38.

~ Evidence of the Nazi's crimes were in burnt down death camps and torn apart rail road cars. The guards had tried to burn home made films depicting camps before the American's arrived.

"Trying to cover up what they did." Cobb said sadly looking at the large furnaces used to burn bodies.

Arthur's attention was diverted to the piles of shoes still in the train station.

"They made them take off their shoes." Arthur said numbly. "Why... why did they make them take off their shoes?"

This fact troubled the Major more then anything else. The shoes were piled in one large heap. Men, women and children's shoes. Their owners nothing but ash now. Nothing remained of the people killed here but dust. Dust and shoes.

"Major." Cobb said sternly. "Can't focus on that. We have prisoners to interrogate."

Snow had covered the camp as the soldiers lined up the SS guards. All of the Nazis trying to plead with their captures. The American troops were growing frustrated by the fact they couldn't understand the Nazi guards.

"What are they saying?" Cobb ask.

Arthur shook his head. He had seen too much to care about the cries of mercy from men who would kill women and children. He turned away from the scared looking guards and didn't listen to them saying over and over.

"We were following orders."

~ Ariadne was thrilled by New York. Beth had their driver stop at a very expensive store in the heart of Manhattan.

A shop girl rushed over to them as soon as the two women came in. It seemed Beth was a regular and all the shop girls knew her and were more then happy to help Ariadne find new clothing.
"Um, Beth?" Ariadne said looking over the elegant selection of fashions. Each more lovely then the last. "These clothes..." She looked at her sister-in-law helplessly.

"You don't like them? Your so petite, I've always wanted to be petite, you can wear such cute things." Beth said worriedly.

"No, their lovely. Really, they are. It's just... I um..." Ariadne floundered.
"I said don't worry about the cost." Beth said. "I know my brother. He would want us to take care of you. He would want you to have nice things to wear. Our family sets very high standards in fashion." She assured her. "We would rather go naked then dress poorly." She added with a smile.

Ariadne didn't laugh. The cost of one skirt alone was more then she made in a week.
"No, I know Arthur would want you to do this for me. It's just that, I don't know how long I'll be able to... um wear these... these clothes." She said fearfully. Her eyes ducking away from Beth.
"Ariadne..." Beth gasped. "Your in a family way?" She said with a wide smile.

Ariadne looked sadly back at Beth sheepishly.

"Oh my!" Beth exclaimed. "That's so wonderful!"

"Arthur and I... we were only together for a few days after the wedding." Ariadne said shyly running a hand over the dark red dress Beth had picked out.

"Does Arthur know?" Beth asked.

Ariadne shook her head.

"You have to write him as soon as possible and tell him. He'll be so happy! Honeymoon babies are lucky." Beth said. Her eyes dancing with excitement.
"Your mother is going to think I trapped Arthur into marrying me." Ariadne said sadly.
"Don't worry about what the old dragon thinks. If she gives you any trouble I'll give her something to really worry about." Beth said easily.
"I don't know how Arthur will react to the news." Ariadne admitted hobbling on her broken leg. Leaning on the cane Arthur had given her before they left. "I mean, we barely knew each other when we got married. Were still newlyweds."

"He will be happy. I promise you." Beth whispered taking her hand.
"Men like the idea of children more then the reality of them." Ariadne said.

"Arthur isn't most men. At least not after what you told me." Beth assured her. "Ariadne, this is really wonderful news. We have had so much loss in our family since the start of the war. I've lost my two brothers and my father. Everyday we worry over Arthur coming home. Now, this is a new chance for all of us. A chance to heal our family."

Ariadne looked hopefully at her sister-in-law.
"Now." Beth said brushing back happy tears. "We need to go to the third floor and pick out baby things. My brother's legacy has to have the most beautiful nursery on the east coast. We can get you some maternity clothes first and after lunch, we can make an appointment with the best doctor in Manhattan."

Ariadne was cheered by Beth's excitement. She was starting to think that maybe everything would be alright.
"I guess I'll have to wait till the baby's born for medical school." She admitted reluctantly.

"Nothing to stop you from at least taking a few classes. This is New York, were open minded here. And then when the baby comes, that's what nannies and Aunt Beth is for. We can go to Western Union and send Arthur a telegram. Give him something to fight for." Beth said happily.

"Can we wait a little while to tell your mother?" Ariadne asked leaning on her sister-in-law.

~ "Sir." The skinny corporal said later that evening. "You have a telegram."

Arthur took the neatly sealed envelope from his Corporal and dismissed him.
"Well, look at Mr. Fancy! With his telegram!" Eames teased as he looked back at his hand of cards. The Americans had traveled with the British unit to a small village and Eames had provided his friends with illegally procured drinks and cigarettes.

After days of grueling interrogations and reporting back to command about the brunt down death camps, Arthur was feeling depressed. The Major couldn't take his mind off the shoes left in a pile at the train station.

Men's shoes, ladies heels, children's sandals. Hundreds if not thousands had faced their deaths here in these camps. The wardens and guards of the camp had been ordered to torch the place before the Allies rolled in. They confessed they were just following orders when they gassed, shot and brutalized helpless men, women and children.

"What does it say?" Eames asked rubbing two poker chips together as Cobb and Dax laughed. The four friends engaged in a much needed break from war and were immersed in another poker game. Eames announcing that Dax and Cobb were securing his old age fund.

Arthur sighed and reluctantly opened the telegram. Nothing but bad news arrived in a telegram. His family received news his brother had died at Pearl in a telegram, and when Jacob had died over the Pacific. Nothing good arrived in a telegram.

He said a silent prayer and opened it.

Arthur.

I am safe in New York with your family.

I miss you.

I hope you are well.

Found out recently I am expecting.

Baby is due in July.

Love. Ariadne.

Arthur had to re-read the last few lines again. Baby? His mind swam at the impossible notion. Expecting? Baby due in July? He was going to be a father?

"Well, what's the word?" Eames asked.

Arthur looked up. His eyes wide.

"What's wrong? What's happened?" Cobb asked worriedly.
"Um... Ariadne's pregnant. Were going to have a baby." Arthur said in disbelief. His words suddenly making the thing real.

A shout of joy erupted out of the officer's tent as Dax, Eames and Cobb were shouting at all their men to celebrate the news that the Major had a pregnant wife back home.

Eames had "confiscated" a case of champagne from Paris and poured it liberally into the tin cups of the enlisted men as Arthur held tightly to the telegram with news of his baby.

"Congratulations, Sir!" His men shouted happily. Among all the death they had discovered in this haunted place, news of a baby was more welcomed then anything.

Ariadne.

Received your telegram.

So happy.

Going to stay up all night celebrating.

I needed this good news.

Want to come home to you.

Missing you.

Tell Mother and Beth take care of both of you.

Arthur.

~ Ariadne and Beth only had to wait an hour before Arthur's response crackled over the wires. They had almost left the telegram office when the gentleman stopped them.

"Here it comes." He said handing her the typed note.

Ariadne read and re-read her husbands response. A smile spreading over her face.
"See? I told you." Beth said with a smile.