There is a small home in the nearly perfect town. It is near a small brook with shiny damp stones piled near it. The house itself has young tangles of ivy creeping along its walls. And the woman who had been walking down the street quickly walked up to the house, cradling the sick woman's child. The little girl was bundled in enough jackets, scarves and hats to warm the town. The woman gently opened the door and took the girl toward the guestroom to unbundle her and put her to sleep. But for a moment the girl stirred. With sleep coated eyes she groggily said, "G'night, Auntie Mary Anne."
The woman smiled down fondly. Then she quietly whispered, "Good night, Linnia" Soon the doorbell rang. As Mary Anne Spier went to the door, she glanced at her watch. Shaking her head she muttered, "It better be him. I'm running late."
~
A slightly nervous woman stepped out of the airport terminal. Her brief cry on the plane had left her slightly red-eyed and her hands were shaking ever so slightly. As she adjusted her shoulder bag she glanced around, eyes flicking from one person to another, searching for a face. And quickly her eyes lit up as they landed upon one person. Her face broke into a grin as she ran toward Mary Anne. After a quick hug the two stepsisters broke apart. Dawn looked around a bit. "Did you bring the little girl? What was her name…? Casey? Corrie?"
Mary Anne grinned a bit. "I left her home with Mark. And it's Carolyn. But everyone calls her Linnia."
A smirk formed the sun-tanned stepsister's lips. "Mark? Someone I should meet?"
"Oh, you might not need to, but you will. We're heading over to my place now. That's where I told everyone to meet."
"Why not at…"
"Their place is a mess. Her husband spends all his time at work and the hospital. The place is left to the care of a few dedicated baby-sitters. Linnia is such a sweet and easy child that baby-sitters have always liked her. A few bonded with the family and are willing to help. I try to help when I can… but I can mostly just watch Linnia and that's easier at my house."
The two stepsisters left the airport gossiping about old friends and chatting about anything else except for the illness.
~
As they got back into Stoneybrook from Stanford they swooped by the train station. Dawn gave Mary Anne a strange look. Mary Anne caught it and quickly explained, "Don't think you're the only one that needs to be picked up. We've got a couple of people here, too."
Dawn asked 'Who?" with her eyes, but either her sister didn't catch it or she ignored it. She purposely opened the car door and strode to the station, with a glance at her watch. Dawn thought she heard, "running late, darn." Quickly she jumped from the car, rushed around to the other side and into the train station.
Inside she almost lost her sister and only found her when she heard a muffled shriek of joy.
~
A woman toting a laptop hesitantly stepped onto the train platform. Looking around she saw only a blur of faces, none familiar. But as her eyes continued their drifting she saw a flash of cocoa colored skin. A second glance confirmed exactly who it was. "Jessi?"
The woman turned her head; her bun practically bumping into some man's nose and her mouth formed a surprised "O". "Kristy?"
The two long time friends hugged for a second. Then Kristy asked, quite cynically in fact. "Let me guess, your waiting for Mary Anne."
"Yeah. She said I needn't rent a car because the second I managed to get to actual Stoneybrook I could walk anywhere, and if I couldn't she'd lend me her car."
"Ditto, except for the fact I own a car- partially. I was going to drive but she said I didn't need the extra stress."
"Stress?"
I get a lot from my job. Mary Anne the worrywart is always mothering me- not as much as my actual mother, but she worries. I'm just glad she got a new boyfriend so she can lay off. Between him and Linnia-"
"Linnia… Isn't that…"
"Yup, it's her kid alright. I've met her a couple of times. Not only does she have the looks, she's got the talent."
"Fitting."
"Yeah, I'm just glad it shows now… that way…"
"When her mom's gone…"
"They can both know they had something in common." They both finished.
The conversation was ended as a flying blur with brown hair came crashing into them. "Mary Anne!" a voice cried from behind the trio. A tall woman with blond hair came through the thinning crowd. After a quick glance she smiled. "Hi Kristy, hey Jess."
