Chapter 117

It suddenly dawned on him that both of his marriages ended the same way! Both his wives had left him and had taken his daughters away. And to top that off, he had found his fiancée in bed with another man. His record with women sucked. At least Sarah wasn't going as far as Italy, and she had said that she would not stop him from seeing Angela. His Angel might not live with him, but at least she was close enough to see every day. If only Sarah would allow him to come around that often.

In the nursery, he looked at the empty crib and then his eyes rose to the picture above it. The seal pup looked sad tonight, and AJ said, "She's gone, fellow, we have no one to watch over anymore." Agonizing tears flowed down his cheeks. Leaving the nursery that was as empty as his life, he went into the bedroom. There, on the dresser, were her rings. He had seen that she had taken her wedding ring off, but he hadn't known that she had removed her mother's ring too. AJ could not understand that. She was still Angela's mother, even if she didn't want to be his wife any longer. It was then he saw the third stone in the ring. His birthstone. She had left it behind because she hated him so much she couldn't wear a ring that reminded her of him.

Knowing there was no way he would sleep that night, he took off his uniform, changed into sweats, and wandered back into the living room looking for something to do. His gaze fell on the video cabinet and he opened it, pulling out every John Wayne movie they had seen together in Florida, he settled in for a long…rest of his life.

Monday, May 24, 2004

2200 EST

Mac's apartment

"It's Harriett, Mac."

"How did you kn...AJ called you..." Mac said, as she opened the door to her friend. Turning away from the door, but leaving it open for Harriett to come in if she wanted to, Mac slumped down on the sofa. There was a bottle of vodka on the coffee table. It was unopened, but just the fact that it was there...

"How are you planning to take care of Angela, if you're drunk?" asked Harriett. "You could lose custody of her that way, you do realize that, don't you, Mac."

"Actually, I was just saying good bye to it. I know I can't have it in the house feeling the way I do now and I never want Angel see me take a drink...EVER!"

"That's a good idea. I'll take it with me when I leave. How are you doing?"

"No, I need to pour it out...it's a thing with alcoholics...I've been better..."

"Fine then, I'll watch you. I've never seen anyone pour good alcohol out before. Then we can make us some tea and sit and talk for a bit," she smiled. "I don't get out often and Bud has the boys, so I think I'll enjoy every minute."

"Harriett, I really don't feel much like company right now..."

"I know you don't, sweetie, but sometimes it helps to talk to someone, and if not, then not being alone is good. If you want to have a good cry, then my shoulders are free."

"What do I have to cry about? Just the fact that everything in my life is a lie?"

"No, it isn't, Mac. You might think it is right now, but I promise there is more truth to it than you know," said Harriett. "What do you think is a lie?"

"Harriett, you know what the lie is! Everyone at JAG knows! God, what a mess!"

"Everyone at JAG knows the Admiral loves you and little Angela. That's what they know. I don't know who you've been talking to, but you have mistaken information."

"I haven't talked to anyone but Chloe and AJ...my memory is back, so no one had to tell me anything."

"Then let me tell you something. The Admiral is miserable. He's in love with you and has been for a long time. Sweetie, you love him too and you know I'm right."

To be continued….