Chapter 63
"I think we all knew who wearing the pants in the relationship when Mrs Green said she'd take Mr Green him as her wedded wife." Burk said clapping Danny on the shoulder with a laugh two weeks later. Time had just flown by in their worlds.
"It was a mistake." Danny said, cheeks burning red as he was being teased mercilessly by Kara's slip up. It had been pretty funny and no one was going to forget it anytime soon.
"No it wasn't. You were whipped from Day One, My friend." Cruz said with a chuckle before he took a pull of his beer.
"Yeah." Danny said with a smile as he was man enough to not feel emasculated by their comments and frankly he was the luckiest man on the planet. He looked over at Kara who was talking with Rachel and Kat, she was glowing and incredibly happy as he was.
The wedding was perfect, there were a few sour notes where Kara's mother refused to come but that was on her. She was in rehab and working out her issues but wasn't ready to come to St Louis even for the wedding. There was also the fact that Danny didn't have any blood relations at the wedding. But he had his military family and friends, their families by extension.
The day turned out well, the ceremony went smoothly bar Kara's minor slip up from nervousness of being infront of a large gathering but everyone laughed. It all felt right to be in the park with so many people around them, the weather had been perfect, it was cloudy but no rain and it had cleared up to blue skies.
Once all the photos were taken for the wedding, the men changed into plain white shirts with sleeves rolled up; leaving their pants on. Ties and any other naval trimmings were taken away for safe storage to allow them the freedom of not being completely restricted by Navy regulations.
The bridal and groom party joined everyone else for the large picnic barbecue. They decided it to get a few traditions out of the way first while everyone was eating and fairly congregated to one area. They gave their speeches thanking everyone for coming, to enjoy the food and the afternoon with them. Burk gave a best man speech that had people laughing. Alisha gave a speech that brought tears and the Captain also said a few words that really brought home that they were all family and how he like everyone else looked forward to supporting and being there for the couple as they stepped into the next phase of being parents.
After that speech, Kara tossed her bouquet to the crowd of reluctant single ladies. The only one who seemed to want to catch it was Kat but they all knew it was that Tex told her expressly that she wasn't to get married until she was 50. A joke that everyone had a laugh at. Alisha and Val stood as far to the back as possible not wanting to even have the slightest chance of catching it.
Andrea egged Rachel and Larrin on for being chickens. So of course they stood in the crowd for just the sake of it. Even though Larrin secretly did want to catch it. Not just because she liked the idea of marrying one day but winning would be a nice feeling. Either way the bouquet hurdled through the air and just when the audience had it pegged that Larrin would catch it when Cruz came out of no where and spiked the bouquet straight into Andrea's face at which point she caught it out of reflex.
Andrea had not been impressed and a red cheeked Cruz gave a shrug as Wolf high fived him for saving his sister from wedded bliss. After that it was the Garter toss.
Danny slingshot the garter out and it was a mad rush of the single guys who were fairly desperate to own the garter. It wasn't that they were desperate to be the next one to marry. No, a man only wanted to catch the garter for the amusement of winning and showing it off as trophy of their strength and agility in obtaining it. But either way the single men of the Nathan James jumped on the thing. It took about ten minutes for them to untangle their bodies and all trying to figure out who got the garter only to learn that Tex a few feet away holding the garter; shaking his head at them all.
Of course, Tex and Andrea sealed the superstition as she allowed him to put the garter on her leg. It had been interesting to see Andrea go a lovely shade of red as Tex's hands lingered a little longer than they should've under her dress.
After that, people continued in their eating and generally socialising until the cake was cut and then the party started to disperse into smaller groups as the kids had moved away to play sport and run off their excess energy. A dance floor had been set up where people were dancing, while others still milled around chatting and enjoying themselves.
Everyone was having a good time, there were no real mortifying moments or boredom to be had. It was a success and a day Danny would remember for the rest of his life.
"Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to steal my wife away from Dr Scott." He said.
"Don't you mean your husband?" Burk asked, Danny smiled and flipped him the bird before he walked away leaving the men laughing in his wake.
