Part 1B
by Paula B and CJ
3 October 2002
Lexington, Kentucky
A suite in the Gratz Park Inn
1430 hours
Cordelia and Mac stuffed themselves at lunch. Both of them had hot browns and two pieces of pie. They brought a whole chocolate cream pie back to the hotel and proceeded to eat it in the living room of AJ and Cordelia's suite. AJ and Clay watched in amazement as the pie disappeared with record speed.
"I've never seen either of them do this before. Do you think it's a woman thing?" Clay whispered under his breath.
AJ never took his eyes off the women. "My only advice is don't get between either of them and chocolate." He swallowed. «Eating, sleeping. Is she pregnant again? I thought we'd been careful.»
"This is a nice hotel. I like the fresh flowers in the rooms. It's truly lovely," Mac murmured.
Cordelia glanced at Clay, "Do we need to call Tom and check in with him?"
"I already did that while you were being a glutton," Clay teased. AJ glared at Clay until he heard Cordelia giggle. Clay continued to speak, "He's expecting us tomorrow for lunch in the Kentucky Room. I suspect you can have another hot brown then."
"So what's on the agenda for the rest of the day?" Mac asked.
"My vote is the Headley-Whitney Museum," Cordelia offered.
AJ looked at her thoughtfully, "What sort of museum is it?"
"It's a museum of the decorative arts. It's quite unusual. They have furniture, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and jewelry. And I suppose, one could argue architectural styles," Cordelia explained. "They also have a library."
"A library?" AJ raised his eyebrows.
Clay held his breath. «I swear to god, what is it with them and libraries?»
"The Kentucky Horse Park is also nearby. It's another unusual attraction," Cordelia added.
"Why don't we visit the Headley-Whitney today and try to fit in the horse park another day," AJ suggested. "Or another visit," he winked at Cordelia.
Clay called for the hotel's courtesy car and requested a ride to the museum. By the time they arrived downstairs, the car was waiting. Cordelia insisted that AJ ride in the front, since he was tallest. She and Mac sat on either side of Clay in the back seat.
They rode through the historic down town area and were surprised at how quickly the land became rural. Horse farms and brick homes dotted the rolling hills. Cordelia pointed out Greek revival houses with their huge columns and Gothic revival styles, with peaked center gables. "That's a Flemish bond brick pattern," Cordelia said, pointing to a large brick house near the road.
"What's Flemish bond?" Mac asked.
"Every other brick is turned end-side out, so you have a long brick, then a short block. It was more expensive because it took more bricks to build each structure, so it was a form of conspicuous consumption. But it's a pretty pattern," Cordelia leaned back in the seat.
After a short ride they reached the museum. It had three structures built of a pinkish-toned brick. There was a poster indicating a special exhibit of Nazca pottery and textiles.
"Who are the Nazca?" AJ asked.
Cordelia grinned, "They're Peruvian. You may not know the name, but you've probably seen some of their great art -- or at least pictures of it."
AJ shook his head, "Nothing rings a bell."
"They made geoglyphs, colossal earthworks over great stretches of desert between 100 BCE to 700 CE. They removed the top layers of mineral deposits to expose the lighter soil underneath and edged the resulting lines with rocks. They drew giant pictures of a hummingbird, a killer whale, a monkey, a spider, a duck and several other birds, even some abstract patterns. Some of them covered huge distances, as long as twelve miles. They used the same patterns on a smaller scale, of course, to decorate their pottery and textiles," Cordelia explained.
"And just how do you know this?" Clay challenged.
"There are some Latin American pyramids nearby. I went with an archaeological study to compare and contrast various pyramid structures around the world. They are all over, you know. North, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, India, China. All of them have pyramids of some sort. They're just rather different in form and function," Cordelia began.
AJ grinned and glanced from Cordelia to Clay. "You asked. I suspect that was the short version, Webb."
They wandered through the museum, taking in the vessels, artifacts and figurines from the Nazca exhibit. Then they saw the glittering jeweled bibelots.
"Look at that! It's a purse made of gold and jewels. Who on earth would carry something like that?" Mac stared at a filigreed gold evening bag. Diamonds adorned the cover and at the top was an enormous black pearl. The clasp was a gold tassel. "What could you carry in it? It would fall out of the holes in the filigree!"
Some of the jeweled articles were models of actual structures; others were merely decorative. They saw stones that had been cut but not set and glorious jewelry.
Mac and Cordelia laughed. "What would you wear with that?" Mac asked, directing Cordelia to a large and ornate necklace.
"Something very simple," Cordelia giggled in response. "But look at that brooch. What could you pin that to without exposing yourself? It's so heavy, it would drag the bodice of a dress down past your waist."
Finally they entered what the museum map called the "Shell Grotto." The brochure explained that it had taken nearly a year to attach the shells and stones to the wall. They surrounded the windows and decorated other architectural devices.
Cordelia pointed out a set of Chinese funerary urns from the Sung Dynasty. The slender, elongated forms looked quite graceful.
"Those are funerary urns? For people's ashes?" AJ asked.
Cordelia nodded.
"Look at that!" Mac gasped. "They're amazing."
Cordelia, AJ and Clay turned to see two small shell mosaics.
The shells covered the surface in a delicate pattern. They circled and spiraled around each other, forming flowers and vines in a complex pattern. It looked like a sculpture that had been meticulously painted, but the artisan had matched the shells in color, size and shape to create a stunningly beautiful picture. The label explained that these were from Barbados.
"How unusual," Cordelia whispered.
"I've seen them before in Japan. They call them 'Sailor's Valentines.' They range from shells glued to cover any kind of surface to that kind of detailed work. It almost looks like someone painted it," Mac said. "They had boxes and wall hangings and little bit of everything covered with shells."
