Going Home - Part 2

Author: Ava E-mail: mmmThatAJ@yahoo.com Rating:  PG-13 Classification: AJ/Mac Romance Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary:  AJ is summoned home to help his family & neighbors, but they end up helping him. Author's comments:  I found a list of Pennsylvania Dutch words on the Web, so I used them in the story.  I'm sure the sentence structure is not accurate, but I thought the words added a little something special.  Let's just forget Meredith even exists for this story, okay?  Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').

Monday, 17 March 2003
1015 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac hung up the phone and headed for the Admiral's office.  "Does he have a minute, Tiner?" she asked the Petty Officer.  

"Let me check for you, Ma'am," Tiner replied.  He buzzed the Intercom and heard the Admiral answer.  "Admiral, Colonel MacKenzie would like a minute of your time, Sir?"

"Send her in, Tiner," AJ told him.  Mac walked in and came to attention stance.  "As you were, Colonel.  Have a seat."

As Mac sat, she started to speak.  "Admiral, I just got off the phone with the presiding Judge in Pennsylvania."

"Did he agree to move the date out?"

Mac nodded.  "According to his secretary, this is the same Judge who agreed to relocate the trial to Altoona.  He's in Philly, but he agreed to hold court in Altoona!  I spoke with him today, and as soon as I informed him of my position at JAG, he suggested that with the war imminent, we move the date out!  He said he'd get in touch with the other party and inform them that our new court date will be in May."

AJ smiled.  "May?  That would be great!  This guy a former military man?"

Mac grinned evilly.  "Retired Army Colonel, Sir."

"You're kidding... it wouldn't be Brian Bridgman?" asked AJ.

Mac looked surprised.  "Yes, Sir!  You know him, Admiral?"

AJ shook his head.  "Never met him.  Heard a lot about him, though.  He was the star attorney in the Army's JAG office for a lot of years.  It was a shock to them when he chose to retire after only 20 years of service."

"I wonder why he left?" Mac asked, not expecting the Admiral to know the answer.

But AJ did know the answer.  "He wanted to pursue a relationship with a fellow officer.  She was in the same chain of command."  He turned his chair and looked out the window as he said this next, "Rather like you and Rabb."  Because he was looking away, he didn't see Mac's startled expression, and because he continued talking, Mac couldn't set him straight... yet, anyway.  "Neither of them wanted to go anywhere else, and he was the one eligible to retire.  So he did."  AJ turned back around.

"And did they end up together?  Married?" she asked.

AJ nodded.  "Last time I talked to Tom Romig, he said Bridgman and his wife were expecting their second child.  Let's see... that was probably a year ago.  Which reminds me..."  AJ pushed the Intercom button.  "Tiner!  Call Major General Romig and Major General Fiscus' offices and find out a good time for us to get together for our annual JAG meeting.  It's my turn to host."

"Aye, aye, Sir!" Tiner agreed.

When AJ disconnected the Intercom, Mac said, "I didn't realize you meet with the Army and Air Force JAGs every year, Sir."

AJ nodded.  "We started about 7 years back.  It's really more of a social occasion than anything else, but it's good to meet and discuss similar aspects of our offices."  AJ stood up and came around to the front of his desk.  He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest.  "So, Mac, if this war hadn't come up, would you be ready for court on Wednesday?"

She smiled, "Absolutely, Sir."

Monday, 5 May 2003
0925 EDT
Amtrak Passenger Car
EnRoute to Altoona, Pennsylvania

Mac and AJ sat across from each other in the business class section of the Amtrak coach.  Mac had been surprised in early March when Tiner informed her of their itinerary.  She hadn't expected to spend the entire week in Pennsylvania.  And she certainly hadn't expected to take a train.  She'd expected to drive... or fly and rent a car.  When she questioned Tiner about it, he replied, "Admiral's orders, Colonel.  And you're to arrange with Jacob Yoder to pick you up at the station in Altoona, Ma'am."  The next time MarLyn phoned, Mac requested they be picked up at the station.  MarLyn had been very pleased at their choice of transportation.

So when the court date was moved to May, it came as no surprise to Mac when Tiner handed her their new itinerary and it was a train schedule... and again, a week.  She had informed MarLyn of the new arrival date and time, and Jacob was to meet them at the train station with his buggy.

They'd been traveling for 22 minutes now, and the Admiral had hardly said a word.  Finally, Mac spoke.  "How long will it take to get to Dry Gap from the station, Admiral?"

"It's about six miles; takes close to an hour," he replied softly, continuing to stare out the window.

"Sir, are you alright?" Mac asked gently.  "Is there anything I can do for you... get for you?  Some coffee?"

AJ shook his head.  "I'm fine, Mac.  Just a little... nervous, I guess.  I haven't seen anyone in my family for over 30 years.  It feels very strange to be going home."  He folded his hands in his lap and stared down at them.

Mac smiled slightly to encourage him; she'd never seen her CO nervous before.  Not even during his Flag Mast.  This was something totally foreign for him.  "I'm sure it does, Sir.  Actually, I do have some questions that I've been wanting to ask you.  Do you mind?"  She thought perhaps it might help calm his nerves to talk about his home.

AJ looked up at her.  "About the case?" he asked sharply.

She shook her head.  "No, Sir.  That's air tight.  I don't expect any problems there unless they introduce something new during the trial.  I was thinking more about... well..."  She sighed.  "We're going to be staying on Amish property, Sir.  With Amish people.  The last thing I want to do is insult them or say something to embarrass them... or you!  I guess I was hoping maybe you could shed a little light on things for me."

AJ nodded.  "Sure, I can do that.  What do you want to know?"

"Well... when MarLyn first showed up at your office, both Tiner and I called her 'Ma'am' and she corrected us.  You, on the other hand, knew immediately, just by looking at her, that she was a 'Miss'.  How?"

AJ smiled.  "That's an easy one, Mac.  In this Community, unmarried females wear a white bonnet, even the little girls.  Married women wear a black bonnet."

