Steve came in the office the next morning not yet hearing from Michelle. He'd gone to the Governor's mansion after leaving her the night before but could barely concentrate on his surroundings, too distraught over what would come of she and Paul's conversation. Even if she did come clean with him and break it off, they still had an ocean and an entire continent separating them.
He thought about Virginia, having been there a couple of times during his Naval career. It was a beautiful place, but not one that he had ever considered moving to, until he met Michelle, it made him re-think the possibility that he had considered four years earlier.
He looked around the deserted office, wondering if he could leave all this behind with a clear conscience. He'd worked so hard to build it up to what it was today, they all had. He knew confidently Danny could run Five-0 but it wasn't really the job he would miss as much as the people, but he also knew that if Michelle chose him that he couldn't let her get away again, no matter what.
He came in his office knowing that he was worrying about something that wasn't even on the table yet, deciding to tackle that when and if it arose.
Sitting on his desk was a letter with his name on it. He picked it up, assuming it had to do with the events from the night before, until he read the first line.
He sat down in his chair with a thud, it was the letter she had written him four years earlier. He instinctively glanced around his office, to see if she was still there, but saw no sign of her. He looked back down, finishing it.
Steve,
I just left you at the airport in Thailand. I'm sitting here in my seat on the plane and I can't understand why. I don't belong in Virginia. The space that separates us now is so difficult for me to accept that I don't know how I'm going to make it until I see you again. Even as I write this I'm finding it difficult not to cry. I've never experienced the type of happiness and peace in my life as I have over the last four days. I want that! I want you! I could go on and on about what it meant and write paragraphs of the feelings it arose in me that I never knew existed, or I could just come to the point and...
The letter stopped there as if she had set it down to finish later, but as his eyes scrolled down the page he saw the words that he'd been searching for. He stared at them seeing almost the identical scribbling that was on his letter to her. He recalled sitting in his barracks that night and writing it on the page that he'd started but never finished, but it never needed to be either. Just like this one, those three words were all he needed to say anyway. It was the same type of message he got now from her letter as well.
He sat back in his chair and read it again and again, each time his heart would beat a little faster. He looked at his watch, wondering if it was too early to go and see her.
He stood up and grabbed his keys off his desk. He had another plan all together.
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Michelle came out of the bathroom wrapped in the blue robe as she towel dried her hair. She tossed the towel on the bed, going for her suitcase when she noticed an envelope lying on the floor by the door.
She stared down at it seeing her name on the front and smiled, knowing whom it was from and what it was before she even picked it up.
She opened the door, looking down the hall in both directions but didn't see him.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and took the letter out that was inside, grinning happily knowing he must have already read hers.
Michelle,
First off let me begin by saying I'm an idiot. I've never considered myself a foolish person but leaving you at the airport in Thailand I have no other choice but to accept my fate, because that's how I feel about what I did. Even if the circumstances were beyond our control I should have left you with more than the promise to see you again. I already miss you. I miss your laugh. I miss the feel of you laying next to me. I'll do whatever I have to you to keep us together. It was never my intentions to leave you. I wanted to say to…
His letter ended abruptly just as hers, with the last lines crossed out as if he couldn't find the words, but as she followed her eyes down, she saw exactly what he was trying to say loud and clear.
She pressed it tightly against her chest. Saying the words out loud to him. "I love you too."
She heard her phone buzz and scooted back on the bed, hoping it was Steve.
She saw the text from Paul informing her of a meeting with the Governor at nine that morning in his office. She recognized the separation that was already apparent between them, he never would have texted her before. It would have been a call. She knew she needed to transfer from his team and wondered if maybe he hadn't already set the wheels in motion. It would just be too difficult to work with him.
She looked down at the letter in her hand and thought about what would happen if she just never went back.
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Steve came in the Governor's office with Danny behind him. It was a large space but the room was quickly becoming full with the Secret Service detail from the night before already in attendance as well as the Governor's official staff.
He saw Michelle right away standing off in a corner, speaking with a colleague when she looked over at him, anticipating his arrival. They both smiled, seeing the contents of the letters written all over each of their faces.
Danny nudged him. "She looks pretty good this morning, considering the night she had."
"She looks great. She's tough," he said proudly.
Danny looked up at his expression and rolled his eyes. "Jesus, calm down."
"What?"
"I don't know the details of what happened when you took her back to her hotel last night, but I can pretty much piece it together by the dopey look on your face."
He glared down at him. "Nothing happened. We just talked." His thoughts went to her letter, recalling certain words that stuck with him; three in particular.
Danny laughed, "Talking's like foreplay. You guys did it and you don't even know it."
