(Anya's Love)

*December 24th, 1941*

*2:30 pm*

*Harrison Orphanage*

Mary finished crying as she released herself from the warm hug.

"Thanks for listening to me complain about my life, It means a lot to me." Mary thanked her friend while letting out a smile which made Charlotte smile back.

"Anytime, and I don't see anything wrong with what you said today. Your feelings are valid, and always remember that, my friend." Charlotte responded in a reassuring voice while Mary nodded in an understanding way.

"Thank you. You are a true friend and like a big sister to me too." Mary responded once more while Charlotte was happy to hear those words as she spoke once more.

"Awww, I'm glad to know that you're like a little sister to me, and I will always consider you family. I believe family isn't blood-related or viewing someone as a sibling but rather the people you trust and love with all of your heart, but that's just my views." Charlotte responded with a smile while Mary was happy to hear this.

'T-Thanks, and I could say the same for you. I know I've been saying that I have no family, and that's true in a sense of relations; however, I'm slowly understanding that people like you, your mother, and everyone else are my family. It's simply the people who love and care for you, and for that, I consider you guys to be my family.." Mary responded with a warm smile while Charlotte was happy to hear those words.

"I'm glad to hear that. It makes me happy that you feel that way, and while we're at it, wanna head back downstairs? I don't want to keep my mother, Nancy, and Mrs. Harrison waiting." Charlotte responded while Mary nodded in support of this.

"Sure, and thanks for cheering me up. I needed that, and just thank you for everything, Charlotte." Mary responded with another smile while Charlotte smiled with joy.

"Of course! Anything for my friend!" Charlotte responded joyfully as she and Mary proceeded to head downstairs to meet with the others.

During this, Mary felt more happy with where she was, and despite her losses and pain, she knew she had friends she could count on.

*Miller Manor*

*Judith's Room*

Anya and Judith sat in the cozy pink room as they discussed the night when Calvin departed for the army.

"So, Calvin told you that he loved you and he wanted you to be his girlfriend, right? What did you say after?" Judith curiously asked her friend while sitting down on her bed as she waited for an answer from Anya.

"Correct, and I-I didn't respond. I was too emotional at the moment, but If I had the moment to respond then I would have accepted those feelings.." Anya responded while sighing to herself as she stared out of the window while Judith nodded.

"So technically you and Calvin are dating, right? And don't worry. I won't get mad, I'm not like my old bitchy self. I'm just curious to know." Judith responded while waiting for an answer as Anya turned her direction to Judith.

"I-I guess so, and I wish I could tell him that I love him, but it seems like it's too late. I might never get the chance if anything bad happens to him.." Anya responded with concern in her voice since she was worried about Calvin and his future.

This was picked up by Judith as she got up and knelt on her knees to place her hands on Anya's hand, making her friend smile.

"Anya, nothing bad is going to happen to Calvin, okay? Don't fill your head with negative thoughts. Don't get me wrong, being worried is a natural thing, but please don't allow it to consume you, okay?" Judith advised Anya sternly but with care in her voice while Anya smiled at what she heard.

"Thank you. I try not to be a burden to you and the others about it so I keep it to myself, but I'll take your word, thanks once again, Judith." Anya responded with a small smile while Judith spoke once more.

"Anya, you are NOT a burden, okay? I will happily listen to your thoughts regarding Calvin, and I mean that." Judith advised Anya, and this statement made Anya smile once more.

"Thank you, you're a good person, Judith. You've changed so much in the past few days, and I'm proud of that." Anya responded while Judith shrugged it off but was still appreciative of the comment.

"I'm not a good person, I'm just making amends by making those I hurt feel happy, but thanks, I appreciate it. I truly do." Judith responded with a faint smile while Anya shook her head in denial.

"I don't think you're a bad person now. You are changing for the better, and that's what makes you a good person in my opinion." Anya responded as Judith smiled once more at what she heard.

"Thanks, and going back to Calvin, what do you plan on doing once you reunite with him once things are over with." Judith responded appreciatively while this response made Anya think for a moment before finally deciding on an answer.

"Well, I plan on confessing my love to him. I-I realize that I truly love Calvin, and It's funny, but I thought he was sort of a creep when I first met him since he was always hitting on me, and I know it's crazy since you've known him longer than me, but despite that, I found myself slowly grown fond of the boy, I mean he can be flirty at times, but the boy's heart is in the right place, and he never gave up on pursuing me, and that in return made me grow closer to him." Anya responded before chuckling with her friend while Judith chuckled back.

"Oh yeah, Calvin did flirt with many girls before dating me, so I kinda don't blame you." Judith responded with a laugh while Anya was surprised at this revelation at first; however, she remembered hearing the news from her cousin back in March.

"Oh yeah, I recalled that you and Calvin dated a while ago, I forgot about that." Anya responded while Judith nodded.

"Yup, but that was like a year ago, so that's all in the past, but moving on, I'm glad we had this conversation. It made me quite happy." Judith spoke to Anya once more while the girl nodded in agreement.

"Same here!" Anya responded with a smile as both girls continued to enjoy their time together while also thinking about Calvin.

*Wright Manor*

*10:30 pm*

A few hours passed as the beautiful Christmas Eve night arrived, and Louise lay across her bed.

"I hope Dear Brother is doing okay. I bet he's scared right now.." Louise silently spoke to herself as she suddenly heard her telephone ring which made her jump.

"What a fright! That even got me.." Louise spoke to herself in between breaths before picking up the telephone to see who it was.

"Hello, Wright residence, how could I help you?" Louise spoke to whoever was in the other line, waiting for a response.

After speaking, a familiar voice spoke to her, and this made Louise surprised, and it was none other than Calvin, and he wanted to see Anya and Judith.

"D-Dear Brother?! Are you sure they can make it on time?! You leave at midnight, but I'll do everything I can to ensure that Anya and Judith see you before you officially leave.." Louise responded to her brother's instructions with motivation in her voice before hanging up the telephone.

After this, Louise got dressed as quickly as she could and ran downstairs, and there, her butler was waiting for her.

"Quickly, I'll drive you to Judith's home since that's the closest." The Butler advised Louise while the pair quickly made their way into the limo.

With time ticking on this beautiful Christmas Eve, will Louise make it in time?!

The Christmas arc reaches its climax!