Chapter Three: Patience Makes the Heart Grow Stronger

Gracia was exhausted. Though they left the pub early last night, she didn't end up getting home until midnight. Adri needed more consoling after that fruitless encounter with the soldiers. She stayed at her friend's place and listened to her woes until Gracia's head began to nod involuntarily.

The day ended and now she finally got to go home. Today was a full day of class as usual, but thankfully she had no interning shifts. Gracia neatly folded her jacket and toque, double-checked that she had everything, and left the school. She opened the main entrance door and smiled at the welcoming sun. Being cooped up in a classroom can be quite draining. Inhaling the crisp spring air, she proceeded to walk home.

"Gracia!"

She turned to see a tall man in a blue uniform waving at her. "Lieutenant Hughes," she greeted with surprise when he caught up to her.

"I'm glad I found you! For a small building, there sure are a lot of students."

"How did you know where I would be?" Confusion was written all over her face. "How long were you waiting here? Actually, how did you know what time I would be done? And who –"

"Hey, I'm in the intelligence division. Give me some credit for being a professional stalker." Again, Gracia didn't look impressed. "I'm joking! I'm joking!" He wasn't. "We didn't get a chance to finish our conversation yesterday."

"Lieutenant Hughes," Gracia started.

"Please call me Maes."

"Lieutenant Hughes, forgive me if I'm being too direct, but I know you're just trying to get my phone number for your friend. I'm sure Lieutenant Reids is a nice man, but I have no interest in dating him."

"Oh, no, no, you have me very misunderstood. I'm not trying to get your number for my friend."

"Oh." She looked away in embarrassment.

"I'm trying to get it for myself." Maes was then given a smile form that was so tender and kind that he had no doubt that this was love at first reunion.

"I'm still not interested."

Another piece of his pride disintegrated.

"But thank you," she sweetly said.

Don't give up! "Perhaps I can take you out for a dinner then. As a friend."

"I'm actually quite tired. I'm going to go home and rest." The lighter brunette began to walk.

Maes followed. "Maybe a snack? A light bite?"

"Thank you, no."

"How about coffee?"

"No."

"Tea?"

"No, thank you."

"At least let me carry your bag."

Before Gracia could protest, Maes slipped her bag off her shoulder and slung it over his. Boy, was he pushy. And persistent. Crossing her arms in relent, she suppressed a giggle at the sight of a very masculine soldier walking with a light pink tote with a large daisy print.

The lieutenant bore an expression of victory. "Are you always this difficult with your friends?"

"We're not friends," Gracia replied matter-of-factly.

So cruel! "Why do you not want friends? Do you also not like babies and sunshine and rainbows?"

Gracia laughed. "I like having friends very much; but I know that isn't your intention."

"No? Tell me, what do you think is my intention?"

"Maybe you're lonely and you want female company. Maybe you're a womanizer. Maybe you have a running bet." A shrug. "I can't say for sure, but I can wager a good sum of money that what you want is not platonic."

"That may be so, but you don't think there's a possibility that I want to ask you on a date with no other agenda other than that I'm genuinely attracted to you?"

"Please, Lieutenant. I'm not so arrogant to think that I'm far more seductive than what I am, but I'm not so insecure to think that I don't deserve being pursued. How should I put it? Men who tend to ask women out on the first day of meeting tend to ask Adri. Men who tend to take their time to ask a woman out tend to ask me."

"Well," Maes raised his chin in thought. "How should I put it?" Be careful, Maes. Don't say anything to scare her off. "Why would I waste my time waiting to pursue you when I know it's you I'm going to spend the rest of my life with?" Ah, shit, now she's looking at me like I'm crazy. "Er, speaking on behalf of my kind, I can confidently say that when a man knows, he knows. And he knows right away."

"Alright then. Why do you like me?"

His mind went blank. "Um, because I do."

"Why?"

"Why?" The normally sharp-witted soldier fumbled over his words. "Because . . . you . . . there is . . . I like . . ." He rubbed the back of his head in frustration. "I can't explain it! There isn't always a logical answer for love!"

"Oh," Gracia says unfazed, "so you love me now?"

I'm an ass. "No! I mean, yes! I mean, maybe?"

"Maybe?" There was a lilt of amusement in her tone.

