The months passed quickly, bringing the changing of seasons yet again. Eloise watched the days pass from her window. The wounds of grief remained prominent on her heart and her mind. Pain seemed to be a normality in the days she lived. Happiness came only from the sight of Ulrich. Life was empty as her heart. She wondered if peace would ever conquer the war. The sights of aching men offered no consolation to her weary mind. She longed for the war to cease. Words of the end were spiraling among the women and men. Eloise deemed them exactly what they were—rumors. Somewhere in those rumors she hoped to find the truth.

From the window she saw the unusual sight of joy. Groups of women embraced with smiles wide across their faces. Tears flowed freely from their eyes as they danced with jubilation. Faint cheers rang through the pane. Eloise felt a leap in her heart as she witnessed the scene.

In a haste, she took Ulrich into her arms and found her way from the isolated room. The chatter echoed through the busy halls. Eloise wound through the labyrinth of excited people. When she reached the soldier's ward, she was taken into an embrace by Adeline.

"The war is over!" Adeline cheered, squeezing her friend. "I never thought we would see the day."

Eloise's eyes fell shut at the news. A sensation of relief overcame her. For once in months, she finally felt alive again. She placed her arm around Adeline and felt her softly crying. With a gentle hand, she reassuringly rubbed her back.

"It came to an end two days ago." Adeline whispered through her tears, pulling away from Eloise. "We can finally go home now."

Eloise thought for a moment before smiling. "Isn't it wonderful. The war is finally over."

The two women stared intently at each other. Their shared memories danced vividly across the ballroom in their mind. No one could fathom the horrors that they had witness during their time in the hospital. The fear of finding acceptance in a world without war frightened them, for they only knew the butchery of the nursing.

The silence shared was interrupted by applause in the adjacent room, piquing their attention. Adeline took her by the arm and entered the packed room. They crept to the corner, onlooking the praise of the British airmen that had entered. Eloise caught a glimpse of Everett in the excitement. As he shared drinks with his comrades, a sick feeling formed in the pit of her stomach. The sight of his smile shattered her heart, for the only smile she could see was Albert. She could not bear to see him enjoying the moment. She pulled Ulrich closer to her and turned her back to his sight, hoping she would be invisible.

"Is everything alright, Eloise?" Adeline questioned concerned.

Eloise forced a smile onto her face and nodded, "Yes, it is too busy in here for my liking. I think I will step out for a while."

Just as Eloise turned to flee the room, the continuous clanking of glass gained the attention of the onlooking crowd. Eloise glanced up and saw the piercing eyes of Everett locked on her. She felt her face growing flushed as she slowly backed toward the door.

"Eloise," he boldly called, waving her toward him. "I would like for you to come here."

Eloise's eyes grew wide at the request, feeling her heart sink into her stomach. She gently shook her head and held Ulrich tightly against her chest. Before she could reject his offer, he waved for her again. Reluctantly, she maneuvered through the parting crowd. She could feel their eyes peering into her soul, leaving her only vulnerability.

Uncomfortably, she stood before him and nervously spoke, "Yes, sir?"

Everett watched her silently for several seconds, smiling widely. He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a black velvet ring box. Before Eloise could focus, Everett dropped onto a single knee and lifted the box open. A large diamond ring sat in the center flashing vibrantly in Eloise's disheveled mind.

"I want to ask for your hand in marriage." He spoke clearly, longingly looking up at her.

Eloise pulled Ulrich higher on her hip, swallowing the nervous lump that formed in her throat. She stared blankly at Everett's longing gaze, then at the gawking crowd. A heavy pressure hung over her as she stood silently pondering her decision. She looked down at Ulrich, who watched everything around her. In her mind she thought of his future—What would become of her son without a father?

Her eyes met back into Everett's green gaze, imagining the loving blue of Albert. He was dead; and Everett was the destroyer...

She fixated her eyes on the large clock in the back. She watched the pendulum swing before letting out a deep breath. "I will accept your gracious offer." The answer pierced her heart as she spoke the words.