"So Red, looking good in your green dress." Tex said as he and Andrea were dancing to a slow song being played over speakers. Kat had disappeared to where all the other kids her age were hanging which fine with him as he knew she was having fun. It also gave him an excuse to be with Andrea who was a knockout in her green wrap around dress. Her hair was in a loose chignon that begged to be undone and have her hair tumble down. But he kept his hands in respectable places on her body. He was a gentleman after all.
"Are all your dreams complete?" Andrea asked mockingly before Tex twirled her and brought her back into his arms.
"Nearly, how much booze have I got to pour into you before you put out?" he asked in a joking manner. He knew this was the closest he was going to get to Andrea's knickers but he was enjoying the smiles and laughter his pathetic flirting was eliciting. Like right now she laughed and smiled shaking her head at him.
"There's not enough alcohol in the world to make me that easy." she informed him with a chuckle. As she really liked how much Tex was making her laugh and smile. It felt like a lifetime since a man had made her geniunely smile not in a mocking manner. But then Tex had the charm and the terrible sense of humour that she was weak for.
"Then I guess all I got is my charm and good looks."
"The beard looks better." Andrea informed him, he looked really good and it wasn't the beer goggles making him appear that way as she couldn't imagine any woman being immune to his looks and charm.
"Yeah, I've been using beard oil to make it all nice and soft just for you." he said with a wink.
"Oh, well why didn't you say so before?" she deadpanned.
"I like you Red." he told her, his expression grew soft and serious in a way that made Andrea's heart skip a beat and butterflies form in her stomach as it was pretty blunt confession.
"I like you too," She replied but she had a feeling it wasn't the same level but it wasn't until that moment she genuinely saw him as a someone who could potentially be more than a friend.
"I know you got a lot pain and grieving to get through but when you're through the other side. I'll be here, waiting." he told her, Andrea felt incredibly touched by his words. His footwork never faltered once as they danced. She looked away for a moment finding it a little too intense before a smile spread across her lips. She looked back at him.
"You going to keep using that beard oil?" she asked him.
"Anything for you, Red." he said with a laugh as he dipped her on the floor with ease and grace before pulling her back into his arms.
Rachel took a small sip of her scotch savouring the flavour and the burn of the alcohol. She shouldn't really be drinking but one glass of champagne and a finger of scotch was not going to kill her. It would make her drunk if she downed the scotch but right now she slightly tipsy and happy as she sat with Tom at one of the tables around the dancefloor watching the couples dance.
Tom looked debonair in his casual suit. He lost the jacket and had the sleeves of the shirt rolled to his elbows. Two buttons were undone showing that he was casual and unwound. Even though he was still fairly wound up. He too had a glass of scotch looking out the dancefloor as she did.
"They make a beautiful couple." Rachel remarked as Danny danced with Kara. He had no sense of rhythm but Kara didn't care as they danced to their own tune.
"It's just the beginning." Tom murmured from his chair beside her. "You look beautiful by the way." he remarked, not for the first time that day but Rachel smiled none the less and took the compliment.
"Thank you, you clean up well which doesn't surprise me but I was surprised at the lack of Military uniforms." Rachel said as no one had donned there uniforms except Danny and Burk for the ceremony but even they changed the reception.
"Can't drink in uniform and playing football and frisbee isn't a lot of fun in Dress Blues." Tom joked wryly as it was the truth and he had to admit that he liked seeing the crew cut loose with their families. No one was displaying any bad behaviour, his kids were happy playing and socialising with other kids their age at the barbecue reception. His father was off somewhere with Mike probably smoking cigars. Tom knew he shouldn't let his father smoke but he had to remind himself that his father was allowed his indulgences and he was not Tom's to command.
Rachel gave a chuckle trying to imagine Tom catching a frisbee in his dress blues. It was just not working as she imagined the jacket would have to be unbuttoned and her mind figured he'd use his teeth to catch it like a dog did in some TV ad she must have seen somewhere but couldn't remember. Maybe she should have stuck to the one glass of champagne but it was too late now.
"So, I heard you were promoted." Rachel said making conversation.
"Still a Captain, but I am CNO, my post will be here in St Louis." Tom told her, she didn't need to know that he turned down a promotion to Admiral but then it was too far a leap in ranks for him. He didn't feel he deserved it. Hell, he didn't want to give up the Nathan James but he recognised that he needed to choose his family first for once in picking his assignments. He also wanted to be with them, being CNO gave him that luxury.
