Two hours later, they were knocking on the door of the Wheeler's residence. Linka had not been nervous until this point. Meeting Wheeler's parents was a big deal, especially meeting his mother. Mothers have a special bond with their sons and never think the woman their son chooses to be with is ever good enough for him. Linka hoped that she would accepted by Mrs. Wheeler. Then the door opened.
"Jason! It's so good to see you!" Mrs. Wheeler exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around him. "And this must be Linka! It was so sweet of you to call and offer to bring the dessert. I had planned on making something, but just ran out of time. Please, come in."
"I am glad I could help Mrs. Wheeler. I figured you would be busy. Picking up the desserts was the least I could do."
"Well they look delicious dear, and please call me Kathy. I'm glad you could both join us for an early Christmas dinner. It's nice to spend the holidays with family. Have a seat." Kathy left them in the living room and went back the hallway. "Joe, Jason and Linka are here." She then returned to the living room, "Sorry, he is still getting ready."
"I am sorry, are we early?" Linka asked.
"No, he always waits until the last minute to get ready. Can I get you two something to drink while we wait?"
"I'll get it Ma. You sit down. I'm sure you've been on your feet all day."
"That's nice of you sweetheart. There's coffee, iced tea, water, and soda."
"What'll you ladies have?" Wheeler asked.
"Tea," Linka requested.
"I'll have the same dear." When Wheeler left the room, Kathy turned to Linka and said, "He's turned into such a sweet, thoughtful young man. Thank you."
"He has always been sweet and thoughtful since I have known him…so thank you." Linka replied.
Wheeler's dad finally joined them in the living room and went right up to Linka and held out his hand.
"Sorry about that. Couldn't decide what tie to wear, so I decided to not wear one at all! So you're LinKa, the old friend with the fake accent?"
"Da, that is me."
"Sorry I screwed up your plans a few Christmases ago. I was usually half passed out when Kathy would read me Jason's letters. I had no idea about 'this totally hot Russian babe' he was always writing about!"
"JOE! You'll embarrass him!"
"That's ok Ma, Linka already knows I think she's a totally hot babe!" Wheeler delivered the drinks to his mom and Linka, then went to his dad and held out his hand. Joe took it and shook it firmly.
"Good to see you son."
"You too Pop. Can I get you something to drink?" Wheeler offered.
"No, I'm good. Let's just have a seat with our ladies and relax before dinner."
Wheeler hardly recognized his dad. He didn't even seem like the same person who he had known growing up. It was if the alcohol had made him a completely different person. Wheeler felt as if he was meeting his father for the first time. So this was what Joe Wheeler was like sober?
"So Linka, do you have any plans to go back to Russia for Christmas?" Kathy asked.
"Nyet…I mean, no. I will probably spend it with the others on Hope Island, unless we are out on a mission. And Christmas is not really that big in Russia. New Years is a bigger deal."
"Really? Why's that?" Kathy asked.
"In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. The New Year was the important time. With the fall of Communism, Christmas is openly celebrated - either on December 25th, or more often, on January 7th. The date is different because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days." Linka explained.
"That's very interesting. How to you say 'Merry Christmas?'
"'S Rozhdestvom!'"
"Oh my! I'll never remember that! I give you a lot of credit Linka. I've heard English is a hard language to learn, but you've done it very well." Kathy said.
"Thank you."
"Wait 'til she tries to use an American expression, or cliché!" Wheeler joked.
Linka smacked him on the arm.
"How many languages can you speak Jason?" At his silence, Kathy continued. "That's what I thought! So do you have any holiday traditions in Russia Linka?"
"Geez, what's with the interrogation?" Wheeler interrupted.
"I'm sorry dear. Am I asking too many questions? I just wanted to get to know Linka better. I've always found other cultures fascinating and was just wondering how she did things."
"It is ok. I do not mind. I like being able to share my culture with anyone who is interested enough to know. So thank you for asking, I appreciate the interest," Linka said.
Kathy gave Wheeler a "told ya so" look as Linka continued.
