The weeks came and passed as Erich once more found himself settling into civilian life. He had until the new year to spend with his family before returning to his unit in Berlin. They were out of rotation, but that did not mean they were on long-term leave.
Replacements required thorough training, and despite their adaptation to pressure under live fire in the field, new weapons were constantly being pushed to the front lines. Erich and his men would need to become familiar with their use.
But for now, he spent time with his wife, Erika, and his children. Meanwhile, his father continued making the daily commute to Berlin, and his grandfather seemed content to lounge about with a glass of Eierlikör in hand.
If Erich was being honest with himself, he had seldom seen his grandfather take a day off simply to relax like this. But it was Christmas Eve, and for once Bruno was no longer responsible for ensuring that the family gathering ended precisely as planned.
