Chapter 21
Tom could feel every bit of her body against him, as he roused from sleep. Her back was against his chest, their legs intertwined, his right arm under her pillow, fingers interlaced with hers, his left arm around her waist. Her hair was close to his nose, as he inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo and hair spray from yesterday.
He snuggled his face deeper into her neck, pulling her as close as possible. With her nude body against his, it was hard not to become aroused once more. They'd made love into the early morning hours-he suspected they'd only gotten a few hours of sleep. He didn't mind though. It had been a long time since he'd enjoyed being with a woman all night, learning her body, memorizing every inch. He was addicted.
Rachel could feel him shift behind her, feel every bit of him from his chest down to his toes. His nose was nuzzled in her neck, his hard length pressing into her behind. She smiled through her sleepiness, thrusting her ass gently back against him, eliciting a deep groan from his lips. She felt him latch his lips onto her neck. She giggled, snuggling closer to him.
Tom wrapped his left arm tighter around her, thrusting subtly against her. "Good morning," he whispered against her ear.
She grinned. He'd spent the whole night with to her, holding her wrapped in his arms. It was like a dream. "Good morning," she echoed, her relaxed state evident in her tone. "I'm hungry," she playfully whined into the pillow. A devilish grin appeared on his lips.
"Are you?" he moaned into her neck, reaching down to move himself closer to her warm center. Rachel laughed again.
"Not that kind of hungry, the kind that involves real food," her stomach growled softly for effect and this time Tom laughed.
"Ohh, I see what you really want," she rolled over in his arms to face him, taking in his sleepy eyes and tousled hair. She ran a hand down his cheek, cupping his handsome face.
"Feed me and you can have anything you want after," she incentivized. He raised his eyebrows in acceptance and smiled.
"Anything?" He questioned. She nodded, her eyes darkening.
"Anything." she solidified, her eyes telling him she meant it. He kissed her forehead before standing, turning on the light, grabbing his small bag and dressing in the casual navy issued sweatpants, tee shirt, and sneakers he'd brought with them. She watched him dress from where she lay, snuggled up in the spot he'd slept in all night, basking in the warmth it provided her. She marvelled in his strong back as he dressed, catching his baby blues as he turned around. He smiled sweetly down at her.
"I'll be back shortly," he bent down, kissing her lips lightly, knowing if he kissed her any longer, he'd never leave.
"Mmm," she moaned into the kiss. "I look forward to it."
Tom pointed at her playfully, "Don't you dare get up or put clothes on. I expect you just as you are when I return."
"Yes, sir," She replied, pulling the blanket down just a little, as if unintentionally, revealing a bare breast. Tom gave her a hungry stare before pulling open the door enough for him to exit, and shutting it behind him. Rachel stared at the top bunk and for the first time in such a very long time, she felt giddy.
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Tom once again found his sister in his chair in the ward room, munching on toast, drinking coffee, and reading a medical journal. This time though, she looked a bit under the weather.
"Fancy meeting you here again," he teased, moving to the counter to grab food and tea for Rachel.
"Mmm," was all she replied with. He looked at her over his shoulder.
"Rough night?" he kidded. She groaned.
"I attempted to drink Tex under the table," she began, putting the journal down, "Needless to say, he won."
Tom let out a hearty laugh, this time turning around to take in his sister's full appearance. Her hair piled on her head, her makeup from yesterday's activities looking a bit amiss, the baggy t-shirt she wore...his eyes widened.
"Jenny…" he began, giving her his best fatherly look. His sister let out a laugh, covering the grin on her face.
"What?" She retorted, all sass. "Nothing happened," she scoffed at her brother. Tom raised his eyebrows.
"Oh really?" he pulled a few items off the line for Rachel, as well as himself, while waiting for her tea to steep.
"What do you take me for?" she chastised, crossing her arms like a child. He laughed as he peered at her. That's the sister he so fondly remembered.
"I'll kick his ass if he hurts you," Tom threatened. Jenny rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, Thomas," she replied rudely.
"Jimmy is a good marksman, I can easily have him show you again how good he is," Tom added, filling up the tray.
"Exactly where are you going with all that food?" Jenny grilled in return, as Tom headed for the door. He winked at his baby sister.
"What do you take me for?" he repeated, before retreating out the door, letting it swing shut behind him. He grinned as he walked down the p-way, passing a few sailors who acknowledged him. He clearly had more food than for just one, and was not going in the direction of his cabin. He knew what they were thinking. And he really didn't mind.
