Chapter Text
August 15th, 1945
Eliza was writing a letter to Bucky as she enjoyed the Austrian sun, The sounds of laughter and cheers of the baseball game a few feet ahead of her caused her to look up and smile.
She couldn't remember the last time Easy was so light and vibrant and joyful. Not even when she had first arrived in Aldbourne twenty one months ago was Easy Company like this.
"They're happy." Sophia murmured softly, smiling brightly at the baseball game.
"After everything, they deserve it." Eliza agreed.
"So do we." Katherine added from her spot on Eliza's left, with Ron on her other side.
Eliza hummed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, so do we."
Dick and Nixon approached them, and Eliza grinned at her fiancé, who smiled back. Nixon gave them a knowing grin (he had deduced that Dick had proposed instantly, and had claimed the position of best man) and she just stuck her tongue out at him.
"I have some news." Dick announced, getting the attention of everyone.
She knew immediately that this was good news, unlike back in Haguenau, as Dick was smiling.
Good news... wait, has Japan surrendered? she thought, her eyes widening.
Easy Company gathered around, stopping their game.
"The Empire of Japan have just announced their complete and unconditional surrender to the Allies." Dick announced.
At once, did everyone burst into cheers.
Japan had surrendered.
There would be no worry of having to do a drop into the Pacific.
No, there would be none of that.
They would be going home.
A breathless laugh escaped her. For the first time in five years, did she picture going back to America.
But not in the way she thought of it. She had always imagined coming back would be alone, maybe with Bucky, to find a place in New York City to privately practice her medical and surgical skills.
No, she would be going home with friends, with a found family, with her fiancé: Dick Winters.
Impulsively and giddy with excitement, Eliza subtly pulled out her engagement ring from its spot on the leather necklace, placed it back onto her ring finger, and then kissed Dick on the lips. His hands gripped her waist as he returned the kiss.
Catcalls and wolf whistles were sent their way, but she ignored them.
"We're going home." she murmured, tracing his jaw as her green eyes met his ice blue ones. She could see the ocean of relief, love, and affection in her eyes mirrored in his own.
Dick kissed her back. "Time to find a little, isolated farm for our peace."
"I love you." Eliza told him. "And I'm so glad we found each other through the hands of fate."