Em Chron. 11

Emily's Chronicles: Part 10:"Family"Discussion (PG)
By Trish, Tammy, and Liddy

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 emerged from the New Moon attic, her eyes red from crying. She
could faintly hear the sounds of Emily and Elizabeth preparing dinner in the
kitchen downstairs, and she thought she heard Eve's voice also. Isabel held
the plaid Emily had given her close to her. She was touched deeply by the
generosity and symbolic nature of the of the getures her cousins had just
made toward her. She was truly at home here now.

The cradle had been left by the attic door for Jimmy to retrieve and fix up later. Isabel managed to carry the plaid and baby items to her
bedroom and layed them on her bed, she wanted to look at them again later.
She did he best to compose herself as she descended the stairs to join the
family. When she reached the first floor landing the front door openned
revealing Laura and Dr. Burnley who had just returned from the picnic. They
had walked back to New Moon together and seemed to be even more happy than
they had at the picnic for some reason. Isabel wondered if they were
sharing a secret. They were followed by John and Sarah who had just come from the inn.

"My goodness!"explained Laura, " Hasn't this been such a lovely evening for
the two of us to walk home, from the beach, Allan!? What with the beautiful sunset, and the full moon steadily rising to the east!? Hello, Izzy! Look whom we ran into out back?"

Isabel was delighted to see John and Sarah, and greeted them happily.
I'm so happy you could come, welcome to New Moon. She smiled.

It is our pleasure Miss Murray.Sarah & John replied, at the same time,
with matching smiles.

Please, call me Isabel. She requested. After all weâ going to be
family soon. She laughed as she rested her hand on the top of her rounded
waist.

"Alright, Isabel, it is." replied Sarah, joining in with her merry laughter.

"You can call us, Sarah and John, our dear future sister-in-law."
At that Isabel's eyes were at once hopeful and anxious. I hope it will be
so. She replied.

At that moment Elizabeth came down the hall from the kitchen, she was
followed by Emily, Ilse, and Eve. Jimmy and Perry who had been tending to
the livestock, Emily's cat, and Eve's two Collie dogs in the barn were just
coming through the doorway. Jimmy was followed by one of the Collies,
Laddie, who seemed to have taken an instant liking to him. Both the dog and the man were given a sideways look by Elizabeth, she felt the house was no place foranimals. Laddie, on the other hand, feels that 'where there's a will, there's always a way' to get himself inside the screendoor...with his nose.

I'd like you to meet my cousin Elizabeth. Isabel said motioning
toward the elder Murray who was standing near sizing up her two new
acquaintances.

Elizabeth stepped forward, and extended her hand to greet the visitors.
She said a bit stiffly. Welcome to New Moon. She had heard what Isabel had mentioned a moment before about these two strangers becoming family, and she wanted to decide for herself just what kind of people they were. After all, look at what his brother had done to her cousin, and almost to the Murray reputation.

It's nice to meet you. John said extending his hand in turn to shake
Elizabeth's. I hope the short notice isn't too much touble. Sarah too,
extending her hand to be shook.

Of course not. Elizabeth smiled, shaking their hands in turn still a
bit wary. Why had these two come to meet Isabel. She remembered that Isabel had said they had offered to help her find Francis, but could there be
another reason? They seemed like nice people. Sarah was pretty and pleasant, and John seemed friendly enough. Well, he certainly does seem to have is feet on the ground' Elizabeth thought to herself. A far cry from that
brother of his.' She decided to watch the situation very carefully this
evening. Elizabeth wondered if these two were there to size up the Murrays,
which made her bristle. She would not tolerate anyone bringing trouble to
her family, especially not now.

...And of course, you know Jimmy,Eve, and Emily. Isabel cast a grin in
their direction, as John and Sarah greeted the acquaintances they had made
this afternoon on the beach. This is Ilse Burnley, Dr. Burnley's daughter, and Perry Miller, he lives here and helps us around the farm.He's just like one of the family. Isabel motioned to each of the children in turn.

Well, hello! Ilse smiled cheekily. Not only had Emily just told her
all about what had just happened between her, Isabel, and Elizabeth in the
attic, but also who the two newcomers were. She could hardly believe it.

Well, howdy there. Perry smiled broadly. He too could barely believe
what was happenning.

