Title: A Wonderful New Year
Author: Hollyjp
Summary: Harm and Mac had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a wonderful new year.
Spoilers: Anything in any JAG episode that has already aired, spoilers for episodes that will be aired and of course my own creative mind will contribute to these stories.
Disclaimer: JAG is the property of Bellisario Productions, CBS, and Paramount. I have borrowed their characters for entertainment purposes only. No monetary gain will result from their appearance in my story.
CHAPTER 1
Monday December 27, 2004
0630 Local
Harm’s Apartment
North of Union Station
“Harm...Harm...” Mac sighed as she got no response from the man who had refused to leave her side since the car accident. Carefully lifting herself up, smiling that she was moving more easily this morning, Mac leaned over the sleeping man at her side and gently teased his lips with her kisses.
“Mmmmm...this had better not be another damn dream...”
“Open your eyes...” Mac whispered against his lips. Harm obeyed the command and smiled.
“It really is you, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Any regrets yet?”
“Yeah...but not about you or you being here with me like this...just that I waited so long to say something...”
“Everything for a reason...”
“I agree. I wish I didn’t have to leave you alone today...you’ll be stranded...unless I take the Corvette out of storage for you.”
“No thanks...but I probably should go home...I’ve got to get things ready for when the girls come later this week.”
“I’ll help you in a couple of days. You still need to heal and I only have to work today and Tuesday and then I’m off until January third.”
“And I plan to go back to work then too.”
“Mac...”
“Don’t Mac me...”
“The doctor said two weeks and that will be just over one week.”
“So...I heal fast...I’ll take it easy...I’ll go crazy staying home doing nothing, Harm!”
“I know...hey,” Harm point from Mac to his lips and grinned. Mac kissed Harm and he moaned when his body reacted while they kissed. “I’ve got to get in the shower...”
“Need help?” Mac asked with a smile enjoying the freedom to tease him this way.
“You’re not up to it yet Marine...”
“No...but you are!” Mac said before she buried her face in the pillow.
“Maaaacccc!...I hate cold showers....” Harm muttered as he headed for the bathroom.
Mac sat up again, smiling. She couldn’t believe how quickly they had reached this new comfort level. Although they hadn’t engaged in sexual intercourse as yet, Mac knew that when they did it would be beautiful and intense. The physical and emotional closeness they were building while they held each other day or night as they talked about their feelings and ideas was exactly what they needed. They talked about anything and everything for a change. They found humor in things that alone had made each of them worry, but together brought them joy.
Mac remembered Harm’s word the night before while they held each other in bed. They had kissed and it grew in intensity until Harm gently ended it. He caressed her silky skin starting with her arms and then moving to her face before he kissed her again so tenderly.
“I wish I was able to do more, Harm...I can’t wait to make love with you.”
“Mac, I’m making love to you tonight...touching you, kissing you...making love doesn’t always have to be about sex...it can just be about showing someone how much you love them and want to be physically close to them...it can be the intimacy of sharing feelings and ideas you wouldn’t share with anyone else...”
“You really believe that?”
“Yes.”
“No wonder I love you...you are a very special man...” He had gently kissed her again, and they had fallen asleep in each others arms.
Mac smiled thinking about how giving and understanding Harm was and she hugged the pillow against herself, her knees drawn up. Harm’s return from the shower wearing nothing more then a towel around his waist and a smile, was taken for exactly what it was - his attempt at a payback. Mac swallowed as she watched the water drops still glistening on his skin and the way his muscles rippled as he moved.
Harm, with his back to her, loosened the towel and dried the front of himself and then held it with one hand while reaching for boxers with the other. He held the boxers in one hand as he stepped in one foot at the time and managed to pull them up without exposing more then a quick glimpse of his firm six when the towel dropped.
Mac gulped unable to help herself as she saw enough to know that he must have worn a Speedo while tanning at some point based on the fading tan lines she saw. It was very warm in the bedroom and she could not wait until she had healed enough to be able to move without hurting. She hoped another day or two would make the difference. She also vowed to behave herself so that Harm didn’t engage in payback again until she was ready.
Harm pulled on his undershirt and slipped into the dress shirt before turning around. Sitting on the edge of the bed to put on his socks, pants and shoes, he casually started talking to Mac.
“You okay? You seem awfully quiet. Call me a few times today if you get bored...I don’t want to call you in case you are sleeping.”
“Okay.”
“What do you want for dinner tonight?”
“Why don’t I make something?” Mac suggested.
“Are you up to it?”
“Sure...I can take my time and it will give me something to do.”
“If you’re sure,” Harm said as he stood up and buttoned his shirt and tucked it in.
Mac stood up and came around to him to straighten his shoulder boards. Looking up their eyes met.
“I remember another time you did that for me...remember?” Mac nodded at Harm’s question. “I almost did this then...” he lowered his head and lightly kissed her.
“We would have been in trouble.”
“Mac...we were in trouble just because neither of us could tell the other what we were feeling and what we wanted. It couldn’t have been any harder if we had given in and just kept it professional in the office then...just like we’ll have to do now.”
“I know...we just weren’t ready.”
“I got to go...” he kissed her again. “See you tonight.”
“Talk to you later. I love you.”
“Love you too,” Harm grinned as he grabbed his suit jacket, coat, and cover and headed for the door.
0755 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
“Commander Rabb, how is Colonel Mackenzie doing from her accident?”
“She’s very lucky that it wasn’t worse, but she’s healing and wants to return next week. I dropped her paperwork off with Petty Officer Coates this morning when I came in.”
“Did you stop and check on her this morning?”
“I saw her this morning, yes.” Harm answered without admitting that she was at his place.
“I’ve been trying to call her at home but she didn’t respond to my messages. Do you know why?”
“Yes sir...she was released only if someone was with her for seventy-two hours and so she chose to stay at my place.”
“I see...Rabb, is there something between the two of you that I should be concerned about? I know you hold her power of attorney for medical issues...is there more?”
“Yes sir...we’ve been friends for years and now have decided to date.”
“Can you keep it out of the office?”
