Chapter 2

Flashback

Nancy woke up on June 3rd tired and stressed. "It's my wedding day," she said to herself, " time to get up." She wondered why she wasn't more excited, then she figured it was probably just cold feet. She got up and looked around the room of her childhood, it would be the last time she would sleep in this room, except for visits of course. She and Ned had bought a house in Chicago, she had gotten a job at a private investigating firm, and Ned was working for a well-known advertising company. The beginning of their new life seemed very promising, so why wasn't she happier? She got up with a sigh and went downstairs for breakfast. Hannah had cooked up a storm. She had made every single one of Nancy's favorite breakfast dishes. Hannah turned around, and began to cry when she saw Nancy. Nancy understood and went to hug the woman who had raised her ever since her mother died when she was three.

"Hannah don't cry. I'll visit as often as I can, and I'll call every day." Hannah wiped her eyes and smiled at her little girl who had grown into such a beautiful woman.

" Don't worry about me, I'm just having a hard time letting go. But I am so glad you're marrying a good man, one that will take care, I mean, support you." Nancy laughed at Hannah's correction.

"Hannah thank you so much, I owe so much to you. I mean look at this breakfast!" Hannah and Nancy shared a laugh and an understanding smile.

"Hey, where's dad?"

Hannah told Nancy that her father was in his study looking at her old photo albums. He wasn't ready to let go yet either. Nancy fixed him a plate and took it to his study. She found her father slumped over her baby books smiling the smile of remembrance. He looked up at her and gave her a sad smile.

" Ahh, Hannah's outdone herself again I see." He said this with a choke in his voice; he was losing his baby girl. It wasn't only that though, he knew she wasn't totally happy. He knew her better than anybody. He knew her face expressions and body language. He knew she was holding back something, and it saddened him to see that the light had gone out of her eyes. This was supposed to be the most joyous day of her life. He hated to see that she looked tired and sad.

"Dad what are you doing? The photo albums are so old!"

" I don't know, it's just that you've always been my little girl, you're all I have. You mean more to me than anything so I need you to answer this next question truthfully. I mean it, don't even try to lie to me because I know you way to well. Are you happy? I mean really happy like a blushing bride should be?"

Nancy looked at her hands for a while, than the ceiling, almost like she was looking for the answer. She then searched her father's eyes. She knew he would know if she was lying so she decided to tell him the truth,

"No dad, I'm not ecstatic or excited or anything. I'm just tired and scared and I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing." After she said this, Nancy began to cry and her father stood up to embrace her. " I love Ned, I really do Dad, he's a great guy. I'm just not sure if this is the life I want. I mean it's the life I always thought I wanted, I have always dreamed of marrying Ned. But I'm not sure if I'm in love with him anymore. I love him, but it's more of a comfort thing. I'm not sure what I want, and I'm getting married in 5 hours."

Carson looked at his daughter with sadness in his eyes. He didn't want her to be partly satisfied her entire life; he wanted her to live life to the fullest. He had to show her the importance of making the right decision today and not leaving it until it was to late. He explained all this to her as gently as possible.

"Nancy I love you and I know Ned loves you. Do what makes you happy sweetie, okay?"

Nancy looked up at her dad and told him not to worry. It probably was just cold feet and all the stress left over from planning the wedding. Then she quickly excused herself saying she had to get ready for her wedding.

end of flashback

Nancy looked around Bayport from the back of her cab. She hadn't been there in so long, but it all looked so familiar. She didn't know where Frank lived anymore, he had moved out of his parent's house two years before and now had his own apartment. Her plan was to go to his parent's house and ask them for the address. The taxi pulled up in front of the house she knew so well, and she paid the driver. She stepped out of the taxi and looked around. The house was so pretty, and the garden was still as beautiful as ever. She knocked on the door and waited nervously for someone to answer. Finally, she heard footsteps on the other side of the door. Then the door flew open and the person looked at her shocked.

"Nancy Drew," Joe Hardy said, "is that really you?"

Nancy smiled and hugged her old friend. "Of course it's me silly, I don't look that different."

Joe smiled and invited her in. He started asking her questions about how she ended up here. She just smiled and told him it was a long story that she would tell him later.

" Well you're definitely hotter than the last time I saw you, that's for sure." Joe said this with his famous flirtatious smile. Nancy laughed and hit him with the back of her hand.

"Joe who was it?" Laura Hardy asked from the kitchen. " Was it Frank? He's late he was suppose to meet us for dinner 5 minutes ago."

Joe took Nancy into the kitchen and when Mrs. Hardy saw her she stopped what she was doing to give Nancy a big hug.

"Nancy! I haven't seen you in ages. How are you? Did you have a nice flight? Are you hungry?"

Nancy laughed and hugged her back. She had always loved Mrs. Hardy, she was always so sweet to her, giving the motherless girl many tips for life. " I'm good, and yes I'm starving!" Nancy was thankful Laura hadn't asked her what she was doing there. She really wasn't ready to explain that one yet.

"Well we'll eat soon, Frank should be here any minute."