Erin had an idea. She was still working at the defence plant, so she sometimes got to meet soldiers that were not her brothers. Most of them were lonely and without someone other than men to talk to, so she told Emma of her idea to host a party in Ike's Hall. Once the plan had been approved, the family set to work on the decorations.

They placed a bar in the corner, and Corabeth insisted on having only soft drinks, as she didn't want any drunk men around her home. Aimee worked and worked on placing seating around the hall. The others just filled in the pieces. Soon, the party neared.


Emma pinned her hair back and slipped on her pumps. She, Ben, Erin, Paul, Mary Ellen, Aimee, Jim Bob and Elizabeth would be attending as well as some of the soldiers from Camp Lee. Some part of her hoped that Mary Ellen would possibly meet someone. Part of her didn't.

Ben helped Emma into the front of the truck beside Mary Ellen, and he sat on her other side. The rest of the group piled in the back except for Aimee. Emma couldn't help bit notice that Mary Ellen looked more youthful than she had been, her eyes had their old light in them.

Aimee met them at the door, and they all walked inside and dispersed in the talking crowd. Mary Ellen folded her arms and sat down in a quiet corner with Emma, who was feeling tired. To her left, a dark haired man plopped beside her. "Hey. I'm Timothy." He smirked, showing off his white teeth.

Mary Ellen grimaced inside, but stomached her disgust and reluctantly smiled. "Mary Ellen." When they both said yes to dancing, (Ben was fine with it) Timothy took Mary Ellen's hand and his friend took Emma's. They danced for a while, before heading off back to the corner. Emma stopped in surprise at something she heard Mark whisper.

"You don't think you are going sneak off with me? I suppose you didn't notice I was wearing this?" Emma continued, showing off her wedding ring, "Because you were too eager to find a girl, I'll bet." Emma took a deep breath before going to find her husband. She wasn't in the mood for any more fun.

Ben was sitting beside Elizabeth and Aimee, who were giggling and whispering, looking around at all the handsome men around them. He put an arm around Emma as she sat herself beside him. "How's it going?"

"Horrible." She mumbled. At his puzzled look, she answered, "I'll tell you later."