AJ's hand slid into Keely's, searching her out for reassurance. He knocked on the door softly.
"Entrano."

"Francesca?" he said quietly as they entered the house. "Hi."

"Papa!" Francesca exclaimed softly, her eyes brightening. She crossed the living room quickly, wrapping her free arm around his neck, kissing his cheek. "I am so glad you came." Stepping back, she smiled at Keely. "Welcome, Keely."

"Grazie, Francesca," Keely replied, smiling in return. "How are you feeling?"

Francesca's smile widened as she inclined her head toward the blanket nestled in the crook of her arm. "I have never been better," she proclaimed. "The first two months were terrible! But since Cristoforo has started to sleep all night, Giovanni and I are well," she laughed. "How are you, Papa?" she asked, looking him over.

"I'm fine," AJ said, staring at the little blue blanket. "Can I?"

"Of course! What am I thinking?" Francesca laughed softly. "Sit, please."

AJ took a seat on the couch immediately, not taking his eyes off his tiny grandson.

Francesca handed him the baby, flopping down into an armchair. "Please sit," she said to Keely. "You make me nervous."

Keely smiled, immediately sitting down next to AJ, leaning over him to watch the tiny baby. "Bonjourno, Cristoforo," she said softly, watching AJ look at the baby. "He has his grandfather's eyes," she said, smiling at Francesca.

"Hello, nipote," AJ said softly, tracing his finger nervously down Cristoforo's tiny arm. "He's gorgeous," he added proudly, glancing up at Keely, his eyes shining. "But he looks like Francesca, not me."

Keely smiled, nodding, holding a finger out to the baby. Cristoforo grabbed on, and then looked up at his grandfather, smiling. Keely looked at AJ, watching his face light up. "He smiled at his Nonno," she said, kissing his neck.

"He passed gas," Francesca teased.

Keely shook her head, continuing to grin. "Nope, that was a definite smile. My goddaughter passed gas all the time, but that smile was different than Cristoforo's."

"He smiled," AJ insisted, grinning at the baby. "Didn't you, bello?"

"We call him Cris," Francesca informed Keely and AJ. "Cristoforo is too long for every day."

Keely nodded, then shook her head in amazement. "He really is beautiful, Francesca."

"Thank you," Francesca smiled proudly. "You are right, Keely, he has Papa's eyes. I swear I saw him look mischievous the other night when he woke me at two o'clock," she laughed softly. "He is part-Chegwidden."

Keely smiled at AJ. "He won't apologize for that."

There was a knock at the front door, and then a key turning in the lock. "Bella! Dove è il mio nipote?" a sing-songy voice called, coming through the halls. Keely looked up, her green eyes meeting Marcella Paretti's dark brown.

"Your grandson and I are in here, Mama. Papa came today," Francesca answered in English as her mother entered the room. "Mama, this is Keely, Papa's fiancée."

"L'oh in modo da questo è il fiancée che state dicendomi circa? Penso che siate troppo generosi, Cesca. Assomiglia ad un parassita piccolo dopo i soldi del vostro padre, quello è a che cosa assomiglia," Marcella replied, crossing her arms.

Keely looked back down at the baby, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. So she was a little parasite after AJ's money? *That's a new one on me.*

AJ glared at Marcella. She knew he understood every word. "Iete essendo una femmina."

"Mama, it's not polite to speak in Italian in front of guests," Francesca reprimanded her mother. She snuck a glance at Keely, trying not to laugh, before staring her father down. "And you, swearing in front of the bambino, shame on you."

"Non è un ospite, né è un fiancée, AJ. È un bambina," Marcella replied, but strolled over to Keely, extending her hand. "I am Marcella Paretti," she said, literally looking down her nose at Keely.

Keely rose, taking Marcella's hand. "Keely O'Reilly. A pleasure, Mrs. Paretti." Keely gestured to the seat on the couch. "I'm sure you'd like to hold your grandson." *So, I'm not a guest or a fiancée, either, just a child, eh, Marcella?* Keely shook her head slightly, looking at Francesca. "May I trouble you for a glass of water, Francesca?"

"No trouble," Francesca said, standing. "Mama, be nice." She headed toward the kitchen, stifling her laughter. *Fuck it,* she thought. *Let Mama hang herself.*

Marcella sat down next to AJ, smiling at Cris. "What are you doing bringing another baby into this house?" Marcella asked quietly, as Keely looked at the photographs hanging on the other side of the room.

"She's not a baby," AJ replied, transfixed on the infant. "She's going to be my wife."

Marcella shook her head, sneaking a glance at Keely. "You still surprise me after all these years, AJ," she said, reaching across AJ to tickle Cris' foot.

"Why should that surprise you?" AJ asked, finally meeting her eyes. "You haven't seen me in three years, I've changed. Keely is right for me."

Marcella scoffed, but looked back at Keely. "So, Miss O'Reilly, I hear congratulations are in order."

Keely turned, nodding slightly and smiling at AJ. "Please, call me Keely. Thank you." She gestured to the baby. "And congratulations to you, too. AJ has been so excited about Cristoforo's birth, I can only imagine what you're feeling."

Marcella smiled and nodded, then watched Francesca as she reentered the room.

"Non sforzarsi, Cesca. Se desidera niente altro, has got i giovani abbastanza piedini per farli lei stessa."

Keely smiled, taking the water. *Like mother, like daughter,* she thought.

"Mama!" Francesca hissed in Italian. "If she wants anything else, I will get it for her, like I would any guest in *my* home, no matter the age of their legs." She pressed the fact that her mother was in her house. "Now back off."

Marcella looked sternly at her daughter, and then nodded once. "Ancora non la gradisco."

Keely swallowed her smile along with her water. *You don't like me, Marcella? I couldn't tell.*

"Non mi preoccupo se non la gradite, Mama. Papa, quello è tutto quel argomenti." Francesca smiled discreetly at Keely.

Keely smiled, a little shocked, at Francesca. *"I don't care if you don't like her, Mama. Papa likes her, that's all that matters."* She nodded her thanks, smiling stronger now, Francesca's words working their way through her head.

Cristoforo began to wail and Francesca stood, removing him gently from her father's arms. "Mama, can you get me a bottle from the fridge?" she asked calmly.

Marcella nodded, moving into the kitchen to heat the baby's formula. Keely winked at AJ, letting him know that Marcella's words weren't hurting her.

AJ shook his head. "Sorry," he murmured. "I didn't know she'd be here."

Keely shook her head, walking over to him. Resting on the edge of the couch, she ran a hand up and down his back, a familiar gesture. "Don't worry about it, okay? Enjoy your grandson."

"I am," AJ said, eyeing the baby.

Francesca tickled under his chin, distracting him while Marcella was heating the bottle.

Marcella reentered, handing Francesca the bottle. She looked at AJ and Keely, an odd sense of jealousy flooding through her. She didn't miss AJ---not that much, anyway---but she did miss having that kind of relationship with her partner. Marcella sighed, sitting across the room in the wingback chair. "So, AJ, how long are you staying in Italia?"

"We'll be here for another week," AJ said politely. "Long enough for Keely to buy out the entire baby store," he laughed softly.

Keely laughed. "Hey, come on now, you have to admit, there's something very appealing about Baby Gap. I did it for Caroline, and I'll do it for Cristoforo."

Marcella cocked her head, eyeing Keely. "Caroline is your...daughter?"

Keely shook her head. "No, Caroline's my goddaughter. One of my college roommate's little girls. She's...God, she's six now."

Marcella nodded. "How nice." She smiled briefly, then stood. "Anyone for coffee?"

