This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful grandmother.

Chapter Five:

The first couple of nights in Ivy Cottage had passed quickly and peaceful. Jess was no longer angering Emma and today they were going to Skype to book club for their first meeting. Emma had actually had to have an emergency 'finish reading' session right before the meeting. She had been so distracted by all that had been happening. Shopping for school, meeting the parrot, getting completely settled in. With all of this going on she had forgotten to do her monthly reading ahead of time. She had just finished reading when her mother opened the door.

"Ready?" She asked. Emma nodded. Jess peeked out from behind Phoebe, grinning. She was excited to see all their friend's faces for the first time in a week. Emma smiled back at her, she was excited too. They headed to the old fashioned living room of the cottage. Emma sighed. Everything here was gorgeous. She was enjoying every second of being in this house. It seemed like everyone else, even Darcy, was too. They all sat down on the couch, Emma placing her laptop on the table in front of them.

"You ready?" She asked her mother, and Jess.

"Yep." Jess said, and her mother nodded. Emma opened Skype and they all waited patiently for the call. Soon the computer was blinking (and making that weird noise that Skype makes) and Emma was clicking 'answer.' Megan's face appeared on the screen.

"Hey guys!" She waved enthusiastically at them. All their book club friends were gathered in the Wong's stark white living room. There was an eruption of 'hellos' and waving. Emma, Phoebe, and Jess waved back.

"We hope you have some refreshments as is traditional?" Mrs. Wong raised a plate on the table to show them. "I made some wonderful tofu cookies for us gals in Concord." Emma and Jess both hurried to stifle laughs as they saw Cassidy gagging in the background.

"We have some cookies of our own Lilly, but they're store bought." Mrs. Wong frowned, probably thinking about how much sugar they contained. "Anyways, we thought we would take you on a tour of the house!" Phoebe was excited to show all of them the beautiful house they were going to live in for the year. All the mother's nodded, excited to see it.

Emma's mother carried the laptop throughout the house and out into the garden with Emma and Jess trailing behind. They could hear the mother's oohing and ahhing over the house. It wasn't surprising, the house was gorgeous. Not huge, but beautiful. Twenty minutes later they were sitting on the couch again beginning to discuss the book.

"No musty dusty old books!" Cassidy shouted. Emma and Jess smiled, Clementine just rolled her eyes.

"We're all aware that you like this book much better than the classics that we usually read Cassidy, but try to control your excitement." Megan's mother says calmly. After that they finally got into discussion of the book (I'll spare you the boring details). There was a general agreement that they were all enjoying the book, though some of the mothers seemed a little skeptical. When that talk winded down Emma and Jess jumped up.

"We have something to show you guys!" They ran out the room. "We'll be back in a minute!" Jess called. Phoebe looked confused, but then the light bulb went off and she understood.

"Oh." She quietly said, trying to make sure that her friends in Concord couldn't here her. But Megan did.

"What is it Mrs. Hawthorne?" She asked. Emma's mom smiled at her.

"Nothing! I just realized what they were doing." Emma and Jess entered the room.

"Mom, turn the laptop around." Phoebe complied. "Aren't they adorable?" Emma asked her friends. Both she and Jess were dressed in their school uniforms, turning slowly to show them off. Megan smiled.

"They are!" Emma and Jess were grinning like it was Christmas morning. They were both obviously very happy about their opportunity to go to an amazing school like the one they were going to. Their friends were happy for them too, and a little jealous. Well, Megan was. Cassidy took one look at them and burst out laughing. They both frowned.

"What?" Jess asked.

"You're actually going to wear those? Like, to school?"

"Yeah, it is the uniform." Emma answered. Cassidy just shook her head.

"I feel bad for you guys." Megan and Becca rolled their eyes.

"Ignore her," Becca said. "You guys look great."

"Thanks!" They both said. They sat down on the couch.

"I guess it's time to wrap this up." Phoebe said and Mrs. Wong nodded. Everyone waved goodbye and then the screen went blank.

"Do we really look laughable mom?" Emma asked, smoothing out the creases in her skirt.

"No honey, you look fine. Go get changed, both of you, and then come back down for dinner." Emma sighed, not really believing her mom but she comforted herself by thinking that everyone else would be wearing them too.

Within ten minutes they were both changed and down stairs at the table. They were sitting at the table with Darcy, both glaring at him to make sure he didn't start eating before their parents got there. Mr. Hawthorne walked in carrying another plate of delicious food. He always made a huge meal the night before the first day of school. Mrs. Hawthorne followed him in, carrying a tray of water glasses. She set the tray down on the table, smiling at them expectantly. Darcy just looked back at her while Emma said "Thanks mom!" and Jess chirped a quick "Thanks." Phoebe turned to look at her son, he shrugged and mumbled "Thank you mom." She smiled him. They both sat down. Darcy looked to his father.

"Yes Darcy, you can eat." He said. Darcy attacked the food fiercely. Jess laughed and Emma rolled her eyes, grabbing her own plate. They all started eating happily, content with the silence.

A/N: Sorry this is up so late. I had a family crisis and could not finish it on time. Hope you like it! Review and let me know what you think!