Arizona Chapter Four

Here is Chapter for of Arazona. Enjoy reading x

Chapter 4

Luke checked out the warehouse the next afternoon. After deciding it was perfect he gave Antonia a call but got her voicemail,

"Hi Antonia, it's Luke, I'm just calling to say that I've checked out the warehouse and it's perfect, if you let me know when you are free then we can work something out, ok speak soon" he left a message and went home

    Antonia had just finished work when she got Luke's message and immediately called him back,

"Friday after work would be perfect, my friend Maybelle can cover for me" Antonia told him after discussing a day to meet each week. After Antonia meet Maybelle for a drink at Jewels Bar,

"Wow that was quick" Maybelle said after Antonia had told her about the calls from Luke,

"I know, I'm so excited, I can't wait" she took a sip of her drink "can I ask you something Maybelle"

"Sure"

"Can you cover for me on a Friday, say I've gone with you to your movement class or something if asked, especially my Mum. Please"

"Of course I will, what are friends for. We're still going to meet for a drink afterwards aren't we" Maybelle asked

"Of course we are, I can tell you all about my lessons" they both giggled and continued to chat

The next week went by really quick. Antonia spent the whole time looking forwards to her first lesson with Luke. She was in a high upbeat mood as her last shift of the week came to an end on Friday,

"Any plans for the evening" Layton asked her as they collected their things from the locker room

"Just the usual drink with Maybelle, but first I thought I'd go to the new school and look at a few classes , see if anything takes my fancy" Antonia lied "what about you any plans"

"Just dinner with Alton's parents"

"Ooh that should be hell" Antonia gave a little laugh

"Oh you bet. I love Alton and all that but I can't stand his parents. Wish me luck" Layton left the locker room,

"Good luck" Antonia called after her. Antonia left the building looking forwards to her lessons. She stepped outside and froze as she saw Fifi across the road. She stood there for a minute to make sure she hadn't been seen, as she did she noticed Fifi was surrounded by five guys getting touchy feely with them, whilst two were kissing her neck. Antonia sneaked behind the corner and took a few pictures in hopes of using them against her one day, calling her a slut in the process.

She headed to the warehouse using the directions Luke had given her, looking behind her to make sure Fifi hadn't spotted and followed her.

"Antonia you made it" Luke greeted her as she entered the warehouse,

"Is this what a warehouse from earth looks like" she asked

"Yes it is, we had one built but there was no takers. It's been abandoned ever since" Luke smiled at her "so are you ready" he asked

"Yes I am. Sorry it took me so long, I saw Fifi on my way out of work and had to make sure she didn't follow me"

"Don't mention that bitch to me, I can't stand her" Luke said

"Sorry. You not the only one who can't stand her"

"At least you don't have to have dinner with her and her parents tomorrow" he told her, he threw a fireball at the wall "Sorry, I've got a lot of anger about because her at the moment. She wants to marry me but I don't want to marry her, her father is insisting and I can't take any more of it" he told her

"Luke I'm so sorry" Antonia replied. She smiled as she remembered the pictures she had taken of Fifi after work "I may have something that might get you out of it" she showed him the pictures,

"Oh my god, what is she up to, ok that guys hand is going up her skirt. Wow looks like Daddy doesn't know everything she gets up to after all. Antonia can you send me these please" he asked

"Sure I can" Antonia sent the pictures via Meglog something very similar to Bluetooth but it had been around for five centuries,

"Thanks Antonia, make sure you delete them of your phone, I don't want you getting into trouble"

"Don't worry I will, but first I have to show Maybelle. So where shall we start" Antonia asked before Luke could reply to her last comment "here is a list of everything I can do" Antonia handed Luke a piece of paper

"Wow Antonia that's a lot. You could be the most powerful woman on the planet once you've learnt control, I'm impressed. Right why don't you show me what you can do then we can look at how to control it" Luke told her

"Right ok, stand back I don't want to accidently hurt you" Antonia replied

"It's ok I know how to protect myself" Luke put his arm in front of him and created a shield out of fire. Antonia looked astonished,

"Nothing can penetrate it" he smiled at her

Antonia spent the next thirty to forty five minutes showing Luke what she could do. She started off with the nature part of her powers turning the warehouse into half garden half jungle, next she created bolts of lightning from her hands and lightning balls, she then created a rain storm with thunder and lightning, then a snow storm . She then moved onto ice and created an ice rink on the floor, walls and ceilings. Then she stopped,

"Is everything ok" Luke asked

"I don't know how to get rid of the ice without creating a heat wave so hot it would suffocate you" Antonia confessed

"Ok, let me help" fire roared from Luke's hands and he blew it all around the warehouse melting the ice "you definitely need a lot of help and control. I think because there are very, very few or no Gifted women, learning control is going to be a lot harder but if you listen and do everything I tell you, you should be fine" they smiled at each other "I think next week we will start with the lightning" he said as it approached nine o clock.

