Chapter 5: Welcome Home

Emily stepped off the platform, nervously looking around the train station for her awaiting family and friends. She finally spotted them as they happily ran to her, smothering her with hugs and kisses. After the excitement had stopped, Emily took a good look at everyone.

"Oh! I've missed you all so much! How've you been?" Emily said while everyone responded at once. "Oh, look at you Katherine! You've grown so much since I last saw you! You too Matt! My, my…look at all of ya…"

Suddenly, a little girl with blond hair stepped out from the crowd in front of her. "Oh Emily! Remember Susan? She's Sarah Roberts little girl. You know…Jack's sister. She was just a baby when you left." Katherine said as Susan smiled a shy smile and then looked away. "We're watching her kids for the weekend."

"Oh how wonderful! Well I don't know about you, but I've got a lot to catch up on. Why don't we head on home."

And with that, everyone walked home talking and reminiscing of memorable moments. Jack and Rose stayed behind the group, watching as their kids grew right before their eyes. Jack put his arm around Rose. She looked up at him and smiled. Life had really treated them well.

When the group had reached their neighborhood, everyone split off into their different houses as the Dawsons walked up their porch steps and into the house.

Emily couldn't help but think about John. Has he told his parents yet? If so, what did they say? When should I tell mine? She thought a bit more and finally decided that tonight would not be the night to surprise them with something like that. She had been away for nearly two years. She couldn't just throw something like that at them. No, perhaps she would tell them tomorrow…at dinner, when all of her family and friends would be there. She smiled inside, anxious yet extremely nervous at the same time.

~Meanwhile, in the Hockley house~
John walked through the door of his old Philadelphia home, followed by a trail of maids carrying his belongings. He looked around to see no one there to greet him. He walked farther into the living room, then down the hallway to the study.

"Hellooo….anyone here? I'm home!"

Suddenly he heard shuffling then he saw his father walk out of his study. "Dear Lord John! You don't have to shout for God's sake!"

"Sorry Father I-"

Cal suddenly interrupted him by putting his hands on his son's shoulders and holding him out at arm length to get a good look at him. "Well, you're finally home. How've you been? Good I assume."

"Well, yes father. Actually very good. Where's Mother? Is she home?"

"Yeah, she's…somewhere around here." Cal said as an annoyed look crossed his faced. Then out of nowhere, Emelia appeared out of a doorway. She noticed John and immediately ran to him to smother him with hugs and kisses. Cal looked disgustingly away as he quietly walked down the remainder of the hallway.

"Oh my John! You've grown! How have you been?"

"Oh just fine! How about you? Good I hope."

"Oh we're…" Emelia glanced up at Cal, whose back was turned to her. "Just fine dear. Just fine. I'm sure you have a lot to unpack so I'll fetch the maids to take care of whatever needs you may have. MARTHA!" An old, plump lady appeared out of the door. She quickly ran to Emelia's side and curtsied. "Go assist John in unpacking and straightening out his things."

"Yes mam."

The maid quickly scurried off to attend to the luggage. John followed her up to his old room. He looked around at the familiar setting. All of his childhood toys and books lay where he had left them. Everything was as it was when he had left two years ago.

He sat down at his old wooden desk. He remembered sitting here for the very first time nearly 15 years ago.

His childhood had been a rough and depressing one. Sure there were good times, but for John Hockley, they just didn't happen often enough. For as long as he could remember, his parents would get in heated fights over money and business issues. They never really got along together. John became so lonely. His parents were never in the mood to talk to him much, so he became friends with the maids, which didn't go over too well with his father. Finally, as if God was really watching over him, John was blessed with a baby sister whom would spend her few short years of life playing and having the best time that he ever remembered.

In 1929, Melanie Hockley died in a fatal automobile accident at the tender age of nine. John had loved his little sister with all his heart. Her death sent the family into turmoil. While most recovered from the loss, John never really did. His heart ached to be with her again, for she was one of the only people in the world who could cheer him up just by looking at him.

But now there was Emily. She resembled Melanie in so many ways. Her sweet gentile smile could light up the darkest room. She cared about every living thing. She brought happiness back to John, something that had been missing for nearly three years.

Just thinking about Emily made him smile. He wondered what she was doing at this very moment. Was she back home yet? If so, has she told her family about the engagement? When would he tell his parents? So many questions wrung through his head. Martha nudging at his arm threw him abruptly back into reality.

"Sir, Dinner is ready."

"Oh…thank you Martha." He went back to his thoughts again. He finally decided that tonight would not be the best night to announce his engagement to Emily. No, tomorrow…yes tomorrow night at dinner. His whole family would be there.

He sat down at the dinner table, anxious and excited for tomorrow to finally come.



Chapter 6
Story Index

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