Chapter 180

After Harm wandered off, there was another knock at the door and AJ opened to Darth Vader and one of the Stepford Wives. Grinning, AJ invited the unusual couple inside, "Hello, Harriett and I'm guessing that's Bud who's out to destroy the universe tonight?"

"No, Sir. I mean yes, Sir, it me, Lieutenant Commander Roberts. Where are Mrs. Chegwidden and the babies?" Bud wheezed.

"Sorry, Bud, there's to be a surprise and we have to wait. Come on in and make yourself at home," AJ smiled, guessing that Bud was having trouble breathing in his costume. It looked hotter than hell.

"May I say you look splendid, your Majesty?" Harriett curtsied.

Pleased at Harriett's reaction to his costume he thanked her, proudly telling her that Krista had made it.

Excusing themselves, Bud walked over to speak to Tom, and Harriett headed straight for Mac. "Mac, did you get a good look at the Admiral in that outfit? I would love to be able to run my fingers through that hair on his magnificent chest."

"Tell me about it! Who knew he was that great under that uniform!" giggled Mac. "Not having the same affect on you, I suppose, since you're a married woman."

"Mac, I'm married-not dead," laughed Harriett. "It's getting hot in here. Let's get something cold to drink and stare at something else for awhile," suggested Harriett heading toward Tom.

"Harriett, you know Tom's a handsome man too," Mac nodded toward where Tom was taking drink orders.

"Yeah, but I need to check him out up close and personal. Think he'd take his shirt off for us?" Harriett whispered as they approached the bar.

"Ladies, what can I do for you?" Tom winked.

Harriett and Mac looked at each other and grinned, "Well, it's getting hot in here and we need to cool off, I'll take a water with lemon. Harriett what will you have?"

"Aren't you hot with that shirt on, Admiral Boone?" asked Harriett. "You could open it and wear it like the Admiral's doing with his tunic."

"I'm fine, Lieutenant Sims, can I get you something to drink?"

"A glass of white wine will be fine, thank you, Sir."

Heading back to the corner, Mac giggled, "Harriett, what were you thinking?"

"Don't ask, Ma'am, just don't ask." sighed Harriett.

AJ opened the door and there stood Spiderman on his front porch. "Spiderman, welcome! The Chegwidden home is blessed with comic characters tonight. Come in and find Catwoman."

Spiderman walked in and nodded without speaking and heading toward Catwoman. AJ stared wondering who Spiderman could be. Surely it must be some of Krista's friends? The person was too small in build to be Sturgis.

Before he had time to shut the door Sturgis walked in, "Good evening, Sir. Pardon me, I should have said, it's an honor to meet you, your majesty!"

"Sturgis, are you a big Yul Brenner fan?" AJ asked shaking his hand.

"He was a wonderful actor, but I just love musicals. I particularly like the part where he made his rules as he went along. No woman could have her head above his. This English woman was there teaching the children and he loved to irritate her. He would lie on the floor and insist that her head was lower than his at all times. It was hard for her to lay down with the hooped skirts, but she was as stubborn as he was. If you've not seen the movie, I highly recommend it," grinned Sturgis making his way toward Tex.

'Ummm sounds like this King had some pretty good ideas. Might be a good idea to get the DVD and watch it with Krista,' AJ thought. Before he had time to give the idea anymore thought, someone else knocked on the door. Opening it, he stepped back, there stood Sheffield and his wife. DAMN the man wasn't in costume and he was staring at AJ with a gleam in his eyes.

"Darling, this is our Judge Advocate General, Admiral AJ Chegwidden. Or he was…looks to me he has gone from an Admiral to a King. AJ, are you pushing for a promotion?"

To be continued…