Maes clasped his hands together. "Gracia, please, have mercy on me."

She gave him a gentle smile. "Alright, I'll let you off the hook." They stopped in front of a flight of cement stairs leading to a red brick building. "This is my place. Thank you for carrying my bag for me." She walked up one step.

"Gracia!"

Turning around, she was now at eye-level with him. He had olive eyes.

"Can I call you?"

"I'm sorry. No."

Maes sighed in dejection.

"But I won't refuse another escort home. Good afternoon, Lieutenant."

Maes Hughes watched Gracia go upstairs and into the building before he whistled his entire way back home.

And so he waited in front of her school again the next day. Perhaps she was let out early, or he came too late. After waiting for forty-five minutes, he went home. Then he came back the next day. She was there. Then the next day. Even the day after that. And for the following three weeks Maes met Gracia every day after her classes to walk the ten minute walk to her home. On the days she interned, he rode the fifteen minute street car ride with her. Those days were his favorite because he was able to spend a little extra time with her, and there were situations where it was so crowded that she would be pressed up against him. Their conversations were often small talk due to the fact that there wasn't much time to delve in deeper conversation. They talked of their day, made some jokes, recalled past memories, or shared their opinion. Every day he carried her daisy tote. Every day he asked her for a date. Every day she declined.

Maes was on his way to work. Heavy clouds loomed in the distance, planting a large smile on the lieutenant's face. For some inexplicable reason, he knew today would be the day that Gracia would say yes.


Gracia stood in the pouring rain under her yellow umbrella, waiting for Maes to arrive. Though they never arranged to meet after her classes, the consistency of him showing up on a daily basis developed a habit of expectation. At first, she was very wary of his motives. They grew up together, but loss of contact for seven years is a very long time, especially when those are one's formative years. The next week, she enjoyed his company and chatty ways. The week after that, she looked forward to it. Today, she is worried that he will not show up at all.

Gracia then saw a blue uniform walking quickly towards her. She could immediately tell it was Maes. He had a very confident way of walking, he was tall compared to other men (for she was tall too thus held a higher standard), and he was truly the most handsome man she had ever known. His black-framed glasses also gave him away. He did not carry an umbrella, and he wore a frown; but when they made eye contact, his face lit up with a smile. She met him half way to shield him from the rain. Out of instinct, he reached to hold the umbrella to relieve her burden. In doing so, his hand slightly covered hers. Gracia gasped. "Maes, your hands are like ice!" She took his free hand in both of hers.

"I'm alright," his words came out gruffly, yet he did not bother to remove his hand.

Her brows furrowed with worry. "Your hair is wet and your jacket is soaked." She then surprised him when she pressed the back of his hand to her cheek. "Where is your umbrella?"

"I didn't bring one."

"Oh dear. You didn't have to come today. You should have gone home."

His words came out in a shiver. "I didn't want you to be disappointed."

"Well, someone thinks highly of himself," she teased as she placed his palm on her other cheek.

"Gracia, I have to ask you something." He was trembling.

She held her breath. Dear lord, he's going to propose.

"I usually ask you this when I drop you off, but I'm going to switch things up a bit." The soldier had to raise his voice to be heard over the pouring rain. "I'm going to ask you to go out on a date with me tonight." His hand was released. "Before you say no, I want you to remember that I walked all the way here in the freezing rain without an umbrella, and that you should probably feel sorry for me."

She shook her head and smiled at his successful guilt trip. "Oh, Maes, I –"

"I'm being deployed."

Both smiles faded. They stared at each other for countless minutes. Gracia felt her heart stop. Or was it beating too hard? There was a pounding noise in her ears that she couldn't differentiate from her heart or the rain. "When?" she finally whispered.

"Tomorrow."

Fear and worry were evident in his eyes, and Gracia felt an overwhelming need to rid them from him. She gave him the brightest smile she could took his free hand again. "We have to get you out of the rain or you'll catch a cold. Come, you can dry off at my place and I'll make us some dinner." Lacing her fingers through his, she put their joined hands in her jacket pocket.

As they walked to the apartment, Maes looked down at Gracia's brown hair. She must have felt him staring because she looked up at him and gave him another heartwarming smile. The weeks of traveling forty minutes roundtrip only to meet for ten, the grievous bruising his pride and ego took on a daily basis, and the pain that penetrated all the way to his bones from the ice rain was all but a small price to pay for the reward he was feeling at this moment. Yes, today was indeed a lucky day.


