Chapter Six
The Greatest Year
December 31st, 1993
11:59
Jenny, Steve, Amanda, Jesse, Jack and Allie all watched as CJ, Dion and Amanda opened their presents, Jack and Amanda had been married for just over two months, both were happy and so were their children. They had all went to Jack's house, the beach house down the beach from Steve for Christmas. Jack and Amanda had moved into Jack's house shortly after coming back from the honeymoon. They had all gone to Allie's house for Thanksgiving and would be going to Steve's for New Years.
Amanda was still the only one who knew about Steve's proposing on New Year's Eve. She could tell the two were in love with each other. Steve adored her and would sometimes go out of his way to do things for her, including one day her car had broken down and she had no way to get to work, it had been Steve's day off and he willing drove her to the precinct, and remained there to catch up on paper work. It was obvious that Steve had it bad for the young woman.
"Steve, have you heard a word I said?" Jenny asked touching her boy friend's arm. Steve looked at her and smiled gently. He had been thinking about her, about how deeply he loved her. Part of him just couldn't wait to ask her, praying she wouldn't say no.
"Huh, no babe I'm sorry I didn't," he said softly, feeling bad. He hadn't meant to ignore her.
"It's okay, we were just going to sing some Christmas carols, are you all right?" She asked with concern in her voice.
"Yeah… yeah fine," he said. This was a rough time for Steve, his father had been gone for a year now and it still hurt a lot, he tried to imagine just getting through every day. For awhile it had taken everything Steve had in him to survive the first part of the year, his father had meant the world to him, and silently he thanked God that Jenny had come along only weeks after Mark's disappearance. Steve had gone from leaning on his father at times, to Jennifer. Now he had learned how to deal with his emotions differently, instead of hiding them he would talk them through, and in the past year that's how he had gotten to know Jenny so well. He still remembered the conversation they had had only two weeks earlier when Steve hadn't been able to sleep.
*********
"Steve, are you all right?" Jenny asked softly as she rolled over in the bed and looked at her boyfriend. She adored this man, and if by some miracle they ended up together forever she wanted to know as much about him as she could.
"No," he admitted. Jenny found this unusual. While Steve was learning to talk through his problems he didn't always admit to having problems.
"What's wrong?" She asked. He sighed and slowly rubbed his eyes.
"Do you ever wonder why you suddenly start having these horrible memories?" He asked. She sat up slowly and leaned against the head board, looking at him as he lay on his side, his back to her she gently began to run her hands through his hair.
"What's wrong?" She asked again.
"Ever since dad…disappeared I've been having nightmares periodically about Vietnam, generally it's not a problem, I haven't actually had one in years. Suddenly I'm having them every few nights, I try and not let them bother me but…" he stopped, slowly turning he looked at her, his big crystal blue eyes boring into her's.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She knew that Mark had always been able to get his son to talk, and silently Jenny had challenged herself to be able to do the same.
"I used to spend nights in holes in the ground, or in puddles, wet, rain any climate and we were in it. We were terrified, we never really knew if or when someone would bomb us…shot us or capture us. At home people were protesting the war, hell over there half of us wanted to protest the damn thing. My dreams aren't about that though….they're about my time as a POW…" he said softly. She watched him and smiled softly, touching his hand.
"If you don't want to talk you don't have to, I'm here," she said.
**********
Steve had spent the rest of that night explaining to Jenny about his in the POW camp, she had been somewhat horrified, but she had continued to listen to him, love him and when he had cried lightly she had held him. Part of him knew after that, she would always be there and most of all; that she wasn't easily frightened off.
Somewhere in the recess of his mind Steve heard his father's favorite song being sung, and he felt a small tear roll down his cheek.
"Have your self a merry little Christmas," he sang slowly, as he looped an arm around his girlfriend's waist. The rest of the night was a blur, as they sang, drank coffee and soon Steve helped Jack put the kids to bed.