Francesca purposely ignored her mother, saying to Keely, "Six years old? Why she is practically a woman."

Keely nodded, smiling. "I know, and she knows it, too. But I was determined to make Carrie the absolute best-dressed kid in playgroup. And she was...and now her little sister is as well." She smiled down at the baby. "It's a great excuse as to why I didn't pay off my college loans."

Laughing, Francesca nodded. "Cris has everything a baby could possibly want..." she trailed off, remembering. "Oh, I have not shown you the nursery!" she said, standing and readjusting the baby's bottle. "Come, come." She led them into the back of the house.

Keely followed her into the bright yellow room, the sunshine streaming through the windows. A beautiful furniture set, including crib, dresser, rocker and changing table were interspersed among the room, as were dozens of little boy outfits and stuffed animals. Keely smiled, then nudged AJ. "Hey, AJ, your grandson's room is bigger than your office," she teased, picking up a stuffed duck.

"He's got more money than I do," AJ laughed, awed by the room.

Francesca smiled at her fiancé, who was emptying the hamper into a basket. "Gio," she said softly, "Ciò è la donna che stavo dicendovi circa, il mio fiancée di Papa, Keely." Turning to Keely, she said in English, "This is my fiancé, Giovanni Marzini."

Giovanni turned and smiled at Keely and AJ. "A pleasure to meet both," he said in slightly broken English.

"Congratulazioni sulla nascita del vostro figlio," Keely replied softly with a smile.

"Cesca," Marcella called from the hallway, sticking her head in the room. "I'll cook dinner, si?"

"That would be wonderful, Mama. What are we having?"

"Chicken parmigiana," Marcella replied, making a face at Cris as he finished his bottle. Making it sound like she was asking Francesca if Keely liked the dish, Marcella said, "Può mangiare alcuni degli alimenti per bambini dell' Istruzione Autodidattica, io pensa che si sia seduto più meglio in suo piccolo stomaco."

Keely set the duck back in the crib, looking out over the courtyard outside the home. *I can have some of Cris' baby food? Thanks so much, Marcella.*

"Mama, silenzio!" Francesca snapped, making Cristoforo cry. "Hush, Cris," she murmured softly, patting her son's back. "Go make dinner, please, Mama," she said, a little calmer.

Marcella nodded, going back to the kitchen.

Keely placed a soft hand on Francesca's shoulder. "Don't worry about me and your mother, all right? You just focus on your son."

"È una tal dolore nell' asino."

AJ laughed outright. "She's always been a pain in the ass."

Keely laughed as well. "Yeah, I got that." She shook her head. "You Parettis sure are a tough room," she joked, smiling as Cris started to droop off.

"We are not all bad," Francesca smiled. "She will come around."

Keely nodded again, motioning to the door. "I'll let you put Cris down," Keely said, moving towards the hallway. She grabbed AJ's hand and squeezed once, going back out into the living room.

As Francesca tucked Cris into his crib, she motioned for her father to come closer. "Papa, I am sorry about everything. I told Mama before you came to be nice but you know how she is." She smiled down at her sleeping infant. "But enough of that. Keely is right, Cris has your eyes. They are so thoughtful."

Marcella passed Keely in the hallway, smiling smugly. "Dinner will be ready in about half an hour, dear."

Keely smiled. "Thank you, Marcella."

Marcella kept walking, back to Cris' nursery. She stepped in, saying softly, "Ora questo è ché famiglia dovrebbe essere."

This is what a family should be.

AJ turned. "Yes, except that my fiancée is missing," he said coldly. "Your grandson's other grandmother. The one he's going to call Nonna, whether you like it or not."

Marcella regarded him primly, lacing her jeweled fingers and resting them over her abdomen. "Well, AJ, if that's the case, then we're also missing the man that Cristoforo will probably consider his true grandfather, seeing as Cris will see my husband more than you. But I didn't invite him over here today, because I felt like Vittorio might be intruding." Marcella motioned behind her into the hallway. "Had I known we could invite anyone, I would have been sure to bring Vittorio and half of Milan with me."

AJ took a deep breath, glancing at Francesca. "Honey, I'm sorry. I can't stay here without saying something I'll regret--only because you'll be the one to get hurt. Keely and I will see you tomorrow, okay?"

Francesca nodded, leaning up on tiptoes to kiss AJ's cheek. "I understand, Papa. We will see you tomorrow. I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too, bella," AJ whispered, hugging her gently. He turned without a word to Marcella and stalked out into the hallway. "We're leaving," he said simply.

Keely looked up from the fashion magazine she'd been leafing through. "What?"

"Now. Come on." AJ took her hand.

Keely regarded him curiously, but rose, following him. She was barely able to grab her coat and purse before AJ slammed the door behind him. "AJ, what's going on?"

"Marcella," AJ growled, leaning against the rental car, trying to calm down. "She's playing up the fact that my grandson will be ten thousand miles away from me."

"Oh, honey," Keely said, resting her hands on either side of him. She watched his face as he tried to calm down, and this just angered her more. He'd been so excited to come and see the baby, not focusing on anything but that. *It's not fair,* she said, watching AJ's gaze travel to the top part of the house. Keely turned then, marching back up to the house and knocking loudly on the door.

Marcella opened the door, drying her hands on a towel. "Did you forget something, Keely?"

"Yes, I did, Marcella. I forgot to tell you off." Keely cleared her throat, trying to make sure she was translating her thoughts correctly. " Non avete destra fare che cosa state facendo, Marcella. Non potete gradirli e franco, non li gradisco. Ma AJ non è venuto tutto questo modo per me o voi, è venuto qui per Cristoforo. Se non potete essere civili con me, fine. Rimarrò all' hotel. Ma non levarsi in piedi là e non tenere l' ostaggio del nipote di AJ." Keely took another deep breath, then narrowed her eyes at Marcella. "Did you get all that?"

Marcella took a step back, shocked. She nodded mutely, and Keely turned on her heel, walking back to the car. "*Now* we can go."

AJ glanced from Keely, to Marcella, who was still standing in the doorway. "What did you say to her?" he asked curiously as they drove away.

Keely chuckled. "I told her she had no right to do what she was doing, holding Cris hostage from you. I said that you didn't come all this way for me or for Marcella, that you came to see your grandson. I said I understood if she didn't like me, and that frankly, I didn't like her. 'If you can't be civil with me, I'll stay at the hotel' is what I said to her." Keely shrugged, looking at him. "I'm sorry for causing you all this trouble, AJ."

AJ reached over, grasping her hand tightly. "None of this is your fault," he said firmly. They arrived at the hotel and turned the car over to the valet. On the elevator to the room, AJ was surprisingly quiet, going over the events of the day in his head. When Keely went to open to door, AJ grabbed her wrist gently. "Keely," he said softly, "please believe me. Marcella has always been like this when she doesn't get her way."

Keely tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I know, AJ, I just..." she sighed, taking off her shoes and flopping down on the bed. "I hate being the cause for tension between people. I don't want Marcella to tell Cris how his Nonno chose Nonna over him. I don't..." she sighed again, scooting further up on the bed, resting her head on the down pillows. "I don't want people to hate you because of me. Marcella, Francesca, Harm, Mac, anybody."

AJ lay down beside Keely, laying his arm across her hip and catching her gaze. "No one hates me...at least, not because of you," he chuckled. "Everyone who's met you loves you. Francesca adores you, she's just getting used to the idea of us. And Marcella...well, how much can I expect you to get along with my ex-wife?" He shrugged. "I don't think Francesca will let her mother brainwash her son. She wants him to know us, and he will. Please don't worry about this, Keel." His voice softened. "Please?"

