Chapter 12

Leaving Bam Bam and Julie's house right after supper, Wyatt and Lucy were both quiet on the short drive to her place. A cheerful Jamie chattered almost non-stop from the back seat, which filled the silence and did help alleviate some of Wyatt's vague residual guilt knowing that his son obviously enjoyed his time spent at the Baumgardners (Probably not nearly as much as we enjoyed our sleepover, though). Holding tightly to Wyatt's hand, Lucy managed appropriate responses here and there to the little boy's play-by-play rundown of his visit.

"...and then we went to the zoo and saw monkeys and tigers and polar bears, and Uncle Bam gots us ice cream but Sadie's fell on the ground and she cried real loud and it hurt my ears, and Aunt Julie said 'here Sadie Jane, you can have my ice cream' but when Uncle Bam wouldn't give her a lick of his ice cream, Aunt Julie said a swear and me and Annie laughed and then we came home."

That last part amused Wyatt, and Lucy did smile when he leaned over to her and whispered, "They should get a medal just for taking three kids under the age of 6 to the zoo." Parking in front of Lucy's, Wyatt handed his phone back to Jamie and suggested he could play a game while Daddy walked Miss Preston to her front door. By the time he came around to open her door, the little guy was concentrating on his game and barely looked up when Lucy got out.

Wyatt took her hand, and they slowly walked up the sidewalk, neither in a hurry for their time together to end. (One night just wasn't enough.) He gently tugged a slightly trembling Lucy into his arms and resting his cheek against her soft hair, slowly rubbed his hand soothingly up and down her back. Wyatt pulled back slightly just in time to see her sad dark eyes well up and one delicate tear slowly trace a silvery path down her cheek. She looked as miserable as he felt, and tenderly wiping away the tear with his thumb, he murmured, "Hey, shhh, Lucy, sweetheart, don't cry, it will be okay." She buried her face against his neck and sighed, "I know I'm being silly, and I'm not crying, must be allergies or something," her warm breath drifting across his throat.

He smirked, and putting a hand to her cheek, and mindful of a wide-awake five-year-old just a few feet away, brought her mouth to his for a brief good night kiss. Lucy, however, had something else in mind, and pressing herself even closer to him, wrapped her slender arms around his neck and parted her lips in clear invitation for a much deeper kiss. Everything around them faded away and she whimpered softly as he held her firmly, his lips devouring hers. What seemed like just seconds later, a high-pitched little voice brought the real world sharply back into focus. "Daddy, are you kissing Miss Preston on her mouth?" With a gasp, Lucy pulled her lips from his, and blushing, hid her face in his chest, as Wyatt gaped at the sudden appearance of his son.

Struggling to control his harsh breathing and speak in a normal tone of voice, Wyatt cleared his throat, "Uh, Jamie, hey, son, I thought you were playing your game, uh, we were, well, I was, um, yes, yes I am." (Real smooth there, Dad.) He could actually feel Lucy rolling her eyes. With a puzzled look on his face, the little boy asked, "Why?" Wyatt's brain, still sluggish from Lucy's mind-blowing kiss, fumbled for an explanation that would satisfy the child's curiosity without actually initiating a certain very important (probably overdue) conversation right here on Lucy's sidewalk.

Ignoring her quiet snicker against his neck, he gently let go of Lucy and knelt before his son. "Jamie, you know how much you like Miss Preston?" The boy nodded eagerly. "Well, Daddy likes her too, very, very much, and sometimes grownups who like each other a lot kiss each other on the mouth to show how they feel. Do you understand?" Wyatt carefully watched the little boy's face as he considered his father's words.

Jamie's dark blue eyes grew wide and he grinned at his dad, "Sure, Daddy, you mean like how Uncle Bam kisses Aunt Julie, and she says 'Dave, not in front of the little ones' and Annie and Sadie laugh, but I close my eyes. If you kiss Miss Preston like that, can she marry you and be my Mommy now so you can kiss her on her mouth all the time like Uncle Bam and Aunt Julie?" At that, Lucy choked back a horrified giggle, and Wyatt closed his eyes, mind racing for the right answer (this is what you call between a rock and a hard place, Logan.)

