I do not own Band of Brothers. Only the characters that exist only in my mind. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
When the train arrived from London, Nolan and Jack were there along with Hoogaboom who drove a very large limousine because Godwin's sciatica was acting up.
Nolan walked up to Jo and looked her dead in the eye, "Did you miss me at all?" Much to everyone's surprise, Jo threw her pocketbook to the ground, wrapped her arms around Nolan's neck and answered his question with a passionate kiss.
Some young men returning to college started to snicker then one of them said, "Oy, get a room."
"Oy yourself, get lost," growled Bill as he swung one of his crutches menacingly. The scholars scurried off. Bill now turned his attentions to Jack who greeted Edie by lifting her up in the air which made Edie laugh out loud. Bill turned to Molly and said, "I like that kid more and more."
"I am rather fond of him myself," said Molly sardonically. "Did you miss me while you were away?"
"Every goddamn day, sweetheart, I would show you how much, but I might get arrested."
"Oh, Bill," laughed Molly. "You are hopeless."
"A hopeless romantic when it comes to you baby," crooned Bill as he kissed her on the cheek.
"No more ghosts," whispered Nolen.
He studied Jo's face, waiting for a response, and felt relieved when she smiled. "No more ghosts."
Hans collected the luggage and they were amused to see not only the limousine, but three vintage motorcycles with sidecars. Nolan asked Jo if he was being presumptuous. "Yes, but I like a man of action," said Jo.
Jack on the other hand scooped Edie up and placed her in the sidecar. "Please," said Jack. At the moment, Edie was still standing in the sidecar.
"All right," but I dressed up just for you," said Edie as you daintily took her seat in the sidecar.
"And you look lovely," said Jack. "You can wear a short red skirt for me anytime you like. It look smashing with those riding boots."
"If I am going to be a lady in the country, I might as well dress the part," Edie retorted.
"Who drove the third one," asked Katie?
"That would be me Miss," said Deidre. "Her Ladyship insisted that we bring one for you and Mr. Winchester, but I think it really was just an excuse to ride through the village in case you declined."
"Don't be ridiculous or impertinent Deidre," sniffed Molly, in a very British like way.
"Are you sure you don't want Win to give you a ride," said Katie.
"I am quite sure. A week of shopping with my granddaughter then you two on top of not sleeping in my own bed does not sit well with me. My God we worked hard for these comforts, and I intend to enjoy them. Now you and Win or Wood or whatever you are calling him today, run along."
"Why, Molly," said Katie. "For the first time, you sound like an impatient old fart or is it fartess?"
"Katydid," said Molly smugly, "Kiss my ass."
"I thought that was Bill's job," said Babe without missing a beat.
Frank and Don whooped with gusto and they all headed off for their means of transportation.
That night Jo and Nolan entered a phase of their relationship. Swept away by passion and anticipation of the moment, the two lovers finally fell back onto the bed. "That is a beautiful tattoo Jo," said Nolan quietly. He noticed it almost immediately and gently caressed it, as the skin was still tender before carrying her over to the bed in his room. Nolan's room was at the end of the hall, and since this was the first time together, they desired privacy.
Down at the boathouse, Edie underwent similar examination by Jack. "My God, you are an amazing woman," said Jack as Edie unveiled the new artwork. Touching it with his fingertips, he murmured, "I am completely gob smacked. This is the greatest compliment anyone has ever paid me," he said. "How did you manage it?"
Edie grinned and held up his wings, which he snatched from her. "You little minx and right under my nose."
"Can I help it that I like symmetry," mused Edie, "And I aim to please."
"Oh, you do," said Jack as pulled her down on top of him.
The next few weeks everyone relaxed and rested. One day the Molly invited Meggie and her friends upstairs to play dress up. Deidre brought out a number of velvet boxes that contained a stunning assortment of bracelets, pendants, mourning pins, rings, necklaces, and Katie's favorite - tiaras.
"It's like having breakfast in bed at Tiffany's," said Katie with glee as she held a necklace with large emeralds up to the light. "Oh, Molly, when did you wear this? It's stunning."
