A Secret Garden - Part 2
Author: Ava
E-mail: mmmThatAJ@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Mac takes up gardening as a side job to help release her stress and finds herself assigned to AJ's yard while he's touring the country during baseball season.
Author's comments: Assume that the 2004 Christmas episode didn't happen. I wrote that time period before the episode aired. And Joe Descucci is my own invention. Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').
Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others.
Saturday, 26 March 2005
0800 EST
For Garden's Sake
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac was excited to be back at the garden center. This was the first weekend since the fiasco with the Christmas pictures that Mac worked at the nursery. During the winter months, the garden crews didn't go out, and Charlie really didn't need any additional help inside during the off season.
When Charlie called Mac two weeks ago to remind her that the crews would start up the last weekend of March, she was thrilled to learn that he was giving her a permanent crew of her own... and a residence to manage on her own. He hadn't finalized that part, so he hadn't been able to tell her which residence would be hers until today. Mac so hoped it would be the Admiral's home.
She wasn't disappointed. Charlie handed her the address, and she recognized it immediately. She was delighted. She met her crew, told them what they'd be doing that day, and off they went. Mac was a bit anxious about seeing the Admiral again after all this time. He hadn't come in to the JAG office at all since he retired last year nor had he attended any of their social gatherings. He was on the go so often: following the baseball circuit, visiting his daughter, seeing his sister, laughing with old friends.
Mac needn't have been concerned. The Admiral wasn't home; he was in Arizona taking in all the spring training games he could.
Friday, 1 April 2005
1030 EST
Dulles International Airport
Washington, DC
AJ waited at the Baggage Claim area for his daughter to arrive. He had to laugh when he saw her step off the escalator: she was wearing a baseball cap! "Well, you certainly look ready for the season, Daughter," AJ quipped as he gathered into his arms for a big hug.
"I certainly am, Papa. Perhaps this year, I will be able to stay for the entire season," she smiled as she returned his hug and kissed him on the cheek.
"I hope you can, Sweetheart. I missed you when you had to leave last year."
AJ picked up Francesca's bags when they arrived on the baggage carousel, and the pair headed for his vehicle. He opened the trunk of an elegant new platinum Cadillac STS. "This is your car, Papa? I thought you had a big SUV?"
"Traded it in for this a couple of months ago," he told her. "I didn't need all that room in the Escalade, and this one handles really well. I like the way it looks, too."
When they reached his house in McLean, Francesca commented on the lawn. "Papa, I thought you said the yard looked terrible?"
"It did," he replied. "When I got home last year between the season and the Series, the yard was absolutely a disaster."
"But this looks so nice," she contradicted. "And there are flowers! Papa, you never have flowers."
AJ chuckled, "Never wanted to be bothered with planting annuals, I guess. But they are pretty, aren't they?" he asked rhetorically. "When I got home this week from Arizona, the yard had been reseeded, the flowers planted, and there were even some daffodils and tulips blooming. I didn't even know Mac planted them."
"Mac? Your gardener is Mac?" Francesca asked with a devilish grin.
AJ shook his head, "Not that Mac, Francesca. Mac is the guy in charge of the crew that works on my yard. He seems to be very talented; knows his plants, too."
"Do you ever see Mac, Papa? Or anyone else from your old JAG?"
"I haven't seen any of them in a long time. I thought it would be better to just make a clean break."
"Better for whom, Papa?" she asked knowingly.
Ignoring her insinuation, he opened the front door and carried her bags to the guest room. "Don't get too comfortable; we leave for the opening game tomorrow morning. Our flight is at 0800."
Saturday, 2 April 2005
0815 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
As Mac was weeding the flower bed by the front steps, she spied a note taped to the Admiral's front door. Knowing he was out of town again for an extended period, she stepped up on the porch to see who it was addressed to. "To Mac," she read. "For me? He knows it's me?" she wondered.
But as she looked at the envelope, she realized the handwriting wasn't his. "I wonder who...?" she asked aloud. She slid her index finger under the flap and lifted it. Removing the single piece of paper, she began to read:
To Mac (of For Garden's Sake),
You have done a wonderful job with my father's yard. He is very happy with your work, and we both love all the flowers. Please feel free to add as many flowers and plants as you wish. The back yard could use a lot of help.
