Author's Note: I got another one done, but the next week amps up today so I'm not sure when the next one will come. Like I said before I'll try my best but, happy reading until then. Dark rolling sea.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Rachel slowly came awake. She noticed there was a body pressed against her back and smiled. Tom was home, and from the sounds and feels of it he was asleep. She glanced at the bedside clock and saw it was almost three in the morning. She rolled in his arms, so she came face to face with him.

He was indeed asleep, and she watched him, admiring his relaxed face. The scar over his eye was healing nicely and was going to be barely noticeable. Thoughts of the previous day bounced around her head, and she wondered what she wanted to do. The job that the president had offered her was an absolutely amazing opportunity and the chance to do some more good in the world. She would be in charge. It would mean leaving the Nathan James permanently, having a lab to do her work and eventually the ability to work on other amazing medical projects.

Her hesitance was in would Tom be willing to give up the Nathan James as well. Would she still be allowed to work on the ship if she could do the work from St. Louis, even if she wasn't the head of the agency? Could they make a life for themselves here, in St. Louis? Or would Tom want to return to Norfolk with his family. There were so many variables and she wanted desperately to talk it out with him.

She was a little mad now that she hadn't forced herself to stay awake until Tom got off last night. But she had been exhausted. Must have been the walking around town she thought. At any rate, she had grown accustomed to being in bed with him. Would she want to spend six months or more apart from him if he wasn't ready to quit going to sea? She knew that if that was what he chose than yes, she would be okay with it. It would just suck.

She looked deep within herself, trying to sort out what she really wanted, and she came to the conclusion of, she wanted a family, she wanted to head the new agency, she wanted…Tom. She hoped when he woke up that he would see things her way as well. They hadn't really discussed what the future held for them, as they hadn't officially been together very long. It seemed like a lot longer though with everything they had been through together. It was hard to just take when their relationship shifted.

She thought about him and a future family. Was she content with just his kids? The thought scared her a bit. She had never really given thought to having children of her own. She had been career driven, and her past relationships with men had been more physical than emotional. She had been an independent woman who didn't want to have to rely on a man to take care of her. But with Tom the relationship was more of a partnership. A friendship with amazing extras. She had never felt the way she felt about Tom before. No man had evoked those emotions deep inside her. So, what did she think about more children, of bearing one of her own, Tom as the father? She was shocked when her brain said yes, we want that.

Fear and anxiety rushed through her thinking about it. What if Tom didn't want any more kids? He already had two amazing kids of his own, a boy and a girl. She had lost focus on the outside world as her brain spun a million different conversations and scenarios in her mind. She nearly fell out of the bed when she heard Tom speak.

"What are you thinking about?" Tom said in a sleep ladled voice. Rachel focused her eyes on his face and saw his staring back at her. He didn't say anything more, simply watched her with a small smile on his face. His arm draped over her side, his hand rubbing slowly up and down her spine.

"I was thinking…" she trailed off. Was she ready to have all these conversations with him? At three in the morning in a hotel room? Yes. Yes, she was. She took a deep breath. "I was thinking about the president's offer."

"And?" Tom asked, his hand leaving her back and tucking some of her hair behind her ear. He leaned his face down and kissed her neck gently. Rachel felt a shiver race through her.

"It's something I'd be interested in."

"I would hope you would be. So, what's the hang-up?" he asked, and Rachel gave him a pointed, are you serious look.

"Are you serious?" she asked incredulously, and Tom smiled as he leaned down and kissed her neck again, this time sucking a little at the end. "Can you focus?" Rachel whispered as she felt the rush in her body.

"I am focusing," Tom said in a husky voice and Rachel pulled back as he went in for a third kiss.

"On the conversation," Rachel said snidely. Tom looked her in the eyes and smiled. He pulled back a little, propped his elbow on the pillow and laid his ear in the palm of his hand.

"Okay," he said joyfully. Rachel took a deep breath.

"It would mean me staying here, in St. Louis."

"Yes. It would. So, is that an issue?"

"Well, I guess I'm wondering what you're planning on doing."

"Me?" Tom asked and she could tell he was just being difficult. She was growing frustrated with him.

"Tom, please, I want to discuss this," Rachel said pleadingly. She watched as Tom's eyes turned serious and he nodded.

"Well, there's a good chance I'll be living in St. Louis. So, if you want to take a job here, that would be awesome."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"The president offered me something as well."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Last night when I got home, but…you were already asleep, and I was so exhausted."

