Feels Like Home

Feather Face

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm so happy you're back for more Brad and Thea! I'm not going to bore you with a long note today :P Here's chapter one of Feels Like Home!

"How are the new guys doing, Jim?" Thea played with the pen in her hand, tapping it against the table she was leaning on.

When Brad had asked her to come to Naples with him, she had said yes without giving it any thought. She was so happy that she wouldn't have to spend a year away from Brad and that she was going to be in a beautiful country with him. But the next day, reality had set in and she realized that there was a lot to do before they left.

Number one on her to-do list had been figuring out how the gym would continue to run without her there. She'd decided to talk to Jim, the retired soldier who helped her run the gym, about her options. After talking about hiring a manager and an accountant, he had suggested that he and his wife Marie take over for her. Shocked was the only way to describe how she felt about what the older man was offering to do for her.

It was true that he worked a few hours most days of the week, but Marie had just retired and they were finally going to have time to spend together. To be honest, Thea was expecting Jim to cut back on his hours to be with his wife. She never would have expected that Jim, let alone Jim and Marie, would offer to run the gym for her.

But, as it turned out, Marie was bored since retiring and Jim just wanted to be where his wife was.

"They're doing well." He answered from the other side of the screen. Marie sat next to him; they had just gone over the financials for the month. "The soldiers miss you but they guys are a good presence down there."

"And they're helping you take care of things, right?" Thea was glad the people they hired were a good presence on the floor since she wasn't there to be on the floor herself, but she was more worried about them helping Jim take care of the place. She knew how much work went into running the gym and she didn't want Jim and Marie to take on that responsibility by themselves.

"Yes, ma'am." He smiled warmly at her from behind the desk that used to be hers.

"Thea, honey," Marie started with a smile that matched her husband's. "Everything is going great here. So stop worrying about us and start enjoying yourself."

Marie was right. She was in an absolutely beautiful country with the man she adored. That's what she should be focusing on, but she was having a hard time letting go. Her gym was her connection to her brother, Charlie, and it hadn't been easy to walk away from that. "You'll let me know the second you need anything?"

"Of course, we will!"

She hadn't heard the door of the small apartment open or close, hadn't heard him walk across the room, but his hands on her shoulders and the kiss he left on the top of her head were a welcome surprise. "Hey, sweetheart." Her heart jumped in her chest and a tingle ran along her skin.

He continued rubbing her shoulders as he turned his attention to the computer screen in front of her. "Hi, Jim. Hi, Marie."

The three exchanged pleasantries, talking about the gym, retirement, and how Brad was settling into a new base before he asked, "Do you guys need Thea for anything else?"

"We sure don't." Marie smiled her big, sweet smile and said, "Thea, we'll call if we need anything."

She thanked them again and they all said their goodbyes. When she closed the computer, Brad remained behind her, rubbing her shoulders. Letting her head fall back against his stomach, she looked up at him and smiled. "Hey." He returned her smile with one of his own. "How was work, darlin'."