Chapter 6

It was a rather quiet, but thankfully short, ride home. Wyatt had texted Bam Bam, asking his friend to inform their C.O. that he wouldn't be returning to base, explaining that Jamie was fine, but he was taking him home for the rest of the day. Wyatt realized that a father-son talk was likely necessary to clear up this "Mommy" situation. After hearing a few yawns from the back seat on the drive home, he decided Jamie could probably use a nap first though, and suddenly feeling weary himself, thought catching a couple hours sleep did sound pretty good right now. Glancing at his phone, Wyatt was surprised to see that it wasn't even 10:00 yet.

He went around the Jeep to open Jamie's car door, only to see that he was still buckled in his car booster seat. Wyatt leaned in the back seat, quickly unlocking the seat belt and pulling it over his son's head. Running a finger softly down the little boy's cheek, he said, "Hey, buddy, look at me." His son raised big, sad blue eyes. "I'm not mad at you, I promise, okay?" "Yes, sir," he said quietly, climbing out of the Jeep with his school things, and following his dad to their front door.

Once they were inside, he told Jamie to put his backpack and lunch box in the kitchen and go upstairs and change out of his school clothes. "You want something to eat, son?" He asked. "No thank you, Daddy," the boy replied. "Well, then, why don't you put last night's pajamas back on and go get in my bed, all right? I'll be up in a minute, and we can both take a little nap," Wyatt suggested. He stood watching as Jamie slowly trudged up the steps, his small shoulders drooping.

Wyatt was trying to comprehend everything that had happened over the past few hours from a five-year-old's perspective, and thinking back, he could see now that his casual, half-asleep-at-the-time, "Daddy needs a wife first so you can have a new Mommy" answer to his son's request probably set this whole thing in motion. As far as Jamie was concerned, he could have what he wanted most, his adored Miss Preston as his second Mommy, so long as Wyatt married her first. (And he was a little shocked that the idea wasn't really all that disturbing.) "Have to give the kid credit," he thought. "He knew what he wanted, and went for it." He smiled and shook his head.

Unbidden, an image of Lucy sitting and holding Jamie against her flitted across his mind, and he briefly acknowledged to himself how natural she had looked with his child and how content Jamie seemed to be cuddled up on her lap. It was a little worrisome to discover that even though he had never said anything to Wyatt, his son had apparently been feeling Jess' absence for some time now. How egotistical of Wyatt to just assume over the past four years that he alone could be Daddy and Mommy enough, and it bothered him that Jamie had never corrected that assumption.

And from the heartfelt response Wyatt had overheard from just outside the door when Lucy had asked Jamie why he wanted her to marry his Daddy and become his Mommy, it was clear that the little boy had put quite a bit of thought into this. It was amazing to consider that six weeks ago, neither of the Logans had even met Lucy Preston, and in that brief amount of time since, she had enchanted a child already longing for a Mommy of his own.

Sighing, he went upstairs to his bedroom, hoping that Jamie wasn't already asleep. The little boy was curled on his side in the middle of Wyatt's king-sized bed facing the door when he walked in, and he gave his dad a shy smile. Wyatt quickly set an alarm on his phone and changed into a pair of flannel pants, and then sliding under the covers, tucked his son against his side. "Are you mad at me, Daddy?" Jamie asked in a small voice. "Of course not, son. I do think maybe it would have been better if you had waited to ask Miss Preston if she would be my wife until after we had talked more about it." (Although, it was kind of fun to imagine the look on the pretty teacher's face when Jamie "popped" the question.) "But, Daddy," Jamie protested, "you said I could have another Mommy if you get a wife, and I don't know any other nice ladies you can marry except Aunt Julie, and she is Annie and Sadie's Mommy." "Not to mention she was already married to his best friend," Wyatt thought wryly. Thinking about the expression on Bam Bam's face if Wyatt asked Julie to marry him so she could be Jamie's Mommy actually made him chuckle.