Steve gave him a silly, condescending laugh before moving away, making his way toward Michelle. The one person he neglected to see in the room was Paul.
She turned away from the conversation as he stood next to her. "Good morning," she said, unable to wipe the same grin off of her face that she'd been harboring all morning.
"Good morning. This is all for you, you know." He was elaborating on the commotion in the room.
She rolled her eyes. "It's silly. I don't need recognition for doing my job."
He admired that about her, knowing she didn't like being the center of attention. She never had. "I know this makes you uncomfortable. You may not think you deserve it, but you saved the lives of several people last night, including two kids. So just smile and say thank you. It'll all be over quick."
She nodded her understanding over his advice, but wanted so much to mention the letter, wondering what he thought of it and wanting to tell him what she thought of his, but the current location they were in wasn't ideal. Instead she gave him something else, "I told Paul."
He had figured as much after getting the letter. "Do you think you can get away later today?"
"Yes." She didn't even hesitate or consider her schedule. She would make the time.
He didn't have a plan yet, but didn't care where it was that they met either, just being next to her even in a crowded room was satisfying. He looked over at a commotion and saw Paul walk in with the Governor. "I'll call you," he said to her, moving away from her and back over to Danny. After the previous night he didn't think it necessary to potentially rub Paul's nose in it by hovering around her.
She understood his quick departure and was grateful for it.
Danny stood with his arms crossed, blowing out between his lips, making the quiver. "Are we going to get this thing started and over with or what?"
"What's the matter," Steve badgered him, "you got business somewhere?"
"I got the day off I'm hoping. You're little prodigy over there pumped three bullets into the Estalonzo's head, closing the file on our latest investigation, hence, giving me the day off."
Steve glanced over at him. "I don't think I gave the green light for a free day. I'm sure I can find something for you to do."
Danny slowly looked over at him, shaking his head irritably. "You're a sadist with a badge."
Steve chuckled. "I'm just yanking your chain Partner. Take the day."
Danny huffed, motioning with his head toward Michelle, "Like you weren't going to do the same."
"The thought never crossed my mind," Steve lied. "Work before women."
Danny believed nothing he said. "Work before women," he mocked him. "If you could get away with it you would have left me at the office all day to do your paperwork while you spent the day fishing on Delvin's boat or some other fun activity. You have no conscience."
"Hey," Steve smiled brightly, "you just gave me a great idea."
"What, the boat?"
"Well yeah," Steve said, looking over at him. "And the paperwork for last night that needs to be done. Have it on my desk tomorrow morning."
Danny huffed, "Sure thing boss, it'll only have two words on it."
Steve laughed, knowing those two words probably started with 'F' and 'O'.
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Michelle stood barefoot on the dock with the beach bag over her shoulder and her flip-flops in hand. She stared down at Steve in the boat unbeknownst to him, just watching. He pulled tight on a rope and she could see his muscles flex even under the shirt that he wore. She blushed over that, remembering his strength on several occasions as they made love up against a wall as he easily held her suspended there. Her body ached to feel that with him again.
They were both free. There was nothing standing between them anymore, not even work for the time being. A job well done was rewarded with an extended stay on the island for a week. The whole team stayed, everyone except for Paul, who left that morning on the first flight out. She felt that load off her shoulders, giving herself and Steve the chance they both deserved. It was a beautiful day, not only weather wise but also the fact that she was looking down on him, feeling a euphoric rush over the idea of spending the whole day with him, just the two of them, it was like they were back in Thailand all over again.
He looked over his shoulder just then as if sensing her arrival and smiled, dropping the rope and focusing every bit of his attention on her. He came and stood at the edge of the boat, looking up at her.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey," he replied, grinning from ear to ear. "I didn't hear you walk up."
"I was just watching you." She smiled as his face blushed over that. She loved those boyish looks that were sexier than hell. "It's just still so surreal sometimes to see you right there in front me. I feel like I have to pinch myself to make sure you're real."
He didn't think he'd ever seen her look more beautiful than way she was looking at him. He felt his heart begin to race, the way it always did when she was close by. "I'm real," he promised her.
"Permission to come aboard, Sir," she grinned.
He held his hand up to her, "Permission granted."
She accepted the sweet gesture and stepped on the edge before jumping down on the deck next to him.
He squeezed her hand just before letting go. "I'm glad you came."
His blue eyes held her close, caressing her as they roamed over her face. She held her breath wondering how she had survived without him over the past four years. "This was the perfect idea."
