After the Ball - Part 1

The next day
0745 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia 

AJ awoke to find Rachel sleeping next to him.  Her back was to him, and her head was laid back against his shoulder.  She had one of her hands between his legs, while he had one of his cupping her right breast.  ‘God, she was magnificent,’ he thought to himself. ‘I just hope she doesn’t regret it all this morning.’ 

Rachel stirred in his arms, and when she found it difficult to move, she turned her head to see AJ gazing at her.  “Good morning,” he said. 

“Yes, it is,” she replied dreamily. 

“Was it worth the wait?” he asked. 

Rachel shifted her position to face AJ.  "Oh definitely.  Most definitely,” she purred.  "I had no idea it would be so wonderful."

AJ smiled.  "You ready to get up?  Or would you like to..."

"How about if I make you breakfast?" she offered.

"You don't have to do that, Rachel."

"Oh, but I want to.  I love to make breakfast; it's my favorite meal."

AJ agreed, "Well, then.  Be my guest." 

Rachel headed for the bathroom first, and coming out, AJ saw she had donned his bathrobe from the back of the door.  It was way too large for her, hanging almost to the floor, but she had belted it tightly and rolled the sleeves up.  "It's a little big," she commented with a smile.

"Sorry I don't have one to fit you.  Although, there actually may be one in the guest room," AJ suggested.  He saw her face loose a little of its sparkle at that comment, so he quickly added, "My daughter sometimes leaves a few articles behind after her visits."

"Your daughter?"

AJ explained as he headed for the bathroom himself, "Francesca.  She's 26 and lives in Italy.  Her mother and I divorced when Francesca was about 2 years old."  He shut the door and Rachel went to the kitchen.

Twenty minutes later, AJ was showered and dressed; he walked into the kitchen and found Rachel had prepared a large Western omelet and plenty of buttered toast.  She had also made a full pot of coffee and had poured two large glasses of orange juice.  "Now that's what I call breakfast!" AJ said as he sat at the table.

All the while Rachel was preparing breakfast, she was rehashing last night's events over in her mind.  'He must think I'm a real doozy.  How could I have slept with him?  How could I have let him violate me?  No, no, he didn't violate me.  I begged him to do it...it was my fault.  All my fault.  He didn't want to.  He didn't want me...he was just being polite in not rejecting me.  Oh, God, I've been such a fool.  Now what?  Now what do I do?'   She realized she needed to say something. "I hope you like omelets, AJ; I didn't even think to ask first.  I'm sorry." 

"Rachel, you don't ever have to apologize to me.  And certainly not for making such a fabulous meal," AJ said.  He took a bite of omelet and bit off a corner of his toast.  "Mmm, this is delicious, Rachel.  You can come cook for me anytime."

Rachel smiled weakly and finished eating in silence.  AJ didn't say much either; he was too busy enjoying his breakfast.  Rachel cleared her dishes from the table and set them in the sink.  "I'm going to get dressed now."

"Why don't you take a look in the guest room dresser and see if Francesca left some casual clothes in there.  If so, help yourself.  And if not, I'll find you some shorts and a t-shirt to wear; they'll be too big, but you don't want to have to wear your formal gown this morning, I'm sure," AJ offered.

"Okay," Rachel replied softly.

"Rachel?  Is something wrong?" AJ asked.

"No, there's nothing wrong," she lied as she hurried into the guest room to look for some clothes.  AJ followed her and stood in the doorway.  "None of these will fit me, AJ.  Your daughter is a lot smaller than I am."

"Well, I'm sure I can find a pair of shorts with some strong elastic that will do for today.  And I have plenty of t-shirts.  Come on; we'll see what we can find," he said putting his arm around her waist and ushering her back to his bedroom.

AJ opened his dresser and pulled out a pair of shorts from one drawer and a t-shirt from another.  "Here, try these."

"Thank you," she said, heading for the bathroom.

"Rachel?"

She stopped, but she didn't turn.  "Yes?"

