It had been one year, Piper felt the pain of sadness in her chest as Mrs. Warren avoid the holiday music and kept the decorations away. Piper had taken up helping her out, the loss of Henry had hit them both but Mrs. Warren rarely did anything outside of eating what ever Piper put in front of her.
The snowfall had kept them both warm in the house. Henry’s uncle had been busy cutting firewood as Piper worked on supper but her eyes were constantly searching the pathway to the Warren house hold always praying.
“Mrs. Warren would you like something to drink?” Piper called from within the small kitchen, there was no reply but she still made the cup of warm tea. Setting up the tray Piper brushed her hands across the worn out apron and ventured into the living room. Mrs. Warren remained in her rocking chair, picture in hand and staring at the picture and flag that was displayed above the fireplace.
“I miss him too,” Piper whispered softly as she placed the tray on the table in front of her. Mrs. Warren didn’t move at first but her eyes drifted to meet the emerald eyes of Piper. Words couldn’t sustain her grief but Piper didn’t need to be reminded.
“Its going to be a cold night ladies,” Arthur said to them as he entered the house, a stack of firewood in his arms. Piper nodded in thanks before returning to the kitchen. Her heart ached and forced her to clutch the counter to hold back the tears, the pain of her nails digging into the tile made it bearable .
“Stay strong for him,” She whispered to herself, taking in a few deep breaths.
—-
The weeks after his ‘death’ passed slowly. Having been tossed across enemies lines Henry was lucky to still be alive. His broke and battered body had healed and finally he was strong again. He didn’t understand the nurses that talked to him, his German was lacking and memories were fuzzy, the only thing he knew for sure was that he loved a girl very much. The letters that were once in his pocket were torn and left very little behind, he felt angry when ever he saw them.
Even with his broken German the nurses explained that he would walk with a limp for sometime, there were shards left in his right leg. They also went on to explain that he was technically a prisoner and not allowed to go free. The year past slowly, he drafted letters he’d never be allowed to sent. Those were dark days.
Time past and wounded fully healed and by the time the war ended for real. Henry was nearly a hundred percent, minus the limp of course. He was rescued, comrades were quick to hung him. His commanding officers were forced to explain the details of the letter they sent his family, angry he shouted at them before putting in his paper. He was done. They gave him what letter belongings he had left, what little survived the attack.
—-
Piper rarely slept, she had taken to living in Henry’s old room. She still had her apartment, kept up the payments but it was scary to be alone there with her grief. Henry’s room provided her a safety if she closed her eyes she could stll hear his laughter as he talked about it the day he gave her the 'grand tour’. As far as 'living’ the room hadn’t been changed much. His clothes still filled the dresser and the same bedding clung to the bed. She slept mostly on top of the bed with an extra blanket draped over her. She’d count the stars out the window on clear nights.
This night was no different. She laid on the bed with hot tears on her cheek, remembering that letter how cold the ground felt when she fell. There was a loud knock at the door that quickly startled her upright.
Arthur, Henry’s uncle, had been staying over more often. He knew that his sister needed his support now that Henry was gone. Piper heard his footsteps from down the hall but still got up and wrapped the blanket around her to follow the noise.
“Who the hell are you!” Came Arthur’s angry shouts as he stood at the front door.
“Uncle Art its me,” The figure answered, everything in Piper stopped.
That had to be him! His voice was the same, the sight of his frame was just like him. There was no mistaking that the figure in the door frame was her Henry! Pinching her arm enough for her to scream out she dropped the blanket and ventured into the line of sight.
“Pipes,” Came his voice, forcing more tears to fill her eyes as without warning she pushed past Arthur and crashed into the arms of the man.
Mrs. Warren had woken with the noises and joined the trio in the living room. A sharp cry of joy left her as she too pushed past a dumbfounded Arthur to join Piper in holding onto the man.
“My boy, my darling little boy,” She cried into his ear, holding him tighter than she ever thought possible. It was a miracle to have him with her again.
“I told you I’d come home,” He told him both. His own tear wetting his cheek as he held them both tight to him. In the commotion Arthur remained back but was quickly ushered into the family hug, they remained like that until the cold of the night air forced them back inside.
Henry sat first on the couch, Piper had allowed Mrs. Warren to sit beside him as she knelt with her hands in his lap holding his hands. Arthur took up the spot beside him, a warm arm around his shoulder.
At first they just stayed here, no one wanting to talk in fear that it was just a cruel dream. It was Arthur who spoke first about the cold and ventured back outside to gain more wood. A now revived Mrs. Warren had gotten up to make him something to eat. In the shock of it all Piper hadn’t said much else.
“I’ve missed you very much,” Henry whispered to her, bringing her lips to his in the most awaited kiss. He tasted of longing and happiness while she tasted of sadness and grief.
“I was so heart broken,” Her voice was softer and made Henry strain to understand her.
“I’m sorry,”
“I know, just don’t leave ever again,”
“I won’t,”
“I couldn’t stand to lose you again,”
“Pipes you are stuck with me for a long time,” He replied just as his mother returned with a kettle of hot water and four cups of tea.
“Would it be too soon to ask where all the decorations are?” Henry asked as he slowly sipped his tea.
“You can go get the tree tomorrow,” His mother said with a smile. It was going to be a Christmas.