"That was a birthday gift from Ralph. It was my thirtieth, and we had a lovely party despite the shortages. Lew Nixon came with his new bride as did Edie's grandparents."
"Really," said Edie. She was helping Meggie with the clasp on a spectacular blue sapphire and diamond bracelet. The latter wore one of her grandmother's beaded dresses from the twenties, a pair of long white gloves, and it was the latter that the bracelet now refused to wrap around. "There, got it," said Edie. The two looked in the mirror. "You like a woman from another era."
"Oh, I wish Daddy would let me have a costume party for a wedding reception. Isn't a wedding about taking on another identity? You know that of a wife."
"Makes sense to me, I don't think your father would like it very much nor your mother after she and I sat patiently while you tried on every Vera Wang gown in London before finding the perfect dress," said Molly.
Ignoring the subtle scolding, Meggie dropped her tone and said, "Grand may I wear this bracelet for the Christmas party in Valldemossa."
Katie stopped preening in the mirror and looked at Jo and Edie who shrugged.
"Of course, my love, Deidre, please make a note of that for me."
"Yes, your ladyship," said Deidre. She jotted that down in black book that Edie learned served as her notes on what to pack for this or that occasion. Still writing, Deidre left the room.
Molly looked up to see her friend's gesture.
"I usually winter the island of Mallorca. We have a villa in the village of Valldemossa. That is where I spend Christmas. It is too painful for me to stay here."
"I am sorry Molly," said Edie as she hugged Molly. How frail she seems right now, thought Edie.
"That's understandable," said Jo, who had not really enjoyed the holidays since the death of her mother. It's just that we thought we were spending the holidays with you," said Jo, "But we understand you want your family with you at Christmas."
"Of course, you are spending the holidays with me. That is what we planned when we started the European trip. Isabel and Henry entertain their friends and her family at Somerville during the holidays. My daughters, of course, conveniently live far away enough that the trip is too strenuous for me and too expensive for them to make."
"Oh, Grand, please don't bring that up again," said Meggie. "You know how unhappy it makes you." Turning to the perplexed trio, Meggie explained in a tone that let them know how displeased she was with her aunts. "Grand raised them to be independent women in a time when most of their friends were encouraged to marry, settle down, and live a nice, button downed life. She gave them freedom, and they repay her by moving to the far corners of the earth, thinking that Grand is so resilient that she will never notice that they aren't there."
"Meggie that is enough. I made the mistake of trying to be my daughters' friends," said Molly tearfully. "Ralph warned me that this might happen. They are your daughters he would say, not your friends, but I would not listen. I never realized how much they resented my intrusion into their lives. My attempt at being the hip, cool, understanding mom backfired when my daughters made it clear that they were afraid I would smother their children the same way I did them." Laughing bitterly, Molly said, "They compare me to Auntie Mame."
"Oh, Molly, why didn't you tell us," said a shocked Katie. "Of course, you thought you were doing the right thing, but do you think you were trying to replace us with your daughters?"
"Not at first," said Molly. "However, when they all chose to go away to boarding school for their last years in what we call high school, I knew I failed them some way, and I almost made the same mistake with Henry. It is funny, but he thought I did not love him as much as I did his sisters. So, if I start butting into your lives just let me know."
Speechless, Edie just continued to hold Molly as they sat together on the bed. Finally, she whispered, "I don't know what to say Molly, but I know you love them very much, and that is what is important."
"Fuck 'em," said Jo.
"Pardon," said Molly. She lifted her head up and blinked her eyes several times.
"Fuck them for being such total bee aitches. My mother died when I was young, and I would have done anything to have a mother like you who wanted to do things together instead of having a bunch of guys always putting me down because I was a girl. Fuck them, I know they are your daughters, but one day, they will regret their decision because I think you are the coolest, most wonderful woman I have ever met, and they can just kiss my Irish ass."