"Congratulations." Rachel told him sincerely with a smile.
"Thank you, I'm told you're staying in St Louis." he said, he heard Michener was giving her anything she wanted. She apparently drove a hard bargain demanding a lab be built to her specifications, she wanted Larrin given permanent residency in the US and a salary to work with Rachel.
Apparently she and Doc had a training program they wanted to put into effect to train future doctors, basically streamlining the medical degree to get any surviving college medical students into the work force sooner. It would of course be an incredibly gruelling training course to make sure the right people made it through and to pick out those who could benefit from mentor-ships with scientists and doctors to pass on their knowledge.
He was secretly glad she was staying instead of continuing her crusade to save the world running into one dangerous place after another. Not that he'd ever say as much as he valued his friendship with her.
"Yes, I am. I'm done rolling around the world like a tumbleweed. I'm putting down roots and making a home for myself." Rachel said as she took a sip of her scotch. Tom smiled pleased to hear as much as he liked spending time with her. They were friends but there seemed to be an unspoken understanding that it was something that would grow into more when they were in the right time and place. Something that Tom felt himself getting closer to with every passing day.
"Sorry." Doc said cringing as she had stepped on Wolf's toes not for the first time since he asked her to the floor.
"It's fine. You nervous or just a bad dancer." Wolf asked her, she was in a navy blue kimono dress that ended just above her knees, her hair was pulled back into a messy braid but she had make up on and high heel shoes. Wolf had to admit he preferred her in her usual clothing. Only because she looked more comfortable to him that was sexy. While yes, she was gorgeous, she was also nervous and looking down at their feet.
"I'd say the latter, thank you and a gentleman wouldn't comment." Doc told him.
"I'm not a gentleman. Look at me and let me lead." Wolf told her. Doc took a deep breath and exhaled as she looked up at him. She couldn't help but be nervous. Shaved her legs and put on a dress, something she had never done and in hindsight would never do again as she missed a stretch of hair just behing her knee. She sucked at being feminine.
"Ok," she said as she tried to relax. What she wouldn't give to just drug everyone and sit down and eat some cake then disappear.
"Maybe kick off the heels." he suggested. He loosened his hold on her and Doc quickly pulled off her shoes and tossed them to the edge of the dance floor. Her feet thanked her and she felt some of the tension leave her body as she was no longer trying to balance herself on the toothpicks that were imitating heels. "Better?" he asked.
"Yes." she said as she relaxed in his arms and let him move them. It was definitely going a lot smoother now the heels were gone.
"So, I'm heading to Australia next week. Will you do me a favour and check in with Larrin?" Wolf asked.
"You want me to cockblock her with her adorable boyfriend?" she asked him mockingly.
"Yeah, that would be great." he said with a smile. He didn't really want to know about his sister or Miller's love life. As long as they were happy that was all he wanted to know. So far they were madly in love with one another even though they hadn't uttered the words to one another yet.
"Forget it, I'm going to encourage them to have lots of beautiful redheaded babies." She told him with a mockingly sweet smile.
"Whose side are you on?" he asked her.
"Mine." she replied.
"Eyes up Doc, unless you do want to see the goods cause we can get a hotel room. I'll be your wonderland." he told her in a salacious invitation that had Doc very tempted.
"I don't think my Date would like that." Doc said referring to Cruz who was definitely not taking her home tonight. Wolf however was definitely swaying her to that hotel room.
"Cruz will get over it. Have you told him your name yet?" Wolf asked.
"Nope." she replied.
"You going to tell me?" he asked her, Doc looked at him for a long moment and wondered why she was holding onto that secret. She trusted Wolf and she definitely fantasised about him saying her name, maybe there was no better time than right now.
"Hannah. Hannah St Claire." She said.
"Hannah," Wolf murmured, the name rolling off his lips with ease, his accent making it sound a little like he was asking a question which a little hot as it sounded in her fantasy. Damned if it didn't feel good hearing him say it.
"Yep." Hannah said embracing her name for the first time since learning it again. Wolf smiled liking that she had told him as it showed how far they'd come in their friendship and flirting.
