EC21Beginnings

Emily's Chronicles:Part 21"New Beginnings"
Written 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.

Francis Carpenter awoke early on the first morning of the new school
year. He wanted to spend the last few moments of dawn with Isabel. He
loved to watch her sleep. Although they had only been married for a month and a
half, becoming accustomed to her laying in the bed next to him was easy.
He now could not remember what it was like to be without her, and prayed he
would never have to remember. He knew the meaning of her every sigh and
movement as they passed the nights in each other's arms. This morning they
lay, their arms folded around each other, his hand spread softly across her
rounded middle. He had begun the habit of waking in the night to check on
her, and then would spend some time with his children in this way. He felt
their nightly acrobatics inside their mother. It amazed him that Isabel
could sleep through it, but then he realized that it must seem as much a part of
her as her own heartbeat. It was just beginning to sink in that they were
about to become the parents to twins. Very healthy and active twins from
the feel of things. For some weeks now he had been able to tell the difference
between feet and elbows. Isabel had even said she could tell the difference
between the children themselves, one kicked all the time, while the other
mainly moved around turning somersaults. Once, in the middle of the night,
one of the babies even had hiccups. Francis laughed so hard he feared he
would awaken Isabel, but she mearly rolled heavily over and continued her
contented sighs. They had spent nearly every waking moment of the summer
together, and since the wedding, every moment. It had been a glorious
summer, how differently it was ending from the way it began. He was not a religious
man, but he thanked God everyday for bringing this extraordinary woman into
his life. He knew he did not deserve her. He suddenly realized that he had
not even thought about taking a drink since he had won her back. He layed
back and watched the morning sun highlight the gold in her hair and the
porcelain of her face. Last month the babies had nearly come early, and he
swore to her he would never leave her again. He had watched her like a hawk
since then, never leaving her side for anything more than to wait on her
hand and foot. However, beginning today, he would have to tear himself away from
her and the children. He knew she understood, and he had to make a living
for them, but it would be hours before he would see her again. It seemed like
forever.

Isabel stirred a little. Taking a deep breath, she openned her eyes to her
husband's smiling face. She loved the feel of him beside her. It made her
feel so safe. Although they had only shared the same bed...officially,
since their wedding, she could not remember a time when she had not felt his
closeness. It thrilled her to wake up and see him watching over her, often
his hand resting reassuringly stomach, now filled with the activity of two
strong babies. They would lay in bed in the early hours of the morning and
share each other's deepest thoughts. How she would miss him today, and
everyday after that. She could hardly wait for the afternoon to come and
bring him back to her.

"Tell them you've changed your mind." Isabel smiled snuggling closer to
him. "Stay here with us."

"Alright. I'll send a note with the kids." Francis said, pulling her close
to him. They both laughed understanding the impossibility of the suggestion,
but it was nice to dream. They stayed close together for a moment, each
knowing the embrace would have to last until they could once more be
together.

It was Isabel who broke the loving silence. " You'll be late, you'd better
go." She knew just what it took for the town to give Francis his job back,
and she knew they would be watching closely for a time. He could afford no
mistake, not even being late.

"You're right." He said pulling himself away from her.

Isabel watched him wash and dress, smiling to herself as the babies played
inside her. She was so proud of her husband. She knew better than anyone
what it was taking for him to walk back into the school after everything that had
happened. She knew he was doing it for her and the children. When he was
finished Francis returned to Isabel in their bed for inspection.

"How do I look?" He asked, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Perfect, the handsomest man on the island." She laughed.

"Hmm, just the island?" He teased.

Isabel laughed gleefully. "You know what I mean." She said, as her husband
sat beside her on the bed. "We're going to miss you." She said patting her
abdomin.

"Being apart from you will be torture." He said seriously.

"I know, I feel the same way. But we must do, what is necessary." She said.
He loved how practical she was, and felt that there was nothing she could
not face head on.

"I'll be home right after school." Francis assured her.

"I know. I'll be waiting." Isabel said touching his face.

He pulled her gently from the pillow and held her close. They shared a
long, slow kiss. The last one for hours. As the small clock on their
dresser rang eight-thirty. Francis helped Isabel settle back into the pillows, and toar
himself away. Stopping at the door for one final look to last all day.

"Good luck." Isabel said. "I love you."

"Thanks, I'll need it." Her husband said. "...and I adore you." He smiled.

Isabel listened to his footstep going down the back staircase. Heard his
voice bidding a good morning to Elizabeth and Joe in the kitchen as he
stopped for a light breakfast. Then she felt a little twinge in her heart
as she followed his footsteps out onto the porch, the heavy wooden door
shutting behind him. With that he was gone for the day. The school was only a mile
from New Moon, but to her it might as well be on the other side of the
world.

