Chapter 2
Tennessee

"Surprise!" An enormous crowd shouted to an unexpected pilot. Rafe was finally home, and all of his friends and family were there to greet him. He shook the rain off of his umbrella, removed his heavy trench coat, and began to celebrate

. It had been raining for hours. Rafe was lucky he could find his way home. Thunder crashed and lightning struck as if they wanted the party to end, but Rafe's friends would not let that happen.

He was bombarded with questions. After returning from the Doolittle Raid, he only stayed in Hawaii a couple of days before leaving on a carrier for Midway Island. Therefore, he had never seen Little Rafe, and was surprised by how much he resembled Danny. Danny and Evelyn had been married in November, after Little Rafe was born, and were now expecting their second. Evelyn was glowing. "Rafe, this is Uncle Rafe." She gave Little Rafe a shove toward his namesake.

"My name's Rafe too!" Little Rafe giggled.

Rafe smiled, "Ain't that somethin'?" He asked, lifting him into his arms. "You look just like your daddy." Rafe tried to be happy. It wasn't easy losing two loves in the same year. It was three years ago, and he had expected time to heal, but it hadn't. Evelyn was still just a beautiful as ever, and he missed Devonny so much, it was like his wings had been clipped. Shane then turned on the radio to blasting swing music. Rafe was not in the mood to dance, and just sat reminiscing with Shane.

After a couple songs, the party began to grow into a extraordinary event. Shane took pictures while Rafe met old friends again. Rafe's brother, Tyler, decided to take Little Rafe to bed, realizing the party was getting to rough. He took him up the stairs and to his own little bedroom Tyler's father had built out of a walk-in closet. The house was getting too small, but the room fit Little Rafe just fine. He was happy wherever he was.

Walking back to the party, Tyler heard a slight knock at the door. He realized that no one could hear it downstairs, and quickly opened it.

Tyler led the guest downstairs, a little nervous. He had no idea who this stranger was. He shut off the music, and cleared his throat. "Rafe, this girl says she knows you."

Rafe turned to see a woman in slacks, soaked to the skin, her hair drenched and dripping all over the hardwood floor. "Devonny."