"How did it go" Maybelle asked Antonia in a whisper as she sat down at their usual table at Jewel Bar

"It went really well, Luke just wanted to see what I could do first, we're going to start properly next week" Antonia replied

"And what's Luke like"

"Genuine, really nice guy, but it was only the first lesson so we'll have to see" Antonia sipped her drink "Oh and guess what I saw when leaving work" Antonia showed Maybelle the pictures of Fifi,

"No way, she's a slut, this is awesome. Now we have something to shut her up with" Maybelle looked ecstatic

"Not if Luke has anything to do with it" Antonia said

"What do you mean"

"Well Fifi's father is trying to pressure Luke into marrying her, their having a family dinner tomorrow, so I sent him the pictures via Meglog so he can get out of it, he can't stand the bitch"

"A bit like everyone else, I don't know how her parents do it, but then again they have always catered to her every need" Maybelle said. She finished her drink. They arrived back at the building they lived in about midnight. Antonia looked up at the sky to see all three of Arizona's moons in the sky, Alstead, Ambro and Alteen,

"Come on Antonia it's late" Maybelle called from the door, Antonia smiled and walked through the door.

    Back at the Presidential House Luke laid awake, he was looking through some pictures he had taken of Antonia in the warehouse and smiled, slowly realising the feelings he had developed for her.

Lintwood Farm Chapter Fourteen

Here is Chapter Fourteen, a really short one this time but more is still to come x

Chapter 14

The car arrived at the hotel, Martin carried Ellie up to their room,
"I can't believe we're married" Martin put his arm around Ellie,
"I know, I've never been happier" Martin gave Ellie a passionate kiss. He slowly grazed the top of her legs and ran his hands up her body and undid the back of her dress. Ellie ran her hands up his chest to unbuttoned his shirt. They looked at each other as they slipped under the covers. Martin stared into his beautiful wife's eyes, he kissed her neck whilst he gently cupped her breast. Both feeling nervous moved in and Martin pulled Ellie close.

"Morning beautiful" Martin kissed his new wife as she woke up,
"Morning handsome" Ellie kissed Martin as there was a knock at the door,
"Breakfast's here" Martin got out of bed put on a dressing gown and answered the door,
"Thank you" Martin said to the waiter who brought them their breakfast. Martin handed Ellie a plate filled with toast,
"Thank you sweetie" Ellie started to eat her breakfast. After they had finish breakfast and were getting ready to leave for their honeymoon they began talking about the night before
"Hey Ellie, err last night I have to admit I was pretty nervous" Martin told Ellie
"Me too, I didn't know if I would be able to go through with it" Ellie replied
"How was it for you Ellie"
"Honestly it was a bit awkward and a bit painful, but it was our first time and no one knows what their first time is going to be like and a lot of people don't do it until their wedding night anyway. It's going to get better, but I'm a bit sore today so if we could leave it a few days that would be great" Ellie smiled at him
"Ellie that's fine, it was a bit awkward for me too and I'm also a bit sore as well and you're right it was our first time and it will get better" he pulled her close and kissed her,
"Come on beautiful, let's go on our honeymoon" Martin said as he held the door open for Ellie.

Arazona Chapter Three

Here is chapter three. Enjoy

Chapter 3

Antonia laid awake that night going over everything Luke has said to her, she thought about the training she would receive from him and what he himself would be like once they started training, would he be mean or would he be strict but firm or something entirely different, she didn't know. The next morning after not sleeping at all, she got ready for work and went into the kitchen for breakfast,

"Morning darling" Jasmine was buttering some toast

"Morning Mum" Antonia took a bowl out of the cupboard and poured some cereal into it,

"Did you sleep well" Jasmine asked

"Not really you"

"On and off" they both sat down to eat their breakfast. Antonia headed out to work straight afterwards. Fifi was waiting for her outside,

"Oh god what do you want" Antonia said when she saw her,

"Good morning Fifi would have been a bit better you know" Fifi replied

"Why you're no one special"

"I'm the Vice-Chancellor's daughter, of course I'm special"

"No you're not" Antonia had kept walking"

"Anyway I will be even more special once I'm married to Luke Homestead, Daddy said he's going to arrange it"

"Why would anyone want to marry a brat like you Fifi"

"I am not a brat" Fifi shouted

"Yes you are, living off Daddy's money and sitting on your arse all day long with people running around after you, Daddy buying your everything you want. To be honest Fifi, Luke doesn't seem to be the kind of guy who would marry someone like you" Antonia turned to walk away

"It's not like he's going to marry you is it, one of the poorest people on the planet, shame your Dad can't be around to tell you it's all going to be alright, after all he deserves what he got"

"Shut up Fifi, you have no idea what my family's been through"

"Still your Father was stupid enough to go out there alone"

"He was doing his job, to make sure those monsters didn't leave the planet. Goodbye Fifi" Antonia turned a corner and disappeared out of sight.

