|
Tuesday, 26 October 2004
0955 EDT
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
"What now, Petty Officer?"
Admiral AJ Chegwidden barked as his meeting was interrupted for the third
time. But when he looked up from his papers, it wasn't his yeoman standing
in the doorway of his office. It was his wife of five months.
"I'm sorry, Admiral, but there isn't
a rank of Petty Officer in the Marine Corps," Colonel Sarah
MacKenzie-Chegwidden quipped. "If you want to demote me, you'll have
to do better than that."
AJ smiled broadly at his beautiful
wife. He still couldn't believe that she had chosen him over all the young
bucks who had pursued her for so long. He looked over at his two senior
officers and nodded to them... their cue to leave their CO's office.
Commanders Harmon Rabb and Sturgis Turner
greeted the Admiral's wife as they left. "Hey, Mac."
"Good to see you, Mac."
She closed the door behind them and as she
turned around, AJ was already around his desk and taking her in his arms.
"Have I told you today how much I love you, Sarah?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yes,
but that's okay. Tell me again."
AJ chuckled and said, "I love you
more than life itself, Sarah." He lowered his lips to cover
hers. Then he raised his head and asked, "Did you see the
doctor?"
Mac smiled and nodded. "I saw
him. That's why I'm here instead of at the Pentagon. I wanted to see
you before I went to my office."
"What did he say? Is it
allergies?" Mac shook her head. "A cold?" She
continued shaking her head. "Walking pneumonia?" his voice took
on a worried tone. Mac had been sick for the last two weeks, even to the
point of vomiting after she ate dinner the last three nights. At AJ's
urging, she finally agreed to go see the doctor.
"There's nothing wrong with me,
AJ," she told him calmly.
"Honey, there has to be a reason
you've been feeling so badly for the last two weeks."
"There is a reason."
"You just said there's nothing wrong
with you," he reminded her.
"That's true. There isn't
anything wrong..." she smiled coyly and reached up to kiss his nose, then finished
her sentence, "Daddy."
Everyone in the bullpen heard AJ's
exclamation, "Hoo yah!!" When he opened his office door a few
minutes later, his arm was tightly around Mac's shoulders and his smile was
bigger than anyone there had ever seen. As AJ and Mac stood waiting for
the elevator to arrive, he pulled her to him for a long, passionate
kiss.
As soon as the doors closed with them
inside, the bullpen erupted in noise:
"Did you see
that?"
"He was practically devouring her!"
"And they were both in uniform!"
"He never kisses her in public!"
"Kisses her! Hell, he never even holds her hand in
public!"
"My God! I wonder what she told him?"
Lieutenant Harriett Sims smiled to
herself. 'She's gonna have a baby! I'd bet on it!'
Thursday, 4 November 2004
2045 EST
Boone Residence
Vienna, Virginia
Retired Admiral Tom Boone leaned back in the dining room
chair and patted his stomach. "Tracy, you outdid yourself
tonight. That had to be the best meal I've ever eaten in my life."
Her husband's words of praise made
Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti-Boone beam her delight. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Darling."
"Oh, I did. I enjoy everything
you cook, but this! Honey, this was incredible!"
"Are you ready for dessert?"
"How about we wait an hour or two and
let this digest a bit first?" Tom didn't notice the crestfallen
expression on Tracy's face at his words. "In fact, I might just skip
dessert altogether tonight, I ate so much!"
"Skip it?" her voice came out as
a hoarse whisper.
That was when Tom looked up and saw
Tracy's expression. "Honey? What is it? Is something
wrong?"
She shook her head, "No."
"Did you make a special dessert
tonight to go along with our special meal?"
She nodded slightly. "I'm
afraid so."
"Then we'll have it.
Absolutely! You might have to roll me into the bedroom, but I don't mind
if you don't!"
Tracy laughed at the image her mind
conjured up of Tom curled up into a ball and her rolling him across the
floor. She disappeared into the kitchen and returned carrying a
cake. She set it down in front of Tom, her face wreathed in smiles.
"What's this?" he asked as he looked at the cake before
him. It was shaped like a baby wearing a diaper. And there was
writing across the top. Tom read it aloud, "Baby Boone coming
soon!" His jaw fell open and he looked up at his wife of 18 months.
"We're going to have a... a baby??"
Saturday, 19 March 2005
1100 EST
Babies R Us
Falls Church, Virginia
"What about this one, Sarah?" AJ
asked, running his hand along the railing of a dark wood crib.
"I don't really want one that dark,
AJ. What about this one?" she stood admiring a white Jenny Lind style
crib.
"That's not quite what I imagined for
a little boy," he confessed.
"Sure! Lots of people use this
style for a boy," Mac informed him.
A saleslady walked up to them then,
"May I help you with something?"
AJ replied with a question, "Does
that style of crib come in a stained finish or only white?"
"Oh, it comes in several finishes,
actually. There's the white lacquer you see here. There's also a
whitewash finish that's a little softer looking. Then we have a light oak
finish, a medium birch finish, and a dark walnut finish. We used to have it in
cherry, too, but they discontinued that last year, I'm sorry to
say. That was actually our best seller..."
When the saleslady would have continued
talking, Mac interrupted her, "Do you have the oak and birch finishes on
display?"
"Oh, yes. They're right over
this way." Mac and AJ followed the woman three aisles over, and both of them
gravitated to the medium birch finished crib.
"This one is perfect!" Mac
gushed. "Don't you think so?" she asked her husband.
AJ smiled, "I couldn't agree more,
Sarah." He reached forward and patted her swollen tummy.
"Nothing but the best for this little fella."
The saleslady smiled. "It's so
nice when a man takes such a keen interest in his grandchild, especially before
it's even born." She immediately turned and walking away, said,
"Let me just go see if we have one of these in stock or if we'll have to
order it."
Mac giggled and turned to AJ, putting her
arms around his waist. "Hey, Gramps," she teased.
"Don't you start that,"
AJ warned. "I get enough of that from the receptionist at your OB's
office. I can't believe that woman can't remember from one visit to the
next that I'm your husband, not your father!"
"She's just a scatterbrain, AJ.
It never fails that she writes down the wrong date on my appointment
cards. I always have to call and confirm the date because the day and
date she writes down never match."
AJ
knew he was being overly sensitive, but it did bother him that so many
people thought Mac was carrying his grandchild. 'Well, okay, not
"so many people"... only two. So far,' he grumbled to
himself.
Tuesday,
26 April 2005
1925 EDT
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland
Tom and Tracy sat on a mat on the floor,
waiting for their first childbirth class to begin. They were a few
minutes early, as were several other excited couples. Tracy sat between
Tom's legs and leaned her back against his chest. Tom wrapped his arms
around her round belly. "I can't believe I'm actually going to be a
father," he whispered in her ear.
This was nothing new to Tracy. Tom
had expressed his delight at the prospect through her entire pregnancy.
Anytime they went out in public, he strutted around like a proud peacock, his
arm draped around Tracy's shoulders or waist. He was very protective of
her... and very outward in his public display of affection. When Tom
picked her up for lunch during the week, Tracy even had to remind him that such
displays weren't appropriate when she was in uniform.
Tracy wiggled a bit on the mat trying to
get more comfortable. "You better stop that, Sweetheart, or I'm going
to have a problem in a minute," Tom told her.
"Would that be so bad?" she
giggled as she wiggled again.
"Just you wait until I get you in
that bed tonight. You'll pay for this," Tom groaned as he felt his
manhood come to life.
Tracy giggled, then she suddenly gulped
and tried to jump to her feet. She ended up rolling over Tom's left leg
and was sprawled on the floor as a deep voice chuckled above her.
"Having a little trouble there, Commander?"
Tom looked up as he was helping Tracy to
her feet, "AJ! Mac! Hello there!"
"AJ, you're so bad," Mac scolded
her husband.
AJ grinned, "Yes, but you like it
when I'm bad, remember?"
Mac blushed profusely as Tom
laughed. Tracy was finally on her feet facing her commanding
officer. "Good evening, Admiral." She didn't come to
attention stance, but almost.
