Chapter 43

Well, as I start to write this, they've just aired the 4x11 promo. This court martial hearing with Jason does have my curiosity running. I hope this is an eye-opening experience for him and maybe he really starts to evaluate what is next in life. I'm curious to see what the repercussions of all this will be. Right now, we're still waiting on whether we have another season but from what I read, the show should get one. Still not a fan of the messy all over the place writing they're doing. Not happy with yet another supposed recurring star coming on after getting rid of others. They can't say this is all due to the budget cuts or pandemic at this point. I haven't liked any of the new characters so far. Hope these last few episodes are good and turn things around. Anyways, let's continue on with my version of season 4 lol. Enjoy!

After lunch, Mandy declared they should enjoy the beach on such a beautiful day. Susan took Mikey to get settled in what she declared his room. Mandy took Jason to her room so they could get ready for the beach. Jason glanced at the pictures hanging on the wall as they climbed the stairs into the upstairs hallway. A smiling Mandy and others in most of them. One particular picture had Mandy holding a small newborn with a pink cap.

"What's this?" Jason asked stopping in front of the picture.

Mandy stopped to turn around and stand next to Jason. She looked at the picture he was looking at and a huge smile started to spread across her face. She hooked her arm around Jason's as her other grabbed the picture off the wall.

"That's my god daughter, Haley," Mandy said smiling at the picture.

"God daughter? You're a god mother?" Jason asked surprised. He'd never heard her talk about being a god mother before but the proud smile on her face said it all.

"Yeah, she's Jessica's daughter. She's just turned nine actually. Her birthday was during our deployment," Mandy said putting the picture back. "She didn't want her present early. Said I had to give it to her once I got back. I think Jessica will stop by while in we're in Nashville."

"You look good holding a baby," Jason smiled softly. "Wait, wait, Jessica? As in…," Jason trailed off with sudden realization.

"Haley is Roman's, but he doesn't know," Mandy nodded. "After I got home and finally saw Jessica, a few weeks later she fainted because she still wasn't handling it all quite well. She was rushed to the hospital where we all found out she was pregnant. We kept it under wraps because we didn't want Roman coming to cause trouble or worse take Haley."

"Wow, that's…," Jason said not knowing what to say.

"Complicated? Yeah, but Troy took her in as his own and she is very loved by all of us. She was this little ray of light that pulled us all out of the darkness," Mandy said as they began walking down the hallway towards her room.

"Kids do that," Jason replied as they entered her room. "I remember coming home some nights and just going to the kids' room and watching them sleep when they were younger. Something about their innocence always caught my breath after seeing or doing the things we do."

"She probably knows more than she should about our jobs," Mandy sighed. "I think my parents tried to hide my Dad's job, but I was just too curious of a teenager to leave it. I'd randomly ask questions at the most inopportune times and catch them off guard. Eventually, my Dad stopped trying to hide it and would share some of it with me. Then he would start running drills with me or take me to the range so I could learn to defend myself," Mandy smiled shaking her head.

"Alana took care it. She took care of a lot of things," Jason said with sadness in his heart. He knew their marriage in the end was over but her dying still caused him pain. He felt a little guilty thinking about Alana while moving on with Mandy. He didn't want to offend either woman.

"You're allowed to think about her you know," Mandy said watching Jason. "She was the love of your life. Those feelings don't just disappear. She knew a part of you that no one else did."

Jason looked over to Mandy. He walked over and put his hands on either side of face and kissed her. He still didn't understand how he'd gotten a woman like her. Here they were, moving forward in a relationship and she was telling him it was okay to think about another woman. He pulled back from the kiss to lean their foreheads together.

"I really don't deserve you," Jason breathed out.

"Probably," Mandy smiled causing Jason to chuckle. "But the same could be said about you for me. Quite the pair, aren't we."

"Guess so," Jason replied pulling her in for a tight hug. "Some days I miss her and it's hard. Other days it's not so hard," Jason admitted.

"Sounds normal and when it's hard, I'll be right here," Mandy said looking into his eyes and cupping one of his cheeks.

"Dad! Mandy! You guys ready?!" Mikey called out.

"We'll be right out. You head out and help my Mom take some stuff down to the beach. Take Sarge and Gunner with you," Mandy replied back.

"Okay. Gunner! Sarge! Let's go," Mikey said as the dogs barked back excitedly.

"Looks like my dogs have a new master," Mandy observed as the dogs followed Mikey. "I'm sort of jealous," Mandy frowned.

"Don't worry, you can be my master," Jason said kissing her neck.

"Really," Mandy said leaning hear head to the side for him to keep kissing her neck. "You'll actually take orders from me?"

"Well, we are two people who love to have control," Jason said backing her up towards the bed.

