I heard that some of you, who already left a review on my previous Author's note, can't review on my chapter 3.

So this is just a repost to give you the option to review chapter 3 aswell.

A few hours later Sasha had already been up for a couple of minutes before she rolled over onto her side where her eyes landed on a neatly folded piece of paper that leaned against the front of her alarm.

Sasha

Sasha found herself staring at her name that was written on front of the paper and then she heard Tom's voice ringing through her head, calling her name.

Charm school did teach him well, she smiled to herself while she remembered his not so charming comments last night at her office. She had just lifted her hand and was about to reach for the letter when she suddenly felt a pang of guilt hitting her right into her stomach. Shit, I promised to stay up for breakfast, Sasha dropped her hand again as she buried her head into her pillow while her mind oddly started to play around with the idea that she might have upset him by falling asleep while he was preparing breakfast for her.

"Tom isn't like that and you know it." She told herself, her pillow muffling her still hoarse voice. Taking a deep breath to calm her whirling thoughts, had Sasha inhaling Tom's scent that still lingered on her pillow. Breathing in his scent relaxed her and prompted happier memories of the mornings events.

Maybe I should draw him a manual, she grinned into her pillow as she recalled the moment where she caught him making coffee with her wonderful coffee maker. The way he tensed and got frustrated at the machine while she was secretly watching him form the doorframe, it was kind of cute to witness the man who had saved the world, acting like this just because of a cup of coffee. It amazed her that even though he had no idea how the coffee maker worked he was still determined to complete his mission and make coffee. Her reasons for stepping in and putting him out of his misery weren't just to get close to him, but to save her beloved coffee maker, which Sasha was certain would've met its end at his hands.

The grin on her lips turned into a soft smile again as she remembered the feeling of his warm skin against hers and the comforting sound of his heartbeat while was holding her in his arms as he told her to stay at home and rest. She always knew that Tom cared for her a lot, probably more than he would admit, even though his soft for her had never been much of a secret, but the past 12 hours let her realize just how deeply he cared and felt for her.

Last night he could've dropped her off at her apartment and left to be with his kids, but he choose to stay and make sure that she would take a bath and rest. This morning he could've sneaked out of her apartment while she was still asleep but he choose to stay and make sure that she got everything that she need and that she would stay at home.

Sasha took another deep breath as she slowly lifted her head up again while she reached for the piece of paper that Tom had left for her on the nightstand. Once she had picked it up she found herself staring at her name again before she carefully traced over his handwriting with her fingertips and then she slowly unfolded the paper.

Sasha,

Sweetheart, I know I should've woken you before I left but you were sleeping so peacefully and had that beautiful innocent smile that I love so much on your lips, I didn't have the heart to wake you up. And I'm hoping that sweet smile means you're feeling better. Your pancakes are in the fridge and I left you a thermos flask of tea in the kitchen. I'll be back for dinner to see how you're doing.

And I meant it last night, I'm serious, Sasha. I want us to be together and I want you to become a part of my family. So take it easy and rest I'll see you tonight.

I love you,

Tom

"It's real." Sasha reassured herself as she once again traced her fingertips over the letters he had handwritten just for her and then she started to reread it again, just to make sure she hadn't missed the part where he had told her that she had upset him. After that she found herself staring at Tom's unmistakable neat handwriting again. Sasha was about to check the letter again for any hints of disappointment, but then she shook it off, knowing how ridiculous her fears were. So Sasha carefully rolled onto her back and then she suddenly felt a huge smile spreading over her lips as she started to feel like she used to feel as a teenager on that day were she had received her first love letter from the boy she'd had a secret crush on for months.

It's real, she told herself again as she noticed a feeling in her stomach that she thought she would never experience again, not after everything she had been though with the pandemic. At first she couldn't really pin point it, but it felt so good that she wished it would never stop. It was that kind of feeling that made her smile even though she was still feeling like crap thanks to her nasty cold. It was a feeling that made her want to hug the world and tell everyone how happy she was to have Tom in her life. It was the feeling that made her want to dance through her apartment while singing to one of those cheesy love songs that she had hidden on her iPod.

