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thesullengrrrl · 5 hours

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if you haven't read it yet 👀

We'll Meet Again

A/N: AO3 link to those who prefer it :) Thank you for being here! This will be the last chapter for this fic but I'll be uploading an epilogue so watch out for that 👀 If I haven't said it, I'll say it: I appreciate every comments/ask/likes/kudos you all have generously given and thank you so much. I hope you all enjoy this. On to the chapter! 💜

Chapter 6 - making the bed

I’ve been a bad, bad girl

I’ve been careless with a delicate man

Elaine woke up to Criminal playing through her earphones. Goodbye My Danish Sweetheart has long stopped playing. She groaned and laid on her back, feeling the ache on her shoulders. Blinking to adjust her sight, she recognized the ceiling that she is still in the present.

It was now one-thirty in the afternoon. Her inbox showed she has new messages from Hal and Bunny. Hal asked her how she is, while Bunny texted about different topics from what happened at work to asking about her day. She replied to her father with her usual “I’m still alive dad” response, while with Bunny, she reacted to her work stories and told her she would tell about it when she checked out of the hotel. Bunny replied with a “see ya later”.

Slowly standing up, she took off the earphones from her phone and let the music blast loudly as she went to the bathroom. Her cheeks have lines from where she slept in, her eyes a little red—whether it’s from tears or sleep, she’ll never know. Pulling her hair in a ponytail, she washed her face with hotel provided soap. After that, she brushed her teeth to get rid of the sticky feeling of her mouth.

When she finished, she changed into a plain blue dress. Doing all of these things made her mind quiet for a bit.

To her surprise, Bunny was requesting a video call and she slid the green button quickly.

“Hey,” Elaine greeted, sitting at the edge of the bed. The sight of the familiar background made her frown a little. “Are you in my apartment?

Bunny nodded. “I’m borrowing your walking pad, remember?”

“Oh yeah, yeah.”

Bunny was in a workout pair set–a peach sports bra and matching leggings. Her hair is tied up high and her earphones hanging on her neck. “So what happened?”

“What do you mean?” Elaine asked.

“Why are you listening to Goodbye My Danish Sweetheart for more than an hour now? And now, Criminal? What’s happening?”

Elaine pinched the bridge of her nose and realized that Bunny was not only following her on her music account, but also sharing a plan with her.

“Uh, I think Rosie’s pissed at me.”

“What did you do?”

“I may have said some things…”

Then Elaine continued to tell the tale of what happened last night until this morning–the kiss, the sex, the church, all of it. Bunny was quiet to all of it as she told her story, withheld her judgment as well, but her face sometimes gave her away.

“So, let me get this straight. You had sex with him and then the next day you told him it’s not going to work?” Bunny clarified.

Elaine nodded.

“Laney…” her friend trailed off, disappointment evident from her voice. “Did you forget you’re not in the present? Sleeping with a guy means something deeper there!”

“I wasn’t thinking,” she admitted. “I guess I was so used to dating in the present that I forget the other person’s feelings, you know?”

“And you’re not going to see him before he goes?”

Elaine raised her shoulders in response.

“Don’t be an idiot, Elaine. Get back there.”

**********

Elaine stared at the shiny metal numbers 217. Her chest felt like a drum with a bee inside, beating loudly but at a slow pace. Like a countdown. Her arm lifted twice, and ended up lowering it down. On the third time, she knocked this time in an irregular beat. One knock, then two rapid knocks, then continuously.

“Coming!” a seemingly irritated voice called. The door opened and there he was. He was in his brown housecoat, this time with a white shirt underneath. His damp hair was combed, but not styled so that his curls seemed in disarray.

“Hi,” Elaine greeted. “Um…look, I didn’t want to leave things like this between us…not when you’re leaving later.”

Rosie peered at the hallway to see if anyone was there. There were only two of them, so he let her inside. Elaine carefully closed the door, and exhaled, preparing herself for what was to come.

“What was it you’re saying?” Rosie asked, standing a few feet from her.

Elaine saw the half-packed bag in his made up bed, with a white scarf peeking through it. Peeling her eyes away from the bed, she turned to him.

“I don’t want you to leave when you’re angry with me. I want to spend the remaining hours with you, if you want,” she proposed.

She tried to put on a neutral face, but her heart was at a rapid pace, and she feared it would burst. She never had to deal with anything like this in her past travels, but now, she’s not sure if she’s doing the right thing.

Rosie’s eyebrows furrowed, as if he was assessing a tricky case. He glared at her and his hands on his waist.

“You did hurt my feelings, Elaine,” he started. “This weekend was the most carefree I’ve been since I got here in England. And when we…”

He gestured his hands between the two of them.

