Chapter 34

"It is so, daughter. Jamie and I are going to be married on June 5th and we are both hoping you will be able to attend."

"For such an occasion I would cancel any plans that I had! Will I have a chance to meet the lovely Jamie before the wedding?"

"We were hoping that could be worked out. If you don't have time to come to the US we could fly over for a weekend."

"Or maybe both of those could happen! Let me get my date book and see when I have free." There was a few moments of quiet on the phone before Francesca returned and said, "I have the first weekend in May completely free, so I could fly over then and the last weekend this month is light with work, so I could visit with you both if you could come here. But if that is too soon, then the second weekend in May is also light. All I have is lunch with Mama on Sunday because it is Mother's Day."

AJ and Jamie consulted quickly and decided that even though the April weekend would come quickly with all the wedding plans to make. Still even thought whatever way they did it the second weekend would be back to back, the newly engaged couple didn't want to interrupt Francesca's time with her mother.

Francesca giggled when AJ explained this reason and said, "You know she will find out about the wedding sometime Papa!"

"I know, but I was thinking some time around our 3rd or 4th anniversary would be a good time!"

"So you do not want me to tell Mama that you are to be married? Do you think she will react badly?"

"With your mother I am never sure Francesca." With a sigh he went on to admit, "I do not know if she would be upset about the news before hand, but knowing her Italian temper, I can pretty much guarantee that she would be very upset if she didn't hear about it until after the fact!"

"Well then, I will simply tell her that you are engaged the next time I speak with her and see how she reacts," Francesca told him.

"That sounds like a wise plan," AJ answered.

"Francesca?" Jamie said.

"Si'?"

"I know that we haven't met yet, but I was wondering if you would like to be a part of the wedding?"

"I would love that Jamie! What role would you like me to take?" Francesca asked.

AJ gave Jamie an encouraging nod when she hesitated and after a deep breath, Jamie asked, "Would you be my maid of honor?"

There was a few seconds of silence and then a little hiccupping gasp, "I would be so honored! But I think I will not tell Mama about this part!"

"Probably a good idea!" AJ chuckled.

The conversation went on a while longer as they firmed up plans for the visits, then everyone exchanged pleasant good nights.

Jamie was feeling pretty good about how well the call had gone. She expressed that to AJ and he grinned. "I had no doubts that you and Francesca would get along. The big surprise was learning you spoke Italian. Not to mention that you do it better than I do!"

"I know I mentioned that I was stationed there when we were comparing duty stations."

"You did, but not that you learned the languages while you were there. How many languages do you speak?"

"Other than English, four. The others are French, German, Italian, you know, and one fictitious one."

"Fictitious?"

"Yes," she admitted with am embarrassed grin, "Vulcan."

"Vulcan!" AJ gasped.

"Yes, I learned that I had a gift for languages, and someone had given me a Vulcan dictionary as a gag gift. One day I just had the impulse to try it and wah-la! I learned Vulcan. You won't tell Lieutenant Roberts will you?"

"Your secret is safe with me, but I am impressed! I was never very good at picking up languages and only learned Italian to please Marcella."

To be continued…