"Welcome aboard. Make yourself at home." He pointed down through an opening that led to the galley. "There's a fridge down there with beer, pop and some chips and other stuff if you get hungry. There's also a bathroom with a shower, and a couch if you get tired of the sun, or a bed if you get tired of me and want to sleep it off."
She looked over at his grin and laughed. "No chance of that." She looked up some steps that led to the controls of the boat. From where she stood they seemed just as impressive as the rest of the vessel. She turned as he fastened down the rope he had been working with when she walked up. "Is this your boat?"
"No," he huffed. "I could never afford this boat. Hell, I couldn't afford the maintenance on this boat. It belongs to a friend of mine that I grew up with here on the island. He and his family live on the mainland now but come her to vacation about three, four times a year. He likes it when I take it out so it's not just sitting." He undid the tie that held them to the dock. "It's a good tradeoff."
"Yes," Michelle agreed. "A very good tradeoff."
He went past her to the steps, going up a couple and then turned. "Do you want to come up here with me?"
She dropped the bag off her shoulder and followed behind him.
He stood at the controls and pushed a button as the engines turned over and the boat lunged. She reached out and caught his arm balancing herself.
"Whoa," Steve laughed, "are you sure you used to be a Navy Seal?" He turned, protecting his body as she gently punched his arm.
"Don't think for a second that I couldn't throw you in the water, Commander."
"I believe you." He raised his hands in defense, "I do. But just to make sure you don't fall in…" He reached out, putting an arm around her waist and pulled her in front of him so she was facing the controls.
She looked over her shoulder at him as he stood directly behind her. "You're going to trust me to drive this boat?"
He reached around her with both hands and began to turn on the satellite and GPS controls. "Teamwork."
She could feel his body pressed up against hers. The memories of their two bodies joined in the most intimate ways possible was flashing before her. She held hers palms up. "Where should I put my hands?" she asked, grinning.
He didn't verbally respond but she heard a low playful growl come from him as he took her hands and put them on the steering wheel. Her body was strong and fit, but what he remembered most were the delicate features and the softness of her skin when he used to glide his hand up and down the treasure that lied beneath him. The heat of the day was already making him sweat; yet it was only mid morning and the trade winds blew a cool breeze off the freshly showered mountains.
He backed the boat out of the moored space as they began to make their way out to the open water.
She looked at the beach as they passed Magic Island, seeing children playing in the gentle waves and the surfers further out sitting up on their boards, anticipating that perfect wave to come and carry them to shore. She looked back inland and gasped at the clear view of the lush, dark green mountains as the clouds encased the tops of them rolling down through the valleys, it was picture perfect. She felt a peace move through her that she'd never experienced before. This place was powerful. She remembered him telling her how people would come for a visit and never leave. She understood their desire as she marveled at the beauty of it now. The fact that he lived here only helped the cause.
"I think this is the most beautiful place I've ever been too," she said sincerely.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, hugging her for that. " 'Aole 'ikeka mea e loa'a ana na'e, 'ko'u aloha," he whispered to her.
She looked over her shoulder surprised at his gifted use of the native tongue. She didn't know what he said but it sounded romantically thrilling to hear. "What did you say?"
He focused on the path through the water in front of him. "You haven't seen anything yet." He glanced at her and smiled, neglecting to confess the last two words he spoke were, 'my love'.
She rested her head back on his shoulder as they glided peacefully through the surf with nothing in front of them but the vast ocean.
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Steve held the scuba vest open as Michelle slid her arms inside and turned as he hoisted it on her shoulders and then held the bottom of the air tank that was attached to it while she zipped up the vest and fastened the straps.
"Ok, I'm good," she said as he slowly released his grip and she adjusted her stance to take on the weight. She had done the same for him just minutes before. She reached up handing him his mouthpiece that dangled behind his back and she reached behind and grabbed hers as well. "I'm so excited," she said eagerly. "I haven't dived in so long."
"Have you ever dived in tropical waters before?" Steve asked.
"No."
He smiled brightly at her, knowing she was in for a treat. "You think it's pretty up here," he pointed down with his thumb, "wait until you get down there."
She pulled her mask down over her eyes and nose, "Let's go!"
She went to the back of the boat, carefully maneuvering in her flippers along with the fifty-pound weight on her back. She stepped through the small opening and jumped feet first into the water. As she came up inflating her vest, she felt the splash from Steve. He popped up just seconds later.
He took out his breather, "You ready?"
She nodded enthusiastically, deflating her vest as she slowly went under, eyes wide as he laughed at her, already considering it the best day ever.
He followed behind her as she made her way down to the bottom that was about fifty feet.
