Anna and Elli waited for Abe in the garden, lounging languidly in the sun. Morning briefing seemed to be taking an age today.

Elli was so excited to swim again but didn't want to go alone. Anna would have helped her, but she had been feeling exceedingly tired of late and even the thought of it exhausted her. Instead, she had tried her hand at baking for the event. She thought it would be nice to make him something and show how appreciated he was.

The problem was, she was absolutely awful at it.

And so were Gabby and Heidi.

The housekeeper had tried her very best to help Anna, but the bread hadn't risen, and she'd left it in the oven for too long. She'd just have to keep practicing, she supposed. She certainly couldn't live on the farm without knowing how to cook. Abe never stopped reminiscing about his mother's cooking; she had a lot to live up to, and it truly terrified her.

In all her life, no matter where she had been, Anna had never had to be domestically inclined. They'd always had a housekeeper growing up. In the ghetto, she had helped her father as his assistant and her mother had taken charge of the house. And in the camp, she had cleaned, but never had to cook. She wanted to take care of Abe went they got to America. She wanted him to be proud of her.

Gabby came and joined them both in the garden, Elli chatting incessantly about how she was going to be the best swimmer in the entire world. Anna loved it, unable to hide her grin from her sister. Elli was flourishing now; her ability to bounce back from before was incredible.

When they saw Abe trudge through the house, Elli ran towards them in excitement, throwing herself at Abe as she always did. He caught her but seemed quiet.

"Are you ready to go swimming?" she asked excitedly.

Anna got to her feet, just as eager to throw her arms around him. He looked downcast and worried. "Abe?" ventured Anna, going to him. "What's wrong?"

He took a deep breath. "We're leaving for Austria on August 1st."

Anna's heart plunged. She couldn't get any words out before Elli began to protest.

"No!" Elli cried, hugging him closely. "Abe, you can't go."

"I'm sorry, darlin'. I don't have a choice," he murmured, rubbing her back soothingly as she began crying into his shoulder. He glanced at Anna, who was despondent. "It's not forever, El. I'll come back the moment I'm allowed."

This couldn't be happening. Anna breathed in deeply, overcome by a sudden queasiness.

"I don't want you to go," Elli sobbed. Her little sisters cried made it so much worse. It wasn't just Anna that needed Abe so desperately.

Abe's own eyes grew teary. "Elli darlin', please don't cry," he begged, trying his best to calm her. "Everything is gonna be all right."

"What if you never come back?" asked Elli.

Anna felt as though a knife had been twisted into her gut.

"That ain't gonna happen," Abe promised her.

"What if you get sent to the Pacific?" piped Anna.

Abe looked straight at her, unable to answer.

They both knew he couldn't guarantee his return. Anna trusted implicitly that if the choice was his, he would return to her quickly. But they had all seen so much horror in this war. They all knew that life could be stolen by forces completely beyond your control. He went to say something, but Anna's stomach began to swirl violently and she could no longer supress it. She took a deep breath, but it did nothing to quell the nausea.

Hurriedly, Anna pushed passed everyone, heading for the nearest bathroom. She slammed the door shut, falling to her knees by the toilet bowl. She was retching, her throat burning and her eyes sore.

"Baby?" Abe called through the door, knocking heavily.

Anna begin to vomit as he opened the door. Immediately he fell beside her, holding her hair back as she heaved.

"I'm here baby, it's all right."

Abe stroked her back as she sat back up. He reached for some tissue and wiped her mouth gently. Helping her to her feet, Abe did not let his hand drop from her back as she rinsed her mouth and freshened herself up.

"You okay baby?" he asked.

Anna managed a small nod. "Can we go to our room for a while?"

"Of course!"

Abe led her upstairs, Anna clinging to his arm the entire time. They closed the door and climbed straight into bed, Abe's arms wrapped around her as she buried into his chest.

"Is everything all right?" he asked. "You ain't sick, are you?"

"Just shocked," she mumbled.

Abe kissed her forehead, pulling her tight against him.

Anna's throat ached, her heart taught in her chest. "I don't want you to go either."

Abe sighed heavily, the outward breath jagged and uneven. "And I don't wanna go, believe me. But I promise you, I'll be back real soon. It's just to carry on the occupation. Once the Japs are beat, we'll be plain sailin'."

"And if they're not? Abe, what if you do get sent to the Pacific? It's dangerous-"

"I've survived so far."

