Chapter 2: One Story Two Different Endings

1955

"Time for bed," Vivien said as she walked up to the door which led into her daughter's room. Walking through the door Vivien's eye's fell upon a rather large mess, "Madeline Rose Kent, What did your father and I tell you?" She was not pleased at what she saw. Toys big and small lay all over the little girl's room. It looked as if a tornado had ripped through her room and had thrown everything for a whirl.

Madeline looked up from her favorite doll as she fed it a bottle. Locking eyes with her mother she knew she had done wrong. "To clean up my room," Madeline said as she still kept hold of the fake bottle while she still looked at her. Madeline sure looked like her mother. Dark blue eyes that sparked when she laughed, her skin was soft and clear just like the day she was born, Hair the color of a soft chocolate.

"Why haven't you done what your father and I asked?"

"I was busy playing with my dolls," Madeline's eyes fell from her mothers and fell to the floor.

"Until this room gets cleaned up no Saturday cartoons until then."

"But mummy," Madeline's voice shook as she tried not to cry. That wasn't far. "That's not far."

"I'm sorry darling, but you have got to learn." Vivien felt awful for telling her daughter such a thing, but what else could she do? "Maddy, life isn't always fair."

Madeline bit her lower lip before speaking. "Parker's rooms messy and you don't punish him." Madeline spoke as she tried to play the blame card.

"Madeline, we do not point fingers at one another. Parker cleaned his room after I told him the same thing." Vivien's eyes began to go around the room as she looked at the mess. If her room looked like this now she hated to see what it would be like when she was a teenager. But enough of that thought Madeline was just a little girl. Doing things that little girls do.

Soon her eyes fell upon a lovely porcinlin doll that lay on its side just next to a white shelf. "I thought we told you, you weren't allowed to take down this doll unless you asked first." Vivien didn't know what was with her child tonight, but whatever it was she would get to the bottom of it. Maybe it was because school would be starting soon. Whatever it was they would get to the bottom of it.

Picking up the doll she looked at it. The doll looked rather old, but still beautiful. Dark brown hair with big ringlet curls, a dark crimson dress with lace along the neck, while a small smile had been painted on her white face. This had been Vivien's doll when she was younger. Her father had given it to her when she was Madeline's age. "You must be more careful with this doll. After all it was mine when I was your age." After fixing a curl she placed it back on the white shelf overlooking the room. "You know she tells me everything that goes on in this room." This was a way to get her daughter to behave more.

Yes, mummy," Madeline responded as she avoided the last remark. That last remark scared her a bit. What child wouldn't be after what their mother just told them? Putting that in the back of her mind Madeline went on as if nothing had been said. "Mummy, will you help me pick up my room?"

"I need to go tell your brother it's time for bed. Why don't you get cleaned up what you can and when I come back to tell you a story I will see how much is cleaned up." Vivien knew she had to teach her daughter some responsibility.

Agreeing with her mother Madeline started cleaning up her room. Heading down the hall Vivien stepped into her son's room. Parker already had his PJs on and was ready for bed. "Well look who's already for bed." Vivien smiled at her eight year old son, my how fast they grow. Looking up from his truck he smiled. Parker sure looked like Larry. Dark hair dark green eyes and by the look of things was going to be very tall. "Ready for a bedtime story?" she asked as she picked up a loose sock up off the floor.

"Yes, mother," Taking his truck he headed to Madeline's room.

"Madeline, when I walk into the room your room best be cleaned up." At hearing her mother's voice Madeline placed her brown teddy bear on her bed. Walking into the little girls room Vivien found that the room was picked up except for a few things that couldn't be reached by the little girl. Putting them into place she turned to see her children sitting on Madeline's bed. All ready for a story before sending them off to bed.

Laughing a little Vivien approached the bed. The two of them were sitting there so eagerly they were like two kids at Christmas time. "Before story time prayer comes first." That's something Vivien and Larry decided very early that their children would grow up knowing God and knowing he would always be there for them no matter what.

Sliding off the bed Parker and Madeline knelt down by the bed and placed their little hands on top and bowed their heads.

"Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep.If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take." As that prayer came to an end the children added a few extra things to it. "Thank you for a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. Thank you for Mummy, Daddy, Grandpa." Madeline and Parker stopped for a moment. Nudging each other's side they began again. "And thank you for sissy and bubby. Amen." The children turned around and said as one. "Can we have story now? Please."

"Yes, you may have a story now." Sitting on the bed each child sat on each side of their mother. "What kind of story do you want to hear?" At hearing her masters voice Callie came into Madeline's room slowly but surely. Poor Callie she was getting on in years, but she would always be Callie. Jumping the best she could up onto Madeline's four poster bed she curled up at the corner and went right to sleep.

