" The love in our family flows strong and deep, leaving us memories to treasure and keep."

- Unknown

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San Francisco, California - October 4th, 1945

Hazel's wide blue eyes gazed up at the beautiful family home of Ashbury Heights, San Fransisco - with it's wide sidings, little windows aglow in the late afternoon light, candles set in each, an American flag hanging out front of the home, a few plants up the side of the home, a hopscotch drawing faded from rain, and a few chairs on the front porch.

" Joe, it's beautiful." Hazel whispered as she sat forward, letting her gaze soak up the front of the home. Joe softly leaned in beside her, by her shoulder and smiled.

" It's home," he said and Hazel grinned, softly glancing his way, " C'mon." Hazel softly leaned forward to open the door as the two soldiers clambered out onto the street together, standing side by side looking up at the beautiful home. Definitely one that had been taken care of and loved. It made Hazel smile softly as her eyes shone brightly.

" Here, I'll take it." Joe said going to help the taxi driver pull the suitcase from the trunk.

" Oh no, don't even bother, you two fought a war the least I could do is take your bags, especially with a Virago like you." the taxi driver said with a small smile and a nod to Hazel, as Hazel stood gently on the quiet sidewalk.

" You don't care that Viragos are women?" Hazel asked him quietly - she had expected a different reaction compared to that. The taxi driver grinned.

" You fought for our country - it doesn't matter age, race, gender, you fought for our flag - people should realize that's all that matters." the taxi driver said and Hazel softly smiled at him before sending her eyes to Joe who watched her with even gentler eyes. Adoration. He tended to look at her more like that now than ever.

" You two head up to the house, I've got this." the taxi driver said fusing a bit, making a show of swatting his hands in the general direction of where the house was. Joe and Hazel smiled softly, before Joe turned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they approached the home. They took it slowly up the steps and Hazel even took time to notice all the little intricacies of the home and its architecture. The door was made of pure oak, and the handle shined a gentle golden - it all looked freshly cleaned. Hazel let out a soft breath and Joe squeezed her shoulders gently.

" They'll love you, I promise. I didn't say that I was like my momma for nothing - she loves the quiet types." Joe said and Hazel felt the tops of her cheeks go pink for a minute, which Joe of course, loved with all his heart.

Joe softly knocked against the door as the taxi driver dropped the bags at their feet and refused the cash tip - they were soldiers - they had paid enough of the price. Hazel heard footsteps on the opposite side of the door and she watched the golden handle slowly turn, before swinging open.

And on the other side, stood a woman, an inch or two taller than Hazel, dark brown almost black hair pulled back into a low, messy bun with a few strands on her strained and slightly wrinkled cheeks. And the eyes - they were as if they were Joe's - dark, deep brown, full of love and strength.

" Joseph?" the woman whispered and Hazel softly cast her gaze up to Joe, who couldn't help but break as he slowly fell into his mother's arms. Hazel had to bite back her lip and control the swell of tears that filled her eyes as she watched Joe hug his mother with so much love, such a powerful motherly love unlike anything else.

And his mother held him in that warm grasp, holding her son, back from war. Hazel's vision grew blurry as she forced herself not to cry at the sight. Joe slowly pulled back from his mom, who softly cupped his cheek and looked up at him with so much love.

" You're back." she whispered and Joe nodded.

" For good, Mom." he said softly and his mother smiled, before her warm gaze grew even warmer looking at Hazel.

" Aren't you just the most precious thing." she said as she stepped forward, " You must be Hazel, please, call me Mary." Hazel softly grinned at her and Mary smiled.

" It's nice to meet you, Mary." Hazel said with a soft grin and Mary grinned.

" You truly are adorable, come here, come here." she said and Hazel didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around Mary as Mary did the same, the two women hugging and holding onto one another for too many inexpiable reasons.

For a mother, it was for a woman like Hazel to love her son and protect him through a war.

For Hazel, it was for a mother to care for him as much as she did, for making him who he was. Mary softly pulled back and gently cupped Hazel's face, as if she were a proud mother.

" You are just such a beautiful young woman, look at those eyes." Mary said and Hazel softly smiled at her. Hazel could see Joe out of the corner of her eye watching the two women he loved the most stand right in front of him.