Gracia's apartment was a tiny one-bedroom suite with a kitchen that could only fit one person. There was a mini refrigerator, one that was of an unknown brand and of mediocre quality, but she was very proud to own one. The living room boasted a fireplace and hearth, which was where Maes was sitting and warming himself up. Gracia wasted no time to prepare dinner. It was going to have to be a simple one since she could only use what she had on hand. Maes offered to help, but Gracia insisted that he was a guest and shouldn't have to lift a finger. Plus, the kitchen wouldn't be able to fit them both. So the soldier kept himself busy by hanging his jacket and socks to dry, donning a pair of too-small fuzzy house slippers, toweling off his hair, and looking at the details of the Gracia's apartment. The ambiance of her place made him feel very much at home, but he wasn't sure if that was due to her décor or her presence. Wanting to relax, Maes unbuttoned the top button of his white shirt and loosened his black neck tie. He proceeded to look around. She apparently liked to have pictures all around the room. They were mostly of friends and family, but there were a couple of candid solo shots. He picked up a frame with a picture of Gracia being blown around by the wind, laughing while holding down her wide-brimmed hat. It made him smile.

"Dinner is ready!" chimed the hostess.

Maes sat himself at the table, which was set with two candles, two glasses of white wine, and trimmed flowers that Maes had brought her three days ago. Gracia placed a plate of hot pasta before him. Also on the table was a salad with spring vegetables and a basket of bread covered in a warm cloth. To Gracia, this was a very basic meal. To Maes, it was heaven. "Gracia, this looks amazing." He took his first bite. "It tastes amazing too."

"I'm glad you like it."

"I haven't had a home-cooked meal in . . . I can't even remember when."

"Don't you cook at home?"

"Not usually. The base provides us meals, and there often isn't enough time for me to get groceries, prepare the food, cook, then clean up. I can't believe you do this on a daily basis. Don't you get tired of it?"

"Not at all! I love to cook, but I'm actually specializing in baking at school. I hope to own my own bakery one day."

"That's fantastic! I'll be your first customer. Just so you know: you are the first woman to ever cook for me."

She blinked. "Surely not."

"It's true." Maes took a large bite of bread. "Well, other than my mom, but you know she passed away when I was five."

"I actually didn't know it was when you were so young."

"Yeah, it was during my youngest brother's birth, so my father had to raise three boys on his own."

"That must have been hard on your father. No wonder you had to grow up and graduate quickly so you could support your family."

"Yeah, it was tough but we made it through somehow."

"What did you do when you got to Central?"

"Well, I went to university through the accelerated program so that I could graduate in three years instead of four. During that time I worked part-time at the military police station as a station clerk to earn extra cash. Immediately after graduating, the only thing I knew what to do with myself was to enter the military. So I went to military academy when I was eighteen, and I've been working there ever since."

Gracia noticed his plate was already finished. "Would you like seconds?"

"Yes, please!"

She served him more pasta and returned to her seat.

"What about you?" Maes asked before shoveling more food into his mouth. "What happened in the last seven years?"

"Well," her slender fingers traced the stem of her wine glass, "after you left, my mother's illness became worse. She passed away after a few months."

Maes put down his fork. "Gracia. I'm so sorry."

"The worst part is that I wasn't able to be there. I was in school when it happened. We knew that it was inevitable. She had a weak immune system her whole life. I wish I could have said goodbye."

Maes thought she might cry, but she didn't.

"My sister and I sold our parents' house to pay for my mother's medical and funeral expenses. We ended up moving into my grandmother's house. When I was around fourteen, my sister fell in love with a boy that my grandmother refused to accept. She said he had a bad background and was exactly like my father. They had a bad falling out. My sister was sixteen, so she was legally allowed to leave and do whatever she wished. So she ran away with him. I found out later through a letter that my sister became pregnant and he ended up leaving her. We have no idea where he is. I begged my sister to come back home, but she is too proud to face my grandmother."

"How is your sister supporting herself?"

