The Wars End
Both wars we're still going on when Emily and Michelle came home from the hospital. Charlie, especially, tried not to think about them. He spent that week being a hands-on father.
He wasn't afraid to pick her up. Charlie would sit with her resting on his lap; he loved looking at her cherub face as she slept. Then he continued to be amazed at Emily's natural ability to nurse her, to easily change her nappy and to listen to her talk to Michelle. It wasn't baby-talk; it was things like good morning sweetie, the sun is up sleepy-head or daddy wants to hold you now.
Charlie was no different than most new fathers; he reluctantly reported for duty after his week was up. The bright spot in his day took place at the Senate hearing. The committee approved Admiral Jessup's request for funding the navy.
And he heard the news about the war in Europe. It was all good; Hitler was being surrounded by the allied forces from the west and the Soviet Union army was closing in from the east. He came home that day to good news from Emily.
"Charlie, Father Martin came by today. We discussed the date for Michelle's Baptism."
"And what Sunday did you decide on?"
"May sixth, she'll be six weeks old. And Charlie, Mum brought my Baptismal dress with her. And your mom bought that beautiful white blanket for her; it's perfect for her Baptism day."
"And I'm sure our little Michelle will be perfect during her Baptism. I doubt she will cry."
"Maybe, she's a very good baby. Mum tells me that all the time."
"And I'll tell Bus to put that date on the Admiral's calendar. I'm sure there will be other navy men who will attend too."
While they waited for that day to arrive, Michelle had her first check-up. Doctor Grant had come to the house. After he weighed her, he exclaimed.
"What have you been feeding her? She's gained almost two pounds."
"She nurses well."
"I guess she does. Does she sleep well?"
"She does, but she's also awake more. That's when Charlie spends time with her."
"I knew he would be a hands-on father."
"Will you be able to attend her Baptism?"
"I can plan to do so but you never know I might have a woman in labor."
"Father Martin is baptizing her on Sunday May sixth at Saint John's Episcopal Church during the nine o'clock service."
"I'll do my best to be there. I can see myself out."
Emily and Elizabeth watched him exit. Michelle had stirred. Emily took her upstairs to nurse her; she would take a nap after she finished.
The day of May sixth had arrived. Emily dressed Michelle in the long white Baptismal dress she had worn. When it was time to leave the house, the baby was wrapped in the white blanket Maryann had bought for her.
When they arrived at the church, everyone was waiting out front, including Doctor Grant. All of them were directed to sit in the front pews. The Baptismal Font had been placed at the foot of the altar stairs.
The entire order of worship was the Sacrament of Baptism. The congregation responded to the questions asked of them. Emily and Charlie had their questions too. Soon the moment arrived for the actual Baptism.
They watched Father Martin take Michelle from Emily's arms; he held her with one arm and with his other hand he poured water on her head, not once but three times. He spoke the words which Baptized Michelle into the family of God. She never woke up.
When they ceremony ended, the group attended a reception in the house next to the church. Michelle did wake but she wasn't fussy. And everyone spoke about her cherub-like face. Emily and Charlie thanked everyone before they left.
They hurried home; Emily knew it was close to a feeding time for the baby. And no one knew what would happen two days later.
On May eighth, the war in Europe ended. That date would be named, Victory over Europe Day or V-E Day. The Supreme Commander, General Eisenhower signed the document which officially ended the war. Prime Minister Churchill had immediately made an address to his nation which was broadcast worldwide.
Everywhere in America people filled the streets; church bells rang, sirens went off and people had gathered in the park across the street from the Madison's home.
"Mum, what do you think is going one?"
Elizabeth didn't have time to answer; the telephone rang. Emily heard Charlie's excited voice.
"Hitler's dead and the Germans have surrendered."
"What wonderful news! Mum and I will take Michelle to the park and mingle with all the people who have gathered there."
"The streets here in DC are crowded with people. Cars are honking their horns, sirens are going off and I can even hear church bells ringing. It may take me awhile to get home."
Charlie did make it home. He found Emily in the park. He picked her up and together they twirled in a circle. Michelle needed to be fed. The proud father pushed the pram home.
And after Michelle was asleep in her Moses Basket, they sat on the porch and watched and listened to the crowd continue to celebrate. Only after dark did the people dispel.
Emily would later ask Charlie. "Any idea of when the Japanese might surrender?"
"No, was his blunt answer. But I do know the allies are closing in on mainland Japan. Our fighter planes will begin bombing it soon."
"Maybe for the sake of their people they will surrender."
"I've been told the warlords don't think that way."
"How terrible, I'm so glad we have Michelle."
"So am I. I can't wait to come home every day and hold her."
Charlie had always thought it would take a catastrophic event to make the warlords surrender. He wasn't one of the few people who knew about The Manhattan Project; a project which had developed a type of bomb capable of annihilating destruction.
