World War One

Heartache

TWENTY ONE - HEARTACHE

2 days had passed and the twins still knew nothing about the war ending or going back to New York. Grace was putting on a brave face and she, Rose and Jack just didn't speak of it until the twins were in bed in the evening.

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It was a Saturday morning and the 5 of them were sat having breakfast when there was a knock at the door. "I'll go" Jack said, leaving the room. "Thank you" Rose heard him say to the man at the door. Her heart sunk, she knew it would be the telegram. She walked in to the hallway, leaving the children alone in the kitchen. Jack gave Rose the weakest smile she'd ever seen and handed it to her "Tuesday?! But that's only 3 days away!" She exclaimed, reading the part about how the children would be collected then. Just as she went to continue, Grace walked in to the hall too "that's it, isn't it?" She looked heartbroken. Rose nodded, holding back tears "when?" Grace asked quietly "Tuesday..." Jack replied, to which Grace nodded. "We need to tell the twins Grace" Jack looked at her sympathetically and she nodded "I'll go get them" she said, walking slowly back in to the kitchen as Jack pulled Rose in to a hug.

"Have you two finished?" Grace said to Poppy and Harry, who were still at the table, they both nodded in response. She held out her hands for them "come on, we need to go talk to Jack and Rose" the twins didn't reply, just took her hands and walked in to the living room. Jack and Rose sat on the sofa, Jack holding Poppy as Rose held Harry, Grace sat between them and took a deep breath "you two... the war is over..." she looked back and fourth between the 2 of them, hoping they'd realise what she meant so she didn't have to say it, but to no avail. "Which means-" she swallowed "which means we have to go back to New York" "what...?" Poppy's face suddenly dropped and she played with the sleeve of Jack's shirt, clearly anxious "but I don't want to go back" she continued, making Grace sigh and close her eyes "we like it here, Grace... can't we stay here?" Harry looked at her but she shook her head "don't you want us anymore?" Poppy looked up at Jack, tears in her eyes "oh sweetheart... you have no idea how much we do want you..." "then why can't we stay here? You and Rose are kind to us, but Mummy isn't" "your Mummy won't let you darling, I'm so sorry" Rose reached over and stroked her cheek. "When do we have to go back?" Harry asked, close to tears "the lady will be here to pick you up on Tuesday" Rose nodded a little "do you have any other questions?" Jack looked at the 3 of them "will we still get to see you?" Harry asked "well, we can write to you, and we'll try and come and visit you as much as we can afford" Jack said, knowing what Grace said was right, the chances of their Mother letting he and Rose stay in touch with the children was almost 0, but still, he wasn't about to add to the kids upset. "But" Rose looked at them "listen..." she lifted their chins up "know that me and Jack, we will always love you, do you understand?" Grace smiled faintly and the twins nodded

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Hi i just thought i'd apologise for disappearing, i have a lot going on in my personal life and i know that's a bit of a boring reason but i'll try to get this finished by next month x