Hello readers, I'm back with another chapter! Hope you enjoy!
A huge thanks to alanark for following/favouriting this story! Your support means a lot and this chapter is dedicated to you!
To Guest: I'm sorry you're getting angry! Hopefully this cheers you up, a bit!
To alanark: I hope you enjoy this chapter!
To McFlytheMusical: Thank you for your kind words! I love Danny and Char together too! They're super cute! Nothing too horrible happens, not yet anyway! Enjoy!
Enjoy all!
February 27th
I shuffled home slowly after a shift at the local war surgery. Admitting and giving physicals wasn't an easy job. Usually, if men were turned away from the army you'd have to expect some sort of fight and protest, or the guilt trip to get you to go out on a date with them. It was times like those when I wished I was allowed to wear my engagement ring.
It was still cold outside, and it didn't seem like it was getting warmer anytime soon. I pulled my jacket around me tighter and soldiered on. It was getting dark and I was getting just as tired. Lucky for me I didn't have another shift for the next two days. The girls were very jealous of that, however, we were all on a roster so they would be soon, I assured them.
I waited for the lights to change, and crossed the road when I saw the little green man. People were bustling all around me, returning home from work, going out for dinner, New York truly was the city that never slept.
I was two blocks from our apartment when it started to poor with rain. I didn't even have an umbrella. I cringed as I imagined my perfect make up and pin curls drooping to make me look like a clown. I hurriedly ducked into the nearest cafe and stood there, drenched.
"Char?" a voice called from the seat by the door. I turned around to see Danny sitting in the little window booth, dinner and a glass of whiskey in front of him.
"Hey there," I said, drying off my trench coat.
"Take a seat," he said standing up and helping me over. He took my bags and placed them across from him and helped me take off my jacket, hanging it on a chair to dry. I smiled as I remembered the countless times before this, that he's done the same actions.
"Always a gentlemen," I said as I sat down.
"Can't let a pretty girl go and sit by herself now, can I?" he said sitting.
"I was just going to wait until the rain passed but, since I'm here, I may as well stay and sit," I told him.
"Vanilla milkshake and a burger with the lot please," he said as a waitress passed by.
"You remembered?" I asked surprised, as he ordered for me.
"I think I've taken you on too many dates not to remember. Besides, even before that it's all you ate," he joked.
"That's a lie! I've eaten a fair few family roasts with you at the McCawleys," I pointed out.
"Fine! Fine, I stand corrected," he said, throwing his hands up in fake surrender.
"What I'm interested in is when you started becoming such a heavy drinker," I raised an eyebrow in the direction of a few empty whiskey glasses.
"They're not mine."
"Oh really?" I asked.
"The boys where hear before, I swear. Besides, I only have one drink a day or none at all. I don't want to end up like my father," he stated, clearing his throat.
"Right," I said, feeling silly.
"Anyway, what were you doing out in the rain so late?" he asked, taking a bite of his own food.
"I was on my way home from work. The uniform is pretty self explanatory," I told him.
"Right," he grinned, hiding his food behind his teeth, resulting in him looking like a chipmunk. I tried to stifle my giggles but couldn't help it and broke out into laughter.
"You're still a goofball," I said, trying to stop my laughter.
"You still laugh," he said. I stopped laughing and smiled softly, feeling as if this was like our second first date.
"Anyway, hows the air force?" I asked as the waitress bought over my food and drink.
"Oh you know, basically like the farm, but with more guys, planes and concrete. We just practice our flying and do a bit of theory."
"So basically like you and Rafe playing pilots?" I asked, referring to their childhood game.
"Pretty much, but with authority."
"So you boys are having the time of your lives?" I asked.
"You could say that. But I miss home and the slowness of the town. New York and Rhode Island are just not my style."
"You never were a big city kinda guy," I pointed out.
"What about you? How's the medical field?" he asked.
"Different to what I wanted to do ultimately, but you know, I'm enjoying it. It's challenging and you're learning new things everyday. I think after the war, I want to go into maternal health," I told him.
"Be a baby doctor?" he asked.
"Well, after spending so much time with Jackson, how could I not want to save those little lives?"