The nation would learn about it from the man who had assumed the Presidency of the Unite States after President Roosevelt died from a brain hemorrhage. In the nation's constitution there is a process written for naming his successor. The Vice President is elevated to President.
It would be President Truman who would address the nation after the first atomic bomb fell on that city in Japan. That day was August sixth.
Charlie heard the speech. Emily never listened to the radio. She had a habit of singing during the day, even while Michelle napped in the living room. It kept her from thinking about those terrible Japanese Warlords.
He was somber when he came home. "What terrible news do you have to share?"
"A city in Japan has been leveled by a new type of bomb. It doesn't appear the warlords will surrender."
Emily put her fingers to his lips. "Say no more. Michelle deserves a smile."
"I can always smile for her especially since I know she will smile back."
And Charlie got an extra big smile from his daughter. For now it put him in a better frame of mind.
It was only three days later when the second atomic bomb was dropped on another city. This time the Emperor of Japan overruled the other Warlords and surrendered. This news was eagerly awaited by all the Allied nations.
Finally in the early evening of August fourteenth, the people gathered in New York City's Square read; Official – Truman announces Japanese Surrender, on the scrolling news feed lit on the marque of one of the buildings. The roar from the two million people who were there could be heard for blocks.
Charlie and Emily could hear the voices of people who gathered outside the White chanted, "We want Harry."
They couldn't hear what he said but would learn later. He had told the crowd. This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor was attacked.
Americans would also learn what the citizens of England had heard from the Prime Minister. The last of our enemies is laid low. And I give thanks to our allies, especially to the United States, without whose prodigious efforts the war in the East would still have many years to run.
People of the allied nations were also told the surrender wasn't official yet. It would take days before all the fighting would cease because there were so many Japanese and allies still engaged in war all over the South Pacific.
Finally on September second, the powers came together on the battleship the USS Missouri. The surrender documents were signed; the war in the Pacific was officially over. That day would become Victory over Japan Day or V-J Day.
It wasn't celebrated like V-E Day was. The people of the world had their celebration on August fourteenth. And all the nations of the world began to return to normal.
In America factories which had been manufacturing war supplies now reverted back to their designed use like making automobiles, domestic aircraft, washing machines, refrigerators and stoves.
Earl told everyone. "The man who built Sheffield Courts has been asked to build more houses for the men returning from the war."
And Charlie added. "Our government is working with the United Nations Relief Agency. All of Europe has been devastated by the war; the people need everything. Right now tons of food, clothing, medicines and other needed commodities have been sent there. And the same will soon be sent to Japan. Everyone has been asked to donate what they have; these people will be grateful for anything."
"That's heart-warming to hear. I can't even imagine all the destruction."
"No one can Emily. I can't even bear to look at some of the photographs."
Emily and Charlie were grateful they had Michelle. She, like all the babies who would now be born, would help bring the nation back to normalcy.
In a few weeks, Maryann would be delighted with the news she had learned. She and Earl visited Emily and Charlie.
"Charlie, your brothers are both moving east. Richard's work with the Indians in developing that secret code for the allies to use has brought him recognition. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs wants him to come to the office in DC. He wants Richard to represent the needs of all Indian tribes; and how best to help them keep their culture while still learning American ways."
"That's terrific Mom. What's Walter going to be doing?"
"The University of Pennsylvania needs him. They now have one of those machines which can add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers at the speed of light. They're developing an even better model for the US government. He told your dad and me, he'll be a frequent house guest."
"And Michelle will get to know her uncles."
"They're going to love her almost as much as I do. And I know this makes you happy Mom. You'll have the three of us close by instead of scattered miles apart."
"It does. Your dad has reserved one of the smaller apartments for Richard. I'm sure he will have most of his meals with us. Something tells me he never learned to cook; all his meals were provided for him."
"And our meal is ready. Charlie, you need to be at the dumbwaiter to remove the prepared dishes."
"So you're using the dumbwaiter now, Elizabeth."
"We do. Emily doesn't need to be carrying Michelle down the stairs to the kitchen for our meals. It's really not difficult to operate."
Maryann stood by it. She and the others heard the motor start and soon the shelf appeared with the first dish. Charlie took it and set it on the table. The process was repeated until all the food was on the dining room table.
The family gave thanks. After an hour of eating and conversing, the process was repeated. The dirty dishes were returned to the kitchen. Maryann and Elizabeth took them to the sink and washed them.
After holding Michelle one more time, Maryann and Earl returned home. In a couple of weeks both of their sons had moved east. Walter stayed with them a few days before going on the University of Pennsylvania, located in the city of Philadelphia.
There was a train which made regularly scheduled trips to DC. Walter made good use of it on many weekends.
And with knowing this family was now complete, I end my story, only a short epilogue remains to be written