Author's Note: Like I said on the other story (Rachel's Point of View), my schedule for the next week is about to be crazy. I'm not sure if I'll have the time, or ambition to write, so it may be a week before I post another chapter. Sorry! Until then (or maybe sooner if I surprise us all!) happy reading. Dark rolling sea.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Tom slowly came awake. When he opened his eyes to slits, he saw Rachel facing him staring off into space. He could tell she was thinking about something, and it had her entire attention. He shifted a little to try to draw her out, but she didn't notice. He sighed and opened his eyes fully. Sleep still licked at his brain, but he was awake enough to function. When she still hadn't noticed he was awake he spoke.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked in a sleep ladled voice. He saw her jump as his voice had caught her off guard, not realizing he was fully awake. He watched as her eyes focused on his face, taking him in. He stared back at her but didn't say anything more. He absently rubbed his hand up and down her spine, enjoying the smoothness of her skin.
"I was thinking…" she said, her voice trailing off. He could see the wheels spinning in her eyes, contemplating something. She took a deep breath then continued. "I was thinking about the president's offer."
"And?" Tom asked. He brought his hand up and tucked some loose hair behind her ear. He was a little surprised she didn't say yes on the spot to him. But if he was completely honest with himself, he was extremely happy that she was considering him before making a huge decision like that. He had yet to tell her about his news. Something that would make the decision that much easier for her. He leaned his face down, grazing his lips on her neck in a gentle kiss. He felt a shiver run through her body.
"It's something I'd be interested in."
"I would hope you would be. So, what's the hang-up?" he asked. Rachel gave him a pointed, are you serious look. Tom managed to contain the laugh that built in his chest.
"Are you serious?" she asked incredulously, causing Tom to smile at her, before leaning down and kissing her neck again. He couldn't get enough of the feel of her skin under his lips. As he finished the kiss, he sucked at her neck a little. "Can you focus?" Rachel whispered. Tom smiled against her neck, knowing he was driving her nuts.
"I am focusing," Tom said, his voice husky and thick. Rachel pulled back from him when he went in for a third kiss.
"On the conversation," Rachel said snidely. Tom looked her in the eyes and smiled. Thoughts skittered across his mind of what he wanted to do, but he knew that she wanted to have this conversation. And quite frankly it was a conversation they needed to have. He propped his elbow on his pillow and rested his chin in his palm.
"Okay," he said joyfully, knowing he was driving Rachel nuts. He watched her suck in a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"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 just to be difficult. He could tell she was growing frustrated with his evasiveness.
"Tom, please, I want to discuss this," Rachel said, a pleading in his voice. He made himself get serious and nodded at her.
"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," he said softly. He watched her eyes as his words registered and smiled.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"The president offered me something as well."
"When were you going to tell me?" she asked, and he could tell there was a little bit of anger behind her words.
"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 at her as he rolled onto his back.
"Okay," he said. His voice was laced with amusement. "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. He could here the stun in her voice. He smiled as he stared at the ceiling.
"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 this settle the job issue?" Rachel asked. Tom couldn't help but chuckle.
"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 hearty laugh. He felt Rachel snuggled up to his side, her head coming to rest 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 asked with a smile. "I think I like the sound of that."
Tom tilted his head towards her, pressing a gentle kiss into the top of her head. He felt her lips caress his chest as her hand skirted along the skin on there as well. His breath hitched as the sensations flashed through him quickly. Parts of his body were reacting to her touch.
"So do I," he whispered. They were both quiet for a while. Tom was lost in thought about taking the new job, finding a suitable house for them, and moving his relationship with Rachel forward. He knew they hadn't been together long and maybe he was jumping the gun, but the thought of being with her to grow old with was something that he wanted. Finding a house together was a huge step, but the more he thought about it the more it made sense on his head. The feelings he harbored for this woman were unique from all his other relationships, even with Darien. He still loved Darien, and had loved his relationship with the woman, but it was different with Rachel. It was a deeper connection than he had ever had.
"Do you ever think about having more kids?" she asked quickly breaking the silence between them. The words sunk in as his brain processed what she was asking him. She was asking if he ever thought about having a child with her. He couldn't respond and he didn't dare move. He hadn't given the subject much thought, as their relationship was fledgling. But now it was spinning in his head. Did he want another child? Did he want to give that to Rachel, so she could experience motherhood fully? He felt her breathe out a breath. He knew he needed to say something, but he didn't want to say the wrong thing. Was she really asking that, or was she hoping he would say no?
"Do you want a child?" he finally asked putting the ball into her court. He needed to know what she was thinking before he could tell her how he felt. He started to rub his hand on her shoulder, feeling a deep seeded love for the woman in his bed.
"I…think I do," she whispered hesitantly.
He knew now she was afraid he'd say no, he didn't want any more kids. But in honestly, he was quite open to it. She deserved to experience motherhood in that capacity, and he felt a sense of honor that she'd choose him to be the father. He wasn't quite sure what to say and the moments stretched between them. He watched her work back her tears and knew he needed to say something soon. He wanted to look into her eyes when he told her yes, she was actively avoiding looking at him. Her face was down, burrowing into his chest. He reached over and tried to gently pry her face up to look at him, but she resisted.
"I know it's super soon in the relationship," she said hastily. "I don't expect you to…" she was saying, but he cut her off sternly.
"Rachel," his voice boomed in the quiet room. "Stop, Honey," he said more gently. He felt her pulling away from him and he knew she had the wrong impression from his answer. He wrapped his arm tighter around her, catching her and bringing her back to his chest. "Babe, seriously, if that's something you want, I'm very much okay with another child."
He felt her body relax against him as the fear and tension left her. He squeezed her closer to him, kissing the top of her head. His hand rubbed up and down 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," he whispered huskily in her ear. "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. Her head tilted up and she finally looked at him. He dropped every last bit of control and let his love shine brightly in his eyes. After a few seconds he leaned down and crushed his lips over hers, searing her with a kiss of deep passion.
The next few minutes were spent slowly exploring each other with tongues, and lips, and teeth. Tom felt his body ignite with a fire so deep, he felt himself lose the will to control. He rolled them so that Rachel was on her back, and he was straddling over the top of her hips. Pain raced through his leg, and he winced almost collapsing against the bed. He felt her hands come to rest gently against his chest and push slightly. He opened his eyes and looked at her, feeling disappointed that his injuries were protesting.
"You shouldn't," she said breathily. He felt her hand brush against his injured leg and a low groan escaped his lips. He slowly lowered himself to the side, his injured leg still draped over her body.
"This sucks," he whined, and Rachel laughed. He pouted as he was aroused and wanted to do something, but the pain was killing his ability to follow through.
"You're the one that got shot," she teased. He gave her a glare for a second the settled back down onto his good side and propped his head in his hand. He stared at her, soaking in her beauty. "What?"
"I just like looking at you," he whispered. And he did. She smiled at him, and he felt another jolt run through him. He saw her look at the clock on next to the bed. He followed her gaze and saw it was after four in the morning. He groaned. "We should be sleeping."
"Yes," Rachel said softly as her palm ran along the side of his face. His skin tingled where she touched, and he turned his head and kissed her palm. He dropped his head down to the pillow and settled down when she pulled her hand away. Rachel snuggled into him. He watched as she drifted back to sleep.
"I love you," he whispered, not sure if she was still awake enough to hear him. She didn't reply. He lay awake a while longer as the night's conversation flowed through his head, and he started to make a plan for the future. It was looking bright, and Tom was a little bit excited. He fell asleep sometime before the clock reached five.
To Be Continued…
