Authors' Notes: We're back! We hope you are all keeping safe and we'd love to hear your reviews

Chapter 16 - Make a Wish

Rachel had a thoughtful expression on her face as she combed her daughter's hair.

Tom settled into a routine of waking early each morning, running and then eating breakfast with them. He had accepted Mike's suggestion of a job as a consultant, so he would have to travel in a few days. He had started to write, too, as she had suggested.

She could tell he was happy, as happy as his past allowed. Sometimes there was this sadness in his eyes. A sadness that spoke of a tormented soul. She would like him to let her help him carry the burden that weighed on his shoulders. Sometimes she wonders who he wants to protect, himself or them?

There was a time when she needed the hero, now she just wants the man. Men may not be easier to love, but imperfection never is, but it does not mean that it is not worth it.

Journalists were getting closer and closer to finding out about Theresa. Mike and Agent Blake alerted them to this. Tom's anxiety, already high, rose to another level.

She had had to wake him from a nightmare two nights ago. His anguish at whispering his children's names, his haunted look upon waking up and the need to check on Theresa spoke more than any words could express. He was scared, and so was she.

Fear that their daughter might be hurt when her parents' past comes up. Rachel had an idea of how to handle this, but she knew Tom was not going to like it. As a strategist he would understand that sometimes the best defense is a good offense. It wouldn't be easy, nothing for them had been easy so far, but she hoped they would be able to work things out in the end.

At the moment, Theresa was very quiet, very thoughtful, which was never a good sign.

"Mummy?"

"Yes, honey," she said, lifting her head to meet her daughter's eyes.

"I want a little sister."

Rachel loved being a mother; her pregnancy had been smooth sailing. But another child was not in her plans right now. Caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Not to mention possible complications from a pregnancy after 40. Also, she wants some time alone with Tom. She needs it and they deserve it.

They had talked about having another baby. Tom would like to have another child. But both agreed that it was too soon. There were a lot of things going on, another child is out of the question right now.

"I'm too old to have another baby, honey. It takes time to get pregnant."

"How long?"

"Pregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks," Rachel said as she finished tying Theresa's hair in a ponytail.

"Oh! That is a long time," Theresa said, sounding disappointed. But she recovered quickly. "That's okay, Mum. I can wait until my next birthday."

They heard voices from downstairs and soon afterwards footsteps on the stairs.

"Daddy's arrived," she said excitedly.

"He didn't come alone." Rachel could hear the voices of Cameron and Violet.

Tom appeared on the threshold, a happy smile on his lips. "How are my favorite girls?"

Theresa jumped out of the chair and barreled towards him, wrapping her little arms as far around Tom's waist as she could.

"Awww! You missed me, huh?" He asked, returning the hug and kissing her on the forehead. "Happy birthday my little sunshine."

Theresa wrinkled her nose and pulled away from him. "You stink!"

He laughed, looked down at his sweat-soaked shirt. "I know. In desperate need of a shower here," he said the last part, looking hopefully at Rachel.

Rachel forced herself not to roll her eyes.

Approaching him, she said. "In your dreams."

"I prefer to be awake for that," he said cheerfully, leaning down to kiss her lightly.

His lips tasted like chocolate. But Theresa was right, he stinks. She couldn't help but have her eyes wander over his body for a moment. The exercises kept him healthy and in good physical shape. And she really liked the result. He must have realized where her thoughts took her because his lips showed a smug expression and his eyes warmed.

"Daddy, guess what?!" Theresa shouted excitedly. "We're going to have a baby."

He looked at her with a bewildered expression. "You're pregnant?!"

She put both her hands over his chest. "No." Something that looked like disappointment flashed in his eyes. "I was explaining to our daughter that pregnancy is not possible right now."

"Mummy says she is old and that it takes too long. She is not old, tell her, Daddy."

"She is not old," he obediently repeated.

He looks at Rachel knowing he hasn't been able to hide his disappointment. Would he like to have another child with her? Definitely. But both agreed that it was not the right time. He needs to talk to her to make it clear that he had not changed his mind. They both need more time together without distractions. There are things that still need to be resolved, things from his past that needed to be said. And there's Theresa's situation, they can't hide her existence forever.

