" Life is so ironic. It takes sadness to know what happiness is, noise to appreciate silence and absence to value presence."

- Unknown

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When mail arrived, morale rose a bit.

Lizzie heard from her brothers, and her heart felt whole. Brady was in Europe, he couldn't say where exactly, but he was enjoying a 48 hour pass at some place he and his friends had managed and was writing this letter. Michael had been in Italy for a while, the fighting continuing to be brutal and relentless, but he had a break from it all for a moment or two and was relishing it all.

Catherine also got word from her brothers in the Pacific, they were both healthy and alive. Relief filled everyone's hearts when they found out that the 2 girls' siblings were in fact safe. Lizzie though learned her grandmother after all this time was not recovering she were supposed to. But Lizzie threw a smile on her face, like all the other times sadness inflicted her life, and kept walking around with Gene, and talking and laughing and keeping up her duties, as well as making injured soldiers smile a bit.

However, on Halloween, Lizzie didn't smile as her and Gene went sprinting from the aid station, with calls for a medic. neither of them had their helmets on or their medic satchels, they had virtually nothing of use for the injured man who they would be helping and it was dark as they raced through the slightly chilly night. The two medics approached the car and the hospital car quickly just as Winters was yelling for a stretcher.

" I got him, Harry." Gene called as the two approached, " You give him morphine?"

" Yeah," Harry answered as he jumped down and Lizzie strained her eyes to look at Moose who Gene was quickly inspecting.

" How much?" Lizzie asked quickly looking at Welsh.

" Oh, I can't remember, two, three syrettes maybe." Harry answered, and Lizzie's heart dropped into a pit into her chest, as Lizzie jumped up into the hospital cart, her hair flipping over her shoulder as she watched the three soldiers in front of her attempt to move the unconscious Moose.

" Three syrettes maybe?" Gene asked, anger and frustration in his voice as Lizzie looked towards Harry and WInters.

" Yeah." came the answer.

" Jesus Christ, were you trying to kill him?" Gene snapped out.

" I think it was two," Harry said trying to cool Gene's fire and Lizzie moved to the ledge.

" That much morphine and he could've died!" Lizzie called, as Gene looked to her, and Winters shook his head, as the moved Moose onto a stretcher.

" You don't think it might be important to let me know how much medication the man has had, huh?" Gene asked as the stretcher was lifted up into the air and toward the truck for Lizzie's awaiting hands, " 'Cause I do not see one syrette on the man's jacket." Gene's voice was raising, as Lizze fed in the stretcher with Moose, before moving near Moose's head near the back, her head pounding from the chaos.

" I'm sorry, Doc." Winters said, as Lizzie looked to him.

" Sure is a good thing he's a big man." Gene said, " Maybe he'll stand a chance."

" He was in a lot of pain, Doc, we didn't know what to do." Harry said as the two medics looked up and toward the two.

" Didn't know what to do?" Lizzie snapped, as Gene opened his mouth.

" Yeah, well, you oughta. You know you are officers, you are grownups, you oughta know!" Gene snapped. And with that Gene turned looking at Lizzie and jumped up into the hospital truck.

" Alright, let's go. C'mon move it!" Gene called, as WInters stepped forward and shut the door, before patting it with a bloodied hand. As the truck pulled away, Lizzie couldn't help but glance towards where Winters and Welsh stood somewhat helpless.

" They should've known." spat Gene, anger pure in his voice; she'd never heard him like this. She felt she couldn't answer, as she quickly adjusted her already bloody hands under Moose's head as she laid a towel over his shoulders to adjust him as Gene got to work on the wounds.

But Lizzie was simply just distraught and a mess, and she felt like this was her last straw. She felt her eyes well with tears, from all the emotional trauma and stress she'd been under ever since they landed in Holland through her injury and the absolute pain she felt through everything since coming back, finally collapsing as she sat there, looking through blurry eyes trying to fix up Moose the best she could.

Gene felt himself cooling down as he heard Lizzie sniffle. He glanced over at the woman, who was continuing his gentle work on Moose, her hands like silk, as she gently brushed hair from his face, as she looked at him with glossy eyes.

" It'll be ok, Moose," she whispered out before sniffling, and blinking the get the tears from her vision. Gene sighed to himself; everything had fell apart.

November was a shit show.

Injuries sky rocketed, sickness enveloped half the Division, and new leaders were being switched in and out within each company. Word was they were moving off the line soon, but many people knew that many of the minds would still be there on the field battling the ongoing ear that ripped life from it itself.

So when they were finally moved to a camp called Mourmelon-le-Grand, there was relief. There was a sense of peace as well for everyone, and there was a general calmness. They weren't expected to leave the camp anytime soon either, until probably after the New Year has started. When the company got to their barracks for the night after their warm and comforting showers, everyone passed out. They weren't used to the feeling of finally being somewhat warm and having food, somewhat good food, in their stomachs as well.