“That night, that was the first time I didn’t wake up in the middle of the night seeing wounded or dead men. I felt warm. Safe. Away from it all even for a night,” he revealed, his voice lowering at the last phrase.

Elaine froze. “I’m so sorry, Rosie.”

He walked towards the bedside table and handed her the box that Bucky was carrying earlier. “By the way, this is for you. A birthday gift from me and Bucky.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“I think you should go, Elaine. If we’re never going to see each other again, we might as well start now,” he stated, not looking at her.

“This is it, then?” she asked, hoping for him to change his words. “Whatever happened to ‘I don’t want to forget you’ or ‘I don’t want you to forget about me’?”

This seemed to strike a nerve and he finally turned to her.

“It’s still true. I don’t think I’ll forget this,” he chuckled humorlessly. “You know, I should have listened to Major Egan. He told me I might never see you again and that I shouldn’t get attached.”

Her stomach warmed up and went up to her chest. Why would she expect that Rosie will not be mad for what she said earlier? Bunny was right. She forgot where she was.

“All right, then. I understand,” she softly spoke. “Goodbye, Rosie. Have a safe trip.” Elaine took a step towards him, then stopped herself and instead headed towards the door.

She opened it and saw Bucky standing in front of her. She patted him on the shoulder, without looking at him. “Thank you for the scarf, Bucky. Have a safe trip.”

“Are you all right?” Bucky asked when she reached her door.

Turning to him, she nodded. “Don’t worry about it.”

Behind her, she heard Bucky say “What was that?” to Rosie. She closed the door before she could hear more. Leaning her back against the door, she cleared her throat to relieve the lump that formed while talking to Rosie. Sighing heavily, she then looked at the box she got.

For a moment, she debated opening it. However, as usual, her curiosity got the best of her and opened it. It revealed a white scarf, its fabric strong and yet light enough to wear for everyday use.

She hung it on her neck and made her way out.

Passing by Thomas, he greeted her with a smile.

“Going out, Miss Elaine?” Thomas asked. Elaine nodded yes at him. He noticed her glassy eyes. “Are you all right, miss?”

Elaine inhaled. Why does that simple question make tears worse?

“Yes, my room just feels a bit…stuffy,” she answered, glancing at the doors. “Have to get fresh air.”

“Do you want me to call someone to clean it for you?”

“Oh, no, it’s all right, thanks,” she assured him. “I’ll be checking out later this afternoon anyway.”

“Wireless said it might rain later,” he informed her. “Would you like to borrow an umbrella?”

She shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ll figure it out. See you later, Thomas.”

Thomas watched her pull her coat closer to her and walk through the doors. Her defeated demeanor seemed to soften the concierge. He only hoped that she gets back before the rain starts.

**********

Aimless at where she’s going, she passed by Hadley’s. It was almost empty, so she entered, remembering that she hadn't had lunch yet. The middle-aged woman from yesterday smiled at her with recognition.

“Dear! Come in, come in!”

She smiled at her and sat by the window. The woman stood in front of her. “Pie and mash, again, love?”

“Yes, please,” Elaine nodded. She watched her scribble the order and disappear in the kitchen. As she waited, she watched the people passing by. There were men and women walking in pairs, some by themselves, some with small children with them.

She smiled at the old woman who caught her gaze, and the old woman smiled back at her. If she was in the present time, she would be doing this with music to her ears. People watching, cloudy weather, and with music was always a good time for her.

The smell of freshly baked pie and mash wafted through the air and tore her gaze from the window. Her eyes went to her meal and to the woman delivering it. She thanked her and cut her pie to let the steam cool down.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” the woman asked.

She properly looked at the woman and saw she had a name tag with PEARL written on it.

“He…uh,” Elaine struggled, giving out a humorless chuckle. “We’re not, we’re not…we’re just friends. He’s going back to their base later, he's probably packing or something.”

“What does he do?” Pearl continued.

Elaine took her bite before answering. “He’s a pilot.”

“Of course he is! He looks straight out of Test Pilot,” the woman commented. “So why are you all by yourself, dear?”

Not wanting to be rude, Elaine pulled a chair for her and motioned for her to sit. Pearl obliged and immediately sat down to chat. There’s only her inside and another old man enjoying his tea while reading a newspaper.

“I wanted some time to myself,” she admitted, slicing another piece. “He’s busy and I didn’t want to bother him, really. I already said my goodbye to him.”

“You don’t want to see him pack away?”

“Something like that.”

“Parting is such a sad thing, isn’t it? You’ll never know when they’ll get back, or if they’ll get back at all,” Pearl said, almost wistfully.