Mac shook her head and laughed.  "That's why she kept touching her bonnet!"  She took a deep breath and continued, "When you first arrived, MarLyn was staring at you and you called her on it."

AJ sighed. "I shouldn't have done that. I guess I was so shocked to see her there..." AJ looked back out the window. "Amish women don't look men in the eye unless they're married. And when they haven't been introduced to someone, they always keep their eyes averted. Amish men don't look women in the eye either, unless it's their wife, but they can look at strangers. That's for protection, mostly."

"I see," said Mac. "Okay, when you sent for me originally, you had me sit in the corner. I wasn't part of the discussion; I was just... there."

AJ nodded. "It isn't appropriate for a young woman to be alone in a room with a man unless he is blood kin to her... her father, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin... those are fine. But no one else. Not once she's a teenager. There has to be another woman in the room."

"What happens if there isn't? I mean, I understand the implications of what could happen... but surely, that doesn't usually happen. So, what if there isn't another woman around?"

"The young woman's reputation could be compromised. And the man would be rebuked. But in the case of someone outside the Community, it's only the girl who suffers."

Mac smiled, certain that he called her to his office for MarLyn's sake... of his own accord. 'He is so considerate!' "Okay, when Jacob came upstairs, you knew immediately that he was a newlywed.  How?"

AJ chuckled.  "Think about that one for a minute, Mac.  As soon as I offered my congratulations, what did he do?"

Mac thought for a moment.  "I'm not sure..." she hesitated.  "He smiled..."  AJ reached up with his right hand and stroked his non-existent beard.  "Oh!" she exclaimed.  "He was just starting to grow a beard?"

AJ nodded.  "That's right.  Unmarried men are clean shaven.  Married men have beards.  No moustaches, just beards."

"Why no moustaches?  Not that I like them... I like a clean-shaven man, myself," she commented.

"And bald?" AJ teased, remembering her comments about Yul Brynner.

"Mmm hmm," she grinned as she shifted around in her seat to get more comfortable.  "And bald."  When she looked up at the Admiral, her eyes got big as she realized what she'd just implied.  "No moustaches?" she squeaked.

AJ's eyes clouded over slightly as he explained.  "In the early days of the Amish, there was very little understanding, concern, or compassion toward them.  They were persecuted for their beliefs, like many new faiths.  They moved around Europe a lot, trying to find somewhere they would be left alone.  When William Penn started the Pennsylvania colony, he said it was for religious freedom.  So a lot of Amish left Europe and came here, hoping to find peace.  And for the most part, they did.  Unfortunately, there was still little understanding of them.  Most military, whether British or the colonists... and later the Army... were not at all friendly to the Amish people.  They took advantage of them, jailed them, robbed them.  And because most of the Army men wore moustaches back then," AJ sighed heavily, "Amish tend to associate moustaches with the military."

"That's why they hate the military?  No wonder!" Mac asked incredulously.

"It goes a lot deeper than that, Mac, but, yes... that's part of it."

"I see," she said quietly, now understanding even more why the Admiral had insisted on their leaving their uniforms at home.  A few minutes later, Mac continued her questions.  "What about when we were having lunch and you said something about their mother's pork. Both of them sat there and stared at you. Then you started telling them about your relationship to their mother. How did you know what needed to be said?"

"I'd called their mother by her given name. 'MarLyn'. Not 'Mrs. Yoder'. Not 'Sister MarLyn', which is how another member of the Community would address her. Just 'MarLyn'. The way her betrothed or her husband would address her... or a family member. But no one outside the family. So they knew something was amiss."

"So I should address everyone as 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.', not by their first names?"

"That's right. The unmarried boys, you can call by their given names. The unmarried girls, little girls I mean, you can call by their given names. But unmarried young women, like MarLyn, you should call 'Miss'. 'Miss MarLyn', in other words."

"Oh... then I've already bungled it. I've been calling her 'MarLyn' and Jacob... 'Jacob'," Mac moaned.

"I'm sure that's not been a problem, Mac. But once we're there with other Amish, it would be best to call her 'Miss MarLyn' and him, 'Mr. Yoder'."

Mac nodded. "I can remember that."

"Another thing about names, Mac. Amish don't use nicknames. They might have a pet name for someone, but that would have nothing to do with their real name."

"Which is why you introduced me as 'Sarah'?"

"That's right. And why I'll call you 'Sarah' while we're there," he said looking at her. "And why you'll need to call me 'Albert'."

Mac raised her eyebrows in question. "'Albert', Sir?"

"No nicknames, Mac. No 'AJ'. No military ranks, so no 'Admiral' and no 'Sir'. Just 'Albert'. Think you can handle that?" he asked.

Mac blinked hard. "I'll try, Sir. If I slip up, just kick me or something." They chuckled together.

"Also, women don't shake hands when they meet someone.  Only the men do that," he told her.

"I'll have to remember that one.  Hand to your side, MacKenzie," she mumbled.  "Admiral, you've mentioned several times something about an ordnung. I take it those are the Amish laws?"

"Not laws exactly. They are the unwritten rules by which each Community lives."

"Unwritten? Then how do you know if you've broken one?" Mac asked.

"You know, Mac. As children, you're raised to obey the laws of the Church... of the Community. It's all the same... it's a way of life, not a religion," AJ tried to explain.  Each Community has their own set of rules... their own ordnung.  Most of them are very similar, but there are subtle differences.  In some ordnungs, the unmarried females' bonnets are black and the married women wear white... just the opposite of ours.  In others, there's no restriction on names for adults... they just call each other by their given names.  Some ordnungs allow bright colors for clothing, others require black and white.  I've heard that some even allow cell phones now," he added, shaking his head.

"Okay, on that subject... technology.  Why no electricity? No cars? No telephones?" Mac asked. "What's wrong with it?"

"That's mostly because of one verse in the Bible, Mac: First John 2:15. It says, 'Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.' Amish believe that modern technology is 'of the world'. That's why they avoid it. Back in the early 1900's, they decided that putting electrical wire in their homes would link them to the world... it would be a connection to the world that violates the Bible’s instruction not to be conformed with the world."

