July 1944

"It has been confirmed: Adolf Hitler survived an assassination attempt two days ago with minor injuries," a voice on the radio announced. Everyone had gathered around to hear the news of the near ill fate of the Fuhrer. "During a meeting in an undisclosed location, a bomb exploded. There were many casualties, but Hitler's life was spared. Several hours later, at 00:10, four officers involved with the assassination attempt were shot to death. They were General Friedrich Olbricht, Colonel Albert Mertz von Quirnheim, 1st Lieutenant Werner von Haeften, and Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who planted the bomb."

"Holy shit," Sid spoke, sitting on the floor. He turned the radio off. "Imagine if they did manage to kill him."

"If he wasn't paranoid before, he will be now," Helga said as she was playing with her new engagement ring.

"Germany's losing the war," Gerald chimed in. "They haven't recovered from last month when the Allies invaded Normandy."

"I give them less than a year before they surrender," Curly hypothesized. "They're now starting to crumble from the inside."

"Oh dear," Phoebe muttered. "They're going to start having even more manhunts to find people who are against him."

"Then it's a good thing we aren't there anymore," Arnold concluded, pulling Helga close to him.

"There's something that I have been wondering," Lila began. "Since it looks like Germany will lose the war, would any of you go back there?"

The mainland natives all looked at one another. It was evident that they haven't thought about returning.

"I don't know," Helga admitted, then looked to Arnold. "I mean, we haven't really discussed it."

"If you don't mind, I would like to stay here," Arnold said. "I have a good job here and soon we'll be able to afford a house of our own. Besides, I don't know how it will be for Germany once the war is over and they begin rebuilding."

"That is a good point," Helga concurred. "Also, we no longer have any ties to Germany. You're grandparents are no longer alive and my so called parents want nothing to do with me. They probably think I'm dead."

"There's no way I'm going back," Gerald declared. "I'm going where my girl is going." He pulled Phoebe close to her, who giggled.

"Well, I'm sure my father will want me to come back to Japan. I kind of miss it there. Especially when we would visit relatives who live in Nagasaki in June."

"I think Japan would be an amazing place to live." Gerald smiled at her.

"What about you, Sid?" Rhonda asked. "Are you and Nadine going to stay together as business partners?"

"That will be something we will have to discuss," Nadine suggested before Sid had the chance to reply. "But I think we would want to continue working together. Perhaps in something more legal. Right, Sid?"

"Uh, sure?" Sid answered. "But, like you said, we will have to discuss that. Along with where we would live, if we choose to stay together."

"Well, there's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to Wales with my Rhonda," Curly said proudly. "I know I have my job at Stockholm Hospital right now since graduating school, and I love it, but I can't be without my darling." Rhonda blushed at his proclamation.

"I definitely need to get back to Wales," Rhonda said. "I miss Mummy and Daddy so much. And I miss going to London and being with the royals."

"Okay then," Helga muttered. "And you Lila?"

"I'm oh so certain I will also be returning to England," she replied. "I'm the only relative my father has ever since Mother died. I'm oh so sure he will be ever so sad if I don't come home."

"I'm sure he'll be excited to have you back," Eugene said.

"Where are you going to go, Eugene?" Arnold asked.

"I'm not sure. I think I want to travel. I want to see places that have been affected by the war and talk to them about my experiences."

"Wow, Eugene," Sid gasped. "That's really cool of you to do. I think it's important for people to know what happened to Jews all over Europe."

"That's oh so noble of you!" Lila exclaimed.

"What's oh so noble?" a male voice called outside the room. Soon, Harold and Patty appeared. Even though they have their own place, they make sure to visit their friends at least three times a week. For some weeks, it would be every night they would come over.

"We were just discussing where we would go after the war is over, considering that Germany loses," Rhonda explained. "Eugene was just saying that he will want to travel and tell his story."

"That is incredible!" Patty exclaimed, finding a vacant seat to sit in. "As for us, we're staying here. Harold loves the butcher shop and he is making great money. Plus, we have an incredible Jewish community here."

