Author's Note:
Thank you for another review, Straight Edge Queen! :)
Next few chapters aren't going to be following Malarkey's book or the series as much, these chapters will be more, well, fictional. Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this story! I appreciate it so much! ❤
Aldbourne, England
July 1944
Easy had arrived in Aldbourne after being in Normandy for thirty-five days. Despite the freedom, none of them could really shake the war off enough to relax like they'd all used to. The feeling of knowing that they'd be sent back at any moment hung over their heads like a dark cloud. During the transition, Easy had ended up getting a huge hotel to stay in. It was so nice to have beds again, and have access to pubs, shops, and of course, women. Marie knew that a lot of the guys would take advantage of this free time to find some pretty English girls. Marie, on the other hand, decided to spend her free time catching up on some of the letters that she needed to write.
In her hotel room, she sat on her bed, writing each letter slowly. She double-checked each one, rereading it again and again to make sure it was plausible. She enjoyed the peace and quiet, she'd take days like these over the sound of 88s and tanks roaring overhead any day. It had taken her some time to get used to the silence again; in the back of her mind she kept her guard up. The war was tricky like that, it really never did leave a person.
The hotel window was open, letting in the summer breeze. Marie taking in the rare tranquility of it all as she shuffled through her written letters. The elements of the room vaguely reminded her of home, making Marie feel her stomach stir with homesickness. The feeling motivated her even more to check her letters.
Dear Jane,
It has been literally years since I've seen you. I hope this letter finds you well. Emilia and Barbara are fine; I'm sure you've heard about what happened to Diana and about Florence. War is an unimaginable thing, it truly is. No matter the amount of training, no one is really prepared until it is experienced firsthand.
My heart aches for Diana and her family. Jumping into Normandy was chaotic, planes were going down left and right. I waited for days for her to come, hoping that she was miss-dropped like many other soldiers, but my worst fears were realized. I know my words are of little comfort, and I apologize that this letter isn't filled with happiness or good news.
I would say that I wish you were here, but I honestly don't want you to be put in danger like the rest of us. Although I do wish you could join us for furloughs like the one we're having currently. We really do miss you, Jane!
To lift the spirits of this letter, I should tell you that Emilia and Floyd Talbert are sweet on each other. Em would probably get mad at me for writing this. I'm not sure if you remember Tab, he's the one from Kokomo.
Well, I should probably keep this letter short. I don't want to worry you too much with details.
Keep in touch,
Marie
Marie read over the letter, purposely keeping out the detail about Tab being stabbed. She felt that this letter had enough sadness in it. She sighed, knowing that it was the best that she could do. Marie flipped over to her second letter, and starting scanning through it.
Dear Florence,
I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've seen you last! I'm still eternally grateful for what you did for me all those months ago. I hope you're doing well back home. I haven't heard from you in so long, my big question is: did you have your baby? I know the pregnancy must have been difficult for you, I wish I could've been there with you to help.
Emilia and Barb are doing very well. I'm sure you've heard about Diana. I'm relieved that you're not in the middle of this war, Florence. It's definitely something that I wouldn't wish any of my friends to be in the midst of.
I'm just happy to finally have some downtime so I can write you. I'm sorry that I haven't attempted until now, I just couldn't find the right words. I will be keeping in touch regularly now, I know how important letters can be. I'm sorry that this letter isn't more cheery; I wrote similar things to Jane. It's hard to pull anything uplifting out of war.
I hope that you are doing well!
Marie
PS – You were right about Ronald Speirs. He is wickedly handsome.
Marie shifted her attention to her last written letter. The one that she had written to her family; the one that was the hardest for her to write.
Dear Dad, Anna, and Dave,
My sincerest apologies for not keeping in touch! Since jumping into Normandy a little over a month ago, life has been so hectic. Being a medic is very similar to being an RN, except with limited supplies and time. I haven't written all of you enough, once again I'm so sorry. I have so much to tell you all! I'll try to cram it all into one letter.
I've made some terrific friends, we've all become a big, irreplaceable family. If you could meet all of Easy Company I know that you all would adore them. I wouldn't want to serve in a different company, they are all my brothers, and I've never seen a group of such brave, and determined soldiers. I'm truly proud to be serving with all of them. There are three that I've grown very close to; I know I mentioned them when I was at home before we were shipped over to Europe.
