After travelling for many hours on a plane the time had arrived. Beneath the jumbo jet was London, in all its glory and on a very sunny morning, Big Ben and other famous London attractions visible from the windows. Sitting next to one of these small plane windows was Hallie, dressed up as Annie, looking out every now and then to see the sights of London from the air, it was every bit as 'British' as she first expected it to be. The nerves had been building up every since she got on the plane and the butterflies had arrived as well as the plane lowered into London's largest airport, Heathrow with the buildings on the ground getting larger and larger. She kept looking out of the window to see the sights but was clearly anxious, praying that she wasn't about to be realised, it was a lot of responsibility to put on a 11 year old, with Hallie quietly muttering a quick little prayer to herself before closing her eyes as the plane came to land.
Hallie: Okay, this is it. Oh, God, I hope she likes me. Please like me. Please.
The plane landed and so began a long walk through the terminal, with Hallie carrying her hand luggage and trying hard to not bump into people while following the general population, as it was her first time in a airport quite like this one, as well as her time in London. Finally after a good 10 minute walk she emerged into the seating area in the front of terminal three, with the sun shining in throw the large windows. Hallie was to small to see over the mass of people so she walks steadily over to a seating area, puts her little case down on the chair and stands up on the chair, looking for the figure of Martin. While never actually meeting the man, after all that Annie had told her about the entire family, she felt like she knew them anyway and she remembered Martin's face very well. Then from in the distance came a voice, one that Hallie had never heard before, and the voice spoke a name that Hallie knew, it was him.
Martin: Annie!
Hallie: Martin!
From the crowd came the figure of Martin in his butler suit with a small bouquet of flowers for Hallie, though he didn't know this and Hallie knew straight away by the excited look on Martin's face that she had tricked him, all well and good. He goes up to the standing Hallie and gives her a quick hug before offering her the flowers, which she takes gleefully, though she was waiting for the handshake.
Martin: Missed you.
Hallie: Missed you.
Martin: What have you done with your hair?
Hallie: cut it. Do you like it?
Martin: Love it, it's the new you.
And you got your ears pierced! Give me five, girlfriend!
Martin picks up Hallie, turns round then lowers her gently onto the ground before taking out his right hand into a handshake position. Briefly Hallie forgets the little moves that she had practiced long and hard with Annie, then just as Martin was getting a little curious as to why she wasn't responding, Hallie goes out to shake Martin's hand and the secret handshake begins, throwing her flowers onto the nearby chair and starting the moves, extremely happy and with a huge grin on her face, though also concentrating very hard and biting her tongue, trying very hard to make a mess off it and to make sure that Martin was fooled.
Finally at the end they shake each others hand signalling the end of the move, with Hallie breathing a sigh of relief that she hadn't messed it up like she had worried she would, though not perfect, it was good enough to fool Martin into thinking she was Annie. They walk out of the terminal side by side with a car ready in the road, Martin quickly gets in the front of the car, with the driver still in the front of it and Hallie gets in the back. The car then leaves Heathrow for the inner parts of London, passing lots of great sight-seeing spots such big Ben and the houses of Parliament, with Hallie lowering the window and poking her head out of it, looking at all the sites and hearing all the sounds of the center on London, with Martin looking at the car mirror seeing the excited Hallie sticking her head out of the window.
Hallie: This is so amazing! What a city!
Martin: Eight weeks at camp and suddenly you act like a American tourist.
Hallie: That's what camp's for, silly. Makes you appreciate home. I just love how everyone drives on the wrong side here.
Martin gives Hallie a curious look via the mirror as Hallie quickly realises that she's made a mistake, remembering what Annie had told her about how the roads worked, and so quickly rectifies herself as Martin turns his head back round to the front.
I mean, here they actually drive on the right side, but after being in America where they drive on the wrong side, which after a while begins to feel like the right side, makes this seem like the wrong side... Ob my God! Martin! Buckingham Palace! Can we stop? I'm dying to see one of the guards up close.
Martin: You've seen the guards up close a million times.
Hallie: But never with short hair and pierced ears.
Martin: Did they serve you anything funny to drink on that plane?
