It Was For The Best.
Irina_Derevko_Bristow: Good to see you again. Well, it's fiction and fiction is sometimes unreal. Just look at the show itself. Sloane dies, then falls into a red liquid, and suddenly rises from the dead and lives forever - talk about unreal. :lol: Jack deserves happiness. I don't know if I'd agree with you on that - as you say they want to be around their parents and especially Nadia, since she's never experienced that. Jack really wants to make up for lost time as a dad in every way. :lol: There was only room for a small part of the chapter. So I decided to delete that part, and post it in a new post. It's in this one.
TheDerevkoGirl: I'm glad you love Jack like that. :lol: They really need to bond like a family. Well, back on SD-1, I told you that the story was pretty much boring all the way through to the end, and that's still the case. But there's always the sequel for me to go all saddistic.
sleep1t: I'm glad to hear it.
Dlenafan: Hi.
Yeah, it's gotten pretty long. I'm surprised myself, and the story is not over yet. Though I think it will be soon. Thank you very much. I'm glad to hear it.
Chapter 40
The next morning the triplets woke up Sydney and Nadia, and wanted them to come snuggle with their parents, just as Nadia had done on the first morning she had moved in. Sydney and Nadia both woke up a little confused of how they’d gotten to bed. They looked at each other through sleepy eyes. “Is it my imagination or did dad carry me up here last night?”
“I don’t know if he carried you, but I think he might’ve carried me.” They didn’t really have time to think about it any further, because the triplets dragged them off to their parents’ bedroom. Sydney smiled broadly watching her parents sleeping in each others arms. Just like on Nadia’s first morning in the house she really didn’t want to wake them up, but once again the triplets woke them up in a matter of seconds.
The triplets got their usual morning greeting, but Sydney was a bit hesitant. Nadia too, though she had enjoyed it on her first morning in the house. “Are you girls coming or not?” Irina popped her head from her pillow, looking at them through nearly closed eyes. She hadn’t gotten that many hours of sleep. They walked over to the bed. The triplets made Sydney sleep in the middle. She had Maddie on one side of her and her mother on the other. Nadia took the spot on the edge of the bed next to her mother, and soon all seven of them were sleeping again.
After breakfast Irina was getting the triplets ready. Sergei had told them that they’d be going to the zoo that day. He had been taking care of them everyday when Jack and Irina were at work, and also during Irina’s training. Jack, Sydney, and Nadia were in the kitchen cleaning up. Sydney and Nadia looked at each other and then at their father. “Dad, is it just our imagination or did you carry us upstairs last night?” He looked at them and smiled.
“Yes, I did. You were both sound asleep that it was a shame to wake you. Had we let you sleep, you would’ve had sore necks this morning.” They smiled back at him.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I wanted to.” They smiled at him even more, and then walked over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
At APO early in the afternoon Jack walked over to Dixon, who looked up when he saw Jack coming towards him. “I’m stepping out of the office for a while.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes, everything is fine. I just have a few things to discuss at CIA headquarters.”
“Anything Kendall and I should be involved in?” Jack shook his head a little.
“No. I just have to talk to them about a few minor things. But I’ll let you and Kendall know if anything comes up that include you.” Dixon nodded.
“Okay.” He gave Jack a small smile. “Enjoy your trip to headquarters.” Jack smiled in return, and gave Dixon a nod before he left. Dixon couldn’t help but be a little suspicious of Jack. He didn’t quite believe that Jack was going to headquarters, or that he’d gone to headquarters the other time when he said he did. But he also trusted Jack and knew that if he was hiding something, he had good reason to. Deciding not to think more about it, he returned to work.
When Jack had picked up his package, he went to one of his storage spaces and put it in the safe. He knew no one would find it here, and he could go and get it when he needed it. When he came back to APO, he told Dixon that there was nothing to tell about his meeting. He had a feeling when he left that Dixon didn’t quite buy into his cover about going to CIA headquarters, so he thought he’d just cover his tracks a little better, by bringing up the meeting again.
A couple of hours later he and Irina left the office to go home. “So, I was thinking that the two of us could go out on Saturday.” She looked at him a little puzzled.
“Do you mean like on a date?” He laughed a little.
“Well no, not really a date. We’re married after all. But just out to dinner alone without the kids. I mean don’t get me wrong. I love spending my evenings with the kids. All five of them. But I just thought we could have an evening to ourselves. We haven’t had that yet, and it would be nice.” She smiled at him and reached her hand over to caress his cheek.
“Of course it’ll be nice, and I think it’s a great idea. I’m looked forward to it already.” He took her hand and kissed it. “So, where should we go?”
“I actually already have something in mind.”
“That sounds intriguing. What did you have in mind?”
“It’s a surprise.” She laughed a little at him and shook her head.
“You have this whole thing planned out already, haven’t you?” He grinned, and she knew he had. “Then why did you even suggest it to me?”
“Because, now you have something to look forward to.” They both laughed
That Friday it was Sydney’s last night at the house. She, Nadia, and their mother were cooking. The triplets were coloring outside and Jack hadn’t returned home from work yet. “So mom, any idea where dad’s taken you tomorrow?” Irina looked at Nadia shaking her head.
“No, he won’t tell me a thing.”
“I take it that annoys you a little?” They all three laughed.
“Yes, it does a little. I mean, I think it’s absolutely sweet and romantic that he’s planning the whole thing and wants to surprise me. But honestly, he doesn’t give away as much as a tiny detail, and that’s a little annoying.”
“What’s annoying?” They all turned to look at Jack, who came walking towards them. He walked over to Irina and gave her a kiss. He gave Sydney and Nadia a kiss on the cheek, before turning his attention back to Irina, waiting for her to answer.
“You are.” She grinned at him and he smiled back.
“Okay. Why am I annoying?”
“Because, you won’t tell me anything about tomorrow. Absolutely nothing. Can’t you just tell me something, anything?”
“No, I’m not telling you a thing.” They both grinned and she shook her head at him.
