Evelyn watched from the back of the crowd as the plane carrying Doolittle's Raiders taxied to a stop. Her eyes were shielded from the sun behind dark glasses, her hair blowing against her face in the breeze. The aircraft's engines shut down as the door opened, and Doolittle himself stepped out. As the crowd clapped and cheered, Evelyn made her way through them, keeping her arms protectively crossed over her abdomen, and the child hidden there. The skies were blue, with puffy wisps of clouds scuttling across, and the sun warm on her face. She drew closer, just in time to see Rafe step out of the airplane and onto the steps leading to the tarmac. His eyes met hers, and her smile disappeared.

Where's Danny? She thought, her mind going into panic mode.

Rafe turned back toward the aircraft's door, and Evelyn's heart sank to her toes.

"Oh no," she whispered, her hand covering her mouth as she pressed through the throng of people.

She watched as slowly, carefully, Rafe pulled a stretcher from the plane, helped by Red and someone she couldn't identify. Evelyn's heart caught in her throat as she saw Danny's dark hair and handsome face protruding from beneath a pile of blankets. Without thinking, Evelyn ran across the tarmac, her lungs gasping for breath as her heart leapt from her feet to her throat.

"Rafe," Evelyn gasped, and Rafe's mouth kicked up in a half-grin.

"You remembered my name, huh?" He asked, and looked down at Danny.

Danny's eyes squinted in the bright sun as he looked up at the most beautiful sight he thought he'd never see again. Evelyn was standing by his shoulder, tears streaking down her perfect face.

"I told you I'd come home," Danny said, his voice weary.

Evelyn laughed through her tears.

"Yes, yes, you did, Danny." she cried, looking to Rafe for assurance.

She looked up to see Red and Gooz, grinning like a couple of monkeys. She looked back down at Danny, just in time to see him reach his hand up from beneath the blankets that covered his body. She could tell it caused him pain, but when he reached up and cupped her chin in his hand, Evelyn knew he was going to be all right. Whatever happened, and she knew she'd get details later, Danny was going to be okay and they were going to have a baby.

"I've got so much to tell you," she said breathlessly, walking along beside the stretcher, holding Danny's hand as they headed toward a waiting ambulance that would transport him to the base hospital.

Danny grinned, squeezing her hand tightly in his. He would be sure and act surprised when she told him her secret. Then he would tell her that it was that very secret that had caused him to fight for his life, and return home to her. Looking into her pretty face, Danny whispered,

"I've got something to tell you, right now." he said, and lifted his head off the pillow.

Evelyn leaned closer, and Rafe signaled the others to stop for a moment. Looking out over the crowd of welcoming people, Rafe tried to tune out what he knew Danny was going to say. But he couldn't help hearing, not unless he plugged his ears, and he damned sure wasn't going to do that.

"I love you, Evelyn," Danny breathed, and Evelyn let out a small sob.

"I know, Danny. I love you too." she managed, her voice low so as not to be heard.

"Then as soon as I'm better, we're getting married, okay?" Danny asked, more of a statement than a proposal.

Rafe grinned. Cut to the chase, Danny. Might as well make the most of your injuries.

Evelyn put her hand to her face, wiping away the tears as she looked around shyly. Rafe waited another beat, then turned around, and looked down at Danny and then to Evelyn.

"I really hope you're going to say yes, because he's been driving us nuts all the way home worrying you'd turn him down." His laugh was infectious, and Evelyn smiled again.

"Of course, I'd say yes. Did you think any different?" She asked Danny, and he shook his head.

Rafe put his arm around Evelyn, and whispered in her ear,

"Will you let me give you away at your wedding?" He asked, and Evelyn began crying in earnest.

"Yes, yes to both of you," she sputtered, and Danny squeezed her hand again.

"It's good to be back," he said, and looked up at Rafe.

"Thank you for everything," he said sleepily, as they began walking again.

Rafe inhaled the salty sea air, letting go of the past, and looking forward to his future as Uncle Rafe.