"Happy Thanksgiving, boys!" Alice cheered as she served the men their feast.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" Every man of Easy company returned as they passed with their trays.
Donald Malarkey leaned forward. "Isn't today your Birthday, Alice?" He asked quietly.
Alice blushed. "Why, yes, actually. How did you know?"
"I have my ways." Don teased proudly, he handed her a small box. "Happy Birthday, m'lady."
"Thank you." Alice beamed, her smile wouldn't falter as she continued to serve the men.
Muck followed Malarkey's lead and handed Alice a present. As did Bill, George, Joe Toye, Leibgott, Penkala, Perconte, Popeye, Martin, Talbert, Bull, Tipper, Dukeman and Buck. Alice had a pile of presents stacked neatly in a corner, her face glowing with both embarrassment and gratitude.
Eugene stepped came next in line and their eyes met. Alice felt her knees turn to jelly under his gaze. They hadn't been able to meet each other in private since the previous month.
Gene had very few weekend passes anymore since his training sessions were picking up. When he did have a weekend pass, Alice herself wasn't available.
They couldn't exactly find good enough reasons to be alone together on the base, either.
Their eyes spoke of their desire to be near each other.
"Happy Birthday, Chérie." Gene greeted with a warm smile.
Alice smiled tenderly back at him. "Thank you, love. And Happy Thanksgiving."
"I have a present for you but I'll wait to give it to you until after you get done here." Gene said shyly.
Alice raised her brows. "Oh? Something special, is it?" She winked.
Eugene's ears and cheeks turned red. "O-oh! N-not like that."
"Oh..." Alice said feigning disappointment.
"See you when you get done here, Chérie." Gene said in slight husk that caused Alice to feel warm.
The rest of the feast went by uneventfully. Winters and Nixon wished Alice a happy Thanksgiving while carrying on a conversation with Harry Welsh.
The clean up took a few hours and Alice didn't finish until after nine that evening. Exhausted and hungry, Alice took her portion of leftover food, made into a sandwich, and stepped out from the Kitchens, carrying the large box of presents from the men. She nearly bumped into a dark figure.
"Jus' me, Chérie." Eugene chuckled when Alice let out squeak up surprise.
"Goddammit, Gene! Ye gave me a fright!" Alice laughed.
Gene kissed her cheek, "'M sorry." He whispered, still chuckling. "Can I make it up t'you by givin' you yo' birthday gift?"
Alice sighed with a tired smile. "Yes, that would be lovely."
Gene took the box from her and held out his arm for her to take, she accepted.
"So, what's so special about this present dat ye wanted t'give it t'me in private, Love?" Alice asked in a teasing tone.
"You'll see." Gene answered in a matching tone.
When they reached the barracks, they stopped, Gene set down the box.
"Close your eyes, I didn't wrap it." He whispered in her ear.
Alice closed her eyes with a smile. She could feel him let go of her arm and step away. She listened to him step into his barracks and rustle around for something.
She jumped a little when she felt his hand touch hers.
"You can open 'em now." Gene uttered softly.
Alice opened her eyes and saw a beautiful wooden box.
"Open it." Gene said, bouncing a little on the balls of his feet.
She giggled and took hold of it, opening the box.
Inside was beautiful sheets of paper with pens and envelopes. The paper was lined with printed flowers in the corners, as were the envelopes.
"I've noticed yo' habit o' writin' lettahs t' yo' fam'ly in Pennsylvania." He explained, sounding rather nervous. "I thought tha'... well... maybe you'd like t' have a propah stationary set."
"It's beautiful." Alice breathed with a bright smile, her eyes still studying the ornate fountain pens. "It's wonderful, really! Eugene, thank you."
She quickly yet carefully closed the box and gently set it down on the barrack steps as if it was the most fragile of chinaware. She then wrapped her arms around Eugene and hugged him tight, kissing his cheek.
Eugene hugged her back. "Joyeux anniversaire chérie."
Alice pulled back slightly, just enough to look him in the face. "Ye know I can't speak French, Love."
"All I said was, Happy Birthday, Sweetheart." Gene murmured, looking her in the eyes, a hand involuntarily cupping her face.
Alice could feel her heart beating faster. "Since when do you call me 'Sweetheart'?" She teased. "I thought you didn't like using nicknames."
"You're special." Gene husked, holding her closer.
"Oh, am I?" Alice asked, almost whispering.
"Yes." His face was only a few inches from hers.
"Prove it." Alice stood on her toes.
"Gladly." Gene murmured before closing the gap.
FINALLY his lips touched hers.
It was almost like a lightning strike. Alice draped her arms around his neck and melted into him. Her hands trailed up into his hair while one of his hands stayed on her back and his other slid up to the back of her neck.
He darted a tongue out and licked her lips. She gasped a little, allowing Gene to deepen the kiss.
A clearing of the throat startled them and they pulled away quickly.
Don Malarkey, Skip Muck and Alex Penkala stood by with cocky grins on their faces.
"If you don't mind, we were going to have a game of cards, so we would like to get by." Don said while the other two snickered.
Gene gestured for them to go right ahead.
"It's about damn time." Skip said, patting Eugene on the back as he walked by.
When the three had walked into the barracks, Gene and Alice looked at each other and laughed. Gene picked up Alice's stationary set and placed it in the box of other gifts. Alice linked her arm with his and the two began walking to the end of the base.
The couple felt giddy, often kissing each other's cheeks. They stopped near the exit of the base, Gene set down the box, leaned against a wall and lit a cigarette, Alice stood next to him. They knew they were only trying to extend the amount of time they had together before Alice had to walk home.
Alice grinned as she looked at Gene.
Gene looked back at her and returned it.
"I can't say I disagree with Skip." Alice giggled.
"Oh?" Gene asked, blowing smoke with a quirked brow.
Alice stepped up on her tip toes and placed a long kiss on his cheek. "It's about damn time." She quoted in a whisper.
Gene put out the cigarette and grabbed Alice, pinning her gently against the wall.
"I agree." Gene whispered against her lips before kissing her.
It was about damn time.