AN: Hi, people! I am really really sorry I am so late! I was so busy these lasts months that I didn't have the time to write a line! DX The story continues, of course!

I loved your comments, THANK YOU! :D

Just something about the boat paper story: this is also a true story. The father of my grandmother had been a prisoner in Germany during WW1, that is why he could speak German. And there are one or two Germans that were used to come to his house and talk during WW2. And once, one of them came and tried to tell him that Allies were coming and that the Normandy landings were about to happen. As my great-grandfather didn't understand, he made boats with pieces of paper but my great-grandfather still didn't understand, so he eventually dropped it. It was only after the end of the War that he understood what he meant.

Michelle was happy the priest was actually Arthur. She rather him than Father Augustin actually. But she didn't know what to say. She was now looking desperately at Arthur, who was pacing round and round in the church with his gaze on the floor and furrowed eyebrows. Afraid of what he could say, she kept quiet and waited.

"I knew for you and soldier Beilschmidt." He said after two or three minutes of awful silence.

Just as Michelle had guessed, he knew about their affair and even knew Ludwig's name. She would not be surprised if he could tell his regimental number. He was a spy after all. Though, the feeling that he knew all about the secret was uncomfortable, Michelle felt weirdly relieved.

"Did you tell anyone?" She asked and prayed he did not. And fortunately he shook his head. Michelle sighed with relief.

"Where is Father Augustin?

- He's busy with personal things." And Arthur's gaze was enough to tell her that Father Augustin was actually gone to the convent for the day to take care of people hiding there –Jews and Communists- that risked death if being discovered by the Nazis.

Once again, silence invaded the church.

"Arthur-

- I have no right to judge you, Michelle. Arthur replied like if he had read her question in her mind. I think that the best thing to do now is to tell Gilbert Beilschmidt about the baby before it is too late. As the uncle, he has the right to know, as much as Francis."

Arthur was right. But his words made Michelle remember of what Gilbert told her.

"Arthur. I've got something to say to you. But not here."

Back to home –and back to normal clothes again for Arthur-, Michelle told him about what Gilbert said. Arthur listened but didn't seem surprised.

"What does it mean, Arthur? Do you know anything?"

Arthur seemed absorbed into an internal fight to decide what he should tell and what he shouldn't. Eventually he sighed.

"Tonight. Allies will launch an attack on the Normand coasts. They'll try to free the country and end the war by our victory. If Gilbert told you that he and his friends were going back to Germany, it is wrong. They are sent to the counter-attack."

Michelle felt first excited and full of joy but when she acknowledged that the poor Gilbert was destined to be killed by France's rescuers, her blood turned icy with horror. She couldn't control her trembling voice.

"Can't we do something to save his life? She asked.

- Gilbert knows the risks. There's also Alfred involved in the operation. He sighed. This is war, Michelle. This is maybe the end, but it is not over yet. I am sorry. All we can do is… praying."

And indeed, the next morning on the London radio, we heard about the Allied troops fighting on the beaches.

By midday, Gilbert came to say goodbye. If he knew where he was going, he was not showing his fears. He was smiling, as always, even if this smile was a fake one. Each minute was like if it was the last one they were together, but Michelle didn't know how to tell him about his nephew. When he opened the door to go and never come back again, Michelle hugged him tight and told him that there would soon be someone that would have been glad having an uncle like him. He was first shocked, of course, and then so happy that he hugged her again and said "I bet that little one will be as awesome as me! Promise him we will come and see him someday after the war." Michelle wiped her tears, half crying and half laughing. Gilbert patted her on the shoulder and added "I'm the man for promises. I'm awesome, don't ever forget it." Then he went away.

"He'll manage. Arthur told Michelle to comfort her. He's a solid guy.

- What about Alfred? Michelle asked.

- He's young, and foolish sometimes, but he's an excellent pilot and he's never discouraged, even in the worst situations. I believe in him."

Michelle believed in him too, but she could see in Arthur's eyes that their lives were imprisoned by uncertainty, just like Francis, and Matthew, and also himself, and then herself.

Indeed, nothing was easy. Days, weeks went by, and news were not real good. The Allied armies were facing a tough defense, and a lot of new Germans replaced the ones that were gone. Michelle had never seen so much of them in the streets.

