FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24th, 1941
U.S. NAVY INTELLIGENCE
WASHINGTON D.C.
Combeferre was cleaning his glasses when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." He replied. Veronica entered with some documents.
"Here is the decoded information, sir. It's regarding Tokyo's response to Ambassador Normura's requests for resignation." She said, handing her father the documents.
"Thank you. Anything else?" Combeferre asked.
"Your wife called. She said she'll be leaving soon to come pick us up." Veronica responded, before exiting the office.
Rufus Bratton and Alvin Kramer looked at Combeferre bewildered. It took a minute before the latter looked up at them. "What?" he asked.
"The girl's been here for about six months and she still addresses you as sir? And her own mother as 'your wife'?" Kramer asked.
Combeferre shrugged his shoulders. "I wasn't sure if it would be unprofessional or anything for a Naval Officer of Military Intelligence to have his daughter address him as 'Father' while at work."
Bratton chuckled. "She cracks codes faster than you can type, Frank. I'm sure she can get away with calling you 'Father'. We're not faceless robots here."
Combeferre smiled before he began reading the reports. "Ouch…" he muttered.
"What?" Kramer asked.
"Remember when Ambassador Normura offered his resignation?" Combeferre asked.
"More than once." Bratton replied.
"Tokyo just won't let him quit. The poor old man's taking a beating from this job. So, they're sending a second Ambassador to help the man out. Some guy named Kurusu." Combeferre answered.
Kramer and Bratton could barely be heard as they both groaned in hesitation. Combeferre picked up on it.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Kurusu is the Ambassador to Germany. He signed that Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany and Italy. That's the declaration that united the three countries into an Alliance."
"Oh…" Combeferre realized. "How does England feel about us continuing our negotiations with an Ally to their Enemy?"
"We're sending our own planes and boats over to help them out. With France rendered useless, we're the only help England has left against Hitler." Bratton said.
Combeferre's heart dropped to his chest. He knew exactly what Jean Prouvaire was going through when he learnt about France being endangered. So, it was no different for Combeferre to feel the same about his England.
Bratton could see the worry in Combeferre's face, and swatted him on the shoulder softly. "Don't worry, Frank. Hitler's called off the Blitzkrieg. They couldn't break your country during the Battle of Britain, they won't try again."
LATER THAT NIGHT...
COMBEFERRE RESIDENCE
WASHINGTON D.C.
Franklin and Eponine were greeting their guests at the door. It became a monthly tradition for the Combeferres to host a dinner party for some of the top brass of U.S. Government. And the wives of Washington became instant fans of Eponine with her hosting and her famous gala-worthy dinners.
Eponine embraced Mr. and Mrs. Marius Pontmercy, and their daughter, Georgia. Ever since the war began in Europe, the Pontmercys have begun charity works to raise money in war bonds to aid the English. It was only fitting since Marius and his wife Cosette originally came from England.
Franklin shook hands with his dear friend, Cornelia Enjolras Harris and her husband, Senator Kenneth Harris. Franklin and Cornelia kept in touch on a regular basis, as he and her late brother were best friends back in their younger days. He congratulated the couple on Cornelia's rather noticeable news.
The Combeferres then greeted Mr. and Mrs. Julien Lesgles. "Are the Prouvaires coming tonight?" Clara asked Eponine. "I hope so." Eponine said. "Mary said that Jean was saying he would like to go."
Franklin and Julien sighed with sadness. "You know something, Julien? I don't know if Jean will ever be fully the same again."
Julien nodded in agreement. "It's funny…" He remarked. "When all of this began, I was the one who had the most difficulty."
Frank grimaced at the thought. After all, the man standing right next to him, had lost his memory from the shock of cold water, then regains his memory only to learn the loss of his best friend Joly Rivera. So, it was a strange turn of events to see their friend, the loving, caring, free-spirited Jehan Prouvaire, walking up the steps to the front door…limping on his cane. At least he was arm-in-arm with his lovely wife Mary.
"Jean! It's so good to see you!" Frank said offering his hand. Jean took it softly and said "Hmm…yeah. It…it's good to see you too."
