CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The next day was packed for Mike. He spent most of the morning in meetings as the command from the Nathan James shifted to him. He filled out more paperwork and started to work on what was their next mission. For now, they were focusing on repairing the ship's hull, finishing up the work in engineering, and making sure everything was seaworthy for another deployment.

Andrea had attended half of the morning meetings, but once her paperwork was taken care of, she excused herself to help in the engineering room on the ship. The rest of the day Mike tried his best to pay attention to the meetings and not let his mind drift.

But his mind was drifting, mostly to the conversations with Andrea the last couple days. The more he thought about it, the more it felt right. He made the decision to go after work today and pick out a ring for her. She wouldn't be able to wear it, but at least he could give it to her, let her know that he was serious about their commitment.

After what seemed like days the meetings finally broke up. He was hoping to catch a moment with Tom, but his friend was swamped with duties as CNO. He was spearheading multiple meetings trying to organize their fragile armed forces. Mike knew he would just have to talk to the man later. Besides, Tom had enough on his plate right now.

After Mike was done for the day, he checked the hotel rooms but Andrea wasn't in either so he walked into the part of St. Louis that was being restored. There were a few shops opened up and he saw one that sold jewelry on the next block.

Mike went in and started to look through the rings. He wasn't seeing anything he liked until he got to the third case and saw a simple diamond on a small gold band. It was pretty but not elaborate and it seemed perfect for her. He got the woman's attention behind the counter. He pointed out what ring he wanted and asked for it to be sized a six. While he was waiting for the ring someone stepped up beside him in the shop.

"XO," Tex said. Mike did a double take then smiled. Tex Nolan was standing next to him with a young woman next to him.

"Tex!" Mike greeted. "How the hell are you?"

"I'm surviving, XO, how are you?"

"I'm not the XO anymore," Mike said with a smirk. This time it was Tex's turn for a double take.

"What? You quit the Navy?"

"Nope. I'm Captain Slattery now."

"Get out of here," Tex drawled out. "Commadore hung it up?"

"Nope, he's Chief of Navy Operations now."

"Well holy shit. Big man on campus."

"Surprised me too," Mike said looking at the young lady.

"Oh, Captain Slattery, this is my daughter Kat."

"Nice to meet you," Mike said with a smile.

"Likewise," Kat replied back.

"Glad you were able to find her, Tex. What brings you to St. Louis?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe it's a good a place as any to settle down."

"You should go see, Chandler," Mike said. "He may have something you'd be interested in."

"Oh?"

"Just a thought," Mike said quickly.

"Say, what are you doing in a jewelry store, Captain?" Tex asked with a smirk.

"Buying a ring," Mike quipped his eyes back on the lady bringing out the ring he just bought in a small box.

"I knew it," Tex laughed. "You did have a lady on the side."

"She wasn't on the side, Tex," Mike smiled.

"And serious enough now to be buying a ring?"

"Why waste time," Mike sighed out. Kat nudged her dad and gave him a look.

"Mind your own business," Kate whispered to Tex. Tex stuck his tongue out at her, then turned back to Mike. He studied Mike for a long moment.

"Well, commadore got the good doc, and Green got the pretty lieutenant…So I'm thinking," Tex began and then Mike saw the light bulb go off in Tex's eyes, and then Tex was laughing. "Chief engineer."

"What?"

"You're proposing to that spitfire engineer from the ship. That's why you bristled when I said I was going to pursue her way back when. Way to go, XO."

"Um, thanks," Mike said looking around. Tex picked up on the Mike's nervousness.

"Oh, not public knowledge. Check."

"Thanks, Tex. It just could cause complications if word got around."

"Yeah, lips are sealed." Tex replied with a smile. "Well, me and my spawn need to get moving. Good running into you."

"Yeah, keep in touch," Mike replied as he finished paying for the ring. As he was walking out something caught his eye and he turned towards a rack on the counter. It held simple gold chains and he found one that he liked. He paid for it as well and then walked out of the shop and headed back towards the hotel.

He waited for Andrea to get back from her duties on the ship. His nerves were frazzled by the time she finally came through the door. She looked tired and Mike met her, wrapping his arms around her. She sunk into him.

"I missed you today," Mike whispered.

"Me too," she whispered back. Mike fingered the box in his pocket. "I'm hungry."

"Me too," Mike said. "Let's go out somewhere.

"You sure? We might be seen," she asked.

"Just two Navy personnel going for dinner after getting command of the ship," Mike said, before he kissed her.

They went out for dinner and after went for a walk around downtown. Luckily, they didn't run into anyone who knew them. As they walked along, Mike fingered the box again. He stopped walking and Andrea took a few steps until she realized he had stopped. She turned back to face him.

"What's up?" she asked. Mike smiled, his fingers working over the box. He smiled. He swallowed and pulled the box out. He slowly got down on one knee and Andrea looked at him with curiosity. "Mike?"

"I wanted to do this proper…after last night's conversations."

"Oh, Mike," Andrea said as her hand came up to her mouth.

"Will you marry me?" Mike asked as he held out the ring. Andrea smiled broadly as she stepped forward.

"Yes," she said quickly. "Yes, I'll marry you."

Mike grinned and stood up quickly, reaching out and pulling her into a tight hug. He kissed the top of her head before he released her and then slid the ring onto her finger.

"I know you can't wear it all the time, but I wanted to do this."

"Thank you," Andrea said with a grin.

To Be Continued…