Chapter 14

She was (very) pleasantly awakened early the next morning by warm, firm lips gently nuzzling her bare shoulder. With a drowsy smile, she rolled over in Wyatt's arms. "Excuse me, Mr. Logan, can I help you with something?" At his husky, "I think you know exactly what you can help me with, sweetheart," Lucy's heart started beating faster, and she trembled at the desire glowing in his dark blue eyes.

As he pulled her closer, she put a slim hand on his chest and asked, "Wait, what time is it?" Deliberately misunderstanding, he murmured, "I must not be doing this right if you have to ask, Lucy," and flashed her a dimpled grin when she blushed. In retaliation, she nipped at his stubbled chin, and responded, "You know what I mean, Wyatt Logan. Do we have enough time before your five-year-old child wakes up and crawls into bed with us?" He sighed, and rolling over to check his phone, "It's still pretty early. We should have enough time if we don't waste any more time worrying about the time," and yelped when Lucy rolled her eyes and pinched his arm.

"Oh, so it's gonna be like that, is it?" he growled, and suddenly pulled her on top of him. At her startled gasp, Wyatt smirked and patiently admonished, "I want you to know that I've given this a lot of thought, and it's about time you did your fair share around here, Miss Preston. I'm just a hard-working soldier, only one man and I can't do everything all the time, and if I have to...if I have to...oh, Jesus..damn, Lucy, you...Lucy..." his hushed groans trailing off as she slowly, painstakingly made her way down his muscular body. Lucy was very satisfied that she not only derailed his train of thought, but apparently rendered him speechless as well (Who's doing her fair share now, Wyatt Logan).

The next time Lucy woke was when she felt Wyatt pulling back the covers so that Jamie could climb in bed with them (thank goodness she remembered to put on one of Wyatt's tee shirts), and she thought how adorable he looked in the morning all sleepy and rumpled, just like his dad. The drowsy little boy crawled his way in between the two adults, and when Lucy opened her arms, he snuggled up against her, and with a sigh, mumbled, "Morning, Miss Preston." (Young Mr. Logan was just as serious about cuddling as his Daddy was.)

She glanced up to see Wyatt's soft gaze on the two of them, and when he smiled at her and nodded, Lucy ran a gentle finger down Jamie's cheek, and asked, "Hey? Can I ask you something?" The little boy opened questioning blue eyes. "Now that I am hanging out with you and your Daddy a lot, I was wondering if you would like to start calling me 'Miss Lucy' when we aren't at school, you know, like Annie and Sadie do? You would still have to call me 'Miss Preston' at school, though. What do you think, can you remember two different names for me?"

Jamie thought for a moment, and then nodding his head eagerly, exclaimed, "Yes, Miss Preston, I mean, Miss Lucy, I can remember two names! That's a good idea! Lucy is a pretty name. And you know what, if you keep kissing my Daddy on his mouth, I can call you Mommy soon, right? Okay, maybe pretty soon, right?" Unable to meet Wyatt's eyes, she smiled and shook her head slightly at the child's persistence, "Let's just go with 'Miss Lucy' for now, okay?" At his nod of agreement, she pulled him closer to her and kissing the top of his blond head, closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep, barely registering when Wyatt rolled over and draped his arm across both of them.

Blinking open drowsy eyes, Wyatt lay quietly on his back beside a still sleeping Lucy and Jamie. Turning his head, he considered how protectively her slender arms cradled his child against her. He was well aware that it was still very early in their relationship (Neither one of them had actually come right out and said those three little words yet), so they obviously hadn't even discussed marriage and babies, but Wyatt had already seen for himself that despite her occasional insecurities, in his opinion, Lucy was a natural. He had been faintly taken aback when she confided during their first "non-date" how inexperienced she had been with small children before taking the kindergarten teaching position. She seemed to be very comfortable now with her young students though, and just last night, Julie had reminded him how much her girls adored Lucy, not to mention the fact that his son asked him on a nearly daily basis when she was going to be his Mommy (Jeez, the kid was starting to sound like a broken record).

