Chapter 31

"Tom, what am I going to do if she dies? I already love the babies and will retire to care for them. But I would be happier to share them with their mother," he sighed. "Actually, I would be happier to have the whole damn family."

"We'll work it out AJ."

"I'll settle for Krista's life. If I can have that then I won't ask for anything else. As much as I want
the babies, I'd let them go. If only she can live and raise our babies, I'll be happy," he replied
sadly. "Well, I'll be satisfied, I don't think I'll ever be truly happy again."

"Does she know that you feel that way about her AJ? You sound like you're in love?" Tom questioned his friend.

"She won't even talk to me, Tom. What can I say to her?" he stood up. "With life as short as hers we may never have time for a dinner together."

"Well then, we'll just have to find a way to make her life longer...the first step in that is going to talk to Krystal. Come on..." Tom stood and waited for AJ to leave the bar with him.

Paying for the bourbon AJ followed Tom from the bar to Tom's vehicle. "If you've talked to Krystal then you know I'm the last person in the world she wants to see. I hope you know what you're doing old buddy. This could cost you your wedding."

"I'm trying to decide if I should call her and warn her we're coming or just show up."

"Women just love surprises, Tom. If it's the right kind of surprise you spring on them. Like flowers and candy or maybe jewelry not the man they hate."

"Yeah, well, if we just show up she won't have time to run away either!" he told his friend.

"You think that yours is a runner too, huh?" AJ laughed. "Then they are identical in everyway."

"What have we gotten ourselves into, my friend?" Tom shook his head.

"Well, I thought you were in love?" AJ replied, climbing into the vehicle. "Me, I'm about to become a
father."

Tom drove them to Krystal's apartment and getting out of the car, showed AJ up to the door. He knocked and waited for Krystal to answer.

Krystal, who had lain down and cried herself to sleep, was awakened by the knock. Slowly stretching she rose and went to the door looking out the peephole to see Tom and right behind him was THAT MAN! How could Tom bring the Admiral here knowing how she felt about him? Jerking open the door she hissed, "Why did you bring him here, Tom? You were only supposed to find out where Kris was not bring that man to my home."

"Darling, AJ and you need to talk. He was wrong and knows it, but there are more important things that need to be discussed too. Please hear him out? For me?"

"All right, Tom, but only for you!" she snapped. "Come in and sit down. It's not much, but it's home for right now."

Tom led the way into the living room and sat down on the couch hoping that Krystal would sit next to him. He looked as AJ and waited for him to apologize.

Walking to the end of the couch by Tom, AJ looked at Krystal. He was still stunned at how much the two girls looked alike. If Krista hadn't been five months pregnant then you'd never be able to tell the
difference. "Krystal, I owe you an apology. I'm very sorry for the way I acted and the things I said
this morning. I will apologize before the staff too and let them know it was all a mistake.

"I only hope the people that work under your command will understand the mistake," she answered looking sad. "If they don't, then it will make it impossible to work at JAG," said Krystal walking over and sitting beside Tom. She took his hand in hers and he could feel her whole body trembling with anger.

To be continued…