"I still haven't seen this baby," Danny exclaimed. "Rafe hasn't received a single photo."
"You're kidding! He is truly the cutest thing ever!" I said reaching for my bag and pulling out my wallet. I searched through the slots for the photo Abbie had taken of Jackson and I. When I found it, I stuck it out and showed him proudly.
A wide smile broke out against Danny's face and watched him as he studied my nephew, remembering every line, crinkle and whisker upon his face. He looked so heartbreakingly familiar and I wanted to reach out to him and never let go. Being with him, in this little cafe reminded me of every date and every time we'd spent across from one another eating some sort of meal, talking and laughing and joking. I ached for him, even now, when I was engaged.
"He really is the cutest baby in the world. He's got Abbie's eyes," he said handing the photo back.
"And Matty's temper, believe it or not after this photo he threw a tantrum that came out of nowhere," I told him as I studied the baby smiling happily as he sat on my lap during that hot summer day.
"I'd do anything to get back home and see everyone," he said smiling as he moved around his uneaten food.
"Me too, it kind of gets lonely here," I replied.
"You must have Charlie though, right?" he asked smiling although the pain was evident in his eyes.
"No, no, he was recruited in the army to be an on field doctor. I thought you knew," I told him as I occupied myself with my drink.
"I-I didn't know," Danny said.
"Yeah, he told me the night he proposed."
"Two surprised in one," Danny muttered.
"My exact reaction," I told him laughing. We sat in silence for a little while, eating and taking sips of our drinks as if we'd remembered we weren't together anymore, even if it seemed like we were.
"So, how is he doing over there?" Danny asked. This was the question I'd been dreading. It was like if I said it out loud it's be true.
"I'm not sure," I said truthfully.
"He must write," Danny said wiping his mouth on his serviette.
"He did and then he stopped."
"He must just not have the time, that's all," Danny said, trying to make me feel better. My emotional pain must've been evident to him. I was biting my lip which I always did when I was upset or nervous.
"No, that's not it. I thought the same thing too until I got an army telegram. He's been labeled or categorised as M.I.A," I told him. He took a deep breath in and let the information sink in.
"Missing in action," he sighed out. "How long?"
"Six months," I said. Danny, once again twiddled his thumbs thinking of what to say. I knew he what was running through his head. Six months or more, missing in action usually meant dead or being held captive about to die.
"I-I'm," he started.
"Don't say it. Things like this happen. I'm sure he'll be home soon enough," I said smiling and trying to move onto another topic.
"Well, we're meant to go dancing with Evelyn and her friends in a few weeks time. Will you be coming?" he asked.
"Most likely. They'll probably drag me along if I'm not working."
"Good, a reason to go then," he smirked.
"Oh come on, like there aren't other girls you can dance with?" I joked.
"Yes, but they usually walk away when I start to step on their feet," he replied.
"You never stepped on mine," I said confused.
"Yes, well, I've recently started dancing to the faster ones," he said.
"Ah yes, I understand. You never used to dance to the fast songs, only the slow and brooding for you," I said as I wiped my hands free from grease.
"It matches me personality I like to think," he grinned. I rolled my eyes and finished my milkshake. He was just as charmingly annoying as ever.
I turned to look out the window to see if the rain has passed and was glad when I saw it had stopped. I was getting tried and as much as I was enjoying talking to Danny, bed called for me.
"I better get going," I said as I pulled out some money to pay for dinner. Danny's hand stopped mine from placing it down, I looked at him in surprise.
"I've got it," he smiled.
"Don't be stupid," I said.
"Look who you're talking to," he laughed. I smirked and retreated, knowing I would never win.
"Fine, but just this once!" I scolded him.
"I promise," he replied as he watched me get ready to leave. The same expression he wore when I was getting out of his car after all our dates years ago. "Do you need a lift home?'
"I'm just around the corner, no big deal," I told him.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I'm sure Dan," I said, the name slipping from my mouth. We both froze for a second but quickly remembered ourselves. "Another rainy night I'll take you up on the the offer though."
"I'll hold you to that," he said as I tied up my coat.
