Epilogue

"That night, I took time to thank God for seeing me through that day of days and prayed I would make it through D plus one. And, if somehow, I managed to get home again, I promised God, and myself, that I would find a quiet piece of land someplace and spend the rest of my life in peace"- Retired Major Richard "Dick" Winters

To say the Roes had an easy life would be false. Like all people, they had their struggles and pains, but they chose to focus on what they had, versus what they had lost. They took their adversities and their joys and made their own lives.

When Adam was 18 years old, he followed in his parents' footsteps and joined the United States Army. After training, he was immediately deployed to Vietnam. He was ecstatic to have his childhood friend, and Guarnere's son, Eugene, in the same platoon. Ironically, they were both assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, which had been re-activated in 1954. The second generation eagles fought well and hard, upholding the feared reputation their parents had created. In Vietnam, they were considered one of the deadliest units, and one of the most successful.

In war, Adam experienced all the horrors, trials, pains, joys, and comradeship his parents had felt in Europe. He felt victory and the simple joys of surviving through the night, or getting a clean pair of socks. He faced anguish, having witnessed one of his best friends, Remy Deschenes, killed. He had sat under a foreign sky, crying to his mother, doubting whether he would make it home. Adam served until the end of the war in 1975. He was 25 years old.

He and Eugene Guarnere, whom he considered a brother, returned home where their sacrifices and suffering were sneered and debated by some of the public. Their families, however, welcomed them home with open arms, and a huge celebration that lasted three days. Adam could only remember the first day.

Adam lived with his father as he battled the same demons and sense of loss and purposelessness that plagued his parents after their war. His father and uncles helped him and returned him back to a civilian life. Adam later confessed to his father that he never fully understood Europe, or the sacrifices his parents had made, he thought he had understood, but he understood now. He recognized that dull, haunted look in the Eagles' eyes; it was the same look that greeted him when he looked in the mirror.

He worked with his father in the construction business before he moved to New Orleans and became a police officer, obtaining the job his mother was denied. Adam married his childhood sweetheart, Emilie, and had five children together; one set of boy twins, three other boys, and one girl. They were named Chris and Remy, George, Warren, and Henrietta, whom they nicknamed Chucky. Adam was a great father who instilled the lessons and values his parents had taught him.

Adrienne took after her father and turned her attention to medicine. She became one of the first female doctors in the state. Her uncles all joked they would have to call her "Doc" now, instead of Roe. It was a title her father was proud to pass on. The day she received her doctorate, Roe gave her Griest's pocket watch. It still had the bullet embedded on the front. However, her career was not easy; she faced the same oppression and discrimination her mother experienced, but she persisted. She moved from clinic to clinic before landing a permanent job at the local hospital. She was a good doctor who could communicate with the wounded, both mentally and physically, patients the other doctors had given up on. She later started her own clinic.

She remained in Baton Rouge and lived only a block away from her father. She remained heavily involved in her uncles' lives and helped plan, organize, and coordinate the Easy Company reunions. She married another doctor and had two boys and one girl: William, Faye, and little Edward. Like her mother, she made sure her children knew the price of freedom and of the men who gave it all.

As Easy Company grew older, they slowed down but maintained their tight bonds. They continued their reunions and remained in close contact with another long after the war had passed. They visited another often and even became "uncles" to the second generation. Uncle Luz and Uncle Guarnere, for example, were part of Adam's and Adrienne's weddings.

Just as Griest's life continued after the war, the same happened to her brothers. They each had their own lives with their own ordeals and victories.

Buck Compton turned to a career in law; first, as a police detective, then later became a lawyer. His most famous case was the prosecution of Sirhan Sirhan for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy. He retired in 1990 after being appointed to the California Court of Appeal. Buck died in his daughter's home on February 25, 2012.

David Webster became a reporter for several newspaper companies. He later began working on a book about sharks, and was lost at sea on September 9, 1961, leaving behind his wife and several children. After his disappearance, his wife published his wartime diaries, providing a firsthand look into the life of a paratrooper in World War 2.

John Martin went to school to become a railroad construction worker. He moved to Phoenix, began his own construction company, and became a millionaire. He died on January 20, 2005.

Frank Perconte returned home and worked as a postal worker, reuniting with his wife and children for the first time in three years. His son particularly found his wounded ass hilarious, but not his wife. Perco died on October 24, 2013.

