Porter took Sarah's hand and with sadness in her eyes told her, "Amy Joy Crystal Webb, was born May 2, l968 and she only lived three days."
Putting his arm around Porter's shoulders, AJ replied, "I'm so sorry for your loss, Porter, and humbled at the honor of having her named after me."
Laying her head on AJ's shoulder, Porter sighed, and said, "It was a long time ago, but she was a blessing and a joy, for the few days we had her. We wanted to honor the man who had saved Neville's life, and we thought it would be a good way to do that."
Disturbed by the sight of the comfort his mother was drawing from AJ, Clay reached out and drew his mother in his arms, giving her a hug.
AJ stood there with a slight smirk on his face, at the jealous reaction from Clay.
Sarah turned to AJ and said, "How was it you came to save his life?"
"Oh, it was just in the line of duty," replied AJ with a shrug.
"Oh no, my dear, that's not true at all! AJ risked his own life to save Neville," then Porter told her the entire story of how the brave Navy SEAL Lieutenant saved the spy who had found himself behind enemy lines.
As Porter told the story, that Clay had heard a hundred times before, he stood there thinking 'Chegwidden? Why did this have to be Chegwidden? This is the man that broke my nose!' "Well, AJ, I guess I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving my father's life," he said aloud.
"Like I said it was just in the line of duty," AJ told him.
"I don't care if it was in the line of duty, I'm proud and happy to finally be able to thank the man who saved his life," Porter said as she stood on tiptoes and kissed AJ's cheek. "You gave us six more years we wouldn't have had and I'm eternally grateful for that."
Watching the scene unfold before her, Mac noticed something in AJ's eyes she hadn't seen since before he had become involved with Meredith. She wondered if these two could have a future together?
Two hours later Sarah stood in the middle of the bedroom dressed in the most beautiful off white wedding gown and holding a bouquet of exotic Hawaiian anthuriums. Porter could only stand and stare at the beautiful young woman before her. "You're so beautiful, Sarah."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Do you think you could ever bring yourself to call me 'Mother', dear?"
Sarah's eyes misted over as she looked at the elegant woman. "I'd be honored to call you Mother." Sarah and Porter hugged, forming a new bond between the two women who were the world to Clayton Webb.
AJ tapped gently on the door and called, "Are you girls ready? It is time." Sarah and Porter giggled at the use of the word girls to describe them.
"Yes, AJ, we're ready." Sarah held her head high as she passed through the casino led by AJ. Clay had disappeared over an hour ago and was impatiently awaiting the arrival of his bride. AJ brought Sarah and Porter to a manmade canal that passed through the middle of the hotel and Sarah saw Clay standing in a gondola waiting for her.
She was not sure what was exactly going on, but had noticed that the canal was lined with people waiting for something to begin. Suddenly she realized they were waiting for their wedding to begin. For a moment, a look of panic crossed Sarah's face, and Clay moved quickly to exit the gondola. "Sarah, it is all right. I wanted to give you the most romantic wedding I could on such short notice and thought that you might like this. We don't have to do this, if you do not want to. Just tell me what you want, and I'll make it happen."
To be continued…