"You know if you're worried about Steve, it probably wouldn't hurt to run him by tomorrow, I'll give him a check up," Jesse said. Jenny shook her head thoughtfully, she knew what was bothering Steve, and it had nothing to do with an illness, not really.
"Thanks Jess, but what's bothering him can't be fixed medically, only with time," she said touching the younger man's hand. Jesse nodded and smiled softly.
"Well I'm getting tired, ready to head home?" Steve asked as he and Jack reentered the living room. The six adults smiled and nodded.
"I guess we'll see you," Steve said lightly as he gripped Jen's hand on the way out.
Jenny chuckled as Jack told another great story from the hospital. Community General had gone on living after Mark's disappearance, while no one found it simple, they did. Steve was sitting next to Jenny, staring off into the distance as he thought, it was New Year's Eve and something seemed to be looming over Steve's mind for days, since Christmas, today seemed to be worse than ever, she prayed whatever it was, wouldn't last much longer, she had no desire to lose this man.
"Let's go inside and watch the TV," Jack said. They all nodded and headed inside, but Steve didn't rise.
"Steve, what's wrong, honey it's almost midnight," Jenny said. Steve smiled softly and looked at her.
"I know," he whispered as he followed her into the beach house. They all sat down as Steve looked over at the clock, it read 11:54, taking a deep breath he excused himself and headed downstairs, a few minutes later Amanda joined him.
"How ya doin'?" She asked.
"Nervous, very nervous," he whispered, "what if she say's no?" He asked.
"What if she says yes, come on Steve, it's going to be midnight in six minutes, and I know those next six minutes are going to be the most important ones of your life, I believe somewhere your father is watching over you. Now get back up there," he smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
"You're the wind beneath my wings," he whispered as he reached over and grabbed the ring box and headed back upstairs, Amanda right behind him.
Jenny scooted over as Steve came back in and sat next to her, Steve waited in anticipation as the clock slowly ticked away the seconds until Steve would drop to one knee and ask her. Even Amanda was getting nervous, she prayed this would work out, if it didn't she knew Steve would never be the same.
11:57, the clock read, Steve continued to watch it as everyone watched the clock on TV.
11:58, Steve looked at the TV and smiled gently, looking at Amanda he looked at Jenny.
11:59, Steve slid to one knee in front of Jenny, her eyes no longer on the TV, but now on her boyfriend as he knelt in front of her. Her eyes growing wide as he gazed into her beautiful orbs.
"Jennifer Maria I've known you for a year, and everything about you amazes me, I can't let you go, and I won't, would you consent to be my wife?" He asked as he pulled out the ring, every eye in the room went from the TV to them as Steve knelt in front of Jenny, the ring held up in the box, she was staring at him in disbelief. Amanda covered her mouth and gripped her husband's hand. Allison smiled as she watched Jesse intently.
12:00, this is Dick Clark from New York City, Happy New Year!" he yelled on the TV, but no one in the Sloan household was paying attention. Jenny was quiet, a hand over her mouth, tears welling in her eyes as Steve nervously watched her. 'Please don't say no,' Steve thought, along with everyone else in the room.
"Jenny?" He asked quietly, the quiver in his voice more apparent than he wished it to be.
12:01, Jenny took the hand from her mouth away and reached towards Steve.
"Of course I'll marry you," she finally managed as she got down on her knees as well and hugged him closely. Everyone cheered and clapped as Steve allowed himself to breath again and Jenny cried on his shoulder. Steve allowed her to cry for a few minutes and then he pulled away and ever so gently he slipped the ring onto her finger and smiled as he traced his fingers over her cheek bones and jaw. Amanda smiled gently as Jack pulled her closer and kissed her forehead as he smiled as well.
"I love you," he whispered as he took a deep breath and held her close again.
"I know," she said. Jack smiled and gently he patted Steve on the back and led his friend's out of the house.
"Give them some privacy," he whispered as they slowly got into their cars and drove away.