Eponine's heart broke in front of them. Mary held tight onto Jean's arm. "Dearest?" She said trying to keep Jean from drifting off. "Eponine has an easel set up in the parlor. If you were feeling up to it, perhaps you would grace all of Washington D.C. with your talents?"
Jean looked over to his wife. "Hmm? Oh…sure." He sighed as he limped inside.
Jack Carson arrived next, with his wife Penny. They were shortly followed by Deena Lancefield and her husband Augustus.
Jack eventually became a full-fledged psychiatrist and specialized in trauma-related victims. Unfortunately, there weren't many others who exercised their studies in this field, so help was scarce. But the good news was he became Jean's personal therapist, helping in any way he could, just like the way he helped Frank in the beginning.
When Frank and Eponine were ready to go inside, they heard metal clinking against the brick staircase outside by their driveway.
They turned around to see Franklin Delano Roosevelt being pushed up the staircase in his wheelchair.
"Mr. President! My gosh, this is certainly a surprise!" Combeferre said, rushing over to assist Roosevelt up the stairs.
"I hope you didn't mind. It's just my wife just couldn't stop raving over Mrs. Combeferre's roasted chicken, so she insisted I pop over and see for myself. I do hope we're not intruding?" The elderly man asked.
Eponine clutched her chest. "Oh not at all, Mr. President! This is certainly a great honor!"
!
"A great honor?" Franklin asked as he was putting the glasses onto a tray in the kitchen while Eponine was pulling the chicken out of the oven. "What? Was I supposed to say something else?"
Frank chuckled as he opened the fridge to grab a bottle of champagne. "No, dear. I just find it amusing. 30 years ago, you probably would've told him to drop dead at the mere sight of him!"
Eponine blushed. "No, Gavroche would've told him to drop dead. I certainly hope he doesn't, ever, come to think of it!"
"Which reminds me." Combeferre said, as he fidgeted around his pocket for something. He pulled out an envelope and handed it to Eponine. "A little early Christmas present, darling." And then he kissed her on the cheek as she opened it.
She closed her mouth in shock as she ran straight into Combeferre's arms.
"They're coming home for Christmas. Gavroche sent that to me this morning. Azelma wanted to send it to you straight away, but Gavroche wanted a full report on your facial reaction." Combeferre laughed. Eponine shoved him in the shoulder.
!
Veronica was walking around passing out glasses of champagne to the guests inside the parlor. She was soon met by Bratton and Kramer.
"Care for some champagne, sirs?" She asked them.
Kramer took his glass. "Certainly."
Bratton took his and remarked. "I noticed the bottle your father brought. It's a very good one. What was the occasion?"
"Well, it's the same as every month, sir. My mother hosted a little get together, her guests couldn't stop raving about her cooking, so they invited their friends to come and try for themselves. Now it's become a monthly tradition."
Her Godfather, Jack came up right next to her. "He's certainly adjusting to living a life of luxury now."
Bratton offered his hand. "You must be Carson. Is it true that you took Combeferre and his wife in when they first arrived here some 30 years ago?"
Jack took Bratton's hand and shook it firmly. "It was unexpected, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Back then, the two of them and her brother only had the clothes on their back, afraid, in unfamiliar territory. And now, here they are, serving champagne to the crème de la crème of Washington D.C. and playing host to the President of the United States."
The three of them raised their glasses. "To progress." Kramer said.
Just then, Veronica spotted Cpt. Beauregard standing outside on the back balcony. She quietly excused herself and greeted him.
"Champagne?" She offered. Kyle turned to meet her gaze before taking a glass. "Thank you. Would you care to join me?" he asked.
Veronica could feel her heartbeat speeding up a little. "Wish I could. But I still have to continue serving the others…"
"Nonsense!" her Father said before arriving and carefully taking the tray from Veronica's hands. "You've been a tremendous help with preparing earlier today. I insist!"
"Daddy!" Veronica tried to protest.
"It's really no trouble. Your mother and I can handle the party. You just go and enjoy yourself." Combeferre said before returning inside.
The two of them stood in silence for a good solid minute before Kyle broke it. "So…how long have you been working with your Father?"
"About six months. How long have you been in Naval Intelligence?" Veronica asked.
