A/N Thank you so much for all the support from all the readers, reviewers, favourites and followers. I have really appreciated it and feel very humble.
I'm in Cornwall for the Easter break right now, which is why it has taken me a while to finish the story as my imagination has run wild. It was also my birthday yesterday, but it is actually the man himself, the brave soldier, the excellent combat leader, Ron Speirs birthday today, 20th April. So, I thought it would be fitting to post today.
LolaJGreen - Thank you for your emoji and your review. Hopefully this chapter answers most of your questions, although I have left some mystery. Thank you for your kind words.
Luckylily- Thank you for making me laugh! Am I that bad?! ; ) Hopefully you are pleased with the outcome and a little nod in your direction ; )
AudreyK - I'm pleased you are glad with Ron and Cara's happiness so far and equally happy with the outcome. I'm still not sure about continuing, but I'll have a think about it!
ljvs- I hope you are pleased with the outcome and that I've saved your heart!
Well, here we go... I hope you all enjoy.
...
Cara looked down at her handsome American officer as he held out his hands, he grinned mischievously up at her, she giggled.
Ron slid his hands up her leg, right up to her thigh and felt for the leather holster carrying her knife that he knew would be there.
Cara laughed.
He unbuckled it and pulled it out from under her dress "You're going to be a normal girl today!" he laughed, rising to his feet. "Give me your purse"
"Oh you don't need that!" Cara protested, gripping the beige clutch tightly. It was an inappropriate purse for a day time date, but it's all Eve could muster up at late notice.
Ron held out his hand and Cara very reluctantly handed it over rolling her eyes.
He took it, lifted the clasp and pulled out Fin's pistol, he put it down on the table to the side of him where he had placed her knife still in its holster. Raising his eyebrow in bemusement, again, he removed his hand from the purse "A grenade! Really Cara?!" Ron chuckled.
"They come in handy!" Cara argued.
"You won't need any of this" Ron smiled
"What if we get into some trouble?"
"I'm here! Now give me your watch!"
"It's new, I want to wear it" Cara begged "It's a replacement for my old one"
"Exactly Cara!"
She held out her arm and watched as Ron removed it and then turned it over and slid the razor blade from the brown strap "You're going to be damn well normal today!" he smirked strapping the watch back onto her dainty wrist "Anything else I should know about?" Ron asked turning to a chuckling Eve and Nix, Cara now realising that Eve had well and truly stitched her up.
"Oh the fountain pen!" Eve chuckled getting a look of disapproval off Fin.
"The pen?" Ron questioned going back into Cara's purse.
"It's a dagger" Fin sighed at Ron who was laughing and shaking his head "The SOE certainly kitted you out!" he said.
"Oh! the key in her purse, its not her room key" Eve remembered, calling over "It holds poison"
"Eve!" Cara protested, "I'm going to feel naked if he takes everything off me!"
"Anything else?" Ron demanded holding his hand out.
Cara stood with her arms folded across her chest, she stared at his brown eyes, they seemed lighter, not so dark as she had known. Cara glanced across at Eve who looked at her knowingly...
"Oh very well!" Cara whined as she undid a little flap of fabric on her dress to the side of her waist and pulled out a Garrote wire that was concealed around her, she handed it over.
Speirs laughed "Hell Cara! Do I need to pat you down?" looking at her weapon collection on the table.
"I think you've got everything now!" Eve laughed.
"Stop pouting woman! I'm taking you on a NORMAL date!" Ron said grabbing Cara's hand and leading her out the door.
Ron had a jeep waiting, like the perfect gentleman, he assisted Cara into her seat, much to her amusement, it was treatment she most definitely was not used to. She looked over at him as he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, glancing at her in return they shared a smile.
They drove through the beautiful Austrian countryside, passing rolling green pastures and the odd house dotted across the landscape. The day was warm already, but Ron hadn't picked her up too early, pre-empting her possible hangover as the Easy men had declared her the designated drunk for the evening, lining up the shots after they had all danced with her. Cara couldn't pass up the opportunity to party with her lads especially with the Pacific theatre looming over their heads. Ron had been very merry too, drinking heavily with them. Cara knew he disapproved of her ability to keep pace with the men, but he accepted it, he didn't want her to change, not even an inch.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere beautiful, like you" Ron replied reaching over and squeezing her hand "I came across the place when I was looking for you."