"She actually said that" Layton, Antonia's colleague said as they were putting out a delivery. Antonia had just finished telling Layton about Fifi's desire to marry Luke

"Yep her Father is going to arrange it apparently" Antonia broke down a box she had just emptied,

"No way would Luke Homestead marry Fifi not in a million years"

"That's true. She seems so certain it's going to happen, I don't know who would want to marry her anyway, I've even told her that" Antonia opened another box

"Good for you, someone's got to tell it to her straight. Anyway my brother told me Luke would never marry her, he thinks she's a bitch"

"How does your brother know Luke" Antonia asked stunned

"He's in the AMF and he works very closely with the Special Agents Service" Layton told her,

"Ah I see"

"He told me that Luke told him he wants to marry for love"

"Well why shouldn't he, everyone else does"

"Hurry up you two I need that delivery out by the time the store gets busy" their manager shouted as he walked by

"Yes sir" they both replied

"Where did the idea of a department store come from" Layton asked

"Planet Earth, the Earthlings have loads there, I learnt about one in school, House for Frasers or something like that, very popular on their planet" Antonia told her. They continued to put out the delivery.

"Not in a million years" Luke told his father

"Come on son, she'll be perfect for you" President Homestead told his

"No she won't, she's a bitch, didn't you see what she did to Antonia Birch yesterday"

"What, Major Birch's daughter"

"I think so, I'm not sure we didn't talk about her family much, all I did was make sure she was alright and found out Fifi bullied her in school" Luke sat on the sofa in his father's office

"Look Luke, Fifi is a great match, she is of Nobility and available and really, really beautiful"

"I don't care how beautiful she is, I'm not marrying her, I'm not marrying anyone unless I'm in love" Luke said

"Ok, fine you don't have to marry Fifi, besides I didn't like the way she behaved at the last banquet. But whoever you end up marrying has to be of nobility.."

"Why, why does she, why can't I marry who I want, why do I have to be so limited" Luke snapped

"Because it's tradition and it has been for over five thousand year probably even more" President Homestead told his son,

"Well some traditions need to change, I don't care if a womans of nobility or not, I will marry who I want, who I end up falling in love with" Luke stormed out of the room. President Homestead sighed and sat on a chair exhausted from the same convocation he always had with his son,

"Why won't he listen" he said to himself,

"Maybe because he's right" Seraphina said standing at the door

"Seffie, your taking his side"

"Yes I am. You can't help feelings Arnold, remember what happened with your great, great, great grandfather" She sat down next to her husband "Arnold, he hated his marriage because he was married to a woman he didn't love and unwilling to consummate the marriage, if he wasn't told about the Pearson's your great, great grandmother wouldn't have been born and you, Luke and Crystal wouldn't be here"

"I know but it's tradition and the law" President Homestead told his wife

"Until you pass, then Luke will have the power to change it"

"Then he can do what he wants until then the law stays the same" President Homestead stood up and walked to his desk,

"And let your son be miserable until then, no one knows how long it will be. Are you really willing to let your son be miserable for the rest of your life Arnold" Seraphina had stood up angry at her husband

"No" President Homestead shouted "No" he said calmer "I want him to be happy Seffie"

"Then think about changing the law. I know he will choose well" and she left her husband in peace.

Luke lied on his bed looking through the Arazonian Internet System on a device called Arie Techno 395, all it was, was a little keypad half the size of a mini Ipad that projected hologram screens into the air. He was looking at abandoned buildings so he could teach Antonia to use and control her powers properly, but everywhere he could find would expose her,

"This is stupid, there has got to be somewhere" he said to himself, there as a knock at the door "What" he said and Crystal walked in

"Why are you looking at abandoned buildings" she asked

"No reason"

"Not anything to do with that gifted girl is it"

"How do you know about that" Luke shot up

"I saw you with her by the tree next to the Old Shally Steam, I've never seen a gifted female before, what's she like" Crystal asked

"She's nice, I don't really know her that well but I said I would help her control her power, I just need to find somewhere she won't be exposed" Luke continued to look through pages on the internet