Michelle's eyes darted back and forth, trying to take in all that she could see. It was beyond anything she could have ever imagined. It was almost like being in the middle of an animated movie it was so amazingly clear and colorful. She looked back at him wanting to yell out to him that he was right, it was just as beautiful as up top.
He went past her as they reached the bottom, guiding her over to a spot that he liked. The coral was especially abundant and the sea life that lived in and around it seemed to be constantly active. He felt a tug on his arm and looked back at her. She couldn't speak but he could tell by the look in her eyes that she was telling him she was impressed. It was what he was hoping for. He took her hand and pulled her over to a spot in between two coral boulders and hovered there.
She watched him take out the spear that was attached to his waist and poke it in a hole that was down about three feet from them. Suddenly on the other side of the rock a long eel came flying out of the tube that ran between it. Michelle let out a squeal of fright and then laughed as it twirled in the water almost angry at the intrusion and then darted back inside it's hidden domain.
They looked at each other amused.
They moved further along the edge of the reef stopping briefly as school of brightly colored Anthias passed in front of them. She swam forward, breaking up the swarm amused over how they went around her and then right back into formation.
He pulled out the spear again and motioned for her to take it. She held it out, assuming she knew what she was doing until he came up behind her, putting his hands over top of hers and showing her the best technique. They fired it two times and came up empty both times. He tapped her on the shoulder, and imitated pulling a gun from his hip and shooting the fish, and then pointed at her, grinning. She knew he was teasing her and took the spear from him trying it on her own this time. She aimed it at a school that swam by and fired, missing all fifty of them. She could hear Steve laughing through his breathing apparatus looking over at him. He pretended to cock a gun and hand to her.
She quickly turned in the water and went after him. He did the same, avoiding the physical backlash that he deserved.
She reached out, grabbing his ankle, pulling him backward as he curled in the water, trying not to laugh too hard as he fought her. She crawled up his body, wrapping her legs around his still holding the empty spear in her hand. He grabbed her around the waist so they were facing each other, finding equal buoyancy fifty feet under the water as they floated.
He held a hand up calling a truce, which she obliged but still didn't release the hold on him, instead she slowly glided her hand up his arm, moving it over his bicep, feeling his muscles that were taught from holding her. She took in a deep breath and pulled out her breather, putting her hand over his as well. He took in a breath and gently nodded as he let her take it out. She tilted her head, avoiding the masks and kissed him.
She smiled brightly putting his mouthpiece back in first and then doing the same to her own. He shook his head at her, but she could still see the smile in his eyes and on his lips even past the breather.
She released the hold on him as they continued on with their adventure. He took her further out on the reef, but was careful not to stray too far from the boat. He swam next to her but allowed himself to drift back every so often to get a look at her body in the bikini. Her backside was just as round and perfect as it ever was and held his attention too long at one point as she caught him admiring it.
He shrugged, as if he were telling her it wasn't his fault and used his thumb and fingers to imitate the word 'ok'.
She giggled and shook it for him as she swam off, enjoying her time with him immensely. They had fallen right back into sync with one another.
She was admiring some brightly colored plants when she felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up at him as he held his thumb up, instructing her they should ascend, the air was getting low. She nodded in agreement as they both inflated their vests just slightly to raise them at the proper speed to allow their bodies to decompress.
They faced each other as he held onto her vest with both hands and slowly kicked their way up. It was a slow process since they had eventually gone down almost a hundred feet.
Michelle gripped both his arms looking across at him as he stared back at her. Her heart began to race and she was glad they were going up because her breathing began to escalate as well. She slid her hand behind his neck, gently stroking him, enjoying his positive reaction over it. 'I'll never leave you again,' she thought to herself. 'Never.'
He had missed her so much, but it was this, just the feel of her touch on his body and the earlier playfulness that he missed the most. The seductive move compelled him to fly to the surface, wanting to get to the top so he could kiss her without any obstacles in his way. He had to control his eagerness for safety reasons, which was becoming increasingly difficult with every stroke of her fingers. He took one of his hands and slid it around her waist, pulling her in closer to him, still able to enjoy her soft skin, even under the water. 'You're amazing Michelle. Do you have any idea what you do to me?'
When they finally surfaced there was no hesitation as they both dropped their breathers and pulled their masks off their faces. He leaned in to her as she pulled his lips to hers. She could taste the saltwater on his tongue as he played with her, catapulting her into a thrilling state of bliss, wanting all of him, not just his lips.
He wanted it too, breaking away from her and holding her hand as he quickly swam backward toward the boat while she kicked her legs, helping the cause, all the while keeping their gaze on the other.
He pulled himself up the ladder and over the side, reaching over as she followed his steps, taking his hand until she was on the deck.