Francesca Paretti-Chegwidden
Mac was surprised to see how Francesca signed her missive. She didn't know that the young woman had begun to hyphenate her last name to include her father's name. Mac smiled, knowing that the Admiral would be pleased with that new development. Then she read the note again and smiled even brighter. She had the go-ahead to transform the back yard!
Sunday, 22 May 2005
0735 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
Mac pulled the nursery truck into the driveway and climbed down. It was common practice now for her to leave her vehicle at the garden center on Saturday afternoon and drive one of the trucks home full of plants and tools she needed the next morning at the Admiral's home. This weekend was no different.
She'd decided early on that she wanted to do the back yard herself, without her crew. So she spent every Sunday morning there alone, just the plants and Mac. And she'd already transformed the back yard into a beautiful garden. There were weeping cherry trees, flowering crabapples, Japanese maples, wisteria, and crepe myrtles. There were gardenias, camellias, holly, azaleas, peonies, and hydrangeas. And today she was planting petunias, impatiens, and lariope. She'd also added a piece of garden statuary, a sitting bench, and several birdfeeders and bird houses.
As she finished planting the petunias, she glanced around, pleased with her work. 'It sure would be perfect to have a gazebo right there... or at least an arbor trellis. And a fountain; a fountain would be the perfect addition,' she thought to herself. 'I'll have to mention it to Charlie and see if he thinks that's okay.' She knew that the Admiral had basically given Charlie carte blanche to care for the yard, but she also knew that Charlie respected the confidence others placed in him that way. He never allowed his people to overstep or overspend.
Thursday, 26 May 2005
1400 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts hung up the phone with a sigh. 'Now what are we going to do?' he wondered. He looked up and seeing his retired commanding officer enter the bullpen with a lovely young woman on his arm, he immediately called out, "Attention on deck!"
The entire office snapped to attention stance, but AJ quickly released them. "As you were!" He looked at Bud fondly. "Thank you, Commander."
"Admiral, it's so good to see you, Sir! How have you been?" Bud gushed.
"Fine, Bud. Just fine," he reached out to shake Bud's hand. "You remember my lovely daughter, Francesca?" Francesca smiled brightly at her father's proud words.
"Yes, Sir, indeed I do. Miss Paretti," he greeted her, "welcome to JAG."
"Thank you. It is nice to see you again," she replied warmly.
Others approached the Admiral to welcome him back to JAG and ask after his welfare. They had formed a circle around the visitors when the new JAG's office door opened and out walked General Creswell, Harm, and Mac. Mac heard and recognized AJ's voice first. She felt her pulse quicken and drew a quick breath. The General saw the crowd in the bullpen. "What on earth...?"
Harm jumped in with, "I believe I hear Admiral Chegwidden's voice, General. He must be visiting the office... for the first time since he retired last year, in fact."
"Chegwidden?" Creswell repeated, and walked forward into the sea of uniforms. As his people saw him joining the group, they stepped aside to let him through. "Admiral Chegwidden?" he asked the back facing him.
AJ turned around and saw his replacement. "General Creswell," he said with a smile. "It's good to meet you." AJ offered his hand in greeting.
Creswell shook it firmly. "And you, Admiral. I've heard nothing but praise about you from your former staff. And from the SecNav, I might add." AJ nodded his appreciation for the General's words. "And who might this be?" Creswell asked, as he looked at Francesca.
Francesca smiled brightly at the General, "I am Francesca Paretti."
Creswell lifted her hand to his lips. Just as he pressed them to her knuckles, AJ added, "My daughter."
Harm elbowed Mac in the side as they watched the red creep up the back of the General's neck. "And quite a beautiful daughter you have, Admiral," Creswell said when he released her hand.
AJ chuckled to himself, 'Good recovery, General.'
Harm stepped forward, but before he welcomed his former CO, he spoke to Francesca. "Good to see you again, Francesca. It's been too long." He pulled her into an embrace and whispered, "Far too long."
Mac rolled her eyes as she stepped forward and greeted AJ. "Welcome home, Sir."
"Thank you, Colonel. You're looking wonderful, as always. You're letting your hair grow," he noticed.
