Em Chr 9

Emily's Chronicles: Part 9: Family
By: Trish and others.

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.

Elizabeth, having spent a good part of the day occupied in the upper portions
of New Moon, was caught quite unawares by the sound of the other Murrays
returning from the picnic that evening. With a last satisfied look at her
work, she stowed it away and went to meet both Isabel and Emily -- after all,
Emily was to have a share in it too, some day. But time enough for that.

The Murrays returned to New Moon from their day's outing feeling rather
confused, but also hopeful, especially Isabel. The news that John and Sarah
had given her although sad, made her feel that there was still be a chance she
and Francis would be together.

Isabel opened the front door and stepped into the dim light of the hall only
to be met my Elizabeth coming down the stairs.

"Welcome home, Isabel, how was the picnic?" asked Elizabeth, wondering how far
behind Isabel Emily was. Not for her life did she wish to be caught in a fib,
especially by a growing but still preccocious Emily. But there was Emily
already, dashing from the carriage into the foyer.

"Hi aunt Elizabeth, it's to bad that you were forced to stay at New Moon
because the picnic was so great!, It was a very beautiful day, well for
me," replied Emily looking to Isabel and she understand that it wasn't a great
day for everyone.

"Oh. Hello Elizabeth." Isabel smiled, still thinking about the day's
events. "Are you feeling better? I thought you'd still be in bed." Isabel
noticed that her cousin did not seem as under the weather as she had pretended
to be this morning.

Maybe the day's rest had done her good. She also noticed that Elizabeth's hair
and clothes looked a little dissheveled, like she had been doing housework.

"Yes, much better," answered Elizabeth, a bit distractedly. "Might I have a
word with you and Emily?"

"Talking of the picnic, have you seen Ilse" asked Emily "She look so much
mature and really beautiful, she looked like her mother" said Emily who was
still thinking about her kindred spirit, that has been a day ful of
surprise...

Isabel turned to watch Emily coming running the door. She was sure that the
young girl would also be interested to learn of Elizabeth's improved
health. She did not fully understand why Elizabeth wanted to speak to Emily
and herself, but she knew that Elizabeth Murray rarely brought up a subject if
it wasn't important. She had seen the way that Elizabeth had been looking at
her lately, like she didn't fully trust her. She had been a bit wary of her
cousin's opinion of her, especially since she was dependant on Elizabeth's
kindness right now. However, Elizabeth had been kind and helpful, and had
shown no overt sign of any contempt.

Watching Isabel, Elizabeth again repented her behavior towards the younger
woman before the incident in the schoolyard. Since then she had made an effort
to hide her discomfort over Isabel's...predicament...and be as supportive as
possible. She could tell, though, that Isabel was still cautious around
Elizabeth. Perhaps the next few minutes, alone with Isabel and Emily, would
help mend some of the sore feelings of both women, and give Elizabeth some
time to get reacquainted with her neice.

Isabel complied and she and Emily slowly followed the elder Murray lady
upstairs.

Even though Emily was not an adult, she could understand what was going on,
and it was weird she had never been in a situation like that. She followed
cousin Isabel, and Aunt Elizabeth in the stairs.

When they reached the top of the stairs Isabel expected Elizabeth to usher
them into one of the bedrooms for a talk. Maybe she was going to reproach for
making a spectacle of herself by going to the picnic after all.

Elizabeth glanced back in sympathy at Isabel, but there really wasn't much she
could do for her at the moment. "We're nearly there, I wanted to show you
something in the attic." She motioned for them to follow her. Isabel and Emily
traded a look of confusion as Elizabeth unlocked the door with the key she
kept in her apron pocket.

As the three entered the dusty attic Isabel was slightly shocked when
Elizabeth took her arm, and guided and steadied her around a multitude of
discarded household items less she might trip and fall. For some reason
Elizabeth was being very secretive, very caring, and very thoughtful of the
difficulty she was having getting around.

Emily has never seen Elizabeth like that, even though everyone would say that
she is strong and everything, Aunt Elizabeth would never admit some things in
life, like how she could love people, how she could be kind because of her
"Murray Pride", but Aunt Elizabeth has a heart even though some people would
say the opposite.

Elizabeth led Emily and Isabel to a spot near the window where an old trunk
had been pulled out from its keeping place under some old chairs and
blankets. Isabel noticed that a place had been cleared on the window seat that
Emily always used as her secret writing place. She lightly took a seat, and
motioned for Emily to sit beside her. The two traded another confused look.

"Is there something you wanted to speak to us about?" Isabel asked. "Why did
you bring us up here?" She smiled, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Yeah aunt Elizabeth did you want to ask us something, do you want to talk
about something with us, why are we in the attic, at the beginning you didn't
want me to go in the attic?" asked Emily.

Elizabeth cleared her throat, not unkindly indicating that Emily should ask
fewer questions.

"Actually, there was something I wanted to show both of you. Isabel, had you
given any thought to clothing for your child?"

