Hey guys :) Here's is a very very short next chapter. I'm so glad to see that there's some interest in this story! :) Thanks very much to stefaniepapa1, Genivieve, Kit-Marie, and Amanda for their reviews! Really, it's so nice to hear from ya'll. years. Now for a little shameless self-marketing. If you haven't already, head on over to my profile and check out my story for the Pacific, By Blood! It's almost finished, but it's always good to get some new input! Hope everyone had a wonderful new years. I'll try to have this story updated by tomorrow!
Love,
EllieMayy

A storm was coming, and the linens out on the line didn't need a second washing. I burst from the front door of my family's cottage and bounded through the lavender, attempting to reach the laundry before the sky spit. I could smell the approaching rain that was riding in on evening's dark coattails. The fabrics flapped and jerked in the stiff breeze, fluttering away as I tried to wrestle them off the line. My fingers danced from clothespin to clothespin, expertly pinching and squeezing at just the right time to remove the fabric, but leave the pins secure. The sky seemed to be gathering, clouds rolling and pooling, as if concentrating it's wet wrath, which would soon be ready to unleash on all of Aldebourne. Then, much like I predicted, the sky exploded, and I heard the drumming of the droplets pelting the roof of my house. I tore the last few sheets off the line, wadding them into a large ball, noting all the wrinkles that would surely have to be ironed out later

"Dinner! Dinner!" I turned to see Lilly calling me inside. The warm light from the cottage illuminated the doorway, and she actually looked relatively angelic in the flattering lighting.

Somehow, even though she had been terribly vexing earlier that afternoon, I smiled at her, hoping my expression was visible from behind the large wad of sheets I carried.

I tossed the sheets into the hamper, and hoisted it against my hip. I turned for the house, when I heard a roaring behind me that wasn't just the rain. I clutched the laundry basket tightly, and whirled around to see the noise. And that was the first time I'd ever seen the Yanks. I'd known they were coming, that's why I'd been venturing down to the sea port for the last few days, just to spot a glimpse at their ships. The whole town of Aldebourne had been buzzing with the news of American troop ships arriving in port ever since they had declared war on Germany. Still, the sight of them was strange ,to actually see the Americans in person, was still a shock. The sheer number of them was impressive- yet it was bizarre to see so many people on the little country road that was only traveled regularly by the mailman. I couldn't help wondering where we would put them all. There weren't enough residences in all of England it seemed to house the soldiers that were swarming out of the army transports. They jumped from the back of the trucks into the newly formed mud. Within seconds, their newly polished boots were already dirty . It was as if the sound of hundreds of pairs of feet splashing in the flooded road drew people from the warmth and dryness of their home. Despite the downpour, women and men were running out of their cottages, cheering.

I couldn't help but smile. Just the sight of them and their muddy boots, wet uniforms, and ragged accents had already brought hope into usually tired English eyes. It seemed, for the first time in three years, our spirits didn't have to be as grey as the sky overhead. I squinting up against the pelting raindrops, listening to the sound of men were climbing out of the trucks, hoisting their bags and rifles over their shoulders, shouting boisterous goodbyes to their buddies and respectful greetings to the new host families.

I watched the children screech with excitement as some of the American GI's produced small toys or candy from their pockets. I watched the rose bushes near the front gate wriggle in the wind, buds bouncing up and down, sprinkling wet, pink, petals over the green ground. The lock on the gate rattled, and still holding the hamper I walked towards the entrance.

The pouring rain had plastered my hair to my face, and I hoped the soldier who stood at my gate could see my smile behind my curls.

He must have, or at least been decently friendly, because the soldier at the gate shot me a crooked grin as he fumbled with the unfamiliar lock. His helmet had become shoved down onto his long, skinny face, and I could only see the curl of his smiling lips as he tried to let himself in.

I tossed the basket of sheets and linens on the ground, and rushed to the gate- although I did not open it. Most of the other familes had already siperesed and retreated back into their own homes with their new guests. But not me. I stood out in the downpour, blinking raindrops out of my eyes, as I studied the soldier who would be invading my house for however long, somehow hoping to glean pieces of his personality or traits of his character through an awkward examination of his physical appearance.

He had a long face, and narrow chin, but he held it high. His shoulders sagged, but not out of sadness, more indifference, as if he had no desire to straighten up for anyone. He had a rather large mouth, which at the moment was frozen into a sideways, silent smirk. He had dark eyes, eyes that gazed, planned and plotted from beneath the cover of dark hair, not unlike my own. He raised a dripping eyebrow, and removed his helmet. I wasn't sure if it was a gesture of greeting, or a conceited notion that I might have wanted to see more of his face.

"Like what you see sweetheart?"
Definitely the latter.
"I've never seen an American before." I retorted. "I've no real standards to judge you by."
He chuckled, and with annoyance, I wondered if he was laughing at me. "A woman with no standards. This house sounds promising."
I crossed my arms, stepping away from the gate. "At this rate, I do believe you'll be sleeping in the barn."
"Well, if that's where I'm going to be, I wouldn't mind getting a move on." He motioned towards my basket of sheets. "The laundry is wet, and sweetheart , you're soaked."
"You get used to it."

Brown eyes stared into brown eyes.
Brown curls blew into brown eyes, as the wind and the rain continued, making our meeting as difficult as possible.
he stared up at the sky, eyes widening, as if he couldn't really comprehend adjusting to the overcast.
"Somehow, I doubt that." He shook his head. "Anyways, we shouldn't be here too long. War's gonna be over in a few months."
The thought cheered me, and a smile spread across my face as I unlatched the gate. "In that case, do come in. I wouldn't want to waste any of our prescious time together."
He looked me up and down, and his smile grew even a little more crooked. "Oh I plan to make the most out of every second."
I stared back at him, his gaze would not intimidate me. "Well let's get right to it then, shall we? " I extended my arm, and offered him my hand.
"I'm Risa." I yelled over the roar of the storm.
His hand clutched mine, and our wet skin slid together, and I stumbled a little over the cobblestone as his grasp pulled me closer.

"And I'm Joe."