Joe Liebgott went to San Francisco and drove his cab before moving to LA and becoming a barber. He went on to have eight children. Lieb kept to himself and never attended any of the Easy reunions, but kept in contact with Adam. He would often write the boy during his service and gave him advice, advice Adam claimed saved his life. Liebgott died on June 28, 1992.

Bull Randleman went to trade school and eventually became a service manager for a Caterpillar equipment dealership. He became a successful businessman, got married, and had two children. He lived in Louisiana for several years, working as a constructor contractor superintendant. He visited the Roes often during that time; Adrienne babysat his kids, and later, became their doctor. He moved to Arkansas and died on June 26, 2003, from a staph infection.

Darrell "Shifty" Powers became a machinist for several companies all over the USA. He married and actively attended the reunions. Shifty died on June 17, 2009, in Virginia from Lung Cancer.

After attending Griest's funeral, Floyd Talbert attended a few reunions, but kept to himself. When he did speak, he told stories of his wife and children; he even brought them and introduced his family to the eagles of his past. He struggled with alcoholism for several years, but was able to manage his drinking before his death on October 10, 1982.

Carwood Lipton went to school, obtained a degree in Engineering, and was hired by Owen Illinois Inc. He moved up the ranks quickly and became chief operator in 1952. He moved to Europe for several years with his wife, working for several glass companies. He retired and moved to North Carolina. He helped the Roe children throughout their lives and became like a second father to them, and was very close to their children. Lipton died on December 6, 2001, of pulmonary fibrosis.

Ronald Speirs remained in the army after World War 2. He fought in Korea and was involved in several successful operations. After, he was the liaison for the Red Army in Easy Germany, and later, became the governor of a German prison. After intimidating the men of Easy Company, controlling prisoners was an easy task. If a prisoner was acting up, all he had to do was offer them a cigarette. He returned to the States and trained soldiers while working for the Pentagon before retiring as a lieutenant-colonel in 1964. Speirs used his old contacts and looked out for Adam and Eugene Guarnere during their years of service. Speirs died on April 11, 2007.

Lewis Nixon experienced several failed marriages after the war, but everything changed when Griest introduced him to Grace. After their wedding, he settled down and beat his alcoholism. The pair never had any children together. Nixon died on January 11, 1995. At Grace's request, Winters presented his friend's eulogy.

Babe Heffron and Guarnere maintained their friendship long after the war. Babe worked several jobs in Philadelphia, including working at a whiskey distillery, clerking, checking cargo, and working on the Philly waterfront. He had troubles celebrating Christmas and found himself thinking about the friends he had lost in Bastogne. He died on December 1, 2013.

Donald Malarkey went to school and obtained his degree. He also met and married his wife. They had several children together. Malark worked in real estate and insurance for a time. Afterwards, he went into public speaking and spoke about the war to high school and college students. He conducted several leadership seminars before retiring from public speaking in 2012. He is the oldest surviving Eagle; still kicking at 96 years old.

Joseph Toye worked as a drill bit grinder despite his prosthetic limb. He was married twice and had three children, and seven grandchildren. He died of cancer in 1995 where Winters delivered his eulogy at his funeral. Toye was buried beside his wife and son.

Bill Guarnere worked several jobs as he fought the government to receive his benefits and secure a full disability. Afterwards, he threw away his prosthetic limb and retired. He married his childhood sweetheart and had two children with her. He was proud when his son became best friends with Adam; Eugene Guarnere moved to New Orleans and joined the police force, becoming partners with his wartime brother. He was now "Uncle Eugene" to Adam's children. Guarnere worked with Adrienne to organize the reunions, and helped her throughout the deaths of both her parents and throughout her life. He once went after a man who harassed Adrienne at work. Adri never had a problem with the man ever again. Wild Bill died on March 8, 2014, from a ruptured aneurysm at 90 years old.

George Luz settled in West Warwick and got married, finally meeting Miss Big- Tits. He visited the Roes often and always bought the second generation Roes, and later third generation, a fancy, flaming dessert and a nice steak. Luz worked as a maintenance consultant and died on October 15, 1998, when a 7,200 lb. dryer fell on top of him, killing him instantly. The Roe children greatly mourned the loss of one of their mother's best friends. At his funeral, Luz's children were shocked to see medals pinned to his chest, and sought answers from Winters. They never even knew he had them, or what they were for. 1,600 people attended the funeral to pay their respects.

