It feels like the time has stopped, even when so much has happened in the last two long years. War did change things.All men over fifteen are requested at the front, doing some kind of jobs and helping the army. Althought, for the older men it's not mandatory and they can stay at home, working for army somehow else. Charles as a town mayor is offering the injured soldiers food and other suplies. North Valley is closer to where the war is fought than many other cities or towns. Everybody have been recommended to stay inside and never go anywhere alone. Schools are closed, stores open for just couple hours in a week and post offices make sure to spread word of the happenings in the country.
...
Elsie has been staring out of the window for a long while. Her mind is drawn to the memories of her childhood, the war where her grandfather died. She can hear all the sounds and screams and quiet cries. Althought she was so young then that she can't remember it all, but she lost someone she loved to a unnecessary fight...Elsie remembers the faces of their daughters' when Charles told them about the war. She can still see all the people in the town, receiving the horrible news and comforting each other...
"Elsie?"Charles places his hand on her shoulder."Are you alright?"
Before she manages to say anything, time flies by and the rain drops on the window slide down the wall.
"Of course I am.."She answers, her voice rather quiet."Just remembering things."
"Only good things I hope?"Charles asks.
"Not really. Rather unpleasant ones."Elsie says.
"Would you like to talk about it? I am here to listen if so."He smiles.
"No. I don't want to bore you, love."Elsie tolds.
"Are you saying that I get bored easily when my beautiful wife is speaking, Mrs. Carson?"Charles wonders and the tease in his voice can be heard easily.
"No, but there is things you should be doing Charles."She says plainly."And I am alright. Really. I just needed a moment of silence and thinking."
"Understood, love. I shall leave you alone then."Charles kisses her cheek and turns around to leave the room."I'll see to Charlotte and Elisabeth, in case they need anything."
"I'll come in a moment."Elsie calls after him."Charles...Thank you."
"Anything for you Els."He smiles as he steps out the door.
When Elsie is left alone, she finds the letter in her hands from her pocket. One from her late mother to Elsie's grandfather. Her eyes scan the letter. It feels odd to be reading it, when it's not her's. But when Elsie's mother died...All her stuff, letters, clothes and such were moved to Elsie and Becky and now she could be reading all of them. Elsie does miss her mother. So terribly much. All the mistakes she made in life, felt now bigger when she is gone. How the thoughts she had when she was young made her feel horrible. Elsie can remember the one day when she wasn't married to Charles yet and they had a fight with her mother...How she said that she wishes her mother would just die and leave her alone. Just the thought made her feel bad. Elsie used to treat her very poorly, back in her days when she didn't know...Anything yet. Her mother came to be an amazing person with a big heart to share with her family.
Elsie places the letter in a drawer. She can hear the voices of her daughters and husband through the door.
"Elisabeth have you received any letters from Andrew lately?"Charles asks his daughter.
"I haven't. I'm so worried, what if something has happened?"Elsiabeth sighs.
"I'm sure everything is alright, darling. Its a long way to deliver a letter."He tolds, smiling.
"I know, papa, but I still feel it has been a long time since he has written tome."Elisabeth says.
"Try not to worry."Charles smiles warmly as he runs his hands down her arms.
"Of course I worry. You know we are talking of my fiance here."She states, her voice quiet and fragile.
Charles remembers Andrew's last visit, about a year ago. The moment when he kneeled down and asked Elisabeth- his girlfriend back in that time, the most important question. He looks at the lonely ring on her finger.
"He will be home soon, sis."Charlotte hugs her sister."In the meantime you will always have me."
"Thanks Charlotte..."Elisabeth smiles.
...
'Dear Elisabeth,
I hope everything in North Valley is well and especially you? I miss you terribly. You are the last thing in my mind before I fall asleep and the very first when I wake up.
Stay safe, darling.
With love, Andrew.'
...
Elsie walks down the quiet, empty road, her husband by her side. They're going to check on Becky. Becky had insisted that she won't come and stay with them and the couple had made it a habit to visit her once or twice per week.
They knock on the door.
"Whos there?"They hear her say from the other side of the door.
"It's me and Charles. Can we come in?"Elsie tolds.
"Of course."Becky opens the door.
"Are you alright? You seem a little..Scared. Yes I think that's the right word."Elsie asks, as soon as they're safely inside.
"Its just that yesterday I was greeted by the army."Her sister tolds.
"England's?"Charles asks.
"Thank heavens it was England's army. My god if it have been Germany's.."Becky says.
"Is everything else alright then?"Elsie wonders.
"I think so. How Elisabeth and Charlotte are coping?"She leads them in her kitchen.
"Charlotte doesn't have any problems, but Elisabeth is completely different in this case."Elsie sighs."And the small amout of short letters do no good."
"I'm sure she'll be fine. I mean you were well, in the end."Becky rises her eye brows.
"Very funny, sister dear."The mother laughs.
"Do you have enough food? We brought some if you're in need."Charles explains.
"I'm a little short of bread."Becky says, smiling as Charles hands her a bread package."Thank you..Are the girls alone?"
"Oh no. We walked them to Beryl's. They'll be safe there."Elsie answers.
"Somehow I think we should stop calling them "the girls" Because Elisabeth isn't certainly a girl anymore."Becky suggests.
"That is precisely what I've been thinking, but in Elsie's opinion there is no harm in calling them girls."He tolds.
"I just think they will always be our girls, no matter what."The mother says.
"Well yes. I'm sure they will."Charles pats his wife's back.