said, "Love you, Mama." I walked ahead of Marmee and I didn't notice she wasn't following me until I looked behind me. 

I began to walk back until I heard her speaking, "-I hope you approve of the way I've been raising your daughter... It's almost like being a motherly figure comes naturally when it comes to her and my own girls. It's as if she was with us, to begin with..." Marmee sighed as her voice broke. " I don't know how you raised, Eliza without her father around. I feel that I'll fall apart without, Robert. You are a truly remarkable woman to have been alone while raising your child, Fiona... I'll continue to raise your daughter the best I can. " Marmee sighed once again then I heard footsteps, I turned around and acted as if I didn't hear anything...

Once we arrived back at the house Hannah already had dinner prepared, we had pork chops and potatoes which were of course delicious! We chatted about earlier today and agreed that tomorrow, we would begin putting up holiday decorations...

That night I had put all of my gifts away. I put Amy's art on one of the shelves I had In my corner, which she was very pleased about, I put Jo's book of poems and Meg's handkerchief on my bedside table, and Beth's bundle of lavender on a string and I hung it over my bed. 

Jo and Beth had already fallen asleep but I was still very much awake. I couldn't sleep that night, so I decided to head downstairs to get myself a glass of warm milk... I picked up my candle holder with the lit candle in it and walked down the stairs... I was startled to see Meg still awake, she was sitting on the sofa with an embroidery hoop in hand and the fireplace dimly lit. 

"Meg. " I whispered. 

She gasped and giggled when she saw me. "Eliza! You scared me! What are you doing up at this hour?" She said with her hand over her chest. 

I giggled and said, "I could ask you the same thing. I was getting a glass of milk to try to help me fall asleep." 

She put her hoop down a said, "Why didn't I think of that?" We both walked to the kitchen and she started the stove while I retrieved the milk jug. 

After we had warmed up some milk and filled our mugs, we snuggled up next to each other on the sofa and began to chat. "I'm happy that you liked your handkerchief. " Meg said, she then took a sip. 

"I loved it, thank you again... How did you get the signature so exact?" 

"Well." She sighed. "I brought up the idea to Marmee and she offered to use the first note your mother wrote you to trace the signature on a piece of paper. She then brought it to me and I used it as a template for the embroidery. Everyone knew about it, that's why they were looking at us" Meg said with a giggle. 

"You put a lot of thought into it. " I said in awe. 

"Well, I try." She said with another giggle, we giggled together then we continued to talk. "May I ask you something, Eliza? It might be difficult to answer."

"Well, let's hear it. " I said intrigued. 

"I've never lost a parent before and I can't even think of how one continues on, especially at the age you lost your mother. How did you cope with it?" She said with a slightly sad look on her face, it's as if she's been thinking about it for some time... 

I took a deep breath, "Well, I suppose it's different for everyone. But my mother's journal has really helped me, Marmee and Father have taught me how to mourn and cope in a healthy way... I also had you and the other girls help and keep me occupiehealthilyabsolutely been in a different state of mind if it wasn't for you guys." 

Meg smiled and held my hand. "We're very lucky to have you in our lives, Eliza. I hope you know that." She said as she stroked my hand with her thumb. 

We continued to drink our milk until our mugs were empty, Meg took them back into the kitchen and came back to where we were. I stood up to meet her and I said, "I think I'm finally getting sleepy." 

Meg yawned. "I am as well, goodnight, Eliza." 

I began to walk up the stairs and said, "Goodnight, Meg."

Once I got into my room I picked up the basket that was under my bedside table and placed it on my bed. I opened it to see my kitten Oliver sleeping soundly, then I gently picked him up along with his blanket. I put the basket back and crawled into bed. After I set his blanket down, I placed Oliver down, covered him up, and petted his head as he purred in his sleep. Soon after, I fell asleep as well.

Once again, mother was right. In these next few months, things will begin to change. I'll have new friendships, new experiences, and new memories that will stick with me for a lifetime...

My life is about to change, again...