The applauding sounds of the crowd surged through her brain only to exit without recognition. What had she done, she thought to herself as she faced the smiling crowd? Everett pulled her into an embrace, placing a soft kiss upon her forehead. He eased her hand from Ulrich and replaced the ring on her hand with the large stone.

"It was my grandmothers." He whispered, looking at the rock upon her hand. He traced his fingers along the top of the stone. "She will be proud."

Eloise forced a smile onto her face and nodded. "It is truly astonishing." Her eyes looked at the unfamiliar gem on her finger. Instant regret flooded her heart. "I need my ring back."

"Oh yes," he studied the misshapen band in his hand and let out a small chuckle. "Why would you need such an unappealing piece back on your hand? I have given you the best."

Eloise felt her face growing flushed at the remark. Immediately she outstretched her hand. He graciously nodded and placed Albert's ring onto her finger. She looked down with a smile. Her thoughts returned to the day when Albert gave it to her. For a moment, the thought of him calmed her.

"I know it is sudden, but they have requested my presence in Germany." He whispered into her ear. "I expect that you will come with me."

A blank expression flooded her face. "There is something I have to do before I can go."

His hand gently caressed her elbow, "Do whatever you need. It will be a few days before we go."

Eloise nodded. Her eyes scanned the crowd of cheerful people. The audience watched the couple with admiration, yet Eloise knew not why. Adeline offered her a congratulatory smile before vanishing among the people. In that moment, Eloise knew she was alone. People passed by and offered pleasant words of relationship success. Before anyone else could approach them, Eloise slipped away from the busy scene, leaving Everett with the chaotic praise.

A breeze brushed against her face, cooling her flushed cheeks. She passed people keeping her head down. Beside the building she found her way to the step that she occupied daily. She sat Ulrich down and wrapped her arms around her body. The overwhelming sensation of everything was almost unbearable. In the moment of silence, she tried to regain her wits that had almost vanished.

"I thought I might find you here." The voice of Thomas startled Eloise on the step. He approached her and motioned at the empty space beside her, "May I sit?"

Eloise silently nodded. The two watched quietly as Ulrich played. She would occasionally glance at Thomas, who contently watched her son.

"How do you feel now that the war has ended?" Thomas asked, breaking the silence.

She stared at him and smiled, "I am pleased," she paused to think. "however, I would have been pleased greater if Albert were here."

Thomas placed an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. Instinctively, she rested her head in the curve of his neck. Security was faint in his arm, yet it was more than Everett had to offer.

"I am sorry for your loss. How have you been, Eloise?"

"I breathe," She shrugged, pulling away from him. "that is all."

He looked at her, concern flooding his eyes. The two held an intense gaze for several seconds.

"I am going to Germany with Everett." her voice faintly croaked, "It should be Albert. I should be going to Germany with Albert!" She cried out, instantly covering her mouth. "I live everyday thinking that he is going to come back to me. In my head I know he is dead, but in my heart he lives vibrantly. The hardest thing in the world is persuading the heart to accept what the mind knows."

Thomas smiled at the remark, "I understand how you feel. I feel the same way about my Elizabeth. After all of this time, no one can take the place of her."

Eloise let out a long sigh, "What a lonely life we are destined to live."

"I suppose it is not all so bad. You have a beautiful son." Thomas shrugged, patting her on the knee. "He is something you should be very proud of."

"I am stoic about my son. Words cannot describe the love I feel for him." She spoke fondly, "yet words cannot describe the pain it brings me that I cannot mention his father. It pains me greatly knowing the man that killed Albert will raise my son."

Thomas raised a single brow, "You agreed to his proposal?"

Eloise glanced up at him reluctantly. "I thought about what you said. My Ulrich needs a father, one who can support us. Everett seemed to be the most valuable prospect," she thought. "he was the only prospect."

Thomas remained silent, watching her carefully. She spun the shimmering ring around her finger and shook her head.

"I don't think I will ever love him. I only feel pain when I am with him."

"Perhaps you should reconsider your agreement."