"Get it off," she said eagerly, turning her back to him and glancing over her shoulder as he held the tank. She quickly undid the straps as he leaned over kissing her neck. "Oh my God," she moaned, working faster. She unzipped it and he slid it off her shoulders, letting it lie on the deck as he turned and she did the same for him but having to use both hands to hold the weight. She could see him working just as frantically to free himself of the vest. "Hurry Steve," she implored just as he wiggled his arms free and she set it down next to the other one.
He turned around and before she was even erect he had her in his arms, gripping her around the waist, their lips finding their home once again as her arms went around his neck. She moaned into his mouth enjoying his talents that she had dreamt about on so many nights, only to be woken and plagued with tears of sadness. The tears that touched her cheeks now were anything but.
He wanted her so badly he didn't think he could make it down to the galley, lifting her around the waist and feeling with his hand for the opening to the room below deck not wanting to break from the kiss that was more intoxicating than any aphrodisiac known to man.
Their bodies dripped ocean water and she forced them apart seeing his displeasure only to gain a smile from him over her question. "Didn't you say there was a bed down there?"
He held her hand going down the steps and to the back of the boat. She gripped his arm with both hands, following behind him as they came to the small hallway that led to the room that was only big enough for the bed. He stopped and turned, pinning her against the wall with his body and kissed her again. She wrapped a leg around his, pulling on his hips begging him to take her.
He braced a hand on the wall by her head, holding her close with his other arm, resting his forehead against hers. "I never thought I'd be in this place with you again." His voice weak, filled with so many different emotions, "I missed you so much."
She put both her hands on his face, holding him as tears fell down hers. "I don't ever want to be away from you again. I can't lose you again."
He looked down at her as she stared up at him, both feeling the words that had been written in the letters and thought of so many times but never spoken to the other and neither wanting another second to go by without the other knowing it.
"I love you."
They both spoke simultaneously feeling the breath of the words on their lips from the other.
He leaned back, seeing the look of surprise on her face as well, both of them laughing over it. She put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly as he lifted her up and laid her back on the bed.
She scooted back as he followed her, his eyes showing the same hunger as he laid her back with a kiss. She pulled him down, feeling his blazing touch as he began to stroke her outer thigh that she had wrapped around him.
Her kisses were enough to satisfy even the most carnal ache, knowing he could die happy having the privilege to steal one of those kisses whenever he chose. He went to her neck as his hands roamed over her stomach. The pleasurable sounds coming from her only encouraged his exploration. He'd missed this body so much, needing her naked beneath him so he could savor what he'd been craving for four years. Being inside Michelle was a comfort that he could never verbally explain to anyone, it was a personal experience that he kept all to himself, it was his own piece of paradise. He wanted to experience that now, badly.
He slid a hand behind her neck and untied her bathing suit top and then did the same with the one behind her back, rising up just enough to see the beautiful creation as he pulled it away, all the while her hands roaming over his face, his neck, his shoulders, touching him in the sweetest way.
She arched her back as he kissed her breast. His tongue was warm and she shuttered from the gentle bite on her nipple just before he moved to the other. She felt none of the chill over the dampness from the dive, only the heat that poured from both of their bodies as they played with each other.
She took his hand and moved it down to her waist, guiding it over the outside of her thigh and then opened it as she led him inside, allowing him to continue as she untied the bows on either side of her bikini, sliding it out from beneath her just as his fingers reached the spot.
She wrapped an arm around his shoulder, hanging onto him as he kissed her hungrily and gently stroked her, feeling her body react from both of them. She couldn't control it nor could she hold it back as she came, her body trembling as he looked down at the ecstasy on her face from just his touch. It was nothing short of spectacular.
She reached down, slipping her hands in the back of his shorts, pulling them down until he was freed and naked on top of her. She could feel him pressed against her as she looked up at him; her voice husky over the anticipation of feeling him inside her again. "Sometimes I would just ache for you," she confessed, her eyes welling with tears. "I just wanted to sleep, hoping I'd dream of you." She lifted herself up, resting on her elbow, her lips barely touching his. "I love you so much. Make love to me again, Steve."
They were the sweetest words he'd ever heard spoken, lovingly giving her what she asked. The sensation that rippled through him was overpowering. The world around him and all that existed seemed to vanish except for her. With every stoke of their bodies he fell deeper and deeper in love until he felt he might melt from the sheer pleasure of it all. He tried to prolong the inevitable but was too racked by the feel of her wrapped around him to fight it off. It had been four years since he'd felt the ecstasy that only Michelle could instill in him.