"A good two years." Kyle said, smiling.
Veronica admired his apparently award-winning smile for perhaps a few seconds too long before she snapped out of it. "I'm sorry…didn't we already cover this the other day during our lunch?"
Kyle chuckled. "Ah. Well that technically didn't happen. You sat there in silence the entire hour."
Veronica looked down at her hands in embarrassment. "I did?"
"Yeah. You had this look of concentration on your face." Kyle said.
"Oh yeah…I was trying to figure you out." Veronica said as-a-matter-of-fact like.
"Me? Whatever for?" he playfully asked.
"I was trying to figure out why in God's good humor you would choose to ask ME to lunch out of all of the pretty girls in our office…possibly in our branch." Veronica said timidly.
"That's what you were worried about?" Kyle asked.
"Yes." Veronica admitted.
"Why?"
"Because men like you usually don't go for women like me." She answered, pushing back her glasses and straightening her hair in place.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kyle asked, feeling a little insulted.
"Kyle…Cpt. Beauregard, sir…"
"Oh please. Office hours are over. You can drop the formalities around me. You were saying?"
"Well, Kyle, in case you haven't taken a good look at yourself, you're a rather attractive young man. You have girls all over Washington throwing themselves at you."
"And?" Kyle prodded.
"And I'm just a nobody, Kyle. I'm a secretary working for my Father. I have his eyesight and I prefer reading a book instead of going to the movies. Father told me that you asked him what I liked, and when he said I liked solving puzzles and codes, you used that to your advantage and asked me out to lunch. All I want to know is…why me?"
Kyle shrugged his shoulders. "You want me to be honest?"
Veronica turned around and leaned against the balcony railing and said softly "Yeah. It would help."
"Okay." Kyle said, clasping his hands. "Here's the deal. I'm fully aware that there are a lot of women that throw themselves at me."
Veronica rolled her eyes as he continued. "And I just can't stand it."
She turned around to look at him.
"Do you think I'm shallow? Do you think I only asked you out to lunch as some kind of practical joke, or as a pity date?
"Veronica, didn't you ever once consider the idea that I asked you out because I… like you?"
Her eyes widened. "You do?"
"Yeah…I do. I mean, you're smart, talented, funny. I'm just surprised no guy has ever approached you before."
Veronica chuckled before motioning towards the door. "I think I have a pretty good idea why."
"Oh…" Kyle said, realizing she was talking about her father. "Think they're all scared of him because he's a Commanding Officer, or because his wife can kill with glares?"
"Both. So it's understandable that he can be very protective of me." Veronica said.
Kyle shrunk back a little, feeling intimidated. Veronica noticed this before moving an inch further towards him. "However…he seems to think you're ok. So, that's gotta count for something." She smiled.
Kyle smiled back. "Yeah, I guess so."
!
"Daddy Combeferre, playing Cupid." Eponine grumbled as she and Frank watched the two young ones out on the back balcony. "Real smooth." She said sarcastically.
"Hey, you're the one that said we should let THEM air out whatever the situation is. After a few days of going nowhere, I decided to just give it a little push."
Eponine laughed softly. Then she had a realization. "Just like your friends did with getting us together nearly 30 years ago?"
Frank pondered that question before wrapping his arm around her shoulder and kissing her cheek.
This moment was briefly interrupted by Julien's hustled walk.
"Frank…we have a problem."
!
Frank and Eponine walked through the crowd of guests, and went over to where Eponine stationed the easel. There, they saw Jean Prouvaire sitting back on the couch, his hands fidgeting around his cane.
"What happened?" Eponine asked Mary.
"Look at the painting." Mary responded.
Frank picked up the painting and examined it. His eyes widened. "Whoa…"
It was like a cartoon drawing, but certainly not one produced by Walt Disney Studios.
On the right side of the canvas, there was a giant black boot with a Nazi Swastika on the boot's buckle. The boot in question appeared to be squashing an old and defenseless man with the French Flag arm band. His hand was outstretched to the subject on the left.
The subject on the left was a rather snobby looking old man, with his nose turned up, and he was looking the other way. But what caused Frank and the others to worry, was the fact that this snobby man was in a wheel chair.