“I believe so, sir.”
“Then so be it...And Rabb?”
“Yes?”
“If it looks like you’re going to marry her, wait as long as you can to tell me, okay?”
“May I ask why sir?”
“Come into my office, Rabb.”
Harm followed Creswell into the office and shut the door as directed.
“Commander Rabb, I had misgivings about you because of your record. However, in the short time I’ve been here, I believe that I’ve seen what Admiral Chegwidden saw in you. You are a leader, whether you know it or want it. I understand that you tried serving as a judge and it wasn’t what you expected.”
“No sir. I wanted to jump in and solve the case. I wanted to investigate...”
“I get the picture. You have been working on the Marine team almost like you are wearing the wrong uniform. In my experience, many of the men in Navy uniform wearing those gold wings you have on your chest, are hard-headed, arrogant, cocky and act like they are too good to associate with hard working ground dwelling humans...but you are different. I know my view is tainted by the rivalry that exists between the two branches, however, you have proven to be valuable to the team and to JAG. Therefore, Commander, I would not want to lose you if you and Lt. Colonel Mackenzie were to decide to get married. While I could look to having one of you assigned to another Command and on loan to us here at JAG, that still smacks of impropriety especially if you were to be on opposing teams. Transferring Mackenzie to Judicial would be one option, but she’s a good lawyer and a good leader. That wouldn’t be my preference either. I want both of you here as long as I can keep you...so wait until the last minute to tell me if you ever get to that point.”
“Understood sir. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Expressing what you have, sir. Is that all?”
“Yes...Dismissed.”
“Aye, Aye, sir.” Harm came to attention and then turned on his heal to leave the office. If only Creswell knew!
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
1845 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
“Take your time Mac...” Harm cautioned as she headed up the stairs to her apartment leading the way.
“Harm I’m fine. I’m moving much better and the bruises are even beginning to fade.”
Mac let them into the apartment that had been empty since her accident. Harm set down their overnight bags and took the grocery bags he had been carrying into the kitchen.
“Harm, I can put the food away.”
“I know...but you need to make a list of the things we need to do.”
“Okay...” Mac grabbed a paper and pencil and sat at the table and began to wrote. Strip the bed, wash sheets and towels, do laundry, dust, vacuum, check tree, shop for car, change potpourri, make love to Harm.
She handed him the list and smiled. He read it over and his eyes blazed as he read the last item on the list.
“Mac...”
“Let’s see if we have any energy left when we get the other things done...okay?” Mac smiled at him from her seat at the table.
“Now I really don’t want you to over do.”
“I won’t...I promise.”
They set to work cleaning and two hours later, the last of the laundry was in and they sat on the sofa together after kicking off their shoes, just holding hands and talking.
“So tomorrow morning, shall we go take a look at some cars?”
“Yes.”
“What time are you expecting Chloe?” Harm asked.
“Not until eighteen hundred.”
“Perfect, Mattie’s bus is due in at seventeen-fifteen. We can pick her up on the way to the airport. So where do you want to go to look for cars?”
“That place where we got our cars before is still in business. Why don’t we start there?”
“Good idea. That insurance settlement came in quickly and should allow you to really get a good deal.”
“I hope so, because I have my sights set high.”
“How so?”
“Well I did some internet research the last two days. Acura and Lexus both have a sporty looking sedan that is all wheel drive, great safety features and some new technology that is appealing...but both have a huge sticker price. I learned that sometime you can pick up ‘new’ vehicles at a great price that were used as showroom or test drive models. You get all the warranties like it was new, but some of the bugs have been worked out because it has been used some plus you don’t have to pay that up front cost that you lose when a brand new no mileage car depreciates the minute you drive it off the lot.”
“Sounds like you’ve been doing your homework, Mac.”
“I had another idea.”
“What?”
“Well, I thought we should take a taxi to the dealership...that way if I do make a deal, we’ll only have one car to bring home.”
“I like the way you think.”
“Do you know what I’m thinking now,” Mac purred as she ran her hand up and down Harm’s thigh.
“Yes...do you think it’s a good idea?”
“Harm...I may be a little tender still, but I want to try.”
“Let’s not force it...lets start with some kisses...” Harm suggested.
Mac happily obliged. She reached her arms around his neck and lifted her face to his, licking her lips. Harm groaned as he captured her lips with his, and let his tongue reach out to meet hers. As their tongues dueled, Harm eased her up onto his lap and began to caress her stomach. He felt her hands working the buttons on his shirt and felt her lips wander to his chin and down his neck. He tipped his head back to give her access to his throat. He felt the cool air on his chest as she pulled the shirt open, exposing his chest to her hands and eyes and lips. He leaned his head against the back of the sofa, letting Mac, touch and taste him. He felt her ease herself off his lap and he opened his eyes to see her reaching out her hand to him.
“Come with me,” she demanded softly.
Harm stood up and taking her hand followed her to bathroom. There she removed his shirt and then started on her own. Harm stopped her and unbuttoned her top for her, easing it off her shoulders leaving her with her pink satin bra to hide her straining breasts. Mac reached behind her an unclasped the bra, letting it fall on the floor at her feet. Harm’s eyes feasted on her beauty as he felt his body respond as the reality was even more beautiful then his fantasies.
Mac reached for Harm’s jeans then and undid the button and lower the zipper. She could see the bulge in his jeans and knew that it was time to stop teasing. This night would end with him having been satiated if he would allow it.
Harm then unbuttoned Mac’s jeans and dropped to his knee to place kisses on her abdomen where he could see the bruising. He was gentle and yet his mouth did things to her that had her knees buckling.
Mac pulled Harm up and reached to slide the jeans and boxers over his hips and down his legs. Finally he stood before her naked, his arousal standing tall and proud, pulsing as she looked at him and licked her licks.
“Maaaccc....” He groaned feeling her eyes on him and then seeing her tongue almost made him come undone where he stood. He reached for her and gently removed her jeans and undies. She stepped out of them and turned on the shower.
