Chapter 48

The out pour of feedback and likes on my stories… I can't say thank you enough. I'm happy you all have stuck around with me and aren't bored of any of it lol. I love hearing back from readers and some of you have even sparked ideas in my head lol. I started writing cuz I had some time on my hands when craziness started last year and now, I can't believe how far I've come. Thanks for encouraging me to continue and I hope you continue to enjoy! Also, thanks for accepting my grammatical errors that I continue to miss lol.

Before Jason, Mandy, and Mikey knew it, their time in Philly had come to an end. It was Tuesday morning and all three were making sure their bags were packed to head up to New York City. Depending on traffic, Mandy and Jason had decided they wanted to get there on time and surprise Emma by showing up to her last play before she took some time off.

Mandy had arranged for the family penthouse in New York City to be ready upon their arrival. They'd spend time through Friday in New York before heading to Nashville Saturday morning. Susan had assured Mandy that everything was ready for them.

Mandy was excited yet nervous for this next part of the trip. Mikey seemed to take to her, but she wasn't sure about Emma. Emma was older and Mandy knew she looked out for Jason. Mandy had never been too close with the kids up until recently of course. She'd never want to take Alana's place. She wanted Emma to accept her and Jason together. It seemed so far things were good but long distance was different to actually being together in person. Mandy hoped it would all work out just like it had with Linda.

"Okay, our place in New York should be all set for us. We should probably leave by noon to give us enough time to get there. We could get settled in and then surprise Emma," Mandy rattled off as she entered the kitchen.

"And you say I have control issues," Jason smirked into his coffee quietly.

"Coming from the guy that treats everything like it's an op," Mandy replied with a raised eyebrow as Mikey and Linda laughed at Jason being caught.

"It is incredibly scary how much you pick up on," Jason said shaking his head as he walked over with a cup of coffee for Mandy and gave her quick kiss.

"Always gotta be on alert in my work, never know what will come to bite you," Mandy replied.

"What do you do when you work with Dad?" Mikey asked curiously.

"Well, I'm the brains and your Dad is the brawn of a mission," Mandy smirked.

"Is this gonna be a thing every morning where you personally attack me in some shape or form," Jason asked with a smile.

"Why? Tough SEAL like you can't handle it?" Mandy said as she took a sip of coffee.

"Oh, I can handle it," Jason said leaning into her ear causing shivers to run through Mandy.

"Are you in danger all the time like Dad too?" Mikey asked looking concerned.

"Hey, come here," Mandy said reaching out a hand towards Mikey. "I don't go out with your Dad but it's my job to do everything I can to make sure he makes it back home. For the most part, I'm safe."

Jason sighed listening to how scared his son was about losing him, "Listen, I can't promise anything, but I can promise that I, we, will do everything we can to come back home. Okay?"

Mikey looked at Jason then back at Mandy nodding his head as Jason hugged him tightly. Jason looked over towards Mandy and brought an arm out to bring her in as well. He thought about how he should probably update his will should anything happen to him. He knew and trusted Mandy to take care of his kids and figured he should probably make it legal if anything were to happen. Mikey had grown attached to Mandy it seemed and he too hoped things went smoothly with Emma. He knew Emma worried about him being alone.

Their moment was broken when Mandy's phone started ringing. She pulled away to see it was her Dad and got up to take the call in the other room. She figured it was better to take the call in private if it was in regard to work. Jason watched her walk off towards the backyard hoping it wasn't anything too serious. He saw it was Mandy's Dad.

"Everything okay?" Linda asked watching Jason.

"Hope so," Jason muttered watching Mandy through the kitchen sink window. "Like I said before, just some work stuff going on."

"Anything to do with the attack on base while you were out there?" Linda asked.

Jason paused before answering, "Yeah."

"When we heard there had been an attack, Emma was worried that she hadn't heard from either of you. Once you called back home, we all settled down, but Emma said Mandy had been hurt," Linda continued.

"Yeah," Jason said taking a shuttering breath as flashbacks to finding Mandy bleeding and barely conscious went through his mind. "She went toe to toe with the person responsible for the prison break. It's personal for her. I can't get into too many details."

"I see," Linda said. "How bad was it?"

"When we found her, she was bleeding from a stab wound. She was fading out of consciousness because of a concussion. God, I was terrified. We'd just started this whole thing and I almost thought I was gonna lose it all already," Jason breathed out.

"But you didn't, honey," Linda said gently putting her hand over his. "She's here, alive with you. I also know that you're not the only one that's going to fight to make it back home. You both will because of the life you two are building together."

"Sometimes I wonder if this is all too good to be true or if I deserve it," Jason whispered.

"Aw, honey," Linda said pulling him into a strong hug. "You deserve to be happy, Jason. Alana would want you to move on and do that. You're so much more than just being Bravo one and I'm sure Mandy and the kids will always remind you that," she said as Jason hugged her back as well.

Mandy walked back in and paused looking them trying to gauge the situation, "Everything okay in here?"

"Yeah," Jason said pulling himself together. "Anything new?"

"No, not really," Mandy said giving him once over. "My Dad just wanted to check in on us and was updating me on some things I have arranged for when we get to Nashville."

