Chapter 11
"No, Robby and I were just sharing some quality time," AJ replied.
"Wonderful! How is Robby doing? Is the colic under control?" Daria asked.
"He is doing very well and the colic is completely gone. He has even started sleeping through the night."
"That is great! Have you tried the skin to skin contact I recommended yet?"
"Yes, that's what we are doing right now."
"Ohhhh, so I'm talking to two shirtless males?" she teased.
"Actually you're only talking to one of us. Robby has yet to say his first word."
"I stand corrected," she chuckled. "It will be a few months yet before he starts that."
"Since I should give you some time to eat before returning to work, I guess I should get to the point. I was hoping that you wouldn't find it out of line if I asked you out to dinner."
"I wouldn't have encouraged you if I hadn't wanted that. I'd love to go to dinner with you."
"My schedule is completely open since my retirement, so I will let you suggest a night that you are free."
"Well, knowing you need to arrange a sitter, how would tomorrow evening be?"
AJ was pleased that Daria wanted to see him that quickly, she could easily have put him off for several days, or even a week, or more. It gave him an unexpectedly warm feeling to know she was as eager to go out with him as he was with her. "Wonderful! I'll check with Harriett Roberts to see if she can watch Robby. Do you like Italian food?"
"I do," she answered.
"Callisto's is a favorite of mine, if that would meet with your approval?"
"I've never been there, but am willing to trust your judgment on Italian cuisine."
"Would nineteen hundred…oh, I'm sorry, I mean seven pm. Would that suit you?"
"Nineteen hundred?"
"Yes, I am still used to giving time in military terms."
"I see," she said, then added, "Seven pm is fine, I'll see you then, AJ…I'll meet you there."
"You would rather I didn't pick you up?" he inquired, puzzled as to her reason, since she obviously trusted him enough to go out with him, why wouldn't she trust him to pick her up?
That was exactly what she was trying to avoid, but was now faced with coming up with a diplomatic reason for it rather than the truth! "I have office hours tomorrow, and thought it would be simpler to leave from here."
Still wondering if there wasn't more to her reason than that, AJ could think of no other alternative but to agree to her arrangement. "I will see you there then, Daria. Have a good day."
"Thank you, AJ. I'm looking forward to our dinner."
He could find nothing amiss in his remembrance of their conversation, but something still nagged at the back of his mind. There was some underlying current in her voice that told him all was not right. AJ packed up Robby and prepared to drop him at the Roberts' home the next day, still going over it in his mind.
They arrived at Callisto's within moments of each other. AJ had spotted her entering the restaurant as he pulled the Escalade into the parking lot. It was clear that she was eager for their date, so the problem couldn't have been an inability to just tell him 'no'. He had timed his arrival to be there when she walked in, but clearly his ten minute window hadn't been enough.
Walking in, he found her consulting with Gina, Gino Callisto's daughter. He heard Gina tell Daria, "He reserved our best table, Ms. Kent, but he isn't here…"
Stepping into her line of sight AJ was rewarded with a wide smile and her cheerful greeting, "Ah, here he is now! It is good to have you with us again, Admiral AJ!"
"Thank you, Gina. Hello, Daria. I hope I haven't kept you waiting?" he asked politely even though it was clear she had just gotten there.
"Not at all," she agreed with a smile.
As Gina picked up two menus and started to lead them to the table, he inquired, "How are your parents, Gina?"
"As feisty as ever Admiral AJ, they never change! I am sure Papa will be out to see you when he can."
"And how is your family?"
"The children are fine. Timmy and Tommy are all boys! As for Lance, well, he works too many hours…as usual…you know how policemen are. Although, somehow he managed to be at home enough to get me in the family way again!" Gina grinned patting her still flat stomach as AJ and Daria took their seats. "We are hoping for a girl this time!"
"Congratulations!" Daria and AJ said in unison, then looked at each other and laughed. Gina left them alone with a knowing smile she knew when she had been forgotten.
To be continued…
