Shaking and trembling with fever again, the nurse sat on the edge of Charlotte's bed and tried her best to lower her temperature. There was so denying it, Charlotte had sepsis. Her chances of surviving were halved and when each day ended, her chances dropped again. Half the time, Charlotte was too out of it to notice anything. Her temperature would get so high, that she'd often see things that weren't there. And if she wasn't suffering from a fever, then she was in an enormous amount of pain.
It was hard for Charlotte, to carry on fighting.
Sometimes, she didn't see the point.
She asked herself over again; "what do I have to live for?"
Grant made things more bearable.
Though he couldn't talk, he could walk over to Charlotte.
He'd end up falling asleep next to her.
Grant was always getting into trouble for doing that, but the nurses didn't have the heart to separate them. And they eventually stopped telling Grant off, knowing Charlotte was probably afraid and miserable.
She'd wake up screaming some nights.
Grant would rush to her side and gather his friend up into his arms.
Charlotte would be shaking from fever, pain and terror.
"This is it…this is it…". She'd cry out weakly, thinking she was slipping away.
But Grant refused to let go and would only hold her tighter.
Winters and Martin paid them a visit one morning. Only to find Grant fast asleep with Charlotte, in her bed. It was nice that they had each other but neither of them deserved to be in a hospital, not when the war in Europe had ended. They should have been back with Easy and training with their friends. But that wasn't the case. Grant had to learn how to talk again, while Charlotte fought for her life.
But they had each other.
And that's what put Martin's mind at ease most night.
Still, it was hard for the Sargent to see his two pals so sick.
His eyes would well up and he'd end up crying.
Winters placed a hand on the Sargent's shoulder.
Together, they walked towards their two friends sleeping on the bed.
"Last I saw her". Martin whispered in the quiet ward, "she was…she was upset over something".
Winters frowned a little;
"what upset her?"
Martin sighed;
"she thought you was leaving, sir". He mumbled, "she felt a little lost, I suppose".
Winters frowned deepened;
"I was meant to stay for a reason". He whispered.
The Sargent nodded;
"yeah, for Lottie, sir".
"Yeah". Winters said, "but for the rest of you too".
The Major's hand went back on Martin's shoulder.
Martin sighed shakily;
"Bill's threatening to come over here". He said, "he said he's 'gonna kick Lottie's ass back in shape and get her fighting off this infection quicker".
Winters huffed softly;
"sure sounds like Wild Bill, huh?"
Martin swallowed back the lump in his throat;
"am I 'gonna lose her, sir?"
Winters shook his head;
"no". He replied, sounding confident. "We're not 'gonna lose our girl".
A small moan came from the bed.
The two men looked towards their friends.
Grant's eyes opened and he looked at Charlotte.
She let out another weak moan, before her body locked up.
Charlotte started to convulse, before her arms and head jerked and spasmed.
Grant carefully rolled Charlotte onto her side and kept her mouth open, so she didn't bite her tongue. Winters was soon on her other side, his hand going on her shoulder;
"we're here, it's okay". He murmured, "Johnny, get the nurse".
Martin's eyes were wide, while he stared at his friend;
"what…what's happening to her?" He asked, sounding terrified.
The Major gave him a sharp nod;
"now, soldier". He ordered, "get the nurse".
Turning around, Martin rushed out of the ward and screamed for help; convinced his friend was about to die. But Charlotte's seizures only ever lasted under a minute. And like always, she was confused and tired when it ended. Still, on her side, she let out a soft groan;
"happened?" She mumbled weakly.
"You're okay, trooper". Winters assured her.
One of Charlotte's eyes opened.
She could see Winters face in front of her.
Reaching out, her hand went on his arm;
"s'okay, sir". She said, voice slurring, "just need to sleep, eh?"
Charlotte's fever was too high once again.
The nurse was back with more medicine and a wet cloth.
Whatever the doctor was giving her, didn't seem to be working. And the man was aware of that now. He was angry at himself for wasting time. The doctor stormed out of the room and went back to figuring out what else might work for Charlotte. They had a new problem; Charlotte's catheter bag was practically empty now. The penicillin wasn't working. And the doctor knew it was only a matter of time for Charlotte.
…
When Heffron and Webster came to visit her, Charlotte felt too weak to talk.
Though, she did manage to crack the smallest of smiles.
Because her squad had come by to see her.
And memories of her life back in England, drinking warm beer in the pub, melted her heart. It seemed like a lifetime ago, while she remembered those days. Those days of being stupid, young and drunk. Charlotte spent the majority of her time laughing with Grant, Guarnere, Martin and Heffron down at the pub.