"Speaking of marriage," Rhonda started, her eyes gazing towards Arnold and Helga. "When are you two going to get married?"

The two blondes blushed. It has been four months since the engagement and they have yet to set a wedding date. "If Football Head doesn't mind, I would like to wait until the war is over. I have always dreamt of having my honeymoon in Paris, and once Germany is completely out, I want to go there."

"Anything for you," he replied, kissing her head. "I want nothing but your happiness, and if that includes Paris, then you shall have Paris."

"Seriously, you two are sickening," Gerald gagged. Helga stuck her tongue at him. "Real mature."

"While we are on the subject on marriage," Helga said, ignoring Gerald, "how are you two doing?"

"We're doing very well, actually," Harold boasted, holding his wife's hand. "Actually, we have some news for you all."

"What do you have to tell us?" Phoebe asked.

Harold and Patty looked at each other and smiled. "We're going to have a baby!" they said at the same time.

Squeals of joy filled the room as the girls rushed to Patty to talk about the news.

"When's the baby due?"

"How far along are you?"

"Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"

"Do you have any names in mind?"

"Okay, one at a time," Patty laughed. The girls backed up to give her some space. "I am about twelve weeks pregnant right now. The doctor expects the baby will be due late January or early February. We will be happy with either a boy or girl, and we haven't come up with any names yet. But we will keep you updated."

"This is ever so exciting!" Lila exclaimed, grinning widely. "Now we are going to have the first baby, and hopefully soon, a second wedding!"

"Are you sure you're okay with waiting to get married?" Helga asked her fiancé later that night. She was at her vanity, brushing her hair while Arnold rested on her bed.

"Of course I'm sure," he said, watching her reflection. "I want to save up some more money anyways. I want to give you the wedding you deserve."

Helga glanced at him in the mirror before turning to face him. "You know I would be perfectly happy with having a small ceremony in church with our friends there. I don't need anything extravagant."

"In that case," Arnold said as he got off the bed and sat beside her on her vanity bench, "that money will go towards our honeymoon in Paris. If you want, we could expand the trip and go other places. Rome, Athens, London. Even New York, if you want."

"Is that so?" Helga asked.

"Indeed it is," he replied.

"Well, we don't have to figure that out right now. We have plenty of time to get all the plans situated."

"Exactly," he said, kissing her softly. "I can pick up some extra shifts at the docks so we can save up some extra money."

"Just don't work too hard," Helga giggled. "I want to be able to see you."

"Deal," Arnold said, extending his arm out. Helga shook it just as he pulled her in for a loving kiss. She giggled as she kissed him back. He played with her hand, circling hiss finger around the ring he gave her. "Just out of curiosity," he spoke as he pulled away, "did you ever find out who sent you that other diamond ring?"

"No," she stated, shaking her head. "I try not to think about it, but I have no idea who could have sent it. I mean, I haven't given anyone the idea that I was interested."

"I'm not saying you did," Arnold calmly replied. "I just find it bizarre someone would send that and not say who it was."

"I know. And if I did know, I would have sent it back immediately. But luckily, this has been the only inappropriate gift I've received so I don't think we have to worry anymore."

"That's good to know," he sighed in relief. He lifted her up and carried her to her bed. He carefully placed her down.

"What was that for?" Helga asked, in awe of his actions.

"Some practice," he smirked, winking at her. "In preparation for the wedding night."

January 1945

Germany's power was starting to decline. Over the next few months, they began to lose the territories they once occupied, including Paris, Brussels, and Luxembourg. The Allies were beginning to surround Germany on all sides, choking the totalitarian nation until it was now gasping for a breath.

"Hey everyone!" Sid yelled throughout the house. "Big news! Meet in the lounge!"

"You have got to hear this!" Gerald cried out.