"Let me guess, it's a surprise," Jason smiled.

"Look at that, you can teach an old dog new tricks," Mandy laughed.

"If I'm old, what does that make you," Jason said walking up to her and taking hold of her hips.

"Oh, burn Mandy. Dad called you old," Mikey exclaimed.

"There's the Jason Hayes in him I knew was there," Mandy laughed. "Anyways, we should start loading up the car because before we know it it'll be time to leave."

"Yes, ma'am," Jason said kissing her and then getting Mikey to help him.

The three were back on the road headed to New York for the next part of their vacation. Mandy seemed to know a lot of fun facts along the way about different landmarks or areas they passed through, which kept Mikey entertained. They stopped a few times to stretch their legs and give the dogs a break. They were nearly there once they finally hit traffic in the New York area. It was late afternoon, early evening by the time they pulled into the building where Mandy's family's place was. Looking around, you could tell it was a nice area of the city.

"Exciting, isn't it?" Mandy smiled watching Mikey taken in the city and he nodded back. "Something about this place always buzzing feels electric."

"You come here often?" Jason asked as they walked by the doorman of the building who nodded towards them.

"Not as often as I did when I was in college," Mandy sighed. "Once I took the job at the CIA, I didn't go to many of our properties as often as I used to. Being all in all the time doesn't leave much time to enjoy them as often."

"Maybe we can change that," Jason said taking her hand as they approached the elevators. "Never realized how bougie you were. Looks pretty expensive around here," Jason observed looking around.

"I hide it well," Mandy smiled back as they got onto the elevator and were greeted by someone in there operating it.

Once they'd gotten to their floor, they'd stepped out and Mandy went to open the door to the penthouse, "Welcome to home, sweet home for the next few days."

She opened the door leading into high ceiling place. You'd never think they were in skyscraper building with how the place looked. It was nicely decorated but with a homey touch as well. Jason got the feeling this was a theme Susan liked. They had an outside view that faced out towards where the trade towers used to be from the living room. It was a luxurious home up in the sky essentially.

"Impressive, isn't it," Mandy laughed watching Mikey and Jason take it all in.

"Yeah, you could say that," Jason replied.

"Okay, let's go upstairs and I'll show you where we're staying," Mandy said leading them up to the bedrooms. "Mikey, you can take this room. Your Dad and I will be down at the end of the hall."

"Okay," Mikey said before opening his door. "Woah," Mikey said in awe of the room that looked to have accommodations just for him. There was a hockey theme throughout the entire room.

"How did," Jason trailed off looking at Mandy.

"That is all my Mom. Once she heard about us planning a trip up here, I'm sure she worked her magic to accommodate. She loves doing it so don't think it was a lot for her to do," Mandy answered.

"It's still too much," Jason insisted.

"Yeah, well I'm not going anywhere any time soon, so you're stuck with me," Mandy said putting her hands around Jason's neck.

Before Jason could reply, Mikey interrupted, "Thank Mandy!" He gave her big hug as well.

"How about you give my Mom a call. I'm sure she'd love to hear what you think," Mandy said handing him her phone as she led Jason out of the room.

"And here is where we'll be staying," Mandy announced and started to talk but was suddenly spun around and brought in for a deep kiss with Jason. "What was that for?" Mandy breathed out once they pulled a part.

"Just, everything," Jason whispered looking at her tenderly. "You know, you're raising the bar pretty high here. How will I ever be able to pay you back?"

"Well, first of all, no paying back necessary. You guys are just giving me an excuse to shower you with fun things. However, if you insist, I can think of a way you can repay the favor," Mandy flirted running her hands up us chest. "Think you can rise up to the challenge?"

"Oh, I'm already rising," Jason smirked as he started backing her up towards the bed and leaning in for a kiss.

"Oh, I know you are," Mandy said as they fell onto the bed and Jason started kissing along her neck. "But we need to get going soon if we're gonna make it to Emma's play."

Jason sighed and groaned into her neck, "I guess you're right, as usual."

"I'm gonna need that on record cuz Jason Hayes just admitted I'm right again," Mandy laughed as Jason quieted her with another kiss.

"Mikey, you ready?" Mandy called out from the kitchen as she checked over some things. She and Jason had changed and freshened up for the night.

"Coming!" Mikey answered as he came down the stairs.

Jason was standing at one of the windows nursing a beer and taking in the view of the city. It really was something watching the hustle and bustle down below. Standing there it felt like he was in his own little perfect world while everything else was moving at lightning speed outside. Sometimes his life felt like that after doing the job he did for as long as he had. Many around him seemed to move forward in life while Jason remained stuck where he was at. Right now, though, it felt like he was moving forward in the right direction.

"Ready?" Mandy asked, her reflection appearing in the window to Jason.

"Yeah," Jason said turning around and taking one last swig of beer.

He walked over to the kitchen to throw out his bottle and followed Mandy towards the door. As he and Mandy met before the door, Mandy reached out to take Jason's hand. It was like she knew he needed the reassurance that all this was real. That he was right here with her and the kids. That he was moving forward towards something. He silently squeezed her hand in thanks as they rode the elevator down. As they walked out the building into the hustle and bustle, Jason smiled knowing it was all real.