Hello, it's lovely to meet both of you. John and Sarah smiled. They
were glad to see that this was such a large and friendly family.
Please let me take your things. Isabel offered taking their hats, and
Sarah's shawl. It was June, but evenings on Prince Edward Island can still
be cool at that time of year.

"Why don't we all go into the parlor?" Suggested Laura. Gestering with
her right hand, in the direction of the family room.

"Yes, thank you Laura, where are my manners?" Isabel agreed.

The small groups entered the parlor making polite small talk. Elizabeth
offered their guests a seat, and the rest of the family took theirs in turn.
She noticed that Isabel was obviously nervous, but she could not decide if
it was anxiety over what John and Sarah wanted with her, or the fact that they may have information about the whereabouts of her baby's father. Either way she was doing her utmost to put her best foot forward.
After a little while Elizabeth excused herself to make the final dinner
preparation, and lay out the dining room table.

Emily and Ilse, would you two mind helping me?

"Sure, Aunt Elizabeth," answered Emily. "Come on, Ilse."

"But, I wanna..." Ilse replied. She was not only silenced by Emily's tugging
arm, but also by a stern look from her father who had taken a chair beside
Laura near the window.

Elizabeth decided that it would best for Laura, Eve, and Jimmy to stay
in the parlor with Isabel and their guests to supervise the conversation
incase they were needed. Although Isabel seemed to be calming down, she was glad Dr. Burnley was also present. She tried her best to listen from the
kitchen but found supervising the girls more of a chore than she had hoped.
Elizabeth was relieved when everything was ready to take to the table. She, Emily, and Ilse carried the platters and bowls of food into the dining room and layed them on the table. Finally they were ready for dinner.

"Everyone, dinner is ready." Elizabeth announced walking into the parlor
tugging at the apron she forgotten to take off in her haste. "I hope it will beto everyone's liking."

"I'm sure it will be delicious, Elizabeth." Isabel smiled at her cousin as
everyone walked into the dinning room. Her demeanor around her cousin had grown more relaxed and warm after their talk this afternoon. She realized that Elizabeth was taking great care to insure her well being, and that of the newest Murray.

"Mmmmm! Doesn't everything look absolutely delicious!?" declared Sarah.

"It certainly does!" exclaimed Eve. "Just look at that beautiful china and silverware!!"

"I can't wait to dig in, Elizabeth!" remarked Laura. "You've really outdone yourself, dear sis!"

The dinning room had been layed out in fine Murray style. The best
china and silver had been quickly brought out, the table board had been used
so that all ten people could fit around it in comfort. Extra chairs had
been brought in, and the best lace table cloth layed out. Isabel could tell thatit was not only she who was putting her best foot forward. There could be no fault found with the table, the food, the house, or itâ¤s residents.

Well, it seems we have young Emily to thank for this meeting. John
smiled. We never would have known had we not accidentally received your
letter.

"My letter!?!" asked Emily, with surprise. "It was *my* letter that
brought you two here!?!"

"Of course." John grinned, "We would never have known about your cousin's
...impending motherhood if you had not written to my brother. Now, hopefully I can help Isabel find him."

Emily could feel Aunt Elizabeth's stern eye on her from across the table.
She knew her aunt was not happy about strangers knowing family business. But she hadn't meant the letter for anyone but Mr. Carpenter. It wasn't her fault there were two Mr. Carpenter's on Prince Edward Island. She decided to ignore Aunt Elizabeth's reproach and smiled broadly up at her cousin Isabel seated beside her. Maybe the letter would end up helping her. She was pleased when Isabel grinned back at her. She and her cousin had grown closer over the past few months.

As the dinner continued, slowly the Murrays and the Carpenters were
warming to each other. Even Elizabeth came to feel that John and Sarah could be trusted and that they truly wanted to help Isabel in whatever way they could. Besides he would know his brother better than anyone else in the room besides Isabel, maybe he would know where to find him. For Isabel's sake she hoped so.

After dinner, Elizabeth suggested that they take coffee in the parlor
where they could talk about pressing matters. Everyone knew she was talking about Isabel and Francis Carpenter. The reason they were all here tonight. At the suggestion Jimmy, ever watchful, stood up to help Isabel out of her chair, and then Eve. Dr. Burnley assisted Laura, John pulled out Sarah's chair, and even Perry taking a cue from the gentlemen pulled Emily's and Ilse's chairs away from the table for her, although a little roughly.
Elizabeth excused herself to the kitchen to make the coffee. As everyone
made their way into the parlor Isabel began to feel a little self
conscience. Even if everyone was family or nearly family, it made her a bit
uncomfortable to think that the main topic of conversation tonight would be her ... predicament.