Together they stepped into the shower and took turns washing each other from head to toe. It was a sensual exploration for each of them that neither allowed to blaze out of control. Once they had rinsed off, they stepped out of the shower and each tool a fluffy towel and took turns drying each other off.
Mac took Harm by the hand and led him to the bedroom. By the bed, Harm took Mac in his arms and began to kiss her, allowing his hands to caress her back and her six as he held her to him, letting her feel his erection pressed between them. He wanted her, and it felt so good to be with her, that he wanted to make it last as long as it could.
Mac slid her hands up and down Harm’s chest as she let her kisses wander to his ear, down his neck, and to his collarbone. Her rounded nails traced patterns on his chest and tangled in the hair spreading across his breastbone. He threw his head back, closed his eyes and let himself experience each sensation she created as she touched him. He could feel her hands and lips wandering lower across his chest, his abdomen and lower. He anticipated the feel of her hands closing on him. When it didn’t happen, he opened his eyes and looked at her.
Sarah Mackenzie stood before him naked, with her eyes glistening with unshed tears and a smile on her face as she watched him giving her control of him. It was something she had never thought would happen, so being faced with this ultimate trust told her how much the man before her loved her in return.
“Sarah...” her name was a sigh in the quiet, not quite a question nor a command.
Unable to speak with the emotions that were overwhelming her, she indicated that he should lay back on the bed. He did and she followed, sitting beside him, still letting her fingers lightly trace his fit body. Once she brushed his erection and felt it pulse, her eyes flying to his face to try to catch his reaction. He had once again put his head back, closed his eyes and gave himself up to the sensations she created in him. Slowly she lowered her head and kissed his navel. Slowly she kissed her way down his body, following the line of his left hip, down his thigh, knee and calf, and then back up the right side, starting with his calf, to the knee and up the thigh. She never made it to his hip. His arousal stopped her as she noticed he was clutching the bed covers willing himself to allow her free access to him. He was given up control to her, no matter what it cost him. The hard column of flesh was now moist from the escaping drops that had formed at the tip. Mac watched in fascination as his erection pulsed and a drop of semen dripped down from the tip. Her hand reached out to catch it, but it was her tongue that caught the prize.
Harm felt his hips lift off the bed, as the moist heat of her mouth closed over him and her velvet tongue wrapped around him, energizing all the nerves running along his engorged member. He felt himself harden even more. He felt the cool air surround him as she slowly lifted her head, exposing him to the cooler air. As her tongue swirled around the head of his erection, she took him back into the heat of her mouth. He wanted to move, but fear of hurting her and desire to let her have the control, kept him still. Mac picked up her pace, taking him all the way into her mouth before releasing him and dragging her tongue along those extremely sensitive nerves.
“I’m not going to last much longer, Honey.”
“I know...I want to do this for you.”
“You sure?” Harm asked and her answer was to take him back into her mouth quickly. She picked up the pace, sucking him back into her mouth to the hilt of his shaft, before releasing him with rapid licks along those nerves as she released him.
She felt his lips lifting and his body tighten as he called out, “Can’t stop it...now...” and with that she felt the telltale pulses of his orgasm as she caressed his testicles and continued to stroke him with her mouth until she heard him make a sound somewhere between a groan and a sob. When his body began to relax, she slid up next to him and caressed his face, where silent tears rolled from his eyes and back into his hairline.
“Harm...are you okay? Did I hurt you?” Mac asked exhausted from her efforts.
“I’m fine...earth’s spinning...stars shooting...that was amazing...nothing like that ever before...”Harm struggled to speak and Mac, wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder. Although she had been turned on by the whole experience, she was exhausted and as much as she hated to admit it, she knew that her own needs would have to go unmet this night.
“Maybe in the morning...” was her last thought before she fell asleep. She didn’t realize she had said it aloud.
Harm was drained but felt better then he had in a long time. When he realized that Mac’s needs needed to wait because she had exhausted herself in order to please him, he vowed to make it up to her.
CHAPTER 2
Wednesday December 29, 2004
0430 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
Harm woke up first and looked at the beautiful woman laying next to him. Quietly he got out of bed and used the bathroom to answer nature’s call. As he slid back into bed, the covers that he had pulled over them the night before slid down and exposed Mac’s beautiful naked breasts. The nightlight from the bathroom shone in to the bedroom and the faint light allowed him to see the outline of their fullness and the nipples that were erect as she slept. He smiled wondering if she was dreaming of them or just a reaction to the cooler air now touching them.
He leaned over and kissed her lips and then allowed himself to trace the outline of her breast with a gentle finger. She wiggled closer as if she was turning to give him better access. Harm smiled and lowered his head to kiss the places his finger had touched. He allowed his tongue to play with the erect bud he found on one side while his hand caressed the other breast. He felt her arch her back which pushed her breast more fully into his mouth.
Wrapping his tongue around the engorged bud, he sucked and licked first one breast and then the other. After giving both breasts equal attention, he realized that Mac was trying to touch herself. Harm gently moved her hand, and allowed himself to cover her mound with his hand, and slipped his fingers into her moist folds. She opened herself to him and as he brushed the bud hidden in the folds, he heard her whimper a little. Sliding down her body, he positioned himself between her knees and lifted her legs to rest on his shoulders as he lowered his head to kiss the hidden places he had touched moments ago with his fingers. She was hot and wet and tasted so very sweet he felt like he could never get enough.
He was aware of her head tossing on the pillow and her cries of pleasure as he licked and sucked her hidden, secret places. She had reached an orgasm as yet, but Harm suspected that it wasn’t far off. He slipped his tongue inside her and it came away coated in her sweet liquid. He could feel her begin to tighten and he gently inserted first one finger and then two. He let his teeth and tongue tease her bud as he felt her tighten around him. He move his fingers inside her more quickly and felt her hips rocking at a faster and faster pace. He could hear her whimper and he shifted himself so that his thumb played with the buds hidden in her folds, while the fingers on the same hand slipped in and out of her folds. He began kissing her and letting his tongue imitate his fingers as they stroked her inner heat.
