Chapter 46

A/N #1: This chapter is dedicated to faithful (and very patient!) reader, jbiemann, who hasn't given up on me finishing this beast of a story (yet). Thank you, my friend, your support means more than I can say...

Previously...

...Before going upstairs around 5:30 to wake Jamie and Lucy, Wyatt checked to make sure her Valentines Day gift was wrapped and securely tucked away in the pocket of his leather jacket so he could give it to her at the restaurant. He was quite pleased with the elegant silver Pandora "L" charm and key ring he'd chosen. It was feminine and classy, just like she was. Luckily, Wyatt hadn't waited until the last minute to shop and stopped at the mall on his way home from the base early last week. However, nice as the gift was, of even greater significance was the single key he'd slipped on the ring-a key to the front door of his apartment...

"I love her...and that's the beginning and end of everything..." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hurriedly glancing at his phone, Wyatt realized they were gonna be late for their supper reservation if he didn't get a move on. Fortunately, when he walked into Jamie's room, the five-year-old was already awake and excited about seeing Miss Nina, so getting him re-dressed and wiping his face and hands only took a couple minutes. Sending the happy little boy downstairs to wait with a firm request not to get dirty, Wyatt found his own bed rumpled but empty and the bathroom door closed. Knocking once on the door, he asked politely, "Lucy, everything okay? Can I help you get dressed?"

As anticipated, she did need some help putting her clothes back on, which of course, he was happy to give-although Wyatt felt sorta bad because he easily surmised from the slight frown marring her forehead that in spite of the nap, Lucy was still tired and getting frustrated by the persistent ache in her shoulder. Maybe he shouldn't have made the dinner reservation without checking with her first...

"Easy there, Lucy," he soothed, "No need to rush yourself. It's not even 6:00 yet, and the restaurant is less than 15 minutes away. I'm sure Nina will hold our reservation, unless maybe you aren't really feeling up to it? I can throw something together for supper in no time at all and we can go out some other night. Up to you, sweetheart." Smoothing back her messy dark curls, Wyatt waited patiently for her response. Thankfully, after taking a deep breath and giving him a grateful smile, she seemed to calm down, and they were out the door with plenty of time to spare.

During the drive to Galelli's, Wyatt listened absently as Lucy and Jamie animatedly discussed the school party, his attention focused mainly on the gift practically burning a hole in his jacket pocket. At first, he wondered if giving her the key during supper instead of waiting until later on when they were alone would be a better idea, maybe more romantic? But the longer he thought about it, though, the more Wyatt rather liked the symbolism of his son being present for such an important moment–one he couldn't have imagined six months ago. It felt comfortingly right for the three of them.

After all, he mused, the Logan men were a two-for-one deal because it was young Jamie's life, too-although there was little doubt in Wyatt's mind what his son's reaction to Lucy moving in would be, considering the determined five-year-old had already decided his teacher would be perfect as his new Mommy before Daddy had even asked her out on a date. Hell, Wyatt could've handed Lucy a key during the first night she came over to their home for supper, and a thrilled Jamie would've happily rolled with it. Have to admit, his boy not only had good taste, but knew what he wanted and went for it...

Somewhat irritated with herself for getting so worked up about the lingering pain and inconvenience of her shoulder injury to the point it might ruin the nice evening Wyatt planned, Lucy's annoyance had faded by the time he drove into Galelli's rapidly filling parking lot, helped in large part by the cheerful conversation she and Jamie were having about the Valentines Day party. It made her smile when the little boy reminded her several times that his Daddy helped out this afternoon. She wondered if Wyatt had noticed how proud and excited Jamie had been to share his father with the other kids.

Glancing at him occasionally as he skillfully maneuvered the Jeep through early evening traffic, she thought idly that perhaps Wyatt seemed a little preoccupied, but then again, between the accident and working through their relationship issues, the past few days had been pretty stressful for all of them. Jeez, Lucy, give the poor guy a break, she told herself, resolving to let the negative stuff go and just enjoy her first Valentines Day with the Logan men. Well-mannered as ever, Wyatt thoughtfully dropped her and Jamie off at the front double doors, so they went inside to check in. To Jamie's delight, his beloved Miss Nina herself was manning the hostess stand. "Hi, Miss Nina!" he exclaimed joyfully with a wave, "It's me, Jamie!"