"See, Mum, Daddy agrees with me."

They smiled at each other, knowing that their daughter would not give up so easily.

"Princess," Tom said. "Cameron brought you one of your favorite desserts..." When it comes to their daughter, she loves almost everything her grandmothers do. Especially if it involved chocolate.

Cameron and Violet's grandmother was Brazilian, the ladies had spent some of their holidays with their grandmother on the family farm in the interior of Minas Gerais. On those occasions, the grandmother spoiled her granddaughters with fruit compotes, cakes, and all the delicious desserts typical of her country's cuisine. They had not only learned to appreciate, but also to prepare delicious desserts.

The little girl's eyes lit up. "What did she bring to me?"

"Why don't you find out?"

Theresa ran to the door, but she stopped as if she had remembered something, and turned to her parents. "It doesn't have to be a little sister; it can be a little brother."

Tom and Rachel yelled in "Don't run down the stairs".

"For a moment there I thought…" he said.

"I know," she said. "I saw it in your eyes, you were disappointed."

"A little bit," he said, "because although I know here," he said tapping two fingers on the side of the head, "It is not the right time, dreams don't care what is right or rational."

"What if I can't give you another baby, Tom?"

"Rachel, I love her very much, no matter what," he said, his eyes locked with hers. There was a passionate intensity laced with conviction in his words. "If we have ten or just one child, my feelings will not change."

"Ten?" she asked.

"It's just a number, Rachel."

"Now we just need to convince our daughter of our decision."

"It's her birthday, she will be so entertained with all the preparations that she will probably forget this subject."

"Do you really believe it will be that easy?"

"No, but a man can dream," he said and then added in a more serious tone. "We need to devise a strategy."

"Strategy? As in a battle strategy?" He spoke as if he had to deal with a dangerous enemy, not a five-year-old. "You're not being serious."

"Of course, I'm being serious," he said. "She is smarter and more obstinate than me."

This time she didn't even try to hide her amusement. "You're too soft."

"For you two, always."

They heard more voices downstairs. It was a tradition to bring the whole family together on the morning of Theresa's birthday to cook a big breakfast/ lunch. It would be the first time he would participate and he was looking forward to it.

"The rest of the gang has arrived," Tom said.

"Take a shower and meet us downstairs," Rachel said.

"Yes, ma'am," Tom teased. "Are you sure you don't want to accompany me?"

"Later," she promised as she walked away.

He smiled and began to undress. "Now I need to take a cold shower."

SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH

Several minutes later, when Tom came into the kitchen, he stopped for a moment to observe. The little kitchen seemed even smaller with the whole family gathered round the table, Amabel included. Her family. Now his family, too.

Rachel, who was talking to Amabel, seemed to sense his presence, raised her head and smiled at him. He smiled back, the buzz of conversations at the table, the chatter of his daughter, the sounds bringing him a sense of peace that he thought he would never have again. He has a family again, nothing and no one would take it from him again. Rachel raised an eyebrow when she saw his tender expression transform into fierce resolve.

After greeting everyone he sat down next to her . She placed a cup of coffee in front of him. He held the cup offered to him, letting his fingers rest on hers for a moment.

Theresa who was sitting next to Amabel seems more interested now in tasting the carrot cake with chocolate sauce.

After taking a sip of his coffee, he asked no one in particular, "How can I help with today's preparations?"

"Don't worry," Amabel replied, "there is a lot of work to be done, I think we can think of something for you to do."

"Women are in charge today," Ron said.

"That's fine with me," Tom said.

"Mothers organizing their children's birthday parties can be scary creatures," Ian said. Everyone laughed as if sharing a private joke.

"I'm not that person anymore," Rachel declared.

"We know, dear." Violet said.

"What happened?" Tom asked in curiosity.

"Her first birthday was a disaster. I wanted everything to be perfect, the sweets, the decoration, the party. I spent days yelling at everyone, when things didn't go the way I wanted. Everyone was tense around me, as if they feared I was a grenade about to explode, which I was. Then Theresa simply stuck both her hands in the cake, making a mess ...she looked so happy, and I realized how silly I was being."