"Abe, please!" she begged, looking up at him with her tear-stricken face. "We both know what can happen! I can't lose you... I can't!"

Anna gave into her crying, Abe letting her curl around him. She had known this was coming. She wasn't stupid. But she had chosen to live in blissful ignorance. Her happiness with Abe wasn't like the stolen moments she had managed in the camp. She knew in her heart it could be forever.

Unless something ruined it.

"Remember what you always said to me?" he managed, his own voice choked. "'Bout how, you don't need no one to swoop in and look after you?"

"But I want you!" she cried.

"I know baby. But my point is, you will do just fine."

Anna knew he was lying. It would hurt too much to call him out on it.

"I promise you, I will keep myself safe. I have something to fight for now!" He held her face in his hands, stroking her cheek softly with his thumb. "You and Elli are my whole world. I'm not gonna leave you alone. It will be a few months. We can handle that."

He soothed her as she continued to cry when the door to the bedroom opened with a high creak. Elli ran in, both of them holding their arms open to her. She snuggled into them, all three of them not knowing what to say now. The world was empty of everything expect for the three of them right now. If only it could stay this way.

Abe cleared his throat, getting up and standing in front of them. Anna's eyes followed him curiously.

"Come back and cuddle," said Elli, hiccupping a little.

Abe was breathing really deeply. "There are some things I gotta say," he began. "And I know now don't seem like the best time, but I've been waiting long enough and-" He sighed, clearly realising he was already beginning to ramble. He took a calming breath, shaking out his hands, and dropped to one knee.

Anna reached her hand out to cup his face, which he kissed and held to his cheek. Her head swam with concern. Why had he pulled away from them? She needed him in her arms.

Elli gasped loudly.

"What?" Anna asked as Abe grinned at Elli's sudden change. Abe also took Elli's hand, who squeezed his excitedly as she settled further into Anna. "What's going on?"

"Baby," said Abe, regaining Anna's attention.

"What are you two doing?" she asked, her eyes scanning the two of them.

Then it clicked in her mind.

Anna's eyes filled with tears again, but she was trying to stop the smile spreading on her face. He wanted her. He really, truly wanted her. "Abe, you don't have to."

"I wanna," he said, his thumb rubbing her hand. "I have never loved anybody the way I love you two. And I hate that this is how its happenin'. But I don't know how much time we have together... I wanna make sure, that whatever is coming our way, that the rest of my life is spent with you both."

Anna cried heavily, bringing his hand to her lips and kissing it. She wanted to stay lost in this moment forever.

"So I know this really is very sudden," said Abe, "but I want you to marry me... today. I wanna make you my wife..." He looked at Elli, his eyes now filling with tears. "And I want you to be my little girl. My own."

Anna couldn't help herself. She surged forward, nearly knocking him over as her arms flew around his neck, bringing Elli with her.

"Yes," Anna said into his neck. "Yes, I want that more than anything!"

Abe looked at her, their noses brushing against one another. Anna's lips pressed to his, the moment rich and tender. He looked at Elli, cupping her head and hugging her close.

"What d'ya say, El?" he asked.

"Of course it's yes!" Elli said, getting to her feet and trying to pull them up. "Let's go now!"

"Right now?" said Anna.

Abe helped Anna up, his arm wrapping around her waist. "Yep! I ain't waitin' another minute!"

Anna grinned, all of them hurrying downstairs.

Gabby was waiting for them, her brow furrowed as they all smiled at her.

"Where are you off to?" she asked.

"They're getting married!" cried Elli.

Gabby's face filled with shock. "Excuse me?" she asked, following them all out of the front door. "Married?"

"Ain't wastin' no more time," confirmed Abe as the three of them walked entwined in the direction of town.

"But... you need witnesses!" said Gabby, hurrying after them.

"So come along!" said Anna. "We'll find the others in town."

"You're not dressed for it!"

Anna practically skipped forward. "That doesn't matter."

"What about rings?!"

"We'll get some in town," said Abe.

Gabby ran to stand in front of them, her hands held up. "You stop right there!" she shouted, all of them halting. "Now, you deserve a proper wedding... with guests, and a party and a cake-"

"I just wanna be married to her," sighed Abe, Anna smiling at him. "I don't need nothin' else."

"Nor do I," smiled Anna.

"I like cake," said Elli, suddenly thinking about it.

