Anna was frustrated.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't do up the back of her dress. She peered at her scars in the mirror. They peeked over the top of her slip, a dull red against her creamy skin and a constant, lingering reminder of her life before America.

The girl's first week in Missouri had passed them by so quickly. Elli and Ma were inseparable, both of them struck by something neither of them knew they had been missing all this time. Abe threw himself straight back into the farm as a duck takes to water. This country life suited him so well. Anna liked his jeans and plaid shirts and his tatty boots; he seemed so at ease again. She simply couldn't keep her hands off him. Even when he was teaching Elli to do pig calls she found herself blushing. Their nights together felt so different. There was a passion there without the urgency. This was, of course, made easier by the fact that Elli had moved into her own room almost immediately. Ma hadn't wanted her to be cooped up with the pair of them, so had sorted out Vera's old room for her. Elli insisted she wasn't at all lonely, despite Anna's concerns; Tammy had taken to sleeping in the bed with her right from the first night.

Anna and Ma were still acclimatising to one another. Ma obviously found it so strange that Anna didn't really know how to cook, and Anna could sense her judgment no matter how hard Ma tried not to show it. Anna knew it was because she didn't fit the traditional female mould Ma was used to; she had no knowledge of running a household outside of cleaning and was overly educated in all the wrong areas for farm life. But she was so incredibly patient with her daughter in law. She clearly wanted to connect with her, so tried her very best to converse with her as she taught her how to run a house.

Ma had tried to ask Abe about how he had met the two of them, but he always shrugged it off. It was Anna's story to tell so just told his Momma to be patient.

One morning, Abe had taken Elli with him to do the hog chores, leaving Anna and Ma alone in the house together. Ma was already beginning Christmas preparations, and she wanted to involve her daughter in law. They were planning on going to town together to buy some Christmas supplies. Anna was a little apprehensive; as much as she liked Ma, she was very aware how many questions she had for her. They'd have to come out eventually, but Anna wasn't sure how she would react. Would she be okay with the fact that Anna had been with another man before her son? Or that she had lost two babies.

Anna made one final attempt to do up her dress. She'd still been too groggy to get out of bed when Abe and Elli had left, so she'd lost her opportunity to ask for a hand. Sucking in a breath, she realised she would have to go downstairs and ask Ma. Even someone as patient as Ma would ask about the scars. It couldn't be avoided forever.

She ventured down, Tammy greeting her with a lazy sniff. Anna scratched behind her ears, cooing to her before going to the kitchen.

Ma turned around, giving her a big smile. It seemed a little forced. "Anna, my darlin'. Everything all right?"

"Would you please help me with my dress?" she asked, pointing at her back.

"Of course!" said Ma brightly, clearly happy that she had asked her.

Ma bustled over, bidding Anna to spin. Anna felt her pause on the zipper, aware at what she was staring at. She waited for her to say something, but she didn't, just doing the zip in silence. Anna turned around, thanking her quietly.

The two women just looked at one another. Surely, someone as kind as Ma wouldn't be angry at her would she?

"Why don't you take a seat?" Ma said gently. "I'll fix us a coffee."

Anna nodded, doing as she was bid and sitting at the table. She waited patiently whilst Ma got them their drinks, watching her as she came to sit beside her.

Tentatively, Ma reached out and took Anna's hand. "I think," she began, "it's been clear to me since y'all arrived that you have been through some tough times. Elli told me about your folks and Abe explained the whole adoption thing... but both of them clam up when it comes to how and why y'all met." She continued to search her mind for words as Anna watched her. "Reading about those camps in the papers... honestly, I couldn't quite believe that they could be so evil... but it's true, ain't it?"

Anna nodded. "Abe and his troop liberated our camp."

Ma sucked in a sharp breath.

"Elli was in a bad way, and he heard me crying out for help. He's been looking after us ever since." Anna breathed deeply, squeezing Ma's hand. "What we went through, together and apart... it's not easy to tell. And I'll need you to keep an open mind."

"You start from the beginnin' darlin," she said gently, rubbing her arm. "I promise you, I just wanna help."

Anna smiled. "I know you do."

It took Anna a good hour to tell Ma everything that had happened. Abe and Elli returned halfway through, Elli excusing herself to play whilst Abe sat with his wife and listened to her story. Ma was patient, and quiet, her only reaction to wipe away the tears that brimmed in her eyes. She watched as her son held Anna closely, his expression a mixture of pride and sadness as she explained all that had transpired.

