Chapter 3: Wrapped Around Your Little Finger

November 17th, 2004

1520 Romeo

Children's Hospital Conference Room

Harriet tearily opened the first page of the book, the name "Sarah Anne" was written on the little line for the baby's name. She slowly perused all the pictures and information. There were several different people who had written in the book, with notations of all the major growth and development milestones, pictures of her playing, sleeping, being read to, with Santa the previous Christmas, with Dr. Gettis and a few sets of nice studio portraits.

At Harriet's questioning glance, Gettis explained that he had taken Sarah to have the pictures taken. "I was going to send one to you – I wanted you to know that I had kept the promise I made to you in the courtroom that day. But I was afraid it would hurt too much. And the last thing I wanted was to rip your heart open again."

So he had contented himself with putting them into Sarah's book. All were lovingly labeled on the back with the date, Sarah's name and her age when the picture was taken. He proudly informed them that the nurses and the volunteers kept a book on every baby they had in this ward, so that when they eventually went home to adoptive homes or home with a parent, they would know about the first years of their lives. " This came out of an experience we had a few weeks after I came here. We had a little girl of about nine come in and ask if there was anyone still on staff from the time she was born. She had a school assignment – she had to trace her family tree and she had to write down the story of when she was born. There was one lady still here, but she didn't remember much. So now we started the books. I take a picture with every baby I deliver and keep it in an album, plus a copy to go in the book, or home with the adoptive parents to go in their book. Either way, they know where they came from, as much as we know." A knock on the door interrupted him.

A volunteer stuck her head in, a sleepy baby in her arms. "Laurie, Sarah's up. Give Marge a few minutes to get a clean diaper on her, though. However, I was told you had more company that had a comfortable set of arms." She walked over to the Admiral and handed him a blanketed bundle. "This is Amy Jo. Ask Laurie about the name. I'll be back with Sarah in a few." Seeing the Admiral completely mesmerized by the baby, She quietly backed up and exited.

Gettis quickly got up and headed towards the cupboard, pulling out a camera. Amy Jo had snuggled up against the Admiral's chest, one hand fisted in his navy blue sweater, the other snugly wrapped around big AJ's index finger. The latter was staring down at the sleeping child with a look of complete adoration on his face. At the burst from the camera flash he looked up. "So, what about this name thing? And how did you end up with a name like Laurie, anyway?"

Dr. Gettis smiled. "It started with Bethie's mom – the one I gave the shoes to. We didn't have many movies for our new DVD player at the time, and she watched Little Women over and over…"

AJ interrupted. "Ah. Laurie, Beth, and Amy Jo. Is there a Meg, by any chance?"

"Yes. Meg is probably napping at the moment. And just like the Meg in the movie, she lives anything to do with cats. We had a therapy cat in here a few weeks ago, and she didn't want to let her go. She'll be three in a few weeks, and all she wants is a kitten. Meg was named after her mother, though. She's up in the oncology hospice. They put one in the Children's Hospital so mothers could stay close to their children till the end." He looked at them sadly. "It probably won't be long now." He flipped to a page in the book, dated five weeks before. "Laura brought Bethie in when Amy Jo was born, and they took a picture of the three of them, plus Sarah."

He continued, " Meg has decided custody of little Meg should go to her CIA partner, since she didn't have any family. Unfortunately, he is engaged with a pregnant fiancée, and she's not sure how she's going to take to a three year old too. Finding a phone number for him is next on my list. You are pretty familiar with the intelligence community, Admiral. Do you know of a guy named Clayton Webb?"

AJ sucked in a breath. "That would make his partner Meg Austin, who used to serve under me before she became Naval Intelligence CIA attaché. Dammit! Why didn't she tell us she was sick? We would have helped her. And that would make the fiancée my chief of staff, Sarah Mackenzie. You shouldn't have any trouble there. We can all help out until Mac's baby gets here and she's back on her feet. He stood, handing a still sleeping Amy Jo to Gettis. "I'm going up to see if she is up to talking to me, and then I am going to call Mr. Webb myself. If he won't take Meg, I will." Looking fondly back at Amy, he whispered to himself 'and you, little girl, are going to be mine.'

Harriet and Gettis chatted for a few minutes, then he got up to put Amy Jo in her crib. Returning a few minutes later, he placed a still sleepy Sarah into Harriet's arms. "Just hold her awhile. Either call for me if you want me to take you home, or just bond with her all afternoon if you want. There's a playroom through the door to your right. She likes the baby gym and the swing, plus anything she can hit, like the piano or the tool bench." Harriet nodded, snuggling the small girl closer to her.

After only an hour with Sarah, Harriet knew what she had to do. She got up, carrying Sarah on her hip. After securing use of a phone, she called JAG HQ. Once Bud was on the line, she asked, "Bud, I'm at Children's Hospital. No, no AJ's fine. But get over here and see your daughter. No, I'm not crazy. I'll explain when you get here. Ask the nurse for the Long Term Neonatal/Pediatric Ward. If they don't want to let you up, ask for Dr. Gettis." She hung up, leaving him sputtering.

November 17th, 2004

1700 Romeo

The JAG Bullpen

Falls Church, VA

Bud hung up the phone and went to the General's office, nearly colliding with Mac as she came out the door. "Bud, what's wrong? You're as white as a sheet!"

"I just got a really strange phone call from Harriet, Ma'am. She called and said to come to Children's Hospital and see my daughter. And to top that off, she said of they didn't want to let me up to the floor, to ask for Dr. Gettis! I think she's finally lost it."

"Funny thing, I just got a call from Clay to meet him there. Go ask the General for permission. I'll wait- we can drive over together. I was going to ask for someone anyway, it's getting hard to get behind the wheel."

November 17th, 2004

1730 Romeo

Children's Hospital

Bud and Mac entered the door, but before they made it to the desk, Clayton Webb intercepted them. "Bud, go on up. Harriet and Sarah Anne are in the playroom. Congratulations."

Then Clay nervously turned to Mac. "I guess the best way to do this is just to say it. How would you feel about adopting an almost-three year old?"

Sarah stood there in shock, finally managing, "Boy or girl?"

"Girl. You remember my partner, Meg Austin?" After Sarah nodded in affirmation, he continued, "She's dying of cancer, and wants us to take little Meg. The doctor here finally got a hold of the Admiral today, and he called me. Ironically, he came in with Harriet, after they met Gettis at the cemetery. Apparently another baby has been named after you, since they named the baby to match the book Bud and Harriet donated. Harriet fell in love with her and they're taking her home. Now, if it's ok with you, let's go up and meet our daughter – and your namesake as well."

TBC