Hallie gives out a short giggle before looking into the mirror which Martin was looking at, pulling the puppy face and putting her hand together in a prayer position, In the front Martin simply shows his disproval with a quick sigh though he couldn't let down the pretend Annie on her first day back, and he always strived to make her happy and they did have to pass Buckingham Palace anyway on the way through, and if it made Hallie happy, then he wasn't to bothered, even if he hadn't the foggiest that in the back actually wasn't Annie at all but Hallie.
Hallie: Please, Martin. Just for a sec.
Martin: Just for a sec? Now you're even talking like an American. Oh, dear... Gareth pull over, will you, old boy?
The driver of the car Gareth drives down the mall and then pulls in just outside of Buckingham Palace, close to one of the guards in their uniform. Hallie quickly runs out of the door excited by meeting her first ever royal guard, who just stands there not moving a inch as is custom, there were other guards as well with lots of tourists taking their souvenir photos. Quickly slipping back to her Californian accent as she frantically talks to the guard in a whisper., waving at him as she speaks to try and get him to move.
Hallie: Hi, there. How ya doing'? My name's Hallie. I'm from California. We don't have anything remotely like you in California. Oh, this is too cool. My Dad has a nutcracker shaped just like you. Same outfit... everything. is the Queen home? What's she doing? I know you can't answer. Can you blink if she's home.
Suddenly the guard smacks his feet on the ground giving Hallie a scare and a quick little scream, with Martin looking bemused in the front of the car. The guard lifts his rifle over his shoulder and then sharply stands to attention. The other guards done this as well, giving the tourists something else to photo. Hallie had never seen anything like it but knew something really cool was about to happen.
The other guards on the right side of the gate line up behind the first guard, with Hallie standing at the end of the row looking in on shock as the other side was lined up with guards as well. The sound of a car filled the air and on Hallie's right side came a white Rolls Royce, while at the same time the gates open up. Hallie's eye glistened, she was awe-struck, at the very least someone very famous could be in that car.
Hallie: oh jeez, tell me this isn't happening!
The rolls slows down and comes to a stop with the back tainted bullet proof window stops right in front of her. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't asleep, and her mouth was wide open in amazement, the other guard spotting this shuts the girls mouth. Meanwhile back in the car Martin just stares on, not believing that the pretend Annie was next to the guards. The window peers down and the first thing that Hallie sees is a big flash of light, with the sun reflecting of some shiny object. The window lowers further to reveal a woman, with grey hair and dressed incredibly royally. The head slowly pokes out the window as Hallie suddenly realises just who was in the car, with the crown of Untied Kingdom on her head, it was Queen Elizabeth II as her face turns to utter disbelief as a wave of excitement over-took her, slipping back into a weak British accent but not really keeping it together well in the situation.
Queen: Elizabeth II Good afternoon.
Hallie: Good afternoon.
Queen: Elizabeth II What's your name, dear?
Hallie: Hallie Parker. I mean, Annie James, ma'am. Not Hallie Parker. Sorry. Forgot my name.
Queen: Elizabeth II Yes, I have that effect on people. So nice to meet you, Annie James. Thank you for stopping by the Palace today.
Hallie: Thank you, Your Highness. Very nice to meet you personally like this ... I didn't even know you were home. I was excited just to see one of your Guards ... I'm supposed to curtsey, aren't I?
Queen: Elizabeth II That's okay, my dear, I shan't tell a single soul. I promise.
Hallie nods to the Queen, still stunned and having a hard time getting her words out, clearly stunned to be meeting the Queen in person, someone who she had only heard about a couple of time before in Geography lessons in school, it was a honour to meet some-one so famous and she knew that she had been privileged, she never thought this moment was to come but it did take her mind of her mother briefly, once again slipping back into her home accent briefly before correcting, while the Queen just warmly smiled at the girl before waving good-bye to her.
Hallie: You shan't? Oh, thank you, ma'am.
Queen Elizabeth II: Time for me to go. Ta-ta.
Hallie: Ta-ta.
Palace Guard: (whisper)
Now that's a first.
