CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

They got home from the wedding and Mike pulled Andrea in and kissed her. It was fiery and heated and put everything he had to hide during the night. When they broke apart Andrea was smiling up at him as his arms wrapped around her.

"Wow," she whispered.

"I cannot wait until I don't have to hide that anymore," he breathed out, resting his forehead against hers. "The day I can kiss you and dance with you, no matter who is watching."

"Sounds nice," she said as she closed her eyes. Mike pulled her in tight and swayed a bit. Then they were making their way up the stairs to their bedroom.

The next day they deployed on the Nathan James as the command team. They made it a month and a half in before the scuttlebutt on the ship exploded and it was no longer a secret. Mike was fine with it, actually happy as it expended a lot of energy pretending. They kept it professional in front of the crew and while on duty but spent a lot of the down time together.

With about a month to go Mike received a message from Tom about a job offer. It was the number two spot in the Navy. Mike read the message over and over again as he thought about what he wanted to do. It would be a desk job working beside Tom in the office of the CNO. Later that day he made a call into Tom to get the details of the job. After getting the details Mike decided he it was worth a try.

Once the mission was completed the Nathan James sailed back to St. Louis. They had another two days before they were home. Mike made sure that both of them were off for the night shift. They were in his quarters sitting on the couch.

"You ready to tell the world?" Mike asked. Andrea grinned.

"The sooner the better, although everyone here has figured it out," she laughed.

"Well, it was bound to happen. There wasn't a celebrity couple to hide behind this time," Mike chuckled.

"True," she said kissing him. "I love you."

"I love you too," he said.

Two days later the Nathan James was coming into St. Louis. They got the ship docked and then Mike and Andrea were busy doing the paperwork and making sure everything was done properly while getting the crew squared away. Mike was a little surprised that Tom wasn't there for the meetings.

"Where's the CNO?" Mike asked an aide.

"Oh, his wife had the baby today. He's with his family."

"Rachel had the baby?" Mike asked as Andrea walked up.

"Yes, Sir, earlier today."

"Thanks," Mike said as he grinned at Andrea. Once they were done with their duties Andrea looked at Mike on their way out.

"Let's stop by the hospital on the way home," Andrea said as she slipped her hand into his. Mike clasped his fingers through hers.

"I'd like that too."

They found out what room Rachel was in and knocked on the closed door. They stood there until they heard Rachel say, "come in".

Mike and Andrea went into the room, and Mike smiled as Tom stood up and met him halfway across the room, clasping his hand. Andrea beelined around him and went to Rachel's side.

"Oh my," Andrea whispered. "Perfect."

"Yes, she is," Rachel replied.

"Girl?" Andrea asked.

"Yes. Willow Nicole Chandler," Rachel said. Mike beamed at Tom.

"Congrats, Buddy," Mike said as Tom smiled at him.

"Thanks," Tom replied. "You come straight from the ship?"

"We finished the docking process an hour ago," Mike replied as he stepped up next to Andrea, dropping an arm over her shoulders as she took the baby from Rachel. She cradled the little girl as she turned into Mike.

"I hear Slattery is taking a desk job." Andrea threw out as she smiled down at baby Willow.

"You peeking at my orders?" Mike asked with a chuckle as he watched Andrea hold the baby. He couldn't wait until it was their baby she was holding.

"Well, when you leave them out on the desk for anyone to see," Andrea replied.

"In my private office," Mike countered.

"Well, I have special privileges," Andrea laughed. Mike noticed Tom laugh at them.

"That you do," Mike replied as he dropped down and kissed her where her jaw and neck meet. Tom shook his head.

"Yes, he is taking a desk job," Tom replied. "I needed to fill a role and I figured he would be good for it."

"As long as I'm not just your lackey," Mike quipped at Tom. Tom laughed.

"Maybe. You'll be my coffee boy," Tom said with a wink.

"Oh boy," Mike said with a sigh.

