Homefront does not belong to me. River Run, Ohio as well as all of its residents belong to Bernard Lechowick and Lynn Marie Latham.

This story picks up with Jeff and Ginger Metcalf where the final episode "All Good Things" left off.

They stood in the dining car and couldn't believe what they just heard.

After struggling to get back to the Indians after a knee injury knocked him out of the 1947 Cleveland lineup and off the team as well, this was Jeff's chance to make it back to the majors. And the brand-new Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Metcalf stood together in the dining car of the train that was taking the groom to Wichita Kansas to join the Cleveland Indians farm team.

Father Dreher had just performed the Rite of Holy Matrimony after strong objections to marrying them so hastily. But Ginger won that argument because she and Jeff had completed all of their pre-Cana classes and the Banns had been posted. He pointed out to her that she was on her fourth engagement, but in her heart Ginger was never really engaged to anyone but Jeff. Charlie Hailey didn't count because he jilted her when he returned from overseas with a bride and she never loved Arthur Shillhab.

Jeff still sported the shiner that resulted from a punch from Arthur when Ginger broke her engagement to him to marry Jeff. It took them so long to reach their sudden wedding day because they were both so stubborn. As much as they loved each other, they both wanted different things and it was so difficult for them to see how important those things were to the other at times.

But in the end, Jeff was given a gift from God. Well, Coach Zelnick anyway. Not only was he given a chance to try out for a spot on the team, but because of Coach's keen sense of observation a chance to set things right with Ginger before she went through with her wedding to Arthur.

So there they stood in the dining car and she looked at her new husband in frustration. "Eight hours." Was all she could think to say before they followed the porter so she could get her tickets.

She knew that people were staring at her in her mother's wedding dress as they got settled in their seats but she didn't care because she and Jeff were finally married. It was just their luck that he hadn't been assigned a berth, at the very least but he'd told her that the minors didn't pay for roomettes or berths.

Eight whole hours or more before they could do what Ginger had not allowed them to do since Hank's wedding day because she got a good scare a few weeks later and thought that she might have been, as she'd told Jeff "anticipating a blessed event".

The day of the wedding was hard for the both of them because Jeff watched as his brother married Sarah Brewer and it had broken his heart. He and Sarah became closer than they should have after Hank went overseas and he had fallen in love with his brother's girlfriend. Ginger was forced to watch her former fiancé with his new wife and the final humiliation was catching Sarah's wedding bouquet.

She only wanted Jeff to hide her that afternoon so she wouldn't cry in front of the other wedding guests and embarrass herself even more. What she didn't know at the time was that she found the man she would marry and he was the only man she'd ever given herself to. Never mind that he was Linda's little brother and Ginger was two years older than he was, they were meant to be together.

She hadn't realized that she'd fallen asleep until she heard her groom's low voice in her ear. "Ginger, Hank's in Chicago."

She must have been more tired than she thought because what he said made no sense. She sat up and blinked her eyes as she tried to wake. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't you get it? The porter said that we might have better luck with a berth or a roomette when we got to Chicago. I can call Hank at our next stop and see if he can get a room for us on the train to Wichita." He had a grin on his face and she knew what he was thinking.

"Put it in neutral buster." She smiled back as she felt her cheeks redden like a couple of Lemo tomatoes.

His low voice got husky as he leaned closer to her ear. "Ginger, we are married."

"I know that, but we can't exactly do anything about it in front of God and humanity now can we?"

"That's why I'll talk to Hank." His eyes sparkled with mischief and Ginger cursed the hours they would have to wait.

"Call him."

"I thought you'd see things my way." His smile got bigger and in front of God and humanity, kissed his new wife.

When they reached Cleveland, Jeff was told that they wouldn't be there for very long and he asked the porter where the closest telephone was. He was directed to a booth near by and he dropped a nickel in the slot before he dialed Hank's number and waited as it rang.

"Hello?" He heard his older brother's voice on the other end of the line and realized how much he'd missed him.

"Hank, it's me." He smiled.

"Jeff!" Hank laughed. "I just talked to you a couple of days ago."

Jeff looked at his watch. "Hank I have to make this quick and I promise to explain it all to you when I get to Chicago."

"Chicago? Jeff, what's going on?"

He looked again. "I need you to do me a big favor. I have to change trains in Chicago to get to Wichita and I was wondering if you could see if there are any open berths or roomettes. If there are, could you book one for me and I swear I'll pay you back."

"Sure, little brother. What train will you be on?"

"The North Shore Special and it leaves at 2:30. I'm sorry it's so late."

"That's all right, I don't sleep much anyway." He said quietly.

Jeff knew that he hadn't slept well since Sarah died. "Hank, are you all right?"

"You worry too much. I just haven't gotten used to sleeping without her yet." He admitted.

"I'm sorry."

"I have to go Hank, my train's leaving."

"I'll see what I can do slugger. See you in a few hours."

"Thanks." And he hung up the receiver. He made a dash for the train and got on board just as it began to move. When he got back to his seat, Ginger was lying across her seat and his and she was sound asleep. "Ginger, you're in my seat."

She didn't move and he smiled before he leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Mrs. Metcalf, you're in my seat."

Ginger opened her eyes and smiled as she sat up. "Did you talk to Hank?" She asked as she moved over and he sat down.

He took her hand and smiled. "He'll see what he can do."

"Good."

Jeff looked at her. "Ginger, I'm probably stupid for asking but did you bring anything else besides what you're wearing?"

She snuggled up next to him and nodded. "Before Father Dreher and I found you, I gave my suitcase to the porter."

"Not that I mind." He felt the need to explain as he looked into her eyes. "You look beautiful, Mrs. Metcalf."

"Eight hours, Jeff. We have to wait eight whole hours." She sighed.

"We waited this long, we can wait a little longer."

She sat up and looked at him before she laughed. "You were always trying to talk me into it and now you can wait?"

"We're married." He didn't feel the need to elaborate because he knew Ginger would understand.