Chapter 46

OMG WE'RE RENEWED FOR SEASON 5! WE DID IT! Please keep watching the show live if you can and tweet about it to show that us fans are committed. I don't quite like the direction they're taking Jason down, but I still watch hoping the payoff will be worth. SPOILER ALERT: Finale cast listing was released and a certain commander will be in it! Anyways, enjoy another chapter. I promise I'm trying to intertwine the sweetness along with some drama with the bad guy lol.

Mandy was sleeping but starting to wake. She felt movement on the bed and smiled thinking maybe it was Jason. Just as she was about to open her mouth to say something to him, her face was being licked by Sarge and Gunner.

"Guys," Mandy groaned as she tried to pet and push them both off her in a half attempt. Both let out a bark as if telling her it was time to get up and she could hear a chuckle by the doorway. "Really, Jason?"

Jason walked over towards her side of the bed and sat on the edge to kiss her good morning, "Good morning."

"What time is it?" Mandy asked as she sat up and stretched. Sarge and Gunner were still around her fighting for her attention. "Chill out guys," Mandy laughed as she pulled them both in to snuggle.

"Wow, they get a better good morning than me," Jason smiled. "Also, it's almost nine."

"Of course, they do," Mandy said giving both dogs a kiss.

"My mom cooked breakfast," Jason said getting up and helping Mandy out of bed. "Now will you tell me what we're doing tonight?"

"No," Mandy laughed giving him a peck and heading for the bathroom. "We can do whatever you want but need to leave by three or four at the latest. You and Mikey are going to love what I have planned."

"Come on, a hint?" Jason called out.

"This is why I'm the interrogator and you're the door kicker," Mandy smirked as Jason laughed and headed back downstairs with the dogs following.

As they walked into the kitchen, Mandy saw Mikey sitting at the counter talking to Linda. Similar to her own Mom, Linda had a wide assortment of breakfast on the counter as well. Mandy shook her head thinking it was such a Mom thing.

"Morning, I cooked a little breakfast. Help yourself. Wasn't sure what you liked," Linda said seeing Mandy walk in.

"I'm not picky," Mandy replied as she sat down next to Mikey and Jason brought a cup of coffee over to her.

"Morning, Mandy," Mikey said leaning in to hug her.

"Good morning," Mandy replied already suspicious.

"What do you want to do today? Dad says you have a surprise for us tonight," Mikey continued.

"Maybe visit the Liberty Bell," Mandy said casually. "Be a tourist and you guys being my guide."

"That's a good idea. It won't ruin your plans though, right? What time is your surprise," Mikey probed.

Mandy chuckled and turned towards Jason, "I know you've got control issues but sending your own son undercover?"

"He's a work in progress," Jason shook his head. "Had to try."

"Dad just wants to watch the Flyers game tonight," Mikey spilled casually.

"Really? So we're at that point already? Sports over me," Mandy said with an accusing look at Jason who was looking at Mikey wide eyed.

"My own son, the betrayal," Jason said putting a hand to his heart.

"He's a smart kid," Mandy shrugged as Mikey smiled at his Dad. "I promise to have you back for your precious game."

"You don't have to change anything for me," Jason began.

"No, no. It doesn't change anything. Really, it's all good," Mandy said.

"If you're sure," Jason said skeptically.

"You're not in the dog house," Mandy said. "Yet, anyways," Mandy smiled. "I'm gonna go get ready so you two can play my tour hosts around the city. I expect to be taken to Rocky's steps."

"Yes, ma'am," Mikey and Jason answered.

Mikey and Jason took Mandy around the city to different tourist spots. They ran up the Rocky steps and took a picture together at the top. They went to many of the historic marks and Jason was impressed at how much history Mandy knew about them all. He loved how Mikey seemed to hang on every word of hers. He couldn't blame his son though.

He knew losing Alana had been hard for Mikey, but he was also younger than Emma. Mikey craved the parental attention. He often thought about if sending Mikey away had been a good idea. After he had stood down for an op due to Alana passing, Emma had told him to go back to Bravo. At the time, he couldn't have been more grateful yet guilty, that his own daughter could see right through him. It had been fine for a little while until Emma was graduating high school and going off to college. He couldn't blame his daughter in wanting move forward. Emma was young and had so much life to live. Jason knew she couldn't take over being Mikey's guardian. Some days he wondered if being all in had been worth all the sacrifice. He lost Alana, his kids, and even a part of himself. As if Mandy knew what he was thinking, she suddenly linked herself through one of his arms and told Mikey to go pick out a souvenir at the art museum's gift shop.

"Wanna talk about it?" Mandy asked as they stood outside the gift shop.

"Mikey loves you," Jason said.

"That's only cuz I'm new. I'm like the shiny new toy and he's testing it out," Mandy replied.

