A/N Thank you for your reviews and author/fav alerts. I am sorry about the wait and the cliffy at the end.

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Chapter 49

Dec 8th 1941- Pearl Harbour.

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan"

The events of the past day could only be described as emotional... the shock; anger; fear; disbelief; and grief. Ever since the first news reports of the attack the day before, the Shepherd household had been full. Derek and Mark were the first to arrive just minutes before Kathleen and her husband arrived with their children. Nancy and Peter arrived next before Olivia, Amelia, Lexie and Molly was sent home from school early. Meredith was grateful that Amy and Lexie had the foresight to pick Molly up on their way home.

They were all sat together in the lounge listening to the wireless radio reports. Meredith sat on one of the couches curled into Derek. Molly sat in between them and Lexie was curled into Meredith's free side. Kathleen and her family were sitting on the floor between them and Chris and even though they still young and didn't quite understand what was happening, they were definitely picking up that something was serious had happened because they were all so quiet.

Since then Meredith had spent the last 24 hours trying to keep the girls calm. They were both scared but Lexie seemed to struggle more, spending most of last night having nightmares and calling out for her parents. Meredith was thankful that the news was not affecting Molly in the same manner. She knew that her sister was gradually forgetting everything before coming to America and has much as it hurt her that Molly was forgetting their parents she wanted her sister to be happy and if forgetting was what it took than she would honor that.

"The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack"

Meredith pulled Lexie closer to her at the same time as Derek tightened his hold on her. Molly was now sitting next to Carolyn and sucking her thumb, a habit she always did when she was upset. Carolyn taking care of Molly allowed Meredith to worry about Lexie who seemed to be the most effected by the news. For Meredith it brought back memories from when she had lived in London and it was difficult going back to living in fear of the next attack. She knew how scared the girls were because she was terrified herself. Their parents had sent them to America so that they would be safe never once imagining that the war would hit them there thousands of miles away.

"It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu"

Derek placed a small kiss to the top of Meredith's head and met his father's eyes. Chris had his arm wrapped around his mother who was still comforting Molly. Derek looked around at his sisters and their families and knew how much he would miss them all. Mark had signed up to the army yesterday as soon as the first reports came in. Derek knew he would soon be following suit but not until he had spoken to his family first. He hoped that they would understand his decision, knowing that if didn't sign up to the armed forces he would only end up being drafted and he wanted this to be his choice.

The hardest thing for him would not just be leaving his family but instead it was the thought of leaving behind the woman that he loved and not knowing if he would ever see her again. The thought of it made his heart hurt but it also gave him the perfect reason to come home safely.

"I love you," he murmured in to her hair.

"Love you too," she said, tightening her hold on him never wanting to let him go. Listening to the news reports on the radio and then reading the newspaper articles this morning were bringing back so many painful memories for her. She could still remember the day that the British government announced that they were now at war with Germany. She would never forget the look of fear on her parents faces on that particular day and on the many nights that followed when London came under sustained attacks and aerial bombings from the Germans. Meredith thought back to her girlfriends in England and the looks on their faces as they said goodbye to their boyfriends who enlisted in the armed forces. What must have been going through their minds as they said their farewells? Deep down Meredith knew that would be a fear that she would be experiencing very soon.

"Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory"

Chris had his arms wrapped around his wife as he looked around the room and glanced at his family that had gathered at their home. Looking around at his son and son in laws he knew that this might be the last time that they are all together. He knew from previous experience that they were all likely to get drafted that was of course if they haven't already signed up or at least considered it. He hated the idea that his daughters would have to worry about their husbands but he knew how strong Kathleen and Nancy were and that they would cope, they were never alone. He watched Meredith; in the year and a half that she and the girls had been living with them, they have become like daughters to Carolyn and himself and he didn't want this latest news to become another set-back for them after everything they had all been through. He knew exactly how strong Meredith, Lexie and Molly were and he was just has proud of them has he was his own daughters.

"I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December Seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire"

Meredith had finally gotten the girls settled. The recent events meant that it was taking her longer than usual to get them settled for bed, something that she did not have to do in a long time. She knew they were both still scared and that it would be a long night .She just wanted to curl up in Derek's arms and forget about everything for five minutes. She wanted some alone time with him before he told her whatever it was that he was hiding from her. Meredith suspected that she knew what was troubling him and she prayed that she was wrong. Walking through their shared bathroom and into her bedroom she made sure that she left the doors open so she could hear if the girls woke. It was then that she noticed that Derek was already on her bed, waiting for her.

"Did Lexie and Molly finally settle?" he asked her as she stood in the doorway. She looked exhausted but still beautiful. Looking at her standing there, he had no idea how he was supposed to leave her. He had left her too many times before and he had promised to never do it again but this was one promise he least wanted to break but one promise that under these circumstances he couldn't keep.

"Yes…they are still upset," she told him laying down and resting her head on his chest. Derek wrapped his arm around Meredith's waist and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"You have been quiet…how are you feeling?" he asked her as Meredith entwined their fingers.

"Terrified…Daddy and mum sent us here so we would be safe and it now feels as if it were all for nothing," Meredith said letting the tears fall, no longer needing to be strong for anyone. Derek simply held her close until she stopped crying.

"That's not true Meredith…you are safer here than you would have been in England and you have me," he said to her. Meredith couldn't hold it in any longer so she asked him.

"For how long?"

"Excuse me?" Derek asked. Meredith lifted her head and repositioned herself so she was level with him.

"How long until you leave?"

"Mer…" he murmured.

"Don't Mer me, I am not stupid Derek. Your country has just been attacked and I know you Derek," she said, looking down at their joined hands and resting her head on his shoulder. She didn't want him thinking that she was mad.

"I am going to join the Army Meredith, we know I would have been drafted eventually and I would rather it be on my terms. I am so sorry Mer. I don't want to leave you…," he said, before Meredith placed a finger over his lips.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you…just promise me one thing?" she asked him.

"Anything," he nodded.

"Promise me…that you will come home to me," she begged him not wanting to sound desperate but she didn't want him to leave her.

"Mer…"

"I can't lose you too."

"I can't promise you that Meredith…we don't know what will happen but know this. I am so in love you and I promise i will do everything in my power so that I can come home to you," he told her.

"That is all I can ask. I love you too," she told him, Derek crashed his mouth against her's in a searing kiss, pulling away he rested his head against her.

"Marry me?"

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I will do my best to get the next chapter written and posted as soon as possible. I am still struggling with writers block on this story but I will finish it. I hate stories being left unfinished so it will get finished. Not many chapters left now.