A/N: Alright, I did it. I finally finished the chapter. It's a bit jumpy in places but it's done. And, for the most part, I like it. So, hopefully, some of you will too. This is the last time I'll point this out, this chapter was nearly the death of me. I had the hardest time pulling it all together...lol...so if it's not the greatest, at least understand why. I just needed to end it before I ruined it completely...lol...and a quick warning, I did the best I could on keeping dates historically accurate.

Disclaimer: I don't own Band of Brothers. This is based on the characters in the mini series and not the actual men.

Chapter Thirty Seven

By the end of June, the Morelli's (the couple who owned the flower shop) put the flower shop and it's encompassing building up for sale. It only took the first week of July for Nixon Inc to step in and buy the whole thing up. So, by the end of the second week of July, Eve was allowed to move into her new apartment. The only problem was, besides her bed, dresser, and vanity, she had no furniture. That was when Frannie (Guarnere) jumped in and saved the day.

"I really appreciate this, Frannie, really."

"So you've said several times." Frannie laughed. Eve joined in with a chuckle.

"Yes, well, I just want to make sure you understand how grateful I am."

"Eve," Frannie began as they walked towards Gimbels. "It's what friends do for one another. And we are friends, are we not?"

"Yes," Eve smiled, linking arms with Frannie. "We mostly certainly are."

*** *** *** ***

Gimbels

"This would be a lot easier if I had any idea what kind of furniture Eddy liked." Eve muttered not too long after entering the department store.

"Oh, men don't care about what the furniture looks like. As long as it's comfortable, they're happy." Eve sighed, ran a hand through her hair.

"I suppose you're right."

"Of course I'm right. Did you tell him about the apartment?"

"Mmhmm." Eve nodded, frowning at an oddly designed TV set. Frannie fixed her with a look.

" 'Mmhmm' tells me nothing, Ms. Nixon, what did he say? Was he excited?"

"I think so. Granted, he never actually said the word excited but the tone of his letter was encouraging." Eve looked up to find Frannie blinking at her. "What?"

"Did he sound happy or not? A simple yes or no answer will suffice." Eve blushed at her teasing.

"Yes, he sounded happy."

"Good." Frannie giggled. "Ooh! Look at this couch." Truth be told, Eve didn't want to look at another piece of furniture again but since it was the purpose of the entire trip to Gimbels, she obliged Frannie and sat down on the beige couch. "Isn't it comfortable?"

"Wow." Eve muttered as she ran her hand over the arm rest. "It really is. I'm not all that impressed with the color, though."

"Ladies!" A blonde salesman approached them, a large, overly friendly smile on his face. "How are you on this sunny Philadelphia day?"

"We're fine, thank you." Eve replied polietly.

"We were just admiring this couch." Frannie added as both women stood.

"It's a lovely couch, isn't it?"

"Quite."

"Does it come in any other color?" Eve inquired.

"Why yes it does! It comes in dark blue, forest green, and amber." He pulled a little ring of fabric samples from behind the couch to show them. "This is the only couch in the entire store that comes in various colors, you know."

"I like the amber." Frannie informed Eve as they examined the fabric samples. "But this blue is lovely as well. It reminds me of sapphires."

"I'm leaning towards the blue myself." Eve agreed.

"So?" The salesman prompted. "Have we reached a decision?"

"Yes, actually. I'll take it in blue." Eve replied, handing him back the ring of samples.

"Excellent choice! There's a matching easy chair. Would you like to take a look at it?"

*** *** *** ***

Three hours and a fairly large amount of money later, Eve and Frannie left Gimbels, hailing a taxi to give their weary feet a rest.

"I believe that was more tiring than my landing at Normandy." Frannie laughed.

"Furniture shopping isn't for the the feint of heart. It's why men leave it all to us."

"It should be an Olympic sport." Eve joked as she lit up a cigarette, offering one to Frannie.

"Thank you." Eve nodded.

"I hope Eddy likes what I picked out."

"I'm sure he'll love it."