His mind exploded as he gripped her tighter trying desperately to get closer to her all the while his heart pounding, feeling every nerve in his body reacting over what she was doing to him, until it all came together, slowly growing and building until he thought he might literally shatter into a million pieces.
She held him tightly as his body trembled and he cried out saying her name which heightened her desire for him as she welcomed yet another orgasm along with his. He didn't succumb to it and lie lifeless even though she knew it had been a powerful one, on the contrary his lips moved over her neck, as did his hand up her body until he had it buried in her damp hair. She could feel the breath from his weakness as he whispered to ear.
"I love you." He then rested his body, falling into her, not able to face her just yet.
She held him close, hearing the emotion in his voice and feeling the results from it on her shoulder, understanding why he hid in the crevice of her neck.
He'd once again managed to surpass the most romantic moment in her life as he allowed himself to become completely exposed to her. She would do anything for this person lying here with her, anything in the world. His wants, his needs, fulfilling them wouldn't be burdens they would be her way of showing him just how much she loved him too.
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Michelle lay still, completely sedated. She caressed her hand through his hair as the kisses began again down her neck, over her breasts and then back up again. She had fulfilled him sexually, but his want for her would never be satisfied.
He rose above her, resting on his elbows. His body still nestled between her legs, her feet slowly moving up and down over his calves.
"Don't move away," she said. "I want you to stay right where you are."
He kissed her for that, long and deep.
He granted her the wish and slid an arm under her head as they lay on their sides facing each other, their bodies entwined.
"I love you," he said quietly, enjoying the feel of her skin beneath his palm as he glided it up and down her body.
"I love you too."
"I won't leave you at another airport Michelle." He'd do whatever he had too to keep them together. "I can leave my board shorts behind for a winter coat."
It thrilled her that he was on the same path as she, but what he was suggesting didn't sit well with her either. "This is your home. You have a good life here."
"And you have a life there. I want to be with you. I can feel at home anywhere as long as I wake up next to you."
She kissed him for the words but let him know she didn't agree. "I may have a life there, but I've never felt more at home anytime in my life than I have here over the past few days. You were right about these islands. They have a way of pulling you in and wrapping their arms around you. I feel that. I don't want to go back to Virginia. I want to stay here with you."
He didn't bother to argue her point, he too knew this was where they belonged, but wanted her to make that choice. "I'll make you happy. I promise."
They were words that had no reason to be spoken as far as she was concerned. She knew he would. She smiled uneasily at him. "I have no job. I have no place to live." Her smile turned hopeful, "Do you think I could maybe pop a tent in your backyard until I can find a place?"
He chuckled over her parody, playing along. "I do live right on the beach. It could be an ideal place. You could bath in the ocean, fish for food."
"Sounds like the perfect spot."
He rolled over on top of her. "Would you keep your tent unzipped for me at night?"
She reached up and kissed him. "All the way."
He ran his hand over her forehead and back through her hair. "I can't wait to have you in my bed, in my home." Just the thought of it ignited him again as he moved her legs further apart with his knee.
She moaned softly into his mouth as he kissed her, excited too over another liaison with him, knowing this one would be slow and meticulous, having rid themselves of that first encounter that couldn't be controlled by either of them.
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Michelle slowly opened her eyes and for just a split second forgot where she was, then all at once a smile erupted on her face. She rolled over looking for him in the empty bed but heard him on the deck.
She came up the stairs, wearing the swimsuit and saw him putting the tanks away. "Do you need any help?"
He looked over his shoulder at her grinning. "Nope. I got it."
He set it inside the small compartment and closed the door, feeling a hand on his back as he rose up, facing her. She clasped a hand behind his neck and gave him several small quick kisses, which he accepted with pleasure.
"Are you hungry?" he asked after she finished and just smiled up at him.
"Starving." She looked around the boat. "What time is it?"
"About five."
She looked at him surprised over that. "Time flies when you're having fun."
He reached out and pulled her back to him, "If that's the case, it should be midnight."
"Having fun with me are you, Commander?" she dodged a kiss from him and giggled, pulling away from him. "I don't want to seem too easy," she teased, going to the edge of the boat and standing on the rim. "You have to work for it, but I'll give you some motivation." She undid the tie of her suit behind her back and pulled it over her head and then did the same to both ties on her bottoms, tossing them at him with a wide grin as they hit him in the chest. She dove in the water naked.
He went to the edge, bracing both hands on it as he looked down at her. She came up and lay on her back, floating, staring up at him with the most seductive smile he'd ever seen her adorn.
"You're wicked, you know that?"
She laughed, rolling over and began to swim towards the back of the boat when she heard a splash behind her.