Stunned by Jo's outburst as well as the personal attack on Molly's daughters, Edie tried to gauge Molly's reaction, and was relieved when she began to chuckle then it was a side bursting laugh. "Thank you Jo," said Molly holding her hand out to her friend. "Of course, it must have been horrible for you growing up in a house full of jocks with no mother. Come here." Edie rolled over to the other side of the bed while Molly embraced a crying Jo.
"It is so unfair," sobbed Jo. "If they were here now, I would really give them a piece of my mind."
"You would have to get in line," said Meggie. "Mummy and Daddy are furious with them for not letting the grandchildren visit more often. Granddad begged them to reconsider, but they refuse. They cannot believe how close Jack and I are to Grand. I agree with Jo, fuck them."
"Please, no, don't say things like that. They are my daughters and I love them so dearly, and I miss them, nevertheless I made a mistake, but I learned from them so you are welcome to stay here or leave, but remember the door at Somerville Hall is always open as long as I am alive.
"Jesus Christ, we are becoming maudling," says Edie,
A knock at the door let them know Deidre was back, "Here is the box that you requested for Miss Morrison."
"For me," said Katie? "What is it?
"Open it and see," said Molly who eagerly anticipated her friend's reaction. She wiped the tears from her eyes.
Katie undid the clasp and raised the lid. "Oh, my, it is absofuckinglutely unbelievable!" Edie, Jo, and Meggie looked over and around Katie and a chorus of ooooo's filled the room. It was a small tiara with white and black diamonds, the latter matched the beads in Katie's wedding dress.
"The moment I saw you in your wedding dress, I knew this would make your wedding ensemble complete. It can be your something borrowed," said Molly who embraced a teary Katie. "That is if you approve."
"Approve, are you shitting me, excuse me, kidding me? This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me," said Katie.
"It is not the one I wore at my wedding. That tiara is a family heirloom and belongs to Isabelle. "Someday, Edie will wear it." Molly held up a multi-string pearled bracelet with an aquamarine clasp. "Try this on."
Edie held out her right arm and stood patiently while Molly fastened the clasp. "It suits you."
"It is very beautiful. How old is it?"
"If I recall correctly, that dates back to Queen Alexandra's time. I had it restrung not too long ago, and the jeweler said that they rarely cut stones like that anymore. Now you should have a ring or two to wear along with that. Here look through this tray, and see what strikes your fancy."
Before Edie stood a wide velvet tray of the widest assortment of rings, she had ever seen outside of a jewelry store.
"Wow, look at that one," said Jo pointing to a large emerald.
"Please try it on. Now that ring dates to about 1925. It was an anniversary present to my mother-in-law."
"She was very tall wasn't she Grand," asked Meggie. "I mean this dress of her fits me perfectly.
"Yes, the Countess was almost as tall as Jo. She was quite sensible for her time, but Hortense missed the carefree days when England's aristocracy had the run of things, but she was a practical woman when need be and was not above dealing on the black market. I never said anything, but I knew Hortense must have made some shady dealings after I lost my first child. If I wanted a special kind of dessert then it appeared, and that was during the food shortages. Had it not been for her and Anika, I would have starved for female companionship."
All of the girls selected rings and admired their hands in the mirror. At least most of them did, Edie still had not chosen a ring. "What is the matter Edie, nothing appeals to you?"
"Oh, they are all beautiful," said Edie, "but you know my tastes in jewelry are simple and old-fashion. Oh, here is one that I overlooked." Carefully she removed the ring from its velvet bed. Edie held it up to the light. Crafted in platinum, the center stone was a large aquamarine. Seven Old European Cut round diamonds surrounded the gem while smaller diamonds were evident in the intricate floral design on the sides of the band. Placing it on her ring finger of her right hand, Edie held her hand away and admired the ring. "This is a beautiful ring," she said softly. "What is its history?"
"I am not sure," said Molly as she looked at the ring on Edie's hand. "I would say art deco by the geometric design, which puts it sometimes in the twenties, and it does look lovely on your hand."