Giving Heffron a tiny nod, she placed her hand on her arm;
"roll-up…the sleeve?" She croaked.
Silently, Heffron walked over to her old squad leader and rolled up her sleeve.
There, they both saw her Goofy tattoo.
They both let out choked laughs.
Charlotte huffed softly;
"don't…don't regret that, man".
Heffron took her hand, while tears blinded his vision;
"Lottie, please". He choked out, "don't go, huh? You promised Bill that drink, remember? You've 'gotta hold on".
Closing her eyes, Charlotte felt a tear roll down her cheek.
"I don't…'wanna go, Babe". She mumbled, "I'm scared".
Sniffing, Heffron leaned down and kissed the top of Charlotte's head;
"good". He whispered, voice breaking. "Cause you ain't going nowhere. The only place you're going, is back home, with Winters".
"Babe's right". Webster added quietly, "you're going home, Lottie".
Charlotte wanted to go home.
She wanted that life in Lancaster with Winters.
A nine till five job, four dogs and a nice house to look after.
It's what every soldier deserved, a happy ending.
The sickness happened shortly after her two friends left. Charlotte was projectile vomiting, while her body tried to get rid of the poison inside of her. It did nothing to help, it only made her weaker. And when she was finished, Charlotte couldn't turn her head to look at Grant. All she could do was close her eyes and listen to the nurses clean up the mess.
Grant was watching her closely.
Opening his mouth, he managed to croak out;
"Lottie".
Opening one eye, Charlotte slowly turned her head to the side.
Her lips twitched slightly;
"you spoke". She said, voice hoarse and weak.
With a tiny smile still on her face, Charlotte closed her eyes again.
And drifted off.
…
When her eyes opened hours later, she saw Winters and Nixon by the door.
With a special present for Charlotte.
Her eyes lightened slightly, when she spotted a German Shephard dog by Nixon's leg.
Licking her dry and cracked lips, Charlotte gave a little whistle.
The dogs head perked up.
He turned to look at the girl and soon padded towards her.
Sitting down at the side of her bed, he stuck out his tongue and panted happily.
Charlotte placed her arm over the bed, where the dog soon began to lick her hand.
And while Charlotte gave the dog some attention, the doctor gave Nixon and Winters the bad news. News, which everyone had been dreading to hear.
"The penicillin will not work". He told them lowly, "she doesn't have long".
Winters took in a sharp and quiet breath.
Feeling his lip tremble slightly, Winters cleared his throat.
"We will make her comfortable". The doctor went on, "I will give her a lot of pain relief and hopefully, she'll slip away in her sleep".
Shaking his head, the Major whispered;
"I don't want her too".
Nixon frowned, while his eyes stared down at his boots.
"She's…she's just a kid". Winters added, voice almost breaking. "Isn't there anything else, doc? Don't we have anything else we can try?"
The doctor sighed;
"I haven't taken her off the penicillin. Perhaps I will try more IV fluids. There is a type of fluid that is still very limited". He told them, "I could try and find a supplier".
"I'll get it". Winters told him, "wherever it is, I'll get it, doc".
"Surgery might be another option". The doctor then added, "if the infection comes from an abscess within the body, I might be able to stop it spreading to her organs".
Nixon's head jerked up;
"can she take another operation?"
The doctor licked his bottom lip, before saying;
"once I get the fluids. I will perform the operation and remove the infection. It may not remove all of it, but with the fluids and the penicillin, Charlotte might still have a chance".
She had a chance again.
Winters could hold onto that.
But Charlotte didn't look convinced.
After the Major and Nixon explained the doctor's plan of action, Charlotte didn't look happy. She looked tired, depressed and sick. And she didn't want to hear any more false hope. Shoulders dropping, Charlotte gently petted the dogs head, who soon had his head on her lap.
Her eyes then moved up to meet Winters stare.
She could see the hope shining.
Winters had every bit of confidence, that Charlotte would live.
Even Nixon looked hopeful.
And then she thought of Guarnere.
Her heart twitched.
As did her gut.
Guarnere would never let her quit.
"I miss him". She whispered.
Winters placed a hand on her shoulder;
"who, trooper?"
"Bill". She croaked, "the…the Hardy…to my Laurel".
"You'll see him again".
Charlotte's bottom lip quivered;
"I'm scared". She mumbled thickly, "what if…if I miss everyone when I die?"
A tear rolled down her cheek;
"I already…miss everyone".
