8-Bit Ch. 12

Jacinta chuckled a bit as she watched Savanah concentrate on mashing the plantains in the pilon, it was clear that she was dedicated to learning how to do it traditionally. "¿Primera vez hacienda mofongo?" Wondering if she even cooked at all. Looking over, she found Alma forming the mofongo balls, they had a great assembly line going, and it was nice to have someone new to teach their family traditions too.

Looking up from the pilon, Savvy could see both women waiting on the last batch of the mashed plantain mixture, sliding it over towards Alma, a little surprised on how much arm work it took. "Si. Gracias a los dos por ensenarme." Leaning back, taking a minute to relax her wrist, her eyes never left what they were doing, it was strange for her, while her mom taught her the basics, her parents thought that her time would be better spent in school. If it wasn't for her first roommate in college, Savvy would have never learned how to cook anything other than spaghetti, so for them to take the time to teach her it meant a lot.

Alma could see the look of contentment on her face, it was the same look she had when she was in the kitchen with her mom. "De nada. ¿Tu mama te enseno?" A little curious if she had a good relationship with her family.

Sighing a bit, Savvy couldn't help but shake her head, she knew that in the Spanish culture family was important, so for her not to have learned this from her own mother was a little strange for them. "No. Mis padres querian que me concentrara en la escuela. No fue hasta la Universidad que aprendi mas que huevos revueltos."

Before Alma could respond, she could see her son walking in with her husband, "Really, you both knew dinner was almost ready?" she teased.

Luke made a beeline towards Savanah, wrapping his arms around her, he placed a small kiss on her forehead. "It's a talent." He said to his mom. Looking over at his abuela, he could see that she was happy, and that meant everything to him. Finding his spot at the table, Luke pulled his paloma into his lap, "Between the zoo and cooking, how are you feeling?" he asked, a little worried that she wasn't resting enough.

Laying her head on his shoulder, "I feel great, your mom and grandma were kind enough to teach me how to make mofongo." Feeling his fingers on her neck, Savvy found herself leaning into his touch, "But my feet are a little sore from walking." But regardless of that, she had had a fantastic day. They took tons of pictures with the animals and each other, even Jacinta seemed to have a great time.

Alma watched as her son held her, it reminded her of when she and Luis were young, always touching her, even after almost 40 years together he still held her when he could. Glancing over at Jacinta, she wondered if the woman was going to except her when Luke proposed, hell with the way her son was going she'd be surprised he'd make it another couple of months. Smiling at the thought, a Christmas time proposal at Rockefeller Center under the big tree, that would be beautiful and romantic.

Luis walked over to his wife, kissing her temple, then turning to his mom, seeing her watch the two of them. Leaning over, "El esta Feliz." He whispered into her ear, hoping that his mom would let them be, but as the matriarch of the family it was best guess.

Lightly patting his cheek, Jacinta knew that everyone in the house was wondering if she was going to approve of the girl or not. Honestly, she liked the girl well enough, while she would have preferred for Luke to marry a girl that was Puerto Rican, but that wasn't a deal breaker. Savanah was fluent with their language so their future children would not be denied learning, and while she didn't know how to make their foods it was clear that she was willing to learn and ask questions.

"Puedo ver, hijo." Turning her attention back to her nieto, seeing the love all over his face melted her heart. Making her way over to the dinner table, she seated herself next to Savanah, wanting to be able to talk to the girl throughout their meal. As she took her seat, her eyes watched as she got up and helped everyone bring their meal over, even with her injuries she didn't let that stop her from helping or use it as an excuse to have Luke wait on her, and that was something she respected.

Savvy couldn't help but smile, as they all sat around the table, telling stories about Luke's childhood, his father telling stories about his time with the Army, but it was when Jacinta shared stories of her childhood living in Puerto Rico that was when she couldn't help but be entranced. Growing up so poor that her family could barely buy food, working in the sugar cane fields at the tender age of 7, and more importantly how her marriage to her husband pulled her family out of the streets and into what would be classified as upper middle class.

"Despues de casarnos, me dije a mi mismo que me aseguraria de que todos mis jios se educaran." Looking around the room, her eyes settling on Luke, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder. "Entre tu y hijo, creo que mis suenos se han hecho realidad."