Hazel woke up disoriented the following morning. There was a hint of sunlight shining in through the tent flap and she was warm, and there was a roof over her head. Hazel slowly sat up from her spot and glanced around in confusion. She looked to her right and found Lizzie passed out in the bed, snuggled up into her blanket and pillow. On her left was Shifty, sound asleep, snoring softly, looking so innocent as he slept away. Hazel slowly pushed the covers from her body and turned to sit up fully. She let out a breath of air and pulled on her boots, tying them up nicely. As she pulled on her OD top, she glanced over and saw Joe Toye getting up as well.

" Hey, Joe." she said quietly through the tent as she saw the man look over at her.

" Hey there, Tiny, " he said, his voice rough and scratchy, " Sleep well?"

" Yeah, finally." she said as Joe came over and wrapped an arm over her shoulders like he always did when he saw her.

" Can we get breakfast? I'm hungry." she said and Joe smiled at her as the two headed out into the bright light.

" Did you feel weird waking up this morning?" she asked him, as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

" A little bit weird, 'cause I was finally warm and not freezing my ass off in the middle of Holland." Joe said, and Hazel smiled.

" Yeah, you're right." Hazel said as they stepped inside the lunch hall, which only had a few others inside, but it was warm and smelled of actual food. Hazel's stomach grumbled. After not feeling well for the past month, and not eating well, she finally realized how hungry she was and how inviting it smelled. When the two got their food with quiet chatter, they eventually sat down at a table near the window on the tent. Hazel slowly picked up the coffee mug and stared at it with tired eyes.

" I have never been happier to see a coffee mug," she whispered, before taking a gleeful sip of the liquid and letting it wash down her throat. Joe smiled.

" Did ya hear there's going to be a football game, on Christmas Day?" Joe asked her, as Hazel stuffed in a mouthful of oatmeal relishing the taste.

" Really?" she asked, her mind wandering a bit.

" I heard Mack might get involved with it, she seemed into it when she heard last night." Joe said.

" Yeah, not me." Hazel said shaking her head and sipping her coffee again, " I'll get mauled."

" I wouldn't let that happen," Joe said. Hazel smiled.

" Yeah, I know," she said swinging her legs like a child almost, " I'll just watch."

" Whatever you say, kid." Joe said as he ate his own spoonful of oatmeal.

" Hmph." came a noise and both Joe and Hazel turned to see Catherine, now sliding in next to Joe, a grumble upon her features, her hair still tangled and eyes sunken in.

" Well good morning to you too." Joe muttered.

" Shut it Toye." Catherine said, before sipping her coffee immediately eyes shutting at the taste.

" I have never been more thankful to be drinking this right now," Catherine said.

" Are you ok?" Hazel asked her. Catherine continued sipping her coffee with her eyes closed.

" Fine. Just fine, except I had to hear Chuck, snoring in my ear the entire night." Catherine said, looking at the two.

" I always got extra room in my bed," Joe offered, and Catherine glared at him, smacking his arm.

" Stuff it." scolded Catherine, before turning back to her coffee mug, " If I can just drink this in peace that would be lovely."

" 'Morning." a voice came and the trio turned and saw Chuck sliding in next to Hazel.

" Speak of the devil." muttered Catherine, going back to her food and coffee. Chuck raised a brow.

" Who pissed in your coffee?" Chuck said.

" Wouldn't you like to know." Catherine answered staring coldly at Chuck, who raised a brow.

" I'm sorry?" Chuck questioned.

" You better be, Charles. You snored in my ear the entire night, and I got no sleep. First time back in a bed and I hear you." Catherine said with narrowed eyes, as Chuck glanced to Hazel. Hazel shrugged.

" What side of the bed did you wake up on?" Chuck muttered.

" Clearly not mine." Joe said with a sarcastic shake of his head as Catherine shoved him in the shoulder again.

" I'm gonna throw your ass right out that window." Catherine snapped, as Joe smirked sipping his coffee, as Hazel smiled softly.

" Take that anger out on Chuck when you get into the football game." Joe commented, as Catherine turned to Chuck who looked so done with Clara at the moment.

" You just wait," Catherine said, before sipping her coffee, a playful look in her eyes. Chuck smirked. The day passed, filled with time off and much needed relaxation that Easy Company had missed.

But Hazel was upset that Joe Liebgott still wasn't back.

She sat on her bed as people played cards, as others shared a smoke or read letters. Had something happened and he was actually injured worse than he was? It made Hazel overthink.

" Hey there, kiddo." a voice said and Hazel looked up to see George Luz sliding into her bed next to her, " You doing ok? You seem quiet." Hazel nodded.

" Yeah, I'm fine." she said and she smiled softly. George gave her a crooked smile.

" He'll be here, don't worry." George told her and Hazel raised her brow a bit.

" Joe," George offered and Hazel sighed with a quiet nod.

" Yeah," she said, " he will." George smiled at her. Joking only came to a certain point where it was fine to joke around, but Hazel right now didn't look like she needed to hear any jokes. She looked like she just needed someone to sit there with her.

" How about this? I'll just sit here with you." George said as he wrapped an arm over her shoulder and she softly glanced up at him with a tiny smile, " Sit here, and you think about whatever's going on in that mind of yours, but I'll be here, just incase you need something."