"That may be, but he looks at you like you hung the moon," Jason said with a little jealousy.

"Maybe but you're his Dad and when you're around, he does the same to you. He gravitates towards you. Looks for your approval. You're his hero," Mandy said squeezing his hand.

"This job has cost me a lot," Jason sighed. "I missed all those moments of them growing up and becoming people. Everything they are, it's because of Alana."

"Alana may have been around more than you, but I know she never left you out of their lives. My Mom always included my Dad when he wasn't around," Mandy said. "I see a lot of Jason Hayes in them. Mikey and Emma are intelligent, sometimes stubborn, never out the fight people. Just like their Dad."

"You're calling me stubborn?" Jason smiled. "Must be like looking into a mirror."

"I mean, we both have control issues," Mandy laughed. "We better get in there and then head back."

Jason leaned in to kiss her, "Thank you."

"Always," Mandy whispered back. "I'm still not telling you what we're doing," Mandy smiled as she walked into the store and saw Jason's slightly disappointed look. "Nice try though," she said as Jason shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

The three of them came back to Linda's home after touring around the city. Mandy had told Jason and Mikey they should freshen up before leaving. Once they went upstairs, Mandy headed into the kitchen before going up as well.

"Hey, Mrs. Hayes, did any packages come while we were gone?" Mandy asked approaching the kitchen island.

"Yes," Linda said going to grab a couple packages. "What are they? And you can call me Linda, after all you have both boys wrapped around your finger."

"Jason says the same," Mandy smiled.

"Well, my son has always had good taste. What's in there?" Linda prodded.

"You will see," Mandy smirked as she left to go upstairs. "Do not let them open those until I'm back."

"Okay, we're ready," Jason said as Mikey joined him in the upstairs hall. "What are we doing?"

"Good things come to those who wait," Mandy smiled giving Jason and Mikey each a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be right down."

She quickly entered the room and grabbed a shirt from her bag to change into. She grabbed a jean jacket to go over it as well. She was excited to surprise the boys with what was to come next. She took one more look in the mirror before heading back downstairs and walking into the kitchen seeing the boys shaking the boxes like it was Christmas morning.

"It's pretty light," Mikey said shaking the box and holding it up to his ear. "Doesn't make much noise either."

"Okay," Mandy said loudly announcing her entrance.

"Nice shirt," Jason smirked.

Mandy was wearing a Flyers orange shirt that said, "I only date Flyers fans."

"Well, I mean in theory it's true. I'm dating you, aren't I?" Mandy said. "Anyways, without further ado, go ahead and open the boxes."

Both ripped through their boxes like they'd never gotten a present before. They were racing to see who could reveal what was inside first.

"Wow, this is so cool!" Mikey exclaimed. He had a custom-made Flyers jersey with his hockey number and Hayes written across the back.

"What is…," Jason trailed off looking at his. He had the number one, Hayes written across the back, and a Bravo patch stitched on the front.

"But wait, there's more," Mandy said stepping forward with tickets in her hands. "I know tonight is the first playoff game for the Flyers and we have tickets behind the glass to go see it."

"Seriously! Mandy you're awesome!" Mikey said flying into her arms.

"And we're get to head down to the locker room before and after the game," Mandy added on and Mikey exclaimed again.

"Grandma, we're meeting the team!" Mikey said excitedly.

Mandy looked over at Jason and saw him staring at the jersey and looking at her speechless. Jason didn't know what to say or figure out how Mandy organized everything.

"Everything okay," Mandy asked quietly putting a hand on his. "It was too much, wasn't it? I didn't know, sorry I-," Mandy rambled before being cut off by Jason kissing her senseless.

"Nothing's wrong," Jason whispered. "Just a lot to take in. Give me a minute."

"Okay," Mandy whispered back.

"How did you even arrange all this?" Jason said after a moment.

"Well, we started talking about the road trip back in J-Bad one night and I figured whether we went or not, we'd at least do a hockey game," Mandy answered. "How I got it all done? Well, I've got connections," Mandy smiled putting her hands around his neck.

"This is too much," Jason argued.

"No, it's not enough. Listen, you've sacrificed so much, and you deserve all this. It's never gonna make up for everything you've done for the world," Mandy replied.

"Fine, but I will make this up to you," Jason said seriously.

"I can think of a few ways for you to make it up to me," Mandy flirted as she pressed herself up against Jason even more.

"Really? I think I can do that," Jason flirted back leaning in for another kiss.

"Are you guys done making out? Let's go!" Mikey interrupted as the two broke a part and laughed.

"Alright, let's go," Jason said pulling Mandy along as they walked out the door.

