Thank you to those who have stuck with me this long (almost chapter 30!) I started this story a year ago, like today, haha!
Another thank you to reviewers at the bottom!
Sorry for lack of updating. The truth is I am avoiding writing Hoobs death. Like, omg, that murders my feels and I can't stand it.
Joy to the World… War
I woke the next bitter cold morning with only Babe nestled into my side. He was sleeping as peacefully as possible under these conditions. I breathed in a lungful of stabbing cold air and closed my eyes. Oh, how tempting it was to roll over and drift off again. I was actually comfortable, and the feeling was so odd to me. My ankle didn't ache, and my rib didn't pound with pain when I breathed.
Just… five more minutes.
A blinding light stung my eyes shut before I could roll over.
"Rise and shine!" Spina laughed.
"And no," Gene peered over the edge of the deep foxhole. "Shining is not optional, Brave."
Ralph and Eugene made a clash of sound as they shook the tarp that once covered our hole free of snow. They were smiling brightly and it worried me… a lot.
"What are you so cheery about?" I whipped back the scratchy wool blanket rather bitterly and sat up. Babe groan and rubbed his pink eyes.
Speen and Gene looked at each other, then at me, and back to each other. They were puzzled, as if I should know something. Still in humored silence, they began repositioning the tarp over the hole.
"Hey, let me get out first," I practically barked, still upset my peaceful slumber was destroyed. They immediately dropped the tarp and scrambled to help me out. I felt my eyes widen as they hurriedly grabbed my arms and pulled.
"What? Am I pregnant and nobody told me?" I brushed off the snow from my knees, "What are you guys so cheery about, seriously?"
They again looked in a pattern from me to each other with a look of disbelief. Not finding any words to settle my confusion, I walked just behind the invisible line that marked no man's land. I assumed Alfred was with Denver, and the thought of them made me quicken my pace. Just the thought of getting to see them made me smile stupidly.
As I got nearer to the foxhole, I saw Bull's large head turn and peer carefully over the edge to see who was emerging from the line.
"Boone," he scrambled from his hole and looked back behind him a handful of times before walking closer to me. "You shouldn't be so close to the line. It's dangerous."
"'Morning, babe." I ignored him and spoke sleepily, winding my arms around his round torso. I took my favorite position of standing on the toes of his boots. He smiled through the tender kiss and I then fell into his chest. It had been quite a while since we last kissed. He was just down the line away but I missed him.
"Love you, Boone." He said with a rumble in his chest. The vibrations I felt winding around his heart beat was the feeling I fell in love with seemingly forever ago.
"How is he?" I asked, my dry and chapped lips grazing the cold surface of his uniform. I just wanted to hold onto him forever, loose and as free as I would ever be in his hold.
"Exhausted- from asking so many questions about you. I had to practically tackle him to sleep last night."
"I'm sorry… I've been an awful mother. I just needed to clear my head, and when he's hanging onto me I just turn into this emotional mess."
Bull gave my lower back a strong squeeze, "You just need to swallow those emotions…"
"I know, I know." I did swallow, hard, to relieve the heavy pressure in my throat. It was so hard. "But my mind is cleared now, and everything is sorted out. He can go to America and be safe. It's what we want, right?"
"I guess, but are you sure you're alright with all this?" Bull slid his hand up my back, sending a shiver through my core. His hand halted on my jaw and his striking blue eyes shot me bullets of concern. "Your father, I mean… I know yesterday I said, but…"
"Weren't you the one that just said I need to swallow my pride for him?" I raised an eyebrow at him, "Listen to your gut first, head second and heart last."
"Wait, heart last? You don't listen to love first?"
I smiled slyly at him, "Love gets you in trouble."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he puzzled, his accent ringing thirstily in my ears. Suddenly his hand held my chin and his other hand slid lower down my back. "Wanna get into some trouble?"
"I wouldn't mind that…" I grabbed two handfuls of his coat and kissed him. I found it amazing how he could switch my emotions just like that. I was caving into him…and I liked the feeling.
"LOTTIE!"
"Jesus Christ!" I practically screamed, pushing Bull away with a force.
My favorite little English boy latched onto my leg and after a moment of panting, my heart regained a near normal pace. "Alfie… good morning!" I shot Bull a glance of a dancing laughter and worry.