"Some people do not eat anything on Christmas Eve until the first star has appeared in the sky. People then eat 'sochivo', a dish made from wheat or rice with honey and fruit. The Russian word for Christmas Eve 'sochelnik', comes from the word 'sochivo'. People then go to the midnight church services. Some special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and 'meat dumplings'. The New Year celebrations are still very important to Russians, as I said, sometimes more than Christmas. We also have a character similar to Santa Claus for the New Year. 'Father Frost,' known in Russian as 'Ded Moroz,' brings presents to children. He is always accompanied by his Grandaughter, Snegurochka. On New Year's Eve, children hold hands, make a circle around the Christmas tree and call for Snegurochka or Ded Moroz. When they appear, the star and other lights on the Christmas tree light up!"
"And how do you say 'Happy New Year' in Russian?" Joe asked.
"'S Novym Godom.'"
"Write that down Kathy, we'll have to give the kids a call on New Year's Eve and wish them a 'S Novym Godom.'"
"Very good! I am impressed."
"I have to confess. During my time in the Army, I worked a couple years in intelligence so I know a little bit of Russian. Not enough to carry on a conversation though, just enough to know if you're aimin' a nuke at me!" Joe joked.
"DAD!"
"What? I was only kidding. It's not like she was even alive back when I was in the service!"
"It is ok. I knew you were joking. Besides, I know that the history between our countries has not always been friendly, but it is silly for individuals to hold a grudge against one and other for issues of the governments. If we did, I would not talk to you Yankee, let alone be your girlfriend!"
Joe was amused by Linka's feistiness. His son had always been a smartass, but she seemed like she could put him in his place. "I like her!"
"Hey, whose side are you on?" Wheeler said, feigning offense.
"Sorry son, she's prettier than you!"
Just then, the oven timer went off indicating that dinner was ready. The four gathered around the table to enjoy their week early, Christmas meal. The dinner was nice. The food was delicious and the conversations centered around stories of Wheeler's wild childhood and questions about Linka's family and her childhood. Linka felt completely at ease with Wheeler's parents. She did not feel like an outsider at all, but as part of the family and appreciated the attempt his parents were making at learning more about her. When Kathy started clearing the table, Linka started to help.
"Oh no dear, I'll get these. You go sit with the boys," Kathy said.
"No, I insist. You did all the cooking, the least I can do is help clean up. Besides, it will be nice for Wheel…um, Jason to spend some time with his dad."
"Yes that's true. Joe has really changed since he stopped drinking. I hope Jason sees that and will visit more often."
"I will try to make sure we visit more. I know he was nervous about coming here, but seems more relaxed," Linka said.
"He seems very happy too. I'm glad he has you. How long have you two been together now?"
"Almost 24 hours!"
"Really? I guess I just figured it happened a while ago since he has always talked so highly of you."
"It took us a really long time to get here, but deep down, I think we always knew that we would eventually. I know for me, I have never met anyone that can compare to him. I regret all the time we have lost, but am very happy we finally worked things out," Linka explained.
"So am I dear. You make him so happy. He had a rough childhood so I'm glad he's found happiness. And I couldn't ask for a sweeter girl for my boy." Kathy then gave Linka a hug. The two women continued to make small talk as they cleaned up the dishes and packed some leftovers for Wheeler and Linka to take back with them.
Meanwhile Wheeler and his dad sat in the living room trying to find something good on TV.
"So you quit the police force to go back to the Planeteers?" Joe asked.
"Yeah. I know it seems like a stupid move and I really struggled with it, but if it weren't for the Planeteers, I would have never been a cop in the first place. Besides, my heart has always been with the Planeteers."
"I think you mean, your heart has always been with a CERTAIN Planeteer," Joe prodded.
"Yeah. That too," Wheeler confessed.
"I'm proud of you son. You've done good for yourself, professionally and personally. You're brave enough to put your life on the line for your city, and your planet. Not to mention that beautiful girl in the kitchen loves you…and I'm not talking about your mother! You're a lucky man. I just want you to know that I'm proud of the man you've become. You didn't exactly have the best role model, and I'm sorry for that."
"Thanks Pop. And it's because of you that I turned out the way I did. I just tried to do the opposite of you. Sorry, that sounds mean, but you know what I mean. You can still take some credit for the way I turned out, even if it's sort of a backhanded compliment!" Wheeler and his father both laughed.
"Well, if it means you'll have a better life than I did and you'll be a better father than me, then I guess I'll take that. Speaking of, when am I gonna be a Grandpa!?"
"Whoa, slow down Pop. I was planning on you being a 'father in law' first!"