"I've only received one letter. And I must've read it a hundred times already." Franne gave her a soft smile, reached over to squeeze her hand.

"He'll be home soon. And then you can get married and live happily ever after."

"Happily ever after?" Eve repeated, taking a drag on her cigarette before smiling at Frannie. "I like the sound of that."

*** *** *** ***

That first night in the apartment, as she sat in the middle of the living room playing solitare, Eve realized just how lonely she was without Babe. Eve when they were apart in Europe, just knowing he was nearby was enough to chase away those demons of lonliness. But now there was an ocean keeping them apart and nothing to keep those demons at bay. Annoyed with loosing to herself at solitare for the fifth time in a row, Eve tossed the cards back into their box and stood, heading to the bedroom. Babe's letter was resting on her vanity and it's memorized words washed over her as she picked it up.

Eve,

Europe's not the same without you. I know that's not the best way to start a letter, since it's not a greeting or anything, but it's the truth. I miss slipping into bed with you, against the rules or not, at the end of the day. And it's such a shame that you aren't here to see how beautiful this place is. Once this war's over everywhere and we're married, we should come back to Europe, to Austria or some same place, for our honeymoon.

I was surprised by your last letter. A flower shop? It's hard to imagine a life after the war but we all know it's coming. It's only a matter of time, right? But you know I support whatever decision you make. The apartment sounds swell and even though I don't really know what it looks like, I have this little vision in my head. You're sitting at the window and the sunlight's in your hair, just shining. And I walk through the door and you turn to me...you have the biggest smile on your face. And, for a minute, it really feels like we're together, like I'm there with you. And then friggin' Perconte or Luz comes in to bum cigarettes off of me. And if it's not them, it's someone else. Can't a man get a moment's piece to dream about his girl whose waiting patiently for him to come home?

You are still waiting for me, right?

With all my love,

Your Eddy

With a sigh, Eve fell onto the bed, pressing the letter to her chest.

"I'm still waiting for you." She sighed. She closed her eyes, summoned his face to her mind and smiled, bringing the letter up to her lips to kiss it. It was as close to him as she could get and, while it certainly wasn't enough, it was better than nothing. Besides she could still make out his scent clinging to the letter. At this point, Eve wasn't sure if the scent was really there or her imagination was getting that good but it didn't matter.

*** *** *** ***

"Move those guns!"

"Medic!"

"Jesus Christ he's not gonna make it!"

Eve awoke with a start, breathing heavily as her she struggled to remember where she was. Home. Still breathing heavily, though relieved, she sat up, trying to get her eyes to focus on her surroundings. She didn't have nightmares of the war often but when she did, they were bad. Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair, the letter dropping from her lap onto the floor. Eve stood, bent down to pick it up, and then returned it to it's place on the vanity. Taking one last look at it, she climbed back into bed, this time under the covers, turning on her side. The bed was already set for two and Eve reached her hand out, placing it on top of the pillow that would be Babe's, eyes already closing in sleep.

*** *** *** ***

August 6, 1945

In those first weeks in Philadelphia, Eve grew ever more grateful to the Guarneres. Especially in regards to Frannie. They kept her busy and distracted during the days as often as they could. Frannie took her around to all the neighborhood shops and introduced her to the butcher and the pharmacist. But all that was dwarfed by the news coming in from the Pacific. Eve was in the middle of cooking herself dinner when she heard a frantic pounding on her door. Frowning, she went to open it, wiping her hands on her apron as she walked. It was Frannie and she looked quite distressed.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"The President's about to give a speech on the radio!" She grabbed Eve's hand, began pulling her downstairs.

"This isn't the first speech he's given, Frannie."

"Bill said it's important. He got a phone call from Joe and this has to do with a bombing in Japan." Eve's pace quickened. Maybe the rumors about an atomic bomb being dropped on Japan had finally become correct. They rushed upstairs to the Guarnere's apartment; the radio was already on and Guarnere waved them over.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States."