The window of the rolls draws up as it pulls away into the distance, with Hallie saluting the car before turning to look at Martin and the Chauffeur, both who were stunned at what had just happened, with Hallie giving them a little smile and wave before hastily running back to the car with a spring in her step. The journey continues for a little while longer as once more the nerves build up for Hallie and the butterflies return as the car drives around a lovely looking square, turning the corners gracefully, with the young Hallie looking out at the window with a certain amount of anxiousness, looking at the numbers on the door, remembering very clearly about what Annie had told her about the house. At the request of Hallie, Martin sat in the back to accompany her the rest of the way from Buckingham Palace. Finally after a long journey that had lasted nearly two hours thanks to the traffic coming out of Heathrow, the car came to a gentle stop outside a large white house, which was extremely elegant house, just what Hallie had expected. Gareth stepped out of the front of the car and opens Hallie's door as Martin opens his door in the back of the car, going round to take out Annie's suitcases, that for the time being were Hallie's. Hallie picks up her little hand luggage case and little black bag and stares preplexed at the house while walking towards and opening the gate, both excited at the prospect of meeting her mom for the first time ever but also at the same time with a certain amount of worry in case her Mom found that she wasn't really Annie but Hallie.
Gareth: Home again.
Hallie: Thank you. This is it, 7 Pembroke Green.
Hallie walks past the open metal gate, trying to look at one of the rooms through a open balcony window while taking large deep breaths. Finally after standing frozen for a few seconds she finally plucks up the courage and walks up the steps looking at the black door in front of her, then taking a quick lunge towards the doorknob and pushing the door open. Beyond the door lay the most extravagant house Hallie had ever seen, even more so then her own, lots of sunshine flooding in from the large windows, an amazing carved staircase that turned at the top leading to the second floor with lots of different paintings and pictures on the wall that leads up with the stairs. The floor was a weak peach colour with orange walls that made the house feel alive. Hallie was amazed by just how grand it was, knowing full well the layout of the house as Annie had told her. Hallie looked around the house, wondering just where everybody was.
Hallie: Hello?
Remembering the layout of the house Hallie heads through the door to her right into the lounge area, once again with beautiful furniture with a banner over the archway leading into the Dinning room with the banner saying welcome home Annie, with the Annie written in gold, which Hallie rose a smile due to the thought and love that her mom must have for Annie, and no doubt for herself, it also led her to think of what her sister must be doing right now. In the distance came a cough which attracted Hallie's attention. She walks slowly towards the room where the cough came from. She enters through another archway into a room which Annie described as the library. It was probably the most posh part of the house with expensive woods as the walls as well as plenty of other wooden furniture and two fencing swords on the wall, which got some attention briefly from Hallie, realising where Annie knew fencing from but her main attention was taken by the figure sitting down on the chair next to a large wooden table reading the finical times. Hallie knew instantly who it was, she didn't even need Annie's help to tell that it was her grandfather sitting on that chair.
Hallie: Grandfather,
I'm home.
As the newspaper is put down the figure of Hallie's and Annie's grandfather emerges. Sporting a neat grey moustache with glasses in his hand. He was a fairly small man though fairly bulky in terms of build, though this was made worse by the Saville Row suit His name is Charles James, grandfather to both Annie and Hallie. He rose out of his seat slowly taking a look at Hallie, with no suspicions at all that who he was looking at wasn't Annie but instead Hallie.
Charles: Is that my little girl? That tall gangly thing?
Hallie: Yes, it's me.
Charles: Aw, welcome home, Did you have a good time, sweet pea?
Charles heads over slowly to his grand-daughter and gives her a loving embrace, with Hallie hugging her grandfather for the first time, closing her eyes to make the most of the moment, with Charles muttering in her ear at the same time. Slowly Charles lets go of his grip though Hallie clings on fairly tightly, still savouring the moment before heading towards his chest and smelling him, to the curiosity of her grandfather.
Hallie: Uh-huh... Great...
Charles: What are you doing?
Hallie: Just smelling.
Charles: Smelling?
Hallie: I'm making a memory. Years from now, when I'm all grown up, I'll remember my Grandfather and how he always smelled of peppermint and pipe tobacco.
Hallie has another quick sniff before Charles takes her into another cuddle with Hallie gently resting her head onto Charles' shoulder with a large smile on her face. Then from up the stairs came another voice, this one was a females.
Voice: Annie?
