Epilogue

As the end of 1945 neared, they celebrated with gusto the American holiday of Thanksgiving. That day many prayers of thanks were spoken by families all over the nation. Father Martin had joined the family. He had a special prayer to offer. He prayed.

"Today all of us can enter into the real spirit of thanksgiving, we can say from our heart, Thank You, God, for victory and peace.

"The war years through which we have traveled together have brought us close together in heart and spirit and purpose. As we give thanks for victory and peace let us give thanks also for unity of thought and purpose among all nations. Amen."

And a baby's babble was heard as he concluded. Father Martin had a reply. "Michele has her own way of saying amen. We wholeheartedly agree with you."

"All of us agree too. I can't imagine all that will occur in the future now that weapons of war aren't made anymore."

Earl had an answer for Emily. "Walter has told us that even the Japanese are already using their minds for peaceful inventions."

"Dad's correct. Two men used a bombed-out department store in Tokyo to make a device which can record voices for listening to later. It's been given the name, Tape Recorder. Only time will tell us if this device is useful."

"It will be Walter. I remember all the doubting Thomas's when the electric light bulb, the radio and the telephone were invented. Today we can't imagine a world without them."

Emily spoke to her daughter. "Michelle, your life is going to rich in wonderful inventions and lots of things mommy can't even imagine."

She babbled some more. Emily's remark brought the day to a close. The family would come together in a few weeks to celebrate the first Christmas after the war. This Christmas would have a tree.

Stores sold electric tree lights by the thousands; glass ornaments were made in the United States. And Emily and her mother made long strands of red and green paper garlands to wrap their tree in. Tinsel was added for glitter.

On Christmas morning all eyes were on Michelle; her face was as bright as the tree was. Charlie captured it all on movie film.

A week later fireworks announced the start of a New Year, 1946 had arrived, a year of more inventions and continued prosperity for the world. But already there was conflict.

Elizabeth talked about it. "I remember learning about Joseph Stalin; he was the lesser of the two evil men. Charlie, how is he behaving now?"

"You might say he has reared his ugly head. The peace treaty gave him all of Eastern Europe including the countries of Poland, Czechoslovakia and the eastern part of Germany. Those people will now live under the suppressive rule of Communism; the people have no rights, everything belongs to the government.

"And there are other countries in the Far East who have adopted this form governing. It's not a good sign for peace in the region. The other countries of Europe have decided to put aside their differences and work together."

"Then we need to enjoy this time of no war talk; I want Michelle to hear nothing but happy talk. She'll be talking soon. I don't want her first real word to be bomb."

"Neither do I, Emily. It shouldn't be difficult."

And it wasn't. Michelle's first words were, hi, doggy, ball, bye and car. And soon she would add the word, baby.

Emily had told Charlie she was pregnant. And seven months later they got to use the masculine form of Michelle.

Michael Earl was born. Charlie suggested the middle name. Emily didn't mind; she thought it was appropriate to use his father's name. After all Michelle's middle name was Elizabeth.

Life was very good for everyone. Maryann had all three sons nearby. And she and Elizabeth had two grandchildren to spoil. And Charlie and Emily were the envy of all their friends; their marriage was rock solid.

Did they quip at each other as Charlie had said the day the two of them had talked about being polar opposites?

Yes, it proved that opposites' can also attract. And Charlie and Emily had a long life together to prove it was true.

Author note:

Finally I want to thank my readers. I knew this story wouldn't attract many. This movie never did well at the box-office when it was released; probably because America was engaged in the Vietnam conflict and the nation was still suffering from President Kennedy's assassination.

After many years it was released again. And with the benefit of television it has become a favorite of many who were drawn to it because of Julie's success with Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music. James Garner's staring roll in Maverick helped too.

I began to like the film after I bought the DVD. But I also wanted to tell my story of the romance between Charlie and Emily. They are now on my list of favorite couples along with Georg and Maria and Robert and Catherine.

I'm planning on adding another, Murphy and Emma; they're from the movie Murphy's Romance staring James Garner and Sally Field. The ending is perfect for imagining what came next.

If you want to know when that story is published you need flag me as a favorite author or check my profile often.

Thanks for reading this story.