Chapter 15

The next evening, Wyatt was plating the last two pieces of Lucy's leftover apple pie while she was upstairs putting Jamie to bed. He had just pulled a container of vanilla ice cream from the freezer when she walked into the kitchen. "Wyatt," she said as she was scrolling through her phone, "Julie and I were texting back and forth about taking the kids to the movies tomorrow afternoon, and she said I should ask you about the Christmas Gala at Pendleton in two weeks."

Wyatt stiffened as he was putting the ice cream on the counter top. He carefully set the container down, and with his back to her, cleared his throat and asked, "Uh, what exactly did she say?" "Oh, not much really, but I assume from the name that it's some kind of holiday function at the base, right?" At his lack of response, Lucy looked up from her phone in concern, "Hey, Wyatt, are you okay? Is something wrong?"

He turned to look at her, a pained expression on his face, "Yeah, sure, I'm fine." At her skeptical glance, he relented, "Um, why don't we sit down for a minute, Lucy." She complied without speaking, and waited quietly while he returned the ice cream to the freezer and sat down beside her. Reaching out to take her small hand in his, Wyatt inhaled deeply, and explained, "Every year, the base holds this big, fancy ball, I guess for lack of a better word, kind of like a dinner/dance, in December called the Christmas Gala. Everyone ranked E4 and higher is invited, and the big brass usually take the occasion to say a few words, and there's a nice dinner, and then afterwards, dancing to a live band. It's actually a pretty good time."

He knew by her quizzical look that Lucy was aware there was probably more to the story than he was saying, and Wyatt appreciated that she didn't press him for more than he was comfortable telling her. He sighed, and admitted, "The last time Jess and I attended was a couple months before she died. We always went as a double date with Bam and Julie, and the girls really loved getting dressed up." His voice trailed off, and Lucy squeezed his hand, sympathy shining in her dark eyes.

Wyatt swallowed his sudden irrational annoyance with Julie, recognizing she meant well, and probably thought now that he and Lucy were dating (fairly seriously, he supposed), it would be fun for the four of them to attend this year's gala. He knew that although there hadn't really been a reason not to discuss Jess, in spite of how happy he was with Lucy, at times, the wound of his wife's sudden and tragic death was still slightly tender, even though it had been nearly five years ago.

Aware of Lucy sitting there patiently, Wyatt quickly made a decision. "Can you wait here a minute? There's something I want to show you, and it's upstairs in my bedroom. I'll be right back," pressing a brief kiss to her mouth as he left the kitchen. He easily located what he was searching for, and made his way back to the kitchen, feeling vaguely guilty at the faintly apprehensive expression on Lucy's face.

Wyatt sat down and pushed a photo across the table to Lucy. "This is a picture of us from that last gala." Lucy picked the photo up and studied it intently, before quietly responding, "Wyatt, she was so pretty. The two of you look really happy together." He considered her words before nodding in agreement. "I know every marriage has its problems, but I think we were happy. At the time, we had been married around four years, had a beautiful, healthy son, my career was going well. Life was good, until one night when it was all ripped away." Lucy's heart ached at the anguish in Wyatt's voice as he cleared his throat.

"She was so young, just 24 years old, and smart, funny, kind...I already told you a little about what it was like for me and Jamie after Jess died, the way Bam and Julie stepped in and pretty much saved us. It's embarrassing to admit now, but I just sort of lost it that night, and honestly, even to this day, I only remember flashes here and there from those first months right after that." "Wyatt," Lucy admonished gently, "Stop beating yourself up. You were the young father of a small infant who had experienced a devastating, terrible shock. There's no one right way to feel or act in a situation like that."

He smiled wistfully at her sincere effort to absolve him of the lingering guilt he still carried around with him. "Anyway, one of the very few things I remember about Jess' funeral service is so many people, well-meaning I'm sure, who came through the line to pay their respects mentioned to me how they had just seen Jess at the gala right before Christmas, and how pretty and happy she looked, and how shocked they were. I guess as time went by, it all just blended together, and instead of treasuring the memory of that last gala and what a great time we had, it somehow by association became tainted, and eventually ended up being something uncomfortable that I pushed to the back of my mind."

