Danny's Story
Chapter 3: It All Comes Down To This One Moment

Evelyn straightened her dress and reapplied her ruby lipstick. She sat patiently on the side of her bed. "Hello, dear. You look nice," Danny said coming in.

"Thanks. I'm...I'm glad you like it," Evelyn said in reply. She gave him a small smile. "We...uh...better be leaving then. Wouldn't want to miss the plane's landing."

"Let's go, then," Danny said to her. They got in the car and had a very silent ride. They walked to the place were Rafe's plane would be arriving. It hadn't been 10 minutes before they heard the plane coming down. The steps were lowered. Danny grabbed Evelyn's hand in his own. "Evelyn, whatever happens here...if he gets off that plane in his usual uniform or in a coffin, I will always love you. And he will, too."

"I don't know what to say right now. So I won't say anything. We have to wait for the outcome. God has planned it. I will accept it," she said back to him.

He smiled at her. He got down on one knee and pulled a ring box out of his inside coat pocket. "Evelyn, will you marry me?"

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Rafe took a deep breath. They had finally touched ground. He slowly got up and walked down the stairs. At first he couldn't see Evelyn or Danny. Then he saw Evelyn, but she wasn't looking at him. He looked around her. He saw his best friend on his right knee. Then he saw the ringbox. "Shit, Danny. Perfect timing, huh?" he said to himself. Danny was proposing to his girlfriend while his own feelings were still raw. Now he had to plaster a smile on his face and pretend to be happy for his friend and ex-girlfriend while secretly he wanted the baby to be his own. While he secretly wished his friend had never been stationed to Pearl Harbor with him. While he knew all he could do was secretly wish. That he couldn't have any of his dreams come true. It wouldn't be fair to Evelyn or Danny or their unborn child if he wished anymore like he was doing.

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"Yes! Yes, Danny, I will marry you!" Evelyn cried. He put the ring on her finger. The small diamond sparkled in the sunlight. How perfect a proposal. She smiled. She felt happy for the first time in a long time. She turned and saw Rafe standing there.

"Hello," he said to Danny and her.

"Rafe! You're back!" she said. "We were so worried. We didn't know if you were alive or not. Oh, Rafe. You're safe!"

"And you're going to be married. Well, all news is shocking news around here," he said.

"Hello, Rafe," Danny said.

"Hello," Rafe said back.

"I would be honored if you would be my best man in the wedding. Brother," Danny said to him.

"Well, why the hell not?" Rafe said cracking a smile. "I'm just so glad to be back on American soil. With my two, I mean three," he touched Evelyn's ever-growing stomach,"favorite people."

"And we're glad to have you back on American soil with us. We missed you around here. It seemed to calm and peaceful," Danny joked.

"Funny," Rafe remarked. There was an awkward pause. "Let's go eat. I'm hungry."

"Great idea. Come on, Danny," Evelyn said. The two men walked on either side of her. They walked to the car where Rafe openned the door for Evelyn. "Always a gentlemen, Rafe."

***RESTAURANT***

The three walked into the restaurant. Danny pulled the chair out for Evelyn. "Thank you Danny," Evelyn said to him.

"I have some news for you," Rafe said with a smile.

"Good or bad?" Danny asked.

"Both. I'm quitting the U.S. Air Force. Just like you did, Danny. I want to move to Tennessee with you. Heck, what kind of godfather would I be if I were constantly moving and sometimes 3,000 miles away from my godchild? Not a damn good one, thats for sure. So I quit," Rafe said to them. They sat shocked.

"Rafe, but this is what you love doing! You love flying!" Danny said to him.

"Not as much as I love you two," Rafe said wiping a single tear from his eye.

"I saw that. So, you are a softy at heart. Who would've guessed?" Evelyn said smiling.

"Where will you work?" Danny asked him.

"Where will you work? I'll find a job. I don't care where I work. As long as I can watch my godchild grow up," Rafe replied.

"If I've learned anything, it's that I can't change your mind. So its off to Tennessee, then. To watch my child grow up," Danny said.