The Milwaukee train station was packed to the brim on a hectic Monday morning. The people filling every inch of space with children, assortment of dogs and excessively large amounts of luggage.
The shrill scream of the train whistle echoed through the air like a war cry as hot steam emerged from it's iron mouth.
The two women stood there amidst the surrounding mass of people that were bustling around them as they exchanged a tight embrace.
"You will write, won't you Cat?" Esme said in between sobs as she hugged her cousin.
Cathy nodded quietly, not quite trusting her voice completely.
She held her cousin at an arm's length to look at her once more.
"Remember you'll always have a home with me." Cathy said as she looked into her cousin's warm brown eyes.
Esme smiled, the little dimple in her cheek showing clearly at her expression. She looked at Cathy as if it were the first and the last time.
"How can I ever thank you?" She whispered softly.
Cathy shook her head, "That's what sisters are for." She said as she leaned in for another embrace.
"Take care of my Godchild, will you? And don't go giving my position as Godmother to anyone else, or else I'll track you down myself and throw an extremely embarrassing tantrum." She said as she chuckled sadly.
"I won't, I promise."
From behind them, they could hear the train conductor starting to call the passengers in.
Cathy broke the embrace as she thrusted the train ticket and the key into Esme's hand.
"Here, don't lose it okay? And remember what I told you. The instructions, don't forget."
She ushered Esme into the train, and watched as her cousin settled on the seat next to the window.
Esme pressed a hand to the glass, looking on to Cathy teary-eyed one last time and found a smile that was bittersweet.
The train engine was starting to roar as it's wheels started to turn in motion.
Cathy stood there as she waved helplessly, tears filling her eyes as she bid her cousin goodbye.
Never knowing if or when they will see each other again.
As the train started to move further away, Cathy turned on her heel and started walking in the opposite direction. No longer being able to bear the sad hole that was filled with sadness at the sight of her cousin in tears and that look of pure vulnerability in her eyes.
Esme watched and held back a sob as the Wisconsin countryside begin to melt away into the far distance. The pale greenery turning into an odd shade of brown and charcoal as it slithered away from view.
She sunk back into her seat and leaned her head against the cool glass window.
Somehow the motion of the train was making her slightly sick; she bit her lip hoping the nausea would pass.
Just breathe, breathe.
She gently inhaled and exhaled through her nostrils as she felt her chest fall down slowly.
Esme sat there in heavy silence as she recalled the conversation she and Cathy had a few days ago.
"It can't fail." Cathy said as her eyes danced with life underneath the living room light.
"I can't believe it." Esme said as she placed a hand to her chest. The echoes of Cathy's words reverberating themselves into her ear once more.
"I think a 'Thank you' might be in order?" Cathy smirked.
"How could I ever repay you?" Esme said as she hugged her cousin.
"Oh be silent, just promise me you and that baby will be alright. Promise me." She said intently.
"I promise." Esme replied as she smiled.
"Listen carefully Em," Cat said as she led her cousin to the sofa and sat down together.
"I already wired Marc all the necessary information. The only thing he does not know is that your married-"
"What? Cat, you-you have to tell hi-"
Cathy raised a hand to placate her cousin.
"I told him you're a war widow."
Esme felt like she was pushed into a pool of concrete.
"Oh my word." Esme exclaimed softly. "This is insanity; I can't keep a lie like that!"
"You have to, unless you want to go on living with Charles for the rest of your life." Cathy said, scolding her cousin lightly.
Esme shuddered. "Alright fine." She conceded. "What else do I have to do?"
Cathy placed a small brass key into Esme's hands.
Esme looked at her unsurely.
"What am I suppose to do with this?" She asked, as she raised both eyebrows.
"That my darling, is your key to your palace. Alright, it isn't exactly a palace, but it's a home you can live in for as long as you want." Cathy felt Esme squeeze her hand, her eyes filled with deep gratitude.
Cathy smiled shyly. "You can always count on me. Anyways, moving on," Cathy said as she cleared her throat. "My father and I bought this house; I think it was 5 years before he passed away." A small smile threatened to form on her lips but failed as a slight frown creased her face, "We only used it once, and it was to celebrate his birthday. We wanted to use it as a vacation home of some sort. We could never really decide what we wanted to do with it." Cathy laughed quietly. She shook herself out of her thoughts, "No need to worry. I've already had the old caretaker fix it up for you, It's fully furnished. And one last thing Marc is your neighbour; he will help you if you should ever need anything. He used to teach French at the University there-"
"Can Marc be trusted?" Esme asked, cutting her off.
Cathy met Esme's gaze as her lips parted, her cheeks flushed.
"Yes, Marc can be trusted." She said slowly as her eyes dropped to the floor, "I knew him long enough."
Esme finally understood the look in her cousin's face.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the train's abrupt stop.
One look at the window and she knew, she had arrived.
Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon. Near the sunny California border, and located in the south end of the emerald coloured Rogue Valley that was bursting with large trees and rocky mountains. Rustic scent of fruits and nuts filled the air as a warm summer breeze breathed it's way into the town. It was named after Ashland County, Ohio, point of origin of Abel Helman and other founders, and secondarily for Ashland,Kentucky.
It officially became a town with the name Ashland Mills in 1855.
The town plaza was an image of loveliness that was mixed with a delicate quaint ambiance that made Esme feel quite at home right away. Somehow deep down she knew that if she stayed long enough, she could easily almost call this home.
Almost.