Wyatt found the idea of having children with Lucy incredibly appealing, and thought wistfully of a tiny daughter with her dark eyes and hair, or possibly a baby brother for Jamie, or hell, maybe one of each. At 30 years old, he and Lucy were still plenty young enough for a couple more little ones. Unbidden, an image of a radiant Lucy carrying his child made his heart give an odd skip or two in his chest (damn, Logan, you're a goner). Taking a deep breath, Wyatt rolled towards Lucy and running a careful hand down her arm, watched as her long dark eyelashes fluttered open. "Hey, I'm gonna grab a shower, okay?" he whispered and pressed a swift kiss to her soft lips before she went back to sleep.

Over breakfast, they were putting together a shopping list while Wyatt described for Lucy what Thanksgiving at the Baumgardners was like. "Julie's a pretty good cook, and makes most of the meal, you know, the traditional things like a turkey, mashed potatoes, noodles, vegetables, rolls, and stuff like that. Usually I take a baked ham and a pan of my Grandma's cornbread dressing, and a couple pies. And there's always plenty to eat, just like Julie said, even if you and Amy eat like lumberjacks."

Rolling her eyes at that remark, Lucy mentioned that she had never tasted cornbread dressing, and when she asked Wyatt if his grandma was still alive, he answered quietly, "No, both my Grandma and Grandpa Sherwin have passed away. I wish they could have lived long enough to know Jamie. They would have been crazy about their great-grandson, and I know they would have loved you, too." At Lucy's encouraging smile, Wyatt decided to tell her a little about his grandparents.

Flashback

After his mother, Libby, passed away when he was 8 years old, Wyatt had spent every summer until he turned 18 with his maternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth (Betsy). The Sherwins owned a small farm in West Texas about an hour away from their only grandchild and his father. Every year during that part of his childhood, as the school calendar started winding down, Wyatt would eagerly begin counting the days until he could escape to his grandparents' place for three months.

He loved his dad, but something in Daniel Logan was irretrievably broken when his beloved wife died of cancer, and from that day forward, while he never raised a hand to his only child, he was an indifferent parent at best. And at worst, along with possessing an almost frightening self-sufficiency for a boy so small, a young Wyatt learned early on how to read his father's moods and plan his actions accordingly, a skill that would serve him well later on in his military career.

That first summer he had spent with James and Betsy was a revelation to Wyatt. His grandparents had a deep, abiding love of God, country, and their fellow man, and in striving to adhere to the "golden rule," lived simple, contented lives. They were strict, but loving, and most of all, consistent. Nearly every day was the same as the one before, all summer, and the soft-spoken, lonely child thrived on the security of routine. Every morning, even Sundays before attending church services, Grandma Betsy would wake him up early for a quick wash and hot breakfast while Grandpa James milked the cows.

Always eager to "earn his keep," as soon as Wyatt gulped down his food, he was out the door in a flash. After the little boy fed the chickens and Grandma's two pet ducks, Quick and Quack, he would head straight to the big barn where the horses were stabled and he could usually find his Grandpa. James Sherwin had quite a reputation in their part of Texas as a man who knew horses, and in addition to four of his own, he occasionally boarded them for others. Wyatt loved the horses, and James taught him all he knew about the noble animals, and as Wyatt came to learn, sometimes that knowledge came in handy when dealing with people, too.

One instance that came to mind was the summer between sixth and seventh grade, when he was 12. Wyatt was just beginning to notice girls, and as his scrawny frame started to lengthen and fill out, the shy dark-haired youth, born with his mother's deep blue eyes and dimples, began to draw admiring looks from his female classmates, much to his great embarrassment. Wyatt was never comfortable asking his dad about something as personal as girls, afraid his father would be having one of his "bad" days and make fun of him. He trusted his Grandpa more than anyone, and he just had all these questions and odd feelings, so one hot, dusty afternoon when he and James were in the big barn grooming horses, Wyatt took a deep breath and haltingly asked him about girls. And to his great relief, his Grandpa gave thoughtful, serious answers to all his questions and didn't tease him.

One of the many things his Grandpa told him over the years was that females were God's gift to mere men such as themselves, and should always be treated with love and respect, just like they would any of God's creatures, only even more so. At the time, 12-year-old Wyatt wasn't really sure exactly what his Grandpa meant, but as he got older (and more experienced), he came to realize his grandfather's advice was sound. He tried to always be gentle, loving, and respectful when it came to the opposite sex, and as a result, had never lacked for female companionship from high school age on.