Cara squeezed his hand back "I'm sorry"
Ron's eyes left the road for a brief second "You're here now and that's all that matters!"
"I am" Cara murmured.
Ron glanced over at Cara again as she sunk back into the passenger seat. She had closed her eyes, enjoying the sun and breeze on her face with her red lips parted into a smile, she looked radiant. The rays from the sun made her hair look lighter in places, like natural highlights, he looked ahead at the road again. He would gladly have made a deal with the devil to swap places with her if she had died. Her life from now on would be one dreams are made of, he would see to that. He would never let her suffer again.
Cara placed her hand on top of Ron's and stroked it as he rested it on her leg and drove with one hand, only occasionally removing it to change gear. Everything was out in the open now. Everyone had seen at Sink's party. Cara had visited Sink beforehand and explained the relationship that she wanted with Ron, he was pleased although a little surprised that it was Speirs she had fallen for, he didn't doubt for a second that she would fall for an Easy company soldier, but like everyone else, he thought Speirs was married with a family. After Cara had explained about Ron being tricked, Sink was even more in favour of them, he felt they both deserved to be happy. Sink loved the way Fin wanted to come back to Easy, he liked her showmanship especially as it would be at his party making it even more memorable and he certainly liked to throw a party.
Cara glanced again at her handsome American officer, his eyes were on the road, but they both knew she was looking at him, he smiled, almost laughing.
Cara closed her eyes again. Ron had finally said it. He held her on that stage, holding her tightly. She had never felt so safe in a man's arms. His kiss was desperate, but passionate. He left her lips and rested his forehead on hers sighing in relief that she was alive.
He pulled away from her and looked into her eyes "I love you" He said gently and sincerely, never having said those three words to anyone else before.
Cara had wanted to hear his commitment to her for so long. In that moment, everything and everyone disappeared and it was just the two of them. Looking at each other, Cara's life had a true meaning, the man she loved, loved her back. The feeling was incredible, a sense of intense happiness and elation that she had never felt before.
He said those precious words in front of everyone. He said he could now and only hadn't before because he didn't want to cheapen them when he was tied to Edie. Cara had returned those special words immediately, "I love you too" even though she had said them before, she wanted him to be certain that she did. Their romantic moment was swiftly brought back into the real world when the Easy lads groaned at their declaration for one another, making them both laugh.
He led her off the stage and onto the dance floor where the band struck up and they danced in each others arms and for the first time in Cara's life she felt slightly uncomfortable with them both being the centre of attention. She melted into Ron's strong protective arms trying to shield herself. Ron pulled her in tighter giving her kisses on her lips and cheek. She didn't know how long they danced for, Cara lost track of the songs, but it was long enough for the lads to get antsy and request cut ins. Ron was reluctant at first never wanting her to part with him with only the little time they had before she would have to leave him again, but the men deserved their time with her. They all loved her and she loved them all back.
"I'd better be invited to the wedding!" Luz had growled jokingly that Fin hadn't made her feelings for Speirs known to him, twirling her around to a more upbeat song.
"Hold your horses! but you can be a bridesmaid!" Fin joked.
"I will be a damn good bridesmaid doll!" Luz laughed " One of many!" Luz turned Fin to catch the gaze of the men, smiling and tipping their heads at her.
"I'm so glad to be back with you all!" Fin sighed moving in and resting her head on his chest even though it was still an upbeat song.
"Don't go to the Pacific without us!" Luz pleaded quietly.
"How do you know I'm going?" Cara lifted her head surprised at Luz's unexpected statement.
"Speirs"
"I have my orders Luz, but I don't want to go without you lads either, hopefully we're all be deployed to the same area." Cara reassured
"When do ya go?"
"Couple of days"
"I wonder if there is any chance the Japs could surrender before then?"
"Here's hoping"
Ron sat with the men and watched his beautiful girl twirl around the dance floor, since he took her in his arms his life had become perfect. Yes she would be leaving for the Pacific soon but she had chosen to pretend it wasn't happening and so had he. When they danced, he tried to make her promise that she would never leave him again, but she couldn't keep that promise. The Easy lads were still waiting to hear when they would be joining the fight, but Cara knew and when she was leaving, she didn't even know if she'd be sent to the same area as them, but he promised he would find her and she promised she would find him. She had been upset to learn that he had opted to stay in the Army even though he had enough points to leave, he did it for her because she hadn't said when she would leave SOE and British Special Forces. But she wanted him to go home, she said one of them should be safe, but he knew it should be her not him. As long as Cara put herself in danger he would also, he'd follow her to the ends of the earth, wherever the fight took them.