"In case you forgot," Alfie couldn't hold in his smile. He seemed better. "I love you, Lots."
That little accent always tore my heart into first place.
I smiled and hugged him tightly as if it was the last chance I would get, "I love you too, Alfred."
"Oh, so he gets an 'I love you too' but I didn't?" Bull wiggled the infamous cigar in his mouth. "I see how it is."
"Oh shush, you big baby. I don't say it to you with words…" I sealed it with a wink. Denver seemed satisfied with that.
"Anyway," I said, holding Alf's pink face in my equally pink hands. "I bring you a bit of breakfast, courtesy of your favorite medics, Spina and Gene."
I dug in my chest pocket before taking out the unsettling stiff package of 'scrambled eggs'.
He made a gesture he never had before, and kissed my cheek before taking the ration. "Happy Christmas, Lottie!"
My heart dropped and swam in my boots. I had forgotten Christmas. Alfie dashed over and wrapped himself around Bull's massive leg with his meal in his hand, "Happy Christmas too, dad."
I swallowed hard, biting back the tears that stung in my eyes. His youth shone so bright, even through all of this. A child seems to have an alarm clock inside their heart that just lets them know its Christmas. Bull's expression was in shock as well. He had called Denver his father… something neither of them had ever felt.
I stood up, speechless and rested against Bull. Together we watched him heat the god-awful food. He was just perfect… the child was perfect and I loved him so dearly.
"Lottie?" he turned away from his ration that he was skillfully heating. He was so used to this way of life I had offered him. I didn't have to help him cut open the package, or start the small cooker for his makeshift meal. "Do you think Santa Clause can find us here?"
I slapped on a crooked smile and nodded, "I know he'll find us. His reindeer have a special liking for soldiers."
I would figure something out so Alfie would have a Christmas.
B.o.B
"Bull?" Denver turned to me, a small trail of stew dribbling into his scruff. I smiled and dabbed it with my worn handkerchief. "You're something else."
"Sorry," he sheepishly apologized, more brown stew escaping his lips. I prayed Alfie wouldn't inherit his manners.
"I was going to say-" I wiped his chin once again. "How could we forget Christmas? What are we going to do for Alfred?" I quickly glanced over my shoulder to make sure he wasn't in earshot. "I can't believe I forgot."
"Well, Boone… we are in the middle of a war. I'm sure he'll understand…"
"No," I held up a hand. "I'm his mother and I messed up."
Bull sighed and traded his tin spoon for a cigar. "Boone…"
My heart clicked and I threw a hand against Bull's pounding chest. "What?"
"I just had an idea…" my hand left his chest and held my chin. No, it wouldn't work… oh, but it could. "What if, Santa pays a visit to Easy? One of the guys dresses like him… it would make him so happy."
Denver's face lit up, but it fell as fast as it came. "How the hell are we going to get a red suit when we can't even get morphine?"
"All we need is a beard for somebody… but who? I'd say you, but he'd recognize you easily…"
"What about Buck? He's a big guy and Alfie doesn't spend loads of time with him."
I surprised even myself when I jumped up and kissed Bull. He blinked a few times down at me. "You're brilliant and I love you."
Snow packed tires squealed against the heavy amount of powder around our circle. Colonel Sink emerged and I held my tongue over the excitement brewing in my gut. Alfie was snug between Muck and Penkala, all three of them smiling. This would make him so happy.
"Well, we're sitting down to a Christmas eve dinner of turkey and hooch back at the division CP. Damned if I don't like Joe Dominguez' rancid ass beans better…" Babe's horrid cough surfaced as our reply. "Evening Easy Company."
"Evening, sir," the whole of the men answered through cold stew. Sink walked over to Winters, who was shivering in his skin. They spoke a few words over a small scrap of paper.
"Men!" Sink positioned by Buck, Nixon and Harry Welsh who seemed miniscule beside the towering Colonel. "General McAuliffe wishes us all a Merry Christmas. What's merry about all this, you ask? Just this- we've stopped cold everything that's been thrown at us from the north, south, east and west. Now two days ago, the German commander demanded our honorable surrender-"
I looked over at Alfred, who's small drawn up mouth was open with a warning protestation. Oh God, please don't say anything in front of Sink.
