Evelyn could see that Dennis was nervous that Christmas evening and it struck her as odd.

The more that Captain Dennis Dearborn spent with them through his relationship with Barbara, she saw a man who was confident and sure of himself. Life had dealt him a cruel blow when he was left a widower in the last war and through his own admission would have remained so, until he met Barbara.

She brought a joy back into his life that had been missing for so long and it brought about a change in her too.

Evelyn saw her friend soften around the edges and the wisecracking exterior that she always displayed began to fade. And that was because Dennis brought a joy and contentment into her life that couldn't be filled even with the closest family ties or long time friendships.

The McCawley house was filled that night with the smell of fresh brewed coffee, the lingering scent of a Christmas turkey that had been on the table for dinner and the soft glow of lights on the tree that stood in front of the living room window.

The radio was on and Bob Hope was broadcasting his Christmas show from somewhere in South Korea. He had come to Pearl Harbor in 1944 and as luck would have it the boys were off rotation. He was a favorite of Rafe's and been thrilled to finally see Ol' Ski Nose in person.

The Walker's and the Winkle's were also there that evening with their young families and Evelyn couldn't help but notice Sandra stopping every so often to put her hand on her lower back to try and stretch. She was still a couple or three weeks away from having the baby and looked tired.

Red and Amy's son, Andrew James Winkle was just a month old and been named for Gooz. No one ever knew what his real name was and never thought to ask. And how Red ever found out, only Amy knew.

The McCawley's planned on inviting Gooz and his family back for the holidays, but found out that his wife was expecting their second child at any time when he'd had to turn them down. He promised that when she recovered and felt like traveling he would bring her and their kids to see his namesake and Danny and Sandra's third.

Martha was the only other one who was missing. She had taken the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day shifts at the hospital so that other nurses could spend the day with their families or travel home if their families weren't there.

She had also told them after Thanksgiving that she had requested a transfer from Pearl Naval and in a few weeks would be going back to the hospital in New York. She said that she missed her family and missed the faster pace of the city. It came as a real surprise to the girls that Martha didn't talk to them before she made her decision, but perhaps it was because she knew they would try to talk her out of it.

She hadn't been happy after she and Barbara came back from New York and had become even more unhappy when Barbara and Dennis began to see each other.

"You all right honey?"

Rafe's voice pulled her out of her reverie and realized that she was standing at the kitchen counter with her hand on the handle of the coffeepot.

"You came in here to get the coffee and that was five minutes ago."

She looked up at him and the grin she expected to see wasn't there. He looked concerned and she smiled at him. "I'm fine Rafe, so stop looking so worried. You just caught me daydreaming."

It was then that he did grin. "It's nearly eight-thirty Evelyn. Ain't it a little late for daydreamin'?"

"Don't be smart Rafe McCawley, you know what I mean."

"What were you daydreamin' about?"

She stacked the coffee cups and saucers on the tray she had put next to the pot before dinner. "I was just thinking about everything that's happened this year and how things are changing again." She explained as she filled the cream pitcher and put the sugar bowl next to it on the tray and picked it up. "It seems that every time things seem to settle down, something changes."

His grin softened to a gentle smile. "It's called life honey. Whether we want things to change or not they do." And he picked up the coffeepot. "Just like those three kids of ours. It seems that every time I turn around, they're a year older."

She leaned over carefully and kissed his cheek. "I knew you'd understand." And walked out to the dining room with Rafe right behind her. She set the tray down and walked back into the kitchen to get the pumpkin pie that Sandra made for dessert. Rafe followed her back in and got the whipping cream out of the icebox while she picked up the pie and they walked back out.

Sandra was pouring the coffee when they sat down at the table and Danny was passing the full cups around. When they were finished, they sat down and everyone started to eat.

Dennis got up from the table quite suddenly without explanation and headed to the back of the house. Evelyn looked at Barbara for an explanation, but her friend only shrugged her shoulders.

When he came back, Evelyn could see that he had something in his hand but couldn't see what it was. He stopped next to Barbara's chair and without preamble got down on one knee and she knew what was coming.

"We've been seeing each other for a few months now. And the more I'm with you, the more I realize that the time we've spent together has made me happier than I've been since before Laurie left me. I know she would have liked you and I know it would be all right with her if I asked you if you would marry me."

He presented what turned out to be a ring box and opened it. Couched in the velvet slot was a small diamond solitaire engagement ring and he pulled it out before he looked into her eyes. "I hope you don't mind that I want to ask you this in front of all your friends, but it seems to me that you've all been through a lot together and that you wouldn't mind if I did." He took a deep breath and Evelyn could see his cheeks flush. "Barbara, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

She couldn't see Barbara's face from where she was sitting, so she looked down to the other end of the table and when Rafe looked back at her he had a big grin on his face.

Without a word, Evelyn watched as Barbara nodded and Dennis slipped the ring on her finger before he took her hands and leaned in to kiss her.

She couldn't remember the last time that Barbara had been speechless and she smiled.

One by one, everyone got up from their seats to hug Barbara and shake Dennis' hand. When Evelyn's turn came, her friend held on to her and whispered "Thank you."

"For what?" She whispered back.

"For being my friend." The newly engaged woman answered. She pulled away and asked quietly, "Would you be my matron of honor?"

Evelyn smiled and could feel tears begin to gather in her eyes. "I would be honored, thank you."

Barbara hugged her again. "You were the only one I ever would have asked." And let her go.

"Well now that we finally have that out of the way, let's get back to dessert before the coffee gets cold." Rafe joked as the friends took their seats and picked up their forks.

Evelyn looked at Barbara and they smiled at each other. Some things never changed.