Hi guys!:) Sorry this chapter took some time. I'm a little sick at the moment but do not fret dear readers! The story will go on! Hope you like it:) please comment and review.

Okay?

~Wallflower95

I guess it's true that time flies by and sometimes you don't even notice. It's our last day in Amsterdam. I hadn't opened any of my mom's letters since the Anne Frank house. Kaitlyn and I had just spent time together and had some fun. It was great. Now that it's my last day here I have another letter to open.

Dear Anna,

On your last day in Amsterdam I want you to visit an old friend. His name is Peter Van Houten and is the author of An Imperial Affliction. He has something for you. Something I sent a while back. I hope you had an amazing time in Amsterdam. I love you so much. Until the next letter.

Okay?

Mom

I was finally going to learn what mom gave Peter Van Houten. It was a quiet morning of packing and getting ready for the day. I told Kaitlyn that we had to drop by Van Houten's to pick something up. I just hoped Liam wouldn't be there. We stood on Van Houten's doorstep, waiting for someone to open the door. I heard footsteps approach. I closed my eyes. Please don't be Liam. And of course it was Liam.

"Anna." He breathed. I gave him a weak smile.

"Hey Liam." Kaityln looked at the two of us. She waved to Liam.

"Hi to you too." She said. Liam nodded and stepped back to let us in.

"We're here to see Van Houten." I said. Liam pursed his lips and nodded.

"Follow me." He said. His voice sounded tense. Loud rap music was playing from the living room. Van Houten sitting at his desk in front of the type writer. His hands moving up and down to the music.

"Mr Van Houten." Liam said but the music was too loud for him to hear. I walked over to the speaker and switched the music off. Van Houten opened his eyes and looked right at me.

"Ahh. You're here."

"Cut to the chase Van Houten. What did my mom give you." Van Houten sighed and reached into a basket on his desk. He pulled out and envelope with my name in her writing on it.

"One of the last gifts a mother can give to her child." He whispered as he put into my hands. My heart was thumping in my chest as I took the envelope from him. I stared down at the writing as Van Houten's words echoed in my head. One of the last gifts. I knew the letters would stop eventually. She did die. But following these letter made me feel like she was with me. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"You don't want them to end." He muttered. I shook my head.

"Unfortunately Miss Lancaster we all have our ghosts. Sometimes it's best to hold on as long as you can and then let go and move on with life." I looked up at the sad old man realizing that he was speaking from experience. He lost his daughter so long ago. I wonder if it still pained him. Then again, that's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"No Anna. Thank you." He said. I smiled. Maybe the old man wasn't so bad after all. Kaitlyn put her arm around my shoulder and we walked out of the house.

"Wait!" Liam ran down the front steps towards me.

"I'm just gonna go somewhere that's not here." Kaitlyn said and she walked away.

"Look about the other day-" He started.

"Let me stop you there." I said. He looked at me.

"Look you're a sweet guy but I didn't come to Amsterdam to find the love of my life or anything. I came here for my parents." I said.

"Anna-"

"We can be friends." I said. I held out my hand. For a moment I didn't think he'd shake. It looked like I broke him and I felt awful for it but I was right. I wasn't here for Liam. I was here for mom and dad. He shook my hands.

"Friends." He whispered.

"Here." I said. I took out a pen and a piece of paper from my bag and scribble my address and phone number on it.

"When you're back in the states give me a call. We can catch a movie or something." He nodded and took the paper. His grey eyes were still bright and welcoming. He reached out and hugged me tight. My body tensed up but then relaxed and I hugged him back.

"Goodbye Anna." He said. I patted him on the back.

"Adios Mr. Birch." I said. I smiled and I walked away. When I looked back he was still staring at me with the paper in his hand.

"I'm a terrible person." I groaned. We sat on the plane waiting for it to take flight.

"For what?" Kaitlyn asked.

"For doing that to Liam. I am the worst." I pouted.

"Yeah you are." I elbowed her.

"Well what do you want me to say?"

"Something comforting." Kaitlyn smiled and put her arm around me.

"He was a nice guy and all but you just met him."

"I feel like I just kicked a bunch of puppies."

"Well did you see his expression when you left him? You probably did kick a puppy." She said. I stared out the window. Looking at the canals and all the people moving around. Thinking of what Liam was doing at this moment. I shook my head. Enough of Liam. Focus. I reached into my bag and took out all the things I got from mom on the trip. Kaitlyn saw the stick figure drawing and she laughed.

"What?" I asked.

"Isaac had wanted to draw the first but of course he's blind so his picture turned out to be a scribbly mess. Then again Hazel's is no better." She said with a smile. I shrugged and looked back at the drawing.

"I like it." I then looked at the picture of mom and dad. Seeing how happy they were. I wished that some day I could have something like that.

You all probably thought she'd see Liam on the plane huh? patience! She'll see him soon;) comment and review please and thank you!

~Wallflower95