CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Rachel expected Tom to join her in the bedroom after settling with Sam. But as the hours churned forward, she realized he was not going to come in. She felt the fatigue of the day wash over her and she snuggled into his pillow letting herself fall asleep.

The next morning, she woke up alone in the bed and sighed. Once she had showered and dressed, she wandered downstairs to the kitchen. She found Jed sitting at the kitchen table sipping coffee. She frowned and looked at him.

"Good morning," Jed said with a smile. Rachel nodded at him.

"Morning, Jed. I just realized that no one showed you to your own home yesterday."

"Ahh, someone finally realized," the older Chandler said with a smile. "It's okay. You and Tommy had a rough go yesterday. The kids and all."

"Yes. It wasn't the smoothest," Rachel replied. "I have today off. I can take you down there and show you it."

"That sounds great. Tommy has to work today?"

"Yes, unfortunately. He should be getting ready now," Rachel said looking over her shoulder with a frown. "He never came to bed last night."

"I'm assuming he stayed with Sam."

"Me too," Rachel sighed. They sat in quiet for a while before they heard someone come down the stairs. Rachel leaned back and watched as Tom came into the kitchen.

"Morning," he breathed out and Rachel could hear the tiredness in his voice. She reached out a hand and touched his. Tom looked down at her and forced a smile.

"Rough night?" Jed asked then sipped his coffee again. Rachel looked at Tom and watched him smirk at his father.

"Not horrible, not great," he said then he looked at Rachel. "Sorry I never made it back to you."

"It's okay. You should get ready for work."

"Yes, Ma'am," Tom whispered then he leaned down and kissed her soundly. He then pulled away and went about his morning. Rachel excused herself from the table and walked into the living room. She was about to sit down when Tom came in. She turned to face him as he straightened his uniform.

"Have a good day, Sailor," she said as she approached him. He smiled at her and leaned in close. Rachel met him and kissed him. She felt his arms wrap around her neck and then his forehead was against hers.

"I'm sorry about…" he began in a low whisper.

"Shh," she shushed him. "It's not something you can control. We knew this was going to be an issue and we are dealing with it."

"I love you," Tom said softly and kissed her again. She smiled at him.

"I love you too, now go, or you'll be late. I'll show your dad to his house today."

She saw the look of shock on Tom's face then the look of embarrassment that crept over it.

"I can't believe I forgot," Tom said with a sigh. "Thank you."

"He forgives you," she teased then kissed him. "Go."

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied before he walked out the door. Rachel sunk into the couch and picked up a book. The house was quiet as the children were still in their rooms, presumably asleep. Jed walked out of the kitchen and joined her in the living room.

"Once the kids are awake, we can head down to the other house," Jed said. Rachel nodded and put her book down.

"Sorry again," Rachel said.

"Not a worry. I was okay here last night. Yesterday had a lot of big emotions and everyone got caught up."

Rachel nodded slowly at him. They both looked up as Ashley came down the stairs. She smiled at both of them then went silently into the kitchen. Jed got up and followed her and Rachel decided to do the same. Jed was already sitting at the table as Ashley poured some orange juice. Rachel slipped into a chair and watched as Ashley sat down.

"Good morning," Jed said, and Ashley gave him a smile.

"Morning," she replied to him then looked at Rachel. "Morning."

"Good morning," Rachel replied.

"Is my dad still asleep?" she asked as she took a sip of her juice.

"He had to go into work today," Rachel replied. "Soon as Sam is up, we're going to get your Grandfather settled in his home down the street."

"Oh, I'd like to help with that," Ashely said. The rest of the conversation was light and good natured. Rachel was relaxing and very much enjoying the family atmosphere in the room. She couldn't wait until this was the normal morning routine for them.

Sam came down sullen and quiet an hour later. Rachel kept to the shadows and let Ashley and Jed take care of him, as she felt it was too soon for her to try to console him. After breakfast was eaten, they loaded up and headed down the street to Jed's new house.

They spent a good chunk of the day getting Jed's things unpacked and squared away in the house. It was getting late in the afternoon and Rachel took the children home while Jed remained to settle into his home.

Sam immediately sulked off to his room, his mood remaining sour the entire day. Rachel sighed as she sat at the kitchen table. Ashley sat down and gave her a sympathetic smile.

"He'll come around," she said quietly. Rachel smiled softly and then looked down at the table.

"I certainly hope so," Rachel replied. She looked at the clock and sighed. She really needed to start dinner. Ashley seemed to read her mood.

"I can make dinner tonight if you want?"

"That would be lovely. Do you want help?"

"No, it's okay. I can do it. I'll make Sammy's favorite."

"That's a marvelous idea, Ashley. Your father should be home soon."