'Have a truly wonderful day, my love.' She whispered after him. Then she
turned over, pulling the quilt tightly up around her, and fell back to sleep
dreaming of her new family.

Emily and Perry had been up at first light. They could not wait to get to
school, and were barely able to gulp down the delicious breakfast Aunt
Elizabeth had prepared. Emily was certain this year would be wonderful now
that Mr. Carpenter would be back as their teacher. Not that her cousin
Isabel had been quite the horrible presence she had feared upon first learning she
was taking over the job. To the contrary, as it turned out Emily had enjoyed
having Isabel at school, and had learned a great deal under her instruction.

However, she was eager to get back to the way her mentor ran things, and
was anxious to improve her writing. She had never been so excited about
starting school.

Emily and Perry had made plans to meet Ilse, Teddy, and Gussy Dan on
their way to school. They found Ilse standing at the end of her lane
waiting for them, along with Aunt Laura. Emily's eye nearly dropped out when she saw
the way Ilse was dressed, in a beautiful little floral print dress with a
lace collar and white pinnafore. Laura had made it for her for the first day of
school. Even her hair had been trimmed to a taylored taper, and the top had
been pulled back in a braid, intertwined with a blue ribbon. Emily
remembered the near native that had greeted her on her first day of school.

Ilse had never cared about her manner of dress. A ratty woolen shawl over
showing pantalooms, had suited her best friend just fine. Now, though, she
looked like a proper little lady. Emily ignored the sound of breath catching
Perry made when he saw the vision of Ilse, but she saw that he could not
take his eyes off of her. She could see, though, not only how much having Laura
as her new mother meant to Ilse, she could see how much it meant to Laura as
she hugged the girl tightly and kissed her. She handed her a packed lunch,
and wished her good luck.

For some reason Emily did not understand she felt a glare of jealousy as
she watched Ilse's closeness with her Aunt. Those hugs had always been
her's alone. She did not resent Ilse, and was glad that there was a deep
mother,daughter closeness growing between she and Laura. However, she ran
to Aunt Laura and threw her arms around her holding her tightly, just to
make sure nothing had changed between them. It had not. Laura held her close just
as tightly as she ever had, and her faced beamed in the way that was
reserved for Emily.

"Good morning, Aunt Laura & Ilse!" said Emily, trying not to sound envious
at seeing her new cousin, being hugged closely by her aunt and step-mother.
"I love you sooo much, Aunt Laura!"

"Ooooh good morning to you too, Emily darling." said Laura, as she hugged
her niece, sensing her bout of envy. "And I love you too, just as much as
I love Ilse."

Emily was happily contented at the reassurance, and smiled broadly at her
aunt. They both knew what the smile meant, that they were as close as ever.
She turned her attention to her best friend, shining like a brand new penny.
"Ilse, you look wonderful."

"Thanks, Laur... I mean, Mother fixed me this new dress and did my hair."
She said grinning up at Laura, who returned her happy smile.

"Doesn't Ilse look beautiful?" Emily asked Perry, nudging him in the ribs.

"Hah, Umm, yeah... She does." Perry managed to sputter. He had indeed
noticed how lovely Ilse was. Infact he could not take his eyes off of her.
He could barely breath. She had certainly changed over the summer. He very
much liked this new Ilse Burnley.

Ilse, Emily, and Laura noticed the boy's stammering, and the way he stared
at Ilse, and smiled at each other knowingly. It was obvious that he was
quite takened with her. Ilse felt very special at that moment. She
suddenly wanted Emily to share in her good feelings.

"Emily, you look fantastic. It looks like Aunt Elizabeth made you a new
first day dress, too. It's very becoming." She smiled.

"Thank you." Emily beamed. Ilse was right, Elizabeth had decreed that no
Murray would start a new school year looking like a raggamuffin in a worn
out dress, and had made her niece several new outfits. Isabel had even
embellished some with embroidery, nearly the only task she was allowed since
beginning her confinement to bed last month. Besides Emily was growing and
she needed somethings more suited for her age. Today she wore a light pink
creation with lace around the collar, a bit longer and slightly tighter
around the waist than she had worn last year. She had even curled her hair
in rags last night so it would be full and flattering to her face. She did
feel very grown up, and hoped that Teddy Kent would notice her as much as
Perry was taken with Ilse.

Then they heard a familiar whistle nearby them, it was Teddy coming to join
them. "Good mornin' ev'ryone!" said he, then to Emily he added,
"My...my...my, ain't you a picture of pure loviness t'day!?!"

