The wedding was a day away and Ann didn't know who was more anxious to be married, Hank or Evelyn.

All the loose ends that had put Evelyn in a cross mood in the previous couple of days were all tied up and she began to relax, if only a little. She'd made sure that her groom and his best man had their dress uniforms back from the cleaners. She'd told Ann about a nightmare she'd had that Hank arrived for their wedding in his flight suit and even though she thought he was handsome in it, it wasn't what she wanted to see him wearing the day they got married.

Ann and Evelyn had the final fittings for their dresses that morning and the bride was admonished not to lose any more weight because it was too late to make any more alterations. Their dyed to match shoes arrived a week earlier and both had spent time trying to break them in so they would be somewhat comfortable to wear. Ann felt a little silly walking around her parent's house in a pair of dress shoes but her mother assured her that when the day of the wedding came, she would be grateful she had.

It seemed as though all she'd done since returning from visiting her grandparents, the McCawley's and Sarah was to help Evelyn put her wedding plans into motion. And because Hank was based in Okinawa for most of that time it was left to Danny when Evelyn wanted a man's opinion about something and if Ann didn't know better, he seemed to resent it.

He seemed to have something on his mind, but he wouldn't tell her what it was.

All Ann could figure was the fact that he was still grounded had a lot to do with it. She knew how badly he wanted to get back in the air and the short flights he was able to take in the old P-40 didn't seem to be enough any more. And as hard as he was working to get back into shape, his leg now fully healed, he often had to do it alone because Hank was gone more and more.

And he seemed to resent that too.

He carried the resentment with him to the final rehearsal that late afternoon and didn't seem to want to cooperate as he, Ann, Evelyn and Hank were given their instructions from the chaplain. He got stern looks from both of his parents, which he ignored and Ann could see the frustration on Hank's face as he tried to figure out what was wrong with his best friend and best man.

It wasn't like Danny to be rude and uncooperative and as soon as the chance presented itself, he left the rehearsal and disappeared. Hank didn't waste any time in following him but before he left grasped Evelyn's hand and kissed her cheek. "He's got a hell of a lot of explaining to do. Hold off the rehearsal dinner as long as you can and I'll be back as soon as possible, with him or without."

"Something is really bothering him Henry, so please don't be too rough on him. Just find out what it is and try to help." Evelyn sighed.

"Always thinking about other people, even the day before our wedding." He grinned. "That's one of the many reasons I love you."

Her face flushed at the compliment as she nudged him away. "I love you too, now go."

Ann was embarrassed, but she didn't know who she was embarrassed for more. Danny's parent's, who had to witness their oldest son behaving like a five-year-old or Evelyn and Hank. Their parent's were at the rehearsal and it was the first time any of them met Danny; he didn't exactly leave them with a sterling impression.

"The last time I remember him behavin' like this was at Barbara's weddin'." She overheard Danny's father comment quietly to Mrs. McCawley. "This time though, he's too old to put over my knee and give him a dose of discipline."

"You didn't then, though I know you were sorely tempted. I hope Hank can find out what's bothering him because he certainly isn't talking to me." She replied with a sigh. "He's been keeping to himself too much Rafe and I'm worried."

"It might not be anythin' more then the fact he's feelin' left out honey." Ann watched as the major took his wife's hand. "He's got friends and fellow pilots puttin' themselves in harms way and he's stuck back here flyin' an old crate."

"Rafe." Her voice admonished him.

"I ain't excusin' his behavior Evelyn." He sounded defensive. "We both know this ain't usual and I'm just tryin' to figure out what's got him actin' like a jackass."

"Rafe." She admonished him again.

"Well what would you call it then?" His low voice rumbled with irritation. "We didn't raise him to behave this way and I am damn disappointed in him."

"So am I." She seemed to be reluctant to admit it as she tucked her arm through his and sighed again. "It's hard sometimes to realize that he's not my little boy any more and this isn't something as simple as sending him to his room."

Ann felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and she turned around.

"Ann, you know better than to eavesdrop on private conversations." Her mother scolded her quietly. "Ev and Rafe should be able to talk without someone listening in."

"Even if it has to do with Danny?"

"Especially if it has to do with him." Mama said as she put an arm around Ann's shoulders and steered her out of earshot of the McCawley's. "They're his parents and should be able to have a discussion about their child. And being his girlfriend doesn't give you the right to listen to things not meant for you."