"There's an abandoned warehouse on the Aztec Estate, no one's used it in years, the windows are very high and thin so they should be easy to cover, and it's not too close to anyone so no one should get hurt if something goes wrong or suspicious; I heard you argue with Dad again"

"Don't bother Crystal, I'm not marrying Fifi or any other snotty, bitchy, Noble woman" Luke told her

"I know, I was going to say I agree with you, it's time that stupid law was changed, especially after hearing what happened to granddad Nod. I don't want  you to be unhappy like he was"

"Thanks Crystal" Luke smiled at his sister

"I'll keep your secrets safe, I won't tell anyone about your gifted girl" she got up and left the room. Luke reached for his phone and a piece of paper with Antonia's number on it. He dialled it and held the phone in front of him, as she answered a little hologram of her head appeared

"Luke Hi" she said as his hologram showed on her phone

"Hi Antonia, is this a bad time" he asked

"No, not at all, I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon" Antonia replied with the biggest smile on her face

"Well I just wanted to tell you I may have found us a place to train, I'm going to check it out tomorrow and I will call with an update" Luke told her

"That's great, I look forwards to hearing from you again, oh I've got to go my Mum's just got back"

"Ok can I call you tomorrow" Luke asked

"Sure,  but after 9pm, I'll speak to you tomorrow. Bye"

"Bye Antonia" Luke hung up. He lied back on his bed smiling.

Lintwood Farm Chapter Thirteen

Chapter 13 June 1942

The day of the wedding arrived very quickly, Chrissie and Lindsey were putting the last touches to the decorations that covered the garden and the barn,

"There the decorations are done" Chrissie said admiring them,

"Let's get the boxes inside, we need to get ready" Lindsey picked up a couple of boxes and carried them inside, Chrissie followed,

"Hey Louis the decorations are all done and it's such nice weather out there, perfect for a wedding" Chrissie said as she walked into the dining room,

"That's good, Mrs Carter rang, she said all the food and drink should be here and set up by the time we get back from the church" Louis told them

"Ok, how's Ellie and Martin doing"

"Ellie's getting ready, she's a bit nervous but really excited, I took her and Jenny a cup of tea half an hour ago and Martin, not a clue he and Ian stayed at the shop in the spare room last night" Louis continued to tidy the kitchen,

"Ok well we're going to go get ready" Lindsey said.

            Upstairs Jennifer was helping Ellie get ready,

"You look so beautiful Ellie" Jennifer said as she finished pinning Ellie's hair up,

"Thank you Jenny, I can't wait to get my dress on"

"I know you are going to look amazing"

"I can't believe this day is finally here, I am so excited" Ellie beamed with happiness

"I'm not surprised and I can't wait for you to be a part of the family"

"Thank you Jenny" Ellie stood up and gave her future sister-in-law a hug

"Hello" Nicky shouted as she came through the door,

"Mum" Chrissie came running down the stairs with Lindsey in tow,

"Hello darling" she gave her daughter a big hug "you look beautiful and so do you Lindsey"

"Thank you Nicky"

"Mum you're here" Louis said coming out of the dining room

"Louis you're not dressed yet"

"Going right now and to be fair neither are you"

"Yes but I've just arrived"

"Ok you win, the car will be here in twenty minutes so hurry"

"Ok Louis go and get ready" Louis ran up stairs as Nicky took her outfit out of her bag

"Mum where's Auntie Maria" Chrissie asked

"She's gone straight to the church darling, right I'm going to get changed" Nicky smiled at Chrissie and Lindsey

"Hello Mum"

"Ellie" Ellie stood at the top of the stairs, Jennifer stood behind her. Ellie wore a full length white lace and satin dress with a train and vale with a small shiny tiara. Nicky gave her daughter a hug as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"You look amazing, so beautiful" Nicky told Ellie

"Thank you mum" Ellie gave her mother a smile

"How did you afford the dress" Nicky asked

"I made it, also I found an envelope in Dad's bedside table with a bit of money and a note saying  'For Ellie's Wedding'" Ellie replied 

"Oh of course I forgot about that, there is also one for Louis and Chrissie. Right I'm going to get changed, let's get you into the dining room so no one stands on your beautiful dress" Nicky helped Jennifer move Ellie's train off the stairs "I will be five minutes" Nicky went upstairs to change.