Right now he didn't want to think about it. They were a normal couple. She wasn't in the military and he hadn't gone to war yet. How different his life would have been without the war, it was sad, he never would have met Cara and she probably wouldn't know she was a Churchill because her family wouldn't have died in the Blitz. Something so horrible had brought them together but had given them happiness. They wouldn't have been the only ones. Humans are the most destructive living creatures on this earth, but despite all the horrors they cause they can still bring happiness and love. Maybe the world will learn and be at peace. Maybe if he truly believed in this then he would leave the Army. Unfortunately, he didn't.
...
Cara was jolted from her happy thoughts of the night before as the jeep bumped along a dirt track up into the green hills. "Nearly there" Ron called over still wearing the same smile.
Cara was excited. They were finally having time together away from it all, just the two of them. Ron swerved the jeep through an opening and they entered into a beautiful meadow. It was such a heavenly scene, only green grass, wild flowers and a beautiful Eastern White Pine standing tall and proud. He stopped the jeep and cut the engine "We'll walk and settle by the pine" he instructed jumping out and racing round to take Cara's hand as she stepped out. "Wait here" Ron asked as he reached into the back of the vehicle and pulled out a picnic basket. He took her hand and they walked over, they settled in the sun, just short of the shade the tree provided. The grass was warm and dry, but Ron insisted that Cara sat on the wool blanket he laid out for her.
Cara watched Ron unpack the picnic. She watched how even doing a gentle, romantic task, he still looked powerful and protective. Cara loved that about him, she could truly relax and know that he could look after her when she couldn't. He'd styled his hair so neat and tidy today, his uniform pristine as if he was on parade. He was a proud man and Cara found it so endearing. She liked how he could take the piss one minute and then be straight as an arrow the next. He would always be the man for her, they would always be together. They would live happily with the odd argument, Cara would still enjoy winding him up with her ability to avoid a straight answer to his questions.
Cara giggled "Wow! You have been busy!" as Ron produced a white China teapot, cups and saucers hand painted with country scenes from the basket "Where did you find those?"
"I have a keen eye!" he winked
"I thought that 'keen eye' was just for shiny things?!"
"Shiny things, non shiny things, beautiful things!..." Ron replied leaning in and kissing Cara. He still had the ability to make her heart melt.
"We're keeping this forever, by the way" Ron stated, holding the teapot up, "It's a reminder of our first date"
"I like that you're sentimental, I am too" Cara replied fluttering her long eyelashes at him.
Ron brought out more things from the picnic basket, once again making Cara laugh. "How on earth did you manage them?!"
"You don't have to work in the SOE to be able to acquire difficult things!" Ron winked hinting at the gifts Cara had given him from Hitler "Oh and I have it on good authority that it's actually the Cornish way!" Speirs smirked now presenting Fin with scones, strawberry jam and cream.
"We're having a very British date" Cara deeply appreciated the effort Ron had gone to as he filled the blanket with more food, finally completing the lunch with a bottle of Champagne and two crystal champagne saucers.
"Don't worry I'll be Americanising it later!" Ron passed Cara a plate with a scone, with the jam and cream already applied, the Cornish way, Cara allowed his dig at her explanation to her capture, she'd get her own back another time.
"Before we get comfy, could you please put this back on" Ron asked presenting Cara with the gold bracelet she had returned to him. "You broke my heart when I saw it"
"I'm sorry, I really am." Cara felt ashamed, she had been petty. "I wasn't thinking straight. To be honest I don't think I've been thinking straight for a while"
"Yes, I'd agree with that"
"I don't know why, I just do things and then tend to regret them later"
"Maybe it's because you're a Churchill, The British Prime Minister is a bit cocky isn't he?"
"Cocky? I wasn't saying I was cocky!"
"You are"
"Yes ok, maybe a little" Cara reluctantly agreed.
"A lot"
"Alright Sparky!"
"Our first official domestic?"
"Looks like it"
"Time to make up yet?" Ron winked running his hand up Cara's dress feeling her silky soft skin until he reached her upper thigh, squeezing it gently.
"Ron this is our first date!" Cara pleaded innocently as if she were.
"I do recall you telling me you weren't very classy!"
"Well, I'm trying to follow first date etiquette"
"In that case, we'll pretend it's prom night, it makes it ok now!"