To his surprise (and relief), Lucy knelt down beside him and pulled Jamie close to her. His chubby arms went around her neck and he started petting her thick brown hair. In a calm, quiet voice, Lucy looked him in the eyes, and explained to his son that sometimes, grownups who are not married like Daddies and Mommies do kiss each other on the mouth to show they like the other person very much. "Do you like my Daddy a lot, Miss Preston?" Her face warmed under Wyatt's suddenly intent blue gaze as she answered without hesitation, "Oh, yes, Jamie, I really do." He frowned slightly and asked, " How many times will Daddy have to kiss your mouth before you can be my Mommy?"

Wyatt swallowed hard at the innocent question. Now it was Lucy who was at a loss for an answer that would steer the child in a different direction. Deciding she was officially in over her head and to let his father take over the discussion, she hugged Jamie tightly and kissed his plump little cheek as she got to her feet. She quickly pressed a gentle kiss to Wyatt's lips, mindful of his son's scrutiny, and whispered, "Your turn at bat, Daddy. Thank you for everything, Wyatt, this was the best weekend I've ever had." He nodded and breathed against her lips, "Me, too," and after watching until Lucy was inside, he took Jamie's hand, mentally preparing himself for more of his questions. Fortunately, the "man-to-man" talk he was dreading during the ride home would have to wait for another time since the little boy fell asleep before Wyatt had even driven two blocks.

After a very poor night's rest in her own lonely bed (just one night in Wyatt's arms and you're ruined, congratulations), Lucy felt like one of the walking dead as she struggled to get through her day (there just wasn't enough coffee or concealer in the world today to help her out). Usually when Monday rolled around, Lucy was happy to be at school with her small charges, but today, this particular Monday, every minute until she could be with Wyatt again felt like an hour. She fought to focus on her young students (thank goodness they aren't very observant little creatures).

On the other hand, Rufus happened to be very observant, and at lunch time, after saying her name three times without any response, he gave up and gently patted her hand. He grinned when Lucy startled and blinked puzzled dark eyes at him, "I'm sorry, Rufus, what were you saying?" "Lucy, you are a million miles away today. What, or should I say, who, has you so preoccupied?" Her face reddened at her poor manners, and looking at him, admitted, "Wyatt. I spent most of the weekend with him." At his silent whistle and encouraging smile, the words seemed to pour from her.

"We had such a wonderful weekend. Honestly, Rufus, I didn't know I could feel this way about someone. He's just such a good guy, an amazing father, and he treats me better than any man ever has, and I can't seem to concentrate on anything but him. Am I going crazy?" He chuckled kindly, and squeezing her hand, "Lucy, you're in luck because I know exactly what is wrong with you." At her hopeful expression, he pronounced, "You, Miss Lucy Preston, are in love."

He laughed loudly when her mouth dropped open in shock. She was embarrassed to see a couple of their fellow teachers at the next table staring at them. "Rufus, no, it's too soon, you are mistaken," she hissed, looking uncertain at his declaration. "C'mon, Lucy, who says it's too soon? Is there a rule book somewhere? I knew within a week of meeting Jiya that she was it for me, forever if we're lucky." At his shy admission, Lucy smiled gently and said, "You are a lucky man, Rufus, because Jiya is the best and you two are great together. He grinned at her words, and replied, "Lucy, trust your heart and give this guy, this new relationship, a chance. I think it sounds like you could be very happy together." She beamed at him, and hearing her phone chirp, excused herself to read a text from Wyatt.

After an excruciatingly slow afternoon, school was (finally) dismissed, and Lucy hurried home and raced through her lesson plans while also doing a small load of laundry (she was starting to run out of clean clothes). After finishing her responsibilities, in record time, she showered and changed her clothes, left a note for Amy, grabbed her bag, phone, and car keys, and drove to the Logans' as fast as she safely could.