" You have to come inside, I started on dinner not too long ago, and you know your father and his dinner. And you have to meet everyone, they'll love you." Mary said and Hazel smiled as Mary looked between her son and Hazel, " Stephen will get the bags, where ever that boy is, lord have mercy on my soul. I need it." And Hazel and Joe chuckled as Mary laughed.

" C'mon, c'mon," she said leading the two inside the sweet smelling home with the beautiful oak staircase by the entrance. Mary leaned against the staircase where a chandelier was aglow above it.

" Stephen Harold Liebgott!" Mary yelled up the stairs. Hazel and Joe heard a crash from upstairs, signaling Mary and her loud voice had clearly just scared the soul out of the person upstairs.

" Yes, mother!" the voice called back, slightly sarcastic.

Oh boy was it Joe in teenage form.

" I have a surprise for you!" Mary called with a slight smirk back to the two. Joe got that smirk from his mom, Hazel could just tell.

" Please if you think chocolate will bribe me-" the voice appeared at the top of the stairs, looking exhausted and not too in the mood for anything, cutting off almost immediately. Hazel watched Stephen - it was like Joe, only a few years younger, and more youthful.

" Joe!" Stephen yelled, tearing down the stairs and straight into his brothers arms, wrapping his big brother in a tight hug and chuckling the entire time as Joe let out a boyish chuckle holding his brother tightly in his grasp. Hazel couldn't help but feel a shy smile grow on her lips as she glanced towards Mary who stood grinning.

" Boys," she said and Hazel chuckled.

" Dude," Stephen said pulling back, " you didn't tell me you got a girlfriend." Stephen slapped Joe's arm as Joe slapped his back.

" Do you even read the letters I send Mom and Dad? I clearly put your name on there too." Joe complained back as Stephen grumbled. Then he turned to Hazel, and his eyes lit up.

" Hazel!" he said and he couldn't help but wrap her in a warm hug, similar to Joe's in many aspects. Stephen pulled back.

" It's so nice to finally meet you, I was wondering who Hazel was when Mom read the most recent letter." Stephen said and Hazel laughed lightly.

" That's me," she said.

" No way! Are you a Virago?"

" Yep, since '42." she said and his eyes widened.

" Dude you're so badass." Stephen said and Mary smacked him.

" Stephen Harold Liebgott, no cursing in my household or I'll whoop you to Alcatraz." his mother bit at him.

" Oh, I'm so scared." Stephen mocked, before looking at the two, " real scared." Joe and Hazel chuckled as Mary just shook her head.

" C'mon you two, let's get you settled, I'm sure the girls will be happy to see you two and of course Dad." Mary said leading the two into the home.

" If I had more common sense maybe I'd be able to explain where all of these paintings come from but sadly that gene skipped my generation." Stephen said with a winning smirk to Hazel as Joe rolled his eyes.

" Clearly," muttered Joe as Hazel just chuckled, softly taking her hand in his.

" Well take that common sense and go bring in their bags, God won't do it himself." Mary said, directing Stephen back towards the door.

" But Mom-"

" But Stephen..." her mother whined back, pointing a finger to the door.

" Alright, alright." Stephen said as Hazel just chuckled softly to herself, glancing towards Joe who snickered.

" Carbon copy was right," Hazel said as Joe laughed lightly as they moved past the office and dining room towards where the kitchen and living space was.

And when they entered the living space, it seemed it was where everyone else was. And almost immediately the 4 girls and the person Hazel assumed was Joe's father all jumped up in complete and utter surprise, calling out to both of them, which surprised Hazel. And to Hazel's surprise she was almost immediately being hugged which made her smile.

" You two are both here!" the girl who was hugging Hazel squealed before pulling back and looking at her, " And you are absolutely beautiful Hazel, oh my gosh!" Hazel smiled softly with a slight laugh as another girl hurried into view, hugging Hazel tightly, squealing.

" Ah! I'm so glad to finally meet you, I've been dying to." she squealed pulling back and squealing again.

" You squeal anymore, Barb and you'll become a pig." the first one said as 'Barb' groaned with a roll of her eyes.

" Ignore her, I'm Barbara, but you can call me Barb, friends call me that." Barb said. Her eyes were a soft brown, almost a Hazel compared to Joe's darker ones, and her hair was his color as well, as it seemed everyone in the family wore similar smiles consistently on their lips.

" It's nice to meet you, I'm Hazel, but you're brother tends to call me Parker more often." Hazel said and the two girls squealed.