"Americanising this date already?!" Cara raised an eyebrow at Ron but didn't stop his advances. Ron leaned over and took the plate from Cara's hand and put it down, he then rolled her from her side and onto her back. He positioned himself above her. "I don't want to keep my hands off you" he sighed rolling off and pulling Cara back to her original reclined position on the blanket. "but I will, this date has hardly started and there's so much I want to find out about you"
"I have a load of questions for you too" Cara replied slightly disappointed that he had showed self restraint. He was definitely stronger in that department than she was.
"What are your family like?" Cara asked, elegantly taking a bite from her scone, careful not to cover her mouth in jam and cream.
"They're great and will love you immediately when they meet ya. I'm the youngest of five, my dad is called Robert and my mom is called Martha. I was actually born in Edinburgh"
"Wow really?"
"Yep, we moved to the states when I was four" Ron replied "They all live in Boston"
"Is that where you will return? To Boston?"
"Yep, to take you to meet them all" Ron said matter of factly "But we'll live wherever I'm based"
Cara blushed, she liked how he said the word 'we' "So you really are staying in the Army?" she questioned, not really surprised by that admission, he had said when they danced and he was a natural soldier after all.
"Yes, I always need to be able to get to wherever you are"
Cara leaned over and kissed Ron this time; he was so sweet to think like that.
"What are you doing Cara? I don't want to tell you what I want for you because I don't want to control you..." Ron sighed "Are you staying with SOE?" Ron watched Cara nervously as she mulled things over in her mind. "It's killing me that you go to the Pacific tomorrow, I don't know where exactly you'll be and that you're going without me"
Cara smiled and squeezed his hand "I'm staying with SOE for the time being, but I'm in a very good position" Cara paused to gauge Ron's reaction, but he had mastered that expressionless face of his. "As soon as the war ends with Japan, I can pick and choose, I was thinking of maybe getting a transfer to America, we have offices there"
"Of course you do!" Ron grinned, he wasn't entirely happy, but as long as she was on his side of the pond, he would be happy with that.
Ron poured Cara another cup of tea, noticing that she had finished hers. Cara sat back leaning on her hands behind her. She looked at Ron pondering her thoughts as he tried to read her expression, to give him some insight on what she was thinking about.
"Do you have a sharp knife on you?" Cara asked unexpectedly "Something a bit better than a butter knife"
Ron eyed Cara suspiciously, he raised his eyebrows "Why?"
"I need, actually want to do something with you"
"That's very cryptic Cara and a little bit worrying!" Ron chuckled, but retrieved a knife from under his jacket and offered it handle first over to Cara anyway.
Cara smiled and took the knife, she stood up and walked to the tree. She clenched the knife with her fist and began to carve into the bark.
Ron stood curiously and looked over her shoulder as she worked.
Cara had finished, she stepped back into Ron's arms as he wrapped them around her. He sighed and then kissed the side of her head "I think you're a romantic Cara"
Cara looked at her handy work, she had carved Ron and Cara 1945 surrounded by a heart. It would forever supersede the one her and Freddie had scratched into that stone fountain. "We can come back one day and it will still be here" The stone fountain may not stand forever but this tree would, they would.
Ron pulled Cara stepping back and seating them both on the blanket. He took the bottle of Champagne and popped the cork, pouring them both a glass. "Here's to you baby" he toasted.
"No, Here's to us!" Cara corrected him.
Cara finished her glass rather quickly and laid down, feeling the warm sun rays tan her pale pink skin. Ron laid down beside her feeling for her hand that rested down by her side. He stared up at the sky. It was a brilliant blue with a few scatterings of white clouds.
"Did you play that game as a kid when you looked at the clouds and guessed what they looked like?" he asked, gazing at her as she looked up.
"Yes"
"What do you see?" Ron asked squeezing Cara's hand
"A grenade" Cara replied pointing up
Ron chuckled "Ok, let's start again, no weapons or anything remotely to do with war or the military"
"Ok, but it does look like a grenade"
"Yeah I know"
They lay there playing the game, although Cara broke the non-military rule several times, each time making Ron laugh. Cara couldn't believe that they hadn't spent time with each other like this before now. He was a kind, thoughtful and romantic man, she had definitely struck the jackpot with him. How was he not already taken?
