Chapter 72

It's been a while since an update, and I apologize. It's busy time at work for me again and I've just been tired. Also just have stuff in life going on. Thank you all for sticking around and as most of you know by now, we got season 7! Excited for production to start hopefully soon and can't wait to see what is next for Jandy! Anyways, enjoy this long-awaited chapter!

"Go on upstairs, son," Susan said as Jason helped clean up downstairs after having some family time and dinner.

"Susan and I got this," Jessica added. "Go be with Mandy."

"You should take it easy," Jason replied back. "You've got precious cargo," he winked.

"Smartass," Jessica rolled her eyes as Jason laughed leaving the room.

Jason walked up the stairs to his room. As he opened the door, he stopped in the doorframe looking at the sight in front of him.

"I don't think I can move," Mandy whispered as she sat up against the bed headboard.

Jason chuckled as he quietly shut the door. Haley was in Mandy's lap asleep, while Emma and Mikey were on either side of her asleep as well. Both dogs were curled up at the foot of the bed.

"Think I can squeeze in," Jason smiled as he carefully sat up in bed like Mandy. "Maybe we should wake them up and take them to their rooms."

"Not yet," Mandy said, looking at Jason and reaching for his hand.

"Okay," Jason said, squeezing her hand.

After a moment of silence, Mandy spoke, "Never came home to something like this."

"Like what?" Jason asked.

"To so much love. I mean don't get me wrong, my parents and Jessica love me, but this is different," Mandy replied. "I don't know how to explain it."

"It's family," Jason smiled back. "We're family. We all love you and don't ever want to lose you."

"Thank you," Mandy said with shining eyes.

"No need to thank me. You deserve all this. We deserve it," Jason said, leaning over to kiss her. "Moving forward."

"Moving forward," Mandy smiled as they kissed one more time.

Jason turned around in bed and reached a handout for Mandy. His eyes snapped open, not feeling her next to him. The panic started to settle in about whether the last few days had been real or not. The kids were still in bed though. Jason sat up and looked around the room for any sign of life as he tried to keep himself calm. As he got up, he noticed one of the Gunner was still in the room, but Sarge was missing.

Jason walked quietly downstairs and looked around the kitchen and living room for Mandy. The lights were still off. As he looked towards the patio, he saw Mandy sitting on the lounger and Sarge with her. The breath he didn't know he was holding, came out in relief.

Jason stopped a moment to observe Mandy. She was looking out towards the dark ocean. The moon shining down on her. She didn't look distressed, but he was sure the stress of everything was finally hitting her. As he made his way to join her, he stopped to grab something.

"Want some company?" Jason asked as he walked outside.

Mandy and Sarge both turned their attention to him. Mandy smiled and gave him a little nod. Mandy leaned forward so Jason could slip in behind her. He cradled her between his legs as she held the glasses and Jason poured the tequila. Both took a sip but didn't say a word. Jason set his glass down on the table and rubbed both her arms as Mandy sighed at the motion.

After a few more moments of quiet, Mandy spoke, "I feel exhausted yet completely wired."

"The high and adrenaline is fading," Jason said into her hair. He understood what she was and wasn't saying.

"You know that day when Roman shot me and left me to die," Mandy began. "I thought that was it. That's how I was gonna die. Alone and left with regrets."

"You won't ever be alone as long as you'll let me be by your side," Jason replied as he kissed her hair.

"I won't have any regrets either," Mandy smiled as she turned to look at Jason. She leaned in to kiss him. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jason said with their foreheads pressed against each other. "We're gonna take him down," he said confidently. "We never back down from a fight, so why start now."

"Never out of the fight," Mandy repeated back to him. "I have the next few days off. We should settle the kids back into their activities. Make sure Emma is settled in and Mikey has everything for hockey. He said something about new gear."

"Oh god, that kid always needs new gear," Jason groaned as Mandy chuckled.

"We should also get a housewarming gift for Emma," Mandy said as she turned back around to snuggle into Jason's chest.

"Got anything in mind?" Jason asked as he rocked them.

"Thinking maybe some big Broadway show. Maybe get some backstage passes for her too. Wouldn't hurt to meet people in the industry if she's serious about doing it," Mandy replied.

"Sounds pricey," Jason added.

"Not when your girlfriend and her family have connections," Mandy chuckled as they settled into another silence. "Thank you."

"For what?" Jason asked, confused.

"For giving me a family," Mandy replied.

Jason turned her head to kiss her passionately, "All in."

"All in," Mandy breathed out as they stared into each other's eyes.

"Oh my god! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Emma exclaimed as she hugged Mandy. "I gotta go tell my friends."

"Wait, here are two more," Mandy said, handing tickets over. "Take a couple friends with you."

"Omg, you're the best! Love you!" Emma exclaimed and hugged Mandy again, before running up to her room.

"Think she loves you more than me now," Jason chuckled, wrapping his hands around Mandy's waist from behind.

Mandy turned in his arms to kiss him. She then tucked her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. In the background, a soft slow country song played and the two started swaying. As Mandy opened her eyes again, she saw New York City through the window view of her place.

"You're always going to be her number one, trust me on that," Mandy reassured Jason as they continued to sway. "I'm glad she liked the gift."

"Of course, she did. You did good," Jason murmured. "We should do this more."

"Do what?" Mandy asked, confused, as she pulled back to look at Jason.

