Karissa and William walked toward Jayme and Nathan's home. The dinner that Karissa had invited Nathan to had turned out to be an invite to Nathan's for dinner at Jayme's insistence. Karissa was more than happy to accommodate.
As they approached the door, Will had Luc by the hand as Karissa had Maya. Both children were giggling and looking around. In William's other hand, he held a bottle of wine.
"I do hope this is a good wine to go with dinner," he said.
Karissa smiled. "I'm sure it's fine," she replied, as her dark eyes sparkled.
"I'm sure you think so," he smiled as the sensor for the door chimed.
Nathan wearing a deep blue silk shirt and black trousers opened the door and smiled at Karissa and Will. The apartment was on the 40th floor of the 45 floor tower. The view from the door was breathtaking and they noticed that the door to the balcony was open; their hands instinctually tightened on the kids hands as they walked further into the room.
Jayme came around the corner wearing a tea length cotton sleeveless shift in the same shade as Nathan's shirt. "Welcome to our home. I'm Jayme and I've heard so much about you."
"Dinner won't be ready for a little while," Nathan said accepting the wine from Will. "The salad is ready though, but I've just assembled a grill out on the deck and plan to barbeque some local fish that I got at Lake Town stall in the open market. This old woman told me just how to prepare it."
"We also are having a pasta dish that Nathan makes that's just wonderful...now if it were left to me we'd be have Military 'Meals Ready to Eat'. The kids are fine to roam."
Karissa smiled. "Are you sure it's okay with the balcony?" she asked.
"The balcony is shielded," Jayme said as she motioned everyone to take seats around the main room. She was still getting a feel for their home herself.
Finally, Karissa nodded to Will and they each let the kids go. Immediately, Luc and Maya were exploring the new place. Their curiosity was even greater than most children their age, so Karissa tried keeping a watchful eye on them.
"It is nice to finally meet you too," Karissa said with a smile. "Nathan's told me about you also... and of course, Kassia said I should check in with you and see how you were doing."
"I miss Kassia, what is she doing?" Jayme said with a smile, and nodded while listening to Karissa. "I'm fine, it's been difficult running back and forth between here and the base, and while here I'm on call -- if they need me."
"It must put a lot of stress on you," she replied. "Going back and forth."
"Are you two going to talk shop all night?" Will asked with a grin.
"Like you and Nathan won't?" Karissa laughed gently.
"Well..." he smiled as he kissed her cheek. "I'll keep it light if you do."
She caressed his face as she looked into his eyes. "Deal," she replied.
Suddenly the sound of books falling onto the floor came to their ears. Karissa and William saw Luc and Maya at one of the shelves, pulling things down and climbing up with incredible agility.
"Oh no..." Karissa replied, as she and Will got up, grabbing the twins from their adventurous climb. "Sorry about that, they get a little curious and love trying to get to high places."
As Will tried containing the kids, Karissa tried picking up the mess.
Nathan nodded and sipped the micro brew that he'd gotten out as the pair tried to contain the twins. Jayme tried to smile as she watched and took a sip of her husband's brew as he went out to check on dinner.
"We need to get some activities for them the next time we're out," Jayme said clearing her throat as her husband came back around.
He looked at her and asked kissing her forehead, "Are you okay?"
"Will be, just hungry," Jayme said. "Alright, a slight headache." She confessed when he tilted his head and stared her down. Jayme sat down in a chair and watched the twins as they found and started putting together an old fashioned wooden puzzle.
Karissa looked at Jayme for a moment, sensing what was on her mind.
Will joined Nathan out on the deck. They got into a discussion about Racquet ball. Jayme watched Karissa tensely sit and watch the twins playing, ready for anything.
"That headache of yours isn't just from not eating," Karissa said softly, her dark eyes meeting Jayme's green. "You seem to have a lot on your mind."
The twins played on the floor looking at the pieces, each one taking turns at placing the puzzle together as if they knew what the other was thinking. Every so often they would giggle, pull the puzzle apart and start again. Their symmetry was amazing for children not even two.
"I do have a lot on my mind. Some how as a major I'm the ranking Marine at the F.A.R.P base, and while its a great opportunity... I kind of got used to the medical training and side of what I was doing and I'm not sure where I belong... and then there is being away from Nate." Jayme met Karissa's eyes.
"It's hard to be without the one you love," she replied. "It sounds to me you really need to evaluate what's most important to you... sometimes that takes time. How are you sleeping?" she asked, sensing there was more to things.
"Nightmares," Maya chirped in, never looking up from the puzzle.
Luc made and exaggerated nod of his head. "Nightmares," he said confirming what his sister had said.
Karissa looked at Jayme.
"What can I say." Jayme massaged her temples, closed her eyes and brought her shields up; worked to really block the twins, like she'd blocked Tiyanna. Jayme stood and went into the kitchen and got a glass of water, just staying there leaning against the counter.
Nathan came in with a platter of fish with grilled veggies, and announced, "Dinner is ready."
Jayme nodded and pulled the salad out of the fridge as he set the fish on the table and then moved to pull the pasta out of the oven where it was resting. Will and Karissa settled the twins in a single chair between them and made little plates of food for each.
"It all looks fantastic, and smells just as good," Karissa replied.
Luc immediately went after the pasta on his plate as Maya went after the fish. They each giggled and handed food back and forth, without saying anything, only smiling and giggling.
"This is absolutely splendid," Will said taking a bite of the food, but smiling brighter as he stole glances at the twins and at Karissa, who was equally amused.
"It is wonderful," Karissa agreed as she took another bite and then sipped her wine. "And it seems the twins would agree," she laughed. But her eyes met Jayme's and grew a bit serious. "How's the headache?" she asked.
Jayme swallowed her greens and nodded and said, "Pretty much gone for the moment. Thanks for asking." She felt Nate's gaze fall on her and she looked deeply into his eyes and smiled as she took a sip of her wine and added a little more fish to her plate. "Can I get anyone more of something?" She asked looking around the table.
After dinner everyone moved back into the living room as the sun started setting over the city and the kids laid in a heap on some pillows, thumbs in their mouths, almost asleep.
"Well, thanks for the invite," Karissa said smiling.
"Anytime," Nathan replied.
"You know, Jayme, we should get together for lunch one of these days. I can give you the grand tour of the hospital now that I know my way around," she said with a smile.
Jayme nodded. "Yeah, sure," she replied.
"Well, I'd say the ladies are getting along quite well," William smirked.
"Was there really any doubt?" Karissa laughed as she exchanged looked with Jayme. "So how about next week for that lunch?"
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