Chapter 36

They could not meet this week for their Tuesday night dinner, because AJ had made plans before meeting her with Bud and Harriett to have dinner with them that night. He apologized to Lili, and she told him it was no problem, but he could see the disappointment in her eyes. "You know that Thursday is Thanksgiving…do you and Annie have plans yet for what you are going to be doing?" he asked hopefully.

"Just cook a chicken and celebrate the day together," she smiled. "Would you like to join us? I
could buy a small turkey."

"Well, actually I was thinking about having Annie and you out here, she can play with Dammit while we make the meal...what do you think about that?"

"Annie and I would like that very much, right, Annie?" she asked smiling.

"Yes, much," grinned Annie.

"Wonderful, then I will make a traditional meal here and you two can plan on spending the day here. How about if I rent some of the videos on Annie's great and powerful list?!" he chuckled.

"Yes, AJ, yes. I love you," she said, jumping up and down before she ran to him.

"Her speech is improving every day," smiled Lili. "I give you all the thanks for that."

"It was my pleasure, Lillian. She is a very special child and she has a very special mother, too!"

Blushing, Lili said, "I just love her, like any mother would."

"No, not like any mother, there are many that abuse their children or ignore them. You are a special woman and mother!" AJ insisted.

"Thank you, AJ, I love being a mother," replied Lili. "That's all I ever wanted to be growing up."

"And soon you will be again!" he smiled at her.

"Mommie, can I play with Dammit?" asked Annie.

"We need to leave and get you home. Tomorrow is a school day," she said, so thankful for Annie's interruption.

Annie looked up, not wanting to go, and said clearly, "POOP!"

AJ didn't know whether to laugh or scold her for using that kind of language to her mother.

"Annie, that was ugly, now apologize to me and AJ," ordered Lili.

Dropping her head she whispered, "Sorry."

"Its okay, Princess," he told her, glad now that he had been able to keep from laughing. "I'll see you in just four days, why don't you mark them off on your calendar at home and then you will know when we will be able to see each other again, how would that be?"

"Ok, four days," she said, hugging and kissing him good-bye.

He walked them out to their car, hugging both before they got in and making sure that both of them had their seat belts fastened. When he reached across Lillian to latch hers, he took a quick second to brush her lips with a kiss and then smiling backed out of the car.

Lili and Annie backed down the driveway, with AJ waving at them till they were out of sight. Once home they both got ready for bed. Lili tucked Annie in with a kiss and soon they both were fast asleep.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

1900 EST

Roberts' home

Georgetown, Virginia

After the very pleasant Sunday AJ had spent with Lillian and Annie, he put the finishing touches on the nursery Monday, and then Tuesday evening he drove into town to have dinner with Bud and Harriet Roberts.

At dinner Bud was telling him about all the goings on at JAG the last two days, it seemed that the flu bug had hit the office in a big way. Monday had started with Commander Turner coming in looking like death warmed over, he should have been home in bed as well, but he had a case in court that morning.

Three minutes into his opening statement he passed out. When he came around Admiral Morris put him in a cab and had him taken home with orders to stay there till he was well.

PO Coates was next to fall victim to the flu bug ravaging the office. She threw up her lunch right in front of the Admiral, who promptly sent her home.

Harm had not come in on Tuesday morning, calling instead to report that he had a 102 temperature! Morris had been glad that it was a holiday week because of everyone going out sick. Mac and Bud had been left to cover the cases that couldn't be postponed. By lunchtime Admiral Morris had succumbed to the bug also and had to leave for the day.

AJ had laughed, but was also sympathetic, at the tale of woe. He knew he would have been fit to be tied if his staff had been going through that.

To be continued…