"Soon I hope. I'm not getting' any younger ya know?"
Hearing this reminded Wheeler of his father's health problems.
"How are you doing Pop? Everything ok?" Wheeler asked.
"As good as can be expected I guess. I take my meds and just try to maintain my health. It's possible I can be put on a donor list, but it doesn't feel right. I did this to myself. Let someone more deserving have a new liver."
"But don't you think you deserve a second chance? And what about Ma? Does she deserve to watch you slowly deteriorate?"
"I never considered that," Joe admitted.
"Just think about it Pop. You wanna be around to see your grandkids right?"
"Right. But I'll settle for a daughter in law first. Any plans for that anytime soon?"
"Actually, I was hoping I'd get the opportunity to stop at Tiffany's today to get a ring, but never got the chance," Wheeler admitted.
"Are you serious? Save your money. There's something I want you to have." Joe got up and motioned for Wheeler to follow him. They went back to Wheeler's parents' room and Joe pulled a ring box out of one of his dresser drawers. "These rings belonged to my mother. It's her engagement ring and wedding band. When she died, these were willed to you, but she left specific instructions that I wasn't supposed to give them to you unless I knew that you were with 'the one.' I know you are, so these are yours now if you'd like to use them."
"Oh wow! It'll be so cool to give her something that's been a part of my family history and has way more sentiment than a ring from a fancy store. And these stones on the side of the diamond, they look like Linka's eye color."
"Those are sapphires," Joe said. (A/N: I know they gave her green eyes in season 4-6, but they started out blue and were blue for the majority of the time, so to me, she'll always have blue eyes. Besides, I like blue better and it's my story haha!)
"Thanks Pop. This is perfect." Wheeler pocketed the rings and gave his dad a hug.
"There you are," said Kathy. "We're getting ready to dish out the dessert; do you want pie or cake?"
"I'll have one of each! I'll go help Linka serve them. What did you two want?"
"I'll have what you're having," Joe said.
"And I've already got mine dished out sweetheart. Linka's in the kitchen waiting for me to come back with your choices." When Wheeler left the room to find Linka, Kathy asked her husband, "Were you back here doing what I think you were doing?"
"I hope you like her because it won't be long until she's a part of our family," Joe told her.
"I do. She's fantastic. You saw how sweet she is. She cleaned up, dried the dishes as I washed them, and helped to put them away! I love her!"
Wheeler entered the kitchen and saw Linka standing at the counter with her back to him. He walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her neck.
"Mmm, delicious."
"I told you getting the desserts from Serendipity would be worth it."
He continued kissing his way up her neck and to her ear and whispered, "I wasn't talking about the desserts." The way his lips lightly grazed her ear gave her chills. He turned her around to face him, pinned her against the counter, and kissed her passionately. When he finally broke away, he leaned his forehead against hers, looked her in the eyes and said "I love you."
"I love you too…we are keeping your parents waiting, what do you want for dessert?"
"You," Wheeler leaned in to kiss her again.
"Later Yankee," Linka said once he'd finished. "Now, pie or cake?"
"Me and Pop both want a slice of each. What are you having?"
"I am having the cake, but I would like to try a bite of your pie."
"Sure thing Babe. If you've got that tray of desserts, I'll get the coffee."
"Thank you, Lubov moya."
"I hope that means something nice!" Wheeler said.
"It does, my Love." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and headed into the living room.
They took the dessert and coffee into the living room and handed them out. Kathy and Joe looked at each other and smiled when they saw their son feed a forkful of his pie to Linka. The two youngsters looked at each other with so much love in their eyes.
Once they had finished dessert and cleaned up, Wheeler and Linka bid his parents goodbye and prepared to go home.
"It was so good seeing you honey and it was great to finally meet you Linka. Please feel free to visit more often."
"We will Ma. Thanks for dinner" Wheeler gave his mother a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Yes, thank you. We will try to visit more often, especially on holidays. It was nice meeting you both," Linka gave Kathy and Joe hugs.
"It was nice meeting you too Linka. Sorry again for the mix up a few Christmases ago," Joe said.
"Do not worry about it. This night more than made up for it."
"Jason, you take care of yourself and Linka." Joe gave Wheeler a hug and said "Good luck" so that only Wheeler could hear.
"I will Pop. And thanks."