"A fairy story," Madeline piped up with a smile on her face.

"No, I don't want to hear a fairy tale story." Parker whined. Sometimes he wished his sister would just grow up already. Yes, being eight was fun, but hearing fairy tale stories time and time again just got old. He wanted something more to his liking. Like sward fighting, battles, you know stuff like that. Things boys are into not princesses and glass shoes and poison apples.

"Now Parker you got to pick what story was read last night. We must take turns." Sharing along with being kind were two of the big things Vivien wanted to teach her children.

"Alright," Parker sighed heavily. This was going to be one long story if he didn't think of something quick. "Can I go watch TV with dad?"

"Yes, you may, but once I come downstairs to get you it's time for bed."

Sliding off the bed Parker left with his toy truck in hand. Walking down stairs he kept his hand on the railing so he wouldn't fall. Once he reached the bottom step he walked into his father's study just off from the staircase.

Seeing his father reading the evening newspaper he sat down next to him on the black leather couch. Looking up from his paper Larry saw Parker out of the corner of his eye. "Why aren't you upstairs getting ready for bed?" he asked.

"Madeline wanted a fairy tale story and I didn't want to hear another fairy tale story. I asked mother if it was alright if I came downstairs to watch TV."

Larry knew where he was coming from. "Son, you have to learn to share your mother and I with your sister." Larry chuckled a little.

"That's not funny dad,"

"I know son I was just thinking back on a memory. When you were just a day or so old while I had you in my arms your mother was changing your sisters diaper and you reached out to her with your little hands. I laughed and told you, that you would have to learn to share your mother and I with your sister." That seemed as if that was only yesterday.

Parker really didn't find that funny, but he was sure he would in time. After all he was only eight. At eight all Parker could imagine was playing with his trucks, playing ball with his father out in the yard and just being a kid, nothing past that.

After sitting there and looking at the TV set which the only thing on was the plan old boarding news Parker looked up at his father who had gone back to reading his paper.

"Dad," he asked as he turned in his seat.

"Yes, son?" Larry's eyes shifted from the paper towards his son.

Parker heisted a little before asking. "Would you tell me a story?"

"What story do you want me to tell you?" Larry asked as he folded up the paper and sat it on the nearby coffee table…..

"What story do you want me to read to you?" Vivien asked as her little girl snuggled up next to her.

"I want to hear the story about you and Daddy," she looked up at her mother with those same eyes as she.

"About me and Daddy," Vivien replied as she ran a hand through her daughter's lovely chestnut hair. Madeline nodded her head.

"Yes the one where he saved you," She knew she had heard it a thousand times, what would a thousand and one hurt?

…..

"The one where you fought in the war with Uncle Andrew and Uncle Tommy," Parker replied. But before Larry could reply Parker went on. "The one where you saved mommy,"

Larry knew exactly which one he was talking about. Like Madeline he as well had heard it a thousand times, but not from his point of view.

…..

"Your daddy and I lived happily ever after and-"

"Not that one." Madeline wined. She knew very well which story she wanted and she wanted it told right. "The story when you two first met."

"Oh I see." Vivien answered. As her thoughts gathered in her mind she looked at Madeline. "But you've heard it countless times."

"But I want to hear it again." By now Madeline was all over the bed. She wasn't about to sit still for a story she didn't want.

"Alright, I'll tell you the story on how daddy and I met, but you have to sit still little missy." Sitting still Madeline turned her full and undivided attention toward her mother. "Once Upon A Time where war was upon England and upon this very house there lived a beautiful young woman-"

"You," Madeline said with excitement.

"Yes, me," Vivien laughed a little.

….

"You're Uncle Andrew and Uncle Tommy had wanted to enter the war front for quite sometime and urged me to join with them. So I signed up. Father was so happy to see his sons go off to war, but mother wasn't all that thrilled." Larry could tell that Parker was ready for the blood and guts part of the story. "So we were off ready to do something with our lives.

Parker started to yawn. This was very boring. What about the guts and blood part? Those were the best part.

...

"As the months went by father only returned once. I so wished he would stay forever, but he couldn't. As Catherine took over the reins of the house she put me to work the moment she could."

"Mummy, what happened to grandmother?"

"Your blood grandmother died from a terrible disease when I was just five months old. Your grandmother Catherine was taken far from here. But Madeline you must not think unkindly of Catherine even if I do."

"But Mummy, she hurt you. She hurt you badly." Her girlish voice came as her smile went into a frown. Catherine sounded like the evil queen in all of those stories that her mother had told her.