"Tom," Rachel said, her voice carrying a warning tone. Tom smiled and rolled onto his back.

"Okay," he said amusement lacing his voice. "Michener offered me Chief of Naval Operations. I'd be promoted to Admiral and run the Navy, from right here in St. Louis."

"Are you kidding me?" Rachel asked, stunned at the major news.

"No, I'm thinking of taking it. I already told you I'm tired. And not just in the sleepy definition. I'm ready to settle somewhere and not be at sea half the year. I'm ready to be a part of the family again. I'm ready…I think we can make something great out of what we've started."

"So does that settle the job issue?" Rachel asked. Tom chuckled.

"Mike wants me to take it so he can steal my ship. I told him I'd turn it down just to spite him," Tom said with a laugh. Rachel snuggled up to his side, resting her head on his chest. "But yes. If you want to run that new agency, go for it. I'm going to accept the CNO position and see if we can get this party started."

"And move the kids here?"

"Yes, and Dad too. I think we can house hunt in a day or two."

"House hunt?" Rachel said with a smile. "I think I like the sound of that."

Tom tilted his head towards her and kissed the top of her head. She placed a gentle kiss on his chest as her hand skirted along the skin on his chest. She felt him hitch his breath.

"So do I," he whispered. They were both quiet for a while. Rachel was thinking about the other issue her brain had actually been contemplating when he woke up. She wasn't sure if he was still awake or not.

"Do you ever think about having more kids?" she asked quickly before she chickened out. He didn't respond, he didn't move. She thought he had fallen asleep. She let out the breath she was holding and settled against his chest. A few minutes passed before she heard his low rumble when he spoke.

"Do you want a child?" he asked. His voice was so quiet and soft. She couldn't read his tone and had no idea where he stood on the issue. She was afraid of what he might say. She thought about his question and knew her answer. She just had to be brave enough to say it. His hand started to rub her shoulder.

"I…think I do," she whispered. It was a little scary to admit it out loud. She had never even entertained the thought with another man, but there it was. It was something she was thinking about. She kept her head down so she didn't have to look at his eyes. She didn't know if she could handle rejection if she saw it there.

He was quiet, more than likely thinking about it. She swallowed a lump in her throat and blinked away the tears that had built in her eyes. His hand on her shoulder stilled, then slipped up to her jaw. He attempted to bring her face up, but she resisted. She wasn't ready to see his reaction.

"I know its super soon in the relationship," she said hastily. "I don't expect you to…" she was saying when he cut her off sternly.

"Rachel," his voice boomed in her ear. "Stop, Honey," he said more gently. Rachel pursed her lips and went to pull away from him. His arm wrapped tighter around her and caught her. She was forced to stay against his side and chest. "Babe, seriously, if that's something you want, I'm very much okay with another child."

Rachel felt the fear retreat. She felt the happiness envelope her. She felt Tom squeeze her closer and kiss the top of her head. His hand still rubbing along her side.

"I know we've never really talked about the future…and it's still very early in the relationship..." Rachel started to say.

"I want a future with you, Rachel," Tom whispered. "A family, a house, home every night. I want to be with you, I want to grow old with you. I want to raise our family together," Tom whispered against her head. She finally found the courage to look at him, as she tilted her head so she could see his eyes. The love staring back at her made her heart skip a beat, and a rush of desire wash through her. His lips came down and crushed against hers in a searing kiss that curled her toes.

They spent the next few minutes slowly exploring each other with lips, and tongues, and teeth. Tom rolled them so that Rachel was on her back, and he was straddling over top of her. She felt him wince and falter to one side and she put her hands on his chest pushing slightly. He opened his eyes and looked at her.

"You shouldn't," she said breathily as her hand brushed against his injured leg. Tom groaned and slowly lowered himself to the side, his injured leg still draped over her body.

"This sucks," he whined. Rachel laughed. And Tom pouted.

"You're the one that got shot," she teased. He gave her a glare for a second then settled back down onto his good side and propped his head in his hand. He stared at her and she started to feel self-conscious. "What?"

"I just like looking at you," he whispered. Rachel smiled. She felt the pull of sleep again and looked at the clock. It was after four in the morning. Tom followed her gaze and groaned. "We should be sleeping."

"Yes," Rachel said softly as she ran her palm along the side of his face. He turned and kissed her hand, before he dropped his head to the pillow and settled down. Rachel snuggled into him and let herself start to drift off to sleep again.

"I love you," she heard Tom whisper as she slipped over the edge into sleep.

To Be Continued…