Hallie quickly de-couples with her grandfather, then take a brief look at him as if to ask whether it was who she thought the voice was. Charles simply nods back with a small grin on his face as Hallie once again puts on a massive smile, this time outshining anything that had come before. She runs towards the door leading to the corridor as the sound of footsteps came down the stairs. This was the moment that Hallie had been wanting so much, all her life but even more so since she first met Annie and saw the photo. She enters the corridor and there she was. Hallie stood still for a few seconds looking at her Mom, it was the first time she had ever seen her Mom in the flesh, though she still felt she knew her thanks to Annie. She hadn't changed much at all since the photo nearly 12 years ago. Her name is Elizabeth James, mother to both Hallie and Annie. She was fairly tall and in her 30's, with blonde 'ish' hair in a peach one piece gown type outfit.
Hallie: Mother?
Elizabeth: Your back!
Hallie smiled largely again after losing it briefly while staring at her Mom. The pair of them run towards each other as quickly as they can and they both meet in the middle of the stairs with Hallie almost jumping into her mothers arms and resting her head on her mothers shoulders with the pair of them grabbing each other as hard as they could, with Hallie feeling an amazing feeling in her body, a warmth that she had only felt with Annie before and her father. It almost came as relief to Hallie, she been waiting so long for the moment when she'd finally meet her Mom, now that time was here and she had been accepted as Annie, even though a part of her wanted to tell her Mom that she wasn't actually Annie but Hallie, but that would put the coffers on any possible future. Elizabeth kisses Hallie's head and smoothly touching her hair before finally letting her go, though both of them still holding on to each others arms. By now the emotional Hallie was crying with happiness much like she had done after meeting Annie for the first time though this time she couldn't contain herself, though she still has a sizeable smile on her face.
Hallie: I can't believe it's you.
Elizabeth: And I can't believe it's you and with short hair, who cut it for you?
Hallie: A girl I met at camp cut it. You hate it?
Elizabeth: No, I absolutely love it…you got your ears pierced?
Elizabeth feels Hallie's ears while Hallie nods and feels her other ear and lets out a weak laugh while wiping her eyes to stop the tears up welling to much. The closeness was obvious, even though it was Hallie's first time and Elizabeth thought she was Annie, Hallie felt like the connection was still there, despite never meeting her mom prior to this meeting, evident by the large amounts of physical contact between Mother and Daughter. Once again the tears well up in her eyes as she continues to look at the mom she never had, shaking her head to the next question.
Elizabeth: Any other surprises - belly-button rings, tattoos ... ?
What is it, sweetie?
Hallie: I'm sorry, it's just... I've missed you so much.
Elizabeth:It seems like it's been forever.
Hallie: You have no idea.
Elizabeth and Hallie hug once more, with Elizabeth getting a little teary but Hallie being by far the more emotional of the pair, sobbing quietly on Elizabeth's shoulder but also raising a smile again. It was quite a irony that as Elizabeth had said, it really had felt like forever for the young Hallie and her mom matched everything that the young Hallie could have wanted and more and she knew that the time she was going to spend with her mom was going to be great.
The two finally separate and Elizabeth takes Hallie's hand and leads her upstairs and towards her room, which was, as to be expected very graceful with a very feminine feeling to it. It seemed Elizabeth had already prepared to take Hallie up as there was two cups of tea on a small table and also cake, besides the table was a sofa with plenty of cushions. The two sit down on the seat, with Hallie still wiping her tears out of eyes but she had calmed down. It was a great chance to test the skills that Annie teached her in the camp, she was determined to drink like a posh English person and to act as civilised as possible, the accent had been enough to fool her mother into thinking she was actually Annie, after all the twins were identical in every way, why was Elizabeth to suspect anything and Hallie wasn't prepared to slip up though she had already done so once with Martin. Elizabeth pours the tea into the cups and gives Hallie a little slice of the cake.
Elizabeth: So tell me all about camp.
Hallie: Oh god, I love your room, Mom... it's so... totally Mom-like.
Elizabeth: Nothing's new... it's just as Mom-like as it's always been. So... c'mon, tell me... Did you like everyone? Was it fun?