"Why do they call them 'Sailor's Valentines?'" Cordelia asked.
"They sell things like that at a number of ports. Sailors buy them for their sweethearts and wives." AJ said. "And Mac is right, the craftsmanship varies. Some craftspeople just glue the shells on in a pattern, others make designs like these, where the shells cease to be shells and become flowers or animals or whatever the artist has envisioned. When the artisan is really talented, it can take a few moments to realize that you're actually looking at shells."
Both men noted the women's fascination with the shell mosaics and tucked the information away for future use.
They slipped out the door and began to walk around the grounds. The gardens, meticulously groomed, filled the air with blooms even this far into autumn. They relaxed in the shade of the tulip poplars, walking between the buildings scattered over the property. Hardly anyone disturbed them and they stayed until the museum closed.
Clay had called the hotel on his cell phone about a half-an-hour before and the courtesy car arrived with perfect timing. The ride back took them through the same historic areas and horse farms they had passed earlier. This time Cordelia remained quiet as she leaned against the back seat of the car. "Sleepy, Cori? Did that museum trip wear you out?" Clay teased.
AJ turned to watch and Cordelia sighed. "I am tired. I may take a nap before dinner," she said quietly.
"When is dinner?" Mac asked.
"What time do you want it to be?" Clay laughed.
"Not too late. How about how about 1830 hours? We could make reservations at the hotel restaurant." Mac grinned at Cordelia, "You hooked me when you said the chef trained with Emeril. I could go for some BAM."
"Then 1830 hours it is. That should give Cori enough time for a nap. I'll make reservations," AJ assured them. As if on cue, the car arrived at the hotel and the driver stepped out of the car and opened the door.
"We'll meet you here in the lobby after 1815 hours," AJ said as he placed his arm around Cordelia's shoulders and led her inside.
Mac and Clay could barely hear Cordelia murmur, "See you then." But they could see her yawn and lean into AJ.
Clay and Mac walked down the corridor to their beautifully appointed room. "This is so much nicer than the BOQ in San Diego." Mac sighed and walked over to the window overlooking the gardens below.
Clay came up and stood behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nibbled on her neck. "So was today, okay? You seemed like you were enjoying yourself." He waited a beat. "Particularly at lunch." Knowing her well, he held her elbow against her thigh so she couldn’t jab him with it.
"Beast," she purred, as his lips grew bolder. She ground her ass into his already stiffening cock. "You know, I’m so full, maybe I should just take a nap too."
"Afterward," he growled before spinning her around and capturing her lips in his.
"Afterward?" She arched an eyebrow and then struggled to get away, the sparkle in her eyes letting him know that she wanted to play. "But I want to sleep now. I had a hard week and all you did was sit in D.C."
Firmly pushing until her back was against the wall next to the antique armoire, he lifted her arms over her head. He gazed seriously into her eyes. "You’re right. All I did was sit in D.C. and wait for you and that partner of yours to return from balmy San Diego. Phone sex isn’t the same, Sarah."
"It isn’t Clay? I thought you enjoyed it." She whispered huskily. Working her tennis shoe off and then her sock she began to tease his calf through his Dockers.
He groaned and brought his lips to hers, brutally thrusting his tongue inside her moist hot mouth. She struggled some more, if only to tease him and goad him on. He pulled back panting. "Wanted it to be you touching me, caressing me…sucking me." He groaned softly and she took advantage. A simple twist and she brought her heel up to the inside of his knee. He gasped in surprise and she pushed him back until he sprawled across the bed. She breathed a sigh of relief when he missed the one poster, but didn’t let it deter her from continuing her offensive.
"You wanted me there with you?" she whispered as she crawled up until she was straddling his knees. "Did you touch yourself, Clay?"
"Yes," he hissed.
"Like this?" She rubbed his hardness through his slacks. "That day I called you and you will still in your office. You had someone with you, didn’t you Clay?"
He threw back his head and laughed. Not quite the response she was looking for. Squeezing a bit to get his attention she demanded, "Who?"
"Guess…oh god, Sarah." His chuckle turned into a groan and everything but her touch was forgotten. Slowly she pulled down his zipper, reaching inside to free him. The sight of his arousal drove all thoughts but pleasure from her mind. Descending she blew around his cock head before licking it just the way he liked it. "Oh baby, please. So long. Too damn long." He fingered her hair and watched her through hooded eyes as she worked him slow and deep. "Please, Sarah, it’s so good, but I need to be inside of you."
"You do, huh?" She stood up and pulled her clothes off, tossing them away. He struggled to follow her lead and managed to pull his shirt and undershirt off but it was Mac who bent over and finished pulling off his pants, bringing his shoes and socks with them.
"Come here," he pleaded.
She began to crawl up his torso, nipping playfully as she did. Nipping and licking everywhere but his cock. She dragged her sex over his straining shaft until he was nearly wild with wanting her. Pulling her the rest of the way up he flipped her over so he could stare down into her eyes. "I missed you so much," he whispered before descending to taste her lips, her chin, that point on her shoulder that she really liked. He toyed with her breasts and kissed her stomach. By the time he puffed air against her aching nubbin, she arched off the bed crying out his name. He didn’t wait for her to come down completely before plunging into her in one long satisfying stroke.
"Clay!" she whispered and he thrust into her hard. "Yes. Oh yes." She closed her eyes to the sensations washing over her. She couldn’t believe how much she loved him. How good it was between them. As he collapsed next to her she snuggled for a bit. She let him move them up to the pillows. She couldn’t figure out how he managed it, but the cool sheet covered her. "Nice. Nap now?"