"Well, I'll see you soon, I guess," I said once I was ready to go.
"Yeah, I'll see you soon," he smiled.
"Bye Danny," I singsonged as I gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for dinner."
"Bye Char," he called out as I walked out the door. I stood at the curb waiting to cross and could feel his eyes burning a hole in my back as he made sure I crossed the road safely. He was always watching out for me, even now.
"Where have you been!?" Sandra yelled as I entered the living room where everyone was sitting.
"We were about to call the police! Your shift finished three hours ago," Evelyn said coming over and taking off my wet coat. It was just my luck it started to rain again as I was one block away from home.
"It started to rain so I stopped in a cafe on the way home," I told them.
"For three hours?" Martha asked smirking.
"I had dinner too," I told them as I walked into my room and them out again in a warm dressing gown.
"Seriously, call us next time you have an impromptu dinner. We were worried," Betty said as she walked over with a mug of hot chocolate.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I just lost track of time. I ran into Danny and we got to talking-"
"Danny!?" Barbara screeched, cutting me off.
"Not Danny, not your first love Danny?" Sandra cooed.
"Who else would it be?" I asked rolling my eyes. "Anyway, it was just dinner."
"If it was a proper date he would've driven you home," Evelyn shook her head disapprovingly.
"He offered," I said.
"And you didn't except!? You guys keep tiptoeing around each other! If you say you're just friends, you should've said yes!" Betty rolled her eyes.
"Even so, I have Charlie to think about," I reminded them all and myself of my fiance.
"You're right, we shouldn't be so silly," Sandra said. She was the most sensitive and level headed one when it came to all this, it was a surprise she even got carried away this far.
"Charlotte sweetie, Charlie's gone for now, you might as well move on. And if he does come back then you deal with that then. But you can't just sit around here and wait for him. It'll only hurt more when the war is over and he doesn't return," said Barbara.
"He's my fiance," I stuttered.
"I know sweetie, but even so, Danny's your first love and they always get second chances."
March 5th
I hadn't seen Danny since that rainy night in February. It kept playing on my mind as well as what Barbara had said about moving on. I was once again on my way home from work when I met with a pleasant surprise out the front of the surgery.
"Danny?" I asked. He was leaning on a concrete wall, his uniform on and neatly pressed with a book in his hand.
"Hey Char," he said, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Rafe wanted to come and see Evelyn. He picked her up from work and I thought I'd walk you home so you weren't alone."
"That's very kind of you," I said walking over to him. He extended out his arm and I looped my own through his.
"Now, you have to direct because I don't know where your apartment is and we could end up in the Bronx," he smirked.
"Yeah, good idea. I don't plan on being mugged tonight," I joked. Of course the Bronx wasn't a bad place as such, just dangerous. Very dangerous.
"So are you as surprised as I am about Rafe lasting more than a week with Evelyn?" he asked me.
"Three week or so must be some sort of new record for Rafe," I laughed.
"He deserves a medal," Danny scoffed.
"When did we become so cynical and mean?" I asked.
"Only when Rafe proves us wrong," he responded, smirking.
"I wonder what Aunt Ethel would say! She'd be absolutely flabbergasted."
"Uncle Johnnie would probably crack open a new bottle of whiskey in disbelief," Danny added to the joke. I burst out into laughter as we waited by the traffic lights, attracting the attention of other New Yorkers, all smiling as we enjoyed ourselves. Danny stifled his laughter and I tried to stop as if not to ruin the others night.
"We should changed the topic," Danny suggested as he tried not to laugh, but failed and then dragged me across the road away from everyone.
"To what? Ethan's cootie problems?" I joked, remembering many conversations about Ethan still believing in cooties until the tender age of 19.
"I almost forgot!" Danny said, as he laughed along with me.
"We're laughing but it's not even that funny!" I said.
"Oh it is," he replied. Just then, a crack of thunder erupted across the sky, and all around us umbrellas opened up.
"Why do I always get caught in the rain!" I moaned.
"It's not that bad," Danny said taking off his coat and putting it over our heads. I smiled as he pulled me close so we both fit under. "Can you run in those shoes?" he asked.