End Flashback

Wyatt was snapped out of his reverie by Lucy's incredulous snort. "Hold on, wait a minute. Let me get this straight. When we are in bed together, and you hold me in your arms and rub my back until I fall asleep, you are actually treating me like you would a horse?" Wyatt couldn't help but laugh at her indignant expression. "No! I guess? I mean, hey, it usually works, doesn't it?" As she hastily stood to carry her dishes to the sink, he deftly tugged her into his lap, and in between fierce tiny kisses, asked, "Why, Miss Preston, are you saying that now you have complaints about the way I use my hands on you in bed? That somehow I'm not performing to your standards or perhaps you would prefer I use a different method of helping you sleep?" And laughed even harder when she turned crimson and tried to jump out of his lap.

Taking mercy on her, he let her up, and diplomatically changed the subject. "Anyway, my Grandma Betsy was a really fine cook, and when I left for the Army at age 18, she sent a small recipe box with me of all my favorite recipes. Of course, as a teenage macho G.I. Joe wannabe, I stashed the recipe box in the bottom of my foot locker and forgot about it for years. After I got married, though, I was so glad Grandma had done that for me because she died not too long after that, and then Grandpa passed a year later. So whenever I make one of her recipes, it's like a little bit of home." While he was speaking, Lucy sat back in his lap, and resting her forehead against his, murmured, "I can tell how much they meant to you just by your voice. Thank you for sharing them with me," and pressing a delicate kiss to his lips, got up and started washing their breakfast dishes.

After she and Jamie got cleaned up, they headed to the grocery store. Since it was so crowded the day before the holiday, Lucy held Jamie's hand while Wyatt pushed the cart. Watching him quickly and efficiently select the items on their list, Lucy thought about the memories Wyatt had shared with her earlier about his childhood. Her heart had ached a little at the calm, matter-of-fact way he described his obviously troubled relationship with his father and the devastating loss of his mother. And yet, from that less-than-ideal upbringing, and with the love and support of his grandparents, Wyatt had grown into a fine, honorable man, decent, strong and caring, who was an absolutely wonderful father to his own son. She was touched that he had revealed to her what had most certainly been a painful part of his life.

After Lucy helped put away the groceries, she and Jamie sat at the table putting together puzzles while Wyatt made them some lunch. "Well done, Jamie, you are getting really good at this," she praised. Setting a sandwich in front of her, Wyatt leaned in and whispered, "He has a very good teacher." Pleased at his compliment, Lucy pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before helping Jamie put the puzzles away.

After lunch, Lucy asked Wyatt what time they were expected tomorrow so she could text Amy. "Usually, Jamie and I go over around 2:00 so everything is ready to eat by 2:30." Reaching for her phone, she tapped out a brief message to her sister, and glanced up in time to see Jamie try rather unsuccessfully to hide a big yawn. His dad caught it, though, and suggested the little boy go lay on his bed for a while, and at his son's immediate protests, Wyatt winked at Lucy, and promised Jamie that it wasn't a nap, just resting his eyes. Lucy took pity on both of them, and offered to read him a "not a nap" story. Wyatt mouthed the words "thank you" as she took the child by the hand and they went upstairs.

Sure enough, about five minutes into the Barenstain Bears' latest adventure, Jamie was fast asleep. She gently kissed his head and pulling his door closed, was not at all surprised to find a smirking Wyatt at the top of the steps already unbuttoning his shirt. Putting a finger to his lips, he tugged her down the hallway towards his bedroom, and as soon as his door was shut and locked, had Lucy's back flat against it. "How long do you think we have?" she breathlessly managed before his hot open mouth on her neck destroyed her ability to form a complete sentence. "Long enough," he quickly reassured her (Confidence is so sexy).

After they finished off a pizza for supper (a Thanksgiving Eve tradition), Wyatt decided it might be fun to teach Lucy how to make a pie. Of course, being Lucy, she had freely confessed to him her lack of cooking skills, but Wyatt didn't mind at all, considering all the other things she was very good at (Pies, Logan, focus on the damn pies). So after setting Jamie in front of a Sponge Bob video (Bless that silly sponge), he called her into the kitchen and announced that they were going to bake a pie.

He was amused as hell at her instantly suspicious expression as she asked, "Is that a euphemism for something else? Because there's a fully awake five-year-old in the next room..." Funny how easy it was to silence that tempting mouth of hers. Assuming a wounded expression, he chided, "Now, Lucy, what kind of a guy do you think I am? Besides, as much as your big fancy teacher words really turn me on, I actually want to show you how to make an apple pie," and bit back a grin as her dark eyes widened remorsefully.