"I asked you this when you first woke up.  I'm going to ask, again, because I'm afraid your answer has changed.  Was it worth the wait?  Or do you wish now that I hadn't..."  He stopped when he heard her quick intake of breath...not quite a gasp, not quite a sob.  "Rachel," he said softly, moving directly behind her and pulling her back against his chest.  "Oh, Rachel, I'm so sorry.  I told you that you'd be safe with me; I promised you, and I didn't keep that promise.   Rachel, it's my fault, I..."

She quickly turned around and said, "No!  AJ, no.  It's not your fault.  You only did what I begged you to do.  You didn't want to.  You didn't really want me.  You just didn't want to insult me, and I appreciate that.  I guess I just wanted..."

"Woah, hold on a minute.  What do you mean I didn't want you?  Rachel, I did want you.  I do want you."

"Oh, AJ, you don't have to pretend with me.  I know better."

"Rachel," AJ pulled her closer into his embrace.  He took the clothes from her hands and threw them on the floor.  "I'm not pretending.  You were...you are magnificent."

"If I'm so magnificent, tell me where my birthmark is."

AJ looked at her in bewilderment.  "Your birthmark?"

"See?  You don't know.  You didn't even notice.  Because I don't mean anything to you.  You were just..."  Tears were forming in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

AJ smiled.  "I guess I didn't realize it was a birthmark.  I rather thought it was a tattoo, actually.  Though, if I'd thought about it's being on you, I would have realized.  It's right back here," he said as he patted the base of her left hip through the bathrobe.  "And it's a lovely little mark that looks very much like a butterfly."

"You...you..." she stuttered.

"I'd like very much to give it a little more attention this morning...that is, if you'd like that."

"You mean, you... you want...?" 

"I mean I want you.  Yes.  I want to make love to you, again.  Very much.  Right now, Rachel."

"Yes," she breathed.  "Please.  Please."  Her tears fell down her cheeks, and he kissed them away before he led her to the bed.

1615 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia 

AJ and Rachel stayed in bed most of the day.  "You really are Prince Charming, aren't you," she whispered in his ear as he nibbled on her neck.

"To your Cinderella?  Absolutely, Princess."  AJ's ministrations were interrupted by the insistent ringing of the telephone.  He reached over and grabbed the receiver.  "Chegwidden!" he said testily.

"Sorry to bother you on the weekend, Sir, but we have a major incident in Okinawa, Sir."

"Again?  Now what?"  AJ listened to Gunny relate the details, then he asked, "Okay.  Call Rabb and Roberts; I want them out there with me.  And call MacKenzie and let her know she's in charge while I'm gone.  What time's the flight, Gunny?"

"2245, Sir, out of Andrews."

"Very good.  Secure three seats.  And try to get us some decent housing out there this time."

"Aye, Sir."

AJ hung up and turned to face Rachel.  "I have to go out of town; sounds like it'll be a while, too.  Damn."  He pulled Rachel into his arms and said, "Wouldn't mind if I had you along to occupy my free time.  Don't suppose you'd like to go to Japan tonight?"

"Japan!  I don't think so, AJ.  Wouldn't I have to have a passport...visa...shots...that sort of thing?" she laughed.

"Well, no shots...but yes, you would require a passport and visa."

"I have neither.  I'd also lose my job if I just disappeared like that."

"You need to get a passport," he growled in her ear.  "What if I want to take you someplace when I get back?"

She laughed.  "Take me to the beach, AJ!  It's cheaper.  So what time do you have to leave?  Should I get out of here now?"

"No, not yet," he answered quickly.  "Once more; let me love you once more before you go."

An hour later, Rachel donned the t-shirt and shorts he'd given her that morning.  

AJ looked at her and said, "Hmm, no.  I have a better t-shirt than that one."  He rummaged through his drawer and found the one he wanted.  He unfolded it and held it up for Rachel to see.

" 'Property of a US Navy SeAL'," she read aloud.  "AJ!  I can't wear that!"

"And why not?" he asked, feigning a hurt expression.

"You really want me to wear that?" she asked incredulously.

He folded her into his arms, and said, "Yes, I do, Rachel.  Very much."

Five months later
1015 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ stood at the window behind his desk, staring outside, deep in thought.  Trouble is, he wasn't thinking about JAG.  He was thinking about Rachel Cooper.  A knock at his door interrupted his musings.  "Enter!"