Isabel made her way slowly over to the armchair by the fireplace, the
one with foot stool. She sat down and rested her feet on the stool.
hope no one minds. She inquired. It has been a rather long day.

"Oh no, Izzy, we don't mind," said her understanding cousin, Laura.
"You've had quite a harrowing day." remarked Eve, as she sat down next
to Jimmy.

"Yes." agreed Sarah. "Thanks to us."
"Oh, certainly not." She reassured Sarah. "I'm so happy you both came."

"Why, thank you, Isabel," answered Sarah, "we're glad too."

Everyone took a seat once again in the parlor as Emily and Ilse sat on
the floor close to Jimmy and Eve, Laddie sitting obediently beside them.
They could see Elizabeth flinch, apparently she had forgotten about the dog in the house. Isabel could hold her curiosity no longer. John, you said you may be able to find Francis. What did you mean? Do you know where he may be? She asked. She was sure that if he knew that she was carrying his child, he would be with her right now. All in the room could see the hope in her eyes.

I don't know exactly where he is John explained. But this has
happened before. John suddenly realized what everyone was thinking and
quickly added. Him disappearing, I mean."

"It usually only means one thing.? interjects Sarah.

"He's drinking again?" Emily asked urgently. She had begged him the
night he left not to turn to the bottle.

Isabel's heart sank at the thought. She herself had
thought it a possibility, but had always tried to push it from her mind. She
couldn't stand to think of her Francis, drunk in some bar, passed out in
some street, or worse. It was the worse part that frightened her the most. Whatif they never found him. Somehow John's words finally made the possibility far too real.

I saw his eyes when Hattie brought him home, Isabel. John said
solemnly. Like someone had torn his heart out.

Isabel wanted to cry. Her heart had been torn out that day as well. She
knew how much he loved her, and she loved him just as much. She would have married him that evening he was about to propose infront of the whole
family, right there on the spot. But then his wife walked in the door. Suddenly sheput a face to the woman whose husband she was in love with. Then she knew she couldn't do it. She couldn't do to another woman what Megan Moore had doneto her mother. Even at the cost of her true love.

John could see that what he had said was upsetting to Isabel, and
wanted to give her something to take away whatever it was she was thinking
of...
I know now, he was thinking of you. He must love you very much. John
tried to comfort her.

"Sure he does," said Emily.

John looked knowingly at Emily.I can tell you love him equally as
much. He said turning back to Isabel.

Yes, I do. Isabel answered her eyes seeming far away.

That is why I want to help you, both of you. John assured her.

Isabel was touched by John's caring, but she knew what he was proposing
would be harder than he was trying to make it sound. She questioned. He could be anywhere on the island.

Well, yeah, if he's even still on the island. Perry blurted out. The
entire room turned to throw him a quieting look. Of, course Isabel and
everyone else knew that, and she didn't need to be reminded of it. He
mentally kicked himself for his big mouth.

He don't have any money. Jimmy suddenly spoke up.

John asked.

Take's money to get off the island. Jimmy talked out more for himself
than anyone else. He didn't have much when he was here, and if he's
drinkin' it up, he won't have none.

Isabel smiled at him warmly for trying to give her hope back to her, and
she saw Eve touch Jimmy's arm thanking him for his thoughtfulness.

"But even if he is still on the island, how could you ever find him?" Isabel asked, her practical nature returning.

"We already know what kind of places to look in." John said.

"Yeah, bars." Ilse interrupted excitedly, smiling her usual enthusiastic
grin.

"Isle Burnley!" Her father reproached her.

"Well..." Ilse said, sure of herself.

"She's right." John smiled. "Bars... and jails."

"What?" Isabel gasped, suddenly fearful.

"I've had to bail him out before. He tends to shoot his mouth off when
he's... in that state." John explained delicately. "It's just a matter of
finding the right one. The truth is, if he was so miserable it may be he
wanted to get lost so no one could find him. He knew how he had hurt you."