Luis couldn't help but wipe his eyes, he knew the sacrifices that his parents made for him and his brother, and if it wasn't for them encouraging them to live their dreams, he wouldn't have attempted to get his citizenship or join the Army. "Mama, tu y papa nos dieron a Miguel y a mi un gran hogar y vida." Standing up, Luis kissed her forehead, "Tengo una gran vida gracias a tus sacrificios. Por eso te agradezco." Looking down at his wife, "My love, would you like to join me on the porch?"

Alma chuckled, placing her hand in his, "I'd love to." Kissing Jacinta on her forehead, "¿Necesitas algo antes de que no vayamos?" she asked her. With a quick glance around the kitchen, she knew that she would get to it after an hour or so of relaxing.

Patting her hand, Jacinta shook her head, "No. Ve a disfrutar." Seeing them leave, she watched as Savanah made her way towards the sink and started the process of washing the pots and pans. Normally she would have offered to help, but she wanted some alone time with Luke. Patting his hand, "Come." She said, leading him towards her room.

"Paloma, I'll be right back to help." He said to her. Smirking a bit as she waved him off. Following behind abuela, Luke found her pointing to the edge of her bed, taking a seat, his eyes following her as she made her way towards her little box. Looking around the room, he could see all her pictures neatly displayed throughout, his eyes settled on a picture of his abuelo, wishing that he had stronger memories of the man, but he died when he was about 9.

Jacinta smiled when she found what she was looking for, turning to face Luke, she found him staring at the last picture of her husband, "El fue un buen hombre. Ojala hubieras tenido mas tiemp con el." Taking a seat next to him, lightly patting his knee, "Ademas de su belleza, ¿que es lo que mas amas de ella?" For she could see her heart, her soul, but if Luke did not, he was the one that wasn't worthy of her.

Sighing, he didn't know why she was asking such things but perhaps it was her way of looking out for him. Taking ahold of her hand, Luke turned towards her, "Ella me ve como una persona complete. Pero mas que eso, abuela, es inteligente, divertida, amable. Ella me hace querer ser la major version de mi mismo." Hoping that she understood that he loved Savanah with every fiber of his being, "La amo. Quiero tu aprobacion, pero seguire mi corazon." He would never outwardly be disrespectful to his grandma, but he needed to be clear.

Jacinta couldn't help but laugh, patting his cheeks, "Te pareces tanto a tu padre." Leaning over, Jacinta kissed his forehead while placing her ring in his hand. "Tu abuelo me dio este anillo, aunque no es elegante como los annillos de hoy, cuando sea el moment, quiero que ello lo tenga." Chuckling a bit at his stunned face. "Hazme un favor, no esperes demasiado para preguntar. Soy una anciana."

Looking down at what was in his hand, a rose gold band with a beautiful fire opal in the center, small diamonds surround the main stone. Blinking rapidly, he knew what this ring meant to her, while it wasn't the one that he would have chosen, this was far better, it meant that she accepted her into the family. Feeling her thumb wipe a tear that escaped, he turned his eyes towards her, "Gracias. No se que decir, pero gracias y te amo." Leaning over, Luke hugged her deeply and kissed her temple.

Squeezing his shoulders, Jacinta knew in her bones that she was doing the right thing, the sins of her past finally being corrected. Yawning a bit, giving him a look that it was time for her to lie down, smirking a bit as he made his way towards the door. "Luke, ama profundamente, completemente, y nunca lo des por sentado. ¿Entender?" Out of the all the advice he was going to receive, that was the one that he needed to listen to.

Nodding, Luke tucked the ring into his pocket, giving his grandma a once over, he found her watching him with love in her eyes. "Prometo. Te amo. Buenas noches." Quietly stepping out of her room, he found himself leaning against the closed door. Reaching into his pocket wanting to look at the ring again, smiling at the sight of it. The most important people in his life not only liked her, but they accepted her into their family, and he was never more excited to get to the next step, asking her family for their blessings.

Tucking it away for now, he had a lot to do in the next several months to prepare, but between his mom and hers, he would get plenty of ideas of how to propose to her. Smiling at the thought, he knew that some women would want this huge elaborate thing, Savanah was not into all of that. Knowing that she would want it to be something that he put thought into, but nothing too flashy, anything too over the top would just make her feel a little uncomfortable. Hearing his mom call out for him, Luke shook off his excitement, not that he didn't want his parents to know, but for now, this was his secret, at least until they got back to Virginia.

