Time is an enviable part of life that continues on without any pause. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. It proved to be increasingly difficult for the Doyle family and the castle to adjust. The castle seemed to become quieter and suddenly less full of life. Hope was a positive and expressive person that would liven up the room. She would make the servants living among them feel more like family than employees. She was sweet to everyone and made them feel like a person rather than lower class. With her gone everything seemed to change in everyone's demeanor. Patty was not as carefree as he used to be and it was evident among everyone in the castle. He was still polite and a good leader but he lacked the personal touch that his wife had given him when she was alive. Even with this he continued to be a great king to his people and put their best interest at heart. Maura had also experienced a change in her as well. When her mother was alive she was on the verge to overcoming her awkwardness and feelings of inadequacy, but she reverted back to old ways and becoming more closed off. She would never venture into town or if she had to she would conduct her business as fast as possible but Patty would rarely let this occur for his fear of losing her as well. Maura had increasingly become closer to her father more than ever before. He became her confident after Hope's death with any and everything she was feeling. Patty made it his new mission to be there for Maura and provide all that she needed as he promised his late wife.

Maura did not socialize much or have communications with anyone except for Mr. Fairfield. He had been surprisingly sweet and sincere during Hope's funeral. He eventual gave her an address and asked if he could have permission to write her especially if she needed anything. Maura thought it kind of him to consider her feelings and try to be there for her. He may be a bit egotistical but he was honestly concerned for her. Garrett begun to write her and she would respond back somewhat to make some conversation. He would talk about his life and what his current and future plans were for himself. Fairfield provided a way for Maura to not think about her life and how depressing it was and was able to focus on something else. He would occasional ask her how her father was or how she was coping with the loss of her mother and she would answer the common answers like fine or better. It was nice to be able to talk to someone about other things without the pressure of revealing personal feelings and the distance had helped. She thought better of Garret but nothing more than a good acquaintance and maybe someday a friend.

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Several months later:

Maura is currently in her room studying over medical journals. This subject was Maura's current obsession since her mother had learned this and she too had found it quite fascinating. She had just finished a letter to Garret telling him about her recent hobby and all the things she was learning. Maura had increased her consumption of knowledge by reading books, notes, and journals written by a variety of people in order to keep her mind occupied. Patty encourages this habit and has a man bring in these items in order to continue Maura's love of learning. He wished to make his daughter as happy as possible and would do about anything to do that. He had a surprise that he had been working on for the past two months and he had been careful not to let it slip. Maura was a perceptive girl but sometimes with human interaction she failed to see some obvious clues. She was just too busy with her studies to notice anything different. He was finally ready to show his daughter her long awaited present and was excited to see her reaction. When he entered her room he was not surprised to see her head stuck in a book that she had read twice already. Patrick smiled at his daughter and observed her from the doorway. It was shortly after a year from the 'incident' that had changed their lives. From that time Maura had grown quickly before his eyes as if by magic. Her honey blonde curls had reached the middle of her back and her face and body had matured more into that of a woman. She had grown about another two inches making her six inches above five feet. She looked so much like Hope not only physically but her personality as well. Hope also wanted her daughter to go over and beyond what was expected of her and tried increase her knowledge just like she had when she was younger. This both caused Doyle the feelings of being proud and upset. His daughter was his pride and joy and would always be but she was also a reminder of the love he lost. With time he had less difficulty with that concept and realized the presence of his daughter in his life was better than worse. Finally getting out of his thoughts he approached his daughter not wanting to wait any longer.

"Angel what are you doing?" Patty asked smiling at his daughter.

Maura looked up a little surprised by his presence, "Oh papa! I didn't see you there! I was simply reading about how to properly clean and bind a wound to avoid infection."

Patty tried not to smile and gazed at his daughter, "Well honey its dinner time so it is time to go and eat."

Maura sighed sadly as she closed the book, "Yes father of course. Let's go and eat" she said as she rose from the bed and followed her father out the room.

Maura and her father went to the dining hall to eat their dinner accordingly. They sat like they normally would and would ask the same mundane questions that would be asked daily. When they were finished with their meal they sat in comfortable silence until Patty could not wait any longer.

"Angel before you go off to bed I have something to show you" he said nonchalantly.

Maura looked at him questioningly, "What is it pertaining to papa?"

"Oh a little something that I want to show you. I think you'll be pleased but it's a surprise" he said trying to keep the excitement out of his voice.