He coughed to hide his amusement and told Jamie that it was fine to want a Mommy, but he needed to check with him first before he did anything about it. That seemed to cheer the little boy up, and he gave his dad a sweet smile and a thumbs up. "One last thing before we try to get a little sleep. Why didn't you ever tell me you were wanting a second Mommy for your own?" he asked his son. Jamie looked up at him with deep blue eyes so like his own. "Cause I didn't think you wanted a new Mommy in our house. You always tell Aunt Julie that 'just Daddy and Jamie lives in our house, no girls.' and Mommies are girls, right, Daddy?" Wyatt was stunned. He had tried so hard since Jess died to convince himself that by completely avoiding any kind of a relationship for himself, and devoting all his time and attention to their son, it would be best for Jamie, and their lives would be fine, even normal, but he knew now that he had unknowingly, almost willfully, turned a blind eye to his young son's needs.

Wyatt hugged the boy to him, and said, "Well, buddy, we are gonna change things up a little around here from now on. Miss Preston will be here tonight for supper, and we want to make a good impression on her, right? So after we catch some shut-eye, we can run to the store and get some good stuff to eat, and maybe straighten up a little so she doesn't think the Logan men are pigs. How does that sound?" He did a little piggy snort and Jamie giggled, "That's a great idea, Daddy!" and snuggled closer to his father. Within a few minutes, the boy's eyes had closed and his breathing deepened as he nodded off. Wyatt's heart swelled with love as he placed a gentle kiss to the side of his son's head, and he thought just before he fell asleep, "I wonder if Lucy Preston likes spaghetti?"

After Wyatt and Jamie left the school, Lucy had hurried back to the office to sign Jamie out (Family emergency, she told Mrs. Jones), and returned to her classroom, thanking the teachers aide for covering for her. She told herself to calm down, that the invitation for supper this evening wasn't a big deal, then basically proceeded to ignore her own advice and float through the rest of her day on a cloud of anticipation. Of course, since Rufus had witnessed her "marriage proposal" first hand, he could hardly contain himself at lunch time. "So, I was thinking, shouldn't we meet your new fiancé before Jiya and I throw your engagement party?" he teased. Lucy just rolled her eyes and threw a wadded up napkin at him. "Jiya said to tell you she will be happy to go shopping for wedding dresses with you," he added, because of course he had texted his girlfriend within seconds of leaving her classroom that morning.

Lucy just laughed, but she could tell Rufus was intrigued at what had happened this morning. Although she hadn't really told him and Jiya too much about her previous life in San Francisco, she did recall she might have mentioned a past relationship with some doctor that she had broken off when she moved to San Diego. And he and Jiya both knew she hadn't been on a date since the move. Before their lunch was even over, he had made her promise to spill all the "juicy details" about her (not) date in the morning.

By the time school was dismissed at 3:00, Lucy had finished gathering the day's school work for Jamie, and managed to arrive home by 3:30. She had gotten the Logans' address from Mrs. Jones (strictly for the purpose of taking class work to her student, yeah sure), and mentally calculated she had left herself around 90 minutes to get ready in order to be at their place by 5:30. More than a little relieved that Amy was in class and their apartment was empty (and not caring to examine that feeling too closely right now), Lucy ran upstairs and threw open her closet and feverishly began digging through her wardrobe. After changing her mind several times (nothing too fancy, but definitely not too casual either), she finally chose a deep emerald blouse to go with her favorite pair of dark jeans, and decided to add a soft cream-colored scarf, black flats, and her tan suede jacket.

She raced through a quick shower, and then spent a little extra time on her hair and makeup. A light mist of her favorite cologne and a pair of small gold hoops, and she was ready with less than five minutes to spare. Lucy turned on a lamp downstairs and left a note for her sister. She picked up the folder of class work for Jamie, found her phone, grabbed her bag and car keys, and within 15 minutes, had pulled up in front of the Logans' apartment. She was a couple minutes early, but figured that was better than being late. Taking a couple of deep breaths in an attempt to calm her nerves (easy, girl, this isn't a date), she walked up the front steps and knocked on the door.

For the Logans, the afternoon had flown by. After their nap, father and son stopped for a quick lunch at McDonalds before heading to the store. Jamie was enthusiastically on board with spaghetti for supper, and told his dad that he was sure Miss Preston just loved "sketti." Wyatt was relieved the child had bounced back from his upset earlier. Together they chose the fixings for a big green salad to go with the spaghetti, and he snagged a nice loaf of crisp French bread (better stay away from the garlic bread...wait, what?) from the store bakery. The pair stood there contemplating dessert. Wyatt was leaning towards apple pie, but Jamie insisted on some fancy cupcakes. "Daddy, all girls like cupcakes," he declared with confidence. Smothering a grin, he decided to take his son's advice, and let Jamie pick out a dozen.

