Chapter 125

"Mac, you're married. The Admiral doesn't lie! I don't know how he did it, but he did and you're really Mrs. AJ Chegwidden," Harriett smiled smugly.

"I love you dearly, Harriett, and wish I could believe that, but I would have remembered a wedding if there had been one. There wasn't!"

"Fine, don't believe me, call the Admiral, or better yet call the SECNAV. Check it out for yourself. I don't know how he pulled it off, but you ARE married to the man," she shrugged.

Mac looked at her and sighed, "If that is true, then it will mean a divorce instead of just moving out like I did..."

"Honestly, Mac! Look what the man has gone through! Now you want to rip his heart out. He loves you just like he did Marcella who took his daughter Francesca away. And now you're talking his precious Angel from him. I thought you were a better woman than she was, guess I was wrong," cried Harriett. "Well, my lunch hour is over, so I have to leave. I'm probably not welcome anymore, but what I said was the truth."

"Harriett, you're always welcome here."

"Thanks, Mac, I'd like to think we'd always remain friends," Harriett gently smiled.

"The best of friends!" she hugged Harriett and walked her to the door. Going into the bedroom to find Chloe and Angel, she was grateful that Chloe had been discreet enough to not interrupt the conversation with Harriett.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

1210 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Entering the Admiral's office without knocking, Harriett stomped up to his desk and yelled, "Don't EVER do that to me again!"

Startled, AJ's eyes snapped up, to see a Harriett that he had never seen before. This was full-combat Harriett. He had heard the term 'mad as a wet hen' before but had never really seen anyone that it would fit until just now. "Do what?"

"Why hadn't you told Mac that you two were legally married?" she asked, with arms folded and foot tapping out a beat that would amaze most band instructors.

"What?" he asked, still a bit dazed at her actions.

"Mac doesn't know you're really married and wouldn't believe me when I told her! She doesn't remember a ceremony. Care to explain that one?" fumed Harriett. "I stood up for you. I told her you'd never lie! Now why doesn't she remember a wedding ceremony!"

AJ stood and came around the desk so he was standing near Harriett, "Because she thought we were already married. I had to find a way to marry us without her knowing. The Chaplain came in one morning, asked Sarah if I were her husband, and me if she was my wife, then told us congratulations. Sarah thought he was odd, but thought he was congratulating us on the baby."

"Well, she thinks the marriage was a fake and you don't love her. If I were you, I'd be thinking of a way to let her know the truth…um…ah...Sir." Harriett backed off realizing with horror what she had just done.

Smiling at her fierce defense of her friend, AJ told her, "Thank you, Harriett, I will do just that...you're a good friend to both of us...um...just don't let this kind of thing happen too often though...I like the rest of the staff to think that I'm the one in charge around here!"

"Yes, Sir, um...I didn't mean to...um…lose my temper...um…but seeing her so…heartbroken was more then I could stand, Sir. It will never happen again, Sir, and I apologize for my behavior," replied Harriett. "Now, if I may be excused, I'll get back to my desk."

"Yes, Harriett, dismissed. And thank you again!" he gave her a hug so she would know that he was not upset. Once she was out of the office, he went to stand at his window with his arms crossed, his usual thinking pose. How could she believe that he didn't love her? He had to convince her that he did indeed love her and had for years. That it had not been a farce. That she was his life, his wife, his beautiful princess. That was it! He would treat her as a princess and tell her of his love for her.

Calling and making arrangements for everything, he was happy, for a change, and very hopeful.

To be continued….