"Wow," Mac breathed.

"The ordnungs that now allow cell phones say that because there are no wires involved, they aren't making a permanent connection to the outside."  AJ smiled.   "Amish have a reason for everything they do and don't do, Mac."

"Okay, help me with some of the words I've heard MarLyn and Jacob use... and you, too," she grinned. "'Mamm' would be... 'Mother'?"

"More of a loving term... like 'Mom'. And 'Datt' is like 'Dad'. You'll be staying at the Yoder's home, so you'll probably hear 'Datt' used a lot, as well as 'Mamm'."

Mac nodded. "What about other words? Anything I should know?"

AJ grinned. "You'll be called 'English'. That just means you're not Amish. If they say 'helfe', that means 'help'."  AJ thought about other words to tell Mac.  There were so many!  "Mac, if someone says something you don't understand, just ask them. They'll tell you. You're here to help them, and they know that."

"What about Church services? Harm said they hold services every other day in the school building. Will they expect me to attend with them?"

AJ laughed and shook his head. "Harm's wrong. Church services are every other week. The off weeks are spent with family. And the services are at homes, not at the school. They take turns hosting the service. Each family usually hosts a service once a year. They usually sit outside on benches. It gets very uncomfortable, as I remember it. They start around 0800 and go for several hours."

"On benches?"

"Backless benches," AJ nodded.

"I don't think so," Mac screwed up her face and shook her head. "Not me. Thanks, anyway."

AJ laughed. "You won't be there for a service, Mac. Don't worry about it."

They were quiet for a while, both of them thinking about what he'd said. Mac thinking how strange it all sounded. AJ remembering how wonderful it was and how hard it was for him leave it all behind. Soon, they heard the conductor call over the speaker, "Altoona! Next stop, Altoona!"

They looked at each other. "That's us," they said at the same time. AJ rose and pulled their duffels down from the overhead bins. Mac gathered up their belongings that were in the seats. She reached to take her duffel from AJ. "No, Sarah. You always let a man carry your baggage. Packages. Anything."

She nodded her agreement, "Yes, Sir."

AJ shook his head. "What's my name?" he asked quietly as they stepped to the front of the coach.

"Albert."

"Very good, Sarah."

The train stopped, and AJ quickly stepped down to the platform. He set the duffels down and immediately turned to help Mac. She took his hand, and stepped down. He released her hand right away, picked up the duffels, and they headed for the exit.

"Bruder Albert!  Miss Sarah!" They heard Jacob before they saw him. He stepped into view and greeted them.  He reached Mac first, "Thank you for coming, Miss Sarah.  Hello, Bruder Albert."

"Hello, Jacob!" As soon as Mac said his name, she remembered. "It is so good of you to come and pick us up, Mr. Yoder," she corrected herself... and noticed his eyes sparkle at her change of address.

AJ was surprised, to say the least, at Jacob's greeting. The term 'Brother' was reserved for Amish and was never used to address English. He was supposed to be treated as English, yet Jacob called him 'Brother'? "Mr. Yoder." Jacob lost a little of his sparkle. AJ set the bags down and said quickly, "Miss MarLyn told me that I would be treated as English. I don't wish to overstep myself."

Jacob smiled again. "The elders agreed that we may call you 'Bruder', if you are happy with that."

AJ smiled broadly. "More than happy with it, Bruder Jacob." He reached his arm out to Jacob and they shook hands heartily.

Jacob continued, "The elders were most pleased when I told them you were arriving by train and would be riding with us in the buggy. They did not expect this," Jacob explained.  "They were also pleased that you want to stay with us and not in town at the hotel."

"I'm glad they are allowing it," AJ said.  Jacob picked up the duffels and headed for the buggy.  AJ put his hand on Mac's elbow and they followed him.  

When they reached the buggy, Jacob set the bags behind the seat.  AJ helped Mac climb up into the buggy and he followed immediately.  Then Jacob climbed in on the other side.  Mac was sandwiched between the two men with very little room.  AJ realized that she was very tense and whispered, "Relax, Sarah.  You'll be as stiff as a board if you stay that tense all the way to Dry Gap."

She smiled a nervous smile and said, "I feel like I'm sitting in your lap, Sir."

He grinned.  "It's Albert, and you'd know it if you were sitting in my lap."  He winked at her.  Mac blushed and tried to relax.

The ride in the buggy was like nothing Mac had ever experienced.  Oh, she'd ridden in a horse-drawn carriage before... more like the fancy one that had shown up at JAG in January.  She'd even ridden in an old stage coach when she lived in Arizona years ago.  But this!  There was no padding on the seat.  There was no back to the seat.  "Oh!" she exclaimed as the wheel dipped into a hole in the road and threw Mac off balance.

"Now you really are in my lap," AJ teased as he helped Mac sit back in her seat. 

"I'm sorry, S... Albert," she caught herself.  

AJ smiled.  "Don't be, Sarah.  It happens all the time in the buggies.  The next rut might land you in Bruder Jacob's lap!" he chuckled.

Jacob laughed and looked past Mac to AJ.  AJ grinned and nodded.  Not two minutes later, Jacob steered the buggy toward a hole on the other side and Mac bounced into his lap.  "See?  I told you!" AJ laughed.

Mac blushed as AJ helped her back to her seat again.  "You did that on purpose!" she accused Jacob.

Jacob and AJ burst into laughter.  "Yes, Miss Sarah, you are right.  I did it on purpose!"  

She looked back and forth between the two laughing men and finally laughed, herself.  "I take it that's something you do a lot?  Bounce women into your laps?"

"Not a lot, Sarah," AJ explained.  "But it's common practice for the teenagers."

"Well, in case you two haven't noticed, I am not a teenager," Mac announced.

AJ grinned and winked at her again, "Oh, I noticed, Sarah.  I definitely noticed."  Jacob laughed even harder.

Monday, 5 May 2003
1405 EDT
Chegwidden Farm
Dry Gap, Pennsylvania

Jacob pulled the buggy off the dirt road and headed down the lane toward the house.  Mac knew this was AJ's family home because of the mailbox at the end of the lane.  It had 'Chegwidden' written in big bold letters.  