The older dark-haired woman's face lit up as she stepped out from behind the wooden podium to greet them. "Well, mio Dio, it's Jamie Logan! I was very happy when your papa called earlier to make a reservation for this evening for the two of you and the bella Miss Preston. It's wonderful to see you, piccolina, Happy Valentines Day," she said fondly, bending down to give the child a firm hug. Straightening up, Nina looked past them toward the front doors, and cupping Jamie's cheek fondly, asked, "And where is the bello Master Sergeant this evening?" Before she or Jamie could answer, Wyatt walked through the entrance with a warm smile for the restaurant owner, who personally seated the Logan party at their favorite booth near the back.

Her welcoming expression dimmed slightly when she belatedly noticed the sling after Wyatt carefully helped Lucy remove her coat. "My goodness, bella, what has happened?" Jamie's small chest puffed with importance as he dramatically re-told the story of the accident to the attentive Miss Nina. Lucy smiled indulgently at the little boy sitting beside her, grateful talking about the crash didn't seem to upset him at all-and it was definitely a good sign that Wyatt didn't appear to be quite as distressed hearing the details again as he'd been last night with Amy. It always made her heart ache when his seemingly perpetual guilt got the better of him at times, but at least it was something he acknowledged and was clearly trying to work on-although Lucy doubted it was possible to temper his bone-deep protectiveness.

Thankfully, the little guy eventually ran out of breath, giving Wyatt a chance to place their order with the server Nina beckoned over before wishing the two of them a speedy recovery and returning to the waiting area up front. Because it was a special evening, they decided against their usual order of pizza and chose Galelli's famous family-style spaghetti and meatballs with salad and bread sticks. Watching her Valentines Day "dates" eagerly tuck into dinner made Lucy sigh with contentment. She supposed it was possible some women might consider spending the most romantic night of the year with their best guy and his young child to be the very opposite of romantic, but when it came to Wyatt and Jamie Logan, it felt exactly right to her.

A lively conversation during dinner covered a wide variety of topics, including Lucy starting PT on her shoulder at the end of the week and last night's visit with Amy. Even though-at her insistence-Wyatt was returning to the base in the morning, she appreciated his promise to take Friday afternoon off to escort her to her first appointment with the physical therapist. Not only that, but earlier today, he'd thoughtfully texted Julie to ask if she could keep Jamie a couple hours. He was taking such good care of her, Lucy thought, her heart swelling with love. She was a lucky woman, in so many ways, to be loved by Wyatt Logan...

"I guess it's a good thing we all wore dark colors for the occasion," Lucy observed with a wry grin after they finished eating as she began the task of thoroughly wiping Jamie's face, which was smeared cheek to cheek with an alarming amount of tomato sauce by the time the ravenous five-year-old impressively polished off his second helping of pasta and third or fourth bread stick.

Stacking their dirty dishes to one side of the table for the server to pick up, Wyatt laughed. "Yeah, buddy, I think you might be wearing more spaghetti than you managed to eat," he teased his son, who grinned mischievously in return and gave his Daddy a proud thumbs up. Once the little boy was cleaned up to her satisfaction, she handed him her phone to play a game. Glancing up, Lucy saw that while she was occupied with his son, Wyatt had stealthily placed a very small, beautifully-wrapped box on the table in front of her.

Her heart leapt eagerly for maybe all of a split second at the diminutive size of the gift until her brain caught up and logically pointed out–though with a faint touch of disappointment-the box was definitely not shaped like something an engagement ring would come in. Good grief, Lucy, take it easy...you and Wyatt are in pretty good shape right now, but probably nowhere near ready for a momentous step like a marriage proposal...

"Oh, how pretty," she exclaimed breathlessly, desperately willing her racing pulse to calm down. While Lucy was dying to open the gift Wyatt had chosen for her, instead, she bought herself a little time to regain her composure by digging through her bag, pulling out a thick, dark red envelope and all but thrusting it at him. "This is for you. Happy Valentines Day, Wyatt." She clasped her hands together tightly, slightly nervous all of a sudden. Not about her gift (she had no doubt he'd very much enjoy and appreciate the pair of tickets to the Padres season opener in April), but about the card itself.

"Only do what your heart tells you." - Princess Diana

It was a rather serious card...maybe she should've gone with something a little more casual or light-hearted or funny for a first Valentine? Lucy fretted, already starting to second guess her choice. She watched intently as Wyatt pulled it from the envelope, and glancing absently at the small, narrow white envelope containing the game tickets before putting it aside, began reading the front of the card, which depicted a young dark-haired woman dressed in Victorian era clothing seated at a writing desk with a quill and parchment.

