September 2nd, 1945

Annie sat in the window of the break room on the top floor of the inner city hospital, looking down into the street at the crowds of people celebrating. Hundreds upon hundreds were gathered, yahooing and singing at the top of their lungs.

The war was over. They had won.

Annie smiled with a sigh. She was relieved and overjoyed of course, but she couldn't help the twinge of pain in her heart that her beloved Louis couldn't be here to celebrate with her.

After receiving word that Louis had been killed, Annie had decided she needed to be more involved in the war effort. Of course, her family were already doing a lot to help financially, but Annie really wanted to do something hands-on, something she knew would help directly.

So, two weeks after Louis's body was returned home and he was laid to rest, Annie enrolled in a twelve week nursing course and began caring for returned soldiers in a local hospital. The need for nurses was critical, and for Annie, it was both a way to lend a hand and a way to honor her late husband by caring for his fellow servicemen.

When she'd told her Mother and Father of her plans, Oliver had been reticent to begin with. He'd wanted Annie to continue learning about his company as she would one day be taking over from him. Not in such a great capacity as himself, but the company would be hers and she had a lot to learn about the running of it. Grace however, was very supportive of Annie's decision, and convinced Oliver that there would be time for Annie to be taught all about the business later, after the war.

Of course, no one had known how long the war would go on, although Oliver, being in such close communication with the President, had his ear relatively close to the ground the whole way through and was kept quite up to date on the progress. Seeing how much Annie's nursing experience had matured her and how it had helped her to heal from her tragic loss, Oliver did come around to it, and was extremely proud of his daughter.

Annie heard the shuffling of feet behind her. She turned around to see her colleague Dr. Robert Peachum entering the room slowly, not wanting to startle her.

He grinned excitedly. "Nurse Annie, what are you doing up here all alone? Aren't you going to come join in the celebrations?"

Annie smiled gently at him. Dr. Peachum was a very good man, quite brilliant and insightful. Annie had a lot of time for him.

"Oh yes, Doctor. I'll be down shortly. I'm just taking a small reprieve."

"Quite a day, huh?" The doctor smiled in understanding. There was a weight to his sentiment which Annie did not miss.

"Yes, indeed. Long time coming."

The doctor nodded in response, stepping a little further into the room. "I uh, I guess you'll be leaving us soon, now that it's all over. I know that was always your intention."

Annie inhaled and exhaled deeply, actually feeling quite sad about the prospect of leaving the hospital and all the people she had come to befriend. "Well, the war may be over but there are still plenty of men yet to return home. I'll remain here until they have been tended to and the stress has been relieved somewhat. I wouldn't leave you and the team until I'm no longer needed."

Doctor Peachum shook his head with a chuckle. "Oh, you'll always be needed, Annie." His tone was light but his sentiment was sincere. "But, I understand you have far greater and more important matters to attend to."

Annie shook her head too, in response. "After nearly two years at this hospital, I know for a fact that nothing is more important than the work that is done here."

He nodded in solemnity, "Well, you've been a part of that important work, Nurse. Remember that."

Annie smiled thankfully, looking up into his kind eyes.

The doctor shuffled on his feet, suddenly looking a little nervous and unsure. "In any case, uh, before you do leave and forget all about us, I was wondering if you might permit me to buy you dinner on one occasion."

Annie's eyebrows raised. "Are you asking me on a date, Dr. Peachum?" Her cheeks flushed.

"Ah, well if you did decide to accept my invitation to dinner, would you like it to be a date?" The Doctor asked anxiously.

An astonished laugh fell out of Annie's mouth. She would not have imagined that such a competent and intelligent doctor could ever appear so underconfident. She found it humorous and rather sweet.

"Yes I would. I would like that very much", she beamed at him.

"You would?" Doctor Peachum blinked, looking quite surprised, but delighted. "Well, that's excellent. Of course, if you're staying for a while yet, we don't have to make plans right away, if there's going to be time…"

Annie stood from her seat at the window. "How's Saturday?" She cut off his babbling, taking the initiative she could see he was apprehensive to take.

Dr. Peachum gaped for a moment before responding, "Saturday's fine. I get off at six."

Annie pursed her lips, still smiling. "I get off at seven."

Finally, sounding like the astute and self-assured man she had come to know, Dr. Peachum said charmingly, "I will wait for you"

"OK", Annie's smile widened. She looked at him with sparkling eyes and his own were just as brightly reflected back at her. "I look forward to it, Doctor", she told him smoothly.

Dr. Peachum chuckled giddily. "I think before we have this date, you ought to start calling me Robert."

Annie nodded her head. "OK, Robert."

Neither of them could wipe the starry expressions off their faces as Annie joined Robert in stride walking downstairs to join the festivities.

She turned to him before they exited the breakroom and said demurely, "Oh and by the way Robert, you don't have to be worried. No matter what happens, I couldn't forget you."

The look of pure elation on the man's face made Annie grin once again. She knew she was a very privileged young lady and that the war had affected many people even worse than it had her. Now though, Annie finally felt she had a cause for celebration.