“Is it…your husband? Brother?”

“My husband Eddie. He went to war after we got married. Months later, all I got was a box with his things in it. He was killed in action.”

“I’m so sorry, Pearl,” she replied, squeezing the other woman’s hand. Pearl nodded in acknowledgment, glad that a stranger was sympathetic towards her.

“Are you going to send your American boy off?”

Elaine shook her head. Pearl gasped.

“Dear, you see, one thing I regret is not seeing him off one last time. I thought it would be more painful, but that was naive of me to think that I’ll see him again.”

That’s the thing, Pearl! He doesn’t want to see me again!

She took a few spoonfuls of her pie instead.

“I think, if you don’t see him to say goodbye at least, you’re going to regret it.”

“Maybe,” she answered finally. “Or maybe it’s better this way, Pearl. A clean break.”

Pearl glanced at her defeated customer. She stood and gave her a slice of pudding with tea on the side. Elaine protested, but she said it was on the house.

She thanked the woman and started on her pudding. The older woman felt her customer needed time for herself, so she went back to the counter.

English tea may not be Elaine’s favorite thing in the world, but it did the trick this time. It calmed her down, and the sickly sweet taste of pudding warmed her.

**********

Rosie found himself in front of Elaine’s door. At his side was his duffle bag. The number 215 seemed to taunt him for turning her away, so what is he doing here?

He was hurt, all right. He felt like Elaine led him on. After all, she went here in England, without any letters telling him she’s coming. She asked him to stay the night in her room. What was he supposed to feel about that? Nothing? How could she bare all of her, and he means all of her, and simply tell him they won’t work the next day?

However, the image of Elaine when he told her to go flashed in his mind. Whenever they’re together, she was always joking or smiling, and seeing her with that forlorn expression unsettled him.

A small part of him wondered if there was something she was not telling him. There’s something that he could not pinpoint about her. Is she a spy?

Will he ever figure it out?

He checked his watch and it said 4:35. For some reason, Bucky insisted they go early to the train station. They’ll be heading for the station for their 5:30 train soon, and he’d actually like to see her for the last time. To apologize and tell her he understands if she doesn’t want to see him anymore. He’ll make do.

He actually did not want to go back to the battlefield with a rift between them.

Also, Bucky chewed his ear off a little about not saying goodbye, or how he’ll regret it, and how he doesn’t want to see a sulking officer back in the base.

Sighing, he lifted his hand and finally knocked.

“Elaine, it’s me, Rosie. I…I just want to talk to you.”

No answer. He knocked again. “Elaine? Are you there?”

Still no answer.

He felt his stomach drop. Where is she? He next knocked at Bucky’s door.

He opened the door, surprised. “What Rosie?”

“Elaine’s not in her room,” Rosie informed him.

“Are you sure?”

“No one’s answering the door.”

“She might have gone for a walk,” Bucky suggested. “All right. Give me your bag. Go to Thomas, he might know where she went.”

Rosie nodded at the instructions and handed Bucky his bag. He then pressed the elevator button and got in.

“Jesus, this is above my paygrade,” Bucky whispered to himself. “Two idiots.”

He reached the concierge and saw Thomas reading. Rosie pressed the bell and the man laid his book immediately to the side and greeted him.

“How can I help, sir?”

“Uh, have you seen Elaine?” he hesitantly asked.

“...Sir?”

Flinching at his vague, unhelpful description, he continued. “Ah, Elaine Byrne? Light brown hair, wearing a blue dress, she about this height–”

“Oh, Miss Byrne!” Thomas recognized.

“Yes, yes,” Rosie nodded. “Have you seen her?”

“She went out, sir. I offered her an umbrella because it might rain, but she said no.”

“Did she tell you where she was going?” he pressed.

“No, sir. It’s like she doesn't really know where she’s going,” he told Rosie.

Bucky went down just in time to see Rosie talking to Thomas. “Does he know where she is?”

“Elaine went out,” Rosie informed him.

“All right,” Bucky nodded. “It’s better if we wait for her here. I’ll leave a note for her when she comes back.”

“Don’t you think I should go find her?”

“And when she comes back and you’re not here?”

Rosie stared at him, realizing Bucky was right. “All right. Your plan works too.”

“Now, just sit there and I’ll settle our bill,” Bucky ordered him, pointing at the lobby. He felt like a father chastising a child for having candy before dinner.

Rosie took their bags and sat at one of the couches in the lobby. Bucky paid and asked Thomas for a pen and paper. He wrote a quick note about where they’ll be and told the concierge to make sure it reaches Elaine. He thanked Thomas and went to Rosie, who had his eyes on the door.