" Even your voice is adorable, Hazel, it's no wonder my brother fell for you." Barbara said.

" I'm Anna," Anna said with a bright smile - her eyes the same as Joe's, with the same colored hair as the rest of the family, two dimples in her cheeks, " and your voice has to be the cutest thing in the world."

" Aw, thank you." Hazel said, with a smile as the two girls grinned.

" It's no wonder Joe loves you, Hazel, really - his last entire letter was 5 pages about you, if you didn't know." Barbara said, " It's so nice to see Joe, just purely happy, even after this war. He was real angry before he left with it all, so seeing him home, with you, happy, it's all we want." Hazel smiled softly and then glanced towards Joe who was joking around with his dad and two other sisters, who kept glancing towards Hazel with even more loving eyes. Hazel grinned.

" Dad! Dad! This is Hazel!" Barbara called as Anna shoved her shoulder.

" Could you say it any louder." Anna complained as Barbara poked out her tongue.

" Hazel!" Joe's dad called, coming over to her, " Oh it is so nice to finally meet you, we've been hearing about you for so long!" Hazel let a wide grin spread across her face as Joe's father gently and carefully hugged her like she were a piece of glass.

Joe's father, Joseph like his son, had to be one of the kindest souls Hazel had ever seen, with bright, glowing eyes, and a gentle touch and a calming presence. Just someone loved by everyone and who loved everyone back.

" It's so nice to finally meet you too." Hazel said and Joe's father pulled back with a smile on his older looking slightly rinkled face.

" My, aren't you are such an innocent thing," her father said with a wise smile that reminded Hazel of her dziadek's and Hazel grinned. Hazel noticed another girl coming towards her with a wide smile on her face.

" It's nice to finally meet you, Hazel!" she said as she encircled Hazel in a warm hug, " I'm Mary."

" And I'm Elizabeth." the other said coming up with a similar smile, and bright, shining eyes as Mary pulled back. Hazel was immediately caught up in a hug by Elizabeth, which made Hazel think of Lizzie in that moment - Hazel missed her hugs. Elizabeth pulled back as Joe gently came forward to wrap an arm over Hazel's shoulder as she felt herself blush the slightest bit.

" Oh please tell me you two are going to get married and we can have adorable nieces and nephews!" pleaded Barbara, as Anna smacked her arm with a look, watching as both Hazel and Joe grinned, slight blushes splotched across both their faces.

" Alright, alright, you don't have to embarrass them anymore, Hazel, dear, Joe, would you two like something to drink?" Joe's mother asked, entering from the kitchen.

" Water's fine, thank you." Hazel said.

" Yeah, I'll take some too, Mom." Joe said and Mary smiled.

" Alright, you two get settled," Mary said, " and please don't embarrass them further while I'm in the kitchen. " And the group burst into chuckles.

" C'mon we have plenty of seats, I've been dying to hear about you two." Elizabeth said, leading the two over to the couch, as a groan echoed from the hallway where Stephen had been.

" Lord, thank you for not breaking my back." he said as he stepped into the kitchen before moving into the family room with a sigh. Then he noticed everyone getting settled.

" Ooooh yay! It must be story time of how my brother managed a beautiful woman like this." Stephen said squeezing in beside his father who glared at him.

" Behave yourself, son." Joe's dad threatened him as Joe gave a look to Stephen who rolled his eyes. The sisters giggled together as Hazel felt Joe's grip around her shoulders give her a tight, gentle squeeze.

Almost immediately it was the 4 sisters asking just about every question under the sun, but the one that popped up the most, thank god for the want to avoid mainly the war and conversations based on that, they were interested in Hazel and Joe and when they realized they loved each other. it was like listening to a bunch of lovesick teenagers - which it kinda was as Joe had once said.

" We know that the war isn't a good topic of discussion, no one wants to talk about war, but you two, just talk about you two because the war it's over and you two deserve to be happy." Barbara said sitting forward with a soft smile as the rest of the family members in the room smiled.

" So....who fell first?" Anna said sitting up with an excited grin, her eyes glowing. Hazel let out a giggle, blushing madly before glancing up at Joe. And all the girls gasped.

" Joseph!" cried out Elizabeth, " It was you! You never fall first!"

" STOP! REALLY! Joe you truly are a softie, I always knew you were!" Mary squealed as Hazel looked towards Joe who blushed furiously.

