Chapter 41: Epilogue: All in the Family

Newkirk was sitting at the secretary desk in the outer office of what was now Colonel Hogan's office. The Colonel was getting a promotion to General Hogan in charge of the local area. Kinch was almost all set to transfer back to Detroit, so he was training Newkirk to be the General's new secretary. Slowly, all the prisoners were being debriefed and were going back to their respective countries. LeBeau was set to leave this week for Paris and Carter the week after that with Kinch. Their little gang of brothers was slowly dissolving into post war friendships.

Newkirk was making notations to the general's itinerary, when Kinch came in the door. "Got a message from town, Newkirk! Gretchen is in labor! You need to get there as soon as you can!"

Newkirk knocked his knees on the desk getting up from his chair. He dithered for a minute and said, "What about the general?"

"I'll let him know what's going on; just go already."

Newkirk checked out a jeep and drove like a bat of out hell to town. He arrived at the hostel out of breath. He was wearing his uniform, which couldn't be helped. He snuck into the room behind the office where he found the doctor in the room with Gretchen. Heinrich was outside in the dining room trying to clear the room of curious people. In the confusion, he didn't see Newkirk sneak into the room. The doctor was busy with Gretchen, not noticing Newkirk, who went to the closet and changed clothes quickly. He buttoned the last button on the shirt he found in the closet and moved to Gretchen's side. "I'm here," he whispered as he held her hand.

Gretchen looked in his direction and took a deep breath. The doctor was surprised and said, "Sir, you cannot be here."

"I want him here," she whispered.

"But, that's highly improper, and I must protest," he said primly.

Newkirk looked dead at the man and said, "I've seen babies being born before…my brothers and sisters; so, let's get this done safely."

The doctor huffed, but got back down to business and soon, there was a rousing cry from a brand-new set of lungs belonging to a beautiful baby girl. She was swaddled expertly by the doctor and handed to an exhausted Gretchen with an astounded Newkirk looking on. "She's beautiful just like her mother," Newkirk whispered awestruck.

The baby girl was 8 pounds and 15 ounces of wiggling energy. She had a head of downy black hair just like her mother, but she had her father's nose, eyes, and chin. Her tiny hands were clenched tight around her father's finger. Already, she had him wrapped around her finger, he thought as he lay a kiss on her forehead.

The doctor was cleaning his hands and getting ready to leave after he checked the infant. He gently took the baby from them and moved to do a check of her vitals signs. Wailing could be heard to the outer room as he finished his consultation. "She is healthy, but not happy, so I give her back to you, Frau Hoffman. What are you going to call her?"

"Brigit Olivia Hoffman Newkirk," she replied confidently.

"Newkirk? Why Newkirk?'

Newkirk spoke up here, "Because Frau Hoffman will soon be Frau Newkirk herself. I'm the baby's father and soon to be Frau Hoffman's husband." He gathered his daughter to his heart and leaned down to kiss her forehead again, then he gently kissed Gretchen's forehead. The doctor was moved by this show of affection and filled out the birth certificate as such.

A little later, Gretchen and Brigit were sleeping lightly in the bed, when Newkirk emerged from the room. He met Heinrich and the gang of brothers were had gathered in the dining room drinking beer. He stepped up to the bar with Karl and asked for a beer. Everyone gathered around and began peppering him with questions. "How is she? Is the baby a boy or a girl? Are they both healthy? How are you?"

"Gretchen and Brigit are sleeping. The baby is a healthy baby girl about 8 pounds, 15 ounces. Both mother and daughter are healthy but tired," he said exhaustedly. "I'm awestruck. Gretchen was a real trooper, she was. It was amazing."

He took a sip of his beer and lit a fag. Heinrich passed him a cigar instead. "These are better for you in the long run. Congratulations!"

The now general was subdued. He was happy for his new secretary, but he wondered if Newkirk would be able to handle being a military man and a father. That was worry for a later day, he decided as he clapped the man on the back. "Yes, congratulations! We're all proud of you!"

Louis, Kinch, and Andrew were gathered around their friend, clapping him on the back. "So when is the wedding?" Andrew asked innocently.

"As soon as Gretchen is up to it and paperwork is approved," Newkirk replied inhaling the comforting smoke of the cigar.

"Well, the general can help with the paperwork," Kinch said knowingly.

"That's right," Louis said, "General Hogan can grease a few wheels, and we can have the wedding before Andrew, Kinch, and I leave." They all set eyes on the general who took a moment and then spread his hands in resignation.

"I'll do what I can as soon as we get back to the base."

The wedding took place five days later, and General Hogan officiated the ceremony. Former Sergeant Schultz was allowed to attend. Also in attendance were Ingrid, Astrid, Heinrich, and Karl from the hostel; Louis LeBeau was the best man, Andrew made homemade sparklers that the ladies held, Kinch had decorated the hall and stood up for Newkirk also, and finally, Gretchen held the baby, who cooed during the whole ceremony. Newkirk stood up in his uniform, no secrets any longer to this select group of family and friends and Gretchen was no longer a German widow.

*May do another epilogue on the family meeting Newkirk's family, but for now, the story is finished. Thank you to everyone who stayed with the story over a ten year period, especially Abracadabra!