Chapter 47

AJ stood firm in the face of his daughter's sad eyes, "I'm sorry, honey, but your mom is right, you all know that we won't tolerate fighting. I am with her on this one, and if you keep trying to change our minds, you just might end up with two weeks of grounding instead of one!"

Mac watched Andi mentally back down from any further protests, and was just about to step in to change the subject when the phone rang. It was Bud saying that they could send the kids home now. With a grin and the exhaustion she heard in his voice, she turned to AJ and said, "That was your dad, and he said for you to come home. Meanwhile, it's time for the rest of you to be in bed, you do all have school tomorrow."

As the token protests faded away with the children climbing the stairs, Mac and AJ looked at each other and sighed, another crisis averted. "You don't really think I was too harsh on her do you?" she asked him.

"No I don't, you were fine," he replied.

"Thanks," she smiled her answer, and before the conversation could go any farther, they heard AJ and his siblings coming down the stairs. Helping him get them into the car and giving the customary cautions to 'drive safely' the two of them saw the children off.

On Tuesday AJ watched them break ground for the new house. The proposed finish date was the end of January, if the weather didn't hold them up.

As the holiday drew closer, they got another call from Francesca. This time it was to say that her plans had altered again. With the frustration evident in her tone of voice, she told her Papa that Tony's parents had second thoughts about the Christmas cruise they'd planned to take and because they would now be staying in town. They wanted their only son and his family to be with them. She told AJ how sorry she was, but they were going to stay in Italy for the holiday. AJ reassured her that he understood even though they would be sorry not to see them.

Since the 23rd fell on Friday, the JAG offices would be closing at noon. AJ decided that would be the perfect time to surprise his wife with a visit to her office. The children would also be out of school, but the younger three would be at a Christmas party in the school gym until 1500. The teens would be fine at home for a couple of hours until their parents returned.

Arriving at Falls Church and the gate for JAG Headquarters was odd. He was treated as any other visitor and because there had, as yet, been no need to leave his name at the gate, they had to call up to General Chegwidden's office to get permission to let him in. There went his surprise.

After parking the Escalade, AJ headed for the door. Just as he reached out for the handle, it opened and Commander Jason Tiner hurried out.

Seeing who stood before him, he came to an abrupt stop and snapped to attention, adding a salute too. He did it out of respect for his former CO, rather that a habit. "Good afternoon, Sir!"

"Not 'Sir' any longer Jason, just AJ these days, but thank you. Congratulations on making Commander!"

"Thank you Si…AJ. May I say that working with General Chegwidden has been an honor?"

"I know she's pleased to have you as her Chief of Staff as well, son."

"That's good to know! Well, I should let you get in there, I'm sure she is looking forward to your visit. I hope the two of you have a very Merry Christmas."

"The same to you and your family Jason. It was good to see you again."

"And you as well!" Jason replied and headed for his car with a smile on his face.

A few minutes later AJ stepped off the elevator to find a deserted bullpen. The only light was coming from his old office. Because the door was open he figured he'd find Sarah finishing up some last minute paperwork before she was ready to leave. The reality of what he actually found when he stood in the open doorway was almost enough to have caused a heart attack!

To be continued….