AJ was nervous again, Mac could tell.  His breathing vacillated between short and shallow... and long and deep.  She reached over and put her hand over his clasped ones.  "It'll be okay.  They'll be happy to see you.  I know they will," she smiled.

AJ turned and looked at Mac, and she saw a tear well in his eye.  "They say you can't go back, Sarah.  Am I being foolish?  To try?" he whispered.

"No, you're not being foolish," she said gently.  "You're being brave.  You're showing forgiveness, and that is never foolish."

"They're the ones forgiving..." AJ started.

"Yes, they are," she agreed.  "But so are you.  Being shunned hurt you terribly."  She saw the objection in his eyes, so she hurried on, "Yes, you knew it would happen, but that didn't make it hurt any less."

AJ shifted his hands so that he was holding Mac's now.  He squeezed it tightly for a second and then laid her hand back in her own lap, letting go.  "Thank you, Sarah."

Jacob rounded the last curve in the lane and now they could see the house.  "You have a welcoming committee!" Jacob grinned.

Mac looked up and saw at least a dozen people already in the yard and more coming out of the house as the buggy approached.  She recognized MarLyn and was delighted to see her waving.  Mac waved back.  

AJ was stunned.  He swallowed hard and willed the tears not to form in his eyes as he watched his long-estranged family come outside to greet him.  A minute later, the buggy rolled to a stop, and Jacob jumped down.  AJ climbed down carefully.  He hadn't gotten in and out of these buggies in a long time, and he did not want to fall on his face now!  He turned back immediately and helped Mac down to the ground.  She smiled encouragingly at him.  "Go ahead.  I'm fine," she whispered.

AJ turned around and found himself instantly surrounded by children of all ages... all boys, save for one little girl.  "Uncle Albert!  Uncle Albert!" they called.  "I'm Jessup!"  "I'm Peter!"  "I'm Simon!"  "I'm John!"  "I'm Jethro!"  "I'm Deiter!"  "I'm Joseph!"  "I'm Warren!"  "I'm Hilde!"   They all said, in turn.

AJ smiled at each child individually.  "Hello," he said to them.  "Such gross buwes.  And almost enough of you for a beesballe team!" he grinned.  He wondered if these boys enjoyed baseball as much as he did growing up here.

Jacob stood next to Mac, so he whispered to her, "He called them strong boys."  Mac smiled her thanks.  She wondered about that word, 'gross'!

"Oh, we have enough, Uncle Albert!" one of the boys informed him.

"Oh yes!  Emory, Bernard, and Samuel are all sick today!"

"We schpiele beesballe!" ("We play baseball!")

"We aren't very good, but we have fun!"

"Well, that's what's important, Buwes.  That you have fun."

"Will you schpiele with us, Uncle Albert?"

"Oh, yes, please?"

AJ smiled broadly.  "I'd love to play with you!  I'll ask your parents, and we'll try to find a good day.  Okay?"  The boys all expressed their excitement and agreement.  Then AJ turned to Hilde.  "And Hilde, are you my only niece?"  He winked at her, seeing the other young girls standing several yards away.  The girls looked like they wanted to step forward, they just needed a little encouragement.

"Oh no, Uncle Albert!" Hilde said.  "But I'm the only brave one!"

AJ chuckled.  "Die mudder must be my schweschder Adele!"  The little girl nodded and he heard a single laugh from the adults.  He knew it was his sister; Adele always had a very distinctive laugh.

Jacob chuckled as he whispered to Mac, "He says her mother must be his sister Adele."  Mac grinned.  He was making jokes.  That was good.  

"Go on, girls.  Say hello to your Uncle Albert," one of AJ's sisters urged.  She rather pushed a couple of them forward, which started the others moving, too.  Soon the boys had to step back to make room for the girls.

"I'm Greta."  "I'm Mary.  "I'm Caroline."  "I'm Liese."  "I'm Kerstin."  "I'm Melody.  "I'm Katrina."

"My, my... such schee maedels," AJ smiled.  The girls all curtsied to him at his compliment.

Mac turned questioning eyes to Jacob.  Jacob told her, "He called them beautiful girls.  They thanked him with their curtsies."

Mac smiled.  "That's so sweet."  MarLyn walked over to Mac.  "Miss MarLyn, it's so good to see you again," Mac said softly.

"And you, Miss Sarah.  Thank you for coming," MarLyn said just as quietly.  They turned back and watched as AJ took a few steps forward and greeted the men... his brother and brothers-in-law.  

Mac whispered, "I didn't know he had siblings.  Well, a sister; I'd heard him mention one sister before, that's all.  How many are there?"

MarLyn smiled, "Two buwes and three maedels."

"That's all?" Mac asked incredulously.  MarLyn giggled as she nodded.  "All these children are from 4 siblings?"  Jacob nodded.  "Who are the older ones?  The teenagers?" Mac asked as she watched AJ move a few more steps and greet them, too.

MarLyn grinned.  "Those are also his nieces and nephews." 

Mac's eyes opened wide in surprise.  Just as she was going to ask how many children there were in total, she saw one of the women walk up to AJ and hug him.  She held him tightly and he, her.  

"Aah, my aarem alt schweschder," AJ teased, as he lifted Adele in the air and swung her around.  "I have missed you so much."

Adele squealed as AJ twirled her around.  "Albert!  Put me down!  I am a grosseldre!" she laughed.

"No!" AJ jerked his head back to look at his sister.  "A grosseldre!?"

Mac looked at MarLyn.  "Grandparent," MarLyn whispered to her.  "And he called her his poor old sister."

Adele nodded.  "Yes, I am!"  AJ turned around to look at the children, trying to pick out her grandchild.  "No, Albert!  The baby...  See?  With my eldest daughter, Alice."

Alice stepped forward then.  "Hello, Uncle Albert.  I am Alice.  And this is my son, Jeremiah."

Adele took the baby from her daughter's arms, and AJ hugged Alice.  "I didn't know you were even married yet, and here you are a schee mudder."