Lucy scooted her chair closer to Wyatt's and put her arms around him. He laid his head on her slight shoulder, pressing his face to her neck, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair, and to his dismay, felt his eyes well up and threaten to spill over. Lucy tenderly rubbed his back, crooning soft, comforting murmurs, and without warning, Wyatt was unable to stop the choked sob that tore from his throat. He held on tightly to her, and cried for Jessica like he hadn't in years.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Wyatt was horrified that he was probably making a fool of himself, not to mention soaking her shirt, but Lucy just kept rubbing his back and trying to console him. After a few minutes, his tears slowed, and Wyatt felt lighter, almost peaceful. Sniffing a bit as he pulled back from Lucy, she offered him a tremulous smile, a couple of tears clinging to her own face, and he leaned in and kissed them away, before resting his forehead against hers.

"Thank you for sharing the picture and story with me, Wyatt," she whispered. "I know it was very painful, and I appreciate you telling me. It's clear that you love Jessica very much, and I admire the way you keep her memory alive for her son." At he gazed at her, she wiped away a few stray tears from his cheeks, and sweetly kissing his forehead, stood up and said, "Why don't we turn in? I'm a little tired," and she slipped out of the room.

A numb Wyatt sat completely still looking at the now empty doorway, suddenly beset by doubt. "What the hell was that? Had he just cried all over his new girlfriend about his dead wife?" He thought for a moment, and then Wyatt knew what he had to do, and smiling, he quickly got up and after locking the front door and turning off all the lights downstairs, hurried upstairs to his bedroom, worried that she may have drawn the wrong conclusion about what had just happened. (Nice job, Logan, way to make Lucy feel like she won't ever measure up to Jess.)

After peeking in on a peacefully slumbering Jamie, Lucy went into Wyatt's bedroom and wearily got ready for bed. Her mind kept replaying the way he had looked and sounded when he had finally opened up to her about Jessica, and she wrestled with her insecurities. (Even after five years, he is still so torn up about her death, how can I possibly think Wyatt is ready to move on with me?) With a heavy heart, Lucy climbed into bed, and leaning back against the headboard, pulled the covers up over her lap, and felt her conflicted thoughts tumble haphazardly around and around in her head as she waited for him to come upstairs.

Moments later, Wyatt rushed into the room and came to a halt beside the bed, his concerned dark blue gaze immediately zeroing in on her obvious misery. He started to speak, then thinking the better of it, locked the door and shedding his clothes, slipped into bed beside a silent Lucy. When she slid down under the covers and started to roll on her side away from him, he hoarsely whispered, "Lucy, look at me, please, I want to try and explain," and although she obediently turned back around to face him, wouldn't meet his eyes.

Taking her chin in his hand, he gently focused her desolate gaze on him, and coaxed, "Lucy, I can tell from the way you're acting, you are probably having some doubts about me and my feelings for you. And I'm so sorry for that, because that's the very last thing I want to happen. I imagine that, in some ways, it was every bit as hard for you to hear as it was for me to say those things about Jessica just now, but I meant what I told you a couple days ago. I am amazed and grateful for the joy and happiness you have brought back into my life, something I was certain was impossible after she died. Over these past months, you have taught my heart how to love again, and oh, sweetheart, I do, I love you, Lucy Preston, very much," and drew her soft, quivering lips to his for a tender, lingering kiss.

Lucy's dark eyes had widened in stunned disbelief at Wyatt's unexpected declaration, and unable to contain her nearly overwhelming joy at his words, she enthusiastically returned the kiss. Breathlessly, she pulled back and putting a delicate hand to his cheek, confessed, "I'm sorry I doubted you, Wyatt. Even though I know you loved Jessica very much, and will always grieve her loss, I guess I was a little surprised by your confession downstairs, and I'm ashamed to say, was in the process of convincing myself that you would never feel that way about me."

He shook his dark head as he gazed affectionately at her, and Lucy bashfully admitted, "Wyatt, you have changed my life, too. I never thought I could feel this way about someone, never said the words to any other man. Every day, my feelings for you grow stronger and deeper, and what I really want you to know is, I love you, too, Wyatt, more than I have ever loved anyone else," and Lucy was pleased by the obvious effect her words had on him. Wyatt's dark blue eyes glowed with happiness and desire, and she shivered as he pressed her more closely into the bed, savoring the feel of his muscular frame against her. And then there were no more words, as he lovingly, reverently (and he hoped, convincingly) proved the strength and depths of his feelings to Lucy.

