CHAPTER THIRTY

"Who was that?" Andrea asked groggily as she stretched against him.

"Realtor," Mike answered. Andrea sat up and looked at him.

"You're really serious about the house," she said with a grin. Mike grinned back.

"You're not?"

"I mean…yeah, just…"

"I want a house to come back to when we get back. I want a house to go to after we get married. I want a house when we start a family."

"Me too, Mike," Andrea said before she leaned in and kissed him. "How much time do we have?" Mike glanced at the clock.

"About five hours. She said four," Mike replied.

"So, what do we do until then?"

"Are there any theaters up and running in St. Louis yet?" Mike asked as he stared at the ceiling. Andrea laughed, which in turn made Mike laugh.

"We could go explore the city, we'll just have to be careful on PDA," Andrea said softly. "Get to know the city we're going to call home."

"I think I like that idea, minus the careful on the PDA, but understand the careful on the PDA."

"I know, but we need to be careful," Andrea replied.

"Until after this next run. I know."

"Have you heard any orders yet for our command?"

"My command," Mike said, giving Andrea a stink eye. She laughed.

"Your command, Sir," she said sarcastically. Mike narrowed his eyebrows at her.

"This isn't going to be an issue is it, Commander Garnett?" Mike asked and Andrea laughed again.

"Only if I can't visit your stateroom when I want to."

"I think we can arrange that," he said with a sly grin. "Where do you want to explore today?"

"It doesn't really matter, I guess. We can start around the hotel and see where we end up."

"Sounds like a plan," Mike said as they both got up and got dressed. Once out of the hotel they started walking towards the downtown area. After a few blocks, he felt Andrea slip her hand into the crook of his arm and he looked down at her.

She smiled up at him, before leaning into his shoulder. They walked a little more, exploring the shops and businesses that were starting to open up. The more Mike saw of the area the more he felt finding a home here was right. They aimlessly wandered talking about little things. They found a quiet park with benches and Mike tugged Andrea towards a bench sitting down.

"Taking a break?" Andrea asked quietly as she leaned into his side. Mike wrapped his arm around her.

"Yeah. Was just thinking," Mike replied.

"About what?" Andrea asked.

"Our wedding…do you want a wedding?" Mike asked. Andrea looked at him puzzled. "I mean do you want a fancy wedding or a justice of the peace, or elopement, or…" Mike clarified. Andrea laughed.

"I guess I didn't think about it. Whatever we do I want something small. I don't want a ton of people around. I already did the big wedding with Bill, and I think this time it just…"

"Needs to be small. Like Maybe us, Russ, and Tom and Rachel?" Mike asked. Andrea looked at him and he could see her working something over in her mind.

"Yes, but I'd like Chung and Lynn, and Foster…which would mean Green too."

"Okay," Mike said.

"They're getting married too. Did you hear that?"

"Who?"

"Foster and Green," Andrea said. Mike's eyebrows furrowed.

"No, I hadn't. Makes sense though."

"Yeah. She's due with the baby soon."

"Ah the Nathan James baby," Mike said with a chuckle.

"Hey, Mister, it could be you, you know," Andrea said elbowing him in the side gently.

"What?" Mike asked.

"With a Nathan James baby," Andrea said softly. "We weren't exactly careful."

"I know."

"See? Could have been us," Andrea said.

"I mean it still could be," Mike whispered as he leaned down and kissed her.

"You planning something when we deploy?" Andrea chuckled. Mike shrugged.

"It's a long deployment," Mike whispered against her temple. Andrea smiled. "So, we both agree simple ceremony. Do we want Russ to preform it?"

"I think that'd be nice."

"When do you want to tell them?"

"When we get back. We will make it quick. Announce then do it."

"I can deal with that," Mike sighed out. "Hungry?"

"Sure, what do you have in mind?"

"There was a little place about two blocks that way," Mike said, jutting a thumb towards the place. "I figure we can grab a bite then head to the realtor."

"Sounds good."

They got up and walked back the two blocks. They settled into a cozy booth as they looked over the menus. They ordered food and talked about the future while they ate. When the food was gone, Mike checked the time.

"We'd better get a move on. Time to find a house."

"I like that idea," Andrea said with a smile. Mike stood and Andrea followed him, leaving the restaurant and heading towards the realtor's office.

To Be Continued…