"No, you'll be directly under me but involved in decisions I make on a daily basis. Much like on the ship."

"Sounds good," Mike said with a lopsided grin. Tom smiled at him. Mike was actually happy about it. He was looking forward to working with Tom again.

"That leaves the command post for the James open," Tom said turning towards Andrea. Mike's eyes widened when Tom said that. Mike hadn't really thought about what might happen there. Mike watched Andrea slowly bring her eyes up from Willow to Tom's. "It's yours if you want it," Tom offered. Andrea's eyes widened as she looked over at Mike. Mike bit at his lip to keep the emotion out of his eyes. It would mean she would be going to sea without him. He wasn't sure he was ready for that.

"Can I think about it?" Andrea asked and Tom slowly nodded as he looked from Andrea to Mike. Mike was sure that Tom knew something was going on. Mike and Andrea had decided not to bring up their plans tonight as they wanted the night to be about the baby. Andrea looked back at Willow. "She's beautiful."

Later when they had gotten home. Mike stretched out in their bed and sighed contentedly. Andrea was lying next to him.

"Finally, a bed we both fit in comfortably," Mike said as he rolled to face her. She grinned at him and reached her hand out. Mike intertwined his fingers with hers.

"Much better," she whispered.

"What do you think about Tom's offer?" Mike asked.

"Captain? I'd love to be captain."

"But?" Mike asked then kissed her knuckles.

"But you're staying here," she said softly. "And our plans would have to wait."

"Yes, I am. Yes, it would. I think you should take it. I'll miss you, but it's something you've earned, Shortie. I never want to be the one to hold you back. Then when you get back, we can raise a family together."

"I think you're right," she said.

"I'll talk with Tom and see what it all entails. Keep thinking about it."

A week later Mike walked into the office he was going to share with Tom. It was his first day on the job. He and Andrea had been debating when to get married. It was decided to wait until they were sure about the Captaincy of the Nathan James, but then get married before she left. Mike sat his stuff down and looked over at Tom.

"Has Andrea talked to you about the command spot?" Mike asked.

"No. I haven't heard. I need an answer within the week though."

"When does the ship redeploy?"

"She'll be in dry dock for a month, then shipping out for a four-month tour."

"Four months," Mike said thoughtful. "Okay, I think she'll go for a four-month tour."

"So, is she accepting the spot?"

"I'll talk to her, and she'll call you or stop by."

Mike felt Tom studying him. He knew Tom was suspicious of something, but Mike wasn't quite ready to tell him about them getting married just yet. But soon.

Mike slipped out and called Andrea telling her about the four-month tour. They discussed the pros and cons, and Mike pushed her to accept the assignment. When she finally said she would he was happy.

"Then I think we tell Tom we're getting married and then do it. Before you leave," Mike said softly.

"Okay," Andrea said. Mike grinned.

Mike knew Andrea had called Tom later in the day and accepted the position. They were sitting quietly in their office finishing up for the day. Mike looked over at Tom.

"How are things with the new baby?"

"As well as could be expected. Ashley is being a great help as Rachel figures all this out. Sam is slowly warming up to the idea of a younger sister."

"That's good," Mike said.

"Something else on your mind?" Tom asked and Mike smiled.

"Yeah. Andrea and I want to have dinner with you and Rachel tonight. At our house, bring the kids."

"Okay, we should be able to make it. What's up?"

"Tonight. At dinner," Mike said with a smile. Tom nodded at him.

Later that night after they had finished a meal Andrea pulled the ring off the necklace and placed it on her finger. She stepped up next to Mike and nodded. Tom was looking at the two of them.

"What's up you two?" Tom asked.

"We're getting married," Mike said as Andrea held out her finger. "And I want you to be my best man."

"Congrats, you two," Tom said with a smile. "And of course."

