Elli sat at her bedroom window, watching the rain. They hadn't had a shower like this for months. If only Anna was here with her, but she was at the bar.

Again.

How she wished she had gone with her when Anna had asked her. Then she could listen to the piano and watch the rain. Anna hadn't cheered up at all since Abe's letter. If anything, she was worse. Elli had gone into Anna's room most nights because of nightmares, and every time she had found her crying. They had just started sharing the bed again now, both of them too forlorn to be apart any longer.

Elli breathed on the glass and began drawing faces in the window. Her mother had always hated her doing that when she was small, but it was her father that had taught her to do it in the first place. She really missed them. They would have cheered Anna up.

Or Karl or Freddie.

Looking at all of their old photographs was Elli's favourite pastime. Helga had sent them some more for their collection and it really brightened Elli's spirits. Anna didn't look at the one with Karl, Freddie and Hans in it. Each time she did she cried, so she didn't even try to now.

Elli sighed.

She wondered what Karl was like as an older man. He had always been so much fun when she was little; just like any older brother. She would have given anything to be able to see him again.

Trying not to cry, she got to her feet, resolute that she was going to find her sister. This was their favourite weather, and she wasn't about to miss out on it with her. She ran down the stairs, grabbing her coat from the stand before she pulled on her boots. She dashed to the drawing room where Gabby and Heidi where. Gabby was napping, and Heidi already had a drink in her hand as she poured over her magazine.

"I'm going to the bar to see Anna," said Elli.

Heidi glanced up. "All right angel, have fun."

Elli rushed outside, doing up her coat hurriedly. Grinning up at the sky, she took in the cooling air that the downpour brought. She ran and jumped in the first puddle she found, enjoying the cold splash up her bare legs.

Maybe Anna would want to go outside with her for a bit? Probably not. She hadn't been feeling well again. It wasn't just the morning sickness. Anna looked exhausted all of the time. It was so sad.

Elli could hear a car up ahead of her, so instinctively she moved to the side of the road, her gaze concentrated on the next puddle up ahead. The farmer's truck grumbled past her as she jumped and created a great splash. Why was it was coming to a stop just behind her. She looked back; her brow furrowed.

"El?" called a familiar voice as a huge figure jumped down from the back of the truck.

Her whole face lit up. "Abe?" she called in disbelief.

"It's me!" he shouted.

Elli could just make out his giant grin through the downpour. She ran at full pelt to throw herself into his embrace, and he ran to meet her halfway. He scooped her up, both of them squeezing the other tightly.

"My baby girl," he murmured as Elli breathed in his familiar scent. "I have missed you so much!"

"And I have missed you!" she cried, pulling back to look at him. "Is this real?"

"Sure is! Hollywood and Sam worked miracles. All the boys in fact. They worked together and got me discharged."

"Discharged?"

"I'm a free man, El. The war is over for me... for all four of us!"

She hugged him again, squeezing him so tight he might burst.

Abe chuckled as he set her down on the ground. "Come on darlin', let's get out of the rain. I know you love it, but I need to see my wife."

"She's not in the house. She's playing piano. Come on!" Elli was already dragging him by the hand, barely giving him time to collect his bag and thank the farmer who had given him a lift for this last leg of the journey.

"How have you been, El?" he asked, looking down at her.

Elli shrugged a little.

"What does that mean?"

"Not good," she admitted. "We've both been very sad. We've missed you so much!"

"Oh, my Elli," he said, squeezing her hand. "I hate that you've been sad. But it's okay, I'm here now!"

"I know! And we never have to be apart again, right?"

"Never ever," he promised.

Elli skipped the entire way into town, her hand tucked firmly in Abe's. She had never felt so happy. This wasn't the same relief as when they had survived the camp. This was bliss in knowing that their life as a family was truly beginning.

*

As they stepped closer to the bar, Abe could just make out the sound of piano playing drifting to him across the rain. He grinned. That was definitely his Anna.

