Chapter Eleven

America 1945

Eleanore touched took the smaller hand in her own, pressing the tiny fingers against her lips. She brushed the sleeping prodigy's cheek as she admired his handsome face. She touched the small dimple in his chin, reminiscing of her warrior's strong face. Eleanore adjusted the blanket that was wrapped around his small body as she pulled his tiny form higher up in her arms. The baby yawned before his bright blue eyes revealed themselves to the large world around him, blinking incoherently. Eleanore caressed his cheeks before hearing someone come into the room, closing the thick wooden door behind them.

Eleanore thought of Hugo often, dreaming of his handsome face most nights. Sometimes she relived the memories she held of her warrior, watching the reels of her memories as her eyes closed. She watched their first kiss, Hugo's proposal, the naked swim they took in the lake, and their nights in the tent. Eleanore would cry out in her sleep and a soft arm would wrap around her to calm her down.

It was almost eight months ago when the three remaining Basterds crossed into American territory, Operation Kino an apparent success. Lieutenant Aldo Raine drove while Eleanore Stiglitz and Smithson Utivich guarded the carved-up Colonel Hans Landa in the back of the Army truck. The truck bounced along the terrain, forcing Eleanore to anchor herself against the bench like seat with a tight grasp. Hans Landa stayed rather quiet, whimpering as he came in and out of unconsciousness. The pain, Eleanore noted, made Hans Landa act like a drunken ape, slurring curses in German at them when his eyes would flash open. A tight tension filled the musty truck, before it was shattered with a crucial question Eleanore tried not to think about.

"Where will you go?" Eleanore's heart beat quicker as she look to Utivich, studying his face. The question had frequently visited Eleanore since Hugo's death two nights before. Eleanore shook her head, pondering the different possibilities. Eleanore knew the next few years would be hard anywhere she went, Europe or America. The dire situation Eleanore faced was the fact that she didn't have a single dollar to her name and a family to use as her crutch. When it came down to it, Eleanore had absolutely nothing. She turned her head to Smithson again and replied with a small shrug.

"I don't know... I guess since we're on our way to meet with your commanding officer, I could see what if he can do something for me. If they can give that Nazi son-of-a-bitch something," Eleanore nodded to Landa who was shakily touching his forehead, "maybe they could help me out." Eleanore studied Smithson before quickly adding, "Not that I feel I'm entitled to anything, of course."

"Listen, Eleanore," Smithson took Eleanore's right wrist, pulling her hand free from the tight grip she had on the bench. He softly took her delicate palm and held her mild hand in his. "I can't tell you why but sometimes bad things happen to good people. You deserve so much more than you were dealt, Eleanore." Smithson held her gaze and she could see the muscles in his jaw constricting as he paused. "I want to make it right."

"But how-" Eleanore was cut off quickly.

"Come to America with me." Eleanore wasn't sure if she heard Smithson correctly. The look on Eleanore's face signaled Utivich to clarify his previous statement. Smithson rubbed the back of the the fair hand with his thumb as he cleared his throat. "I want you to come to America with me. I have a small place in Manhattan and I want to help you, Eleanore. I want to give you the second chance that you deserve."

Eleanore searched Smithson's eyes, studying the grey and blue iris'. He blinked slowly, his soft eyelids screening the lulling ocean. Eleanore looked at his hand as the corners of her mouth turned, meeting Utivich's gaze, and replied with a smile and a nod of her head. Eleanore's reply was elicited with a soft kiss on her cheek from the soldier. The rest of the drive was quiet as Utivich held Eleanore's hand, a promising future within reach.

Eleanore laid in bed with her newborn, relaxing against her soft pillow. The walls around Eleanore were white, the sun shining through the window offering a yellow hue. The room only held the necessities, bare of personality and ornate decoration. The smell of the room offered nothing more than the overwhelming scent of disinfectant. Eleanore had to fight the urge to open the window, letting in the snowy February air. The nurses and doctors at Saint Vincent's were hardly around, but were kind when they finally revealed themselves.

Utivich approached Eleanore with an illuminated grin spread across his face and a large bouquet of flowers. Eleanore sat up, the pain in pelvis reminding her to take it slow. Eleanore beckoned him to sit next to her, giving him ample amount of space. Smithson laid the flowers down before taking his seat next to her on the bed. Eleanore looked down at her waking baby and slowly cooed into her baby's listening ear,

"Do you want to see Daddy?" The baby continued to look around absently as Eleanore shifted the baby in her arms. Eleanore helped Smithson take the baby from her grasp, allowing the strong soldier to hold the bundle in his warm arms. Smithson looked into the blinking eyes of the curious wonder, his smile growing. Eleanore touched Smithson's cheek with her hand, drawing his attention to her.

"Hugo. His name is Hugo Smithson Utivich." Eleanore smiled as she moved closer to Smithson's body, looking down at the once again sleeping baby. Eleanore felt soft lips press to her cheek as she continued to stare at Hugo through elated eyes.

Eleanore and Smithson left the hospital a few days later, sharing their happiness with the world. The first stop was to Smithson's grandmother, who hated Eleanore. When Eleanore first met the elderly woman, her temperament was benevolent and gentle as a lamb. She sweetly invited Eleanore into her home who was escorted by Smithson. Eleanore duly noted that aristocratic home décor in the America's was very different than that in Europe. America's style was very simplistic and almost synthetic, whereas Europe's style was very ornate and well crafted. Eleanore was led into the sitting room and talked to Smithson's grandmother.

"Grandmother, I've come here to tell you some very big news." Utivich who already held Eleanore's hand, pressed his gentle lips against her cheek. "We got married in Germany but more importantly, Eleanore is expecting." Many people wondered what secret element was in Dr. Jekyll's transforming potion and in the early morning of June, Eleanore discovered it. The secret ingredient was her. The woman's attitude changed dramatically, suddenly discriminatory of the couple sitting before her. The friendly discussion became a raw examination, Eleanore and Smithson defending themselves against the wrath that ensued.

"Were you married in a Jewish temple?" The strong hold on Eleanore's hands became tighter when the question was asked. Smithson spoke up first, his voice was low.

"No." The woman's eyes changed, hardening further under her furrowed eyebrows. She leaned forward as she sat her cup of tea on the table that separated the interrogator from the suspects.

"And why not?" The strain in the air was thick as no one answered her immediately. Eleanore decided to speak up this time, her tone was sturdy and unafraid.

"Because I don't believe in God." The discussion ended with that, Eleanore and Smithson were escorted out the door.

Since that incident, neither Eleanore nor Smithson have visited his grandmother. Eleanore held Hugo in her arms as the cab driver took them to the synthetic mansion she tried to avoid. The driver hummed "Laura" softly, which seemed to lull Hugo when he would wake. Eleanore relaxed against the seat as Utivich kissed her jaw, whispering in her ear that it would be okay.