By July, Michelle's belly was getting a little bigger each week. She had to make herself larger clothes and some for the baby. Fortunately, she didn't have to go out a lot, so people didn't notice her pregnancy yet.

On one August evening, while she was sewing, she was wondering about how she would hide her belly from the villagers when it will be impossible to hide, and Arthur took a chair next to her. He was not behaving like usual, and Michelle noticed he was somehow anxious.

"I've got to propose you something, Michelle. He started. Tongues will soon start wagging about your baby and your non-married status. I think you're preparing yourself for it. But I don't want you to be in a difficult position. I'll be more than happy if you accept my help, and if you accept to help me by the same way."

Michelle stopped sewing.

"How can I help you? She asked.

- Marry me."

Michelle almost dropped her work in shock.

"Quoi?

- Marry me, Michelle. He repeated. Michelle shook her head with a nervous laughter.

- Arthur, you're not serious.

- I am."

Michelle looked at him in the eye and indeed she could see he was perfectly serious and also slightly embarrassed.

"Arthur, your kindness touches me. But if I may ask you, in which way marrying a non-married mother like me can help you?

- I can't tell you yet. He answered, looking at the floor.

- Well, how can I accept this if you don't tell me anything? Michelle cried. I can't believe you're doing this only to save me from disgrace.

- I am afraid of losing your friendship if I tell you now."

Michelle wanted to insist, but seeing how Arthur looked desperate, she didn't.

"Take your time to think on it. He stood up and left the room. I'll wait for your answer, I won't force you."

At first, Michelle could not think about Arthur's proposal. The thought of Arthur making the sacrifice of his life for her was unbearable. He didn't deserve that. Then she thought about his reasons. What could be so terrible that he could want to marry her and refuse to talk about it for the fear of being rejected? Was he terribly ill? Was it because of a problem with his job? What could it be?

Michelle thought and thought again, but all her reflections only brought her to speculations.

Days passed by and she was more and more curious towards Arthur. Would he make a good father? Seeing how he took care of Alfred, Francis, herself, everyone, she was comforted on the subject. But what about being also a husband? Michelle had never thought about it before but then she noticed that Arthur was somehow slightly different from other men. She had never felt embarrassed with him, and he had never looked at her or behaved like ordinary men, or at least had never made it such obvious that she could have felt it. Being married should normally imply love and attraction between the two persons. Was she attracted by Arthur? She liked him a lot, almost like if he was part of the family, of course. But she didn't love him the same way as she had loved Ludwig. And she was not sure Arthur was in love with her or found her attractive. The thought of sleeping together in the same bed for the rest of their lives was quite destabilizing. Did Arthur have thought about this too?

That was on the day when all the Germans left the town that the last reason to not marry Arthur ran away: this time, she knew that Ludwig and Gilbert would never come back. In her grief, she had made her decision.

Arthur was reading a book, sat on the steps under the front door of the house. Now that Germans were gone, he was enjoying being outside and not disguised.

"Hello, Michelle! Nice summer day, isn't it? He smiled, closed his book, and let Michelle sit next to him.

- Yes…"

Michelle was used to see him always inside of a house, and it seemed to her it was the first time she was seeing him outside in the sun. And she admitted his features were rather cute, and that his English behavior brought a little something she could not put words to describe. She could not explain why, but those thoughts gave her the courage she needed.

"Arthur… I've thought about your proposal… And I say yes. If you still want it, I'll marry you.

- Michelle… You're saving my life!" He hugged her tight and kissed her on the cheek. Michelle was quite surprised for such demonstrations of affection were quite rare from him, but seeing him being so happy made her day.

"I promise you'll soon know why I need to marry you. And for the child, I'll be like a father to him. And…"

Arthur was cut by the arrival of a group of children running and shouting.

"They're here! They're here! Come and see!"

"Kids! Arthur yelled. Who's coming?

- Americans and Resistants! They all shouted together.

- There's also English and Canadians! A little voice added.

- Look, they gave me sweets! Said a boy.

- Me too! A little girl cried.

- I'm the one who saw them first! An older boy affirmed.

- Where are they? Arthur asked.

- This way, in the fields!" The boy replied and pointed his finger towards the right direction.

Arthur helped Michelle to stand up and hurried through the half-harvested fields.