Over the next two days Mike and Andrea worked on organizing their wedding. Russ agreed to do the ceremony, which they were going to have in the back yard of their house, Tom was the best man, and Chung was the Man of honor standing with Andrea. Lynn and the Greens also agreed to be there.

Andrea went with Kara and picked out a dress and everyone else wore their dress whites. The ceremony was short and sweet, and Mike was enamored by Andrea standing there. They recited their vows and Mike felt his heart heal just a little bit more.

He kissed his bride at the end and then they celebrated in the back yard with their friends. Later when everyone had left, Mike and Andrea were upstairs naked and tangled together, sweaty and spent.

"I love you Mrs. Slattery," Mike whispered into ear. Andrea smiled and turned her head, so they were eye to eye.

"I love you too, Mike. Captain Slattery," she tested out. "This means I can finally wear your sweatshirt through the p-ways on the ship." Mike laughed.

"I forgot about that," he said then leaned down and kissed her. "I never did get that sweatshirt back."

"Sure, you did, it's in the closest right now," she said as she stretched a little.

"On your side I'm sure," he whispered.

"It is my favorite," she laughed. Mike smiled.

They had a month before she left, and Mike was already feeling the dread of her being gone. But they made the most of their time home together. Mike fell into a routine with his new job and rather enjoyed working with Tom with the higher echelon of the government. They made a good team and now Tom had backup when he wanted to buck the president.

They got the military up and running again, they now had three more ships to add to the fleet. Those three ships were being repaired in Norfolk. They were also recruiting more people to serve in the military and had one training base up and running in St. Louis.

Late one night they were in bed, and Mike had been quiet. Andrea had picked up on his mood but hadn't been pushing him to let her in. Mostly it was, she was deploying in the morning. Leaving to captain the Nathan James.

But it was more than just her going to be gone for four months. He now knew how his family had felt all those times before. It had always been him leaving, him being gone for long periods. Now, he would hold down the home while she was gone. It was stirring the ghosts inside him. He wondered if she felt the same. Eventually he felt her hands come to his face, gently forcing him to look at her.

He saw something in her eyes, and he raised an eyebrow. He'd been so wrapped up in his own thoughts he had missed that she was feeling something too. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening them again she was smiling at him.

"It's going to be okay, Big guy," she whispered. "Just four months."

"Just four months," he breathed out.

"Yep, and then when I get back it will be about time to find out what we're having," she whispered and then kissed him passionately. The kiss distracted him, but her words slowly sank into his mind and broke through the fog. He pulled back, his eyes wide with excitement at what he thought she meant.

"Find out what we're having?" he breathed out shakily. Andrea grinned and nodded. "You're pregnant?"

"I found out this morning when we did the physical for deployment. I asked Rios to run the test."

"We're having a baby?"

"Yes, Mike," she said with a laugh.

He scooped her up and hugged her to his chest as a slew of emotions raced through his chest. He focused on the good ones and buried his face in her hair.

"Rios agreed to keep it quiet, but it will be obvious by the time I get back."

"I'm so happy," Mike said with a grin.

It had been eight months and half of that she was away, but Andrea was home now, while sort of. She was in the hospital. Their son had been born at three forty in the morning. Andrea was sleeping as Mike sat in the chair in the corner of the room holding his son, staring into his perfect face.

"Welcome to the world, Grady Conner Slattery," he whispered. "You are so loved already. Someday, I'll tell you about all your siblings. But today I'll hold you close and let you know how loved you are."

THE END.

Author's note: What a ride! That was a fun one to write and I hope you enjoyed reading (all three versions!). I never expected it to get this big! When put together this story is 261,307 words! And in standard 8.5 x 11 page format with verdana 12 font it is 742 pages long. Mind blown lol. So, thank you for taking this ride with me! I really hope you enjoyed it, and found the way I did it interesting! I have never written a story overlapping perspectives like this and it was kind of fun to do it this way. Look for more stories coming your way As always happy reading, dark rolling sea.