"Take some time for just us. You and me, road trip somewhere fun," Jason replied.

"Okay, but as long as they have good brunch," Mandy said.

"You just won't let go of brunch," Jason shook his head.

"What's wrong with a boozy lunch? Don't deny the fact you enjoy mimosas too," Mandy arched an eyebrow.

"I plead the fifth," Jason smiled before the phone went off.

"That's me," Mandy sighed as she gave Jason a peck and went to grab her phone off the counter. "Hello?" Mandy answered. "Can you send it to me? I'll take a look and let you know."

"What is it?" Jason asked.

"Possible Roman sighting. I'm gonna take a look. Mikey is upstairs in his room playing video games and Emma is probably on the phone, we should probably figure out dinner."

"You work and I'll order take out," Jason replied kissing her as Mandy started up her computer at the kitchen island.

"Domestic Jason Hayes strikes again," Mandy chuckled.

"Last time I checked, you're pretty domesticated too," Jason replied as his phone went off with a text message. "It's Brock, he says Cerberus is doing great and we should be able to take him in when we get back."

"Do we have everything for him? I just want him to feel comfortable. Adjustment is rough. I remember it took some time for Sarge and Gunner to settle in. Mom said she'd help out since our schedules can be all over," Mandy worried.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. We got this. Maybe having Gunner and Sarge will help," Jason suggested. "I was thinking your favorite Italian place for dinner."

"Extra breadsticks?" Mandy asked.

"Of course," Jason rolled his eyes.

"You know the way to my heart, Master Chief Hayes," Mandy smiled as she got back to looking at the intel and Jason just shook his head.

It had been a few weeks since they helped Emma move into Mandy's place in New York City. As Mandy walked into their beach home in Virginia Beach, she could hear Jason in the kitchen area.

"Jason?" Mandy called out. "Is everything okay?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen and saw Jason standing with his hands on his hips. "I see the adjustment is still ongoing," Mandy sighed.

"Hope you weren't a fan of that pillow," Jason sighed as well.

"It's okay. I get it buddy," Mandy said crouching down to Cerberus. "You're a warrior, just like us. I know it's hard buddy but we gotta find some middle ground here. Take some pointers from those two over there," Mandy spoke as she nodded her head to Sarge and Gunner.

"Maybe the battlefield is just where he is meant to be," Jason said, crouching down with her.

"Nah, I have faith," Mandy smiled and then looked at Jason. "He's the best I've ever seen at adapting in a situation," she added as she stared into Jason's eyes.

"You still believe that?" Jason asked.

"Absolutely, never out of the fight," Mandy replied.

"Never out of the fight," Jason repeated as he leaned in for a kiss.

After the two kissed, all three dogs decided they wanted kisses too and Mandy found herself on the floor with three dogs all over her. Mandy laughed freely as Jason watched on with a smile.

"Okay guys let's let her breathe," Jason chuckled as he pulled Mandy up. "I was gonna fire up the grill for dinner. Pour you a glass of wine and enjoy the night under the stars with you."

"Very romantic, what do you want?" Mandy flirted back. "Do this for all your girlfriends?"

"Nah, just the ones that almost get blown up, kidnapped, and I have to come save," Jason joked.

"I'm gonna go change," Mandy gave him one more kiss before heading upstairs.

"I don't know how I feel about a quiet house," Jason said as he joined Mandy at the end of their beach front steps to the ocean with a drink.

"It's been a few weeks now," Mandy shrugged. "But I get it. It's nice some days and others I miss the crowd of people over."

"But I love these moments," Jason said as he settled in on the step behind her and kissed her hair. "You're quiet."

"What?" Mandy asked.

"You're not telling me something," Jason probed.

Mandy sighed, "I gotta go out on a trip."

Jason tensed for a moment thinking about what happened the last time she had left for work. He knew it was a part of the job, but it didn't mean he liked it.

"How long? Where?" Jason asked as he took a sip of his drink.

"I'd leave in a couple of days. Headed over to London to talk with some intel counterparts. We think Roman is or was around in the area. Need access to some things out there," Mandy said.

"Going by yourself?" Jason asked.

"Probably," Mandy said as she got up to sit next to him. "Look, it's not some unstable warzone this time. I'll be in big city just checking on some intel."

"Doesn't mean Roman can't take a shot at you," Jason argued.

"Bravo one taking on being my full time bodyguard now?" Mandy smiled.

"Yes," Jason answered instantly.

"Not exactly Tier one operator job. Quite boring," Mandy joked.

"I'm sure we could think of a few ways to make it fun and intense," Jason said with a light of fire in his eyes that caused Mandy to shake her head and laugh.

"Well, depending on what I find, maybe a target package comes Bravo's way. Look forward to that," Mandy replied.

"Maybe I should tag along. You know, cuz a couple is less suspicious than a single woman just roaming around London. We could be on our honeymoon," Jason suggested.

"Haha, that's your idea of a honeymoon," Mandy asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Nah, you're more of a bikini on a beach girl," Jason winked. "Or stay in bed all day kind of girl."

"You are unsatisfiable," Mandy laughed as she got up. "You know one benefit to having the house to ourselves?"

"What?" Jason asked as he got up close to her.

"We don't have to be quiet," Mandy whispered into his ear and then took off for the house with Jason right behind her.