She looked over her shoulder but didn't see him, turning in the opposite direction, but still no sign of him but knew he was lurking. She started to giggle feeling that fun nervousness when she felt his finger run along the bottom of her foot. She let out a scream going down under the water but still not seeing him. She came back up, frantically looking around. "Steve!" she shouted playfully, "Stop!" she laughed, going for the ladder at full speed now, trying to get away from his next ploy. She thought she was home free as she began to pull her self up when he came out of the water, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her back in.
"Tease me will you," he scolded.
She shrieked as she hit the water landing on top of him.
He let go right away as she went for the ladder again, only this time she just held onto it as he swam up to her, wrapping an arm around her naked waist, gripping the ladder just above her head.
"You know what?" he said, pinning her back against it, staring into her beautiful auburn eyes.
She felt out of breath, but not from the horseplay. "What?"
"You're the first girl I've ever been in love with."
She smiled shyly over that confession, which was about the sweetest thing she'd ever heard. "I am?"
He nodded, "All sorts of crazy things go through my head when I'm with you."
"Like what?" she asked intrigued. He shrugged slightly and the young boy appeared that she so loved and admired.
"I don't know, like am I patient enough? Do I make you feel the same way that I feel? That's important to me. It never was with anyone before, but it is now."
She put an arm around his shoulder. "Yes and yes. You're the first man I've ever been in love with too." She enjoyed the smile that radiated from him over that. "I think about things too that I've never thought of before."
It was his turn, "Like what?"
"The future. Where it will take us." She didn't want to waste anymore time and just put it all out on the table. "Marriage, kids. Whether or not I would be good at either of those. Whether I could give them to you and make you happy." She stared at him searching for his reaction, not sure she should have set the table so early in their relationship, fearing just slightly she might frighten him. Also, not really knowing if he wanted those things. She knew he liked kids, having that relationship with Anai, but one of his own?
It was exactly what he wanted to hear from her, not even realizing it until she said it. "I want those things too. I want them with you, Michelle. I want to marry you. I have since that first night in Thailand and I should have married you then. I never should have let you get on that plane. I went back for you but it was too late. I'll never make that mistake again. I have no worries that you will make me happy, no worries at all."
It was like being in the middle of one of her dreams, only he was real this time and she didn't have to fight off the loneliness that would engulf her afterward. Somehow she knew that dreaded pain would never creep its way back into her life again as long as he was there. "I love you, Steve."
"I love you too." He sealed it with a kiss.
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"Are you sure?" Michelle asked, backing away as Steve leaned in to kiss her. "There's still time to back out you know."
"No chance," he grinned, taking her left hand and setting it against his chest. "Besides, I paid cash for the ring, no returns," he smiled teasingly.
She moved that same hand up and around his neck, "Ok, well I guess you're stuck with me then."
"Yep," he leaned in and whispered, "Forever." She allowed the kiss as the others in the room cheered.
"Finally!" Danny shouted and clapped along with the others as they stood in the Governor's office along with the Justice of the Peace. The kiss ended the quick ceremony, but it was official. There would be no separation ever again.
Michelle went to each one and hugged them, having got to know them well over the past month. She and Steve had made the trip back to Virginia together and gathered what she needed, which she decided wasn't much. The rest was left in the hands of an estate sale and the money minus their commission would just be sent to Hawaii.
She hadn't regretted a second of her decision, nor had he.
They sat at a long picnic style table in JJ's bar drinking beer and eating pizza.
"This is the best reception I've ever been too," Kono toasted, raising her glass to them with a slice of pepperoni in her hand.
Michelle took a bite of hers and laughed. "Thank you. Steve said whatever I wanted."
He put an arm around her waist, scooting her closer to him, "Whatever my girl wants, my girl gets."
"Wife!" Danny quickly corrected him. "She's your wife and you have to start referring to her in that way."
He kissed her cheek, "I have no problem with that."
"Where are you guys going for a honeymoon?" Chin asked. "I know people come to Hawaii but that's kind mundane for you."
Steve looked over at her. "I don't know. We've never really talked about it."
Michelle smiled over at Danny, "I have. Danny and I talked about it the other day." She reached down for her purse under the table as Steve looked suspiciously over at him.
"Why are you involved with my honeymoon plans? You're not going, no matter how much you kick and scream."
Danny made a revolting face as the others laughed. "You're going to make me lose my pizza." He motioned to Michelle who held an envelope in her hand. "She wanted to make sure you could get away. I told her yes."
Steve narrowed his eyes. "Get away where, and for how long?"
She handed him the envelope. "Just twelve days."
