Band of Brothers - Sunshine Solider

chapter 89: the war is over

" I don't know how we're supposed to rejoin the world, filled with memories of war, but we will. We'll be doing it together as a company." Winters said, smiling at the girl. " And you don't have to explain any of it to anyone. They are your family, they will understand what you can and can not explain." Charlotte smiled at the man.

" It's going to be real different." she said, " Especially with Leroy gone." It had been months since his death, and she had learned to accept it by this point in her life. Winters placed a hand on her knee.

" Leroy will always be here, in your heart Charlotte. No matter where you go. But I want you to know one thing." Winters said to her, looking at her big blue eyes. " Leroy will want you to rejoin this world happy. Happy for what you've done for the country he died for. Happy for how you served, and with distinction. Happy for the men you served with, and the officers you were under. Happy for the fact that you were a crucial part in this entire winning of the war." Charlotte looked at the man.

" I'm proud sir, I'm humbled greatly." she said.

" And we're all going to have our downfalls, when we return, but you think about what you've done through these past 3 years." Winters said, and she knew he meant it. And she did.

" I remember when Sobel made me double time Currahee." she said, then giggled at the memory lightly.

" You did it with a smile on your face." Winters commented.

" I remember the jump, during D-Day, and when you wanted me to help take out those guns with you. I woke up next thinking they definitely weren't 88s." she laughed. Winters smirked.

" And then you nearly gave me a heart attack when you showed up dressed in your ODs." he smiled.

" I remember coming back after Bull and I were cut from the group in Holland. I told the driver, with confidence, if I do say so myself, that I had a bullet graze my head and knock me unconscious, he seemed pretty terrified." she laughed.

" Or when you came into the meeting with Colonel Dobie and he couldn't even speak after the authority you took." Winters said fondly. Charlotte laughed.

" Or when you had Captain Speirs and I, for the attack of Foy, go running in near the end there, and then you heard well, the inappropriate screaming through Luz's radio." she said a little embarrassed. Winters smiled at the girl as she laughed lightly at the memory.

" You know, Charlotte, I actually put in for you, for an award." Winters said. Charlotte turned to him, brow raised, confused.

" I don't need an award, sir." she said, but Winters stopped her.

" There have been plenty of times, where you have stepped in and directly disobeyed orders, and have actually saved more lives that way. You risked your life to save others and I feel that's one of the highest acts of valor anyone can put themselves into." Winters said.

" Sir?" she asked softly.

" I put you in for a Medal of Honor, Charlotte." Winters said. Charlotte's eyes welled with tears of joy.

" Sir, really you didn't have to. I was just doing my job." she said, rambling at this point.

" A pretty darn good job at that, Charlotte." Winters said. Charlotte smiled wide letting out a laugh which kind of sounded like the mix between a sob and a laugh, but she didn't care.

" You're a great soldier, one of the best I've ever had." Winters said, slowly getting to his feet, as Charlotte stood to her own. " Don't forget that, Charlotte."