Mandy put a hand on his chest to push him away as he came to kiss her on the mouth.

"As much as I would love to continue this," Mandy said in between kisses. "We should get ready for the beach or Mikey will be back here looking for us."

Jason groaned as he leaned down to put his head in the crook of her neck. He kissed her one more time before backing away to grab his bag.

"As usual, you're right," Jason said going through the bag to find his swim trunks.

"Could you say that again? I need to record Jason Hayes saying I'm right," Mandy laughed as he headed for the bathroom in her room, and she started looking for her swimsuit.

Mandy had changed quickly and headed down towards the beach to help her Mom and Mikey grab things. Mikey talked to her about various topics as they walked down to the beach. Mikey helped Mandy spread out the chairs and towels.

"Why don't you head on back and help bring down the food? I'll finish getting this stuff ready," Mandy said.

"Okay, come on Gunner and Sarge! Maybe you can get a treat," Mikey said as the dogs perked up at the word treat.

"No table food," Mandy called out shaking her head with a smile.

Mikey ran up wooden ramp that led back to the house with the dogs trailing after him. Once he got back inside, he could smell fresh baked cookies. His eyes went wide seeing the plate of fresh cookies right on the counter. Mikey didn't see anyone around and decided to go and grab one.

"What are you doing?" Jason said behind Mikey before he could touch the cookies.

"Dad!" Mikey said as he jumped. "How'd you do that?"

"Well, I am a Navy SEAL," Jason said tilting his head. "Were you about to steal a cookie?"

Mikey looked at his Dad with wide eyes debating on how to answer that. "No?"

Jason raised his eyebrows at Mikey and then looked at the plate of cookies himself. He stepped up to the counter and reached for them and handed one to Mikey. "I won't tell if you don't," he winked.

"Just what are you two doing?" Susan asked out of nowhere causing Jason and Mikey to jump.

"I thought you were a Navy SEAL," Mikey squeaked out at his Dad. "Aren't you supposed to have super-secret powers or something."

"Well honey," Susan began. "Although he's a SEAL, the only people with super-secret powers are Mom's."

"That makes sense. My mom was like that too," Mikey said thinking about her briefly.

"She was, wasn't she," Jason replied pulling Mikey in for a hug. It seemed like Alana was on both their minds today.

"But now we got Mandy, so it's all okay," Mikey added. "Can I give them treats?"

"Treats are right over there in the pantry," Susan pointed out. "It's okay to miss her, you know."

"Mandy says the same," Jason smiled.

"Well, she is my daughter," Susan proudly said. "Although she's her father's daughter as well. Always finding herself in trouble of some sorts."

"Mandy trouble? No way," Jason joked.

"Something tells me you weren't any better," Susan smirked.

"Grandma always says he's a handful," Mikey chimed in as he ate a second cookie.

"Hey," Jason said shoving Mikey a little. "Where's Mandy?"

"She's down at the beach. I came up to bring food and drinks," Mikey replied.

"Looks like Mandy has an admirer as well. Better get down there Master Chief," Susan smiled as Jason looked out the window to see Mandy in her bikini talking to someone on the beach.

"C'mon Mikey," Jason said lifting the cooler to take down to the beach.

As they got closer, Mandy came into better view. She was in a bikini alright and looked gorgeous. What sent him over the edge though was the camo print on what little material there was. He found a new love for camo now and would never be able to get an image of Mandy out his mind ever at this point. He looked at the guy talking to her. He could tell she was over the conversation and just barely holding on to being polite.

"Hey, that should be everything," Jason said setting the cooler down. "Who's this?"

"This is Travis, he just moved in a few houses down," Mandy replied as Jason came over and put his arm behind her to claim her. "This is Jason."

Travis had been chatting Mandy up and thought he had a chance. Looking at Jason though, he saw Jason was built and clearly stating Mandy as taken. He also saw Mikey and figured that was their son. He was a little disappointed he didn't have a shot seeing how Mandy lit up when Jason came over.

"It was nice meeting you," Travis said quickly as Jason stared him down. Something told Travis he should run, or Jason may cause him bodily harm.

Mandy nodded her head and once he was far enough away turned to Jason who was still staring the guy down.

"Dumping me for Travis," Mandy said putting her hands around his neck.

"Nope," Jason said giving her a kiss. "Especially if all your bikinis are camo."

"Guess you'll have to stick around and find out," Mandy laughed as she looked over to see Mikey playing with the dogs on the water's edge. "Wanna help me put on some sunscreen?"

"Absolutely," Jason answered as Mandy laughed.