Emilia Valdez, Donald Malarkey, and Warren "Skip" Muck. I could spend hours writing about all the great times we've had. They truly make me feel like I'm at home again. They've been my guidance and protectors in this war, I don't know where'd I be without them. All the men serving have been, actually. One man by the name of Joe Toye saved me from a German grenade, I know this isn't a story you'd like to hear but please understand that I'm in good hands. There's also a man in the company named Carwood Lipton that reminds me a lot of you, Dad. I can't place my finger on it, but he really does.
On a separate note, thank you Anna for sending me Wuthering Heights! I finally have time to read it again. I hope school is going well for you, and you owe me a cello solo when I return. Send me more books if you can, sis. I'll try to send you something in return.
Davey, I miss the old shop! Working on the cars isn't easy, but I do miss it. I'm probably going to forget everything you and Dad have showed me, so you have to reteach me again!
I miss your cooking, Dad. The food the Army supplies is nothing compared to yours! I miss our late night talks; I miss coming outside on the porch to find you staring up at the stars late at night. I still find myself, in the middle of this war, staring up at the sky and mapping out constellations.
I love you all!
Love,
Marie
Marie read over the letters, criteqing what she had written. Emilia came into the room then, carrying a couple bags, closing the door with her foot.
"I took the liberty of picking out a dress for you, I hope you don't mind." Emilia announced, setting down the bags on her bed. She pulled out the dress and presented it to Marie. It was white up above the hip, and black from the waist down. It was a sleeves dress with a low neckline.
"It's beautiful." Marie said with a smile.
"You don't think it's too plain?" Emilia questioned.
"No, it's lovely. Thank you."
Emilia sighed in relief. "Okay, now let me do your hair."
Emilia curled Marie's hair at the ends, letting it fall down, almost reaching her shoulders. Emilia parted her hair off to the side, placing a black headband on top of her head with a bow plastered on it. Marie couldn't believe her own reflection. It had been such a long time since she'd actually been pampered. Emilia took a step back, observing her work.
"¡Todo hecho!" Emilia laughed.
"Thanks, Em. It's been a long time since I've looked… girly." Marie stared at herself in the mirror; her dress on and hair done. She gave her head a little shake, watching as the curls bounced lightly.
"We're not done yet. We still have to do our makeup." Emilia stood beside Marie, holding up two pouches of makeup kits. Marie took hers, hesitantly, staring down at the purse shaped pouch.
"Where did you get all this stuff?"
"The Brits are very generous people." Emilia chuckled, leaning close to the mirror, already applying concealer with her fingertip. Marie looked down at her back, unzipping it. She had no idea where to begin.
"Um…" Marie pulled out some lipstick, staring at the tube.
"You need help?" Emilia asked Marie, now rubbing foundation on her face.
"I really have no idea what I'm doing." Marie admitted, feeling like a fool.
"Aw, girl! Haven't you ever put on makeup before?" Emilia asked her, raising a manicured brow.
"Of course I have… but… not expertly. Remember, I didn't have anyone around to show me how to do this stuff." Marie replied, raising up the pouch.
"Alright, watch." Emilia reached into Marie's pouch, holding up each item and placing it on the bathroom counter. "This is concealer. You put this on first to cover up any blemishes and even out your skin tone." Emilia explained. "Dot it around your eyes."
Marie did so, glancing back at Emilia, giving her a helpless smile.
"Okay, now rub it in." Emilia told her. "You're going to do the same with your foundation. You dot in in the places you need it. Then you'll add another coat of it to even it out. After, you'll apply some highlighter just above your cheeks and at the bridge of your nose, deep places on your face. It'll help lighten them up."
"This is a lot." Marie chuckled, trying to follow her friend's steps as quickly and effieciantly as she could. Emilia helped rub in some places she missed.
"We've barely started. After that you're going to need to add some depth with powder, then you can apply the blush." Emilia continued on. She picked up the item that Marie thought looked like a pencil. "Then you can darken your eyebrows. After that, you can move on to your eyes starting with primer."
"I think… you should do this for me. I'm sorry, I'm not as quick as you are." Marie chuckled, glancing at herself in the mirror.
"Don't worry, I'll get you all dolled up. Need you looking your best at the gathering tonight to impress Malark." Emilia said with a smile, standing in front of Marie now to finish up her makeup.
"Knock it off." Marie groaned. "He has a girlfriend, Em. Good Lord, how many times do I have to tell you."
"I'm telling you, it's so obvious between you two, girlfriend or not. Feelings are feelings."
