Chapter 7

AJ handed her a pen, but when she reached out to take it, he didn't let go of it immediately. Giving him an inquiring glance, she waited for him to speak. "Sarah, are you sure? You don't have to do this. It was a solution to a problem. We haven't even dated."

Smiling, she replied, "You love me?" and at his nod, she continued, "And I love you. You want me to be your wife?" Again he nodded and she went on, "And I want to be your wife, so we can do our dating after I get out of here." Sarah gently tugged on the pen and he released it. With a flourish she signed the license just as her doctor walked in.

"The nurses let me know that you had joined us, Mrs. Chegwidden."

After AJ introduced them, Sarah said, "Thank you, doctor. Can you tell me how soon I can get out of here?"

The doctor chuckled, "We were just waiting for you to wake up. All we need to do is make sure that you are steady on your feet and that you can keep food down."

Just as he said that Sarah's tummy growled loudly. Everyone laughed as she admitted to being hungry.

"That's my Marine!" AJ smiled proudly.

"Good, then as long as you can walk up and down the hall after you have eaten, I see no reason that you can't go home this evening."

After the doctor left the two of them alone, they thought they'd be able to resume their earlier conversation. However, before they could even start, a nurse came in with a lunch tray for Sarah. With a rueful grin, AJ suggested that they wait until they were home to have the discussion.

"Home," she sighed. "That sounds wonderful."

"I'm glad you think so. I've converted the guest room into a nursery for Mat...the baby."

Sarah paused in eating and placed her hand over the baby. "What were you going to name him, AJ? If I didn't wake in time."

"That doesn't matter now. You can choose whatever name you like for him."

"I'd still like to know, please tell me."

"Alright, I was going to name him after your uncle and his father, Matthew Clayton."

"I like Matthew, but after what Clay has pulled, I don't think I want to give him that satisfaction. What about Matthew Albert? Then his initials would be MAC."

"I don't think that's wise on several levels, Sarah. If you don't want to name him after Webb, what about using your maiden name?"

A grin came over her face. "I love it! Hello, Matthew Mackenzie Chegwidden," she said rubbing her tummy. The baby gave a kick as if in approval.

After her meal, Sarah slowly took her walk in the hall with a nurse on one side of her and AJ on the other. During the packing up of her room and getting her release paperwork finished they were never alone. Sarah was so nervous about the situation she found herself in that she filled the long ride home with meaningless chatter.

By the time they reached the house she had fallen into a light doze. She only woke when AJ opened her door and lifted her out. Over her protests he carried her into the house and was going to put her right into bed when she noticed her things mixed with his throughout the living room.

She pleaded that she had been in bed for the last six months and that she'd really like to look around to see the changes he had made. Smiling indulgently, he showed her around the house, saving the guest room for last. He opened the door and allowed her to go in first.

Sarah stood just inside the doorway looking at the beautiful nursery. With tears streaming down her face and her hand resting protectively over the baby, she said, "You did all this for me and the baby?"

"Yes, because I love you."

"Would you have ever told me if this hadn't happened?"

"I'd kept it a secret for eight years, so probably not."

"Then I can almost forgive Clay for faking his death once again."

"Would you ever have told me how you felt about me?"

"No, I would've been too afraid," she replied, ending with a yawn as the excitement of the day caught up with her.

"You should rest, darling," he told her.

"I'm afraid that I'll discover this has all been a dream and you'll be gone."

Guiding her into their room and helping her into bed, AJ smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, my love. I'll be here when you wake."

THE END