"Thank you," said Edie as she removed the jewel and placed it back in the tray. It was true. Her tastes were simple. Sometimes it overwhelmed Edie to think about the fact that one day, many years from now, she and Jack would be responsible for maintaining the traditions of Somerville Hall. Whatever plans I made prior to September, seem so inconsequential in comparison to the duties I will inherit if I marry Jack, she thought. Shaking her head as that would remove her worries, Edie tried to pick up the thread of the conversation. She felt an arm around her shoulder and saw that Molly was studying her carefully.
"It is staggering at first, but it is amazing how easy it comes to you after awhile," Molly whispered. Edie hugged Molly who knew what Edie must have been feeling having experienced the same awesome sense of responsibility when she agreed to marry Ralph. "You will rise to the occasion as you always do in any circumstance. God willing I will be there to guide you through the protocol of being the wife of a Viscount. We have plenty of time to train you for the duties involved as being the Countess of Somerville."
"What are you two whispering about," demanded Meggie.
"We are plotting to moon your father when he comes down for the weekend," retorted Molly.
The girls whooped as they envisioned what Lord Henry's reaction would be if such a thing occurred.
"Grand, poor Father would think you had lost your mind," said Meggie.
"Not anymore," said Edie. "He told Jack that it would not surprise him if Molly rode naked through the streets of Somerville. That really set them off laughing, and it was a few days before anyone could say Somerville within earshot of any of those present in the room without one or all suppressing a chuckle.
The beauty of the autumn colors faded as October finally came to a close. It was time for Bill and company to fly back across the pond along with Edie, JoJo, and Katie. When they landed in Philadelphia, they sat with Frank and Don who had to wait for their flights. After many hugs and kisses along with promises to see them soon at Katie's wedding, the two men boarded the flight to Chicago. The girls prearranged to lease a large limousine to escort Bill and Babe home in style. When they pulled up in front of Babe's brownstone, the girls hopped out and walked him upstairs to his front door. His stunned neighbors could only imagine what Edward Heffron was doing in the company of three lovely ladies who hugged him and kissed him before entering the limo again. Jaws dropped when the car pulled in front of Bill's house. His son Gene met them in front of the house.
"Hey, Wild Bill," called a young man from the neighborhood. "You are one lucky dude. Those are fine looking broads with you."
"Mind your manners," you scalawag. "Dey's ain't broads. Dey's goddamn women."
"You tell him Wild Bill," said Edie as she hugged Bill. "Either you call me or I will call you." Edie pressed her forehead against Bill's.
"I would grab your ass, honey, but I am afraid, my boy here will think I'm cracking up."
"That's all right Bill, it's the thought that counts." They both laughed and she kissed him goodbye.
As Gene helped his father up the steps, he heard the girls yell, "See you soon, Wild Bill!" The two men turned to see the girls standing in the limousine with their heads sticking through the sunroof. Then they started to sing
"We pull upon the Risers
We land upon the grass,
We never land upon our feet,
We always hit our ass.
Hidee Hydee Christ almighty
who the hell are we?
Rim-ram Gawddamn
We're Parchute infantry!"
Edie, Jo, and Katie continued singing and waving as did Bill until the car turned the corner and was out of sight.
"Did you have fun Pops?"
"Son, I had one fine vacation."
In November, the University of Virginia held a memorial service for Molly, which the three girls attended. Each visited with their parents, and were rather glad to be back together even under dubious circumstances. Jack came to represent his grandmother who had been invited as Molly's "guardian." She and Anika were now in Spain soaking up the warm sunshine before flying to California for Katie and Win's wedding. The latter was now employed at the Oxford University Hospital specializing in trauma wounds. His unit was responsible for the treatment of many of the soldiers wounded in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He would fly over just before the wedding. Once again, Chris took over temporary management of the dairy while Jack and Nolan were in the states.