" I can't believe in my 17 years, this is one of the first times I've seen you blushing, Joe." Stephen said, before looking at his sisters, " Do it again." The group chuckled and Hazel let out a laugh as Joe's father let out a bellowing chuckle.

" I'm your father and I've never seen you blush, Joe." his father said as Joe just scratched his neck with a tiny chuckle which made Hazel's heart sore.

" Not everyday you meet someone like Hazel," Joe said and the 4 girls in the room practically died on the spot.

" And you're sentimental, Hazel what do you do to him?" Barbara said squealing with a soft sigh. Hazel let out a laugh as Joe could only blush further.

" I don't know," she answered and the 6 all laughed loudly.

" Alright, alright, I did fall first," Joe said as his sisters sighed with joy.

" How did you know?"

" Let him finish his sentence."

" HOW did you fall?"

" Children, please, let him speak. He comes back with the love of his life and is bombarded with questions, please for the love of Chirst breathe." their father said and she heard Mary's bellowing laugh from the kitchen which made Hazel giggle a bit.

" Right, right, my turn first, because I am excited and we know I have no self-control," Barbara said.

" Yeah we know, Barb." Stephen muttered as Joe's Dad gave him a gentle slap on the arm. Yep, carbon-copy of Joe Liebgott. Hazel smiled.

" She's a bit of a hopeless romantic," Anna said and Barbara blushed, " Chasing after Robert Adler."

" Hey!" Barbara scoffed, " Leave me alone!"

" Anna leave her alone." their father said and Anna smirked as Barbara scoffed shaking her head.

" It's okay," Hazel said, " loving people is what humans need in life, even in war, darkness, all of it, it's cute." Barbara softly smiled and felt her heart warm as Joe softly glanced down at Hazel beside him.

" Thank you, Hazel." Barbara said and Hazel nodded with a small smile.

" I always thought love was scary but once I met your brother, i didn't believe that anymore. I've always thought that all humans were capable of love in their own ways, I say go for it if you ever get the chance." Hazel said and Barbara felt her smile grow, as the room grew soft and quiet.

" You're wise beyond your years." Mary said with a gentle smile as Hazel looked towards her with a soft grin, " I admire that." Hazel blushed a bit and glanced towards Joe who was already looking at her. He always had too.

And by dinner that night, the table was filled with each family member, laughs and joy and happiness and delicious food made by Mary, using Joe's grandmother's recipe for many things. The wine was delicious and Hazel even took it with a smile - she loved white wine more than she thought she would. And Hazel loved Joe's family. They all were funny in their own ways, but fiercely loyal and caring and Hazel seemed to get that they already loved her.

Joe knew his family loved Hazel already just by the way with every starting of conversation, they made sure Hazel got a say. And his dad even loved her. All women in Joe's life in the past before the war, had made his father quiet at dinner, but now his dad couldn't stop talking and he laughed at everything Hazel said. It made Joe smile. And his sisters were practically obsessed because they knew Hazel was a female sniper AND a Virago.

Anna had wanted to become a Virago when news broke, but Mary had mentioned how the war was over. That had gotten a good laugh in the room. Yeah Hazel loved the Liebgotts more than she could imagine.

After dinner, Hazel had offered to help Mrs. Mary Liebgott with the dishes and Mary had smiled so wide and immediately shifted over to give her room by the sink with her as the rest of the Liebgotts trailed out to the family room. Hazel softly scrubbed against a plate until it was clean before passing it to Mary with a smile, who took it with a soft, motherly grin.

" You know, Hazel," Mary started as Hazel softly glanced up towards her, " I've never seen Joe as...happy as he's been, so loving, so caring. I mean of course, he's my son and I know just about every thing inside and out about him, but the way he is with you, I've never seen him like that before and it makes my heart warm to just see how much he loves you." Hazel blushed softly, a genuine smile sparking her lips lightly, as she shyly bent her head.

" He's just...through the war, I never knew how much I needed someone like him in my life, he just makes me so happy and I feel so loved around him." Hazel said gently, " I've always believed that he's a good man." Mary softly watched Hazel and smiled.

" You have such a good heart yourself." Mary said, gently placing a hand on Hazel's shoulder and squeezing it, " I know you make him happy, I know you do." Hazel smiled softly and gently let her hand place itself over Mary's.

