Chapter 36

The next day, Francesca and Sturgis spent the entire day in her hotel room. They were rarely out of the robes that the hotel provided, and spent most of the day making love, eating from room service, or just talking about the future. Neither one of them wanted the day to end, Francesca's flight was at 2200 hours that evening and both were avoiding talking about her leaving. It would be twenty-six days till Sturgis would be arriving in Italy on his vacation, and it seemed more like twenty-six years to the two wrapped in each other's arms that day.

Finally, it could be put off no longer, Francesca was packed and it was time to leave for the airport. Both were silent as they left the hotel, the drive was short and silent also. Tears slid down her cheeks as they stood in the terminal waiting for her flight to be called, "Oh, Sturgis, I did not know it would hurt this much to leave you!"

His voice was hoarse as he answered her, "I know, we have to find a way to be together, Francesca, these partings are killing me!"

With a heavy heart she walked away as the flight was called, she wanted to look back, but knew that if she did she would run back to him and throw herself into his arms. She couldn't do that, she had a life and commitments in Italy. It was the first time that she came close to hating her work.

Sturgis left the airport with his shoulders slumped; it would be a terrible month until he could see her again. He had to find a way to stop these partings!

Two weeks went by with aching slowness, everyone at JAG knew something was wrong with Sturgis, but only AJ knew the reason. Finally, he had to do something about Sturgis' mood, it was affecting his work. Calling him into his office, AJ said, "Sit down, son."

"Sir?" Sturgis questioned the informal form of address in the office.

As Sturgis took the leather chair in the conversation area, instead of in front of his CO's desk, AJ sat down in the one next to him. "You have been in a blue funk since my daughter left for Italy, it is having a detrimental effect on your work."

"I apologize, Sir, I will correct that at once."

"Sturgis, you work is important, but so is your emotional wellbeing. What is it has you acting like you lost your best friend?"

"It's worse than loosing my best friend, Sir. I am in love with your daughter and I am finding it very hard to live without her!"

"Then why aren't you doing something about it?" AJ demanded.

"Sir?"

"If you can't live without her then why are you?"

"I…I don't know. What would you suggest?"

"That depends on what your intentions are."

"I want to marry her, Sir! With your permission, of course, Sir!"

"And if I said 'no'?" AJ grinned at him.

"Then I might have to disobey you, Sir!" Sturgis jumped to his feet.

"Sit down, Sturgis, I was only trying to find out how much you meant what you said. You have my blessing, she loves you and I can tell that you love her. Just make her happy, that is all I ask," AJ offered his hand to Sturgis and shook it when he responded to the gesture.

"Do you think that there is any way that she might be willing to live here in the States, Sir?"

"I don't know that, Sturgis, you would have to ask her that yourself. I can tell you that Kara and I would love to see more of her and it would be wonderful if she lived here."

"Well, Sir, I will do my best to convince her of that. But if she feels that she needs to stay in Italy for her career…I might have to ask for a transfer."

"I had already thought of that, and I am sure that I could find you a position in the Naples office, if it comes to that."

"Thank you, Sir," Sturgis shook AJ's hand again and left the office.

AJ realized that he was so distracted that Sturgis had not waited to be dismissed. He smiled at that, but hoped that this would not become a habit!

To be continued…