Rafe and Danny came home for the final time in August 1945.
Colonel Paul Tibbetts and his B-29 crew had helped bring an end to the war by dropping the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima Japan, which meant all of those missions that had taken Rafe away from his family for the last three years were finished.
Evelyn waited at the gate of Hickam Field. It was something she had not done since Rafe had come home from China and she watched as the C-47 touched down and slowly taxied to a stop. She watched with anticipation as she saw him step off the plane with his travel bag because she'd not told him she was coming.
Other wives had already started to run toward the plane before she found herself running to her husband. Rafe was surprised at her being there, but he was very happy she was. He dropped his bag and when she reached him, he picked her up and swung her around. He put her back on her feet and put his arms around her and all she could say was, "Thank God it's finally over."
"Amen to that Mrs. McCawley." And he kissed her. "It's hard to believe I won't have to go away any more."
"Thank God." She repeated and pulled him to her.
When Rafe loosened his hold on her he looked around. "Where are the kids?"
"With Barbara and Martha. Sandra was supposed to be here to meet Danny, but I don't see her."
"That's his problem." He said with a grin. "I've got my girl."
Evelyn hugged him again. "Let's go home Captain McCawley."
He picked up his travel bag and put his arm around her before they headed to the gate.
By the time Rafe pulled the car in the drive, the pilots and nurses had gathered in front of the house. They were sitting on the swing, in the overstuffed chair and on the stairs laughing and talking. The children were playing with the nurses when Rafe and Evelyn came up the front walk and Danny jumped off of Martha's lap and ran to his father. Rafe bent down to pick up his son who was nearly three and his daughter Sarah who was almost two, came toddling behind. Her steps weren't as sure as her big brother's, but she was determined to keep up with him. Evelyn picked her up and the four of them reached the front of the house.
The atmosphere was jubilant among the gathered friends because the conflict that had started with a Sunday morning attack nearly four years ago was over. Rafe put Danny on his feet, opened the front door and invited everyone in. He then took Sarah out of her mother's arms and put her on her feet and she followed her brother inside.
Evelyn looked at him, wondering what her husband was up to. He answered her silent question with a grin before he picked her up in his arms and carried her into the house. His happiness at being home for good was evident as he put his wife back on her feet. "Haven't done that since we got married."
Evelyn shook her head in amusement and went into the kitchen. She had prepared lunch in anticipation of everyone coming to the house. Rafe and Evelyn's was always the place where they all gathered for one reason or another when the pilots were home. Barbara came in from the living room asking if she could help and Evelyn had her take cold cuts and sliced bread out to the dining room table. It was unusual to have such a casual lunch, but she wanted to keep things as simple as possible.
By the time sandwiches had been put together and the pilots had each gotten themselves a beer, they had settled in the shade on the back porch.
The inevitable question came up about what everyone's plans were, now that the war was finally over. Barbara and Martha planned on returning to their families in New York and Gooz was going to marry his girl. She'd waited so patiently for him and now he wanted to get home.
Red had been quiet during the conversation and when Rafe asked him what he was going to do, he shrugged his shoulders. "My plans died at Pearl Harbor." He said sadly. "After Betty died, I focused on getting through this thing for her. Now that it's over, I don't know what I'm going to do."
Betty.
In all the excitement they'd forgotten about those good friends they'd lost so early in the war. Betty and Billy during the surprise attack and Anthony after the Doolittle Raid. "I'm sorry." Red apologized. "I didn't mean to throw cold water on all of you. This is a happy day because we don't have the Japs to worry about anymore. They paid for what they did to us." He tried to lighten the mood. "How about you Rafe? Are you going back to Tennessee?"
"As soon as the Air Corps cuts me loose. I've been away from home for too long." Rafe smiled.
"I thought I might stay on here." Red admitted.
He looked at his friend. "Are you thinkin' of makin' the Air Corps a career?"
Red nodded. "We were pretty lucky being stationed here and I can't think of a nicer place to stay."