"Sixteen hours ago an American airplane dropped one bomb on Hiroshima, an important Japanese Army base. That bomb had more power than 20,000 tons of T.N.T. It had more than two thousand times the blast power of the British "Grand Slam" which is the largest bomb ever yet used in the history of warfare.

The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold. And the end is not yet. With this bomb we have now added a new and revolutionary increase in destruction to supplement the growing power of our armed forces. In their present form these bombs are now in production and even more powerful forms are in development.

It is an atomic bomb. It is a harnessing of the basic power of the universe. The force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed against those who brought war to the Far East." The speech continued on in the same vein for quite awhile longer, holding all who listened spellbound. Everyone knew this was the dawning of a new era. And it was more than a little frightening.

"I shall recommend that the Congress of the United States consider promptly the establishment of an appropriate commission to control the production and use of atomic power within the United States. I shall give further consideration and make further recommendations to the Congress as to how atomic power can become a powerful and forceful influence towards the maintenance of world peace." Once he was sure the broadcast was over, Guarnere leaned forward to turn the radio off before looking at the two women sitting on the floor before him.

"Jesus Christ." He muttered in disbelief. Eve and Frannie exchanged a glance, not knowing what else to add.

*** *** *** ***

August 15, 1945

Just three days after Hiroshima, when the news was still sinking into American society, another atomic bomb was dropped. This time on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. The reports coming in from this bombing were just as disturbing, if not more so, than Hiroshima. The talk on the street was all the same; the Japanese had no choice but to surrender.

"How can they not surrender after Hiroshima and Nagasaki?" Guarnere mused outloud one night at dinner. "What could they possibly have left to fight for?"

"I've heard the Japanese are very determined people, Bill." Frannie replied seriously.

"Hell! For all we know, the dropping of those bombs could only strengthen their resolve to fight." Eve exclaimed. Guarnere shook his head.

"They'd be nuts to continue the war. The President'll just drop more bombs. Kill'em all off."

"Oh Bill don't say that!" Frannie cried. "I can only imagine the horror those Japanese civilians are dealing with over there."

"Don't forget that they attacked us first."

"I'll never forget Pearl Harbor but, I don't know...it's just..." Frannie broke off with a frustrated sigh, tried to find the right words before continuing. "...it's not just soldiers over there. It's women and children too." Eve couldn't help but nod in agreement with Frannie. In war, it was usually the civilians who suffered the most.

"Well," She sighed, giving them a small, slightly sad smile. "For now, the war continues."

*** *** *** ***

September 1, 1945

It was another important speech and, like all the others, Eve was at the Guarnere apartment, gathered around the radio to listen to the President's words. But, unlike the speech on the atomic bomb(s), this time they knew was the speech was about. The Japanese surrender. In truth, the Japanese had surrended days earlier, but today was the official declaration.

"The thoughts and hopes of all America—indeed of all the civilized world—are centered tonight on the battleship Missouri. There on that small piece of American soil anchored in Tokyo Harbor the Japanese have just officially laid down their arms. They have signed terms of unconditional surrender---" Frannie and Eve laughed and hugged each other. Guarnere told them to calm down and listen to the 'rest of the friggin' speech'. Which, despite their occasional smiles, the two young women managed to do."God's help has brought us to this day of victory. With His help we will attain that peace and prosperity for ourselves and all the world in the years ahead."

"Alright," Guarnere grinned. "Now you can celebrate." Frannie jumped up and he promptly pulled her into his lap, kissing her deeply. Eve sat on the floor for a moment longer, a grin coming slowly over her face.
"You know what this means?" She exclaimed excitedly, jumping to her feet. She didn't wait for either Guarnere to answer. "Eddy's coming home!"

*** *** *** ***

Early September, 1945

Eve knew she was going to have a hard time sleeping that night. Afterall, she was going to the train station tomorrow afternoon to pick up Babe. She giggled excitedly into her pillow, feeling very much like a school girl. Guarnere and Frannie had offered to drive her to the train station but Eve had polietly declined. She didn't want to have to check her excitement because of a familiar audience the moment she saw Babe step off the train.