Alice blushed at his praise.  "Thank you, Uncle.  It is good to know you at last," she choked on her words as she fought tears.  "Mamm has been so excited these months waiting for you to come home."

AJ turned back to his sister.  "Couldn't wait to lock me in die scheier again, eh, Adele? he teased.

At Adele's loud laugh, Baby Jeremiah awoke with a cry.  AJ reached for him.  "May I?"

Adele didn't even hesitate; she transferred the infant from her own arms into those of her eldest and dearest brother.  "And how many of these do you have, Albert?" she asked.

"Only one.  Francesca.  And she's all grown up now."  AJ cooed at the baby as Mac watched in fascination.  She knew he loved children; she'd seen him with little AJ Roberts, with Josh Pendry, and even with Chloe.  But she'd never seen him like this.  He was positively glowing.  "Hello, Jeremiah.  Hello, little one.  I'm your Uncle Albert."

Mac leaned toward Jacob.  "What did she lock him in?"

Jacob chuckled.  "The barn.  They say she used to lock him in the barn every night during chores.  It made him late for supper and their father would scold him."  Mac grinned to herself.  She couldn't imagine anyone locking the Admiral in a barn!

As another sister approached AJ, he handed the baby back to Alice.  AJ greeted his other two sisters with warmth and hugs.  He hadn't really known them well, they were small children when he left home 30+ years ago.  

AJ looked around.  Had he greeted everyone?  Yes, he had.  Now he looked at the house.  And there she was, standing on the porch, waiting patiently for her turn.  AJ swallowed hard.  His mother was just as beautiful now as ever.  Older, yes.  Grayer, definitely.  But she looked like an angel to him.  He began walking toward the house and was surprised when she started down the steps toward him.  It showed her full acceptance and delight at his return.  AJ increased his pace... and so did she.  As he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground in his embrace.  

"Oh, my Albert!  My dear, dear soh!" she spoke first, as custom demanded.

"Seiss, seiss Mudder.  I missed you immer."  (Sweet, sweet, Mother.  I missed you always.)

He set her back on her feet, but neither of them released their grip on the other.  His mother buried her face in his chest and sobbed her happiness at her eldest son returning home.  When she finally raised her head, she said, "Aaugh!  I have made your shirt wet with my tears."  She looked up at him and saw tears streaming down his face, as well.  She raised her hands and put one on each side of his face.  Pulling, she brought his face down to her level and she kissed him on each of his eyes.  "My precious buwe," she whispered.  AJ smiled as he allowed his mother to wipe away his tears.

Mac was in awe as she and the others watched the tender scene.  Finally, his mother pulled back and said loudly, "Willkomme deheem, der gross soh."  Everyone cheered and clapped at her words of welcome to her long, lost son.  "So? You have brought your fraa with you?" his mother asked as the commotion died down.

AJ looked confused for a moment; then he remembered Mac.  "Oh!"  He turned around, "Excuse me, Mamm."  He walked across to Mac, took her by the hand, and led her back to his mother.  "Mamm, this is Sarah MacKenzie..."

"MacKenzie?  She is not yours?" his mother interrupted.

AJ smiled as he saw Mac blush.  "No, Mamm.  She is the lawyer who will represent us in court this week."  AJ turned to Mac.  "Sarah, this is my mother, Anna Chegwidden."

Mac was about to speak, when AJ's mother spoke again.  "Die fraa!?  I thought you were to be our lawyer!"

"Mamm, it would not be best for me to represent the Community.  My name is on the deed.  It is best for someone else to..."

"But die fraa?!" she exclaimed again.  Obviously no one had dared tell his mother that a woman was representing the Community.

"Mamm, Sarah is the best lawyer in my office.  She will win this case.  I have every trust in her," AJ told his mother gently.

Mac watched him as he spoke... firmly, but with love.  When had she heard him use that tone before?  She knew she'd heard it; she didn't know at the time it was love underlying his words... when was it?  Who had he been addressing?  'Probably Harriett,' she thought.  'Wait a minute... what did he say?  That I'm the best lawyer in his office?  Oh my God!  He did!  He thinks that of me?'  Mac couldn't help but smile as she realized what he'd said.

Anna Chegwidden watched the play of emotions on Mac's face as her son spoke.  She smiled inwardly.  'This woman loves my son.'  Then she glanced down and saw that Albert still had a firm hold of Sarah's hand.  'And my son loves her, as well.'  Mac wasn't sure now what to do.  Should she speak?  Hold her tongue?  What?  She glanced at AJ for guidance.  He squeezed her hand in reassurance... which is when they both realized that he still held it.  This time, it was AJ who blushed, and he quickly dropped Mac's hand.  Anna looked from one to the other now.  'They do not know it.  How can they not?' she wondered.

Mac finally spoke.  "It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Chegwidden."

Anna smiled... a crooked little smile.  And Mac's eyes danced at the sight, her mouth twitching up into a full smile she couldn't control.  "Something is funny?" asked Anna.  

AJ was just about to suggest that perhaps Mac was a little nervous, this all being so new to her.  But Mac beat him to it.  "Yes, Ma'am.  Your smile."

AJ closed his eyes.  'Oh no.  Don't insult her.  God, please!  Mac...'

Anna looked surprised.  "My smile is funny?"

Mac almost giggled.  "No, Ma'am.  It's just that... I've never known anyone in the Ad..  in Albert's family before," she corrected herself.  "And seeing you... I now see where he gets that crooked little smile that I love so much."  AJ blinked hard and stared at Mac.  "And when you stared at me just before... that was just like him, too."  Mac smiled genuinely.  "It truly is an honor and indeed my delight to meet Albert's family.  And especially you, Ma'am."

There was silence for almost 30 seconds.  "I like this maedel, Albert," Anna finally said.  "I do.  Very much indeed."  Anna reached her hand out and cupped Mac's cheek.  "You may call me 'Mamm'."

AJ was startled at this.  It was unheard of!  "Mamm..." he started to argue.

