Here's part two (of two). Thank you, Guest, for your interest! :D

The drone of a plane engine roared through the countryside. Claire tilted her head back, squinting up at the clear, blue sky in hopes of catching a glimpse of the aircraft.

When the B-24, Diamond Lil', cleared the distant treetops, her heart leapt to her throat. It was low, it was going to land at Kelly field, it… That could only mean one thing. Or so she hoped.

Claire took off running; around the pond where he'd proposed, through the trees where they'd had so many precious moments, past the model plane they'd played in as children, and came to a halt at the base of the hill. She could see the top of the barn-like hangar with 'Kelly Field' across the front. If it truly was him, if his memory had miraculously returned and he'd came to find her, then he should be coming over that rise any moment. She waited.

And then there he was. His long, uneven strides making quick work of the distance. His dark hair and blue shirt ruffled by the breeze.

When he saw her, he began to run – as did she. They soon met in the middle, and she was suddenly in his arms. Safe, held, loved.

He held her so tight, so close, that she could scarcely breath. But, as Claire realized, she couldn't breath anyway.

He slowly released her from his embrace, took her face in his hands and kissed her oh, so sweetly.

They parted and Claire found herself caught up in the moment, the amazing surreal moment. All she could do was watch him, study him, memorize every detail of his face. The joy, the love, the…peace. He had peace. He knew who he was and where he belonged.

One hand lingering on her cheek momentarily, Joe withdrew something from his pocket. He held it up where she could see it. Her ring… Her wedding ring.

Without a word, he took her hand and slid it on her finger. Back to where it was supposed to be.

Claire wanted to apologize; wanted to tell him that she was sorry for ever taking it off, that she hadn't meant to given up on him. Before she could utter a single word he drew her back into his arms, held her and kissed her.

"Thank you…" he murmured.

Claire couldn't speak. He shouldn't be the one saying thank-you. She'd came home, she'd given up in him. Maybe when he'd needed her the most…

Joe looked towards the house where Grandpa watched from the front porch. He grinned down at her and started towards him.

Claire clung to Joe's hand, afraid if she let him go he would vanish from her life again. They hurried across the field to where Grandpa waited for them.

As moonlight bathed Kelly Field in its white glow, Claire sat on the porch nestled against Joe's side.

"I just…I can't believe it." She buried her face in his chest. "I can't believe you're really here."

"Me neither," he wrapped his arms snug around her shoulders. "I love you, Claire." He kissed her cheek. "You're so amazing. Staying there in Harris all that time…never giving up on me."

Claire shook her head, eyes filling with tears. "But I did, Joe. I…gave up on you. I left. I came home. I–"

He shook his head. "No, sweetheart. You came looking for me. You found me in Harris and so you stayed, when it would've been easier for you to just leave. To turn back, to make a new life somewhere else. But you didn't, you stayed. All the while I answered to another name and went out with Rachel and…" His words trailed off.

She gazed into his eyes, waiting for him to continue.

"If you hadn't, I'd have never…" he looked down, drawing her closer to his side. "I would have never…came home."

"But you're home now. For good." Claire leaned her head on his chest. "I love you, Joe."

The steady heartbeat beneath her ear was like a healing balm, soothing her broken heart, soul, and spirit.

Joe smiled and pressed a tender kiss to her hair. "I love you, Claire."

Sometime they would talk about everything that had transpired while they had been apart. Joe would tell her about his time overseas, life in the POW camps, and the nightmares. Claire would relate to her husband the two years of not knowing his fate and the grief of thinking she'd lost him.

But that could all wait until another time. For now none of the past troubles and trials mattered to them.

He was home, held safe and sound in the arms of the woman he loved. His Beautiful Dreamer.