Wyatt was awakened early Saturday morning by the soft click of the bathroom door opening, and hastily snapping his eyes shut, pretended to still be asleep as Lucy approached the bed. Just as she got to her side of the bed and went to pull back the covers, he abruptly sat up and grabbed her around the waist and rolled her under him, hushing her startled shriek with a swift kiss. "Good morning, sweet Lucy," he murmured as he began to leisurely kiss and caress her lithe body, and was gratified when she whimpered and began to move restlessly beneath him. "Wyatt, please," she implored in between kisses, and happy to oblige, he quickly stripped her bare and gave her what he thought was a proper morning greeting.

Afterwards, they lay intimately curled together, sated and panting slightly. Just as a drowsy Lucy was nearly asleep, a content Wyatt murmured against her soft hair, "Hey, Lucy, you know what? I love you," and when she rolled over to face him, he caught his breath at her luminous smile. Leaning forward and pressing a gentle, slow kiss to his lips, she whispered, "I love you, too, Wyatt Logan," and laying her head on his chest, Lucy dozed off to the calming sound of his steadily beating heart.

Wyatt whistled while he made pancakes for breakfast as Lucy set the table and listened to his son's animated commentary on their plans for the afternoon. Lucy and Julie were taking the little ones to McDonalds for lunch and then to see the new Moana movie, and Jamie was nearly vibrating, he was so excited. Wyatt had offered to help Bam Bam clean out his garage while they were at the movies, but Lucy had a sneaking suspicion that there might be a college football game or two on television today.

Wyatt set the plate of stacked pancakes on the table and retrieved the bacon warming in the oven while Lucy fixed Jamie's plate. She blushed when Wyatt placed a tender kiss to the side of her neck before he sat down and started filling his own plate. "Behave, Wyatt," she scolded at his innocent 'who me?' shrug. "Yes, Ma'am," he sassed, and she chuckled at his mischievous expression (I've never seen him look so happy and carefree. Did I do that? Oh, I really hope so).

After they finished their breakfast, Lucy insisted on clearing the dishes while the Logan men got cleaned up and ready to go. When she walked into Wyatt's room, he had just come out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel knotted around his trim waist, and was reaching in the closet for a shirt. "Such a shame to cover that sexy body of yours, Master Sergeant," Lucy confidently leered at him, and grinned when his face reddened.

He recovered quickly, and smirked, "Oh, someone's feeling a little brave, I see." Without warning, he swooped Lucy up in his arms and striding over to the bed, dropped her and careful not to squash her, fell on top of Lucy, kissing her until they were both breathless. "Wyatt," she protested weakly, "We're going to be late, and the door isn't locked, and where's Jamie?" He leaned back slightly, "Well, then, if you're not interested..." and shot her a dimpled grin when she growled and pulled him back down on top of her for a few more stolen moments.

Through the door, they heard, "Hey, Daddy, I need help with my toothbrush. Daddy, where are you?" and Wyatt groaned as he reluctantly pushed himself off Lucy's slender figure and sighed. She teased, "You better get dressed and go help your son while I get a quick shower," and snickered at the plainly disgruntled look he threw her. "Laugh now, sweetheart, while you can, because you know what they say about paybacks," and hastily ducked when she threw a pillow at him.

Finally ready, they arrived at the Baumgardners around noon, and after Lucy and Jamie went inside to find Julie and the girls, Wyatt strolled into the garage looking for his friend. "Hey, Bam, you out here?" he called out. "Right here, son," and he emerged from the back of the garage, carrying a couple of boxes piled high. "What's the plan?" Wyatt asked, and grinned when Bam Bam confided in a low voice, "The first game is on in about a half hour, and I got subs from Chicos and a 12-pack in the fridge."

The two friends fist-bumped and a couple minutes later, tried to look industrious when the front door opened, and Jamie and the little girls spilled out, chattering loudly, followed by Lucy and Julie. "Better them than us, am I right, son?" a jubilant Bam Bam elbowed Wyatt, who smothered a grin as he privately agreed. "These women are saints," his friend declared when the women were within hearing, and as Wyatt caught Lucy's eye, and she gave him the sweet smile that was for him alone, he suddenly wished he was going with their little group, rowdy kids, Disney movie, and all.

The girls rushed over to their Daddy to tell him goodbye, and Jamie hugged Wyatt around the knees while he told his son to behave for Miss Lucy and Aunt Julie. The little boy promised, and after giving his Uncle Bam a high five, followed the girls to Julie's minivan, and climbed in. Wyatt tugged Lucy close for a goodbye kiss, and just when it was getting a bit interesting, the couple sprang apart at Bam Bam's shrill whistle. "Jesus, Wy, she's only gonna be gone a few hours, pull yourself together, man," and laughed loudly in appreciation when Wyatt glared at him, "Screw you, Baumgardner," while Lucy's face turned bright pink.