"I don't know if he's reaching out…or if this is some kind of a sick joke…" Mary began.
"No." Frank said. "I know what it is. He's angry with the President because we never helped when France fell. We're not doing anything to aid the Allies."
Just then, they could see the President wheeling himself over. "Ah, there's the man of the hour. What have you got there?"
Frank froze. He was holding in his hands an anti-Roosevelt poster, or at least that's what it might as well look like.
When Eponine noticed that her husband was lost for words, she did something no one thought possible. She jerked her hand holding her glass of champagne towards the canvas that Combeferre was holding.
"Oh dear me! That was completely clumsy of me! Let me just take this into the kitchen and see if I can still save the canvas!" She said before yanking the canvas out of Frank's hands and hustling towards the kitchen.
"Oh what a shame." Roosevelt said. "I was hoping to see it. I admire Mr. Prouvaire's work very much."
Mary sat down next to Jehan and said softly. "You hear that, Jehan? The President of the United States admires your work. Isn't that nice of him?"
Jean looked up at her and realized she was glaring at him with pleading eyes.
He picked up on the fact that despite how he felt towards America right now, he'd have to put his opinions behind him and pay his respect to its leader…at least for tonight.
"Oh…thank you, Mr. President. I'm flattered."
"Of course. It's a shame about that painting. Can you whip up another one?"
Julien quickly stepped in. "Hey, Jehan, you're good at drawing from memory. Can you recreate the wedding portrait for me and Clara?"
Jehan silently nodded as he propped himself up and began tracing lines along the blank canvas.
!
Franklin rushed into the kitchen and grabbed Eponine tight and kissed her passionately.
When they broke the kiss, she exhaled. "Whoa…we haven't even served the appetizers yet!"
He smiled. "Right now, I'd rather skip to dessert. But we do have a party to tend to. I just wanted to thank you properly for stepping in the way you did."
"Just help me with the salad and you can thank me properly later tonight." She winked at him as she returned to the counter.
Franklin returned to the parlor where he nearly bumped into Jack.
"I thought you said he was improving…" he said quietly, looking in Prouvaire's direction.
"I did…his paintings were peaceful ones during our sessions."
Combeferre sighed. "Well apparently, it must've been the President's arrival that triggered something in Jean's brain. Perhaps you can focus your attentions on keeping Prouvaire's thoughts in check if there is someone or something in the room that can trigger his patriotism for France?"
"I'll see what I can do." Jack said.
Combeferre exhaled in relief and patted Jack's shoulder. "I know what you're capable of, Jack. That's why I trust your judgement."
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25th 1941
LANCEFIELD RESIDENCE
THREE MILES NORTH OF PEARL CITY, HONOLULU
A/N: The Song that Jane sings won't be invented until 1947, but I couldn't find a better Love Song from '41 or earlier. Enjoy either way!
The Combeferre brothers walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell. The door opened and out came their good friend, 29-year old Harry Lancefield.
"Glad you all could make it!" Harry said, greeting each brother individually.
"Glad you could invite us!" Alan responded. "I hope you don't mind, we brought some company."
He motioned for the rest of the group to come forward.
Lt. Dick Parker and his newlywed wife Susan. Dick is also stationed aboard the Arizona with Alan. Susan owns a little flower shop down in Pearl City. The couple had recently married here after meeting back on the mainland.
Petty Officer Bill Fowler also served with Alan and Dick. The three of them met during boot camp and all became good friends. His younger brother, Gary is stationed at Hickam along with James and Patrick.
They were soon met by Sgt. Dennis Carson, who came with his brothers Sam and Charlie, the latter whom managed to get out of duty tonight after all. Dennis walked arm-in-arm with the very lovely Jane Connor, the nightclub singer of Honolulu.
The Carsons arrived with their crewmates in tow:
Pvts. Roland Stevens and Carter Evans of the Oklahoma. They were both excited because this was their first weekend liberty they received since they joined the Marines. Carter was the more relaxed and thrill seeking of the two of them, while Roland was always more reserved and cautious.
"Patrick, James and I felt we might be overcrowded, so we had our friends bring extra refreshments. I hope this won't be a problem?"