"I'll get started then. Why don't you go take a shower and relax?"

"I think I might. Thank you, Ashley."

Ashley just smiled at her as Rachel got up and walked from the kitchen. She went upstairs to her bedroom and took Ashley's advice and got into the shower. She stayed under the hot water for a long time.

When she came out of the bathroom wrapped in her towel, she was startled by Tom standing in their bedroom. He smiled at her and pulled her into his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her ear against his chest.

"I missed you today," Tom whispered against the top of her head.

"I missed you too," she replied. "Your father is all moved into his new home."

"And my daughter is cooking dinner," Tom replied with a smile. Rachel pulled back and Tom leaned in and kissed her. When he pulled back, she smiled.

"Her idea," Rachel replied.

"I'm so happy my family is all together now. How has Sam been today?"

"Quiet, sullen, avoiding me," Rachel replied quietly. Tom nodded.

"He'll come around," he whispered as he leaned in and kissed her again. He pulled away. "You should get dressed; dinner was almost ready when I came up here."

Tom left and Rachel quickly got dressed and went downstairs to join the rest of the family. She found Tom and Sam sitting at the table as Ashley was finishing up dinner. Rachel slid into the chair next to Tom.

Dinner was quiet and relaxed, other than Sam refusing to talk to anyone. After dinner Rachel took up a spot on the couch and picked up her book. After the kids were settled in their rooms Tom came back downstairs and sat down next to her with a sigh. He looked tired. Rachel scooted closer and snuggled into him.

Tom was rubbing a hand up and down her shoulder. Rachel could tell there was something on his mind. She nuzzled into his neck and sighed. Tom looked down.

"That obvious?" Tom asked.

"Something's on your mind, Tom," Rachel sighed. "Care to share?"

"I was thinking," Tom said softly.

"Obviously," Rachel chided.

"About what we were talking about last night."

"What? A wedding?" Rachel asked. She had decided she didn't want to just go to the courthouse with the family. She wanted their extended family there as well. She wanted to crew of the Nathan James to be there with them.

"Yes. A wedding. If we have a wedding, who would you want in your bridal party?" Rachel stilled herself.

She looked at him and contemplated his question. Who would she want as a maid of honor, bridesmaids? How big of a party did she want? A small party. That she was certain of. She decided she would talk to Kelly Tophet to be her maid of honor. Then Kara as a bridesmaid with Ashley. Tom was staring at her, expectantly.

"Well?" he whispered.

"I think I'd ask Kelly Tophet. And Kara. Do you think Ashley would like to be in the wedding?"

"I think she would love to be."

"Who would you pick?"

"Well Mike would be my best man. And of course, Russ would stand with me too. I don't think Sam would like it much, I think I'd ask my dad."

"Okay," Rachel said. "Is this hypothetical? Or are you planning something?"

"Just getting ideas for now," Tom whispered as he settled his hand on her stomach. Rachel covered his hand with her own. "I can't wait to meet the next Chandler."

"Do you want a boy or a girl?" Rachel asked. She watched his face as he contemplated her question. She didn't care which one she was having. Tom looked down at their hands.

"It doesn't really matter to me," Tom said softly. "As long as you and baby are healthy."

"I figured you'd want another boy," Rachel said as she leaned her head into his chest. He shifted and wrapped his arm around her pulled her tight.

"I already have one of each. I wouldn't mind having one or the other. Let's just hope we can agree on names."

"Oh? Issue between you and Darien?"

"Somewhat. We had some…discussions, both times."

"But eventually you agreed?" Rachel asked. Tom laughed gently. Rachel rose an eyebrow.

"We compromised," Tom said with a grin. "But it's okay if it's a boy. We already have a good name."

"Oh?" Rachel asked wondering what he was getting to. Tom grinned wide and Rachel felt suspicious. "Tom," she said in a warning tone, and he laughed, before kissing her.

"I figured we'd name him Nathan James Chandler."

"You've got to be kidding, Tom," Rachel said as she shook her head.

"No? I think it has a great ring to it," he said smiling.

"Tom," Rachel said with a sigh. "We are not naming our son Nathan James."

"Why not?"

"Are you serious right now?" Rachel asked laughing. Tom faked a pout, then smiled and laughed.

"No. But you have to admit it's a good solid name."

"Not for our son," Rachel chuckled.

"Do you have a favorite name?"

"I like Miles, or maybe Devin. Or Peter."

"I like Peter," Tom said as he kissed her hair. "What about for a girl?"

"What about you?"

"For a girl? I like Madilyn or Willow. Maybe Nicole."

"I like Nicole. I also like Nicholas."

"We can make lists and then compare them."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"I think it's time for bed," Tom replied. Rachel agreed.

To Be Continued…