Disclaimer: I own no part of the Disney story!

Chapter 7. Fireside Chat

I leaned forward towards Hugh and waited for him to begin his tale.

'I am originally from the area of Hampshire, England. It's gorgeous there. Rolling green hills, forests, old houses, and when the sky is blue, it's the richest shade imaginable. My mum was American with Scottish parents, and my dad was British. We were very well to do, Mum and I spent every summer with my grandparents at their summer house. It was near the sea and my favorite spot in the entire world.' He had said this with so much wistful pleasure, but then He drew a long breath. 'Then my mum died in a car accident with my dad at the wheel.'

The pain in his voice was so familiar, I could almost feel his chest tightening, because it's exactly the feeling that I got every time I talked about Mom.

'How old were you?' I breathed.

'Eight years old.'

An involuntary gasp escaped as I exhaled. So young. I was 14 when my mom passed away. At least I had all those extra years. Unfortunately his story only got worse from there.

'Dad had always been a bit distant. Always working, always too busy. Soon he felt like he could do better business in London, and we were surrounded by people. I had housekeepers, tutors, school friends, after school activities, a nanny that took me everywhere I needed to go. Always so many people, but I was so terribly lonely. I tried my best to connect with Dad, but he,' Hugh swallowed. 'He looked at me like I hurt him every time I spoke. I think I reminded him of Mum and he always felt like he had a part to play in her death. I did actually blame him some as a child, but I see now that it was an accident.

I poured myself into my studies and began to read everything I could get my hands on. I discovered that books allowed me to travel to the places that my father would never take me and to time periods that seemed simpler-and quieter. Soon I had a wish. A wish that I could just get away from the chaos of the city, be in a house by myself, for why have anyone else there when Mum couldn't be. A place where there wasn't a disappointed or hurt father, or people that only took care of you for a paycheck. I am sure they liked me well enough, but none could be Mum.'

He stopped for a moment and I wondered if he would stop.

'We can talk about this another time, if you would like.' I said. He nodded as he wiped his nose on his arm. There was no terror here, just pain and sadness.

'Well, like you said, maybe we can talk about this some other time, I'm sorry. I know you are curious.'

'No, no, don't worry about it. I understand. My mom passed away when I was a teenager from cancer. No matter the amount of time the wound is still there-it still hurts.'

His eyebrows knitted in concern and sympathy. And it wasn't the 'bless your heart' sympathy that I received from so many well meaning family members and friends, no this was a look from someone, who understood.

I gave him a half smile and we were silent for a good while.

'So is the hot chocolate magical?'

I knew I would catch him by surprise, and it was hopefully a way to get our conversation onto something lighter. He chuckled and then thought seriously for a moment.

'If you mean that there's magic in this house, and therefore the hot chocolate was prepared by magic, then yes-But there aren't necessarily any magical properties that will cause you to grow three arms, or turn into something like me. There you don't have to worry.'

I paused, dwelling on what he had just said. 'So wait, the hot chocolate is prepared by magic?'

'Mmmmhmmm, yes, it just kind of appears when I think about it.'

'Could you think about Earl Gray with sugar and milk?'

'Bookworm and tea drinker, huh?' He seemed thoroughly amused.

'Mmm more like a hot beverage and good book kind of person. I love coffee, tea, hot cocoa, anything warm, especially on cold days like today.'

Hugh closed his eyes for a moment and my cocoa was replaced with a tea cup with tea already steeped, and just the perfect creamy color. I took a sip. It was heavenly.

'Amazing!' I gasped. Hugh looked quite pleased and he watched me as I picked up the pride and prejudice book and lovingly flipped through the pages, soaking in each vintage page.

'Would you like to keep it?' He falteringly asked. 'I, um, don't really read it anymore. You can only deal with Mr Darcy so many times.'

I smirked at first, but then smiled a full grateful smile. 'Thank you!' It made me think of something.

'So the vintage clothes, books-do you have recent books.'

He looked at the floor. 'No, I'm sorry I stopped the story half way again. No, I don't have any books that were published later than the 1850s.'

I knew how I was going to thank Hugh, and once we said goodbye I felt like skipping back to my dorm to put my plan into action.

Authors note: I have had a hard time with this chapter. I know where this story is going, but things have gone in a slightly different direction than originally intended. Please let me know what you think, thank you so much!