"How is he?"

Nellie de Beque-Forbush was close to dozing off, when her husband's voice caused her to jump and pop her eyes open. She looked up from her chair by the bedside of Lieutenant Joe Cable, and saw her husband Emile standing beside her.

"Oh, he's better today. No fever, so that means no infection. Still, he was lucky to get here when he did."

Nellie stood and stretched out her arms, letting out a loud yawn. Emile took her seat to watch over the sleeping lieutenant.

"Oh, Emile. You don't have to do that. You should be with the children."

"Henri is looking over them. Besides, you cannot just focus on Joe. I'm sure you'd be suspended, or even transferred if you do not make your rounds."

Nellie sighed. "I guess you're right. Just please tell me if you notice anything out of sorts."

"I will."

Nellie folded her arms and smiled. "He woke up for a moment last night."

"Did he say anything?"

"Oh, he just talked about Liat. He wants to teach her English after they marry so that he can take her to meet his family in Philadelphia. He adores her."

"Would they be safe?" Emile murmured.

"What does that mean?"

Emile sighed and stood to his feet, approaching the window. "Perhaps it would be best if Liat and Joe remained here. Or they could go to France, and I could arrange for them to stay at my family's home."

"Emile, why shouldn't they go to Philadelphia?"

Emile looked over his shoulder at Nellie. "For the same reason that I nearly lost you, Nellie. For the same reason that Joe nearly gave up Liat. Prejudice, racism, bigotry. Whatever they call it. Joe has told me that his parents were the ones who taught him his racism. If he loves Liat as much as he does, despite his former prejudice, then what would his parents think of her? Think of them together? They're so young, so in love. If they were to meet his family..."

Nellie walked over to Emile and touched his shoulders. "Love can overcome anything, Emile. We're proof of that, aren't we? Remember that it took me awhile to accept Ngana and Jerome's mixed-race, but I did. Joe's parents will accept Liat, and even if they don't. I'm sure Joe's already learned that he's not willing to lose her."

Emile used his hand to brush Nellie's fingertips. "Go and make your rounds. I'll watch over Joe."