Above the charming, old-fashioned illustration in elegant script were printed the words, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." taken from "Sonnet 43" which had been written by one of her favorite poets, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The inside of the card was plain except for blank lines numbered one through five, and after much thought and consideration on her part (hey, when it came to the man she loved, it was quite difficult to stop at only five), Lucy had decided on the following answers to the important question...

1. I love the feel of your strong hand wrapped securely around my smaller one...

2. I love the patient, firm, yet loving way you parent your son...

3. I love the slow, dimpled smile that's mine alone...

4. I love the dedication you feel for your job and your country...

5. I love the way your kisses always make me feel loved and desired...

I love YOU, Wyatt Logan, with all my heart...forever...

Happy Valentines Day,

Lucy

Dimly aware of the child sitting beside her who was seemingly engrossed in playing his video game, she never took her eyes off her boyfriend as Wyatt intently studied each line before looking up at her with a slightly awed expression on his face. That was a good thing, right? "Wow. Um, I think this is probably the nicest Valentine, really any card, I've ever gotten, sweetheart," he said, clearing his throat before reaching across the table to take her hand. "Is this really how you see me?" Wyatt asked very quietly...the barest trace of uncertainty in his deep voice making her heart ache ever so slightly despite her relief.

She honestly had no idea where his insecurity might be coming from, but Lucy was determined to keep chipping away at it, because if anyone deserved to be loved wholeheartedly, it was Wyatt Logan-one of the finest men she'd ever known. He was smart, kind, loving, gorgeous, and so much more. The complete package, her sister had said on more than one occasion, and Amy was right. Yes, my love, you are so very worthy of being loved and appreciated, she thought.

"Oh, yes," Lucy answered simply in a soft undertone, squeezing his warm, calloused hand. "And I mean every word. Trust me, Master Sergeant Logan, when it comes to my feelings about you, I could've filled the inside of the card. Now open your gift, please," she ordered, sending him a bright smile before turning away briefly to look at something Jamie wanted to show her with the game on her phone. Glancing up, she was quite pleased at the way Wyatt's azure eyes widened in surprise when he pulled the tickets out of the smaller envelope.

"Padres tickets? For Opening Day? Lucy," he started to protest, "You shouldn't have spent so much. These must've set you back at least $100." Fortunately, despite his slight frown, Lucy could tell she'd chosen well for him by the way Wyatt kept staring at the tickets in his hand.

Shaking her head emphatically, she scolded playfully, "Listen here, you're going to hurt my feelings, soldier, if you don't quit fussing and just say, thank you, Lucy...what a thoughtful gift, Lucy... and maybe if you wanna go all out, buster, I love you, Lucy..." She had to laugh when Wyatt slowly narrowed those gorgeous blue eyes at her, and after a long moment, obediently parroted her words back verbatim even as he gently yet persistently pushed his gift closer to her with a dimpled grin.

"Love is not only something you feel–it's something you do." - David Wilkerson

"Alright, Miss Bossy, enough of me," Wyatt prompted lightly, "It's your turn, Ma'am," doing his best to ignore his uneasiness now that the big moment he'd been fretting over for the past couple days was here. What if she wasn't ready for this next step? He worried, trying to relax. What if she says 'thanks, but no thanks' or even worse, stalls for time to let him down easy? Jesus, Logan, get a grip...

Watching intently, he instantly felt better upon seeing the sincere pleasure on his girlfriend's face when she daintily tore open the shimmering silver and white paper before carefully lifting the box lid stamped 'Pandora.' Pushing aside the thin white tissue paper, she exclaimed with delight, "Oh, how pretty. It's an 'L'-Is it a key chain? Oh, it is. Thank you, Wyatt, I love it."

Jamie looked up from his game with interest. "Hey, I wanna see...can I see Daddy's present?" Lucy obliged, holding out the small box so his son could see. "Look, Miss Lucy, Daddy gots you a shiny letter, the same one that love starts with, like what I put on your card," he exclaimed proudly, "Good job, Daddy!" Pressing a smacking kiss on his round cheek, firm enough to make the little boy giggle, Lucy reminded him that her name started with the same letter, too. Watching the two people he loved most in the world grin at each other affectionately, a wave of feelings swept over Wyatt-not only gratitude that they were safe and right here with him where they belonged, but also the certainty this next important step in his relationship with Lucy was absolutely the right one for the three of them.

Clearing his throat, Wyatt answered, "You're welcome, Ma'am. But, uh, it's not just a key chain, there's more," hesitantly directing Lucy's attention to the object he'd placed on the gleaming silver ring. She lifted the key chain out of the box and carefully examined the obviously new gold key hanging from it.