Blushing, Emily was for a time there, at a loss for words, while the others
returned their greetings to their friend, Teddy. "Good mornin' to you too,
there Teddy!!!" They all echoed after one another.

Emily's brain raced for something to say. All she could manage, much to her
embarrasment was, "Uh, hi Teddy." She felt like cringing, she had wanted to
be so witty and charming. She wanted a mood to match her change in style,
but she still felt like a shy little girl whenever Teddy Kent was around. She
saw Ilse giving her an 'is that all you can say' look, and raised her
eyebrows and her shoulders in a ' what do you want me to say?' answer.

Teddy did not notice Emily's uncertainty. He was too preoccupied looking at
her pretty face. It was then that Laura interrupted the happy reunion
between friends.

"You'd all better get going. You wouldn't want to be late on your first
day." She said.

"Oh, yeah." The kids echoed not realizing how late it was getting, and they
still had to stop by the collie farm to meet Gussy Dan. As the boys waved
their goodbyes to Mrs. Burnley, Emily and Ilse gave her one more hug which
she gladly accepted and returned. "Have a great day." She smiled.

With that the four friends were off. Ilse and Perry had fallen in step
together at the front of the group, Emily and Teddy following behind. Perry
could hardly think of what to say as he walked along side the new and
improved Ilse Burnley. He did know that he could not walk all the way to
school in silence, she would think he was daft or something. Finally he
ventured a compliment.

"Boy, Ilse, I'll tell ya what, Aunt Laura sure did a real good job of
cleanin' you up. Ya don't even look like yer ol' self." He laughed self
consciously. The boy thought he had paid his lovely a great compliment, but
could tell by the angry hurt expression appearing on Ilse's face that she
did not take it that way.

"What was wrong with my ol' self?" She yelled. "Clean me up?" She could feel
her anger boiling and Ilse's anger usually boiled hotter than almost
anyone's.

"Well, nothin'. I just meant that you look real pretty." Perry tried to make
amends.

Ilse was ready to make a grand gesture on behalf of her wounded ego but was
stopped by his last statement. He had never said she looked pretty before.
He mentioned something once about Emily looking like a cupcake, but still
that was not exactly the same as actually telling someone to their face that
they looked pretty. She broke into an uncharacteristicly shy smile.
"Really?"

Perry looked at her and smiled in return, glad that he seemed to be
redeaming himself. "Yeah, Really. You look real grown up." With that he turned his
face from her and pretended to be interested in something far down the path
so she would not see the red cast his face was taking. She too, at that
point was over attentive to the toes of her shoes. She smiled self
statisfied at herself, and silently thanked Laura for helping her.

Emily and Teddy walked slowly down the lane behind Perry and Ilse, falling
further behind with each step. There was an unsual awkward silence between
them. Each one searching for the right thing to say to the other.

Finally Teddy ventured into conversation. "You, ah, you look really pretty, Emily." His voice cracked.

Emily wanted to beam with the compliment but kept her excitement in check. She would be mortified if she made a fool of herself infront of Teddy, now. "Thank you, look nice too." Seh smiled sweetly at him.

He smiled and then pretended to look up into the trees overhead, he cuaght the scent of something sweet and realized it was Emily. "Ah, you smell nice too." He wanted to kick himself. How ridiculous that had sounded.

Emily silently thanked her cousin Isabel for letting her borrow her best perfume the evening before. "Thank you." was all she could say.

They walked a few more paces in silence, until Teddy again thought of something to say. "It sure will be nice to have Mr. Carpenter back as our teacher." He said. "Oh, not that Miss Murray was so bad." He added not wanting Emily to think he was insulting her cousin.

Emily knew his comment was not meant against Isabel and she ignored that part. "It certainly will. I can't wait to get his opinion on my writing." She grinned.

"I'd love to read some of you stories." Teddy smiled.

"Really." Emily asked, grateful for his interest.

"Sure. You are a great writer, Emily." Teddy said, as he motioned to carry her books.

Emily handed him her armload of books, which he hoisted under his arm with little effort. The two fell back into their silent steps, but the happy looks on there faces told each other that this was going to be a very memorable year.

At the Collie Farm, Eve and Judith were busily readying Gussy Dan for his
first on school in Blair Water. He is wearing a pair of brown nickers,
above-the-knee dark-brown socks, a beige shirt, and suspenders....on his
head, is a Tam-O-Shanter cap....looking quite handsome for a boy his age.

"Well now, Gussy Dan," said his approving brother-in-law, Jimmy. "...not
bad...not bad at all."