"To save the US encircled troops from total annihilation. The German commander received the following reply- 'NUTS!'" The men sniggered amongst themselves and I even cracked a smile. I looked across to Alfie, who seemed very puzzled against his innocence.
Sink continued, "We're giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present, and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms, we are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas."
Mortars sounded off in the distance… war didn't pause for emergencies or holidays. It raged on without a trace of mercy.
"Merry Christmas to you all, and God bless…" the good Colonel finished off. He patted Winters on the arm and climbed back into his jeep that patiently waited for him.
"NUTS!" All the men chimed in, laughing at the crude joke. Skip and Penk perhaps laughed the hardest and they leaned on each other for support. Without a sound, Bull left my side and went to laugh with the other men. I watched quietly as he lifted Alfie up onto his shoulders and carried him high above the other men.
Finally my eyes fell on Eugene, who was pressed against a tree in a trance like state. His eyes were dull as they looked off, and his cracked lips were pressed tight together. My dearest friend was wound so tight, I was terrified at the thought of his final string snapping.
"Eugene?" I called softly, and walked to his side. I was not greeted with a 'Hey, Brave' or a over protective interrogation of how my ankle and ribs were. He was a polar opposite example of how he was this morning.
I leaned against him for a moment, watching the men get a final half ladle of stew and go their separate ways. He felt broken against me and he lacked the strong backbone he had when we first started.
"How's Renee?" I asked timidly, praying it wasn't a sensitive subject.
"I haven't seen her in awhile."
"Oh," I pushed away my cup of cold stew, suddenly loosing my appetite. I had never felt so distant around Gene before. "She is such a nice girl. Pretty too."
"She is special," his Cajun accent said, dripping in sorrow.
"Why don't you court her?"
He sighed, and I immediately regretted asking that question. "I would really like to… but this is a war, Brave. There isn't time for any solid relationship. She just doesn't have time for me…"
"Have you even asked her?" I pressed, trying to squeeze out any hint of emotion.
"No, Brave." He sighed heavily again. "Renee is the only thing I can think about that takes my mind off of all the men I've lost recently. When I picture her face… I can't see the screaming face of a dying man, Brave. And it's so hauntingly beautiful…"
I threw a heavy arm around his shoulders, "This will be over soon, Gene… God I hope." I suddenly didn't feel like asking him for help with the Santa costume. He had more important things on his mind.
B.o.B.
"Perco… rumor has it you got a goddamn drug store over here." I knelt down on the edge of their hole. "I know this sounds silly… but you got any fluffy white things?"
"What the hell are you talking about, cowgirl?" Perconte's teeth shone bright white. The sun was setting early like it did this time of year. The trees were so thick. We never saw the deep colors of the sunset.
"I need a Santa beard."
He made a double take at me, "Are you the one taking all the morphine or did you get hit upside the head?"
"Shut up, you mick." I folded my hands in subtle begging. "Alfie's gotta have a damn Christmas and Buck is going to be Santa and unfortunately he's not old enough to have a white beard. You got anything with stuffing?"
Frank seemed slightly guilty, "Ah, sorry, cowgirl. I thought you and Sarge were doing some kinky shit…"
I slapped my hands over my ears, "Oh my God, Frank! NO!"
He laughed, pleased with himself.
"I really ain't got anything, Lots. Have you tried anybody else?"
I shook my head, slightly discouraged. "Nah, I figured you had everything over here…"
"Hey, if you and Bully ever need condoms… I got some. I was saving them for all the babes in Germany, but I can help you guys out."
I swallowed hard, this time not smiling. "Um… that's really not a problem, Frank. Thanks though."
Disappointment settling in my gut, Frank's playful words really harmed me. Sometimes it still shocked me- I could never be pregnant. But I had Alfie, and he was my child…
I walked down the line a ways, not as eager now to ask around. The men would really think I was insane. They all wanted to be back home with their families and the majority of them were anything but happy. I suddenly stopped in my tracks…
Spina's infamous hat.
Another fresh idea sparking in me, I quickened my pace to get to our foxhole where he surely would be. That hat of his was padded and I prayed it had stuffing in it. This was such an insane idea… all of it.
"Speen!" I yelled, jogging up to our hole. He was slumped against the wall, pulling at a loose thread on that hat of his. "Give me your hat!"
