Chapter 49

I've been trying to binge watch some new shows. Most recently I watched Virgin River on Netflix. It's quite interesting and season 3 is about to come out. On Twitter, I've started a Wednesday SEAL Team watch party every week since the finale. We watch different episodes from over the seasons each week. Check out the details jaszy21 if you'd like to join. We tweet out thoughts and favorite moments as we watch. Anyways, here is another episode and hope you enjoy as usual.

Mandy, Jason, and Mikey arrived at the theatre where Emma's play was happening. They had about a half hour before it started. Mandy had called ahead and reserved their seats. They were towards the front few rows along the aisle. If Emma looked out, she should be able to see them in the audience. Mandy sat in between Jason and Mikey.

"There are a lot of people here," Jason observed.

"Well, it is New York," Mandy replied. "People love their plays."

"Never been much of a play kind of guy," Jason said.

"Really? Never would've guessed," Mandy chuckled.

"But it's Emma so of course I'm going to support her," Jason replied.

"You're a good Dad," Mandy said squeezing his hand. "Just being here is going to mean the world to her."

Jason squeezed her hand back and kissed it. He gave her one of his rare soft yet vulnerable smiles that said thank you. He was trying to be there for his kids. That is what this trip was about. It was about letting his worlds collide and coexist somehow. About Bravo one and Jason Hayes being one. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to do any of this without Mandy. She grounded him and reassured him that it was all going to be okay. He knew she was fighting the same battle of professional and personal colliding. They'd work the problem like they always do. Suddenly the lights dimmed, and the curtain raised. Everyone settled in for the show to start.

The play had last just over two hours and Jason was so proud of Emma's performance. He loved watching act and seeing how committed she was to what she was doing. He saw the happiness and passion behind what she was doing. He was glad he had let her go off to college to do what she wanted to do. All he wanted was for his kids to be happy.

The three of them were able to get backstage to see Emma. As they got back there, Jason saw Emma talking with some of the other cast members. She was smiling and laughing on a job well done. Jason just took a moment to watch and saw so much of Alana in the way she smiled.

"Emma!" Jason called out causing her to freeze and turn around wide eyed.

"Dad!" Emma exclaimed running through people to get to Jason.

Despite being over eighteen now, Emma flew into Jason's arms. She was so happy to see him in person and that he was alive after the scare they'd had while he was deployed. Jason too took a moment holding his daughter. He was happy to hold her in his arms after everything over the last few weeks.

"I missed you Dad. When did you get here?" Emma said pulling back,

"Mandy thought we could come surprise and watch you live," Jason said looking over at Mandy.

"Emma!" Mikey exclaimed running up to hug Emma as well.

"Hey Mikey," Emma said squeezing her brother.

Sometimes a small part of her felt guilty for moving on with her life while Mikey was shipped off hockey boarding school. She knew it took a lot of convincing on her father to let her go and could tell he wore a lot of guilt for not being there for both of them, especially with their mom gone now.

"Hey Mandy," Emma said as she pulled away from Mikey.

"Hey," Mandy smiled. "You were really good out there."

"Thanks," Emma smiled back. "How are you?" Emma asked concerned remembering she'd been hurt while deployed.

"All good now," Mandy reassured. "So, I was thinking if you all were interested, we could go out for some dinner then head back to my place."

"Umm," Emma thought before answering. "That sounds really good actually."

"Hey Emma, you coming out with us?" a cast member called out.

"Nah, I'm out," Emma answered.

"If you wanted to go out with your friends," Jason started to say before being cut off by Emma.

"Dad, I'm right where I want to be," Emma replied, hugging Jason again. "I just need to go change and grab my stuff."

Emma made her way through the crowd, stopping once in while to take in the complements from those around her. Jason watched on proudly once again.

"See, you're a good Dad," Mandy said coming to his side and putting her arm through his.

"Maybe," Jason shrugged. "Feel like I missed out on so much though and started too late. I mean, if Alana hadn't died, would I be trying?"

"Yes, you would," Mandy replied immediately. "You're Jason Hayes. You'd never just abandon your kids. All that matters is the here and now. We move forward and learn from the past."

"I keep telling you this, but I don't think I'd be able to do it without you," Jason said pulling her close and giving her a quick kiss. "Thank you."

"No thanks needed," Mandy said looking into his eyes and getting lost in them.