Ann nodded. "They're worried about him Mama."

"I know they are honey. All through the rehearsal, Dad and I saw them putting their heads together and we had a pretty good idea of what they were talking about. But that doesn't mean we're going to pry and ask them something that isn't our business."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I know you're worried about him Ann and I know you love him, but what he may need now is distance from the people he cares most for. That might be why he's behaving the way he is, because he needs time to himself to work out whatever is making him so unhappy."

"What do you think it is?" She asked.

Mama shook her head. "I'm not even going to speculate about it Ann. He went through a lot and now he has to deal with the fallout of what happened to him. You and I can't possibly understand it because we live in the safe confines of a military base. But men like your dad; Rafe and Danny have seen what horrors that war can offer and it's not something they can discuss."

"So in the meantime, he's making himself and everyone else miserable." She frowned.

Ann's mother looked surprised and more than a little disappointed. "Ann Rachel Walker, I have never known you to be so uncharitable or so unkind and I don't like it. You seem to want Danny to be the man he was before he was shot down and that just isn't possible. He lived for weeks with a shattered leg, a severe concussion and the fear that he would be caught at any time. And from what Dad told me, when Rafe found him he was delirious, dehydrated and in a lot of pain. He was also very scared."

"I know that, but he's been home for months now." Ann replied.

"Yes, he has been and I suspect that he'd rather be flying to Okinawa. We're at war again honey and he's stuck here recovering while Hank and the other pilots fly into the unknown every time they leave here. It goes against everything a pilot is trained for and prepared for to sit on the sidelines while others are left to do the job he wants to be doing."

"At least he's safe."

"But he's unhappy, honey and becoming more so the longer he's grounded. If Dad and I can see that, I'm sure that Ev and Rafe see it too." Mama concluded. "And I'm guessing that you've seen it too."

Her mother was right about that. Ann had been so sure that as Danny's leg healed his spirits would improve, but they hadn't. He was spending more and more time at the field whether he was on duty or off and he seemed to spend all of his time around the other pilots who were off rotation or the ground crews who serviced the jets.

She'd heard Dad comment to Mama a few days earlier that Danny seemed like such a lost soul. He needed to get back in the air but that was still up to the flight surgeon and what ever his reasons were, he wasn't clearing Lieutenant McCawley to fly.

"Annie, they're callin' everyone inside for supper." She heard her father call as he approached. "And seein' as how you are the maid of honor, I think you better get in there."

"Did Hank talk Danny into coming back in?" She turned around at the sound of his voice and watched as Mama tucked her arm through his. "Did he find him?"

Dad nodded. "He's already inside and havin' a conversation with his parents. Rafe ain't too pleased with his behavior at the rehearsal and I'm guessin' that he and Evelyn are givin' him an earful."

"I'm not surprised." She said bluntly and for the second time that afternoon was scolded.

"Well you ain't bein' too kind about this are you?" He frowned. "I'm surprised Annie; you're usually the first person to offer sympathy and a little understandin' when someone ain't doin' well." His look of disapproval caused a twinge of guilt.

"You sound just like Mama."

"So your Mama's heard a little of your tea and sympathy has she?" He asked and glanced at her mother.

"Even though she's far too old for it, I've already admonished her." Mama told him. "I was hoping it would have a more immediate effect, but I was wrong."

"Annie's had too much time on her hands this term, not bein' in school." He told her mother. "She's been gallivantin' around the country for the last couple of months and I can't see that it's done her much good."

"Dad."

The frown returned and Ann suddenly realized that she was treading on dangerous ground. "Don't 'Dad' me Ann. I thought that Mama and I lettin' you take a term off from school would do you some good, but all it seems to have done is make you selfish and self-centered."

"That's not fair! I'm not being unsympathetic but at some point Danny has to take responsibility for his actions and no one seems to be making him." She tried to defend herself.

"And you aren't helping by being so judgmental." Mama stepped in. "Think carefully about that Ann. He doesn't need a judge and jury, he needs his family and his friends to help him through this, which you seem bound and determined not to do."

"I've tried to Mama, honestly I have but it seems all we do lately is walk on eggshells around each other."

"Maybe that's because you've been gone so much." Her father interjected. "He might be feelin' that you don't love him as much because he ain't a pilot right now."

"Danny." Even Mama seemed to take exception to his comment and voiced her disapproval. "That really isn't fair, even you know that."