"As you were, Commander."
Then he changed his mind remembering her sprawled on the floor. "Then
again, maybe not," he teased.
Mac swatted his arm, "Stop that,
you." She stepped forward and hugged Tracy. "So you and
Tom are in this class, too?" Tracy nodded. "That's
wonderful!"
There was an empty mat right in front of
Tom and Tracy, so Mac plopped herself down on it. She reached for AJ's
hand and pulled. "We have to sit on the floor?" he
grumbled. "Why not in a chair?"
"Stop being a sourpuss," Mac
told him. "This is supposed to be a fun class." She yanked
again, and this time, AJ sat.
Tom helped Tracy back to the floor and
they resumed their positions with her between his legs. AJ looked at Mac
and she nodded. So he helped her scoot around until she was between his
legs in the same position as their friends. Looking around the room, AJ
saw that everyone else was in the same position. He no longer felt quite
so obvious, though it felt odd to have Mac in such a personal position in front
of other military types. He still couldn't quite believe how he'd reacted
at JAG HQ when Mac told him of her pregnancy.
The instructor blew into the room and
immediately started talking. "Good evening, everyone! My name
is Laurel Wills and I'll be working with you as you prepare for your new
additions. Now, to start off with, we don't use rank in here.
Everyone is 'Mommy' and 'Daddy'; I'll let you decide who is who," she
smirked as the class participants, most of whom were obviously in their 20s,
laughed.
She looked over toward Tracy and
Mac. Tom had his arms wrapped around Tracy's belly and he was rubbing it
gently. Every few minutes, he leaned his face into the side of her neck
and kissed her. AJ, on the other hand, was leaning back on his hands; Mac
was still sitting between his legs, but there was nothing romantic about their
position.
Seeing that reminded her.
"Mommies, please be sure that if Daddy has to miss a class, you bring
someone with you to sit in for him. I see that we have one stand-in this
evening, and that's wonderful. Oh, and if you want to bring two people
with you all the time just in case Daddy is deployed before Baby arrives, feel
free." She smiled right at Mac. "Now, before we go around
the room and introduce ourselves, let's learn the first and most important thing
you need to know during this class. Can anyone guess what it
is?"
Mac wiggled on the mat and AJ moved his
right hand to rub her back gently for a moment.
One of the youngest women raised her
hand. "How to tell when you're really in labor?"
Laurel shook her head.
"Nope. Try again?"
This time it was one of the young men who
answered. "How to breathe?"
Laurel shook her head again.
"No. Anyone else?" she grinned.
Mac wiggled again and AJ patted her hip as
he said, "Where the bathroom is!"
Laurel turned surprised eyes to him.
"Exactly!" The class burst into laughter... even more so when AJ
rose and helped Mac to her feet. "We actually have one here in the
room," Laurel pointed behind her and Mac made a bee line for the
door. "And there are also restrooms just outside and to your
left. I would ask the Daddies to use the men's room in the hall and let's
keep this one for the Mommies who might not make it to the hall," she
grinned.
When Mac joined the group again, AJ helped
her back down to the mat. Mac whispered her thanks; she really didn't want
to plop like she had before... the mat wasn't nearly as soft as she'd expected
it to be. AJ pulled her back between his legs and again leaned back on his
hands.
The introductions began at the far end of
the room. Eventually it was Tom and Tracy's turn. "We're the
Boones," Tom began. "I'm Tom and my lovely wife is
Tracy." He leaned forward and kissed her neck again.
"We've been married for a month shy of two years, and this is our first
child. It's a girl," Tom boasted. He gently turned Tracy's face
to his and kissed her soundly.
AJ was just about to speak when Laurel
said, "And now for our Mommy with her stand-in. I'm so glad you
thought ahead," she addressed Mac. Then she smiled warmly at AJ,
"Welcome to the class. So, are you the Granddaddy?"
Mac bit her lips together to keep from
giggling. 'Poor AJ,' she thought. She turned and smiled
encouragingly at him.
He took a deep breath and let it
out. Then he barked, "We're the Chegwiddens; AJ and
Sarah." At AJ's words, Laurel blushed profusely, realizing she'd made
a huge mistake. AJ continued, "We've been married for almost a
year. This is Sarah's first child; my second." Then he turned
back to look at Tom and said proudly, "It's a boy."
"Just hope you don't name him 'Albert
Jethro Junior'," Tom teased his friend.
After the last couple introduced
themselves, Laurel spoke again. "Well, it looks like we have a
mixture here. Mostly first babies but a few seconds and even one
third. That's wonderful! Now let me tell all of you second and third
timers: this delivery will probably be totally and completely
different from your last one."
Then she encompassed everyone, "Every
pregnancy is different; every birth experience is different. Just because
your mother went through 48 hours of hard labor does not mean that you
will... any more than your sister giving birth in five hours means that you
will."
There were some whispers among the class
attendees before Laurel continued. "What I'm going to do over the
next couple of months is try to prepare you all for your personal
birthing experience. Remember, just because you want to have natural
childbirth doesn't mean that you will. You might end up needing a
C-section. But no matter how your baby gets here, what we are most
concerned with is your having a healthy baby."
Laurel finally finished her first-session
lecture and dismissed the class. She was surprised that the volume level
didn't go up; it usually did. But everyone was speaking very quietly,
almost in a whisper voice. She approached AJ and Mac to apologize for her
blunder. But before she reached them, AJ's cell phone rang and he left the
room to take the call.
Mac smiled, "It's not the first time,
Laurel. Don't worry about it."
"Oh, but I know better," Laurel
said. "I can't think why I made that assumption," she shook her
head. "I guess because of the way you were sitting. Everyone
else was so close and 'touchy-feely', and you two weren't. I just..."
Mac laid her hand on Laurel's arm.
"It's okay, Laurel. Really. AJ doesn't show outward affection
much when we're in public; he saves it for when we're alone." No one
had been more surprised than Mac at his reaction in JAG HQ back in October.
Mac saw him open the door and she asked a
question with her eyes. He nodded. "Excuse me, Laurel, but we
have to go. AJ has a situation he has to take care of right away."
Mac hurried to AJ's side and they left the
building. As soon as the classroom door closed behind them, Laurel was
startled when suddenly the room exploded in noise. Everyone, it seemed,
was talking at the same time! She listened and finally heard what was
being said:
"Man! Who'd have thought the JAG
would be in our birthing class?!"
"He's a two-star, Honey!"
"Geez, I was sitting right in front of him! Honey, did I belch
during class?"
'Aah,' Laurel realized, 'Now I
know why everyone was so quiet in here tonight! A two-star Admiral!
Wow.' Then she remembered. 'Oh, God! And I called him
the baby's grandfather!!'
As AJ and Mac headed for their vehicle,
Mac posed the question, "Do you have to go to the office, Honey?"
"The office?" AJ sounded
confused.
"The phone call?" she prompted.
"Oh! No, that was
Francesca," he replied, obviously distracted.
"How is she?" Mac gushed.
She loved her step-daughter, though she seldom thought of her as such.
Francesca was far more a friend to her than a daughter; they were, after all,
closer in age than she and AJ.
"She's at Dulles," AJ answered.
"Dulles?! Here?? AJ, you
didn't tell me she was coming for a visit! What on Earth...?"
"I didn't know it until she
called." AJ stopped walking. "She was crying, Sarah.
My baby girl was crying."
Mac slipped her hand into her
husband's. "Don't worry, AJ. I'm sure she's fine."
"There must be a reason..."
"Of course there is. But don't
go looking for a problem. Wait and see when she gets to the
house." Then Mac paused and looked up at him. "She is
coming to the house, isn't she?"
AJ nodded. "Yes. She's
taking a cab. She didn't want to wait for us to drive all the way out
there."
"Well then, we'll know soon
enough. Don't worry. She's a grown woman."
They reached their vehicle and AJ helped
Mac inside the passenger seat. "That's what I'm worried
about," he muttered as he closed the door and walked around to his side.