At the church guests were arriving and taking their seats,

"Ian darling" Maria spotted Ian at the door to the church

"Maria, how are you" he greeted her with a hug

"I'm fine thank you, I've been taking care of my sister"

"Of course you have, how is Nicky"

"Much better, the change of scenery is doing her good"

"Good, so where is she"

"I dropped her off at the farm, she is going to be arriving with Ellie"

"Ok well let me show you to your seat" Ian showed Maria into the church. Martin stood near the Altar talking to Reverend Edward as Ian showed Maria towards the front of the church,

"This must be Martin" Maria said holding out her arms towards him "I haven't seen you since you were a baby"

"Maria wonderful to see you, where's Nicky"

"At the house, she will be arriving with Ellie, which should be very soon" Maria looked at her watch as it was almost time for the service to begin.

            The car arrived at the house ready to take Ellie to the church. The car took Jennifer, Louis, Lindsey and Chrissie down first before Ellie and Nicky,

"I can't believe this day it finally here" Nicky said "I remember my wedding day,  your father standing there at the Altar looking so handsome, my heart pounding I was so nervous, but it was the happiest day of my life" she looked at Ellie "and now it's your turn"

"I can't wait, I'm a bit nervous but not as nervous as I will be tonight"

"Ah yes your wedding night, just relax and you will be fine" Nicky smiled at her daughter. The car arrived at the church, Jennifer helped Ellie out of the car and helped straighten up her dress,

"Are you ready" Jennifer asked

"Yes, I am" Ellie smiled. She took her mother's arm and walked inside the church. The wedding march played as they walked down the aisle. Louis went first caring a velvet pillow with the rings on, Lindsey and Chrissie where next scattering rose petals on the floor and Jennifer the bridesmaid followed with Ellie and Nicky not far behind. As Ellie walked down the aisle Martin looked at his beautiful bride, he smiled as his heart melted. Nicky kissed her daughter as they reached the end,

"Look after my little girl" she whispered to him

"Don't worry I will" Martin replied and he took Ellie's hand,

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Martin Dinsdale and Eleanor Pickard in Holy Matrimony" Reverend Edward started the ceremony. Martin and Ellie started at each other the whole time, Martin kept his arms around her until the end,

"I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride" Reverend Edward came to the end of the service and Martin kissed his new wife.

"Ok smile on the count of three, one, two, three" The photographer took official wedding pictures back of the farm in the garden "can I please have just the bride's family and friends" he said lifting the black cloth from over his head "right on the count of three, one, two, three"

After the photographs dinner was served, a green salad starter with a roast chicken dinner and rich lemon cheesecake for dessert. Ellie and Martin went round all guests and thanked them for attending their big day,

"Ellie" Brenda waved to Ellie from where she was standing and made her over to her,

"Congratulations, I can't believe you're married, I thought I would be the first to marry but you proved me wrong, my god you look so beautiful" Brenda gave Ellie a hug,

"Thank you Brenda, It's great to have you back home" Ellie said hugging her friend back

"It's great to be home. Three years is a long time, not much has changed though"

"We're in the middle of a war, the only way this place will change is if it was bombed"

"Yeah you're right you should see London, anyway enough war talk this is a happy day, all that matters is your happiness" Brenda smiled at her best friend

"Attention everyone" Ian stood on top of a chair "I have a few words to say" he took a piece of paper out of his pocket, "when I first heard of my son's engagement it was the most amazing news I had heard in a long time and the happiest, I was not in the place I wanted to be, a hospital bed, when the news came to me but it gave me joy and hope that after all I've seen something so amazing and beautiful could come out of this war and Ellie I know for a fact your father will be looking down from the heavens with joy and that his wish came true, he wished that you both would one day fall in love and marry and you know Patrick" Ian looked up to the sky "they did and I have never seen two people more in love" he looked back to the bride and groom "to the bride and groom and may you both have a long and happy life"

"To the bride and groom" everyone raised their glasses. A tear rolled down Ellie's cheek, it was the first she had thought of her father all day,

"Sweetheart are you ok Martin asked

"Yes I'm fine, just thinking about my Dad, he would have loved to have been here" Ellie wiped her tears away,

"He's here Ellie, in spirit" he kissed her on the forehead

"Ellie can you throw the bouquet now" Chrissie asked running up to Ellie and Martin

"Of course sweetie" Ellie replied

"Yes it's getting late and we need to head to the hotel" Martin said leading Ellie towards the barn,

"Everyone it's time to throw the bouquet" Ellie shouted standing on the same chair Ian had. All the unmarried ladies gathered in front of Ellie, Chrissie tried to make her way to the front but couldn't,

"Ok, one, two, three" Ellie tossed the bouquet into the air towards the huddle of women, all of a sudden Chrissie came shooting through the top of the crowd and caught the bouquet,

"Yes I caught it" she shouted with excitement

"How did you do that" Louis asked

"Martin helped me" Martin had snuck into the crowd without anyone knowing to help Chrissie after seeing her struggle to get to the front,

"I was wondering where you were going" Ellie said as he helped her down from the chair, Martin kissed his wife,

"I think it's time we went to the hotel don't you" he put his arm around her waist,

"Of course" Ellie replied. They both said their goodbye's

"Have a great time on your honeymoon" Jennifer told Ellie as she gave her a hug. Ellie and Martin got into the wedding car and drove away for their honeymoon.