When she finished, Ma took a deep breath, looking at the pair of them. "You know," she managed, her voice croaky, "I always knew that Abe would marry someone extraordinary." She looked at her son warmly as he did her. "He ain't ever been satisfied with these local girls... and I admit, I ain't understood until now, what it is he'd been waitin' for." She took both of Anna's hands again. "I'm proud to have a daughter-in-law like you, Anna."

Anna smiled in appreciation, feeling close to Ma for the first time since arriving.

"Now, we ain't gonna talk about all that again," said Ma resolutely, getting to her feet. "You two have a life to lead."

"We sure do," grinned Abe, kissing Anna's cheek.

Ma dabbed her eyes. "Abey, I don' think I'm gonna be able to get to town now," said Ma, her voice shaky. "I'm a little bit-"

"Don't worry Momma, I'll go with Anna," he promised. "I wanna show her around anyhow."

"Thank you my darlins," she said, taking a deep breath. "The list is on the side. Imma go find my little Elli Belly," she added, bustling upstairs. "She's been pesterin' to make the Christmas cookies now. I think we could all do with some."

Anna and Abe didn't speak about what had happened as they got ready and climbed into the truck. There wasn't anything else that needed to be said. He just sat with her curled into him, both of them enjoying the fresh air of the open road. When they arrived in town, they parked the truck and Abe helped Anna jump down from the cab.

It was different to the small, country towns in Germany. It seemed modern, and yet dated at the same time. It wasn't like in Europe where you would find buildings that were hundreds and hundreds of years old. These were no more than a century old at best. There were few, if any buildings with intricate structure, nothing like the abundance of ornate decoration that accompanied the towns in Germany. Yet Anna couldn't help but be taken in by the hum in the air. It seemed pleasant, and quiet. This town hadn't known the horror of war, and she appreciated that so much. Abe came and wrapped his arm around her, holding her proudly as they began to stroll down the street.

"You fancy getting lunch after we've picked these bits up for Momma?" he asked, Anna nodding eagerly. "Good, it means I get to show you off."

They began making their way to the different shops they needed. Abe was clearly well liked and remembered. Everywhere they went, they were stopped by somebody new who wanted to say hello. Each and every time, he introduced Anna, she had to deal with the wide eyed shock at her accent. Most people managed to stifle their surprise and maintain a gracious smile.

But she could hear people muttering.

So could Abe.

Anna could tell it was beginning to take its toll on him. He seemed to be far more abrupt with every new person they bumped into. Anna tried not to let it get to her. She knew everyone would be surprised, and she tried to be sweet and gracious in an attempt to win them all over. Though even she struggled when she heard a gaggle of women whispering about her as they moved around the grocery store. They were mocking her accent, how young she was, her tatty clothes... the fact that she must have given him something very special to make him bring her halfway across the world.

Sighing, Anna glanced up at her husband, whose jaw was clenched. "You're doing very well," she encouraged.

Abe let out a huffy laugh. "Am I? Don't feel like it."

"Well, you haven't smashed anyone's head into a table. So it's a step up from the boat."

Abe didn't manage a laugh this time. "I'm sorry, baby."

"Don't be," said Anna, her voice now raising. "It's not your fault people have nothing better to do than gossip."

The women fall silent behind them.

"Well said," he murmured, kissing her head with a throaty chuckle.

"They're clearly jealous," said Anna, still not bothering to lower her voice. "They look about your age. Did you date one of them?"

"Yeah," said Abe sheepishly, taking a quick glance back at the group who were glaring at him. "Oh no wait, two."

"This is what I get for marrying the town's ladies' man," she teased.

"Yeah, well they don't hold a candle to you." He took her hand and kissed it tenderly, their eyes locked.

Anna was lost in him for a moment, her heart thrumming in her chest. Abe could take a hold of her so easily, and yet never abused it. All he ever wanted was to get lost in her in return. Bilinking rapidly, she returned to the room. "Did you want to tell them that?" She cocked her head towards the intruders.

"I think you know that they heard me just fine," he said with a smile. "Ain't that right girls?" He turned round to them now, his eyebrow raised.

They looked away, all of them outraged and embarrassed.

"Finally, some peace and quiet," he said, turning back to the front so that Anna giggled. She squeezed his hand in appreciation, Abe winking at her.

Soon they had paid for their goods and were back out on the street.

Abe looked down at Anna, pondering something. "There's one more place we gotta go," he said, leading her away.

Anna checked the list. "But we have everything?"

"There's some people I want you to meet," he explained.

Groaning, Anna dragged her heels. "Abe, I've met enough of your ex-girlfriends to last me a life time."

"Just trust me?"