Tuesday,
26 April 2005
2155 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
AJ was at the door in a flash when he
heard the doorbell chime. He pulled it open and saw his precious daughter
standing on the front stoop, suitcases by her side, and tears streaming down her
face. "Oh, Darlin'. What's happened, Sweetheart? What's
wrong?" AJ groaned as he pulled her to him. Almost as quickly, he
pulled back and looked down... at her swollen abdomen. His jaw fell open
and his eyes moved back to his daughter's face.
"I'm sorry, Papa," was all
Francesca could say.
"Luigi?" AJ asked.
She nodded in confirmation. "He
did not wish a baby at this time. And I refused to rid myself of it.
He agreed, and I thought we would be married and have our family. But this
morning, I had a visit from the... how do you say it in English? Agenzia di adozione?"
"Adoption agency!?!" AJ growled.
"Sì, yes. The adoption
agency. Luigi told them that we were giving the baby up when it was
born. We had a terrible argument, and I packed my bags and left."
"You didn't go to your mother?"
AJ asked, surprised.
"Mama agreed with Luigi,"
Francesca said sadly.
AJ pulled his daughter into his arms and
hugged her tightly. "My poor darlin'. You did right in coming
here."
"But will Sarah want me here,
Papa?" Francesca asked fearfully.
"Of course I want you here!" Mac
said from a few feet behind them. "You poor thing," she moved
forward and put her arm around Francesca's shoulders. "You just come
and sit down, and I'll get you something to eat. I'm craving strawberries
and chocolate whipped cream these days. What'll it be for you?"
"Mmm, that sounds delightful!"
Francesca replied. "I haven't actually had many cravings."
"How far along are you?" Mac
asked as she walked toward the kitchen.
"Six months."
"Mine started right about then,"
Mac informed her. "Just you wait!"
AJ groaned. "Oh, no. More
late night runs to the grocery store."
Thursday,
26 May 2005
1215 EDT
Squids Seafood Restaurant
Falls Church, Virginia
"So what's on your mind, AJ?"
Tom Boone asked his friend as they sat at the booth eating their lunch.
Actually, Tom was eating. AJ was picking.
AJ looked up from his now-shredded
swordfish. "Do you ever wonder if you did the right thing by marrying
Tracy?"
Tom raised his eyebrows in surprise at the
question. "No, AJ, I never do. Not since before we were
married. Tracy made it very clear that our age difference doesn't matter
one iota to her. And her family has reinforced that on several
occasions." He looked intently at his friend. "You're
having doubts about Mac?"
AJ raised his head and looked at
Tom. Slowly, he nodded. "Yeah."
"Why? Did she say something
about it?"
"No. It doesn't seem to bother
Sarah at all."
"Francesca?"
AJ shook his head. "No."
"What is it, AJ? What happened
that has you questioning yourself all of a sudden?" Tom asked.
AJ sighed heavily. "It isn't
'all of a sudden'. I've never been completely comfortable with the
difference in our ages to begin with. And now that she's having a
baby... It's just compounded."
"AJ, does this have anything to do
with Laurel's blunder at the first childbirth class?" He noticed AJ
flinch at the question, so he pressed on. "It does, doesn't it?
It bugs you that she thought you were the baby's grandfather."
"Hell, yes, it bugs me!" AJ
almost yelled. "She wasn't the first, you know. And she hasn't
been the last either. The saleslady at the baby store, the hostess at The
Crab Shack... even the receptionist at the OB's office! And now I've got a
pregnant daughter at home and a pregnant wife! And they're only a
few years apart in age!" AJ shook his head in disgust.
"What kind of pervert am I to have married Sarah to begin with?"
"Obviously no more of one than I
am," Tom quipped. "You do realize, I'm sure, that you are only
16 years older than your wife. I'm 23 years older than mine."
AJ didn't respond. "And as I recall, Mac is almost 12 years older
than Francesca... not just 'a few years'."
"She's closer to my daughter's age
than mine," AJ countered.
"But she's carrying your child,
AJ. And she calls herself by your name. She doesn't even hyphenate
anymore, she's that proud to be your wife!"
"I know," AJ replied miserably.
"Don't second guess yourself,
man. Mac loves you desperately. And you love her. Don't blow
it. Not with a baby on the way."
AJ sighed again. "I
won't. I guess I just needed a little reassurance." He looked
up at his friend. "Thanks, Tom."
"Anytime, AJ." Tom had
never known AJ Chegwidden to need reassurance before. Not for
anything. He was more than a little worried about his friend now. He
wondered if AJ and Mac had much of a sex life these days. 'I doubt
it. But that's not something I'm going to ask him!'
Monday, 4 July 2005
1613 EDT
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland
The orderlies easily shifted Mac from the
gurney to the bed in her room. The nurse followed with the crib.
"Here you go, Mrs. Chegwidden. Matthew is all cleaned up and ready to
nurse. He sure is a precious little fellow." She put the brakes
on the crib and lifted the baby, laying him in Mac's arms. She noticed a
tear slip down Mac's cheek. "Don't worry, Honey. Your husband
will be here soon; I'm sure of it."
Mac sniffed and tried to smile.
"I know. It's my fault he wasn't here anyway. I told him to go
on to the parade without me; he didn't want to. But I insisted I'd be fine; I
thought I was just overtired..."
Suddenly she heard AJ's voice bellowing in
the hall.
"The hell I can't!"
"But Sir! The mothers are
nursing now! Only fathers can go in the rooms right now. No
grandparents; I'm sorry."
Mac sighed, "Oh, no. Not
again. Not today..."
"What do I look like? 90 years
old?? I am the father, you idiot!! Now get out of my
way!" AJ, dressed in his mess whites, came barreling through the door like a bull in a china
shop. But as soon as he saw Mac lying there, his newborn son cradled in
her arms and sucking at her breast, all his anger and frustration
vanished. "Sarah," he breathed.
Mac smiled as another tear slipped down
her cheek. "I'm sorry, Darling. I tried to wait for you, but he
just wouldn't listen to me." Her tears were coming faster now, but
her smile was broad.
He leaned over her and kissed the tears
away. "Shhh, Darlin'. Don't cry; it's okay. I only
wish I'd been here for you instead of at that fool parade."
"Was it nice?"
AJ smiled down at her. "You'd
have enjoyed it, Sweetness. Your Marines were in fine form."
Mac pulled the blanket back from the
baby's head. "He's so small, AJ."
"How are you doing? Are you all
right? Do you need anything?" His concern for her was touching.
She shook her head, "I'm
perfectly wonderful... now that you're here."
AJ sat on the edge of the bed. He laid his right hand over
Mac's on their new son. "Matthew, you're going to have to start
obeying your mother," AJ ordered his son. Then he said to Mac,
"Okay, tell me everything. From the beginning."
Mac sighed. "My water broke just about 20 minutes
after you left this morning..."
"What!?" He was
stunned. "Twenty minutes? Sarah, why didn't you call me on my
cell then? I could have come home! I wasn't even close to the
Barracks at that point!"
Her eyes downcast, she whispered, "I
thought there would be plenty of time. It was only 1045, AJ. I knew
you'd be home by 1800. I was only in the 'early'
stage of labor. I had no idea the baby would come so fast."
AJ moved his left hand to his wife's chin
and lifted her face. "I'm not angry, Darlin'. I know you
couldn't have known. I don't blame you, Sweetheart. I'm sorry I
raised my voice to you." He leaned over and kissed her deeply.
Then he smiled and said, "Tell me more."
She smiled back. "I started
having contractions right away after that, but they weren't really that bad for
a couple of hours. Then all of a sudden at 1307, I realized I had to be in
the 'active'
stage."
AJ chuckled to himself. 'Only my
wife would know exactly the minute she changed stages... without even checking a
clock!'
"That would have been about the time
you were presented as the guest of honor," she realized. He nodded in
agreement. "My pains were lasting a good minute and getting closer
and closer together. I called the doctor's office and they said to come on
to Bethesda." She sighed. "I tried to call you, but your
cell wasn't receiving. I left a message..."