"Excuse me, Admiral.  Clayton Webb is here, Sir.  He says you requested to see him," Petty Officer Tiner explained.

"Yes, I did, Tiner.  Send him in."  AJ turned and greeted the CIA spy.  "Webb.  Have a seat."

"Good morning, Admiral.  What can I do for you?" Webb asked.

"Have a favor to ask of you, Webb.  A personal favor.  Not related to JAG at all."

"A personal favor, Admiral?  You're asking me for a favor?" Webb asked incredulously.  Admiral AJ Chegwidden didn't ask anyone for favors, certainly not someone like Webb...and Webb knew it.

"Someone I met a few months ago seems to have dropped off the face of the earth.  And I'd like to find her.  Make sure she's all right."

"She?" asked Webb.

"She," confirmed the Admiral.

"Does she have a name?"

"Cooper.  Rachel Cooper.  She lived in Pimmit Hills five months ago.  When I came back from Okinawa, I tried to find her.  The phone number she gave me is out of service.  And the only address listed with it was a Post Office box...no longer rented.  The Post Office doesn't have an address for her; no forwarding order; no nothing."

"Is that all you've tried, Admiral?" Webb asked.  'This'll be easy.  Hell, he's done nothing!'

"No, that's not all I've done, Webb.  I checked with Motor Vehicles.  She no longer has a Virginia driver's license or a car registered in the state.  Hell, she no longer has a driver's license anywhere in the US...and no car registered!"

"Where did you meet her, AJ?"

"Outside the Ritz Carton Hotel the night of the Naval Ball."

"Oh, yes.  I heard about her."

"What?  What did you hear?"

Webb smirked.  "Just that you ended up with a virgin that night."  He paused.  "Tell me, Admiral, was she still a virgin the next morning?"

AJ ignored his question.  "I've driven down every damned street in Pimmit Hills looking for her.  I've gone in every grocery store, drug store, hardware store, and beauty salon looking for her; no one's ever heard of Rachel Cooper."

"Why are you so intent on finding her, AJ?" Webb asked carefully.

"Like I said, Webb.  I just want to be sure she's okay."  AJ picked up the French comb that had been sitting on his desk for the last several months.  He turned it over and over in his hands.  It was Rachel's comb.  He found it under his bed when he returned from Japan.  He'd kept it at home the first week, but then one day he put it in his briefcase and took it to the office.  It had been ensconced on his desk ever since.

"She wasn't... a virgin...the next morning, was she."  Webb said matter-of-factly, rather than as a question.

AJ looked up at him.  "No.  She wasn't."

"AJ, if she's disappeared, she obviously doesn't want you to find her.  I know you.  I know the kind of man you are.  You would never have forced yourself on her.  So she can't be running from you because of that.  But maybe...maybe she decided that she made the wrong decision that night.  Maybe she..."

"No!  Webb, you don't understand.  She stayed the next day.  We...  Damn it, Webb!  She was with me right up until I had to leave for Japan.  We'd already talked about plans for when I got home."

"Did you talk to her... from Japan?"

"I tried. But I never could reach her.  By the time I got home, the phone was disconnected."

"Okay, AJ.  I'll see what I can find out."  Webb got up and turned to leave.

"Webb," AJ said as he stood.  "Thank you."  He extended his hand to the spy.  Webb looked at him for a moment, and then accepted the gesture.

'Damn, he's got it bad.'

The following week
0935 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Clayton Webb entered the bullpen.  He had the information about Rachel, but AJ wasn't going to like it.  He walked into the Admiral's outer office and told Tiner he needed to see Chegwidden.

"He's in his weekly staff meeting, Mr. Webb.  Won't be out for another half hour or so.  You want to wait?"

"No, Tiner, I don't want to wait.  And he doesn't either.  Which conference room is he in?"

Tiner immediately stood up and walked around the desk.  Webb had a way about him that Tiner didn't like.  He always seemed to sneak past him and get to the Admiral before Tiner could warn his boss.  That wasn't going to happen this time.  "I'll ask him if he wants to see you now, Mr. Webb."  Tiner picked up the phone and buzzed the conference room.

"Rabb."