Frowning deeply, Winters kissed the top of her head;
"you're going to see him again". He whispered, "I promise. This is going to work".
Charlotte blinked heavily.
She could see Winters blurry face.
"Will you…be there?" Charlotte whispered.
"I'm not leaving your side".
…
With the fluid running through her body, Charlotte was getting prepped for surgery.
Winters was lying next to her, his arm around her shoulders.
He had the oxygen mask placed over her nose and mouth and held it in place for her.
The nurses had changed Charlotte, bathed her and made sure she was doing okay. Of course, the girl was scared. Frightened she wouldn't wake up this time. But the doctor gave her confidence, which Charlotte lacked.
With his free hand, Winters rubbed circles on Charlotte's shoulder.
He was telling her a story from back home.
The ward was quiet that morning.
Grant was fast asleep, and the patients were in the dayroom, getting breakfast and coffee.
Charlotte leaned against Winter's side heavily.
She was already falling asleep, without the drugs to put her to sleep.
Winters had calmed her nervous heart, with his childhood story.
Apparently, Winters had a great imagination as a child. He had his own "cows" to herd. He even gave them all names. Of course, the cows were only sticks. But in his eyes, they were the real deal.
His eyes moved towards the teddy, which was tucked in beside Charlotte.
"What'd you call the bear, Lottie?"
Taking in a deep breath first, she replied;
"Scottie".
He smiled small;
"I like that name…Scottie".
Charlotte hummed;
"aye…I'm a pure…genius".
Winters felt his eyes well up with tears.
He gave his head a little nod;
"yeah, you are, huh?"
Charlotte's arm went around his waist;
"you are…the best thing that's ever…happened to me". She told him, "when I lost dad…you made me feel…complete".
Winters felt a tear roll down his cheek.
Charlotte took in another deep and heavy breath;
"I…admire…and look up to you…you turned me into a solider…and gave me chances…and let me fight alongside…the best men ever".
Exhaling shakily, she added;
"I will miss you…I hope…I hope I see you again, sir".
Winters was lost in her words.
He didn't even hear the nurse approach the bed.
Until she cleared her throat.
Lifting his head, he didn't bother to wipe his tear away.
The nurse gave him a sad and soft smile;
"it's time, Major Winters".
Giving the nurse a tiny nod, Winters looked back down at Charlotte.
It could well be his last goodbye to her.
But he didn't want to believe that.
The nurse took the breaks off the bed.
Winters licked his bottom lip;
"can you…can you wait a minute? Give us – a moment, please?"
The nurse frowned;
"it must be now, Major". She apologised, "I'm sorry".
Sighing shakily, Winters swallowed back the swell of emotions.
Giving Charlotte's head a gentle kiss, he told her;
"I love you". He whispered, "I'll see you back here soon".
Charlotte opened one eye to look at him;
"love you". She mumbled.
Grabbing her teddy, Winters got off the bed.
The nurse gave him another kind smile, before she wheeled Charlotte towards the doors.
And Winters was left standing there.
In the complete unknown.
…
Walking towards a familiar door, someone opened it for her.
Stepping inside the pub, which was warmed by a blazing fire.
She could see the smoke coming out from the barrels, where the barman made the hot beer with a red poker. And only a few men were gathered in the pub that evening. Before Charlotte arrived, they had been drinking quietly, with little to no expression on their faces. But once the doors closed, the men turned and looked her way.
They started to smile at her.
And Charlotte smiled back at them.
Elmar Murray placed a hand into hers.
Charlotte felt a spark of warmth hit her heart.
She looked up at him, feeling her eyes swim with unleashed tears.
And soon, someone else took her hand.
It was Jackson.
Together, her two friends led Charlotte through the pub.
The bartender gave her a little wave and a friendly wink.
And leaning against that bar, holding up their glasses, were Muck, Dukeman, Penkala and Hoobler.
Charlotte let out a silent laugh.
Facing the front, they soon stopped.
Standing in front of her, Jim Campbell placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
And when he moved out of the way, Charlotte could see light eyes staring back at her.
With dark hair, a freckled nose and spectacles. Irena gave Charlotte the most beautiful smile, she had ever seen in her whole life. She looked like an angel, standing below a ceiling light, which shone down on her like the heavens had opened on Irena.
Letting go of her friend's hands, she quickly stepped towards Irena.
Placing her hands on the side of Irena's face, Charlotte brought their lips together.
She had waited years to kiss her again.
Irena wrapped her arms around Charlotte's neck, kissing her back.
No words were exchanged.
They held each other tightly, never letting go.
Charlotte didn't want to let her go again.