As he had struggled to warn her, she did too.
“Harm...oh god...now...more....faster...deeper....yes....yes...Ooooohhhhhh...”
Harm could feel the hot sticky moistness pour from Mac’s body on to his hand as she let go. As she stilled, he raised on one elbow over her and waited for her eyes to open.
“Don’t tell me you slept through that,” Harm smiled as he whispered to her.
“That was...wonderful...thank you...”
“Did I hurt you?”
“No.”
“Think you could handle a little more this morning?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Watching you come undone, turned me on, Mac...”
“Good...because as good as that was, I’ve been wanting to see what it would be like with you.”
“Oh you have?”
“Yes...haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Mac, what about birth control?” Harm asked, knowing that they both wanted children, but also wanted to wait until they were married. He didn’t have anything with him, and he’d rather stop now before they continued if she didn’t have that covered this time.
“Harm, the medicine I was on for the endometriosis was a form of birth control and the doctor said that even though I’ve stopped taking them, it will be three to four months before I can even hope to get pregnant.”
“So its okay...”
“Yes...its very okay.” And with that, Harm made love to Sarah Mackenzie emotionally, physically and sexually and in any other way he could. When they finally collapsed into each others arms they were both sated and ready to wait until after the company left to resume this newest aspect of their relationship.
1030 Local
Senator Jim’s Car Emporium
Washington, D.C.
“How can I help you folks today? Say don’t I know you?” Jim asked as they arrived at the showroom.
“You waited on us almost six years ago when we bought our cars.”
“Are you trading them in?”
“Well, I’m ready to buy if the price is right. I had a little accident Christmas Eve and totaled my Corvette. The insurance company has provided me with a check that I can use as a down payment,” Mac explained.
“What are you looking for Ma’am?”
“I want something sporty, safe, all wheel drive and decent with gas.”
“That rules out most SUV’s...have you thought about a mini-van?”
“Sporty, remember?” Mac asked him and poked Harm at his smirk.
“I have one car on the lot that might be just what you are looking for. It’s a demo car, so it has some mileage on it.”
“How much?”
“Less then five thousand miles.”
“What is it?” Mac asked.
“It’s an Acura RL 2004, fully loaded, top of the line...”the salesman paused to let the information sink in. “It’s silver with leather interior.”
“Wow...”Mac exclaimed as she spotted the car in question. “It would have to be a really good deal still...”
The salesman wrote a figure on a piece of paper and handed it to Mac. She looked at it and showed it to Harm. Their eyes met and he nodded subtly to her.
“Can we test drive it?” Mac asked.
“Sure...go ahead and get in...it’s unlocked. I’ll get a plate and the keys so we can give it a spin.” He moved away then on his mission.
“Mac, that’s quiet a deal.” Harm assured her.
“I know. It really is exactly what I wanted. I love the look of it.”
“It does look good,” Harm agreed.
“Here you go,” the salesman held out the keys to Mac and climbed in the backseat after attaching the dealer license plate. “Start it up and lets take it out.”
Mac didn’t hesitate to try out the car. They took the main street out to pick up the beltway and so that she could get it up to some speed. The car rode smoothly and handled like a dream. Harm could feel its power from his position in the passenger seat. Mac’s smile told him that she was enjoying the way it handled. He stretched his legs out and leaned back, comfortable as the passenger.
Mac got off the interstate at the next exit and made her way back into Washington, D.C. on secondary roads. She loved the way it handled as easily in the city traffic as it had on the highway. The salesman kept up a running dialogue about the features of this particular car. Mac had already made up her mind, but when the salesman showed her the retractable sunroof with its ‘skylight’ feature any last doubts for Mac were gone.
“I’ll take it!”
1445 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
Harm watched Mac carefully as they put away the last of the groceries. He didn’t want to hover, but she had already had a busy day and he was concerned that their lovemaking this morning might have been too much for her. He turned to her and reached out to pull her to him for a hug and kiss.
“Mac, we’ve got a couple of hours before we need to leave to get the girls. Why don’t you go rest and I’ll make us a cup of tea?”
“Thanks Harm...that sounds great.” Mac slowly left the shelter of his embrace suddenly feeling the weakness set in. She knew she wasn’t a hundred percent yet, but she was feeling better and she had enjoyed the newest development in their relationship. She didn’t want him to know how tender she was this morning as a result, for fear he wouldn’t touch her again for a long time. Now that they had crossed that line, she wasn’t sure she could stand not to have him in her bed for the next week, while the girls were with her.
Settling on the couch with her feet up and her head back, she recalled the intensity of their lovemaking from last night and this morning. She couldn’t stop the smile of pleasure on her face as she recalled the way he had given himself into her trust and allowed himself to feel so deeply. She also remembered how tender and gentle he had been until she had urged him to move faster and deeper within her. That’s why she was so tender today...she had caused it. She knew that if she had been patient and let him keep the slow gentle pace, she would have reached orgasm as well, but she had urged him on, inciting him to move deeper, harder and faster within her bruised body had not been smart on her part. It had felt so good when he had quickened the pace with his hand, that she had assumed it would feel as good during intercourse. She had been wrong. She had not taken into account the size of that man.
“Mac?”
“Oh hi...thank you,” Mac murmured as she accepted the cup of tea Harm handed her.
“Was this morning too much for you?”
“Why?”
“You’ve been a little withdrawn,” Harm explained.
“I’m sorry.”
“Mac, please don’t apologize to me. Just be honest with me. Did I hurt you?”
“No...I hurt me,” Mac reluctantly admitted.
“Mac? What do you mean?”
“I am sore this morning, but its because I asked you to give me more then my body was ready for,” Mac leaned her head into his chest. “I guess I was more tender still then I realized. Everything was fine at first. You were so gentle and caring and I was so turned on that I wanted to feel that high again with you...I rushed it - you.”
“Come here...I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
“I know, Harm. I need to learn patience.” Mac admitted as she snuggled into his arms and relaxed as he looped his arms around her and gently held her to him kissing the top of her head. “Promise me that you won’t withdraw from me because of my stupidity.”