"Commander Rabb, Mr. Webb is here to see the Admiral, Sir.  He says he can't wait and that the Admiral..."

"Tiner, tell Webb if he wants to see the Admiral, he will wait..."

"Webb?!" AJ said.  He rose quickly from the table and strode quickly out the door and toward his office.  "Webb!"

"I've got it, AJ," Webb said as he tapped a folder on his palm.

The two men went in AJ's office and shut the door.  The JAG staff was dumbfounded.  "What was that all about?" Mac asked.

"I have no idea, Mac," replied Harm.

AJ and Webb sat on the sofa in AJ's office.  "Is she all right?" AJ asked.

"Yes, she appears to be... healthy," replied Webb.

"Where is she?"

"In West Virginia; she's living with her sister's family."

"Did you see her?  Did you talk to her?"

"No, but I have pictures.  And no, I haven't talked to her."

AJ extended his hand.  "The pictures, Webb.  Give me the pictures."

"AJ, what do you want from this woman?" Webb asked, not handing him the folder.

"Give me the damned pictures, Webb!" AJ yelled.

"All right."  Webb opened the folder and handed AJ the first picture.

The photo showed just Rachel's face.  AJ gazed at it for two minutes before saying a word.  He ran his finger along her cheek and jaw line.  Then he touched her mouth.  When he finally spoke, Webb knew he would have to tell him.  It would probably be easier to just show him.  Webb handed him a second picture.

This photo was a full-length image of Rachel.  "That's mine.  That's my t-shirt.  She's still wearing my t-shirt," AJ murmured.  Webb handed him the third, and last, picture.

This one was also full-length, but a side view.  AJ inhaled sharply.  "Oh my God," he whispered.  "Oh my God.  Rachel."  AJ looked up at Webb.  "She's...  She's..."

"She's pregnant, AJ.  Very pregnant.  Five months."

AJ stared at the picture for another minute.  He laid his finger on her stomach.  "Where in West Virginia?  Where does her sister live in West Virginia?" AJ demanded.

"AJ, I don't think it's a good idea for you to just show up there.  She obviously doesn't want you to know about this, or she would have told you."

"I don't give a damn, Webb!  Tell me where the hell she lives or I'll beat it out of you!!" AJ bellowed so loudly the pictures on the walls shook... and everyone in the bullpen heard his threat.

"Zag.  It's a tiny little town called Zag.  There's a map, address, phone number.  Everything you'll need," Webb said as he handed the folder to AJ.  "And you know, of course, that you couldn't beat it out of me, AJ.  If I didn't want to tell you, you wouldn't know."

AJ grabbed the folder.  He flipped through it quickly to be sure everything was there as Webb said.  Then he grabbed his cover and headed for the door.  "Tiner!  I'm gone for the next three days.  Mac!  You're in charge."  He stopped at the double doors leading from the bullpen to the elevators.  "Lieutenant Sims," he said turning slowly.  "Walk with me!" he ordered.  "Webb!"  AJ paused until the spy came out of AJ's office and looked at him.  "Thank you.  I owe you one."

Harriett scurried to follow the Admiral to the elevator.  As they boarded, another couple of officers were ready to get on.  The Admiral said, "Take the next one," and he pressed the Close Door button.  "Harriett, I need a favor.  I'm going to West Virginia to get Rachel and bring her back here.  I need you to go to my house and change things around.  Make it more... agreeable to a woman.  Change the curtains if need be...the bedding...whatever.  Make it... hell, I don't know.  Make it such that you'd like to live there; you have good taste.  Spend whatever it takes.  Clear out the medicine cabinet and the top drawers in the bathroom.  Find a dresser or armoire that matches my bedroom and have it there by tomorrow afternoon."  

The elevator doors opened and they walked out to his vehicle.  "What else?  I'm forgetting something."  AJ climbed behind the wheel.  "The kitchen!  Stock the kitchen... with weird things... you know, chocolate-covered pickles... the kinds of things pregnant women eat.  You remember.  Tiner has my charge card and the key to my house.  I should be home tomorrow evening."  With that, the Admiral peeled out of the JAG parking lot.

Harriett watched the Admiral leave.  Then she walked back inside the building and rode the elevator upstairs.  As she walked through the doors into the bullpen, the questions started popping. 