“We’re only waiting here for fifteen minutes, Rosie. I don’t want Harding on my ass.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ten minutes had passed and no Elaine came through the door. The rain continued on, and more people were coming in the door, but still no sign of her. There was someone who had the same coat as her, but it was an elderly woman. Rosie could only lean back to his chair in disappointment.

Antsy, he stood up and went to the concierge to ask for pen and paper. He quickly scribbled a note, hoping that it would be legible enough for her to read. Thomas got the same instruction—make sure Elaine receives it.

When the last five minutes were up, Bucky stood carrying their bags. “Let’s go, Rosie.”

Rosie nodded. He can only hope that she would show up in the train station. The two men bid their goodbye to Thomas and left, walking to the station.

**********

The rain has now stopped. Or at least, the worst of it. There’s still drizzle, but Elaine decided to use her new scarf to cover her head. She was at the park when the outpour happened and ran to the nearest store awning to avoid getting wet.

She reached the hotel and the doorman told her to go to Thomas. Wondering what it could be, she thanked him and went to the concierge. Thomas was busy talking to other guests.

“Hey Thomas, do you need anything?” Elaine greeted him. “Earl told me to talk to you.”

“Thank God you’re here, Miss Byrne!” Thomas sighed in relief. He excused himself from the guests he was talking to and handed her two folded papers.

“Mr. Egan and Mr. Rosenthal left you a note.”

Elaine took the two pieces of paper from his hands and read it. She first opened Bucky’s note:

Birdie. Go to Hammersmith and Fulham station before 5.30. R & I will be on Platform 3. You two idiots have to see each other before we go. Hurry.

—Bucky Egan

Then the other one was from Rosie.

Elaine, I’m so sorry. Our train leaves at 5.30 from Hammersmith and Fulham station. We’ll be at Platform 3. Please come. I don’t want to go back without saying goodbye to you.

—Rosie

The clock behind Thomas said it was 5 o’clock.

“How far is this station?” Elaine asked Thomas.

**********

Elaine reached the station, breathless and in a rush. Even when the station was only five minutes away, she still ran, bumping into men and women walking in front of her. She whispered several apologies before making it in the station.

Thanks to the kindly guard who took her to Platform 3, she easily spotted the two men. Despite the dullness of their uniforms, the two still stood out with their heights.

Bucky was smoking, while Rosie was busy with his watch. His white scarf was peeking through his jacket. She wondered if he was looking at his time waiting for her or if he's waiting for the train’s arrival. Nonetheless, she made her way to them by not-so-gently elbowing her way through people.

“Rosie! Bucky!” she yelled. The man searched where the voice came from and was relieved at the sight of her. Elaine ran towards them and embraced Rosie as tight as she could. He did not waste time and returned her embrace.

Bucky only shook his head, exasperated over the two. He glanced at the other, as if silently telling him that he’ll come back after their moment. Rosie nodded.

She pressed her lips on his, to which he returned gladly. He tasted faint cigarettes and mint from her mouth, but he couldn’t care any less. She’s here, she made it, with the scarf around her neck.

When they parted, Rosie took their bags and led her to the nearest empty bench.

“Where have you been?” Rosie asked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“I went for a walk,” Elaine explained. “You said you didn’t want to see me anymore, so I thought I’d just go and come back until I have to leave.”

“I was so scared when you didn’t answer your door,” he replied. “I’m sorry, Elaine. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right, it’s all right,” she comforted him, while running her hand against his hair. “We’re here now.”

“I wasted so much time moping. We could’ve spent the last few hours together instead we only have a few minutes left,” he lamented, leaning his head against hers.

Elaine placed a soft kiss on his lips to shut him up. “We’re here now. I’d sit on your lap, but I don't want to risk arrest. You won’t be here to defend me.”

He beamed at her words, unbelieving how she could still make a joke about their situation. She grabbed his wrist and looked at the time. Fifteen minutes.

“I wish we had more time,” Elaine admitted. “I was wrong, you know. I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you, too.”

“Tell me something. Do you regret this weekend, Rosie?”

He shook his head. “No. No. And I would do it again. If I ever die up there, I’ll have this weekend with me to the grave.”

Elaine glared at him. “Don’t ever say that. You’re not going to die up there. You will have a long and happy life. Trust me on this.”

“I won’t die up there, I promise. Don’t be upset now, please?” he assured her. He then placed a finger in between her eyebrows. “You’ll get wrinkles.”

She took his hand and intertwined with hers. “Stop stealing my move. One day, some poor girl’s going to fall for that trick.”

