Diclaimer: I don't own anything related to the book.
Chapter 4: Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever
When they finally got to the town of Nappanee. Memories overfulled Leah's head. She saw they buildings that she used to live in and where she worked. Her mother finally stopped the car at the spot Ethan told her. They got out and Leah got her bag from the trunk. The only things she will have from the English world. She did pack a few clothes since they will have to make hers. She packed the one's that would make her fit in.
"Well, I suppose this is it?" Roberta said with tears running down her cheeks.
"Yes. I will miss you." Leah said and "You are my mother."
"I will miss you too. You are and will be my only child. This is very hard for me." Roberta said.
"It is for me too. You are my only mother. I will be happy. You will get on and find someone for you." Leah said.
"I want to tell you can't do this, but you are 18 now and an adult. If this is what you want to do, then I will respect you for it and always love you." Her mother said hugging Leah tight.
"I will keep in touch and you can always come visit. They will not and can't hold me back from seeing my mother." Leah said putting her hands on her mother's shoulders.
"I will see that she can see you any time you want. Do not worry Mrs. Dutton. She will be in very good hands." Ethan said taking Leah's bag.
"Goodbye Leah." Roberta said.
"Goodbye doesn't mean forever. But for now, goodbye mom, I love you." Leah said kissing her mother on the cheek.
"I love you too, Leah. You will never be far from my mind. Goodbye Ethan, take good care of my baby." Roberta said.
"I will." Ethan said.
Roberta Dutton got in her car and drove home. Leah watched her with tears. She was sad but yet happy.
"You will be fine, Leah." Ethan said wrapping his arm around her.
"I know, thank you Ethan." She said.
"For what?" Ethan asked.
"For being here. It would be alot harder if you weren't here." Leah said.
"You are welcome." He said hugging her and "We should get to the community before it gets dark."
"Yes." Leah said. Ethan lead her to a buggy that was behind the the drug store. He helped her in and then he got in.
Ethan explained how the buggy got there.
They were at the Longacre farm.
"Are you still sure you want to do this?" Ethan asked once more.
"Yes." Leah said laying her head on Ethan's shoulder.
Ethan pulled the buggy up to the house. He got out and then helped her out. They walked into the house.
"Leah!" Charity yelled running up to her and giving her a hug.
"Hi to you too." Leah said hugging her back.
"Welcome Leah." Mr. Longacre said walking up to her.
"Hello Mr. Longacre." Leah said.
"Now Leah. You will be staying at the Stanley sisters home. They are very kind and will take care of you." Mrs. Longacre said.
"Ok." Leah said. She knew that she wouldn't stay at the Longacre's home because it might cause trouble.
"But you will have supper with us and then Mr. Longacre will take you there." Ethan's mother said.
They sat down for a wonderful meal.
Leah was nervous sitting in the same buggy as Mr. Longacre. When she first met him , she could tell that he didn't like her because she was English and had different customs. Now he had let her into their world with a simple question.
"Leah, I know in the past I hardly talked to you, but I want us to get along since you are joining us. I can tell that Ethan really cares about you." He said.
"I care about him." Leah said.
They rode in silence for awhile.
"Thank you." Leah said.
"For what?" He asked.
"For asking and letting me come." Leah said.
"You should thank Ethan, he was the one who asked." Mr. Longacre said.
"Really?" Leah asked.
"Yes. We all had our flings, but you were not his fling." Mr. Longacre said and "Here we are." He stopped.
He stopped so quickly that Leah didn't have much time to thing about what he said. They walked up to the house and he knocked on the door.
"Hello?" Mary Stanely asked.
"Miss Mary, This is Leah. She is the one who will be staying with you." He said.
"Hello Leah. It is so nice to meet you." Mary said shacking Leah's hand.
"You too, Miss Mary." Leah said politely.
"Thank you, Jacob. We will take good care of her. You tell your boy that." Mary said bringing Leah inside.
"I will. Goodnight ladies." He said and then left. Mary shut that door.
"Well, Leah, you are the one joining us?" Mary asked.
"Yes, Miss Mary." Leah said.
"You can call me Mary. Everyone call's me Miss Mary because I am not married." Mary said.
"Ok, I just thought that since he called you that, it was ok for me to call you that." Leah explained.
"I do not mind. My sister will be back tomorrow. He name is Ann. She is older than me." Mary said.
"I can't wait." Leah said.
"Now, let me show you to your room." Mary said. Leah followed her upstairs and to a room. She opened the door and their was a full size bed with a homemade blanket, a lamp, a wash pan, a dresser, and a small bookcase. "Do you like?" Mary asked.
"Yes." Leah said setting her bag on the bed.
"Did you bring a few things." Mary asked.
"Yes. Just somethings that I could not part with." Leah said unzipping the bag and "Would you like to see?" Mary nods.
Leah opens her bag and pulls out the picture of Neil.