Savvy held onto the railing as the ferry carved its way through the water, her eyes never leaving Lady Liberty. Feeling his arms wrapping around her, she leaned into him, "I've never seen anything so beautiful." She murmured. While she wasn't sure if she could live in NYC, it was a bit too loud for her, it was beautiful, and she absolutely loved the architecture.

Caging her with his body, enjoying how she perfectly fit in his arms, "I see something far more beautiful every morning." He said, not trying to be cheesy. Leaning down, he kissed her temple, "The next time we come back, I will take you to the museum." Knowing that while he could have taken her this time, she elected to go to the zoo, because she knew that everyone would enjoy that more.

Smirking at his comment, Savvy couldn't help but sigh in contentment, he never overdid it with his comments it was always just enough to make her feel special. Leaning back, her head coming to rest on his shoulder, "I'd really like that, perhaps we can even see something on Broadway, as long as it's not something stupid like the Moose Murders." Remembering that she read once that it was the worst musical to ever hit the stage, so bad that it only played for one night.

Kissing her temple, Luke chuckled a bit, "I have no idea what that is, but I promise you nothing with any murders." Feeling the ferry dock, he put her hand in his, pulling her a long with him, "How about, the Nutcracker, it plays every year around Christmas." While he wasn't a huge ballet fan, he knew that ballet was something that she loved almost as much as she loved technology and coding.

Quirking her eyebrow up at him, "You'd sit through a ballet with me?"

"Of course, you watch football with me when we are at home, I know how much you love that." Tossing his arm over her shoulder, "Plus, I'm sure it would give me amazing boyfriend points if I made it through without checking my watch." Winking at her.

Gripping his hand, Savvy couldn't help but love him a little more, "You already have a ton of boyfriend points," thanking him as he opened the SUV door for her, "you're kind a of great guy." Chuckling a bit as he shut the door.

Making his way around, Luke quickly jumped in, locking the doors, once he got them moving out of the parking lot, he looked over at her, "It's because I love you." Taking ahold of her hand, "I hope you know how much."

Savvy couldn't keep the smile off her face if she tried, she never felt this way before, at least not this intensely. She, however, knew that their lives weren't always going to be perfect, at some point they would argue and fight, which was normal, but for the first time she had faith that even when it did happen, they would be able to work together to resolve it. Squeezing his hand as best she could, Savvy found him watching her, "I love you too." Leaning over, she kissed him softly, only pulling back because she knew that he had to pay attention to the road in front of him. Sitting back in her seat, her mind started racing, her mind focusing on the conversation that she had with his mom and grandma.

Chewing her lip, she wasn't sure that this was the right time to even bring it up, but when is the right time to talk about your future, or the expectations that you have to get to the future you want. Fidgeting in her seat for another moment, trying to formulate her thoughts before she just spoke, but other than trying to make an elaborate game out of it, the only way to know was just to ask.

Looking over at him, seeing him glance over, giving him a small smile, "So, when your mom and grandma had me alone, they asked a lot of questions, about what I wanted and things like that." Seeing him tense a bit, Savvy powered through, it was the only way to get to the meat of the matter.

"The conversation of children came up." Seeing the light turn green, she watched as the city started to move past her, "I want kids, I don't have a magic number of how many or anything, because that's something that needs to be discusses between the couple, but I do want children." Turning in her seat, "Is that something you want to?" she asked him. Never more nervous, because if that wasn't something that he could see himself having, then she'd let him go, as much as that would crush her, but they both deserved to have what they wanted from a relationship.

Keeping his eyes on the road, Luke could feel his heart pounding in his chest, this was something that he was worried about them not being on the same page when it came to having children. Glancing over as they came to a stop on the Verrazano, he could see that she was nervous about his response. Lifting her hand to his lips, gently kissing her knuckles Luke smirked at her nerves, "Two." Smirking at her eyes, "I want at least two kids, growing up without a sibling was boring as shit."

Leaning against the seat, going with the flow of traffic Luke knew that they were about another 30 minutes from his parents' home, "Mi paloma, were you nervous about having this conversation?" Never more desperate to really understand what she was afraid of.

