Chapter 36
Both AJ and Jamie spent the next two hours in their offices. However, they each had trouble concentrating on the work in front of them. Each in their own way were concerned about what kind of reactions they would get from the announcement AJ planned to make at the end of his morning staff meeting. They had agreed that Jamie would arrive just before 9:45, which was the time he usually dismissed them so they would have time to get ready for a 10:00 court time if they had one.
AJ was pretty sure his people would be happy for him if they didn't get focused on the idea that Jamie was too young for him. He was still a bit disconcerted by how much younger than her true age she looked. Jamie, on the other hand, was worried that AJ's staff would think their romance had happened much too fast. They might think she was after something from him, money, power… After all, she had breezed into town and hooked up with the highest ranking officer around! She really hoped that they might be able to see how much in love they were and take it on faith that she only wanted AJ's happiness.
She arrived for the meeting and lightly knocked on the door to the conference room. From the other side she heard AJ call, "Come in Jamie."
Entering she walked passed his staff that all had slightly confused looks on their faces. She reached AJ's side and he had risen at her entrance and now put his arm around her with a smile.
"I'm sure that you are all wondering about why I have asked Jamie here to join us in this meeting," AJ began. "Over the weekend I managed to convince her to marry me. We wanted all of you to be among the first to know. The only one else we have told as of yet is Francesca."
When he finished speaking the staff got up and each came forward to offer their well wishes. Everyone had something nice to say except Bud. His comment drew odd looks from all present.
He had said, "Well, that sure makes Captain Kirk nobody's fool!"
Because Bud didn't continue, even with all the odd looks he was getting, AJ asked, "What do you mean by that Bud?"
Finally realizing that no one had gotten his meaning, Bud rushed to explain, "I meant that after all the confusion about her name and meeting her on April Fool's Day and all, I was trying to say that she was anything but a fool to have chosen the finest most honorable man around to fall in love with and marry!"
A few of the staff looked a bit unsure at his explanation, but Jamie graciously rose to the occasion and said, "Thank you Lieutenant Roberts, that is a very nice thing to say. I promise you, I don't feel like anyone's fool!"
They all smiled when the Admiral leaned over and kissed her cheek at this statement. But they applauded when Jamie took matters into her own hands and pulled his head down just a bit lower and planted a kiss firmly on his lips!
The End!