"Who is this?" Mary asked.
"My step-father Neil. He was the only step-father I consider to be my dad." Leah said and "He treated me like his own."
"Your mother has been married twice?" Mary asked.
"Yes, five times, but it's an English thing." Leah said setting the picture on an end table. She pulls out her blanket and her doll.
"This is a very beautiful doll." Mary said holding up her doll.
"That was the only present I got from my real father, well besides the gift of life." Leah said and "I brought some clothes, since I didn't think you would have any for me."
"We will measure you tomorrow and see what we can do." Mary said and "Once you have finished packing, I will give you the tour of the house, so you don't get lost. and then we will have a snack and go to bed." Mary said.
"Sounds good."
That morning. Leah wakes up to the sound of voices, she hears Mary's but she doesn't know the other one. She walks down stairs.
"There she is." Mary said.
"You must be Leah. I am Ann, Mary's sister." Ann said.
"Yes, and it is nice to meet you." Leah said.
"My, she has such wonderful manners." Ann said to Mary, and she agrees.
"I'll be back." Leah said walking outside to the outhouse.
"We have to get her measured so we can make her some clothes." Mary said Ann.
"Once she is awake we will." Ann said.
Leah and the two sisters spent the morning measuring Leah. She felt weird but she didn't show it. She then went outside to get some water. She heard buggy wheels on the rocks. She looked up and saw one coming this way. She finished getting the water.
"Good morning Leah." Ethan said.
"You too, Ethan." Leah said carrying the water. Ethan graps a bucket and helps her.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked.
"Yes, you?" She asked.
"Yes, but I kept thinking about you." He said.
"Good thoughts?" She asked.
"Yes, what else would they be?" Ethan asked. In the English world, good and bad thoughts were common.
"Nothing." Leah said.
"Are the Stanley sisters taking good care of you." Ethan asked.
"Yes. They are very nice and are helping me." Leah said. Leah tripped and her water bucket gave her a bath.
"Are you all right?" Ethan asked helping he up.
"Yes, but I will have to get more water." Leah said.
"Let's take this in and then we will get more." Ethan suggested.
"Ok." Leah said. They walked in.
"What happened to you?" Mary asked seeing Leah soaked.
"Tripped and got a little bath." Leah said. They laughed and she and Ethan went back outside. They got more water and then decided to sit outside so Leah could dry her clothes.
"I got measured for my dresses." Leah said.
"You will blend in soon." Ethan said pulling the wet hair from her face.
"Thank you Ethan." Leah said.
"For what?" Ethan asked confused.
"For asking if I could join." Leah said.
"Leah, I care for you. If I couldn't ask a simple question, then how could I became your husband?" He asked.
"Ethan, I care for you too. When you told me that you were leaving, my heart broke into a million pieces. I didn't think I could live. What was really painful was when I had to bring you home. You told me that I was not part of you fling, but I didn't believe you. Then I came up the idea and here I am. Day one of my journy." Leah said.
"It hurt me too. I would have gave up everything for you, but I didn't want to put my father though the things Eli did." Ethan said.
"I understand." Leah said.
Ethan took her hand between his and asked "Can I make a promise to you now?"
"Yes." Leah replied.
"If you go though the process, I will make you my wife. I will make sure you have a sturdy roof over your head, even if I have to be that roof. I will protect you and love you until angels close my eyes." Ethan said kissing her hand.
"Can I promise you something?" She asked.
"Yes." Ethan said.
"When you make me your wife. I will take care of you. I will make sure you have a meal and clean clothes to wear. I will give you children. You will never be alone. I will make sure that I will love you until angels close my eyes." Leah said.
"You want children?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, don't you?" Leah asked.
"Yes of course. With you." He said.
"Ethan, I want you to be the first." Leah said.
"I will be the first and only." He said kissing her hand again.
Leah leaned over and kissed him. He kisses her back. Their kiss becomes more deeper making Leah fall backwards on the ground.
"Ethan, we have to wait." Leah said.
"Yes, I am sorry." He said pulling away from her.
"No, it was my fault." She said and "We can always bundle."
"Yes, we can." Ethan said playing with her hair.
Leah sat down at the table and started to write a letter.
Dear mom
It may only be the first day, but I miss you already. I hope you are happy and getting on. I'm allowed to see you whenever I want. I got measured for my first dress. I found out that it will take two to three months to learn everything I need to know. Now to stop your worry. I 'm not staying in the same house as Ethan. I'm staying at the Stanley sister's home. They are very sweet. Ann is the oldest. She was wed few years ago, but was widowed two years ago and Mary has never been married. Everyone calls her Miss Mary. I miss you, mom and love you.
Your Loving Daughter
Leah
P.S. What da ya Think? Does anybody remember if the books said Leah's birthday or what day Ethan's was on? It would help if I knew for future use in chapters. Thank you.
