Chapter 31

AJ did manage to rest once he and Victor picked up the other three children from Mac and Clay's. They ordered pizza and ate until they thought they would burst. Then, because the ride home was such a long one, AJ sacked out in the guest room after taking a hot shower. He awoke refreshed at 2300 hours and dressed in the jeans and polo shirt that he had in his emergency kit in the Escalade, in preparation to going to the hospital to relieve Harriett. Victor was going to stay with the other children and AJ assured him that his wife would be home soon.

Victor had the children asleep and had made a light dinner for Harriett when she arrived home at midnight. Going upstairs and checking on the children she made her way back downstairs to Victor. He held her in his arms and hugged her, "Honey, I've made dinner and want you to eat before I put you to bed to sleep."

"You are so good to me Vic, that little AJ said even Bud could see it," replied Harriett.

"I'm happy he knows you and the children are well taken care of and loved."

"Yes, and I'm happy that little Sarah has her father looking after her and is not alone. I'm glad that Bud sent AJ back to us. I couldn't bear the thought of losing another child."

"I'm sure he knew that. Now come on Honey and eat something before you fall asleep on your feet." Harriett walked in the kitchen with Victor's arms around her and almost went to sleep eating her meal.

Victor helped her up to their bedroom and undressed her, "Vic, there is something I want to talk to you about concerning AJ."

"Honey, the doctor said that he was going to be fine," soothed Victor as he helped Harriett into bed.

"No I mean Admiral AJ. I'm pretty sure that with all the therapy and such that Allison will have to go through, he is going to decide to retire."

"Not AJ Chegwidden, he would never retire, he'll die in his uniform giving orders."

"Well if he does, I want you to know that I'm going to resign my commission and be a stay at home mom. Since Buddy's insurance paid off the house and left the children well taken care of, I'm sure we can make it on just your salary."

"I know we can, but you don't have to worry about it, AJ is not going to retire."

"We'll see," sighed Harriett as she closed her eyes and was sound asleep. Victor shook his head sadly as he looked at his sleeping wife, positive that this time his little Know It All was wrong.

The next day Harriett and Victor took the children to the day care. Knowing the accident was the drunk driver's fault they didn't hold the day care or the bus driver in any way to blame. Because of this they felt the children were safe to go back there.

At the hospital, Allison's doctor came in on his morning rounds to examine her. Waking her up he said, "Good morning Allison."

"I hurt," she replied and not seeing her father she asked, "Where's my Daddy?"

Touching her shoulder from the other side of the bed AJ said, "I'm right here Princess, let the doctor examine you and you can go back to sleep."

"Okay, Daddy," she said reaching out to take his hand.

As her tiny hand was engulfed in AJ's large one the doctor pulled back the covers to examine her. "Sweetie, I need for you to tell me when you feel something on these cute little toes of yours."

"Daddy calls them piggies."

Chuckling the doctor said, "Okay tell me if you feel something on the cute little piggies," as he shared a smile with AJ and ran the end of his pen along the bottom of her foot. Concerned when he got no reaction, the doctor asked, "Allison, didn't you feel that?"

"Yes, but you said to tell you when I felt something on my piggies and that wasn't my piggies."

Both AJ and the doctor laughed at this and the doctor graciously admitted he was wrong. On her second foot he deliberately tickled her toes.

"THAT was my piggies!" Allison exclaimed giggling.

Dr. Reed told Allison she could go back to sleep now as he covered her back up. Asking to speak to AJ for a moment in the hall he left the room. AJ told Allison he would be right back and joined the doctor. "She's going to be in that cast for about six weeks and then she's going to need physical therapy to help her walk again, but because she has feeling in her feet and...piggies I'm sure she's going to be up and running by Christmas."

A grateful AJ said, "Thank you doctor," and went back into his daughter's room.

Harriett and Victor arrived a short time later and he told them the good news, "However," he added, "because her recovery is going to be such a long one I've decided that I'm going to retire."

Harriett threw Victor a triumphant glance and said, "Then I'm going to resign my commission AJ."

"Harriet there is no need for that I'll make sure they get you a boss you can boss around just like you did me."

"No Sir, I've worked for the best and I refuse to settle for less. I don't mind being a stay at home mom."

"Alright if that's your decision," AJ said and gave her a hug. Looking up at Victor who was standing beside them he said, "I hope you don't mind me hugging your wife."

With a resigned sigh Victor said, "No Sir, I don't." Giving his wife a conceding smile he thought, 'when would he ever learn that his little Mrs. Know It All was always right?'

THE END