She started to apologize before noticing the teasing glint in his eyes, and settled for a ferocious frown and smacking him on the arm instead. Wyatt set Lucy to work peeling a large bowl of Granny Smith apples while he got out sugar, flour, pie plates and two boxes of ready-made pie crusts. At her inquiring glance, he shrugged and explained, "Hey, I'm a single dad who makes pies one day a year. Besides, they're not half bad, and anyway, we'll be using my Grandma's recipe for the homemade filling." She nodded, and kept carefully peeling and cutting up the apples.

Not too long after that, Wyatt realized he should have offered to teach Lucy how to cook sooner. He very much enjoyed watching her attempt at pie baking. Standing at his counter, a smudge of flour dusting her cheek, and the tip of her sexy little tongue peeking from the side of her mouth as she concentrated on following his patient instructions, she was just adorable. And Wyatt was so delighted at the look of pride on Lucy's face when the pies came out of the oven, he just had to kiss her (doesn't everyone get rewarded with a kiss when they learn how to make an apple pie?)

Thanksgiving Day dawned a little cool and overcast. After a quick breakfast, they started getting ready. Wyatt packed up the cornbread dressing and baked ham he'd prepared that morning, along with Lucy's pies, while she helped Jamie finish dressing. Lucy had decided on a dull burnt orange sweater and autumn print scarf with tan cords for herself and chose a navy sweater over a white shirt and khaki pants for the little boy so he would match his Daddy.

Finally, they were ready, and left to pick up Amy. Lucy was subdued on the way over, reflecting on the differences in her life from a mere six months ago, and realized that she had never been happier. She had so much to be thankful for on this day: the renewed closeness with Amy, a new career and new friends, and most of all Wyatt and Jamie Logan, both of whom filled her life with joy and contentment (and love?) every day. "Everything okay, Lucy? You seem a little quiet, " Wyatt asked. She took his warm, strong hand in hers and confessed, "Everything is perfect. I was just thinking of all the many things I'm thankful for today, which may happen to include a certain guy I know." He quirked a dark eyebrow and teased, "Hey, you better be referring to me, Miss Preston," and they both laughed when a small voice piped up from the back seat, "It's Miss Lucy, Daddy, cause we are not at school right now."

Amy must have been watching for them because as soon as Wyatt pulled up, she came out the front door carrying a bottle of Zinfandel and a small bunch of fall flowers for their hosts. When she got in the back seat, Amy greeted them cheerfully, "Happy Thanksgiving, Lucy, and Logans, big and small." "Hi, Miss Preston, Happy Turkey Day," Jamie exclaimed, offering her a shy grin. As she buckled her seat belt, she suggested, "Jamie, how about you call me Miss Amy or just Amy if you like, if it's okay with your dad." Wyatt easily consented, and soon she and Jamie began a lively discussion about dinosaurs. Lucy was thrilled at how well the three most important people in her world were getting along, and she was sure Amy would fit right in at the Baumgardners.

Almost as soon as Wyatt pulled in the driveway, the front door opened and Annie and Sadie ran out to meet them. Jamie took Amy by the hand to meet his "sisters," who looked sweet in matching dresses and hair ribbons. As Wyatt started to unpack the Jeep, Bam Bam came out to help and grinned as he shook Amy's hand. "Hi, you must be Amy. I'm Dave, but you can call me Bam Bam if you like, nearly everybody does." At Amy's quizzical expression, Wyatt advised her to just go with it. She shrugged and thanked him for inviting her to dinner. "The more the merrier, right Wy?" A vaguely defensive Bam Bam rolled his eyes when Wyatt retorted, "You mean more women to help clean up, right, Bam?" "Hey, that's not always a bad thing, son," his friend countered.

Since the guys were busy carrying in their contributions to the meal, Lucy was free to pry Sadie off her legs and leaning down, she swooped the toddler up in her arms and told her how pretty she looked. "Me and Annie gots new dresses, Miss Lucy," she confided, patting Lucy on the cheek with a chubby hand. Rubbing her nose against the little girl's tiny snubbed one, she agreed, "Very nice. Let's go find Mommy, okay?" and carrying Sadie on her hip, ushered Amy inside, anxious for her sister to finally meet Julie.

