It had all happened so fast.

Once Rafe had received his separation papers, all of their worldly possessions were packed up and they were ready to go.

Danny had come to the house to pick them up and drive them to the pier where a ship was waiting to steam it's way to San Francisco. Rafe had considered taking a transport, but he and Evelyn had decided it would be nice to see a bit of the country by train as they traveled back to Tennessee. The kids were too young to appreciate it, they knew, but it might be their only chance.

Before they'd left though, Rafe got into his dress uniform one last time and with Evelyn and the children, had a formal family portrait taken. It was something Evelyn had wanted to do before they left because their family was finally complete and they were leaving.

To her, no matter how long they lived in Tennessee this place would always be home.

They stood with Danny and Sandra at the foot of the gangplank, finding it more difficult than either could imagine to say goodbye. Evelyn was thankful that the children were still too young to understand what was happening because she was trying so hard not to cry. If it had been hard to say goodbye to Barbara and Martha, this was doubly so because at least she and Rafe were staying. Now it was her turn to leave and she didn't know how she was going to do it.

Danny was holding his godson and Sandra was holding Sarah. Joseph was sleeping in his mother's arms, blissfully unaware of the turmoil of his parent's departure.

"Ya'll come back when you can." Danny said to them. "I want to see these kids of yours growin' up."

"We'll do our best Danny, you know that." Rafe replied as he cleared his throat, trying not to let his emotions get the better of him. "We will send you pictures, though."

"We're counting on it." Sandra told him as she kissed Sarah's cheek. "We've been so used to seeing these kids every day, it'll be hard not to see them."

A purser had come down to collect Rafe and Evelyn's suitcases and Rafe gave him their cabin number. He went back up the gangplank and Rafe knew it was time to go. Sandra put Sarah on her feet before she started to cry. Danny put his godson on his feet and as the children stood next to their parents Danny put his arms around Sandra.

Rafe and Evelyn looked at each other and sighed. This day had to come and they both wished it were over.

When Sandra had collected herself, Danny let her go and took Rafe's hand. "It ain't goin' to be the same without you."

"Same here. I just wish Red could've come with you."

"He was sorry as hell to not be here, but he couldn't change his schedule."

Rafe grinned. "The Air Corps has him trainin' already?"

"Yea. He's goin' to be real good at it Rafe."

"I have no doubt about that." He said as he let go of Danny's hand to grab him into a hug. He clapped him on the back and cleared his throat again. "You've always been more than my best friend Danny, you've been my brother and I'll miss you like hell."

Danny hung on to him and clapped his friend on the back as well. "I've always had you to cover my back, even when I didn't need you to." He let go of Rafe so he could look him in the eye. "It was so hard to watch you go to England and I was as lonely as a guy could be for his brother, but this is worse."

Rafe cleared his throat one last time, but couldn't stop a tear rolling down from the corner of his eye. "I'll call you as soon as we get back to Tennessee."

"You do that. And send us some postcards along the way will you? That way we can see where you're stoppin'."

"Will do Danny." Rafe picked up his son in one arm and his daughter in the other and they put an arm around his neck. Sandra hugged Evelyn as best she could, as did Danny. A tear had rolled down from the corner of his eye and wiped it away with an impatient swipe as his best friend and his family walked up the gangplank.

It seemed an eternity as they stood at the rail while the gangplank was lowered and the tug boat gently nudged the ship away from the pier. They waved until their arms cramped because Danny and Sandra stood waving back. The ship moved through the harbor toward the Pacific and Rafe and Evelyn stayed at the rail until they could no longer see their friends. They stayed as the island got smaller and smaller until they could no longer see it. They were on their way.

Evelyn was numb. They'd really gone through with it and now a whole new life lay ahead in Tennessee.

Rafe watched his wife as she stared out at the Pacific because he knew this was not what she really wanted. He never told her about the conversation he'd overheard between her and Barbara. This was something she wanted to do for him because of the sacrifices he'd made. She was the one who'd made the sacrifices.

They made their way to the cabin they would stay in for the short trip and Evelyn put the baby down in the small crib. He had been an angel, sleeping the whole day and for that Evelyn was thankful. It was still early, but the excitement of everything had taken a toll on the children and they had fallen asleep.

They had asked that a nanny come and stay with the children while they went for a walk.

When she'd arrived, Rafe took Evelyn's hand and they made their way back up to the deck. They strolled around the ship and he commented that this one was nicer than the one that had taken him to England. Evelyn was quiet and Rafe kept talking. The only other time she'd been this quiet was after the miscarriage when she'd been inconsolable. He knew it would take time, but had no doubt she would adjust.

He let go of her hand and put his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head before he laid his cheek on her head. "I love you Evelyn."

She put an arm around him and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I love you too Rafe."

They continued to walk and then she started to cry and the cries turned into sobs. He found a spot where he pulled her in and put his arms around her to give her some privacy. He sighed as she released all the sadness she was feeling and could feel her shaking. He didn't try to reassure her or calm her down because he understood how she felt. He let her cry and held her as she eventually quieted and the shaking subsided. She didn't apologize as she ordinarily would when her emotions got the better of her and Rafe didn't expect her to. She wiped the tears from her eyes and Rafe kissed her before they continued their walk.

They lay in bed that night, Rafe's arms around Evelyn. "Thank you honey."

She propped herself up on an elbow to look at him. "For what?"

He wasn't going to tell her, but he figured that maybe now he should. "I overheard you talkin' to Barbara the night she came back for her visit and I know this is not what you really wanted. But the fact that you were willin' to do this for me is somethin' I'll never be able to repay."

She didn't know what to say, so kissed him instead.

"I'll do my best to make you happy there."

"Rafe McCawley, you make me happy no matter where we are, as long as we're together." And she lay back down in his arms and they fell asleep.

They were together and had their children and Evelyn couldn't ask for more than that.

THE END.

Have no fear, this is not my last story. But I have another in the Historical section that I am going to concentrate on for awhile until I get another inspiration. Any suggestions??