Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 18: Birthday

Mila had stayed in town well past sunset. She anxiously sat through a very long meeting with her Resistance unit, only half paying attention to the barrage of information that had come in. Now that communication had been restored with the Allies, there was much to catch up on. She was too distracted to add anything useful. The meeting finally came to an end and she made her way back to the farm by torchlight.

Steve was waiting for her, nervous that she had been gone so long. He was worried about her walking alone at night and a little concerned that she left without saying goodbye. He had managed to make some dinner and had a plate waiting for her.

Mila could hear him thinking before she reached the house. She suddenly felt guilty that she left without saying anything earlier, but she was trying not to cry and ruin his excitement. She walked into the kitchen and set her bags down, trying to write off her forlorn look to exhaustion before he could ask. "Well, those men certainly love to talk..." she yawned.

"Mila, are you okay? I was worried..." he wrapped his arms around her and she buried her head in his shoulder. He was starting to relax now that she was home safely. "I made you some dinner, but it's probably cold..."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Captain Steven Grant Rogers, you are the best!" She sat down and appreciatively ate the cold food. After a much needed glass of wine, she told him about all of the information pouring in, his eyes wide with excitement and hope for his friends. She was happy for him, she knew it was what he needed. They cleaned up and went to bed, where she was asleep within minutes.

When she woke up the next morning, she knew she had to sneak out of bed before he was up to prepare for the day. It was his birthday, she knew from his dog tags, and she wanted him to have the best day possible.

He woke up to the smell of coffee. He had not had any since he got there, as it was hard to come by with rationing. Wandering upstairs, he was met with more smells. Was that bacon? What was going on? He reached the kitchen and saw Mila busily cooking. There were flowers on the table and a hand-written sign on some old newspaper hung on the wall reading "Happy Birthday Steve!" He smiled and walked up behind her, kissing the back of her head. "How did you know?"

She turned and smiled at him. "I know everything!" She laughed. "Your dog tags, silly!" She turned back to the sputtering pan. "Go get yourself a cup of coffee, it's your birthday!"

He was overwhelmed. She had managed to get coffee, and was making him bacon and eggs for breakfast. This must have cost at least a weeks ration coupons. It was the nicest thing a girl had ever done for him. Other than save his life...and teach him how to fuck. He was so grateful, how could he ever explain how much this meant to him?

She put his plate down and grabbed herself a cup of coffee. "Where's yours?" He asked, as she sat down across from him.

"It's all for the birthday boy..." she smiled. "Don't worry, I already ate, my darling. Eat before it gets cold!"

As he ate, she walked away to get something out of her medical bag. When she came back, she handed him two small wrapped packages.

"What's this?" He said between bites.

"What's a birthday celebration without presents?" She chuckled. "Go on, open them!"

He was stunned. As he opened the first one, he saw a small drawing pad. "Mila! How did you know?"

"You don't think I've noticed the doodles on the blank pages of every book in this house?" She laughed. "Open the other one."

He opened the other package to find a miniature set of colored pencils. The book and pencils were small enough to fit in his pockets. It was the perfect gift. "Thank you so much! These are beautiful...how did you find them?"

"Sometimes being the town doctor has some advantages, my darling." She smiled. "I put my requests in a week ago with the group that goes to the bigger cities. You really like them?"

"I love them. Thank you, Mila." He smiled at her. "This is the best birthday ever."