Chapter 4: Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever
When they finally got to the town of Nappanee. Memories overfulled Leah's head. She saw they buildings that she used to live in and where she worked. Her mother finally stopped the car at the spot Ethan told her. They got out and Leah got her bag from the trunk. The only things she will have from the English world. She did pack a few clothes since they will have to make hers. She packed the one's that would make her fit in.
"Well, I suppose this is it?" Roberta said with tears running down her cheeks.
"Yes. I will miss you." Leah said and "You are my mother."
"I will miss you too. You are and will be my only child. This is very hard for me." Roberta said.
"It is for me too. You are my only mother. I will be happy. You will get on and find someone for you." Leah said.
"I want to tell you can't do this, but you are 18 now and an adult. If this is what you want to do, then I will respect you for it and always love you." Her mother said hugging Leah tight.
"I will keep in touch and you can always come visit. They will not and can't hold me back from seeing my mother." Leah said putting her hands on her mother's shoulders.
"I will see that she can see you any time you want. Do not worry Mrs. Dutton. She will be in very good hands." Ethan said taking Leah's bag.
"Goodbye Leah." Roberta said.
"Goodbye doesn't mean forever. But for now, goodbye mom, I love you." Leah said kissing her mother on the cheek.
"I love you too, Leah. You will never be far from my mind. Goodbye Ethan, take good care of my baby." Roberta said.
"I will." Ethan said.
Roberta Dutton got in her car and drove home. Leah watched her with tears. She was sad but yet happy.
"You will be fine, Leah." Ethan said wrapping his arm around her.
"I know, thank you Ethan." She said.
"For what?" Ethan asked.
"For being here. It would be alot harder if you weren't here." Leah said.
"You are welcome." He said hugging her and "We should get to the community before it gets dark."
"Yes." Leah said. Ethan lead her to a buggy that was behind the the drug store. He helped her in and then he got in.
Ethan explained how the buggy got there.
They were at the Longacre farm.
"Are you still sure you want to do this?" Ethan asked once more.
"Yes." Leah said laying her head on Ethan's shoulder.
Ethan pulled the buggy up to the house. He got out and then helped her out. They walked into the house.
"Leah!" Charity yelled running up to her and giving her a hug.
"Hi to you too." Leah said hugging her back.
"Welcome Leah." Mr. Longacre said walking up to her.
"Hello Mr. Longacre." Leah said.
"Now Leah. You will be staying at the Stanley sisters home. They are very kind and will take care of you." Mrs. Longacre said.
"Ok." Leah said. She knew that she wouldn't stay at the Longacre's home because it might cause trouble.
"But you will have supper with us and then Mr. Longacre will take you there." Ethan's mother said.
They sat down for a wonderful meal.
Leah was nervous sitting in the same buggy as Mr. Longacre. When she first met him , she could tell that he didn't like her because she was English and had different customs. Now he had let her into their world with a simple question.
"Leah, I know in the past I hardly talked to you, but I want us to get along since you are joining us. I can tell that Ethan really cares about you." He said.
"I care about him." Leah said.
They rode in silence for awhile.
"Thank you." Leah said.
"For what?" He asked.
"For asking and letting me come." Leah said.
"You should thank Ethan, he was the one who asked." Mr. Longacre said.
"Really?" Leah asked.
"Yes. We all had our flings, but you were not his fling." Mr. Longacre said and "Here we are." He stopped.
He stopped so quickly that Leah didn't have much time to thing about what he said. They walked up to the house and he knocked on the door.
"Hello?" Mary Stanely asked.
"Miss Mary, This is Leah. She is the one who will be staying with you." He said.
"Hello Leah. It is so nice to meet you." Mary said shacking Leah's hand.
"You too, Miss Mary." Leah said politely.
"Thank you, Jacob. We will take good care of her. You tell your boy that." Mary said bringing Leah inside.
"I will. Goodnight ladies." He said and then left. Mary shut that door.
"Well, Leah, you are the one joining us?" Mary asked.
"Yes, Miss Mary." Leah said.
"You can call me Mary. Everyone call's me Miss Mary because I am not married." Mary said.
"Ok, I just thought that since he called you that, it was ok for me to call you that." Leah explained.
"I do not mind. My sister will be back tomorrow. He name is Ann. She is older than me." Mary said.
"I can't wait." Leah said.
"Now, let me show you to your room." Mary said. Leah followed her upstairs and to a room. She opened the door and their was a full size bed with a homemade blanket, a lamp, a wash pan, a dresser, and a small bookcase. "Do you like?" Mary asked.
"Yes." Leah said setting her bag on the bed.
"Did you bring a few things." Mary asked.
"Yes. Just somethings that I could not part with." Leah said unzipping the bag and "Would you like to see?" Mary nods.
Leah opens her bag and pulls out the picture of Neil.
