This came along from some conversations with Kslchen and our love for Rilla. So far this is just a one-shot, but it may be more one day.

War is never easy to forget, and despite being a hopeless romantic I know that Ken and Rilla would still have a lot of growing and relearning about each other after he knocked on the door. The war would have changed them both and both wonder if their feelings are still the same.

Sunsets and Homecoming

One always expects to walk happily into the sunset. At least that is what Rilla thought when Ken finally knocked on her door. They cared for one another, yet they knew nothing about each other. They learned that swiftly that night. Letters and promises were nothing compared to being in the same room with each other. No distractions, no little Jims. Just the two of them sitting in the living room staring at each other as one would disappear from their sight.

It was a sight to behold for the Blythes to come home to find their youngest daughter to be alone with a gentleman. Alone on the love seat as they spoke quietly to each other. Quietly with his arm around their youngest. It wasn't until he stood up they realized it was Ken who was still dressed in his khakis.

Her father looked briefly shocked before giving a knowing look towards his wife. She smiled sweetly and gave him a knowing look of I'll explain later. Surely her father knew that she had been writing Ken all these years?

She walked Ken to the gate as the sun was beginning to set. Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders as they walked slowly she felt her shiver from the cool night. Her pale green blouse and dark green skirt, skimming over her lithe body. She was still shorter than him, but he was over six feet to her own five and seven inches. She had grown taller than her sisters, almost as tall as some of her brothers. Her body trembled at the sight of him turning to face her at the gate like years before. She wasn't a girl anymore, she had seen men leave and never come back. How her heart still ached for Walter, why him of all her brothers?

There was a look of admiration on Ken's face as he swept back a lock of her ruddy hair. "We have a lot to work don't we?" Ken said softly.

"We both changed over this war," Rilla nodded. "How can we just pick up where we left off? When we don't even know where we left it?"

"How did you become so wise?" Ken breathed as his forehead touched hers. The connection they once felt was still there, she felt it more even more at almost nineteen. Did her parents ever feel this way about each other? Did they still?

"The war changed us all," she whispered as she gently traced over the silver scar that ran down over his cheek. "I mean I have almost decided to go to college. Who would have thought me taking on household science?" Rilla laughed lightly at herself.

"You should," Ken prompted her. "You should go out and see a bit more of this world. Don't wait for our honeymoon to leave your home or this island Rilla."

"So mother was right?" Rilla sucked in a breath. "I never-I was never sure about what you meant by our promise."

"Only if you want it to be, as you said we both have changed. We need to learn and get to know each other truly this time. But you are my main goal in life Rilla, and I will give you the proposal of your dream if you allow me to one day if you want one. I don't think your mother would allow anything else for you. Your father would skin me alive if I asked you to elope. I want to see you as the mother of my children. But I can't have that if we can't grow together and see who we are now. I know it seemed like I stopped caring, I felt like such a fool for writing as little as I did-"

"You were in the middle of a war Ken, I can understand how easily sidetracked you could be now." Rilla interrupted him. "Did it hurt, did I question your feelings over the years of course. But I was a coward not to ask for any clarification. Instead, I sat in uncertainty. Wondering how despite being back in Canada you never said a word to me. Instead, I let the thoughts of seeing your old friends and girls you used to know; tell me you didn't care anymore. Making myself feel silly that you meant anything real back then."

"I was in a hospital," Ken admitted. "I don't sleep well, I have injuries that are still being treated. I pleaded with my family to not say a word to your mother or father. I won't lie to you Rilla, I have seen horrors that I could never speak of again. I have days that I wake up terrified, mornings where I have the images of my brothers minutes before a bomb went off."

Rilla nodded did the only thing she could think of-hug him.

She knew her parents were watching her. Her father with curiosity and over-protectiveness. Her mother with her eyes of taking in a fresh new love that was waiting to bloom. She tilted her head up to look at him with her bright hazel eyes.

He kissed her gently, but it was different from their first one. More passion, more intent as he drew her into his body. There was a new changing world waiting for them to devour and manoeuvre through together.

So Rilla learned that walking off into the sunset was never as easy as it seemed. Though with Ken by her side she knew it was possible. She had her soldier, her man; and for once i,n her life she had a small inkling of what wanted to do. It revolved around Ken and the million other men who were coming home for the first time. She didn't know how, or if she was just dreaming but she had a pulsing need to help people like her father.

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed this little fic. Let me know what you think, or if want more little snippets of Rilla and Ken growing towards each other after the war.

Tina