Hallie: Yeah, it was great and I liked this one girl a real lot, I mean... in particular. She's from California, actually. Have you ever been to California?
Elizabeth: Yes... Once. But that was a long time ago, before you were born.
Hallie: Man-o-Manichevitz ... I didn't realize you were so beautiful.
Elizabeth: Man-o-Manichevitz ... I love your new vocabulary.
Hallie quickly realises that she spoke like an American briefly though it was hard to suppress the sayings from her own country. Just then there is a knock on the door from Martin, having started to unpack Hallie's suitcases. He has his right hand behind his back obviously concealing something to Hallie and Elizabeth. He then holds out his hand, showing a white teddy bear that belongs to Hallie, Cuppie giving a worried look from Hallie, as Annie never took anything like that with her, so quickly Hallie thinks up a story to explain its presence making it up as she went along.
Ah, Martin.
Martin: I found a stowaway in your suitcase.
Hallie: Oh my god, Cuppie.
Once again Hallie quickly realises she's slipped back into her home accent, then goes on to correct her accent again much to the curiosity of Martin and also to Elizabeth, the pair of them were wondering just what Cuppie was and this meant that Hallie had to think quickly of a excuse, thankfully though while at camp they had come up with just such a story as well as a name that would be used whenever they phoned each other up to alleviate any suspicion.
Elizabeth: Cuppie?
Hallie: He belongs to my friend, the one I've been telling you about. I can't imagine how he got into my suitcase!
Martin: well, since he's not our 'Cuppie', shall we dispose of the little creature.
Hallie sharply blasts out to stop Martin from walking away and stands up and walks towards a surprised Martin while composing herself again with Elizabeth just quietly sitting there drinking her tea and watching closely with no suspicions at all. Hallie snatches it away from Martin then keeps a tight grip on the little teddy thinking of the irony of her little statement, then again it was the best she could think of with such short notice.
Hallie: No! I mean, no. I'll mail him to her. She loves this thing a lot. A lot. A lot. She's like slept with that thing her entire life and she could never be like in a foreign country without him. No, no, I'll take care. of it, that will be all, thank you Martin.
Martin has a quick look at Hallie then turns away to continue unpacking her case while the phone rings, prompting Elizabeth to stop drinking her tea and answer the phone, then sitting on the large bed, with Hallie looking on the drawer with some of her Mom's great drawings then turning to she her mother.
Elizabeth: Oh hi, how's the photo shoot going?
Hmmm, can't you manage without me?
Annie just got home from camp…
Another thing catches Hallie's eyes, she walks towards the wooden cabinet near the far corner of the room. On that cabinet lay lots of perfume that belong to her mom as a few necklaces, one in particular catching Hallie's eye on a little shoulder like stand. She felt the necklace then worked her way along to the little wooden case, touching it teasingly before moving on to one of her Mom's most prized pictures and going round the silver rime of its frame, then moving onto a little mini chandelier and easing her finger through the little dangling parts of the chandelier type object raising a small smile from Hallie. Finally she picks up a small bottle of orange/yellow perfume only to be alerted by the call of her mother leading Hallie to be nervous in case she touched anything she shouldn't have, turning round to face her mother pretty quickly with a ever so slightly anxious look on her face.
Elizabeth:Okay hold on a moment.
Annie.
Would you hate very much running down to the studio with me?
Hallie: No I'd love it!
A sizeable smile spread across the excited Hallie. She had heard a lot about the studio from Annie and now she was going to see it for herself now and that put Hallie in a very excitable mood. She rushed through to her room where Martin had just finished unpacking her clothes and put some on. Annie' clothes wasn't exactly to Hallie's taste but she wasn't really to bothered about that, the whole awe of the day was beyond that sort of pettiness. She puts on the clothes as well as one of Annie blue hair bands then runs down stairs waiting for her mother while at the same time raising a smile from her grandfather, who once again put up his newspaper and headed towards his desk in the library room. After a short while Elizabeth came down the stairs with a thin coat and also gives Hallie one of Annie's thin blue coats to match her trousers. The two say goodbye to Martin and Charles then open the door and walk off. The journey wasn't really that long and the sun was still shining but Hallie was beaming with happiness regardless of the weather, she really was a happy girl, holding her moms hand when crossing the busy London roads before stopping just before arriving at the studios, Elizabeth grabbing Hallie's hand then pulling her daughter into a little hug and kissing her head as a token of love for one of her children before continuing with Hallie letting out a little laugh of happiness and grinning, very pleased that her mother was every bit as loving and as kind as she had prayed for up in the plane and best of all, she wasn't suspect to anything. Finally as they walk a little further down the road they spot the studios with bold black writing on the front saying 'Elizabeth James'. The two run over holding hands with Hallie leading the way towards the window of the shop, filled with some of Elizabeth's designs.