It was a solemn ceremony held in the magnificent Rotunda that was restored based on Jefferson's original design. The provost requested that Edie say a few words regarding her roommate and friend. Katie and JoJo squeezed her hand before she stood in front of the many students and faculty members who attended the service. Standing at the podium, Edie smiled at the attendees many of whom were on the point of tears. Molly would be so touched by the presence of all these people, Edie thought, and that is how she began her eulogy to her dear young friend who was now by some strange, dark scientific experiment was in her eighties enjoying the life as Lady Winters, the Dowager Countess of Somerville. Edie reserved her remarks to the funny escapades that the fab four were once known for and this enabled many in the audience to laugh as well as cry. She concluded her speech with words that mixed the present and the past. "Although our dear friend Molly is not with us now, she will always be in our hearts, and I will cherish her memory and carry it with me as long as I live." As she returned to her seat, Jack embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. When she sat down, Katie and JoJo put their arms around her.
Next, it was Jack's turn to take the podium. "I never met the Molly that all of you knew and loved, but I know she must have been a special person for all of you to pay tribute to her memory today in this beautiful room. My grandmother is very sad that she could not be here with all of you today. I hope all of you understand how hard it is for her to let go of Molly who was young and vibrant with her whole life ahead of her. My family holds Molly in the highest regards, and it is with great pleasure that we establish an endowment to fund the education of any young woman who is a veteran of the Iraq War and desires and education at this wonderful university. It is a special wish of the family and her friends that special consideration be given to a young woman who was injured during the war and is now an amputee. We ask simply that you call it the Molly Fund. Although, we British rarely discuss money, I am delighted to inform you that the Winters of Somerville have donated a million dollars to this endowment." This brought a round of applause and the memorial concluded with Molly's favorite hymn "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."
As they strolled out of the building and onto the older part of the campus, Edie spied an old man who looked vaguely familiar, she stopped and said, "Shifty, is that you?"
"Yes, m'am, it sure is good to see all of you again. Y'all look just as pretty as the first time I laid eyes on you, and that's a fact. I called Bill up when I read the news about Molly in the paper." Edie, Jo, and Katie took turns giving him a hug then Edie introduced Jack and Nolan. They walked together away from the crowd. I sure was relieved to hear that she's doing fine over in England, but I sure am sorry that she did not make it back with y'all. I know how close you all are, but Bill says she's doing real good."
"Jack is her grandson," said Edie matter-of-factly.
"Is that a fact," said Shifty. "I can see the resemblance in your eyes."
"We are having lunch with the Chancellor," said Jo. "Why don't you join us?"
"No, I wouldn't feel right about that," said Shifty, "but I would like to catch up with y'all afterwards."
"Sure Shifty," said Edie. "Let's meet back here say around 2:00."
"Good enough," said Shifty. "Nice meeting you young men."
"The pleasure is entirely ours," said Jack as he shook hands with Easy Company's famous sharp shooter.
After a luncheon that seemed to go on forever and where the girls were told repeatedly how sorry they were to hear of this tragedy, and with time, their wounds would heal, the girls along with Nolan and Jack met Shifty in front of the Rotunda.
"How was your luncheon," asked Shifty.
"Exhausting," said Katie. "We sat there and had to pretend Molly is dead, and we are devastated. I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I could use a drink."
"And we know just the place," said Edie. They walked to the corner, where the most popular handouts in Charlotte were located.
"The Buddhist Biker Bar and Grill," said, Jack. "What a smashing name for a pub."
"Sounds a little odd to me," said Shifty. "Y'all sure this is a bar. It looks like someone's house."
"Trust me," said Edie. "It is definitely a bar." Inside, the eclectic décor featured a vaulted ceiling with a hand-painted water scene and an old canoe
"Now I like that," said Shifty.
They gathered around a table in the back, and ordered a round of whiskies. Shifty looked a little uneasy until Edie said, "Shot the eyes out of any squirrels lately?"
That seemed to put him at ease. "No, I can't rightly say as I have. How about you, have you done any hunting?"
"I don't know if I want to have that kind of power over any living thing ever again, Shifty."
"I know how you feel. A lot of fellows feel that way. I know I did for a long time."
"You were in a wreck on your way back home weren't you," asked Nolan.