His hands slid down her slender body, under her shirt, touching her silky skin, her hands holding him close as her mouth enveloped his, unbuckling her pants, unbuttoning his shirt. He continued to kiss her, never losing strength, he wanted her so badly, and she knew it. Her hands slid up his bareback, he lifted his head for a breath and then continued.
"Bed," she whispered suddenly, as he split his lips from hers.
"Huh?" He asked looking at her.
"I'm not doing it here on the floor," she whispered. He smiled and lifted her quickly into his arms and carried her downstairs, kissing her all the way. He climbed into bed with her and they were once again in each other's arms.
"I love you," she whispered. He nodded and continued to kiss her, she was now working on his pants. He smiled and intentionally pulled the covers back from under them.
Jenny opened her eyes the next morning, and for a split seconds she didn't remember last night and then she smiled, Steve was still fast asleep beside her, reaching out she grabbed a pair of pajamas and pulled the pants and shirt on. To make sure she wasn't dreaming she looked down at her ring finger, where his beautiful ring sat staring her in the face. She looked back over at him, covered by the comforter and sheets, only a tiny of his bronzed chest revealed as he slept soundly.
Getting up Jenny pulled her robe on as well and slowly headed upstairs to cook some breakfast for them, she couldn't believe that it had really happened, but it was true, she would soon be Mrs. Jennifer Maria Sloan, it sounded so amazing. She smiled when she heard the door opening and saw Jack and Amanda entering, Amanda nearly bounded over to her and hugged her tightly.
"You knew?" Jenny asked smiling.
"He took me shopping to get you the ring, is he awake yet?" She asked. Jenny smiled.
"No, I doubt it, he should be as soon as he smells the food, want some breakfast?"
"Oh, I'm starving," she said smiling. Jack shook his head as Amanda went to work helping Jenny cook, sighing he headed outside onto the deck and smiled. A few minutes later Steve joined him, his hair wet from his shower and a happy smile on him.
"Nice night?" Jack said. Steve's smile widened.
"Great, you?" Jack shook his head.
"Nope, can't, we found out two days ago, Amanda's pregnant," he whispered. Steve smiled.
"Are you kidding?" Steve asked.
"Nope, I imagine she wanted you to propose before telling everyone. She was thrilled beyond reason. Like CJ and Dion at Christmas."
"How far?"
"Two months," Jack said smiling, his face full of excitement.
"This is great, you guys are going to have a baby and I'm going to have a wedding," Steve said.
"You're father would be proud Steve," Jack said.
"I hope so, my guess is however, that Jenny is going to want to head back to Ohio for the next couple days, she wants me to meet her family," Steve said. Jack chuckled.
"Uh oh, the in laws," the two men laughed lightly as the ladies came out with dishes of food.
"I assume you told him?" Amanda asked. Jack looked up at her as Amanda placed the pancakes in front of them.
"They're cinnamon," she explained.
"Yes, so are you going to fill you're girlfriend in, or do I have to?" He said. Amanda smacked his head and smiled.
"Tell us what?" Jenny asked.
"I'm pregnant," Amanda said. Jenny screamed with excitement, causing both men to jump slightly as she and Amanda excitedly squeaked and hugged one another.
"Women," Steve whispered.
"Damn right," Jack said, they held up their orange juice and clinked the glasses together before taking long swigs.
Steve shook his head as they landed in Cleveland, Ohio, he wasn't really looking forward to meeting Jenny's family, afraid of what they might think of her. He felt Jenny's hand interlock with his as they walked towards a car, it was a blue Grand Jeep Cherokee.
"I called ahead and asked my brother to bring it by, come on," she said as she placed their luggage in the back.
"Jen, what are they going to think of me?"
"They'll love you, even if they don't, it doesn't matter, because I do," she said smiling as she started the car.
"Ready?" She asked looking over at him. Taking a deep breath he nodded, he was going to go from having just a sister now to having a large family and he was still accepting that.
It took about twenty-five to thirty minutes to get her house, which was located in a nice looking neighborhood, there were kids playing in the snow and throwing snow balls, Steve smiled as several people seemed to wave at Jenny as she passed.
