Chapter 12

May 1918

Kitty turned on one side and rested her head on her arm. She looked at Tom who was sleeping on his stomach, half covered with the blanket. She could see the long scar making its way on his side. He looked quiet and so handsome, and she felt butterflies in her stomach.

Kitty hesitated a moment and then she touched the scar, running her finger along the line. Tom woke up and quickly turned around.

"Wife! Are you trying to tickle me or what?" He mumbled.

"Good morning husband!" She said giggling.

"What time it is?" He asked.

"I don't know…But do we care?" She answered, burying leaning into his chest.

"No. I could stay in this bed until Monday…" He said stroking her hair.

"The idea is promising…but we need to eat sooner or later. I'm a little hungry. Aren't you?"

"Am I hungry?" Tom said sneakily. He grabbed Kitty by her waist and they rolled around.

"The only hunger I have it's of you" He whispered while kissing her neck.

"Then don't stop" She said breathless.

They had a late breakfast and then they went for a stroll in the city. As romantic as Paris could be in May, there was a grim atmosphere, and people were afraid there would be a German attack after being bombed back in March. They sat on a bench in the Jardin de Tuileries and enjoyed the sunlight of the afternoon talking with the looseness they couldn't have at the field hospital. Kitty felt loved and cherished and the night she had spent with her husband reminded her that this was true love, and whatever had happened with Victor was nothing even close. It had been just a big illusion. And a big wound in her heart, that nothing could heal, but at least the love could make her feel better and give her strength.

There wasn't a single moment she didn't think of Sylvie. She was nine now, and Kitty kept writing her letters, although she had never gotten an answer. She was sure Vincent, or her former mother in law threw them away. But she wasn't going to give up.

"What it is?" Tom asked, seeing her sad.

"Sylvie. I was just…as always thinking of her. I miss her so much it makes my heart bleed" She sighed.

"And it breaks mine to see you like this, my love. I wish I could do something"

Kitty caressed his face and took his hand.

"Thank you. I know you'll be at my side when the right moment comes"

"Maybe it will come sooner than we think! They say these are the last months of the war. With American joining us, perhaps we will be able to arrive to an end. I feel like I don't remember anymore what my life was before. I dream of Scotland sometimes and I am not sure if I have ever been there"

"I want to believe it so much. Four years, millions of deaths and nothing….nothing makes sense"

They spent the next day like the previous one. The made love, they ate, they strolled in the city and had a final dinner together in a nice little bistro. When they went back to their hotel room, Kitty started to pack their bags. She took out the silk gown Rosalie and Flora had given her and laughed.

"What is it?" Tom asked distracted, raising his head from the newspaper he was reading. Well, it was just the titles, his French was very limited.

"This one!" She showed him the gown "I haven't had the chance to use it"

Tom gave her one his looks. He placed the newspaper back on the table and walked toward her.

"Kitty…." He said.

"Yes darling?" She said while she kept fixing her bag.

"Would you wear it now?" He smirked. But she wasn't looking at him.

"I have to take a bath now, Tom. I am weary"

"I'd like you to wear it so I can pull it away" He said in her ear, ignoring what she had just said.

Kitty turned around finding herself almost touching his nose with hers.

"Tom you are impossible!" She said trying to sound mad but laughing instead.

"I am!" He said looking down at her "I hope I am not making you uncomfortable"

"No no!" Kitty placed her arms around his neck "Tom, I almost lost you. And the thought of it still unbearable. These past days have been the happiest I've had for a long time and I don't want this paradise to end. I don't want this night to end…." She kissed him fiercely.

"I really have to take a bath now" She said then detaching herself from him.

"Do you want help?"

"Ahah! You are funny Tom. No, I don't need your help, you are just going to make it worse" She said while walking toward the bathroom.

Tom looked at her with the largest smile he could do.

"The nightgown!" He said waving the dress in front of him. Kitty walked back quickly, took it from his hand and shook her head. Tom did just as he had said. Once Kitty stepped out of the bathroom in the nightgown, with her long hair waving around her shoulders, Tom was in awe and couldn't stop staring at her. Without losing eye-contact with her he stood up from the bed and walked toward her. He slowly lifted the gown away and less than a second later it was on the floor.

They left Paris the following morning, exchanging a few words and with a glum expression on their faces. On the train, this time less crowded than the first time, they managed to sit by themselves in the compartment. Just before leaving, Tom had sent a telegram to the hospital communicating their arrival time so someone could pick them up.

"This honeymoon seems unreal. A few hours and we will back to that place" Kitty said resigned.

"It's sad that we will have to stay in separate tents. But at least it's a compromise. How unfair it is that married women cannot work as VADs?" Tom was annoyed.

"Don't I know?" She let out a long sigh "I don't know how to thank Matron Carter. She has been so good to us!" Tom nodded.

"And I get to keep you with me in the end" He added.

They arrived at the hospital in the middle of the afternoon. The staff was waiting in the central square, and Kitty and Thomas realized they were waiting for a convoy. They quickly glanced at each other in understanding.

"Let's go!" Kitty said and Tom nodded. They dropped their bags near the depot , searched for two aprons and without changing clothes they joined their colleagues.