//

As usual, Betty sat next to Shawn in Mr. Feeny's class as the teacher spoke, "And so the United States entered World War II on December 7, 1941. As FDR said, 'A day that will live in infamy'." The bell rang to which the students packed up as Mr. Feeny added, "I want to thank those of you who brought in some of your family mementos. It helped to show that this war was not just a point in history, but an event that touched all our lives. Thank you."

Cory walked next to Topanga. "Hey, listen, can I see that picture of your grandparents again?"

"Sure," she answered, passing him the old photo.

He looked down at it as they walked out. "Wow. They look very much in love."

"Yeah. They still are," she added. "You know, he asked her to marry him on December 7th, 1941."

He looked at her. "Wait, I know that date...Help me out here."

"Pearl Harbor, the day that will live in infamy. Feeny was just talking about it," Shawn answered.

"You listened to Feeny," Cory and Betty both said with a slightly proud tone.

Shawn made a face. "Oh, my God. I listened to Feeny."

"Oh, stop," Betty chuckled, grabbing Topanga's photo. "Cute. So how old were they when they got married?"

"They were our age," Topanga answered.

"Wow." Betty felt something brush along the side of her leg, making her look down and pick up a black cat. "Hey, kitty, are you lost?"

"You know, my grandpa never knew if he'd make it home, but that's the way it was back then. People never knew how their lives would turn out."

"That's what I heard, it sounds tough," Betty said, petting the cat.

Shawn hummed. "I don't know how I'd handle living back then. You know, I wonder what it was like during World War II."

"And away we go," the cat said.

Before they knew it, it was the year 1941. Everyone was in different style of clothing but still standing the way they were.

Betty put down the cat, looking at Shawn. "Come again?"

"Well, I said I'm glad the US of A ain't mixed up in this war because I could never be away from my best gal," Shawn said.

Betty grinned, grabbing his chin. "I could never be away from you, kiddo," she said before gently kissing him.

"Attention, everyone," Mr. Feeny said, walking into the hallway. "Please? It is with great sadness that I must inform you that the United States has entered the war. May God be with us all."

Zack walked over with a group of boys. "Fellas, we're going down to enlist. Uncle Sam wants us. I wasn't going to go, but he was pointing right at me. We're going to defend our country. Are you coming with us?"

Shawn only glanced back at Betty who had a panicked expression.

***

Betty entered the Matthews home, looking at the household. "Hi, everyone." She turned to Shawn. "Shawny, did you hear the news? Glenn Miller and his big band orchestra are coming to town. What do you say we go?" Everyone's expression fell, looking at the blonde. "Jeepers, why you guys looking at me all funny?"

"Shawn, you didn't tell her?" Cory asked.

"Tell me what?"

Shawn sighed. "Betty, I enlisted. I'm going to war."

Her face fell. "But you said you couldn't be without me. We were going to be together forever."

"Betty, there's some things you just gotta do."

She sighed. "Great, my brother enlisting and now you? How worse can it get?" she mumbled, rushing out of the house.

***

Shawn sat Chubbys with the other recruits, candlestick phone in his hand. "Operator? Yes. Connect me to Miss Elizabeth Cooper at Zenith-6-5000." After a moment, he sighed, putting the end down.

"No answer?" Topanga asked.

"Golly. You can drive from Philly to Cleveland in a week, but they don't have a machine that can take a message."

"Don't worry, Shawn," Cory told him. "That dame loves you up to the sky and back. She wouldn't let you and her brother ship out without saying goodbye."

"Yeah. Well, I ain't just saying goodbye."

"Don't say 'ain't'," Mr. Feeny told him. "Just because you're in the Army doesn't mean you have to talk like a sailor." Mr. Feeny moved to the stage. "Before you ship out, I want to wish our boys courage, perseverance, and a safe trip home. And during the lull in the fighting, I'd like a thousand-word essay on 'what I did during
my summer in Europe.'"

"And, boys, remember, 'please' and 'thank you'," Mrs. Matthews added. "Just because you're at war doesn't mean you can't be polite."

"I give the orders now, Amy," Mr. Matthews said, putting his hat on. "All right, everybody! Let's load the buses and head to Europe!" No one moved. "Please!"

As everyone moved, Cory sighed, "Well, come on, Shawn. We gotta hit the road."

"Betty's not here yet. Maybe she doesn't love me the way I thought."

Betty walked over to him. "Of course I love you,
you big lug." Cory and Topanga moved away to say goodbye and to give the other couple a moment. "I wouldn't let you leave without a proper goodbye."

"Listen, I'm not just saying goodbye. There's something I need to ask you."

She smiled at him. "Name it, dreamboat."

"I know we're young,  but we still love each other. Now, these are crazy times. Who knows what's gonna happen?"

"Shawny, what are you trying to say?"

Shawn got on one knee, holding Betty's hand in his. "Marry me, Betty."

Her eyes watered as she grinned. "You want me to be Mrs. Shawn Hunter?"

"More than anything in the world."