She gripped her suitcase as she made her way through the unfamiliar streets, still feeling quite lightheaded from the train. She glanced at the piece of paper that had the address of the house she was going to be staying in.
How hard could finding a house be?
She walked around for a good 30 minutes still feeling a bit disoriented. It was definitely an advantage to be traveling light.
Esme glanced at the paper once more as she took a turn that led down a street that were lined with houses.
"Hmm, turn right at the end of-"
Suddenly a deep voice from behind her spoke.
"You must be Esme."
She turned to face the mysterious speaker.
He was tall. Lovely hazelnut coloured hair that was slightly greying at the temples, very handsome features along with deep set eyes with long lashes, a nose that was lightly tilted, lips that were slightly pouted at the bottom together with a chin that had a deep cleft imbedded in it.
Esme was tempted to laugh, knowing the history this man must have had with her cousin.
He was much older than she expected him to be.
Oh Cathy, this is so you.
Esme quietly joked in her head.
"You must be Marc?" Esme replied.
"Yes." His voice contained vague traces of a French accent.
"How do you do?" Esme greeted cordially.
He nodded in response.
"Allow me," He took her suitcase and motioned for her to follow him.
They walked a few meters away from the town and stopped at a house that very much resembled a cottage of some sort that was surrounded by a white picket fence.
"I presume you have the key?" He asked as he opened the small fence gate for her.
"Yes of course." She replied as she walked past him.
They entered the house a few moments later.
It was just as Cathy described nothing fancy just simple basic furniture.
Esme adored it, somehow from the inside it resembled a doll's house she used to play with as a child.
She wandered to the living room. It wasn't as big as she imagined it to be, but it did have a wonderful fireplace that was adorned with Cathy's collection of snow globes and miniature figurines.
She let out a small laugh, she missed Cathy terribly already.
"Where would you like me to place this?" Marc asked from behind her.
"Oh, could you kindly place it down on top of the stairs for me, please?"
"Of course."
She watched as he exited the room.
He seems nice.
"Can I get you anything?" He asked as he returned.
"No, thank you." She replied with a small smile.
There was a fraction of an awkward pause between them.
"I know it isn't my place to ask, but may I ask you a personal question? You see, I haven't heard from Cathy in years...and...and this sort of came as a surprise..."
"Go on, you may ask your question."
"You are a war widow?" He asked gingerly as he met her eyes.
Esme could hear Cathy's voice in her head.
Don't forget the instructions.
Esme swallowed, "Yes, yes I am."
She watched him nod. "May I ask a question?"
"Certainly."
"Cathy told me you are a teacher at a-"
"University, yes. A long time ago, until I decided to retire early." He pointed to what seemed like a battle scar on his left hand. "A little souvenir during the time I served in the war, and when I came back, I thought it would be best for me to live a more, quiet life for a little while." He said quietly, his eyes grim.
"I see, are you fre-"
"French? yes, half actually. My father was French, my mother American. If I may ask, has Cathy told you anything that happened between us in the pas-"
"No." Esme said, cutting him off, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Whatever you two shared remains between the both of you only. She didn't tell me anything of that sort, only that you were a very dear friend to her."
A brief smile lighted his eyes.
"Speaking of Cathy, You'll be pleased to know that; well I suppose you know that I'm your next door neighbour."
"Yes, I believe she told me before I left."
"I'm only 4 blocks away if you should need anything." He said as he offered her his unscarred hand, a jovial smile on his face.
Esme took it as she shook hands with him.
"Thank you."
"No trouble at all."
Esme sat down in one of the easy chairs that were next to the empty fireplace.
"If you'll excuse, you probably have some unpacking to do." Marc said as he excused himself from her presence.
She watched him as he walked towards the front door and paused before he opened it.
"Oh, before I could forget, your cousin told me that you might need a job. So I took the liberty in enlisting you as a teacher in a small kindergarten school near the plaza. You start tomorrow afternoon."
After a brief smile, he left closing the door behind him.
Esme sat there feeling utterly exhausted.
"Tomorrow?" She moaned, "Why can't it be in the next week to come." She said as she covered her eyes with a soft hand.
Things were certainly moving faster than she expected, she had just only arrived after all.
But now that she thought of it, it might not be a bad idea at all.
She remembered her dream of teaching when she was younger, and felt a frisson of joy at being able to fulfil that dream soon.
She slowly stood up and headed to the stairwell.
She ascended cautiously as her hand rested on her soft belly, gently rubbing it.
She could feel him move slightly, she gave a little chuckle.
"We're going to be just alright now." She whispered.
She took her suitcase and proceeded to the master's bedroom.
It was very dainty and clean and had large windows that held the view of the forest as the sun shined brightly in the distance.
Esme placed the suitcase on top of the bed as she sat down.
Dizziness was beginning blur her vision as she tried to unlock her luggage.
She decided to lay back down.
The room began to spin as darkness took over.
A/N: Hey guys! Here's an update for you LOVELY people out there :) I'm just brimming with happiness right now, THANK YOU SO MUCH for ALL your kind words! They mean a LOT to me :) You guys are so incredibly sweet and you make my day all the more brighter! :D And I'm so sorry for the delay! Please forgive me?
Chapter 16 won't be too far behind ;D
Keep reading! And Keep em' reviews coming! :)
I'm incredibly addicted to your reviews, did you guys know that? ;)
Love you all and God Bless!
Oh and a little treat to all you AMAZING readers out there, I won't tell you which chapter I will use this song on but I want you guys to check it out and tell me what you guys think :)
You Have Been Loved - Sia :D