. 🧜🏻‍♀️

The next day Marty and Jesse went grocery shopping, it didn't take long to decide on a dish, they needed something that fed a lot of men for a little money. Spaghetti and meat sauce was the answer, Marty of course used her spices, and talents, to make the sauce irresistible while Jesse worked on the bread dough for the homemade French loafs. They decided that the men could use the microwave to melt some mozzarella on top if they wanted it, so they put it on the side. They also created a balsamic dipping sauce for the bread, and of course included home-made peanut butter cookies and home-made chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

When the girls pulled up to the gate, Gage was waiting there to get them on base. Once in he escorted them to the barracks and helped them set up. It was just after six and the men started arriving a short time later, having no idea that they were about to get a home-cooked meal.

Gage saw a few men come in and told them that there was food. A look of excitement replaced their tired expressions. More filed in and eventually everyone was loitering in the hall eating their home cooked meal excitedly.

When the last of the bread and spaghetti was served the girls then turned saying, we brought cookies if anyone's interested. The sound of boots lining up signaled that they were indeed interested.

Everyone got two. Sitting down enjoying their snacks, one of the guys, who couldn't have been more than nineteen said, "Who are they anyway?"

The other one shook his head, "Hell if I know, but I'm in love."

Nodding the nineteen year old got to his feet and shuffled toward them, "Are either of you married," he asked hesitantly.

Both shook their heads grinning.

Dresden smirked at specialist Martin. "This is Marty she is the best cook in the world and as it so happens his cousin." Josh pointed to Gage and the kid froze like a deer in headlights as if he was afraid Gage might beat him for talking to her.

Then Josh tapped Martins shoulder again to get his attention saying, "And this beautiful girl is Jesse. She's the one who made that oreo pie."

His eyes grew wide in adoration. "Really?"

"Yep and she's pregnant so don't pick her up and spin her around or she'll get sick."

Martin laughed. "I don't think I've ever randomly picked up a pregnant woman for any reason."

Josh grinned, "No doubt a good policy. And in my defense I didn't know she was pregnant when I did it."

Jesse blushed.

"She has been known to accept a hug however."

"Not from a barracks full of men she hasn't," came Gage's low growl.

Mark patted Gage on the arm, even as he laughed.

Marty winked at her cousin. He was so jealous it was almost funny. "Here I'll give you a hug just to spare us both from uncertain doom."

Martin stepped forward taking her in his arms, sighing in contentment. "Thank you Marty."

"You're welcome. Jesse, you ready," she asked turning to her friend?

With a nod she gathered up the baking dishes as they walked to the car under Gage's watchful eye.

The guys from the party, he gave the night before said hi and thanks as they passed along with a lot of other faces they had never seen before.

Gage followed them in his car back to the house, still grinning about the puppy dog faces they left behind. The girls didn't know it, but they had an entire barracks of allies that would gladly give their lives for them. Not bad for one home cooked meal.

When he walked into the kitchen listening to the girls happy chatter he realized how much he loved hearing her voice and coming home to her. His heart stopped briefly at the thought. "Jesse," he said removing his cover as he walked in the room.

She looked up grinning at him. "Hmm."

"I want to come home to you every night, not just the weekends."

Marty gasped, her eyes filling with tears.

Jesse looked to her friend and then at Gage as if in slow motion. Her heart was beating wildly as she stood there mute. "Wh-what?"

Walking up to her he took her hands in his, going down on one knee, "I want to come home to you every night. Jesse McAlister will you marry me?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stood shaking.

Marty wasn't any better off. A witness to her cousins and best friends love she was just as shaky.

Jesse looked down into his beautiful pale blue eyes his face tense, as if he had any doubt as to her answer. "I love you so much Gage. Yes, of course I will be your wife."

Coming to his feet he picked her up, hugging her close before taking her mouth with his own.

"This makes it official Jesse."

"What makes what official?" She looked dazed and confused.

"You now have a real family."