She had been out in town one morning to buy some more herbs when she almost ran into a young man in uniform. He had been on leave to attend him mothe...’s funeral and he was on his way back to his unit. They apologized to each other and ended up leaning against each other, laughing. After that, they ended up in one of the taverns where they talked for a couple of hours. There they found out more about each other. His name was Markus Fletcher and he had joined Marion’s army because he had. . to have babies with. That no option for me. I love Sergei, and not leave him. We then talk about having another man be, how you say, sperm provider? That man ... I pray ... is you, Michael. You are perfect man because you, as biology father, have to leave soon, yes.”I simply nodded my agreement at her statement about leaving the Ukraine in a few days. Viktoriya, I assumed by her next statement and action, must have taken my affirmative response as my complete agreement to her proposed. He left soon after."Wow," I sat back in my seat, "I didn't expect that." I said."Your father is always full of surprises Michelle," Mum added, "That'swhy I married him," she gave a wan smile, "If only he hadn't..."I took my mothers hand, "I know Mum, I know. But what's gone is gone. Hemade that mistake," I paused, "But if he hadn't we wouldn't be here withfriends." Michelle's right," Yvonne smiled, "You wouldn't be spending time withyour lovely daughter," she turned to me, "And my daughter. Seeing her for a day and then being gone for four weeks makes it difficult to carry on a relationship. So I would go to see Noon again, and see how things went.I was sure that it must be just as difficult for Sergeants Tweed and Baker also. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like for any of the others who were married and away from their wives and families for from six months to a year or more.The two weeks before payday were drudgery. We monitored the radios and made out reports..