"What's taking Emma so long," Mikey groaned breaking the moment.

Jason pulled Mikey into a head lock and messed around with him while they waited for Emma. Mandy was laughing at their antics. As they waited, Mandy could feel someone approaching from behind.

"Hi," a man said. "I'm Professor Williams. Your daughter Emma is an outstanding student in my class."

"Oh, I'm not," Mandy stuttered. "She's his daughter," Mandy pointed over towards Jason, who had looked up to see what was going on.

"Hello," Jason said protectively as he took a stance by Mandy.

"I was just telling your…," the professor trailed off unsure who Mandy was now.

"Girlfriend," Jason supplied cockily, although that term wasn't enough to describe what Mandy was to him either.

"Your daughter Emma is one of my star students," Professor Williams continued. "Is she interested in going professionally on Broadway? I have some connections-," the professor rambled on.

"I don't know what her final decision on the future is yet. Just want her to be happy and enjoy life for a little while," Jason answered.

"And if she's interested in moving into that career, she'll have plenty of connections," Mandy added on with a pointed stare to the professor.

"Are you in the show business?" the professor asked Mandy.

"You could say that. My mother's law firm dabbles in representing many stars legally," Mandy nonchalantly answered. "Emma would be well looked after."

"Oh, I see," the professor swallowed starting to sweat under Mandy's stare. "Anyways, it was nice to meet you," he said before scurrying away.

Jason watched amused as the professor walked away and looked at Mandy. He pulled her back to him and gave her another quick kiss. She always seemed to be in integrator or analyst mode and making people quake.

"Protective mama bear is a good look on you," Jason smiled. "Did you really mean all of it? About taking care of Emma if she went that route?"

"Yes, of course. There is no way we're gonna let her be thrown to the sharks. That world can be dangerous, and my mother would kill me if we didn't protect her from the terrible people that exist," Mandy passionately answered.

"Good to know you got our backs," Jason said.

"Always," Mandy replied looking into Jason's brown eyes once again.

"Okay, I'm ready," Emma announced.

"Great, I know this little Italian place not too far from here if that's good with everyone," Mandy said.

Everyone nodded that they were fine with it and started to head out into the New York City night.

Mandy led the Hayes family into B&T's, Italian restaurant. As they entered, you could smell fresh garlic bread baking and the place was bust for a Tuesday night.

"Hi, table for four," Mandy asked the hostess.

"Ummm," the hostess said checking her tables.

"Amanda Ellis, it's about time you've stopped by," an older gentleman said walking up to her and wrapping her up in a hug.

"Tony, how are you?" Mandy asked. "Business seems to be doing well."

"I'm good. You look tired my dear. Your mother says you work too much, and it shows," Tony observed.

"Wow, way to make a woman feel beautiful Tony," Mandy replied.

"Tony! What are you- oh Mandy, sweetheart," a woman exclaimed wrapping Mandy up in a hug as well. "Come, come, we have the perfect table for you all."

Jason watched on amused as the two fussed over Mandy as if she were their own. He thought about how Mandy kept to herself about her personal life, but it seemed wherever she went, she touched people's lives in big ways.

"Now are you going to introduce us," the woman badgered.

"This is Master Chief Jason Hayes and his kids, Emma and Mikey. Guys, this is Bella and Tony, they own this place," Mandy introduced.

"He's a handsome one," Bella said out loud causing Mandy to roll her eyes, the kids to laugh, and Jason smirked. "Oh, and that smile," she sighed.

"I'm standing right here," Tony complained.

"It's okay Tony, if these two run off we'll have each other to fall back on," Mandy assured him.

"Oh, quit complaining and get these guys some food. We'll be right back," Bella said as she took Tony to the kitchen and the two bickered.

"Wow, nice couple," Jason said.

"Yeah, my parents have been coming to this restaurant forever. A while back they weren't doing so well, and my parents helped them out to stay afloat. I remember after I was adopted coming here the first time I came to New York with my Mom. They're fun and adorable. Glad to see them doing well," Mandy replied.

"Your family seems to help out a lot of people," Jason smiled.

"It's what we do, I guess," Mandy shrugged.

"You're adopted?" Emma asked curiously.

"Yeah," Mandy sighed. "My mother was a con-artist. Her criminal ways caught up with her when I had just turned fourteen. I spent about a year in foster care before I met my parents. Coincidently I was running away from the latest home I'd been placed in."

