Anna sat with her hand over her growing bump, watching Abe and Aaron as they bowled.

Months had passed and February was just around the corner. Although she was happy with how her pregnancy was progressing, she was beginning to feel terribly cooped up. Abe had been picking up all the extra work he could to pay for the baby, and Ma barely let her do anything on the farm. She was just about allowed to do house work, and even then, she felt like Ma was spying on her. Anna knew it was out of love, but it was irksome.

Abe promised her he was resolved to talk to his Momma. He knew that after the camp, and Hans, Anna took great issue with her freedom being restricted. So, when Abe had suggested an evening out with Aaron, she had jumped at the chance. They had just gone to the bowling alley in the next town over, but it was nice to be somewhere different.

Aaron was far better than Abe at bowling. Anna found Abe's looks of frustration highly amusing.

Her husband leant into her; an eyebrow cocked. "You laughin' at me?" he asked, kissing her nose lightly.

"Yes... should I not?"

"Reckon you can do better?" he challenged, handing her the ball.

"Perhaps," she said, then looking at Aaron, "if I'm taught by someone who knows what they're doing."

"Oh ouch," teased Abe, all three of them smiling as Abe helped Anna to her feet. "I'll get another round in. You want a root beer, baby?"

"Yes please," she smiled, kissing him tenderly as his hand instinctively found her stomach.

His fingers spread over her bump, Abe unable to fight the smile that spread over his face.

"Get a room," teased Aaron, both of them grinning at him before Abe disappeared to the bar.

Aaron began helping Anna with her technique, but she had never bowled before, and she wasn't very good. He laughed as she huffed and sat back down.

"He's so excited for the baby, you know," said Aaron, Anna's cheeks turning pink. "Never shuts up about it."

"Yes, sorry, that must get tiresome."

"Don't be ridiculous!" cried Aaron. "It's so nice! You two are so great together. He's such a great guy and deserves a wife as lovely as you."

"Oh Aaron, that's so sweet. Thank you!" They smiled warmly at one another. "How is your grandmother, I meant to ask."

"She's wonderful, thank you," said Aaron, sitting beside her for a moment. "Always askin' after you, though."

"I'd love to visit her again soon," sighed Anna, "but Ma is keeping me under house arrest."

"Well maybe I could drive her down to spend the day with you?" he asked, then backtracked. "Sorry, that was so rude-"

"No, no, no!" said Anna quickly, taking his hand. "I would love to spend the day with her. It would be so nice. Perhaps she could help me with more recipes?"

He squeezed her hand gratefully. "Thank you, Anna."

Abe returned with the drinks. "She gonna be the next world champ?" he teased.

Anna's eyes narrowed at him.

Abe joined in laughing at her. "Ain't so easy, is it?"

"No," she acquiesced. "You win."

He wiggled his eyebrows at her, then went to take another turn when he noticed Aaron looking at something. "Y'all right?" he asked him.

"We have company," sighed Aaron, all three of them looking to the doors.

Benny and two other men had just walked in, noticing them immediately.

Abe sighed heavily. "It's like the bastard knew it was our night off."

"Shall we go?" asked Aaron.

"No way," insisted Abe. "He ain't spoilin' our night!"

"So, what do you wanna do?" asked Aaron. "You know he's gonna come over and say somethin'."

"Let him," said Anna, both of them looking at her in surprise.

"Baby, he's gonna really piss me off," reminded Abe. "What if I thump him?"

"Yeah, and I ain't getting' between them," added Aaron. "Not when I wanna see the little bastard get his comeuppance."

"If he pushes you that far, then I say go for it," said Anna, both of the boys glancing at one another. "You tried being reasonable with him, Abe. He's done far too much to just be able to carry on throwing his weight around." Then she thought about it. "Just don't get hurt... or arrested."

"Don't worry it won't ever come to that," promised Abe, grinning as he kissed her again. "What's changed though?"

"I don't like you fighting my battles for me," she said, "but he brought Elli into this. Not to mention smashing Aaron's windows. I think he needs to be taken down a peg or two."

Abe kissed her again, grinning as he did so.

"Again, hate to break up your romantic endeavours," interjected Aaron, "but they're heading our way."

Abe stood up, looking at his friend. "Stay with Anna."