"Get some sleep, beautiful." He held her for a while until she began to snore softly. He knew she was still tired after the weeklong trial in San Diego. He had wanted to fly out there, but the shit had hit the fan and he worked his own twelve-hour days. They had talked by phone and twice even attempted phone sex. AJ had been in his office the second time and somehow, it just hadn’t worked out. He considered telling her, but decided to let her guess, he knew it would drive her nuts. He wanted nothing more than to sleep beside her, but he needed to make some phone calls. He showered, shaved again and dressed before waking her with a soft kiss. "Wakey, wakey, Marine. Dinner in forty-five minutes."
She gasped and hurried into the shower. «I’m gonna kill him.» She fussed with her hair and when she came out of the bathroom she saw he was in the living room of the suite already dressed in a dinner jacket. She opened the closet and pulled out the black dress she had packed for dinner. She hadn’t realized until Cori mentioned it earlier in the day that she would have to get another one. «Serves him right for not telling me to pack two. He can take me shopping tomorrow.»
After dressing she joined him. The look in his eye made her consider for just a moment finding another dress just like this one for tomorrow. "Wow," he breathed. Taking her hand in his, he brought her fingers to his lips. "Have I told you just how beautiful you are?"
"Oh, not for a couple of hours at least." She hugged him then spun away. "You should have woken me sooner."
"Oh, yeah. Always a good thing for me to do; if, I want you pissed for the rest of the day. Come on, we’re meeting them in five minutes."
They met outside the elegant dining room. Cordelia was dressed in a blue cocktail dress; AJ was dressed in a suit and turtleneck. The maître d' led them to their table.
"Holy cow. This is really beautiful," Mac breathed.
Cordelia sighed contentedly. "I really like it here. We seldom had time back in the days when we were coming here with Braxton, did we Clay?"
Clay glanced briefly at the gold and red striped wallpaper. The appointments were elegant and candlelight seemed to sparkle off the plates, the silverware and the glasses. "If I remember correctly, we usually had dinner at the homes of friends of Braxton’s. This is very nice." He accepted the menu from the waiter and they all studied it carefully.
"You said the chef here trained with Emeril Lagesse?" Mac asked Cordelia.
Clay looked perturbed. "Who the hell is this guy?"
Cordelia and Mac sighed. Mac nodded to Cordelia who patiently explained to the men who the star of the Food Network was and how many restaurants he owned.
"Oh. So if he is busy working on this TV show when does he have time to cook? And does this make this guy any good." AJ demanded.
Cordelia just sighed and picked up the menu. Mac giggled. "Well let’s see if this guy has kicked it up a notch."
"Huh?" Clay muttered.
"Well, if you watched something besides the late night news, Clay."
Already knowing he couldn’t win, Clay just smiled and studied the menu. "I’ll have the barbeque tuna."
"Oh, I’ll have that too." Mac agreed quickly.
AJ opted for the smoked salmon and then looked on in horror as Cordelia ordered an appetizer, soup, salad and then the fried oyster stuffed filet mignon. "Sweetheart?"
"Yes, AJ." Cordelia smiled sweetly at him.
"Hungry?"
"Famished."
He gulped, but didn’t say anything.
Mac looked at Clay, who just shrugged. Cordelia had always had healthy eating habits. In fact, until he started dating Mac, he had never met anyone who could put it away like Cordelia and not gain weight. "So what else do you really want to see while we’re here?"
AJ grunted, and Cordelia shrugged. "Well there’s Mary Todd Lincoln’s ‘girl-hood’ home. The docent’s words, not mine. This is, of course, a very Civil War conscious town." Mac groaned softly. Clay looked at her with concern but Cori laughed softly. "What's the matter? You don’t think…"
"Just don’t bump your head or anything. You don’t think one of us will get kicked by a horse or something, do you?"
"God I hope not. You haven’t…"
"No just those two." Mac quickly took a drink of her tonic and lime.
"What are you two talking about?" AJ demanded.
"Nothing." Both women rushed to answer. However, they saw the stern look pass between Clay and AJ.
"Oh, for goodness sakes. It’s just a coincidence." Cordelia tried to insist. She looked at Mac and then briefly at Clay before asking her friend, "Mac, have you ever told Clay?"
"Not really, just that I had them." Mac glanced at her CO. "What about you?"
Cordelia sighed and AJ grumbled. "Colonel MacKenzie, you I can order. What the hell are you two talking about?"
Mac sighed but shook her head resolutely. "No sir. Not this weekend. This isn’t anything that has anything to do with the Navy. Come Tuesday, if you want to call me in and inquire about…"
"Oh, for goodness sakes, you two, just tell the story. I’ve figured something weird was going on." Clay sighed and took Mac’s hand. "Tell us now."
Cordelia pouted. "You’ll think it’s silly."
"You’re both still having nightmares about the kidnapping and the shooting?" AJ asked.
"No." Again the women answered in unison.
Mac looked at Cordelia. "You start. I’ll fill in anything you leave out."
And so, between courses, both women began to tell the very startled men, in detail about the dreams the both of them were having. Cordelia had told AJ some of the story of Chegwidden in England, but she had never told him about Sarah and Clay and Rabb and Terry Coulter and Sturgis Turner and Bud and Harriet all being in it too. AJ just stared from one person to the next, clearly having trouble taking it all in. "So it’s just a dream, correct?"
Mac cleared her throat. "Yes sir, except…"
"Except?" AJ bit off.
"Except I seem to be having the same dream."
"After Cori tells you about them."
"Ah…no, sir. The first time, I…well you woke us up to tell Clay about Cori’s accident. And I, I mean Clay and I, in the dream…well we had just gotten married and you had already been turned…" her voice trailed off.