"I don't remember this."

"You were practically a baby, honey" Rachel said,looking at her daughter fondly. "In the following year, we created the idea of making breakfast with the whole family, and just keeping things simple, it has been working since then."

"I'm happy to be part of this tradition now, " Tom said with a smile.

"So am I!" Rachel said.

"What will I get for my birthday?" Theresa asked her parents.

She had received some birthday cards and opened some gifts as soon as she woke up. But she was anxious to know what her father had prepared for her.

"It's a surprise, princess."

"A dog?"

"No."

"Doll?"

"No."

"Clothes? "

"It's not clothes."

"It's big?"

"Bigger than you."

"You'll like it," Ronald said.

Tom had enlisted the help of his daughter's grandparents to do something special, much to his surprise, even the sullen Ronald had been happy to help.

"You know?" Theresa asked. "Tell me, Grandpa."

"We promised not to say anything, honey," Ian said.

She looked to the women at the table for help.

"We don't know," Rachel said. The other women at the table looked as surprised as she did. "Your father and your grandfathers didn't tell us."

"I'll show you after we're done eating." Tom said.

"Really?"

"I promise," he said, helping himself to a thick slice of the meat pie.

About ten minutes later, she was moving impatiently on her chair and was casting pleading looks at her father. He lost the battle to those pleading eyes and got up from the table.

"Let's go," he says, reaching out to his daughter.

Theresa practically jumped off her chair and came running to him. "Where?"

He offers his hand to her, and she reaches for it eagerly.

"Outside."

The others had gotten up from the table. They didn't have to walk much. Tom and the grandfathers had installed a tree house in a nearby tree. It resembled a medieval castle fit for a little princess.

Theresa's eyes went wide. "Is that for me?," she shouted excitedly. "A treehouse just for me."

Before he could answer the child threw herself into his legs, hugging them tightly. "You are the best father in the whole world," she said.

"I couldn't have done it without your grandparents' help."

She ran to hug her grandparents. "Thank you...Thank you..."

"Isn't my house beautiful, Auntie Amabel?" she turned to Amabel.

"Wonderful, honey..."

Cameron approached her husband, Thank you, dear."

"He asked for help, I helped," Ron said with a shrug. "It's not a big deal."

She smiled at her husband. He was gradually accepting Tom's presence in their lives.

"Is that what you were doing for the past few weeks when you said you needed to exercise?" Rachel asked him. Wrapping her arms on his side and looking up at him.

"I was exercising, we three were." Tom said. "But it was worth it."

"It's perfect, Tom."

Theresa was already climbing the stairs that gave access to the house. She would have found a wooden trunk, a table, two benches, small shelf with books and a beanie bag chair.

"We can make a shag rug..." Cameron thoughtfully said.

"And pillows, curtains..." Violet added.

"Crystals will look beautiful hanging from the windows, "Amabel said.

"We can have my birthday here..."

"The guests will not fit all in there, honey." Ian said. "But you can bring your friends ther later."

It was difficult to convince her to come down but with some effort and a lot of cajoling, they managed to make her come down.

When they came back the food was cold, but no one seemed concerned about it.

Busy with preparations, the morning had passed quickly. It had been fun to help set up tables, fill balloons, install lights in the garden, make sweets, brigadeiros, simple things that gave him a sense of belonging in his daughter's life. He wanted to create good memories with her. Memories he hoped she would keep for the rest of her life.

SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH

The garden was full of children, laughing, screaming, running, and his child couldn't be happier. He smiled as he remembered his daughter's face as she leaned over, eyes closed in concentration as she blew out the six candles on her birthday cake.

If things could be as simple and sweet as a child's party? Unfortunately, life is not like that. He knows he can't protect her forever. His baby is growing up, and she will eventually discover that the world can be cruel. But he will be with her every step of the way.

He circulated among the guests during the party, listening to the chatter and a comment here and there. When he reached the far corner of the garden, he heard part of a conversation that made him frown.

"I know that most of the women here wouldn't mind having one of them around for a while."