They stepped into the bar quietly, their sodden clothes dripping onto the floor. There were a few people hiding out from the rain in there, all with beer in their hands. The barkeeper looked up at Abe, his eyes wide.

He went to say something, but Elli put her finger to her lips. "It's a surprise!" she whispered.

Abe began to wander towards the music around the corner, but Elli came and stood in front of him.

"Listen!" she said, making him stop.

"Why?" he asked with a smile.

"Don't you recognise the music?" she asked.

He listened carefully. "No," he admitted.

"That's because its new!" said Elli excitedly. "She's composing it."

Abe's eyes grew dreamy. "She's writin' music again?" he whispered, Elli nodding enthusiastically. "She ain't done that since before Reina-"

"It's a nocturne."

"A nocturne?"

"A piece of music written about the night," said Elli. "Except, she says this one is written about her knight."

He fell quiet. "It's about me?" he whispered. His heart swelled in his chest, his entire body flooded with warmth.

"Yes! You must listen." She pulled him over to the wall that separated the small, enclosed section of the bar where the piano was.

Anna was just on the other side of the bricks, and it was all Abe could do not to tear them down. But he did as he was bid and listened. It was so beautiful. Soft at first, but it grew and grew, the passion in her playing so clear. Elli watched him, stifling giggles as she did so. He looked down at her, smiling. She squeezed his hand, both of them listening to the beautiful melody.

Suddenly it stopped and Anna cursed under her breath. Abe heard her shuffling papers and seized his opportunity. He walked around the corner and his gaze fixed on her immediately. She didn't look up, her knotted brow latched onto the papers she was scrawling on. It made his heart swell with pride how she always became so immersed in what she was doing.

"Damn," he said softly. "All I did was write you a letter."

Anna looked up, her breathing rapid. Her eyes already swam with tears. She stood, her stool scraping against the wood as the rain outside continued to rage.

"Hey baby," he said softly.

"You're soaking wet," she managed, her eyes scanning him and her sister alike.

"Well, I know you like the rain... thought I'd bring some of it with me."

She choked out a laugh as her bottom lip wobbled. Clearly unable to wait any longer, Anna ran around the piano, and wrapped her arms around him. Abe enclosed her in his embrace and lifted her from her feet, every part of him complete as she collided with him. She wouldn't stop crying, her entire relaxing into his.

"Thank you, God," she breathed, her fingers winding into his hair.

"He ain't got nothin' to do with it," laughed Abe, setting her down again. He held her face in his hand, his thumb wiping away her tears. "I've missed you so much, baby," he managed before she pulled him in and kissed him.

She had never kissed him like this before. It was hungry and relieved and passionate. He could feel all of her grief of his absence bubble to the surface and dissipate in that moment. He returned it tenfold, his hand gripping her clothes, her hair, her skin, anything to make himself as close to her as possible.

They finally pulled apart, looking at each other. She stroked the drops of water on his eyebrows, his mouth in such a wide smile. She smiled back. He was here. He was really here with her.

"Kiss her again!" said Elli wistfully both of them laughing.

"Yes ma'am," replied Abe, dipping Anna low to kiss her tenderly on the mouth as she giggled. He stood her up again, his eyes totally fixed on her. It was as if he didn't want to look at anything else ever again.

"Is this it?" Anna dared to ask. "Are you back for good?"

Abe only managed a nod. She looked at Elli, who's smile was just as big. They pulled the little girl in between them, the three of them squeezing one another in sure bliss.

Right here, in this moment, nothing could touch them.

***

Anna lay across Abe's bare chest as he hummed, his finger making circles against her back.

"Your skin is so soft," he murmured after a while.

"Even with the scars?"

"Even with them," he said, kissing her forehead. "I've missed this so much."

"Me too," she sighed, snuggling further into him.

"I can't believe you're gonna be showin' soon," he grinned, his hand finding her stomach. "I'm so sad I had to miss this last month."

