It was Isabel standing there in all her glory. He hair was down clinging to her face in some spots. She was breathing heavily from trying to keep up with him. Her brown eyes were shimmering with tears and her lips trembling slightly.

He didn't know how this vision got to there or anything else. Vaguely he was aware of Rafe and three boys slightly behind her but none of that registered. All he could see was this angel.

Slowly he brushed his hand over her cheek until his hand was cradling the back of her head. Gently he pulled her unresisting body towards him. Once they were touching he angled her head towards him before kissing her.

The second their lips touched the world disappeared. Dimly he felt her wrap his arms around him deepening the kiss. Opening her mouth to him. He could taste the tears that fell from her eyes Hungrily he pulled her even closer his tongue exploring her mouth tasting her like he had never before.

A coughing sound brought them back to reality. Pulling away from each other they remembered the crowd. Blushing deeply Iz hid her face in David's uniform his arm still wrapped around her waist.

Rafe stood watching a huge grin on his face, as he watched the two. Jimmy was already running over to them his arms raised to be picked up by his Daddy. Rafe walked over with Danny and handed a wiggling R.J. to Iz.

Awe filled David's eyes, as he looked at the child his held, his child. Still holding Jimmy he watched as R.J. scared by all the noise and strange people clung to Ix laying his head on her chest, sucking on his thumb.

Danny tired of being ignored by the adults started pulling on his father's leg. "Daddy I'm hungry," he wined as Rafe looked at him.

"Me two," Jimmy agreed wriggling out of David's arms, and dropping back to the ground.

Before they could run away together Rafe caught them both by the back of their pants. "We will all go eat."

Laughing David agreed, "I am starving for some food that is not from the military. Where is the nearest place?"

"There is a restaurant a few blocks away," Iz told them, knowing Rafe had not seen the place.

The Restaurant:

"What are you doing here?" David asked once they were seated. His arm was wrapped around her waist as it had been since they broke apart.

"I was asking that question till this morning as well." Iz told him as she watched R.J. begin to relax around David.

"It was Evelyn's idea." Rafe told them still smiling, "once Doolittle told me when you would be back I talked to her. She told me I had to take Iz and the boys to meet you."

"Wait you both knew he was coming back, and you couldn't tell me?" She asked slightly annoyed.

"Nope then it would have ruined the look on your face when I dragged you down to the dock and pointed out Gooz," Rafe told her matter of factly looking at the menu.

She smiled at him before turning back to David. R.J. was now in his lap and was playing with his buttons. She watched them for few moments tears again filling her eyes. Looking across the table again she saw Jimmy and Danny looking at the menu trying to figure out what they wanted. She then looked up at David not surprised to see him looking at her.

She slowly leaned her head on his shoulder breathing in the spicy scent that she had almost forgotten. She again felt the little bit of stubble on his face a testament to his traveling. Sighing she let herself relax feeling safe with David's arm around her.


The hotel:


It was a happy group that reached the hotel. David was holding R.J. asleep in his arms. His other hand was holding Jimmy's hand. He felt on top of the world and couldn't wait till tomorrow when he would be discharged. In front of him Iz, Rafe, and Danny walked arm in arm.

She looked even more beautiful then he remembered. She was also happier he could tell. Being with her family had done that. Now he was back with his family as well. He looked at Jimmy, the son he calls his own. He could be Danny's twin except for the blue eyes that kept looking up at him. In his arms was his son, the one he had never seen before. He had never felt so content before in his life. He had a home, a wife who loved him, and her older brother who had accepted him.

The group was still floating on air as they went into the hotel. Danny and Jimmy both took off for fountain as Rafe went over to the desk. David saw the man hand him a telegram. Not thinking anything of it he followed Iz over to the boys.

A broken sob got their attention. Turning around they saw Rafe standing in shock a telegram at his feet. Seeing his face Iz ran over and picked it off the ground reading it quickly. Tears filling her eyes she moved Rafe over to a seat. Pulling him into his arms she held him as he began to sob.

Worried David went over to the pair, followed by two nervous little boys. He found the telegram at their feet. Bending down he picked it up reading it slowly.

Mr McCawley.
This morning at five a.m. your wife gave birth to two healthy children. The boy is 6lbs and the girl 5lb 3oz. Your wife died at 7a.m. from complications with the birth. We are sorry for your loss.
Tennessee State Hospital.