"Harriett, what did he say?"  "What did he want?"  "Where's he going?"

Harriett just shook her head and walked up to Tiner.  "Petty Officer Tiner, I need the key to Admiral Chegwidden's home and his credit card, please."

"Yes, Ma'am," Tiner replied.  He headed for the Admiral's office and unlocked the safe to get the requested items.  "Here you are, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Tiner.  I'll be out of the office the rest of today and tomorrow.  If you need to reach me, call me on my cell."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Harriett picked up her cover and purse and headed for the door.  "Mr. Webb, if you're ready to leave, I have a few questions I think you can probably answer for me, please?"

"Right behind you, Harriett."

"Harriett!" Mac exclaimed.  "Where are you going?"

"Shopping!" she said happily.  "See you all the day after tomorrow!"

"Shopping?"  "Did she say 'shopping'?" 

Harriett and Webb got on the elevator together.  As the doors closed, she asked, "Mr. Webb, I'm assuming that Miss Cooper is 5 months pregnant?  Would that be an accurate assumption?"

"Yes, Harriett."

"And do you have any idea what kind of cravings she has?  Has she been to a doctor in this area or only in West Virginia?"

"Black olives, Sara Lee cheesecake, and eggplant pizza.  And no, she has not been to a doctor in this area; at least not in the last year.  I couldn't find that she's ever been to an OB.  Not even in West Virginia."

"Do you happen to know her favorite color?"

"Why would I know that?" he asked.

"Mr. Webb, when you find out about someone, you find out everything.  You probably know what color underwear she's wearing today," Harriett said.

"Blue.  And, no, I don't know what color it is...today,"  Webb smirked.  "They were yellow yesterday."

Harriett laughed.  Webb opened her car door and helped her inside.  "Thank you, Mr. Webb."

"If you need any help, Harriett, call me.  I'll do anything I can," he offered.

She graced him with a beautiful smile and waved as she drove away.

1610 EDT
Crenshaw Residence
Zag, West Virginia

AJ parked his vehicle on the gravel driveway.  Five barking dogs came out from under the front porch and jumped at the driver's side door.  These weren't menacing dogs at all; they all appeared to be extremely friendly and happy to see a visitor.  AJ donned his cover, opened the door, and got out.  He reached his left hand down facing his palm up to greet the dogs.  Each one took their turn sniffing him.  AJ looked up toward the house when he heard a wood-framed screen door slam.  "Howdy," he said, reverting to his old Texas greeting.

The man on the porch glared at him.  "What do you want?" he asked.

"Miranda Crenshaw live here?" AJ asked.

"She does.  She's my wife.  How do you know her?"

"I don't.  I know her sister, Rachel.  I was told Rachel is staying here with your family."

"She is.  What's it to you?"

"I'd like to see her, please."

"And if she don't want to see you?"

"I'm not leaving here until I see Rachel, Mr. Crenshaw."

"Lucas!  Who is it?  Do I need to set another place at dinner?" a voice called from inside.  A voice that AJ recognized.

"Yes, Rachel!  I will be staying for dinner!" called AJ, as Rachel pushed open the screen door.

She stopped at stared at AJ, holding the door open.  "Oh my God," she whispered.  "AJ."

"Go inside, Rachel," ordered Lucas Crenshaw.

"Rachel, I need to talk with you," said AJ.

"Go inside, Rachel."

"Lucas, please," she said putting her hand on his arm.  "Please let me talk to him.  I..."

"He the one who done this to you?"

"Lucas, please," she begged.

"Yes, Mr. Crenshaw.  I'm the one," said AJ.

"Rachel, I said go inside.  Now go!" he yelled.  Rachel went back inside and closed the screen door.  But AJ could still see her through the screen.  "Why'd you come here?" Crenshaw asked.

"To get Rachel.  To bring her home with me," AJ replied.

"You want her?  You want the child?"

"Absolutely."

"You want her so bad, why didn't you come before now?

"Mr. Crenshaw, I have been searching for Rachel for almost five months.  I only found out this morning where she was.  And that she's pregnant.  If I'd known where to find her before now, I would have been here before now."