"Extensions," she smiled. "I don't have the patience to let it grow out."
Creswell recognized that Harm and Francesca had a history. What kind of history he didn't know, but the fact that her father had been Harm's CO, he doubted the relationship had gone very far. 'Good. I'll give him a run for his money,' Creswell decided. "Admiral, we're having a JAG Memorial Day gathering on Monday." He turned to Francesca as he continued to speak to AJ. "I do hope you and your magnificent daughter will join us?"
"Umm, Sir?" Bud tried to interrupt, but the General held his hand up to stop his words.
"The party is being held at the Roberts' home, and I'm sure Harriett will be delighted to have you join us." He looked at Bud, "What's two more, after all?"
"But General..." Bud tried again.
AJ turned to Francesca. "Would you like to go?"
"It is on Monday? Would we still leave on Tuesday morning?" she asked.
AJ smiled. He knew exactly what she was worried about. "We're leaving on Thursday morning, Daughter. Not a day earlier."
She pouted slightly, but agreed. "Then I would love to attend."
AJ now turned to Bud, "Bud, how about if you call Harriett and be sure two more won't be a problem. I don't want to add any extra work for her."
"Actually, Sir, Harriett called just before you walked in. There's a slight problem with having the party at our place on Monday."
"A slight problem, Commander?" repeated Creswell. "What kind of problem?"
"Well, Sir, it seems that Jimmy decided to change one of the twins' diapers on our bed, which of course he isn't supposed to do." He turned to AJ and explained, "We're using cloth diapers for the first year, Sir. We got the service for free. And Jimmy isn't old enough to handle the diaper pins." AJ just nodded, so Bud continued. "Well, he stuck himself and started crying, so little AJ went in the bedroom to see what he was doing, found him with the pins, and took them away from him. Jimmy got mad, so he got Harriett's craft basket and put it up on the bed. He said he thought it was her sewing basket. He dumped everything out onto the bed. Then the baby started crying and..."
"Commander," Creswell interrupted. "What is the problem about the party?"
"Oh, um... Sorry, Sir. Well, between the fire and the bedroom flooding..."
"Fire!?" "Flooding?!" several people exclaimed.
Creswell shook his head in frustration. "Continue, Commander."
"Yes, Sir," Bud replied. "Well, Jimmy ended up punching a hole in the bed with Harriett's knitting needles."
"Uh oh," Mac almost groaned.
Bud looked at her with a forlorn look. "I'm afraid so, Ma'am."
"Afraid so, what?" Harm asked.
"Bud and Harriett have a waterbed," Mac informed them all.
"Had. We had a waterbed," Bud corrected. "Jimmy started screaming when the water started coming out of the hole... which brought little AJ back to the room. He saw the water, so he ran downstairs to the kitchen to tell Harriett that the bed was flooding the room and that one of the twins was on the bed. So Harriett ran up to the bedroom to get the baby and find out what the problem was. Only she forgot to move the bacon off the burner and it caught fire."
"Oh, my gosh!" exclaimed Mac. "Is she all right? The kids?"
Bud nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. When she saw what happened in the bedroom, she heard little AJ yelling that the curtains in the kitchen were on fire. So she ran back downstairs to the kitchen. It was too much for her to put out, so she grabbed the kids and the cordless phone and they all went outside. She called 9-1-1, and they stood in the driveway waiting for the firemen."
"How bad was the fire, Bud?" asked Harm.
"She says it was confined to the kitchen. The fire truck got there pretty fast and put the fire out. But Harriett is pretty upset and she's not sure she'll be up to having the party there on Monday..."
"Absolutely not!" Mac said emphatically. "There's no way we'd descend on you all right now. Don't even think about it! I'll find a restaurant or something..."
"How about if you all just come over to my place?" AJ interrupted.
All eyes turned to the Admiral. "Are you sure, Sir?" asked Mac. "Wouldn't that be an awful inconvenience for you?"
"Not in the least," he replied. "In fact, I have a great back yard for a party."
Mac hid her smile well as Harm asked, "Have you moved, Sir?"
AJ shook his head. "No, Harm, I didn't move. But I have a gardener now. Should have hired him years ago."
