A/N: Okay, so before we start, to clarify two points:

-Yes, Ava is the OC I've spoken about. She's actually also the older sister of Andrew Easton, Albert's best friend - the guy killed by the gas -, FYI.

-I'm not too sure of what Capt. Nicholls' first name is, so let's just call him 'James' :D

Oh, and BTW, thanks to White Lioness Spirit for reviewing, I'm glad you enjoyed this! :D

BE BRAVE

(III)

.

She cries at his departure, and quickly wipes the tears away, scowling. Ava Easton's promised herself that she wouldn't cry, ever, but she guesses that Captain James Nicholls, he's a special one. The only boy to make her cry to date, mind – extremely special. Blimey, and when she was small, her mother had worried that she was too much of a tomboy to find a suitable husband.

And now, the irony of it: she stands beside the rest of the army wives and desolate fiancées, stroking her silver ring. When James marches over, his hand over the Narracotts' horse – Joey, Andrew's told her – well, she thinks Joey is no longer Albert's. She wonders how Albie's holding up at this; because her little brother's best friend has always been a little sensitive.

When the sergeant leaves, she sees her chance – she runs over to James, holding up her dress, and smiles at him. "James," she says, breathless. "I didn't think I'd be able to say goodbye to you in time, what with Mum and the chickens, but here I am."

He smiles back, running a hand through his blond hair, and leans in to kiss her temple. Gesturing to her ring, he says, "We'll be married when I'll be back, my love, I promise-"

"-and have thirteen children, including twins that we'll name Mildred and Matthew," Ava replies, kissing him back. She wraps her arms around him and just breathes in his scent, without taking notice from the 'awws' of the village women – and why does she have the awful feeling that she'll never see him again?

She tells herself it's just her old pessimistic self talking, and pushes the horrid thought away. Because they're James Nicholls and Ava Easton and they're different from all those couples wrenched away by war – AND BE BRAVE BE BRAVE AVA, BE BRAVE BE BRAVE JAMES – because they deserve a happily-ever-after.

Her grip on him tightens a tiny bit, and she whispers into his chest, "Come back, James, come back" – to which he answers, a little too quickly and a bit too uncertainly, "I will, Ava, you know that we're destined to be together" –

BE BRAVE AVA BE BRAVE DON'T YOU CRY –

Her eyes burn with tears, but because she's strong, she'll ignore them and master her fears. Because she has to be strong for James and because she has their joint future to think about. "I'll miss you," she murmurs, kissing him one last time. "I'll miss you," she repeats for emphasis, and takes his hand. "Take care, James."

James nods, pressing his lips together in an attempt to be strong. "I'll write, darling, you know I will," he whispers, putting his hand on her cheek before letting it fall to his side, limp. "I'll write – and before you know it, Ava, we'll be together again. Please, be brave, love, and have faith."

"I will," she promises, and he gives her a little wink from that pretty face of his and pulls Joey away, to which the horse vehemently resists. She watches him and his steed go, watches them until they're nothing but tiny blurs in the landscape.

And she tries to tell herself, BE BRAVE AVA EASTON BE BRAVE, but it's to no avail, and so the tears, they begin to fall.

.

And that's the end of this fic :D I hope everyone who read it enjoyed it, and who knows, I might just turn up another fic in this fandom! :O

For now, though, please read and review, especially if you favourite/alert!