" 'There's too much risk in loving.' the young boy said.

'No.'

Said the old man.

' There's too much risk in not.'"

- Unknown

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Austria truly was an alpine paradise.

Everyone felt it was, just everything that encompassed Austria was so vastly different from any of the other places Easy Company had been. Aldbourne, Normandy, Holland, Mourmelon, Bastogne, Germany - Austria by far was the most beautiful.

Speirs' PT training was keeping up and keeping people fit, focused in on the fact there was a war on, that soldiers in the Pacific were still inevitably fighting the war that the world had been involved in.

Catherine got daily briefings from Speirs and then was transferred to Battalion for meetings with Dick and Nixon and then sometimes even Sink.

And each meeting went the same - Pacific this, Pacific that, make sure the men and women are ready.

But as promised, Hazel's birthday, July 22nd was a date no one were to miss.

When Hazel open her eyes, she was greeted to an empty barrack. No one from 2nd platoon was there, but their beds had been messily discarded, things strewn everywhere. Hazel looked around, slowly sitting up from her warm bed.

Had she missed wake up call? She swung her feet over the edge and instead of touching the ground she touch a box. Hazel's feet jerked upwards and she peered down, seeing a box with her name on top in Lizzie's handwriting. Hazel quirked her head to the side before leaning over to pick up the box and pull it up into her lap. Hazel looked at it and then gently lifted the box open. Hazel softly lent her hand into the box and slowly pulled out 3 picture frames. Hazel curiously unwrapped the wrapping around them and had to force down the tears at the first picture.

It was of her, Catherine and Lizzie, all in their Virago uniforms back in 1943, in April it seemed when they were in Europe together. They looked so much younger, so bright, so happy. Hazel let a smile cross her face as happy tears filled her eyes just looking at the photo.

Slowly placing it down, the next picture made her let out a laugh. It was of a group of them before D-Day, on one of their last nights before the jump - most of the guys from 2nd platoon, as they were getting ready for bed that night, some with wet hair, toothbrushes hanging out of their mouths, others with smirks as wide as the Grand Canyon. Hazel teared up seeing Bill and Joe Toye. She missed them.

Slowly placing down the frame she picked up the final photo and a tiny smile crossed her face. It was her and Lieb, back in 1943, on one of the visits to Swindon in late November. They both looked so young, but by that time, they were the best of friends already, annoying each other endlessly - now look at them. She felt nostalgic with the 3 photos. She'd grown so much, they all had. Her heart gave a soft, dull ache, but at the same time, she felt a sense of calm with those 3 photos.

They were of the people she loved.

" Hey," a voice said and Hazel looked up to see it was Joe. Her eyes lit up and a smile lit up her blushing cheeks.

" Joe!" she said as Joe gently shut the door before running across the room and immediately encasing her in a hug, collapsing on top of her onto the bed as she giggled in his ear. He held her tightly, not hesitating to press soft kisses to her cheek as she hugged him tightly.

" Joe, it tickles!" she squealed as Joe laughed against her cheek. Joe softly pulled up from Hazel as her bed head splayed around her head on the bed. Joe smirked.

" Happy Birthday," he whispered and Hazel smiled softly up at him. Joe softly pressed a kiss to her lips as she felt herself blush further.

Yeah, she was still getting used to the fact Joe and her could kiss, she felt so comforted by him.

Joe pulled back with a smirk.

" You look beautiful you know," Joe said and Hazel blushed.

" You're blushing," Joe said with a laugh and Hazel softly shoved at his shoulder.

" You're the one doing that, Lieb." she said and Joe let out a laugh as he softly laid down by her side and the two gazed at each other.

His eyes were wondrous she felt - she had never loved brown eyes more than she had when she looked at him.

" I can't believe I'm 21," she whispered softly and Joe smirked gently.

" It's because you're too goddamn pure for this world," Joe said and Hazel smiled with a giggle, rolling onto her side into his war embrace as Joe softly pressed a kiss to her head again as she snuggled into him.

" This was a nice gift," she whispered and Joe laughed, " but the pictures were nice too."

" You see the one from '43?" Joe asked her and she giggled.

" Yes," she said with giggles escaping from her mouth, " I didn't think you looked that young, Joe." Joe let out a laugh, before nuzzling his head into her neck.

" I don't remember you looking that cute either, Parker." he said and she giggled, cuddling him into her.

" You know, when this war ends, I wish we can have this, ya know? And I can wake up to you, not in a foxhole." she said and Joe laughed against her neck.