Richard "Dick" Winters was the best leader Griest had the honour of serving. After the war, Winters worked for Lewis Nixon and rose up to general manager in 1950. During that time, he returned to school and got married. In 1951, he was called back to service for the Korean War. He convinced General McAuliffe to keep him in the states, where he trained officers and rangers. He was later discharged from the army. He and his wife bought a farm where they built a home and raised their two children. Winters started his own company selling animal feed before retiring in 1997. He conducted several lectures at West Point and received several commendations for his actions and leadership in World War 2. Winters died on January 2, 2011, from Parkinson 's Disease. On June 2, 2012, they unveiled a bronze statue in Winters' likeness near the village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France. At Winters' request, the monument was dedicated to all the junior officers who served and died during the Normandy landings.

Eugene Roe remained in Baton Rouge and helped raise his grandchildren. He had dinner with Adrienne almost every night and often made the trip to New Orleans to visit his son and other grandchildren. It was hard to see his son go to war, but gave him his mother's and his own dog tags for luck. He also struggled with how Adrienne was treated at work, but supported his children the best he could.

There was never a day where Gene didn't think of his wife, and greeted each memory with the same bittersweet tears. He spent each night on the rooftop, talking to the stars; even at 70 years old, his children would find him on the roof. However, he did not let his loss hold him back. Despite his quiet nature, he kept busy and remained in the construction business until his retirement. On the anniversary of Griest's death, he left a single flower at her grave. He never remarried.

Eugene Roe died on December 30, 1998, from Lung Cancer, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Voices lightly filled the house in gentle whispers as if afraid of rousing a sleeping babe. The members of Easy had gathered once again to mourn the loss of one of their own. A friend, one who had saved their lives multiple times throughout the war, and never asked for anything in return, except maybe some scissors.

"He found boots for Toye in Bastogne, remember that?" Malarkey muttered with teary eyes. He had found he had gotten more emotional the older he got.

The others nodded as Perco chuckled, "I wanna know where he found those anyways. You know, he never gave me my scissors back." He released a shaky sigh and took a long drink of whiskey. "He needed them more than I did."
"Are you both okay?" Lipton turned away from the enlisted men and faced the officers. The officers had assembled near Adam and Adri, watching as Adam and Eugene Guarnere spoke in gentle tones, and Adri watched her older children carefully. William and Faye were sitting at the table, talking to Uncle Shifty and Uncle Babe gently.

"Yeah," Adam cleared his throat as he shrugged. War had hardened him, but tears still lined his eyes. "We knew this was coming. We got to say goodbye. I just wish we hadn't lost Uncle Luz only two months ago. It's too close together."

Adri nodded, looking away from her kids as the taste of the flaming dessert filled her mouth. Uncle Luz had visited them only a week before his accident. She felt bad for Luz's children; her brother was right, they had a chance to say their farewells. Being Roe's doctor, she was the one who diagnosed the cancer and tried to treat it. Considering his age, she knew the chance of beating the cancer was very low. However, that knowledge did not make her loss any better. She missed him.

As if sensing her thoughts, Winters reached over and squeezed her shoulder as the other Eagles materialized around them, lending their strength and support. She looked around and smiled at each of their faces, briefly wondering what her life would be like without them. She didn't like it.

"Dad," Adam's oldest twin, Remy, called as he stepped into the circle, followed by his siblings and youngest cousin, "Chucky and Edward can't sleep." His youngest sibling and youngest cousin stared up at the adults with wide, sorrowful eyes.

Adri knelt before the pair and smiled gently, "What's wrong?"

The pair shared a look before Edward spoke, wiping at his dark blue, almost black eyes. "I miss grand-père."

Adri released a breath as she held her son and looked up to her brother. The same helplessness, uncertainty, and loss echoed in his eyes as he looked to have aged two years. He had looked older since the war, but the past few days had been hard on him. Adam nodded, agreeing to her unspoken suggestion. They had talked about this moment for years, but now the kids were old enough to understand. It was time.

"Guys, follow your aunt outside," Adam uttered gently as Adri's other children joined them. Adri slowly made her way to the back door as Adam addressed his other family. "Uncle Buck, Uncle Winters, we'll be right back."

Speirs looked up from George Roe and asked knowingly, "The roof?" As a youth, he had spent countless hours beside Chris under the stars. Adam nodded shortly as the Eagles flashed each other understanding glances.

"We'll be back," Adam promised, kissing his wife's cheek. Emilie nodded sympathetically as Adri brushed her hand against her husband, James' shoulders. Then, they stepped outside.

