Em Chron. 8

Emily's Chronicles: Part 8: The Town Picnic
By Trish and Tammy

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fanfiction based up on the characters and places in the Emily of New Moon book by L.M. Montgomery and the tv series. No infringement upon the rights of the estate of L.M. Montomery, her heirs, or anyone connected with the television series is intended.

Isabel arrived at the town picnic early along with Eve, and Jimmy. They had driven the buggy straight to the beach after church. She felt bad that Jimmy had to hitch up the horse when a walk would have been nice on such a beautiful day, but her family had insisted that she not try to overdo things. Church this morning had been quietly tense for Isabel. Thankfully no one had caused any kind of scene, overtly, but she noticed the stares and whispers directed at her by the townspeople. She wondered what she would be in store for this afternoon.

The day was turning out to be one of those glorious June days that is bright, and sunny but not too hot. It reminded Isabel of the holidays she used

to take with her mother and father to the shore in Scotland when she was a child. Before, everything started to go wrong. She stopped herself from any
further thoughts of her childhood, and decided to try to help the ladies as much as she could to set up the picnic. The Murrays found an wonderful shady spot under an old tree at the edge of the beach. They spread the large blanket and prepared to have a wonderful time. Jimmy had brought along some old crates and blankets to cover them for Isabel, and Eve to sit on. Isabel was glad for his thoughtfulness. She wasn't sure she could sit on the ground, or if she got down, could she get back up. There was no mistaking her condition now, and no hiding it. It was plain for all of the town to see that she was pregnant.

As the early afternoon passed in happy conversation the townspeople slowly began to fill the beach. They all brought blankets and baskets, and
any number of amusements. Some had already begun to eat their homemade meals, others to walk slowly along the water's edge, and still others just to converse with their friends and neighbors. Isabel laughed when she noticed several of her students splashing around in the ocean. It was a perfect day for a swim, if you did that sort of thing. They were enjoying their first weekend of summer break. Isabel was glad that summer had finally arrived. She wasn't sure how long she could have continued teaching. It was becoming increasingly difficult to manage her job and the changes she was experiencing. She had not yet seen Emily, and she had hoped Laura would be there when they arrived. It would be good to see friendly faces waiting for them, but she realized that perhaps a leisurely walk would be good for her cousin and the doctor. Isabel hoped that Laura could find real happiness.

It was turning out to be one of the most relaxing days Isabel had enjoyed recently. Even the baby seemed to be enjoying it. Isabel could feel it
stretching and figetting, reminding its mother that she had at least one allie on the beach that day in addition to her cousins. She took a deep breath and drew in the fresh salt air, bending her head back to let the warm sun wash over her face. That's when it happened. At the moment she opened her eyes Mrs. Stuart and Mrs. Atwood were walking right infront of her. They were laughing and casting exaggeratedly hidden glances her way. She couldn't make out everything they were saying, but what she did, made her want to scream.
"Can you believe that, flaunting herself for the whole town to see." They said disgustedly, turning around to whisper to each other..."and by the town drunk"..."my how the mightly have fallen"..."won't even have a name!" The two old hens cackled and moved on down the beach laughing to themselves satisfyingly.

Isabel could feel her anger and pride begin to boil. She wanted to shout,"My child will have a name...Murray!" She wanted to tell them that
there was no shame in her situation, that her child was a product of love deeper than either of them could even imagine. She wanted to cry, to run away, to do something. But most of all she wanted Francis. She wanted him there with her. Things would be so different if he were there, and they were married. Instead of being laughed at and ridiculed, she would be contratulated. She could imagine the ladies happily hugging her, and the men laughing and slapping him on the back the way men do at times like these. She longed for him to be here with her. How could she do this without him.

Her family had heard the insults, and seen how upset she was. They did their best to comfort her, and change the subject. She was eternally glad
that they were there. She did her best to take Laura's advice, and ignore the hateful comments. She tried to remember what Laura had said that morning, and taking a few deep breaths found herself calming down. Laura was right, she had to think of her baby.

