Chapter 181

"No, Sir, just keeping with the spirit of the holiday," smiled AJ gritting his teeth. "Hello Mrs. Sheffield, won't you both come in? Tom…Admiral Boone will fix you something to drink and the food is in the dining room, so help yourself."

"Tom, who are you tonight?" grinned Sheffield, enjoying himself more than he had in quite sometime. He really needed to attend more of these gatherings.

"I'm Tom Selleck's character, Magnum PI," offered Tom, thinking that if he had on a grass skirt and a coconut bra, he couldn't look anymore foolish than he did now.

"Interesting, a King and a Private Investigator. Darling, my people are very versatile. Tom, please fix me a scotch on the rocks and Elaine will have a white wine," ordered Sheffield.

"Yes, Sir, coming right up."

Next at the door was an elf Princess who introduced herself as Arwen from 'The Lord of the Rings". AJ smiled at Serena, Krista's, helper at the shop, and said, "Arwen, you are the most beautiful elf princess I've ever seen."

"Thank you, Mr. Chegwidden. Where are Krista and the babies?" Serena asked, looking around to find her friend.

"Sorry, Serena, but there is a secret afoot and Krista's in hiding right now. She'll appear shortly. The twins are still asleep, but will be up in a bit and they'll liven up the party. Help yourself and introduce yourself to my people, they don't bite, except for the cowboy," AJ chuckled pointing Serena to the room full of people talking and having a good time.

The next time AJ opened the door, there on his front porch stood the strangest bride he'd ever seen. The best way he could describe Rhonda was 'the stripper bride' and her husband 'the drunken bum'. Laughing, he let the two in so he could get a better look. "Rhonda you look, well…I'm at a loss for words."

Rhonda stood in front of him in a white corset, with a pair of six-inch heels; she had a garter belt holding up white fishnet stockings with a garter around each thigh. She was made up so heavily that you almost couldn't tell who she was. She carried a tiny bouquet in her hands, her veil stopped at her shoulders and the fake diamond necklace she wore pointed at her ample cleavage! Next to her was a man in a suit that had to have been in a trunk for years and then taken out and wadded up and placed under a mattress for a week. He wore a clown's tie and had fixed it to look like he hadn't shaved in a couple of weeks. "AJ, this is my husband Eric the most handsome man I've ever met."

"Yes, Darlin', I can see you're a matched pair. Go right in and help yourselves. Serena's inside and my staff is a great bunch to know," grinned AJ, watching Rhonda walk off with her hips swinging.

The last to arrive was Carrie Stevens, Tom's secretary and her husband Kevin. They came dressed as Raggedy Ann and Andy. "Hello, Admiral Chegwidden, I see you have my boss tending bar. I don't believe I've seen the Admiral looking quite so colorful before!" grinned Carrie, nodding at AJ and walking with her husband to visit with Tom.

Finally all the guests had arrived. AJ looked around and motioned for Tom to come over. Tom turned on the CD player and placed the disc in that Krista requested. Adjusting the sound AJ asked everyone to clear the center of the room. Everyone waited to see what would happen next.

Out of the bedroom came two exotically beautiful women with their long brown hair falling free and in belly dancing costumes. The only difference between the two women was the color of their costumes.

Everyone's eyes were on the two swaying and shimmying ladies. AJ looked at Tom and asked, "Did you know they planned this?"

"Of course not, did you?"

"Hell, no! Not in front of this bunch," replied AJ walking around the two. "Can you tell which one's Krystal?"

"YES!" shouted Tom over the music as he walked around them looking closely. "I think so."

"Look they're just alike, I bet no one can tell them apart!" giggled Harriett.

"I'd like a piece of that action, Harriett if you're so sure it's impossible," laughed Mac.

Bud took off his Darth Vader Mask to get a better look and ask, "Harriett, can I bet on this one, please?"

"Let's make things interesting. We'll all bet and the one we choose as Krista, gets to kiss our Admiral tonight," suggested Harm. "Even if it's her twin, Krystal."

To be continued…