"What if she wasn't pregnant?  You'd have come then?  Or are you only here 'cause of the baby?"

AJ knew this was the crucial question.  If he answered this one to Crenshaw's satisfaction, he'd let him talk to Rachel.  "Yes, I would have come even if she wasn't pregnant.  Because I wanted to be sure she was all right.  I took something from Rachel five months ago... something she'd guarded her entire life.  I had to know that she was coping with that.  That she wasn't angry with herself.  If she was angry with me, that's okay.  But not with herself.  I had to know she was all right.  That's why I wouldn't quit until I found her."

"But she is pregnant.  And you done that to her.  And then you left her."

"No, Mr. Crenshaw.  I did not leave her.  I went on a business trip for two weeks.  I tried to call her from Japan every day I was there, and I couldn't reach her.  And when I got home, she was gone.  I looked everywhere for her and couldn't find her."

"Then how'd you find her here?" he accused.

"I have friend in the CIA.  I finally called him last week and asked for a favor.  He found her for me."

"Damn!  The CIA?  Rachel!  Get yourself out here, woman!"  Rachel immediately walked out on the porch.  "Talk to him.  He says he wants to take you home with him.  Used the CIA to find you.  That says a lot in my book, Rachel.  Your choice of what you want to do.  You know you're always welcome here."  Crenshaw went back inside.

AJ walked up the steps and put his hands on Rachel's upper arms.  "Are you all right, Rachel?  Do you need to sit?" he asked with concern in his voice.

She laughed.  "I'm fine, AJ.  I'm pregnant, not sick."

"You're also 42 years old, and this is your first pregnancy.  What does the doctor say?"

"Haven't seen a doctor.  Just the midwife.  She says everything's fine."

"Rachel, why did you leave?  Why didn't you call me?  Why are you going through this alone?"

"I'm not alone, AJ.  I'm here with my sister and her family.  And I'm doing fine," Rachel assured him.

"You didn't answer my other questions.  Why did you leave?  Why didn't you call me?"

"My office building burned down the day after you left, and the company went under.  So I just came up here.  After a couple of weeks, I called your office to see if you were back yet, and they said you were due in that afternoon.  So I drove back to DC the next day."

"But you didn't call."

"No, I went to your office.  I thought I'd surprise you.  Only I'm the one who got the surprise."

"I don't understand, Rachel.  What surprise?"

Rachel turned away and walked to the end of the porch, the old swing creaking as she sat on it.  "I saw you with another woman, AJ.  You had your arms around her, you kissed her, and you took her in your office and closed the door."  Rachel's eyes welled up with tears, but she willed them not to fall.

"What?  I never..."

"I saw you, AJ.  And when I asked the young man outside your office how long he thought she'd be in there, he just grinned at me and said that he guessed she'd probably take you about 20 minutes."

"He said what!?" AJ bellowed. 

Now the tears did fall.  Rachel put her hands to her face, and cried.  "That's when I left.  I went to my apartment and packed all my things, and I came back here."

"But Rachel, your phone, your mail, your car, your driver's license...you just disappeared!  How...why..."

"Lucas did all that for me.  I told him I didn't want you to find me.  So he fixed it so you couldn't."

AJ sat on the swing next to Rachel and took her hand in his.  "Rachel, the woman you saw me hug and kiss, you didn't recognize her?  What did she look like?"

"What, you have so many you don't even remember?" she quipped.

"Okay, let me describe her for you then.  She's 5'5", has blonde hair, weighs about 115 pounds, and she was wearing a Navy Lieutenant's uniform.  Correct?"  Rachel nodded.  "Okay.  Now I want you to think back to the Naval Ball...to our table.  There were four other woman at our table, do you remember them?"

"Two of them had dark brown hair, one was sort of dirty blonde, and the other one was... blonde," Rachel remembered.

"Ah...the blonde.  And do you remember about how tall..."

"Oh my God.   It was Harriett.  You kissed Harriett!"

"Yes, I did, Rachel.  She had just given us all some very good news, and we all hugged her.  I was one of the lucky SOBs that she honored with a kiss.  And I kissed her back.  With her husband standing right there, by the way."

"Oh, AJ..."

