JR shook his head and smiled -- "AJ I'm driving separately. I don't think it would be a good idea for you and me to be locked in a car for four hours."
AJ smiled -- "I knew you would not be brave enough. You talk tough but you certainly seem to be afraid of little ole me and I have no idea why that would be, I'm perfectly charming just ask your son."
Scott, Maria, and the Sergeant were laughing hysterically at Chief Reed, who was less than amused -- "All right, enough of the antics from the peanut gallery. AJ you are charming, well-mannered, and adorable, you have cast a spell over my entire family, as well as the entire police department. That said, you know as well as I do, we get sideways occasionally, and being stuck with nowhere to go for four hours could be a lot."
AJ chuckled as he finished strapping the boys in -- "Chief, what's the real reason? I don't buy us getting sideways as the reason. There is something else that you are not saying. If you want to drive by yourself, say so, don't make up some lame excuse that has holes all through it."
JR prickled -- "AJ, this is what I'm talking about, you never just take me at my word."
AJ smiled and shook his head -- "So I'm supposed to take you at your word but you won't do the same for me? That's a bit hypocritical but by all means, I'll take you at your word -- I'm the problem and you are the most well-mannered, easy-to-get-along-with, charming, and even-handed man in the world.
Scott, I'm heading out before I say something I can't take back."
Scott gave his dad a look of 'what the hell' -- "Wait up, I'll grab my stuff and go with you."
JR wanted Scott to stay -- "Scott, everyone wants to say goodbye before you leave."
Scott looked at his dad -- "I'll be around before we leave for North Carolina. I'll swing by another time.
AJ, hold up. Let's get my stuff and head out."
Maria was shaking her head and Sarge could not keep his mouth shut -- "You certainly handled that with grace and dignity, boss man. I have known you for 20+ years and I have seen you at your best and your worst, that interaction was bordering on the worst."
JR started to say something but Maria cut him off -- "Boss, I probably should not say anything but AJ is right -- there is more to this than you not wanting to be in the car with him for four hours. You are running the risk of pushing Scott away if you keep this up. He is my best friend and I know he is frustrated with you and your hot/cold interactions with him and AJ. This relationship caught all of us, including them, off guard, but they are so good together and I would bet you a year's salary, they will stick together and those who don't get on board will see less and less of them. Tread carefully."
JR cleared his throat -- "Okay, I didn't handle that well. AJ caught me off guard as usual. He knows something is up, something is definitely up, and I know myself, I can't be trapped in a car with him and not spill the beans.
I have two things of deep sentimental value that I am giving them at Thanksgiving dinner -- I'm giving Harper's leather satchel briefcase and her gold cross to Scott and my dad's watch and gold cross to AJ as sendoff gifts for law and medical school. I can't easily hide all of it in an overnight bag without looking like I'm moving in.
You saw how I was when AJ asked me about riding with them. I don't know what it is about him, I get defensive and tongue-tied. It's like he is a living lie detector; he knows I'm up to something and won't let it go."
Maria laughed out loud -- "You are afraid of him, damn I never thought I would see the day. You know boss, all you have to do is put those things in a box, put them in the car and when they ask about the box be direct -- 'I love you both, but you need to mind your own business'."
Sarge nodded in agreement -- "It's humorous to see you like this. The last time I saw you like this was when Harper was going at you about something. You got blustery, stammered, and could not keep it together. Your son's boyfriend is doing the same thing to you now."
JR was not amused -- "You are still on duty, get back to work. Maria, I'll take your suggestion under advisement. I don't want to create a rift but why can't they just leave me alone about this?"
Maria chuckled -- "JR, it's because he loves your son and wants your approval. If I were in his shoes, I would not feel like I had your support with how you act around him. You are aggressive, annoyed, and sometimes downright rude."
JR was shocked by the comment. He didn't see himself that way and didn't mean to make AJ feel that way. AJ was the first person that Scott had dated, he even really liked. Maureen was someone he despised from the get-go. He headed back to his office and stopped at the door -- he heard Scott, AJ, and the boys heading out.
Scott and AJ were laughing and joking with each other. His son was a different person with AJ by his side -- he was relaxed, happy, more outgoing, and seemed to be on top of the world.
He yelled across the room -- "AJ, what time are we leaving for your parents' home tomorrow?"
AJ stopped dead in his tracks and turned with the biggest smile -- "We planned on leaving tomorrow at 7:30 AM. You can either stay with us tonight, or we can swing by and pick you up on the way, will that work for you?"
JR had crossed the room -- "If you'll pick me up, that will allow me to get some paperwork caught up tonight. Are we stopping for breakfast, driving through, or eating before we leave?"
AJ hugged JR -- "I'll have breakfast in the car with us -- coffee & breakfast sandwiches for the adults, milk, Cheerios, and fruit for the boys."