Chapter 21
"No Sir," Harm replied, throwing Mac a dirty look and then walking over to where Diane was standing.
"Was that the truth, Sarah?" AJ asked.
"He's still being a jerk about Diane's daughter. I just can't see what his problem is!" Mac answered in frustration.
"I don't either, darling, but it is something the two of them will need to work out. I doubt anything you or I could say on the matter will change his attitude."
"You're probably right," she sighed.
One of the waiters came over to tell AJ that the buffet was ready and they could start whenever they wanted to. He thanked the man and offered Sarah one arm. As they approached Diane, he offered her the other and escorted the two of them to the buffet table. "Would you ladies care to get us started?" he asked.
They gave him identical smiles and agreed. Mac picked up a plate and handed it to him before taking one for herself. She clearly wanted him to follow her in line.
They stayed close the rest of the evening, sitting together and chatting, still not making any intimate gestures to give themselves away. Sarah had suggested they make the announcement during the toasts after dinner and AJ had agreed.
As the highest rank there, AJ stood to give the first toast as the cake was brought out from the kitchen. "Tonight is not just about turning another year older, this night is about family. From the newly discovered connections between Sarah and Diane, to our extended honorary JAG family. Even though Sarah has moved out of our offices, she hasn't moved from our hearts. Also, as we come to know Diane better, I am sure she will establish her own place in our hearts as well. To two very lovely ladies! Happy Birthday!" AJ said and raised his glass to Sarah and then to Diane before taking a drink.
Harm rose next and AJ could almost feel both the birthday ladies tense. He raised his glass and said, "Mac, I already miss having you around the office. It just isn't the same now that you're not there. And Diane, I'm glad that you're back. Happy birthday to both of you!"
Both women breathed a sigh of relief that Harm's toast was so innocuous. Then, they listened while the others that wanted to say something rose to do so.
Diane had been told in the car that Mac would make the dating announcement at this point in the evening, so she had agreed to go first in responding to all the toasts. She rose to her feet and graciously thanked everyone for their kind words and well wishes. Then she went on to say, "It was a great surprise and joy to meet Sarah and find out that she is most likely my twin sister. Although this hasn't been confirmed and may never be, it doesn't lessen the happiness I feel at having her in my life and the wonderful welcome into the fold that I have felt from all of you."
When the applause for her words died down, Mac got up, after a quick reassuring hand squeeze with AJ from under the table. She said, "I also want to thank everyone for all the nice things said tonight. It has been an interesting week, meeting Diane, and finding out that I have a twin. That is why sharing tonight with her has been so important. There is one other thing that I wanted to let you all know tonight. I know you have been wondering why I made this sudden change in my career and up to now I haven't given a very clear reason…"
She paused in her comments to throw Harm a look when she heard him mutter, "Any reason!"
When he had the grace to look sheepish, she continued, "The night of the party at AJ's…the Admiral's house…that is to say, the same night Coster attacked me, I discovered…or I guess it became clear that…"
To be continued….