"Or both," the woman said, fanning herself with a piece of cardboard.

"Why do some women find men in uniform so attractive?"

"Because out of uniform they are mortals. Danger attracts."

"Here, it looks like you need a drink." Mike said, "It's juice from something, I couldn't find out what it is."

He smiled. Their daughter's party had the distinctive mark of her family.

"It must be one of Amabel's creations," Tom replied.

"I can't believe you brought them."

"I promised her to bring two crew members on her birthday," replied Mike, taking a sip of his juice. "I would have brought the entire crew but I don't think they would fit in your garden."

Rachel was talking to Russ and Miller. The years had been kind to his old friend, and the Miller still had the boyish smile, but his eyes had lost their innocence. The shy and somewhat clumsy teenager had become an adult tempered by the horrors of war. He had gained some muscle over the years which now seemed to attract the attention of some of the ladies present.

"Should I be concerned about the next promise you make to her?" Tom asked Mike.

"Do you think she would like a ship?" Mike teased.

Tom laughed aloud.

"Mr. Chandler, have you seen Theresa?" asked a little girl with curly hair.

Mike felt the tension radiate from his friend.

"I didn't see her, Emma, wasn't she playing with you?"

"We are playing hide and seek and we couldn't find her."

When Rachel had asked her daughter to choose from three dress options, without hesitation she chose a dark green. His eyes scanned the garden for his little princess. With all that green, her clothes made it easier for her to camouflage herself among the foliage. Rachel had told him on more than one occasion that it was not wise to teach their daughter camouflage techniques.

He visibly relaxed when his eyes found a pair of children's shoes protruding from the bushes.

"She's good at it, sometimes I can't even find her."

"Oh!" Emma's eyes widened, looking surprised by the information.

He scanned the garden again, then his eyes went to the little girl, "There are many places to hide in the garden, don't you think?" His voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper. "Shrubs don't wear shoes."

Emma's eyes widened in understanding. "Thank you Mr. Chandler," she said, before running to join the other children.

Mike raised an eyebrow at his friend.

"Theresa is good," Tom said, a proud smile on his face. "Emma's mom is already getting ready to leave, she would never find Theresa in time."

They watched with amusement when Emma and Oliver approached the bush and shouted. "We found you!"

"Hard to imagine that we ever were like them before," Tom said with a distant look in his eyes.

"Happy?"

"Innocent."

"Well, it is the price to pay to grow up, to see the world as it really is. But adult life has its advantages."

Tom followed his friend's gaze and his heart warmed at the mere sight of her. Rachel, the woman he loves. Sensing his eyes on her, she looked at him and smiled. He smiled back.

Yes, there are some advantages.

"So… will I be invited to the wedding?"

Tom smiled. Very subtle, old friend. He had thought about it, of course, but before he proposes to her, he needs to bare his soul to her. His past is like an anchor that keeps him chained.

Forgive yourself.

Leave the past behind.

Lay some ghosts to rest.

His decision had been made a few weeks ago. After his daughter's birthday, he would tell Rachel everything. Then he would buy the most beautiful ring he could find and make his marriage proposal.

"Tom," Mike's voice brought him out of his thoughts.

"First, I need an engagement ring."

"I think we can solve this little problem."

"We?" Tom asked, raising a sardonic eyebrow.

"As the best man of the groom, I must help as much as I can."

Tom let out another loud and hearty laugh.

SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH SCOTCH

Night has fallen completely. British punctuality, birthdays, time to start and end. Most of the guests had gone.

A car stopped in front of the house, drawing the attention of those still present. Too late to be a guest. The man who got out of the car in his impeccable suit and hair looked tense and worried.

"Phil definitely knows how to make an entrance," Amabel said.

"Uncle Blake you came!" Theresa said happily.

He smiled at the little girl, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I tried to reach you by phone, but nobody's answering," he told Rachel as she approached him.

"With the noise of the party, I didn't hear the phone ring."

"What happened?" Tom asked.

"They know."

"What do they know?" Mike asked.

"Everything," he said while looking at Theresa. "They know everything."

Love it? Hate it? Leave a word.