AJ eyed his chief of staff who was suddenly extremely grateful that the waiter began clearing their table for desert.
Dinner in the elegant dining room had been special. There was little doubt about that. Mac sighed contentedly. "No. You know it doesn’t bother me. You guys have your after dinner drinks. I’ve got my eye on this pecan pie creation."
Clay looked at her in awe.
"What?" One eyebrow arched gracefully.
He just shook his head. "Where do you put it?"
Mac got an evil glint in her eye. "Oh, I plan to work this off later, Mr. Webb."
Clay grew bright red and AJ started to cough. Only Cordelia met her eye and with deceptive mildness remarked. "Yes. I think a stroll through the gardens is an excellent idea."
"Of course." Mac paused as the waiter put her desert in front of her, before signaling the assistant waiter to place Webb’s Grand Marnier, AJ’s B&B and Cordelia’s Irish coffee. Mac carefully tasted the rich desert, closed her eyes and sighed. "Excellent." After the waiter left, she nailed Webb, "I’m quite sure that’s what I meant."
Webb muttered something unintelligible before turning his attention to AJ and Cordelia. "So, after dinner, would you like to take a walk?"
Cordelia and AJ exchanged amused glances. AJ cleared his throat. "Ah, no."
"So how is Ryan is working out?" Clay asked.
"Oh, he’s excellent with the children. Rebecca adores his roughhousing and Conlon will sit in his lap for hours just listening to him read. Of course, he can’t understand a word, but he loves the sound of his voice. He only does that for Sam and AJ. With me he likes it if I sing, poor kid."
"Cori, I hate to tell you this, but going to sleep when you sing and liking your singing is not the same thing." AJ grinned.
"Are you saying that he goes to sleep to avoid hearing me sing?" Cordelia raised her eyebrows as she asked the question.
AJ chuckled, "If he's lucky."
Mac took one last lick at her folk, frowned at the empty plate, started to glance around for the waiter, caught Webb’s horrified look and pouted. "Fine." She cushioned the retort with a grin and then turned her attention to her CO’s wife. "Are you juggling the whole working mother thing okay?"
"Oh, I’m getting used to being tired if that’s what you mean. After the fourth, AJ made me rest – the meds helped – Sam being there helped more. I was completely rested by the time I started classes in September. But it’s hectic. Thank god, I married a man who can jump in and help without being asked. Of course, Sam is a wonder, too. I swear the man never sits still. I’m not really sure why we keep the cleaning lady, to tell you the truth. The two of them spoil me."
AJ leaned back and basked in the warmth of his wife’s compliments. Webb sighed petulantly. "Terrific. I suppose that’s something else I have to live up to. First, planning an appropriate honeymoon. I can hear it now, ‘You know, Cori says the Admiral actually cleans the toilet.’"
Mac sipped her coffee and winking at Cordelia, turned her attention on her fiancée. "Oh really? If I remember correctly, I suggested a week at Disney World." When the laughter at Webb’s askance look died down, Mac continued. "And I really rather doubt that the Admiral will ever have to clean the toilet." She smirked, "Not that he couldn’t – without being asked."
"Oh, yes." Cordelia nodded. "It’s the ‘without being asked’ part that’s important."
Webb sighed. He was used to being the butt of their gentle jokes. In fact, he loved it. He didn’t get a lot of chances to just sit around talking ‘trash’ as his secretary called it. Hadn’t done much since Braxton died. At work, he had never been one to gossip around the water cooler, and now, as deputy DCI, he never got the chance. Finishing his drink, he looked back and forth between the two women who had brought such pleasure back into his life. Settling on the one who had brought so much more besides good conversation he asked, "How about you, Colonel MacKenzie? Would you care to take a stroll?"
"A stroll? For a bit, but we should get in a good run after dinner has settled," she retorted saucily.
Standing, the two of them said their good nights. AJ and Cordelia watched Webb follow Mac out of the dining room.
3 October 2002
Lexington, Kentucky
A suite in the Gratz Park Inn
2100 hours
Cordelia made her way through the living room and into the suite's bedroom, where she dropped to the bed and rolled on her back. "I'm so full I can't move," she laughed.
Smiling indulgently, AJ watcher her tilt her head against the bed and breathe deeply. "Aren't you even going to take your shoes off?"
"I told you; I can't move," Cordelia sighed.
AJ reached for her feet and slipped off her shoes. "Does that mean you're at my mercy?" he asked as he dropped the shoes on the floor. He brushed his thumb over her arch and she sighed quietly. He took it as a sign to continue, using both thumbs to rub the soles of her feet.
"That feels really good, AJ," Cordelia whispered breathlessly.
Running his hands lightly up her legs and pushing her dress up, AJ reached for the waistband of her hose and began to pull them off carefully. He let his thumbs stroke behind her knees and saw her shiver at his touch. "You moved," he grinned. This time her reached for her panties. He slipped them off quickly and began to kiss the arch of Cordelia's foot. He took her toes, one by one, into his mouth before switching to her other foot. He caressed it with his tongue. Spreading her legs, he began to kiss his way up, alternating from side to side. He heard Cordelia gasp as he slid her legs over his shoulders, lifted her hips and fluttered his tongue over her clit.
With both hands Cordelia gripped the bedspread, clenching and releasing her fists along with the rhythm AJ created. She could feel the first orgasm mounting, crashing along her nerves with a sensation of pleasure and warmth. Her body quivered uncontrollably and AJ raised his head to watch her, enjoying her pleasure before returning his attention to creating that pleasure.
Cordelia released the bedspread and began to inch her dress up farther. She heard AJ chuckle.
"You in a hurry, Darlin'?" he asked.