"Oh...there's a key...which is what the beautiful key chain is for, I presume? So, what does this particular key unlock?" she asked with a puzzled frown, glancing between Wyatt and his Valentines Day gift.

My heart, my love, my life, Wyatt thought hopefully, but settled for, "It's a copy of the key to the front door of my apartment." When Lucy continued to stare at him uncertainly, he reached over and placed his hand over her smaller one. Taking a deep breath, Wyatt tried to get the words out in some kind of coherent manner, saying in a low voice, "Lucy, before I met you, I had zero interest in dating, convinced that part of my life was over and done with when Jess died. But then, six months ago, I met a sweet, funny, loving, beautiful kindergarten teacher from San Francisco who turned my narrow world upside down...a woman who's given me some of the best days of my life since then. Sweetheart, you're a wonderful, amazing woman who makes me and my child so very happy. I guess what I'm not saying very well, is I love you and want you to live with us."

While his son squealed in excitement and began bouncing up and down beside Lucy, Wyatt's total focus was on the woman he'd fallen in love with. As the seconds slowly ticked by, he took no notice of the busy servers moving quickly past their booth and the muted sounds of the people around them talking and eating. Please, Lucy, please say yes, Wyatt begged her wordlessly, heart beating faster in apprehension as whispers of self doubt began to flood his mind.

Maybe he should've waited until later tonight when they were alone to ask her...maybe choosing a very public place with his young son spazzing out beside her had been a mistake...maybe it really was too soon for her to make this kind of serious commitment...Dammit, Logan, you're such an idiot, he chastised himself, all the while intently watching Lucy's always expressive face for any clue as to what she was feeling (although he was vaguely amused by her shocked gasp and the way those soft brown eyes of hers widened).

At last, after what felt like an eternity (but in reality was probably only a minute or two) had passed, she asked incredulously, "Wyatt? Are you asking me to move in with you?" before falling silent, her hand trembling under his. Taking a second to shush an exuberant Jamie with a warning frown, Wyatt nodded once, willing himself to remain perfectly still and wait as patiently as he could manage as Lucy continued to stare at him in wonder. At least she didn't immediately say no and did seem to be thinking about it, his anxious heart noted optimistically.

Thank God his masculine pride–not to mention his frayed nerves–was rescued when she leaned across the table and whispered, "Yes," with a shy, hopeful smile. His hand tightened compulsively on hers as Wyatt blinked uncertainly. Wait. What? Did she just say yes? Did Lucy really agree to move in with him? Aww, hell. Did I just say that out loud? he groaned mentally when his chaotic thoughts were interrupted by her soft peal of laughter–and his son's surprised squeak of joy.

"Um, yeah, you did," Lucy snickered, winking mischievously at Jamie before grinning at a greatly relieved Wyatt. "But that's okay, I understand. This is kind of a big deal for us...well, for any couple, I imagine. And don't worry about being nervous, I've got a few butterflies myself." They watched each other closely for a few seconds before Lucy's smile faded slightly. "Are you sure, though?" she asked tentatively, biting her lower lip and gazing into his eyes, which was something that never failed to get him all stirred up. Wyatt decided on the spot that it was time to take the rest of this conversation home.

"Yes, Ma'am," he assured her, his voice deepening with desire, "You're making me one happy guy, Lucy Preston, 'cause I've never been more positive of anything in my life. But we can talk more after a certain someone goes to bed and we're all alone. Our Valentines Day isn't quite over yet, sweetheart." Her cheeks pinked attractively at his confident tone, and Wyatt was pleased by the way Lucy's hand trembled in his. He wanted to kiss her so badly right now...maybe out in the parking lot... Suddenly eager to call it a night and take her home for some much-needed privacy, he signaled for their server. Now that Lucy had agreed to move in with him, naturally there were several things to discuss and all kinds of plans they needed to make, and Wyatt couldn't wait to take this next important step towards a future with her...

"Love is, above all, the gift of oneself." - Jean Anouilh

A/N #2: Way to go, Wyatt! Silly man, worrying that Lucy might say no... Thanks to everyone for your patience waiting on this new chapter. Hopefully, it was a memorable Valentines Day for these two (and a certain little boy). I know this chapter is a little shorter than most, but it felt like a good place to stop. While I have pretty much finished the epilogue for First Steps, there's still plenty of things I want to include before we get to that final chapter. As usual, my sincere appreciation to all of you still following this story. It's a real pleasure to write about Lucy and Wyatt for all of you, my Timeless friends :))