Finding Love in France

Part 25: Something In The Air

They continued to discuss Mila's "checklist" over a late breakfast.

"Okay, so once we are settled, you going to school, me working at a hospital, what are your expectations of me as a wife? I'm not exactly a skilled homemaker, my darling." She was laughing at this more than usual, as she had burnt the eggs that day.

"Homemaker? You?! Uh, don't take this the wrong way, Mils, but I think I can handle it." He was laughing, too. "You just focus on your doctor stuff, okay? As far as expectations? I don't know, don't burn the house down?"

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Very funny, James! I mean it, though. What does an American man expect from a wife?"

He thought about it for a second. "You mean, like in the movies? Clean laundry, cooked meals, tidy house, picture perfect? That crap?"

"Exactly that crap. I'm assuming most typical American wives do not work? So they devote all of their time to domestic tasks?" She hated the idea of being anybody's hausfrau, even his. "Not that it is much different here, but I am not typical, nor do I plan to be."

"Nah, Doc. That's not me. Plus, my mother always worked, so I'm used to doing my fair share around the house." He added "Besides, I'm a lot less likely to torch the place!" and he cracked up again.

"You know I can throw you across this room, yes?" She tried not to laugh, lest she encourage him.

His eyes got wide, then he laughed even harder. "What would you do to me if I asked why dinner wasn't on the table by five?!" He had to catch his breath. "Really, Doc! You think I'm dumb enough to expect someone as smart and as hard working as you to stay home? And what? Learn to knit? Bake cookies?" He was red from laughing.

She walked over to him and got right in his face "You listen to me, and listen good!" She couldn't keep a straight face and started cracking up. "I already know how to knit, but the scarves were so bad, the Red Cross told me to tell my 'kids' to try again!"

"Oh no! They were that bad?!" He was in hysterics. "They thought kids made them, they were that bad?!"

"They were AWFUL!" she was tearing up from laughing so hard. She put her head on his left shoulder and tried to calm down, but every time one of them caught sight of the other, they cracked up again.

After a few minutes of this, he found his nerve to ask what was on his mind. "So all these questions. Does that mean you're considering it?"

She looked at him and reported, matter-of-factly "Did I ever actually say no?"

"Really?! You mean it?!" Was he dreaming?

"Calm down, my love. I have not given you an answer either way." She was trying not give away the game. "That being said, if you were to ask me, with a bit more formality and sentiment, I would be more inclined to give you an answer."

He tried to cut her off, but she put her finger on his lips. "Not right now, James. I do not want to remember these burned eggs for the rest of my life." And replaced her finger with her lips.

They finished the daily chores around the farm and got ready for the celebration in town. She had a pair of boys trousers on with one of the adult oversized jumpers. Not exactly a party ensemble, but she did not feel the need to try the red frock again. Bucky had his full uniform, or what was left of it, on. Though stained and patched, she couldn't get over how "official" he looked. As she was helping him into the sling, she took a step back and sighed "Too bad..."

"Too bad what? Is it too filthy to wear in public?" He was nervously tugging at his jacket.

"No, it's just a shame we have to be in the village so soon..." And she winked at him.