He stopped outside a small store front. Anna followed Abe into the shop, a bell tinging on their way in. She looked around her, curious as to why Abe wanted her to see it so much. It was just an ordinary butcher's, no different to any other that she had ever visited. It was smaller, and cosier. But still, just a butcher's. Perhaps it was simply because this was a shop that they did regular business with, so the relationship had to be the best.

Abe wrapped his arm around Anna as a blonde man just older than her came out, his face lifting into a smile.

Abe's was the same. "Aaron!" He reached over the counter to firmly shake his hand. Anna didn't remember him mentioning an Aaron. Then again, Abe didn't even write to his own mother so it was hardly surprising.

"Abe," returned Aaron. "God it's good to see you!"

"And you," said Abe. "Ma said you were sent to Africa?"

"I sure was, though, I got badly injured beginnin' of the year. Ended up bein' a ticket home." Aaron came around the desk, and Anna could see that he was limping quite badly. "I think my dancin' days are behind me."

"Never say never," laughed Abe.

"Grandma said you signed with the paras?"

"Yeah, I landed in Normandy on D day and made it all the way to Austria."

"God you always were a mad one," chuckled Aaron, his eyes now shifting to Anna.

"Aaron," began Abe, his arm winding around Anna's waist proudly, "I'd like to introduce my wife, Anna."

"Wife?" said Aaron, taking Anna's outstretched hand and shaking it with a grin. "Wow, Ma'am, you've gotta be quite the woman to tie this sucker down."

"Many people have said the same," she said, seeing his eyes widen at her accent. But this wasn't in dismay like most people's; his grin grew even further.

"You are German?" he breathed, Anna now the one who was surprised.

"Yes," she said. "You speak German?"

"I am German," he grinned. "Please, wait a moment!" He disappeared back behind the counter, yelling up the stairs. "Grandma! Come down here now!" Anna turned to look at Abe, who was smiling warmly at her. This was why he wanted her to come here. A muffled voice called back to Aaron, who was back with them again. "She'll be so excited!" he gushed.

Soon, an elderly woman appeared behind him, lighting up on seeing Abe. "Abraham Coleman!" said the woman, coming around the counter to hug him. "I had no idea you were back!" Unlike her grandson, she still had a hint of a German lilt to her voice.

"Only a week, Mrs Balsiger," he said, bringing Anna forward again. "I just wanted you to meet my wife." He cleared his throat. "She is from Germany, like you," he said in his shaky German.

Mrs Balsiger gasped, taking Anna's hand to look at her.

"I'm so pleased to meet you," said Anna.

Mrs Balsiger was utterly thrilled. "As I am you! How wonderful to have you here with us! Where are you from?"

"Berlin," said Anna. "And yourself?"

"Munich," she said, sniffing as she switched to English. "Oh Abraham, we all never thought you would settle down. But with a German woman no less. This is wonderful!"

"I just wanted y'all to meet one another," he said happily. "I knew you'd make Anna feel welcome. I'd have loved for you to meet our little one too, but she's back with Ma."

"A baby?!" said Aaron.

"No," said Anna, trying not to sound glum. "My younger sister. Abe adopted her."

"Damn, Abe, look at you go! That's amazin'!" smiled Aaron, slapping him on the back.

As they went to continue talking, the bell tinged again. They all looked around, another man striding in.

He must have been the same age as Abe, though he was only just taller than Anna and had a smug smirk on his face. "Well, well. Abraham Coleman. Didn't know you were back."

Anna noted that Mrs Balsiger seemed more tense, so she placed her hand reassuringly on her back. Her husband's expression had tightened.

"About a week ago," returned Abe, the words gritted out.

"Still a big fucker then," he laughed, his eyes now landing on Anna. "And who might this be?"

Anna already didn't like him. He reminded her of Bauer, that same probing, impertinent look in his eyes.

"This is my wife, Anna," he said, tucking Anna protectively under his arm. "Anna, this is Benny. He was in my class at school."

"Pleased to meet you," said Anna, her voice clear.

There it was... the look. God, how she hated it.

"A kraut?" asked Benny. "Didn't think you were the type, Coleman."

"The type?" asked Abe.

Mrs Balsiger went to hide behind the counter as she heard the shift in Abe's voice. Aaron put his arm around his grandmother, Anna and he exchanging a look of warning.

"Thought you were more patriotic." Benny shrugged. "Though, you and Balsiger were always so chummy." He looked at Aaron now who was scowling at him. "Must be nice having another Kraut around again, Balsiger. You must miss all your friends since the war ended."

"I fought with the US," reminded Aaron. "Same as you."