"Do ya' really think so, Jimmy?" asked Gussy Dan, seeking an almost fatherly
approval.

"Hmm-hmm, you do." replied Jimmy. "Ladies, if it's all the same to you,
I'll walk our young man to the end of our lane to meet our other children."

"Why, of course--Jimmy" agreed Judith and Eve together.

Before leaving, Jimmy plants a loving kiss on his wife's lips. "See you
later, darling...and Mum."

As Jimmy and Gussy Dan are nearing the end of their lane, they hear the
friendly chatter of Emily, Ilse, Perry, and Teddy. Taking off running a
head of Jimmy, Gussy Dan hollers, "Good mornin' everyone!!!"

"Good mornin' to you....and Jimmy!!" they all echo in unision.

As Emily runs to Jimmy, throwing her arms around him, the others all chatter
with each other. As she looks up at him, she inquires, "How are you this
morning, Cousin Jimmy? How's Eve and Judith?"

Thrilled that Emily still loved him, even though he no longer lived at New
Moon, but in his and Eve's new home, he replied smiling down at her, "I'm
just fine, Emily. Eve and Judith are both fine. Are things fine with you?"

"Oh yes, Cousin Jimmy," replied Emily, as she looked up at her cousin.
"That wonderful that things are fine with you, Eve and Judith!"

Seeing that his step-cousin, and the rest of the kids are anxious to get
school, he adds..."You kids don't want to be late on your first day of
school, do you? You better be off now, and I'll see you later."

"Okay, Cousin Jimmy," replied both Emily and Ilse. "We'll see you later!"

"Bye Jimmy!!" added Gussy Dan and Perry.

"Bye, Mr. Murray!" Teddy added.

As the kids are heading off to school, Teddy asks Gussy Dan, "Betcha you're
kinda nervous, on your first of school, aren't you?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Gussy Dan replies, "Naaa."

"Well, you shouldn't be, Gussy Dan." remarks Emily. "What with Cousin
Francis as our teacher."

Mr. Carpenter stood at the door of the schoohouse greeting the children as they entered. He was truly happy to see them again, and they returned his joy some throwing their arms around him as the passed. He thought he would never see this place again, but of course he thought he would never see Isabel again, and now she was his wife. Life never ceased to amaze him. Even as he stood there, glad to see the children again, his thoughts turned anxiously to Isabel, resting at home. There had been no more problems since Dr. Burnley had been able to stop her premature labor, in fact she assured everyone that she felt wonderful. However, Francis was the the nervous expectant father. He was glad Elizabeth and Malcolm would be with her throughout the day, and was counting the seconds until he saw her again.

Somehow Perry, Ilse, Emily, and Teddy had made it to school on time, but just barely. The walked up the steps as Francis checked his watch. "Glad to see you could make it." He laughed at them. They smiled and feigned guilt, as they walked inside to lay their things in the cloack room.

Ilse smiled to herself as Francis strode past them and into the classroom. She could hardly belive her luck. A family member for a teacher, talk about special treatment. She nudged Perry, falling back into her familiar teasing. He saw her cast a glance in the direction of their teacher. "This year's gonna be a breeze." She giggled in a whisper.

Perry knew exactly what she meant and smiled broadly. "I know." He answered.

The foursome made their ways to their usual seats, and after storing their books,papers, and pencils in their desks sat attentively ready to begin. That is Emily and Teddy sat attentively, Perry and Ilse still supressed chuckles enjoying their private joke.
Mr. Carpenter stood at the front of the classroom smiling at the students.

"Good morning Ladies and Gentleman." He said happily. The students cheerfully echoed his greeting, Ilse and Perry barely able to get the words out through their laughter.

"I hope you all had a splendid summer." He said looking around. "I certainly did." He added his mind traveling to Isabel for moment. Emily smiled widely, knowing what he was thinking of.

"It's good to be back." Mr. Carpenter assured them. "Now, let's get started." The kids knew well enough what that meant. They all reached into their desks and took out their writing tablets.

"This year is a new beginning." He told them, thinking of the new things in his life, and those to come. "That's what we're going to spend this morning talking about, beginnings. Who knows what a goal is?" He asked them.

Jenny Stang raised her hand, confindent in her answer, and was called on immediately. "It's a metal, you make jewelry out of it." She beamed.

The class rolled it's eyes collectively, but were silenced by their teacher. "You're thinking of gold, g-o-l-d." He said turning and writing the letters of the board. "We're talking about a goal, g-o-a-l." He wrote those letters on the board underneath the first word. "That's alright, goals can be golden, if they are important to us." He smiled and wrote then -en onto the word gold. He then asked for another volunteer.