Keely looked up at him, finally nodding. "I'll try," she said. She smiled, shaking her head. "You know, I finally feel in a groove in our relationship, and then, bam. You propose, you get taken hostage, your daughter initially hates me...and then, these past five months have been wonderful, with Francesca's emails and calls..." she trailed off. "Then we come here, and bam all over again."

"We're going to deal with a lot of bams in our time," AJ said with a little chuckle. "And we're just going to keep getting through them, like we have. Listen, I hate to break up this sob fest, but I'm starving and we're in Milan. Can we go get some Italian food?"

Keely chuckled. "Always thinking about food," she admonished. Sighing, she rose and put her shoes back on. "How long does it take to readjust to time zones? I'm exhausted."

"You'll be fine by tomorrow," AJ promised. "Do you want to just order room service?"

Keely looked at him, a smile creeping across her face. "Would you mind?"

"Not a bit, if you'll call them while I shower?" he bargained.

Keely nodded. "What do you want?" she asked, yawning and reaching for the menu on the bedside table.

AJ called over the running water, "Rigatoni and sausage, garlic bread and tiramisu for dessert."

"Okay," Keely smiled, picking up the phone. "Ciao," she said brightly, ordering their dinners. She moved to the window, and its spectacular view of Milan as the sun set over the city. AJ was right; they had gotten through so much together. She chuckled, resting her palm against the cool glass. *Marriage has to be easier than that,* she thought. There was a light knock on the door a few minutes later, and Keely opened it, smiling at the bellman as he brought their cart in. She signed the check, saying, "Grazie." The bellman left, and Keely started uncovering the dishes, inhaling the wonderful smells.

AJ came out of the shower, drying his face with a towel. "Mmm, that smells good."

Keely smiled around her forkful of gnocchi. "Tastes good too," she said, holding out a new forkful for him to try.

Wrapping his lips around it, AJ chewed and swallowed, nodding. "That's superb." He sat down and piled a plate high with a little bit of everything. "So besides the Ex-Wife From Hell, are you enjoying our trip?"

Keely nodded. "I haven't been here in years," she replied, spearing a piece of his sausage. "It's still magical."

"Maybe we could take a walk around the city center, tomorrow night," AJ suggested, biting into the garlic bread. "There are a couple of places I remember from my last trip that I'd like to show you."

Keely nodded. "I'd like that." She ate a couple more bites of her dinner, then set her fork carefully on the edge of the plate. "If you want to go back and see Francesca and Cris tomorrow, I don't mind staying here. I know you don't have a problem with it," she added hastily, "but I do. If I can avoid causing you and Francesca and that little boy any harm, I will."

"Keely," AJ said firmly, "you are as much Cristoforo's grandmother as Marcella, and I will not have her chasing you away. Francesca won't stand for it, either."

Keely chuckled. "That's the problem, AJ, I don't feel like I should be calling myself his grandmother. I had no involvement in his mother's life up until what, a year ago? And she *hated* me, okay?" Keely sighed, throwing her napkin on the tray and walking back over to the view of Milan. "I have no rights here. None. I know that, Marcella knows that. Her comments towards me don't bother me, AJ. They don't, I'm used to that by now. But she does have a point."

AJ followed Keely over to the window, enveloping her in his arms as the sun disappeared below the horizon. "She does not. You didn't know Francesca, that's true. And she hated you at first, also true. But she cares about you now, and someday soon she's going to love you almost as much as I do. Francesca wants you involved in her son's life, she's told you that. No matter what you are to anyone else, you are going to be *my* wife, and that makes you Cris' grandmother. Understood?"

Keely rested her chin on his forearm, sighing. She wanted to believe him, she truly did. But this was a role that was going to take some getting used to. "All right, AJ, I'll try." She smiled, watching Milan turn on its lights. "Although, I'm sorry, there still is something wrong with me being called 'grandma'."

"Then find another name," he smiled.

Keely chuckled, placing a light kiss on his wrist. "How about 'Keely'? That's a good name."

AJ shook his head with a grin. "Why don't we drop all pretense and I'll take back my ring?" he teased.

Keely groaned, tilting her head back against his chest, looking up at him. "Not a chance, dude. Not a chance."

"Then you're stuck being a grandma," he teased. "At the ripe old age of thirty."

Keely sighed, shaking her head. After a moment, she said quietly, "I have something to tell you."

"Shoot."

Keely sighed. "I was offered a professor position in the creative writing department. One of the professors is leaving, so they offered her position to me."

AJ leaned around Keely's shoulder to look her in the eyes. "You're kidding!" he exclaimed. "That's wonderful. When does it start, next semester?"

"It doesn't. I turned it down."

"What?" AJ released Keely, stepping in front of her. "Why in the hell did you do that?"

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," Keely said, looking at his polo shirt, trying to collect her thoughts. "I've also been doing a lot of job searching, and I've found a position in DC, at George Washington." Keely worked her fingers at her sides before continuing. "I realized that the only reason I was staying in Seattle was the knowledge that it was the place I had started over, a place that I knew I could be safe." She sighed, rubbing her hands with her face. "I want to start a life with you in DC, AJ. I want to go back there, with you by my side, and live the life that I should have had my entire life. I want to get married there, I want to have a hundred dogs there, I want to be there with you, if you'll let me move you across country again."

AJ just shook his head in amazement. "You want to move back to DC?" he repeated.

Keely nodded. "I know this is sudden, and completely unexpected, but...I'm ready to stop running away."

"Well, then, that's what we'll do." AJ smiled, reaching out and tilting her eyes up to meet his. "I love you," he assured her. "In Seattle, or DC."

Keely's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you," she said with a watery chuckle. She shook her head. "It still amazes me that you haven't run screaming from me, like every other man who's ever crossed my path."

"I'm stronger than they were," AJ teased. "I've been tortured before."

Keely chuckled, wrapping her arms lightly around his waist. "Yeah, you have battle experience. A definite prerequisite with me."

"Totally. Vietnam was nothing compared to you."

Keely groaned, slapping his ass lightly. "You're mean, okay? Mean, mean, mean."

"Yeah, but you love me for it." AJ grinned, pulling her against him.

"We'll see," Keely replied, smiling as she rested her head against his chest.

"We'll see? That's it, gimme my ring." He reached for her left hand.

Keely held her hand behind her back, leaning back and smiling broadly at him. "We haven't even set a date yet, you can't take it away. Once we send out invitations, I get a dress, *then* you can take it away."

AJ put his hands on his hips. "That makes no sense."

Keely laughed. "It's not supposed to."

"Then you've accomplished your goal." He smiled, glancing behind Keely at the bed. "Can we go lie down? I'm beat."

Keely nodded, walking over to the dresser. Pulling off her clothes quickly, she tugged on her pajamas, then went and laid on the bed next to him, curling up behind him. She laid her arm around his chest, kissing the back part of his shoulder. "I would like to set a date, though," she said quietly. "I don't want to push, but...even if it's next year, I'd like to know when."

Rolling over, AJ smiled at her. "How about next Christmas?"

Keely smiled, thinking it over. "Yeah," she finally said. "We can move back to DC in June or July, spend the spring and summer getting settled, and the fall planning the wedding." Keely smiled again. "How messed up is it that I became a grandmother before I became a wife?" she teased, squeezing his hand.

"That's life with the Chegwiddens," he laughed.

Keely laughed back, kissing him lightly. "I guess so," she agreed. "Are you really okay with going back to DC? I know I've provided enough upheaval in your life..."

"Keely, you know I love Washington," AJ said, scooting ever closer to her. "I'm happy to go anywhere you want me to, though."