Francesca leaned in to Mac, "You won't believe what this gardener has done to the back yard! The front yard is wonderful, too, but the back! It's incredible."
Mac smiled broadly, "Really? I can't wait to see it."
Monday, 30 May 2005
1730 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
The party was in full swing, and everyone had ooo'd and aah'd over the landscaping in the back yard. "Those are such unusual holly bushes. What kind are they?" asked Sturgis.
Without even thinking, Mac answered, "Those are called Hellum Holly. They grow only 3- to 4-feet high and about 3 feet wide."
"What about those little things? They almost look like gardenias, but they're way too short. Gardenias are big plants," Harriett said.
Again, Mac replied. "They're dwarfs, Harriett. They only get about 2 feet high. But their flowers are gorgeous, aren't they?" she asked, reaching down to cup one of the blooms in her hand.
AJ looked surprised. "I didn't know you knew so much about plants, Colonel."
Mac realized then that she'd said too much. "I've done a little gardening over the years, Sir," she replied. "I don't really know very much."
"Well, this is just gorgeous, Admiral," Harriett told him for the third time. "I really want to get the name of your gardener. Maybe he'll help me with our yard. It looks pretty sorry this year."
"His name is 'Mac'," AJ winked at Mac as he started to tell Harriett. But she continued.
"But of course, we have to get the inside of the house fixed first," she sighed.
"You're fortunate the fire was confined to the kitchen, Harriett," he reminded her.
"Yes, Sir, we were," she agreed.
"I just wish the water had been confined to the bedroom," Bud groaned as he heard the conversation.
"It wasn't?" Mac asked.
"Which room is underneath the master bedroom, Bud?" asked AJ knowingly..
Mac grimaced. "Oh, no! Tell me it didn't go through."
Harriett nodded, "I'm afraid so. Right into the living room."
"So now we have to replace a big section of the ceiling in there."
Harriett added, "But it didn't collapse or anything, so at least the furniture and carpet are okay."
"Gonna get a new waterbed, Bud?" quipped Harm.
"Absolutely not!" the Roberts said in unison.
The day wore into the evening, and most people left by 8:00. Most. But not all. Creswell and Harm were still vying for Francesca's attention. Bud and Harriett were still there, too... the twins were sound asleep, and they didn't want to wake them up just yet. And Mac was in the kitchen cleaning up when AJ found her.
"You shouldn't be in here doing this," he told her.
"Not a problem, Sir," she replied instantly.
"The name is 'AJ', Mac. Think you might be able to use it from now on?"
She turned and smiled, countering with, "If you think you can call me 'Sarah' instead of 'Mac'.
AJ smiled back. "I won't have a problem with that at all... Sarah."
She picked up a dry towel and tossed it to him. "Dry for me... AJ?"
He didn't answer. He just stepped up to the counter, picked up a clean, wet bowl from the dish drainer, and began wiping it with the towel. His arm brushed hers several times. Neither one moved away. Francesca found them thus as she came inside. A thought began forming in her mind. "Papa, may I turn on the CDs? I wish to dance with Gordon and Harm."
AJ chided her, "Darlin', don't you think you've led those two on long enough?"
"Oh, Papa! Don't be a spoilsport," she cajoled.
"What would you do if Joe showed up?"
"He won't," she trilled as she flounced off to the living room and turned on the stereo. "Papa! Which speaker is for outside?"
"Number 4," he called back to her.
"So, who's Joe?" asked Mac when Francesca had returned to the back yard.
"Joe Descucci. He's a pitcher. We met him at the season opener this year, and he and Francesca hit it off. His grandparents were neighbors of her mother's parents years ago."
"Small world," Mac commented, rinsing the last dish and laying it in the drainer.
AJ nodded. "Actually, his mother was Marcella's maid of honor at our wedding."
Mac didn't know quite what to say to that, so a small "Oh" is all that slipped from her mouth.
A few dry dishes later, AJ quipped, "I had no idea that Santa's helper was so good in the kitchen."
Mac groaned. "You saw that, hmm?"
"Hard to miss."
"At least the article wasn't all about me. Just a mention or two."
"I noticed that. But the pictures. Mmm, now those were nice," he teased.
"Which one was your favorite?" she bantered back as she walked to the back door and looked outside.