He turned around, puzzled, "What for-"
"Now!"
Surrendering, he threw the near rag up to me. Yes. It was padded in the bill and in the ear flaps and the insulation had a salvageable about too.
"Ralph Spina… you just saved Christmas."
"Huh?" He asked, confusing wrinkling his face. I slid down into our hole and settled beside him.
As I dug through my bag I tried to explain what was the news. He was the first to think it really was a good idea, and it gave me the hope I had before Perco unknowingly took. By the time I was finished ripping open his hat, I had about two handfuls of white stuffing. Next I took out the materials to stitch a man up. Luckily with the drop, some medical supplies weren't as sparse. Gene would still be furious if he knew I was wasting sutures, but I figured he had larger problems.
"C'mere," I pulled Spina's face closer, and laid the makeshift snowy beard against his chin. With a few more loops and knots, the beard would hook around Buck's ears and would be believable to a child.
"I don't know how you did it…" Ralph smiled, admiring my work. I was pleased with the results as well, as far are our circumstances were.
"Thanks, Speen." I gave him a side hug and held the material firmly in my hand. "I'm gonna go convince Buck to do this for me. It's pretty quiet today, isn't it?"
He nodded, still with a crooked smile playing on his lips. "Maybe they're going easy on us…"
"Or maybe we're just too immune to this all…"
B.o.B.
Buck seemed different these days and his twinkling blue eyes had dulled and often were caught staring in the distance. But when I asked him the large favor, they shone bright again and he even smiled faintly.
"Of course… anything for you, Lottie." He crossed his arms and his expression fell slightly, "You don't think he'll recognize me, will he?"
I smirked, "Just use your best fat old man voice and he's innocent… I think we'll be fine. I wanted to use Bull, but he would know he if he was gone and would certainly recognize him."
Buck then scratched the back of his blonde head. He possessed many similar features as my Bull, but he was leaner and his voice never rattled in his chest like the way Bull's did. "I hope I don't fuck everybody's Christmas up…"
"Oh, Jesus, Buck. You worry too much!" I nudged him, "Put loads of coats on so you look fatter. Oh," I pulled out the beard from my chest pocket. "Here's your beard, Nick. Will you try it on, please?"
Buck did, being the sweetheart he was. It fit him well and the silver of the stitching thread blended in nicely. I separated a place for his mouth, and he smirked.
"It tickles."
"I'm sorry," I smiled too. "I owe you so much for this." I hugged him quickly before continuing my instructions. "Will you come to Bull and Penk's foxhole around 11:30?"
He nodded into my shoulder and returned the hug.
B.o.B.
At precisely 11:35, Buck came walking through the trees. He had even taken the consideration to change his pace so he wasn't recognizable.
I took Bull's hand, trying to muffle the light creeping onto my face as he neared. "Alfred, look who it is!"
Denver pointed towards our comrade and we both smiled as our boy froze to the ground. He was overwhelmed.
"Alfred! I was hoping to see you over here with Loretta and Denver!" Buck's voice was perfect.
"S-Santa Clause?" Alf's small English accent spluttered out at last. "How did you find us?"
"Didn't your ma tell you? I have a special place in my heart for paratroopers!"
Alfred began rambling questions, like he always did when he was excited. "You're in Easy's uniform… how?"
"Ho ho! Easy Company is my favorite group of soldiers, boy! Of course I'm wearing the Screaming Eagle!" Buck laughed, and I had never seen him so cheerful. Christmas had made him evolve with a child-like spirit that was so rare. Buck sat on the edge of the foxhole and lifted Alfie onto his knee.
Alfred was speechless. His eyes sparkled in the faint moonlight of Christmas Eve and a small, pearly smile peeped through his thin, shivering lips. I had done something right… my boy was happy.
"Now, Alfie. I'm real sorry to tell you… I don't have my sack of presents with me. I'm sure you know about rationing back in America because of this war?" Buck was playing the part so well, and Alfred was hanging on his every word. "Well you see, it's affected myself and the elves up at the North Pole, and I haven't been able to give many gifts." Buck wrapped his arm around Alfie and held him against his chest. "Oh, it breaks my heart, Alfred… but that's why your brothers have to fight hard and win this war. It will be blue skies after a victory, do you understand?"