Hooking the collar of his jacket with her toes, Cordelia pushed it off his shoulders, her legs falling to either side of him. AJ shrugged and eased one arm at time out, then let the jacket fall. Cordelia reached for his shirt, but AJ leaned back teasing her, making her wait. Cordelia watched impatiently as AJ lifted his turtleneck slowly over his head. AJ leaned into her, and Cordelia ran her fingers over his muscular stomach and chest. He gently raised her dress, and Cordelia lifted her arms so he could pull it over her head in one swift motion.
AJ fingered the deep blue lace of her bra, the only clothing Cordelia still wore. The color made her skin glow. He cupped her breasts, and she reached for his belt, releasing his trousers and pushing them, along with his boxers, over his hips. They tangled around his feet, forcing him to toe off his shoes and step out of his pants. Cordelia slipped her toes under his socks and pushed them off, running her toes up the back of his leg when she was done. She lifted her hips to him. She could feel his hardness; knew he was ready.
With his hand, AJ caressed her thighs, then her sex, circling her clit and rubbing it between his finger and thumb until she came again and cried out in pleasure. Only then, as she shuddered to his touch, did he thrust inside, the length of his cock rubbing against her nub. She moaned and trembled as he slid in and out, each penetration stimulating her clit. She circled her hips, pumping against him, squeezing him. He used his arms to hold his torso above her, and she held his biceps, her hands tight against his hard muscles.
As AJ came he threw his head back, his climactic roar filling the room. Cordelia lifted her body to meet his, pulling him back to the mattress with her. They lay together, gasping, waiting to catch their breath. Cordelia inhaled deeply, taking in AJ's spicy musk. AJ fingered the lace of her bra and finally reached behind her to release the hooks. He smiled as Cordelia's breasts spilled out, then slipped the straps over her shoulders and tossed the bra behind her on the bed. He lowered his head to suck her nipples, leaving them hard and taut when he shifted to kiss her lips.
Cordelia kissed him, her body shuddering as his lips touched hers. His fingers grazed gently over her breasts, circling her aureolae, and she moaned softly as she began to tremble. He lifted her over him, and she straddled him then brushed her breasts against him before sinking onto his chest.
"I thought you couldn't move?" AJ grinned.
"You inspire me," Cordelia whispered.
AJ raised his knees and lifted Cordelia into a sitting position, letting her back rest on his thighs. He fingered her sex, teasing her clit. They could both feel him growing hard again. Cordelia shifted, wriggling so his cock fit into her labia and riding him as he became erect then taking him inside. AJ watched as Cordelia rose on her knees, sliding up and down on his shaft. He never stopped massaging her nub and could see her excitement growing. He could see everything, the expression on her face, her breasts, the slight swell of her belly and himself pumping into her. «I like this position.» He smiled as he watched, noticing the quivering that began in her abdomen and thighs then gave way to the undulations of her body. Her head leaned back against his knees as her low moan of pleasure gave way to cries of ecstasy. Only then did he tilt his head back and a release his climax with a deafening bellow. Cordelia struggled, then fell forward upon him, and he caught her in his arms. He held her tightly as she wriggled against him, peaking over and over again then finally resting quietly on his chest.
"Now I don't want to move," Cordelia whispered.
AJ chuckled. "That's what you said before."
"What I said before was that I couldn't move. Now I just don't want to move. Hold me, AJ. Hold me all night long," Cordelia nestled her head on his shoulder.
Squeezing her even more tightly, AJ whispered, "All night, Darlin'. All night long."
4 October 2002
Lexington, Kentucky
Keeneland Racetrack
1130 hours
AJ had enjoyed the ride to Keeneland. The greens were meticulously groomed. It surprised him how much land surrounded the track. They made their way to the grandstand and took the elevator to the Kentucky Room. A green-coated usher directed them to the luncheon and Clay led the way into the room with AJ bringing up the rear.
Clay saw Tom Martin, the man who had invited them, and nodded a subtle greeting. Tom saw them from across the room, and circled the buffet.
"Good to see you again, Clay," the man shook his hand. Tom Martin was not a large man, but he was quite round. He owned horses, but he clearly hadn't ridden any of them recently.
Placing his arm around Mac, Clay said proudly, "Tom, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Sarah MacKenzie."
Mac held out her hand and Tom took it in both of his. "Tom Martin. Pleased to meet you, Sarah. It's about time someone settled this guy down." Tom saw Cordelia standing behind Mac and reach to embrace her, "Cordelia! It's been such a long time. How are you?"
Cordelia gave him a peck on the cheek and grinned, "I'm great Tom. There's someone I'd like you to meet, as well. This is my husband, AJ Chegwidden."
"Hi. I'm Tom Martin," he stuck out his hand and looked up at AJ. "I sure hope you're takin' good care of Cordelia."
AJ shook his hand and said, "I'm doing my best."
"I'm glad you all could come and I'd love to spend more time with you, but that's gonna' have to wait. The tables seat four, so I won't be able to join you, but make yourselves at home." Martin nodded to Clay and ambled off to meet and greet some new arrivals.
Clay picked out a table with a good view of the track and they sat until the national anthem began precisely at noon. They stood while the music played.
"It will be a while until the races begin. The first race starts just after one," Clay said.
AJ noticed the bar and offered to make a drink run, "Anyone else thirsty? Bloody Mary's? Virgin Mary's?" Everyone nodded and AJ left the table. AJ was secretly relieved that Cordelia hadn't asked for a Virgin Mary. «Maybe she's not pregnant. Or maybe she just doesn't know yet.»
A man stood behind Clay and peered intently at Cordelia. "Cordelia. Cordelia Morgan. That is you!"
"Only to my students, Greg," Cordelia smiled. It had been a long time since she'd seen Greg Miller. She introduced Mac and Clay.
