United After 25 Years 35

On the night of July fourth, Andrea and Anton met Denny, Darya, and Fawn on the beach to watch the fireworks. As they sat on the quilt waiting for the ceremony to begin, Fawn told them about the celebration of the Vietnamese New Year.

"We always visit my grandparents' graves and clean them," she said. "Then we clean the family altar and offer a sacrifice to the Kitchen God. Next we go to the Buddhist temple to watch the Lion Dancing. Everyone holds a lantern with a candle, and there are fireworks there just like here. It is very beautiful."

"In my country, there are always fireworks on May ninth to celebrate the end of the Great Patriotic War," said Anton.

"The Great Patriotic War?" Andrea frowned. "I don't think I've ever heard of it."

"It was the war my father fight in."

"Oh, so that's what you guys call World War II." Just then she caught sight of a familiar face. "Marty! How are you?"

"Andrea! Good to see you again. I'm doing fine, thanks." Marty had two artificial legs and was on crutches. He was neatly dressed in clean jean shorts and a t-shirt, and his hair was well-groomed.

"You look great!" Andrea told him. "Better than I've seen you looking in a long time."

"I'm in counseling now, and I'm taking my meds again. That really helps," Marty said. His eyes fell on Alexei, and instantly his expression changed. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"Anton and I are married now," said Andrea.

"Huh? You gotta be kiddin' me!" Marty spluttered. "Has he brainwashed you yet, turned you into one of them?" He noticed Fawn sitting with Denny and Darya. "Who's she? Someone's Chinese mail order bride?"

"This is Fawn," Andrea told him. "She's...Dennis' daughter." She still had a difficult time getting her mouth to form the words.

"Dennis' daughter?" Marty gazed at Fawn in amazement.

The young woman smiled at him. "My name is Fawn Nguyen-Phillips. It is nice to meet you."

"I knew your father very well," Marty told her. "He was my best friend. Served in 'Nam with me. That's where I lost my legs. Stepped on a land mine."

"Really? What was he like?" Fawn's eyes lit up with interest, and she, Marty, and Denny were soon engaged in an animated discussion about Dennis. Andrea looked on gloomily.

Anton touched her chin. "Smile," he said.

She tried but wasn't very successful.

"I will tickle you." His eyes twinkled mischievously. Andrea had to chuckle.

"That is better," he said.

"Hey, there's Carol and Donna!" Andrea exclaimed, waving to her friends. They saw her and waved back.

"Andrea! It's been awhile, hasn't it?" said Carol.

"Since before Christmas," Andrea replied. "Remember Anton? We're married now."

"Wow! Congratulations!" Donna exclaimed. "When did you get married?"

"Valentine's Day," Andrea told her.

"Gosh, how romantic! said Carol. "Donna and I have some big news ourselves. We're going to have a baby!"

Andrea was so surprised that she didn't say a word.

"That is lovely news. Congratulations to you," Anton said with a smile.

"So which one of you is pregnant?" asked Andrea.

"I'm the one who's carrying the baby," said Carol. "We asked Donna's brother to be the sperm donor so that the baby would be biologically related to Donna as well."

"So when are you due?" asked Andrea.

"Around Christmas," Carol told her. "I've got a ways to go."

The fireworks began. Anton and Andrea watched in silence for awhile.

"That was really beautiful," Anton murmured, hugging Andrea close. "It is nice and romantic to watch fireworks together at night."

"I wonder how long it took her," Andrea mused.

"What do you mean?" Anton was puzzled.

"Carol. I wonder how long it took her to get pregnant. She's my age, you know."

"Oh." Anton burst out laughing. "You are still thinking about that."