Ron stole glances of Cara as she pointed at the sky, she was beautiful and funny. She made him laugh so much, she didn't take herself too seriously and she was sweet and gentle. If he had the ability to create the perfect woman, then he would decline because she was lying next to him right now. He had less than a day left with her and he was going to cherish every second of it.
"Have you always known you were a Churchill?"
"No not until I was taken to my Uncle at his war rooms, a bunker beneath the Treasury building at Whitehall in Westminster. There I was shown my birth certificate to prove it"
"Wow, bet that was a bit of a shock?"
"Yes it was, believe it or not, I was quite shy and timid back then."
Ron scoffed.
"I was!" Cara pleaded "I was sat across a table from the most powerful man in Britain telling me I was his niece, it was pretty overwhelming"
"Yeah ok, I'll give ya that! What were his war rooms like?"
"Busy, stuffy, the map room was in constant use therefore I was never lonely and learnt a lot. It was a great playground for a 16 year old! I spent two weeks there until he decided what to do with me"
"How did he decide on the SOE for you?"
"Apparently I showed promising signs of being a damn nuisance"
"Well I can definitely believe that!" Ron laughed "How did you feel about joining SOE?"
"At the time I felt I had nothing to live for, so I threw myself into the job and quickly found out that I did indeed have a niche for being a damn nuisance!" Cara laughed causing Ron to laugh too.
"What's ya Uncle like?" he asked after they had calmed down.
"Well, I wouldn't mention you're a soon to be divorcee and can you do any other accents?"
Ron raised an eyebrow "Seriously?!" he sat up and looked down at a giggling Cara.
"Nope! He's fine, he won't give a shit!"
Ron leaned over and tickled Cara knowing that she was ticklish, stupidly ticklish actually. He lightly brushed her knee in bed in Germany with his fingers and she kicked out giggling. It was a good job he had been lying next to her and not on top of her! He liked that her skin was sensitive to his touch, he enjoyed seeing her goosebumps and watching her body move in ecstasy. She was the colour in his life. With the terrible events they had experienced, she would walk out amongst the rubble, colourising and brightening an otherwise bleak and grey scene. She had that affect on him every single time.
"So..." Cara sat up joining Ron. "If I had just been a normal girl in Aldbourne, how would you have chatted me up?"
"I would have just approached you and offered to buy you a drink, after that I would have sat you down and talked to you, like we are now" Ron replied "I don't have any lines, never needed them, the uniform sort of deals with that!"
'It certainly does!" Cara replied running her hand down the front of his jacket, he definitely made a uniform sexy "To be honest you wouldn't have needed any lines, just approaching me bold as brass is impressive enough"
"You are definitely not like any woman I've ever met, beyond modern in my opinion, would you approach a man and chat him up?"
"Damn well I would! In fact I did"
"You did?"
"Yes the night before my first jump I chatted up a British paratrooper, I didn't want to die a virgin, so that was my motivation!" Cara chuckled.
"Hell Cara! I don't want to hear that! Don't put images of you with other men in my head, you'll turn me crazy!"
"Sorry Ron!" Cara tried to stifle her giggles.
"Ok, so how would you have won me over if you saw me talking to another girl?" Ron asked taking a swig of his champagne after topping Cara and himself up. He aimed to distract himself and suppress his growing jealous rage over the faceless British paratrooper that had been lucky enough to have his Cara.
Cara once again leaned over and seductively ran her hands over Ron's chest "Oh I don't know...maybe walked up to you, stuck myself between you and the other girl... ran my hands down your lapels, looked up at your handsome face, licked my lips..." Cara brushed her lips against Ron's feeling the heat coming off him, she pulled away "...and shouted You gave me Syphilis you bastard!"
Ron choked on the bubbles "That wouldn't have won me over!" he laughed.
"No, but it would have got rid of the girl!"
"And every other girl in a 100 mile radius!"
Cara grinned "Mission accomplished!"
Ron laughed and put his glass down on the picnic blanket and leaned in and kissed Cara gently on the lips "We're not having girls, I don't think I'd live long if we had daughters and they turned out like you!" he teased.
"We're having children?"
"Lots, I've got to keep you busy!"
"I like the sound of that"
"I love you Cara"
Cara sighed blissfully, he said those words again, that was twice now Cara wondered how long they would be together before she would lose count, she hoped it would be soon.
