Pitschen ma en gamba - Small, but powerful [A Band of Brothers Story]

Christmas

Ella came home looking and feeling like a snowman. The snowstorm had started about half an hour into her shift at the hospital and hadn't let up any.

Jumping up, her boots hit the wooden deck of the front porch with a distinct smack, the impact shaking loose a cascade of white. She shook herself like a dog, sending water drops, snow flakes and tiny ice crystals in all directions.

Satisfied that she wouldn't track too much snow into the house, the small girl opened the door.

The second she set foot in the house, the brunette knew that something was different. She couldn't put her finger on it at first, but after letting her eyes scan her surroundings once more, she saw it.

"Mama", she called, maintaining a casual, unassuming tone as she peeled herself out of the many layers she had bundled up in. "Ish a gwüssi Person do, uf dia miar im Moment nid guat z sprecha sin?"

Her mother chuckled. "It's okay, charina", the reassuring voice drifted into the hallway, "it's not James."

Making a non-committal noise at the back of her throat to indicate that she had heard her, Ella rounded the corner into the kitchen.

A grinning face met her, along with a "Really, Shorty, you wound me." A hand splayed across his chest, feigning hurt, the one and only George Luz got up from the couch, spreading his arms invitingly.

***

Isabel watched with a content, loving warmth in her chest as her daughter's entire being lit up at the sight of her friend. A radiant ear-to-ear smile spread on her features and she let out a yell of excitement before practically tackling the cheerful man with a hug.

He caught her with practiced ease, his grin turning softer, fonder when he wrapped his arms around her slimmer frame.

"Hey kiddo", he spoke, humour lacing his words as usual. "Miss me?"

Ella grinned, nodding against his chest. She pulled back, sparkling eyes holding a myriad of questions. "Why- how, when?", was all she managed, giddiness and confusion making it hard for her to form coherent sentences.

"There's this great thing called a train...", he began, a look of teasing mock-patience settling on his face.

"No, really?", she deadpanned, unable to resist. "I had no idea."

George winked at her. "Well, that's what you have me for, right?", he joked back. "Anyways, and this train, it goes from point A to point B really fast. And after taking the train from Providence to down here, I took a cab. And then-"

She rolled her eyes and lightly whacked him in the chest. The amusement dancing in her green orbs was accompanied by a fond shake of the head. George Luz as he lives and breathes.

"Which answers the how, but neither the why nor the when, Luz", she reminded him with a light chuckle.

"What, I can't just visit my favourite female combat medic?", he asked back, cheesy grin curling his lips.

The young girl chuckled and relented. She knew when to push and this wasn't the right time. Besides, she already had a few ideas. Pecking him on the cheek, she hugged him again.

"Of course", she answered. "You are always welcome here, George. And I'm really happy to see you." The second part would probably win the 'Understatement of the Month'-award. She was absolutely ecstatic.