Arazona Chapter Two

Here is Arizona Chapter Two. Hope you enjoy it x

Chapter Two

Antonia sat there for a minute red faced and embarrassed, everyone stared at her and started laughing, Luke went to see if she was alright but before he could reach her, her mother got to her first,

"Sweetie are you ok" Jasmine tried to help her daughter

"No, leave me alone" She pushed her mother away, got up, pushed her way through the laughing crowd and ran off down the street. Fifi was in fits of laughter, she walked over to Luke

"I can't believe she did that, she almost knocked you over" she gave him a little smile as she tried to stroke his arm,

"I saw what you did, I saw you, push her, you really are a horrible person" he turned and walked away.

"Maybelle, do you have any idea where she's gone" Jasmine was stood next to Maybelle on the side of the road,

"I don't know but, look let me go look for her, go wait at home I'm sure she'll be fine" Maybelle pushed her way through the crowd herself and headed the same way Antonia had not  knowing where she had gone.

Antonia sat crying under a tree by a stream that was close to her neighbourhood, she was holding her injured knee shaking with pain and embarrassment, she felt so lonely, all she wanted to do was run away to another planet where no one knew who she was, somewhere she could be herself and use her power,

"Hey, are you ok" Antonia jumped, she looked up to see Luke standing by the tree,

"I'm...I'm fine, thank you" she turned her head away and held her knee again

"Here let me help you with that" Luke took out a bottle from his pocket, knelt down and dabbed a bit on her knee with a tissue

"There" her knee stopped bleeding at once and scabbed over

"Thank you" she said "what is that stuff"

"Acman's ointment"

"Wow, I thought you couldn't get that stuff yet"

"My family can, but it only works on miner cuts and scrapes" Luke looked at Antonia who was still crying a little bit "what's your name"

"Antonia, Antonia Birch" she wiped her eyes

"Antonia, beautiful name" Luke smiled at her, Antonia gave a little smile back

"I saw what that woman Fifi did to you, she had no right to do that"

"She's always been like that, I went to school with her, she was the most popular girl in our year, yet she bullied everyone, especially me" it had started to rain but only under the tree,

"She seems the type who would be a bully, my dad thinks she would be a fitting wife but I hate her, besides I don't plan on getting married until I'm President anyway unless I reach thirty beforehand then I will have to plead with my father" Luke hadn't noticed the rain

"Why" Antonia asked him

"Because I want to marry who I want, I want to marry for love and not because they are of Nobility" he looked up at Antonia "My dad got lucky, he fell in love with a woman of Nobility, but I think, I believe everyone should be free to marry who they want Nobility or not" Antonia smiled at him and he smiled back, Luke looked up,

"When did this rain come from, it's meant to be clear sky's all day" Antonia herself noticed the rain too and realised what she had done. She stopped and Luke looked at her,

"Antonia, are you gifted"

"I'm sorry" she got up and tried to run away again,

"Hey wait" Luke grabbed hold of her hand and stopped her running "Antonia, are you" she looked at him scared to answer "It's ok you know, no one's going to hurt you"

"Yes I am" she replied finally

"Wow that's amazing, what's your power"

"Weather and nature" she smiled at him as he smiled at her,

"I've never met any woman who's gifted before, I can't believe it, this is incredible. Can you show me a bit of your power" he asked her, Antonia hesitated

"Only if you show me yours first" she replied after a minute or so. Luke smiled at her showing his perfect white teeth. He held out his hand, palm facing towards the sky and created a small fireball in his hand. It hovered then descended into nothing, Antonia looked amazed, she had never seen anyone use their powers before except for herself,

"Wow that's amazing" she had been looking at the spot where the fireball had been,

"Your turn" Luke said softly. She held out her hands in front of her and tried her best to create a lighting ball, a small flicker happened for a minute, then disappeared,

"I'm sorry, usually I can do this"

"It's ok" Luke told her "it takes practice, try to relax" he stood back, Antonia held out her hands again, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A medium sized lightning ball erupted from her hands, she opened her eyes and was amazed at what she was doing,

"There you go, it just takes practice" Luke was also amazed at what he was seeing

"I can't believe it, I've never made on that big before" she lowered her hands after the lightning ball had disappeared.