"Well, I ..." Isabel relpied hurt. It was true she did have her mind on other
things lately, like finding her baby's father, but she felt they were more
important right now. She could see about the clothes later.

Elizabeth, immediately seeing that Isabel had taken this statement much more
harshly than intended, hurried onward. "I only ask because, if you hadn't, I
wondered...hoped...that these might be acceptable."

With that, she knelt by the trunk, released the latch and pushed back the lid,
revealing first several small quilts -- too small for any adult, but perfect
for a newborn child. In fact, upon closer inspection, the names of several
still very much alive Murrays could be found stitched in some squares. Others
contained names that corresponded with stones that could still be found in the
nearby Murray burial ground.

Beneath the quilts, though, were Elizabeth's real treasure: tissue-separated
layers of other baby items belonging to various Murrays over the years. Long
white and print infant dresses, each with a matching bonnet. Shorter print and
solid-colored outifts suitable for a few-months old "shortened" baby.
Miniature linens of the softest texture, spotless in spite of age and
use. Leaning over Elizabeth's shoulder, Emily could see small toys emerging
the further into the trunk her aunt delved. Each item, reverently passed among
the three women, was accompanied by a short explanation of whom it had
belonged to.

Isabel watched in amazement as Elizabeth gently and carefully took each
precious little item from the old trunk. She could tell that they had already
been inspected, mended, and folded neatly. Elizabeth must have worked all
day. The truth was the Isabel had not had the time to think of all the little
everyday goods she would need for the baby. She didn't really have anything
suitable for an infant. Anything that she had used as a child was packed away
in Scotland, and probably not fit to use. She assumed she would take care of
all of that later. The gifts that Elizabeth was giving her were sorely needed,
and would definitely be put to good use.

"Oh, how darling!" Isabel grinned as she fingered the little gowns, bonnets,
and blankets on her lap. She laughed aloud with pleasure at the sight of all
the little toys that were perfect for a young child. These were Murray family
heirlooms. How much it must have taken Elizabeth to part with them, especially
in light of who the baby's father was. Isabel was gaining a new respect for
the cousin she had always considered cold and stand-offish. Isabel was
realizing just how much Elizabeth valued family, and that she was considered
part of it even though she was neither born nor raised at New Moon.

"Elizabeth, this is so generous of you." Isabel whispered trying not to
cry. "How can I ever thank you?" She asked as the tears of gratitude started
to form in her eyes.

Elizabeth, at a loss for words for once, merely nodded at Isabel. Besides, she
had just come upon certain items which were especially bittersweet.

"Aunt Elizabeth, those baby things are so cute" said Emily.

"Emily, I want you to see these in particular." Elizabeth easily found what
she was looking for -- one of the quilts, and several newer-looking infant
gowns packed in a separate box in the trunk. "Your aunts and I made these
clothes for your mother when she was born. And here," indicating a portion of
the quilt, "is her name, after your aunts and uncles."

Elizabeth could clearly recall the last time she'd seen these gowns -- when
Juliet had run away, and Old Archibald Murray had decreed that he wanted no
reminders of or contact with his youngest daughter again. A grim look crossed
her face at the thought, prompting Elizabeth to remind Emily, "You've never
seen them because she ran away, Emily. Your grandfather was heartbroken and
would not allow any of them to be sent to her when you were born. If she had
been properly married..."

Emily, of course, was oblivious, and Elizabeth could see her words were
wasted on the girl. But then, Elizabeth was beginning to suspect that there
was little chance Emily would follow in her mother's footsteps and such
reprimands were unnecessary. In any case, Elizabeth cut her lecture short --
that was not the primary reason she had included Emily in this project, and
it had just occurred to Elizabeth that anything in *that* vein wouldn't do
much to mend matters with Isabel, either.

"If you would like, Emily, we might set your mother's things aside for you for
when you get older. You are still too young to have to worry about such
things, of course," continued Elizabeth, "but I thought you should know they
were here."

"Thanks Aunt Elizabeth, I will always be grateful for that" she replied.

Isabel saw the same grateful look on Emily's face at receiving her mother's
things, that she wore on receiveing the heirlooms. She was glad that Emily
would be able to have those precious items.

"I didn't know that you keep all those things" replied Emily. "Thank you so
much, those were my mother things" said Emily who was so happy.

Elizabeth herself nearly radiated love for the young woman next to her, upon
seeing her so enthusiastic over this particular Murray tradition. She had
worried over whether or not she should broach such a delicate subject with
Emily...she was still *so* young, not even out of her 'teens... Now Elizabeth
was glad she had taken this chance to connect with her neice.

"Emily," standing up, Elizabeth touched Emily's sleeve. "Could you help me
with..." she whispered in the younger girl's ear, then indicated a
sheet-shrouded object not far from the trunk. The two brought it closer, and
uncovered it. Isabel gasped in wonder at a cradle, with a smaller
newborn-sized basket nested inside for storage.

"We'll have Jimmy and Perry bring it down to examine it for repairs in a few
weeks, and then they can put it in your room when you're..." -- delicately --
"closer to your time."