AJ finished drying the last dish and set it down along with the towel. He surprised her by saying, "The one I have framed on my dresser." She didn't dare turn around or she knew she would blush like one of the peonies on the plants outside. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Mac turned questioning eyes to him. "The yard," he explained, changing the subject. "Mac did a great job, don't you think?"
"I love all the flowers," she replied, not wanting to agree, knowing that it was her work he was unknowingly praising.
"What would you think of adding a small gazebo? Maybe a fountain?" he asked.
"I think they'd be beautiful out there."
"Francesca thinks so, too. That's what Mac suggested. I guess I'll give him the go-ahead before we leave on Thursday."
"You're off again, hmm?" Mac asked.
AJ nodded. "We've been to about half of the ball fields so far. I'd planned on visiting all of them this year, but I rather think Francesca is going to want to follow the Sox around for the rest of the season."
"I take it Joe is on that team?"
"Now how did you deduce that?" he teased, casually draping his arm over her shoulders as they continued to stand at the door.
Mac felt a thrill go through her at his touch, and she turned to smile at him. "I'm glad you came by the office last week. I've missed you," she found herself saying.
AJ smiled back with his eyes, "I've missed you, too, Sarah." His eyes bore into hers and she felt like she could drown in the dark pools. Just as he was about to lower his head to hers and steal a kiss, he heard a cry from the guest room.
"I guess the twins are awake," Mac said shakily. "I'll go check on them. Would you mind letting Harriett know they're up?"
AJ didn't answer audibly. But he released his hold on Mac and opened the door as she headed further into the house.
The Roberts decided it was time to leave, so AJ and Mac helped pack them up into the van and waved goodbye as they drove away. Reentering the living room, the CD had changed to more romantic music. As the strains of Tony Bennett filled the room, AJ took Mac's hand and gently pulled her into his arms. "The last time I danced with you was right here," he commented.
"And it was Tony Bennett then, too," she added.
"You were engaged to be married."
"I know," she said sadly.
"He was the biggest fool I've ever known," AJ said sincerely.
Mac smiled slightly. "Thank you, AJ."
He stopped dancing and lifted Mac's chin with his finger. "I mean that, Sarah." Her eyes brightened with unshed tears. "Answer me something?" She nodded. "Are you seeing anyone now?" She shook her head. His eyes relaxed, though he hadn't realized they were even tense. "Good," he whispered before he lowered his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Mac moaned her pleasure at the feel of his lips on hers. As he began to lift his mouth from hers, she pressed forward, not wanting the kiss to end.
Realizing that, AJ pulled her back to him, wrapping one arm around her waist while slipping the other around the back of her neck and head. Mac slid her arms around his neck and held him closely. AJ deepened their kiss quickly and Mac pressed herself firmly against his long, hard body.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" the stern voice of Mac's new CO penetrated their hearing.
Mac pulled away quickly and blushed profusely. "General, Sir! It's not... I mean... we didn't... we never..." she stumbled over her words.
Creswell decided to let her off easy. "Relax, Colonel. I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't make the same mistake twice. I know there was nothing between you and the Admiral while he was active duty." He looked at AJ and said, "Thanks again, AJ, for having us all here today. It was a very nice party, and I enjoyed getting to know my predecessor."
"I was glad to do it, Gordon," AJ replied.
"Now, I think I'll let myself out and you two can... pick up where you left off," he finished, wiggling his eyebrows. "By the way, AJ, that's quite a daughter you have." Creswell opened the front door to leave. "I wonder if Rabb knows about Descucci yet?" With that, he closed the door behind him.
AJ laughed as he realized that Creswell knew about Joe. "He must have seen the picture," he told Mac.
"What picture?"
"Someone snapped a picture of them in a rather ardent embrace at one of the games last month. It made the sports pages of who-knows-how-many newspapers the next day." AJ was glad there hadn't been much of a story to accompany the picture... just a small blurb about Joe's latest love interest.
Mac giggled as she replied, "I'm just glad those Christmas pictures of me didn't end up in the newspaper! The TV was bad enough, but people save newspaper clippings!"
"Yes, I know. Kind of the way people save clippings from the Navy Times, hmm?" AJ teased.