Keely kissed him again, lingering more this time. "I don't deserve you," she said quietly, smiling slightly.

"Stop that," he admonished, reveling in her kiss. His hands automatically began a downward journey, despite his earlier claims of exhaustion.

Keely smiled against his mouth, roaming her own hands up and down his back. "I thought you were tired, Grandpa."

"I'm never too tired for you," AJ murmured softly, taking his time as his hands caressed Keely's soft skin.

Keely continued to smile, running a hand along the top of his boxers. She shifted, moving her leg between his, pressing her pajama bottoms against his growing erection. "Is that for me, old man?" she asked softly, leaning back and searching his eyes.

"It better be or I'm in trouble."

* * *

Later, as they lay in each other's arms, AJ couldn't help smiling at Keely.  "I love you," he said. "I know I keep saying it, but I'm still amazed."

Keely tilted her head with smiling eyes. "Why does that surprise you so much?" She laced her fingers with his, awaiting his response.

"I don't know." AJ squeezed her hand. "It's not that I'm surprised that I love *you*," he explained, "I'm just shocked that I *can* love this much."

Keely leaned over and kissed him longingly, then pulled away, wrapping an arm around his side. "Well, you can, and you've been able to make me happier than I've ever been in my life, AJ. Don't forget that."

"How could I forget?" AJ chuckled. "You remind me every day."

Keely chuckled, smacking his back lightly. "Shut up, you know what I mean." She yawned slightly, watching the moonlight illuminate the room. "You want to go back to Francesca's tomorrow?"

"Yeah," AJ said, draping his arm across Keely's waist. "I want to see her and Cris a lot more before we leave."

Keely nodded. "I'm sorry we can't spend more than a week here, with your family. Stupid jobs," she said with a smile. "Although, you could probably stay an extra couple of days, even if I have to go back to Seattle."

"No, I have to get back to the Base and my responsibilities," AJ said quietly. "It's okay, we'll come back as soon as we can, and Francesca's promised to drag Gio and Cris to DC this Christmas, if not sooner. And Cris can come spend the summer with us next year. It'll be fine," he reassured Keely.

Keely smiled. "It'll be nice having them at the wedding," she added. She shook her head. "You know, we've been engaged for what, six months? It still hasn't sunk in yet," she admitted.

AJ nodded. "And it's only eight months until our wedding. Weird." He grinned.

Keely yawned again, nodding as well. "Totally." She bent her arm, laying her head on top of it. "What kind of wedding do you want?" she asked softly.

AJ smiled, kissing her nose as she yawned. "I hadn't really thought about it," he said idly. "Maybe just a justice of the peace ceremony?"

"What, you just want to walk down to Indiana Avenue and the courthouse?" Keely teased.

AJ chuckled. "No, we can drive."

Keely laughed with him, and then shook her head slowly. "I don't know, I'd kind of wanted a bigger wedding, actually. I've never had the whole dress, cake, bridesmaids thing, you know," she grinned.

"How big?" AJ winced.

Keely chuckled at his expression. "Well, not Princess Di big, but, you know, nice church, reception, Vera Wang dress. I don't know, the kind of wedding a little girl dreams of." She bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"How about we fly to Vegas and run down to the Chapel of the Eternal Flame?" he negotiated.

Keely pursed her lips and looked at him. "How about we get married at the Naval Chapel, but only friends and family?"

Thinking for a moment, AJ finally agreed. "That sounds great. How many people?"

Keely shrugged. "I don't know...fifty to a hundred?"

"Ten."

"Ten? What's the point of having it in such a big chapel with *ten* people?" Keely considered the offer. "Forty."

AJ shook his head. "The point is to keep us from inviting everyone we've ever met. Forty becomes fifty, fifty becomes a hundred, a hundred becomes two hundred. Twenty," he offered.

Keely rolled her eyes. "Thirty."

"Deal."

Keely nodded once, kissing his shoulder. "Wonderful. But again, thirty people is a bit small for the Naval Chapel...would you rather do it at a smaller church in the city? There are a few around American, and even in Foggy Bottom and Georgetown."

"I don't care where we get married," AJ grinned, "as long as you show up."

Keely grinned back, scooting her body along his. "AJ, by the time we get married, we'll have been together for four years, and have known each other for seven. We could get married naked in Antarctica and I'd show up."

"Well, if you're really interested in that, I can get some brochures," AJ deadpanned.

Keely rolled her eyes. "No," she replied sternly. "Although, if we get married in December like we were talking about, it'd *feel* like Antarctica."

"DC is not that bad in December," AJ argued. "The city is beautiful."

"Oh, I know it is. Have you ever been to the Christmas Tree Lighting?" Keely smiled. "It's just *cold*."

"I go every year. There's just something magical about it." AJ grinned. "Cold doesn't bother me. And I seem to recall someone who was sitting in her shorts and a t-shirt, eating ice cream in the middle of November on our deck in Seattle."

"Well, I seem to recall that this someone you're referring to had just been taken on her kitchen counter *twice* and was a tad inflamed."

"Well, yeah, but the point is that you don't mind the cold," AJ grinned.

Keely sighed. "Fine, fine, you win, I lose." She grinned. "I don't want too many attendants, do you? I was just thinking Martie as my matron of honor, and maybe little AJ as ring bearer and Catie and Emily as flower girls."

AJ nodded agreement. "Sure. Harm's my best man, of course."

Keely nodded. "Of course. Hey, we're pretty good at this planning thing," she teased.

"Yeah, we're not bad. What are doing about a reception?" AJ shifted, snuggling more comfortably next to Keely.

Keely shrugged. "I don't know. With thirty guests, we could probably just have it at our new house...when we buy one, that is."

"We could, or we could rent a suite at the Park Hyatt and combine Christmas and our wedding reception," AJ thought aloud.

Keely nodded. "That could be fun. That way, we wouldn't have to clean up after all the kids," she teased.

Laughing, AJ nodded. "Yeah, that would be nice. We'll have to see how many people we're inviting to the wedding before we decide where we're having the reception, though."

Keely nodded in agreement, yawning again. "But I think you're right, a smaller wedding would be the best option."

AJ grinned, watching her yawn. "You look like a kitten," he murmured.

"Well, thanks, I think," Keely replied, raising her eyebrows slightly.

Laughing, AJ held her close. "It was supposed to be a compliment."

"Right. You just get off making fun of me," Keely replied, her statement muffled by his neck, where she buried her face as she prepared to fall asleep.

"Oh, sure. I've stuck with you for three years because I get my kicks at your expense." AJ grinned, kissing the top of her head. "Go to sleep, kid."

"Well, that and the sex," Keely added, kissing his neck. "I love you," she said softly, closing her eyes.

"I love you, too."

* * *

Keely took a deep breath as AJ pulled the car to a stop in front of Giovanni and Francesca's home. She got out of the car, squaring her shoulders at the sight of Marcella's car. *You can handle this,* she told herself as she waited for AJ before heading up to the front door.

AJ took her hand, knocking and turning the handle. The door opened easily and he stepped in, calling, "Francesca? We're here."

"Papa, shhh," Francesca chided him. "Cris is asleep."

"Sorry," he amended softly.

Francesca smiled, leaning up and kissing his cheek. "You are forgiven. Hi, Keely," she said with a smile.

"Hi, Francesca," Keely replied with a smile.

"Come in. Would you like tea or coffee?" she offered.

Keely shrugged. "Whatever's easiest, don't go out of your way for me."

