Chapter 18

Patting his hand, Sarah teased, "I'm a Marine, darling. I think I can handle it, plus the hospital gave me all those lovely pain pills, just in case I can't."

The flush started up his neck, to his ears, until even the top of his head, advertised his embarrassment. However, before he could say anything, General Creswell assured Mac, "Colonel, as a fellow Marine, I have every confidence in your ability to perform under pressure."

After a stunned moment of silence as everyone recovered from the shock of the General coming out with a remark like that, laughter filled the room as Mac gasped out her reply, "I shall endeavor to live up to your expectations, Sir!"

More laughter ensued.

When the meal was over, Harriet shooed them into the living room to sing some carols. She insisted that no one needed to spend time clearing the table because her cleaning crew would take care of it tomorrow. The guests got another laugh when Bud admitted that he and Mike were the cleaning crew she spoke of.

Big Bud assured them HE would be watching the children while this was going on!

Even though everyone had eaten their fill of the fine meal Harriet had provided, they all still managed to sing with gusto. AJ, however, kept a close eye on Sarah and as soon as he noticed her becoming fatigued, he made their excuses. He escorted Sarah out, ignoring her weak protests. Bud got her coat and AJ said their thank you and good-byes.

He wasn't surprised when she fell asleep before they reached the highway. Pulling the Escalade to a gentle stop near his front door, he walked around the vehicle to lift Sarah out.

She made feeble claims about being able to walk, but AJ knew she was lying by how limp she was in his arms. Mac might have been impressed by the strength he displayed getting her into the house, climbing stairs, opening doors, and the like, all while carrying her, but she was truthfully so tired it barely registered.

It wasn't until he turned on the light and placed her on the bed in his guest room that she came around enough to protest. "AJ, I want to be with you tonight! I want to make love with you."

"I want that as well, Sarah, but I don't think that you are up to that tonight. We have waited all this time to be together, we can wait a bit longer until you are feeling better," he told her gently.

Sitting up on the edge of the bed she said, "Alright, I can see your point there. I'm in no condition to take part as actively as I'd like and because of that wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as I want to. But that still doesn't stop me from wanting to spend the night in your arms. Unless you don't want to, could we just cuddle together?"

"I would love that, Sarah," he responded with an intensity that left her in no doubt of his sincerity.

They walked into his bedroom together and he said, "Sarah, I have no idea what you normally sleep in, but I'm afraid that I don't keep any female sleeping attire here."

With a pleased smile at that information, she told him, "I'm really not one for fancy nighties, and I would normally just say I could sleep in my panties and undershirt, but I've had these on way too long as it is! If you have a spare T-shirt and pair of boxers that I could use, it would be great."

"Of course," he replied, getting the requested items out of his dresser and handing them to her. "Here you are, and the bathroom is through there so you can change."

She thanked him as she took the garments and headed into the other room. While she was gone, AJ stripped off the clothes he had been in for two days as well and put on fresh boxers and a T-shirt too.

He was already in bed with just the nightstand lamp on for light in the room when she emerged. The grin on her face had him smiling in response even before she spoke, "You are mean for giving me this T-shirt," she complained with a giggle, pointing at the front of the shirt that said 'Go Navy'!

Laughing as she crossed the room and climbed into bed, he protested, "It was on the top of the stack!"

"Sure!" she grumbled good-naturedly and then sighed as he drew her into his arms. It felt so good and safe to finally be held by him like this.

AJ whispered into her ear, "As much as what she did shook me to the core, I will always be grateful to Chloe for sending me that letter. I love you, Sarah."

She kissed him tenderly for his sweet words and then said, "I love you too, AJ, and no matter how long I live, my dying wish will always be to have one more kiss from you!"

THE END