Chapter 41

Mac pulled the Vette into the driveway and couldn't stop an indulgent grin from crossing her face. She wondered if AJ were trying to relive younger days, but since the time in question was only ten years ago, she had to dismiss that idea. But nonetheless, there sat a black Escalade in the driveway in front of her Vette. Except for the year, they were the same vehicles they'd owned when they'd lived there before. Planning to ask AJ his reasoning whenever she could get a quiet moment, she started into the house.

It struck her as she entered, that their house had only been this quiet when all the children were asleep and since it wasn't even 1800 hours, she knew something was up. Seeing or hearing no one as she made her way through the house caused her not to be totally surprised when she peeked into the dining room and saw one end of the long table set for two with candles already adding a romantic glow.

Letting her nose lead her to the kitchen after depositing her briefcase and cover on the hall table she found AJ just taking something out of the oven. "What have you done with my children!?" she asked with a mock frown.

Looking at her with an evil grin, he replied, "Yours are locked in the cellar, but I dropped mine off at Bud and Harriett's."

"Ah! Wonderful plan!" she praised and then tried to snitch a nibble from the casserole dish he'd placed on top of the stove.

"Stop that woman! Go in and sit down and I'll serve you in less than five minutes," he promised.

"I'll hold you to that!" she warned. "You know my time sense is still in perfect working order."

Shaking his head he shooed her from the room. He had never been able to find out how she did that, but simply relied on her to always be right about time issues.

The meal was as wonderful as the aroma had promised. They ate leisurely, talking about their days. She told him about the coffee fiasco. He told her that the contractor could break ground for the new house next week if the warm spell held. She told him about Tiner being her Chief of Staff. He told her what the kids had said about their new schools.

When she ran out of news, she remembered to ask him about the vehicles. AJ laughed and told her it had just been a whim. She reminded him that she still wanted to thank him properly for her wonderful gift.

"That is what I was hoping for when I got rid of the children! Harriett asked me what the occasion was for keeping the kids. I told her I wanted to ravish you. She told me that she might just have a similar occasion where we could return the favor sometime next week."

"I hope you told her that would be fine with us?"

"I did my love, and this afternoon when I was in town I saw something that reminded me of a conversation we had before we were married. If you're finished eating, why don't you go and change into the outfit you promised me and I'll change too?"

"There's no need for you to change clothes darling. I will just strip anything you have on off anyway!"

"I know, but a promise is a promise and this one has been a long time in being carried out," he told her mysteriously.

Still having no idea what he was talking about, she decided to go with the flow and after a quick kiss, headed to their bedroom to change. AJ quickly cleared the table and then went to the guest room where the costume box was waiting for him to do the same.

Several minutes later they met in the living room. She was dressed only in the large green bow that had been on her new car, and he was wearing a fuzzy pink 'Energizer Bunny' costume. Mac took one look at him and doubled over in laughter, dropping her bow in the process.

To be continued….