A Peculiar Time in 1944 - A Millard Fanfic (Miss Peregrine's Home) #wattys2020

Chapter 23

Noah only stayed for two weeks, after that the locals started whispering about where the newcomer ran off to everyday. Both the Abbotts knew that that kind of curious thinking would expose her secret, if not to the normal people than to a wight.

They shared a long heartfelt goodbye before Noah left for the ferry and Aurora returned to the loop. For the first time in a long time her heart felt almost whole. The breaking apart feeling she had ever since her break up with Millard was now barely a small sting – still there mind you, and it would get worse if she thought about it too long – but seeing her brother, getting to know the fine young man he'd grown into had warmed her soul. She realized that for the first time in years she was smiling – and actually meant it.

oOo oOo oOo Ten Years Later oOo oOo oOo

Throughout the next ten years both of the Abbott siblings kept their promises. They wrote each other often, keeping the other up to date on everything that was going on in their lives. Aurora felt somewhat bad that her letters weren't as exciting as Noah's but he always insisted he loved hearing from her, even if she only wrote a few short sentences.

Aurora,

Stop being ridiculous! I love hearing from you, it's nice to know that you're taken care of and that you'll be safe everyday of your life. Mother loves it as well when I tell her you're still writing. She was in tears when I returned to America and told her I'd found you. I'll have to take a picture of her reading one of your letters – one of the simple one's of course – I don't think she realizes that she smiles the whole time she reads them!

Aurora knew that by 'simple' Noah meant one of the letters that didn't include the cryptic code they'd developed whenever they talked about something too peculiar for normal people, heaven forbid one of their letters be intercepted and read by the wrong person.

Noah,

Yes! Please send a photograph of mother as soon as you can! It's been so long since I've seen her face, it'd be wonderful to have something to remind me of her. Tell me about America, what's it like there? Is the fashion the same as over here? Remember that magazine I was looking at when we first ran into each other? I still don't think my eyes have adjusted from the bright colors and patterns.

Aurora,

I've included that picture of mother you asked for along with a little something else to answer your questions. Also, I've met someone, (not a French girl like you thought, so don't let your ego get too big) her name is Anita and we've been seeing each other for a while now. We've really hit it off, how have things been between you and Millard? Has he pulled his head out of his ass yet? If not, best of luck and remember I can always come back for a visit and lay down some big brother law on him if you'd like.

Aurora had laughed when she saw what Noah had attached, it was a magazine clipping of the latest present day fashion, the front side of the page had people in colors even more vibrant than the previous decade. The back was split in two the top read 'Hippie' and showed people covered in peace signs and fringe, the bottom half had the word 'Punk' written along its side and showed people in various shades of black with the most bizarre hair, for a moment Aurora was glad she lived in a loop. The fads that were circling through the outside world made her head spin.

When she read Noah's offer to come 'lay down the law to Millard' she laughed again before thinking back to her encounter with Millard the other day. No, unfortunetly, things hadn't gotten better between them. Millard still woke up before sunrise and headed into town to work on his book. Aurora knew he was avoiding her and the other day was the first time in weeks she'd actually seen him outside meal times.

She had been running upstairs to retrieve her book before heading to the beach with Emma and a few others when she'd turned the corner and nearly crashed into Millard. Startled by the others presence they each muttered a few unintelligible words.

"Oh sorry I—"

"No it was my – "

"Umm..."

"Uhh..."

Then there was a moment – much too long in Aurora's opinion – of silence where they shuffled side to side not quite being able to figure out a way around the other. Finally they both stopped and Millard cleared his throat.

"I really should be going."

"Me too." She'd said before they finally managed to skirt by each other and head their separate ways. No, things with Millard hadn't gotten better at all.

Noah,

'Big brother'?? Since when are you the older one? Thank you for the offer but if things are going to work out I trust they'll work out in their own time, in their own way. I want to hear more about Anita! She sounds lovely, does mother approve? Also that clipping you sent me – oh my – I couldn't stop laughing! How do you walk by these people in the street and keep a straight face?

Aurora,

I'm the older one since you're there, and there works in that way and where I'm from stuff keeps going all like that. If that made any sense, though I'm sure to you it did! Anita and I are wonderful! And yes mother approves besides I'm a grown man not some schoolboy!

Aurora giggled as she re-read Noah's first sentence he was obviously talking about how since she was in a time loop and he'd actually grown older that made him the older sibling, a thought she'd have to correct in her next letter. However, before Aurora had even had a chance to compose a response Noah sent another letter.

Aurora,

Please excuse the rushed tone of this letter but I just couldn't wait for your response and had to tell you as soon as I could! Anita has agreed to marry me! Can you believe it?! I'm going to get married! She actually said yes! The only thing that saddens me is how far away you'll be. I'll send pictures though – I promise! Love, your big (yes big as in older one!) brother, Noah Abbott.

Aurora had to re-read the letter – twice – before it sunk in. Noah was getting married. She kept looking at the date 1975, that meant Noah was thirty one now. She couldn't believe it, it was such an odd sensation to stay young and have the world grow old around you. Nevertheless, she was happy for him, her brother deserved all the happiness in the world, and it looked like he'd found it.