Dear Diary,

The following day dawned, just the way I like it. It was my birthday and no one knew. It wasn't that I tried to hide from my birthdays, it was just that I had never particularly had very good ones. Of course, Harriet knew and she insisted on taking me out to dinner that night. Harriet was an exception to most rules though, she is so kind hearted that no one wants to say no to her. I suspect that she knows that too. At least I knew that there would be no surprises. Little did I know that I would be so wrong…

I arrived at Callisto's just moments before Harriet, Bud and Young AJ. We soon got our table and almost immediately Young AJ climbed into my lap.

"Aunt Mac. I got a present for you," my godson lisped.

"You do?" I said, smiling as I wrapped my arms around the little boy.

"Here," he said proudly as he pulled a crumpled paper from his shirt. He flattened it out as he pointed out the people in his drawing. "This is Mommy and Daddy," he pointed out two tall blue blobs next to a little blob. "This is me, then you-" he stopped distracted a moment before he said happily, "Uncle AJ!"

Pointing to the tallest blue blob next to my green blob, I said, "This is Uncle AJ?"

He twisted in my arms and pointed over my shoulder, "That's Uncle AJ!"

I looked up in surprise and spotted the barely suppressed grins on Harriet and Bud's faces before I turned and saw the Admiral. I was so happy to see him. I didn't realize how much I had missed him. I was also happy that Young AJ was still in my lap. If he wasn't, I know that I would have embarrassed both of us by jumping up and hugging him. As it was, I had to struggle to hide my smile as he walked our way.

I knew that I was staring but I hoped that it wasn't too obvious to anyone else. The Admiral was dressed in black pants and had on an incredible green silk shirt. He ruffled Young AJ's hair before touching my shoulder and saying in a low voice that I had only heard on the phone, "Happy Birthday, Mac." Before I could say anything, he sat down in Young AJ's empty chair next to mine. Maybe I should rethink this not celebrating my birthday thing.

I watched AJ as he talked about his trip and his daughter. Apparently, she was the one behind the silk shirt he was wearing. She also sent her regards to the JAG team and a special birthday wish for me. The Admiral then handed me a small gift. Young AJ must have thought that I would need both hands to open the small gift so he scrambled off my lap and on to the Admiral's. We all watched a shocked expression cross his face.

The Admiral looked over at me and I hid my smile by looking down and opening his gift. I could tell that it was a CD but I wasn't expecting Andrea Bocelli. He actually looked down when I met his eyes.

"Francesca had that playing a lot lately. I thought that you would like it."

"Oh, I am sure that I will. I have wanted to get this for a while now. Thank you." I wished that I could thank him with a kiss but I didn't want poor Bud to choke on his drink. I once again met AJ's eyes and I knew that he somehow could tell what I was thinking. This time, I looked away. I saw the picture that Young AJ had drawn for me and I remember that I wasn't sure if he actually told me who that last blob was.

"AJ, who did you say this was?" Both AJ's looked at me but Young AJ looked behind me again.

"Uncle Harm."

"This is Harm?" I asked pointing to the paper.

Young AJ looked at the drawing and said, "No. That's Uncle AJ." He pointed behind me again and said, "That is Uncle Harm."

I turned and saw Harm and Renee walking up to our table. I smiled at Harm, now just using a cane before I turned to look at Harriet. "Is anyone else going to be showing up?"

"No, ma'am. That's just about everyone." Harriet said with a smile. Harm handed me a gift then gave me a hug before he sat down. Renee had even given he a half little hug. We were becoming better friends though the more we had talked about Harm's infernal plants. AJ had given Harm his seat so that he could get off his leg. The waiter soon came with extra chairs and we again all sat down. We ordered dinner and while we were waiting, Harm told me to open the gift.

"I had nothing to do with this, Mac. It was all his idea," said Renee.

I really can't say that I was surprised to open a book, Houseplants for Dummies. I glared at Harm for a moment. "I will have you know, all of 'your' plants are still alive." I suddenly caught the questioning smile in AJ's eyes and realized that I had a problem. I wasn't supposed to pick up AJ's new plants until tomorrow. Oh well. I suppose the old adage about honesty being the best policy was a good idea. Of course, I was going to wait until later to tell him, no sense in telling him around Harm.

Our dinner finally arrived and I soon forgot about the plants as we all enjoyed spending time together catching up on all that had happened in the past few weeks. Renee was thoroughly enjoying her job and would be headed back after the weekend. Before we knew it, it was rather late and far past the bedtime of young AJ.