Hello friends. First I'd like to give my thanks to the person who favorited my story (I'm so honored!!!).

Here are the next two chapters, read and enjoy! This one's pretty serious - it gives some insight about Libby and Daphne's thoughts and feelings. The one after it is a little lighter, and will start to introduce some new characters. :)

It was about midnight, and as usual, Meghan still wasn't asleep. Usually, at about this time, she'd be downstairs watching Letterman. But her mother, who often liked to stay up and watch with her, had decided to go to bed early that night, and it had been suggested that everyone else do the same so as not to bother her. And since Daphne couldn't sleep with a light on, Meghan couldn't even read in bed. So she was just laying there, thinking in the dark.

"Meghan?" came a whisper. "Are you awake?"

"Of course I'm awake." she replied in a low voice, not bothering to whisper. "You should know me better than that by now. Besides, I'm too excited to sleep."

She turned over to face her sleepless roommate.

"Then can I ask you something?" Daphne said, no longer whispering as they both sat up.

"Hit me."

The girl paused for a moment.

"When you go, do you think you'll ever see..."

"Your family?"

Daphne looked down and began to fiddle with a loose thread on her bedsheet.

"I dunno." Meghan answered her. "Maybe."

Daphne kept fiddling.

"I...I don't really know why I'm asking you this. I just...wish..."

"I know. I understand. There's something you want more than anything...you should be going on this trip, not me."

"No, Meghan. You deserve this. I shouldn't even be saying anything. I should just be supporting you."

"Don't feel like that. Don't feel guilty."

"But-"

"Daphne, you have no reason to be ashamed for how you feel. You can talk to me about anything, and I will listen. And, you know, maybe...maybe it's time."

"Time what?"

"Time he knew."

Daphne dropped the thread and looked straight at Meghan.

"I mean, think about it! I was chosen out of thousands of people to go to London for writing one lousy essay! That could mean something. Maybe this is how it's supposed to happen."

Her cousin was silent.

"I think you should talk to Aunt Libby."

That got her talking.

"Mom? Are you crazy? She'd never understand."

"She loved him."

"I know that. But-"

"Look, Daphne, it's not my place to get involved or do anything against your mom's wishes. I told her I wouldn't say anything, and unless she tells me otherwise, I won't. But maybe if you talk to her, tell her what this means to you, then maybe she'll come around. All I'm saying is to give her a chance."

Daphne looked away.

"I'm sorry, Meghan, but believe me when I say that I have talked to her before. Many times. And she isn't going to change her mind. She's...she's just too hurt."

Meghan just sat there, not knowing what to say.

"I just have to accept that I wasn't meant to have a father."

I'm so sorry, Daphs. Meghan desperately wanted to comfort her cousin. When Daphne was like this, it wrenched her heart.

"Everything's going to be alright, Daphne." she said. "If he knew you, he would love you, just like he loved your mom. And you have us. We'll always be there for you, no matter what."

There was a pause.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being there."

Daphne laid back and turned over.

Meghan watched her for a minute, then laid back down herself.

"Just...don't worry, Daphne. Don't worry about anything." she told her. And that was the last thing Daphne heard before she drifted to sleep.

Meghan wasn't that far behind.

Someone else was stirring in the night. That someone was a thirsty blonde woman who went downstairs to get a glass of water. She had been so thirsty, in fact, that she had stood by the counter to drink the whole thing only to refill it again. She had not been sleeping well.

By the time Libby finally remounted the stairs, her second glass of water was already half gone. She slowly climbed up each stair, taking more sips. When she reached the top, she suddenly heard someone say her name. Curious, she walked toward the room that Meghan and Daphne shared and stopped just outside the door. At about the time she got there, she heard her daughter's voice.

"-Are you crazy? She'd never understand."

"She loved him."

Libby found herself listening to their conversation. The door was hollow and thin, and she could hear them very clearly. When she realized what they were saying, that whole sorrowful feeling came over her again. That horrible, regretful, sorrowful feeling. Again.

"I've talked to her before. Many times."

Yes, she had. There had been many talks. Talks that Meghan hadn't ever known about.

Then she heard it. Those miserable words.

"-I wasn't meant to have a father."

Those words put a dagger straight through Libby's chest. And for the first time in seventeen long years, she truly realized how much this hurt Daphne. How much she was hurting Daphne.

"If he knew you, he would love you."

Yes. He would. she thought. Oh, what had she done! She had asked herself that question so many times. But it never was as unbearable as it was right now. She slumped to the floor and laid back against the wall.

What was she doing? Why had she kept this hidden for so many years? Why was she keeping Daphne from her own family? It was terrible. How could she have possibly ever justified that?

Then she remembered. She had always told herself that it was too late. That's what she'd told herself ever since she'd stepped on the plane that took her back to this country. And it was true, it was too late for her.

But it wasn't too late for Daphne.

She had never stopped loving that man. Maybe it was time things changed. And Meghan was going to London...

