CHAPTER EIGHT

COMING HOME

Emily was happy and content. Today was the day she was going home. She looked back at her room and was not sad to see it go. She rapidly ate her breakfast that morning, and gathered whatever she had. A nurse came to speak to Emily.

"You are to get changed back into the dress you arrived in. If you were wearing a corset, you will receive help in putting it back on." She said. Emily smiled and walked into a small room. She was given privacy to put her slip and dress back on. As she let the polka dot slip fall over her head she sighed.

"It's time to let me go home. I'm sick of this place." Emily thought. She grabbed the corset and fastened the hook and eye enclosures. The corset fit rather snug; she'd gained weight in the three days she'd been there. As she slipped the dress over her head, she wondered about Millicent.

"What's going to happen to Millicent? Surely her parents care for her deeply. They must. I think this is punishment enough for her." Emily thought to herself. She finished dressing. All that was left was her navy blue pea coat. She put it on and walked out of the room. The nurse quickly came by her side. They walked down the corridor and out into the waiting room where Victoria and Ruth were standing.

"Hello Emily." Victoria said, with happiness in her voice. Emily reached out and hugged her. Victoria kissed Emily on the forehead and held her hand. They walked out of the hospital into the rain.

"Mama, are you really pregnant?" Emily asked, the innocence in her voice. Victoria knelt down to Emily's level and put a hand on her cheek.

"Yes."

"Does this mean I won't get to come visit ever again?" Emily asked, blushing.

"No, of course not. You'll always have a place at Langdon Manor dear." She kissed Emily again.

Ruth looked at the two. "Why can't I be like her? She was never like this, especially in school. She was so vain. She came to me that one day, looking to be my friend. I accepted her friendship, as we both hated the headmistress. What changed her view on things? Was it Emily?" Ruth thought to herself. She turned away from them leaving herself to her own thoughts.

"Oh mama, I'm glad you could be with me today. I'm so happy to be released from that prison they call a hospital." Emily said.

"I'm happy for you Emmy. Mrs. Bukater is happy for you too. It pained her that you were in there. It really did." Victoria said. The walked into an alcove, away from Ruth.

"Mama, Mrs. Bukater doesn't love me like you do."

"What do you mean Emmy?"

"She doesn't know how to act around me. I think she's scared of me."

"Don't say that. She loves you in her own special way. The letters I receive from her say that she's proud of you and loves you very much. You were very brave when Rose was in the hospital last December. She's your true mother Emmy. Don't ever forget that. A mother's love is different from any other kind of love." Victoria said in a loving voice.

"I just wish I could go back to Vermont with you. I miss home." Emily said.

"During the Christmas holidays Emily. I want you to come home for Christmas, like you did last year. I will pay for the tickets." Victoria said as they stepped out of the alcove. Ruth walked over to them.

"Let's get something to eat. I'm sure Emily will welcome the real food." Ruth said as they waited for the train to take them across the river. The train came and they boarded it. Once inside, they found their seats and sat down. The trip over the river and into Gregstown was quick. Gregstown is where the DeWitt family called home since Ruth was ten years old in 1880. They got off in the central part of the city and found a small café. They were seated and they ordered their meal. Ruth struck up a conversation with Emily.

"Emily, if you're going to have a mood swing, tell me about it. I want to help you, I don't want to hurt you." Ruth said.

"The problem is, I don't know when they're going to happen. You should do what mama does." Emily replied.

"What does she do Emily?" Ruth asked.

"She 'holds' me close and whispers into my ear." Emily said.

"She's a strong woman, your mother. She loves you with all of her heart." Ruth replied.

"Indeed she is Mrs. Bukater. I love her with all of my heart too." Emily said.

"It takes a special kind of person to say that. You're so innocent Emily. She raised you right. You're a flower that can stand up to anything. You're not delicate." Ruth kindly said.

"I know I'm not delicate. I'm someone to watch out for." Emily said, assuring herself.

"I know Emily." Ruth stated. Their meals came and Emily ate like she was hungry. Ruth didn't shoot her a disapproving look. She knew Emily hadn't eaten real food in three days, no she let it pass. Ruth and Victoria ate their meals casually. Ruth decided to speak to Victoria.

"Thank you for coming to visit Emily. I knew I couldn't do it alone." Ruth said.

"John alerted me to Emily's situation. I knew that she would want me, so I came." Victoria purred.

"When do you plan on going back to Brattleboro?" Ruth asked.

"Tomorrow. I'll make the drive back. It's going to be a long drive back, but I can handle it. I can handle anything." Victoria replied.

"That's the Victoria I know." Ruth said.

"Remember our days at the Brattleboro School? We disliked those girls from Mount Tabor, well except a few. Your sister was one of the few that we actually liked." Victoria asked.

"How could I forget? My husband's sister was the other one. She had this air about her that made any situation lax." Ruth said, finishing her meal. After paying for their meals, the three of them got up from the table and walked out of the café. The rain kept falling. It was time for Victoria to say goodbye to her daughter. She knelt down to Emily's level.

"I guess it's time to say goodbye darling." Victoria said.

"But I don't want you to go. I'll miss you." Emily replied, her eyes becoming wet.

"There's no time for tears Emmy. You're going to do well this term. I know you will. You did so well last term." She said giving Emily a kiss on the forehead.

"I just wish I could go back home with you. I miss it terribly." Said Emily.

"I know you do Emmy, but think this Christmas I'll get to see you again."

"I can't wait until then. I'll think about you every day. I love you mama." Emily said. Victoria got back up, and turned away to go back to her hotel. Ruth and Emily hailed a cab and took it back to the DeWitt house. They walked up the front steps and into the house. Rose was there to greet Emily with a hug. "You must be tired from the hospital. Why don't you sit down?" Rose asked. Emily sat. Emily was out of the hospital now, and she was glad.

THE END

Authors Note: I'd like to thank Rachedaninja for reviewing my story. She's the reason I kept this story going.