"Where is everybody?" Rafe heard Danny call from the front of the house.
"We're in back Danny. Make yourself a sandwich, grab a beer and come on out."
A few minutes later Danny and Sandra came out with their sandwiches. They found a spot on the back steps and joined in the conversation.
By the time the crowd had left, the children had been put to bed for the night and Rafe was helping Evelyn clean up. It had been a nice afternoon and for the first time there had not been the knowledge that the pilots would have to go out again. There was no rotation, no scrubbed missions or urgent telephone calls in the middle of the night. They were off rotation for good.
With the kitchen put back in order, Rafe put his arm around Evelyn and walked her out to the living room. He turned on the radio and it was all news about the end of the war. "I guess there ain't going to be any Bob Hope program tonight." He joked.
"I still can't believe it's over."
"And I came home just like I promised."
"Yes you did and I am so grateful for it." And she kissed him.
He couldn't help but grin. "I love it when you do that."
She smiled back and put her arms around his waist. "Now that you're home for good, how about trying for a baby brother or sister for Sarah?" And in spite of herself, felt her face flush at her own boldness.
Rafe laughed. "Evelyn McCawley, what are you suggestin'?"
She gathered all of her courage and looked him in the eye, all the while her cheeks burning. "You know exactly what I'm suggesting. We agreed that we would wait until after the war was over until we had another baby. Well Captain McCawley, the war is over."
"That it is Mrs. McCawley." And he put his arm around her and they walked down the hall to their bedroom.
Ten months later, Evelyn stood in the middle of the living room. Everything had been packed up and she was taking one last look around. Rafe had finally received his separation papers from the Air Corps and he was free to go home.
They had talked about Rafe staying on because he loved where they were. But they also knew it wasn't the same anymore. Everyone had already gone home and Danny had decided to stay at Pearl Harbor as an Air Corps pilot, as Red had already done. Danny and Sandra had also just married and they wanted to make a life there.
Rafe came in and saw her standing quietly. "You all right honey?"
She nodded. "We made a good life here didn't we?"
"Yes we did and now we'll make a good life in Tennessee, you'll see."
"As long as you're there it will be."
He came to stand behind her and he put his arms around her waist. "I'm goin' to miss this place. Do you realize we've spent our entire married life here?"
She leaned back against him and put her arms on his. "It doesn't seem possible we've been married for three years. It seems like only yesterday when you carried me over the threshold into this wonderful house."
He kissed the top of her head. "A house that we finally outgrew."
"I'm happier than I thought I would ever be and as much as I love this place, I'm ready to settle down for good."
Danny came in then and coughed softly. "Excuse me McCawley's, but you got to get movin'. You got a bus to catch in San Francisco and if you miss your boat, you won't make the mainland on time."
When they both turned to the door Danny was holding their month old son, Joseph Michael McCawley. He was a healthy and happy baby and Evelyn had had no problems with her pregnancy. It still preyed on her mind from time to time about the loss of their third child, but Joey had been born with no complications and that helped some.
She walked over to Danny and took the baby from him. "Thank you for watching the kids for us."
"We were glad to. You never know when all of this might come in handy."
Evelyn and Rafe looked expectantly at him and Danny laughed. "Give us some time will you? We ain't expectin' yet."
Rafe put his hand out. "The house is all yours, take good care of it."
Danny took his hand and shook. "We will Rafe, that's a guarantee. There was so much happiness while you lived in this house and we'll try to keep it as happy."
"You take care of yourself Danny and get home when you can."
"We'll try to get home for Christmas." And it was then they hugged. "This is the second time we've had to say goodbye."
"Yea it is, but now it's because I'm goin' home, not overseas."
"Yea. Well come on, you've really got to go." And Danny was the first out the door, followed by a reluctant Rafe.
Evelyn kissed the baby's head. "When you're old enough I'll tell you all about this place, your brother and sister too because they won't remember it either. It's a good thing Daddy and I took a lot of pictures so you'll be able to see what your first home looked like." She hugged the baby and followed Rafe out the front door.