"Do not argue with me, Buwe.  I wish Sarah to call me 'Mamm'."  AJ's jaw fell open.  His mother addressed her as 'Sarah'.  Not 'Miss Sarah'.  Just 'Sarah'.  As though she was one of her... daughters?  No, it couldn't be that... she wasn't thinking that... surely not.

Mac looked up at AJ.  He nodded reluctantly.  She smiled back at Anna.  "It will be my pleasure... Mamm.  Thank you."

Anna took Mac by the arm and headed toward her grandchildren.  She called over her shoulder, "Adele!  Greta!  Lavinia!  Make ready the supper!"  Then she called to the children, "Kinder!  Come and meet your new Aunt Sarah!"

AJ closed his eyes.  'Oh, God...'

Mac looked back at her CO and saw his expression.  'Uh oh...

Monday, 5 May 2003
1900 EDT
Chegwidden Farm
Dry Gap, Pennsylvania

Jacob and MarLyn had returned to their homes earlier in the afternoon.  When Mac saw them getting in the buggy, she started to excuse herself and join them.  But Anna had stopped her.  "You will stay here for supper, Sarah.  Albert will take you over to the Yoder's later."

Now that supper was over and the dishes were washed and put away, AJ's sisters began to gather up their children to head for their own homes.  AJ was sitting on the porch with the men when Sarah stepped outside.  He looked up and saw her.  "Where's Mamm?" he asked.  His mother hadn't let Mac out of her sight all afternoon.

Mac smiled.  "She's showing Alice something upstairs.  I thought I'd step outside and get a breath of fresh air."

"You're not used to so many people, are you?" he chuckled as he stood up and walked over to her.  She shook her head.  AJ took her by the elbow and said, "Walk with me."  His words were the same as he used at JAG all the time.  But the tenor of voice was so different.  Gentle.  Tender.  They walked for a few steps and AJ said, "So, you like the fresh air, Sarah?"  His voice was teasing.  The air smelled like cows.  Manure.  It was the typical smell of a dairy farm, one that took some getting used to.

Mac giggled.  "Oh, it's lovely, Albert."  They laughed together as they walked, AJ steering her toward the pond by the far side of the field.  Before they reached it, Mac stopped to admire the bull in the fenced area.  She leaned her arms against the rails.  "He's a magnificent beast, isn't he?"

"He certainly is.  He's sired some of the finest milkers on the farm.  My brother, David, says he never misses."

"Never misses?" Mac asked innocently.

AJ chuckled.  "With a cow."  Mac looked at him with a blank stare.  "You put the bull and the cow together..." he raised his eyebrows and grinned.

"Oh!" she gasped, embarrassed.  "Does he have a name?"  AJ nodded but didn't answer.  "Well?  What is it?"

"Mamm likes you," he tried to change the subject, pushing away from the fence and started toward the pond again.

Mac followed.  "I like her, too.  She's a terrific lady."

AJ nodded.  "That she is."

"You're not going to tell me his name?" Mac brought the subject back to the bull.

"Big Al," AJ said so quietly she couldn't hear him.

"What did you say?"

He stopped and turned to face her.  "My father named him 'Big Al'."

Mac's laugh could be heard all the way back at the house.  "Big Al?!?" she squealed.  "I thought they didn't use nicknames!"

"He's a bull.  He doesn't count," AJ said, trying hard not to crack a smile, let alone laugh.  Mac had stopped walking now and was doubled over laughing.  AJ grabbed her hand and pulled.  "Come on, you."

"You had a reputation here, too, hmm?" Mac managed.

"What's that?" he asked incredulously. Mac gulped when she realized what she'd said. She pulled her hand free and ran ahead of him, laughing. It didn't take him long to catch up, though. He grabbed her hand again, and they continued on toward the pond. "This is where I learned to swim," AJ said.  "Where my love for water started."

"Not in the bathtub?" Mac giggled.

"What bathtub?  We had an old tin basin that we sat in... like in the old Westerns," AJ explained.  "Mamm bathed the little ones first.  Then Adele got hers.  Then Mamm.  Then Datt.  Then me."  He chuckled, "I never got very clean... taking baths in dirty water.  Probably why I take two showers every day now."

"You do that, too?" Mac asked, turning to face him.  The looks they exchanged caught them by surprise, and each one swallowed hard and turned back toward the pond.

"I should take you on to the Yoders now before it gets dark.  I'm not used to these roads anymore," AJ suggested.

Mac nodded.  "Okay," she replied in a small voice.  They turned around and started back toward the house.

"Albert!" called his brother as the couple reached the lane.  "Shall I take Sarah to the Yoders, or would you want to carry her there?"

"I'll take her, David.  Thanks," AJ said.

"I hitched up the buggy.  It's probably best that you go on now before it gets dark," his brother suggested.

"Albert was just saying that," Sarah offered with a smile.  David's expression was not a happy one; he hadn't really seemed happy at all... all day.  Mac wondered at that... he seemed the only member of AJ's family who wasn't glad to see him come home.

Anna walked outside then.  "Sarah, seiss.  Such a shame you must go to Yoder's.  If you married my Albert, you could stay here with him," she sighed.  Mac blushed profusely.  "And Albert is so far behind on kinder.  Only one."  Now it was AJ's turn to blush.  Anna shook her head.  "Such a shame."

"Sarah?  Let's go," AJ choked out.  "I'll be right back, Mamm."  He turned to his brother, "David, thank you for hitching the buggy.  I appreciate it."  AJ took Mac by the elbow and started to steer her to the waiting buggy.

But Mac slipped her arm away and turned back to Anna.  "Good night, Mamm," Sarah said as she reached out and hugged the old woman.  "Thank you for making me feel so welcome in your home."

Anna kissed Mac on her forehead and said good night.  Mac turned back to AJ, and they walked to the buggy.  He helped her step up, and he climbed in next to her... and they were on their way.

The trip to the Yoder's home took only 9 minutes.  But in those 9 minutes, neither Mac nor AJ said a word to each other.  Finally, as AJ turned down the lane headed for the house, he said, "We'll meet with the elders tomorrow morning, probably around 0900.  Jacob will bring you back over to my place in plenty of time."  Mac nodded.  AJ continued, "I'm sorry for what Mamm said just now, Sarah.  She doesn't understand..."

