all about Kate. Bridges, portals....never coming back? This sounds like Leopold's tall tales for the children."
"I wish that was all they were, Millard. I'm worried." She turned back to the window, looking out hoping to see the mare carrying Leopold pull up in front of the house .Stuart nestled in front of him. For the past 6 years, life with Leopold had been a challenge, an adventure. There had been hurdles to go over, they didn't always agree, but Kate could never imagine life without him now.
Margaret moved towards her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Kate, I can't bear to see you like this. You must calm yourself."
Kate turned abruptly, "I'm going to find him." She headed for the door and Millard stopped her.
"You'll do no such thing. I refuse to believe Leopold isn't returning, and you will stay here with your daughter and wait for his return, like other women would do."
"I'm not other women, Millard and you know it. I can't sit here, idle, just waiting."
"If you haven't noticed the storm is becoming worse, and I don't think it's a wise idea for you to venture out in it." Margaret once again gave her husband one of her scornful looks, he still sprouted his mouth off without thinking at times. "Millard, be of some use and have one of the servants fetch the authorities, I am sure that might reassure Kate."
"I don't think anything can reassure me, and really, Margaret, the authorities won't be much help in this case."
"Well, I always find tea comforting. We can hold off dinner til Leopold and the children return. I will have Cook bring us some tea." She took Millard's arm, he seemed reluctant to leave her.
"I have never seen her in such a state, this is so unlike her." Millard whispered to his wife, the sound of concern in his voice as she escorted him from the room."I really do believe I must fetch the authorities, Margaret."
Margaret closed the door behind her, and turned to her husband."We will respect her wishes at this time, dear husband. He has only been gone for a short while. You know Leopold, he has probably gotten involved in some game with the children or in showing them one of his many finds throughout the city. He will return shortly, I am certain." But even Margaret wasn't certain.
Kate struggled through the next few hours. She endured small talk with Millard and Margaret through tea, but found herself drawn to the window time and time again throughout the evening. Finally, she excused herself to her room. Millard stood up, "Kate, I must insist I contact the authorities at this time."
Kate was adamant, "No." How could she ever explain the portal and the bridge to anyone here. "I must go check on the children. You go on and have dinner. Everything is going to be fine." In the past hour or so, Kate knew what she had to do.
She went up to the nursery. Sophie had bathed Philip and he had his dinner upstairs. When she walked in he was saying his prayers, and Kate overheard his last request, "And please God, look over my sister, who I loathe most of the time, but really she isn't all that bad. I want her to come back safe. And Stuart...he is smarter than me, and tougher and braver...and I wish I was more like him. I really miss him, God." Their was a slight tremble in his voice and then he continued, "And most of all Uncle Leopold. He needs to come back for Emily and Aunt Kate. They love him so much and are so unhappy he is not here. I guess I am too. He is the only father I've ever known, and I can't imagine a life without him in it. Please look after all of them and bring them home soon. Amen."
Kate moved over to the bed, she glanced over to Emily's crib, and Emily was asleep in her clothes. Once asleep no one dare wake her by removing her clothes, or there would have been another outburst. But at least she was asleep. She sat on the edge of the bed as Philip climbed into it. "I don't want to go to bed, Aunt Kate. I don't think I will be able to sleep."
"Well, I might need your help."
His eyes brightened. "Really?"
"You are the man of the house right now. Leopold has left you in charge."
"Uncle Millard is the man of the house." he said a little aggravated. "I'm just a boy."
"But Leopold asked you to look after me and Emily."
"Oh, that...you don't need looking after, Aunt Kate."
"But I will need looking after. I need you to show me where Stuart climbed up the bridge, and I need your help with Emily, if we are going to find Uncle Leopold, and your sister and Stuart."
"We're going to jump off the bridge?" all of a sudden he seemed a little frightened and his voice raised.
Kate put her finger to her lips, "Schhh...I don't want to wake Emily just yet. And I really don't want any of the servants to know."
"But maybe it's not safe...maybe they're dead." he felt ashamed for saying it.
