Belle slowly dried dishes. Jazz music blared from the radio, but Belle paid it no mind. Neither did she notice she was drying a dry dish.

The Army had sent her a letter weeks ago. They said he was coming home. The war was over, according to the papers. Her Rum was coming home. He was supposed to be home two weeks ago. She had never received any notice of his death, but that didn't stop Belle from being worried sick. The kitchen window faced out the back, otherwise Belle knew all she would do was stare out and pray he'd return. The dark sky shone with stars and practically reflected on her clean kitchen counters. She'd done nothing but clean these past two weeks: dusting, vacuuming, ironing. Anything to keep her hands busy when she came home from the factory. And here she was, washing dishes that weren't dirty, just in case she'd missed a spot. Everything had to be perfect when her husband came home. But what if he doesn't come home, whispered a voice in her mind. Belle tried to batter it back, but she could push back the pain no longer. Her hands came to her face as tears fell. Sobs shook Belle's tiny frame as it finally sank in her husband could never come back.

"Belle…" The voice was soft and anguished. Belle whipped around. Rum stood in the entrance to the kitchen. He was leaning on a crutch, his foot bandaged. But it was her husband, her glorious husband. He was alive and he was home. Belle ran to his extended arms hugged him tight. She squeezed the air out of him and Rum could barely breathe but he had never been happier. Pulling back, he desperately kissed Belle's face, his tears mingling with Belle's. They clutched at each other, Belle sobbing as Rum kissed her.

"You're back, you're back." She said. Rum pulled her close and gripped her arms,

"I am back, Belle, but not whole." He said. There was sadness in his eyes as he gestured at his leg. Belle hugged him,

"I don't care if you're not whole, so long as you love me." Said Belle looking up at him through tearful eyes. Rum tucked a lock of hair behind her ear,

"Oh sweetheart, there's never been a time I didn't love you. But can you still love me, as a cripple? I'll understand if you want to go to someone else—"

"Shut up and kiss me, idiot." Belle laughed. Rum laughed himself and did as commanded. He owed his wife a fair few commands, and she had great fun ordering him around that night as her husband slept in her bed for the first time in a year.