Isabel looked out over the calm water, and thought about all she would be facing in the months to come. She vowed to concentrate on the most important
thing. It was then that she noticed someone, a man standing at the edge of the waves looking out over the water. She squinted against the sun, and held her hand to her face to shield her eyes. There was a glare off the water that obsured his image somewhat, and she couldn't quite make him out. She tried to focus her eyes.

Suddenly, she drew in her breath as her heart skipped a beat. For a moment she thought it had stopped all together. Her family heard the short
surprised sound she had made, and worridly turned in her direction. To their surprise they realized that it had not been in response to the baby, but that she was looking at someone on the beach. They turned to see who it was, and they recognized the figure also.

Isabel got up slowly from her makeshift chair, and started toward the man on the beach. She moved very delibrately. At times it seemed like her feet
would not move, and at times she had to stop herself from nearly running. She was afraid that he would be gone before she reached him. She had waited for this moment, was he searching the beach for her? She slowed when she neared him, afraid that he may only be a dream, or that he would disappear. As she reached him, she at first started to put her hand out to touch his sleeve, but then pulled it back. What if he wasn't searching for her? So many thoughts ran through her mind she was unsure what to do.

Finally, after what seemed like an enternity she heard herself quietly speak the name she had called in her dreams for so many months..."Francis!?!"


The man turned around surprised, and Isabel's heart dropped to the ground. It was not her love. Although he bore a striking resemblance to
Francis Carpenter, it was not him. Disappointment and embarassment washed over Isabel like the waves that broke on the shore. "Oh,forgive me. I thought for a moment that you were someone else." She said to the stranger in her think Scottish accent.

The man, who was slightly younger than Francis anyway looked at her with surprise and a bit of shock in his eyes. She noticed how he quickly looked
her up and down, and how his eyes settled on her waistline for a moment. Finding his voice he answered her. "You must be Isabel Murray." He said.

Isabel was taken aback and a little afraid. "Do I know you? How do you know my name?" She questioned, wanting to run away from him.


The man looked at Isabel as if sizing her up. Then she saw a kind smile cross his face. "My name is John Carpenter." He announced thrusting out his
hand to shake hers. "I'm Francis's brother."


Isabel stared at John for a few moments. She could not find the words to
voice her suprise. Taking the hand he had extended to her, she greeted him
with slight suspicion. "His brother!?!" she questioned, half in a whisper.


Certainly, she had hoped with all of her heart that Francis would return
someday, but she never expected that his brother would come instead. Why had
he come? Was something wrong? Did he want something? She was growing more
apprehensive.


John too was astonished. The beautiful woman who stood before him was not
at
all what he had expected to find. Her composure, the way she carried
herself, the way she spoke, and especially in light of the current
circumstances told him that she was neither a loose woman, nor someone who
had been taken advantage of. She was a person who commanded respect even
during the most difficult times. This was a lady.


She was so lost in thought that Isabel did not notice the pretty, slender,
brunette woman approaching them. As the woman reached the spot where Isabel
and John stood, she touched John's arm lightly. He turned and smiled at
her,
as if telling her that everything was alright. Then he turned back to
Isabel.
"This is my wife, Sarah." He explained. "We've traveled most of the morning
to meet you."


Sarah, a an always cheery friendly woman, warmly greeting Isabel with,
"Well, how do you do? I very happy to finally meet you, Miss Murray. We did travel from a notso long way to meet you, dear...more like from Charlottetown."


"Hello, Mrs. Carpenter." Isabel smiled and extended her hand to greet Sarah.
The greeting echoed in her head. She hoped that someday people would
address
her as such.