Mac looked startled. "You were kidding, weren't you? You don't really have one on your dresser?"
AJ put his arm around her waist, "Come and see."
Mac bit her lips together as AJ led her to his bedroom. He opened the door and allowed Mac to enter first. She immediately turned to face his dresser. Sure enough, there was the sexiest pose... the one that had been paired up with the rewrite of "Santa Baby"... framed and sitting prominently on his dresser.
She turned surprised eyes to him. "I thought you were kidding," she said quietly.
AJ shook his head as he pulled her close to him. She slowly moved her hands up his chest and around his neck. He pulled her tightly against him, and she could feel his hardness pressing against her. She lifted her face to him, and he took possession of her mouth instantly. When she quietly moaned her pleasure, he gently kicked the door shut behind him and edged her closer to his bed. When he knew her knees were against the mattress, he pressed again, and they easily fell to the soft spread.
AJ moved his left hand to her face and outlined her lips with his index finger. "I've wanted to hold you like this for so long," he whispered to her. "You're so beautiful, Sarah."
Mac's hands roamed over his bald pate. "So are you," she cooed.
He chuckled, "You actually like a bald head?"
"Mmm, it's sexy."
"Well, I must admit, I rather prefer a woman with hair," he teased.
"Oh, I have hair, AJ. I have plenty of hair," she answered as she moved one leg over his so that his legs were between hers.
"Sarah..." he moaned as he felt her heat pressing into him. He easily moved his left hand to her blouse and slipped it inside, grasping her breast. "Tell me if this is too much, too soon."
Then he reached his right hand between them and slipped it down inside her shorts. He felt the top of her bikini panties and began to move further down on top of them. "Under them, AJ," Mac breathed.
'Obviously it's not too much or too soon,' he knew.
"Papa? Harm is leaving now. Papa? Where are you?" they heard Francesca calling from the living room.
He quickly released Mac and jumped to his feet, straightening his clothes. "I'll tell them you're in the bathroom," he said as he put his hand on the doorknob.
Mac quickly ran into the bathroom and flushed the commode, then turned on the faucet. She adjusted her clothing, turned off the faucet, and joined the others in the living room.
"I guess it's time we let the Admiral have his house back, Mac," Harm said. "Thanks, again, Sir."
Mac looked at AJ as she repeated, "Yes. Thank you very much. Sir." AJ had never heard anyone say the word "Sir" with quite so much passion.
Tuesday, 1 June 2005
0945 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac picked up her phone and heard AJ's voice even before she said anything. He was obviously talking to Francesca. "No, you may not come with us. There's plenty of leftovers from the party yesterday."
Mac smiled to herself as she finally spoke. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie."
"Good morning, Sarah. It's AJ," he said easily.
Good. He obviously had no idea that she'd heard him speaking to his daughter. "Hello, AJ. Thank you again for hosting a lovely party yesterday. I think we all had a wonderful time, and it was so good to see you again. Everyone's talking about it today."
"I was glad to have everyone over and show off my yard. I was especially glad to see you again, Sarah... and I enjoyed our time alone in the house very, very much." His voice was low and sexy as he said this last, and Mac shivered in anticipation. She smiled into the receiver but said nothing. AJ was a little taken aback when she didn't reply, but then he considered that she was at the office... and it was very possible that someone was with her in her office, thus making it difficult for her to carry on a personal conversation. "I was hoping you might be free for lunch today?"
Mac groaned. "I'd love to, AJ, but I'm afraid I have to go out of town today. General Creswell gave me a new case this morning; I leave for California in about three hours."
"Well, maybe when we're both back in town we can get together?" he left it open.
"I'd like that." She didn't want to sound too pushy or excited. Willing. That's what she was aiming for.
"I won't keep you; I'm sure you have a lot to do before you leave for the airport."
"Not really," she replied, hoping to talk to him for a while longer.
"Hey, Mac! You ready to go? I need to swing by my place on the way to the airport and pick up a couple of things. Why don't we go by your place, too? You can grab one of those sexy nightgowns..."
"I'm on the phone, Harm!" Mac was too late in covering the mouthpiece: AJ had certainly heard Harm's comment.