He pushed open her door, and to his pleasure, found her just as he'd left her, if not in a better position. She'd fallen back asleep it seemed, one hand on her breast, the other on the pillow by her head, her finger wrapped around a tendril of her hair. Tom gently set down the tray on her small vanity and carried a warm muffin over to her. He knelt down by the bed, nipping at her small pink bud, swirling his tongue around. She rolls her head to the side with a moan, her eyes slowly opening.
She'd just been falling back asleep when she'd felt his lips. When she opened her eyes, all that filled her eyesight was a delicious looking blueberry muffin. She grinned immediately.
"Hello again," she stretched like a cat, the sheet falling to her waist as her legs stretched out. Tom licked his lips.
"If you don't cover yourself up, you won't get any food," he practically growled, his eyes darkening a few shades. She pulled the sheet up, laughing.
"Easy, Captain," she teased, moving to a sitting position. He dropped his eyes with a smile, standing. "You feed me, you get me, fair?" she took the muffin from him, not bothering to wait before biting into it. He laughed at her ambitious behavior.
"Well, it's a good thing I brought a lot of food to keep your strength up," he chuckled, before placing the tray on the bed, and climbing in next to her, laying on his side, his socked feet by her head, the tray between them. She sat crosslegged on the bed, munching on the muffin.
"Thank you for this delicious spread," she said, thankful for the food, and for the company. She even saw the tea he had brought her. This man was turning her into a mushy Hallmark card.
"Anything for you," he replied, biting into a piece of bacon. They ate in companionable silence for a few moments, before Rachel spoke, her eyes trained on the cup of tea.
"When I came back to the ship wounded, what did you think?" she had to ask, what Jenny had said two days ago had been weighing heavily on her. Now that things were out in the open, she wanted to hear the words from him.
"What did I think?" Tom repeated, surveying the suddenly thoughtful woman before him. He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I was terrified," he paused, looking up at her, "that I'd lose you, after I'd already lost so much."
"Did you really barely leave my side?" she thought she should just get to the point. She watched his eyes widen a little.
"Who told you that?" he laughed, knowing the answer, but wanting to hear her source.
"Your sister," she brushed her hair behind her ear, her cheeks pink.
"Well, your source is reliable," he replied, eating some of his toast. "She also wouldn't let me stay with you while they treated your gunshot wound," his tone was almost regretful. She looked up, trying to read his expression.
"She said that too," Rachel added. He leaned back, gazing up at her. He sighed a little.
"No one told me you were hurt until I saw you in the basket on the flight deck. Not to mention, you were practically dead by that time. How I felt in that moment….," he seemed to bite back emotion, "I really thought I had lost you. And with the way we left things…," Tom struggled to find the words. He caught her darker eyes, "I should have told you how I felt before you left the Nathan James. I'm sorry I didn't."
Rachel reached forward, running her hand across his cheek, feeling his stubble under her fingers. "Tom, I was upset at that time, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing," she seemed to think about that statement for a moment, "except getting shot," she laughed, looking at her still healing wound. Tom chuckled.
"Yes, I would change that too," he agreed. "And yes, I sat by your bedside. And I held your hand. And I prayed you'd be alright," Tom confessed, the words flowing out.
"I remember you being there, in sickbay, but it's all very foggy," Rachel explained, "I remember waking up for the first time, you holding my hand. I was so afraid," she ate some of her breakfast, despite their serious conversation.
"I was, as well," Tom rubbed his thumb over her knee, through the sheet.
"There's something else we should probably talk…" Rachel drifted off, chewing on some bacon. Tom looked up, his eyes questioning.
"Something else?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You do realize I'll need to test myself again soon, right? To find out if I'm pregnant or not," Rachel confessed.
"You mean because of timing?" He honestly hadn't thought about it.
She nodded, "Yes. The test I took yesterday was for the first two times," her cheeks flushed, her mind drifting back to all the times they'd enjoyed one another. "You're sure there's no protection on this ship? Anywhere?" Her eyes looked almost hopeful.
"This type of behavior was forbidden, remember? So no, we definitely don't have any protection," Tom explained with a laugh. Rachel chewed her lip.
"Well, that's something you should prepare yourself for then," she replied, half-kiddingly. They both knew it was a reality though, if they were going to continue engaging this way. But as he watched her lips sip her tea, he couldn't wait to kiss them once more.
"We'll take it as it comes," he replied sweetly, putting the tray back on the counter, before taking her tea away as well. He then pulled his shirt off and dropped his pants, climbing back into the warm bed with her. "Are you full?" Tom asked, pulling her down to lay beside him. She stretched her arms over her head.