“You’re not being fair.”
“I don’t care. You just have to wait until tomorrow.” He leaned in and kissed her again. She put her arms around his neck.
“Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do to change your mind?” She started kissing him more passionately, and Sydney and Nadia covered there eyes shaking their heads.
“Hey, hey. Cool it.”
“Yeah guys. Kids in the room.” Jack and Irina looked at them and couldn’t help but laugh. They gave each other one more kiss.
“Okay, you can remove your hands now.” Irina shook her head at her daughters, while they just rolled their eyes at her in return. They stepped away from their parents a little to continue with dinner. Jack leaned closer to Irina and whispered in her ear, so that Sydney and Nadia wouldn’t hear.
“No, there’s nothing you can do to change my mind. But please feel free to try all you want tonight.” He kissed her on her neck, and a small moan escaped her mouth. Seconds later a dishtowel hit their heads, and they saw that their daughters were shaking their heads at them again, with their backs turned to them. Irina rolled her eyes, and then shook her head. Jack smiled at her, and then stepped back a bit.
“I take it the triplets are outside.” She nodded at him. “Then I’ll just go and say hi. I’ll go and change after, and then come and help you with dinner.” He gave Irina a quick kiss before leaving.
They had a nice dinner and a great evening. They’d asked if Sydney wanted to do anything on her last night at the house. She said, she wanted to be tucked in by her parents, have a bedtime story read to her, as well as Jack singing a lullaby. Jack had gotten a little embarrassed at that request, but had agreed to it. Sydney and Nadia fell asleep shortly after he’d finished, and just like with the triplets Jack and Irina had stayed for a little while watching them sleep. In their own bedroom Irina had tried time and time again to get Jack to tell her anything about the next day. But despite her best efforts, he hadn’t told her a thing.
The next day early in the afternoon everyone was enjoying the day outside. Since Jack and Irina wouldn’t be home in the evening, Sydney was spending the evening there, and Vaughn and Isabelle would come to the house for dinner. Eric and Sergei would be coming too. Jack looked at his watch and stood up. “I have some things to take care of, so I’ll be taking off. I should be home in about two to three hours.” Irina looked at him surprised.
“You’re what? Two to three hours? That means you won’t be home, until somewhere between 3.30-4.30. Where are you going?” He smiled at her.
“I can’t tell you that.” He walked over and gave her a kiss. She smiled back at him.
“Does it have anything to do with our plans for this evening?”
“I can’t tell you that either.” He walked over to say goodbye to the kids, and Irina rolled her eyes at him. She followed him into the house, and blocked the front door. He smiled at her. “I’ll be home sooner if you let me out.” She smiled back.
“I’ll let you go, but at least tell me something about tonight.” He shook his head. “Oh come on Jack. At least tell me where we’re going, so that I’ll know what clothes to wear.”
“Wear anything you’d like.” She rolled her eyes at him and laughed a little.
“That’s not being very specific. So, are you telling me that I can wear sweatpants?” Jack nodded.
“Yes, if that’s what you feel like wearing, then by all means wear that.” She laughed a little.
“What are you wearing? Or can’t I know that either?” Jack thought for a moment, then looked at her.
“I think, I’ll be wearing a nice pair of shorts, a short sleeved shirt, and sandals. Now that I’ve answered one of your questions, can I go?”
“No, you’re not getting off that easy.” Jack rolled her eyes at her. Then he pulled her close, gently pushing her against the door, and kissing her passionately and deeply. After a few moments, they both needed air. He didn’t let her catch her breath for very long, before he kissed her the same way again. This time he let her away from the door, and turned them around so that he was closest to the door. When they broke apart again, she was a little disoriented, and he laughed a little at her before opening the door.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can sweetheart. And really, you can wear anything you want.” Then he was gone before she could say or do anything.
The doorbell rang at Sydney and Vaughn’s place, and Vaughn opened the door. “Hi Jack. Come on in.” Jack gave Vaughn a smile and greeted him back, and they walked into the kitchen where Eric was.
“Hey Jack.” Jack greeted Eric as well. He looked at the kitchen table.
“Thank you for putting out all the stuff for me.” Vaughn gave him a nod.
“Sure thing. Do you need any help?”
“No, thank you. I’ll manage.”
“Okay. If you need our help just let us know. And feel free to look around for whatever you might need. If there’s anything you need and you can’t find it, just let me know.” He gave Vaughn a smile and a nod. “Well, Weiss and I will get out of your way, and let you get to work. We’ll be watching TV, in case you need anything.” Jack nodded at them again, and they left him alone.
Twenty minutes later Eric walked into the kitchen to get two beers. He looked at Jack for a little while, who didn’t look up from what he was doing. On the way back to the TV, Eric shook his head a little. Vaughn noticed that. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just Jack. I have no problem with him killing people, with him giving people his death glare that sends chills down people’s spines, with him torturing people, with him rigging a place with explosives, with him doing anything in his powers to protect his children. I’m perfectly fine with all that. But seeing him in the kitchen humming and making a chocolate cake is a little disturbing. I must admit, it creeps me out a little bit.” Vaughn looked at him a little wide eyed.
“Well, I saw the ingredients and noticed the chocolate, but I didn’t expect him to make a chocolate cake.” Vaughn grinned a little. “Oh, I have to see this for myself.” He went to the kitchen and looked at Jack. Then he went to the fridge to get two beers, so that it would seem that he was not just there to check up on Jack. He took another short look at Jack after closing the fridge before leaving. However, he didn’t get far.
“Vaughn?” Vaughn turned around to look at Jack, who was concentrating on making his chocolate cake.
“Yes, Jack.” Jack still didn’t look up.
