Two of the Marines stood outside of the lockers as Ashleigh got dressed just in case Tom Kardel should return. She hadn't asked them to do it, but was happy because that man had been totally unhinged. Ashleigh saw that she had a message from the guard at The Homeland Security Office so she got dressed and quickly thanked the men standing guard for her. She went upstairs to the lobby and knocked anxiously on the door to the security office. She then got the official notification. Christopher Henry Jameson was officially missing.Ashleigh sat down in a chair and shook like a leaf until the kind man explained that it wasn't the same as being missing in action. The reason Christopher was missing was because he was taken off all active duty rosters. In layman terms; Christopher wasn't on a mission. Then she remembered his long sent message. It said something about him not being active…Ashleigh was put into contact with her ombudsman through the Department of Homeland Security and then
Was she in a diabetic coma still? He paced, half scaring people in the terminal. Yeah, if it wasn't one thing then it was another; scars or bandages…When he boarded the next flight, he wished he'd taken the painkillers that Dr. Weitz had tried to give him. His face felt like someone had taken him by the back of his head and slammed him against a brick wall repeatedly. He'd eaten chicken soup as his in flight dinner since it didn't require him to move his sore jaw by chewing. He finally drifted off to sleep filled with guilt that something had happened to the woman he loved and he hadn't been there…again.Christopher called his mother as soon as he got to The Greater Cincinnati Airport terminal. "How's Ashleigh?""Son, she's awake and alert and waiting anxiously for you to get to her. The hospital has already released her. Her blood sugar level was good and her parents have taken her back to her house. You wait there and I'll send Butch over to get you-""No, I'm going to catch a
She smiled and giggled. "It wasn't that hard either, was it?""I don't know about you but I was working pretty hard."She stared into his bandaged face. "I'm all yours, Christopher Jameson. I'll be yours for as long as you want me. I want to be your wife more than anything in the world, and the mother to your children." He stood slowly."Your…mom is still out there?""Well, she's probably listening at the door." He took her hand and led her to the bed."Get back in bed, sweetheart. I want you to rest." Ashleigh pouted. Her body was already slick and ready for him."By myself?" she asked."Get some rest," was his answer as he tucked the covers around her, "because I intend to wear you out as soon as you wake up." Her lips tugged upward at the corners in pleasure. "Okay."His hand lingered on her shoulder. "I wish I could kiss you." He allowed his hand to stroke her cheek. Her skin was so soft. "I have to call and find out when I can get these bandages removed!" And he needed t
Christopher was anxious to get home. Besides, Ashleigh had no food in her house. He learned that she had pretty much moved into his place, a fact that he planned to make official just as soon as possible. Later they could decide about a bigger place in a nice neighborhood. He smiled at the thought of that. Seven months ago he had been sitting in his lonely home with not even the slightest inclination that he could know so much joy. Christopher unlocked the door and Maggie came rushing across the room. He laughed when she walked figure eights around his feet. "You missed me, girl?" He picked her up, not sure if she would be alarmed with his bandages. Evidently she recognized him by scent and sound and not by sight. He loved on her for a few minutes while Ashleigh watched. She knew that he was going to be the best dad. "I'm going to feed her," he announced. "Get changed and we'll go out for something to eat.""Alright, babe." She headed for the bedroom and quickly made the bed. Sh
Sunday at his folks' was a celebration; of his return, of their pregnancy and of their engagement. He was pleasantly surprised when he learned that Ashleigh had been coming to visit each Sunday, even without him. He was equally surprised when she stayed in the kitchen with the ladies and he walked in for another soda and saw Ashleigh and Alma whispering and giggling at the sink. He couldn't have been more pleased. The only drawback was that he wasn't able to rough house with the kids.At dinner his father stared at him while chewing on roast beef. He leaned into his mother. "Am I supposed to know who that is with the bandages, mother?"His mother placed a patient hand on his arm. "That's Christopher. He's gone and gotten reconstruction surgery."His father's eyes grew sad. He blinked back tears and looked away. "I never forgave myself for not having the money to get you the surgery you needed, Christopher. I've always wished that I could have traded places with you, son. Watching
"I don't want you to go to the gym today." Christopher said as he prepared Ashleigh's protein drink early Tuesday morning.She frowned. "Why? The doctor said that running on the treadmill won't hurt the baby and the exercise is going to be good for me."He felt himself smile at the mention of the baby. He wondered if he would do that for the next seven months. He already felt like a proud father. He grew serious as he poured the drink into a glass instead of a thermos."I'm not going to lie to you. The guys aren't going to be too happy with me. And I need to go and talk to them."She frowned in confusion. "Why? They were worried about you. They were going to help me find you." She accepted the offered beverage and relished its frothy goodness. Kiwi, strawberries…spinach? She wasn't quite sure. All she knew is that she missed his special concoctions.He began cleaning up. Yeah, they wanted to find him alright. They knew he'd come to them. If there was any doubt then they would have
"Beast!" Someone called after him. "You know you don't want to leave us. And you damn sure don't want to leave her here where any old fool is going to be walking in watching her on that treadmill!"Christopher's steps faltered and he looked over his shoulder but didn't turn. Lem chuckled in satisfaction. "We'll do what you ain't willing to do."His chest felt constricted with barely contained rage. "I know what you're trying to do," he said after another pause. "But it ain't going to work. I made up my mind. I'm thinking about her and I'm thinking about our baby.""Baby?!" Someone yelled."Yeah. She's having a baby." He left the room and headed for the elevators that would take him to the Federal building. He didn't even hear TK until he spoke just behind him, having followed him out. Christopher almost swung on him, he was so wired with frustration. "Christopher."He frowned at the name. No one called him Christopher. He studied the big black man who had been much like a brothe
?Christopher surprised everyone when he entered the room a few hours later, totally unannounced. There were several offices in one room and when one of the ladies saw the giant bandaged man she shrieked and dropped the file that she was carrying and sent papers scattering along the floor.Christopher bent to help her pick them up and she gave him an embarrassed chuckle and apology. "Not a problem, ma'am." He said politely while handing her the papers. "Can you tell me where Miss Dalton's office is?"The woman pointed down a short corridor. He nodded and headed for Ashleigh's office. He passed Lance's first. He was leaned back in his chair and talking on the phone. He gasped when he saw Christopher and a big smile spread across his face. "Let me call you back, Gloria. Yeah, promise." He hung up the phone and hurried to greet Christopher, who held up his finger to indicate he not mention his presence. Lance nodded and followed him to Ashleigh's office. They passed Kendra's office. Sh