"You don't need to apologize," she replied quickly.  "I know family is very important to them, and your mother only wants you to be happy.  She doesn't see how you could possibly be happy without a wife and children..."

He muttered under his breath, "I'm not."

Mac turned to face him.  "You're not?  You're not happy?"

AJ let the horse set his own pace down the lane; he knew where he was headed.  AJ turned to face Mac.  "No, I'm not happy.  I haven't been since Marcella left me.  I grew up Amish, Sarah.  It was instilled in me from childhood to have a wife and family.  A big family.  I left all I knew behind because I thought I was helping them... because I thought I could help protect their way of life.  I never intended to throw away everything I grew up with... everything I believed in."  He turned his attention back to the lane ahead of him.  He slowed the horse up a bit.  "When I married Marcella, I expected it to last a lifetime.. the way it would have if I'd stayed here and married MarLyn.  I expected to have 7 or 8 children.  Not a divorce."  His voice cracked on this last, and Mac knew he was almost in tears.

She slipped her arm around his waist and laid her head against his shoulder.  "Marcella was a fool to leave you," she whispered.  

AJ straightened in his seat and Mac was afraid she'd said the wrong thing.  "I'll have a talk with Mamm tonight so she won't embarrass you again."

"Embarrass me?"  Mac pulled her arm back and lifted her head, shaking it.  "Flatter me is more like it."

"Bruder Albert!" called Jacob as he and his sister came down the front steps of the house.  "I was just going to ride over to your place and save you the trouble of coming here."

"No trouble at all, Bruder Jacob," AJ said, pulling the horse to a halt.  He climbed down from the buggy and reached up to help Mac.  As he put his hands around her waist and lowered her to the ground, he whispered, "Thank you, Sarah.  For what you said about Marcella's leaving.  It was my fault that she left.  But thank you, just the same."

Mac surprised him by saying, "I don't see how it could have been.  I don't see how any woman could throw your love away."  Her dreamy eyes suddenly changed to shock as she realized what she'd just said and to whom.  Before he could reply or reprimand her, she scooted away and headed straight for MarLyn.

"Miss Sarah, I'd like you to meet die mudder," MarLyn said, taking Mac by the hand and leading her to the house.  Mac saw a woman peering through the front window as they approached, but she wasn't looking at them.  She was looking at AJ.  "Mamm," MarLyn said as she opened the screen door.  "This is Sarah MacKenzie.  She is the lawyer who will represent us this week."

The older MarLyn turned from the window and looked at Mac.  She tried to smile and said, "You are most welcome in my home, Miss MacKenzie.  It is different than you are used to, but I hope you will be comfortable."

Mac smiled genuinely at the woman.  "Mrs. Yoder, I cannot thank you enough for extending such a gracious invitation to me.  To stay in your home this week is indeed an honor, and one I am most thankful for.  I hope only that I do not say or do anything to offend you during my stay. The Amish way is new to me, but the more I learn of it, the more I admire you."

As Mac finished speaking, Jacob walked through the door. "Mamm! See who is here!" Jacob called to his mother.

The three women turned to face the door as AJ walked through it. He stopped just inside the threshold, letting the screen door close behind him. MarLyn looked at him, the longing evident in her face. She had never stopped loving him; her husband knew that when he married her, but he had been patient and kind to her all the years of their marriage. "Willkomme deheem, Albert," she said softly with a weak smile.

AJ was surprised that she called him 'Albert' and not 'Brother Albert'. He thought to himself, 'Good thing her husband isn't down here to hear that.' He smiled back and said, "It is good to be home, thank you."

The younger MarLyn suggested that she take Mac upstairs and let her see her room and be sure she had everything she needed before AJ left. Mac wondered what he'd be able to do about it if she needed something, but she held her tongue and followed the young woman upstairs. Jacob then took his cue and said, "I must go put the hinkels in the coop for the night." And he quickly went back outside to see to the chickens.

Now alone together, they took a step toward each other. "Albert." "MarLyn," they said at the same time... then smiled.

"You are looking well, Albert."

"As are you." AJ was most uncomfortable. He hadn't asked anyone about MarLyn, and he should have. He didn't even know how many children she had. He knew two of them, but surely she had more. And where was her husband? "You have two wonderful kinder, MarLyn. How many more do you have?" he decided to ask.

"Only Jacob and MarLyn," she replied softly and hung her head.

"But such fine kinder they are," AJ assured her. "I was most impressed when they came to my office in January. Fine. Very fine," he nodded.

MarLyn smiled at his words. "They are, aren't they?" she agreed. "Jacob is so like his vadder."

"And MarLyn is so like you," AJ answered immediately. "So, where is Willam?" he asked about her husband.

MarLyn paled. "You do not know?"

"Know what?" he shook his head.

"Willam died a yaahr ago today," she whispered.

AJ blanched. "Oh, MarLyn! I'm so sorry. I didn't know." He closed the distance between them, and as her tears began to fall, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "I'm so sorry, MarLyn," he cooed as he rubbed her back gently.  He knew he shouldn't have held her for more than a moment, but she melted into his arms and he wasn't about to push her away.  Surely their past relationship should count for something if anyone walked in on them.  

Mac and the young MarLyn peered around the corner and saw them embracing. MarLyn almost giggled. "Perhaps he will be my new vadder!"

Mac looked shocked. "What?" she whispered. "Where is your father?"

MarLyn answered, "My vadder died a year ago, Miss Sarah."

Mac felt a stabbing pain in her gut. "I didn't realize..." she tried to speak but couldn't, and she closed her eyes.

MarLyn turned concerned eyes to her new friend. "Miss Sarah? You told me on the phone that you and Bruder Albert were not a couple... that you could not be together that way because of your work. Has that changed?"