It was a month later. Meghan was in an airport for the first time in years. Her family was there with her, helping her carry some luggage as they rushed along. Catherine had traveled a lot in her life, and had a look of indifference in her eyes as she dragged along a rolling case with an ugly floral design on it. She was followed by her sister-in-law, lugging a very large duffel bag. Meghan and Daphne were following behind, each carrying old suitcases full of junk. Although to Meghan, it wasn't junk at all.

Daphne was a funny sight. Though she'd technically been to an airport before, she'd never seen one, and seemed absolutely starstruck to be there.

"Ooooooh, look at all the people."

"Yes, there usually are a lot of people in an airport, Daphne."

"Oh, look! A snack bar!"

"Yes, Daphne, people get hungry while they wait."

"Oooooh, big flashy signs!"

"Flashy signs are easier to read, Daphne."

"Ah!"

"Don't trip, Daphne."

The girl's unchracteristic ditzyness made Meghan smile. Perhaps this relative of hers had downed a bit too much coffee this morning. Her personality usually was a bit perky, but today...well...she probably could've passed for one of the cheerleaders at their school. Ugh.

But then Meghan looked at Daphne, who gave her a quick glance and a playful smile. And when she saw that underlying down-to earth look in her cousin's eyes, she knew that she was, once again, joking. She had gotten only about three seconds to look, before Daphne's face again became overcome with manic thrill as she pointed out some other random airport feature. But it was enough.

And though Meghan wouldn't admit it, she found this pretty exciting herself. But maybe that was because she was leaving the country. On her own. For the first time in her life.

All the luggage was put on the convayor belt, where it would go through an x-ray and soon be transferred with all the other luggage onto the plane. Everyone was screened, and so was Meghan's purse, which she would be carrying on with her. Catherine then led them on a mad dash to wherever they were supposed to go. Wherever it was, Catherine knew how to get there, so they all followed without any questions.

"Hurry up!" her mom called to the three slowpokes behind her. "They're already boarding Meghan's flight!"

They all quickened their pace, and were soon all standing right near the door that led outside. Catherine presented the ticket.

"It's for her." she said, motioning for Meghan to come closer.

"Thank you, ma'am." The flight attendant said, accepting the ticket. After checking a few things, she handed the ticket to the traveling girl, along with her seat number.

"Alright, Meghan." her mother said. "I guess this is where we leave you."

"You have about ten minutes before your flight leaves, hon." The chubby woman told her sweetly. "You can all step to the side and say your goodbyes."

They did so as another family, a couple with two girls and a baby boy, stepped up.

"Okay..." Catherine said as she searched for something to say. "...You be good...be nice to the family...I love you."

"I love you too, Mommy." Meghan said. They embraced, and held each other for a long time. When they finally seperated, Catherine wiped her eyes.

"Oh, Mom, don't cry..." Meghan pleaded. She grabbed her mother's hand.

Catherine sqeezed her hand, then let go, slowly turning away.

Her aunt was next in line. She stepped up to her neice, and grabbed her hands.

"Well, this is it." She said with a half-smile. "We're going to miss you. A lot."

"I'll miss you too." Meghan said. She was starting to get a bit teary herself.

"Now, remember what you promised me - in the bedroom last month, I mean."

"Yes, I remember."

"Good. Be careful. Keep a clear head. And also - well, have a good time."

"I will, Aunt Libby."

"Be sure you do. Oh, and one more thing." she said, reaching into her jacket pocket. She pulled out a plain white envelope with no writing on it and slipped it into Meghan's purse.

"Open that...when you get on the plane." she told her.

Meghan was puzzled, but she nodded firmly. She then hugged the second of three very special people that she wouldn't be seeing for a very long time.

"Goodbye, Meghan."

"Bye. I love you." It was all she could think of to say.

Libby backed away to stand with Catherine, who was still struggling to hold back tears.

The third family member hesitated, as if she were afraid she'd start weeping if she came any closer. Meghan looked the girl straight in the eyes and smiled.

"Daphne, get over here."

The girl immediately rushed up and threw her arms around her best friend, giving in to tears as they hugged.

"I'll miss you." Daphne said.

"I'll miss you too." Meghan replied. She was now crying as well as she gently patted her cousin's back.

"Good luck."

"Thank you."

They seperated for a moment to look at each other, holding hands.

"I...I want you to e-mail me. Every day."

"I will." Meghan told her.

"And call me at least once a week."

"You too."

They smiled.

"Last call for Flight 24, London!" The attendant spoke into the microphone. "You'd better go, sweetie."

"Alright." Meghan and Daphne hugged one more time.

"Bye, Meg."

"Bye, Daphs."

After one last squeeze, Meghan slowly pulled away, still holding Daphne's right hand. She held on until she couldn't reach anymore, and then let her hand softly slip away.

The flight attendant opened the thick door, and Meghan stepped out into the hallway. She turned back to wave to her family one last time. They waved in return as the door was closed behind her.