"When did you find out" Luke asked her

"When I was five, accidently made it snow in the living room when I was playing" she sat back down under the tree, her damp dress stuck to her skin

"A lot of the gifted find out when they are five, I did, set the curtains in my dad's office on fire" he gave a little laugh which Antonia reciprocated "If you like I can teach you how to control your power" Luke offered, Antonia smiled and nodded her head,

"I'd like that"

"Ok well give me a couple of days and I will find a place for you to practice, somewhere private so no one will see or find out. It will be our little secret"

Ok, well here's my number, let me know" Antonia took a pen out of her pocket and wrote her number on his hand

"Great, I'll call you"

""Cool, I've got to go, I'll see you later" she got up and made her way home, looking back to give Luke a wave.

"Antonia, where have you been" Maybelle ran up to her as soon as she spotted her in the street "Are you ok" she hugged her

"I'm fine Maybelle, just really embarrassed and what's worse my mum stepped in, I know she only wanted to help but she didn't have to talk to me like I'm a little kid" she hugged her friend back

"I'm glad you are alright Ann, where did you go"

"Down to the stream, anyway lets go back to yours I've got something to tell you" They both made their way back to the building they both lived in, as they did the people they passed started to whisper and laugh at Antonia but she had no time to even think about it as she was too excited to tell Maybelle about what had happened. They entered the building and went straight for Maybelle's room

"Oh my god, really" Maybelle was in shock at what she just heard "he said that, he actually said that"

"Yes he did, he said it would be our little secret" They both sat on Maybelle's bed at either end

"Wow, I can't believe it, Luke Homestead is going to help you control your power"

"I know, he is such I nice guy, I hope he stays like that, I hope he doesn't turn into  jerk like most men"

"I'm sure he won't, his mother has always described him as a decent man"

"I know, but to most mothers their son's can do no wrong Maybelle"

"Yeah that's true, my brother is perfect in my mother's eyes, anyway I'm sure Luke is decent and we will find out sooner or later" Antonia looked out of the window

"Yeah I'm sure we will"

Antonia walked up stairwell to her own flat where she still lived with her mother, when she approached the door she stood there for a moment to pull herself together after the day's events and then walked through the door

"Antonia there you are" Jasmine surprised her daughter by throwing herself at her when she had barely come through the door "are you alright? What happened? Where did you go?"

"Mum pull yourself together, I'm fine, I went down to the stream, then spent some time talking to Maybelle"

"Oh thank goodness, you didn't do anything....anything stupid did you"

"No. I didn't"

"Ok, good let's get dinner on shall we

Lintwood Farm - Chapter Twelve

Here is Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Ian settled into life on the farm, helping  Martin and Louis out with animals, Ellie had found it a lot easier, she was starting to feel a lot better and found life becoming easier by the minute. Ellie was watching from the dining room window as Ian and Martin sorted out the barn, they clean out the cows putting clean hay in the barn to keep them warm through the winter. Ellie grabbed her coat and headed outside,

"Right you two, I'm off  back to the shop now, I will see you later" Ellie kissed Martin and headed up the road to the village.

"She seems a lot happier now" Ian said to Martin

"Yes and it's all down to you Dad, since you got back and started to help out it's been a lot easier on her, she feels a heavy weight has been lifted off her shoulders" Martin told him

"I'm glad to hear it and just because I've only one arm doesn't mean I can't help out"

"I know, you've been a great help" Martin and Ian walked back into the house. Lindsey and Chrissie were in the Vegetable Garden planting things,

"Let's put the Raspberry Canes over there and the rhubarb crowns next to them, no in front of them, I think" Chrissie said

"Next to them would be better, they are in their own beds then" Lindsey replied

"Would that be better though"

"I don't know I'm just a kid, but yes let's put them there it's cold and I want to go inside" Lindsey shivered,

"Ok, let's hurry up" Chrissie and Lindsey began to dig up the bed.

Down at the shop Ellie had arrived to find Jennifer on the floor behind the counter picking up buttons,

"Is everything ok down there Jenny" Ellie asked

"Oh, yes, I just dropped a lot of buttons that's all" Jennifer stood up and put the buttons on the counter

"Don't worry I do it all the time" Ellie hung her coat up "Oh and guess what, I'm going to start getting fabric in" she told Jennifer

"Oh my god, really, that's great, now no one will need to travel for miles to buy fabric" Jennifer said with excitement.