"I'm sorry it's so cold here, January was never my favorite months in Ohio, eventually you wish you could just leave, it is so damn cold," Jenny explained. Steve smiled softly, they pulled up to a large house, with a nice front porch that had a porch swing, a bay window and a friendly atmosphere. Steve looked at it.
"Nice," he whispered.
"Come on," she said. Steve sighed as they both got out of the car, there was about two inches of snow on the ground, making it beautiful, if Steve didn't love LA so much he would probably consider moving to a nice place like this.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked again.
"Steve, they will love you, now calm down," the door swung open before Jenny even knocked. A middle aged man with a girl on his back smiled and pulled Jenny into a hug.
"Jen, how are you!?" He asked, she smiled and stepped into the house, Steve quietly following her.
"I'm great, how are you?" She asked.
"The usual, boy wait until mom sees you," he said. Jenny smiled, she adored her mother but the woman was fairly overprotective of her middle daughter and didn't like the idea of the girl being a cop.
"Oh, Kev, this is my fiancé Steve Sloan. Steve this is my big brother Kevin and on his back is his six year old daughter Stacy," Jenny introduced.
"Hi," Steve said shaking Kevin's large hand, the man's eyes were green and he had medium brown hair, Steve looked at his fiancée and smiled softly.
"Let's go meet the rest of the family," she said. Steve wanted to whine, and get far away from this.
"Mom and Kirsten are in the kitchen, dad and Dan are in the living room with the kids," she nodded and quickly ushered her soon to be husband towards the living room. Steve couldn't help but notice how many pictures there were of the kids, he stopped quickly to look at one of what he assumed was Jenny, she had long flowing red hair, unlike the sandy blond it was now, she was wearing a leather jacket and posing. Jenny laughed gently as she realized what he was looking at.
"That was my senior year in high school," she said. He looked at her and smiled softly.
"I like you with red hair," he said.
"Really, everyone hated it," she said.
"Brings out your eyes," he said pointing to the bright green eyes.
"Thank you," she said, "Maybe you'll get to see it personally one day, now come on," she said. Steve nodded and placed the picture back where he found it. They entered a large room, which he guess was the living room, everyone was around the TV laughing and talking, some type of tape was playing, to Steve it looked like a recital of some sort.
"Daddy," Jenny said. An older man with gray hair and bright steal eyes looked up, Steve winced slightly at how much the man reminded him of his own father.
"Jennifer," the man said in a baritone voice as he got up and walked over to them, he enveloped her in a hug, kissing her cheek.
"Hi daddy," she whispered. He pulled back and gazed at her.
"This must be my soon to be son-in-law," the man said.
"Yes, daddy this is Steve, Steve this is my father Paul," Steve smiled and shook the older man's hand, he had a sturdy hand shake, and from what Steve could tell his eyes held the same type of wisdom as Mark's had.
"So, Jennifer tells me you're a Lieutenant with the LAPD?" Steve nodded as the man looked at him. Steve glanced over at Jen who was no longer standing there next to them but talking with another man that Steve guessed was her brother Dan.
"Yes sir," Steve said strongly, with more dignity in his voice than he felt.
"Good man, welcome to the family son, come in and join us," he said. Steve was surprised at how nice the man was. Although he was slightly gruff he didn't seem mean.
"Thank you sir," he said. Paul chuckled.
"Please, call me Paul, sir makes me feel old, I'd like you to meet my other son Daniel and my grandchildren Todd, and Patrick," the man said pointing to two boys, a teenager maybe fifteen and another boy about eleven.
"Nice to meet you," Steve said shaking Dan's hand as well as the two young boys.
"Do, you've got the hots' for my sister huh?" He said. Steve saw the third degree coming, and he was ready, as an older brother himself he had done the same thing to many of Carol's boyfriends when she was a teenager and he had been an adult. She had always hated it, but it's what made him the big brother.
"Uh, I guess, I love her," he said.
