{ Hello My Special Little Snowflakes! Sheesh that sounded cheesy, I'm just trying to get into the spirit of the season... speaking of which: HAPPY HOLIDAYS YAYAYAYAYAYA!! I love December b/c it had Christmas, My Birthday, AND New Years all in 1 month! Hope you guys enjoyed the excruciating wait for the update to come. Consider this your early Christmas present! I just wanted to say how much I love Alfred and Sophia (Yay OC's), also the name Alfred is a nod to Batman (I didn't steal it don't worry), there may be more OC's to come (hint hint). That's all I have for now, enjoy the update and Happy Holidays!}

Chapter Nine-

( Peggy POV)

One week later, I was on the same sofa, in the same living room, re-reading the same book, when a knock came at the door. Alfred went to answer it, but when he opened the door he gasped.

"M-Miss Peggy, you have a visitor."

My heart began to pound as I stood up and brushed off my dress. Could it be Alexander, here to tell me that John was dead? Or, could I dare to hope that it was John in the next room? Had my dearest husband survived?

"He says to close your eyes and have me lead you to the door." Alfred said, sounding confused.

I reluctantly agreed, and closed my eyes, confused by this strange request. Alfred led me to and through the front parlor to the front door, then Alfred told me to open my eyes. I did. Then I saw him, looking a little beat up and dirty, but I knew it was him the second I saw him.

"JOHN!" I squealed, practically flying into his arms.

I noticed that he winced a little at the touch, but he made no sound. I leaned in and tried to kiss every single one of his freckles, but he stopped me halfway, pulling me in by the waist for a deep, passionate kiss. The kind of kisses I had missed for months. The kind of kisses I had dreamed he would give me when we were first falling in love. The kind of kisses I had longed for in the three long months he had been away. When he finally, reluctantly, pulled away we walked arm-in-arm to the living room, where we sat down together on the sofa.

"Sophia?" I called;

"Yes Ma'am?" Sophia asked poking her head out of the kitchen, where she was busy making lunch.

"Could you please get us two cups of iced tea?"

"Yes Ma'am, and welcome back Mr. Laurens!"

Once she had left, I looked at John once more and said: "Tell me everything."

He looked at me and sighed, "You really want to know?"

"I do."

John sighed again, "Okay... ... ... it all started with the Battle of Monmouth."

(Peggy POV, but it kinda drifts over to 3rd person)

I was glad I had John next to me as he recounted his story, or I might have fainted.

"Thank God Alexander killed Lee, or I might just have marched on down there and done it myself."

"And I heard he got sent home for it! But I would've died without his blood donations!"

"He did that for you?"

"Amazing right? I lost a lot of blood, and the bullet almost lodged itself in the bone. I..."

John stopped and turned to Peggy, whose skin looked very pale, her eyes welling up with tears. John's eyebrows raised faster than the old English tax rates.

"No! Peggy... I- no no no no no! Peggy, I-I'm fine!" John cried out, cupping her cheek and comfortingly resting his forehead against hers, kissing her gently as her tears began to fall. Her sobs came in short quiet bursts, she clutched tightly to John, trying to reassure herself that he was here and he was alive. They stayed here for quite a while, arms wrapped around each other comfortingly. Until Peggy finally spoke.

"I've missed you."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"Impossible."

I wanted this moment to last forever. Laying here in John's strong arms, leaning into him, listening to the sound of his steady, reassuring heart. I prayed to God, silently thanking him for bringing for bringing John home to me, safe and sound.

XXX

( Hope you guys liked it! Happy Holidays! :) )

Xox

-Hamilfan1210