As Mary Anne straightened up, every woman smiled. Half the chain was finally there. And the other half would be soon.
~
The woman left her childhood home quite briskly. She quickly entered her car. Mary Anne had told her she would pick her up if she wanted, but the woman had refused. She planned on staying quite a bit longer than the rest of the women, so Mary Anne didn't need that long of a burden. When Mary Anne had realized there was no way to talk her out of it, she had relented. Which explained a rather frantic cell phone call asking the woman to pick up a friend that Mary Anne was running late on. The woman had quickly agreed- she wanted an excuse for a drive.
She swerved through once completely familiar streets, almost getting lost twice. When she finally caught site of the broken down fan, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was rather embarrassing getting lost in the town you had lived the first 18 years of your life.
The driver of the van looked up when she heard the car stop. As the woman stepped out, the driver smiled. "Hey, Mal! You here to give me a lift?"
"No, I just wanted to watch you wallow in frustration."
"Hey, I'm supposed to be the funny one."
"Times change, Abby"
"Well, they shouldn't"
In a more serious tone, "I quite agree"
Both women glanced at each other, each feeling a bit guilty at their happiness when a friend was slowly suffering.
Mallory broke the silence. "Hey, get into the driver's side. We don't have time to wait fore the truck. Mary Anne wanted us at the hospital in… a half hour."
Abby grinned, "Why so worried? It doesn't take that long."
"You forget to account 'getting lost' time."
"Ahhhhhhh… yes, of course. How could I forget."
~
The woman in the taxi regretted talking so soon. The second they hit Stoneybrook the baby had started to bawl. The taxi driver was getting quite annoyed, and by the time they reached the hospital, everyone was glad the ride was over. The woman dragged out the baby stuff (and her own 3 or 4 suitcases) and turned to face Stoneybrook General. She had spent quite a bit of time in the facility and would hate for it to be the last place she ever saw. The woman looked down at the still sobbing babe and sighed.
Suddenly, a small voice gently asked, "May I see her?"
The woman looked even further down and saw a perfectly sweet face with dark eyes and hair gazing up at her. She immediately melted. Bending down she tipped the baby toward the girl. The girl's widened in delight. Looking up at the woman again she said in the voice of cherubs, "My name is Linnia."
The woman grinned. Gesturing toward the baby, who had quieted since the arrival of the child, she said. "Well, this is Celia. It's short for Pricilla." The grin widened. The woman had long since decided that awful, stuffy names would be family tradition. "And I'm-"
"Stacy?"
The woman looked up. A brunette came and swooped up Linnia. Looking at her she gently chided, "Don't go off like that on me. You know it isn't safe. "
"I'm sorry Auntie Mary Anne. I just wanted to see the baby."
Mary Anne looked over, seeing the baby for the first time. "Oh, Stace. What a dear."
The mother grinned. "Hello, Mary Anne. This is Celia"
"It's short for Pricilla" Linnia cut in.
Stacy grinned. "Yes, it is. But Celia isn't that bad, is it?"
Another voice cut into the conversation, "Anastasia McGill. It's shameful to take vengeance on your parents for your awful name by giving your child one, too."
"Kristy, It's not that bad" another said.
"I've always been fond of Celia, myself," said a third.
Stacy looked past Linnia and saw who else but Dawn, Kristy, and Jessi. All were looking quite grown up. They had last been together for… Stacy couldn't remember when. But the knowledge of death seemed to have added on years. All were in a semi-awkward silence as each took in any differences. Jessi broke the mood by saying, "Stacey, why don't we put your things in the car."
Stacy took a second to be relieved before agreeing.
~
Mallory and Abby swerved into the hospital parking lot. With a self-satisfactory smile she said, "We're on time. Thank god. I know Mary Anne was picking up Kristy, and…"
"Kristy does not accept lateness. I swear, it's like being right back in middle school…"
"More a BSC meeting"
"Speaking of Kristy…"
"Speak of the devil"
The two had spotted a rather odd caravan including two children, five women, and quite a bit of baby stuff. They then watched with amusement as the caravan attempted to fit all the stuff in, while still maintaining enough room for the passengers. After watching enough of the show Mallory climbed out and called, quite nonchalantly, "you could just use my car…"
Mary Anne was the first to turn. Grinning she said, "Well, there's an idea."
