225 – The Wrap Up
Jennifer hugged Jamie tightly before pulling back slightly. "Well, can't say that our short visit wasn't eventful," she teased. "I do love that I got you as a sister-in-law."
"Glad we could entertain everyone," Jamie grumbled good naturedly, giving Jenn one more quick embrace.
Having already said goodbye to Evan's mom and Saul, Jennifer headed to the base loaner vehicle to wait for her husband.
"Well Sis," Evan said with a chuckle as he stepped up to his sister.
"Well Brother," she sarcastically returned.
Evan just gave her a wry smile before leaning in to hug her, smiling more broadly when he felt her laughing lightly. "I did try to stop them from peeking in the garage," he offered.
"Well, considering you're a soldier, you failed miserably." Jamie pulled back to look up at her brother. "You're okay with this?" She tried not to sound worried, but his opinion really did matter to her.
Evan looked away for a moment. "Well, I wouldn't wish a soldier's life on you," he turned his focus back to Jamie, "but Stew is the best a brother could hope for. If he makes you happy, then I'm good. He just better always make you happy, Jamie."
Jamie laughed at his serious tone, but knew he meant it. "Thanks."
"Bye sis," Evan said with a wave and a step toward the car.
"Bye Ev," she returned with her own wave to his retreating back.
Jamie stood and watched the car back out of her driveway and head down the street, waving till it was out of sight. She wished as she always did, that her brother was stationed nearby. The fact that his job was why he was gone so much wasn't lost on Jamie. Similarly, a relationship with Saul was going to be hard to maintain with him living in a different state and her job requiring her to travel for a good portion of each month. The one good thing was that she did go to Las Vegas often, although she didn't have much free time when she was there.
The youngest Lorne felt something cold and damp tickle her face and she looked up to see a few snowflakes floating about in the night sky. It really was magical, but she hoped it didn't accumulate too much. Although, she thought with a smirk, at least she had a big strong man hanging around the house who could do the shoveling for her.
She heard the door behind her open and shut, but she didn't bother to turn around and see who'd come out. She was pretty sure her mom would've just called from the door for her to come in. Arms sliding around her from behind confirmed her suspicion. "I was getting ready to come back in."
"There's no rush. Your mom found a Christmas movie on television and seems settled."
"Christmas movies already? We haven't even officially finished Thanksgiving yet," Jamie lamented. She leaned back against the man behind her, enjoying the fact that she could.
Silence stretched between them, but Saul didn't feel the need to break it. He was still in awe. He'd come to Colorado Springs hoping to repair their friendship and instead he'd found so much more.
"When do you have to leave?" Jamie whispered, not sure she actually wanted an answer.
"Saturday morning," Saul responded, tightening his arms around her unconsciously.
"Three days and four nights," she quietly stated, more to herself than to him. She felt a few more snowflakes settle on her face before melting and decided shoveling might be inevitable.
Saul turned her around, not used to a quiet Jamie. "You okay?"
Jamie saw the concern on his face, but she really was okay. "A bit of melancholy hit for a moment, but I'm good now," she assured him with a smile. "It was such a short visit with my brother and Jenn. I hate that we most likely won't see them again for at least a year."
"That part does really suck," Saul agreed. "You know it won't be like that forever?"
"Yeah… doesn't make it better now though."
Saul completely agreed, pulling Jamie in for a hug.
"Is this weird?" Jamie asked, hugging Saul back. She felt his chuckle and smiled to herself.
"I have to agree that the ability to hold you feels both foreign and right at the same time. Is this okay with you?" he asked with a slight squeeze to indicate what he was talking about.
"It might sound cheesy… but I could stand here like this all night."
Saul smiled, pleased at her admission. The snow falling around them and the shiver he felt slide quickly through her body reminded him where they were. "You know, we could go snuggle up on the couch and pretend to pay attention to the Christmas movie with your mom."
"You'd be okay snuggling on the couch with my mom in the room?" Jamie pulled back, thinking it might be a little awkward, at least at first.
"Well, the woman did see us kiss, so I don't think it'll be a big surprise if I put my arm around you while we sit on the couch."
"This is true. I'm really sorry about that, by the way." Jamie ducked her head, a blush climbing her neck thinking back on her mom rapping on the window and startling them.
"I think I can handle it. Kind of hoping you keep me around long enough that the awkwardness wears off." Saul took her hand and led her into the house.
"Well, I need to at least lead you on until you've shoveled the walkways and driveway," Jamie laughed.
"You do realize that I'm going to try to talk you into moving to Las Vegas, right?"
"So you don't have to shovel snow?" she teased, avoiding the more serious topic his question presented.
"There'd be other benefits to you living there," he teased back with a hint of suggestion in his voice.
"In-n-Out burgers to my heart's content?" she guessed while she shut the front door and removed her coat.
"No, I was thinking a permanent invitation to dinner whenever you're mother visited," he replied with a nonchalant shrug, hanging his own coat on one of the hooks.
"I knew it," Jamie put her hands on her hips, trying her hardest to sound indignant; "you only like me for my mom's cooking."
Saul hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Do you think she'd be willing to teach you how to cook when she visits?"
Jamie pushed against his chest, but it was useless against his strong arms and his laughter was contagious. She really didn't want this to end in a few days. "Do you think this will work?"
"Ah, James," he began, looking intently at her, "these last few years... I've wanted you more with every visit, phone call and email. I plan to do everything in my power to make you happy."
Jamie grinned up at him, "Me too."
Saul pulled her closer and settled his lips over hers, reveling in the relief of not having to hide his feelings from Jamie. He was quickly lost in the emotions overwhelming them both until he heard a throat being cleared loudly… and he was pretty sure it wasn't for the first time.
"So, are the two of you going to come join me, or do I need to make myself scarce?" Ruth announced rather loudly from the living room.
Even though there was no way her mom could see them, Jamie jumped back quickly, heat rushing up her cheeks.
Saul chuckled quietly at Jamie's reaction before slipping his arm across her shoulders and steering her around the corner and into the living room. They might as well get through this awkward stage as quickly as possible. "Actually, I think we'll join you."
Saul took a seat on the opposite end of the couch from Ruth.
"Not cool, Mom," Jamie admonished as she sat next to Saul.
Ruth just grinned at her daughter, glad to see her happy, Saul too for that matter. "How long do I have to wait before I can start nagging about grandkids?"
Jamie's eyes widened and her mouth gaped open, but Saul chuckled with a shake of his head. "Well," he drawled, trying not to laugh at how fast Jamie's head swung around so she could glare at him, "I'd say let the nagging begin."
Jamie started to stand back up, but Saul reached out and pulled her back down next to him. He tucked her in close, his arm across her shoulders despite the protest he felt in her rigidity. "Ev and Jenn have been married for a year now. It's about time they gave you a grandchild."
"It is," Ruth agreed with a nod and a smirk at the pair. Last Thanksgiving she'd found out Evan had eloped and she'd gained daughter-in-law. This Thanksgiving Jamie was finally dating Saul. She was curious what next Thanksgiving might bring.
"What are we watching?" Saul asked with a nod at the television. Not that it actually mattered.
He leaned over and kissed the top of Jamie's head before slouching down just a bit more comfortably. He felt rewarded when she snuggled more into his side.
He caught a lingering look from Ruth and she gave him a quick wink. Jamie's mother's approval meant more to him than he'd thought it would. He returned her wink with a small smile before they both turned their attention back to the Christmas movie that was playing on the television. He'd didn't think anything would ever be able to top what he was felling at this exact moment.
The End
AN: Thank you all for the reading and reviewing. :)