Author's Note:
Hey guys, it's me :)) I'm SO SORRY I haven't updated in ages, I've been super busy with college, exams, assignments and graduation. But I'm finally back and free now because I don't start university till early March and orientation starts on end feb, so I can update more often now (hopefully). Also, thank you to & isles15 for the lovely reviews, honestly didn't expect anyone to read it xD I've been trying to reply back to the reviews but couldn't figure out how, so this is how I shall reply to them. Anywayyyy, on to the story!
-EthelCBG
Chapter 1
Annie and Elizabeth finally arrived at the FedEx shop, they quickly hopped off the taxi as Elizabeth handed the taxi driver the fare. Elizabeth held Annie's hand as they crossed the road to get to the shop. Finally, they had arrived at the store. Elizabeth opened the door to the store and the bell above the door rang as she walked in along with Annie following along behind her. A lady, whom had fair skin, sky blue eyes and wavy light chestnut hair was sitting at the counter. Immediately, when she heard the bell, her head shot up and she smiled as she saw Elizabeth walking towards the counter.
"Elizabeth! What a good surprise, what can I do for you today? "The lady exclaimed cheerfully.
Elizabeth smiled as she saw the lady.
"Hello, Julie! It's great to see you too, I've actually come here to FedEx this drawing to Paris," Elizabeth replied as she took out the envelope that contained her sketch from her bag.
"Of course, just fill in these forms and I'll do the rest, "Julie replied as she handed Elizabeth some forms along with a pen.
"Thank you, Julie, "Elizabeth thanked as she started filling out everything. Annie was standing quietly next to her mother as she was filling up the forms.
Julie peeked down from her desk to see Annie waiting patiently for her mother.
"My, your daughter has certainly grown from the last time I've seen her, Elizabeth, "Julie commented, chuckling as Elizabeth was gathering all the forms together and walking back towards Julie.
Elizabeth chuckled softly.
"I agree, Julie. My, how time flies. She was about 4 when I brought her here last time and now, she's already 12, "Elizabeth replied as she handed the forms back to Julie.
"Children grow up really quick, my son's already going off to college soon, "Julie said, with a sense of sadness as she took the forms from Elizabeth as well as her envelope with her sketch.
Elizabeth nodded in understanding to what Julie must be feeling right now.
"Look at it this way, he'll only be gone for a while. Besides, he could come back during the holidays or the weekends, and soon enough he'll be able to come back and look after you, "Elizabeth reassured her, trying her best to cheer her up.
"You're right, Elizabeth. Thank you so much, "Julie smiled as she wrote on the forms and gave the forms and the envelope to the nearby worker and told him to put it in the Paris box.
"Anytime, old friend, "Elizabeth smiled.
"Now, that will be fifteen pounds, "Julie informed as Elizabeth dug through her bag for her purse and handed Julie a ten-pound bill as well as a five pound bill.
"Thanks, a lot Julie, I'll see you soon, "Elizabeth thanked her as she and Annie started to head out.
"Goodbye, Miss Julie, "Annie called out on the way out.
Soon enough, by the time Elizabeth had finished it was already about 11am.
"Okay, now that's done. I'm sorry I took so long and kept you waiting, darling, "Elizabeth apologised to Annie.
Annie just smiled and held on to her mother's hand.
"It's alright, mother. I really didn't mind at all, "Annie told her.
"Okay, now let's go to Harrods, "Elizabeth said as she called for a taxi and soon enough a taxi arrived, and both Elizabeth and Annie got on.
After about 15 minutes, they arrived at their destination. Elizabeth thanked the taxi driver and gave him the money before getting off along with Annie.
"Okay, "Elizabeth sighed as she put her hands on her hips with Annie by her side.
"Wow, I've never been this part of London before, "Annie breathed out as she took a glimpse of her surroundings.
Elizabeth smiled as she watched her daughter take in the scenery around her.
"It is quite a sight, isn't it? Now, what would you like to have for lunch, hmmm?" Elizabeth asked softly.
Annie turned her head towards her mother and looked at her, thinking about the question.
"I'm alright with anything, really, mother. We can eat whatever you feel like eating, "Annie smiled.
Elizabeth always knew that her daughter was ever so thoughtful and humble towards others and which meant putting others first before herself. She honestly was grateful that Annie turned out to be a well-mannered, humbled and sweet girl, unlike some of the kids in London who turned out to be proud, ill-mannered spoilt brats.
"Okay then, I'll take you to one of my favourite restaurants, "Elizabeth replied as she suddenly had an idea of where to go for lunch.
The two mother-daughter duo walked around the city until they reached a beautifully furnished restaurant which you could instantly tell that it was expensive and posh. They reached in front of a restaurant by the name of 'Nightingale'. The restaurant had lots of exuberant and vibrant colours. Its windows were all glass stained and the door was made of carved wood and polished. The signage also had sparkling pearls surrounding it, inside the restaurant you could see that the tables were made of marble and the chairs were made of soft wool. As Annie saw the restaurant, she was in awe.