Mac shook her head. "No, it hasn't. It's still true." She looked at the couple again. 'Yes, they do look like a couple, don't they?' she thought to herself. "Maybe you're right. Maybe he'll decide to come home for good," Mac said remembering what AJ had just told her in the buggy. 'And I'll lose the best CO I've ever had.  Yeah, like that's what you're really feeling here, MacKenzie!' she scolded herself.

Mac and MarLyn quietly moved into the kitchen and finished cleaning up the supper dishes. Soon they heard Jacob come inside. "Everything's in for the night," he announced as he walked inside.

He was surprised, but pleased, to see his mother in AJ's arms. They had moved to the sofa, but MarLyn was still in his arms.  When they heard him come in, they jerked apart. "And you took Miss MacKenzie's bag upstairs?" asked his mother, blushing slightly.

Jacob smiled indulgently. "Yes, Mamm. Earlier this afternoon."

"Jacob," said AJ, "where is your wife? I expected to see her oweds."

Mac and MarLyn came out of the kitchen and joined the others. Mac turned to MarLyn and mouthed, "Oweds?"

MarLyn smiled. "This evening," she whispered.

"Oh," Mac mouthed back, nodding.

"Her mudder is ill, so she is staying there to take care of the yung kinder until Mamm is well," Jacob explained.

"I see," AJ nodded and stood to his feet. "Well, I should be getting back deheem." MarLyn rose and stood by his side.  He took her hands in his and brought them to his lips, kissing them softly. "I am truly sorry for your loss, MarLyn. If I had known, I would never have agreed for you to host Sarah this week."

"It is not a problem, Albert. I am glad to do it. She will helfe us to keep our land."

"Yes, she will," he agreed. He turned to the others. "Good night!"  As he turned back to the door, his eyes caught sight of a clock on the mantle.  He raised an eyebrow as he recognized it.  

"Good night!" they all called back as he and MarLyn walked out on the porch together.

"You still have the clock," he said softly.

She smiled.  "Of course."  Then she took a deep breath and said, "Albert?  This Sarah... she is yours?"

AJ turned to face his former fiancée. "No, MarLyn. Sarah works for me. That's all."

"But you wish there could be more?"

AJ glanced inside through the screen door and saw Mac watching them, a sad look on her face. "What I might or might not want doesn't matter in this, MarLyn.  It can never be."

"What about me?  Could you ever want me again?" she dared to ask.  "Enough to come back deheem to stay?"

AJ pulled her into his arms. "That's a definite possibility," he whispered as he lowered his mouth to hers.

.

Monday, 5 May 2003
2045 EDT
Chegwidden Farm
Dry Gap, Pennsylvania

AJ pulled the buggy around to the barn and climbed down.  He was already leading the horse into the barn when his brother approached.  "I will take care of that, Albert."

"That's okay, David.  I've got it," AJ replied.  He picked up the brush and started working on the horse.  "David, why did Datt never change the deed?  You should be on that deed now, not me."

David's expression changed slightly to one of... hope?  "Mamm and Datt always believed that you would return.  That you would decide the English life was not what you wanted."

AJ sighed as he bent over to continue brushing the horse.  "Maybe they're right."

David looked up sharply.  "You are thinking of returning?" he asked.

AJ stood up again and looked straight at his brother.  "Do you think the elders would permit it?"

David nodded.  "I believe they would, yes.  And then the farm would be yours."

The men were quiet as AJ finished the horse and David pulled the buggy to the side of the barn and secured it.  When he walked in the barn, AJ tried to sound casual.  "I didn't know Willam Yoder died last yaahr."

David nodded.  "A yaahr ago today, in fact."

"Yes, that's what MarLyn told me."

"You call her by her given name?" asked David.  "Is that wise?"

AJ looked up at his brother.  "MarLyn is why I would come back, David."

"What about Miss Sarah?" David asked, amazed.

"Sarah works for me.  There can be nothing between us."

"Unless you leave... or she leaves.  You would not do this for her?"

"She wouldn't want me to, David.  Sarah is... rather fond of one of the other lawyers in our office."  The men started back to the house.  "Is anyone intending to court MarLyn, do you know?"

David shook his head.  "There was.  But she has made it clear that she does not wish any attention paid her."

AJ wondered at that; she had seemed most receptive to his attentions just now.  When they reached the house, Anna started right in about Mac and how wonderful she seemed.  "And she is still yung; she will have many kinder..."

"Yes, Mamm," AJ interrupted her.  "She probably will have at least two."  His mother smiled.  "But their father will most likely be a man named Harmon Rabb."  Anna jerked her head around and stared at him.  "He's another lawyer in the office... one to whom Sarah is very... attracted."

"But, Albert!  She is perfect for you!" Anna argued.

"No, Mamm.  She isn't.  She works for me.  It's not possible," AJ said firmly.  "Now, if you'll excuse me, I would like to get a shower and..." he stopped, realizing there were no showers.  He turned to his mother.  He corrected himself, "I'll just go take a dip in the pond."

AJ headed back out the front door and toward the pond.  Anna watched his stride.  "He is hurting.  He wants her.  But he cannot find a way to have her.  We must helfe him."

"Mamm, I think he is confused right now," suggested David.

"Albert?  Confused?  I do not think so," Anna rebuffed.

"Sister MarLyn is a widow now, Mamm," he said raising his eyebrow.

Anna whirled around to face her younger son.  "Sister MarLyn!?  But she is not available.  She is yet a new widow.  Oh, I have failed my soh!  I did not tell him..."

"Mamm, it is a yaahr today.  Sister MarLyn is... available again," David corrected his mother.

"But she has made it plain that she does not want..."

David nodded.  "But I think for him, she would make the exception.  It was always Albert she loved, you know.  Not Bruder Willam."

Anna folded her arms across her chest and turned back to watch AJ... just as he dove in the pond.  "Would he come home, I wonder?  Or would he take her away?  You are right.  It is Albert she always loved.  If he asked her, I believe she would go."

David didn't tell his mother what AJ had said to him about possibly coming home.  He didn't want to get her hopes up.  And he didn't believe his brother would leave the English world now... not after all this time.

Continue to Part 3.