Chapter 80

Coming out of the dressing room Kris stood before the mirror. If she didn't know better she'd swear she wasn't pregnant. The dress had beautiful Italian lace around the collar and three quarter length sleeves with the lace attached at the end. The empire waist gave the impression she was floating not carrying two babies. The dress was a lilac satin.

Krystal found two combs with lilac roses on them that Kris could wear on either side of her head to hold her hair back from her face and still allow it to fall free down her back.

The highlight of AJ's day had been his talk with Krista. After that it had been hectic with handing out assignments and speaking with the SECNAV for the second time that week. When he finished his paper work he noticed it was time to leave. He gathered up his things and left realizing he was the only one there except for the guards. He was going to have to do something about that, when he was a married man with a family. Getting into the Escalade and heading to the mall he went to the jewelry store and found the ring he had looked at before. After seeing it again, he just couldn't decide. Down the row was a beautiful princess shaped diamond with emeralds on each side. Motioning for the sales lady he requested, "Please let me see that ring?"

"Yes, sir that is one of our finest qualities rings. The diamond is one KT and the emerald are total weight half KT. Are you interested in this ring?"

"I'll take it and have it engraved please, 'All my Love AJ'. I'll pick it up in a few minutes. I have another purchase to make." He laid the ring on the counter to walk away when the sales lady stopped him.

"Sir, if you'd like to see the matching wedding bands we also carry them."

"Yes, I'd be interested in seeing the bands," AJ replied.

Smiling when he saw the set together he nodded, "Yes, I want these too and the one here in my size. Thank you for pointing them out to me." Leaving the jewelry shop he walked down to a novelty shop and found two tiny bells with a sting attached and bought them. He placed them in his coat pocket and headed to Harm's.

Harm answered the door, "Come in, Admiral."

"Thanks, Harm, I appreciate you fixing dinner tonight for my fiancée and myself. I'm definitely a meat lover while she won't touch it. Had to come up with something at the last minute."

"No problem, Admiral, glad to be of help," Harm started wrapping up the pan so none of it would spill out.

"Harm, can I change here? Don't want to wear my uniform to dinner."

"Sure, behind that glass divider is the bedroom and the bathroom is beyond that," Harm replied grabbing a beer out of the fridge. "Can I get you a cold one, Admiral?"

"No, thanks, Harm, I'm in a hurry. Never keep a beautiful lady waiting," AJ said coming out from the bedroom carrying his bag and his uniform.

"Here, Sir, I'll help you carry this downstairs," Harm jumped up and grabbed the pan of lasagna.

"Thanks, I appreciate the help."

Once everything was loaded he thanked Harm again and headed toward Krista's, whistling.

About a half hour after AJ had left the jewelry shop Tom entered store. Looking around for an engagement ring for Krystal he saw a gentleman putting a new set out.

"Excuse me, but may I look at that one please?" Tom asked holding out his hand.

"Of course, Sir, it is one of our most popular sets. The Princess stone is a KT with the two emeralds on each side are a half KT. There are also matching wedding bands, that are quite lovely."

"May I see the matching bands, as well? This engagement ring is perfect for my fiancée."

"Here we go, Sir, you can tell the large ones are for the men. See the emeralds and diamond are entwined in the gold band. Total KT weight is two for both stones combined."

"I'll take the entire bridal set. I want my fiancée's engraved 'All My Love Tom'. How long will it take?"

"About an hour should do it, Sir."

"I'll be back then. Thank you for all your help." Tom left with a smile on his face.

The sales lady walked up to her fellow employee. "Was that the same Admiral that was in here earlier?"

"Don't know, but he bought the diamond and emerald bridal set," grinned the sales man.

"Huh, so did the other Admiral. Maybe we should rename it the sailor's delight," she laughed walking off to wait on another customer.

To be continued…