Marcella appeared then, a question formed on her lips. When she saw AJ and Keely, however, she stopped where she was standing. "Buoa mattina, AJ, Keely," she said, a hint of venom in her voice.

"Good morning, Marcella," Keely replied sweetly.

"Mama," Francesca said warningly. "Not today."

"What? All I said was good morning," Marcella replied.

Francesca rolled her eyes. "The way you said it," she explained, as if to a child.

Keely shook her head slightly at Francesca, telling her with her eyes not to worry about it.

Marcella caught the interlude out of the corner of her eye, and cleared her throat. "Have you eaten breakfast, AJ? I just made some...how do you say...biscotti e uova?"

"Biscuits and eggs?" Keely said. *No wonder AJ doesn't care that I can't cook. Obviously, neither can Marcella.*

Marcella smiled and nodded. "Yes, biscuits and eggs. And coffee. Are you interested?"

"That would be great, thank you, Marcella," AJ said politely. He took Keely's hand and smiled.

Marcella nodded once, returning to the kitchen.

Keely squeezed AJ's hand once and said quietly, "I think I might go take a walk around the garden for a minute or two, clear my head, okay?"

"If that's what you want," AJ said, slightly perturbed. "You don't have to run out of here on her account, though," he added, lowering his voice.

Keely shook her head. "It's fine. I'd like to see how professionals keep their gardens, instead of my windowboxes." She kissed his cheek, then left the house, walking along the path through Francesca's very expensive looking garden.

"Will you comfort Cris if he wakes, Papa?" Francesca said, and without waiting for a response, she hurried out of the house after Keely. "Keely!" she called breathlessly. "You are walking much too fast. I am still recovering from the birth," she laughed.

Keely turned, walking back to Francesca. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were following me." Keely looked over the young woman (even if she *was* older than Keely) worriedly. "Are you all right?"

"I am fine. However, I have something to ask you," Francesca said with a friendly smile. "My Papa says you are wanting a Vera Wang dress for your marriage. Will you settle for a Francesca Paretti creation?"

Keely stopped dead in her tracks. "What? How did you...I mean, your father and I just talked about that...why..." she trailed off, a shocked look on her face.

Laughingly, Francesca answered her half-spoken questions. "Papa called me early this morning. We discussed your wedding; he says you have set a date. I asked if you had a dress yet." She smiled apologetically. "I am sorry for treating you as my mother has. It was not fair of me. If you will let me, this will be my way to make it up to you."

Keely covered her mouth with her hand, surprised beyond belief. Finally, she smiled broadly. "That would be wonderful, Francesca. I'd love that."

"I would, as well. Now, this will be tricky," she grinned, excited at the prospect of a challenge. "But if we use e-mail and the telefax machine, I am sure we can create the perfect wedding dress for you without too much trouble."

Keely grinned back, amazed how much Francesca looked like her father. "Well, I mean, we can take some measurements before we leave, I suppose." She shrugged, looking at her long sleeved shirt and jeans. "There's not much to me."

"We will accentuate every curve," Francesca said with a giggle. "We will hide each flaw--all two of them," she added jealously. "And we will make a dress such that none has seen before. It will be so beautiful, and you will be so stunning in it, that my Papa will cry when you say "I do" to him." Her voice rose with every sentence, her hands gesturing wildly as the idea took root. "And then you and I, we will be friends, yes?"

Without really thinking about it, Keely leaned over and hugged Francesca tightly. "Absolutely," she replied. "Absolutely."

"Good," Francesca said softly, hugging Keely back. "Sorella?" she smiled.

Keely laughed. "Well, I've never had a sister before," she replied with a smile. "And it'd be less awkward than you calling me 'mom'." Keely squeezed Francesca's hands. "Sì. Sorella."

"*Mom*," Francesca laughed. "Not the chance of a snowball in hell," she quoted her father's favorite saying.

Keely laughed along with her. "I figured as much," she grinned. "So, dare I ask what you're thinking this dress is going to look like?"

Francesca shook her head, waggling her finger at Keely. "You cannot speed genius along," she teased. "I will show you before you leave tonight, hm?" She linked her arm through Keely's. "Now, come eat breakfast and see your grandson." Francesca laughed at that thought. "His grandmother is younger than his mother. How modern."

Keely laughed heartily, shaking her head. "Well, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks that's just the teensiest bit odd," she replied as they made their way back to the house.

She opened the door, letting Francesca in first and then closing the door quietly behind her, in case Cris was still sleeping.

AJ came out of the nursery, talking softly. "And once you progress through Captain, you're promoted to Rear Admiral. Well, of course, there's a lot involved, but I'm sure you can handle it." He glanced up, seeing his fiancée and daughter standing there, and blushed. "Uhm, hi," AJ said, shifting Cris to a more comfortable position. "We were just discussing his career options."

"Papa, he cannot even sit up yet," Francesca giggled. "Give him time."

Keely laughed, shaking her head. She walked over to AJ, rubbing a hand up and down his back. "Francesca, he's already gotten the 'Guide To Colleges and Universities' in both Italian and English, not to mention the fact he started an Excel spreadsheet on monetary options for when Cris needs to retire."

"I did not," AJ protested. "I just looked into a couple of college funds." He stuck his tongue out at Keely. "You exaggerate a million times a day."

"Put that tongue back in your mouth, or put it to good use," Keely teased. "And I do *not* exaggerate. You just have the ability to make me sound like I'm exaggerating."

AJ rolled his eyes, talking to the baby. "Cris, remember this conversation when you're about thirteen. Because eventually, you're going to realize that your Nonna Keely is as crazy as I say."

Keely rolled her eyes at Francesca. "Well, if I'm crazy, you're certifiable, AJ."

Francesca nodded, reaching for her son. "You are *both* insane. It is why you are perfect for each other."

Keely smiled, wrapping an arm around AJ's shoulders and squeezing him against her side, resting her cheek on his head as she watched Francesca and Cris.

Marcella entered, holding two cups of coffee. She handed one to AJ, not looking at Keely, instead moving to Francesca and cooing at the baby. "How was the garden, bella?"

"Fine," Francesca said, with a conspiratorial glance at Keely. "I have exciting news, Mama."

Marcella took a sip of her coffee, raising her eyebrows. "Well, do tell, bella."

"I am designing a wedding dress for Keely."

Marcella tilted her head in surprise. She started to protest in Italian, but remembering Keely was very near fluent, she stopped herself. "Well, darling, I don't know if that's the smartest thing to be doing, right after having a baby. Do you, Keely?"

Keely raised her head, trying to think of a diplomatic answer. "Well, Marcella, I believe that's a decision Francesca needs to make."

Francesca shook her head. *So obvious, Mama.* "Mama," she said gently, "Keely needs me. And besides, my work is not stressful. I will make some drawings and let the tailors do the rest." She turned to Keely excitedly. "Oh, and yes, you will have the finest Italian silk I can buy."

Keely smiled at her obvious exuberance. "Well, I'm leaving myself in your capable hands," she replied. "Just remember it *is* planned for December, okay?"

"I will not let you freeze," Francesca promised with a little giggle.

Marcella took another sip of her coffee, regarding Keely over the top of the cup. "A December wedding, AJ? You hate the winter."

AJ shrugged. "Christmas is a beautiful time in Washington."

Marcella nodded once, making a "my, how interesting" face, pinning Keely with her steadfast gaze. *AJ must have taught her that,* Keely thought idly, twirling her engagement ring around her finger.

AJ wrapped his arm around Keely's waist, and stared at Marcella from where he sat. After a moment, he turned his attention to Francesca. "Have you taken Keely's measurements yet?" he asked, using his entire knowledge of design in that one sentence.