"I'm alright now. Thanks to daddy." If it weren't for him she wouldn't be here right now. Catherine would have won had he not come. "Do you understand?"

Yes, Mummy," Her voice fell as she knew not to think unkindly of her grandmother, but she had hurt her mummy. "Can I hear the rest of the story?"

…

"As I was waiting out the air raid I bumped into something or someone. Looking up I saw the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. I knew then that this girl I was to spend the rest of my life with."

"Dad!" Parker yelled out. He didn't want to hear all about the mushy stuff. He wanted to blood and bombs part of the story.

"Sorry son," Larry replied as he went on. "The next day I left with Tommy and Andrew. We would be gone for quite some time. The war was upon us and there was nothing we could do about it."

Parker now listened as the story went on. Now it was getting to the good stuff. The stuff he liked. "What next? What next?"

Larry cleared his throat. He was just as bad as his sister when it came to stories, but there was nothing wrong with that. "After a while I knew that it would be quite a while before I would go home. Your mother and I would write every day. Until one day I got shot." Parker drew closer to his father to hear the rest of the story. "As I recovered from my shoulder wound I was to learn that I was to go home. As I arrived home I found that your mother had

…..

"Mummy," The story had been finished and Madeline had one final question to ask. As if the first 500 weren't enough.

"What is it darling?" Vivien asked as she rubbed her hand up and down her daughter's cheek, just like she had when she was a baby. Oh how she missed those moments. Teaching her children how to walk, talk…potty train. That was a nightmare in its self.

"Did you and daddy live happily ever after?" she asked with a yawn as her eyes remained shut.

"Why of course we did silly goose."

"Okay, just checking." With that said Madeline gave into sleep.

Kissing her forehead Vivien turned on the nearby pink nightlight and soon was headed out the door. Shutting the door quietly she headed downstairs to get her son.

Walking into the study of Notely Abbey Vivien found that Parker had fallen asleep. "It appears someone was all tiered out." Vivien whispered. Getting up Larry carried the sleeping child and approached her. "Do you want me to take him?" she asked in a low voice.

"No, I've got him." Larry replied as they headed out of the room Parker dropped one of his toy trucks.

Going and picking it up Vivien followed them. Moving in his father's arms Parker opened his sleepy eyes. "Mummy, daddy told me the true story about you and him."

"Oh he did, did he?" questioned Vivien as she looked from her son to her husband.

"Yeah," Parker yawned as he knew he couldn't keep it up much longer. While climbing the staircase the big grandfather clock struck ten. It was way past the children's bed time.

As a sleepy Parker was tucked into bed he asked. "Dad, did you and mother live happily ever after?"

Larry and Vivien looked at each other. Of course they had. Of course they had their ups and downs but who didn't? "Yes, Parker, now it's time to go to sleep."

"Okay," before rolling over his parents kissed him goodnight. Before retiring themselves Larry kissed his daughter good night.

"Why do you suppose Parker asked that question for?" Larry asked as he watched his wife brush her hair.

"That's funny Madeline asked me the exact question." She turned from the mirror and looked at her husband with concerned eyes.

"I don't know I guess that's just part of a child's curiosity."

"Perhaps they've heard someone talk about us and it wasn't very pleasant. Or maybe they heard that happily ever after don't exist." Vivien couldn't seem to get her mind wrapped around why the children would ask that same question. Whatever it was she was sure it was nothing. They were for always asking questions upon questions. How old was their home? How many times had grandpa been to war? There was rarely a time when they didn't ask a question.

"I'm sure it's one of the neighbor kids filling their heads with nonsense." Larry could tell something was on her mind by just the look on her face. She seemed to be deep in thought.

"Maybe," she taped her brush in her left hand a few times. Shaking the thought from her mind she turned back around and continued with what she was doing. "What story did you tell Parker? Because I told Madeline a story about us as well. It was quite funny really. She practically begged me for a story of us. It's not like she's never heard them before. She's heard them countless times. But some things never change." And Vivien was glad some things never did. She knew that her and Larry would always be needed by their children, but telling them bed time stories wouldn't last forever.

"When the war started and how we met and what happened within those few short months."

"Really? I told Madeline the same story." Vivien was curious to know just how his side of the story went. "Please, tell me how does the story go?"

"As I remember we met at the underground during an air raid. You were running away from Catherine and you were so scared, because of what she had done to you and what she would do to you had you gone home." Larry knew he was right…so far.

"Go on." Vivien replied as she moved her hand for him to keep going.

"The next day I saw you at the seven sister's bakery. You still looked as I remembered you. So gentle, sweet, kind and fragile from what you had just happened to you just 24 hours before." He could tell she wanted more and not just the basics. "Before leaving I gave you a letter and told you not to open it until I left. I told you goodbye and that I would return shortly."