“I promise...Mac, after what we’ve shared, I couldn’t give it up for long. The week with the girls should give you time to heal and keep us at arms length.”
“Can I still have some hugs and kisses...do I have to give them up too?”
“No way...I need them to survive. Why don’t you close your eyes for a few minutes?”
Mac did and Harm lay back on the sofa, with Mac on top of him. She slept in his arms for almost two hours. When she awoke, it was time for them to get ready to go pick up the girls. Harm made sure his bag and belongings from the past few days were packed and in his SUV before they left. He was surprised when Mac offered to let him drive her new car.
“Thanks Mac, but I know how much you like to drive.”
“I do...but I’ll let you drive it too.”
“Another time...I enjoy being chauffeured.” Harm smiled and climbed into the passenger seat again. “You know Mac, this is a very comfortable car and it has a good safety rating. I think you picked a great car and landed a fantastic deal on top of it.”
“Thanks Harm...you thinking of trading in your Lexus yet?”
“No...but I have a couple of other big purchases in mind.”
“Really?”
“Your ring, remember...”
“Yes, but...”
“No buts...I am buying you a ring.”
“Thank you Harm...what else are you planning to buy?”
“A house. I started looking last year when I had Mattie, but by the time I had been pre-approved and found something that was suitable, she was settled with Jen...and it was working out well...but Mac, I think we should look at houses.”
“Harm, when we get married, we could find ourselves shipped anywhere. Does buying a house really make sense?”
“Actually, I was thinking of looking into a lease with an option to buy...”
“You heard about something, didn’t you?”
“Yes. The relator I had contacted before called me and said she had two houses with options that would be available in January and ready to be viewed this week. I set up an appointment for tomorrow to go see them. Do you and the girls want to go with me?”
“Harm...as much as I’d love to see them, I think if we do the girls are going to ask questions we don’t want to answer yet. I think you had better go and tell me about them later.”
“I’ll call and reschedule the appointment until you can come with me.”
“No Harm...you might lose the chance on the one that would be perfect. You go. Tell me about it. I trust you to find something that will work for us. You’ll only be signing a lease. If I don’t like it, we’ll use the time to find something we do like after the dust settles.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“Really sure?”
“Yes.”
“Mac, are you really, really, sure?”
“Harmon! Yes! Why are you doing this?”
“Because I asked you this morning if you were sure...”
“Stop it. I knew you would do this. Harm, if I thought I needed to go with you, I’d suggest we drop the girls off to go to the mall and then I could go with you. But I’d rather go with them!”
“So that’s what you are going to be doing tomorrow, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, Mac...” Harm scanned for Mattie’s bus as they pulled into the terminal parking lot. It was still early, but in case she had arrived early he looked. When Mac stopped the car, he turned toward her.
“Mac, I think I need a few kisses to hold me over while we wait...” Harm leaned toward her.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes...”
“Are you really, really...oh!” Mac burst out laughing as Harm reached for her and pulled her toward him, kissing her soundly on the lips.
“You think you’re pretty funny, don’t you, Marine?”
“At times...remember I’ve told you before I’m a funny lady,” Mac smiled at him, enjoying the light hearted flirting that seemed to come easily to them now.
“Yes, you did. There’s Mattie’s bus now.”
“Go meet her, Harm.”
“Not without you Mac.” Together they walked hand in hand to the bus and watched the passenger disembark.
“Harm! Mac!”
“Mattie!”
“Are you two...I mean I saw you holding hands?”
“Yes, Mattie, I told Mac how I feel about her...we’ve decided that we should date...you okay with that?”
“Of course I am! Took you two long enough,” Mattie scolded as she hug each of them. “When does Chloe get here?”
“We go get her at the airport next. Where’s your luggage?” Harm asked her.
“I have that big blue suitcase,” Mattie pointed. “And my carry on.”
“Okay,” Harm reached for it and prepared for the weight and was surprised when it wasn’t even half as heavy as he had anticipated. “Wow! This is light. What’s going on Mathilda Grace?”
“Oh that. Well, I figured I would need a way to get the things home again that I plan on buy at the mall. I mean, Chloe and I were hoping that we’d get to go shopping at least once...and I got several gift certificates for Christmas and some money...”
“And you and Chloe have been talking?”
“Emailing actually...Remember that hug email you sent me Harm?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Chloe’s email was on it, and I took a chance an emailed her. We thought it would be good for us to get to know each other a little before we actually met.”
“Oh Mattie...you and Chloe haven’t been plotting have you?” Mac asked.
“No...not really...not yet...and it looks like we may not need to.” Mattie glanced at their clasped hands again.
Mac and Harm both grinned at her.
“Wow! Cool car...Did you trade in the Lexus, Harm?” Mattie asked.
“No...Mac bought it this morning.”
“Cool! This is nice, Mac.” Mattie exclaimed again as she settled in the backseat behind Harm.
Mattie chattered all the way to the airport telling them about her Christmas. Harm and Mac exchanged indulgent smiles a few times enjoying her teenage exuberance. They found parking in the closest lot near the terminal at Dulles and headed in to meet Chloe. Her plane was on time and although it was crowded, Harm had a clear view. He spotted her right away, wearing what Harm thought of as her trade mark hat - floppy, funky and serviceable all at once!
“Here she comes...” Harm announced as she made her way toward them. Harm knew the second she had spotted them as she smiled and picked up her pace. Mac stood in front of Harm and Mattie to his right as they moved to meet her.
“Mac!” Chloe cried as she threw herself into Mac’s waiting arms. Before Harm could stop her, he heard Mac’s intake of breath indicating that the bear hug was hurting her still tender body.
“Easy Chloe...Mac lost a battle with a tree the other night and is still a bit bruised.”
“Mac, what happened?” Chloe asked.
“I’ll tell you about it later. I’m sore, but I’m alright and I’m getting better...I don’t have to be treated like spun glass...” Mac said, glancing at Harm.