He nodded. "I know. I got
it... and the other ones, too. I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you,
Sarah."
"You're here now, AJ."
They kissed again and he urged her to continue her story. "I was going to try
and drive myself here, but when the contractions started lasting two minutes
with only that in between, I knew I'd already moved into the 'transition'
stage. So I called for an ambulance."
"Good." AJ was also glad
that Francesca hadn't decided to drive them to the hospital. She was
larger than Mac now and barely fit behind the wheel. He'd made her promise
only last week that she would stay out of the driver's seat. "Where's
Francesca?"
"She started having pains, too...
just as the ambulance arrived. So they brought her along. Thank
goodness it was false labor; she's not due for another month. She's
resting in a bed down the hall."
AJ closed his eyes in relief.
"And our boy?"
She smiled. "Our son was born
at 1447."
"Just as I left the field," AJ
murmured. "I ended up with a police escort here, you know."
"What? How?" Mac asked, a
bit confused.
"I was speeding on Pennsylvania
Avenue, weaving in and out of the traffic..." AJ winked.
"Oh, no! AJ, you didn't get a
ticket..."
He shook his head. "Nope.
I pulled over and met the officer half way between the cars, talking as I
walked. Told him he was welcome to write me as many tickets as he saw fit,
but I was on my way to Bethesda and nothing was going to delay me any more than
I already was."
"Uh oh."
He chuckled, "I also mentioned that
my wife was having a baby." Mac giggled. "His jaw fell
open and he said, 'A baby? At your age?' It was all I could do not
to deck him for that comment, but fortunately I didn't. And then he told
me to follow him... that he'd provide an escort. Otherwise, I'd probably
still be stuck on the highway. It was pretty backed up. That, or I'd
be sitting in
a DC jail cell, again," he mumbled this last.
"I'm glad you're here," she
whispered.
"So am I, Darlin'." He
leaned over her again, "So am I," and he captured her lips in a deep,
lingering kiss.
Monday, 4 July 2005
2015 EDT
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland
Mac awoke hearing voices she
recognized. She smiled at her friends as she opened her eyes and looked
around the room. "Oh my!" she laughed as she saw all the red,
white, and blue decorations all over. There were streamers and flags and
balloons tied everywhere... even on the crib!
"About time you woke up, Mac!"
admonished Harm. He slipped his arm around Francesca's shoulders.
"When did you all get here?" she
asked, her voice thick from sleep.
Harriett stood up and leaned over to hug
Mac. "About an hour ago," she replied. "Just after
you fell asleep. So we went ahead and decorated, hoping we wouldn't wake
you up."
"You didn't," she giggled.
"I can't believe you did all this in an hour! And with my sleeping
right here!"
"I couldn't quite believe it
myself," agreed AJ as he stood up and moved to the side of the bed.
"You were out like a light." He laid the baby in her arms.
"But then, you went through a lot in a very short time. And alone."
Tom put one arm around Tracy's shoulders
and his other hand on her belly. "I'm not going anywhere that my cell doesn't work until
this one makes her appearance!"
There was a knock on the door, and because
Sturgis was the closest, he opened it. The man at the door was dressed in
a red, white, and blue outfit with a star-spangled top hat, to boot!
"Is this the room of one Matthew MacKenzie Chegwidden?" the man asked
quietly. Sturgis nodded and the man strode in without an invitation,
leaving the door wide open.
He set a CD player on the floor and pressed the Play button.
The music instantly filled the room. As the man began to tap dance and sing along
with the music, Mac's visitors all moved out of the way... a difficult feat in
such a small room.
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real live nephew of my uncle Sam's
Born on the Fourth of July
I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London
Just to ride the ponies
I am a Yankee Doodle boy!
All the while he was dancing, he tossed
patriotic confetti in the air intermixed with twirling streamers and held a flag
high above his head. "I can't believe he doesn't drop anything!"
Harm said to Sturgis. He'd no sooner finished that song when
another began playing.
You're a grand old
flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
As he finished the last phrase of the
song, he lifted his top hat and bowed. Everyone applauded his
performance... even those in the hall who'd stopped to listen. "That
was wonderful!" Mac gushed. "Who sent you?" she asked him.
He stepped forward, handed her the flag
he'd used as one of his props and said, "Congratulations on your Yankee Doodle
baby, from Edward and Lydia Sheffield."
Tracy giggled and Mac turned to her.
"You knew about this, didn't you?" she accused.
Tracy nodded. "Aunt Lydia
called me at home and asked if I thought you'd like it. I hope
you did, because I told her yes!"
Mac laughed, "Oh, I did! It was
wonderful! I hadn't even thought about his being a Yankee Doodle
baby!"
Harm looked at Tracy. "That's why you called and told
everyone to come at the same time?"
Tracy nodded again. "I knew
you'd all want to see it. When Aunt Lydia does something like this, it's
always fabulous!"
Saturday, 23 July 2005
1420 EDT
Boone Residence
Vienna, Virginia
Tracy tried again to reach her feet so she
could put on her walking shoes. Giving up, she called her husband to help
her. As he knelt on one knee and lifted a shoe to meet her foot, she
complained, "I've had enough of this, Tom. I'm ready to break my
daughter's lease. I want her out... now!"
Tom chuckled at the vehemence in her
voice. "Sweetheart, our little angel will break her own lease in
time. Don't rush her." Then he looked down at Tracy's feet and
asked, "Are you sure these are the right shoes? They won't go
on."
"That's because my feet and ankles
are so fat that none of my shoes fit anymore!" Tracy whined.
"And she's late! She's two weeks late, Tom!"
"They're not fat, Honey.
They're swollen. The doctor will induce labor if and when he thinks it's
time. Meanwhile, we just have to wait." He tried again and this
time as he pressed the shoe against her foot, he ordered,
"Push!" Her feet finally in the shoes, Tom tied them.
"Those can't be comfortable enough to walk in. Don't you have a
larger pair?"
"No, I don't. And I'm not
staying cooped up in this house another minute! We're going for that walk
you promised me."
Tom smiled as he pulled Tracy up off the
bed. "Where to, my lady?"
"The Mall."
"Honey..."
"I want to walk the Mall, Tom.
I want to see the Pool... and the ducks... and the squirrels..." She
was close to tears and he knew it.
"Okay," he acquiesced.
"The Mall it is."
"Maybe if I walk long enough, it will
make her come."
"You know the doctor told you that
wouldn't work."
"It worked for Francesca! She
and Harm went for a walk on the Mall last week and she had little Alberto
Vittorio that night!"
"Honey, she was early. You know
that..." Tom gave up trying to reason with his wife. In her
state, it would be best just to give in.
"Put my bag in the car, just in
case," Tracy insisted. Tom nodded, reached for her small suitcase,
and they headed for the Mall.
After walking around the pool only half
way, Tracy felt a rush of liquid down her legs. "Tom! My water
just broke!" she said excitedly.
"Any pain yet?" he asked
instantly. She shook her head. "Can you still walk?"
"Of course I can, silly. It'll
be hours before she comes... but it'll be this weekend!" Tracy
thrilled. "You see? I told you it would work! We should
have done this weeks agooooOOOOOH!!" Her last word ended on a
blood-curdling scream as she doubled over, grabbing her belly.
"Tom!!!"
He gently helped her sit on the soft green
grass and pulled her into his lap. "I guess you're having pain now,
hmm?" he tried to make her laugh.
Tears were now streaming down her
face. "It hurts so much!"
Tom rocked her as he pulled out his
cellular phone and dialed her OB's office. He relayed the situation to the
on-call nurse. "Have you checked to see if she's at all dilated,
Admiral?"
"We're sitting on the grass at the Mall," Tom informed the woman again in exasperation.
"Admiral, having a baby is something
people understand. If you have to check her there, you have to check
her. Please." The nurse could hear Tracy's screams over the
phone. They didn't sound at all like early stages of labor. Not
unless the woman had no tolerance for pain. And she knew Tracy Boone; she
knew that wasn't the case. "While you check her, I'll get the doctor
on the line."
