"It's almost like I'm lookin' at a ghost." Old Babe Heffron remarked, holding Emily's hand as they sat together on set.
He was dressed as an elderly Hollander at the liberation of Eindhoven.
"You look beautiful, baby girl." Babe said, kissing her hand.
"You don't look bad yourself, Pop." Emily giggled, fighting the tears coming to her eyes.
Babe smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Oh please! Always the flattery with you, kid."
Alice laughed and glanced up, catching the eye of Robin Laing, who seemed to be watching the interaction with great care. She wondered if he was taking mental notes.
He smiled at her, she nodded back with a small smile in return.
"I loved her, you know." Babe confessed.
Emily looked at him in surprise.
He glanced at her eyes. "Not in the smooching romantic way, but I fully adored her. I had a girl back at home when I got here. She, of course, wrote me a dear John letter right before the first canceled jump, but I was faithful, as was Alice to Eugene."
Emily smiled. "She told me how you looked after her while Easy was in Normandy."
Babe blushed and looked away.
"It meant a lot to her." Emily added.
Babe looked back at her with watery eyes.
"She meant a lot to me." Babe said hoarsely.
"You should talk to her."
"I'm not gonna talk to her, I have girl at home, you talk to her."
"I wouldn't do that, I hear she's going with one of the Tacoa men."
"Where'd you hear that?"
"One of the birds she was talkin' with asked her when the wedding is."
James Miller, Edward Heffron, and Lester Hashey were talking amongst themselves in the mess hall, watching Alice work.
"She sure is looker." Miller remarked. "You swear she's taken, Les?"
Hashey nodded. "By some guy named Gene."
They watched as another replacement tried to flirt with her and she ignored him. They were soon next in line.
"Hello boys." Alice greeted, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"Good afternoon, ma'am." Hashey greeted.
Miller stayed quiet but nodded politely.
Heffron lingered a little. "Is it true?"
Alice looked at him, confused.
"That you have a man in Normandy." Heffron clarified.
Alice pressed her lips in a thin line and nodded.
Heffron felt his heart ache for her. "I'll pray for him to return to you."
"Thank ye." Alice said softly, before clearing her throat to hide the emotion in her voice. She looked away as she continued to serve people their dinner.
The night felt colder to her than normal. She knew it was pointless to look around for Eugene, yet she did it anyway. She often scanned rooms for him anymore, tonight was no different.
Arms crossed to keep away the chill, Alice made began the familiar walk to her flat. She spotted several new paratroopers and kept her head down, not wanting to be noticed.
She failed.
"Heya toots!" One called to her. "Shouldn't be out alone at night, how's about you join us?"
She made a point to ignore him and to keep walking.
"Hey! I'm talking to ya! Don't be a bitch!" The trooper continued while the others guffawed.
Heffron somehow appeared next to her. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Sorry, I'm late, c'mon I'll walk ya home."
Alice looked at him, bemused. She read in his eyes that she needed to play along.
"That's right, Private! Ye are, indeed very late." She scolded, full lilt.
Heffron smiled warmly. "Sorry, ma'am. Let's go." He said softly.
The other replacements groaned cursed as they watched Heffron hold out his arm for Alice and begin the trek to her home.
"So, you're Irish." Heffron observed.
"Half." Alice clarified. "Me dad was. I lived in Ireland for part o' me childhood."
Heffron nodded, soaking in the information. "Your ma?"
"American. Czech, I think. I was born in a America, so I guess that makes me American as well." Alice explained.
Heffron smiled. "How'd they meet?"
"Ye wouldn't believe me if I told ya." Alice giggled, yet the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Try me." Heffron challenged.
"They were passengers on the Titanic." Alice sighed.
Heffron stopped them dead in their tracks.
"You're shitting me." He said, looking incredulously at her.
"No. It's true." Alice said with an eye roll. "They were still very young but they met the night of the sinking. Me mam saved me dad's life. He had helped her onto a lifeboat, but she was so scared, she wouldn't let go of his arm, so he was allowed to board with her. She clung to him the entire time they were on that boat. He talked her ear off to help her calm down. They learned quite a bit about each other."
Heffron smiled, letting them continue their walk to her home. "What a way to meet! How'd ya meet your fella?"
Alice smiled back at him. "I punched a private in the nose at a G.I. dance."
"Was he the private?" Heffron asked with a raised brow.
Alice laughed. "Goodness no! He's a medic, so he was called over t' look at th' idiot's nose. He offered t' look at me hand as well."
Heffron smiled. "I met my girl at a dance too. But it wasn't by anyone getting socked. Good job makin' it interesting, Dollface."
"Why thank ye, kind sir." Alice quipped with a curtsy.
Heffron chuckled as she stopped in front of the house.
"This is my place. Thank ye for walkin' me home." Alice said, raising herself on her toes and kissing his cheek.
Heffron blushed as she walked to her door.
"You're welcome, it was no problem." He said, voice cracking a little.
Alice smiled. "Goodnight, see ye tomorrow, Heffron."
"Call me Babe, that's what the fellas call me." Babe said.
"Babe..." Alice said, trying the feel of it. "No, I don't think I will. What's your first name?"
"Edward." He said with a grimace.
"How about Eddy?" Alice suggested.
"Only if it's you, Dollface." Babe grinned.
"You're the only one who can call me Dollface." Alice smirked.
"Deal. Goodnight, Dollface."
"Goodnight, Eddy."