" Thank you, George." Hazel said and George smiled at her softly and nodded. They sat there quietly together, and Hazel felt safe just having George beside her, not really caring that she didn't want to speak at all. His gently rubs on her shoulder were comforting, just like her mother used to do them and his soft glances were just to make sure she was ok. George was always there for everyone and she appreciated that.

The next day, Hazel ate breakfast with Lizzie before heading over to the shooting range with Shifty for a bit, before returning back to the tent. There was a good amount of free time, but with Christmas approaching, people were organizing football games on Christmas and parties and celebrations. it was something nice to look forward to as the Christmas holiday quickly approached.

Hazel was bored out of her mind lying down in the bed on her side, watching as Shifty attempted to read a letter, but was having trouble keeping his eyes open. It was quite funny to watch she felt. They'd been out all day at the shooting range, and that was exhausting.

" Guess who?" a voice asked and Hazel's eyes widened.

" The life size Hershey bar?" Hazel asked quietly, a small smile starting to bloom on her face.

" I think better than that." the voice said and Hazel slowly turned her head.

" Joe!" Hazel cried, shooting up from her bed to wrap her arms around his neck. She heard Joe laugh in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close. She cuddled her head into his neck, a small smile on her face, as she squeezed her eyes shut. She had missed him more than she thought.

" I missed you Joe." Hazel said quietly so only he could hear. She felt his chest rumble, he chuckled. He smelled like pine, a good pine scent, the one you smelled in winter in the mountains, sorta like when you would get a Christmas tree, and there was that familiar hint of smoke. It was comforting.

" I missed you more, Parker." Joe said and Hazel grinned. Hazel just squeezed him tighter in the hug, he was back and he was here. Joe settled back into the routine of things, and Hazel was glad. She was just glad that her best friend was back.

Practice sessions were held for the people that were taking part in the football game that would be held on Christmas Day. Hazel watched on the side, sitting alone on a bench as she watched the guys argue, then make teams and start practicing.

Catherine got a kick out of it, she did face paint as if it were war paint, and she started doing Currahee chants with her team, which consisted of Chuck, Joe Toye, Joe Liebgott, Tab, George, Johnny, Smokey, Alton, Skinny, and Forrest Guth. Hazel enjoyed watching the team attempt to play a group of Dog Company members, and it was nice to just see them all playing and having fun, and playing like there wasn't a war on.

Hazel saw Sergeant Jenkins wandering around with a few of the guys from Dog. Hazel watched them from over her shoulder, as the trio shared a smoke, snickering amongst each other.

Christopher Jenkins looked different.

There was a scar on his check, and his hair looked like it was cut different, like the movie stars, and there was this odd confidence he carried himself, probably from the war, but ever since his transfer to the 101st he was different. There were a few Viragos in the 82nd; Hazel wondered how they were, if they had met this guy. Hazel bit back her lip in the slight cold of the afternoon and looked back towards the practice field of all the guys.

She eventually trekked back to the barracks and slowly pulled out a piece of paper and her pencil. There weren't many people in the barrack and if so, some were resting. Hazel slowly pulled out a hard board that she could write against and gently put the pencil to the paper. She sat there, staring hard at the paper, worry trickling into her veins. She needed to do this, she needed to get over herself and put the pencil to paper.

Dear Father,

I received your letter right before my jump on D-Day. I am okay. I am fine. I am happy with my decisions. I can not accept your apology. I have thought about this moment for years, when I would finally receive a letter from you, when you would tell me you were sorry, genuinely and would be the father I've always wanted. But you're not. And that happens sometimes. Sometimes families don't work. I'm just upset I didn't get a letter sooner and the only time I get one from you is right before the day I could possibly lose my life. You went through many horrible things, but I can not respect your decision to leave a mother and her 8 year old child because you have your own issues. You left me. Why? Why would you leave your 8 year old child who loved you for you? Why would you do that? You leaving, forced me to grow up as an 8 year old and experience things that I should not have had to experience at that age. And you left my mother. You left her heartbroken with no explanation because you were simply doing this for yourself. Thank you for your letter but I can not accept that from a man I looked up to and once called my father. I hope that you live a better life than the one you had with your new family. But I'm not sorry for anything. This is on you.

Hazel Parker

Hazel's eyes welled with tears as she placed down the pencil and put her head in her hands, sucking in a shuddering breath.

Had she been too rude?

No, she'd been truthful and firm, letting him no she wasn't that scared, naive 8 year old anymore. Yes, he might've been her father, but he was the one that left not her. She was an adult now, an adult with her own thoughts and own morals. She didn't tolerate any of that. Her mother and her had long ago dropped his last name 'Hilton' and had reverted back to the last name Parker.

And that's why when she signed her name, she had felt a sense of pride. When this war ended, if it ended, she'd send a final letter, when her mind was clear of the horrors she had experienced, and seal off her goodbye.

And she was right.

Sometimes families seemed to work and then they didn't, but that was life.

Such is life.

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hey! :) sorry this chapter is out a bit later than i had wanted it to! but this update will be WORTH IT i promise!! many of you will be very happy by the end of this 4 chapter update today i just know it. thank you all for reading, commenting and voting!! i appreciate each and every one!