Chapter 132

"Can I call and find out, Sir?" she asked as he was about to turn away.

"Harriett! For goodness sake! Leave the woman alone. If she wants you in her wedding, she'll call you," exclaimed Bud.

"Better watch out, Bud, that woman has a furious temper. I'd be careful talking to her that way, if I were you!" grinned AJ, watching Harriett squirm. "Some of the sweet ones can turn on you in a second, I've heard."

"Yes, Sir. She does have a temper, but it takes a lot to make her mad," offered Bud.

"I'll have to remember that in the future," grinned AJ, really enjoying himself. "Harriett, just to ease your mind, you'll be getting a call from Sarah sometime soon."

"Thank you, Sir. Congratulations on your forth-coming nuptials. We couldn't be happier for you and Mac," she gushed.

"Thank you, Harriett, that means a lot," and leaning forward. "You do a magnificent, 'Attention on Deck', Lieutenant Sims."

Pleased with his compliment, she grinned at her husband, while the Admiral walked into his office and roared with laughter.

Minutes later the phone on Harriett's desk rang. It was Mac asking her to be her matron of honor, and that if she was free to go to look at dresses on her lunch hour.

Thursday, May 27, 2004

1100 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

"Good morning, William. Isn't it a beautiful day?" asked AJ, speaking to Chaplain Turner over the phone.

"Yes, AJ, I just love this time of year. Things start blooming and young folks' thoughts turn to love,"
grinned Chaplain Turner.

"Not only the young, Chaplain, but all of us lose our hearts to love," responded AJ. "I've been known to do that myself of late and need a man of the cloth to help renew my vows. You see, our first wedding wasn't much of a ceremony, and she would like a wedding to remember. I would like to do that for Sarah. Would you do us the honor of officiating?"

"AJ, I'd be more then happy to perform the ceremony. When you decide on the date, give me a call. I'll see you have the use of the Chapel," he promised.

"Thank you, William. Now I have a few more calls to make. You have a good day, my friend." AJ hung up quite pleased with himself.

"Coates, have Lieutenant Roberts report to my office ASAP," ordered AJ. This was one surprise he was looking forward to springing on Bud. A knock sounded on his door. "Enter," AJ called. Bud walked up to the desk, where he stood at attention.

"Sir, you wished to see me?"

"At ease, Lieutenant, and take a seat," replied AJ seriously. "I have a very important question to ask
you, son."

Sitting down Bud looked concerned, "Yes, Sir? What's the question?"

Grinning AJ asked, "Would you do me the honor of being my best man at the wedding?"

"Me, Sir? You want me, to be best man?" asked Bud surprised.

"Yes, Bud, I can think of no one else I would rather have."

"Yes, Sir. It would be an honor! Sir, I can't tell you how much this means to me, that you'd ask," replied Bud clearly choked up.

"Bud, you're like family to me, you and Harriett, both. You've been there for me more times then I can count. If I had a son, I'd hope he'd be half the man you are," AJ said with tears in his eyes.

"Thank you, Sir. I won't let you down," Bud promised, standing up straighter and more confident.

"I know you won't, son, dismissed," came the reply as AJ watched the younger man limp, only slightly, from his office. Picking up his phone, AJ placed a call to the Pentagon and Tom Boone's office.

"Admiral Boone's office, how may I help you?" came the response from the other end.

"This is Admiral Chegwidden, it's urgent I speak with Admiral Boone," AJ grinned.

"Boone, here. AJ, what's so urgent?" asked Tom having quickly been given AJ's call.

"I need a groomsman. Feel up to it, old buddy?" laughed AJ.

"AJ, you old son of sea dog, don't scare me that way! Getting married? That scares me even worse. Who'd have a used up old squid, like you?" grinned Tom, now that his heart had started beating again.

To be continued….