"I love you too Ron"
"Come on, let's take a walk" Ron stood pulling Cara up with him. They held hands as they left the picnic by the tree and walked into the grass. They wandered in comfortable silence. Ron was savouring every moment, this felt like it was a good bye, which it was in a way, but this time they would be a couple waiting to return to one another. Ron looked at Cara as she appreciated the wondrous landscape that they walked through. He couldn't think of a more beautiful setting for someone so beautiful. He sighed quietly to himself, there was still so much to discuss, he needed to talk to her about Edie, but it could wait a while longer. Ron broke their silence.
"I'm guessing that if your presents to me are ever discovered, we're in big trouble?"
"The biggest"
"Well we best make sure we stay together and not piss each other off" Ron joked.
"I can promise I will always stay with you, but I may piss you off from time to time!" Cara returned the joke.
"Oh I know you'll do that, still can never give me a straight answer, can you?!"
"I'm afraid it comes naturally"
"Just the way I like you" Ron murmured "They're safe, you don't need to worry about them"
"Where are they?"
"I'll tell you soon enough, but for now you're safer not knowing"
"You're a protector"
"I wish that was true, but you're leaving without me and I won't be there to protect you" Ron hinted at a little desperation in his voice.
"Let's not talk about it, let's just enjoy the now" Cara stretched up and nuzzled Ron's neck, turning her body into him as he wrapped an arm around her, holding her in close as they slowed their pace.
They walked some more before Cara felt she should reveal her previous heartbreak, she wanted it to heal, if she were to heal fully from it then only Ron could do that.
I was nearly married" Cara spoke tentatively in a soft tone.
"What?!" That was something Ron was not expecting, it was also something he dreaded hearing, imagining Cara declare her love for someone else.
"He never showed, leaving me at the altar, I don't really like to talk about it, it's pretty humiliating, but I wanted to tell you" Cara dipped her head down, it still hurt.
Ron stopped and pulled Cara down to the grass, he put his arm around her, pulling her in close like that time when he found her with the laundry packages in Aldbourne. "I want you to be able to talk to me about anything. It's not humiliating, the man is a piece of shit!"
Cara sighed and laid her head on her wonderful man's chest.
"A piece of shit I could get on with though, if he hadn't done that, then you might not be here with me now, I need to shake his hand!"
Cara giggled "He did say if the Yank messed up, he'd wait for me!"
"Er...when did you see him?"
"He flew me to Berlin"
"Ok, well now I need to shake his hand for dumping you, punch him for trying to win you back and punch him again for flying you to Berlin!"
Cara laughed "I could arrange that you know!"
Ron chuckled kissing the top of Cara's head "I'm going to do things properly Cara, I know you don't think you're a lady sometimes but you are one..."
Cara pulled away and looked Ron in the eyes, she opened her mouth to speak...but Ron cut her off...
"... no protesting! You are a lady! And I will treat you like one!"
"Except when we're in bed!" Cara giggled.
"Yes, except when we're in bed!" Ron laughed amused with Cara's words "I'm going to be traditional, Hell! When we have children..." Ron winked "I want them to look at me and know how women should be treated by men, I will worship you to the ends of the earth"
"I know you will and I will be everything you fell in love with, I'll follow you any where my darling"
They lay down in the grass, Cara still in the protective arms of her brave paratrooper, she never wanted to leave them, she didn't want to go to war again, not without Ron, but not with him either.
Ron sighed loudly.
"What's the matter?" Cara asked reaching up and placing gentle kisses on his cheek.
Ron wasn't sure how Cara would take the news and whether he should tell at all? Maybe it would be best for him to sort it quietly? But then how could he expect her to not keep secrets if he was willing to do so?
"Cara"
'Yes darling"
"I wrote to Edie and asked her for a divorce"
"That's welcome news" Cara sighed placing more kisses on her handsome man.
"She's refusing"
"Well..." Cara paused disappointed that they still had that woman placing a barrier between them "She can't refuse forever, I'll always wait for you Ron"
"As soon as I get back to England I'll file for a divorce, I'll force her hand and cite unreasonable behaviour "
"I think you have grounds for unreasonable behaviour!" Cara replied finding some entertainment in the whole debacle.
"I'll get it done, She'll be gone from our lives soon, I promise" Ron was relieved that Cara seemed to have taken the news in her stride.
"I'll wait for you to get your divorce" Cara promised.
"One more thing baby, what about this SOE mole?" Ron asked still worried for his girl.