He confirmed it by his next words, even reverting back to her nickname, "I'm sorry, Mac. I thought when Harm went after Francesca yesterday that... well... Obviously I was mistaken. I won't bother you again. Goodbye."
Mac almost cried as she heard the dial tone in her ear. She hung up the receiver, grabbed her briefcase and cover, and headed to the airport on her own.
Sunday, 19 June 2005
0855 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
She'd been traveling the last couple of weekends, and Mac was determined to make up for it this weekend. Charlie had arranged for the gazebo and fountain to be delivered and positioned during her absence, so she had a lot of work to do to make them look like part of the garden, not just afterthoughts. She moved a couple of the smaller evergreens, planted several clematis around the gazebo, and filled in with more annuals. She added mulch and decided she'd bring some stepping stones next week.
Mac still hoped that AJ would call her when he returned home, but she didn't think much of her chances. He probably thought she'd come on to him at the party because Harm was flirting with Francesca and Mac wanted to make him jealous. If she wanted anything with AJ, it was definitely going to be up to her to make the next move. But what kind of move should it be? She tossed several ideas around in her head:
- She could just call his house and leave a message on the machine... which he probably wouldn't get until his return, and in the meantime, he might have met some other baseball groupie and then not be interested in her.
- She could wait until he got home and then call and talk to him personally... but then there's still the problem of that other groupie.
- She could call him on his cell phone and try to convince him that there's nothing going on between her and Harm... but after he heard Harm's comment about a sexy nightgown, she doubted that he'd believe her. And even if he did, he probably would still think that Harm laid claim to her and therefore he wouldn't encroach on his "territory".
- She could send him a gift basket. But where would she send it? How would she know where he was? He was traveling all over the country. And even if she knew which city he was in, how would she know which hotel?
Mac sighed and she turned back to her plants. It was hopeless.
"I wonder how a fish pond would look over there? Maybe with a little waterfall?" She dragged the garden hose over and laid it out to form a circle. Then she pulled and twisted it until the shape was to her liking. She decided to wait a couple of weeks to decide firmly on the pond. She needed to do a little research on them to see how well they did in this area.
As she was heading back home that evening, she decided to make a detour to the Roberts' house. Maybe AJ mentioned to them what his schedule was this summer. Maybe they'd know where he was staying.
He hadn't. They didn't.
Monday, 11 July 2005
0845 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
The JAG officers sat around the conference table waiting for the General to arrive. According to his yeoman, he'd been held up by a call from the SecNav. That didn't bode well; it was never a good thing for the SecNav to call JAG on a Monday morning.
Mac wasn't really listening to the conversation between the men... that is until she heard the word 'baseball'. "You know he's gonna be there tomorrow," said Sturgis.
"Sure wish I could make one of those games," Harm inserted.
Bud piped in, "I got to see the All-Star game back in '86. It was at the Astrodome in Houston. Cal Ripken was on the American team."
"Did you get to meet him?" asked Harm.
Bud shook his head. "Nope. But I met Darryl Strawberry on the National team. Even got his autograph."
"I saw the All-Star game in '99 in Boston's Fenway Park. Ted Williams was there; he threw out the opening pitch," said Sturgis.
"Awesome!" Bud all but whispered.
"Maybe I should head up to Detroit in the morning and catch this year's game," Harm suggested.
"You just want to see if the scuttlebutt about Francesca Paretti and Joe Descucci is true, Harm," teased Sturgis.
"That, too," Harm chuckled. "I can't see what she sees in him. He's nothing great to look at. And he's a ball player, for crying out loud!"
"And everyone knows that a Naval aviator turned lawyer is so much more exciting," teased Mac. She quickly asked her question, "So the All-Star game is tomorrow in Detroit, I take it?"
Bud nodded his head, "Yes, Ma'am. And you know the Admiral and his daughter will be there."
"Won't it be awfully crowded, though? I mean, the hotels will be packed," Mac replied.
"Sure, but the Admiral will have already reserved their rooms," Bud intoned.
"Absolutely," agreed Sturgis.
"In fact, he probably booked those last year."
"I don't doubt it. Rooms at the Ritz in Detroit are hard to come by."
"Why would you think they're staying at the Ritz, Sturgis?" asked Mac.