"I know, first delivery is on Monday, if nothing bad happens, so we need to start sorting things out and making room for it, I'm just thinking where to put it, I was thinking along the wall opposite the counter and then storing any over stock in the back room upstairs, if we have any" Ellie told Jennifer

"I think that would be perfect" Jennifer agreed

"Ok first of all, where to move everything else" Ellie started to walk around the shop wondering what she could do to fit everything in the shop,  she looked at all the wool and thread and pins and needles and sewing machines and numerous draws of buttons

"I know we will cut down the draws of buttons to those two shelves here, put the wool and thread next to them and the sewing machines above the fabric which will be on those shelves opposite the counter with some of the machines in the window over there, how does that sound" Ellie turned to Jennifer,

"I think it could work" she smiled at Ellie

"Ok let's get started" Ellie replied.

"Lunch" Martin yelled from the kitchen, Lindsey and Chrissie came running through, Louis followed,

"Cheese again, haven't we got anything else" Louis said sitting at the table,

"Not at the moment" Martin replied,

"But where's all the meat"

"We can't get anymore until next week, we've used up all our coupons for this week, we have to make do until we get next week's ration books" Martin told him

"Can we go get an orange after lunch" Chrissie asked,

"Of course, we will go for a walk and pop in to see Ellie and Jenny too" Ian relied.

"Sounds like a good idea" Martin put in as he sipped his tea.

      After lunch they put on their shoes and coats and walked down the road. Lindsey and Chrissie held hands as not to lose each other as they walked in front of Martin and Ian. Louis walked slowly behind them,

"Keep up Louis" Martin looked round and called to him

"Ok" Louis ran up to them,

"Walk in front of us Louis" Ian said to him

     "Hello Miss Pickard, Miss Dinsdale, how are you today" Mr Woodworth the Greengrocer greeted them as they walked in "and hello Master Pickard and Mr Dinsdale, Mr Dinsdale" Martin and the others walked into the shop, Mr Woodworth was a middle aged man with a broad rounded body, who was never seen in anything else but a suit which he always covered with a blue overall coat when at work,

"Hello Mr. Woodworth, we're fine thank you, how are you" Chrissie replied

"Very well thank you, how can I help you all today"

"Three Oranges please Mr Woodworth" Martin asked

"Here we go" Mr Woodworth handed Chrissie, Louis and Lindsey an Orange each. Martin paid and they all headed to Ellie's shop,

"Thank you Mr Woodworth" Chrissie shouted as she left the shop.

"Hello Ellie" Chrissie said entering the shop,

"Hello" Ellie gave her sister a hug,

"Hello sweetheart" Martin gave Ellie a kiss

"Dad" Jennifer came back into the shop from upstairs

"Hello Jenny" Ian gave his daughter a hug "So what are you doing, rearranging stuff" Ian asked

"Well we are getting a fabric delivery on Monday and are making room for it" Ellie replied putting things into boxes and moving them near the stairs,

"Sweetheart that's great news" Martin gave her a hug.

The door opened and Mr. Brook, The Butcher came through the door,

"Hello Mr Brook, how can I help you" Ellie greeted the butcher,

"Hello Miss Pickard, I was just wondered if you had anymore green wool"

"Of course we do, do you have your coupon" Ellie took some wool of the shelf,

"Yes, yes here...it is" Mr Brook stopped

"Is everything ok" Ellie asked

"Em well I have ran out of coupons for wool, I'm sorry I will have to come next week, goodbye Miss Pickard"

"Mr Brook wait, how about we make a trade. Some wool for some meat" Ellie suggested, Mr Brook thought about it for a minute,

"Ok, come by after work, you can have whatever is left"

"Great, here you go and see you latter" Ellie handed the wool over.

            Later after work Ellie and Jennifer stopped at the butchers. She knocked on the door,

"Hello Miss Pickard, come in" Mr Brook opened the door and let Ellie and Jennifer in "All I have left is a bit of ham and a bit of beef it's not much but it's all I have"

"Its fine Mr Brook, it will keep us going until Monday, thank you"

Ellie and Jennifer walked home down the dark lane, it was cold and windy, they couldn't see much in front of them and were glad to walk through the front door,

"We're home" Ellie shouted

"Hi sweetie" Martin come from the dining room and Ellie handed him the meat,

"Ham and beef" Ellie smiled at him

"Great I'll get the beef on" Martin gave Ellie a kiss.

Later after dinner Ellie sat in bed, she opened a letter that had been sent to her,

"Who's the letter from" Martin asked as he entered the room ,

"My Auntie Maria, Mum doing a lot better and they are both coming to the wedding in June" she looked up as he sat on the bed,

"That's great, is your Mother giving you away" Martin asked

"I know it's not traditional but I have no one else so yes she is and she is really looking forward to it" Ellie cuddled up to Martin as he slipped under the covers

"I'm glad she's giving you away"

"Me too" she looked at him and smiled "I'm going to get some sleep" she kissed Martin and turned out the light.