“Hey Chloe,” Harm greeted the teenager and gave her a hug. “I understand you’ve already met Mathilda Grace Johnson electronically, here she is in person. Mattie. Chloe Madison.”
“Hi! I’ve been waiting for this...” Chloe started grinning back and forth at Harm and Mac. “There’s something up with you two isn’t there - or are you still claiming to be only friends?”
“Chloe,” Mac cautioned.
“They’re dating!” Mattie announced.
“Cool beans!” Chloe grinned looking at Harm and Mac, once again holding hands and smiling indulgently at their teenage charges. At that, Chloe and Mattie headed for the luggage arm in arm talking about their plans, while a bemused Mac and Harm followed behind.
“Mac, I think we have officially lost control of these two already...”
“Would have been better if they didn’t like each other?”
“Of course not.”
“Then be grateful. It’s going to be fun having them both with me...not as fun as having you there at night...but still fun.” Mac reached up to kiss his cheek and sooth his wounded ego.
CHAPTER 3
2230 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
“Good night, girls,” Harm called as they shut Mac’s bedroom door after giving Mac and Harm hugs and goodnight kisses. The giggling was still audible. “Something tells me they aren’t as tired as they pretended to be.”
“I think you’re right. Thank you Harm...tonight was so much fun.”
“Thank you for including Mattie and me with you and Chloe,” Harm said as Mac snuggled up to his side again. “Tired?”
“Yes, but it’s a good tired. I’m tired from the days excitement not from healing.”
“But you are still healing Mac,” Harm gently reminded her.
“Yes, I am...but right now I want to enjoy some quiet time with my boyfriend before I have to send him home.” Mac whispered near his ear before she kiss it.
“That tickles, Mac...” Harm complained.
“Sorry...” she said before kissing him again in the same place. She felt him shiver.
“Maacc...behave.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Me either, but we agreed,” Harm reminded her.
“So what time will we see you tomorrow?” Mac asked.
“I’m meeting the relator at nine at her office. I imagine it will take a while to do paperwork and get to the houses...I’ll probably be tied up until noon at least. What’s the time line for you and the girls?”
“I’m taking them to the mall in the morning. We’ll probably have lunch there before we come home. Then I thought when we got back we’d make lasagna for dinner.” I think we pretty much agreed that we’d play board games and watch videos and stuff like that. Friday night is New Year’s Eve. I thought we’d do something special.”
“Yes...I’ve made reservation for the four of us to go out to dinner before we go to the Admiral’s for New Year’s Eve...and I also happen to know two young men currently in their first year at Annapolis that were more then willing to be well mannered dates for two teenage girls.” He grinned proud of his plan.
“You didn’t?”
“I did...anything wrong with that?”
“Its very sweet of you. What did AJ say?” Mac asked.
“He happens to know them and they are planning to play baseball for him this spring.”
“Will they be in uniform?”
“Of course.”
“They will be bowled over.”
“Do I bowl you over when I’m in uniform, Sarah?”
“Yes...or naked...”
“Behave,” Harm softly growled low in his throat.
“I love you...”
“I love you too...kiss me goodnight.”
Mac obliged and Harm made his exit a short time later.
Mac quietly entered the bedroom to get her night clothes and use the bathroom. She looked at the two girls and at first she thought they were sleeping...but the lack of movement warned her that they were still awake. Quietly she approached the bed and after studying them each in the dimly lit room she grinned.
“Don’t forget to breath,” she whispered.
“Ah, Mac...I never could get anything by you,” Chloe complained as she sat up. Mattie joined her and Mac turned up the bedside light.
“You girls need to get some sleep.”
“Are you mad at us for pretending to be tired and pretending to be asleep?” Chloe asked.
“No...I’m not mad...did you see what you were hoping to see?” she asked them looking in one set of eyes and then the other.
“Yeah...you guys are cute together.”
“I agree with Chloe, Mac...you and Harm belong together.”
“Thanks Mattie...Chloe, are you going to say, ‘I told you so,’ or are you going to let me off the hook?”
“I think I’ll let you off the hook...he had me fooled for awhile too.” Chloe admitted to Mac.
“What do you mean, Chloe,” asked Mattie.
“Well I was convinced that they loved each other but when Mac and Mic got together and Harm went off to fly airplanes I decided that he really didn’t love her and I was wrong...then I got mad at him because I felt that I couldn’t have been that wrong...but Mac claimed she loved Mic, so I decided that maybe I had misread the whole thing. I just wanted Mac to be happy.”
“I know what you mean...Harm was so unhappy when I first met him...but it wasn’t this Mic that kept them apart...it was Clay.”
“Clay? Mac, who’s Clay?”
“Okay girls...enough...you really do need to go to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning. We’re hitting the mall by nine so sleep fast,” Mac informed them as she ended the conversation that had started.
Thursday December 30, 2004
0930 Local
Rock Creek Estates
Reston, Virginia
“I think you’ll find this a delightful home, Commander. The previous tenants were military folks. He’s shipping out and she’s headed for San Diego I believe,” Mrs. Demerest informed him as she stopped in front of the last unit in the last townhouse on the dead end street. “The end lot gives it a very large and private back yard. As you can see there is a two car garage.”
“Very nice. Can we go inside?” Harm asked.
They entered a foyer area through the front door. Harm noticed the open floor plan and the hardwood floors. The walls were neutral and the windows bare of any treatments. The home was empty. They made their way past the stairs and through the living and dining room area and into the kitchen. He liked the modern appliances and the center island and pot rack above it. Although larger it wasn’t that different from his current kitchen. A utility room with a washer and dryer was off the kitchen. As he explored it he found a half bath and pantry also before he got to the door that led to the garage.
“How old is this place?” Harm asked.
“It was built nine years ago. Appliances were updated this past year.”
“Let’s see the upstairs. Does it have hardwood floors like down here?”
“Yes, but they aren’t hardwood floors. Carpet was originally installed and the previous owners had it ripped up and replaced it with this new laminate wood flooring last year as well.”
“Laminate? Wow, I thought it was real hardwood flooring. Easier to care for?”
“Yes it is and as durable I’m told.”
