Chapter 4

"I don't know. My hope is that she will be happy for us. I can tell you my assistant is already planning a baby shower for you."

"How did your assistant find out?"

"I told her when I got back to the office today," AJ replied.

"Do you make it a habit of telling your assistant about all your personal business?"

"Harriett is more like family than my assistant. I've known her and her husband for years. Their oldest son is named after me because I delivered him."

"So you're a man of many talents," grinned Thea.

He rubbed her tummy and said, "Yes, Ma'am."

"So we can save a doctor bill and you can deliver this baby," she replied.

"I'd much rather be at your side in the delivery room," AJ said, "Than to have to deliver the baby."

"I'd been thinking for four months of having the baby alone, now the thought of having you with me means so very much."

"You could've had me with you all along if only you'd kept our last date."

"Oh, well hindsight is better than foresight. At least you're with me now."

"And I'll always be, as long as you want me there, Thea."

"Oh, AJ, my love, I'll always need and want you at my side."

"Just how far along are you, darling? We want to be married before the baby is born."

"I am due December twenty-first, so we have plenty of time to plan a small wedding."

"Why don't we set the wedding date for October eighth? The tenth is Columbus Day and that will give us a three-day weekend for a short honeymoon. Although I have plenty of time off saved up, I'm guessing we'll want to use that when the baby is born."

"That's what I intended to do with my extra time."

"Why don't we have dinner now, darling, before the food gets cold? You need to remember that you're eating for two now."

"I know that I am eating for two! The little dickens still makes me loose my breakfast every morning! I have to make up that meal with the other two I eat."

"I remembered that the shrimp Alfredo is your favorite meal. I just hope it isn't too rich for you and 'the little dickens'."

"There's only one way to find out, and that's to dig in and give it a try."

"Just be careful in your digging in, darling, I don't want you getting sick."

"That makes two of us," she smiled as took a small bite.

Once dinner was over they settled on the couch in the living room.

"I've been meaning to ask you what you were doing at the Pentagon today? It was such a surprise to see you there," Thea said.

"I'm working there now. About three months ago I became General Counsel."

"I see that the promotion earned you another star."

"Yes, it was definitely a surprise," replied AJ.

"I bet, but a nice one I'm sure."

"Not as nice as the one I had today," he smiled at her. "Have you considered names for the baby yet?"

"Well if it was a boy I was going to call him Albert, and if it turned out to be a girl, I was going to call her Allison."

"Now why would you want to go and inflict my name on that poor little baby?"

"I wanted him to have something of his father's."

"Maybe he'll have my eyes, I'm hoping he'll have your hair. On the other hand, a little girl that's just like her mommy would be just as nice."

"Just as long as the baby is healthy I don't care what its sex is."

"I agree with you there. I know that your condo is probably closer to work, but I was wondering if you'd like to move into my home in McLean with me?"

"I'd love to move into your house. Do you want me to sell the condo or keep as our city home?"

"I think having it for a place in the city is a great idea. I know that when I have to work late, not to have to face that drive would be a good thing. We also need to look into a good daycare for the baby. I know that my assistant, Harriett told me that really good daycares are hard to find."

To be continued…..