After paying for everything, they drove home, and this time, Jamie didn't waste any time getting himself out of the Jeep. After putting the groceries away, Wyatt took a quick look around and decided the place didn't look too messy for company. He set Jamie to work picking up a few toys that were scattered around, gave the bathroom a quick clean up, and washed a few dishes that were in the sink. Dishtowel in hand, Wyatt stood completely still as it occurred to him that Lucy Preston was the first woman (besides Julie) he had ever invited into their home. And to be perfectly honest, he wasn't exactly sure how that made him feel. He could tell, however, that his son was almost beside himself with happiness over the fact that his teacher was coming to visit him. And that reason alone made it all okay, as far as Wyatt was concerned. He could deal with his own conflicted feelings later. Glancing down at his phone, he was startled to see she would be there in less than two hours. Hopefully, that was enough time to get supper ready, and get the two of them cleaned up. He decided on dark jeans with a flannel shirt over a white tee, and was touched when Jamie wanted to wear the same thing.

When Lucy's knock sounded on the front door, Wyatt was in the kitchen finishing the salad while Jamie helped set the table. The spaghetti was done, and the bread warming in the oven. "She's here," the little boy yelled, and dropped the silverware he had been carefully placing beside each plate. Jamie ran to the front door and pulled it open so hard it nearly hit the wall. "Jamie, easy there, buddy, don't break our door," Wyatt admonished with a smile, following him to the door and watching as his son threw himself against the teacher, nearly knocking her over in his excitement. "Miss Preston, you found us! Guess what? We are having sketti for supper, do you like sketti? Daddy makes really good sketti! and salad, but I don't really like salad cause there is too much green stuff, and bread, and Daddy let me get cupcakes for dessert, and I got a pink cupcake for you cause you have a pink dress," the little boy blurted out.

Wyatt thought perhaps Miss Preston seemed a little overwhelmed at Jamie's welcome, but she hid it well. "Come on in, Miss Preston," he invited, trying to peel his son off of her long enough to at least get her inside. She gently smoothed down Jamie's hair at he looked up at her, and with a shy smile, said, "Lucy. Please call me Lucy." And Wyatt's breath caught (just a little) at just how pretty she looked standing there, all big dark eyes and a cloud of soft-looking hair, and full pink lips (Whoa, Logan! Where did that come from?). Jamie took her arm and practically dragged her inside. Wyatt offered to take her jacket, and stepping behind her to help her shrug it off, told himself that he wasn't discreetly sniffing her dark wavy hair (Jamie was right, she does smell like flowers), and he definitely wasn't noticing the way Lucy's snug dark jeans hugged her nicely-shaped bottom.

Clearing his throat, Wyatt said, "Um, Lucy, since supper is ready, I thought maybe we could eat first and then you and Jamie can do schoolwork while I clean up, if that's okay with you." Lucy smiled and nodded her agreement, and asked Jamie where she could set her bag and the school folder. He took her by the hand, and after she had put her things down, tugged her towards the dining room. "I helped Daddy and set the table all by myself," he informed her, and beamed when she responded, "Good job! The table looks very nice." They sat down while Wyatt carried in the salad and a small basket of bread, and after pouring iced tea for the adults, and snagging a juice box for his son, he pronounced, "Dinner is served." The other two laughed, and it briefly crossed Wyatt's mind, "This feels right." He chased that traitorous thought away, and turned his attention to the meal, which turned out remarkably well.

