The battle for love - Friedhelm Winter (UMUF/GW)

Prologue

Emma's POV:
July 9th 1941.

As the wind blew a gentle breeze through my hair, I leaned up against the bumpy brick wall across from the pub. The smoke in front of me was slowly disappearing into the air as I looked up at Berlins dark sky that was decorated with sprinkles of light from distant stars.

My heart jumped as I heard the distant chime of the door bell, it's ringing awakening me from my thoughts. I looked over to the pub door to see my sister Greta try and remove the last customer for the night. After taking my last hit, I exhaled and dropped my cigarette on the floor, crushing it with the heel of my shoe.

As I pushed off the wall and started making my way to cross the quiet road, I spotted my best friend Charly dashing across in front of me heading straight for Greta, not having noticed my presence. Excitement pulsed through her as each jogging step increased in speed.

As I made my way across the road, weaving around cars and people, I saw the disheartened last customer of my sister walking away with a frown. Greta taught him a lesson. I let out a chuckle and make my way to the door, where I'm met with Greta and Charly's grinning smiles.

We then slipped into the pub and out of the cold. As Greta locked the door we turned to face Charly. "Well?"  I asked, anticipation dripped from my voice, as I started to bite my nails in worry. If charly were to fail this then we wouldn't be stationed together for the war which would be devastating for both of us, it's bad enough having to go through a war but without my best friend by my side I wouldn't know what to do.

Charly's hand then slowly reached into her bag, pulling out a nurses head covering. My heart rejoiced as I immediately swallowed her tiny frame into a tight hug, squealing with happiness. After Greta pecked Charly on the cheek saying " I knew you could do it. Come on, it's time to celebrate!"

With that Greta whisked Charly and I off to the kitchen as we knocked into bar stools and each other, giggling as we tried to hold in our laughs.

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Greta and I sat at the kitchen table sharing a cigarette as we looked over Charly's exam sheet "full marks of course" Greta said as she marvelled over Charly's success. "And they tried to trick me" spoke Charly "they asked me what comes after the third reich" Greta raised an eyebrow as Charly continued "nothing" she stated as grin danced on her lips "the 1000 year reich will last forever! Just a couple more day before Emma and I will be off to the front"

Charly's reminder caught my attention as I remember the situation she's in with a certain lieutenant. "Have you told him you love him?" I questioned, watching Greta stand and walk over to Charly's side. "Stop it" Charly said seriously but the smile which played on her lips said to continue, so Greta carried on. "God Charly you have to tell Wilhelm! We're at war. Life can be brutally short. How long will you wait?"she questioned "until final victory?" Charly stoped kneading the dough as she shrugged and looked up " A couple more months?"

The door bell rang as we all looked up, a smile present upon our lips as Greta said "there they are!" Charly then took a deep breath and decided "all right! I'll tell him today." Greta grinned as a mischievous smile crossed her features "you can use my bedroom...." She hinted, as I bursted out laughing. "Greta" Charly shook her head as a light blush rose up her cheeks. "What?" Greta questioned with fake innocence. At that I stood, nudging an elbow at Charly, giving her a supportive yet suggestive look.

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Outside the two boys stood waiting, all ready in their smart army uniforms.  I then pulled the old pub door open catching the boys attention and I saw that beautiful smile as we made eye contact. He greeted us by saying "ladies" and tipping his hat forward.

I then rushed out forward and trapped him into a tight loving hug, wrapping my arms around his tall frame, pecking his lips twice while looking into his eyes, before looking up and down and taking in the sight of my man in his uniform. He looked really good. I mean he always does. As i looked back into his eyes I saw he was already doing the same for me "you look enchanting" he complimented as I smile about to compliment him back when he chipped into Charly and Wilhelm's conversation. Correcting Charly he joked "luggage? Hes a lieutenant. It's collected for him." "Oh is see!" Charly responded. After receiving a hug from Wilhelm, I wrapped my arms by Friedhelms neck as I leaned on his shoulder while Greta wondered aloud "where's Viktor?"

Soon enough we heard the faint squeak of a bicycle coming to a slow halt. We turned our heads apon hearing Viktors voice. "Shalom" Viktor greeted coming to a halt."shalom to you" Wilhelm joked back. Teasingly Viktor replied asking the whereabouts of his luggage.

Greta was quick to wrap her arms around his shoulders, as she kissed him while he was getting off the bike. Friedhelm moved his arm to be around my shoulder as he took a step to the side examining the bike. "Where did you get that bike?" He questioned "stolen." Victor replied earning laughs and gasps from the group. As we all started to file inside the warm building, Wilhelm gave him a playful smack on the head with his gloves as a joke on his disapproval.

As I started to lock the door ready for our last night in Berlin together, an unreadable feeling washed over me, which I couldn't quite put my finger on, but it felt at that moment like that night would be a turning point and the last of its kind.

Author: Okay first chapter done! Hope you liked it and it wasn't to cringy. Leave me a comment on anything I can improve on! I love you if your reading this xx