"Heffron! Hey Heffron!" Eugene called out.
He was on his weekend pass, Alice was busy at the launders but they planned to meet up later.
Eugene was man on a mission. Money burning a hole on his pocket, he knew right where to spend it. The problem was, he needed a second opinion.
"What is it Gene?" Babe asked once Eugene caught up to him.
"You and Alice seem pretty close..." Gene began, only to be cut off.
"It's not like that!" Babe cut in defensively, squaring shoulders and stepping back.
"I know! Ya alright. 'M not here lookin' for a fight." Gene burred, stepping forward and placing a hand on Babe's upper arm. "C'mon, I need your help with somethin'."
Babe followed Doc, confused. "Where are we going?"
"Look at this shit! Five hundred dollars for this tiny piece of metal to put on your girl's finger!" Babe whined. "Do ya even have five hundred dollars?"
Doc shook his head. "Not in my pocket. But I do have three hundred, which could by this one." He pointed at a sapphire set. "It would match the blue of her eyes. Her hand would make it prettier."
Babe smiled. "I know you're with Alice and all, but Doc, I never took ya for the romantic type."
Gene ignored him. "Do you think she'll like it, Heffron?"
Babe looked at the set and picture Alice with the ring sparkling on her left hand. "Yeah, Doc. She'll love it. I think she'd love anything you give her, Bud."
Gene chuckled at that, called over the jeweler and pointed at the sapphire set. "This one, please. Size 4."
"Dang, her fingers are tiny." Babe laughed.
Gene laughed with him. "Tiny an' perfect. They fit right in my hands."
Gene and Babe walked together to the bookshop, where it was agreed for Eugene and Alice to meet.
"Y'know, I never thanked ya." Gene said.
"For what?" Babe asked.
"Takin' care of Alice while I was in Normandy. She told me ya walked 'er home almost every night." Gene said, glancing up at Babe.
"It was nothin'." Babe shrugged, ears turning red.
"No. It wasn't nothin'. It means a lot t'her an' so it means a lot t'me." He stopped them and turned to look Babe in the eye, putting out his hand. "Thank you, for taking care of my girl."
Babe smiled and shook his hand. "You're welcome."
Alice stood by the shop, reading a copy of the Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, unaware of Gene and Babe across the street.
"Are ya gonna get down on knee again?" Babe teased.
Gene half-chuckled. "I might. It's the only proper way t'give an engagement ring."
"Well, go get her, Bud. 'M meetin' John Julien at the pub." Babe said with an encouraging pat on Gene's shoulder.
Alice looked up and spotted them, she smiled.
Babe waved with a wink before walking off.
Gene felt his heart stop when Alice looked up. She radiated beauty and poise.
From her sage green hat, new dress she wore when he first saw her after returning from Normandy, to her Oxford shoes.
He carefully crossed the street to her.
"What kept you up, soldier?" Alice asked, a playful smile lifting the corners of her lips.
"Sorry, Ma'am. I had an errand to run." Gene answered upon reaching her. "I didn't keep ya waitin' long, did I?"
Alice closed her book and leisurely stepped up to him. "Not terribly. But any moment without ye is an eternity to me."
Gene bent down and kissed her sweetly.
"Is that better, mon Chérie?" He asked before pecking her nose.
Alice smiled. "Much."
Gene turned and held an arm out for her, she took it.
"So what's this plan ye had for us for which ye told me to skip tea for? I'm famished." Alice giggled as they began to walk.
Gene grinned mischievously but said nothing.
Alice raised a brow. "Oh, the Medic has secrets, eh?"
Gene winked.
They walked down the street until there was a small path which led to a meadow. They followed it until they came upon a picnic, guarded by Bill Gaurnere.
Gene pulled out a box of cigarettes and five pound notes.
"Thanks Bill." Gene said, giving them to him.
Bill took the payment and kissed Alice on the cheek. "Enjoy."
Alice gaped at the sight and looked at Bill's departing figure incredulously.
"How long had he been waiting here?" Alice asked in disbelief.
"'Bout three hours." Gene answered sheepishly.
"Poor Bill." Alice laughed.
"We go longer on gaurd duty, he's fine. At least he got paid for this." Gene shrugged and gestured to the picnic. "You said you was famished. Venez manger, le déjeuner est servi."
Alice sat on the blanket and opened the basket.
Inside were spam sandwiches, a pitcher of water, and a box of little brown patches.
Alice eyed Gene suspiciously as he sat next to her.
"My mama sent me a care package. In it was her pralines." He explained. "She saved up her molasses and sugar rations to make brown sugar, so she could make these."
He pulled one out and handed it to her. "Try it."
Alice happily took it and bit into it. Sweet pecan flavor filled her mouth.
She couldn't remember the last time she had something so sweet.
"Good, right?" Gene asked with a little bounce.
Alice nodded, realizing the candy had stuck her teeth together. She giggled and gestured to the water.
Gene understood immediately and laughed.
"That's something you get used to." He said, pouring a glass of water for her.
Alice took a swig of water, swished it and felt relief when her teeth unstick from each other. "That's better."
Gene chuckled and offered her a sandwich. "Let's eat."
The two ate their sandwiches in a companionable silence.
"You told him the Titanic story?" Gene asked as the two cloud gazed together.
"He asked, so I told him. He had a hard time believing it, jist like everyone else. Why is it so hard to believe?" Alice answered, somewhat annoyed.
Gene kissed her hand. "Cuz it's a crazy story. Truth is stranger than fiction."
"I s'pose." Alice sighed.
"'M sure when we're old an' tellin' our kids an' grandkids how we met, they will have a hard time believing it." Gene said, rolling to face her.
Alice giggled. "Will we grow old?"
Gene propped himself up on one arm catching her eye contact.
"Yes, we will. That's the plan anyway." He said, pulling out the small box from the jeweler.
Alice looked at it and sat up. "Eugene, is this...?"
Gene grinned. "Open and find out, Chérie."
Alice opened the box to find a glistening sapphire ring set.
Gene positioned himself on one knee.
"I know I already asked but, will you-?"
"Yes!" Alice squealed as she threw herself into his arms, nearly tackling the medic.
Gene laughed. "Marry me?"
Alice kissed him. "Yes."