Tom looked down at Tracy's haggard
face. "Sweetheart, I have to check you and see if you're
dilated."
"Here?" she squeaked and then
screamed in agony.
"Excuse me," a shaky, but deep
voice sounded above them. "You seem to be having a problem
here. Anything I can help with?"
Tom looked up and saw an old man and a
teenaged girl standing over them. "My wife's gone into labor,"
Tom explained.
"I'm a doctor," the man
said. "Would you let me help her?"
"Gramps, you haven't been a doctor in
years!" the girl whispered loudly.
He smiled at her and laid a wrinkled hand
on her shoulder. "Sweet Cheeks, I might not be fit to do heart
surgery anymore, but I'll never be too old to bring a baby into this
world." He turned back to face Tom and Tracy just as another pain
shot through her body. "And if I don't miss my guess, that baby wants
to arrive now."
Tom's arm tightened around Tracy as she
screamed again in pain. "I have her OB's office on the phone,"
Tom said handing the tiny piece of electronics to the old man.
"Hello?" he said into it.
"This is Doctor Peters. Who am
I speaking to?" another male voice asked.
"Bill Bigelow. There's a young
couple here and the little lady has gone into labor."
"Are you a doctor?"
"Retired," was the old man's
answer.
"Bigelow, you say? Any relation
to Wilfred Bigelow?"
The old man chuckled, "I'd hate to
think someone else was saddled with the same name as I. I'm Wilfred
Bigelow."
"May I speak with Admiral Boone,
please?" Peters requested.
The aged doctor handed the phone back to
Tom. "Boone here."
"Admiral, you've got one of the most
renowned heart surgeons in the world there with you. He's been retired for
quite a few years, but delivering a baby isn't something any doctor forgets how
to do. Let him have a look at Tracy. I don't like what I'm hearing
from her over this phone. You may not have time to get her to the hospital
before that baby arrives."
Tom agreed and disconnected the call,
tossing the phone on the ground. "What can I do?" he asked the
old doctor.
"Well, for starters, let me just take
a quick look and see how we're progressing." He smiled at Tracy and
she tried to smile back. He knelt down at her feet. "When did
your water break, young lady?"
"Just before the pain started.
Only about 10 minutes ago," she cried.
"Really," the man grunted as he
nodded his head. He continued talking to her as he raised the skirt of her
dress and eased her underwear down. "That's a mighty lot of pain
you're having for only being in labor for 10 minutes. Did you not have any
pain before?"
Tracy nodded and panted her reply,
"I've been hurting off and on for the last couple of days... especially so
today... but..."
Tom cut her off. "You've been
in pain? Tracy, you didn't tell me!"
"It wasn't labor, Tom. It was
just... discomfort. I was uncomfortable." She screamed again as
the pain tore through her.
"No sharp pains until now?" the
doctor asked.
"Well," she thought for a
moment. "I guess I did have a few pains that were a bit sharper than
the rest."
"I imagine you did," the old man
said wisely. He looked up at Tom. "Your baby's well on its
way. There's no time to transport her anywhere. The head's already
crowning."
"Dear God!" Tom groaned.
The doctor looked up and asked in a loud
voice, "Does anyone have a blanket we can use, please? We have a bit
of an emergency." They'd attracted quite a crowd, but at the doctor's
request, most people took a step backwards.
However, a woman of about 30 rushed
forward with a baby carriage and handed him a small receiving blanket that was
covering her infant. "Here, use this if it will help."
The doctor took it and smiled his
appreciation. "God bless you, child," he smiled at her.
Then he looked up at Tom. "I sure would prefer having Tracy on a
blanket instead of the grass. But I'll need this one for the infant,"
he said, draping the small piece of cloth over his shoulder. "It's
not really big enough for her anyway..."
"Blanket!" Tom suddenly
remembered. "We have a blanket in the trunk! Tracy always
insists on having a blanket in the trunk, no matter what time of year it
is."
The teenager quickly offered to go to
Tom's car and retrieve the blanket. He handed her the keys and described
the car and its location. "I'll find it," she assured him.
"I'll be right back, Gramps," and she turned and sprinted down the
side of the lake, retracing the Boone's earlier steps.
The girl returned not five minutes later
riding in a Police jitney. The tiny vehicle screeched to a stop and she
jumped out. She laid the blanket on the ground next to Tracy. The
officer was right behind her. "I have a medical kit here, Doctor, if
you can use anything in it. And an ambulance is on the way."
"Let's get her moved onto the blanket
now," the old man said. "We'll have to be very careful.
The baby's head is already out. Officer, if you would assist Tom in moving
his wife while I hold the baby's head, that would be a great help."
The two men gently moved Tracy to the
blanket as the doctor's hands cradled the baby's head between Tracy's
legs. "Easy now..." the doctor coaxed them.
"Gently. Gently. Perfect!" He quickly opened the
medical kit and looked to see what supplies where there. "Ah,
good! Scissors and string. Exactly what I need!"
It wasn't but another five minutes when
the sound of a newborn infant's cry pierced the air. "It's a
girl!" the doctor smiled, wrapping the little girl in the receiving blanket
and laying her on Tracy's chest.
The ambulance had arrived in the midst of
everything, so the old doctor now rose to his feet and let the paramedics take
over. Tom approached him and asked about his former work as a heart
surgeon. "Oh, that was a long time ago," the old man
said.
"I'd like to thank you in some way,
Doctor," Tom said. "Perhaps a donation to..."
"That's really not necessary,"
the doctor interrupted.
"But it's what I'd like to do,
Doctor," Tom insisted.
So Bigelow told him the name of the foundation
he'd started years ago. "If you insist, send a check there.
They are continuing my work..."
The paramedics started to wheel Tracy toward the ambulance,
when she stopped
them. "Wait, please! Doctor? Doctor Bigelow?"
she called weakly.
The old man stepped forward and bent over
her. "Yes, my dear?"
"I can't thank you enough for what
you did," Tracy's tears overflowed.
His wrinkled hand enveloped her small one
and he smiled. "Your
husband has thanked me more than enough, Tracy. I'm just glad my great
granddaughter and I were taking a walk here this afternoon."
"So am I," Tracy replied.
She gazed down at her brand new baby girl. "Oh, so am I!"
Monday, 5 September 2005
1130 EDT
Giant Food Store
McLean, Virginia
AJ sat the carrier in the shopping cart
and headed for the produce section. Mac was insistent that the lettuce,
tomatoes, and bread had to be freshly purchased that morning for the Labor Day
picnic they were hosting that afternoon. So, here he was at the grocery
store. It was the first time he'd taken the baby out alone, too.
Usually Mac accompanied him to the store or she kept the little tyke at the
house while he went shopping.
But today was different. She asked
him to take the baby with him. AJ was surprised... until she informed him
that she wanted to take a long, relaxing bath. AJ chuckled to himself as
he thought of her recent baths. Their son was like a fish; he loved the
water! And every time Mac took a bath, the infant ended up in there with
her.
And now that Francesca was
firmly ensconced at Harm's place, she didn't take over when Mac needed a break.
That bothered him a little... the fact that his daughter had taken up with one
of his officers. But Harm was treating her very well and seemed to dote on
her baby. 'Just wish I knew how that all came to be.'
So AJ had readily agreed to take the baby
to the grocery store with him. He was proud of his son. And he was
delighted with the idea of showing him off.
It came as quite a blow then, when the
first person he saw commented on what an adorable grandchild he had. AJ
immediately corrected the woman. "He's my son. Two months and a
day."
"Your son? Oh my!"
the woman exclaimed. "Well, um... congratulations. He really is
quite precious."
A mite uncomfortable with the exchange, AJ
decided to ignore the woman's comments. He picked out the freshest looking
vegetables he found and then headed for the bakery. Several people cooed
to the baby and smiled at AJ as he passed. He smiled back proudly.
When he reached the bakery section, he was waited on promptly.
While the young woman was slicing the
loaves of bread and bagging the rolls he ordered, Matthew began to fuss.
AJ lifted him from the carrier and bounced him a bit in his arms.