Greg nodded at the introduction and returned his focus to Cordelia, "I heard you'd married. Some doctor or something. I was a little surprised. You seemed quite taken with that lawyer, the one who was in the Navy. The big bald guy."
Mac and Clay glanced at each other. They'd never actually met anyone who had known Cordelia and AJ when they first met. They listened intently.
Cordelia nodded. "Right on both counts. Braxton Wallace was my first husband, and he was a doctor."
"First husband. Ouch. I always was good at putting my foot in my mouth," Greg rolled his eyes.
"It's OK, Greg. It's been some time since he passed away." Cordelia paused, then grinned as she said, "And you're right, I was quite taken with that Navy lawyer."
Greg shook his head. "I did think he was kind of old for you. I was really surprised when you brought him out to the farm that time to ride. He was pretty good on a horse, though. Whatever happened to him? Or do you know?"
Glancing first in the direction of the bar, Cordelia said, "Why don't you ask him? But I'd lay off that 'old' stuff if I were you." She grinned as AJ approached.
Greg stared in surprise. He could feel his face flushing red. «What was his name. Some initials. Strange last name. Damn.» It came to him just as AJ reached the table. "It's AJ, right?" he said as he stuck out his hand.
AJ placed the drinks on the table and carefully made sure that Mac received the right glass before reaching out his hand. "Greg Miller, right? It's been a while. You have horses racing?" AJ asked.
"A couple. Be sure to bet on them," Greg grinned.
"If I remember correctly, you had some nice horses. I'll be on the lookout for them," AJ assured him.
Greg turned to Cordelia, his face still bright red. "You mentioned that the doctor was your first husband, so I take it you and AJ are married now?"
Cordelia nodded, "Yes. It's Cordelia Chegwidden now. We've been married a little over a year."
"Any kids from your first marriage?" Greg asked.
Cordelia beamed, "No. But AJ and I have two children."
Greg coughed. "You've been married a year, but you have two children," he stammered.
"Twins. A boy and a girl." AJ put his arm around Cordelia.
Full of mischief, Cordelia said proudly, "AJ delivered them."
Greg blinked, "You mean he was there at the delivery. Yeah, I saw all three of mine delivered."
"But AJ wasn't just there. He delivered the twins." Cordelia pointed to Clay. "He helped, too."
His jaw dropping, Greg stared first at AJ, then at Clay, and finally at Cordelia. "Why didn't you go to a doctor?"
Cordelia hesitated. Mac noticed the expression on her face and jumped in, "It's a really long story. You'd probably miss the races. Let's just say the delivery did not go as planned, even though everything was just fine in the end."
"Sounds like things haven't changed; you're still a good man to have around in an emergency," Greg said. "I'll have to hear that story some time." He glanced across the room where a woman beckoned him. "My wife is calling me, I'd better go. Good to see you again." He nodded to Cordelia, Mac and Webb and shook AJ's hand before he started for the group with his wife.
Mac watched him leave then suggested they try the buffet. It was heaped with traditional fare. Cordelia pointed out small dishes of hot browns to Mac. She even convinced AJ to try one. Then they added country ham and beef brisket. Clay shook his head and opted for the brisket alone.
"That's spoon bread," Cordelia said as she passed the serving spoon to Mac. "It's like a cross between cornbread and a soufflé. It's good with butter," Cordelia suggested, moving on to the green beans and new potatoes and then to the glazed carrots. AJ watched in disbelief as she spooned a heaping serving of corn pudding onto her plate.
"Spoon bread?" Mac murmured. "Why spoon bread?"
"Because you have to serve it with a spoon. You can't cut it like other bread," Cordelia laughed.
Clay filled his plate and noted the heaping servings that Mac, Cordelia and AJ carried back to the table. Mac and AJ had followed Cordelia's lead, trying the hot brown, the country ham, and the brisket. "No fried chicken?" Clay asked as they sat.
"There was fried chicken?" Cordelia sounded surprised.
Clay laughed. "No, I just wanted to see your response."
"Maybe they'll serve fried chicken tomorrow," Cordelia sighed. She glanced at the track. Opening ceremonies had begun. Cordelia smiled. «It won't be long until the races start.»
Mac rested her fork and watched Greg Miller circulating with his wife. Clay followed her eyes. He was as fascinated as she was.
"What are you staring at?" Cordelia asked. Her question startled Mac.
Clay answered, "Greg Miller."
Mac shrugged, "He's the first person I've met who remembers the two of you the first time around. That makes him interesting." She ate a bite of country ham.
Almost shyly, Cordelia glanced at AJ. "I don't think there are many people who would remember us from the first time around. There's Madame Lulu, if she's still alive. She was pretty old back then."
Clay opened his eyes wide, "Madame Lulu? I'm afraid to ask."
"She's a dance teacher, Clay," Cordelia chided him. "AJ and I took ballroom dancing lessons. Of course, AJ already knew how to dance, but I didn't."
"A dance teacher? That's a relief," Clay was laughing now.
"There might be some people who worked at the Smithsonian who would remember us," AJ said between bites of green beans.
"Or some of your neighbors," Cordelia grinned and gave AJ a sly look.
AJ glanced at her and shook his head, a blush creeping over his face.
Over Cordelia's shoulder, Clay noticed a man watching them. «Damn. It's Daniel Wallace. He'd better stay away.» Clay watched as Wallace downed his drink and asked for another. «If he turns into a stinking drunk he'll probably make a scene.»
Mac could tell Clay was tense. She followed his gaze to the man who was drinking heavily. He seemed familiar, but she couldn't place him. She decided to keep talking. "The two of you make a such a wonderful couple; whatever happened to make you break up the first time?" Mac knew that she was pushing envelope, but she swallowed a bite of glazed carrots and waited for an answer.