Rubbing the back of her neck, Savvy knew it was important to discuss her feelings especially with the man that she loved more than life itself. Looking out the window, her eyes taking in the brownstones that would lead them back to his parent's home. "A little bit, yes." Letting her eyes turn towards him, "It's nothing that you've said or done to make me nervous."

Chewing on her inner cheek, "I've had one serious boyfriend while I was in graduate school, and when things started to progress into more than just a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and the topic of our futures came up, he said that he didn't want to be bothered with kids, and I did." Sighing a bit, doing her best not to cry at the memory of the words he yelled.

"He told me that I had more potential in this life than just popping out some kids, and what he wanted was for us to focus on our careers. He said that we could get a dog if I was that desperate to have a baby." Blinking away a few tears, Savvy didn't want him to think that she was holding him accountable for what David said. "I'm not lumping you into that category, but the one conversation that I had like this it was an eye opener to how wrong I was."

Luke looked over at her, seeing her vulnerability, "Well, whoever that guy was, was a total jackass." Pulling into the driveway of his family's home, Luke leaned over, his lips finding hers and demanding entrance into her mouth. Groaning as her tongue stroked his, ever so softly, delicate, but full of passion. Pulling back, Luke rested his head on hers, "I know that you're not blaming me," letting his fingers tangle with her long hair, "and if it makes you feel better, you're the first person I'm actually having this conversation with, and the last person that I want to have this conversation with."

Leaning into his hand, Savvy couldn't help but feel a bit giddy at his words, to her that implied that he was thinking about their future together. Bringing her hand to the one that was in her hair, Savvy found his deep brown eyes staring into her, "I want this to be the last conversation about it too." Leaning up to kiss him, Savvy always felt dizzy when she tasted him, he was strong like a good Scotch, smooth and delicious. She could feel her body starting to tingle, almost begging to be touched, but she wanted to touch him more.

Using her good hand, Savvy let her hand settle over his belt buckle, slowly unclasping it and bringing the zipper down. As she slid her hand into his pants, Savvy gasped as he snatched her wrist, "Luke." She whispered against his lips. She could feel the velvety texture of his cock in her hand, it was always pulsing, "I want to touch you." Darting out her tongue, tasting his lips.

One hand was holding her wrist the other held the back of her neck, Luke felt every fiber in his body firing, as much as he wanted to feel her stroke him, he needed to be inside of her. Tilting her head back, licking the column of her neck, "Oh baby, you are touching me." Moving his hips, groaning as her hand gripped him tightly, using her hand, Luke slowly fucked himself, but as much as he enjoyed it, he wanted to cum inside her body. Perhaps it was the primal part of his brain that needed to be inside of her, but he didn't argue with it, letting go of her wrist, he used his hand to slide his pants down a little further, and tilt the seat back.

Savvy clenched her thighs together, she could feel her pussy starting to throb, just the action of pleasing him turned her on. Twisting her wrist, using her thumb to spread the cum that was leaking out of him to lubricate his shaft, but as she got into a good rhythm, he lifted her up and ripped her panties off her body. "Luke." She gasped.

Before he let her speak again, he thrusted up into her, enjoying the scream that echoed in the SUV. Not giving her a moment to adjust to his size, he gripped her hips tightly as he drove his cock deep into her pussy. "Fuck, so wet baby." Threading his hand in her hair, Luke gripped it tightly, turning her head so that he could look into her eyes, moaning as he watched her eyes darken. "That's right baby. Ride your cock." He growled out.

Gripping his shoulders, Savvy needed to ground herself as he drove his cock into her, "Oh God." She breathed out. Glancing down at where they were connected, Savvy gasped at the sight, his cock always stretching her to the point of being painful. Rolling her hips, doing her best to keep in time with him, but he was brutal, and it should have scared her, but it just made her that much wetter. "Luke, I'm going to cum." She breathed out. Desperate to hold on just a moment longer, wanting him to fall over the edge with her, clenching her kegal muscles, Savvy locked eyes with him feeling the connection growing between them. "Please baby, cum with me." She breathed out.