"I'm not sure. She won't tell me. She says she's able to handle her own, but she doesn't refuse the checks I send her. I'm also supporting my grandmother. I wanted to stay with her after I finished school, but she told me that I would have better education and resources in Central." Gracia took a sip of her wine. "That's why I'm not interested in dating."

Maes got up and began to clear the table.

This made Gracia panic. "Guests are not supposed to lift a finger!"

"That is a shi – terrible! – rule. How about this? When you come over to my place, I'll let you cook and clean, just because I'm such a nice guy."

Gracia rolled her eyes and laughed. "This is absurd."

He gave her a wink. "I'm really fast." The soldier rolled up his sleeves and commenced proof of his words.

Returning to the dining table, Gracia wanted to clean, but Maes was apparently a big eater for there was nothing for her to pack up. So she wiped down the table and put the bread basket away.

True to his word, Maes finished his chore quickly. The hostess invited him to join her on the loveseat in front of the fire and produced a photo album. Now, Maes Hughes was not normally inclined to participate in photo taking, whether it was behind or in front of the camera, thus was skeptical of the album being a form of entertainment; but once Gracia turned to the first page, he became enraptured. Again, he was unsure if it was due to the pictures themselves, or because Gracia laughed in embarrassment at herself, or because she could replicate her feelings as she got lost in her story telling, or because she said she wished he could have seen this, or because she said she would take him to see that.

Gracia closed the album and sighed from the trip down Memory Lane. She didn't realize until now how close Maes was sitting next to her. It was initially required while they both shared the album. Yet he did not retreat to the other end of the sofa now that they were done. In fact, his relaxed demeanor showed that he had no plans on moving his extended arm along the back of the loveseat, which was basically around her, while he twirled her long hair with his fingers. Olive eyes were looking at her in a way that she only heard about from Adri. Not being able to control the butterflies in her stomach made her very nervous.

"I like your hair," he was combing it with his fingers now. "It's like silk."

Gracia didn't reply. She couldn't reply. The blush that arose spoke for her instead.

"So," Maes' voice lowered a register, "why is it that you're not interested in dating?"

"I have financial goals I need to reach. Getting married and having a family at this moment isn't something I can afford."

"Ever thought about marrying a rich guy?" Maes gently tugged on her hair in jest.

Gracia looked away. "I'm going to learn from my mother and sister that I shouldn't be dependent on a man for help. You never know when he'll leave."

"Hey," Maes said gently, "not all men are like that." He turned his body towards her and covered her hand with his. "I promise. We're not all like that."

The way he looked at her made her want to believe it. Perhaps he would be the one to prove her family's history wrong. Gracia couldn't put her guard down just yet. "I'm also planning on going back to West after I graduate. I have to take care of my grandmother."

No problem. Grandma will move here after the wedding. Maes didn't realize he was grinning until he noticed Gracia's puzzled look. "Sure, sure. Of course. That would be the right thing to do." He noticed that Gracia was still allowing him to hold her hand. It was long and slender, and she felt so soft as his thumb slowly stroked her skin. Never could he have imagined that he would go from constant rejection to sitting in her apartment. He was the luckiest bastard in the world. And tomorrow, he would leave her. The weight of this reality was sinking in. He looked at the time. "I have to get going. I'll be leaving in the morning."

"What time?"

"The train departs at seven."

"That is early. You need to go home to pack." She slipped her hand out from his and checked his jacket to ensure it was dry.

Maes put on his socks. When he rose, Gracia helped him put on his jacket. She followed him to the door and watched him slip on his boots. There was a ghost of a smile on her lips, as though she was trying to look cheerful but couldn't. There was heaviness in his chest, or perhaps it was pain. He wasn't sure because he never felt this before. All he knew was that he didn't want to leave, that he only wanted to make her smile again. But he had to go. He cleared his throat. "Gracia."

"Yes?"

"I like you."

"I know."

"A lot."

She smiled. "I know."

"I don't mean as an older brother, or a childhood friend, or any friend at all. I want to make that clear."

"Yes, Maes. I know."

He then reached behind his neck and unclasped a necklace from underneath his shirt. "It was the pin I received when I first entered the military police. The backing fell off so I converted it into a charm. I hope you wear this while I'm gone." He held it out for her to take.

Gracia reached behind her nape and swept all her hair over her right shoulder. "Would you please put it on for me?"