Wyatt always left the front door unlocked for her now, and after quietly letting herself in, she could hear the faint sounds of Sponge Bob coming from the front room, so Lucy made her way to the kitchen only to find it empty. As she stood there, she heard the dryer door shut. Sighing in relief, she noiselessly walked into the laundry room and saw Wyatt standing in front of the dryer folding a small stack of clothes. Sneaking up on him, she threw her arms around him and whispered, "Busted!" When he didn't react (she knew it was impossible to get the drop on him), she laid her cheek against his back and inhaled deeply (he's so warm and smells like home).

Chuckling at her failed attempt to startle him, Wyatt turned and quickly pulled her into his arms and began feverishly kissing his way up her neck before firmly claiming her lips. Her graceful hands caressed the back of his neck and between kisses, she gasped, "I missed you so much today, Wyatt," and blushed a deep pink when he raised a dark eyebrow and asked with an amused gleam in his dark blue eyes, "Just today, sweet Lucy, not last night, too?" She gently nipped his chin in retaliation, "You know I did," she whispered, pulling him even closer to her. She smirked when he uttered a harsh groan as her hands playfully squeezed his taut rear while she tenderly nuzzled his stubbled cheek.

"You are a bold woman, Lucy Preston, walking into a man's home and putting hands on him," he half-heartedly scolded. "Only you, Wyatt Logan," she promised, her dark eyes shining up at him. With one last bruising kiss, he let her go, and admitted, "I couldn't concentrate on anything today, and if Bam Bam had rolled his eyes and snickered at me one more time, I was gonna have to punch him." She grinned at that, and smoothing her hand down his chest, sighed and responded, "Me, too, this felt like the slowest Monday ever." He gave her a swat on the bottom as he walked into the kitchen saying, "Well, you're here now, I'll make us some supper, and we will just enjoy each other's company until you have to go home, okay?" She nodded in pleased agreement, and leaving him to his meal preparation, went in search of her favorite five-year-old.

And so, their week nights took on a slightly new pattern. Supper, clean up, time with Jamie, and then after the little boy was soundly asleep, they shared sweet, all-too-brief, intimate moments together that just barely satisfied their longing for each other. Every night, it seemed Lucy's heart ached worse when she had to leave Wyatt's arms and go home (this feels like home.)

Amy had already teasingly asked her (more than once) when she was going to just move in with Wyatt, and even though Lucy had blushed and protested that it was much too soon, her sister had planted a tiny seed. Lucy was torn between anticipation at spending Friday and Saturday nights in Wyatt's bed, and dread at the reality of where she would be at bed time on Sunday.

Wyatt carefully brought up the subject of Lucy spending the night at supper on Friday. During a lull in the conversation, he had asked, "Jamie, remember when you asked Miss Preston if she wanted to spend the night here with us, and she couldn't? What would you think if she can, maybe tonight?" The little boy's eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "Yes! Yay! Please, Miss Preston, will you stay? You can sleep in Daddy's big bed, he snores like a bear, and we can have pancakes for breakfast and maybe go to the zoo tomorrow, please, Daddy?" While he paused to take a breath, Lucy tried not to laugh when she heard Wyatt mutter under his breath that he does not snore, as she told Jamie that she would stay, and if his Daddy did start snoring, she would just kick him out of the bed. Jamie got the giggles pretty bad at that, and they both ignored Wyatt's continuing protests that he doesn't snore.

A couple hours later, after Jamie's bath and bed time story, and making sure he was asleep, they barely made it to Wyatt's bedroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothing along the hallway, and practically ravished each other once he made sure his door was locked. A short while later, lying there half draped across a dozing Wyatt's chest, Lucy was almost overwhelmed by the blissful intensity of her feelings for him. She had known this man for less than three months, and as much as she adored her sister, she already knew Wyatt Logan was more important to her than anyone else, ever. (C'mon, Lucy, just be in the moment.)

