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Zack had rented a van, much like her own, and the children piled in. He had even ascertained car seats, and Richard and Tracy buckled the girls in. Tracy insisted on sitting in the back with her children and Richard in the front next to his brother. As they pulled out of the airport and got on the freeway, Richard spoke about his flights, his delays and reaching Chicago earlier than expected, and hence making it to LA faster than they all thought he would. Zack began asking questions about missionary work and they spoke animatedly for over an hour while they drove to Richard's stake center where they were met in the lobby of the Stake offices.

Richard had met this stake president a few times and certainly had written to him more than once as well. But he'd never mentioned Tracy, so introductions were made, and he told the President who was confused by her presence that Tracy was the reason he'd gone on a mission in the first place. Her fearlessness in sharing the gospel had helped him make such an important decision. It was because of Richard saying this that Tracy was allowed to enter the high council chamber to hear Richard's report.

In the high council chamber was a large heavy wooden table, and fifteen large comfortable chairs. Right now, fourteen were occupied by men all dressed in suits. As Richard stepped into the room and the door was closed, he felt Tracy slide in behind him, felt her anxiety and as he stepped in front of her to shake hands with first one and then another of the stake high council. 

He let his hand brush hers. For a very brief, hidden moment he clasped her cold fingers, and felt the rush of pent up current enter his body as it hadn't for two years. In that one startling encounter, he took all the worry and with a very minute blink of his eye he gave her reassurance. Tracy stood up taller. She was privileged to be with this man at his mission report, she could quit acting like a wimpy baby. 

As Richard shook hands with each man and said a few greeting words, he seemed so at ease, so at home in this environment that for a few minutes, the lack of shared experiences caused a feeling of doubt to return, but as they prayed and began to ask Richard questions about his mission, she relaxed and realized she knew all the answers to his questions, it was as if she'd been there with him.

She sat in a chair they'd pulled around for her, directly behind and beside Richard and as she listened to his deep, authoritative voice, she examined his stance. He was comfortable. This wasn't the first report, not even one of the first. He'd given many such, and many talks as well. He spoke with knowledge and experience; he knew more about the church now than she did.

 She felt small in her seat, small and insignificant... and she loved feeling this way. For once part of something very much bigger than herself, and she wasn't in the forefront. She didn't have to think up what to do next,  or how to make it right. This system was so perfect; it worked so well, that each and every man in this room, holding the Priesthood of God was confident, composed, relaxed and joyful.

They asked questions about the field, about the work, the training, the areas, and the programs. He answered with complex information, so easily; it was simply a part of his life. Tracy saw that he no longer swayed from side to side when he talked. He planted his feet and spoke firmly. He didn't use his hands as much, just a little. He didn't turn from side to side, he wasn't convincing anyone that he'd done a good job; he was their equal, reporting to his leaders. They spoke without rush, no set time frame to be met, he was their priority and they listened to him intently, as she found that she did, nodding, learning, being informed.

"So, Brother Mann (not Elder Mann, Tracy suddenly thought and felt her heart race unexpectedly) "What do you have in mind to do now?" the Stake President asked.

Richard took a deep breath and smiled. "I have several projects lined up, and I've also-- as you are aware, been asked to meet with Elder Harrison at a stop in Salt Lake late this evening. Not sure what that's about. Other than that... well, I plan to ask this young lady to marry me and get on with living." He had waved a hand in her general direction and she felt her face burn with sudden attention again. There were chuckles all around.

After the closing prayer, one of the high council turned to Tracy. "Have you been waiting for this young man all these two years?"

Tracy shook her head and tried to smile. "It's been a very eventful two years for both of us." She said. "I think he just proposed to me, though."

"And you're saying yes?" the elderly gentleman twinkled at her. Richard turned at that precise moment from a question by a counselor in the Stake Presidency and looked past Tracy's shoulder to the questioner. He gently raised Tracy's hand which had been resting on the wooden table, the knuckles going white. He softly twined the fingers for the first time in two years. Tracy turned slightly to look at him, but her eyes only got as far as the fingers entwined. That particular event had never happened before.

"I really wasn't meaning that as a proposal, Sister McCaffrey." He said with a huge melodic laugh in his tone. "I intend to give you a proper courting before I propose."

There were more chuckles all around as some of the members began to file out of the close quarters. The Stake President had closed his briefcase and lifted it up in preparation for leaving. Tracy could see over their heads her children looking at books now in the waiting area with Zack, who glanced up expectantly, to see Richard and Tracy holding hands. He grinned.

"Would you two like a moment alone?" The compassionate voice said softly as the Stake President closed the door behind him and Richard and Tracy were left standing there, alone for the first time. He leaned his hip against the wooden table still holding her hand. Tracy waited till she couldn't hear any more talking and kept staring at their joined fingers.

She felt her heart racing again, thumping away inside as if powered by a locomotive. Blood rushed to her face. Why this reaction? She wondered. Why the sudden awkwardness? Was he worried about adjusting to her? He pulled their twined fingers up to his lips never taking his eyes off hers, as they rose, eventually, they'd have to meet.

"Hey." He said softly.

Tracy felt his closeness, the warmth of his outer leg pressed now to her hip. He pulled her a little closer, till she was turned almost between his legs as he sat on and against the wooden table. His other hand rose to rest lightly against her side, almost her back, and she knew the feel of unaccustomed tingles. Awareness flooded her as it hadn't in years. Not with any of the other guys, not even Raine, whose kisses had been wonderful and sweet, and sympathetic, but not this wild drawing sensation as if her whole being reacted to his presence.

"I can't believe we're together." She said finally but didn't look up yet, she couldn't bring herself to do it, so many memories were flooding her, racing to catch up to the present.

He smiled gently, his eyes filled with compassion. "Is it a little weird?"

She finally had to look him in the eye. Immediate recognition, immediate burning desire, so strong she felt a fluid motion eddying through her like the waves that carried her each morning. Melding her with the forces of nature. This was like that. A feeling of....

"It's like coming home." 

*****