Their house looked and smelled wonderful, and although it was a little chaotic at first getting the meal on the beautifully-decorated table, finally everything was ready and they all found their seats. After Wyatt offered a brief blessing (Sadie's favorite part was "Amen," which she shrieked with gusto, to her mother's dismay), the serving dishes were passed around, and everyone dug in. As Wyatt predicted, Julie and Amy took to each other right away, and really seemed to bond over tormenting Bam Bam, who took it in stride, bragging, "Bring it on, ladies. I do like a sassy female." This was very entertaining for Wyatt and Lucy until the two younger women turned their attention to the new couple. After a few remarks that made Lucy's face turn a rosy pink, Wyatt quickly and good-naturedly put a stop to their teasing, much to her relief.

After they finished eating, Wyatt and Bam Bam made the women a deal that they would clean up Jamie and the girls if they could watch football for a while. The three of them put their heads together, and after a whispered conversation, took pity on the guys and agreed. The men fist bumped and started wiping little faces, except for Sadie, who was getting drowsy and started fussing for Lucy. Julie assured her that she and Amy could get the table cleared if Lucy would take the little girl upstairs for a nap. So Lucy carried her to her bedroom and after removing her shoes and socks, sat down in the rocking chair and humming a soft lullaby, slowly rocked Sadie to sleep.

She glanced up to see Wyatt in the doorway, watching the two of them with an intent expression. "You really are so good with her, Lucy," he said in a low voice, "Maybe some day you will have a little girl of your own." Lucy's breath caught at his words, and before she thought twice, responded, "That would make me very happy...maybe a little girl with dark hair and big blue eyes." And she shivered at the way his own blue eyes darkened. He walked over and gently lifted Sadie from her lap, and carefully placed her on the bed. Lucy pulled the blanket over her and dusted a soft kiss on the toddler's blonde head.

Wyatt took her hand and as they stepped out of the room, pulled her close and gave her a tender kiss. Abruptly, in spite of what a wonderful day they were all having, Lucy wished it was over and time to go home, because all she wanted right now was to curl up in Wyatt's arms. He must have read her mind, though, because he breathed against her lips, "I know sweetheart, but everybody still wants to sample your apple pie." She sighed and taking his hand, drew him downstairs for dessert (Guess I'll have to settle for pie right now).

In addition to Lucy's apple pies, Julie had baked a couple of pumpkin pies, so everyone got their favorite. Lucy was pleased at how well her first effort at baking turned out, and felt her face warm when Julie declared that next year, Lucy was in charge of all the pies. She was a little overwhelmed by her friend's casual assumption that she would be there with all of them next Thanksgiving, and smiled shyly when she saw the pride on Wyatt's face, not to mention the knowing look Julie directed at her.

After Wyatt and Bam Bam took care of the dessert dishes, the guys started packing up the Jeep while the women all hugged and said goodbye. Amy and Julie exchanged phone numbers, and Lucy thanked her again for allowing the Preston sisters to share the day with them. Wyatt carried his tired son out and buckled him in beside Amy. The adults chatted quietly during the short ride to Lucy and Amy's place, and when they arrived, Lucy accompanied her sister to the front door while Wyatt waited with a sleeping Jamie.

Giving Lucy a quick hug, Amy said, "Luce, that was one of the best Thanksgivings we have had in years. Julie and Bam Bam are really funny, and their little girls are so cute. I loved seeing you with Wyatt and Jamie, cause the three of you look like a family already, and I am just so happy for you. Thanks for an awesome day." And with that, she kissed Lucy on the cheek and went inside. Her sister's words made Lucy feel a little emotional, and she was suddenly ready for nothing more than a quiet evening spent with Wyatt and Jamie. When Lucy got back in the Jeep, she leaned over to Wyatt, and caressing his stubbled cheek, murmured, "Happy Thanksgiving, Wyatt. Now take us home." Turning his head, he placed a warm kiss on her palm and whispered, "Yes, Ma'am."

A/N: Finally! Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter (tried for a couple days to post, with no luck). Hope everyone thinks it was worth the wait! I know I keep repeating myself, but I definitely continue to appreciate the amazing response to my little story, especially the guest reviews that I am unable to reply to. Thank you very much :)