"What else?" Vivien was enjoying this very much. She knew what happened….well at least at the bakery she knew what was happening.

"I left and that was the last time I saw you, at least for a while anyways. We wrote letters practically every day to each other." A smile came to his face. "Those letters kept me going strong those long six or so months."

"And then what?" She wasn't going to say anything until he had said all he had to say.

"Well after that I hadn't gotten a letter and I wondered what had happened." Larry looked at her and knew he knew no more. "After that I-I don't remember."

Vivien was shocked at hearing that. Yes, people forgot things throughout their lives but this? "Catherine came and told me you were dead. I believed her and I took the apple. How could you forget that? I was helpless and I had no idea I was walking into my own death trap."

"I'm sorry darling. I had no idea. The seven sisters said they wrote a letter to me, but I never got it. If I had I would have come the moment I got it."

"I think I would remember that." Vivien spat. This wasn't turning out so well. This was turning into a battle between them.

"How could you? You were in a coma for quite some time?"

"And you were in a hospital bed with a built wound to the shoulder."

"When we go over to the sisters next week we will ask them then,"

"Fine by me," Huffing a little she finished brushing her hair and brushing her teeth. Turning out the bathroom light she headed over and turned off the bedroom light.

"Do you mind?" Larry asked as frustration filled his voice. He was lucky he was already done or he might have fallen over something.

"Oh, I'm sorry darling weren't you finished?" Vivien asked in a sweet voice. Turning on her husband she said. "Yes, I do mind." Turning back the covers they both mumbled something under their breaths and went to sleep.

They say never go to bed angry, but this fight wasn't about to end as each of them went to sleep. How could one make up before bed? It was easy to do they were sure of it, but a fight was a fight and they weren't going to give until one side gave.

As the moon set the sun rose high in the sky as a bright new day was upon England.

As the warm sunlight seeped through the laced curtains Vivien rolled over to see that Larry wasn't there. Probably getting the paper and sitting at the breakfast table. A thought struck her she better get the crossword puzzle before her father does. Throwing back the covers Vivien got to her feet. As she put on her lavender rob she saw a dozen red roses in a crystal vase along with a note sitting on her oak dressing table. As her long white fingers traced the cream colored envelop she turned it around and opened it. Pulling the white paper from its holding she unfolded it.

My darling wife,

I feel as if I don't say the words I love you enough or at all now a days. I love you so very much that it pains me to know that I don't tell you that like I used to. God put me on this earth not just to help fight in the war, but to bring me to you. To protect you in every way, hold you when you cry, get you to smile when you are down. I don't do that enough and I know I should. You are the one and only one for me. There is no question about that. You have always been the only one for me. I knew that from the moment I first saw you.

I don't want the romance to die. I want to be your knight in shining armor. I want to be the husband you deserve. I want to be the first thing you think about first thing in the morning. The one who makes you smile and makes your eyes light up. I want to be that person.

Love,

Larry

P.S. I have something else for you as well. Please meet me in the breakfast nook.

Lowering the letter she put her head in her hands. Why was this becoming too much? She should be happy about this, but why was she thinking as if it was over whelming? Raising her head her eyes fell upon the perfect creation before her. As her finger tips touched the dark red roses tears sprang to her eyes. He really did care about her and she did him, but why did they fight all the time? That was a question only they could answer. Not Dr. Hope, Richard or anyone else just them.

Turning her eyes upward Vivien powdered her nose and then went and grabbed her outfit for the day. Checking her reflection in the mirror she smiled. Everything was in perfect order. Her wavy brown hair sat upon her shoulders as the wrinkles fell from her peach colored top and picked a piece of fuzz from her trousers. Smiling once more she headed out of their room.

Tip toeing past the children's rooms Vivien descended the staircase. Doing her best not to wake anyone she headed south towards the breakfast nook. As she entered the breakfast nook she found Larry standing there. "I take it you got the letter and the roses?" he asked already knowing the answer. Vivien nodded her head.

"Yes, there beautiful thank you," Her eyes now glanced at the floor. Why couldn't she look him in the eyes? Was it because she thought that they were still fighting? Where they still fighting? Was she the cause of the whole thing? Biting her lower lip she still looked at the ground. As she continued biting it she began to taste the blood that lingered on her tongue. Even the taste of metal in her mouth didn't cause her lift her eyes. Even as her husband stepped closer, stepping up to her Larry took her chin in his hand forcing her to look up.

"You're much to pretty to keep those blue eyes of your cast downward."

