Part one- Eli
Well, this trip so far is turning out totally wrong. I was going to go back to England for a while, but after four and a half months of traveling the ship I was on ran into a little storm. I have seen worse, like when Caly got really mad. But the captain had the ship turned around and totally went off-course, taking us to someplace called Emerald Bay. After the nine months of traveling and not getting to where I wanted to, the Captain decided that I got my money's worth and more, and makes me pay for the other bit of the trip, causing my money supply to go from little to none. I guess with no money and no place to stay I can bum my way around here and look for a job.
After an hour or two of walking I came back to the habour and the man in charge there hired me to work on loading and unloading ships.
He told me that I start in one week. So now I got money in the future. Time to find a place to stay.
As I walked through the middle of town I heard some sort of crying. As I looked at the bookstore I saw the origin of it. It was this little boy who looked very dirty. I guess he must have been homeless or something. He didn't even notice as I sat down beside him.
"So, what seems to be the problem," I asked. He jumped and said, "Who are you and why are you trying to help me?"
"Well,the name's Eli, and it seems as though you need some help and no one else here was stopping so I thought I would."
"Thanks. My name is Duane. My problem is that this guy, Bray, and his gang took the only thing I have to remind me of my father. Which is a thin gold chain. My father went away to war, but he said he would return," the boy said.
"Well, how about we get it back from him," I said as me and him got up to go get it back.
Caly
When I left home, it felt like I was leaving my entire world behind. Not just Isaac either, however I did miss the way he used to run his fingers all over, and the little kisses we shared when no one was looking. Everyday, I thought about the way Zirc would chase Lana around the house when Lana stole her teddy bear (her prize possession), the way Taylor's eyes lit up whenever we were having fun, the way Zac would find some way to pounce on his older brothers. I sometimes even miss Eli's sulkiness.
Bu t I knew what would happen if I had stayed. Hour long lectures from Maeve about letting my feelings get out of control, Diana and Walker never trusting Isaac and I together again, people arguing over who got to be the godparents... plus I didn't know if Isaac was ready enough to handle the responsibility. I was fairly sure that I wasn't.
The last thing I saw as I left was a blurred distant view of the house. I hate crying. We sailed up the coast to a quaint little seaside town called Emerald bay, named for the gorgeous green colour of the water at sunset. Many times had I enjoy the view from my little apartment window. It was a quiet town, perhaps 300 people total. I was fortunate enough to find a kind woman who was looking for a governess. She had a single daughter, named Solange. She gave me a small room to myself, and enough pocket money that I could buy the things I needed with a little left over to get a treat for Solange every Sunday.
Mrs. Laurent was a native of France and a wonderful cook. I ate well, stayed in good health, but something still bothered me. "Madame." I asked her one da y,
"Is it normal for my stomach to be this, ah, big at 8 months?" She examined it carefully.
"I don't think so, chaton." "And don't forget, it's almost nine months. Perhaps we should get Dr. O'Neil to come look at it?" I suggested.
"That's not necessary, chaton, I know what the problem is." Madame gave me a motherly smile. She decided that Caledonia sounded too British, which it really isn't, so she calls me chaton. It means "kitten" in French, and I suppose she looks upon me as her little pet.
"What's the problem then?" I asked , somewhat alarmed.
"Oh tis not a problem! You're merely having more than one baby." I nearly fainted right there.
"More than one??" I squeeked.
"Yes, chaton. Oh you needn't worry. My sister had three babies! Can you imagine that? And at her petite size...but she"s fine. Lived through it and is doing just fine." She again smiled at me and went back to her basin of soup.
I had overlooked the possibility of more than one baby. "Lived through it??" I thought.
"What if I don't live through this?" I began to get all these ideas in my head about this concept, and it scared me to death. I was having second thoughts about this child thing, but I knew that it was a bit too late for that. A walk seemed like a good thing right about now.
The bookkeeper's shop was one of my favorite places to go. It reminded me of the grand library we have at home. When I walked in the door, I felt a presence that I have not felt since before I left. I tried to shake the feeling off, but it kept gnawing at me like a hungry dog. Then all off a sudden, the door to the shop shut and the feeling stopped. I hurried out after the stranger. I looked to the right- no one. I looked to the left and caught site of little Duane, the poor beggar boy that lived in the alley behind the tavern. His one material possession was a thin gold chain that his father gave him before he left. No one knows exactly where his father went, but Duane claimed he went off to war.
Walking behind Duane was a tall dark figure dress in all black. Long black hair fell to his shoulders and streamed out behind him as he walked. I knew instantly.
I quickened my pace as I realized that the alley they headed down was the one where Bray and his gang hung out. Wherever Bray went, trouble was in close pursuit. Eli had already drawn the lightning sword from its sheath.
"Eli, don't you dare." I said telepathically. He looked all around for the source of the soothing voice, but saw nothing.
In my nice invisible state I plainly went over to Bray and removed the necklace from around his neck. Then I put it around my own neck and walked back around the corner, taking Eli and Duane with me. I built up a strong wind to keep Bray and his thugs busy while we got away. After we were at a safe distance, I reappeared and handed Duane his father's necklace.
"Oh thanks Miss Caly! You're the best! And thanks Mr. Eli." He gave us both a big toothy grin and hurried off.
Eli turned and faced me. I expected the worst."Oh lord Caly, where have you been?! We've been so worried about you!!" My mouth dropped open at what he did next.
He hugged me.
I've never felt so relieved to get a hug. The next thing he did was fuss at me for the size of my belly, and take me into the nearest cafe for a drink.
We talked for three hours. I heard all about Taylor and Zirc's fights, about Ike's unusually depressed manner, and a girl named Rose. "I don't like her much." Eli commented as he sipped his tea. "She reminds me of the old Eli. You know..." he trailed off. He didn't like to refer to his dark time.
I nodded. "That name.. .it sounds so familiar..." I mused.
All of a sudden, I felt a sharp kick from one of my babies, then a pain that felt like huge cramps. "Umm..Eli? Could you take me to the doctor's please?"
Five very painful hours later, Eli toweled off my forehead and Madame Laurent came in holding my twin girls.
"Chaton, what are you going to name them?" Madame asked me softly. I smiled and thought for a moment. She placed each one carefully in my arms.
"Calliope and Calista."
Eli laughed heartily. "Two Calys, just like their mom, huh?"
Madame fussed at me for not choosing some nice French names, but I knew that the ones I chose were perfect.
Eli moved in with Madame Laurent and I and took on the tasks of husbandry while Monsieur Laurent was in New York on business. A year passed happily, with the girls growing more everyday.
Calliope had my dark hair and Isaac's amber eyes.
Calista had the same dark coloured hair, but grey eyes.
I loved my little family, but I felt so empty inside without Isaac... My Isaac....