" I'll always love him," Hazel whispered, " through a war, through all the darkness and pain we saw, I know I'll always love him." Mary watched Hazel and Hazel watched tears fill Mary's eyes.

" I've just always wanted him happy, after all he's been through as a child," Mary said, wiping at her eyes and fanning at her face, " and with you, he's happy, so happy and it makes me smile." Hazel softly smiled and placed down the cloth before taking Mary into a warm hug.

" I love him for who he is," Hazel whispered, " and I know what it is to be loved for a simple idea of yourself, but Joe, I love him for who he is." Mary and Hazel slowly pulled back and Mary looked up at Hazel with soft eyes.

" Thank you for loving my baby boy." she whispered and Hazel smiled, biting back her shaking lip.

" He saved me more than once in that war." Hazel whispered, " And he made me feel loved when I didn't love myself, your son is one of the most incredible people I've ever met." Mary let a smile pass through her lips as she couldn't help but bring Hazel in for another warm and comforting hug.

" You already feel like my daughter-in-law." Mary said and Hazel let out a soft laugh into her shoulder which made Mary laugh.

Pulling back the two women turned to see Joe standing there, leaned up against the post, arms crossed, a small smirk set on his lips with a gentle set of eyes, a relaxed fatigue coming over him. Hazel softly glanced at Mary before the two women looked back at Joe.

" Hi." Hazel said and Mary watched as Joe slowly stepped forward, the grin on his lips growing with each second he gazed at Hazel standing in his presence. She had never seen her son so in love, but Mary herself could tell how much the two loved each other. It made her heart so warm.

" You haven't scared her yet have ya Mom?" Joe said wrapping an arm around Hazel's shoulders and couldn't help but press a kiss to Hazel's temple making Hazel blush deeply and Mary smack his arm.

" Joseph!" she said and Joe laughed as Hazel giggled.

" I told her you cursed me out in German, didn't know -"

" Joseph David Liebgott, I am still your mother and will send you to your room." Mary said as Joe just chuckled and shook his head. Mary then chuckled a soft laugh and shook her head.

" I've just been gushing over Hazel really, you truly are so pure, Hazel, dear." Mary said and Hazel smiled at her.

" She is, isn't she?" Joe said, squeezing her shoulder. Mary smiled just looking at the two.

" So, any plans coming up?" Mary asked the two. Joe grinned.

" I can finally take Hazel on our first date that isn't in the middle of Europe." Joe said and Mary laughed lightly, making Hazel smile.

" And what about the home, that we talked about?" Hazel said softly, looking up at Joe with wide, wondrous eyes. Joe grinned down at her, holding himself from fully pressing his lips to hers right in front of his mother.

" And we want to move in together, here in San Fran, maybe even start a life." Joe said and Mary couldn't help but let out a squeal.

" Are you serious!!" she squealed out, putting her hands to her mouth as Hazel giggled softly.

" Yes, yes, mom, calm down, it's okay." Joe said as Mary couldn't stop.

" Oh don't you tell me to calm down my baby boy's all grown up!" she said as Joe couldn't fight the second shade of blush on his cheeks.

" So, where do you think you'll be looking?" Mary asked.

" Possibly over the Golden Gate, in Sausalito, or just around here, we want to stay here though," Joe said and Hazel grinned up at him.

" Maybe you could take your father with you, he's been around more times than I could count working with people on foreclosing homes, and I'm sure there's plenty of open homes everywhere." Mary said and the duo grinned, " You could even head out within the next few days, he's off from work this week and you know he's always happy to give a tour of homes, as well as where you can can save money." The duo chuckled.

" I'll ask him, sound good?" Joe asked Hazel and Hazel nodded against him with bright eyes.

" Yes," she said with glowing eyes.

A life with Joe.

Months ago in Haguneau she remembered sitting there, a complete and utter emotional mess, with conflicted emotions of grief and complete utter pain, and the inability to believe she could make it out of this war alive, because all she wanted was a life after this, a good one, a life with Joe Liebgott.

And now here she was and all she wished for it to never change from this - she wanted to be with Joe forever, even in death.

It made her not fear death as much as she used to in war.

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this chapter made me SOFTTTTTTT I LOVED WRITING IT!!!! and felt is was much deserved especially after a war :) i can't thank you all enough for reading and enjoying the story, leaving comments and votes that just makes me smile, it means the world!!