Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
A/N: I'm warning you in advance, the dates are most likely not correct. I haven't had a history class in about two years but I'm almost positive that Germany surrendered on May 8th. I might be wrong so I kind of just guessed on the dates. Also, there is one more chapter. It's going to be a bit longer just because I have so much stuff to fit into it. I'm hoping I have it up by next weekend, but I'm not making any promises.
May 9th, 1945
May ninth found almost everyone surrounded by small radios listening to the news that Germany has surrendered and that the war in Europe was officially over. Everyone in their homes rejoiced, thanking God that this war was starting to come to a close.
Rachel was listening closely to the details of the surrender as the wounded soldiers cheered, some weeping as they came to the realization they would see their families soon.
May 17th, 1945
"You better write me." Noah gripped Rachel's hand as she helped him into the back of the jeep. "Every week, Rachel."
"I will." She smiled. "And you'll keep me updated on the home front?" She asked.
"Yes." He brought her hand up to kiss the inside of her wrist.
"I'll be home soon. I don't know exactly when but I'll be home as soon as they'll let me." Rachel told me. "There are so many soldiers left, Noah, but we're sending them home as quickly as we can."
"Be careful over here."
"You'll find me, right?" She asked, suddenly nervous. "You promised you would. You better find me, Sergeant."
"I will." He pulled her over for a tight hug. "I promise I will."
She laughed softly. "I'm going to hold you to that." Rachel pulled away from him as the other healed soldier's started to shuffle into the vehicle. "I'll miss you."
"Me too." He kissed her chastely, loving the taste of her lips. "You better wait for me. You better not fall in love with some other wounded soldier."
"Then you better find me quickly. I'm not getting any younger and I can't wait forever." She slipped a paper into the palm of his hand. "That's my address. Ohio. Don't lose it." Rachel smiled sadly and backed away, the jeep getting ready to leave.
She stood there, hugging herself as she watched the jeep drive off, taking with it the man she loved for the second time. Only this time she knew she'd get him back. If he didn't find her, she'd find him. She watched until it disappeared and she sighed, wishing she could be going home with Noah.
She missed her parents; she missed Artie, and even Brittany. She missed dancing and singing and going to see late nice shows with friends. She missed when she was younger and she didn't know how much hate this world was filled with. She missed her innocence and her idea that everything was perfect. She missed when she hadn't seen how much damage men could do to each other. She missed the time when the most violence she had been exposed to was when her parents bickered over dinner. She just missed being home.
May 20, 1945
It took three days for Noah to get home but he was finally back. His smile was huge when he walked into his house. He could smell his mother's cooking – something he had missed greatly – and could even hear his sister listening to the radio in the other room.
"Anyone home?" He called out.
"Noah?" His sister, Sarah, poked her head around the corner, her eyes widening when she saw him. She shrieked loudly and basically pounced onto him, hugging him tight.
"What in the world is going on in here?" His mother walked into the den to see what the commotion was and gasped.
Noah expected her to laugh and hug him as well but her face contorted in anger and she walked over to smack him on the head.
"Ma?" Noah rubbed his head. "Aren't you glad to see me?"
She smacked him a few more times, swatting at his arm. "You couldn't even write your own mother to tell her how you were doing. I've been here worried sick that you could be lying in a trench dead somewhere in another continent and then you show up without even sending a letter to let me know that you're coming home!"
"I wanted it to be a surprise." Noah shrugged. "Plus, I've been kind of busy so I didn't have time to sit down and write you."
"You could have called." She smacked his arm.
"Didn't have a phone." He shrugged again. "And neither do you."
"Oh, we do now!" Sarah smiled brightly, pulling him towards the hallway that led to the kitchen. "Ma had it put in two months ago. One ring is for the sheriff, two is for Mr. Coolsby down the road, three is for that rich family across town, and four rings mean it's for us."
"Sarah, the boy just got home, I'm sure he's hungry. Let him eat before you bombard him." Mrs. Puckerman complained, walking back to the kitchen, still grumbling about an inconsiderate son under her breath.
"I missed you, too, Sarah." Noah hugged his sister and let her drag him into the kitchen.
His mother slid him a plate of food when he sat down at the table and stood there watching him eat. He ate the sandwich greedily and didn't object when she offered him another one. Mrs. Puckerman washed the single dish silently and Noah furrowed his brow when he heard her start to sob.
"Ma? What's wrong?" Noah asked. "I'm home; I'm safe. Why are you crying?"
Mrs. Puckerman turned quickly and clung to her son with all she had. "I missed you, is all." She replied and didn't care that she was wrinkling his worn shirt or that she was getting it wet.
"I'm home." He repeated, trying to soothe her. "I'm safe."
May 29th, 1945
Rachel straightened up the bed of a soldier who had just left for the U.S. this morning and sighed. Most of the beds were empty and she was grateful. The sooner the soldier's went home, she sooner she'd get to go home.
She was trying to fix her hair from falling down in her face again when she heard Emma squeal from the other side of the large tent. The red-head was soon rushing over to Rachel and hugging the smaller women hard.
"We're going home!" Emma shrieked and pulled away.
"Slow down." Rachel furrowed her brow. "What?"
"I just talked to Betty. She's sending most of the nurses home, just the ones she doesn't need any more since there are only about twenty soldiers left. Me, you, and six other nurses. We're going home, Rachel."
"When?" Rachel asked.
"We leave when the jeep picks up the next group of soldiers." Emma hugged her again.
"That's Saturday." Rachel raised her eyebrows.
"I know." Emma giggled.
Rachel couldn't help but laugh and hug Emma back. She was giddy with excitement. She was going home Saturday. Home to America. She laughed again, letting Emma pull her around the room, the two women dancing to the silent music in their heads. She would be leaving Saturday and going home. Home to Noah. She couldn't wait.