Clay met Mac's eyes with a look that said, "Are you insane?" then returned to watching the man across the room.
AJ coughed quietly and glanced at Cordelia. He found himself surprised at her expression. «She's smiling.» He gave her a perplexed look.
With a deep sigh, Cordelia said, "When AJ met me, he thought I was older that I was because I already had my doctorate. He was," Cordelia paused and swallowed, "Quite shocked to learn how young I was. The age difference really threw him. It seemed more logical that I was older and looked younger, as he had assumed, than to think that I was so young at that stage in my education and career. It was a perfectly natural assumption."
"How old were you when the two of you met?" Mac asked breathlessly.
Cordelia glanced at AJ before she answered. "I was nineteen. But I was working as a Smithsonian Fellow. There was no reason for AJ to think I was that young. It was perfectly reasonable for him to think that I was in my mid-twenties, at least."
"When did you find out how old she was, AJ?" Clay asked.
"On her birthday," AJ said quietly. They could hear the deep regret in his voice. "I'm afraid I overreacted."
Cordelia gave him a wry smile and whispered, "That's an understatement." She put her fork on the plate and reached for his hand. "He told me it was an impossible relationship and walked out."
"So that's why you thought she'd have nothing to do with you when she turned up in Washington," Clay stated. He glanced at AJ then went back to watching Wallace.
"That was the last I saw of him until that benefit with you and Porter," Cordelia said quietly. "Porter managed to get Commander Rabb to dance with me and he took me over to introduce me. AJ wasn't at the table then. When he showed up and I turned around and there he stood, I felt as if someone had kicked me in the stomach." She smiled at AJ. "You are a handsome man, AJ. And rather striking in that mess dress of yours. You took my breath away."
"I had the advantage of seeing you come in. I recognized you from across the room, and when you walked off on Webb's arm, I wanted to break his nose all over again," AJ brought Cordelia's hand to his lips, opened it and kissed her palm. "But you took my breath away, too, " he whispered.
"Why didn't you try to get back together?" Mac asked.
"By the time I came to my senses, Cori had already left Washington." AJ sighed. "I spent a long time kicking myself for being a fool." His voice faded, and he lapsed into silence.
Cordelia gave AJ a reassuring smile then leaned to kiss his cheek. He sighed quietly in response, his tension lessening a bit.
Mac could tell that the discussion made AJ uncomfortable. «I didn't think that either one of them would answer my question.» Mac's thoughts were interrupted.
"Was it a boy or a girl, Cordelia?" Wallace asked.
His voice startled Cordelia and she jumped as she turned to face her former brother-in-law. "It was both," Cordelia smiled as she spoke.
"So there are two heirs to my family's fortune. Pity neither of them is related to anyone in my family," Wallace smirked. "I thought that you and Braxton tried everything possible to have a child. You were married to him for ten years and not a bit of luck, but in no time you and this sailor managed to have two children. Strikes me as sort of odd."
"Daniel, every child is a miracle, some only a little more so than others." Cordelia sighed then said, "Quite frankly, I don't really care what you think about my two little miracles. They are no concern of yours."
Wallace peered at Clay. "Oh, this is all too familiar. Didn't the two of you used to make this annual trek with Braxton? Cozy little trip."
Cordelia glanced at AJ and mouthed, "I'm sorry." He reached his arm around her protectively and glared at Wallace.
Clay coughed and caught AJ's eye. When AJ nodded, Clay stood and said, "Let's take a walk, Daniel." He grasped Wallace's elbow and steered him away.
"How did you ever stand to be around him?" Mac asked. She shook her head as she watched Clay lead the drunken man away.
Cordelia smiled. "That was one of the benefits of not being well-liked by Braxton's family. I never had to spend much time around them."
"You don't spend much time around my family either," AJ teased.
"But the time I spend around them is never enough. I enjoy being around Adele and Francesca," Cordelia said. "I certainly wouldn't put them in the same category as Daniel Wallace!"
The sound of the races outside and on the closed-circuit television interrupted them.
"We didn't bet on the first race. Isn't that bad luck or something?" Cordelia made a face.
"I don't think that's a racing tradition," Clay laughed. "We can bet on the rest of them. Twice, if we want to."
Cordelia gave AJ a list of horses to place bets for the first few races. Mac followed suit, and Clay and AJ left to place the bets. Cordelia and Mac watched the horses in the next race parade around the track.
"That's a pretty horse," Mac said. "The dark one with the jockey wearing the yellow and green silks."
"That jockey is Pat Day. That's the horse I bet on for this race. Any horse Day rides is a good bet, even if it's a long shot, like that one," Cordelia grinned.
"How do you choose the horses you bet on?" Mac asked.
Cordelia began to list, "I look at the jockey. I look at how many races the horse has won, placed and shown, I look at where the horse is from, I check whether or not it's a long shot," Cordelia giggled, "And I see if I like the horse's name. Then I place three bets. One two-dollar bet on the long shot to show, one two-dollar bet to win on the horse whose name I like the best, and one two-dollar bet to win on the horse that all the information seems to add up to winning. I usually do pretty well, especially if one of the long shots comes in. If you bet to show, you get money whether or not the horse wins, places, or shows. In this case, I bet on the same horse to win and to show. I like to bet exactas and trifectas, too."
Mac gave Cordelia a puzzled look. "What are those?"
"An exacta is where you bet on two horses to come in first and second. A trifecta is where you pick three horses to come in first, second and third. You can pick the exact order, a straight exacta or trifecta, or you can box them, just pick the right number of horses and they can win in any order. We've missed the daily double, but there's a late daily double for the eighth and ninth races, where you pick the winner in both races," Cordelia explained.