“Well, someone might’ve already did.”

He pulled her close to him as they watched the train he’s about to board pull up in front of them. Elaine laid her head on his shoulder. For a minute they stayed in that position, they were at peace.

Behind them, Bucky couldn’t help but to feel bad breaking the two up. It was only ten minutes before the train leaves and they have to board. He gently tapped Rosie’s shoulder, and the two straightened up.

“We have to go,” Bucky announced, taking the bags from Rosie. “I’ll wait for you inside.”

Elaine lifted her toes to hug Bucky. “Thank you, Bucky. Take care of yourself, will you?” She then gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t let the Germans get you.”

Bucky gave her a one-arm hug, thanking her. “I’ll try. See you later, Birdie.”

Elaine nodded and let him go. He tipped his hat on her and went inside the train. She then faced Rosie and they walked hand in hand towards the train. She dusted his shoulders and straightened his tie. Rosie smiled at the sight of her clutching his tie. She noticed this and smirked at him, knowing what he was thinking of.

“This is it then,” Rosie sighed, as he watched others board the train.

“This is it,” Elaine confirmed. This time, he did not wait for her to hug him and wrapped her in his arms as tight as he could.

When he let her go, he captured her lips with his. She placed her arms around his neck, taking in whatever she could for the last time. Elaine deepened the kiss, and Rosie did not have the heart to protest.

“See you later,” he whispered as he pulled away. “Maybe I’ll see you in New York.”

“Don’t die up there and maybe you will,” she answered, removing any lipstick marks from his mouth.

The conductor blew his whistle for the last call. Elaine quickly removed her scarf.

“Give me yours. I don’t want this.”

“Mine has holes,” he protested. “It’s old.”

“I’ll make do. I’ll mend it. Whatever,” she insisted.

Rosie removed his and gave it to her and in return, she hung hers on his neck. Then he leaned in for one last kiss.

“Rosie, let’s go!” Bucky screamed through the window.

Elaine pulled back and gently guided Rosie inside the moving doors before it closed. The train started and she waved at the two, as they got smaller and disappeared.

She sat on the empty bench and let her hands catch her head. Breathing in and out, in and out, in and out until her heart beat becomes steady.

Someone sat beside her.

“Are you all right, love?” he asked.

Elaine nodded.

“Forgive me, but I was watching you say goodbye to your husband,” he mentioned. She straightened up to see him.

It was the conductor. He is like someone’s grandfather, perhaps in his late 50s, with a full head of graying hair. He has smile lines on his face, which she took as a sign of a full life.

“Does he look like my husband?” she played along, amused by the idea.

“With the way you two said goodbye to each other, it seems like it,” he answered, nodding. “Is he not?”

“If he is, would we make a fine couple?”

“Yes! You’re a young beautiful woman, while he’s a tall, dashing soldier. It makes sense!”

“Aw, you flatter me.”

“It’s true!”

“He’s not my husband,” Elaine finally admitted, shaking her head. The old man’s mouth fell a bit open.

“With that goodbye, and he’s not? Fiancé, surely?”

“No, sir,” she sighed. “We’re just two people who might never see each other again.”

“Never seems harsh,” the old man observed. “This war will end, you know. You’ll see him again.”

For a minute, Elaine believed him.

“Well, right now, time is not my friend.”

“Time was never anyone’s friend, love.”

Elaine nodded at the man. Despite her ability, time wasn’t always on her side. The two sat in comfortable silence until another train came up. He stood up and waved his goodbye, while she saluted limply at him.

It was now her turn to watch. She saw men, women, and children say goodbye to each other as if it’s the last time. Women were embracing their husbands, some sobbing, others with their foreheads connected.

She wondered if this is how the old conductor saw them.

Elaine almost always had some type of dalliances in her travels. All of it ended up with her doing the French exit on them. She did not care enough about them—she just wanted to go home and leap to another time.

However, she and Rosie’s goodbye was different—it was emotional, heartfelt and real.

And that was enough proof for her that the weekend they shared is more special than all those past dalliances combined.

Perhaps she and Rosie might see each other again. After all, it’s not far off the realm of possibility as long as she can time travel. Would she?

She doesn’t know. Maybe it’s best to stick to her guns.

But it doesn't matter right now. She sent off Robert Rosenthal to the war as a happy man, and with that, she felt content, relieved, and a little blue.

Elaine stood and left the platform. Clutching at his scarf for comfort, she wiped away the tears that were blurring her vision. As she walked back to the hotel, she lingered her sight at her surroundings, taking it all in for what could be the last time.

They’ll always have Hammersmith.

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thesullengrrrl · 1 day