Hallie: Wow, that's incredible.
You designed that?
Elizabeth: Well I had to do something while you were at camp. You don't think its to…
Hallie: No its gorgeous, I love it. You know who would look really beautiful in that gown, I mean like really beautiful?
Elizabeth: Who?
Hallie: You.
Elizabeth: Me? I think the time change has made you a little loopy. Come on, let's see what all the fuss is about...
Hallie lets out a little laugh before the two of them head towards the door of the studio. They enter with everyone in the reception saying a special hello to Hallie, thinking it was Annie. Hallie remembered a couple of people's names thanks to Annie's descriptions but kept fairly quiet in case she did forget anyone's names though the amount of wedding gowns also had a lot of Hallie's attention, with Elizabeth guiding the girl through the maze of gowns. The two swiftly continued towards the door where the photo shoot was taking place, with Elizabeth swinging the door open into a sun-filled room where the photo shoot was taking place.
Elizabeth: Okay, here we are. Now let's see what disaster awaits us.
Photographer: Okay, she's here.- We're saved.
Elizabeth: Hi Vendela.
Vendela: Hi, sorry. We don't know what to do with the veil.
Photographer: If she wears it, it covers the back of the dress, if she doesn't the dress looks--
Elizabeth was in full flight now in the studio that she herself created through shear grit and determination as well as a lot of her fathers money. Hallie was in awe watching her mother sorting out the problem right before her eyes, enjoying every moment of the experience.
Elizabeth: -- incomplete your Right. Can you try standing sideways with your chin up?
Yeah I see your problem. Can I have the veil?
Annie darling, can you pass me one of those hats on display near the window.
Hallie: Me?
Elizabeth: Yes.
Hallie points to herself just to confirm then jogs over to the rack near the window holding lots of black hats as well as one white one at the top. Hallie picks one of the black one and the white one and then holds the two out. Elizabeth lets Hallie decide who opts for the white one.
What one do you like?
Hallie: The white one.
Elizabeth: Me too.
Try this. Now throw the veil straight back…that's it. Now spin around I want to see the back of your dress.
That's beautiful. Did you get that?
Look how it falls just down there. Don't worry about the bouquet, your married now, you've got to learn to juggle and don't forget to look happy, it is your wedding day.
Hallie stands back near the rack holding the black hat and smiling at her mother advising Vendela what to do. As the shoot went on so Hallie's smile grew, realising more and more just what she had missed out on for the last 11 years, she was determined to enjoy the time with her Mom as much as she could. Half way through her mother turns round and gives her quick smile, Hallie still delighted about how the day was going.
Hallie: My Mom is too cool.
The photo shoot continued for another 5 minutes, with Hallie deciding to get some pictures with the model.
She had a great time and enjoyed the posing, with a great grin on her face, dancing with Vendela as well as putting on the hat and veil much to the delight of Elizabeth who was also having a great time. After what felt like such a short time the shoot was over and everything was packed away. Elizabeth and Hallie both said there quick goodbyes before rushing out of the studio to get home and have dinner. They only make it as far as a small mall before the first drops of rain start to fall from an oncoming shower which had turned the sky's adark navy blue.
Hallie: But Mom, seriously, doesn't designing all these wedding gowns ever make you think about getting married again or at least think about the 'F' word?
Elizabeth: The 'F' word!
Hallie My father
Elizabeth holds her breath briefly before Hallie tell her mom exactly what F word she meant. Elizabeth pauses for a moment and places her shoulder on Hallie before the two of them start to walk again down the mall before pausing once again, holding one another's hand still, with Elizabeth trying her hardest not to answer any questions Hallie was throwing at her for now.
