Chapter 72
"If I remember right the room is already powder blue, Sir, I can just get some curtains and furniture to lighten up the room."
"Sounds good, and Harriett, get a rocking chair, please. I remember how much Marcella used to love to rock Francesca."
"Oh, yes! A rocking is very important with a new baby. Sir, what is the baby's name?"
"We've named her Angela Beatrice. Thank you again for doing this, I know it's a lot to ask, but I don't know of anyone who knows us both as well as you do and can handle such a large job on such short notice."
"Sir! I'm flattered," grinned Harriett. "I promise I won't let either of you down."
"I know you won't, Harriett. Now I've got to call the SECNAV. Let's hope he's as happy about our nuptials as you are. Thanks again, Harriett. Goodbye."
"Goodbye Sir," replied a very enthused Harriett.
Not wanting to put off the call to the SECNAV, AJ pushed in Sheffield's office number on his cell phone. He was surprised when Edward answered his own phone.
"Sheffield, here."
"Mr. Secretary, AJ Chegwidden, Sir."
"Chegwidden, I hear you're to be congratulated. Nice work on cleaning up that baby ring. Nasty business about the natural mothers though," smiled Edward.
"Thank you, Sir. However, we have a problem. I don't know if you've been told about Colonel Mackenzie's accident?" asked AJ.
"There was a mention about a car wreck on the way to the clinic," said Edward lighting a cigar. "However, nothing after that. Is the Colonel alright, Chegwidden?"
"She came through surgery fine, Sir, but she has amnesia," replied AJ.
"Amnesia! Do the doctor's expect it to be temporary?" asked Edward leaning forward putting his cigar in an ashtray.
"Sir, the doctors aren't sure. It could be permanent."
"Does she remember anything at all?"
"She remembers everything correctly up to a year ago, then she thinks she resigned her commission to marry me," sighed AJ, waiting for the explosion that was sure to come.
"Marry you! Chegwidden, did you break regulations?" demanded Edward.
"No, Sir! Absolutely not! The Colonel's surgery resembled a C-section and when the baby was brought to her she believed me to be the father. After being together a week, I know she wanted a child, so this morning we were married without her knowledge. I will see the adoption is legal also," advised AJ.
"You realize that what you just told me will cost you, your career and time in Leavenworth," frowned Edward.
"Mr. Secretary, I had hoped you would accept Sarah's resignation as placed a year ago, and consider the circumstances we are in. You, yourself, along with the CIA, placed us under cover together which lead to her accident. If it's not possible to do that, then I will deal with it the best way I can. Sarah is a lovely woman, one I would be pleased to have as my wife. The baby is equally as beautiful, and I am not willing to put Sarah's health at risk by telling her the truth at this time."
AJ took a deep breath before continuing, "Sir, no regulations have been broken, to date, but if you still want my resignation or retirement then you may have either. I would ask you take into consideration what we did to achieve our goal."
"Very well, Chegwidden. You plead your case quite eloquently. You have your job, and Colonel Macken...Chegwidden, has resigned her commission as of a year ago. Now I hope you don't live to regret this decision," Edward said as he hung up the phone.
AJ hoped the same thing; he really prayed that Sarah loved him as much as he did her. Now, it was feeding time for the baby so he hurried back to the room so he wouldn't miss that beautiful sight.
To be continued….