Another month had passed as Ava went on with her life, she never slowed down. She continued her work and went to see Paul as often as she could and never again wrote a letter to Dwain. More soldiers came and went, more tears had been shed, and many more would. She got to talk to her little boy who learned to talk very well, and would be one soon. She was suprised at how soon he started to talk, saying words like mama, pap, and mamma. She was thinking about how long it had been since she last saw Lucas' face. She remembered his face like he was there beside her. She missed him very much and would gladly give up anything to be with him like they had planned. He was her one true love and she would never forget him or the love they shared. She wished that he would have gotten to see their son and watch him grow. Her mother sent her photos of little Luke and her brother at the baseball field. Ava would catch herself smiling now and then, because she was remembering what was, and what she would find when she went home to be with her family. Ava wasn't sure what she would do when the war was over and she was free to be with her son. She knew Paul wanted to marry her and start a life, and she found herself growing closer to him every time they met, but she could never love him as much as she loved Lucas. Paul knew how much Ava loved Lucas, and would never try to take the place of him. Paul was a kind and considerate person when it came to Ava. Ava wondered what her life would be like if she was to be with Paul in the end. Would she be truly happy? She didn't know. As she continued her thoughts Frannie came downstairs to the laundry room. "Ava are you in here?", She could hear Frannie wandering around. "Yes I am.", Ava continued to fold more sheets and blankets. "Ava we need to talk.", Frannie's face was serious, this startled Ava. "What's the matter Frannie?" "Ava I know you've been sneaking out to meet that German man. He has sent you another letter. You need to end this.", Frannie's face was stern. "Frannie, let me explain. Paul saved me from being killed with hundreds of others. He's a kind man, I'm sorry Frannie.", Ava looked at her friend. "Ava why would you want to be around him, especially under the circumstances?", she continued her worried but stern look. "Frannie, I don't know why I decided to meet him in the first thing. There's something about him, I cant explain it.", Ava tried to find the words. "Ava, you know I love and care about you. I'm worried that you might be making a huge mistake here. Just because you've lost Lucas, doesnt' mean you should give up on Dwain. He's not married yet, you need to tell him how you feel. Don't settle for this.", Frannie gripped Ava's hand. "Are you saying that Paul isnt' good enough, and that DWain is somehow? Dwains' heart is with Emma, and you need to accept that. He gave up on me and what we could have been. He didn't wait, and I am happy that he decided to love someone. I was a fool and didn't tell him then, but that's my cross to bear. All things happen for a reason.", Ava wished that her best friend would understand. "Ava, I know you still love Dwain, I know. But dont' sell yourself short just to find a love that doesn't make sense. He's German Ava. Even if you were to love this Paul, how could you two ever be together in a world that hates the idea?", "Love never makes sense Frannie. I just have to go with it. Please understand. I trust you Frannie with all my heart. Please, dont' say anything.", Ava pleaded. "I promise I won't say a word, but please promise me Ava that you will be careful.", Frannie held tightly to Ava's hand. "I will.", Ava reassured her friend. The two hugged and Frannie left the room. Ava looked at the envelope that Frannie had left her. It was from Paul, she opened it and read it. He said that he would be gone again soon, so they needed to meet again soon. Ava sighed once more and thought about it for a second. She was thinking if she should go, but of course her heart would tell her to go. It always won, even when she didn't want it to.
Ava waited again until the hospital went to asleep, she went to Frannie's room. "Frannie, I'm going to meet him.", she peered in. "Alright, be careful.", her friend responded. Ava creapt out of the building and into the night. She was there now and waited to see him. He wasn't there at the moment, so she waited, holding herself from the cold. She heard someone walking towards her, out of the woods, Paul came. They smiled at one another. He came closer to her and kissed her passionately. After their lips parted, he looked down at her. "I'm going to miss you. I want to give you something.", he looked down and took her hand. He slid a small gold ring onto her finger. It was very old she could tell. "It was my mother's. This is the engagement ring, well sort of. I promise to be true to you while I am gone. One day I want us to get married. ", he said holding her close. Ava was taken back by his words and the ring on her hand. "It's beautiful Paul, but...", he stopped her. "Please take it, if you don't feel like you should wear it out in the public, I understand, but please take it." She remembred the ring that Lucas was going to give her. It was so similar. She shuddered, at the thought. She wore Lucas' ring around her neck, she never took it off. Now she had another ring, from another man that loved her. "I will keep it.", she looked up at him. He kissed her forehead. They kissed again, the passion rising in them. Before it started to get deeper, Ava contradicted herself again, would she go where this was headed or stop herself? Her heart beated harder as the thoughts began to fill her mind. She felt his fingertips on her shoulders, and she could slip into his arms and be lost. She tried to keep her composure, trying to keep her mind in one spot. They continued to kiss, and again she started to lose herself. All of a sudden memories started to fil her mind. The first time she had been in this situation was with Lucas. She felt herself starting to give. She still had his ring around her neck and it was like a burden right now. Then without any warning, Dwain's face popped into her mind. "Paul, we can't. I can't.", she looked up at him. He looked down at her, "Im sorry.", he let her up from the ground. "I'm sorry Paul, this brings back things. I'm not ready for this again.", Ava covered her shoulder. Paul stood up beside her, "I know, I'm sorry.", he took her in his arms. "I love you, I didn't mean for this to happen". "I know. I know." They hugged and said their goodbyes. She walked back to the hospital still with the ring on her hand.