They were driving up to the arena and Mandy directed Jason to drive towards a private entrance since she had special passes for the game. Mikey was talking a mile a minute while Mandy had her arm in the crook of Jason's elbow as they walked in. A few minutes in, they were waiting for someone to guide them towards meeting the players.

"If it isn't Amanda Ellis," someone called out.

"John, how are you?" Mandy greeted as she hugged him.

"Didn't know you were such a big hockey fan," John smirked. "I'm guessing that's your influence. Hi, I'm John Williams," he said putting his hand out for a handshake.

"Jason Hayes and this is my son Mikey," Jason greeted back.

"Yes, Susan has talked so much about you that I almost think she's leaving her husband for you," John laughed. "Anyways, I work with Mandy's mom with some charity work her firm down through NHL. It was Mandy's idea a while back to reach out to the NHL."

"Remember how I told you after that night at the bar, I started watching hockey whenever I couldn't sleep or just for background noise? One night I had the game on, and they were talking about charity work and I figured why not look into adding them to our list as well. I talked with my Mom and we got into contact with John here to see how we could help out," Mandy explained.

"And the rest they say is history," John added. "I've got a few things to check on, but I wanted to come say hello. Hope you enjoy everything."

"It was good seeing you," Mandy said as their assigned guide came to take them down to the locker rooms.

"You're pretty amazing," Jason commented. "Fighting the war on terror and still finding ways to give back," he said lifting her hand to give it a kiss.

"We do a lot of charity work for various organizations. Being a SEAL's daughter, it was tough sometimes and I never was quite sure what I could do to help. One day I walked in on my Mom planning a charity event for veterans. It was personal and made me feel a little bit closer to my Dad when he was away. He was fighting this war out there and I figured I'd try to help take care of the troubles back here at home. My Dad was Romeo one. I was lucky and was adopted towards the end of his enlistment, but it wasn't easy watching my Dad trying to continuously adjust," Mandy said.

"Like I said, you're amazing," Jason said as they stopped in front a set of doors.

"Okay, you guys ready to meet some Flyers," their guide asked.

"Let's do this!" Mikey exclaimed.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Mandy said suddenly. "Here are some markers. You can either get your jerseys signed or I have these pucks. Of course, I will take all pictures, so we won't have a moment missed."

"Thank you, again," Jason said giving her a quick kiss.

"Thanks, Mandy," Mikey said giving her a hug, which caused Jason to put his arms around them.

"You're welcome, now let's get going before the game starts," Mandy laughed.

Mikey and Jason had a blast meeting the team and taking pictures with everyone. Jason had sent a few to the guys on the team who were texting about how jealous they were seeing Jason hanging out with a whole hockey team. The guys knew what a big fan of the Flyers Jason was and were glad Mandy thought to treat him with such a massive surprise. Everyone could see the full smile on Jason's face and when Mandy was in the picture, the smile was even brighter if possible.

After meeting the team, the three of them headed for their seats by the Flyers bench behind the glass. It was an exciting game to the point that the Flyers won the game with under a minute left. As soon as the time expired, the entire arena erupted into cheers and everyone was hugging in the stands over the win. Jason turned and gave Mandy a kiss. Mandy too loved the carefree look on Jason and Mikey.

Before leaving, they got to head back down towards the locker room to see the celebrations take place. Jason had a blast and couldn't believe he got to experience it all. After all the festivities, they headed back to their car to head home. Mikey fell asleep in the back seat from all the excitement.

"So, was it worth the surprise?" Mandy asked.

"I still can't you organized all this," Jason said kissing the backside of her hand as he drove home.

"Think Mikey enjoyed it," Mandy smiled softly looking back at his sleeping form.

"We loved it. Again, it was too much," Jason replied. "Guys were pretty jealous too," Jason laughed.

"Well, if they ever want tickets to anything, they can ask. I'm sure there is always a way for me to score some," Mandy said.

"Seriously?" Jason asked.

"Yeah, you all deserve some fun and appreciation once in a while and I just want you to be happy," Mandy said leaning over to kiss his cheek.

"You make me happy," Jason said seriously.

"Same goes for me," Mandy replied squeezing his hand as they pulled into Jason's Mom's driveway. "I don't want to wake him up," Mandy frowned.

"See, he has you wrapped around his finger," Jason shook his head. "Can't carry him anymore so we'll just have to help him walk in."

They got out the car and gently coaxed Mikey awake and got him inside. Jason took Mikey up to his room and helped him settled. Afterwards he walked into his room and saw Mandy taking off her shirt. She stood there in nothing, but her bra and panties and Jason couldn't get enough of it. He walked over while taking off his shirt and turned her around for a passionate kiss.

"How about I show you my thanks," Jason said huskily against her neck while backing them into the bed.

"Sounds like a plan," Mandy said sighing as they fell into bed.