She smiled her sweet smile. "That's a good girl." By the look upon his face and what she felt within her heart she knew they were no longer fighting. Just like things were meant to be. Cupping her face within his hands he drew her closer. Giving her a passionate kiss all around them seem to stand still. Taking in the sweet taste it seemed as if it could go on forever and a day. However, that was quite impossible for they had lives to live.

"Mummy, daddy," Two little voices yelled throughout the house.

"The children are up." Larry whispered against her soft lips.

"Where are you?"

"In here darlings," Vivien answered as she broke the kiss and turned towards the entrance.

They could hear another voice as well. "Mummy and daddy need some time to themselves. Why don't we go sit out in the garden and eat breakfast." Richard suggested as he whispered to his grandchildren. They watched from afar as they could just make out their parents.

"YEAH!" The children yelled with excitement. Bouncing out of the room they got ready for breakfast.

"Good thing your father was there." Larry chuckled a bit.

"Yes, thank goodness. Or we would have had to explain to the children and I have a feeling they would have just thought it was gross. Well Madeline would have been happy, but Parker would have just walked away." Vivien laughed a little as she glanced up at the clock behind her. 9:45.

"Don't you want the gift I bought you?" Larry asked as he now looked at her at arm's length.

"Yes," Vivien said with a wide smile. She felt like a giddy little child all of a sudden. Stepping back he pulled a blue velvet box from his back pocket. Vivien's breath got caught in her throat.

Larry began to lift the long square lid slowly. As the lid made a small noise it was fully opened. There lying on the soft blue velvet was a 5 carat diamond necklace fit for a queen.

"Oh," Vivien said in awe. It was beautiful. It was stunning. She had never seen anything so amazing in all her life. It looked as if it belongs to the queen herself.

"Do you like it?" Larry asked.

"Yes, it's lovely, but I don't deserve this. I don't deserve anything you give me. I don't even deserve you."

"Yes, you do. You deserve everything that is given to you. Because you have gone through so much in such a short amount of time, more things then what a woman at your age should go through. Not only that, but I love you so much and I'm never letting you go," She looked so beautiful. Even without the makeup she looked just as perfect as ever. All she's ever needed was that lovely personality of hers and that smile and she could win a country over rather quickly. But then again she had in a way. After all he loved her, all of her father's friends found her sweet and kind. The seven sisters took to her the moment they met her. There wasn't a person that he hadn't met, other than Catherine, but she was gone and there was nothing else to worry about. "Shall I put it on you?" she nodded her head yes. As the necklace was put in place and laid next to her silver locket she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"What did I do to deserve a husband like you?"

"That my dear is a very good question." Larry replied with a smirk. Vivien slapped his shoulder playfully and smiled up at him. Pulling her into his arms their lips met and they shared in a passionate kiss. A kiss so passionate you would think it was out of a great romantic movie

"Mummy, Daddy your missing breakfast." Madeline's voice traveled through the kitchen and into the breakfast nook.

"Madeline, please eat your eggs. Mummy and Daddy will be out soon. They just need some time to themselves." They heard Richard tell their daughter. Thank goodness for Richard.

Parting a bit they looked into each other's eyes. "I think my dear we are being called after." He turned and offered her his arm. "Shall we go?"

Lacing her hand through his arm they made their way to breakfast.

"Mummy, dad, look what Madeline and I did." Parker answered as he lifted his plate to show that they had been playing with their food.

"That's nice darling, but you know that we don't play with our food." Vivien scolded her son as Larry pulled out her seat for her. Thanking him she sat down.

As Larry took his seat he and Vivien both mouthed "Thank you," to Richard. Without him coming to the rescue when he did they would have been quite embarrassed.

"You're welcome." He mouthed back as he held his coffee cup to his lips. Madeline and Parker just looked at one another. Not really wanting to know they went back and ate their breakfast. They're very much played with breakfast.

"Mummy, that's a pretty necklace." Madeline said as she looked at the big necklace that lay around her mother's neck.

"Thank you sweetheart daddy picked it out."

"He's good at picking things." Her eyes got big. Larry laughed and thanked his daughter.

"Eat up we've got a busy day today." Vivien pointed her fork at the children. "Were going into London to go school shopping," At the sound of that the children ate faster. However, where they attended school they had to wear a school uniform, but their backpacks and other supplies could be whatever they wished.

"Whoa slow down there you two. You don't need stomachaches." Larry said softly. They didn't need them getting sick while they were out. Slowing down they began to take their time. Things in London would still be there a few hours from now.

A/N: Hello all. Sorry it has taken me forever to update. I've been terribly busy. Once again there happily ever after was saved. However, can that be said for the next fight? or for the next crisis? Review:)