Elizabeth: Oh that 'F' word. Well, no, actually it doesn't because I didn't even wear a wedding gown-when I married the IF' word.
Hallie: You didn't-Why not?
Elizabeth: Why the sudden curiosity about your Dad?
Hallie: Well, maybe because he's never mentioned and you can't blame a kid for wondering.
Mother, you can't avoid the subject forever, at least tell me what he was like?
Elizabeth: Okay. He was quite lovely to tell you the truth. When we met, he was...actually entirely lovely. All right?
Hallie: All right.
Hallie raises a quick cheeky smile, it was for her quite funny asking these questions as she knew full well what her dad was like after living with him for her entire life, still it was nice to know more about just how they met. The two stop as Elizabeth collects a free paper from the stand outside, which in this event was the daily mail, waving to the shop assistant who Elizabeth knew before continuing, with Hallie being just as inquisitive as she was before as the two hold hands once more with Elizabeth remembering back to the time when she had first meet Hallie and Annie's father with Hallie answering in a rather ironic way.
so, did you meet him here in London?
Elizabeth: We met on the QE 2.
Hallie: The QE what?
Elizabeth: The Queen Elizabeth 2. It's an ocean liner that sails from London to New York. I was nervous about flying in those days, so was your father. We met our very first night on board the ship, actually. We were seated next to each other at dinner. He's an American, you know.
Hallie: No kidding?
Elizabeth: We kind of hit it off immediately.
Hallie: Hey, I love Americans. I mean, if I wasn't British, I'd be an American. So, was it love at first sight?
Elizabeth: I knew you were going to ask me all these questions one day. Taxi!
The two exit from the mall and from its protection as by now the shower was in its element, with the ground soaking and the puddles from earlier showers were growing. Elizabeth puts up her umbrella and holds Hallie under her arm to stop her from getting to cold, protecting her head with the newspaper. She hails a passing black cab and the two of them quickly jumps in the back, shutting the door and sitting side by side quite close. Hallie stays quiet for a minute or so before her tenacious questioning began again much to the surprise of Elizabeth, who had never seen her Annie be so questioning, then again the answer to that question was of course that it wasn't Annie in the back, but Hallie, just like her father with the pair looking each other in the eyes, with Hallie thinking of her father and Elizabeth thinking back to that fateful Atlantic journey.
Hallie: So, did you see each other every single night?
Elizabeth: You know, this part of your personality reminds me of you father. You'd think he raised you instead of me.
Yes, we saw each other every night, every morning and every hour in-between. Then one night, he popped the question, right there in the middle of the Atlantic.
Hallie: Cool.
Elizabeth: And since a ship's Captain can do all kinds of special things, like even marry people...
Hallie looked her mother right in the eye as her mouth widened in surprise, certainly she had never expected the meeting of her parents to have been so amazing, it was very enlighten and she couldn't wait till Annie would fun some time over the next 24hrs, she had so much to tell her. Elizabeth nodded at Hallie who had her mouth open as wide as it could go before shaking her head and shutting her mouth, extremely excited but also very interested into exactly what happened, though of course that was Annie's department, stil there was nothing wrong with asking Hallie thought.
Hallie: Oh my God!
that's beyond cool. So what happened? You didn't love each other when you weren't in the middle of the Atlantic?
Elizabeth: I don't know honey, These things are complicated. I'm very British and you father's very American. I tried living in California, he tried living in London but...
Hallie: It just didn't work out.
Elizabeth: No, it didn't. Except for having you.
Hallie continues to look at her Mom and smiles when hearing what she just said and was still incredibly cheery. Elizabeth wraps her arm round Hallie, comforting her Daughter and giving her peck on her head. Hallie then pulls her arms into the position that the two twins had made in camp, wondering just how Annie was getting on over in California and just how she was feeling after meeting Dad for the first time, no doubt just like when Hallie met her mother for the first time, Annie will certainly feel extremely powerfully for her Dad, it certainly had Hallie intrigued but she was having a whale of a time, as Annie said, mom truly was amazing and Annie was about to find out the same was true of the girls father.
Hallie: Dear old Dad. I wonder what he's doing at this very moment?