"You have to at least try and sleep, Eve." She chided herself as her excitement, and energy level, began to rise again. The last thing she wanted was to have bags under her eyes tomorrow morning. Make up could only cover up so much. Taking a deep breath and exhaling just as deeply, Eve forced herself to close her eyes.

*** *** *** ***

Ping.

Eve slowly opened her eyes, sleep fogging her brain.

Ping.

There it was again. She frowned, still groggy.

"What the hell?"

Ping.

Eve sat up, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed.

Ping.

She stood and stretched before heading to the door of the bedroom, pausing to listen.

Ping.

It took her a minute to figure out where the noise was coming from and what it was exactly. But then it hurt her-someone was throwing pebbles at the living room window nearest to her. Frowning, she headed towards the window.

"Who the hell could that be at this hour?" She muttered. A preliminary glance through the glass showed only darkness, with a chaotic splash of streetlight. Another pebble hit the window. Eve slid the window open and stuck her head out, eyes widening in surprise.

"Eddy?!" Even in the dim glow of the streetlight Eve could make out Babe's grin. "What are you doing here?! I thought your train got in tomorrow afternoon!"

"I couldn't wait to see you! I caught a late bus!" The words hardly registered as Eve flew out of the apartment, down the stairs, through the flower shop, and outside to the street. She started at him for a moment, taking in his clean appearance and pressed dress greens. Then, with a squeal of delight, Eve launched herself at Babe. Babe laughed as he twirled her around. They kissed briefly before he gave her a final spin and put her back down on her feet, though he didn't remove his hands from her waist. They kissed again, Eve then burying her head into the crook of his neck, tears beginning to prick behind her eyelids.

"I'm so happy you're home." She sobbed quietly. Babe's grip tightened on her as he breathed in the scent of her hair. Lavender.

"I'm happy to be home." Eve pulled away, looked up at him with teary eyes. Babe gave her a soft smile as he cupped her face with his hands. "I missed you." Eve threw her arms up around his neck, pressed her lips to his. Babe swung her around again and she laughed.

"What the hell is going on out there?!" Guarnere cried from his next door window. Eve glanced up, saw Guarnere's head sticking out.

"Eddy's home!" She shouted, stepping away from Babe so she wouldn't be screaming it in his face.

"Babe? Jesus Christ! Well look at that! You are home!"

"Hey Bill!" Babe waved up at Guarnere's window.

"You know some of us are trying to sleep!" One of the other neighbors shouted.

"Ah go to hell! We fought the friggin' war for you!" Guarnere shouted back. All he got in response was a window slamming shut. "Come up and see us tomorrow Babe!"

"Will do, Bill!"

"Night Eve!"

"Night Bill!" They stood in silence as they listened to Guarnere shut his window. After a moment, Babe glanced down at Eve, taking in the curves of her face before she caught him staring. He smiled, held out his hand.

"Ready to show me our apartment?" Eve slipped her hand into his, a smile appearing on her own face as she nodded and began to lead him towards the door. "You know," Babe commented as they started to ascend the stairs. "I like the sound of that." He nodded, leaned forward to kiss the back of Eve's neck. "Our apartment."

*** *** *** ***

The End

A/N: I know, I know, there wasn't a whole lot of Babe and Eve there at the end but it sounded like an ending when I wrote it. So I kept it. Just remember they live happily ever after and, maybe (please keep in mind this is a fairly large maybe), I might write a series of one shots for their life after the war at some point. If my muse decides to let me get inspired at some point, which I'm hoping this does. I guess this also depends on if people want them or not...::hint hint:: lol...The excerpts from the speeches are accurate and, since the speeches were long, I decided to just put in the very beginning and the very end. Anyway, there it is. The last chapter. Thank you to everyone who read the story and for all those who reviewed. It's appreciated beyond belief.

Until next time,

AivieEnchanted