Mandy was relaxing in a beach lounge chair under the umbrella as Jason and Mikey were in the water. Gunner and Sarge were on either side of her taking a break from all the activity. Mandy smiled as she watched the father and son duo go at each other. Both looked carefree with their wide smiles and laughter in the air. Mandy couldn't help imagining Jason with a kid of their own playing on the beach. Was she getting ahead of herself? Maybe, but the images of having a family with him some time in the future popped up.

She knew Jason was a great father. The job they did had cost him a lot. Being all in all the time cost him his family, marriage with Alana, seeing his kids grow up, and even parts of him were lost due to the job. Jason loved his country and served proudly but it all came at a steep price. Sometimes she wondered though, what all in really meant. Did it really mean choosing one or the other or should it mean fully committing to finding that balance? Maybe this was a second chance for both of them to try and change the future and find that balance. Watching Jason again, she was determined to help him find that balance and make sure that no matter what he was a part of Emma and Mikey's life.

Suddenly Jason's phone started going off in the beach bag next to the other empty chair. Mandy looked over towards Jason and then back at the bag. She decided to go through the bag and find his phone. Once she had it in her hand she saw it was Emma facetiming him.

"Hey," Mandy answered hoping it was okay she picked it up.

For a second Emma was caught off guard seeing Mandy, "Hey Mandy. Looks like you're getting some sun."

"Yeah, so is your Dad. Hold on a second," Mandy said as she switched the camera view to show Mikey and Jason out in the water.

Emma looked at her Dad and brother on the beach and saw the same thing Mandy had. Her Dad was smiling freely and relaxed. He didn't seem tightly coiled or on edge. She couldn't remember a time, especially since her parents spilt or mother passed, where her Dad looked so relaxed. She knew she had Mandy to thank for that. She was a little disappointed she wasn't there with them but she had some productions to do before they came to New York and they all headed down to Mandy's home in Nashville. Emma was looking forward to sometime her Dad and was glad that her Dad seemed to be enjoying himself as well.

"Looks like you guys are having fun," Emma commented as Mandy switched the camera back.

"Yeah, wish you were here though. We'll make up for it later though," Mandy said as the dogs decided to both try and get on her chair and be a part of the call. "Sarge! Gunner!"

Emma laughed as she saw two German Shepherds try to take over the call. "Looks like introductions need to be made."

"Yeah, this is Sarge and Gunner. They're both retired from service and are our dogs," Mandy said as the dogs barked in response.

Hearing the dogs bark, Jason looked up towards Mandy to see what was happening. He laughed as the dogs looked to both be trying to get in Mandy's lap. He could see a phone in her hand and decided to go check out what was going on. Mikey came along as well.

"What's going on?" Jason asked as he approached.

"It's Emma," Mandy said handing him the phone and then turning towards the dogs to play around with them.

"Hey Emma," Jason said.

"Emma! You're missing out on the beach!" Mikey said leaning over Jason's shoulder. "Mandy's house is so cool!"

"It looks like it. Looks like you guys are having a blast too," Emma commented.

"Maybe this summer you can come down and stay a while," Jason suggested.

"I think I will. You guys still leaving tomorrow morning?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, we'll spend most of the weekend in Philly and come up to you Tuesday," Jason replied. "How are the plays going?"

"Good, got a quick break right now and thought I'd check in with you."

"You taking care of yourself?" Jason asked. He could see Emma was tired.

"Yes, just a lot going on, don't worry," Emma reassured him.

"I'm your Dad. I'm always gonna worry," Jason said softly as he heard Emma being called away.

"I love you, Dad. Can't wait to see you in a few days," Emma smiled.

"Love you too," Jason replied.

"Tell Mikey and Mandy I love them too. I gotta go Dad. Bye!" Emma said before ending the call.

Jason looked at his phone and the picture of Emma he had as her contact picture. He was once again filled with guilt about missing so much of his kids' life but felt like he had a second chance at being more involved.

"You're a good Dad," Mandy said breaking him his thoughts as she got up to sit in his lap. "Stop thinking whatever it is your thinking. Right here and right now is all that matters."

"Said to say she loves you too," Jason smiled back leaning in for a kiss. "I'm starting to think the kids like you more than they do me."

"Well can you blame them," Mandy smirked.

"No, I can't," Jason replied leaning in for another kiss.

Suddenly, he got up throwing Mandy over his shoulder and running with her towards the water.

"Jason! Don't you dare," Mandy yelled in between laughter before he threw her in.

Next thing they knew, Mandy, Jason, and Mikey were all going after each other as the sun started to go down. Back up at the house, Mandy's Dad had come home and was standing outside on the patio watching on.

"She looks really happy," Jack replied as Susan came up to stand next to him.

"Yeah, she is. They both look really happy," Susan sighed as Jack put an arm around her.