"No, Papa, but if you will watch Cris for another few minutes, we will do that now," Francesca smiled.

"Give me my grandson," AJ grinned. Francesca handed the baby over and motioned for Keely to follow her into the bedroom.

Keely followed Francesca into her studio, amazed at the mannequins, sketchbooks, markers, and the bassinet sitting in the corner. She shrugged, holding out her arms. "I guess I'm all yours."

Francesca smiled broadly, whipping out her measuring tape and sketchpad. Whistling softly, she began taking Keely's measurements. "What kind of wedding are you looking for, Keely?" she asked.

"Simple," Keely replied. "Although, like you said earlier, I would like to make your father cry again." She giggled. "Isn't that terrible?"

Francesca giggled in unison with her. "Yes, but then, I am terrible, too. I want to see Papa cry over you. You deserve it."

Keely shook her head. "I don't know if *that's* the reason...God knows I should be thanking my lucky stars that he's stayed around this long...but I think it might be interesting to use later on. 'Honey, yes, I know you don't want another dog, but just think what your bosses would say if they found out you were a blubbering idiot'." She grinned at Francesca.

Giggling hysterically, Francesca shook her head. "He should be thanking his stars as well," she told Keely. "You have been good for him, you know. He needed to relax."

"Thank you," Keely said sincerely. "You don't know what it means to hear you say that, especially given the first time we met."

"I am still sorry for that," Francesca said, reaching around Keely's hips and checking the measurement. "Oh, this is such fun," she murmured under her breath. "I know just what to do. I will have Mario do the stitching. He is just as precise as can be."

Keely shook her head quickly. "I wasn't saying that to throw it back in your face, Francesca. I was just saying...I know it must be hard accepting me into your family, and I really appreciate the strides you're making." She smiled again. "And like I said, I never had any sisters...or stepdaughters..."

Francesca held up a hand to silence her. "No," she said quietly. "It was not hard to accept you, once I realized Papa would not abandon me." She glanced up at Keely with a watery smile. "Now be quiet or I will poke you with my sewing scissors," she teased.

Keely held her hands up, backing off with a smile. She watched Francesca work, amazed.

A few minutes later, Francesca stood up, ceremoniously brushing invisible dust off her hands. "There," she said triumphantly, tucking the paper with the measurements into her pocket. "I will start immediately."

"Can I ask what you're thinking?" Keely asked. "I can see those wheels turning your head, and if you're anything like your father, I should be worried."

"No, no worries." Francesca grinned wickedly. "The dress, it will be beautiful. And you will be beautiful in it. Do you not trust?"

"Hey, if it were left up to me, I'd probably show up in my jeans and turtleneck. I'm counting on you, here," Keely teased. "Thank you."

"You are welcome." Francesca smiled softly. "What time is your lunch?"

Keely looked at her watch. "One o'clock. If we leave now, we'll have time to hit a museum or two before then," she said, with a smile.

Looking up, AJ grinned. "You girls having fun?"

Keely nodded, smiling broadly. She motioned to the door with her head. "Wanna check out the museums before lunch?"

AJ glanced at the clock on the wall, noticing the time. "Sure." He stood and passed Cris to Francesca. Leaning over, he kissed Francesca cheek and bent lower to kiss Cris' little head. "See you for dinner?"

"Of course, Papa. We will be here," Francesca laughed softly.

Marcella waited until the car engine started before turning to Francesca. "You're taking Cristoforo to the States for Christmas?" she asked, shocked.

"Yes, Mama. We are leaving the twenty-second."

Marcella sighed, shaking her head. "I can't believe you'd rather spend Christmas over there than with your own mother."

"Mama, he's my father," Francesca said, trying to ignore the guilt she felt. "They are family, too."

"*He* is family," Marcella corrected, then sighed. "You are old enough to make your own decisions, bella, and nothing I say is going to change that." She chuckled, watching Cris doze in his mother's arms. "That is how you are your father's daughter."

"And that is why I am going," Francesca said indignantly, standing abruptly. "No matter what you say, Mama, *she* is going to be family."

Marcella shook her head once, heading back off to the kitchen, mumbling something about the breakfast dishes.

* * *

Keely laid her head back against the headrest as AJ steered them through the winding streets of Milan. "That went well," she said sincerely, watching him drive.

"Better than yesterday." He glanced at her with a smile.

Keely nodded. "Francesca's going to town with this dress thing, I can just tell."

AJ grinned. "She loves what she does. So few of us can say that."

Keely nodded, watching his profile. "She's wonderful," she replied. "Just like her father."

AJ fairly blushed again as he reached for Keely's hand.

Keely smiled, lacing her hand with his. She ran her thumb over the top of his knuckles. "You know, old man, once she starts on that dress, you can't back out," she teased. "She'd kick your ass more than I could ever hope to."

"Who said anything about backing out?" AJ chuckled. "I'll bet ten to one that *you* get cold feet, not me."

Keely shook her head. "Never. Like I told you before, I've been waiting a good long time for this, I'm not backing out."

"Good, then neither of us has anything to worry about."

* * *

Keely climbed out of the car, readjusting the hem of her black dress and admiring the Renaissance architecture and glowing lights of the restaurant, situated along the Cerchia dei Navigli. She turned and smiled at AJ as he handed the keys to the valet and strained her eyes, trying to find Francesca among the passersby enjoying the late spring evening.

Spotting her father and Keely, Francesca stood, waving brightly at them. "Papa!" she called, relishing the sound of the endearment. "We are here!"

AJ twined his fingers through Keely's, murmuring softly, "You look incredible," as they approached his daughter and her family. "Don't worry," AJ whispered pre-emptively, knowing that Keely would be stressing about Marcella. "Bella," he said as he leaned over to kiss Francesca's cheek. "Giovanni," he continued warmly, grasping the hand of his grandson's father. "Marcella, Vittorio," AJ added with a polite nod to his ex-wife and her husband. *John-Boy, Grandma,* he finished with a mental laugh.

"AJ," Marcella replied, nodding primly. She liked her arm through her husband's and nodded at Keely. "Vittorio, tesoro, this is Keely O'Reilly, AJ's fiancée."

Keely extended her hand to Vittorio. "Un piacere venirli a contatto, Signore Paretti."

"Your Italian is perfect, dear girl," Vittorio said in English. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too." He ignored the daggers his wife was shooting him sideways.

Keely ducked her head and smiled. "I studied Italian in school, and visited here...God, almost ten years ago."

Francesca smiled at AJ, looping her arm through his. "Our table should be ready by now, Papa. Shall we?"

"Absolutely." AJ squeezed his daughter's arm proudly. "You look stunning, 'Cesca."

Vittorio shook his head as they followed AJ and Francesca into the restaurant. "You do not look old enough to have traveled alone ten years ago, signorina. I think you were a child, you came here with your parents, yes?"

Keely threw her head back and laughed, patting Vittorio's arm. "God bless you," she joked. "I came for spring break my senior year in college. I was twenty-one."

"You are kidding!" Vittorio exclaimed.

Marcella growled to herself, trailing behind the rest of the group. "She looks as if a truck has met her face, you stupid *man*. Telling her she is beautiful. Ignoring your wife. See where you sleep tonight!" she muttered in Italian.

Keely smiled again. "I wish I were." She paused and turned to Marcella, smiling a little wider at the woman's obvious scowl. "Marcella, have you been to this restaurant before? It looks lovely."

"Si. It is quite expensive. You are lucky AJ makes enough to bring us here," Marcella said with a smirk.