"All you missed was morning sickness," she said. She noticed his contorted brow. "The main thing is, you're here now."

Abe snuggled closer, nuzzling her with his nose. "I don't wanna miss another moment of it."

"And you won't," she said, propping herself up so that she could kiss him properly.

Abe began to get carried away, his tongue searching hers as his fingers wound through her hair. "You ready for round two already, huh?"

"Would you be cross with me if I said I'd rather wait?" she asked.

"Of course not, baby!" he assured her. "I'm only teasin'."

"Thank you," she whispered. "It's not that I don't want to. I'm just so tired. And my stomach feels off-"

"You okay?" he asked, suddenly serious. "Do y'all need somethin'?"

"It's probably just gas," she whispered, kissing his nose lightly. "It can be painful sometimes."

"Well, anythin' you need, I'm your man," he said, Anna pulling herself into him again. There was a pause. "Elli said you've been really sad, baby."

She didn't look up.

"Is that true?" His voice was a comforting hush.

"Yes."

"Was it just me not bein' here? Or is there something else."

Anna sighed. She didn't want to talk about this now, but how could she deny him the truth? "I think that without you here, my mind refocused on everyone I had lost. I was so happy with you that I had stopped crying for them. But without you here, I couldn't escape it anymore. I think that is why I am so tired. It's a lot to cope with."

"I'm so sorry I couldn't be here to help you."

"It's not your fault," she murmured. "I know you didn't want to go."

"Well, hey, here's something that will cheer you up!" he said, leaning over to pull something out of his jacket pocket.

"What is it?" asked Anna as he unfolded the letter.

"My Momma wrote back," he said, handing it to her to inspect. "She thinks you're so beautiful! And she can't wait to meet you and little'n. She don't even know about the baby, so she'll be over the moon when she finds out!"

Anna's heart raced in her chest. "I really hope she likes me."

"Of course she will darlin'," he said. "Trust me, you ain't got nothing to worry about."

Anna read the last of the letter, unable to stifle a yawn.

"Jesus, y'all really are exhausted, huh?"

"Sorry," she said passing the letter back to him.

"Don't you dare apologise!" he said, placing the letter on the bedside table. "Let's get some sleep. We have the rest of our lives to talk."

"Yes, we do," she said happily.

He switched off the light, and they snuggled down into the bed.

"I love you so much, my husband."

"And I you, my gorgeous wife," he returned, both of them drifting into a deep sleep almost immediately.

***

Anna sat straight up. She didn't feel right. She clutched her stomach. This felt so familiar in the most unsettling way. Her hand slipped under the covers, and she pulled it back, inspecting it in the dim light. "No," she whispered, swinging her legs out of bed, "no, no, NO!"

"Anna?" asked Abe sleepily, turning over to her and touching her back with his hand. "Anna, what's wrong?"

"The baby," she managed.

Abe switched on the lamp. His face fell.

Anna was covered in blood, her hands damp with it. Her vision grew hazy, her head swirling with memories she had clawed her way out of months ago.

"Fuck," he cursed as he ran around the bed to her side. "What's goin' on?"

"I'm losing it," she whispered, her bottom lip trembling. She couldn't go through this. Not again. Not now. Not with her Abe.

He took a deep breath. Scooping her up, he settled her back on the bed. "I'll go get help," he assured her, trying to keep his voice calm as he kissed her head and ran out.

Anna stared at the ceiling. She couldn't bear it. She tried to breathe slowly, to keep herself calm. This had all been too good to be true.

Abe and Gabby were talking in the distance, thumps resounding as they darted about the house.

A lump rose in her throat, plugging it to constrict her breathing.

"Anna?" came a small voice from the doorway.

Anna turned to see Elli standing there, her face filled with horror. "Elli, my sweet girl," said Anna, shaking her head. "Go back to bed. It's all right."

Elli's eyes were filled with tears. "Are you losing the baby?" she whispered.

Anna closed her own blurry eyes. She hated those words. She never thought she'd have to hear them again.