"Charlottetown?" Isabel clarified. Her mind was racing. That wasn't really
that far away. Was Francis there, she wondered. Had he received Emily's
letter, and it had meant nothing to him? Then she remembered his wife.
Maybe
he had sent his brother and sister-in-law in his place for some reason. "I
must admit I am surprised to meet you." Isabel smiled. "Why have you come to
Blair Water?" She inquired. There were so many questions needing answers
rushing into her mind. She wanted to list them all, but now wasn't the time
and this wasn't the place. She hoped she would get the chance later.


"Well." John cleared his thoat. The subjects that needed to be discussed
were
of a delicate family nature for he and Sarah, and Isabel and he didn't want
to bring them up on a beach crowded with people. But she had asked, and she
had a right to know.


"A couple of days ago, I received this by mistake." John informed her
holding
out a slightly crumpled piece of paper for Isabel to inspect. "It had no
first name on the envelope so I thought it was for me, and opened it." John
was self conscious and realized that Isabel could well be embarrased at
having such matters fall into the hands of a total stranger.


Isabel took the paper from John and read it. She recognized it immediately.
She had seen it that horrible morning in the school yard, or at least a copy
of it. It was Emily's letter. The letter her young cousin had written to
Francis without her knowledge, informing him of her condition. "He never got
it." She thought to herself. Some of the apprehension of a few minutes ago
faded. He hadn't come to her because he still didn't know. She felt a small
bit of hope return to her heart.


Isabel felt her face turn hot red with a blush, this man may be her child's
uncle, but to her he was a total stranger and he knew her deepest secrets.
"Oh, yes." she stammered. "My young cousin Emily wrote this to Francis. I
didn't know she had written it." "I..." She began, but couldn't find words.


"Please Miss Murray," John reassured her. "There's no need to be
embarrased."
He could sense that she was feeling unsteady, and became worried for her and
his brother's child. "We didn't mean to startle you, we only stopped at this
picnic to ask directions to New Moon. We never expected to meet you here,
or
to show you this in public. I know this isn't the place." He explained. "Is
there somewhere we can go so you can sit down out of the sun?"



"Yes, my family is right over here, we just arrived ourselves a little while
ago." Isabel motioned toward the concerned faces of the Murray's. John
looked in the direction Isabel had pointed and saw three serious faces
looking his way. He realized that they would probably be very protective of
Isabel, and not at all happy if she were to be upset. "Please follow me,
I'll
introduce you." She smiled, still a little apprehensive. She still was not
entirely sure of the purpose of John and Sarah's visit.


Isabel led John and Sarah back over the beach to where Jimmy, and Eve had
been tensely watching their cousin's conversation with the two strangers.
They had noticed her surprise and her apprehension. (OCC: Again, I hope I
didn't write in too much for other characters here. I didn't mean to if I
did, and can change it easily. Let me know). She was sure that her shock
and
uncertainty shown on her face as she introduced her new acquaintances. She
was relieved to see Laura and Allen stroll up to meet the
family.


As they approached the not so strangers and their family, Laura and Allan
caught Isabel in the act of making introductions between their various
family
members. "Hello, I'm Laura Murray, Isabel's cousin, " said she, as she also
gestered towards her boyfriend, "...and I would also like you to also meet
my
boyfriend, Dr. Allan Burnley, my cousin's doctor. Welcome to Blair Water."


"Why thank you, Miss Murray," Sarah replied, "It's wonderful to meet you
both.
Miss Murray's doctor, A?"


"Yes." Allen smiled prefessionally.


She wanted as many friendly faces as possible around her at this awkward
time. Again, she was relying on her family to intercede if necessary. This
was all so strange, and not at all what she had expected. Isabel felt as
though her words were coming in short bursts as she struggled to collect her
thoughts.


"Everyone, this is John and Sarah..." She began unsure of herself. "...
Carpenter." She finished.


"I'm Eve Kinch," said Eve as she stepped forward to greet the Carpenters,
and
gestering towards Jimmy, "Jimmy's fiance'. I'm very happy to meet you.
Welcome to Blair Water!"


