TITLE: Have My Child
AUTHOR: Clairisant and Brenda
CLASSIFICATION: AJ/Other
RATING: NC 17
FEEDBACK: Would love to hear both good and bad feedback but please try to be kind and constructive. Clairisant and brendagaye42210
CREDITS: A special thanks to our beta reader Qupeydoll.
Chapter 1
Friday, April 1, 2005
1100 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Standing at his office window, AJ stood staring out, he had just gotten word that another of his SEAL team had died. The funeral would be in a few days and AJ was once again facing his own mortality. He still felt like a young man at times, but at others felt older than dirt. It seemed all he was doing these days was reassessing his life! But he had finally come to two conclusions. He wanted to retire and to once again be in complete control of his own life, not answering to the call of duty. And he wanted the opportunity to raise a child like he had missed doing with his daughter Francesca.
To that end, he began to take steps in that direction. "Coates, send Lieutenant Roberts in here please," he instructed over the intercom.
Bud came into the Admiral's office worried that he had done something wrong; it was kind of like being called to the principal's office when you were a kid. He didn't remember anything that would get him in trouble, but sometimes, with the Admiral you never knew what was up!
Asking Bud to have a seat, AJ put his glasses down and asked, "How's are those two boys of yours? I imagine they're a handful."
"Yes, Sir, they are, but we love them dearly," smiled Bud.
"You do know that you need to enjoy them now? Before you know it they'll be grown up and have lives of their own," replied AJ, thinking of all the wasted time he missed with Francesca.
"Yes, Sir, I'll do my best to spend more time with Little AJ and James. Little AJ has a Peanut League game next week, we'd be honored if you'd come," Bud hoped he hadn't gone too far. "I mean if you're not too busy."
"It sounds like fun, remind me of the day and I'll do my best to make it," laughed AJ. "I'd love to see my namesake hit a home run."
"There aren't too many of those, but the children enjoy themselves almost as much as we do," smiled Bud.
"Well, pleasantries aside, I do have something that I need you to look into Bud, and I am sure that I don't need to tell you that this has to be in the strictest confidence."
"No, Sir, anything at all I can do for you, and it will never go any farther than between us!" Bud assured him, sitting up straighter in his seat.
"Good, I knew that, but just felt better with it on the table. I would like you to research the topic of surrogate mother's, find the most reliable method of choosing a woman for this job, and then draw up a binding contract with no loopholes for the mother to change her mind. I would like this done as quickly as possible!"
"Sir, you want to father a child through a surrogate mother?" quizzed Bud, rather puzzled,
considering the logical man sitting in front of him.
"Yes, Bud, that is why I want you to look into this for me."
Glancing at the calendar on the Admiral's desk, Bud grinned as he spoke, "Sir, that's a good one, you really had me going there for a minute. Have you pulled it on anyone else in the office yet or am I the first one? I have to say you truly have a keen sense of humor."
"Lieutenant, I have no idea what you are talking about. I am serious about this and would hope that you would take it seriously too!" AJ frowned at Bud.
"Yes, Sir, serious as a heart attack. If anyone asks me, you have my word that you are indeed looking for some lucky lady to become a baby carrier?" laughed Bud, slapping the large desk as tears ran down his cheeks just imaging the reaction to the others in the office. Harriett was especially gong to enjoy this one. "Would you like for me to come up with some names that would make it look more authentic?"
To be continued….