Abe soon ran back into the room. "Elli darlin'," he said as he darted in. "You shouldn't see this, go with Heidi-"

"But Anna-"

"I'm gonna look after her, okay darlin'?" he said. "Heidi! Help me, please!" he called out. He turned to Elli again. "Be a big brave girl for me, yeah?" he said, kissing her forehead as Heidi came to collect her.

"Come on Elli, let's go and have some hot milk," said Heidi quietly, glancing up at Anna before she left.

Abe rushed to Anna's side. His torso and hands were red from holding her. It looked so alien on him. This shouldn't be happening. Not to him. Not to her perfect Abe. His beautiful brown eyes swam with tears that he was trying his best to hide.

"Can you be close to me?" managed Anna. Her voice was so small, so meagre. She hated hearing it that way again, but she was no longer in control of herself.

Abe nodded and sat beside her, pulling her against him so that she could sob into his chest. "Gabby has gone to find a Doctor."

Anna gripped at his vest. "It's no use," she whispered, sniffing as Abe rocked her.

"I want someone to make sure you're all right," he murmured,

A wave of pain crashed through her, Anna curling into a tight ball against him. He rubbed her back, his words of comfort lost to the shrill ringing in her ears. "I'm so sorry," she managed as the pain eased, her words wobbly.

"No, baby," he said, cupping her face to look at him. "Don't you dare say that. This ain't your fault!"

"But our child-" Her face crumpled. She could see that he was fighting back tears of his own, but he just ignored them.

"It's nothin' you've done. Now I'm right here with you, okay? I'm gonna look after you."

"I love you, Abraham," she said softly.

"And I love you, Anna. With all my heart." He cradled her closer, hushing her the best he could.

*

The Doctor arrived about half an hour later. Anna was right. There was nothing he could do. All he did was confirm what she already knew; she'd lost the baby. It was so early on in the pregnancy, so it wasn't like the last time. It didn't feel the same.

Anna was so distraught, so disappointed... but this wasn't like Reina. She didn't have a bundle to hold. There was nothing there at all really. She felt cursed... like there really was something wrong with her.

The Doctor chastised Abe when he disclosed what had happened with Ernst. He told him that she shouldn't be trying to have children at all; not after what she'd been through. It was far too much. She felt like a failure.

Abe scooped her up and took her for a bath whilst Gabby stripped the bed. He wiped her down first, getting the worst off, then the both of them climbed in the tub. Anna was despondent, not saying anything at all. He wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck as tears kissed her cheeks.

"Baby, it's gonna be all right," he whispered, their fingers lacing together.

"You were so excited to be a daddy," she said, her words catching in her throat.

"I'm already a daddy," he assured her. "You think I don't see Elli as mine?"

"It's not the same," she sobbed.

"It is too the same!"

"You don't need to lie to me."

"I'm not!" he protested. "The main thing is I have you, and I have El. I don't need nothin' else."

"I'm sorry... I know this isn't what you pictured married life to be-"

"If you don't stop saying that, I really am gonna cry," he said, his voice choked. "I love you, baby."

"Are you not sad?" she managed.

Abe sighed deeply, trying desperately to blink away his own tears. "Of course I'm sad," he said quietly. "How could I not be? But I'm sadder that you're blaming yourself. I hate seein' you like this."

Anna couldn't help but cry more. Yet, this was from relief. He really meant it. She didn't feel so helpless and alone like last time.

"We're gonna get through this," he promised.

"What if we can't have another one?"

"We're not gonna talk about this now."

"But Abe-"

"No, baby," he said, kissing her cheek, then neck then shoulder. "Not now... not tonight."

Spinning in the water, she pressed her cheek into his chest. Abe rubbed her back as he buried his nose in her hair. He began to hum, Anna nestling into the vibration for comfort. She had been a fool to think that their perfect life would continue so easily.

But at least their happiness wasn't hopeless.

At least they were together.