The three men looked at each other and then back at Mac with patient grins on their faces. Sturgis answered, "Because it's the Admiral, Mac. And because he has his daughter with him. Only the best."
"And in Detroit, the Ritz-Carlton is the best," added Bud.
General Creswell entered the room at that moment. But Mac had the information she needed. She smiled to herself. Now to decide what exactly to send him.
Tuesday, 12 July 2005
1025 EDT
Chegwidden Suite at the Ritz-Carlton
Detroit, Michigan
AJ heard the knock on the door and, knowing it would be for Francesca as always, didn't even move from his spot on the sofa. "I'll get it Papa!" he heard his daughter say as she appeared in the doorway from her bedroom.
She opened the door and was delighted when she saw the gift basket in the porter's hands. "Oh, my! How lovely," she cooed. "Please bring it right inside." She turned to her father and giggled, "I wonder who it could be from?"
"You know very well who it's from, Daughter," AJ chided.
The young man stepped into the room and spoke as he set the heavy basket on the table. "Actually, Sir, it's not for Miss Paretti today."
"What?" Francesca almost shrieked.
AJ raised an eyebrow at the young man, who then continued speaking. "It's for you, Sir."
"Me?" AJ repeated in disbelief.
"The card is addressed to Admiral AJ Chegwidden."
"Well, I'll be..." AJ rose from the sofa and examined the gift basket through the cellophane. "It's full of baseball things," he chuckled.
"But who is it from, Papa?"
AJ tipped the porter and closed the door behind the young man. When he turned around, Francesca was holding the envelope out to him. "A little impatient, are we?" he teased.
"Papa, open this!"
He took it from her and slid his finger along with flap, lifting it. He pulled out the card and began reading to himself:
Dearest AJ,
Here's hoping you and Francesca are having a fabulous time visiting the ball fields this year. I thought you might enjoy the items in this basket. And I'm hoping you'll bring the special one home intact to share with me. I'm sorry you heard Harm's comment, but let me assure you, there is nothing more between us than there ever has been... friendship. I'm hoping for so much more with you, and I definitely got the impression that you want more with me. If I'm wrong, please excuse my blunder. If I'm right, I'm ready and waiting for you.
Sarah
AJ swallowed hard as he read the last sentence. "Papa? Who is it from?" Francesca asked as she started unwrapping the cellophane.
"I'll do that!" he stopped her. She raised her eyes in question and then grinned. "It is from a woman, yes?"
AJ felt the blood beginning to creep up his neck. He seldom blushed, but this was his daughter. "Yes, it's from a woman."
"From Mac?"
"A woman, Francesca. Not the gardener."
"No, no. I meant Colonel MacKenzie. Sarah."
He pulled the cellophane off and squashed it into a ball, tossing it aside. "Yes, it's from Sarah."
Francesca smiled broadly. "She likes you, Papa."
"I like her," he replied. He found a chocolate ball wrapped in foil that looked like a baseball. Several bags of chocolate-covered pretzel twists, chips, and peanuts. There was also a pen shaped like a baseball bat, a memo pad with the Boston Red Sox logo on it, a bottle of champagne, an MLB sports towel, and an All-Stars coffee mug filled with peanut M&Ms. He was at the bottom of the basket; he couldn't imagine which item Mac's comment was about. He looked at each item again. Nothing.
It wasn't until that night when he was sitting on the sofa watching the news on TV and munching on the M&Ms that he found it. He was extremely glad that Francesca hadn't found it first; she'd never let him live it down. There in his hand was a condom... shaped like a baseball bat!. "Oh, Sarah..." he groaned.
Wednesday, 13 July 2005
1210 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac looked up to see a florist delivery man standing in her office doorway. "You Sarah MacKenzie?" he asked.
"Yes, I am."
"These are for you."
Mac's face lit up seeing some of her favorite flowers in a lovely vase. "Just put them right here. Thank you." The man left and Mac found the card and opened it quickly.
My beautiful Sarah,
You took my breath away with your special gift. When I return home, I think it's only fair that I take yours away by sharing it with you. Looking forward to that day.
AJ
Mac felt a chill run down her spine followed by a flood of warmth filling her very being. She sighed "Come home soon," she begged under her breath.