“You said this is a three bedroom house?”
“Yes. All three bedrooms are upstairs along with two full bathrooms.”
“Let’s take a look.” Harm saw the same bland neutral wall coloring upstairs that he had found throughout the downstairs. At the top of the stairs was a master bedroom with a master bath and two walk in closets. Harm grinned when he saw the spa tub knowing that Mac certainly would like that. They then checked out the two other bedrooms which were separated by a bathroom. The bedrooms were the same size. Each one had two windows on one wall and a large closet. They would work for office space or bedrooms...maybe a nursery and a guest room.
Returning downstairs, Harm looked around the living-dining area again. He spotted the French doors that opened onto a small deck out back separated from the neighbors by a privacy wall. Although the large area could be set up in many ways and would be great for entertaining, there was nothing that really grabbed Harm’s interest.
“It’s nice, but I’d like to see the other place first before I make a decision.”
“Then let’s go, shall we?” Mrs. Demerest led the way back to the car and headed a short distance before turning of the main street into a quiet residential street.
“Now this place I hadn’t told you about before. I just heard of it yesterday so I took a chance and set it up. The owner is interested in renting the house and isn’t sure if he wants to sell. He is willing to apply any rent paid toward a down payment if he decides to sell and you decide to buy. He left yesterday to return to the family farm which he is going to try and make a go of.”
As they stopped in the driveway of a brick house there was a carport connecting the house and two car garage.
“It’s almost like having three bays the way the carport is built in there.” Mrs. Demerest commented. This was her first visit to the house as well.
They walked up onto the enclosed porch and entered through the front door. The tiled entry gave way to wooden floors and arched doorways that led to a living room straight ahead, a dining area to the right and a room that could be used for an office or bedroom to the left. Beyond the office was a set of stairs leading up to the bedrooms. The carpeted stairs were worn but clean. There was a landing part way up and at the top there were rooms ahead and to the right and left.
Each bedroom was a different soft color. The master bedroom and bathroom were painted a soft pale sea green. One of the other smaller bedrooms was a soft cheery yellow while the other a soft peach color. The bathroom between the two smaller bedrooms was white. All of the bedrooms had the same well worn pale beige carpet that matched the stairs.
Harm looked the place over. The home had charm but needed a lot of work. There was also none of the little extras that he knew he and Mac would want - the bathtub, the fireplace...however, if the owner wouldn’t mind him doing some remodeling there were some possibilities.
“I think I’d like to see the third place now Mrs. Demerest.”
“Okay. Now that property is in Falls Church.”
“I know it well,” Harm smiled.
“This is a new home on Preston Circle near Haycock Longfellow Park. The owner was having it built for his parents and a disabled brother. They never finished it or moved in.”
“What happened?”
“They were all killed in a car accident in August. He’s planning to sell but needs to wait for things to proceed through probate court. He has been granted to lease the house in the mean time.”
“That’s so sad.”
“Yes it is. This home has a full basement, a two car garage, a front porch and a back deck, a fenced in yard. Shall we go take a look?”
“Yes.” Harm was immediately taken with the unusual dark taupe colored siding with the brick red and white trim. He liked the porch. He and Mac had a history of talking on porches and decks. Inside he spotted the fireplace and mantel immediately upon entering the livingroom area and only later noticed the flooring which again turned out to be the new wood laminate.
The kitchen had two build in wall ovens and a cook top on an island with the pot rack hanging above it. The counters looked like a granite material but wasn’t quite as shiny. He found they were made of concrete and made to look like polished granite. The black and gray flecks were dark and the appliances black, but the rest of the room was a pearl gray color that Harm liked immediately. The windows looked out on the back and side yard and gave it an open airy feeling. There was room for a table in the kitchen. On one side there was an archway led to the dining room. On the other side Harm found an area that could be used as a bedroom or office space with its own three-quarter bathroom. This space had not been finished. From this area, there was a door that led to the garage.
The separate dining room could be accessed from the kitchen or the living room area.
The top half of the walls were painted in a pearl color that was warmer then the white rooms he had seen earlier, while the wainscoting was in a warm maple wood. Harm liked the effect and could easily picture Mac’s furniture in this room.
Off the living room was a hall with six doors off from it. The first led to the basement. The second was the first of the bedrooms. Diagonally across from that bedroom was the second bedroom. Next to it was the bathroom with a door that led directly into the laundry and linen closet area that could also be accessed from the hall. Finally was the master bedroom and bathroom. There was room for a sitting area with a fireplace, two walk in closets and a full bathroom with double sinks and separate tub and shower and the tub was deep with spa jets. The bedrooms had not been painted as yet, but were ready to be painted. It had those little things that he knew he and Mac would want in a home.
“Let’s talk dollars and cents on this one,” Harm informed Mrs. Demerest.
She quoted him the monthly amount and he was pleased to find that it wasn’t at the high end of his range as he had anticipated.
“He has no problem with me painting rooms as I see fit?”
“None at all.”
“When can I start working on it?”
“As soon as we sign the papers and you make your deposit which is the total of three months rent. Can you do it?”
“Today if you’d like.”
“Perfect. Let’s go back to the office and sign the papers.”
Harm was excited with his find. He wanted to go get Mac and show her their home. He wanted to know how she wanted the rooms painted and where she would put the furniture. He wanted to set up housekeeping with Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. But it would have to wait if they weren’t going to share their news yet.
1330 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
“Did you girls leave anything at the mall?” Mac asked as they carried all the packages upstairs.
“But Mac the sales were amazing!”
“I know Chloe, but you guys spent a lot of money.”
“But we were given money for Christmas to buy things we wanted,” Mattie explained again.
“I know...I know...its just, I hope you realize how lucky you are.”
“We do Mac...” Chloe assured her ‘big sister’ as she dropped her bags and hugged Mac again.
“Mac, when is Harm coming over?” Mattie asked.
“Any time. Why don’t you put your things away and get out some of the games?”
Chloe and Mattie laughed and talked while they put their new clothes away and Chloe showed Mattie where Mac kept the games.