The lieutenant smiled. "Of course." He took a step closer towards Gracia. Her head was bent and for that he was grateful. He didn't want her to see how nervous he was. Both arms reached around her as his fingers clumsily fumbled with the clasp. Finally succeeding, he slid his hand down her back pulled her in closer so that she was now in his full embrace. His other hand cradled the side of her face while his thumb caressed her cheek. In any other situation he would have been quite content holding her like this, yet now was not the time to hold back. "Gracia," he whispered.

"Yes?"

"Can I kiss you?"

A soft blush spread across her fair cheeks. "Yes."

He looked deeply into her green eyes, then at her lips. How we waited so long for this moment. He could feel her place her hands timidly on his chest and he wondered if she could feel his heart racing. His dark head lowered slowly, relishing the delicious anticipation. His lips hovered just above hers before he looked into her eyes one last time. Maes would finally know it felt like to kiss a woman he was in love with.

Then she stopped him.

Gracia had gently pushed against his chest to resist his attempt. Her cheeks were still pink when Maes lifted his head in confusion. "After you get back," she smiled. "You can kiss me after you get back." Gracia then reached on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her cheek pressed against his as she whispered in his ear. "So please do your best to live."

Maes tightened his arms around her. "I will. I promise." He buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Don't forget me this time."

They continued to hold each other in silence until Time forced them to pull apart. It was difficult for Maes to leave. He took Gracia's hand and held it against his cheek. He turned his head to press his lips to her palm, then returned her hand back to her. "Please wait for me."

Gracia couldn't speak. If she did, she would start crying, and that would make it harder for Maes. So she smiled.

He opened the door to let himself out. "Goodbye, Gracia."

The door closed.


Central Station was filled with men in blue uniforms. Several female soldiers were sprinkled in the crowd. Families and friends were also there to bid farewell to their loved one. Maes Hughes weaved his way through the crowd, numb with dread and exhaustion. He didn't sleep the night before. He couldn't. How could he when he was about to go to war? The purpose of the war seemed pointless. He couldn't understand it. What was the root of the problem? Was it because a soldier shot a child? Was it because the military occupied their area? Or was it just religion and politics? Would this be worth it to risk his life being taken? Would this be worth it to take another's life? What the hell was he fighting for?

After signing in, Maes grabbed his duffle bag and headed towards the train. Then there was a friendly face he recognized. "Lieutenant Fokker."

The soldier saluted. "Lieutenant Hughes." The former was a first lieutenant, the latter was a second.

They shook each other's hand. Each soldier was smiling, but they were also sad to see a friend about to join the battle. In earnest, Maes says, "It's good to see you."

"Likewise, Lieutenant."

The two boarded the train in silence. There wasn't much to be said. Fokker took a seat by the window, so Maes sat beside the aisle. He stretched out his legs as much as the chair in front would permit, then observed his surroundings. Others around them were also quiet. Some were talking in excitement. War. War. It held romantic and prideful ideals. But Maes was a realist, and he couldn't see the flowers among the thorns.

Suddenly, there was a loud hiss. The steam being released from the engine meant the train was about to embark. Maes leaned back and closed his eyes. He should try to sleep now, before he entered a place where his next sleep would be unknown. Then he felt a pat on his arm.

It was Fokker. "Lieutenant."

His eyes remained closed but he raised his brows. "Hm?"

"Lieutenant. I think there is a woman on the platform looking for you."

Now his eyes were open. "What?" He got out of his seat and leaned over his comrade. Through the window, he could barely hear his name being called. He couldn't see her, but he knew who it was. He opened the window. "Gracia!"

"Maes!" She ran to his window and reached for his extended hands as he hung out as far as he could. She looked as though she had been crying. Gracia was about to speak, but was interrupted by the deafening train whistle. The train slowly commenced its departure, and everyone around her roared their farewells and goodbyes. She could feel his grip tighten on hers as she tried to keep up. "Maes!" She had to shout to be heard. "I'll wait for you!" Tears began to stream down her face. Her pace quickened. Her eyes were fixed on his. "I'll wait for you!" Her hands were slipping out from his grip. "Goodbye!" She reached the end of the platform. "Goodbye."

Maes sat back in his seat and smiled. He knew what he was fighting for.