"Oh, I wouldn't do that a lot, if I were you. Babies tend to throw up
when you bounce them too much."
AJ looked over his son's head to see a
woman of about 60 smiling at him. "He likes to be bounced," AJ
informed the woman. "I do it all the time."
She grinned, "And I'll bet it's his
parents who have to clean up the mess after you leave."
"Excuse me?" AJ was caught off
guard for a moment.
"The grandparents get to leave and go
home... and then Mommy and Daddy have to clean up the mess." She
didn't notice AJ's scowl as she continued, "But isn't it fun? Letting
them do all the messy work and we get all the fun."
"Really?" AJ drawled in an
irritated voice.
The woman apparently didn't notice because
she continued to prattle on. The clerk handed AJ his bread items and he
tossed them in the cart and thanked her. "See you next week,
Admiral."
"Admiral?" the woman laid a hand
on AJ's arm as he was settling Matthew back into the carrier. "You're
a Navy man? I should have known. Such a proud bearing you
have."
AJ looked at the woman then.
"Thank you." Then he spoke to Matthew. "Well, Son, I
guess that's all we need. Let's go home and see if Mommy is still in the
bathtub. If she is, maybe we'll just have to join her, hmm?" He
heard the woman gasp as he started down the aisle toward the checkout.
Monday, 31 October 2005
1910 EST
Roberts Residence
Vienna, Virginia
Tom, Tracy, and Teresa Boone were the last
to arrive at the Roberts' Halloween costume party. Tom rang the doorbell
and Tracy bounced Teresa in her arms trying to keep her preoccupied so she'd
leave her little mask and ears on. She'd pushed them off three times
already, and it had taken over a dozen tries to get a picture of her in her
kitten costume.
The front door swung open and Bud Roberts,
dressed as Captain Kirk, greeted his guests. "Wow!" he
said. "Batman and Catwoman with a baby kitty!" he laughed.
"Now there's something the movie didn't show!"
The family entered and Bud showed them to
the living room. Harriett greeted them as she walked in from the dining
room. She was dressed in a Star Trek uniform and had a wig on her head
that looked like a beehive. "Harriett, who are you supposed to
be?" asked Tom. "I recognize the 'Star Trek' uniform, but not
the character..."
Tracy giggled and elbowed her husband in
the side. "I know who she is!"
"You do not! How could
you?" he doubted.
"I told you that my brothers'
favorite TV show was always 'Star Trek'. They watched all of them...
repeats and everything. I think I probably know most of the first series
episodes by heart." She turned back to Harriett and said,
"You're Janice Rand, Captain Kirk's yeoman from the first season."
Harriett laughed. "You're
right! That's exactly who I am!"
Harm chuckled as they all took seats
around the room. "So Bud, how come you got to be Captain Kirk, when
your son's name is 'James Kirk'?"
Bud grinned and watched his two young sons
playing on the floor. Little AJ was dressed as Mr. Spock, and Jimmy was
dressed as a Klingon. "He's not old enough to know better yet,"
Bud told them confidentially.
"You know who I haven't figured out
yet is you three, Commander," Bud's brother, Mike, said to Harm. Mike
was dressed as Data from the "Next Generation" series. "The
costumes are obviously futuristic in a dated sort of way, but I can't figure it
out."
AJ laughed. "That one's way
before your time, Son." Tom joined in the laughter.
"You know who they are?" asked
Tracy of her husband.
Tom nodded, "Sure do."
"Do tell!" Mac
urged.
"You don't know either?" AJ
asked his wife. She shook her head. "The Jetsons! George
and Jane Jetson. And if I don't miss my guess, my grandson is Astro, the
dog!" he growled.
Francesca giggled. "But isn't
he just adorable in his little costume, Papa?"
Mac and Tracy looked at each other and
laughed. "I knew they looked familiar!" they both said at the
same time.
Tracy eyed Mac in her oriental style dress
and sticks in her hair. Then she looked at AJ, who was simply dressed in a
business suit, albeit a rather outdated one. And Matthew was in a
turtleneck with a tiny jacket and pants. She sighed, "I give
up. Who are you?"
Mac grinned, "Guess!"
"Are you really dressed as characters
from a TV show?" asked Sturgis Turner, his arm around his fiancé.
There was no mistaking their characters: Sanford and Son. No one
could quite believe that a beautiful, famous woman like Varise Chesnut would
make herself up to look like an old man who runs a junk yard!
"We sure are," AJ chuckled,
taking Matthew from Mac's arms into his own. "Aren't we,
Son?" Matthew gurgled in response. "See? I told
you."
The adults guessed several shows that they
knew didn't fit the Chegwiddens' costumes, and finally they gave up.
"The Courtship of Eddie's Father," Mac announced with a satisfied
smirk. "AJ is Tom Corbett, I'm Mrs. Livingston, and Matthew is, of
course, Eddie."
"I haven't heard of that show in
ages!" exclaimed Harriett just as the doorbell peeled.
Bud went to answer it. "Pizza's
here!" he called out.
AJ, still holding Matthew, followed him to
the door and withdrew his billfold. "This is on me, Bud."
"Oh, but Sir..." Bud started.
"No arguments, Bud. You and
Harriett do way more than your share of entertaining this crowd, and we all
appreciate it. Paying for the pizza is certainly the least I can do."
"Thank you, Sir." Bud
accepted the pizza boxes as AJ paid the delivery man.
"That's a cute little fella,"
the man admired. "Must do your heart good to have your kids so close
by you can see the grandchildren. Mine? They live in
California. I haven't even seen three of 'em. Almost never even send
me pictures either."
AJ took a deep breath to control his
response. "Must be difficult for you." Then he started to
close the door. "Thanks for delivering the pies."
"No problem. Good night!"
AJ put his billfold back in his pocket and
looked at his son. Then his eyes shifted back to the living room as he
heard a baby cry and his daughter's voice, "Venito qui. Venito qui,
Alberto."
He watched as she picked up the baby...
his grandson... and cooed to him until he stopped crying. His
grandson. Only 10 days younger than his own son. 'What was I
thinking?'
Later that night, when Mac crawled on top
of her husband in bed, he kissed her lightly, pushed her aside, and said,
"Not tonight, Sarah. I'm tired." It was the first time
he'd refused her. But it wasn't the last.
Saturday, 17 December 2005
2130 EST
The Ritz Carlton Grand Ballroom
McLean, Virginia
Mac had taken great pains to look her very
best this evening. And her very sexiest. She was determined that AJ
was going to initiate their lovemaking when they got home from the Christmas
Ball. They had sex only about once a week now... and then, only when Mac
initiated it. 'Not tonight!' she told herself firmly. 'He will
want me tonight!'
Mac had no idea what the problem was
between them; she only knew that AJ refused sex now more than he agreed to
it. And she was determined that was going to stop! When they'd first
married, he was a living sex machine! He'd been almost insatiable.
It had surprised her how often he could come in one night. More than any
of the young bucks she'd been with, and he was considerably older than any of
them.
She wondered at one point if his age was
bothering him again. But she knew it wasn't that... or at least she
thought she knew it. They'd discussed that at length before they married,
and he knew that their age difference didn't matter to her in the
least.
She wondered if Francesca's decision to
marry Harm had anything to do with it She'd be leaving in January when Harm's
promotion to Captain became effective and he was moved overseas. But no, the change in AJ had occurred before all of that happened
last month.
She knew he was proud of their son.
Whenever he took Matthew anywhere, he always wore the same t-shirt. Mac
had given it to him as a joke, but AJ wore it so often that she was toying with
the idea of getting him a sweatshirt just like it for the winter. Last
Saturday when it was only 30 degrees outside, he wore that shirt to the park and
refused to zip up his jacket because no one would see the "I'm the
Daddy!" emblazoned on his chest! Mac almost giggled at the memory.
"Something funny, Sarah?" AJ
asked her as they danced.
She looked up into his eyes.