"Sure you did," Benny laughed.

Abe's fists were clenched, Anna realising how much her husband was having to restrain himself.

"I get why you defected though, Coleman," he continued, his eyes pouring over Anna again. "I think I would too if that was on offer."

"Careful now," warned Abe, his voice low and throaty. "That's my wife you're talkin' about."

"It's a compliment!" huffed Benny.

Abe went to square up to him, but Anna stepped between them, smiling sweetly at Benny. She had to do something, or Abe's temper would get the best of him. "Do you have a wife, Benny?"

Benny was clearly taken aback by her striking countenance. "No," he said quickly.

"That makes sense," said Anna, Abe watching her with such pride as Benny's face began to fall. "Where were you stationed in the war?"

"Italy," he began.

"And how did you fare with the locals? Were the women falling over themselves to get to you?"

Benny glared at her. "What business is it of yours?"

"That's a no, then," she confirmed, stepping closer to him as he leaned away from her. "Perhaps, before you go casting aspersions on other people, you should think about how it might reflect onto you."

"Meaning?" he asked.

"Meaning," said Anna, her gaze harsher, "that you shouldn't wave your little cock around, acting the big I am. That way, everyone can clearly see what a sad little man you are."

Abe burst out laughing, Aaron shocked but slammed his hand on the counter as if to punctuate her point.

Benny looked to Abe. "You gonna let a woman fight your battles for you?"

"Why? She too much for ya?" Abe said with a chuckle.

Benny stood there, seething, Aaron now standing beside Abe.

"You wanna be careful," said Benny, his voice low. "Or your farm might end up the same way this place did on VE day... lotta patriots round here..."

Abe stopped laughing, a hush falling as they glanced at Aaron.

"Bunch of kids smashed up the windows," explained Aaron. "At least, that's what the police told us."

Benny was glaring at Mrs Balsiger who was trying to avoid him.

Anna pushed herself even closer to him, her face a scowl. "You think threatening harmless people makes you a patriot? It makes you a coward. "

"You think so?" Benny spat.

"You always have been," interrupted Abe, standing close to Anna. "I'd think long and hard before you threaten me or mine, Benny. Might just find yourself swinging from a flag pole... like we did in high school, remember?"

Benny stiffened. "I'm not a kid any more-"

"You were an ass then, and you're an ass now," said Abe, his voice menacing. "You ain't good enough to even breathe the same air as these people."

"Always had to stand up for the little guy, didn't you Coleman? Is that what gets you off? Playing the hero-"

"He is a hero," spat Anna.

"You should leave," Aaron warned. "Before one of us really does fancy a fight with ya."

Benny glared at them all. "I'll be seeing you again," Benny promised Abe. He turned, angrily opening the door.

"Nice to meet you!" called Anna as it slammed shut.

Abe immediately pulled her in and kissing her tenderly. "Damn, I love it when you're fierce. But I thought we said no fightin'?"

"That wasn't a fight, it was a show of strength," Anna insisted.

Rolling his eyes, Abe let out a long huff. "You know what I mean. I like it, baby, don't get me wrong. But where's the line?"

Anna rubbed his chest soothingly. "You can't go to punching someone as a first resort. Violence should always be the last."

"Even if he's an ass like Benny?"

"Even if he's an ass like Benny."

"Gotcha," he said, finally giving her a smile.

"Well I think that was mighty brave, Ma'am," said Aaron.

"He's nothing," shrugged Anna.

"He'll tell everyone in town about you now," warned Mrs Balsiger.

"Good," affirmed Abe. "Let them all know that my wife ain't to be messed with."

"You're one lucky man, Abe," laughed Aaron, slapping him on the back.

"Don't worry, I know," he grinned, kissing Anna's head. Then it fell quiet again. "They really smashed your windows?"

"It's happened several times over the past few years," sighed Mrs Balsiger.

"That's awful!" cried Anna.

"You know how it is," sighed Aaron. "They lump all of us Germans in together."

"It ain't right," affirmed Abe. "Anyone does anything again, you let me know. You ain't alone in this anymore. We all gotta stick together."

Aaron smiled appreciatively. "Thanks Abe," he said warmly.

Abe cleared his throat. "Now, I promised my wife some lunch. We'll see you in a few weeks for your delivery."

"We look forward to it," promised Aaron, looking at Anna. "Please, feel free to come back any time and see us."

"Yes," interrupted Mrs Balsiger. "It would be so lovely to get to know you."

"I promise I'll come back soon," vowed Anna, all of them waving as the couple left the shop and went to enjoy their well-deserved lunch.