The three of them talked and laughed all the way through supper, with Lucy sharing some funny stories about Jamie's kindergarten classmates in between bursts of random thoughts from the little boy (which was kind of how Jamie rolled). It occurred to Wyatt that, once you got to know her, Lucy Preston was actually kind of shy and reserved, and he found that appealing. She complimented Wyatt's spaghetti, and properly admired the pink cupcake that his son had so carefully chosen for her. Blushing slightly, she insisted on at least helping him clear the table before she and Jamie sat back down to look over his schoolwork, and more than once, Wyatt turned from the sink to see her dark head bent towards his son's blond one. Just as he finished cleaning up, Jamie stood up and said, "All done, Miss Preston!" and patting his dad on the arm, asked, "Daddy, can I show Miss Preston my room?" When Wyatt gave his consent, Jamie took her by the hand and pulled her up the steps, chattering non-stop. While they were upstairs, Wyatt went into the living room and lit a couple of candles (just so it smells good in here), and sat down on the sofa, faintly relieved at how the evening had progressed so far.

After several minutes had passed, he turned on the television and started watching a Padres game. He sat through nearly a whole inning before deciding to see what was taking them so long. Stopping just outside the door to Jamie's room, he saw his son pick up the picture of Jess that always sat beside his bed, and he paused, curious to hear what Jamie would tell Lucy. "This is my Mommy. Her name is Jess, and Daddy says that she loved me more than anybody in the whole world. When I was a little baby, she got hurted in a car, and went to heaven. I don't remember her, but I kiss her picture every night when I go to bed. Daddy says Mommy is in heaven with the angels. I think she would like me." Wyatt suddenly had a big lump in his throat, and peeking in the room, could see that Lucy was also affected by the little boy's quiet words.

Walking back to the top of the steps, he swallowed hard a couple times, and called out, "Hey, anybody up here like cupcakes?" Jamie burst out of his room exclaiming, "I do! I do!" with Lucy right behind him, carefully wiping away a tear from her cheek. Wyatt caught her eye, and smiling, said, "We better get to eating dessert before Miss Preston has to go home and a certain someone has to go to bed." Lucy nodded, and taking Jamie's hand, they preceded Wyatt down the steps.

After dessert had been consumed, they went back upstairs so Jamie could brush his teeth and get into his pajamas. Going over to the bookshelf, he picked up a particularly well-loved book and brought it over to Lucy as she sat on the side of his bed. "Daddy, can Miss Preston please read my story tonight, please?" he begged. "Jamie, it's getting kind of late, and I'm sure she needs to get home," Wyatt began, when she spoke up and said, "No, I would love to read your story, if it's okay with your dad." They both looked at Wyatt, who raised his palms in surrender before tucking the little boy in and kissing him goodnight. Lucy sat back against the headboard with her arm around Jamie and began to read, her soft pleasant voice soothing the child to sleep in just minutes. Wyatt stood near the door, his heart aching at the picture before him. He honestly couldn't remember the last time his son had been this happy, and if nothing else, he was extremely grateful to Lucy Preston for that. She closed the book and put it back on the bookshelf while Wyatt turned on the Spiderman night light, and leaving the door ajar, they went downstairs.

Lucy picked up her bag and the school folder and then clearing her throat, said, "Well, I better be going. I have lesson plans for tomorrow to look over. Thank you very much for the lovely dinner, everything was really good." Wyatt retrieved her jacket and helped her with it, standing maybe slightly too close as she fluffed her dark hair out of the collar. He was astonished to realize that he didn't really want her to leave. But he pushed that back down, and after turning on the outside light, he walked her to her car. She unlocked it and tossed her bag and folder on the passenger seat and turned to bid him good night.

Too late, Wyatt realized he was probably really far into her personal space, and as he started to step back, she surprised him by leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, and whispering "You are a wonderful father with an amazing little boy, Wyatt Logan, and don't ever forget that." And before he could even react, she slipped in the car and started it, and gave him one last bashful smile before pulling away from the curb. Wyatt just stood there, feeling like he'd been hit by a ton of bricks. He quickly glanced around to see if any of his neighbors had seen him standing there looking like an idiot, but all was quiet. He hurried back inside, and after closing and locking the door, just leaned back against it, trying to calm his suddenly racing heart. Wyatt Logan didn't know what was happening between him and Lucy Preston, or what all these feelings meant, but for the first time in a really long time, he was pretty sure he'd like the chance to find out.

A/N: This chapter ended up being the longest one yet because I really wanted to do justice to this important "first step" for the three of them. Oh, and the fact that Wyatt Logan is shirtless in bed two chapters in a row was beyond my control...