"Yes, I am. Thank you for breakfast," she smiled as he climbed on top of her, laying his body flush with hers, reaching his hands up to grasp hers, before kissing her deeply, their tongues battling. She could feel him grow hard against her lower abdomen, felt the feeling of want begin all over again. "Tom," she gasped as he spread her knees with his own.
"What?" he replied, whispering against her lips.
"I'm hungry for you now," she gave him a devilish grin. He obliged, pushing himself inside her without warning, her back arching up, a loud moan escaping her lips.
"Good," he attacked her neck with his lips, making love to her deeply and slowly, driving her mad.
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It was quite a few hours later before they emerged from Rachel's room. She had promised the newlyweds they would find out the gender of the baby, and they'd been kind enough to allow all the children to be present. Tom went one way to gather the children, while Rachel went on to medical to set up the machine.
Kara and Danny showed up a few minutes later, followed by four very excited children. Tom corralled them in the small room, all of them giggling. Tom caught Rachel's eyes over their heads, his eyes soft and kind. Her heart fluttered and for a brief moment she wondered if, or when, this would ever be them.
"Alright, are we ready to find out what gender your baby is?" Rachel asked the happy couple. Kara nodded excitedly.
"So ready!"
"Great. This might be cold," she put some of the jelly on Kara's exposed belly, before putting the wand on her skin. After a few moments the quick heartbeat filled the room, as the picture showed up on the screen. The children were in awe. "There's the head," Rachel pointed to the screen, "And the hands," she moved the wand on around on Kara's stomach, looking for the indication of the sex. A big smile broke across her face and she turned to Kara and Danny. "Do you want to guess?" She asked, the smile stuck on her lips. Kara grinned.
"No, just tell us." she replied, her excitement too much to bear. Rachel looked to the kids.
"Sam, you're getting your wish," she announced. Sam's eyes lit up.
"It's a boy?" he exclaimed, clapping his hands. Rachel nodded.
"Yes, it is!" She turned to Kara and Danny. "Looks like you're growing a healthy baby boy in there," she told them, printing the photo for them. She again caught Tom's eyes, and found so much love there, her heart swelled.
The kids chatted amongst themselves before running off to tell Mike's daughters. Tom walked up to Danny, shaking his hand in congratulations, while Kara and Rachel chatted about her health.
"As we get closer to your due date, we'll talk more about the delivery and options," Rachel explained, wiping off Kara's stomach, before pulling her shirt down and turning off the machine. She handed Kara the picture. "And there's your sweet boy," they gazed at the picture together, and Rachel felt almost envious of the younger woman. She was still enjoying the newfound haze of Tom Chandler's affection though, and still had two beautiful children to get to know better.
"Thank you for everything, Rachel. Really!" the women embraced before Danny and Kara went on their way to show everyone their tiny baby boy. Tom waited with Rachel while she cleaned up the room.
"I still can't believe we're going to have an infant on this ship," Tom sighed, shaking his head.
"Well, he'll be here soon enough so you better get used to it," Rachel laughed at his stressed comment. "Besides, there's bound to be more than one," she added. He sighed heavily.
"We may need to make home on shore somewhere," he verbally considered, leaning against the wall. She walked toward him, putting her arms around his waist, taking a moment for a little intimacy.
"What about the coziness of your ship, Captain Chandler?" Rachel giggled into his neck. He chuckled as it tickled, wrapping his arms around her, holding her against him. He was getting used to this-the feeling of her in his arms.
"I can only deal with your small bed for so long," he retorted, kissing along her neck. She tried to push him away, as his scruff tickled her sensitive skin. She found it interesting he hadn't bothered to shave today, it was so very unlike him. She found it sexy, however.
"Maybe we should move your bed to my room," she playfully considered. He laughed.
"Because that wouldn't look suspect," he replied against the cheek, kissing along her cheekbone.
"You be careful or I'll have to take you back to bed," she spoke in a mock threatening tone, reaching her hand down to rub him through his thick BDUs. He shuddered against her, sighing in her hair.
"Rachel, don't make me take you against this examination bed," he pushed himself against her hand, and she rubbed a little harder.
"I wouldn't mind that, I think."
"Do you have any idea the things you do to me?" he practically growled into her ear. As if on cue, she stepped back from his embrace, raising an eyebrow, crossing her arms. She surveyed the flushed-face man before her.
"I have some idea," she replied, before pulling open the door to sickbay.
"Rach," he whined as she pulled him out.