"Just remembering you at the park last Saturday." AJ raised an
eyebrow, so she continued, "I think I will have to get you an 'I'm the
Daddy!' sweatshirt. Either that or you'll freeze to death, come
February!" AJ chuckled and pulled her closer to him. "Mmm,
I do love you so much," she whispered in his ear.
"And I love you, Sarah. More
than anything in this world, I love you."
Mac felt a tingle go down her spine.
She'd get what she wanted tonight, she was sure of it.
And she did.
After they'd made love the second time, AJ
cradled her in his arms and pressed his cheek against her hair. "You
haven't told me what you want for Christmas yet, Darlin'."
Mac smiled. "Another
baby." She felt AJ stiffen. "I want them to be less than 2
years apart so they'll always have each other to play with." When AJ
didn't say anything, she turned in his arms. "Honey? Did you
hear me?"
"I heard you."
"What's wrong?" she asked,
concern lacing her voice at the grim look on his face.
"You never said you wanted more than
one child, Sarah."
"Is that a problem?" she
teased. "I think you have plenty more in there."
"Just how many do you want to
have?" he almost barked at her.
Mac drew back in shock. "Only
one more, AJ. I just... I thought..." She gathered her wits
about her and started again. "I want two children. Is that so
wrong?"
AJ realized he was hurting Mac terribly
and he felt awful for doing it. Especially after they'd had such a
wonderful evening together. And their lovemaking was almost like it had
been when they first married... before he began doubting himself.
"No, Sarah, it isn't wrong." He pulled her back to him and
kissed her nose. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, Darlin'. Of
course we can have another baby. We'll have as many children as you want,
my love."
"Then I can go off the pill?"
she confirmed.
He smiled. "Of course you
can."
"I love you, AJ. I love you so
much."
"I know you do. And I'm the
luckiest man alive because of it."
They made love again and just as Mac was
falling asleep, she thought happily, 'He's back. I have him back
again. My lover. My AJ.'
And she did... for about four weeks.
Monday, 16 January 2006
0630 EST
The Wonderful World of Children
McLean, Virginia
Neither AJ nor Mac was looking forward to
leaving Matthew in daycare, but with Francesca and Harm getting married and his
transfer to Italy, Matthew's built-in babysitter was gone. So they had
spent several weekends looking at daycare centers around the area. And
they settled on The Wonderful World of Children.
AJ and Mac devised the best schedule for
dropping off the baby in the morning: AJ's job... and picking him up in the
afternoon: Mac's job. They had both interviewed the daycare workers
who would be responsible for Matthew's care during the day. AJ had spoken
with the women who were there in the morning, and Mac had dealt with the
afternoon staff. They were both very pleased with all of them.
And now the big day was here.
Matthew's first experience with daycare. AJ pulled his vehicle into a
parking space and turned off the engine. He got Matthew's things together
and then picked the baby up and walked inside the building. He headed
directly to the nursery and into the room where Matthew would spend his
days.
"Good morning, Admiral
Chegwidden," gushed a young woman that AJ remembered meeting.
"And this must be Matthew," she said as she helped AJ rid himself of
some of the paraphernalia that went along with an infant.
"That's right. And you're...
Julie?" AJ hoped he remembered correctly.
"That's right. I'm the lucky
one who gets to take care of this handsome little man all morning long,"
she said as AJ handed her his son. "And Jenna will be here by
7:00." She made a silly face and spoke in 'baby talk', "And
we're going to get along just fine, aren't we, Matthew? Yes, we are!
Of course we are. Because I just love little babies. You are so
precious. Yes, you are. Just so precious."
Matthew gurgled in response, and AJ
smiled. "That means he likes you."
Julie looked up at AJ. "And
Mrs. Chegwidden will pick him up this afternoon, yes?"
"Right. That's the schedule we
worked out. I'll drop him off in the mornings, and she'll pick him
up."
"That'll work just fine, Admiral.
Miranda and Debbie will be here in the afternoons."
"Yes, my wife met them the other
day," he nodded. "Well, I guess if that's all...?"
"Sure is. I have all of his
information that you left with us the other day: feeding schedule, phone
numbers, diaper preference... everything." She noticed his hesitation
to leave. "Don't worry about a thing, Admiral. Matthew will be very
well taken care of here."
AJ nodded, "I'm sure he will
be. That's why we chose this place." He kissed Matthew's
forehead and left.
The next morning, it wasn't Julie who met
him at the door of the nursery. It was a young woman he'd never seen
before. "Good morning!" she chirped.
"Where's Julie or Jenna?" he
barked.
"Jenna will be along in about half an
hour. She doesn't arrive until 7:00. And I needed to work mornings
for a few months, so Julie and I switched hours as of today. I'm Miranda
Dickinson."
"Oh." AJ wasn't at all
sure he liked the idea of their switching without notifying the parents.
But since it was only times they switched, not people, he decided not to make an
issue of it.
"Let me take this little one...
oh! This is Matthew!" she said as she took him from AJ's arms and
recognized him. "Hello, Matthew!" her voice raised about an
octave in pitch as she spoke to the baby. "How's this adorable little
fella, hmm? You are so sweet." Then she looked at AJ who was
smiling broadly at the exchange. "He is absolutely the best little
baby, Sir. I know you must be delighted to have such a precious little
grandson." AJ's smile disappeared instantly when she used the word
"grandson", but Miranda didn't notice. She looked at Matthew and
then back at AJ. "He even looks a little like you! Yes,
definitely; he has your nose! You must be so proud."
But when she looked up again, AJ was
already out the door.
And so it went. Every morning, week
after week, month after month, AJ dropped off his son at daycare. And
every morning, Miranda gushed over his grandson. And every night when Mac
hoped for her husband to make love to her... to make another baby... he rolled
over and fell asleep.
Wednesday, 15 February 2006
1230 EST
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Falls Church, Virginia
AJ and Tom sat at a booth enjoying their
pasta. "Do you realize that I've been retired for two years?"
Tom said.
AJ looked up. "I didn't realize
it had been that long already."
Tom nodded, "Yep. Two years ago
today, in fact."
"Good God."
"Yeah," Tom chuckled.
"Sure am glad I did. It's great staying home and taking care of
Teresa. You oughta try it, AJ. My bet is you'd love it."
AJ shook his head. "Nah.
I wouldn't know what to do with myself all day."
"Hell, man! You don't
decide what you want to do! The baby decides!" Tom laughed.
"Where is she now?"
"You don't know?" Tom was
surprised.
"Why would I know?"
"I guess I just thought you
would. Tracy took this afternoon off so I could meet you for lunch."
AJ nodded. "Oh."
"Didn't she tell you?"
"She asked for the afternoon off,
yes. But I didn't ask what she wanted it for... come to think of it, I
don't guess I let her tell me, either," AJ frowned.
Tom cocked his head to one side.
"What's bothering you, AJ? And don't tell me 'nothing'," he
countered at AJ's shrug. "Something's been eating at you for
months. I thought you'd finally gotten past it around Christmas, but it's
back again. What's the deal?"
"It's nothing," AJ lied.
"Bull hockey!" Tom blurted
out. At AJ's raised eyebrow, he explained with a smirk, "Having to
clean up my language a bit now that there's a young'un around."
AJ chuckled. "I probably should
do the same thing."
"Don't change the subject."
"Were we on a subject?" AJ
countered.
"AJ, are you having trouble in
bed?" AJ glared at his friend. "There's nothing wrong with
admitting that, AJ. It happens to most men at some point. Go to your
doctor. He can give you something to help."
"Mind your own business, Tom,"
AJ said quietly.
"Okay. If that's the way you
want it. But if you ever decide you want to talk about it, just give me a
call. But if all you need is the 'blue pill', call your doctor."
AJ left the restaurant and headed back to
JAG. He'd never had trouble getting it up before. He thought it
rather comical that Tom thought that was the problem.
But that night, when Mac walked into the
living room without a stitch of clothing on her body, AJ pulled her to him and
watched her glow as she purred her release under his expert hands. Next it
was his turn.