"Well." Perry spoke up like an expert on the subject. "Only one place on
this whole island that's good for hiding so's no one can find ya. Yes, sir that'd be Stovepipe Town fer sure. All them back alleys, and shanty pubs. A person could look forever for a body down there." He realized he'd brought up a subject best not spoken of again. He quickly added, "But, ya know could be
the constable might a heard o' him."

"What a great idea!?!" Emily blirted out.

"Then that's where I'll start." John smiled. "Thanks Perry!"

"I'm goin' with ya." Jimmy broke in seriously. "Isabel's my cousin. She's my
responsibility while her father's in Scotland. I owe it to Malcolm to take
care of this. Ya with me Perry."

"You bet I am." Perry smiled, happy to be of service, and to be included
with the men.

John stood up from seat. "It may not be easy, but I sure could use the
help. Thank you, both." He said walking over to shake Jimmy's and Perry's
hands. "We can leave tonight."

"Aw, well, nobody knows Stovepipe Town better'n me, that a fact." Perry
smiled.

"I'm doin' this for Isabel." Jimmy smiled at her. Isabel smiled back, a
little humbled. Here was her family once again setting out to help her, she
has asked so much them and they were willing to offer more. What Elizabeth had told her was true, family was the most important thing. The truth was, she wanted to go. She wanted to be the first thing that Francis saw, whereever he was. But she knew she could never make the trip. She had to think of her baby.

Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly Emily rising to her feet, she walked
over to her Aunt Elizabeth, and took both her hands, saying, "Aunt
Elizabeth, since I wrote him that letter, I honestly feel that I too, should go with the men to Stovepipe Town, searching for Mr. Carpenter. Not only has he helped me with my writing, I would like to go for Isabel's sake, if it's OK
with you?"

"Absolutely Not!" Elizabeth cried, shocked at her neice's boldeness. "I
will not have you trapsing all over that place, looking for..." she trailed
off, not wanting to insult anyone.

"Well, now, hold on there Missus." Perry interrupted seeing his chance.
"Now Emily's got a point there. She and Mr. Carpenter was always close,
maybe she could get some sense through to him."

"Hmmm, he's right, Elizabeth." Jimmy agreed. "You know nothing would
happen to her with us there."

"Please, Aunt Elizabeth, I want to help to." Emily pleaded feeling
responsible.

"NO!, and that's final!" Elizabeth deemed, ignoring the pout that spread
across Emily's face.
Isabel had been quitely watching the events in the parlor unfold from
her chair. She felt so helpless. She was right in the middle of the situation
but seemed somehow detatched from all the men were going to do. Hers was to wait. It had been such a long day, and so many things had happened. Could it be possible, could they actually find him? And how soon she wondered.As she sat lost in thought for a moment she suddenly felt a hard thud against her side...

"OH!" she yelled involuntarily, as her hand went to her side. Almost
immediately she felt another thud. The room turned to her in concern, only to see the worried expression on her face change to an amazed, wide-eyed, smile. She then noticed everyone watching her with tense anticipation.
"I think the baby kicked." She annouced, smiling.

Dr. Burnley rose from his seat beside Laura to check on his patients.
Bending over Isabel. He placed his hand on the spot where Isabel's had been
a moment before, and there was another thud.

"Yes, that what it's doing alright." He smiled at her.
I
sabel could hardly believe what was happening. Then she noticed the
wide happy smiles on Emily and Ilse's faces. "Girl's do you want to feel?"
She asked.

They immediately jumped to their feet, and strode excitedly over to
Isabel. She lightly and carefully took the young girl's hands and one at
time placed them over the spot on her abdomin where she had felt the kick. Their eyes turned wide with amazement, and they felt the hard thuds too.

"Oh well, that settles it." John announced laughing. "We have to find
that child's father now, even the baby agrees." Everyone in the room laughed
at the sentiment.

"Ok, I'll pack the wagon." Jimmy declared. "Perry, you hitch the
horses."

"Will do, Jimmy." Perry agreed, moving toward the door.

"I'll pack you something to eat for the trip." Elizabeth said, standing
from her chair and striding toward the kitchen. She had been moved by all
that had transpired this day.

Isabel remained quite calm through all the hussle that was going on
throughout the house. She was replaying the events of the day in her mind. She wondered what surprises would be in store for her when she opened her eyes tomorrow.

To Be Continued...