"Come on, we've got kids to entertain," she was surprised when he grabbed her hand, squeezing it.
"But later?" he asked, his eyes hopeful. She threw her head back in laughter.
"Yes, later," she confirmed.
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"So Dad," Ashley began, throwing herself onto their bed after changing into their PJs hours later. They had eaten dinner and watched a movie with their father while Rachel had done some necessary work in the lab. Now, as their bedtime approached, they had indulged in some leftover cake from the wedding, and were settling down. Tom playfully tossed Sam on the bed, tickling him.
"Yes, Ash?"
"Were you and Mom ever going to have another baby?" She asked curiously. He knew the kids had been fascinated by the ultrasound, had been talking about it all day, but he was surprised by her question. He sat down on the edge of the bed.
"No," he replied after a thoughtful moment, "We were happy with the two we had," he ruffled Sam's hair for effect with a grin.
"Do you think you will ever get married again?" Sam asked curiously. Tom considered the question carefully.
"I'm not sure, buddy. It might be too soon to know that," he explained, alternating looking between his kids.
"What about Rachel? You like her, right?" Ashley asked. Tom nodded carefully.
"I do, very much. But I'm not rushing into anything, especially because I need to look out for you two."
"Dad, we'll be fine. You need to be happy too," Ashley reasoned with her father, climbing closer to hug him. He wrapped his arms around her, embracing her tightly. Sam joined in, hugging his father's neck.
"I will always worry about you two and your happiness first and foremost," he explained, holding them secure. He felt very blessed in this moment, to have two such incredible children. They all sat together, embraced, for a few long moments, before the kids slowly let go, climbing into bed. He said his goodnights, kissing their foreheads, before stepping out into the hallway. His father ambled down the hallway toward him, so he loitered for a moment.
"Hey Pops," he greeted his father, shoving his hands in his pockets. Jed regarded his son, sliding his reading glasses off.
"Hey there, Thomas," he smiled, "Tucked the kids in?"
"Yeah. You can sit in my room if you like," he offered, pushing the door open. "I need to grab a few things anyway," he added, stepping to his closet. Jed made himself comfortable on the sofa.
"Heading down to Rachel's?" Jed asked, wondering if Tom would willingly admit it.
"I am," Tom confirmed. Jed's smile grew.
"Good," he watched his son gather a few items, sliding them into a small bag. "Must be nice, not having to keep secrets." Tom paused for a moment at his father's words.
"It is," Tom answered simply. Because it was nice. "The kids don't know I'm staying there though," he explained, looking to his father for understanding. Jed nodded.
"That secret is still safe with me, and that's one you should probably keep a while longer," Jed advised. Tom nodded.
"Agreed. Thanks, Dad," he slapped his father on the shoulder before heading for the door, "You need anything from me?" He paused, hand on the knob, looking back at his father. Jed shook his head with a grin.
"No, sir. Go enjoy your evening."
Tom stepped into the hallway, stepping into Mike's path. Surprisingly he hadn't seen his XO all day, and judging by the bags under his eyes, that had been on purpose.
"Mike! How's your day been?" he took in Mike's tired appearance, and knew it had probably been a rougher one.
"Let's just say scotch and a 6am wakeup call are two things that shouldn't be mixed together," the commander sighed. Tom chuckled.
"And how many cigars did you smoke? Four?" Tom teased. Mike rolled his eyes.
"Two too many," he shook his head, "I'm retiring for the evening," he glanced down at the small bag in Tom's hands, "I see you're just getting started…?"
"No," Tom laughed, shaking his head, "I'm heading down to Rachel's if you need anything," he spoke with words hushed, not wanting the children to hear. Mike nodded, a sly smile on his face, lighting up his tired eyes.
"Well, Captain, have a good evening then," he winked at his friend, as they stepped past each other, heading in their opposite directions.
Tom felt relaxed as he walked the long halls of the large ship. He felt solid in his decision, it seemed no one disagreed. And as he pushed open Rachel's door to find her sound asleep curled up under the covers, looking as adorable as ever, he smiled to himself. He definitely was glad he'd made this decision.
Stripping down to a t-shirt and boxers, and slid in beside her petite body, realizing she probably needed sleep after their long night and long day. He hadn't exactly been letting her get much, he laughed to himself. He pulled her close and she melted into him, as if she'd been waiting for his arrival. "I love you," he whispered against her ear, watching the faint smile curl up on her sleeping lips.
"Love you," she mumbled back, her voice barely audible. He relaxed into the pillow, feeling whole for the first time in a long time.
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