My dear Moritz,

Hanschen and Ernst finally reconciled. I am so happy for them, and Ernst can now be with his love in his final days. He told me the doctors think he won't last the winter, if he lives that long. But I think with Hanschen with him, he will live a little longer than expected. I am praying every night that he pulls through. Hanschen is trying to be strong for Ernst, but I catch him crying a lot now. It makes me happy watching them together. It reminds me of our love. I am in a lot of pain now and I can barely walk, but thinking of you makes me strong, and the pain goes away. I have been keeping in touch with your mother, and we both eagerly await your return home. We think it will be very soon. I pray so. I have decided on a name for our baby if we have a girl. I want to name her Wendla. If we have a boy, I want to name him Goteleib, unless Ernst does not pull through, then I want to name him after Ernst.

I love you,

Ilse

My son,

The investigation has been dropped by the police. They assume that you are dead. Your father was so distraught that I had to tell him the truth. He had a very hard time accepting it until I showed him all of the letters we have sent to each other. He too is anxiously waiting your return home, but he is still mad at me for keeping it a secret for so long. Hopefully he will calm down before you return, which I pray will be soon. I keep reading the way to write about Reine, and I must say what I've been believing for a while now...you are in love with her, Melchior Gabor. I must insist that you bring her back to Germany so that your father and I can meet her. She sounds like an absolutely wonderful girl, but of course I must see for myself. Please come home soon, my son. Your father and I miss you so much. We love you.

Sincerely,

Mother

Mother,

I am not bringing Reine home with me. Her mother would kill me. I am anxious to return home to you and Father, but I am so at home here in America that it will be a difficult departure. You were right, Mother, I do love Reine. I've never met anyone so much like me. And when she smiles while we are reading plays, she reminds me of Wendla. Every time I see her smile, I see Wendla. I have been able to talk to her about Wendla more freely now, and she seems to be a lot gentler around me now. I almost miss her sharp wit. She and Clothilde are not looking forward to sending me and M- Ilse off, but I have a feeling that I will be back someday. Please don't try to argue with me, Mother. I will be returning to America someday. Hopefully I will be home soon, so my return home will be longer than I wish.

Love your son,

Melchior

My love Ilse,

I will be returning home soon. We have saved enough money working in the butcher's next to Clothilde's bordello to buy tickets for an ocean-liner to Germany. We should be leaving in a few weeks. I will miss New York City, but I am too anxious to return home to you to miss it too much. Melchi does not seem as happy to return as I am. I think he wants to stay with Reine, although I have noticed that he has been avoiding Clothilde and the bordello like the plague. Clothilde seems almost happy about it. A lot of the girls in the bordello have become good friends of mine, and I will miss them. Ming-Wei wishes us luck with our child. I love the names you have picked for our child. You must be at least 8 months now. Stay strong, I promise I'll be home in time. Tell Ernst to stay strong. I love you so much.

Moritz

A/N: Please excuse me while I cram a buttload of exposition into a few corresponding letters because I can't wait for this to be done with!! :D