"Absolutely, Marcella. You're right. Navy pensions cover so much of my lifestyle." Keely shook her head, but continued to smile as she worked her engagement ring over her finger.

Marcella nodded, not catching the sarcasm. "They should," she replied haughtily. "He put in many years, gave them all he had. *I* should know." Vittorio smiled briefly at Keely, reaching for Marcella's hand and squeezing it harshly. "I know you do not like her," he murmured, "but I will not tolerate this. Stop being...well, stop being so much like *you*," he said firmly.

"Eh?" Marcella glared at Vittorio. "So you will tell me how to behave now, will you? I do not think so."

Francesca glanced back at her mother and stepfather worriedly. "Padre? Is everything all right?"

"Everything is fine, Francesca." Vittorio smiled at Marcella, his eyes cold. "Si, miele?"

"Si." Marcella glared at him as they were shown to their table.

Keely smiled again and shook her head, moving up to AJ and putting a hand on his back. "This is too funny," she murmured, smiling and winking at Francesca.

AJ wrapped an arm securely around Keely's waist, the other was still holding on to Francesca. He grinned, savoring the moment. "This is how life should be. A nice restaurant, with my two favorite ladies."

Keely rolled her eyes playfully and leaned across AJ to whisper loudly to Francesca. "On three, we gag."

"Oh, Keely," Francesca smiled. "He is just a teddy bear, disguised as an Admiral." She patted her father's stomach to make her point.

"Hey, hey, hey." AJ laughed, pulling two chairs away from the table. "Stop picking on me, or you'll be doing dishes for your dinner."

Melodramatically, Keely flung an arm over her forehead. "Oh, God, the horror! I wouldn't know what to do with myself! I mean, I only washed a hundred glasses a night for six years...that doesn't help me at all!"

Now it was AJ's turn to roll his eyes as he whispered, "You're making a scene. This isn't Coyote Ugly and you aren't Tyra Banks, so hush up, woman."

Keely smiled and sat down. "I'm not making a scene. Getting up on the table and clog dancing to a Leann Rimes song would be making a scene. I'm just being my adorable self."

Rolling his eyes again, AJ replied - in classic Keely - "Whatever".

Keely winked at Francesca and placed her napkin over her lap, opening the menu. Under the table, she crossed her ankles and ran the toe of her shoe under AJ's pant leg, smiling to herself.

Coughing slightly, AJ kicked Keely's foot away gently. Dinner with the ex would be bad enough; he didn't need to be aroused, too.

Keely smiled outright, flipping through the menu, and looked at AJ, promising to behave. "So, Marcella, what do you recommend? Everything looks wonderful."

Marcella opened her mouth to reply, but one glance from Vittorio shut out all thoughts of being rude. "The salmon," she said simply.

Keely nodded, shooting Vittorio a thankful glance. "That sounds great, thank you." She folded her napkin and looked around the darkened restaurant, the excitement of being back in one of the places she loved overwhelming her once again.

They ordered and received their drinks without any comment from Marcella, AJ noticed. As he leaned back in the plush chair, enjoying the atmosphere, a small patch of linoleum in the corner caught his eye. "Bella, what is that?" he asked Francesca.

Peering into the darkness, Francesca smiled. "That is the dance floor," she said, twining her fingers with Giovanni's. "It is not much to look at, but that is where Gio and I had our first dance ever."

Keely smiled warmly. "That's so sweet," she said quietly.

"Isn't it?" Francesca giggled.

Gio just shrugged. "It was less money than to take her to the...how you say? Dance?" he explained.

Francesca nodded. "Yes, the dance club. The one you never liked anyway," she teased Gio. He just blushed.

Keely laughed, taking another sip of her wine. "I see nothing wrong in saving a little money."

Francesca shrugged, gazing adoringly at Giovanni. "I do not care if we spend a penny. I just love the way he holds me."

Gio blushed a deep scarlet. "Ballo, mi amore?"

"I'd love to dance, Gio." Francesca stood as Giovanni pulled her chair out. She grinned mischievously at Keely. "He still thinks I am beautiful, even after a baby," Francesca laughed softly. "How many women are this lucky?" She wrapped an arm around Gio's waist as they stepped onto the small dance floor and began to sway to the instrumentals.

Keely smiled, then looked at AJ. "I think I am," she replied softly. Holding out her hand, she said, "Dance?"

"With you? Anytime." AJ stood and reached for Keely.

Keely rose and laced her hand with his, following him to the small floor. She wrapped an arm around his waist and looked up at him, smiling. "This is wonderful."

"Yes, it is." Glancing sideways, AJ couldn't help grinning. Francesca was wrapped around Gio's neck, and he was murmuring in her ear, something that was making her blush and stammer.

Keely followed his gaze and smiled wider. "Give her time before asking for another grandbaby, AJ."

AJ stuck his tongue out. "I'm delighted with the one I have. Now, if we could just work on one for *us*," he teased.

Keely's mouth dropped open, and her heart rate sped. "Wh--what?" She tucked a loose hair behind her ear nervously. "I thought we decided we didn't want kids."

"I'm teasing." AJ's face was neutral as he pulled her closer.

"Yeah?" Keely muttered into his dress shirt. "I'm not that adverse to the idea," she continued softly.

AJ leaned back, staring at Keely in surprise. "Really? I thought..."

Keely shrugged. "I don't know...I mean, we haven't really talked about it, but..." She ducked her head, flustered. "I'm not against the idea."

AJ kissed the top of Keely's head. "Not exactly a conversation that should be a precursor to salmon and fettuccine. Why don't we talk about it when we get home?" he suggested reasonably.

Keely nodded. "Sounds good." She smiled, looking again over at Francesca and Gio. "It's funny...I still feel ages older than your daughter."

"You've both been through a lot," AJ replied, twirling Keely slowly around the dance floor. "Francesca just hides it better."

Keely smiled. "I used to be able to. But then I met this man..." she trailed off, looking back at Francesca and Gio, and then at Marcella and Vittorio as they passed by the table. "Are you happy?"

"Me?" AJ looked at Keely, confused.

Keely nodded. "No, the other guy I'm marrying."

Grabbing Keely's shoulders dramatically, AJ gazed into her eyes. "Are you new? Have you *been* here?"

Keely laughed, shrugging. "So I needed a little ego-boost. Sue me."

"You're the most beautiful, special woman on Earth," AJ said, wrapping Keely up in his arms and kissing her forehead, "and you make me happier than I've ever been."

Keely leaned back and rose, kissing him. "Thank you," she said softly.

"No. Thank *you*." AJ noticed the waiter bringing their plates and nudged Keely. "Hey, bottomless pit whom I adore, your food's here."

Keely remained where she was for a few more seconds and then separated from him, kissing his cheek before they returned to the table. Keely stared at the large portion of food in front of her. "I'm not going to be able to fit in my pants when I get home. This is a problem."

"You without pants is a problem? According to whom?" AJ murmured.

Keely laughed silently, shaking her head, looking intently in his eyes. "How did I know you were going to say that?"

AJ held out a forkful of his pasta primavera. "You know me," he said simply.

Keely wrapped her lips around the offered fork, smiling softly, a definite glint in her eye. "Thank you." Noting that Marcella's eyes were all over the two of them, Keely straightened and returned to her dinner. "How is everyone else's?" she asked politely.

"Wonderful," Francesca enthused. One hand was twirling pasta around her fork; the other was playing with Gio's fingers.

Keely smiled, and then looked directly at Marcella. "Marcella, the salmon is fabulous. Thanks for recommending it."

"You are welcome." Marcella played with her shrimp. This was getting old, and quickly. She really didn't *enjoy* acting like an angry child, but she also didn't enjoy this little seductress stealing the affections of her husband - *ex*-husband, she reminded herself.