“Eric has just been out here and grabbed two beers, and now you’re doing the same. You do realize, in a few hours one of you will be behind the wheel of a car with my granddaughter. Do you really think it’s wise to have more than one beer?” Vaughn was just about to answer, but didn’t get the chance. “If you’re so interested in my cooking skills, then why don’t you just simply pull up a chair and watch, instead of making up some pathetic excuse, just so you can go to the kitchen and sneak a peak?” Vaughn swallowed a little. “I might not be looking up at you, but I’m still watching you.” Now he looked up at Vaughn. He smirked at him a little. “You should know that about me by now.” Vaughn let out a laugh and then nodded.
Vaughn put the beers back in the fridge, and then went to tell Eric that Jack had called his bluff. Since there really wasn’t anything worth watching on TV, they decided to go into the kitchen to watch Jack cook. While the chocolate cake was in the oven, Jack was making part of the meal he and Irina would be enjoying that evening. When he had finished with everything needed for the evening, and the chocolate cake was out of the oven, he spent a few minutes with Isabelle. He then handed her back to Vaughn.
“I should get home. Drive carefully on your way to the house. I don’t want the chocolate cake to get ruined or any of the other foods.” Vaughn smiled.
“We’ll drive safely, and make sure that everything is securely packed.” Jack nodded in return.
“I’ll meet you out in the driveway, so that we can put the food over in my car.” They nodded at him, and he gave Isabelle a kiss before he left.
When Jack pulled into the driveway, he saw that the others were getting out of their cars carrying a few bags. They waited for him to get out of the car. He walked over to them. “I take it you went shopping.” They nodded. He walked closer to Irina. “So, what did you buy?” He was about to take a look in her bag, but she pulled it behind her back.
“Oh no, you don’t. If I can’t know where we’re going, then you can’t see what I’ll be wearing until we go.” Jack just shrugged.
“Fair enough. I can wait. It won’t be long anyway.” He grinned at her, when she realized she couldn’t annoy him by keeping the clothes a secret, like he annoyed her by not telling her where they were going. She hit him playfully on the arm, which just made him laugh a little more.
When Vaughn, Eric, and Isabelle arrived Jack quickly got out of the door. Irina was getting ready, so in a way he knew he had plenty of time. But still he wanted to hurry in case she all of a sudden showed up. He looked over the food to see if it was alright. Vaughn and Eric looked at each other shaking their heads.
Irina had made Jack change in one of the guestrooms, and he was now waiting for her by the foot of the stairs along with everyone else. When he saw her he almost couldn’t breath. She was wearing a floral skirt, a shirt that was matching with one of the colors in her skirt, and high heeled sandals. She couldn’t help but smile, when she saw the look on his face. He swallowed a few times, and gathered himself before reaching his hand out to her, when she was at the last steps. When she reached the floor, he was still just looking at her without saying a word. She smiled lovingly at him. “I take it, this is better than sweatpants after all?” He returned the smile, and leaned closer to whisper.
“You look beautiful and sexy no matter what you wear. But yes, I would agree that this is better than sweatpants. You look absolutely stunning. Just simply wow.” She blushed a little from the compliments she was getting and he gave her a soft lingering kiss.
“You look very handsome yourself.” They stood looking at each other for a little while longer, with Sydney and Nadia looking at each other smiling. Then Jack and Irina said goodbye to everyone and left. When they got in the car Irina turned to Jack. “So, now can I know where we’re going?”
“No.” She shook her head laughing and he laughed a little too. “You’ll know soon enough.” After driving for a while Irina started to recognize the places they were passing. It took her back in time, and she turned to Jack and smiled.
“Sweetheart, are we going to the cave on the beach?” Jack couldn’t hide his huge smile, and she smiled even more.
“Yes, we are.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then caressed it.
“You are a wonderful man. I love you.” He took her hand and kissed it.
“I love you too, sweetheart.” A while later they parked the car in their usual spot that hid the car well from anyone else. He told her on the way that the food was in the trunk, when she’s asked about dinner. She cocked an eyebrow at him smiling, when she saw that there were also sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows in the trunk.
“Are we spending the night?” Jack smiled at her.
“Yes, why break with tradition.” She smiled back at him, but suddenly got a little worried.
“Jack, what about the children? They think we’re coming home later.”
“No, they don’t. I’ve told them that we won’t be home until around noon tomorrow.” She gaped a little at him.
“So, you told everyone about tonight, except for me? Everyone was in on it?”
“Yes and no. I’ve told no one where we were going, because this is our secret hideaway. When I took off this afternoon, I went to Sydney’s to make some of the food. Vaughn and Eric were there, and they’ve known part of my plans for a few days. However, our children and Sergei know nothing about our dinner plans. I only told them that we were not coming home. But I guess the guys have filled them in by now.” She laughed a little and then started to take out the things in the trunk. She looked in one of the bags, and then cocked an eyebrow at him again smiling.
“So, I guess we’re keeping with tradition again, and going swimming later?” She held up part of her bikini, and he nodded. She leaned closer to him, and spoke a bit huskily. “Why did you even bring our bathing suits at all? As far as I remember, we often skipped the clothes and went skinny-dipping.” He swallowed a few times remembering fondly those times, before looking at her.
“I don’t know if I have the courage to do that anymore. I thought it was best to bring the bathing suits. You never know if anyone is looking.” She grinned a little at his shyness.
“No one is able to see us, unless they wander all the way out on the rocks. Remember we checked back then?” He laughed and nodded. “Well, we can always start out with wearing the bathing suits, and then take them off later on.” She winked at him and he smiled.
When they reached the cave Irina stood for a few seconds outside reminiscing, before she walked in. Once inside she gasped from the inscription in the wall. It read
Jack and Irina forever and a day. She ran her fingers over it and a tear escaped her eye. Jack saw her and went over and wrapped his arms around her. “I told you that one day I’d put our names on the wall as an everlasting mark of our love for each other.” He kissed her cheek and she turned in his embrace. When he saw her crying a little, he kissed her tears away, and she wrapped her arms around him hugging him tightly.
“You’re too good to be true, you know that?” He laughed a little and then took her face in his hands, when they stopped hugging. He dried away the new fallen tears with his thumbs. “I love you so much. So very much Jack.”