Roe was true to his word and built a ladder. After a decade, the paint was chipped and splintered as the ladder creaked and bent with each step, at least, for the older ones. The family helped each other up as the older children kept the younger ones away from the edge.

"C'mon, gather around." The kids sat around Adam and Adri as Edward crawled into his mother's lap and young Chucky leaned her head on her father's forearm. George and Warren sat beside Faye as Chris, Remy, and William sat farther out, glancing at their parents.

Adam met their gazes before continuing, "Your grandma had a belief, one that she passed on to us, and now we'll pass to you." Adam exhaled, then shared the secret of the stars. Adri watched them all as her brother spoke, smiling slightly. Like her father, the memory of her mother was bittersweet; looking at little Chucky, who was identical to her mother, was hard for the first few years, and even then, she sometimes had to take a double look.

"Really?" Faye breathed, smiling her crooked smile before throwing her head back to inspect the heavens. The young ones gasped at the prospect of their grandparents being a star, guiding them throughout their lives. The older ones remained quiet, understanding the science behind the sky; however, it was a comforting thought, one that made them feel less alone.

"Oui, baby," Adrienne smiled, tapping her daughter's nose, just how Griest used to do. "See, right there? Just to the left of the moon? That's- oh!" She gasped. "Adam! Adam, look at Mama's star! Regarde la star de maman!"

Adam looked up as his mouth fell open. His throat bobbed as he buried his smile into Chucky's strawberry blonde hair.

"What is it, Dad?" Chris leaned forward.

"Mama's star," he breathed, pointing at it. He never had any problems finding it, even in Vietnam; it was always the brightest star in the sky, but it was always alone. It made him think of a solo figure skater, dazzling the sky with her radiance, but it wasn't alone anymore. Just to its right, another star twinkled and shone. The solo act had finally found a partner.

"They look like they're holding hands," Warren observed. He was right; the tips of Gene's star extended forward to touch Griest's star.

"Aunt Adrienne," George began, "is that Grandma and Grandpa?"

A tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled, finding it hard to speak. She cleared her throat, "Yes, it is."

The stars twinkled as if waving to their family below. Adri could picture them: Griest and Roe in their 20s, wrapped tightly in each other's embrace. Roe would glance at her, wearing that small, content smile as if she were the whole world. Griest would be laughing and kissing his cheek before whispering lightly in his ear. Just how they were in all the photos someone of Easy had taken when they weren't looking.

"Are they happy? Will they be okay?" William asked. Adri met Adam's gaze as the siblings smiled.

"Yes," Adam answered. "Now, let's head in before Aunt Emilie sends a search party after us. I don't want Uncle Guarnere or Uncle Bull trying to climb that ladder." The kids obliged and went inside under the starlight's careful watch.

The two stars flashed in farewell, until the next night when their advice would be sought out; but, the Roe children never worried about their parents. They knew, after being apart for so long, their parents would be together forever in the stars.

"We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets. We shall never surrender"- Winston Churchill

Author's note: So that's all you guys! Once again, the French is from Google Translate, so I apologize if I got it wrong. Thank you so much for reading and giving me the privilege of sharing this story with the world. I wasn't sure how this one would be taken, but thank you for standing by me and supporting me. I personally want to thank: toomanyfandomssolittletime, The GoldenGroups, annabelleigh1996, Theo, kalije, and Byron W.4 for all your reviews and support. And a huge shoutout to everyone who favourited and followed; this story wouldn't have happened without all your support.

I also want to take the time and give you all one last rant. I know the Vietnam War and several other conflicts, in which the US military was involved, were not supported by some of the public. I read in American Sniper where Chris Kyle came home and had people lecturing him about what he did over there, and how they should never have fought in Iraq. First of all, do not criticise these guys! If you think you can do a better job than them, then shut up, sign up, and try to show them, instead of running your trap about something you do not understand. I've said it before; war is something we as civilians can never understand, not unless we have experienced it or been a part of it. Second of all, support our troops. There have been several wars that I disagreed with, but I still support my troops and thank them for their service. They don't get to decide which war they'll fight and which one they'll sit out, so support them. You disagree with the war, then go to the government, the guys who actually decided where the soldiers will fight; but please, for the love of God, without getting super political, do not kneel for the national anthem- I also have that rant in We Lucky Few. Okay. End of that rant.

Just a reminder, there will be one final one-shot to finish this series off. It will be called Flowers For A Ghost so keep your eyes out for that. Once again, thank you guys for reading and going on thier adventure with me. Have an amazing day!