Luke could feel her pussy gripping his cock, "Jesus." He growled out. Tightening his grip in her hair, Luke pulled her down to his lips, thrusting his cock up and his tongue into her mouth. Holding her to him, he could feel her pussy starting to shake, pulling back just enough to let his head rest on hers, he slid his hand down between her legs, letting his knuckle rub against her clit. Grunting as he felt her pussy clamp around him, thrusting himself up into her, wanting to fall over the edge along with her. "Mi amor, ordena mi polla."

Feeling her body starting to coil, Savvy tried to hold out, wanting to feel him a little longer, but as he pushed his finger against her clit the damn burst. Bright lights started to flash behind her eyes, gasping as she felt his cum hitting her walls, "Luke." She whispered. Falling forward, Savvy rolled her hips, doing what she could to prolong this moment, but his fingers gripping her waist stilled her. Licking the side of his neck, enjoying the taste of his salty skin, "That's a first." She murmured against his flesh.

Gripping her ass, Luke enjoyed how it jiggled in his hands, giving it a swat, smiling at the sound. "First for me to baby." Using his fingers, Luke moved some of her hair that was in her face, enjoy how her eyes lit up, "I love you." Rubbing his thumb against her cheek, "As much as I hate to leave your body, we should go inside because we have a long drive back in the morning."

Placing a swift kiss on his lips, "I love you too, and you sir, owe me a new pair of panties." Savvy attempted to move off him, yipping a bit as he swatted her ass again. "Ow." Adjusting her dress, Savvy found him already on her side of the car and helping her out of the car and into the house. It didn't take long for her to clean up and get into bed, wrapping her arms around his chest, and all too soon she was falling fast asleep the sound of his heartbeat.

Glancing down at the woman on his chest, Luke gently stroked her spine with his fingers enjoying the feeling of the goosebumps under his fingertips, hell, he just liked feeling her skin on his. Placing a kiss on her forehead, smiling when she leaned a little closer to his chest. Wrapping his arm around her body, doing what he could to keep her close to him while she slept, he could say it was to protect her, but honestly it was him that needed her. It was her caring nature that kept the demons at bay, for the most part he was able to accept what happened to him in Afghanistan, but sometimes like tonight the images popped into his head, but holding onto his dove, kept him from completely spinning out.

Closing his eyes, Luke allowed his mind to start winding down, his body starting to relax, one of his last thoughts before he fell into a deep slumber was the best way to propose, and wondering if she would enjoy coming back to NY in the winter. Because in his opinion nothing was more stunning than standing under the Rockefeller Tree while it was lit up at night with snow falling around, but that was something he could plan when they got back home. "Sleep well my love."

Jessica watched as Jack snuggled into the couch his arms were wrapped tightly around the back cushion almost as though he was holding onto it for dear life. Grabbing the blanket that was on the back of the couch, she carefully placed it over his body, lightly touching his hair as she did so. Wiping the tears that were threatening to slide down her face, "I'm so glad that you're finally home." She whispered to him. Placing a soft kiss on his forehead, she made her way over to the dining room, knowing that Aaron was sitting in there sipping on his tea.

Leaning against the entryway, her arms folded over her chest her eyes watching him as he scrolled through his laptop, "Whatcha you looking at?" she asked him.

Looking up, Aaron smiled at her presence, the last 24 hours had been an emotional roller coaster not only for Jack, but for him as well. He knew that coming home would bring a million different emotions to the forefront of his mind, but the moment Jessica opened the door almost cried at the sight of her. Shaking his head clear, Aaron used his foot to push the chair out, "Jack mentioned that he wanted to live closer to you, so I figured I'd get an idea of the market."

Taking a seat next to him, Jessica couldn't help but sigh a bit, "You both just got home, please don't leave just yet." Reaching over to touch his hand, almost scared that they were leaving.

Closing his computer, Aaron gripped her hand, he could see the fear in her eyes, "Jess, I promised Jack and now I'm promising you, I'm in no rush to make too many other life changing choices." Giving her hand a soft squeeze, "After everything that he's been through, I want to him to feel safe and stable again." Blinking rapidly, he tried to keep himself from tearing up, but perhaps it was the thought that their lives were finally their own again, taking a shaky breath, Aaron found her wiping away her tears.