“I love you too. So very much.” He kissed her and then they hugged again for a little while before getting started on dinner. When they unpacked Irina laughed a little, when she saw one bottle of white wine, and two bottles of champagne in the cooler, and one bottle of red wine in a bag.
“Intending on getting me drunk?” He laughed when she held up the bottles.
“Most certainly not. The white is for the first course. The red is for the second course. One of the champagnes is for dessert, and the other is for later. And it takes stronger liquor to get you drunk.” She smiled back and laughed a little. He got the disposable grill started, so that they could cook the meat for the second course, while they were eating the first course.
They had a great time at the beach, enjoying the food and wine. Before dessert they went for a swim wearing their bathing suits. However, when they got back to up, Irina pulled down Jack’s swimming trunks and flipped him onto his back on their blanket. She removed the swimming trunks completely and stripped out of her bikini, and then sat down on top of him, before he could react. “Irina, what do you think you’re doing?”
“What does it look like? I think we need to work up an appetite before we have dessert.”
“What if someone sees us?” She shook her head at him laughing.
“Jack, no one will be able to see us here. No one can see us from above, and no one can see us from the sides. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t see anyone out on the ocean. We’ve made love in this spot before, and no one saw us back then either.” She ran her hands up and down his chest. “You’re tense sweetheart. Let me help you relax.” She bent down and kissed him hard and deeply. When she broke the kiss he could hardly breathe. “But hey, if you want me to stop, just say so.” She rubbed against him and he moaned out load, gripping the blanket and closing his eyes.
“Oh god no, don’t stop.” She smiled down at him and bent down to kiss him again. They made love twice and then went to take a dip in the ocean to cool off, after they had caught their breath.
When he unpacked the chocolate cake and the fruit, she just stared at it and then looked up at him smiling. “Your famous chocolate cake. We used to have this too, whenever we came here.” He nodded and smiled, and she leaned in and kissed him. He got the cake ready and the fruit too, and then popped the champagne. After he poured them the champagne, he gave her a glass and took one for himself. They raised their glasses to each other.
“A toast.” She nodded. “To new beginnings.” She smiled back at him.
“To new beginnings.”
After they finished the champagne and a large part of the cake and the fruit, they went for another swim. This time also wearing their bathing suits. They were swimming around a bit and had fun in the water by the edge. When they got back up Jack went inside the cave. He put his short back on and looked over his shoulder before he put the package he picked up the other day in his pocket smiling. When he got back outside, Irina looked at him curiously. “Why did you put your shorts back on? I hope you don’t think we’re done with the ocean.”
“I just wanted to have on a pair of dry shorts. And no I certainly don’t think we’re done with the ocean.” She stood up and gave him a kiss.
“Well, in that case can I borrow your shirt?”
“Of course. I always thought you looked great in my shirts.” She kissed him again, and then went to the cave to get his shirt.
When she got back, they went down near the water’s edge, and danced to the sound of the ocean. She was leaning her head on his shoulder when he let go of her hand and used his hand to raise her head. He held her face by her chin and then brought her lips to his giving her a soft kiss. He let go of her face and stood there caressing her chin, looking deeply into her eyes, smiling lovingly at her. She looked back at him the same way, but couldn’t quite get over the look in his eyes.
“Jack, what’s up with you? You’re like in a world of your own.”
“I’m just thinking of how much in love with you I am, and how lucky I am to have you back in my life again.” She kissed him and rubbed her nose against his.
“I feel the same way.”
“But still, something is missing.” She looked at him confused.
“What are you talking about? Things couldn’t possibly be better. We’re together, happy, and in love.” He nodded.
“Yes, you’re absolutely right. We’ve got our second chance, but to me there’s still something missing.” He took her hands in his and dropped to one knee. She stared wide eyed at him, not able to speak. “Irina I love you. Although we’ve promised each other a new beginning, and a second chance, I want to make it more official. I know our love was real from the start and that our marriage was too, but I want to be married to the real you in every way. I want to say I do to Irina, and I miss the ring on my finger, and miss seeing the ring on yours. I want that again, and I want the world to see that I belong to someone without having to tell anyone. Will you marry me?” Tears were rolling down her cheeks by now, but she still stared at him dumbfounded. After a few seconds she dropped to her knees, threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Jack grinned. “So, is that a yes?”
She kissed him allover his face, and several times on his mouth. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes.” She kissed him soundly and passionately on the lips, and then looked him in the eyes smiling through her tears. “I love you, I love you, I love you. I was wrong. Things could definitely get better.” They laughed and he pulled the ring out of his pocket. He took her hand in his, and placed it on her finger kissing it after. It wasn’t a huge diamond, but not tiny either. It was just right. She looked at it and shook her head in amazement. “Jack, it’s beautiful.”
“I had it custom made. I actually help make the design.” She looked at him dumbfounded and he couldn’t help but laugh at the expression on her face. “The phone call I made on Nadia’s first night at the house was not to Washington, but to a jeweler. Every time I’ve said I was going to headquarters, I’ve gone to the jeweler and marked the cave with our names too. On Sydney’s first night at the house, I got the call that the ring was finished and the day after I picked it up.” She shook her head smiling at him.
“I don’t deserve you, but I thank my lucky stars for you every day.” She kissed him again, and they sat in the sand for a while, just making out.
“What do you say, to opening that second bottle of champagne?”
“I say it’s a great idea.”
The spent the night drinking champagne, skinny-dipping, and making love. They hadn’t slept an eye, and were now sitting watching the sunrise. Jack was leaning against one of the rocks, while Irina was leaning up against him. They were wrapped in blankets, and Jack had his arms wrapped around her, while she rested her arms on top of his. They were tired and sated from making love all night long, but also deliriously happy and in a daze.
“Jack?”
“Yeah.”
“Can we move here?” He laughed and kissed her neck.
