The Whittaker Saga

  New years Eve starts early for the Whittaker family as they gather outside their house to say goodbye to their girls. All three are leaving, Anna and Alice together, making the long journey to Del Sol Valley, and Josephine and Nash are headed for Britechester, where his stepfather, the reverend, has arranged a flat for them. They aren't leaving as early, but has gathered with everyone else to take their farewells to Anna and Alice. There are a lot of hugs and some sad faces, and William especially hugs Anna the hardest and says she's his favourite sister.  Even though Josephine and Nash leave later in the day, they arrive in Britechester much earlier, as the trip is not nearly as long. Standing outside their new building, Josephine feels like her real life is just about to begin. She's almost nervous to go inside. Once she is, she sort of want to go back outside. The apartment is cramped, with only two rooms and the smallest kitchen Josephine has ever seen in her life. ...

Christmas week is both heaven and bitter sweet for Abigail this year. She loves having her daughters at home, hearing their chatter throughout the house and seeing them connect to each other again. Yet she knows that this is just temporary and that she will soon loose them to the world again.  Josephine is getting married and moving away after new years, and Anna and Alice will both be heading west again even before that. So Abigail sets out to make the most of this rare privilege, and throws herself head first into the celebrations.  First, on Christmas Eve, it's Josephine's wedding. While Abigail might have a thought to two (or three) about the hemline, she cannot deny that her daughter looks very stylish in her modern wedding dress as she walks down the isle. Josephine and Nash seems almost shy to each other, but then they haven't had any time together since his return after the war. Abigail cannot help but to shed a tear as they say their vows, and laugh as Nash takes...

  As Christmas week begins, Abigail finally gets her wish. Her girls come home! There are happy hugs all around, although William is a bit hesitant. He's heard a lot about these older sisters, but he's only ten and it's been four years... he barely remembers them. Anna makes sure to offer him a hug too. He's a bit intimidated by the brave sister who went to war, but he likes the hug. After hugs, and dinner, and keeping up appearances, Anna and Alice are finally alone in their room for the night. Now they can greet each other properly, and say all that they want to say without the others listening in. Anna is keeping a brave face on, but Alice knows how deeply she hurts. She tries her best to comfort her sister, but as she goes to sleep, she can hear Anna crying in her bed. Anna shows none of her grief the next day, however, as she and Alice take Josephine shopping. "Are you sure I shouldn't go along? Abigail asks, but the sisters are adamant. Shopping, e...