Chapter 31

Taking up a rhythm as old as time, the two of them rode the wave of their passion to an earth shaking conclusion. Several minutes later they lay snuggled in each other's arms drifting off to sleep.

They awoke three times during the night to make love again. When morning finally arrived, they agreed that they'd gotten a great workout already and still needed to load the Escalade for the trip, so a morning run wouldn't be needed.

Instead, they took a leisurely shower together, making love yet again. Mac took another opportunity to mourn leaving his wonderful bathroom behind and he reminded her that if they were ever to move back to Virginia with the family they intended to have, they would never fit in this house.

"But with all this land you have here, surely it would be better to build on rather than give up a place you love to buy another!" she protested.

"We'll face that when and if it happens, darling. For now the realtor will find someone to lease it and we just need to concentrate on San Diego."

They had just finished packing the clothes that they hadn't shipped on ahead of them when the Roberts' van pulled up in the drive. Lunch and help had arrived.

As the four of them laughed and chatted over pizza, Harriett explained that Little AJ had been nearly heartbroken he hadn't been allowed to come and help, he also wanted another chance to say good bye to them. Only his parents' promises that they would tell Admiral AJ and Auntie Mac how much he was going to miss them had gotten them out of the house without him. He, and his brother Jimmy, had been left with their Uncle Mike.

Both AJ and Mac promised that they would keep in touch and then they told Bud and Harriett of their plans to adopt when they got to California. Their friends were thrilled for them and said they'd be willing to help in any way possible. AJ smiled and told them he'd hoped they would feel that way. "One of the things we will need is ten character references and you two were the first ones we thought of."

"We'd be more than happy to do that for the two of you Si…AJ," Bud assured them, grinning at his wife who was nodding eagerly.

"Thank you both!" Mac answered.

To be continued….