“Well, considering that the cave is really nothing more than a studio apartment, I think it’s going to be too crowded with the two of us and the triplets.” She nodded laughing. “But we can always keep it as a vacation house for just the two of us.” She laughed again nodding.
“Let’s do that then.” They were quiet for a while longer, enjoying the sunrise and each other.
“Where do you want to get married? We can get married in Russia if you’d like?” She turned in his arms smiling at him.
“Really?”
“Yes absolutely. We can get the time off, and so can everyone else. I can talk to Devlin. He’ll understand.” She gave him a kiss.
“Thank you for offering. But this is the country we fell in love in, and the country we’ll live in. I want to get married here.” He nodded. “Any idea of when we should get married?”
“Well, I know we promised each other a new beginning. But since the first time we got married was real for the both of us, I thought that we could get married on the same day. I know, it’s next month, but I wasn’t really planning on a huge wedding.”
“I’d love to get married on our original wedding day. So, since we’re not getting married in Russia and we’re getting married next month, do you have any suggestions as to where we should get married?” He smiled a little embarrassed.
“Actually I do. Remember that small inn up the coast? The one we’ve stayed at a few times?” She nodded smiling at the memories. “Well, the place still exists. I called the day after I talked to the jeweler, and the entire place was free in the days surrounding our wedding day. I booked the entire thing just in case. It has that platform overlooking the ocean, and I thought we could get married there. The inn has that beautiful garden that we could have the wedding party in. I’ve talked to them, and they’re more than happy to have the wedding there. It’s not my attention to make all the arrangements without asking you. If you don’t want to have the wedding there, then we’ll find somewhere else.” She smiled at him lovingly and kissed him.
“I couldn’t think of a more perfect place. I’d love to get married there.” He smiled back at her, and kissed her. Their kissed more passionately and found out that they were not so tired and sated after all.
They ended up sleeping for a little while before heading home. They had the rest of the chocolate cake and fruit for breakfast, and went by a Starbucks on the way home to get some coffee. They walked in the house smiling and couldn’t hide how happy they were. When they couldn’t find anyone in the kitchen or living room they heard them outside in the back yard. They stood looking at them for a while without saying anything. Finally Nadia spotted them. “Hi guys. Did you have a nice evening.” They nodded and smiled even more. Jack nodded at Irina and she gave him a quick kiss, before they walked closer.
“Yes, we had a real nice evening. A real nice evening indeed.” She held her hand out with her engagement ring on, so that they all could see. Everyone stared at it and then at Jack and Irina.
“Does that mean what I think it means?”
“If you think that it means your father and I are renewing our wedding vows, then you’re completely right Sydney.” The triplets ran towards their parents excited about the news. Jack and Irina bent down to their level and received hugs and kisses from them, and gave them hugs and kisses in return.
Sydney and Nadia stood just looking at them with tears of joy running down their cheeks. They’d both secretly wished that their parents would renew their wedding vows, but since it hadn’t been mentioned, they thought it wouldn’t happen. When Jack and Irina looked up at them, they smiled at their daughters, and seconds later Sydney and Nadia practically flew over to them and threw their arms around them. Jack and Irina hardly got up, and were nearly knocked off their feet. They received huge hugs from them too, and kisses. Vaughn, Eric, and Sergei let them have their little family moment before they walked over and congratulated Jack and Irina as well.
Chapter 41
They had all enjoyed a nice lunch together where Jack and Irina had told them where the wedding would be and when. Sydney and Nadia had both thought it sounded like the most romantic place to have a wedding, and they thought that their father had been really romantic. Jack had gotten a little embarrassed, and he had only gotten a little more embarrassed when Vaughn and Eric had gone on about him preparing the food. Later in the evening Jack and Irina were the only ones in the house, besides the triplets who were sleeping. Since the wedding was next month they had started making plans. “No, Irina. Absolutely not.”
“Why not Jack?”
“You tell me why.”
“Because he helped me get a pardon, and he looked out for Sydney those years ago. They two of you are also getting along better, or you’re getting better along with him.” Jack shook his head a little.
“That’s still no reason why we should invite Kendall.”
“Think of it as an icebreaker. If we invite him, it can only strengthen our work relationship. We work in black ops, and as close as some of us work, we need to have a strong bond.” He rolled his eyes at her, and then nodded a little.
“Fine. We can invite Kendall.” She smiled at him, and then wrote his name on the list.
“We also have to invite Marcus, Stephen, Robin, and Hayden.” Jack looked at her curiously.
“Hayden?” Then realization dawned on him. “You mean Chase?” She nodded. “Oh no, Irina. We’re not inviting her. I’m putting my foot down on that one. I can’t believe you want to invite her, after the way she’s treated you.”
“I don’t really want to invite her, but she’s dating Marcus, and….” She didn’t get to finish her sentence.
“We’re allowing our guests to bring dates?” Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She laughed from the expression on his face.
“No, not really. Just Marcus, but that’s only because we know who his girlfriend is. Oh and Rachel too. I have a feeling she and Will Tippen are dating.” He shook her head at her even more.
“Sweetheart all I wanted was a small wedding. Just the two of us, our children, Isabelle, and Sergei.” She looked at him curiously.
“What about Michael and Eric?”
“They’re not invited.” She laughed even more at that.
“Jack, Michael is engaged to Sydney, and he’s Isabelle’s father. And Nadia and Eric are practical….”
“Don’t Irina.” He had held his hand up in the air, and stopped her before she could continue. “It’s bad enough that I’ve already lost Sydney. I’m not ready to lose Nadia too.” She smiled lovingly at him, and then gave him a kiss on the cheek. She rested her head against the side of his head.
“Jack you haven’t lost any of them. They might be grown-ups and have lives of their own, but they’ll always be your little girls. They’ll always need you and love you.” He smiled a little shyly, and she gave his cheek another kiss. “But you have Maddie and Caitie. It’ll be years before they start dating.”
“Years? No, no. Try never. I’m never letting go of them.” She rolled her eyes at him, and then threw one of the cushions in his face. They both laughed.