"Yes, son, I sure was. This replacement got drunk and ran right into our transport. I was in a cast from here down." Shifty placed his hand at his waist. "While I was in hospital, somebody stole my back pay and all my loot. That's the stuff I took off of dead Germans," he explained.
"I remember reading that," said Edie. "It's a shame someone wasn't there from Easy Company to stop them."
Jo sipped her whiskey, and said, "I am glad I wasn't there towards the end of the war especially after what Babe told me happened to Chuck Grant."
Shifty finished his drink, and commiserated with her, "Now that was a shame for a fellow as nice as Chuck to make it all through the war and then get shot in the head by some sorry replacement who supposedly is on the same side as you," said Shifty. The girls all nodded. They liked Chuck. He was a good sergeant who looked out for his men in the same careful manner as did Bill, Joe, Johnny Martin, and Ken Mercier.
"To Chuck," said Jo. They hoisted their glasses and sipped their whiskies. Before the afternoon ended, they toasted the memories of a lot of their friends who were no longer living, including Joe Toye. It was then that Jo explained that she and Nolan were going to take a little side trip up to Pennsylvania after Thanksgiving to pay their respects to Joe Toye.
They paced their drinking and eventually stopped to order several pulled duck quesadillas, which Shifty declared made a fine meal along with some sodas. Afterwards the girls walked Shifty to his truck and each gave him a goodbye hug and kiss on the cheek. "I sure am glad that I lived long enough to see you three again. Take care and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials, Katie."
"Thank you Shifty. That is very kind of you to say."
Shifty got into his truck, stuck his arm out the window, and waved goodbye. The girls waved back then rejoined Jack and Nolan.
The next day Edie and Jack flew up to New York and picked up Molly, Anika, and Deidre at the airport then they left for California. Jo and Nolan rented a car and left for Pennsylvania. The plan was for them to pick up Bill and Babe in Philadelphia then they would all fly out to California, but first Jo and Nolan needed to make a side trip.
Arriving in Reading around two, Jo, and Nolen stopped at a local gas station and obtained directions to the cemetery. After inquiring at the cemetery office about the exact location obtained of Joe Toye's' grave they drove into the cemetery. Nolan parked the car as close as he could to the gravesite. It was cold and a bit windy. Nolen held the door for Jo and she stepped out then she opened the back seat and reached for the large bouquet of flowers that they bought on their way to the cemetery.
"Do you want me to stay here," said Nolan. "I don't mind."
"Yes, you do," said Jo. "I would like for you to come with me. No more ghosts remember?"
"No more ghosts," agreed Nolan.
It did not take them long to find Joe Toye's marker. The tombstone was handsome and Jo could almost hear Joe telling someone the words he wanted engraved on it. Stooping down to lay the flowers on the grave, Jo placed her fingers over the 506th carved on the tombstone. She squatted like that for a while then stood up and leaned on Nolan who wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face on his shoulder and had a little cry. They never said a word. Nolan handed her his handkerchief, which she gratefully received. When they got back to their car, they realized someone had pulled in behind their car. He was blonde and middle age, but Jo immediately recognized him as Joe's son Peter. The latter nodded at both of them but then stopped and stared at Jo.
"I'm sorry for staring, but you remind of a woman in a photograph that I found in my father's wallet after he died. Her name was Joanna Riordan. My name is Peter Toye."
Nolan got in the car, started it, and then waited to see what Jo would do.
That's all right," said Jo. "You resemble your father."
"That's what everyone says," said Peter proudly. "May I ask how you know my father?"
Walking around the car to get inside, Jo said, "It's a long story."
"Oh, by the way, what's your name?"
"Joanna Riordan," she said then quickly jumped in the car leaving a stunned Peter Toye look on as they drove off and circled around the cemetery before exiting. When he made his way over to his father's grave, Peter trembled when he read the note with the large bouquet of flowers. Thank you for everything you gave me. All my love, Joanna. Shaking his head, Peter told himself she must be her granddaughter. Lifting up the flowers, he got the shock of his life. There on the ground, still in its holster was an Army regulation World War II vintage 45.
