Our Heart - The Greatest Showman {Book 2 of "One Heart"}

Chapter 50

A/N -> Okay, so I've decided that I want to make my Instagram account more active (As I've only done like three post so far). So, if anybody would like to nominate face claims to my O.C's that would be amazing (There be a list provided of the characters at the end of this chapter) :D On with the chapter now......

Anne's Pov 

The train ride to Pennsylvania is painfully slow and you would think with such a long trip, there would be plenty of things to look at. The passing scenery. The morning news. My last encounter with Wick. It almost drove me to insanity by trying to keep my mind from wandering and I don't think I have ever been more happier for a trip to be over . The raucous, metallic shriek heralds the arrival of the decrepit carriage, standing in defiance of its condition - all corroded iron and tacky upholstery. The doors reluctantly eases open with the force of a stocky station guard, as if gripped by age, the handles stiff with arthritis. It took a while to actually get off the train, not so much that it was busy or crowded but more that the whole carriage was half asleep despite the sun edging into the Midday sky.  

Lizzy's mother, I think, agreed to meet me here at the station and despite the clearness in the sky, the platform was over run by grease, soot and thick smoke. But nevertheless, I found my way to the ladies sitting room located on next to the ticket booth.  I hadn't ever been in a waiting room before. Typically, I was with W.D and we were forced by the looks towards us to stay out on the platform. Rain, hail or shine.  Pushing open the doors to the parlour, some ladies still threw me dubious looks but they were soon diminished after Mrs. Gray entered the room. 

"Mrs. Gray," I say with a small curtsey. I don't think I needed to but I've never really met anyone like this before so it seemed approiate. "Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice." 

"It's not a problem. Is my Elizabeth here?" Mrs. Gray glanced over my shoulder to scout out the platform behind the parlour screens. 

I've debated whether or not I should tell her. I chose the latter. I don't think she should be worried with our current situation at this point in time. "She was held up. She really wanted to be here though." I say, choosing my words very carefully. I take another breath before speaking again. 

"Mrs. Gray, what I wanted to speak to you about is Lizzy's relation to you. We've had a woman come forward and say that she is Lizzy's real mother and that you stole her while she was sleeping. Lizzy, of course, doesn't believe it but it's come up again and we need to know urgently." 

Her jaw was slightly parted and her eyes shone with a fear-like emotion. Mrs. Gray smooth back her already perfectly styled hair and then proceeded to fiddle with her ring. "Yes, Lizzy is my daughter. But the situation you have described, Miss Wheeler, I was not the one who stole but the one who was stolen from." Her proper voice faults slightly as she begins to riffle through her purse before pulling out a small envelope and handing it to me. 

"Elizabeth was not even one when it happened. But that lady in the photograph broke into our house on the night of a party and took Lizzy from her crib. The police only located her because she went to the hospital in attempts to change Lizzy's name on her birth certificate. She left Lizzy at the hospital the moment the police arrived. I've carried those snippets for the last twenty years or so in hopes that I might be able to stop them from taking another child." 

Sipping the snippets out of the envelope, I could see that this was the evidence I needed. I quickly thanked Mrs. Gray for her time and excused myself,  running just in time to board the next train to New York, slipping the snippets into the pocket of my dress (Don't worry I told Mrs. Gray that I would return them) as I boarded the train. 

The flush of redness in my cheeks was evident in my reflection but they just seemed to make me smile. I only pray that Wick was as lucky as I because somehow, I don't think we have much longer to get this plan into action. 

A/N: 

Hannah Carlyle

Lillia Griffin

Thomas Carter

Countess Adele

Ailsa Wheeler

James Wick

Aubrey

Lizzy's parents