March 24, 1919
Chippewa Falls
Rose was dreading the thought of another birthday without Jack.
She heard a knock at the door.
She saw a piece of paper on the floor. It read:
Make it count...meet me outside.
"Oh, my God!" she cried, and opened the door. "Jack, you're home! You're here! Oh, thank God!"
"Oh, Rose, I love you so much."
"I love you, too. This is the best birthday present!"
His lips met hers in a passionate embrace.
"I've missed you so much," she said.
"I've missed you, too, Rose."
"Gosh, it's been so long. You look older," said Rose.
"Really? Maybe I need to shave."
"That's it...you don't look good with a beard. No offense."
"None taken. Where are the kids?"
He sat down on the couch and she sat on his lap.
"They're visiting my mother. And my mother is engaged to my boss!"
"Really?"
"Yep. It's amazing."
"Yeah."
"Ya know...you look pretty handsome with that uniform on," she said with a sly grin.
He laughed.
"Well...I'll go shave, and you get ready, too. Okay?"
She smiled excitedly. "Okay."
He chased her upstairs.
Once in their room, he picked her up and lay her on the bed.
"I'll be right back," he said, and went into the bathroom.
She couldn't believe he was there.
It was almost unbelievable.
"So, Jack...why wasn't I notified before you came here?" she asked, once he was in the room.
"Because I wanted to see the look on your face. I wouldn't miss that for the world."
She sighed happily, and they went to the stars that night.