Marie opened her mouth to say something about Emilia and Tab in retaliation, but she remembered that Tab was still in the hospital recovering. She closed her mouth quickly, cursing herself for how close she'd come to really hurting Emilia.
"I'm just saying. After he see's you tonight-"
"Oh, come on. Can we change the subject, please? Let's talk about how weird it is to have all this free time now." Marie cut off.
"Quit moving so much, you're going to make me mess up." Emilia said, flustering over her makeup. "I'm almost done. Then I have to finish mine. Afterward, let's walk around a little. There's some shops in Aldbourne that are pretty nice."
"Sure, I guess. I don't think there's really anything I want to buy, though." Marie responded with a shrug. Hair, makeup, and shopping. Emilia was really taking them out on a girl's day.
"Okay, I'm putting on your eye shadow and eye liner now, so don't move!" Emilia warned. Marie did as she said, sitting as still as she could. Emilia stepped back, smiling at Marie when she finally finished.
"Done?"
Emilia shook her head. "It's time for the lips."
Marie sighed. "This sure does take a lot of patience." Emilia studied Marie's face, bringing her fist up to her mouth in thought. "What?" Marie questioned.
"I'm trying to think which shade of lipstick would be the best for you." Emilia pondered for a moment before turning around to take a tube of lipstick off the counter. "I'm thinking a pale pink would best complement you."
"Sure." Marie said with a shrug. She didn't know the difference, Em was the expert when it came to things like this.
After Emilia finished Marie's makeup, she stepped aside and let her look at herself in the mirror. Marie was stunned; the woman staring back at her was not her at all. She was in awe at the transformation, and also a little overwhelmed and uncomfortable. This didn't feel like her. She knew it was just for one fun night at the pub with the guys.
"What do you think?" Emilia beamed.
"It's… it's overwhelming." Marie muttered.
"Alright, I have to finish up mine now. Then we can go shopping." Emilia mentioned, unaware of how Marie felt.
"Oh!" Marie remembered the letters she finished writing. "I need to send some letters off today. You got any that need to be mailed out?"
"I already gave them to Vest this morning." Emilia answered. "Go send them right now, I'll meet you downstairs."
"Okay." Marie slipped her letters into envelopes then left the room. She made her way down the hotel stairs, heading for the lobby. The temporary mail delievery was set up in the hotel lobby. Allen Vest took care of all the letters and delivers, like he'd done since day one.
She made it to the lobby, walking in and seeing Vest busy at work organizing crates and letters. She walked up to the counter, waiting patiently for Vest to finish up. He noticed someone standing at the counter, he turned to greet her, but stopped. His eyes widened in recognition.
"Hun? That you? Wow! You look great!" Vest complimented.
Marie's face grew hot, shyly averting her eyes from his stare. "Thank you…" She mumbled, gratefully but sheepishly.
"You dressed for the little shindig tonight? It's being held at that big pub down the block, right?"
Marie nodded in response.
"Great." Vest smiled. "Oh, can I help you with anything, Sarge?"
"Yes, can you send these out, please?" Marie asked, handing him the three letters.
" 'Course I can. Oh, you got somethin'." Vest muttered, rummaging through one of his newly made piles. He pulled out envelope by envelope, quickly reading the names printed on it. He pulled out one, then turned and handed it to her. "See you tonight, Hun."
Marie smiled at him, gazing down at her letter. It was from her Dad. She tore open the letter, unfolding it carefully. She stood in the middle of the lobby, holding the letter, staring down at it.
My dearest Marie,
I can't imagine the types of things you are experiencing, and I hate to cause you any more hardships with the news I'm about to bring. Just promise me that no matter what, you'll keep your head up during the hard times. Promise me, Marie. Keep fighting and come home. There isn't any easy way to say this, so I guess I'll stop beating around the bush.
Your mother is dead. Or killed is a better way to put it. You know how your mother was, a free spirit that didn't know when to quit. Well this time it all caught up with her. Car accident, she was drunk they told me. I don't want to go into much detail because I don't want to upset you anymore than I'm sure you already are. I'm sorry to give you this news, Marie, but I'd rather you find out from me than some other way.
I know how you felt about your mother, and I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive her.
Love,
Your Father
Marie's hands were gripping the sides of the paper so tight that it almost tore as she read the end of the letter. She reread it once more just to make sure that she read it correctly. She could feel her whole body trembling, unable to tear her eyes off of the letter.
My mom… my mom is dead…