“Getting back to the guest list. Look, I don’t really want to invite Chase, but that might be an icebreaker too. If she sees that we’re including her, then maybe that’ll help her to be a little friendlier towards me.” He sighed, giving in.
“Okay. If you think it’ll help, we can invite her.”
“Thank you.” He smiled back at her. “Now, Rachel goes on the guest list too, and I’ll put a guest for her to bring. Or should we send an invitation to Will, and then cross off a guest for Rachel to bring?”
“Will Tippin is Sydney’s friend. Not mine.”
“Oh come on Jack. After everything he’s been through, and after everything you’ve done to help him out. He was also here at the house.”
“Fine, invite him. But send out an invitation to him, and don’t allow Rachel to bring a guest. I don’t want her showing up with some stranger. I want the wedding to include guests we actually know.” She nodded as she wrote down their names.
“Then we need Marshall, Carrie, and Mitchell.” She wrote down those names as well. “Are we missing anyone? Do you want to invite Ben?” Jack thought about it for a moment, and then shrugged.
“I don’t know. I mean, he helped you too, but the two of us hasn’t really been that good friends for years.” He thought about it a little more. “Why not. Since we’re inviting Kendall, it’s only fair that we invite Ben.” She wrote down his name and then looked at the guest list.
“Okay, I think that’s it.” They looked over the list and nodded. Irina started to feel a little sad. She didn’t show it much, but Jack still noticed. He caressed her cheek and spoke softly.
“What’s wrong?” She turned to him smiling.
“Now why do you think anything’s wrong?” He smiled back.
“Because, although you think I didn’t notice you looking a little sad, I did. And I’d also like to think I know you.” She took his hand and kissed it.
“It’s nothing Jack. Really.”
“Don’t tell me it’s nothing. Something’s clearly making you a little sad. If you can’t tell your own husband then who can you tell?” She nodded.
“It’s Katya. She’s my sister and she won’t be at my wedding. I know she’s not your favorite person, but believe me Jack, she wasn’t trying to kill Sydney.”
“You’re right that she’s not one of my favorite people. But if you say she didn’t try to kill Sydney, I believe you.” She smiled at him.
“Thank you. And if it makes you feel any better, she’s not one of my favorite people either. Not after she tried to get her claws into you, when I specifically told her, you were off limits. Even when you tried to get away from her, she still came at you. I know you went to her, but she shouldn’t have made any advances at you in the first place. And she also never apologized for doing that, and I don’t think she ever will. But she’s still my sister and I love her, and I would’ve loved for her to be at our wedding. Now I know that you probably wouldn’t want her there, and I’d respect that. You’re after all the man I love, and will spend the rest of my life with.” He smiled lovingly at her.
“Thank you.” She leaned in and gave him a soft kiss.
“But that being said, do you think there’s anything you could do to get her a pardon?” He was taken aback by her question. “I know I’m not in a position to ask that of you. I’m not looking to abuse your power as a CIA director. But Katya is smart and has a lot of knowledge. She could be helpful to the CIA.” He looked at her stunned.
“You want Katya to work for the CIA? I seriously doubt she wants to do that.”
“I’m pretty sure she doesn’t. She never wanted to be part of that kind of life. But I also know she eventually would like her freedom, and this might be the only way for her to get that. If those were her odds, then I’m sure she would want to work for the CIA.”
“I’ll agree with you that she’s a smart person, and I’m sure the CIA could benefit from her knowledge. But I don’t know if they’d agree to it.” She nodded her understanding and looked down a bit. He took her hand in his, giving it a squeeze. “But I can always ask.” She looked at him surprised.
“You would really ask the CIA about that?” He smiled compassionately at her.
“Yes, I’d do it for you. Besides she probably has a lot of information that would be of value to the CIA. If she gave up all her information and agreed to work for the CIA, I think they might agree to a pardon. And it would be in the CIA’s best interest to have her work for us with her knowledge and skills.” She smiled at him, kissed him, and then hugged him tightly.
“Thank you.” He smiled back at her.
“Don’t thank me yet. We don’t know if it’ll work. I’ll call Ben tomorrow, and then at the office tomorrow you can tell me if there’s anything Katya might know that will be of value to the CIA. I can then give that information to Ben. That might help things along.”
“After everything Katya has done to you, you still want to help her out, and that means more to me than you’ll ever know.” She kissed him softly. “Now getting back to our wedding plans. I’m going to ask Sydney and Nadia to be my bridesmaids, which means that you need two best-men.”
“What? That’s easy for you to say. You have it easy with being able to pick our daughters. Who on earth am I going to pick?”
“You have lots of choices.” He rolled his eyes at her.
“Fine. I guess I choose Sergei and Marcus then.”
“You can’t choose Sergei.”
“What? And why not?”
“Because, I need someone to give me away, and I plan on asking him. But Marcus is a good choice, so now you only need one more.” He rolled his eyes at her again and she laughed. “What about Marshall?” She had a hard time controlling her laughter, and even more when he glared at her un-amused.
“Oh very funny. You’re enjoying this a little too much. None of us will be able to get a word out when were saying our vows, because Marshall will be crying too much.” She laughed out loud and he did too a little. “Just leave the decision up to me. I’ll think of someone else.” He put an arm around her and pulled her closer. “Why don’t we let the plans be for a while and enjoy our engagement.” He started kissing her neck and she moaned a little.
“I’d love to, but Nadia will be back from the movies sooner or later, and I doubt she’d be thrilled to find us naked on the couch.” He laughed against her skin, which tickled her, and she wiggled a little.
“Why don’t we go to our bedroom then?” He looked at his watch. “It’ll be at least another hour before she gets home. We can have fun in the bedroom, and then go for a swim after to cool off. She won’t be able to tell that something has been going on.” She looked at him seductively.
“I like that idea.” They got off the couch quickly, not wanting to waste precious time.
