Our ANZAC In The Attic

• Chapter 10 •

{ Eli Shearer }
"You did good," Elouise put her arm around my waist.
"He should still be here," I sighed, leaning my head against her shoulder as she drove.
Elouise took my hand, her eyes focused on the road, "you can't blame yourself, you did what you could without getting yourself hurt, I love you so much Eli, I'm so proud of how you've handled this," she kissed my lips, lovingly.
"I could've taken the keys, I could've called a taxi, I could've taken a punch, I could've done something, I was so worried about getting home and not wanting to get to badly hurt that I let him drive, now here I am with a concussion, a broken leg and enteral muscle damage which means I may never shear again, Jase has a punctured lung and we're both on crutches, we had opportunities to save him," tears were pouring down my face , my heart was racing and my mind was spinning, I was in absolute hysterics.
"HE WAS MY FRIEND TOO! I want him back just as much as you do, you're so selfish Eli you never think of me in situations like this," Elouise pulled over, she roared as she slammed her hands against the steering wheel as she hauled herself from the car.
She'd been trying to get it through my head for a week.
Elouise fell against the hood of the ute, crying into the aluminium, "why won't you listen to me!? It doesn't matter what I say you just blame yourself! I try so hard!" she screamed to the dark sky.
I could see the outline of my eyes in the rear view mirror as I stared back at myself.
I was broken, yes, but how did it get to this, it's been 10 days and already Elouise is just as heart broken as me.
I clenched my jaw as I used all my strength to get out of the car.
I grabbed my crutches before hobbling over to her, I dropped them before putting my arms around her.
"No let me go!" She pounded her fists against my chest only making me squeeze tighter.
"Let me go you son of bitch, you selfish bastard," she cried.
"Shhhhh sweetheart, I'm sorry," I whispered, still crying.
"I love you so much and I just want you to be happy, I want you to stop waking up at night screaming cause you can see his rolling white eyes and snapped neck, I want this all the be erased from our memories and Tom is just a character from a story we'd read in grade 9 in high school, or I wish this whole thing never happened, I wish Tom was never a nasty drunk and that he never got in that car that night," her eyes were glassy as she stared at me, heartbroken.
"I'm sorry Lou I'm so sorry," my lip shook as I spoke.
Elouise closed her eyes, "I have wished for so many things for so long I forgot what I really needed, then you came along and the world was so beautiful, so perfect so extremely endless Christchurch was suddenly a thing of the past, all I want is you and-"
"And you are not going to loose me, you will never be alone in this world Elouise Green, you are the most loved woman on the planet because you're standing in front of me, I love you more than I have loved anyone or anything in the world, you've changed my life and continue to every single day, I was so rattled by what happened my mind is taking a while to catch up, I need someone to blame for the time being and that's myself, I will get better I promise," I looked into her eyes before she slammed her lips against mine.
"I love you!" She proclaimed kissing me again.
I smiled, this chick was something.
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{ Angus Shearer }
"Shearer here's the letter that came through its from Luce," Ollie handed it to me as I did up my last few buttons.
"Thanks mate," I smiled at him.
"Sarg says 10 minutes," Harry yawned walking back into the dormitory.
I slumped onto the bed, carefully opening the envelope.
Dearest Shearer,
Happy 21st Birthday my love, I am thinking of you always. I do not know when you'll receive this letter but please know I celebrated for you on April 25th 1915. I don't know exactly what I'll be doing on April 25th but it'll probably be me staring at a photograph of you and well I feel like you'll be doing something a lot more interesting.
Not long darling, 3 weeks and you'll be a father. Maybe even sooner.
I wish you could be home to see baby and how big my belly is, you would laugh, Cassie took a photograph of me so hopefully that will give you a little insight into life back home.
I miss you, I miss holding your hand, I miss your laugh, your kiss, I miss everything about you and I can't wait for you to come home.
I'm longing for your warm embrace.
I shall love you forever my darling Shearer.
Love Kiwi xxx

Everything about Lucy astounded me.
She was so strong, handling everything with care and precision.
I held the photo to my chest, she looked a lot younger than 20 but boy she still looked beautiful.

"Baby," I murmured under my breath.
"Well give us a Squizz!" Harry chimed, I handed him the photo and he and Ollie grinned.
"What a birthday present!" Harry said.
"Yeah well, can't be long now, she must have sent it awhile ago," I smiled my eyes not moving from the photo.
"It's so exciting, I can't believe you of all people are going to be a dad, that frightens me a little," Ollie furrowed his eyebrows.
"Proud of you mate," Harry patted my back.
"GENTLEMEN ON DECK NOW!" We heard the sergeant bellow loudly.
The breath hitched in our throats.
It was the morning of April 25th and Australia was about to enter something  so powerful it would change the face of the world forever, and we had no idea.
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What's gonna happen to the boys once they hit Gallipoli?
When is Lucy going to have the baby?
Will sniper Shearer get to see his baby?
Hey guys!
Chloe here!!!
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♥️ always.