Aaron laughed. "She don't need lookin' after. There's three of them and one of you." He nodded, both of them turning just as Benny and his friends arrived in front of them.

Benny certainly looked even more smug with a group of friends to protect him. Anna got the feeling that Benny had been avoiding Abe for the past year... he'd certainly made no effort to have it out with him since Elli had embarrassed his nephew so publicly. "Coleman and the Krauts. What a surprise to see you all here?"

"I'd expected to run into you sooner, Benny," returned Abe. "You avoidin' me?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Coleman," snapped Benny.

Abe chuckled throatily. "You always were so easy to wind up, Benny. You here to apologise for your nephew hurtin' my kid?"

"You don't have a kid," said Benny flatly, now looking at Anna. "And who knows whose kid is in there."

Abe stood taller; his shoulders squared so that he towered over the three men standing in front of him. "'scuse me?" he said, his voice rumbling in his chest.

Benny smiled smugly. "Well I mean, come on, Coleman. I'd have thought with a pretty young wife you'd be at it constantly. Yet, she's been in America over a year..." Then he looked at Aaron. "You the one lending her a hand Balsiger? Aiming for a fully kraut kid?"

"Keep digging Benny," said Aaron, "makes it so much sweeter."

Abe stepped closer to Benny, the other two squaring up to him a little more; he was unfazed. "Apologise," ordered Abe.

"Or what?"

"Or I'll make ya."

"You don't scare me Coleman," laughed Benny, "I've seen how you listen to that bitch wife of yours. She doesn't-"

Before he could even finish the sentence, Abe headbutted him square in the face. Benny went down like a sack of potatoes, Abe looking at the other two. They made to step towards him, and Abe let out a throaty chuckle.

"You're brave boys," Aaron laughed at them, "but incredibly stupid."

Abe dragged Benny up, watching him blink rapidly as Abe held him up by his collar. "Apologise," reiterated Abe, making Benny look at Anna who was smiling proudly. Benny said nothing, scowling at Anna. Abe shook him violently, Benny staring groggily at him. "Listen to me, you little creep," said Abe through gritted teeth, "you think for even a moment that she's scared of you? She's seen off a lot worse than a coward who hides behind children who do his fightin' for him. But I still wanna hear that all important word-"

"Sorry, all right?" spat Benny.

"Very good," smiled Abe. "Now watch yourself, Benny. Or I'll break more than your nose next time."

When the alley's owner came out from behind the bar, Abe dropped Benny to the floor, letting him crumple at his feet.

"What's goin' on?" he asked, looking at Benny on the floor. "I won't have fightin' in my establishment."

"Ain't gonna be no fight," said Abe as Benny sat up unsteadily. "These boys were just leavin'. Ain't that right?" Benny made to protest as he was helped to his feet, but he was already being pulled away by his friends. He glared over at Anna who waved to him as he left.

The owner looked at Abe as he took a swig of beer. "Coleman, ain't it?"

Abe's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "That's right."

"Stand down boy," laughed the man. "You went to school with my son. I remember you on the football team. Defensive Lineman, right?"

"Yeah, Nose Tackle," laughed Abe, now shaking the man's outstretched hand. "Who was your kid?"

"Kurt Turner," he said, launching into a discussion about his son.

Aaron stepped back and came to stand with Anna. She leant into him.

"What on earth is a nose tackle?" she asked.

Aaron chuckled. "It's a position in football... usually reserved for the biggest of the bunch. That's why Abe wouldn't let Elli play in that position in your anniversary game."

"That makes a lot of sense," smiled Anna, now seeing Abe point at her. She gave a small wave to the owner who waved right back.

"Why the fuck that little fella picked a fight with you, I'll never know," he said, incredulous, Abe smiling at him.

"Beats me," he said with a shrug.

"Just stay outta trouble, you hear?" warned the owner.

"Yes sir," promised Abe. The owner nodded and left, Abe turning to find Anna already winding her arms around him. "That felt so fuckin' good," sighed Abe, Anna looking up at him.

"But you'll only do it when you have to, yes?"

"Yeah, I promise," he murmured, kissing her nose. "Come on, I wanna carry on losing this game." They all went back to their lane, chatting and joking without a care in the world, that final small bump in the road now far behind them.