Another reason, though, that Lucy was in such a happy mood this evening was that she had finally been able to introduce Amy to Wyatt and Jamie. He had texted her earlier in the day and offered to come and get her since she would be staying with them for the whole weekend. She accepted, and after a moment, quickly tapped out a message to her sister asking for a favor. Soon after, Amy promised to be there when Wyatt and Jamie picked her up, adding that she was looking forward to finally be meeting the Logan men. Lucy gave Wyatt a heads up, and when he responded that he was glad he'd be able to finally make the acquaintance of the infamous Amy at last, Lucy thought her heart would burst. The three most important people in her life would meet at last.

After Lucy showered and changed into a bulky cream fisherman's sweater and dark jeans, she grabbed the bag she packed earlier and went downstairs to wait. After pacing the front hallway for a few minutes, Amy took her by the hand and made her sit on the sofa with her. "Luce, you need to chill out, cause you're making me dizzy walking back and forth like that. What are you so nervous about?"

Lucy stilled at her sister's question, and then admitted, "The pieces of my life are actually falling into place, Amy. The career I never knew I wanted, being with you, and now Wyatt. My own personal miracle, one I never expected and maybe deep down, thought I didn't deserve. Amy, I think I love him so much, it nearly frightens me to death. But you are my little sister, the only family I have, and I want the two of you to like and, hopefully, love each other, because you both mean everything to me."

Amy sniffed a little at Lucy's sincere confession. "Now look what you did, made me cry when I'm about to meet the love of your life." And they both chuckled and jumped at the sudden knock at the door. Taking a deep breath and hastily swiping away a stray tear, Lucy went to open the front door, and her breath caught at the sight of how handsome her guys looked. Jamie immediately walked in and wrapped his arms around her legs, and Wyatt leaned down and pressed a firm kiss on her lips, and she blushed when she caught sight of Amy's obvious approval.

Taking Wyatt by the hand and putting a gentle hand on Jamie's back, she introduced them. Firmly shaking Wyatt's outstretched hand, Amy quipped, "So you're Wyatt, the man who has stolen my sister's heart." At Lucy's startled gasp, Wyatt offered her sister a dimpled grin and confirmed, "Yes, Ma'am." Amy laughed at his answer, and dropping his hand, gave him a big hug. She whispered something in his ear, too low for Lucy to hear, and she was curious to see his face turn red.

Then Amy knelt down beside the little boy, and teased, "This must be Jamie. I'm Amy Preston, and very pleased to meet you." He peeked around Lucy and shyly asked, "Is your name Miss Preston, too?" "Yes it is, and that means there are two of us." "Good Lord," Wyatt muttered to no one in particular, and the sisters giggled. Amy straightened up and after giving Lucy a hug, informed them that she had to be going, and picking up her jacket and bag, waved at the three of them as she left.

In the silence after the door shut, Lucy offered Wyatt a weak smile and acknowledged, "And that was Hurricane Amy." Wyatt smirked and said, "I like her," and Lucy gave him a radiant smile of relief. The rest of the weekend flew by quickly what with meals, chores, a trip to the zoo on Saturday, and the couple trying to fit in as much time alone together as possible. They also decided to go back and pick up Lucy's car so she could stay a while longer on Sunday after Jamie went to sleep.

All too soon, it was Sunday evening, and after Jamie was in bed, they ended up wrapped in each other's arms on the sofa. Wyatt was trying to cheer up a quietly despondent Lucy. In between soft kisses, he reminded her that Thanksgiving break was in a few days, and they would have extra time to spend together. She brightened at that, and very reluctantly, stood up, pulling him with her. "Walk me out?" she requested, and he helped gather her things before they walked out to her car. After he put her bag in the back seat, Wyatt took her in his arms and held her tightly before sweetly kissing her good night. She clung tightly to him for a moment, and then with one last kiss, sighed against his lips, "Good night," and got in and slowly drove away, watching him in the rear view mirror as long as she could.

A/N: Finally! Amy, Wyatt, and Jamie meet! I know I sound like a broken record, but I really do sincerely appreciate all the great reviews and encouragement from everyone. It just makes my whole day :) thank you so much!