" That'd be nice," Joe said," knowing you're next to me." Hazel's hand found its way into his hair again and Joe sighed against her, making her heart warm.

" I've thought about life at home with you, Joe, away from all this," she whispered, " more than I probably should in a war like this." Joe smiled.

" When we get back, to the States, I'm taking you out on a real date, in San Fransisco, and I'll show you that place I was talking about, where you can see the stars by the city." Joe whispered,

" Just like you've always wanted." Hazel smiled.

" I've always wanted that more than anything, Joe." she whispered softly.

" I promise that I'll give that to you," Joe said softly back against her neck. Hazel softly let her eyes shut and for a moment it was just her and Joe, encased in each other's warmth together, the soft sunlight streaming in through the open windows, golden rays of light, gently dancing across their faces.

" I'd cuddle with you forever if there wasn't a group of paratroopers waiting for you." Joe said and Hazel smiled gently.

" You know I'd do the same," she whispered back.

" Catherine said there's an extra room, up in the officers' deck, just for the two of us tonight." Joe whispered, " I said yes." Hazel's heart missed a beat. A night with Joe was all she could wish for, for her birthday. She smiled softly.

" Then I can cuddle you even more." she whispered against his head and Joe let out a soft sigh, snuggling in for an extra tight squeezed.

" Joe, she up yet?" a knocking on the door came.

George.

" With all that knocking she is now!" Joe yelled back and Hazel laughed, making Joe smirk.

" C'mon," Joe said, softly helping her sit up, brushing her bed head from her face with a lazy smile," it's your birthday, we have the day off, it's time to celebrate you." Hazel watched him.

" But first," Joe said, gently pulling something out from his pocket, a slender envelope with a bow on the corner," this is for you. I have a few other things, but I only wanted you to see this." Hazel watched him as he gently placed the box in her hands. Hazel looked up at him with soft eyes.

" It's okay, open it," he said and Hazel gently leaned against his touch, as his arm wrapped around her. Hazel softly pulled open the envelope and pulled out what was inside.

" I know it's not much, but..." Joe started softly as Hazel pulled out a letter. She recognized the handwriting.

It was Grace's handwriting.

Grace Burnett's.

With Harry's right beside hers.

Hazel's eyes welled with tears suddenly as she turned and looked up at Joe with shining eyes.

" You contacted them?" she whispered, watching as Joe softly grinned at her, cupping cheek as a tear traveled along her soft skin.

" Yeah, just for you." Joe whispered.

" I love you, Joe." she whispered softly, watching him with tear filled eyes.

Grace and Harry had been like second parents to her, caring for her through everything, protecting her, making her feel like she were in an actual home. They had cared for her through the beginning of her training and her first campaign. She couldn't even describe the love they had made Hazel feel and with Joe contacting them, for her birthday, it made Hazel more emotional than she thought she could be.

" Read it," Joe urged her and Hazel let out a tiny laugh as she opened the letter up. Slowly pulling open the flap of the letter, Hazel felt her eyes well further.

And as she read, she never realized how much you could miss a person until suddenly you were consumed by them.

Their words resonated in her heart, each and every one hitting her heart over and over again, making a little part of her heart that had been so broken in this war mend back together.

But the part that hit her the most, she knew would never leave her mind.

War's always been this angry, hate-filled, persona, and upon receiving you the epitome of innocence, of a wise, young soul, of a gentle and caring person, of someone who held morals for humans and for herself, who let her emotions and the love in her heart be worn upon her sleeve, overshadow any of what the war could've possibly offered. You, Hazel, knew you were stronger than war, you knew that about yourself, even if on the outside you didn't. Deep down you knew you were stronger than what the war could possibly provide to you, both Harry and I knew that. And I still know to this very day that you hold the same standards about yourself. I know you'll never let this war take you over from the most beautiful you woman we've ever had the pleasure of meeting and loving.

The letter was what she needed on her birthday, a letter from people that loved her for who she was, a letter from people who had been complete strangers, but had all but taken her in as if she were one of their own and be the only reason Hazel didn't completely break getting back to Aldbourne after Normandy. Hazel softly look up at Joe.

" Thank you," she whispered softly to Joe. Softly cuddling into his side in the warm hug, Hazel felt that maybe finally there was more to this life than war. There was love in each and every form - a good love.

That day and night was some of the most fun Hazel had ever had. The bar was alive with life, there were presents, hugs and happiness everywhere. Something Hazel hadn't thought about in so long. There was dancing, food, drinks, Babe drunkly performing a song or two that quite possibly attracted more towns women than he thought, and just pure joy.