~
A good bit later, after everyone's stuff had been sufficiently packed away, Mary Anne found the back of her shirt being tugged on. Turning she found big, dark, almond shaped eyes staring imploringly at her. "When can we go see Mommy?" Linnia asked plaintively. At once, seven heads turned toward the little girl. At the same time the seven mouths dropped open.
Slowly a silent agreement was reached. The group turned toward the hospital. It was time to go in.
~
These women have found inner strength by finding the strength in their friends. This is truly a life lesson. This visit is about lessons. These lessons are not one taught by teachers in the stereotypical sense. The teachers might be doctors, strangers, or even children. One child, Linnia, might teach all of these women more than years of baby-sitting, education, and college ever could. But first- first they have to learn to listen. That of course, is the first lesson.
A/N: I case any of you didn't get it, from the first part: Claudia, Jessi, Kristy, Dawn, Mary Anne, Mallory, Stacey, Abby. Jobs, marital status, kids, etc. Will be discussed next chapter. I promise. Well… I…. Yes, I will go into it. I have this pretty list of what they all do and such. I have had it for years and know I can use it. As always, questions and comments will be addressed. So ask away. Thanks to my reviewers:
Katie D. - I was going for depression with the last part. This part was lighter to show how the baby-sitters help each other. I hope you enjoyed it just as much.
Catherine- the lack of names was on purpose… I'm sorry that the lack of name was so annoying, that was just for that part. I do not plan on changing the first chapter though.
Alexis Rockford- I hope this was less sad. Even though in my mind I always had Claudia (I hope everyone got that it was her by process of elimination) I can see why you would think it was Mary Anne, though. Something inherited from her mother.
I-your question has been answered…
~*~AnGeL~*~ -Thank You so much. I hope all of you know how much each review means…
Ghetto Smurf aka Lindsay- thankers!
Jennifer- Never be afraid to guess! Take risks! But thank you very much.
Nobody- the namelessness was only practical for the first part… for that exactly reason.
Caiy- Stacy, like Mary Anne was quite likely. But as I said before, it had to be Claudia. It always has been in my head. But a good guess.
Sparkles- Thank you for your excellent comments. The anonymity was crucial for the first part, and details would have eliminated it. I will get into why I wanted no names for the first part later. I was trying to come up with some other phrase besides "the woman" also. It was really quite dull for me too. On the last point, the Bsc/dying bond is actually the same plot as the mother daughter bond. Juggling both could be difficult, but the wrinkles should be out before I post.
I'm An Alien- Thank you for guessing. Not many did, so I praise you for your braveness in guessing.
Misha- Cookies for you! You got Claudia right! Go you… if I can get a scanner and your email address you some fan art coming your way.
Trowa Barton- Comments are my candies. Thank you!
Pie- Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Aria- This part took a good bit longer than it would usually because I was on spring break last week. Parts should (depending on how much homework my teachers feel like grading) be coming out about every two weeks.
Shelleyshell- Are you British or a Potter fan?
Jade- I hope things are clearer now. If they aren't then feel free to email me for an explanation.
Rose Kitty- Sorry about the confusion. I offer the above expanations. I would repeat but it is way too late for me to up so long…
Stardust- I was supposed to.
Ivy Drama- Thank you so much. I'm glad that you thought about this for more than two seconds.
Passions_Fan_005- No more hints needed. I told who they were. You see there is a plan.
Jessica Evans- I used to read it myself (duh) and I always wanted a companion novel to explain what happened… but no avail…
BTW- I'm looking for a BSc beta-reader… anyone intrested write me on email… thanks.
Tootles
~Maggie Ferran