The next day at APO everyone was excited to hear about Jack and Irina’s engagement. Sydney and Nadia told their closest friends how their father had the ring custom made, and Jack got a little embarrassed and a little uncomfortable by the way Marshall was looking at him, with big puppy dog eyes and smiling lovingly at him. Later Jack and Irina talked about Katya and then called Devlin. Irina told him a lot about her sister and that she wasn’t trying to kill Sydney, and how she trusted her sister with her own life, and knew for a fact that she wouldn’t endanger the CIA. She also gave Devlin a few leads that might be worth checking out that could help Katya. He agreed to look into the leads and go over what Irina had said, and said that he, Jack, and Irina should have a meeting to discuss the matter further.
Later that day the invitations went out in the mail, and two days later Kendall walked into Jack’s office with the invitation in his hand. Irina was in Jack’s office too, going over some work. They both looked up when Kendall knocked and entered. “I was just curious. Is this a joke?” He waved the invitation at them and looked at them curiously. Irina smiled at him.
“No, the invitation is no joke. We would like you to be a guest at our wedding.” He looked at her a little surprised and at Jack too.
“Oh well, thank you.” She nodded at him. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t sure that you were being serious. I’d love to come.” She smiled broadly at him.
“We’re glad to hear it.” Jack gave Kendall a nod and a small smile. Kendall smiled back.
“Well, I just came to make sure. I’ll let you get back to your work.” He gave them a nod and then left.
Thirty minutes later Dixon walked into Jack’s office. Irina was still there. “Do you guys have a minute?” They both nodded and Dixon gave them a small smile in return. “It’s regarding the wedding invitation. First of all thank you for wanting to include me in your wedding and my children too.” They both gave him a warm smile. “We would love to come. But about Hayden.” Irina looked and spoke sincerely.
“Marcus, we didn’t invite her to mock her. I would like for things to go better between myself and her, and I thought inviting her to the wedding could be an icebreaker. Please don’t think that it’s anything but that.” He gave her a reassuring smile.
“I don’t believe that, and I appreciate you inviting her, even when you have no reason to do that. But I think Hayden might take it the wrong way.” She nodded her understanding. “I’ll ask her if she wants to go, and then give you her answer later.” They smiled and nodded. He gave them a nod indicating he was leaving. Irina nudged Jack, and he knew what she wanted him to do.
“Marcus.” Dixon turned around and looked at Jack. “I need a best man, and I would be honored if you would stand up with me.” He was giving Dixon a warm sincere smile, and Dixon returned it.
“Thank you Jack. I’d be honored to stand up with you on your wedding day.”
“Thank you.” They gave each other one more nod, before Dixon left.
Later Marshall and Carrie walked into Jack’s office. Jack and Irina looked up from their work when they came in. Marshall smiled widely. “Thank you so much for the invitation. That’s really sweet of you. I mean super sweet. That you would want us to be part of your special day, is really a beautiful gesture. I just wish Carrie and I could’ve returned the favor. I mean we couldn’t really return the favor to the both of you, since you weren’t here Irina. Come to think of it, you weren’t here either Jack. You were on a mission.” He looked at Irina. “Oh you see, Carrie and I weren’t married when she got pregnant. In fact she didn’t really want to marry me, but when junior came along…actually he’s not really junior. It’s not like he’s name is Marshall junior. His name is Mitchell or Mitch if you prefer. But anyway, she went into labor and all of a sudden wanted to get married, and I was in the middle of helping Jack and the gang out with their mission from my office. So, thinking quickly, I get Eric ordained over the internet. Just like that…” He snapped his fingers. “and he was ordained and married us. We of course, wanted all our friends to be there, but it was quite impossible. But maybe we can return the favor by throwing a party at some point or something?” Jack glared at him, Carrie shook her head because of his constant and at times annoying rambling, whereas Irina smiled sweetly at him.
“It’s sweet of you to offer, but there’s no reason to return the favor. We weren’t there when the two of you got married, but we’re here now for any future celebrations you might have.” He smiled back at her and was about to speak again, but Carrie beat him to it. She didn’t want him to ramble again.
“What Marshall and I came here to say, is that we would love to come to your wedding. All three of us.” Jack smiled now and gave Carrie a nod.
“We’re happy to hear it.” Marshall was about to say something again, but Carrie grabbed him and dragged him out of the office before he got a chance to say anything. Jack turned to Irina and rolled his eyes at her. “And you wanted him to stand up with me.” They both laughed, but not too loud. They got back to work, but Irina couldn’t help but think about what Marshall had said.
“Jack?”
“Yeah.” He looked up at her from his work.
“We have figured out where to have the wedding, when the wedding will be, which guests to invite, having sent out the invitations, but we haven’t talked about who’s going to marry us.”
“No, you’re right. We’ve completely forgotten about that. I mean, we only got engaged the other day, but it’s kind of important to get that out of the way early.” She nodded.
“I was thinking about what Marshall said.” He let out a small laugh.
“You’re actually able to make out what he’s saying?” She laughed a little and then hit him playfully on the arm.
“Be nice. Yes, I am.” She shook her head at him. “I was thinking about the part where he said that Eric married them. Why don’t we get Eric to marry us too?” He looked at her surprised. “None of us are religious Jack, so I see no point in getting a priest to do the ceremony. But having a friend, or practically a family member, performing the ceremony that would be something special. And he knows us, and is funny, so who better for the job.” He eyed her.
“You’re actually being serious.” She nodded and he thought about what she’d said. “Well, I guess that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Come to think about it, it would make the wedding more special.” She smiled back at him. “Let’s ask him.” He picked up the phone and called him at his desk. A few minutes later Eric walked in and looked at them in mock seriousness.
“Am I in trouble?” He laughed and Irina laughed at that too. Jack just rolled his eyes.
“No, but we have a favor to ask of you.” Eric looked at them a little surprised.
“Well that certainly sounds intriguing. Shoot.”
“Jack and I would love for you to marry us. Will you do that?” He looked at them completely surprised. He hadn’t expecting them to ask him that.