"Good, do you like football Steve?" Dan asked. Steve smiled easily for the first time since he had arrived at the house.
"Yes, haven't really played since I was in college," he said. Dan smiled.
"Good, let's go," he said.
"But there's snow on the ground," he said.
"So, that doesn't stop people here in Ohio, come on," the man said. Steve shrugged and quickly followed Dan outside, soon followed by Kevin.
"Be nice boys," Paul warned as he watched his sons and Steve head outside into the back yard.
Jenny stood in the kitchen with her mother, her little sister Kirsten, Kevin's wife Annie and Dan's wife Pam, they were all crowded around the window watching Steve play football with Dan and Kevin. He seemed to be holding his own well, showing off his own football skills.
"No wonder you said yes, he's hot!" Kirsten said smiling. Jenny elbowed her gently.
"Back off, he's mine," she said as they giggled. Suddenly the winced as Steve was taken down by both men, Jenny shook her head.
"You better take care of her," Kevin said.
"We'll kill you ourselves if you don't," Dan said.
"Guys, guys, look I'm an older brother too, believe me, I'm not going to hurt your sister, not intentionally," he said raising his hands above his head so he could breath.
"Would you two get off my fiancé please," Jenny's voice rang through the chilled air. Kevin and Dan smiled and slowly got up, helping Steve off the ground.
"Just remember she's our sister," they said and headed inside. Jenny walked over to him and smiled, her beautiful eyes shining with amusement. He looked down into her eyes and smiled.
"You all right?" She asked.
"Sure, nothing a little morphine wouldn't kill. They love you," he said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"I know, and I love you," she whispered as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his lips, he bent his neck and pecked her on the lips.
"I'm the luckiest man on earth," he whispered.
"You're the first to say that," she said giggling as Steve looked at her. Bending down he picked up some snow and looked at her.
"Don't you dare!" she yelled laughing. Within seconds they were engaged in a large snow ball fight, finally she nailed him in the face as brought him down, hurrying over to him she knelt on his chest gently and smiled.
"I love you Steve Sloan," she whispered. He smiled and pulled her down on top of him and kissed her lips.
"I love you Jen," he said.
"Come on, dinner is almost ready," Jennifer said. Steve let out a sigh and quickly fallowed her.
"This must be Steve," a voice came, Steve turned to face a beautiful woman, with graying blond hair and bright green eyes like Jennifer. She had a radiant smile.
"Yes ma'am," Steve said smiling.
"Please, call me Melissa, I'm Jennifer's mother," she answered.
"Well I see where she got her beauty," Steve said smiling as Jennifer patted his chest.
"Thank you, it nice to finally meet you, my daughter talks fondly of you," Melissa said. Jen blushed as Steve looked at her.
"Do you?" He said smiling.
"Well, what else could I do," she said.
"Well, I hope I live up to the reputation she gave me," he said.
"You already do," the woman said. Steve smiled, he loved this woman, and she seemed so open and loving.
"Let's eat," whined Dan, receiving a small playful smack from Kevin. Jennifer smiled and lead Steve to the table, he pulled out a vacant chair for her and then pushed it in after she was seated, he then sat down beside her, taking her hand under the table.
Jennifer's family had almost instantly captured Steve's heart within days of being there, they had spent a week there already, Jenny had taken Steve to several various places to meet various friends, and other relatives. Steve was amazed at how wonderful Jen's friends were and how many she had. After a week there they had decided it was probably time to head back home, Steve stood in front of the family, he found himself being fond of Kirsten and Melissa, as well as Jen's father and two older brothers.
"You take care of my daughter and we'll see you in June," Melissa said giving Steve a hug. He nodded and smiled as he gave Kirsten a hug as well.
"We'll see you soon baby," Paul said. Jen smiled and nodded. Together Steve and Jen got on the plane and sighed.
"They're great," Steve whispered.
"I know," she admitted.
"I know why you're so perfect," he said calmly.
"Thanks, but I'm not perfect, however I am happy," she whispered.