Dad sighed and his frown deepened as he looked at Ann's mother. "You're right honey that wasn't fair. I guess some of Rafe's frustration has rubbed off onto me and I didn't realize it." He then looked at Ann. "When your mama and I got married part of our vows said somethin' about better or worse and I've always taken that to heart.

"Now you obviously ain't married, but I don't believe your relationship with Danny is a passin' thing either. So I think you should remember that for better or for worse you love that boy and as much of a horse's behind that he's bein' right now, he loves you too."

"I know." Was all she could think to say and sighed.

"Dad, Hank and Evelyn are wondering where you are." Shelby came up to them and looked a little embarrassed because she knew she'd interrupted their conversation. "Everyone is in the dining room and waiting for you, especially Ann."

"Why don't you walk with me and we'll let them know that Dad and Ann are right behind us." Mama smiled at Ann's sister and took her hand. "This is a grand hotel isn't it?"

"It sure is." Shelby nodded and as she walked with her mother, they talked about what they were looking at on their way inside.

"It's been a hell of an afternoon, hasn't it Annie?" Her father put an arm around her shoulders.

"Dad, do you think that part of the reason Danny has been such a bear lately has more to do with Hank getting married than his ability to fly?" Ann wondered.

"Do you think he resents it or that maybe he's jealous?" He answered her question with a question of his own.

"We've talked about the idea, but never actually decided to get married." She admitted as they walked toward the hotel. "The truth is, when I think about marriage the only man I see is Danny. But it doesn't mean that I'm ready to get married or even want to get married, yet. I really need to finish school first."

"Yes you do and I'm glad you haven't forgotten."

She stopped. "I haven't forgotten Dad. It may end up being the one thing that slows things down enough so I can catch my breath, so to speak."

"Things were movin' a little fast there for awhile. But you told me that the situation between the two of you had settled down." A look of concern crossed his face. "You two ain't been puttin' yourselves in a difficult situation again, have you?"

"No, we haven't." And they began to walk again. "I've been trying to avoid being alone with him for any length of time and because I've been helping Evelyn with her wedding plans since I got home, it means that I haven't seen much of him."

"That could be why he's been so unfriendly. He misses you and spendin' time with you."

Ann shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe I shouldn't have been on the mainland for as long as I was but I wanted to see Mama's parents and the McCawley's. I wanted to see Sarah and where she lived and the base she worked at and I couldn't have done that in just a week or two."

"You don't need to be defensive about it honey." His voice was low as they walked into the hotel. "Visitin' your grandparents has been a part of your life since you were a child. This year you just made extended visits to them when you would have normally been in school."

"I did miss him, even if he thinks I didn't. But I've missed my grandparents and Sarah too. Once I'm back in school, I won't have another opportunity like this and I wanted to take it."

"Then I think you should tell him that." Dad was blunt about it. "That boy has a lot goin' on in his life right now, what with not bein' able to fly just yet and findin' out he's goin' to be a big brother again. It seems to be takin' it's toll on him."

Ann stopped again but her father urged her forward. "I thought he was all right with that. I know it really threw him when his parent's told him but I thought he'd gotten used to the idea."

"I believe he's tryin' honey, but think about how you would feel if Mama and I told you that she was goin' to have another baby. It would take some gettin' used to, wouldn't it? And it wouldn't happen overnight I might add."

"I know." She admitted.

"Well then, if you know that I think it's time you show a little more understandin' than you have recently and support him. With Hank and Evelyn gettin' married tomorrow, you won't have the distraction of the weddin' and you can start spendin' more time with him."

He didn't say anything else as they walked into the room where the reception would be held after the wedding. Tables were ready to be set up for the following day and Ann could see the buffet table lined with crystal, china, linen napkins, silverware and chafing dishes. Tables would be covered and set with all the finery in the morning, before the wedding.

It all seemed to happen so fast and Ann was nearly breathless with the speed with which Hank and Evelyn made such an important and monumental decision, knowing without a doubt it was the right one.

She and Danny had skirted around the idea, but never really discussed it. Marriage was something that was for forever and while she knew she was slowly becoming an adult, she knew without a doubt that as much as she loved Danny she was not ready to get married.

He'd had his chance to earn his degree, to do something that he loved to do and Ann wanted the same chance. Her life goals had never been crystal clear as Danny's always were and she wanted the time to figure it out.