My boy nodded and was holding onto 'Santa'.
"But since Easy Company is my favorite company, I know the boys will give you the greatest gift of all… love." Buck patted Alf's chest and I thought for an instant I saw a tear roll down Lynn's cheek. Buck wiped his face against the sleeve of the issued jacket and my thoughts were confirmed.
"Alfie," I broke through the silence that lingered for a moment. "Santa has many other kids to visit, so I think it's time we say goodbye?"
Buck carefully lowered Alfie from his knee. "I hope somebody left me some biscuits and milk in England, yes?" He let out an almost rehearsed chortle and patted Alfie's head. "Goodbye, Alfred! Stay brave and never forget you are loved by this company."
"Happy Christmas, Santa," Alfie wailed and wound himself around Buck's leg like he always did. "Thank you for coming to see us."
"My pleasure, boy." Buck winked to both Bull and I and turned away. "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
The hauntingly familiar coat swung away into the eerie darkness of the forest. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night, I said to myself.
"Lottie, can you believe it? I just met St. Nicholas!" his every word dripped in pure bliss. I had never seen him so happy.
I smiled and knelt down to meet his eyes. "I know, how exciting is that? You'll remember this forever…"
"Best Christmas ever, Lottie…" he still spoke slowly, almost to himself in disbelief.
For a couple moments as frozen as the stabbing cold air, Bull and I held him close to us. Tears warned in my eyes but I quickly blinked them back. He was one of the few good things that had emerged from this disastrous life of mine. I would live it all again just to know I would get to love him again.
"Ready to go tell all the boys goodnight? It's getting late, Alf." I glanced down at a watch that wasn't even on my wrist.
He nodded, still oozing happiness.
I took his right hand, and Bull took his left. He was growing… slowly but surely. He never complained about eating the god-awful food, because in his words 'if I eat, I'll grow as big and tall as Bull.' So he treaded through piles of snow, determined to make it through without the help of us. Alfie wanted so desperately to make Denver happy, and I wish he knew how proud he really made him.
First we made our way to my foxhole. Spina was dozing off against Eugene, who's eyes were still wide awake.
"Merry Christmas again, boys. Alfie came by to tell you goodnight." I said lowly, kneeling down so I was closer to him. Bull held my shoulders in his hands from behind.
Gene finally spoke up after a pause and fished inside his coat. Finally he handed Alfie a silver bar of chocolate. "Pour vos, Alfred. Spina and I love you." Eugene smiled faintly through that Cajun accent. My heart broke and warmed simultaneously.
"Merry Christmas, little brother." Ralph added rather sleepily.
I mouthed a 'thank you' to my closest brothers with a red cross on their sleeve. Bull and I took his little, cold hands again and walked towards Hoobler, Pee wee and Luz's foxhole.
"Merry fucking Christmas," I heard Hoobler bitterly spit.
Pulling Alfie along, I ducked my head under their cover of branches and a torn tarp. "Heya, fellas. I brought a little guy for you."
Alfred timidly stuck his head under. With the sight of him, all three of the men's faces lit up. "Happy Christmas Hoobs, Pee wee and Georgie." His little accent still always got them.
"Ah, thanks little man. Merry Christmas to you, too." Hoobler sprinkled a packet of K-ration lemon base powder onto a heaping cup of fresh snow. "Here, this is my present to you…" Johnny Martin harshly elbowed Don in the ribs. "It's from Pee Wee, too."
Alfie took it with excitement, and I nudged him subtly before he could take a lick. "Thank you."
"Alfie," Luz spoke groggily, brushing wood chips and shavings from his lap. "I made this for you. It's a little Easy Co. guy."
Luz, with a cheery smile handed a beautiful whittled wood soldier to Alfred, who took it slowly and with amazement.
"Oh my God, Luz. It's beautiful," I breathed, looking at it over Alf's shoulder. He had carved every detail, from the nose to a small Screaming Eagle patch on his soldier. It truly belonged in an art museum.
"Thank you so much, Georgie." Alfie held it close to his chest and practically fell down the wall of the foxhole to hug Luz. With an 'oomph' from all three of the men, Alfie attacked them with floundering hugs and 'Happy Christmas' and 'thank you's'.
"Thank you, boys. Merry Christmas." Denver finally broke his silence and waved down to his brothers.