It was evident that the Murray's were shocked to learn the identities of the
two newcomers to Bair Water as Isabel continued. "John is Francis's brother.
It seems Emily's letter was delivered to him by mistake." She mustered the
best smile she could, but it was clear that she was still troubled.


"Please, won't you sit down, you must be tired from your trip." She offered.
"And you must join us for our picnic lunch, we've brought extra I'm sure
there will be plenty."


"Thank you Miss Murray." John smiled.


"That's alright, Miss Murray," suggested Sarah, "You're the one who needs to
sit down. John doesn't mind standing, do you, dear? Besides, we've been
sitting most of the morning, during our drive here. Our buts are rather
sore
from sitting, it feels good to be standing. You don't have to put us up
tonight. We've took a room in town at the inn."

"That good, the inn is very nice, I'm sure you';; be quite comfortable
there." Isabel smiled. "Please do have some lunch with us."

"Well, we don't want to impose." John said.


"Oh, its no impostion, I insist" Isabel answered, and again motioned for
them
to take a seat as she returned to the blanket covered crate that served as a
chair. She didn't mean to be impolite, but she needed to sit down. "Do
forgive me. It is rather difficult for me to stand for very long these
days."
She said running her hand over her belly to emphasize the point. There was
no
need for false modesty. That was after all the reason these two had come to
Blair Water, she was sure of that. Perhaps to check her out.


"Well, if you're sure it wouldn't be any trouble." John agreed. "We were
hoping the chance to talk to you all." He motioned for Sarah to sit beside
him on the blanket.


"And I would love the chance to get better acquainted with both of you. You
are my baby's uncle and aunt after all." Isabel smiled. Her eyes still
holding suspicion. 'Besides' She thought to herself. 'I need to find out
exactly why you are here.'


John and Sarah joined the little group eagerly, if not somewhat self
consciously. They could tell that the Murray's were a close family, and the
two newcomers were sure they were being evaluated by very watchful eyes.
They
were certain that they were being watched closely for any sign that they may
be upsetting Isabel.


The picnic was layed out on the blanket. What directly followed was the
costumary, if not strained, stream of polite small talk while the group ate.
The weather seemed of great interest. John and Sarah were asked if they had
had a pleasant trip, to which they assured the Murray's they had. John
inquired about Isabel's accent, asking was she originally from Scotland. She
informed him proudly that she certainly was, and had only been on Prince
Edward Island for about a year.


"Do you have any other family still in Scotland?" John pressed, wanting any
information about this woman that he could find.


Isabel felt that he was prying, but answered sweetly anyway. " Yes. My
father is still in the old country. He's a highlander of the old sort." She smiled. Hoping her point was taken that he certainly would not tolerate any trouble coming her way. But the truth was, she was sure he had received her letter, and she didn't know how he felt about her now.


John could tell that Isabel Murray was definately not the floozy he had
imagined when he first mistakenly read this Emily's letter. She was a
stong,
independant, woman with her feet firmly on the ground. In fact the thought
occured to him that she was too good for his brother, and he was ashamed
that
he had even entertained the thought of trying to take the child away from
her
to raise. It was obvious that the Murray's were a family of quality and
substance. He also noticed something else, she was desperately in love with
his brother. Each time he would even mention Francis's name, he saw her
draw
in her breath, focus on his words, and listen intently. He wanted to
strangle his no account brother. This was the kind of woman who would do him good. He needed her, and John got the feeling that she needed him.


The afternoon passed with more polite conversation. Isabel felt she would
burst from curiosity. John and Sarah had just only mentioned the letter,
but
had yet to give her any real information. Surely they had to know something
about Francis. Where he was. Whether he was well. If he was happy.


Finally, Isabel could take the anticipation no longer. "I'm sorry! I don't
mean to be indescrete or impolite..." She interrupted as nicely as she
could.
"But, you said you received Emily's letter. What about Francis? Where is
he?" She pleaded.