The following morning, AJ was already gone
to work when Mac woke up at 0500. She knew he'd been embarrassed at not
being able to get an erection the prior night. She had tried to convince
him that it didn't matter, that it happened sometimes. "Not to me, it
doesn't!" he barked.
She showered and dressed, and then got the
baby up. She tried calling AJ at his office, but he didn't answer.
She tried his cell phone; he still didn't answer. So she headed for the
daycare center, knowing she'd be late for work today.
Mac walked in carrying her son and met
Jenna. "You must be Matthew's mommy," she said as she took the
baby from his mother's arms.
Mac nodded, "That's right."
"I'm Jenna. It's nice to
finally meet you."
"Thank you. I'm sorry I can't
stay to get to know you a little better, but I'm late for the office..."
"Not a problem. I
understand."
"I'll pick Matthew up this
afternoon." Mac kissed Matthew on the nose and went back to her
car. She tried AJ's office again.
"Admiral Chegwidden's office; may I
help you?" Harriett's bubbly voice sounded over the wire.
"Harriett, it's Mac. Is AJ
there?"
"He sure is. But he's behind a
closed door and not picking up... not even the intercom."
Mac sighed. "Okay. Just
leave him a message for me? Tell him I love him," she said sadly.
Harriett picked up on her tone
instantly. "Is something wrong, Mac?"
Mac choked back a sob. "I hope
not, Harriett. I hope not."
Sunday, 30 April 2006
0945 EDT
Reagan National Airport
Washington, DC
But things were wrong. And they'd
gotten worse as the weeks went by. And now Mac found herself saying
goodbye to her husband as he prepared to fly to Hawaii for a week. She'd
all but begged to go along, but he flatly refused saying this was a business
trip, and he wouldn't have time for her.
He kissed her on the cheek, picked up his
bag, and walked inside the terminal. Mac's tears came fast and furious as
her sobs wracked her body. She drove away from the terminal area and
parked on the side of the road. She couldn't see through her tears to
drive safely, and she wasn't about to take a chance... not with Matthew in the
car.
"He wouldn't have time for
me?" she wailed. "He never has time for me anymore!
Oh, God!! What's happened to us? Why doesn't he love me
anymore?"
Friday, 5 May 2006
0630 EDT
The Wonderful World of Children
McLean, Virginia
Mac was glad this was the last day of the
week. AJ was due home tomorrow morning, and he'd be back on "morning
duty", dropping off their son at daycare. She'd been arriving every
day at 0700, just as Jenna arrived. Sometimes she hadn't even had to go
inside the building; she'd just handed Matthew to Jenna and let her take him
inside.
But today she had a meeting at the White
House. And a preliminary briefing for it with her boss, the Secretary of
the Navy, at 0715. So she was at the center early. She walked into
the nursery and smiled at Miranda. "Hello, Miranda."
The young woman turned around.
"Mrs. Chegwidden! Hello! How are you? I wondered if I'd
ever get to see you again."
Mac handed Matthew to her. "I
wish I could stay and chat, but I'm afraid I have a meeting in 45 minutes, and
it's not one I can be late for."
"Not a problem. You go
ahead. Oh! Will the Admiral be returning next week?"
"Yes," Mac said as she brushed a
kiss across Matthew's forehead. "He gets home tomorrow, in
fact." Mac turned to leave.
"You are one lucky lady, you know
that? I can only imagine how handsome your husband must be."
Mac was startled at the girl's
words. She turned around. "Excuse me?"
"Your husband. One of these
days, I hope I get to meet him. He must be drop-dead gorgeous if his
father is any indication," she giggled.
"His father?" Mac stammered.
"Uh huh. Your father-in-law,
the Admiral."
"Miranda," Mac began. She
had to stop and swallow hard. She started again. "Miranda,
Admiral Chegwidden is my husband."
Miranda's eyes bulged in their
sockets. "He's what?"
"Admiral Chegwidden is my husband,
not my father-in-law."
"But he's Matthew's
grandfather!"
"No. He's Matthew's
father."
"Oh, my God!" Miranda
gulped. "I've been calling Matthew his grandson since the first day I
met him!"
"And he never corrected you?"
Mac asked incredulously.
She shook her head. "No,
Ma'am. He didn't. Oh, Lord... I am so sorry! I just assumed...
I... oh, Mrs. Chegwidden, I am so sorry, I can't begin to tell you how awful I
feel..."
Mac's eyes welled with tears as she
suddenly realized what the problem had been all along. She shook her head
and tried to calm Miranda. "It's easily fixed, Miranda. You
know it now. And you won't make the same mistake again, I'm sure,"
Mac sniffed. "I have to go. I'm going to be late."
"I'm so sorry..."
Saturday, 6 May 2006
1045 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
Mac hardly spoke a word when she met AJ at
the airport. He tossed his bag in the back of the car, climbed in the
driver's seat, and headed for home. Now there, they walked inside and
closed the door. "Where's Matthew?" AJ asked.
"At the Roberts' for the
weekend," Mac replied quietly.
"For the weekend?" AJ was
surprised. "Sarah, I haven't seen him in a week. Why did
you..."
"No, AJ. Why did you?"
she interrupted him.
He looked blankly at her. "Why
did I... what?"
"Why did you not correct
Miranda? Why did you let her believe you were Matthew's grandfather
all these months? Why did you let her stupid assumption come between
us? Why did you..." Mac's words failed her as she burst into
tears.
AJ pulled her into his arms. "I
can't answer that, Sarah."
"Why?" she wailed.
"Why can't you?"
"Because I don't know the
answer."
"Don't you know that I love
you? That I love you more than anything in this world? Don't you
know that age isn't important to me?" She pulled back and pounded her
fists on his chest. "I don't care what anyone else thinks of the
difference in our ages!"
"I look so much older than you
do..."
"No, you don't!! And if someone
thinks you do, so what!?! I happen to love the way you look! You are
incredibly sexy! I love your bald head... I love your eyes... I love the gray hair all over your body..."
"Oh, Sarah..." AJ groaned and
pulled her back to him.
"I'm sorry that you're so sensitive
about our age difference, AJ; I really am. But if that difference mattered
to me, I would never have married you. And I certainly would never have
had a baby with you. But there's no one... absolutely no one...
that I would rather have as my husband and the father of my
children." Mac's tears were still flowing unchecked down her face,
making AJ's shirt wet.
"I feel the same way about you,
Darlin'."
"Then promise me something?" she
hiccupped.
"Anything."
She lifted her face and looked deeply in
his eyes. "Promise me that if anyone ever calls you our child's
grandfather, you will correct them... immediately!"
AJ smiled and reached up to brush the
tears from Mac's cheeks. "I promise," he whispered as he lowered
his mouth to hers.
"And promise me that you won't ever
let someone else come between us like that again," she whimpered.
"I thought I was losing you. I thought you didn't love me
anymore..."
"Oh, Sarah. No! I never
stopped loving you! I never will."
"Promise me?" she begged.
"I promise."
AJ didn't have any trouble in bed that
day... or that night... or the next day...
Tuesday, 4 July 2006
1445 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia
Matthew's first birthday party was winding
down. He'd already stuck his hand in the middle of the birthday cake, and
Mac had opened the child's presents. She'd had to excuse herself to use
the bathroom so often today that she was certain someone would guess her
secret. So she made a quick decision. She opened the bathroom
cabinet and pulled out the test kit she'd bought two weeks ago. After the
two lines appeared, she placed the strip in a box and wrapped it in birthday
paper.
When she returned to the back yard,
everyone was just getting ready to say goodbye. She casually slipped the
'present' on the picnic table and then said, "Oh, look. There's
another present. How did I miss that one?" She picked it up and
handed it to AJ. "You should get to open at least one, don't you
think? After all, he's your son, too."
Everyone chuckled and urged AJ to open the
small package. There wasn't a card with it, so he ripped the paper off of
the long flat box and lifted the lid. "What in the...?" AJ
looked up at Mac; she was glowing.
"Hoo yah!!" he yelled as
he picked Mac up and swung her around. "I'm a Yankee Doodle
Daddy!"
The end.
| 