Chapter 38

"No, I was thinking more of how people will react to the two of you marrying so soon and the reason for it," Harriett answered as kindly as she could.

"As I told Mac, our true friends will stand by us and support us, and the ones that won't, weren't true friends to begin with," AJ responded.

"I agree with you there, and I hope that it goes without saying that you have my support and love?"

"I never doubted it for a moment, Harriett. I've always known we could count on you, come hell or high water." AJ gently kissed her cheek and then added, "I'd better be getting back with the children or Mac will worry."

"Take care of her, AJ, and if either of you need anything just let me know."

"I will, Harriett, thank you."

Mac had become concerned at how long AJ had been gone just to pick up the children and she was watching at the window when he pulled up in the drive. As he hurried the kids into the house, Mac opened the front door to let them all in.

"Mommy! Neville told Auntie Harriett the secret!" Mackenzie tattled even before they were in the house.

Giving AJ a rueful glance, Mac told them, "Go to bed now, we'll talk about this in the morning."

As they ran up the stairs the girls were busy assuring Neville of how much trouble he was in. Mac sighed and looked at AJ.

"Harriett was surprised, but fine with the news, Mac. I told you she would be."

"Did Neville tell her about the wedding or the baby or both?"

"Just the wedding. She was surprised when I told her about the baby," AJ told her softly.

"Oh…how did she react to that?" Mac questioned almost fearfully.

"She told me that it was about time we realized that we had feelings for each other, and, that she had known we did since we were all at JAG together."

"What?!" Mac gasped.

"It's alright, I assured her that she was wrong and then explained about the baby. She gave me grief for our 'accident', but then she offered her support and said she would be there if either of us needed anything."

"She's such a good friend," Mac sighed.

AJ could see her almost wilt before his eyes. This situation combined with Neville's insistence that his father was still alive was really taking a toll on her. That reminded him that he wanted to go with her to her next doctor's visit, as he had some questions and concerns about Mac and the baby. But for now, she needed to be in bed and could use some extra pampering from the guy that got her in this condition. Sweeping her up in his arms, AJ started up the stairs.

"AJ! What are you doing?" she gasped, as her arms went around his neck to hold on for dear life.

"I'm putting my pregnant wife-to-be to bed," he told her with a gentle smile.

"I'm too heavy for you to be carrying around, especially up the stairs!" she insisted.

He had reached the top of the stairs by this time and was barely breathing any harder than normal. Grinning down at her he said, "Oh, I didn't know that. Would you like me to carry you back down so you can walk up?"

"Oh you!" she exclaimed punching his shoulder lightly.

"Was that a 'yes' or a 'no'?" he asked.

"It was a 'no'! You may carry me the rest of the way to bed as your punishment!"

"You are a cruel and evil woman!" AJ insisted as he made a show of staggering down the hall as if carrying a huge weight.

Mac rolled her eyes at his exaggerations, but inwardly she marveled at what great shape him was in to be able to carry her like this at his age. It was almost as if time had stood still for AJ Chegwidden. He had hardly changed at all from his days at JAG. Only his hair was completely white now and there were a few fine lines around his eyes and mouth, but they were only noticeable if you were as close to him as she was now.

AJ caught her staring at him and asked, "What are you looking at?"

To be continued…