And of course, Lizzie and Catherine gave the warmest hugs, and the three of them even just got time to themselves before the boys got even crazier. The presents were some of the nicest things Hazel felt she had ever received, and of course Joe had snuck Hazel privately into the back, peppering his face with kisses before giving her the few gifts he had for her, just for her. Just a few little things that represented their friendship and their relationship in more ways that one. A Hershey's chocolate bar, as well as a star necklace Joe had found in one of the local stores, a load of pictures, consisting of everything from Aldbourne until now, some that made her laugh and others that made her tear up, but brought back the memories she missed more than anything.

And then Joe had to run out for a moment and come back with a bouquet of yellow flowers in his grasp, just like the ones he had brought her when she had been sick on the New Year and just like the ones on her birthday last year. Joe had always known these were her favorites.

But then came time for the year-long awaited drink that Tab had pledged he'd give Hazel on her birthday. Hazel sat staring at the white wine in front of her.

" I mean, if you don't want to, you don't have to, Hazel." Tab said as Joe, Lizzie, Catherine and George also crowded around. Hazel glanced at them.

" I want to," Hazel said, a determined expression masking her face, " I really want to."

" Take your time of course, it's your first one, it might burn..." Catherine said and Hazel glanced at her with a tiny smile. Slowing reaching forward, she let her hand wrap around the glass and then sucking in a tiny breath slowly tipped the glass back for a sip.

When it hit her lips and then her mouth, she was suddenly surprised?

At the taste?

And then the slight burn she got from even the slightest taste.

Pulling the cup down from her lips, her face twisted up into a slightly pained expression as the group awaited her reaction.

" That'll take some time to get used to." she said with a small, pained expression and the group broke out into chuckles, as Hazel giggled slightly, coughing a bit yet again at that burning sensation. Tab snickered.

" Was it worth the promise back in Normandy?" Tab asked her and Hazel felt a small smile spread on her face. She remembered her first jump as if it were yesterday. Hazel softly placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it softly.

" Every second." she said. Because it she got to be here with this same group at the end, she'd do it all over, as many times as she needed.

And she knew the others, the men they'd lost, the ones who had helped her in this journey, who had helped each other, they were in here in a spirit of the most unimaginable kind. Hazel softly peered over her shoulder and smiled.

For a moment she felt she saw Bill, Joe Toye and Babe playing darts again with Buck. She swore she saw Hoobler and Bull with a few replacements, laughing away at some joke Hoobler said. Or maybe Dukeman sitting with Smokey, Shifty and Alton, sipping beers and making a toast. There was even a distinct memory of Skip, Penkala and Malarkey, snickering in their little group, smiles on their youthful faces. Hazel softly bit back her lip.

Each of those men, the ones that were gone, the ones that were still alive, the ones that were here, each of them Hazel would love endlessly - no matter what. They were her brothers, they were the family she would've never suspected she would've gotten from anyone. It was more than what she felt she deserved.

But she had this company, this special group, these men and these women.

And their journey together, she couldn't have been more thankful for each and every lesson that she had learned, each and every painful experience that built her into who she was today.

Sometimes you had to break to let the light in, however many times you needed it to happen - light would always find a way into some of the darkest of times.

Hazel had to admit it, sneaking into the officer's quarters with Joe Liebgott was one of the most fun things she'd done in a long time. Of course, Catherine had been a wonderful distraction, but hearing Joe have to physically suppress his laughs the entire time they raced down the darkened hallway towards the room was the cutest and funniest thing she'd ever seen in her entire life. But they burst inside the room, laughs bubbling past their lips.

" You're laugh is seriously the funniest thing ever, Joe." she said, with bright red cheeks from the heat and from laughing as Joe chuckled.

" I just felt like I was in one of those old movies, with the prisoners escaping and stuff, you're laughing didn't make it any easier either." he said with a chuckle as Hazel giggled. The room was softly lit by a lamp in the corner and a gentle breeze traveling from the balcony towards them. it was all so peaceful.

Hazel's laughs suddenly faded as she looked towards the darkened balcony, the doors open with a view of lake Zell Am See, the moonlight and starlight glistening upon the water, a soft breeze blowing in, and tiny little lights around the mass of the lake lighting up the surface of the rippling water. Hazel softly stepped forward and Joe watched her with a soft gaze, that little smile quirked up on his lips. Hazel slowly let her hands rest against the cold balcony, before she softly let her gaze go up towards the stars.