"And I took her in my office to discuss the new job responsibilities I was assigning her.  We were finished in 5 minutes, by the way."

"Oh, AJ, I'm so sorry.  I'm so..."

AJ cupped her face with his hands.  "I told you once that you never had to apologize to me for anything."

"But I was so wrong.  I misjudged you.  And I was so very, very wrong..."

"Come back with me, Rachel," AJ asked as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest.

"I can't, AJ."

"Why not?"

"Not like this.  It would shame you."

"The hell it would!  I'll be proud to have you with me."

"But..."

"I'll admit, I'm a little old to be starting another family, but hey!" AJ patted her swollen abdomen.  "It's already started!" he smiled.  "Please, Rachel.  Come back with me.  I want you to come back with me."

"You haven't said the magic word," she said as the tears continued flowing freely down her cheeks.

"I said 'please'."

"Wrong word, AJ.  I'm old fashioned, AJ.  I can't just go and live with you.  That isn't me.  I..."

"We can get married before we leave here... or after we get home," AJ offered.  "We can have a small wedding in a garden... or a large one at the Chapel in Annapolis.  You can wear a simple cotton dress ...or an elegant, satin & pearl gown with a train and a veil.  Rachel, I don't really care how or where I marry you, but I fully intend that you will have my name when our child is born."

"You mean, you want to marry me, AJ?  You expected to..."

"When I asked you to come back with me, Princess, what I was asking was for you to come back and be my wife."

"Princess?" she whispered.

"Cinderella.  Remember the story?  The Prince takes her home with him and makes her his bride."

"Oh, AJ!"  She slipped her arms around his neck and he pulled her in for a long, deep kiss.

The next day
1535 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

As AJ pulled into the driveway, he noticed the Roberts' minivan parked on the street in front of the house.  'I hope she got everything taken care of,' he thought as he climbed out and walked around to assist Rachel.

Harriett heard the car doors slam and she came to greet them at the door.  "Welcome home, Admiral.  Hello, Rachel.  It's so good to see you, again," Harriett bubbled.

"Rachel, you remember Harriett, don't you?" said AJ, keeping his arm around Rachel's waist as they walked inside. 

"Yes, of course.  Hello, Harriett.  It's nice to see you, again, too."

"I think you probably need to lie down for a bit, don't you, Darlin'?" AJ asked her.

"Yes, I think that would be a good idea," she agreed. 

They headed for the master bedroom.  When they walked in, AJ flipped on the light switch and was amazed at the subtle changes Harriett had made.  The curtains were new, as was the bed covering.  There was a quilt rack at the foot of the bed, and a new armoire on the far wall.  The pictures on the walls were the same, but in different positions.  AJ wondered what other changes Harriett had made.  These were wonderful.  'Damn, I should have had her decorate the place!'

"AJ, do you suppose you could run out to the store for me?  I'm really craving some cheesecake."

"Coming right up!" said Harriett.  "You go ahead and get settled, and I'll have your cheesecake for you in a jiffy!"  Harriett scooted off to the kitchen.

"Oh, AJ, that's so sweet of her, but I..."

"What is it, Darlin'?  You want more than cheesecake?"

"Black olives.  I want black olives on the cheesecake," Rachel informed him.

"Ugh.  What a combination!  What other cravings have you been having?"

"Eggplant pizza."

"Now that is disgusting," he said.

"What is disgusting, Sir?" Harriett asked as she walked in and handed Rachel a plate.

"Eggplant pizza," Rachel replied.  "Harriett!  How did you know?  You put black olives on my cheesecake!"

Harriett smiled.  "That was one of my cravings when I carried little AJ.  Eggplant pizza, though?  No, I can't say that I ever wanted that one," she said shaking her head.

"Little AJ?" Rachel queried.

"My son.  He's 3 now.  Spitting image of his father," Harriett said proudly.

Rachel stiffened.  "His father?  And that would be..."  She looked at AJ with pained eyes.

"That would be her husband, Bud Roberts," AJ explained gently.  "They chose to name their first child after me."

"Yes," agreed Harriett.  "The Admiral has done so much for Bud and me; why, he even helped me plan my wedding!  Oh!  I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that.  I'm so sorry, Sir."