"Who is this?" Mary asked.
"My step-father Neil. He was the only step-father I consider to be my dad." Leah said and "He treated me like his own."
"Your mother has been married twice?" Mary asked.
"Yes, five times, but it's an English thing." Leah said setting the picture on an end table. She pulls out her blanket and her doll.
"This is a very beautiful doll." Mary said holding up her doll.
"That was the only present I got from my real father, well besides the gift of life." Leah said and "I brought some clothes, since I didn't think you would have any for me."
"We will measure you tomorrow and see what we can do." Mary said and "Once you have finished packing, I will give you the tour of the house, so you don't get lost. and then we will have a snack and go to bed." Mary said.
"Sounds good."
That morning. Leah wakes up to the sound of voices, she hears Mary's but she doesn't know the other one. She walks down stairs.
"There she is." Mary said.
"You must be Leah. I am Ann, Mary's sister." Ann said.
"Yes, and it is nice to meet you." Leah said.
"My, she has such wonderful manners." Ann said to Mary, and she agrees.
"I'll be back." Leah said walking outside to the outhouse.
"We have to get her measured so we can make her some clothes." Mary said Ann.
"Once she is awake we will." Ann said.
Leah and the two sisters spent the morning measuring Leah. She felt weird but she didn't show it. She then went outside to get some water. She heard buggy wheels on the rocks. She looked up and saw one coming this way. She finished getting the water.
"Good morning Leah." Ethan said.
"You too, Ethan." Leah said carrying the water. Ethan graps a bucket and helps her.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked.
"Yes, you?" She asked.
"Yes, but I kept thinking about you." He said.
"Good thoughts?" She asked.
"Yes, what else would they be?" Ethan asked. In the English world, good and bad thoughts were common.
"Nothing." Leah said.
"Are the Stanley sisters taking good care of you." Ethan asked.
"Yes. They are very nice and are helping me." Leah said. Leah tripped and her water bucket gave her a bath.
"Are you all right?" Ethan asked helping he up.
"Yes, but I will have to get more water." Leah said.
"Let's take this in and then we will get more." Ethan suggested.
"Ok." Leah said. They walked in.
"What happened to you?" Mary asked seeing Leah soaked.
"Tripped and got a little bath." Leah said. They laughed and she and Ethan went back outside. They got more water and then decided to sit outside so Leah could dry her clothes.
"I got measured for my dresses." Leah said.
"You will blend in soon." Ethan said pulling the wet hair from her face.
"Thank you Ethan." Leah said.
"For what?" Ethan asked confused.
"For asking if I could join." Leah said.
"Leah, I care for you. If I couldn't ask a simple question, then how could I became your husband?" He asked.
"Ethan, I care for you too. When you told me that you were leaving, my heart broke into a million pieces. I didn't think I could live. What was really painful was when I had to bring you home. You told me that I was not part of you fling, but I didn't believe you. Then I came up the idea and here I am. Day one of my journy." Leah said.
"It hurt me too. I would have gave up everything for you, but I didn't want to put my father though the things Eli did." Ethan said.
"I understand." Leah said.
Ethan took her hand between his and asked "Can I make a promise to you now?"
"Yes." Leah replied.
"If you go though the process, I will make you my wife. I will make sure you have a sturdy roof over your head, even if I have to be that roof. I will protect you and love you until angels close my eyes." Ethan said kissing her hand.
"Can I promise you something?" She asked.
"Yes." Ethan said.
"When you make me your wife. I will take care of you. I will make sure you have a meal and clean clothes to wear. I will give you children. You will never be alone. I will make sure that I will love you until angels close my eyes." Leah said.
"You want children?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, don't you?" Leah asked.
"Yes of course. With you." He said.
"Ethan, I want you to be the first." Leah said.
"I will be the first and only." He said kissing her hand again.
Leah leaned over and kissed him. He kisses her back. Their kiss becomes more deeper making Leah fall backwards on the ground.
"Ethan, we have to wait." Leah said.
"Yes, I am sorry." He said pulling away from her.
"No, it was my fault." She said and "We can always bundle."
"Yes, we can." Ethan said playing with her hair.
Leah sat down at the table and started to write a letter.
Dear mom
It may only be the first day, but I miss you already. I hope you are happy and getting on. I'm allowed to see you whenever I want. I got measured for my first dress. I found out that it will take two to three months to learn everything I need to know. Now to stop your worry. I 'm not staying in the same house as Ethan. I'm staying at the Stanley sister's home. They are very sweet. Ann is the oldest. She was wed few years ago, but was widowed two years ago and Mary has never been married. Everyone calls her Miss Mary. I miss you, mom and love you.
Your Loving Daughter
Leah
P.S. What da ya Think? Does anybody remember if the books said Leah's birthday or what day Ethan's was on? It would help if I knew for future use in chapters. Thank you.