AJ and Clay returned with the tickets just as the race began. They watched eagerly as the horse Pat Day rode stayed near the back of the herd of horses until the last few seconds of the race, when he shot ahead. It turned out that Mac had bet on the same horse to win, so she and Cordelia both won on the long shot.
"We may have to go shopping before we go home," Cordelia said as the horse was taken to the winner's circle.
The races flew by quickly, and it seemed that at least one of them won every race. Cordelia and Mac won the late daily double. Mac won the most.
"Beginner's luck," teased Cordelia as they stood to leave.
"The first time Cori bet, she won every race. Braxton was stunned. He thought she must be some kind of racing prodigy. He bet everything she did the next day, but her beginner's luck had worn off. She lost all but one race. Lucky for her, it was a long shot and she broke even that day," Clay laughed as he told the story.
AJ watched Cordelia roll her eyes and join in the laughter. "Hope you have better luck than that, Mac." She reached for AJ's arm, leaning gently into him. Her arm strayed to his waist as his fell protectively over her shoulders. Mac and Clay stuck a similar posture as they slowly left the building.
The traffic made their return to the inn slow, and Cordelia fell asleep in the car as she snuggled next to AJ. When they finally arrived at the inn, she murmured, "I think we better stick to room service tonight" as AJ lifted her from the seat.
"I guess you're on your own for dinner," AJ grinned sheepishly as he carried her into the lobby.
Clay opened the door for Mac, who whispered, "I think I could go for room service tonight, too."
"Are you that tired?" Clay asked.
Mac gave him a devilish grin. "Who said anything about being tired?"
5 October 2002
Perryville, Kentucky
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
1300 hours
The ride to Perryville was beautiful. They passed through rolling hills, limestone cliffs overlooking the Kentucky River and a historical Shaker community. AJ had never heard of Shakers. When Cordelia explained that they were a religious sect that flourished about the time of the Civil War, but had died out later as the adherents died one by one because one of the tenets of Shaker religious belief was celibacy, AJ rolled his eyes. Cordelia explained that the Shakers were wonderful cooks and suggested that they stop there for dinner that evening. Clay used his cell phone to make reservations immediately as Mac and Cordelia fell into a discussion of Shaker lemon pie and other delicious dishes.
They reached the battlefield midmorning, finding it already filled with men and women wearing various Union and Confederate uniforms. They took a brief walk through the small museum. Cordelia watched as AJ took in the various military articles on exhibit. A map covered one wall, and Cordelia watched, as AJ stood transfixed in front of it scanning the troop movements.
"Do you think they actually follow what happened in the real battle? If so, this is where we want to be to watch." AJ pointed to a section of the map.
A little round man with a sandy beard approached and nodded. "Good choice. If you go early, you may be able to get in the crow's nest."
"Crow's nest?" AJ repeated, wondering why a ship would be in the middle of the battlefield.
"It's a viewing platform. Someone had it built a few years back, the last time we were on the national schedule. It doesn't hold many people, but it offers a great view," the little man explained. "If you head there now, you may make it."
"Thanks," AJ nodded to the man as he spoke. "Let's give it a try. Maybe we can all watch from the crow's nest."
"Why don't you and Clay watch the battle from the crow's nest? Since it doesn't hold many people, Mac and I shouldn't take up the space for people who might appreciate it more. We can wait in the shade somewhere," Cordelia suggested. «Or come back here to the museum, where it's air conditioned.»
Clay turned to Mac. "Sweetheart, you sure you don’t want to watch from the crow's nest?" he asked weakly.
Mac grinned devilishly. "You and AJ enjoy the battle from the crow's nest. Cordelia and I just wouldn't appreciate it the same way."
That had been hours ago. The men disappeared and Cordelia and Mac procured Cokes and found some shade. They talked about the wedding.
"At least with a holiday wedding, we stand a chance of being off together unless there's some horrible crisis," Mac explained. She sighed.
Cordelia eyed Mac carefully. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Mac shook her head. "I just can't help but think about when Mic and I were engaged and planning a wedding, how different it was. I wanted to get married in a quiet little wedding, and Mic wanted a big church fanfare. It was either or, and Mic insisted. Clay wanted a big wedding, too, at the National Cathedral. But we compromised. A much smaller ceremony at the Navy Chapel. It seems that anything we don't agree on, Clay pretty much lets me have my way. Most of the time he doesn't even voice an opinion."
"He loves you, Mac, and he knows you. Marrying you makes him happy. I suspect the church wedding is to make Porter happy." Cordelia smiled. "You know, when AJ and I married, I'd have been perfectly happy to elope, but now, I can't imagine missing our wedding. I'm sure that Clay will be happy as long as the end result is that the two of you are married."
Mac smiled, "I guess you're right. He just wants me to be happy."
Glancing around, Cordelia grimaced and asked, "I hope the modern bathrooms are open."
"I think there's one over there," Mac pointed.
Cordelia disappeared, returning a few minutes later rolling her eyes. "There was a woman in there getting ready for her wedding. Apparently, they have arranged for the minister to dress up as a Union soldier. The bride's guests are Union re-enactors and the groom's guests are Confederate re-enactors. They're getting married after the battle." Cordelia giggled. "I dare you to tell Clay that you've changed your mind and want to have a re-enactment wedding."
Mac laughed out loud. "Only if you get the camera out." She finished her Coke and made her way to the bathroom, leaving Cordelia resting under a tree. When Mac returned, Cordelia was sound asleep, leaning against the tree trunk. Mac glanced around then joined her friend, sighing as she dozed in the sweltering heat.