They were so bright, so luminous, shining down on her, as all she could hear were crickets, their soft hum like that of any normal summer night.

Hazel smiled, curled her arms around herself as she looked down with soft eyes. She looked over at the figure beside her, Joe, gently leaning against the railing beside her, looking up at the stars with a soft smile of his own.

" I think the stars are trying to wish you a Happy Birthday as well." Joe said and Hazel giggled softly, her soft eyes peering up towards his own.

" Just you and me here is one of the best birthday presents," she whispered softly, " where there's no war for a moment, just us and the stars." Joe smiled softly at her, his hand softly cupping her cheek.

" I'm happy to be here with you two, Parker." he said with a smile. Hazel watched his eyes, how soft they truly were in this moment, softer than any other time in this war. She was happy too.

Once they got back inside the room, they had removed the main Class A tops- and instead sat with socked feet, Hazel in her skirt and collared shirt, Joe in his slacks and collared shirt, ties loosened, Hazel curled up in his side, softly letting her eyes rest as she lied against him, a lazy smile on her fast. She was so warm, content, and happy, she felt so safe against him, alone in this luxurious room, with a soft breeze blowing in, the chirping of the crickets, the soft songs playing on the radio and the slightly dimmed out lights. It was all so peaceful.

Hazel could listen to the thumping of Joe's heart all day if she could.

Just to hear it's soft, gentle pulse, one after the other right beside her heart. Hazel just loved being with him, she loved him.

That night, snuggled in Joe's arms, into his warm white shirt, listening to his soft heart beating over and over, his warm arms holding her close in the darkness of the night was all she wanted.

Joe knew she wasn't ready to take it further yet, he knew about what love meant to her and was willing to take it as slow as she needed, he loved her more than he could imagine.

Simply just having her in his arms, cuddled into one another, in the dark room, a warmth of just the two of them being alone, was comforting enough.

When Hazel opened her eyes the following morning, snuggled into Joe's side with a soft light glowing inside the room, a warm lake breeze, and the gentle snores filling her ears which came from Joe softly sleeping beside her, she smiled, yearning herself to snuggle closer to him, and just be with him.

Hazel let her eyes open a bit more and softly glanced up towards the sleeping Joe. She loved how innocent he looked when he slept, he was always at his softest in this time. But then she watched him smile, a lazy smirk spreading on his face as his eyes slowly managed to flutter open and he looked down at her with gentle eyes.

" Morning, beautiful." he whispered and Hazel blushed, a smile on her face.

" Hi, Joe." she whispered softly. She watched him with wide innocent eyes.

" I like waking up beside you, Joe," she whispered. Joe felt his smile spread.

" After this war, I want to wake up beside you in bed," she said softly, her eyes filled with hope.

" Then what do you say? You and me? San Fransisco?" Joe said and Hazel quite possibly felt her heart pound straight out of her chest.

Hazel couldn't up but grin as she sat up, wrapping her arms right around him and hugging him even closer, her heart racing. Joe let out a laugh, wrapping his own arms around her, pulling her closer, enjoying the feeling of her in his arms, the two of them on this beautiful morning, without a bother in the world. Hazel softly pulled back and looked down at him, cupping his face in her little hands as Joe had called it. Joe looked up at her, watching the golden sun gently spread across her fast, her soft breaths tickling his nose, her eyes glowing.

Then she softly pressed her lips to his, their kiss encasing one another in the soft morning light. Softly pulling back, their foreheads lightly laying against one another, Hazel and Joe laughed lightly to one another.

" Do you think we can visit my mom first?" Hazel asked softly, " She has her little farm market, and she has Daisy, but she'd really want to meet you." Joe watched her eyes, how close they were to his own, how he felt he could pick out each and every speck of blue in her eyes.

" I've always wanted to meet the woman who raised you, Hazel," Joe said softly, and Hazel smiled softly, meeting his gaze again. Hazel smiled softly again before not hesitating to press her lips to his, only to have more passion grow between the two than ever before.

A love that Hazel had dreamed about once, and never thought she'd get, but now she was sitting here with, her entire world in her little hands.

✰✰✰

lil baby hazel is 21 AHHH!! i feel like a proud mama seeing her grow up, and this chapter is just so important for her and joe's relationship IT MAKES ME SO SOFT AHHHH <3 this story has brought me so much joy, emotions and rawness, and i can't thank you all for being apart of the journey :)