She felt loved again.

Before the letter Sasha knew that Tom loved her, because he had admitted it plenty of times while he was holding her, but this letter was worth more than just those three words from his lips because she knew that he had taken the time to write it for her. Once again it made her realize just how lucky she was that after all those years apart, that after all the heartbreaking loses they had been through they were still able to rekindle their feelings for each other. The feeling to be loved by Tom gave her an unbelievable boost of energy that made her forget about her cold so without thinking about it twice Sasha quickly sat up and was about to get out of the bed.

"Damn it!" Sasha breathed when her head ache and dizziness brought her back to reality and she realized that she was still down with a cold. She immediately reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose as she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, while she tried desperately to come with a plan to get out of the bed and make it at least to the kitchen without feeling dizzy or worse, passing out. For a short moment she had the idea to curl up in her blanket and wait for Tom to get back and have him carrying her over to the living room, but then after she had checked the clock of her alarm she realized that staying in bed wasn't an option. She still had at least three hours to kill until he would be show up and that would only happen if he was able to leave the White House on time.

Knowing that she had no choice but to get out of the bed and somehow make it to the bathroom and the kitchen on her own, Sasha shifted as carefully as possible over the mattress until she had reached the edge of her bed. Once she had placed her feet onto the wooden floor of her bedroom she sat up and waited for the dizziness to fade away again, before she finally pushed herself up into a standing position. She blindly reached for Tom's letter and then she slowly walked over to the door as she was afraid the dizziness would return.

It took her around 15 minutes to get everything that she could possibly need in the next few hours set up on the coffee table on her living room before she was finally able to make herself comfortable on her couch.

After she had curled herself up in her blanket Sasha turned on the TV, but after she had zapped through the few channels that had been back online she felt her head ache return so she turned it off again. She poured herself a cup of tea and was about to pick it up to drink when her eyes landed on the letter again. It's real, a smile formed on her lips as he picked it up to read it again and then she found herself looking out of the window as her mind slowly drifted back when they met again in Asia.

Tom Chandler Handsome, smart, noble to a fault and the most stubborn sailor you'll ever meet.

And tell him, as I recall, there was one sailor who was even more stubborn and could break your heart without breaking a sweat.

Sasha had no idea for how long she had been looking out of the window, but when a violent sneeze brought her back to reality her eyes landed on the book that she had picked out before she had settled herself on to the couch.

The Notebook

Even though it was one of her favorite romantic/drama novels she hadn't read it in over a decade, not only because she was so damn busy with work and saving Asia and America, it was although because it somehow always reminded her of her relationship with Tom. It wasn't the storyline itself that made her think of Tom, it was because he had given it to her for her birthday. Back then she thought it was cheesy but after she had finished reading it, Sasha started to see the bigger picture of their relationship and even though they always had their differences she always hoped that they would end up growing old together. So after she had broken things off with Tom she buried the book alongside with her memories in the back of her closet and started to pretend that they never existed. But now things were different again and she was pretty sure that they could grow old together if his kids would accept her.

What if they don't like me? It shot through her head followed by multiple versions of how Ashley and Sam might react to her and how Tom could handle the situation if they wouldn't accept her as their Dad's new girlfriend. Her head started to spin as she started to map out every possibility that she could think off and then Sasha suddenly wished that she wouldn't have agreed so quickly to meet them, even though she wanted to get to know Ashley and Sam she was afraid that they would reject her. Sasha opened the book and tried to get rid of her worries by reading, but after the first few pages she stopped and picked up the letter again.

I want us to be together and I want you to become a part of my family

She didn't know why but rereading those few words gave her the reassurance that she needed that at least Tom wants to be with her and that they somehow will make it. Once she had set her mind at ease again she picked up the book and then she was finally able to get lost in the storyline. After a few chapters Sasha realized that it had been ages since she had time for herself so she actually started to enjoy being down with a cold, especially because she knew that Tom was taking care of her.