I looked down at my very cute nurses shoes. They had a little heel, but nothing I couldn't manage.
"I guess I'll have too," I smiled at him.
"On the count of three, you lead the way," he said. He counted for us and on the count of three we ran across the road and into a little alcove near a cafe to catch our breath.
"Why are we stopping?" I asked.
"We need to take breaks! We can't run all the way, especially with you in those heels," he said thoughtfully.
"Well we better go soon before it gets worse," I said after another thunder crack erupted.
He grabbed my tight and we ran out from under the alcove on onto the next block, dodging past lucky people with umbrellas and others who had their coats over their heads.
"Danny we're seriously going to fall and hurt ourselves," I told him as I laughed when he slipped a little.
"I'm fine with walking, I just didn't want you to be all wet again," he said.
"So thoughtful," I mocked him. He made a childish face back and we walked slowly, the jacket still over our heads, and still close to one another. "We're not far away now anyway."
"Maybe we should stop for a dance, for old times sake," he suggested, grinning.
"Oh, I nearly forgot about that! I nearly died of embarrassment when Matty and Ethan found us!" I squealed.
"I thought I was going to die. Matthew didn't seem to happy with me!" Danny pointed out.
"He doesn't seem happy with anybody!" I pointed out.
"Everything seems so long ago," Danny whispered almost inaudibly.
"Because it was long ago. I was only eighteen and this year I turn twenty one."
"My god you're old," he joked.
"Says you! You're already twenty two!" I stated.
"Don't say it out loud!" he moaned.
"Old man! Old man! Old man!" I teased him.
"That's it, we're dancing," he said, pulling down our makeshift umbrella and sweeping me into a waltz in the middle of the pavement. Some people smiled, some rolled their eyes and some just ignored us. He hummed some stupid tune as he spun me and I wanted to ran away as I could feel all my old feelings rush back with one look at his carefree and loving face.
"Danny, stop it! We're getting wet!" I shouted.
"I can't here you over the music!" he smirked.
"That's the rain!" I replied, jumping slightly at the next crackle of thunder.
"Someone's a scaredy cat," he joked.
"You know I've always been afraid of storms!" I told him.
"Alright, come on. Let's get you home," he said. He placed the jacket back above our heads and we continued on home. Luckily, by the time we got there the rain had passed the thunder had stopped.
"That was a pleasant walk," Danny said as he walked me up the steps to my door.
"It was. I had fun, despite the rain," I told him truthfully.
"I've really missed you Char," he said softly, closing the gap between us.
"I've missed you too Danny."
He moved even closer, running his fingers through my hair and pushing it behind my ear. I looked at the ground like a shy school girl. What was even happening here?
"I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for letting you go, and I feel as if the time we've spent together is a gift from who knows what allowing me to re do it."
"Danny," I whispered softly, eagerly awaiting what was to come next.
He moved closer and closer until I could feel the breath from his lips on my own. I closed my eyes, waiting for the kiss I'd been waiting for, for at least two years. Then the door opened.
"Charlotte, there you are," Sandra chirped, obviously not realising what I was in the middle of. "Oh, I-I'm sorry." She quickly said closing the door.
I shook my head and remembered who I was, what I was wearing around my neck; Charlie's ring. How could I do that to him? He was willing to give me the world, wait for me to accomplish my dreams before we married, and here I was about to kiss Danny.
"I can't," I whispered.
"What?" Danny asked confused.
"I'm engaged!" I yelled.
"But he may not come back," Danny pointed out.
"How dare you! He's still my fiance, missing or not!" I told him.
"But I thought you still felt things for me," he stuttered.
"I do, I did," I muttered.
"Then what's wrong?" he asked, truly confused.
"I don't know Danny, I don't know what to do."
"Charlotte, just breath."
"I-I've got to go," I said walking into the house. I opened the door and stepped in, closing it in Danny's face as he tried to follow me in and work things out. I was met by the faces of the girls staring at me, who then quickly went back to pretending like they didn't know what was happening. However, it was really me who couldn't comprehend this whole situation.
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