"What about your father?" Emma asked.

"I don't know who he is," Mandy answered honestly.

"With what you do, did you ever look for him?" Emma continued.

"Thought about it but then I figured I had a good set of parents, and I didn't need him. He was one of my mother's marks, so I'm not sure how welcomed I'd really be," Mandy said looking over at Emma.

"Sorry," Emma said since she had brought the topic up.

"No, you're good. It's all in the past now," Mandy said. "Anyways, fantastic job in the play. Heard a lot of complements about you."

"Thanks," Emma said shying away from the praise.

"You were great," Jason added squeezing Emma's hand.

"What are we doing in New York City, Mandy?" Mikey asked, excited for what adventures were to come.

"Well, I have a couple things in the works but it's up to you guys," Mandy replied as appetizers were brought.

"We didn't even order," Jason said looking at everything being delivered.

"Just take it or they'll be offended," Mandy laughed as everyone dug in.

They all talked about different topics and what everyone had been up to throughout dinner. Emma watched her Dad with Mandy and could see a difference in him. He was lighter and happier, two things she hadn't seen in him for a while. Things between her parents had ended awkwardly and throw in her mother dying, nothing was ever the same. Emma had barely gotten to know Natalie when she had been around but her Dad had been pretty up front when it came to Mandy. He hadn't tried to hide it from her, or Mikey and Emma knew that whatever was happening between the two was serious. Emma also couldn't help but notice that Mandy was letting them all navigate the situation. Mandy always seemed like such a confident and intimidating woman whenever Emma had seen her. Emma liked the change she was seeing in her Dad and was warming up to Mandy. Time would tell how things would go.

As Mandy open the door to the penthouse, Gunner and Sarge eagerly greeted everyone as they walked back in. Emma was the last one they came to, and the dogs circled around her trying to get a feel for her. Once they realized she was another friendly, they excitedly started to jump.

"Off," Mandy commanded sternly from the kitchen as she watched on. "Gunner, Sarge, you guys know better."

"Gunner? Sarge?" Emma asked as she made her way to the living room looking around luxurious penthouse.

"My parents take in retired service dogs. These two have been with us for about two years now," Mandy answered. "Make yourself at home. Pretty sure my Mom made up a room for you next to Mikey's as well. If you need anything, let me know."

"This place is…," Emma trailed off.

"Intimidating? Huge? Expensive? A lot to take in?" Mandy supplied.

"I was going to say incredible," Emma smiled.

"Thanks. I'm gonna go head up to change," Mandy said heading for the stairs.

Jason and Mikey had already headed to their rooms to change into some comfortable clothes for the night. Dinner had been good, and everyone got along. Mandy could tell Emma was watching her and Jason closely. Mandy didn't feel like Emma was against her, but she still felt a little intimated. Once again Mandy realized how she could sit in a room with some of the worst people that ever existed and interrogate them like it was nothing but being under the watchful eye of Emma had her nerves on edge. Mandy really wanted everything to work and didn't want Jason in a tough spot with the kids.

"Hey," Mandy said walking into their room.

"Hey," Jason smiled as he finished putting his shirt on. "Is there anyone you don't leave a lasting impression on?" Jason joked as he brought her into his arms.

"What?" Mandy asked confused as she put her arms around Jason's neck.

"With Tony and Bella, they love you like one of their own. I know you try to put on this cool and collected exterior but deep down you've got this huge heart of gold," Jason commented. "Also, don't think I haven't noticed how nervous you've been since we got here."

"You noticed that?" Mandy asked tilting her head.

"I notice everything when it comes to you," Jason answered looking into her eyes and giving her a quick kiss.

"It's just, I don't want Emma to feel like I'm infringing her or something," Mandy sighed. "I never want to take Alana's place. I just want all this to work out. We've sacrificed a lot and I'm not sure at this point what I'd do if I had to give us up."

"Hey, we're not going anywhere," Jason said firmly. "It's like we've said, it won't be easy, but we'll do what we do best."

"And what's that," Mandy asked.

"Work the problem," Jason answered. "Cuz we're never out of the fight and we're choosing to adapt outside the battlefield," Jason quoted Mandy from their previous talks. "We're in this together and Emma is gonna be fine."

"Together," Mandy said pulling herself closer to Jason for a hug and Jason squeezing her in return.