Laying her head down on his hand, Jessica couldn't help but cry, "Good." She said, her voice shaking. Lifting her head, Jessica wiped the tears out of her eyes, "And what about work, I know how much you love your job, but you can't keep doing this too him." Hell, if he didn't get his head out of his ass, she'd take him to court and do what she had to do to protect Jack.

Aaron watched as a dozen emotions danced across her face, but it was the look of determination that told him that she would do what she needed to keep Jack safe. Giving her a small smile, Aaron gently patted her hand, "I already put in my papers with the FBI, given everything that has happened, they are giving me my full pension." Seeing the relief on her face, told him that he made the right decision about leaving, "However, I took a job with the DA's office as their lead prosecutor."

Jessica exhaled slowly, she was thrilled at the news, "Aaron, that is the best news I've heard since you called me." Looking over her shoulder as she heard Jack mumbling, snorting at his contorted body.

"Does he know?" she asked, wondering if Aaron already had this conversation with him.

Nodding, "Yes, it was the first thing I did." Looking over her shoulder, smiling as he saw Jack flinging his arm over his eyes, "He's on board, he likes the fact that I'm still working for justice, but that I won't be gone for days at a time." Turning his attention back to her, "I still would love your help with him, I won't be gone, but occasionally I will have late nights."

"Aaron, you don't have to ask, I love being able to spend time with Jack." Jessica could see that he was at peace with his choice, "What made you finally turn in your papers?" she asked him. Knowing that his career with the BAU was the catalyst to Hailey's decision to leave him.

Exhaling slowly, Aaron gave her a sad smile, "Hailey." Rubbing his face, "I will never regret my job, or my career, but I was putting that above everything else." Looking down, he couldn't help but feel guilty about how their lives turned out. "I want to do what I can to be the husband I should have been with Hailey, and the father that Jack needs."

Patting his hand, "Aaron, you were never a man that put his job first, when you were home you did your best to give them both all the attention that you could. But I can't help but agree, now that you are the only parent he has, and it's important for him to have you around." Letting out a yawn, Jessica gave him a last look, "It's time for bed," slowly standing up, Jessica patted his head, "Don't stay up too late, because tomorrow you're taking us out for breakfast." Chucking as he rolled his eyes.

Aaron watched as she made her way towards her room, his eyes never leaving her until she shut the door. Double checking his watch, seeing that it was almost midnight, he knew that regardless of if Jack fell asleep on a bed or a couch, he would get up at 7. Putting his laptop in his bag, Aaron stood and made his way towards the couch, chuckling a bit at the sight of his son balled up. Kneeling, he moved some hair out of his face, "Night son." He whispered to him.

As he made his way towards the spare bedroom, Aaron couldn't help but feel good about how everything that was finally coming together. Jack was surrounded by his family, he would be starting school up again, and he would begin his new career again as a prosecutor. There was only one thing left for him to do, but that would have to wait until Savanah got back from her vacation. Closing his eyes, he let himself be pulled under, the monster that kept him awake at night no longer stole his sleep and that was something that he would never take for granted again.

Spanish from Google-in Order*

- Is this the first time making mofongo?
- Yes. Thank you both for teaching me.
- No problem. Did your mom teach you?
- No. My parents wanted me to concentrate on school. It wasn't until college I learned how to make something more than scrambled eggs.
- Grandma.
- dove.
- He's happy.
- I can see, son.
- grandson.
- After we married, I told myself I would make sure all my children educated themselves.
- Between you and my son, I think my dreams have come true.
- Mom, you and dad gave Miguel and I a great home and life.
- I have a great life because of your sacrifices. For that I thank you.
- Do you need anything before we go?
- No. Go enjoy.
- Dove.
- Grandma.
- grandpa.
- He was a good man. I wish you would have had more time with him.
- Other than her beauty, what do you love most about her?
- She sees me as a whole person. But more than that, grandma, she's smart, funny, kind. She makes me want to be the best version of myself.
- I love her. I want your approval, but I will follow my heart.
- You're so much like your father.
- Your grandpa gave me this ring, while it's not fancy like the rings today, when it is time, I want her to have it.
- Do me a favor, don't wait too long to ask. I'm an old woman.
- Thank you. I don't know what to say but thank you and I love you.
- Love deeply, completely, and never take it for granted. Understand?
- I promise. I love you. Goodnight.
- my dove.
- My love, milk my cock.