"Hell no!" Harry said. "The more the merrier!"
Sam and Charlie nudged Dennis and Jane forward. "We didn't bring refreshments, but we did bring free entertainment!" Charlie said, motioning towards Jane, causing the latter to blush.
"Golly!" Harry exclaimed. "Jane Connor! The one and only! I've seen you perform a few times! This party just got a lot better already!"
Jane laughed shyly. "You're inflating my ego, Harry!"
Soon the rest of the crowd began to fill Lancefield's house and the party was underway.
!
"I saw a clothes-horse rear up and buck.
They tell me that a man made a vegetable truck!
I didn't see that, I only heard!
But just to be sociable, I'll take your word!"
Jane sang while Bill played the piano. She was singing a jazzy rendition of a song from the recently released Walt Disney animated film Dumbo.
"I heard a fireside chat; saw a baseball bat,
And I laughed 'til I thought I could die!
But I think I will have seen everything
When I see an Elephant fly, oh-my!"
The party applauded after Bill played the final chords on the piano. Jane took a modest little curtsy.
Harry heard the doorbell ring then went over to open it. It was Judy, Marilyn, and Gary Fowler.
"Sorry we're late. Had trouble finding this place!"
Harry shook it off and invited them in.
Tom made his way over to Charlie. "I thought you were stuck on active duty tonight on the O.K.?"
Charlie shrugged his shoulders. "Lt. Walker said it was fine with him, provided I make up for the lost time the next few days."
Doug joined in on the conversation. "Wow…the Iron Sailor of the Pacific actually lets you slide once?"
"Well as soon as he learned it was Lancefield that gave the party, he gave in." Sam chimed in.
"Oh yeah…the Navy's citation. I almost forgot." Tom said.
Doug raised up his glass nonchalantly and said "God Bless America."
!
Roland stepped outside to get some fresh air. The party was beginning to become a bit too much for him.
"Party's becoming too much?" He heard a voice behind him.
He turned around to see Judy Prouvaire walking towards him.
"Oh, hi Judy. Yeah unfortunately. I'm not much of a party goer."
"Carter dragged you out of your comfort zone, didn't he?" Judy asked.
Roland chuckled. "How did you know?"
"Lucky guess." Judy said. "So, what's your story?"
"Mine? Trust me, you'll be bored out of your mind!" Roland said, backing away.
"I work in a hospital that has had considers having more than three patients at the same time a freak accident! I'm pretty sure I won't be bored."
Roland laughed. "Okay. I joined the Marines to follow in my old man's footsteps. He's always going on and on about how incredible it feels to be a part of something bigger than yourself, you know? So, I decided to enlist and see for myself."
"And how are you liking it?" Judy asked.
"We're here in Hawaii, aren't we? Couldn't have asked for a better outfit."
"Who knows how much I love you? You do!" They heard Jane singing from inside.
Judy and Roland looked into the window. "That's a new one!" Judy laughed.
"No one means more to me, than you do!"
"Does she ever take a break?" Roland chuckled before looking over in Judy's direction.
The two of them smiled before playfully dancing to the song.
"You take December and smile it into May."
!
"I don't get it!" Carter exclaimed as he was watching the two dancing outside on the balcony. "She was able to get him to loosen up in one minute, and I couldn't ever get him to accompany me on our weekend liberties!"
"And then, December comes back again when you're away!"
"Maybe he's not into you!" Dick joked as he twirled his wife around in a spin.
"Who has a charm that very few do?
Who makes laugh necessary? You do!
And who can take my dreams, and make my dreams come true? Who?
Don't give me three guesses; one will do!"
Jane smiled over at Bill as he continued playing the piano. Then her attention was brought onto Dennis who smiled back.
"You think they'll ever become an item?" Patrick asked Gary.
Gary Fowler shrugged his shoulders and said "Maybe as soon as Bill's music gets picked up."
"I heard that!" Bill exclaimed as he continued playing.
"Who has a charm that very few do?
Who makes laugh necessary? You do!
And who can take my dreams and make my dreams come true? Who?
Don't give me three guesses; one will do!"
The room once again, erupted in applause.
Nobody noticed that Judy and Roland were still slow-dancing.