"Wow, mother. This place looks so amazing, how'd you find it?" Annie asked curiously.
Elizabeth chuckled softly at her daughter's curiosity.
"Wait until you see what they serve on the menu, I've heard that they serve one of the best sticky toffee pudding and trifle, "Elizabeth grinned.
"No way! Even better than Martin's? "Annie exclaimed.
"There's only one way to find, my darling, "Elizabeth laughed at her daughter's astonishment.
Annie just nodded after hearing her mother's response. The two of them walked towards the door, where a waiter was standing waiting to bring customers to their seats.
"Hello, table for two thank you, "Elizabeth told the waiter, smiling.
"Of course, Miss James. Follow me, "The waiter replied as he opened the door and brought the two of them towards a table for two somewhere along the centre of the room. Elizabeth and Annie then got seated and looked through the menu.
"Everything looks so good here, how will I ever choose?" Annie complained, which earned a chuckle and giggle from the waiter and her mother.
"Just choose whatever you feel like having, ok?" Elizabeth reassured her daughter, smiling.
"Okay, so I'll have a chef's special steak, along with a glass of champagne, thank you, "Elizabeth told the waiter whom was waiting for their orders.
The waiter nodded as he began to scribble down the orders on a notepad with his pencil. He then turned towards Annie and arched his brow.
"Um, I think I'll have the lamb shank with roasted potatoes and orange juice, thank you, "Annie quickly replied as she did not want to annoy the waiter for waiting so long.
The waiter then nodded as he continued to write down the orders on his notepad.
"Anything else, Miss James?" The waiter asked Elizabeth.
"Oh yes, one sticky toffee pudding and mango trifle, thank you, "Elizabeth replied.
The waiter again nodded and then recited all the orders he had written down and when Elizabeth had given him a nod of approval, he then turned towards the kitchen to give the cooks the orders.
"Wow, mother. You really didn't have to bring me to such an expensive and posh restaurant, you know? I'd really have been fine with a normal café, "Annie told her mother, full of gratefulness.
Elizabeth smiled at her daughter's words.
"I know, darling. But I wanted to treat you to something nice, you've been through a lot these recent years. You've incredibly strong and I'm so sorry that I haven't been a great mother at all these years, "Elizabeth explained softly as her voice cracked and was almost at the verge of crying, which was very rare for Elizabeth or British people at all.
"Mother…" Annie immediately got up from her seat and rushed to her mother's side and gave her a big hug, one of the thigs that Elizabeth certainly enjoyed.
Elizabeth smiled as she felt two slightly smaller arms wrap around her.
"It's not true at all, mother. You've been an excellent and if I may say so myself, the best mother a girl could ever ask for. I really was fine all this while, well except maybe emotionally. You've been an amazing mother, you've looked after me ever since I was born. You made sure I had food to eat and water to drink, a bed to sleep, a good education. Besides, even when you had work overseas you would call every night to read a story to me and made sure that I was alright. You were always there for me, mother. Especially, when I needed you the most when I first started primary school. I love you, mother. That is something that will never change, I promise. "Annie told Elizabeth, smiling as she spoke.
After hearing what Annie had to tell her, Elizabeth was already in tears. She was sniffling, her eyes were red and wet from the tears; but she had huge wide smile plastered upon her face.
"Oh darling, come here you, "Elizabeth chuckled as she opened her arms for Annie and then she embraced her tightly.
Annie giggled as her mother hugged her tightly.
"I love you, so much. "Elizabeth whispered into her ear.
"I love you more, "Annie argued.
"I love you the most, "Elizabeth chuckled, ending their little argument.
After awhile, the two of them broke their embrace.
"Now Annie, I want you to make a promise for me, "Elizabeth said, looking at Annie with a serious look upon her face.
Annie nodded.
"Of course, mother. Anything for you, what is it?" Annie replied, slightly worried to what her mother wanted her to promise her that caused her to look so serious which rarely ever happened.
"That you'll always come to me if ever you feel down or if something happened, okay? I'm always going to be here for you, darling. I also promise that we'll arrange mother-daughter dates at least once a week, okay?" Elizabeth explained, smiling again once she shook off her daughter's worried look.
"I promise. Thank you, mother. "Annie smiled.
Finally, after what seemed forever, their food arrived. The waiter served them their dishes, along with their drinks. Annie excitedly began to cut her steak and then popped a piece into her mouth, devouring it.
"The food here is amazing, mother. Thank you so much for taking me here, "Annie gratefully thanked her.
"You're very welcome, darling, "Elizabeth smiled.
A/N:
Welllll, we're gonna stop this chapter here. Hope you liked this chapter, do let me know what you'd like to see happen in the next few chapters.