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Chapter Fifty-Five
Good News
Another week went by and they didn't hear anything from Josephine so the girls were none the wiser as to what her surprise was. To try and take her mind of it Ethel took the baby for another visit to Cackles. Julie had some things to sort out for the adoption so the girls took her happily into the castle after Julie had dropped them off.
"She is getting so big" Felicity said as she saw Prue. She had really grown since Ethel's last visit and Ethel chuckled.
"That is what baby's do" she told her friend as they walked to a place they could sit down so everyone could hold the baby properly.
Before long a small crowd had gathered, everyone desperate to get a cuddle from the baby. Maud and Enid stood with Mildred watching.
"I still can't believe you two are getting on" Maud told Mildred still unable to believe they were being adopted and Mildred's sister was going to be Ethel of all people. They had spent so long hurting each other and hating each other after all.
"Yes well Ethel has changed" Mildred told them happily as she watched her niece being fussed over.
"I don't believe that at all, she has said that to many times" Enid commented as she watched the small crowd too.
"Give Ethel a break, she is a lot nicer honest" Mildred said knowing Maud and Enid did not believe her even if it was true. They both raised their eyebrows thinking Mildred was just being gullible to believe that.
When they were travelling home in the car, Mildred was being to quiet for Julie's liking. After all Mildred usually liked to talk.
"Are you okay hun?" she asked the brunette who sighed and shook her head.
"Maud and Enid don't believe Ethel has changed and think she is still going to play nasty tricks on me, I don't think they agree with the adoption very much" Mildred told her mum and everyone else in the car with a sigh. She didn't know why it bothered her but they were her best friends, she wanted their support.
"Well I never really gave them a reason to believe me did I?" Ethel commented from in front of Mildred who shook her head again before talking.
"No, but why don't they trust me that I know what I am doing?" she asked looking around.
"I don't think they want you to get hurt Milbie" Esmerelda explained knowing Maud and Enid were probably just worried Ethel was going to hurt Mildred again.
"True, but I want them to get on with you all if you are going to be my sisters" Mildred sighed wishing Maud and Enid could see how Ethel had changed.
"Give them time, it is a lot to take in" Sybil replied and Mildred sat back then thinking and wishing that was easier said than done. She was not sure her friends could ever learn to forgive or trust Ethel.
Arriving home Prudence was sleepy so Ethel went to put her down for a nap before going to watch telly with her sisters.
"Girls, a call for you" Julie told them as she noticed Josephine on the other side of the mirror. The blondes rushed over, Mildred not far behind, wondering if this was a private conversation but the woman smiled at them all and didn't tell her to leave so she suspected it was fine.
"Where is that baby face?" Josephine asked wanting to see Prue's gorgeous little face again.
"She is having her nap, what is up Gran?" Esmerelda asked curiously as she didn't normally call them like this. It was hard to do long distance calls from Australia so it must be important. She was back home now after all.
"Well I couldn't wait any longer, I wanted to tell you about that good news that I had" Josephine replied ready to spill her secret.
"What is it gran?" Sybil asked not wanting to wait any longer.
"I want to enjoy the rest of my life with the people I love, I never get to see you three much, and that is properly why you suffered so much growing up" she started by saying feeling guilty for the way things had turned out.
"Oh Gran it wasn't your fault, you were grieving" Ethel replied. After their grandfather died Josephine couldn't bear to living in England anymore, the memories were to painful for her. So she had moved to Australia to escape her sorrow.
"Still, I had people that needed me, this time with little Prudie I have a chance to put it right and not make her feel like I don't love her" she went on, knowing they must have felt that at some point. Josephine felt like a lot of the problems, Esmie losing her magic, Ethel's attack, Sybil's fear of everything, could have being prevented if she had been around more.
"We never thought you didn't love us Gran" Esmerelda told her not wanting her to feel guilty for no reason.
"Either way, I should have been there for you girls and I don't want to waste anymore time missing out on your life, which is why I am going to move back to England" she told them with a smile.
At her words Sybil jumped up and down, Ethel and Esmerelda hugged and Mildred cheered, even if she didn't know the woman to well she was happy for her sisters.
"That is great Gran, I can't wait!" Ethel told her with a smile.
"Hang on, you don't want to try get custody of them do you?" Mildred asked as that thought came into her mind. It is not that she believed them words but she was a Hallow and she knew what they could be like, she didn't want this woman to break up the family even if she had never done anything like their parents had.
"Gosh no!" Josephine said shocked at Mildred's question but not to surprised Mildred thought that
"I know I am not young anymore and with my illness I know I can't look after three children and a baby as well, not by myself, I don't have the energy" she told Mildred who looked at her still not convinced.
"I want them to remain with you and Julie, I will just be visiting and sometimes you can stay over, but I can't manage them full time" Josephine finished and Mildred smiled finally accepting it. The woman was much more sensible then the other Hallows as she knew she was not capable of looking after them. Mr and Mrs Hallow never saw that even when they had no chance of getting them back.
"That is a smart idea" Julie said looking behind the girls in the mirror.
"I am just grateful the girls have a permanent home, thank you for that Julie, I hope you won't mind me being around more" the elderly woman said with a smile.
"No of course not! Family is important and the girls love you, I think it is a great idea!" Julie said smiling.
"Fantastic!" Josephine said glad everyone was on board.
"When are you moving back then Grandma?" Sybil asked sweetly and curiously.
"In about a month, I have to get some things in order before I can move, but don't worry, next time I come I will be staying" she told them beaming.
"I can't wait!" Ethel said happily
"Me either darling, now if you excuse me I have to go I have a meeting, give that baby girl kisses from me" she told her family who nodded.
"We will do, and you can give her loads when you are living here" Esmie said beaming at the thought and unable to wait for it to happen.
"I will do, I can't wait to see her little cheeks, I love you all" she said blowing kisses. The girls blew kisses back.
"Love you too Gran" Sybil said sweetly
The woman smiled as they said their goodbyes and the call was cut off. Everyone happily hugged after she had gone.
"Grandma is going to come live here" Ethel said hugging Mildred tightly and Mildred hugged back happy to see her excited and Mildred knew she was right. Mildred had changed and one day Maud and Enid would see it too. She had to show them that.