"Well, when we eventually get a final head count, then we could narrow it down, but it could take a while, years even. Some agents killed in the field may not be found, intelligence tells us that escaped Nazis were heading for South America, Argentina we think. We will probably begin our search there"
"But not you personally?"
"I don't know Ron" Cara wrapped her arms around him. They were finally together, a couple, but still had so much unfinished business hanging over their heads. They would be free one day, Cara hoped.
Ron stood up and held out his hand for Cara, he'd never tire of this sight "Come on" he said "I'm gonna finish the date off with a baseball game" he smiled.
"Can't wait" she sighed happily.
Ron looked into her blue eyes and Cara looked into his brown eyes. He leaned down and their lips met. The caress of his kiss was intense, it sent those familiar shivers down Cara's spine, the ones only Ron could cause. His strong arms wrapped around her waist and her slender fingers stroking the back of his neck. She felt his body spasm too. The electricity between them sparking a never ending ardour for one another.
...
Ron pulled the jeep up in a field for Cara to see Easy out playing. She looked at him and smiled then jumped out and walked over to the lads. "Fin!" Luz shouted jogging over "You're gonna play right?"
"Yes I'll give it a go!" Fin laughed and then squealed in delight, Buck had rejoined them! She ran over to him jumping into his open arms "I'm ok Fin, I'm ok!" he laughed, she squeezed him tightly before he dropped her to the ground "We're gonna let you bat first"
"Brilliant" Fin worried, she hadn't played rounders in a long time and that was the closest thing she had ever got to Baseball. She kicked off her shoes and took position.
Fin swung the bat behind her, copying how she thought they held it and Luz threw the ball at her, not going soft on her. Having a keen eye and a skill for reacting, Fin smacked the ball sending it way over their heads to her own and everyone else's astonishment. Fin quickly realised her success and twirled the bat in her hands like a baton and smugly skipped round the field. As she approached the last base she did a cartwheel.
Ron put his face in his hands laughing, she was wearing a fucking dress! How could she forget!
Fin stood still without a care that she just flashed the lads, she bent over and exaggerated a bow "I thank you!" she called cocky as ever, quite not believing herself that she managed to pull that one off, a fluke if there ever was one!
Luz stood with his hands on his hips shaking his head. He looked over at Speirs who was sat on the bonnet of his jeep grinning at Fin. Speirs looked back at Luz and nodded giving him the ok to go sort her out.
Fin turned her back on Luz , a big mistake as she was tackled, finding herself under another Easy company pile on.
Ron watched as the men tackled Cara, laughing. Shaking his head in amusement. Distracted, he was unaware of the arrival of Winters, Nix, Eve, Harry and Lip who walked over to where he sat.
Feeling their approaching presence, Ron acknowledged their arrival as they enjoyed the amusing sight of Fin and the men.
"Get 'em round" Winters laughed his eyes still on Easy company.
Ron jumped down from the jeep "Easy company! School circle!" Ron shouted in his gruff tone.
They all immediately stopped, My rescuer Cara sighed happily to herself. They all jogged over to the officers.
"Listen up, got some news, this morning President Truman received the unconditional surrender from the Japanese" Winters nodded, grinning "War is over"
Everyone looked at each other in silent, joyous disbelief "You're not leaving tomorrow Fin!" Winters happily informed Cara and an elated Ron.
Cara looked at Ron, she approached him smiling. "I can promise not to leave you now"
Luz grabbed Fin, hugging her and then pulling her back out to the game before Ron could react, they joined the rest of the men while her eyes still kept with Ron's. "You want to bat again?" Luz asked her.
Fin stopped "You alright doll?" Luz asked concerned, witnessing the colour suddenly drain from her face.
"Yeah, I'm fine, felt a little queasy just then, but it's passing" Cara replied confused " How strange" she mumbled to herself as she jogged out to run the feeling off.
As Cara stood there with the bat back in her hands she couldn't help but look at each one of these brave men, they would all be ok now, regardless of points, medals or wounds, every man in the 101st airborne would be going home. Her Ron wouldn't be going to war.
Ron smiled a big smile. Life would be exciting with her, she was a handful, 'a damn nuisance' and he wouldn't change any of that, he loved her exactly as she was. Although, there would be one change... the best change for him and the love of his life...
...
"What now then Ron?" Winters asked turning his attention to one of the finest combat officers in the battalion.
"I suppose I better request a furlough to England" he replied.
"Ten downing Street?" Nix enquired raising an eyebrow at him.
"To be precise" Ron smirked.