"Well, Hannah what do you say about sharing a beer with me?" he asked her, he knew he could just throw out a come on line but decided to keep their relationship brewing as a friendship until he knew where he was going in his life.
"I'd love that if it means we get off the dance floor and go for the bar." She said with a grin.
"Definitely." Wolf told her as he released his hold on her and turned to hold out his elbow to escort her to the bar.
"Please just use your fingers." Miller begged as Larrin laughed as she tried vainly to use a fork with her left hand to eat the piece of cake they were sharing. They were seated at one of the many tables set up for the day.
"No, I'm going to get this. 3 weeks of eating with my left hand you'd think I'd be better at this." Larrin said.
"You're going to get icing all over your dress which would be a real shame." Miller said as it was a fine dress. He'd found an apartment in some hipster area. The lease was cheap thanks to there being a low demand for rentals. He paid for a 6 month lease and was moving in next week.
He was actually looking forward to having space that was his own as he'd lived with his Mom, then went to the Navy where he resided in the barracks and deployment meant bunk rooms. So it was going to be good to sleep in a space for just himself. He, of course planned to give Larrin a key and liked how adult it made him feel.
His mother wasn't impressed but understood he was an adult who wanted his own space. She wasn't entirely fond of Larrin but he had a feeling it was just her being a Mom and not wanting him to grow up.
He'd told Tex, the man was a little sad to see him go but definitely understood why Miller wanted his own space. Before he made jokes and gave unsolicited advice about safe sex and taking his time. He and Larrin weren't at that stage yet, which was fine with him. Parts of him weren't happy but he wanted to wait until Larrin was healed and ready to take things to that next step with him. For now he was just happy to be with her and make out with her like they were high school kids.
"What you like? I don't think it's fit you." she said teasingly, Miller chuckled and shook his head.
"No, I would never wear your dress. You'd be jealous of my legs." Miller deadpanned.
"Hey, you and your lucky legs can just rack off." she informed him with a smile, he snorted a laugh as he went running with Wolf and learnt that 'Lucky Legs' was not a compliment as it was an Australian thing that he was lucky that no one snapped his legs off and shoved them up his ass. Something Wolf promised he'd do to Miller if he broke Larrin's heart. He was learning that there were a lot of insulting Australian sayings and slang that were confusing, cringe worthy and really gross. Luckily they weren't used too often.
"Your legs are perfect in whatever you wear." Miller said in a charming manner.
"Awh, I knew I kept you around for a reason." She said in a tongue and cheek manner before she managed to stab a piece of cake with the fork. "Yes" she said with glee but her face fell as the cake crumbled in half. "You're kidding me." she said completely floored.
"Fingers, use them." Miller told her before he ate some with a fork. He tried not to laugh at how crestfallen she looked at being defeated by the cake.
"Fine, so I'm thinking bowling for our next date. I'll have my cast off." Larrin said before she popped a small piece of cake into her mouth and casually licked the icing off her thumb. Miller swallowed as his brain went to very dirty places. She looked at him as if reading his mind which made him wonder if she did it on purpose to rile him up but dismissed it as quickly as he thought it.
"Maybe we could get take away and hang out at my apartment. Just let your wrist have another week off before you start lifting heavy things." Miller suggested to her, Larrin's eyes heated as the thought of them alone in a place with no possible audiences meant they could do anything indecent that crossed their minds.
"Ok, I still want to go bowling. So it can be a future activity." She informed him, he smiled as he loved her. Something he'd come to realise only a few days ago when they'd been in the park together again. She was sleeping next to him as he read his work and he just wanted to keep having moments with her. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. That thought hadn't felt like a revelation but more of a fact that he acknowledged which made him feel really happy and content to face whatever was ahead for them.
"Done," he leaned in and then he was kissing her, his mouth warm and firm. Wolf whistles and catcalls erupted to their right and Burk informed them to get a room. They broke the kiss, Larrin flipped them the bird and Miller laughed as life was exceptionally good.
The End
A/N: I just want to say a big thank you to all the people who have read this story and reviewed. Humongous thank you to the ladies who were my sounding board, listened to my annoying ventings over writer's block and life crap and weird story ideas. You really kept it going with your words of encouragement and inspiration.
I hope you enjoyed the story! I definitely did :)
Be well and Thank you!