Sasha lost track of time as she felt herself getting drawn in to the beautiful but sad story of Noah and Allie, so she jumped a little when she heard the front door.

Finally, Sasha sighed while she closed the book just in time when Tom stepped into the living room.

"Hey." She whispered with a smile on her lips as she watched him placing a paper bag on to the coffee table.

"Hey, do you feel better?" Tom asked as he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on to her forehead.

"A little." Sasha replied her voice still a little raspy, as she reached up to cares his cheek.

"You look better." He pointed out as he stepped and stripped off his jacket.

"It looks like someone took an extra class at charm school today." Sasha couldn't help but laugh which of course made her cough badly again as she watched him heading over into the kitchen area where he got two spoons from the drawer.

"I asked Bacon to make you some chicken soup." Tom replied ignoring her charm school comment completely while he reached into the paper bag and then he handed her a container before he pulled out his own.

"Thank you." Sasha smiled as she placed her container onto the table and then she shifted a bit so she could sit up and make room for Tom to sit down next to her. She had just removed the lid of the container and was about to pick it up again when her eyes once again landed on Tom's letter. So instead of picking up her steaming hot soup Sasha took the letter and then she turned her head to look at Tom.

"Thank you." Sasha's voice was barely above a whisper as their gaze met and for a moment it seemed like they had both forgotten that they were about to have dinner as Tom placed his own container on to the table before he reached out to brush a strain of her Mahogany colored hair out of her beautiful face.

"You don't have to thank me for telling you the truth, Sasha." Tom replied as his hand lingered on her cheek while he gently traced his thumb over her cheekbone. "I want us to be together and you do have beautiful smile when you're asleep."

"I do?" Sasha asked playfully while she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Yes and it's something I would love to wake up to every day." Tom nodded with a smile on his lips. "Hmm, I think we can arrange that." She replied leaning forward to kiss him, but then Tom stopped her.

"But there's one thing that kind of bothers me…" he trailed off.

"If this is about MY coffee maker you can save that speech because it will stay with me." Sasha told him firmly, but Tom only shook his head. "It's something else…"

"Which is?" She asked as she pulled her head slightly away, a suspicious expression on her face as she raised one of her perfectly shaped dark eyebrow at him.

"Well…" Tom shrugged as he took a deep breath. "You snore."

"I do what?" Sasha asked in disbelief. "You might want to rephrase that line, Cowboy." She warned him as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

Thin ice, very thin ice, Sasha glared at him. "I do NOT snore!"

"Sasha..." Tom started but she immediately silenced him as she started to lecture him about the fact that she doesn't snore.

"I don't snore it's very simple. I never did and even if I would, which I still don't do, it is because of the damn cold and because I can't breathe prop… seriously, Tom? Don't do that! That's not fair!" Sasha rolled her eyes when she noticed the cute grin on his lips. It was the same stupid grin that made her fall in love with him in the first place, that grin that made her realize that even though she wanted to be mad at him for accusing her of snoring, she wouldn't be able to hold her grudge up for much longer.

"What? I didn't do anything!" Tom raised his hands up in defense while Sasha still glared at him but then she shook her head as her expression softened again. "Just stop being so damn cute when I'm trying to be mad at you."

"So can I explain or will you rip my head off?" Tom asked carefully knowing how quickly she could change her mind again. "That depends on what you're going to say."

"Fine." He replied and Sasha could've sworn that she heard a nervous sigh before he continued. "You do snore, Sasha. But…" He noticed that she had already opened her mouth to protest again so quickly continued. "But it's really not that bad. You don't sound like a chain saw. It's more like a…" He stopped for a split second as he tried to come up with something that wouldn't piss her off.

"You know." Tom shrugged. "It's like purring kitten. You sound like a cute purring kitten." He explained with a sly grin on his lips hoping that his explanation would safe him from more trouble.

"A cute kitten?" Sasha asked as she once again raised her eye brow suspiciously.

"Yep." Tom nodded as he cupped her right cheek with his left hand. He was half expecting for Sasha to slap his hand away, but then he saw a soft smile appearing on her lips. "A very beautiful kitten with blue eyes and dark hair."