Eloise shook her head, rising from the step. "I have already given my word. I never back out on my word."

"If you insist." Thomas remarked, mimicking her actions. He towered over her small frame and looked her in the eyes. "Would you like to see the grave of Albert?"

Eloise's eyes beamed with a mixture of despair and excitement. "Absolutely, sir."

"I have a motorcar prepared if you would like to go."

Eloise quickly gathered Ulrich into her arms and stood at the ready. "I am ready now, sir."

He let out a lightly chuckle, offering her his arm that she graciously took. Without a word, the two found their way to the automobile. Thomas helped Eloise into the passenger side, making sure of her comforts. Soon they were disembarked on the beaten trail.

Eloise could feel her heart pounding violently in her chest, fearing that Thomas could hear it. On occasion she found herself staring at the man beside her. She studied him in a way she had never done before, taking in his strong features. Beside him, she felt peace and confusion.

The low rumble of the motorcar was the only sound that could be heard. Eloise bounced Ulrich on her lap, keeping him calm as they drove past the remnants of war. The desolate land had been butchered by the artillery. They passed by soldiers, all of which held a warworn expression. They drove past the shell of buildings and made it to a desolate area. No life was present except for a single large tree atop of the hill. Eloise could see beneath its barren branches the cross grave marker. She let out a long sigh and glanced at Thomas.

"Is that..." her voice trailed off, staring back at the indicator.

Thomas rested a firm hand on her knee and nodded, "Would you like me to go with you?"

Eloise shook her head. "No, sir."

"Go to him." Thomas whispered, taking Ulrich into his arms.

Eloise took a deep breath as she slowly left the car. She straightened her appearance as though someone would see. Her eyes scanned the foreign area. It did not feel to her as though Albert was dead. She felt him alive with everything around her. She kept her pace steady as she walked up the incline toward the small wooden cross. She let her mind spiral with thoughts and memories with every step she made. It was obvious he had been respected at his death, crediting the flowers and the wreaths to the admiration of his enemies.

She closed her eyes, listening to the happy songs that the birds sang in the distance. The tunes were the opposite of how she felt. When she opened her eyes, she stared at the decorated cross, rousting words in her mind.

"I never thought I would be speaking to you like this." She finally spoke, dropping to her knees. "I am sorry that I didn't get to see you sooner." she paused, fighting back tears. "and I am sorry that I couldn't save you."

"I love you." she shook her head, smiling at the thought. "I don't know if I ever told you that before. If I never spoke those words to you, I am sorry. I was afraid then, but I am not afraid anymore, my love.

She glanced up at the blue sky, feeling that it was unfitting for her gray world. Her focus turned toward Thomas who played with Ulrich at the foot of the hill. "I will see that our son gets the upbringing he needs and I will make certain he will know about his wonderful father when the time is right."

She closed her eyes and sat in the silence. Her fingers tracing shapes atop the dirt. In her mind, Albert was beneath her fingertips. Her imagination allowed her to feel the warmth and firmness of his body. Knowing it impossible, her lips tingled with the desire to feel his kiss. She wanted to feel his touch more than anything.

"Farewell my love, I don't expect that I will be in France again, so we shall never meet here again. If we do meet again in a life beyond death, I will greet you with open arms and tell you all of the things that I was too afraid to say while I had you here."

She leaned forward and kissed the cold ground. The bitterness of the dirt brutally reminded her that her love was dead. She remained soundless as she stared blankly at the cross. With gentle fingers she traced his name in the wood.

"I will always love you with the entirety of my heart. There will never be another, Albert."

She slowly rose from where she sat, taking one last long look at the grave before retreating back to Thomas. She took Ulrich into her arms and hugged him tightly. With tears in her eyes, she pressed a kiss onto the warm cheek of her son. He was all she had left of her beloved.

"Are you alright, Eloise?" Thomas asked concerned, opening the door of the motorcar.

She forced a smile onto her face and nodded, "Yes, sir. I am fine. Thank you for bringing me here. I needed to see him one last time." Her eyes locked onto the grave once again. "We can go to Germany now."