Chapter Two

~*~ Flashback ~*~

Marianne Montfort watched her 3 year old nieces play outside, she was the older sister of Joan Montfort- Rhoades, and that made her the aunt of Piper and Jolynn. The two girls couldn't be more different; Piper was a fair haired typical beauty with mysterious gray eyes and a hyper, bubbly character. Jolynn was a dark haired classic beauty with deep brown eyes and a more serious, responsible, yet still wild character. If you wouldn't have known already, you couldn't possibly see they were twins.

"Piperrrrrrr!!" Jo whined "Me wanns Laly!" she tried to keep her doll, 'Laly'.. Lady to herself

"Jowsy u play 'nuff wuth Lady, I wanna now!" Piper protested and pulled the doll away from her twin sister

Jo's mouth formed into an angry pout, while her eyes started to water "Piper gimme Laly!!" she yelled and crossed her arms

"NO!" Piper stuck out her tongue

Jo got furious and tried to grab the doll from Piper, Piper instead pulled back. The girls got into some serious pulling and grabbing, accompanied with the pleas and cries.

"LALY'S MY DOLL!!" Jo screamed and pulled the doll's arm so hard, while Piper had a vice grip on the body, that the arm tore and got ripped off the body. Jo fell on her butt with the arm in her hands, while Piper fell on her butt with the rest of the doll clutched close to her. Jo stared at the arm of her beloved doll desperately. Tears formed in her eyes and she started crying.

"Laly!" she shrieked

Piper sat down on her knees next to Jo, she handed her sister the remainder of her doll and hugged her "I's sowwy Jowsy." She kissed Jo's forehead "Mommy can fwix.?"

Jo just cried big crocodile tears and sobbed.

"I gewt u 'nother doll." Piper promised

"Me... wanns... Laly." Jo said between sobs

"Pipwer gewt u new Lady."

"Only one Laly." Jo looked at her torn doll sadly

"I's sowwy sissy." Piper whispered and kissed her again.

~*~ End of flashback ~*~

"Jolynn!!" her father called for her

"Yea?"

"Your aunt Marianne on the phone for you." He held the phone out, handing it to her

She took it "Hello?"

"Jo, it's Marianne!" the cheerful voice of her aunt said

"Hi auntie Mari." She replied "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Jo, I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to go out for dinner with me?"

"Um, yea, sure."

"Fine, can you pick me up at my hotel at, say, 7 PM?"

"Alright."

"Great! Wonderful girly, I'll see you then."

"Ok, bye."

"Bye Jo."

Her aunt hung up and she did too, she handed the phone back to her dad "I'm gonna have dinner with auntie Mari, ok?"

"Sure sweetheart." Her father nodded approvingly. He walked back inside the living room, sighing deeply, about to face his wife again.. and her never ending tears.

Jo watched her father and nearly cried at the sadness that was written all over him. Piper's death was seriously taking it's toll on everyone bad.

~* 7 PM *~

"Aunt Marianne?" she knocked on the hotel room door

The door swung open "Hello sweetheart! Hi Jo!" her aunt pulled her in for a hug

"Hey auntie Mari." She smiled and hugged her back.

"Come on my darling girl, let's find a nice place to eat and catch up on things."

"Sure thing!"

They linked arms and walked downstairs to the lobby and outside to where Jo had her car parked.

"Ooh, nice car!" her aunt complimented as she got into the Toyota 4Runner.

"Thanks, you should see Piper's Eclipse Spider Convertible! That is by far the coolest car ever!"

Aunt Marianne laughed, then her face paled and her smile faded "I bet it is, I wish she could have shown me herself.."

Jo got quiet herself "Yea.." she just answered silently

"So, how are things at home?" Marianne asked at last

"Well, honestly..?"

Her aunt nodded yes

"Screwed.."

"That's what I thought.." Marianne sighed "Joan's going for Best Dramatic Actress, most likely?"

Jo nodded yes "She needs so much attention, especially from dad.."

"And your father? How's he coping?"

"He's.. dealing with it all, in his own way. He's busy with mom all day long.. I think he really needs some rest."

"Don't we all?" Marianne chuckled sarcastically. She patted Jo's leg "And how's my favorite little niece doing?"

"...Fine.."

"No lies, Jolynn Aurea Rhoades. Your special aunt sees right through you."

Jo smiled slightly "Well, no one really asked me how I'm dealing just yet."

"Well I'm asking you now.."

"I'm... I'm.. coping, I guess. It would be less hard to accept it all, if I wouldn't be around those depressed faces all day long.."

"And you're telling me your dad needs rest.." Marianne rolled her eyes "Girl, you need out, seriously.."

"I know, but I can't. They all depend on me, auntie Mari."

~*~*~

Dear Piper,

I had dinner with aunt Marianne tonight, it was great as always. You know how crazily funny and bluntly honest she is.

She was actually the first person to ask how I felt, how I was coping. The first who seemed to care, seemed to notice that maybe I'm not that strong, as people want to believe I am.

She said that mom's always been a little drama queen, even as a kid. I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking mom's making things worse than they already are for everyone.

She saw right through me and said I need some time out, away from this depressing situation and the pressure resting upon me. I know she's right, but I told her I can't leave.
People need me, you know how you and I have always been the ones people came to for help, comfort and support.
She said that; sure I could comfort people and try helping them, but I should never forget about myself, what I want and what I need. I should always keep in mind that I'm the most important person in my world, and my wishes and needs have to be taken care of first, before I go around helping others.

It was so nice to get some recognition, especially from her.

Then she came up with this "marvelous idea" as she called it herself..
She asked me to come stay at her house in Florida for a few weeks, actually for as long as I want.
I could rest and relax and if I want, I can go do whatever I want. She has her job but still will have time to go do things with me.
Ann found a job in Europe, and Lawrence is studying at Yale, as you know. So they both won't be home.
The guys already went back home, AJ invited me over some time, so I could spend time with them too if I want.
Well, she asked me to take it into consideration.. and I will.

Joyleigh.. she's still in the hospital, but she will be released soon.
When the doctor gives Nick permission to travel with her, he will take her back to Florida with him, to your home.
Aunt Marianne told Nick about wanting to take me back to Florida with her and he said that he hopes I will come with her, because he really needs someone to look after Joyleigh, especially in the beginning. This is all so new to him.. and after all, I am Joyleigh's guardian and aunt.
So auntie Mari said he was always welcome at her house and she'd love to take care of your little girl too, if I wouldn't go.

Well I don't know what I'm gonna do yet..
I really would love to go to Florida, because I know everything would be so much easier there.
But then again, I'd probably feel guilty for leaving mom and dad.
So I don't know yet..

It's times like these that I really miss you, I know that if you'd still been here, you would have known what to do.. and you would have supported me all the way, whether I took your advice or not.

Miss you much,
xoxo,
Josy~Jo