Chapter 28

Because Liiani was taking her two week vacation as a honeymoon and a sick day so she could have tomorrow off to collect her family from the airport. However she did have to work today so she wasn't going to meet Francesca until she got off work that night. She would drive out to AJ's after she got off duty to meet her future step daughter that was only four years younger than she was.

Pulling up in front of AJ's house that night Liiani wondered why she never started biting her nails. Even trying to keep what Mac told her in her mind, she still had to admit she was very nervous about going inside. Taking a deep breath she walked to the door. AJ answered her knock and greeted her with a tender kiss.

"It will be fine, Darlin'." AJ told her as they walked into the living room.

A lovely brunette woman got up from the couch and approached them, AJ spoke first, "Francesca this is my fiancé, Akaliiani. Darlin' this is my daughter, Francesca."

At the odd look on Francesca's face when AJ had said her name Akaliiani quickly held out her hand and said, "Most people shorten my name to Liiani. It is a pleasure to meet you Francesca."

"Thank you Liiani, Papa told me you were worried about meeting me, but let me assure you that as long as keep him as happy as I see you are now, then you and I will be very okay."

"Then I have a pretty easy job, he is a great guy."

"I think so too," Francesca agreed.

"Okay you two, enough about me, Akaliiani would you like your evening snack now?"

"You didn't have to do that tonight."

"It was no trouble Darlin'. I just had to hide it from Francesca, I know she likes chocolate too."

"Papa, you kept chocolate from me?!" Francesca teased with her hands on her hips.

"Yes daughter, or there would have been none left for Akaliiani."

Francesca laughed, "So true!"

The ladies sat down at the table as AJ brought in a tray full of chocolate frosted brownies.

"Oh AJ!" and "Oh Papa!" sounded at the same time and in the same tone of voice.

"I take it you two ladies approve," AJ laughed.

"Oh yes!" was their answer.

He smiled and served each woman that he loved a large square of brownie, giving himself a smaller portion. AJ should have known it would happen, but the cake tasting had been a few weeks ago, and it had been a busy time in between. However, when Akaliiani took her first bite the moan and ecstatic look came over her face he had to start reciting the SEAL training manual to keep from embarrassing himself. It became even worse when he saw the look on his daughter's face.

AJ gave her a stern look that actually made her giggle. That was the first time Liiani had been aware of the other two since she started eating her brownie. "What's so funny?" she asked.

Not wanting to really embarrass her father Francesca answered, "Nothing really. I'm just glad that Papa is happy and I am looking forward to the wedding the day after tomorrow."

Before Liiani could question this AJ said, "Thank you daughter, that is very kind of you."

Deciding to go along with it so there was no conflict, Liiani answered, "Speaking of tomorrow, I had better get some rest so I don't screw up picking up people from the airport."

"You should have let me take tomorrow off too so I could help you with all that," AJ told her.

"Darling I can handle it, really. I will be fine."

"Alright, but I too have to be up early tomorrow so should go to bed now too."

"You two go ahead, I will clean up from our snack and then head to bed myself."

"Thank you Francesca," both AJ and Liiani said in unison and then laughed at the coincidence.

AJ left early for work the next morning so Akaliiani and Francesca had breakfast together before Akaliiani reluctantly said she needed to start her airport runs. She and Francesca had really had hit it off and Akaliiani knew she would be sorry when Francesca returned to Italy.

To be continued…..