Chapter 38

"No, if she sees you as her father, then you can be her substitute father. You'd make a great father. I see nothing wrong with it."

"Thank you, I hope that I will. Now, we had better get to the coffee so I can leave you to go to bed also. I remember how it is to have to get up in the morning after a late night!" he told her, with a smile, as they left Annie's room.

Going in the kitchen and pouring two cups of coffee, they sat down at the table. "Did you have a good time with your friends this evening?"

"Yes, I did, but things are not going well at my old office. Everyone seems to be coming down with the flu. I got to hear the whole, sad story tonight!" he chuckled.

"It is nasty this year. The office has been booked solid," she said, before taking a sip of coffee. "I'm glad I took a flu shot, still some of the ones we have treated took the shot. There are so many types of flu out there you never know what to do."

"True, it seems over half the office is down with it, or at least that is what Bud and Harriett were telling me. Lillian, is there anything special that you would like for me to include with the dinner Thursday?""

"Can I bring dessert or something?"

"Actually I already promised Annie that I would make pumpkin and apple pies. How about a jello salad? I am a pretty good cook, but for some reason I just can't seem to manage to get the things to come out right!"

"Alright, I can manage that."

"Wonderful! I should be going, I don't want you to be late in the morning," he said regretfully.

"It's not that late," said Lili, not wanting him to leave.

"Yes it is," he said with a gentle smile, as he got up and took his coat off the rack by the door. Putting it on, he looked at her and saw the regret that he was going in her eyes. "Lillian, may I kiss you good night?"

"I wish you would," she replied.

He opened his arms and waited for her to step into them. When she did, he gently took her face in his hands and tilted it up to his. "You are so beautiful, Lillian!" he said, as his lips tenderly took possession of hers.

Wrapping her arms around his neck she gave herself over to the kiss. He explored her lips, tasting and nibbling at them until she opened them on a gasp and he moved right in. His tongue caressed her lips, before he allowed it to enter her mouth and search for hers. Lili leaned into him putting her all into the kiss.

"Oh, Lillian," he caressed her lips with his as he whispered her name. "You're so sweet, I need to leave now, before I can't!" he said and slowly stepped away from her.

"I can't wait to see you again on Thursday," she smiled.

"I will be counting the hours. Stay well till then, my dear," he said, caressing her cheek with his hand and then stepping through the door and was gone before she could respond.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

1400 EST

AJ's house

McLean, Virginia

Lili and Annie got up early to make all the preparations before heading out to AJ's house. She had wanted to bring something to contribute to their dinner, but all that he would let her bring was a jello salad! It was a clear cold day and it looked like it might snow. When they got to the house AJ's Escalade was parked in the driveway, but he didn't come to meet them as usual, and there was no Dammit barking or jumping on them. Getting out of the car, they made their way to the house and knocked on the door. No one answered. Lili knocked louder. There was still no answer.

Turning the knob she found the door to be unlocked and walked inside. "Hello," she yelled and still got no answer. Walking through the house, she found AJ in bed, burning up with a fever and Dammit guarding him.

To be continued…