"Nice looking family you got there, Sarge," Johnny commented as I took my son's hand once again.
"I wish it was mine," Hoobler added, a tone of sadness and jealousy in his voice.
We left their foxhole and began walking towards ours. It had to be past midnight and I was growing tired. Perhaps in a few years Alfie would know that making Buck Santa Clause was my gift to him. But for now, all we had to offer was loads of hugs.
"Do you smell smoke, Denver?" I asked, tilting my head. I could have sworn I could smell a campfire.
"Yea, a little bit." He seemed concerned. "I wonder where it's coming from."
After I had finally regained feeling in my toes from moving them, we came to our hole where I would have to miserably sleep. It would be the first time in a couple nights I would be sleeping with Bull and Alfie. Penkala had obviously opted to stay with Malarkey and Muck.
Bull stayed out from the foxhole while I carried Alfie down into the uncomfortable hole. He was quickly going, the excitement catching up to him. After a few moments spent adjusting his blanket just right, I bent down and kissed his forehead.
"Merry Christmas, Alfred. I love you… so much." He was asleep before his head was still. I gave him one last kiss… I had made that deal with Nixon. Christmas had come and gone and now he would be gone. After a night like this with him, I could hardly stomach the idea of possibly never holding him again.
"Boone, will you come out here?" Bull asked, holding his hand out to me. I wasn't sure if it was shaking so much because he was nervous about something, or the brutal cold.
He held my waist and lifted my slightly so I could kiss him. The aroma of his cigar lingered on his lips and I would never be able to get enough. After a bout of kissing, he set me down but still held me close.
"It's not much…" Denver reached into his chest pocket and took out his olive hankerchief. Carefully he unfolded it, but his large fingers fumbled with the thin material. Inside I saw a small cluster of familiar balled chain. It was the same chain that ran through our dog tags.
Bull, with shaking, red fingers took my left hand and flattened my fist. Our breathing joined in a rhythm as my heart raced. "Boone… it's a promise. I can't marry you right now, under our circumstances. If we weren't fighting a war, I would get on one knee and marry you right here. I made this from my tags, as I promise." The ring he had made from his toe tag fit my finger perfectly. That was what he was doing all that time he fiddled with my fingers. "I will marry you someday, Loretta."
I didn't say yes, nor did I flatly say no like I told Penkala I would. All I could do was look into Bull's bright blue lakes of eyes. He looked down at me with such a desperation I thought for a moment I was dying.
"Bull, I…" I couldn't think of what to say. "I love you." I needed to think.
He bent down and kissed me repeatedly, this kiss more passionate than the last.
"I love you," he said in his throat, his lips so close to mine I felt the simple syllables on my lips.
Suddenly Denver took my right hand and held it higher with his. He then took my other hand and placed it on his upper arm, for I could not reach his shoulder. I felt his mammoth hand cover nearly half of my waist. Bull began to glide around with me, swaying through the snow to music I could not hear.
He seemed to sense my confusion and he pressed his scruffy cheek and spoke into my ear, "Listen."
"Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Alles schläft; einsam wacht, Nur das traute hochheilige Paar. Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar, Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh… Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh..."
Sooo, that took me forever to write. Probably because it is August and kind of hard to get into the 'Christmas Spirit', haha. Sorry about that!
omg, our boys have gotten together again! 'Dark Tourist' comes out on the 23rd (nice birthday present for me) But yea. Written by Frank John Hughes and starring the Michael Cudlitz! Excited! Also, I start school on Monday. Ugh…
PineStar101: Bahaha, you crack me up! You shoulder either make an account or log in so I can PM you! :) Oh my, I don't think you're a weirdo because the exact same thing has happened to me before! FanFiction is definitely not iPod user friendly, so I completely understand. Can I just say you leave amazing reviews? They really make me feel better about my writing when I hate it, so I appreciate that! I'm so glad you like the story and I will finish it for you if nobody else :)
Camilla: I just let you know thank you on Facebook, and then you get to hear me drone on about 'oh I didn't like this part. And oh, help me figure out what to do with Alfie. And omg, Michael Cudlitz is so fiiine! JIMMY FALLON!' Bahaha, well, I guess that's why we're best friends- because you put up with me! So thank you for being my supporter no matter what!
