Chapter 7

"No, Francesca. That's something I can never do."

"Because of the silly rules your military places on you?"

"Regulations…and yes, because of them."

"I would not let the government control my heart!"

"It doesn't. I love your father wholeheartedly."

"But you will not tell him that?"

"No, and you have to promise me that you won't tell him either! What I have told you has to be between us!"

"I will not tell him…but I think you should."

Mac's cell phone rang saving her from stating again, that telling AJ of her feelings wasn't an option. Seeing Bud's cell phone number on the caller ID she answered, "Yes, Bud?"

"Colonel, I finally reached the Admiral's sister in Texas. She will get the first flight out in the morning."

"Thank you, Bud."

"Colonel…how is the Admiral?"

"There hasn't been any change. Francesca arrived, we were just finishing dinner, and we were just about to go back to his room now."

"Harriett is very worried about him, Ma'am."

"As we all are. I will call if there is any change."

"Thank you, Colonel. We will stop in and see him tomorrow."

"Alright, Bud, good night."

"Good night, Ma'am."

When she saw that Francesca had cleared off the table as she had talked to Bud, she thanked her and the two of them headed for the elevator. Mac told her Bud's news about AJ's sister and that was confirmed when they arrived in ICU and the nurse on duty handed Francesca a message.

"It is from Adele. She called to see how he was and left word that she would be here in the morning."

Mac nodded and they entered AJ's room together. For the next several hours they talked quietly or were silent, sharing each others supportive presence until around 2300 hours when Francesca could no longer keep her eyes open. Explaining that it must be a combination of jetlag and the time difference, she said she would go and check into her hotel to get some sleep. After encouraging Mac to go home and do the same, Francesca leaned over her father, kissing his cheek and whispering something in his ear before leaving.

Since Mac had no intention of leaving she had told Francesca that she would see her in the morning.

The nurses had told the two of them earlier in the evening to feel free to help themselves to coffee whenever they wanted it, showing them to the small station where they kept a pot brewing at all times. After Francesca had left, Mac got up to get another cup. At this time of night it was actually as strong as she normally liked it. When one of the nurses offered to make a fresh pot as she saw Mac pouring the last of the old one into her mug, Mac smiled and said she was a Marine and was used to coffee that strong.

She went back into AJ's room with a smile still on her lips and paused next to his bed. Placing her hand over his, she said, "Your daughter and I spent some time getting to know each other this evening."

'As long as she didn't tell you about my feelings for you, that is fine.'

"I really like her."

'I wish there was a reason for me to be glad about the two of you getting along.'

One of the night nurses came in to check on AJ and to change his IV bottle, while she did that, Mac went back to her chair and finished her coffee, staring out the window. Not that there was much of a view since ICU overlooked one of the parking lots, but Mac was lost in thought about what Francesca had said at dinner. She fell asleep wondering if AJ's daughter was right and that she should take this chance to tell him how she really felt. After all, wouldn't it be better to know once and for all how he felt in return instead of always wondering about those few fleeting moments of attraction over the years?

To be continued….