Isabel ran her fingers over the delicate carvings and the beautifully aged
wood. For a moment she was speechless. This was much more than she ever
expected. She looked down into the tiny cradle, imagining her baby sleeping
softly inside it, among the warm linens Elizabeth had just handed to her.

Looking up, Elizabeth noticed Isabel looking positively overwhelmed
with...what? "What is it, Isabel? Is something wrong?" Isabel shook her head,
dumb for a moment.

Isabel swallowed hard the lump that was forming in her throat. "The truth is
I haven't thought that you liked me very much." Isabel finally admitted. "That
you were just taking me in because we're family."

"'Just' family?" Elizabeth was baffled. "You're a Murray! Of course you have a
share in everything we have. Family is the most important bond around
here," taking Isabel's hands and looking her in the face, "and you *are*
family." The two women locked eyes for a moment, Elizabeth trying to
communicate just how important this was to her.

Isabel was overcome by her cousin's gracious jesture, and kind words. She was
very glad now that her child would be born in this house around these
people. "Thank you." Was all that she could manage to say, but by the look in
Elizabeth's eyes she knew that her meaning was understood. Her cousins were
showing her more love and compassion than her father ever had. She suddenly,
and for the first real time in her life, felt an intense sense of belonging.

Emily want to give something to Isabel, something that represent the Murray
family so she thought that it would be nice if she could give to Isabel the
Murray plaid, it was really precious for Emily but she was sure that Isabel
will need it more than her.

"Cousin Isabel, I want you to have this" said Emily.

Isabel was in awe, she fingered the soft old wool, in the even older colors
that she had known since the day she was born. She couldn't wait to wrap her
own child in the Murray plaid.

"Emily this is too precious. It's yours. You should keep it." She protested
gratefully.

"No I want you to have it, and I am sure that you will take it at the end
because I am a Murray and like every Murray when I have an idea no one is able
to change it, so take it I am sure that you will need it more than me, it will
be useful for you and the baby" replied Emily.

"Thank you Emily." Isabel hugged her young cousin tightly. "I'll 'borrow' this
until you need it when you're older." She smiled.

She touched the cloth as if it would break, and then wrapped it around her
middle and laughed. They all laughed together. The events of the day had been
completely unexpected. Isabel was quite overwhelmed by them, but
energized. Who would have thought that the day she had dreaded so bitterly
would turn out so well. She had had a wonderful time at the picnic; she had
met two new dear friends (her child's other family), she had grown closer to
her own family, and there was now a chance that Francis would come back to
her. Would wonders never cease. She hoped not.

Suddenly she remembered that she had invited John and Sarah to dinner. She
hadn't even asked Elizabeth, would she be angry.

"Oh my, Elizabeth, I nearly forgot." Isabel said alarmed at her own slip in
manners. "I met two very interesting people today."

"Interesting?" Elizabeth worried -- had there been another incident at the
picnic? No, Isabel wasn't afraid of these "interesting" people. "Interesting
how? Who was there?"

"Very interesting people" said Emily.

"John and Sarah Caprenter." Isabel smiled. "Francis's brother and
sister-in-law. They said that his wife had passed away and he doesn't
know. They didn't know where he was, but they want to help me find
him." Isabel beamed.

Elizabeth was a bit stunned by this development -- and by Isabel's renewed
enthusiasm for finding Francis Carpenter. She thought she had never cared for
anyone herself that much, and still found it hard to comprehend. Nevertheless,
such news was a decided improvement over the past weeks of nothing but rumors
concerning Carpenter. "Well, this is a suprise! They certainly sound like
decent folks, coming all this way..."

"I hope you will still think so.... I invited them to dinner. I didn't even
think of what an imposition that would be to you. Do forgive me." Isabel
apologized.

Elizabeth shook her head. "It's not a bother at all -- the pantry at New Moon
is never empty, you know! Especially lately, we have kept it very
well-stocked," with a sidelong look at Isabel's growing figure.

"Oh," Isabel laughed patting her baby. "I guess my appetite has been
increasing."

"If you'd like, Emily and I will go down and prepare extra places for our
guests. You can take your time deciding," Elizabeth indicated the assorted
baby items around Isabel.

"That would be so nice of you, Elizabeth. I'll be down in a few
minutes." Isabel smiled.

"Sure Aunt Elizabeth" replied Emily with a smile...a smile which indicated
that she had something in her minds...

As Elizabeth and Emily turned to leave the attic, Isabel turned to look
through the items in the trunk. She chose the treasures that most appealed to
her, being careful to leave a few of the nicest things for Emily's future
use. She held the linens, gowns, and other sweet little necessities close to
her. She could no longer hold back her tears. She cried happy tears for the
love her family had shown her. She cried anxious tears for her child, and she
cried tears of longing for her love. She wished yet again that he could be
here with her. She turned her face toward the window and looked out over the
deep blue ocean. Was he somewhere too far over that water to even
contemplate, or could he be closer than she could even imagine?

"Oh, Francis..." She whispered.

To Be Continued...