Chapter 38
"She would, Daria," AJ told her softly. He thanked his sister for the thought, then the three of them went in to dinner. AJ opened the wine and poured it into their glasses.
Adele raised her glass to offer a toast to the newly engaged couple. Daria had been right that AJ's sister would like the wine just as she did. Talk over dinner centered around the coming wedding and playing with Robby who sensed the excitement in the air and didn't want to be left out.
It was quite late before AJ walked Daria to her car to say good bye. It seemed like no one had wanted the evening to end. Even Robby had fought to stay awake longer than usual.
Daria insisted that she wasn't going to come back in the morning although both AJ and Adele had said they wanted her to. She told them that she felt brother and sister should have some time alone together before Adele's noon flight back to Texas. Because her office hours were over at noon on Saturday, AJ told Daria that he would come to get her and her suitcase after seeing Adele off at the airport. Daria agreed to that with a smile, saying she'd be ready.
After several kisses at her car, Daria finally said she 'had' to go. AJ still was standing in the drive watching her pull away until she turned the corner and he could no longer see her tail lights.
Brother and sister spent a quiet morning together sharing baby duties between them. AJ had made breakfast while Adele packed. They decided to leave early enough for the airport to get lunch on the way.
He was on his way to Daria's when his cell phone rang. Answering it, he heard Harriet Roberts' voice on the line. "Hello Adm…AJ, I was wondering if you were free for dinner tonight? Buddy took the boys fishing early this morning and they really made a haul!"
"That sounds wonderful, Harriet, do you have enough for an additional guest?"
"You want to bring someone? I mean other than Robby? Is it Doctor Kent? Are you still seeing her?" Harriet asked excitedly.
With a chuckle, AJ replied, "Yes, yes, yes, and yes."
She cheered openly making him laugh out loud. "Of course you can bring her! I've already invited Mac, Gunny and the children, so one more won't be a problem at all!"
"I will need to check this out with Daria, but I don't think there will be a problem. I'll call if for some reason we can't be there," he told her before ending the call.
Daria was thrilled about the dinner invitation, asking if they should announce their engagement there. AJ laughed and told her he was sure Harriet would notice Daria's ring before anything could be said by either of them.
"Well, I'm not taking it off so we'll just have to see how observant she is!"
"Darling, the CIA and FBI lost the best interrogator they could ever have had when Harriet joined the Navy!"
They spent a quiet afternoon going over plans for the wedding as they started boxing up some of the things Daria wanted to move to AJ's house.
Arriving at the Roberts' house at the same time as Mac and Gunny, their adopted daughter came running over to them. She hadn't seen AJ since they'd all returned from Iraq together. She was about to throw her arms around his legs in a hug when she saw the baby carrier in his hands. "Admiral AJ's baby!"
"Yes, Shami, his name is Robby. When we get inside you can hold him if you like."
"I know how to! Mama Mac lets me hold the babies all the time!"
Gunny smiled at his oldest daughter and said, "She is a very good helper with the twins."
When everyone was inside, AJ settled Shami on the couch with Robby. He was going to introduce Daria to Mac and Gunny, but as he looked up they were already chatting like old friends. Mac caught the look on his face and laughed. "You didn't think Harriet just recommended Doctor Kent to you, did you?"
To be continued…