Thanks to Emily's encouragement, Samantha was able to collect herself back together and relaxed. Although her heart continued to race rapidly from the realization that George has now heard her accent, Samantha was at least no longer running around the room like a headless chicken. When Emily began fidgeting with the pendant hanging elegantly from around her neck, this caught Samantha's attention. Traveling to England was something that she knew, deep within her heart, Emily truly wanted. They both had made friendships, albeit through pen pals, in the other country. 

"Ye (You) really waant (want) me tae (to) gang (tag) alang (along)?" Samantha found it difficult to give a reason why she shouldn't accept her cousin's request. After all, America did bore her quite greatly. England was a new place, somewhere she had yet to visit. If Emily insisted, Samantha would not be able to resist her. Besides, perhaps seeing their pen pals would be a great adventure? At least, that's the theory Samantha held at the moment. 

Samantha's love for her cousin was able to override her fear towards traveling. She'd do absolutely anything for her cousin, even facing her fears. " Ahright (Alright)," she agreed with a series of sighs. "Ah'll (I'll) go." 

* * * 

Home was such a strange place for him to be now. Nothing felt the same. Sure, having the loving embraces of his family was wonderful, but Charlie could sense the undertones of everyone's behavior. Simple, little things that someone else might have never even noticed. For example, his mother's eyes seemed to linger upon George. Specifically his left side and that's how Charlie finally became aware that his brother had sustained a terrible injury. He didn't say anything, though. It wasn't just his mother that showed this uneasiness. 

Even Ginny, his innocent and precious sister, seemed unsettled whenever she'd glance out a window to the sky. England was becoming torn to pieces and everyone knew it. Some might not accept it, but that's just an action driven by fear and discomfort. When Charlie awoke the next morning, he discovered the house quite. No one else was yet to rise from their beds. Understandable, considering Charlie has always been the first to wake up in the early mornings. 

Enjoying the silence for a while, the letter was once again held in Charlie's hands. He debated on opening it now. Curious to read what Emily had written inside, but still refused to break the seal. Suddenly the echoes of footsteps caught his attention. Charlie hurried to stuff the letter beneath his pillow and feigned being asleep. The door opened, two eyes of amber peering inside cautiously. 

"Charlie?" That voice was so shaken, on the brink of tears. "Charlie?" 

Overwhelmed by his mother's tone, the ginger-haired male lifted from his bed and slowly walked to her. She immediately embraced him once again. He felt the dampness of his night-shirt and that's when he knew. His mother was crying.