John looked at her compassionately, sorry to cause her so much distress.
"That's what we were hoping you could tell us." He informed her quietly.


Isabel's shock was evident on her face. "He's with his wife." She
stammered, "He left here with her..."She trailed off, not wanting to reveal
too much. 'His wife', she bristled at the thought of referring to anyone
else
in those terms. She wanted to say 'I am his true wife, if love has anything
to do with it anyway. I'm carrying his child, aren't I.'


"He was with his wife. He brought her to our house in Charlottetown,
but
didn't even stay the day. He left and we have heard nothing from him since
then. We thought he might be here with you." John informed her delicately


Isabel heart seemed to skip a beat. Francis had left his wife again.
'He
does love me,' was her first thought. But then she stopped,'but he didn't
come back.' She felt as though she would be sick. The thought that he may
not love her was too much for her to take. Had he only used her? She was
afraid she could not hide the tears that were clouding her eyes. 'He didn't
come back to me.' echoed in her head. The baby twisted hard in her abdomin,
as if sensing her uneasiness. She caught her breath, and comforted her
child
with both hands.



"Izzy?" asked a concerned Laura, "Are you alright? Maybe, we should
continue
this later at home at New Moon?"


Allen looked concerned and started to move toward Isabel. "What's the
matter?" He asked. "Perhaps this discussion would be better suited to the
privacy of the parlor." He agreed with Laura.


"John," added Sarah, "Perhaps, Miss Murray is right? Perhaps we should?"

Isabel waited for any other sign that something could be wrong with the
baby, but there was none, just the familiar flutterings. "I'm fine." She
smiled graciously."The little one's just reminding me it's down there." She
laughed patting her stomach.


Isabel did not want to leave the beach without knowing everything that John
and Sarah had to tell her. She would never believe that Francis did not
truly love her. The feelings between them had been too strong. He wanted
to
marry her, if not for his obligations he would have. She was certain
something was wrong.


"Then where is his wife?" She questioned. She finished the sentence to
herself, 'too afraid to face her husband's true love?' But she did not say
the words aloud. She didn't think she could get them out anyway.


John and Sarah looke apprehensively at each other. After a moment of
silence John finally spoke, he had not wanted to do this here. "Hattie never
got the chance to tell Francis ..." he explained."She was dying of
consumption. She...passed away."

Isabel was speechless. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad, to
laugh or cry. In her mind the thought that Francis was free and could
return
to her lifted her spirits, and gave her a renewed hope. But she did feel
remorse over the death of the only other person in the world who had loved
him like she did. The woman who would know exactly how she was feeling.
'He
can come back to me now.' She thought to herself. 'But where is he.' And
then
the impact of John's words of a few minutes ago dawned on her.'He doesn't
know she's dead.'

The only thing she could manage to say was "my condolenses."

"Thank you Miss Murray." John answered.

After a few moments of awkward silence. John finally spoke. "We thought that
perhaps we may be of some help to you, Miss Murray. It is obvious that you
and my brother must love each other very much. There must be some reason he
hasn't turned up, maybe we could all work together to try and find him." He
smiled. He suddenly felt protective of Isabel as well. He knew she needed
all
the help she could get. He truly liked the lady he had come to know over
the
past few hours. If bringing his no good brother back to her would make her
happy, then he was going to try to do just that.

Isabel looked at him with puzzled amazement. He had just met her. He really
didn't know her at all, yet he and his wife were offering their assistance
in
her life and happiness. At that moment she was certain, that even if
Francis
could not be found, she wanted these two people to have a part in her baby's
life.

"Well," Isabel smiled. "You two have some settling in and unpacking to do at
the inn. Perhaps we could talk more about this over dinner tonight at New
Moon." She smiled.

John and Sarah eagerly accepted the invitation. They welcomed the chance to
learn more about this intriguing family to which their neice or nephew would
soon become a member.

To Be Continued...