"Nice save." Sasha was still smiling as she leaned into the palm of his hand, allowing herself to enjoy his soft touch for a few second before she felt his hand slip from her cheek to the back of her neck where gently pulled her in for a soft kiss. Almost instinctively Sasha wrapped her arms around his neck to keep his head in place while she allowed his tongue to slide between her lips to deepening their kiss. It was the sweet feeling of his lips pressed against hers and his tongue dancing with hers that made her forget that she was still sick and a little worried about her future.

"You should eat your soup as long as it's still hot." Tom told her the moment he managed to get some space between their lips.

Smooth move, Sasha couldn't help but roll her eyes. Is he serious?

"You know in the pre pandemic world there was this heath study that proofed that kissing is actually pretty healthy and it would help the sick person to feel better." She pointed out playfully while her arms were still wrapped around his neck as drew small circles with her thumb on to his skin. "So unless that has changed now or you want me to feel like crap again and listen to me snoring, even though I don't do such things, I suggest we continue what you have just stopped." Sasha bit her bottom lip while she looked directly into his beautiful blue eyes where she actually saw that Tom was thinking about her suggestion for a brief moment.

"As much as I would like to continue this… you should have dinner before it gets cold. A warm soup is just as healthy as kissing." Tom replied, knowing that she wouldn't like his point of view and that he was risking getting his head ripped off again.

"No fun." Sasha pouted, even though she knew that he was right and that she was being silly she was still sure that making out with Tom would be more effective against her cold than some lame chicken soup. So with a long sigh Sasha removed her arms from his neck and wordlessly reached for her container on the table.

"So about last night…" Sasha was the one who broke the silence that had set in the moment they started to have dinner. "Are you going to talk to your family?" She asked once she had finished her soup and had placed her empty container back on to the table.

"I will. I actually planned on talking to them when I get home later. Why are you asking?" Tom asked and then for a moment he had the strange feeling that Sasha might have cold feet and would ask him to wait, but then she shook her head. "Nothing. I just wanted to be sure that I dreaming it."

"I meant what I said last night." Tom told her firmly. "I want Ashley and Sam to get to know you when they're ready to let someone new in. I will talk to them tonight and if they're okay with it you can come over and meet them as soon as you're feeling better."

"And if they don't want anyone new?" The question flew out of her mouth before she was able think about it and Tom could tell by the tone of her voice that was worried. "You shouldn't worry about that because I'm sure they want to meet you." He tried to calm her down, but Sasha wasn't listening as she playing nervously with her hands while mind started replay the possibilities of Tom's kids disapproving her.

"But what if they don't want me? I mean they could see me as a threat or I don't know… hate me? What will happen to us?" Sasha asked ignoring him as she got more and more terrified by the idea that what he was about to do would might be the end of their relationship.

"Sasha." Tom said as he took both her hands into his own. "Look at me." He told her, his voice was calm but it still took her a few seconds to lift her head and look into his eyes.

"Don't overthink this. We're taking this one step at a time. After everything that had happened we all need time to grow together as a family. And I'm not going to say that it will be easy because honestly I don't know how they'll react when I'll talk to them, but Sasha we're in this together. We'll take it slow, one step at a time and we'll find a way to make this work." Tom stopped as he let get of her right hand and placed his finger under her chin to keep her eyes focused on his. "And whet ever if you like it or not I want to be with you because I love you and I will not let you go this easily."

Sasha stared into his eyes as she tried to ignore the annoying game that her mind was playing with her, because she knew that he was right and that he was telling her the truth. She could see in his eyes that he meant everything single word that he had just said. She knew that they were in this together and that he won't let her go, but hearing it from his lips gave her the reassurance that she needed so badly.

"I just don't want this to go wrong….again." She admitted her voice still filled with emotions. "We'll make it work." He reassured her again and then Sasha managed to form a soft smile on her lips.

"I love you, Tom." Sasha whispered before she leaned in to place soft kiss on to his lips, knowing that somehow they will make it.