Work Text:
“Meeting up with your flyer again, Nurse Ames?”
Gwen Jones asked the question with a hint of amusement in her tone as she came into their shared bedroom and beheld the sight of a stuffed suitcase being decisively shut.
The young woman with black curls sighed good-naturedly and braced herself for more teasing. Whenever she was caught preparing for one of these last-minute trips, someone was bound to ask, whether it was her parents, her twin brother Charlie, or one of her fellow nurses from the Spencer Club that she happened to be working with.
The “flyer” in question was of course Captain Wade Cooper. Who else but the tall, tanned and forthright pilot would have her flying across the Atlantic to rendezvous with him on practically a whim, thanks to the ticket she’d received only three days beforehand, accompanied by an effusive telegram signed off with lots of love from him.
At last Cherry turned to her old friend and nodded in the affirmative with a slight smile. Gwen’s response was a triumphant “A-ha!” and a toss of her red hair.
“I won’t ask any prying questions because I know you don’t like them, but do have a good time on my behalf, dear.”
Internally, Cherry was deeply grateful for her friends’ consideration. It sometimes felt as if everyone she knew was dying to ask the same thing: “Why aren’t the two of you married yet?” It wasn’t as if it were for Wade’s lack of trying… She herself was still working on an answer to the conundrum that was true to her own feelings, but for now, travel awaited.
“You bet I will!” Cherry’s dark eyes danced, for she was indeed excited.
The sound of a car pulling up outside caught her attention, and after a quick hug goodbye from Gwen, she dashed out to meet the taxi that would take her to her next destination.
Name the time and place, and I will meet you, no matter where in the world it is!
That was their unspoken agreement ever since they’d said their last goodbyes. Wade had visited her as often as he could after the war had ended, but their careers took them far apart: him as a commercial airline pilot and she as the most capable and well-rounded nurse she could be, in whatever corner of the world that needed her the most.
“I know he cares for me, but is this really meant to last?” Cherry wondered ruefully as she unpacked her bags and readied herself for an outing in an unfamiliar city.
The December weather was brisk in France, and Cherry was glad the billowing white parachute silk scarf she always wore when greeting Wade in a new place was as functional as it was meaningful. Every time she wore it, she remembered their days of watching the airstrip together hoping for their comrades’ safe return and was thankful for the good fortune they'd had in making it home safely.
Captain Cooper's kisses always warmed her, and when he spotted her he offered them without hesitation. He met her with the same uncomplicated happiness he’d always expressed in her presence, ever since their shared missions in the service. Transporting the wounded under enemy fire had been a life-changing experience for both of them, and the tension of those days would remain in their memory for all time, a bond forged forever between nurse and pilot on those perilous flights from their base in England to the transfer hospital in Scotland.
At the time, she would never have imagined them taking in the sights of Paris together just a few years after the end of the conflict. For something planned on such short notice, it was an awfully nice getaway.
They walked together over cobblestone sidewalks, and, as was habitual for them, Cherry’s social life became the topic of choice.
“I’ve received some postcards,” she told him. “Full letters, too.”
“Popular girl.” Wade nodded with approval. “Remember the days of redacted Vmail? The world really is moving on.”
Cherry smiled, glad for his positive attitude.
“Muriel Grainger is thriving in primary school with lots of young friends of her own,” she told him.
“Bless the cherub! I knew she’d have a happy ending.” In the back of her mind, Cherry recalled the precious moments of relief they’d shared with the little girl. The prospect of a peaceful future for her was elating.
“And Bunce Smith is starting medical school!” She made the announcement with pride. The humble corpsman was finally following his childhood dream, and he insisted in his letter that it was thanks to her influence. His easy familiarity had always been a comfort to her.
Wade looked genuinely delighted but she noticed the telltale twitch of his lips that indicated he was raring to make a joke.
“Just what I need. Another doctor to compete with me for your favor.”
“Don’t be silly!” she exclaimed, exasperated.
“I’m kidding!” Wade was already laughing at her reaction. “Well done, Bunce. Brave kid like him. That’s excellent news!”
The truth was, whether in the bustle of the Big Apple or eight thousand miles above the English Channel, he’d always been there for her, even if he had taken umbrage with being a “nursemaid” for a time. She gave him a sidelong glance. Like her, the pilot had never been one to stay in one place for too long. These adventures abroad together seemed to bring out the best in their relationship.
“The Arc, the Tower, the Seine and all the tourist things. And now a stroll through Montmartre.” Wade took her arm and entwined it with his own.
“I’m glad to be making memories with you again, Lieutenant,” he continued. I know I’ve had a few fumbles the last few times I tried to tell you how I felt. A real comedy of errors.” He turned to look away from her in a moment of self-reproach.
“It’s wonderful to see the city rebuilding after the war,” Cherry commented pleasantly, happy to help him out by changing the subject. She was feeling quite optimistic. Perhaps the beautiful bûche de Noël “birthday cake” Wade had secured for her earlier in the evening had something to do with it. He carried it for her in a neat little box in his other hand as they made the long downhill trek back to the taxi stand.
“I’m flattered that you let me monopolize your holiday season,” he clasped her hands warmly as they ambled along the scenic streets.
“It was wonderful to share those Christmases with our friends the last few years, but-," she spoke coyly, “a private celebration is nice once in a while, too.” Wade laughed with her, and she felt as festive as she’d ever been.
“I want to assure you that I’m a patient man,” The captain had to stifle another chuckle when he noticed how Cherry had raised her eyebrows. Wade Cooper, the notorious flying ace, patient? A likely story.
“I’m just saying we can take our time. No more surprise proposals. I know you’ve had more than you know what to do with.” Cherry scoffed.
“Come now, that’s not t-,”
“Don’t try to deny it!” he interjected with a cheery grin. “I just want you to know, Cherry, that even if I’m not the love of your life - that would be nursing, plainly - you’re certainly the love of mine.”
Suddenly, she was breathless.
“Since when did you become such a smooth talker?”
Emotion swelled within her, and a jest was the only response she could muster. Cherry was surprised and gratified that this man who had once been so restive and impatient had become so mellow.
“Well, I never managed to sweep you off your feet, but I’ll happily settle for having you take me by the hand and drag me into your quarters again.”
“Wade!” she cried indignantly.
“I’ll have you know I still can’t stop thinking about that time in New York,” he teased.
Cherry felt her cheeks begin to flush their signature red. The statement brought back certain memories that made her want to bury her face into his jacket sleeve. As she fought the urge to do so, he caught her by the chin with his fingertips and gently turned her towards his gaze.
This time, she was the one to kiss him first, balancing herself purposefully on tiptoes as she raised herself to bring their lips together. Surprised and clearly very pleased, Wade relished the kiss, wrapping her up in his arms and thoroughly enveloping her with his broad frame.
“Stay with me like this always, Cherry?” his brown eyes met hers again, but they were full of levity rather than solemn and weighted with expectation. He released her gently, allowing her to disengage.
“No promises,” she squeezed his arm tighter, smiling up at him as they continued their walk. The firmness of her grasp stated the very opposite of her words. For that moment, it seemed they were both perfectly satisfied.
It left them heartsore more often than not, but theirs was a love that was true and real - one sure to last all through the years.