Hey guys!
I won't be able to write for awhile after this. I have finals coming up, but those only take a week, so no worries! I'll be back to writing in a bit!
I won't forget!
The next morning, Harper opened her eyes to stare right into Jackson's. Somehow during the night Harper had turned over to face him and had gotten much closer in the process. Jackson's forehead was resting against hers and her hands were warm in his.
"Good morning," he whispered letting go of one of her hands and snaking it around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Good morning to you," Harper whispered.
"How did you sleep?" Jackson asked a smile that she could feel playing on his lips.
"Better than I have for 9 months," she answered, feeling her own breath bounce off Jackson's face and hit hers.
"Me too," he said letting go of her other hand and moving it to the side of her face.
He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear then returned his hand to hers. Harper would have preferred to stay in his hold forever, but she knew the squad would be waking soon. Though she Captain Miller had no reason to stop a relationship between her and Jackson, Reiben would tease them unendingly, so she sat up.
Jackson looked curiously at her from his spot on the ground.
"Let's go," she said tugging on his hand. "Everyone will be up soon."
She looked around, eyes ranging over Reiben, Mellish, Upham and Horvath. Miller was not by his gear. Harper figured he was outside on watch. Then she turned her eyes to Wade who met her eyes with his. He smiled in greeting and nodded to Jackson. Harper breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Wade wouldn't tattle on them, especially not to Reiben.
Her eyes then drifted to Rita who was snuggled against Wad's chest. Harper looked back up to meet Wade's eyes and smiled, silently communicating for the second time in 24 hours, that he would be an amazing father someday. He smiled broadly and looked at the 5 year old in his arms. Just then Miller walked in.
He turned his green eyes on Jackson, then Harper, his expression impossible to read; like always.
"Get them up," he said. "We are moving out in 20 minutes."
He walked back to Horvath and shook him awake. Wade turned to Rita and gently touched her shoulder, talking softly to her. Harper continued to smile at the medic and the little orphan, and the strange bond they had formed until Jackson poked her playfully in the side. She turned and Jackson said, "You want to wake Reiben, or should I?"
Harper's smile turned devilish as she said, "You get Mellish. I'll take Brooklyn."
Jackson nodded and woke Mellish so he wouldn't miss the excitement. Harper crossed the room and carefully knelt next to Reiben, who was still in a deep sleep. She glanced around at her squad, smiling evilly then leaned down so her lips were right next to Reiben's ear. She waited for a few seconds then yelled as loud as she could.
"It's the Germans! Watch out! Ahhhhhhhh, Help!!!"
Reiben
was up in a flash, a terrified expression on his face. He was
clutching his B.A.R. with a white knuckle grip.
"Where are
they?!" he yelled spinning on the spot and tripping over his gear.
He fell flat on his butt, his helmet falling down over his eyes. Harper, Jackson, Wade, Mellish and Horvath were roaring with laughter as Reiben pushed his helmet up furiously. Reiben let out a string of curse words that would have made a sailor blush then angrily turned to his pack. Their laughter died down slowly but when they were under control again, Jackson walked to Reiben and put a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off angrily as Jackson said, "Take it easy there Reiben. It was only a joke."
He was having trouble containing his laughter remembering Reiben's white face. Reiben straightened up and shoved him hard enough to make him take a few steps back, but all it did was raise more laughs from the squad. Miller even cracked a smile as he continued to put his pack together.
Finally all the laughs died, and only snickers and giggles were left echoing through the church; until Upham spoke up.
"So there are no Germans?"
Everyone stared at him, glanced at each other, and then broke into fits of laughter again. Though Reiben was glaring, his face even softened a little at Upham's stupidity.
"No you moron. Just a joke," said Harper going to him and throwing an arm over his shoulder making him flinch. He laughed nervously as he squeezed his rifle harder.
"Relax, Tim," said Harper patting him on the back. "It's just the war!"
They all laughed again. Reiben even joined in at Harper's sarcastic comment.
"Alright, that's enough fun for one day. Get your gear. We are moving out," said Miller shaking his head at the diversity of personalities in his squad.
*********
It was 8:30 A.M. when they were finally on the move again, and Reiben was still sore about being woken up in such a rude manner. All morning he had been shooting Harper dirty looks and icy stares that she had been ignoring with ease. He didn't enjoy being ignored so he had begun making snide remarks, but that didn't get her either.