“You want me to marry you?” They both smiled at him.
“Yes. Marshall just told us that you married him and Carrie, and we thought you would make the perfect choice for the person to marry us. You know us, and you’re family. It would make the wedding more special.” He smiled at them broadly after the words had sunk in. He walked over to them and spoke sincerely.
“Thank you very much for asking me to perform the ceremony. I’ll be honored to do it.” Irina stood up and they hugged. She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you Eric. That means a lot to us.” He smiled back at her, and then reached his hand out to Jack. He took it and shook it.
“Thank you Jack. I’m honored.”
“Thank you for doing it Eric. It means a lot to us.” Eric got all excited.
“This is great. Can I go tell everyone or do you want to tell people?” Jack and Irina looked at each other, both knowing the answer to Eric’s question just by looking in each others eyes.
“Go ahead and tell everyone.” He smiled broadly.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He was out of the office in a matter of seconds, and Jack and Irina couldn’t help but laugh.
A few minutes later Sydney and Nadia walked into their father’s office and told them how happy they were that Eric was performing the ceremony. Nadia was especially thrilled and thanked her parents a lot. Throughout the day the others told them how exciting it was that Eric would be performing the ceremony, and Rachel also told them that she was coming to the wedding.
Later in the evening Dixon and Chase were at his place having dinner alone. Stephen and Robin were out to dinner with their grandparents. Dixon walked over to a drawer and got the invitation for the wedding out, and gave it to Chase. “What’s this?” She read it and got mad and annoyed. “Yes, the rumor about their marriage reached the office. I can’t believe the nerve she has of inviting me to their wedding. She just wants to throw it in my face that she’s free and able to do what she wants, doesn’t she?” Dixon didn’t really want to get in the middle of things between Chase and Irina. He felt for Irina, and thought Chase was going too far. But he couldn’t very well choose Irina’s side over his girlfriend. So he tried to stay as neutral as possible.
“I asked them about it, but they sincerely want you at their wedding. They want it to be a start for our working relationship to grow stronger.” She scoffed at that idea.
“Oh please. That’s a joke. She is what she is. A criminal, who belongs behind bars. Jack is a smart man and a brilliant agent. I can’t believe he’s allowing himself to get fooled by her again.” She threw the invitation on the table. “Well, I’m certainly not going to be fooled by her. You can tell them we’re not going.”
“Actually I’m going.” She looked at him dumbfounded.
“You’re what?”
“Jack is my friend and he’s asked me to be his best man, which I’ve agreed to. And Irina. Well, she’s in a way my friend too.” He had kept his voice calm and neutral, but she was looking at him even more wide eyed, but also looked at him a bit angrily.
“You can’t be serious?” He simply nodded. “Well, I guess I should’ve expected that, since you worked with her and also helped her to get her a pardon. Fine, if you want to be fooled by her, then by all means do so. But don’t let me tell you later on that I told you so.” He simply went on with eating his food. “I assume that Stephen and Robin will be staying with their grandparents or with friends when you’re at the wedding?” He looked at her.
“No, they’re invited and are coming too.” She looked at him not believing what he’d just said.
“You can’t be serious? You’re honestly going to bring them and let them near Derevko?”
“Yes, I’m serious and they’ve met Irina before. You know that.”
“You can’t do that to them.”
“They’re my children, so yes I can.” There was a little harshness to his tone. When it came to his children no one else had a say in the matter. No one was going to question his abilities as a father. He spoke to her calmer now. “Can we just go back to eating our dinner, and talk about something else?” She still stared at him, and was still a bit angry. But she picked up her fork and continued eating.
The next day, Dixon told Jack and Irina that Chase wasn’t able to go. They told him it was a shame, but knew that in truth, she didn’t want to go. They had also received a phone call from Will, who was honored to be included in their wedding and would gladly attend. Devlin had called them too, and said he was happy about being invited, and was looking forward to the wedding.
A few days later Jack, Irina, and Devlin had a meeting going over a possible pardon for Katya. Some of the leads Irina had provided had been successful. They also talked on the phone with other highly ranking CIA directors, who would help to figure out if Katya could get a pardon. A week after that they all met again and this time Kendall was there too. The pardoning agreement had come through, and now all Katya had to do was agree to it. The pardoning agreement stated that Katya would travel around the US to the CIA offices when her help was required, and also offer assistance abroad. She would also be attached to APO, and work with them from time to time. Kendall had agreed to be the person in charge of her, and whenever she came to APO, he had to be present and sign her in. If he was unable to be there, only Jack or Dixon could sign her in. As director of APO, Jack would have overall responsibility for everything involved with APO and all agents attached to the black ops division, but she would mainly be Kendall’s responsibility. When Jack and Irina drove home from work, on the day of finding out about Katya’s pardoning agreement, Irina eyed Jack. She was a little hesitant.
“Jack, are you sure you’re okay with the agreement? About Katya working at APO?” He smiled and then reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.
“I can handle it, and I’ll have you to look out for me.” They laughed a little. “Besides, she won’t be at APO that often. Sometimes more than others, but don’t worry I’ll be fine. Though, I’m glad that she’s mainly Kendall’s responsibility.” He smiled a little evil, and she shook her head at him.
“Now that’s a little cruel. Kendall’s a nice person. You should know that by now.” He nodded.
“Yeah, I know. But still, better him than me.” They laughed a little again, and then he spoke sincerely. “I’ll be fine regarding Katya. But we don’t know if she’ll say yes yet.” Irina nodded.
“No, but we might be able to find out tomorrow, when we go and visit her.”
“Yeah.” She was about to speak, but he beat her to it. “The answer is yes. I’m fine with going to visit her.” She smiled at him and kissed his hand, when he’d figured out the answer to her question. “After all, I have you by my side.” She held his hand tightly.
“Yes, you do. Forever and day.” He looked at her for a brief moment and smiled, knowing how true her words were.
TBC