She smiled, helping him stand. "Of course I will, yes, I'll marry you." She leaned into his touch as his hands held her face. "Now, kiss me one last time, handsome."

Shawn grinned, gently kissing her for as long as he could.

It wasn't until Mr. Matthews grabbed Shawn. "Let's go, soldier. We're pulling out."

As the men went upstairs, Betty rushed to the stairs. "I love you, Shawn Hunter. I'll be right here waiting for you, and when you return, we'll have the rest of our lives together." She moved to quickly bid her brother goodbye before it was too late.

***

It had been days since the war ended and Zack and Cory had returned home but...Shawn didn't much to Betty's heartbreak but it was Topanga's positivity that kept her hopeful.

She walked into the Matthews backyard with Cory. Any word, anyone? I'm all busted up inside."

"Any minute now, I just know he'll be walking through that door," Mrs. Matthews said.

Mr. Matthews gripped the stick back door. "He won't be able to open it, Amy."

Cory sighed. "Well, I guess I've put this off long enough. Betty, I need to ask you something."

"What's on your mind?" she asked.

"Topanga, I hope you'll understand," Cory told his girlfriend before getting down on one knee in front of Betty. "Will you marry me?"

Both girls gasped both slapping him simultaneously.

Cory rubbed his cheek. "I probably should have mentioned it was Shawn's last wish."

"If it's what he wanted," she mumbled sounding reluctant.

He stood up, pulling a ring from his pocket. "He couldn't wait to put this ring on your finger."

"It's swell," she said tearfully.

"If you blow into it, it makes a siren sound." She did so but pouted. "You're not happy."

"You're not my Shawny." She turned to her best friend. "I'm so sorry, Topy."

"I'll manage, it was his last wish after all," she said sadly.

"Well, I guess we should make plans," Cory told Betty.

"I suppose," she mumbled, walking home.

***

Betty walked out in a wedding dress, her makeup perfect but her eyes red, evident she had been crying as she approached Jack. "Any word yet?"

He sighed. "No. Sorry, Betty."

We have to face it," Mr. Matthews said. "Shawn is..."

"No," Mrs. Matthews interrupted. "I know he is still alive, and he loves this girl. There. I said it."

Mr. Feeny stepped out. "It's time."

Betty sent an apologetic look to Topanga once more as she walked next to Cory, a few stray tears running down her rosy cheeks.

"Well, Cory marrying Betty," Mr. Feeny spoke. "This is weird. On the other hand, who would have thought, as principal, that I could perform marriages."

"Wait. I object," Betty said quickly, turning to the woman who was like a mother figure in her life. "Mrs. Matthews, I can't do this. Shawn's alive. I can feel it. When you love somebody, you just know. I'm going to find him myself." She quickly left, Jack and Mrs. Matthews following.

***

In Paris, Shawn turned to the French woman he thought he loved. "Of course, it's what I want. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Betty walked in with Mrs. Matthews and Jack. "Is that what you want?" she asked.

"Betty!" Zack and Eric gasped.

"Look, Mom, I'm performing a wedding ceremony," Eric said to his mom.

"Eric, go home," she told him.

"I recognize this girl," the French woman said looking at Betty. "She's the one from your painting."

"Perhaps...But I don't remember," Shawn said.

"Maybe you'll remember this," Betty said, grabbing his face and kissing him.

Shawn pulled back, slowly blinking. "It seems familiar." He turned to the French woman. "Versailles, what do you got?"

She grabbed his chin, forcing his gaze back on her. "Shawn Hunter, if you think for one minute that I'm going to stand here..."

Realization crossed his face. "Betty! Where am I? The last thing I remember, I was climbing out of
a foxhole to see you, and then, oh, my gosh, I'm in heaven."

"Sweetie, you're alive. You just lost your memory," she told him.

"Yeah, but what about Cory? What about the promise?"

"Shawn, all I could think about was you. I could never be with anybody else. All those things I'd ever dreamed about, a house in the country, kids playing in the yard, they mean nothing to me unless they're with you."

"Me, too. Well, I told you I'd come back."

She rolled her eyes. "I found you, you big lug."

She kissed him to which he pulled her in his arms, picking her up and spinning slightly.

****

Everyone was back in school as Shawn and Cory walked together.

"So, Shawn, now that the war is over, what are you gonna do about Betty?" Cory asked.

"I'm gonna pop the question all over again," Shawn answered.

"You got moxie, kid."

"She's gotta know that I really do care about her. And I'm not just asking because of some crazy war." He walked over to the blonde who was at her locker. "Betty?" She turned to him with a small smile. "There's something I really need to ask you."

There was a time jump back to the present, everyone back in their normal clothing.

"Shawny, you were going to ask me something?" Betty asked.

He pulled a ring from his pocket. "I found this really cool siren ring in my Cracker Jack box. Would you like it?"

"Yeah," she said, taking the ring, and putting it on. "Thanks, handsome. I'll treasure it forever."

She gently kissed him.

***

I know this chapter basically copied Topanga and Cory but I tried to edit it to make it more like Betty and Shawn cuz I feel like I've been slacking on them.