Jackson, who was walking next to her, was surprised she was able to stand all of Reiben's crap. After a while, the squad started hearing people yelling and shouting orders. The squad approached and finally came out of the tree line right up on a crashed aircraft. As they passed that, the smell of dead and decaying soldier stung their noses.
Upham even had to turn away and throw up before being able to continue.
"Wade," Miller yelled back to the medic.
"Yes sir?"
"See what you can do."
"Yes sir."
Wade set Rita on the ground and proceeded to the first group of wounded soldiers. Rita came to Harper and cowered behind her legs, trying to get as far away from the hurt men as she could. Harper picked her up and walked through the dead or dying men. Wade was already in between two men, working on one while he talked to the other.
"No worries, fellas," said Jackson lighting a cigarette for one soldier. "The docs in town."
The farm boy shot a glance at the medic who returned a smile.
"Don't worry," continued Jackson. "The 29 infantry's breaking through. They'll be here soon."
His statement was met with groans. Weather they were happy or in pain was a mystery to Harper. She continued walking, intending to follow Miller wherever he was going, but someone grabbed her leg. She looked down to see a soldier with a broken arm and no left leg. He motioned for her to get closer seeing as he couldn't speak very loud. Harper cautiously knelt next to him causing Rita to squeak with fear and clutch her field jacket. She reassured the little girl with a quick pat on the back.
"She….. reminds me of….. my little…. Girl….." the soldier stammered, staring at Rita with tear filled eyes.
Harper glanced at her 4 year old charge nodding to the wounded man. She knew Rita understood by the look in her brown eyes, but she looked terrified of the man.
"Its ok," Harper whispered to the child.
By now Rita had drawn the attention of most of the wounded men, and Jackson and Wade. Rita looked back at the soldier, took a breath, and walked toward him. She reached out one of her small hands and took his. She sat next to him and said, in perfect English, "my name is Rita."
Harper glanced up at Jackson who was smiling at how well she had taken to the nickname. The soldier looked equally happy, but not because she had taken to the nickname. Because she wasn't afraid of him. He smiled at her and she returned it with a soft smile of her own. He laughed and ruffled her hair.
"Thanks sweetie. That's what I needed to keep fighting. Just to see my little girl's face."
Rita nodded, not really realizing what kind of impact she had had on the man.
"Lewis!" Miller yelled from across the makeshift base.
Harper walked quickly to Miller's side, motioning for Rita to stay with the soldier.
"Sir?" she asked as she came into hearing range.
He was standing next to a army issue jeep, with a rather large man sitting in the driver's seat.
"I've found someone to take the kid to the nearest American base," he said glancing over his shoulder at the man who looked like he could bench press a couple tiger tanks.
Harper stared a Miller opened mouthed for a second, then looked back at the man, (who would be terrifying in a 4 year old's eyes) then back to Miller.
"Are you serious?!" she yelled, forgetting who she was talking to.
Miller just looked at her, awaiting the appropriate 'sir' that should have been added at the end of that sentence. It never came.
"We can't just hand her off to the first guy with a jeep. I mean, do you even have any military training?" she asked the big man.
He glared at her then to Miller, asking silently if he could punch the insolent private. Miller shook his head slightly and said, "What did I tell you when she first came with us? She wasn't going to stay with us forever. She is a liability. She-"
"She is a child!" Harper shouted.
Miller cocked an eyebrow in surprise. Recognizing her voice Wade, Jackson, Mellish, Horvath, Caparzo, and Reiben looked up from what they were doing. They all glanced at each other and made their way over to the Captain and the Private to try to quell any fight that might ensue. All but Reiben. He was longing to throw a punch at Harper. All he needed was a reason, and her attacking her ranking officer would be the best opportunity he had. Wade nodded to Rita as he went and she ran to him. He picked her up and continued to the Captain.
Harper was in the middle of shouting a sentence at Miller, who was just standing stunned at how loud her voice could be. He finally had enough of it though.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" he roared drowning her voice out. "We are giving the kid-"
"RITA!" shouted Harper matching is volume.
The child jumped hearing her name that loud. Miller glared at Harper then continued.
"We are giving Rita to Sergeant Brinkmen," he said indicating the big man in the jeep. "He will take her to the refugees and-"
"The REFUGEES!" shouted Harper on the verge of tears.
The squad marveled at Harper's boldness. If any of them had talked to Miller like that, he would have kicked their asses, but he was just taking it from Harper. Even Reiben had to give her props.