"And Elli needs a bridesmaid's dress and the boys will all want to be there... and my mother... Please! Just give me two weeks!"

"No way!" spluttered Abe. "We leave in three! How about two days?"

"Abraham Coleman! I cannot plan you two idiots a wedding in two days!" screeched Gabby.

Anna tittered. "How about a week?" acquiesced Anna.

Abe looking at her in exasperation.

Anna nudged him. "I can wait a week."

"Fine," sighed Abe.

"All right," sighed Gabby. "A week!" She pulled them all forward and hugged them, Elli jumping up and down. "I love you all, but you drive me insane! I must find Heidi... she'll help me! And I'll go to the priest-"

"Can we not just do it at the registry office?" asked Anna.

Abe leant down to her. "I did promise my Momma I'd get married in a church, baby. And she ain't gonna be here to see it-"

"All right," agreed Anna.

Gabby had already run away from them, Elli's hand grasped firmly in hers. "I'm getting her a dress immediately! And you can't stop me!"

"Wasn't trying to!" called Anna.

Abe pulled her into his arms. They were finally alone. "I shoulda done this ages ago," he said. "I'm sorry I waited 'til I'm leavin'."

"It's all right," she said, pulling him closer. They were silent for a moment. "I hate this," she admitted. "I hate that these could be our last weeks together."

"Please, baby, don't say it out loud."

"It's the truth though," she sniffed, her tears quiet now. "I want to be happy... I want to live in this moment with you for eternity. But I know you won't be free until this war finally sees its true end. Until you are discharged, I won't know that you're really safe."

"Anna, I promised you that I would never leave you. And I know there will be distance between us. But I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to get back to you and little'n. Then it will be us three against the world."

"You have to come back to me, Abraham Coleman. I can't lose you."

"I will," he murmured, rubbing her cheek with his nose.

Anna knew the promise was futile. It wasn't his choice if he kept it. Once again, her future was clutched idly in the hands of fate.

***

Anna's hands ploughed into the dough in front of her, kneading absentmindedly in the quiet of the kitchen.

The wedding preparations were fully underway, and now there was only one more night to wait. The boys maintained that they had to take Abe out that night to celebrate. One final hurrah. But he insisted that he was home to Anna early. Their days together were numbered, and he refused to spend too much time away from her. He was even at a point of trying to find his way out of patrols so that he could be with his girls. The boys tried to be sympathetic. He'd always helped them out when they had needed it.

Today though, he had agreed to go, so Anna went back to practicing her cooking whilst she had a little peace. She had sent everyone else out, so that she had the space to make mistakes without keen eyes on her. She had decided to try making bread again. She would have made schnitzel for tonight's dinner, but the raw meat made her feel queasy. Annoyed at herself, she left that to the housekeeper.

Anna was daydreaming about Abe as she continued to knead her dough. She was still in disbelief that this time tomorrow she would be Anna Coleman.

It sounded right; felt right.

Anna paused for a moment. She was exhausted, and she'd barely been kneading for anytime at all. She was always tired at the moment. She hadn't felt like this around Abe before and it was entirely irksome. The minute she and Abe climbed into bed nowadays, her eyes felt heavy. Not that she let that put a stop to their amorous nights. She loved them so completely; they made her feel so good.

Then she stopped.

This feeling really was very familiar.

She had felt like this just before she was supposed to leave with Hans for Berlin.

Tired all the time, nauseous, overly emotional. And she had been waiting and waiting for her period to come properly. All she had had was spotting.

Her heart drummed in her chest. Her mouth spread to a smile, a short, sharp breath escaping her. She was two weeks late now, at least.

Could it be true?

Anna stood with her hand on her stomach, now giving up on the dough altogether. She wasn't entirely sure how to feel. This was happy news! Doctor Lewis had been wrong; she could still have children...

But it was so soon after Reina.

Anna let the dough crumple in her hands, slapping the deflated mound into her mixing bowl. She wished she could just be happy. Of course, no child would change Reina's place in her heart; that was something she had shared solely with Hans. Why did it feel upsetting that it was not a bond that was exclusively theirs anymore? She was so confused. Because, despite all of this, her initial reaction was absolute joy. Her first thoughts were not ones of sadness or confusion; they were blissful. She had imagined Abe's face as she told him the news, how his smile would fill his entire face.

She watched Elli and Inge from the window. Elli was so happy right now. Would she be excited by news of the baby? Of course she would! Elli would never worry that she and Abe would love her any less... would she?