Maura nodded and rose along with her father. They both continued on through the castle going near the west wing which was her mother's study. Maura was confused by their current location but still followed along thinking of all the possibilities that it could be. They finally reached the outside of the wing and the suspense was killing her. Patty had her cover her eyes before she entered in. The girl complied as they walked in the room. Patty went to lite a lamp in order for her to see throughout the room. Patty was overjoyed with excitement trying to keep himself together.

"Papa can I open now please?" Maura almost begged curiosity getting the best of her.

Patty smiled while he looked around then his eyes went to his daughter. "Yes Angel you may."

The sight that beheld Maura in that moment was one of the most extraordinary things she had ever seen. Her mouth fell open unceremoniously while her eyes took the contents of the room. She continued to look about the room and had to spin around in order to take it all in. There was mountain upon mountains of books all across the room. Selves had created a home for these books and kept them in order. The selves were about ten feet tall and they covered all four walls of the room. Latters were placed at every self in order to be able to reach for the highest books at the top selves. She had never seen as many books in her entire life and her wonderful father had provided them for her. After the death of her mother Patty really stepped up and became more involved in Maura's life and took the time to know more personal things. Reading and learning had been a passion of Maura's that Patty had learned about her and this thought brought tears to Maura's eyes.

Finally finding the words to speak, "Papa….How? What? How did you do all this?" she questioned.

"My dear I had my connections to find as many books, manuscripts, and other documents as possible. I know you love to read and I thought you would appreciate a larger variety to choose from" he said calmly but had a huge smile on his face from the speechless reaction from her.

Maura was opening and closing her mouth repeatedly trying to find a proper response. "Father you didn't have to go through so much trouble just for me" she replied looking down at her feet.

Patrick took a few steps closer and was about five feet from his daughter. "Sweetheart it was no trouble at all. Your mother wished for you to continue to read and learn. She found it was important for her daughter to be educated in ways she was not able to be. Maura you have been through so much lately and I realize I have not been perfect throughout this difficult time but I wanted to give something back to you. You have been strong through this and I just wanted to show you how proud I am of you. Your mother would be so proud of you as well."

This speech caused Maura to look up at her father. Tears were running down her face from the information she had just heard. She had been feeling sad and depressed lately but this brought a surge of love and joy into her heart that was indescribable. "Papa…." Her voiced at cracked from emotion and she ran up to her father and was swept in his embrace. They stood that way for several minutes as both cried holding onto the other trying to ground themselves. "Papa you are a wonderful parent. No girl could ask for a better father. Mommy would be so proud of you to" she said as she continued to sob. Patrick felt his heart surge from his daughter's words and hoped he made his wife proud. Both felt the presence of Hope with them as if she was with the room. They finally separated from their embrace and looked at each other with eyes full of emotion.

Patrick was the first to speak. "Well dear this is your personal library that you may use whenever you wish. But you must do one thing in order to have this privilege" he said seriously.

Maura was enthralled by her father's request and wished to know what it entailed. "What is it papa?"

Patrick smiled and replied, "Some of the reading has some fairy tales that I want you to read every night to me before bed."

Maura looked at him in confusion with his request and the smile on his face. Maura then smiled and they both started to laugh that turned hysterical from the odd request. If any passerby's observed them they would have assumed they had both lost their sanity. Finally with hurting belly's and short breaths the laughing eventually subsided but smiles still plastered on their faces.

Maura finally answers, "Yes of course papa" she said and smiled until her face hurt. It had been the first time in a while that both Patty and Maura had actually really smiled and felt happiness run through their veins. It was a happy sight to behold for any who saw this special moment.

"Ok dear it is time for bed so let's go" Patty said as he was guiding Maura to leave the room.

Maura was about to follow when she stopped. "Father, wait" she said and ran to one of the selves. She looked at a few works for a few seconds and grabbed a book. "Okay I'm ready" she replied as the copy of Little-Snow White wasin her arms as they both exited the room. A smile was spread across the face of a figure that was not of this earth. She looked down from the heavens at those who she had left behind and knew they would survive. Together.

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Hey guys I'm back! Sorry I wasn't updating but I had literally just come back from vacation today. I wanted to post a chapter before other things in life take away my time. I am beginning school tomorrow so it will be become more difficult to update so bear with me. College takes time so I would just ask for patience as I do as much as I can. Thank you for the reviews and comment from last chapter and I hope you continue giving me encouragement and words of advice. Thanks so much guys have a good day!

~C.L 3