Julie scolded her vastly amused husband for teasing their friends, and as she and Lucy started to walk towards the minivan, she turned around and warned, "And don't think I didn't see the beer and subs you hid in the fridge, David Baumgardner, so you guys better not sit on the couch and watch football all afternoon, am I clear?" and frowned at Wyatt when she caught him smirking and making a 'whipped' noise. "Yes, dear," both men muttered at her retreating back. After the vehicle pulled out of the driveway, Wyatt mildly observed, "Your wife is kind of scary," and his friend nodded solemnly in return, "You have no idea, brother."

Once they got to the McDonalds near the cineplex, Lucy got Jamie and the girls settled at a table while Julie got their lunches. Once the happy meals were distributed, and the kids were occupied, Julie leaned across the table and ordered, "Okay, I know something is going on, you and Wy both have that look on your faces, and I saw that not-so-little kiss in my garage, so c'mon, give me all the juicy details." Lucy's face grew warm at her friend's interested expression, and she started to deny Julie's assumption, but then Lucy thought she might explode if she didn't tell someone, and Amy was visiting a friend this weekend, so, taking a deep breath, Lucy hinted, "Okay, okay, I'm not telling you everything, but there might have been certain words spoken..."

Julie literally clapped her hands over her mouth to keep from squealing in excitement as Lucy admitted her thrilled surprise that Wyatt said the special, most important words first. Both women got a little choked up as her friend asked, "You said the words right back, though, didn't you?" and Lucy confirmed it with a shy smile. "I knew it," Julie gloated, and lowering her voice to a discreet whisper, "Lucy, you are the first, really, the only, woman Wyatt Logan has even so much as blinked at since Jessica passed away. I am just so happy for both of you, and of course, for Jamie, because I know how much you love him."

Lucy appreciated her friend's words, and thanked Julie for being in her corner. Julie casually hand waved away her gratitude, and after telling Lucy how pleased she was for the two of them, decided to change the subject. The women began to discuss the Christmas Gala, and Lucy admitted that after what Wyatt had told her about the very last gala he had attended with Jessica, she didn't think they would be able to attend. Julie made a disappointed face, but said she understood. The gala did hold sad memories for Wyatt, and when Lucy explained she had no desire to upset him in the circumstances, her friend agreed.

They finished eating and after wiping off little hands and faces, headed to the cineplex, where Jamie and Annie greatly enjoyed the movie, although Sadie crawled into Lucy's lap and fell asleep about ten minutes after the movie started. On the drive back to the Baumgardner's, Lucy was suddenly anxious to see Wyatt. She had enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with Julie and the little ones, but she was missing Wyatt, and when Julie invited the three of them to stay for supper, she regretfully declined. Their five-day weekend together was nearly over, and Lucy really wanted to spend the rest of today and tomorrow with him before she went home on Sunday evening

They pulled into the driveway, and the women were surprised (and impressed) to see Wyatt and Bam Bam working hard in the garage. "I think you really scared them," an amazed Lucy told her friend, and giggled at Julie's triumphant expression. Wyatt's face lit up when he saw her, and it was all she could do to keep from running to him like Jamie did. He swooped up the little boy and gave him a big hug, listening intently to his son tell him about Moana and Maui, all the while his dark blue eyes never left Lucy's. "I missed you," he mouthed, with a soft smile, and she nodded in agreement, "Me, too."

Lucy sighed in relief as Julie said loudly to her husband, "Dave, they have to be going now," and glared at him when he started to protest. "Woman, I am not an idiot, if Wy and Lucy want to go home and be alone, they should just say so," and Julie burst out laughing when the couple both immediately said at the same time, "We have to be going now." Lucy hugged Julie and the girls as Bam Bam thanked Wyatt for his help, and during the short drive home, Lucy did her best not to think about going back to her place on Sunday night. She was determined to enjoy her time with Wyatt and Jamie as much as possible, and put off her dread about tomorrow for as long as she could. Lucy reached over to grasp Wyatt's large firm hand in hers, and his smile warmed her heart, and she cherished the knowledge that he loved her.

A/N: Finally! I apologize for the unexpectedly long delay in updating First Steps. (I kind of got caught up in A Deal With The Devil.) Hope this was worth the wait. My sincere thanks to everyone for all the great reviews, favorites, and follows, especially from guests.