Everyone scrambled to hear the news that Sid was ready to announce. Harold and Patty, who came over earlier, waddled their way into the study as Patty began to reach full term. "What's going on?" Harold asked.

"Yes, what's the big news?" Curly inquired.

Sid panted for air from running around. Once he was able to catch his breath, he spoke the unthinkable. "I'm just going to say it. The Red Army has liberated Auschwitz! They're all free."

They all stood in stunned silence. They couldn't believe what they had just heard. Looking at one another, they tried to figure out what to say.

"Are you certain?" Patty finally asked.

"Positive," Sid replied. "We just got the word from Fuzzy Slippers. The Soviets came in and released all the prisoners!"

"What about the SS?" Helga asked. "Have they been captured?"

Sid and Gerald looked at each other. "They were gone by the time the Red Army got there," Gerald explained. "They must have fled knowing they would have been captured."

Helga sighed. "So, Big Bob is still out there," she said flatly.

"For now," Sid said. "He'll most likely be captured soon and tried on war crimes. Especially since this war will be over soon."

"How are you feeling about that, Helga?" Phoebe asked.

"If he is sentenced to death, that would be too good for him," she replied. "He deserves worse for how he's treated those who were imprisoned there. He deserves to suffer."

"But at least he isn't causing any more," Arnold said, trying to soothe his wife-to-be.

"Did they destroy the camp?" Curly asked, continuing the conversation's on.

"As far as I know, it's still intact," Sid said.

"Good," Eugene said. "Let it stand and be a reminder to everyone of what happened. We need to make sure no one forgets."

"Amen to that."

A few days have passed but the news of Auschwitz's liberation has not faded from the house. The shock slowly morphed into celebration, alongside the anticipated arrival of Patty and Harold's child. With Europe starting to be free of Germany's clutches, they all realized that the war will soon be over. Arnold and Helga grew in excitement, for they finally settled on having their wedding later on in the year.

It was mid-morning. The men and Nadine were at work while Patty decided to come over and stay with her friends. With her due date quickly approaching, everyone thought it best for Patty to always be near someone in case she went into labor. When she arrived, she had a letter in her hand.

"Helga, I found this outside. It's addressed to you." Patty handed it to her. Helga tore it open to see the typed message.

Helga,
I have a surprise for you. Follow the directions on the next page as soon as you receive this letter. I love you.
Arnold

"What is it?" Phoebe asked.

"A letter from Arnold. He has a surprise for me and wants me to go to this place immediately." She handed the letter to Phoebe to read.

"Will you be okay with going there?"

"Of course, Pheebs. I'll be fine."

Patty looked over the letter. "Why is it typed? Doesn't Arnold usually write his letters?"

"Maybe he wanted to change things up a bit," Helga waved off. "I better get going. I'll see you all soon."

Helga left the house and followed the carefully created directions written out for her. She wondered what surprise Arnold had in store for her, and she couldn't wait to see it. She quickly arrived to a small brick cottage. He may have bought this house for us, Helga thought. It is rather tiny. This would be more suitable for one person living on their own. Or maybe this is just a meeting place and he'll show me the actual surprise somewhere else. Or it could be inside the house and not the house itself. Helga decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and entered the cottage. Inside was barren, containing only four walls, one door, and a couple of windows. There were no cabinets and kitchen appliances. It was completely empty.

With one exception.

In the center of the room was a pair of shoes.

A small pair of shoes.

Helga's eyes widened and her body began to tremble. "What is the meaning of this?" she screamed at the empty space. "What kind of demented joke are you trying to pull?"

"You don't like it?" an icy voice asked behind her. "I at least hope you liked the ring I sent you."

That voice, Helga thought. Why does it sound so familiar? Hesitant, Helga slowly turned around to face the person behind her. Her face paled at the sight. It was a face she knew, although it now houses a scar that went down the left side of the face. Regardless of the new mark, she remembered that face in which she hasn't seen in over two years.

"Brainy."

A/N: Dun, dun, duuuunnnnn!