Freda had.

Poor Freda.

Anna's mind was racing now. She felt so nervous and anxious... perhaps this was just all a step too far. Maybe Abe wouldn't be happy? She had told herself he would be, but now she wasn't sure. They barely got any time alone together as it was, and a baby would make that impossible. What if he didn't want to get married anymore...? What if-

She felt big arms wind around her, making her jump as Abe nuzzled his nose into her neck.

"I love it when you're deep in thought," he murmured, his voice so deep it reverberated against her skin. "You get this cute little knot in your brow."

Anna's whole body calmed, and she felt herself relax into him. It was impossible to feel worried in his presence; she always felt like she had returned home after a long, arduous journey when he held her. He was her home, she supposed. That's why she was so eager to follow him to America.

"Jesus darlin'," he said looking around the kitchen at the flour over all of the surfaces. "What happened here?"

"I was trying to make bread."

"Looks like you were in a fight... and you lost."

Anna frowned at him.

Abe chuckled. "I'm sure it will be great," he said, but eyes the suspicious lump in the mixing bowl beside him.

He kissed her cheek tenderly, Anna breathing in his familiar smell.

Then he kissed her again slowly, his mood changing. "We ain't got long before the boys take me for a drink," he whispered, teasing her ear with his teeth before he kissed her neck. "What d'ya say we head upstairs? Take advantage of Elli being distracted. Live in sin one last time before you make an honest man out of me?"

"I'd love to," she said, but her voice seemed off.

He stopped, turning her to face him. "Baby?" he said, cupping her cheek. "What's gotcha down?"

"There is something I need to tell you," she said quietly.

He pulled her closer. "Well unless it's that you're done with me, I don't know why you look so dang nervous," he laughed, then fell serious. "Oh god, you're not leaving me, are you?"

"Do not be ridiculous!" she said, her hands rubbing his chest before they gripped at his shirt.

"Then what's eatin' you?" he asked.

Anna took a deep breath. "I... I have missed a period. And I am very regular normally... Well, I have been since leaving the camp. And now, I have missed one, and it has been by quite a long amount of time..." She was rambling, her words becoming agitated. She looked up at him, his eyes wide. "I don't know for sure... but this feels familiar and I think..." She sighed again. "I think I'm pregnant." She saw his eyes crease at the edges, a giant grin spreading across his face.

"I'm gonna be a daddy?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper as he rested his forehead on hers.

Joy swept through her. He looked so happy, so truly, truly happy. "I think so," she whispered.

He sniffed loudly, clearly trying to hold back tears. She wiped them away as he tried to conjure the words. "God damn," he managed, chuckling throatily. Then he focused on her. "What about you, baby? Are you all right? You're not in pain, are you?"

"No, just a little nauseous."

Abe pulled her into a bear hug, his hand cupping her head as his fingers wound in her hair. Then he pulled back to look at her again. He was clearly trying his best to take everything in.

"But it's so soon... I mean, after everything. And I know we ain't known each other long... and I'm happy, but only if you're happy..." Now he was babbling.

Her heart hammered in her chest. He really did understand her! Or at least, he was so determined to get it right that he thought of every possible thing she could be thinking about.

"It was a shock," she admitted. "But I was so happy when I realised. I am worried, and I'll admit that I was terrified that you would be angry-"

"No!" he spluttered. "No, no! Honestly, I am just..." He couldn't conjure the words. His eyes screwed up, and he tried to quickly wipe away the tears that were falling.

Anna took his face in her hands, her own eyes blurry as she did so. She pressed her lips to his, Abe responding readily. She loved him so much. Every new thing life threw at them always made her realise how much she appreciated this man. He was worth waiting through the horror from before.

"We should tell Elli," she whispered, her eyes scanning his.

"Would it be bad of me to say I wanna wait... at least 'til tonight," he said. "I just wanna live in this bubble with you for a little longer." She grinned, her arms winding around his neck. "I ain't gonna go with the boys. We'll tell her later, then celebrate just us three."

"Then why don't you take me upstairs?" she said, kissing him again. "Make the most of this time alone-"

"Won't that hurt the baby?" he asked, his earnest question touching her heart.

"It's all right," she assured him.

Abe grinned, picking her up so that her legs wrapped around his waist and gripping her tightly as he charged up the stairs with her.