"Not a problem, Lieutenant.  Rachel and I don't have secrets from each other...anymore.  Well, except military secrets, of course," he smiled.

"So you named your child..." Rachel prompted her to continue as she ate her cheesecake.

"Oh, yes.  Bud and I couldn't decide on a name.  Once we knew he was a boy, we decided we wanted to chose a Naval hero's name for him.  But when we went through them, none of them were right.  Then we thought of the Admiral.  How much he's done for us.  How much he means to us.  How much he's affected our lives.  And it was a given!  He is our hero," Harriett explained.  "We were so happy when he agreed to our naming little AJ after him."

"I was extremely honored, Harriett," AJ told her.

"AJ, could I talk to Harriett alone for a few minutes?  Would that be all right?" Rachel asked.

"Rachel, you can do anything you want here.  You don't have to ask my permission for anything.  Talk to whomever you want.  Move things around.  Hell, you can even order me around if you want to.  But remember, this is your home now.   Yours and mine.  Ours."  AJ leaned over and kissed her on gently before he left the room.

"Oh, Rachel, it's so romantic...the way he drove up there and brought you back," Harriett said as she closed the bedroom door.

"Did you know he was going to get me?"

"I knew, yes.  And Mr. Webb.  But no one else knew...knows.  No one else knows yet.  I think the Admiral wanted to wait and tell everyone himself so he could show you off at the same time," Harriett said.

"Show me off?  In this condition?" Rachel asked disbelievingly, her hands cupping her swollen stomach.

"Rachel, there are men who believe that a pregnant woman is the most beautiful in the world, and especially so when it's their child she's carrying.  I don't know if the Admiral is one of those, but I can tell you this.  I've never seen him look at another woman the way he looks at you.  And I've seen him look at a lot of women...in a lot of different situations.  Something's different with you.  I'd have to say it was love."

"Harriett, until yesterday, AJ and I had spent 22 hours together.  As you said, he's known a lot of women before.  How could it possibly be love?"

"I knew I was in love with Bud in less time that that.  It took him longer, but I knew," she laughed.  "It's possible.  And it's actually probable that he doesn't he even know it yet."  Rachel looked at her with a small smile.  "Has he told you he loves you?"

"No, he hasn't," Rachel replied sadly.  "He asked me to marry him, but I know that's only because of the baby.  He's never said he loves me."

"One thing about the Admiral, Rachel; he'll never lie to you.  When he finally tells you that he loves you, believe him.  Don't question him."  Harriett pulled the bedcovers back and helped Rachel lie back on the bed and cover her with the sheet.  "Now you get some rest."

Harriett closed the door behind her and walked into the kitchen.  "She's resting now, Sir."

"Good.  She needs it.  Harriett, I can't believe all you accomplished in here in just 32 hours.  I should have had you decorate the whole house years ago!"

Harriett glowed.  "Thank you, Sir.  I hope I didn't overdo."

"Not at all.  It's perfect.  Exactly what I had in mind.  Now when Rachel feels up to it, she can change anything else she wants.  In the meantime, it no longer looks like an ornery, old bachelor lives here.  Thank you."

"Admiral, have you thought about a nursery?" Harriett asked.

"Oh God.  No, I didn't.  Would you..."

"That's something the two of you should do together, Sir.  Do you know what sex the baby is yet?"

"No.  Actually, she hasn't even been to a doctor yet.  Just the midwife."

"Oh my!  You definitely need to get her to a doctor, Sir.  Five months along...she should have been taking vitamins and just all kinds of things that she should know and be watching for."

"I'll take her over to Bethesda tomorrow," AJ said. 

"Admiral," Harriett said as she was walking out the front door to go home.  AJ just looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to finish.  "Sir, it would probably be best if you... um, if Rachel didn't... do anything strenuous... until after she sees the doctor," Harriett said softly, and blushing profusely.

AJ smiled at Harriett's discomfiture.  "I agree 100 percent, Harriett.  And I can assure you, Rachel will not be doing... or experiencing... anything strenuous until the doctor approves.  Thank you for your concern, Harriett.  I do appreciate it."

She smiled slightly and left. 

Continue to Part 2.