Rhoda Stuart was the next to venture a guess. She stood haughtily confident in her answer. " A goal is something you set, and work very hard to acheive." She sat back down congratulating herself as Emily silently mocked her.

"Very good, Rhoda." Mr. Carpenter said. "We are all going to set a goal for this year. I want you to write about his goal. Tell what it is, and what you plan to do to achieve this goal."

The children set to work, excited about the assignment, some whispering to each other.
Emily's mind was full, she had so many things she wanted to do, how could she pick just one. She wanted to grow an inch, learn how to dance, improve her division, and read the Bible all the way through. Putting her pencil to her lips she thought hard and decided it should probably be an academic goal, and one she could actually reach, she doubted she would improve much in math, especially if it were harder this year. Suddenly her eyes lit up. " My goal for this year is to become an even better writer. " She wrote, and listed all the ways she planned to make that happen. When she was finished she reread her essay, very proud of herself. But there was still something missing, she gasped as she thought of it. "My second goal is to help Cousin Isabel with the babies as much as I can." She scribbled hurridly and drew a smiley face next to it. She hoped Mr. Carpenter would not mark her down for writing two goals when he ahd said to only do one, but she felt that he wouldn't mind that last minute addition.

Writing was the last thing on Perry's and Ilse's minds. Perry had ripped a small scrap from the back of his composition book and was tearing tiny paper balls and flicking them across the aisle at Ilse, who returned them with equal vigor.

Mr. Carpenter strode up behind them and bent over to speak lowly. " You two have work to do, I suggest you get to it."

The two cohorts looked guilty, but still smiled. It was Ilse who made the first lapse in decorum. "Aww, come on Francis. We're just having fun." She smiled, expecting a smile in return.

The class went quiet and turned in her direction. Her comment did not get the reception she had hoped. Instead their teacher stood up sharply and looked down at them. He usually did not look so stern and Ilse knew she was in trouble. Perry sank back into his seat trying very hard to disappear.

Francis hated to have to be harsh with he students, but he had to command their respect, especially now. He had noticed the small groups of parents milling around outside as the children entered. They had come to check that all was aboveboard. After his drunken performance in front of the children the year before, and Isabel's...condition, this town was just looking for any reason to reaise suspicions. He glared again down at Ilse and Perry, "You will both address me properly, and you will remain inside at recess." The two silently nodded their understanding.

The wrest of the students turned quickly around in their seats, and continued to work in silence. Ilse knew she would be the topic of conversation at lunch time, although she would not be there to hear it. She would make sure Emily reported every word to her later. When everyone was finished Mr. Carpenter collected the essays, and layed them on his desk, thinking of his own goal for the year... to be the best husband to Isabel, and father to the twins that he could be. It was a goal to had to achieve.

At lunch time the students were dismissed to the school yard. To their surprise Emily, Teddy, and Gussy Dan were also asked to stay behind.

The children looked at each other nervously, they must really be in trouble. Maybe it was because they were nearly late this morning. Yes, that it what it must be, Emily, Teddy, and Gussy Dan had done nothing wrong. They stood apprehensively waiting for whatever punishment to be doled out. However, Francis mearly asked them to sit down and took a seat beside them.

"Listen, all of you. I know that since I married Isabel we are family now." He began. "But it ia absolutely imperative that you address me as any other student while we are in school. I don't want it to look like I'm playoing any favorites, which I will not." He looked seriously at them. "You all will be treated just like all the other students, do you understand?"

"Yes, we understand." They confirmed as one, Perry and Ilse throwing in an "I'm sorry" for good measure.

"Very well, then. Emily, Teddy, and Gussy Dan, you go on outside and have your lunch. Ilse and Perry, you still have a consequence for your behavior. You stay inside and eat your lunch. You will miss recess too." Francis said.

"Alright." Ilse said, happy to be spending some time with Perry even if it would be supervised. Perry also nodded his agreement.

Gussy Dan ran to the cloak room and grabbed his lunch. Then he rushed outside eager to join a game of kick and catch he saw forming. Teddy and Emily lagged behind a little. Teddy looked nervous for some reason, and then finally spoke up.

"Uh, Emily. Would you...that is. I'd really like... I'd be honored if we could eat our lunches together." He smiled at her.

Emily could hardly believe her ears, her first invitation to dine with a gentleman. She eagerly accepted. "I'd love to, Teddy."

His nervousness disappeared in a wave of relief as he took her lunch pail from her to carry. He led her outside and began looking for the just the right spot. Emily enjoyed the moment thuroughly. 'Mr. Carpenter's was right.' She thought to herself. 'This was a year for new beginnings.'