"I don't think you think that."
Philip looked up at her sheepishly, "It's a long jump."
"Do you believe, Uncle Leopold's stories?"
He nodded.
"Do you want Stuart to have an adventure without you?"
He shook his head no.
"Then this is something we must do. Now go get dressed, quietly. I have a few things I need to get for our trip. And then we'll wake Emily."
"She will scream, Aunt Kate. ."
"Not when she knows she's going to see Leopold." Philip smiled, his aunt was right. He got out of bed and began to dress.
Kate went to her room, and found her wallet. It was something she kept close to her at all times. Strange as it may seem, but it was the only thing she had of her previous life. She opened it and looked at the photograph of Charlie...her brother. Oh, how she missed him. The thought of seeing him again was overwhelming. What would he being doing now. What time would they arrive in? Kate didn't have any answers but she knew she had to go. And leaving the children behind didn't seem right. Emily needed Leopold and Philip, well, he had it the worst of all of the children. He struggled to keep up with Stuart, wanting to be as smart, as fast, as brave, as tall, as his cousin. And he looked up to Leopold like he was some kind of a God. Phillip couldn't be left behind. It would break his heart. He was so like his mother, frail and sensitive. And the look on his face of fear at the thought of jumping from the bridge. He was scared but at the same time, excited. And proud that Kate needed him.
She looked through the wallet and good old 21st century currency was still inside. That would be of some help once they got there. She looked down at her clothes. Wishing she had something more appropriate to wear, and then remembered her riding habit. That seemed much more sensible then this awkward bulky dress. After changing, she slipped the wallet into her jacket pocket and crept back into the nursery, making sure no one saw her.
Philip was dressed and ready. He stood up straight and tall, "I'm all ready, Aunt Kate and I am going to be brave. Just like Stuart and Uncle Leopold."
"I know you will be brave, Philip, and your uncle would be so proud of you doing this for me and Emily." she smiled at him and a broad smile appeared on his face. She went over to the crib and as gently as she could picked up her sleeping daughter who started to squirm and then whimper. Emily rubbed her eyes and saw her mother's face and the began to sob into her shoulder, "Papa...where's papa?"
"Scchhhh...Emily...we're going to see Papa. " Emly's eyes lit up, and the sobbing stopped abruptly, "But you must be ever so quiet. Like the games you play with Papa when he's working." .
She loved that game. "I'm a mouse, papa says." she then covered her mouth with her tiny hand.
"That's right. You're a mouse, the baby mouse and I'm the mommy mouse, and Philip...."
"I'm the big boy mouse, who's brave."
Emily giggled and Kate smiled. "That's right, and we're going on an adventure to find Papa mouse and brother mouse."
"And horrible nasty big sister mouse." Philip added.
Kate took a big sigh. Was she doing the right thing. Involving the children like this? What if something happened to all of them? She tried to put the thought out of her mind, as they quietly crept down the stairs towards the front door. She heard clatter in the dining room, meaning Millard and Margaret had taken her advise and had gotten on with dinner. As she quietly opened the front door, the rain had let up slightly. And that meant the walk to the park wouldn't be so unbearable. She didn't want to risk taking a horse or buggy. It would only cause a lot of racket and someone would hear.
As they headed down the street, Philip happily skipped ahead of them, "I'm making sure everything is safe, Aunt Kate. I am going to look after you and Emily, just like Uncle Leopold said." Emily was now fully awake, she clutched onto Kate with a tight grip, and kept her hand over her mouth. She wasn't the lightest, but Kate had determination and the quicker they got to the bridge the better. Emily on foot would only hold them up. The streets empty because of the storm, the wet slick cobblestone roads glistened. The wind howled through the buildings and trees.
Kate's apprehensions were shadowed by the excitement she was feeling. Nothing would keep her from the rest of her family. And the family she had left behind. A tear came to her eye. She was going to see Charlie again. Never did she ever believe this could be possible. She quickened her stride to catch up to Philip, the bridge towering above in the distance.