Keely returned to her pasta, torn between telling Marcella off again and being a lady and letting the whole situation be. She shot AJ a look, trying to gauge his reaction, but finding herself lost at looking at his face again. She ordered herself to stop being so clichéd, and returned to her dinner.

"You're cute when you can't stop staring at me," AJ grinned, not taking his eyes off his pasta.

Keely cursed her fair complexion as she felt the blush creep up her cheek. She muttered an embarrassed reply and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, hoping no one noticed how her face was matching her hair.

Francesca did, of course. "Keely," she teased, "my Papa embarrassed you?" She pretended to glare at AJ. "I will make him apologize."

Keely laughed and then nodded. She pouted towards Francesca, trying to look innocent - and failing miserably.

Francesca coughed to cover her laugh, and then shook her finger at her father. "Papa, you apologize this moment to Keely, for the thing you said to make her blush."

"Or what, Bella?" AJ growled playfully.

Francesca shrugged with a teasing smile. "Or you will be sleeping on the hotel room floor, I think. Ask your fiancée."

Vittorio watched the interchange between his stepdaughter and the others with a smile. Leaning over to Marcella, he whispered, "They are happy. Can't you be happy for them?"

Forcing a half-smile, Marcella nodded. "I'll try..." *to pretend better,* she added mentally.

Keely chuckled and then nodded towards AJ. "Yeah, you better be nice to me, or you're going to have to cram yourself into the chair in the room."

"You wouldn't kick me out of bed." AJ laid his fork on the table and grinned. "You'd freeze."

"I'll get an extra blanket," Keely retorted, leaning back in her chair and finishing her wine.

"You'll still freeze. Do you know how many nights I've woken up to freezing little toes poking me in the back?" AJ laughed. "Without me in the bed, you're doomed."

Keely threw her hands up and looked, mock frustrated, at Francesca. "See what I have to put up with? And to think I agreed to do it for the next forty years." She crinkled her nose at AJ lovingly, smiling broadly.

AJ's wide grin matched Keely's. "Only because I protect your toes from frostbite and share my dinner."

"And cook. And clean. And do the laundry." Keely added. "I'd say I'm getting the better end of the deal."

Crossing his arms, AJ agreed. "Heck yeah, you are. I want a raise!"

"What could you possibly want? I don't have anything, except a teacher's salary and an advance on my next book. And my dog, but you've already got her wrapped around your little finger."

"So she's daddy's girl, not my fault," AJ grinned, pretending to think about what he wanted. "How about..." He leaned over, whispering into Keely's ear.

Keely leaned back, the flush returning to her face. "You did not just say that in front of your daughter," she admonished.

AJ turned to Francesca. "Did you hear me?"

"No, Papa. What did you say?" Francesca looked up from her dinner.

"Nothing." AJ grinned at Keely. "Now eat your dinner."

* * *

Keely smiled at the Air Italia gate agent and took the tickets from her. Handing one to AJ, they made their way to Francesca and little Cris, who were waiting at the end of the International check-in line. Keely made a face at the baby and tickled his stomach, proud when he gurgled and tried to bat at her finger.

Francesca smiled. "He loves his Nonna already," she said softly. "I am so glad."

"Me, too," Keely replied, smiling at Francesca. "Me, too." She looked at AJ, motioning to a small store in the airport. "Do you want me to grab you a water?"

"Yeah, thanks." AJ managed a smile.

Keely left and wandered towards the shop, turning slightly as she pretended to look at magazines to look at AJ and his beloved daughter and equally beloved grandson. He'd changed so much in the years they'd been together; from gruff exterior to melted man at the sight of a tiny baby.

She'd never loved him more.

AJ could almost feel Keely's eyes on him as he played with Cris' tiny fingers. He could feel the sadness bubbling up at the thought of leaving, but he swallowed it. "I'm gonna miss you, bella," he murmured, toying with Cris' rattle.

"I will miss you, too, Papa, but we will see you for Christmas...and your wedding," Francesca said, excitement creeping into her voice.

Keely returned, handing AJ his water. She made a few more faces at Cris and then nodded towards customs. "We should get moving through...we cut it close this time."

"All right." AJ sighed, hugging Francesca lightly, careful not to crush Cristoforo. "Goodbye, bella. Goodbye, Cris," he said, bending down to kiss his grandson's cheek.

Francesca smiled at Keely. "It was nice seeing you," she said as she shifted Cris from one arm to the other.

Keely nodded, turning to hug her tightly. "Now, you keep those emails and pictures of Cris coming. I read them during my morning coffee. It's part of the routine now."

Hugging Keely tightly, Francesca said, "I will, I promise. And we will see you in a few months, for the wedding." Releasing her, Francesca forced back her tears.

Keely smiled broadly, looking at AJ briefly before kissing Cris on his head. "Ciao, il mio piccolo angelo."

Watching Keely, AJ barely held his emotions in check. "All right, let's go before the waterworks start," he teased Keely and Francesca. "I know how you women are."

"Oh, Papa!" Francesca stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "I will miss you, old bear."

Keely smiled at the sight of father and daughter, her eyes welling in a mixture of emotion. She discreetly checked her watch and placed a hand on AJ's back, saying softly, "We should go, sweetheart."

"Okay." AJ turned and picked up his carry-on. They walked the few steps to the jetway and he turned, looking back at Francesca once more. "See you in December, bella."

Francesca nodded, tears in her eyes. "Ciao, Papa."

Keely turned with him and waved slightly, smiling when Francesca picked up Cris' tiny arm and helped him to wave. She followed AJ towards the plane in silence, taking one last longing look at Italy.

She had had fun ten years before, but she'd wanted to go home after her week there. Now, she wanted to stay so badly that it made her ache. She shook her head in disbelief. She'd been so young then, and now...now, she was finally an adult.

"Who'd have thought?" Keely muttered softly as she sat down.

"Who'd have thought what?" AJ said, buckling his seat belt.

Keely's head shot up and she smiled before looking out the window. "Nothing, really. I was just once again amazed at the fact that I'm an adult."

AJ laughed softly, reaching for her hand. "Of course you are."

"Yeah, I know. I guess it just catches me off-guard sometimes." Keely turned her palm up and laced her fingers with his. "I spent so much time...running, I guess. Now I have the freedom to slow down and live my life." She shook her head, laughing at the absurdity of her statement. "For the first time, I feel like I actually have control, you know? I mean, now I can handle going back to DC and facing my demons." She placed her other hand on AJ's cheek before continuing. "And it's all because of you."

Shaking his head, AJ captured Keely's hand and kissed the palm. "You did it for yourself, sweetheart. I was just there for it. I've told you that before."

Keely laughed. "Since when do I listen to you?"

"Since never. But I keep hoping if I say it enough, you'll figure out that it's true." AJ smiled, squeezing Keely's fingers gently. "But I'll admit I've changed you, if you admit you've changed me." His grin widened.

"Hm, speaking of 'changing', do you need any of those adult diapers? I heard they were on sale this week...do you want me to pick you up some?"

Snatching his hand back, AJ crossed his arms and stared at the seat back in front of him. "You're sleeping with Sadie," he said simply.

Keely laughed, reaching beneath her seat and pulling out her manuscript and red pen. "In the bed, obviously."

"No, on the floor. I get the bed," AJ growled. "I'm sick of being tormented."

Keely put her glasses on, giggling. "Yeah, you're such the martyr."

"I *am*. Just wait until the peanuts get to us. You'll get yours."

End of Ch. 10