He took in a deep breath and let it out, glancing around the table as they all watched. He opened the envelope and took out two plane tickets, seeing the destination. He looked over at her trying to ward off the emotions that had suddenly and without warning taken over. "This is really where you want to go?" he asked her.
She nodded, overly pleased with his reaction.
"Where is it?" Kono asked, anxious to hear the place that had him clearly choked up.
"Is it Thailand?" Chin guessed.
"No," Steve responded, still looking at her, amazed that she would do this for him, "It's London."
"I want to meet Anai," she confessed. "I want to know the other girl in your life," she teased him. "And I want to personally thank her for what she did for you, and for me."
He turned and threw his legs over the side of the bench, standing up. "Ok, get up." He motioned with his fingers for Michelle to stand. "This deserves a proper thank you hug."
She giggled and swung her legs over and stood up.
He wrapped both arms around her, pulling her close to him. "Thank you."
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Steve stepped out of the taxi first, holding his hand out to Michelle as she exited behind him. The driver set their luggage on the ground next to them.
She looked at the row of attached houses that lined the street, appearing to go on forever. "Which one is it?" she asked.
Steve looked down at the piece of paper in his hand when he heard his name been yelled two doors down. He looked up and saw Anai coming toward him, waving her arm. She had on a pair of Levis and a buttoned down blue flannel shirt; her long brown hair swaying from side to side, looking nothing like the young girl he had left behind that night in Afghanistan. But as she neared, he smiled, recognizing the beautiful eyes that had seen him through some of the most trying and painful moments of his life.
"Oh my God," he exclaimed going towards her as she picked up her pace, running now. "Look at you."
She squealed with excitement and jumped into his open arms, hugging him tightly. "I'm so glad you're here! I've been watching from the window for the last two hours."
She released him and he put both hands on her shoulders, holding her back so he could get a good look at her. "I can't believe how tall you are." He moved his hand from her shoulder and cupped her cheek, "You look just as beautiful as ever."
She blushed slightly and hugged him again. "When I got your letter that you were coming I screamed so loud Papa thought I saw a mouse," she laughed.
He chuckled with her and looked over at Michelle who smiling brightly over their happy greeting. He reached his hand out for her. "Anai," he said as she released him and stepped back looking at Michelle. "I want you to meet my wife."
Anai smiled, "Michelle," she said, forgoing a handshake as the two women hugged.
"It's such a pleasure to finally meet you Anai. You're just as beautiful and charming as Steve described you."
Anai looked at her. "So are you. We used to talk about you a lot, " she looked over at him. "didn't we?"
He nodded, recalling several of their conversations. "Yes we did."
"You saved his life," Michelle said. "Thank you."
She smiled but shrugged. "Maybe, but you did too. He missed you so much. He just wanted to go home and see you." She looked over at him again and smiled sweetly. He had saved her life as well. "I think we're all lucky to have met one another."
Michelle put an arm around her as they both faced him. She had only known this young girl for a few minutes and could already see all the wonderful things he had said about her were true.
Steve looked at the two most important women in his life. He loved both of them equally but in different ways. It was surreal to see them together after all that he'd been through with each of them. They could think what they wanted but he considered himself blessed to be standing where he was. Those two strong, independent women had both risked their lives at one time to save his. They were without a doubt the most beautiful creatures he'd ever laid eyes on. He was certainly feeling the gift of life as he stood there admiring them.
"We are going to have so much fun while you are here." Anai blurted out. She reached down and picked up his large duffel bag and grabbed the handle of Michelle's suitcase and began to walk toward her house rambling off the plans she had for them. As they neared the front door, Joran and Marna came out smiling and waving, overjoyed to see him as well.
Steve looked over his shoulder as Michelle joined him, putting an arm around his waist as his went over her shoulder and they began to follow Anai. He leaned over and kissed her temple. "I love you so much for so many reasons, but what you did here, it takes the prize. Thank you."
She squeezed him, laying her head on his shoulder. "I love you too."
For the first time ever, he was at peace in his life. He thought back to that night in Thailand when he first ran into Michelle in that bar, and the conversation with his Dad just hours before. He had laughed him off for suggesting that he strive for a family and a wife.
He couldn't help but smile and look up toward the heavens, knowing that his Dad was probably looking down and laughing at him now, knowing he had seen it coming before he did, wondering if maybe he wasn't preparing him for the inevitable. It was the last piece of advice he had given him and he cherished it.
"Thanks Dad," he thought to himself, gripping his wife just a little tighter.
He was happy. He had a family again.
The End
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Thanks everyone for reading. Sorry it took so long to post this last one. The Holidays you know...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!