As the train pulled into the Union City station, a tall young lady pushed a wisp of brown hair back. "Union City!" The conductor called as the train lurched to a stop. The passengers began to disembark, the young lady among them. She stepped out onto the platform and addressed a young man.
"Is there a stage to Hope Valley?"
"Yes ma'am." He replied. "It leaves from the far side of the platform."
"Wonderful. Can you make sure my luggage gets there?"
"I can if you'll tell me your name."
"The initials on the side will be V.C." She told him, then hurried across the platform. How she hated to arrive as a surprise and she hoped she wouldn't put them out. The stage ride was bumpy and dusty and she was forced to push back her hair multiple times. The hem of her dress was no longer blue, but a dusty brown. As she drew closer to the town, she took a deep breath. The buildings rose out of the mountainside, so much bigger than she remembered. The stagecoach skidded to a stop in front of the familiar platform, the door opened, and a hand appeared to help her out. "Thank you," she said as the driver placed her luggage beside her. The coach drove away and she was left standing there, watching the town bustle about in the afternoon sun.
As she looked around for a familiar face, she heard a familiar voice yell her name. "Vivian!"
She turned to see another young lady running towards her, arms outstretched. Before she knew it, she was enveloped in a huge hug. "Opal!" She exclaimed as she stepped back. "It's been so long. How are you?"
"I'm good." A huge smile lit up Opal's face. "Do your parents know you're back?"
"No. I'm surprising them. Do you know if they're home?"
"Well, I think your dad's in the sawmill office, and last time I saw your mom she was making a beeline for it too." Opal tucked her arm into Vivian's. "I've missed you so much!"
"Me too. I'm glad to be back."
"Well, I'll let you get to it. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Alright." Vivian gave her friend another hug and watched her disappear. Then she took a deep breath and walked across the street, leaving her luggage on the platform. Nothing ever got stolen in Hope Valley, and she'd be back soon. As she walked up the steps to the lumber mill, she saw her parents inside and she could hear her mother's loud voice arguing about something. She laid her hand on the doorknob and suddenly felt afraid. Four years is a long time...she thought. But ignoring that fact, she pulled the door open and walked in.
Two pairs of heads turned towards her as she walked in, shock written on both of them. "I'm back." Vivian uttered the words while the air was smushed out of her in one giant hug.
"Viv..." Rosemary exclaimed as she stepped back, wiping a tear from her eyes. "I can't believe you're back." She looped her arm through Lee's. "Can you believe she's back?"
"Not at all." Lee replied, keeping his hand on his daughter's arm.
"Why did you come back? I mean, we're glad to have you." Rosemary quickly said.
Vivian smiled sadly. "I didn't have anywhere else to go."
Rosemary chuckled. "You'll have to give me more than that. But," she held up a hand. "Not now. Where's your luggage? I'll bring you home."
"I'm coming too!" Lee said. "Jesse can close for me."
"My luggage is sitting at the platform." Vivian explained as Rosemary grabbed her arm and led her out.
"We'd better hurry. Lee, get the luggage – if it's not stolen."
Lee hurried over to the platform with Rosemary and Vivian right behind him. "It's gone!" Vivian exclaimed, running forwards to where her luggage had been. "It was right here."
"Why didn't you bring it with you?"
"I- nothing ever gets stolen in Hope Valley." Vivian looked at her feet. What a great return.
Rosemary and Lee exchanged a chuckle. "Hope Valley has changed a lot," Rosemary said. "Don't feel bad, Viv. I'll take care of you right away. Now come on, let's go home and see your siblings."
Vivian felt a flicker of happiness come back to her. "I have missed them." She admitted.
Lee drove the car out of town to their house, the very one he had built for Rosemary twelve years ago. As the car pulled up, the door opened and a little girl came running out. When she saw Vivian climb out of the car, she stopped. "Vivian?" She called.
"Amy!" Vivian ran forward to give her little sister a hug.
"I've missed you so much!" Amy exclaimed. "Aaron, quick, come out!" She called back to the house.
"You've gotten so big." Vivian held her sister out at arms length.
"She was only three when you..." Rosemary's voice trailed off.
Aaron came running out of the house. At twelve years old, he was growing to look more and more like his father everyday. Holding his hand and running beside him was a blond-haired boy. "Viv!" Aaron exclaimed as he gave his sister a hug, then awkwardly stepped back.
"Who's this?" Vivian asked, kneeling down to the boy's level.
"This is Patrick." Aaron explained. "Pat, can you say hi to your older sister?"
Pat looked at Aaron, then suddenly ran forward and wrapped his little arms around Vivian's legs. Vivian looked up at Rosemary. "Why didn't you tell me?" The question burst out of her mouth, even though she knew what the answer was.
"I didn't know where you were." Rosemary responded sadly.
"Come on." Lee put his arm around his daughter. "Let's go inside and sit down."
Vivian walked in the house and a flood of memories hit her. She saw her mother's desk in the corner, and a brand-new settee in the living room. The family table had grown and the floor seemed to be a little more worn than she remembered. "Well?" Rosemary's voice cut into her thoughts.
"It's always the same." Vivian smiled.
"Can she have my room, Mama?" Amy asked.
"Sure." Rosemary smiled at her second daughter.
"Come on." Amy tugged at Vivian's hand.
"Alright. Show me the way." Vivian allowed herself to be pulled upstairs.
On the main floor, Rosemary turned to Lee. "Why is she back now?"
"I don't know, sweetheart, but I'm sure we'll find out."
"Something's wrong Lee, I know it."
"Rosie. Don't jump to conclusions."
"Hmph." Rosemary pursed her lips. "I just don't understand," she dropped her voice. "Why now? I had just gotten to her being gone."
"I don't know." Lee kissed her forehead.
"I guess I'll make supper."
"Good idea."