Harm arrived and after greeting the girls, went in search of Mac in the kitchen.
“Find anything?”
“Yes,” Harm grinned unable to suppress his satisfaction at finding a home he felt Mac would enjoy. “I wish I could show you or at least tell you about it, but the girls will be joining us any time.”
“Then you better give me a kiss now...if you don’t want to be spied on again.” Mac whispered as she stepped into his arms.
He kissed her over and over again and she returned his kisses until they heard the girls giggle.
“We’ve been caught Harm...”
“I know...suppose they can keep this to themselves?”
“Maybe.”
“We can!” Chloe and Mattie chorused together.
“Alright...let’s go sit in the other room because I have something to say and it could take a few minutes.”
“What is it Harm?” asked Mattie.
“Let’s sit...first, Mattie I know you will keep a confidence. Chloe, can I trust you to do the same?”
“Of course. What are you too secretly engaged or married or something?” Chloe asked.
“Yes,” Mac stated. “We are engaged but we don’t want people to know just yet.”
“Oh Wow!” Chloe and Mattie beamed.
“There’s more...I leased a house today and I’d like to show you, but again, not everyone will know so tomorrow at the party you can’t talk about it.”
After agreeing to the terms, they all loaded into the SUV and headed to the new house. They toured the rooms together taking their time. Harm assigned one bedroom to Mattie and one to Chloe to pick out the color for the walls. Then he told them they could pick out window treatments before they left to go home after the New Year.
Harm and Mac agreed that their bedroom would be painted in a soft green color. They would go look at paint samples later.
This time, Harm went down to the basement and found the two large rooms perfect for a workout room and a game room. There was also storage space, a three-quarters bathroom (shower, toilet and sink) and a mechanical room. The stairs leading to the outside went through a regular door instead of to a bulk-head.
“Harm this place is amazing. It has everything we need.”
“I know...and I didn’t even look at the basement when I was here before. I’m not sure why I didn’t even ask about it.”
“Well, it worked out fine. Harm, that was really great asking the girls to each be in charge of the color schemes in one of the guest rooms, but...”
“What Mac?”
“Well, if we do have a baby someday, one of those rooms is going to be redecorated as a nursery probably and some one’s hard work will be gone.”
“I hadn’t thought of that...but I guess we’ll deal with it then. Let’s go see what they have in mind.”
Harm and Mac found Chloe and Mattie together in the bedroom closest to the master bedroom. They looked up at Harm and Mac when they entered.
“Hey guys...we’ve got this idea...” Mattie began.
“Yeah, we figured you are probably going to make this into a nursery someday and so we thought this room would be perfect if the walls were painted a soft yellow and you could put a wallpaper border up with little teddy bears and then maybe paint a rainbow for some bright colors. What do you think?”
Harm and Mac looked at each other and then Mac smiled at the girls. “I think you guys are brilliant. Why don’t we paint this a soft yellow to start with. We can use it as an office or a guest room until we need it and then when we do we can pick out the borders and decorate for a baby.”
“Great idea. Let’s go see what you had in mind for the other bedroom,” Harm directed them across the hall.
“Well, we thought that this room is big enough for two twin beds and you could always push them together to make a king-size bed it you wanted or needed. Mattie and I can always share it when we’re here and we both like purple - well lavender. What do you think?” asked Chloe with her irrepressible smile beaming at them.
“I think we might be able to do that. We’re going to a paint store and you can pick out some paint chips.”
“Can we come over and paint tomorrow?” Mattie asked.
“You really want to?”
“Yes!”
“Did you buy something to wear for New Year’s Eve?” Harm asked them which got him a groan from Mac as the girls nodded yes.
“Well, if you want to we can plan a painting party for tomorrow. If we all work at it, we should have the place ready for moving in real soon.”
“Other then painting what needs to be done?” asked Mac.
“That’s it. I’ve already had the utilities put in my name.”
“Let’s go buy paint then,” Mac instructed them.
“Mac, why don’t we measure the windows and then we can decide what we want for window treatments too.”
It took them another hour to take down the measurements for all of the windows in each room. From there they went to a paint store nearby and picked out the paint. The hall, bathroom and laundry room needed paint as well, and Harm and Mac chose a new light gold pearl tone that was neutral enough to go with most everything yet daring because it was different. Harm bought brushes and rollers for everyone as they loaded up the back of the SUV and headed back to Mac’s for dinner and a movie. The board games would have to wait.
CHAPTER 4
Friday December 31, 2004
0930 Local
Harm’s House
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm had headed over to the house on his own before eight hundred hours this morning and got started on the painting. He laid canvas down to protect the floors and set up step ladders so they could reach the higher places easily. He started on the bathroom and laundry room area with the pearly gold color they had chosen before moving out to the hall where he put a coat on next. He had just stepped back to look at the effect when he heard Mac’s car pull in followed by the laughing of teenagers. Harm couldn’t help but smile.
“Harm? We’re here..” Mac called as she tried the door and found it unlocked.
“Hey Mac,” he kissed her lightly and then hugged the two teenagers dressed in old jeans and sweatshirts that Mac had let them borrow. “Ready for duty?”
“Aye, aye sir!” they responded in unison.
“Ever wielded a paint brush or roller before?”
“Yes sir!”
“Very well, come this way.” Harm strode off sown the hall with his painting troops following trying to imitate his swagger. Mac bent over laughing at the playfulness of the team. “Here is the lavender paint. I am leaving you each a brush for cutting into the corners. I taped off the edge of the ceiling so if you are careful you shouldn’t have a problem with that. Try not to get any on the floor. You don’t have to go super close as I removed the molding. We can paint that downstairs and put it up when its dry. Mac, what do you think of doing the trim in here this same color as the hall walls?”
“I think it would look great. Girls?”
“Perfect!”
“Okay, if you need us, we’ll be working in the master bedroom. Remember the hall walls were just painted so be careful when you come down the hall.”
Mac and Harm left the girls to get on with their work. Once in the master bedroom Harm reached for Mac and kissed her.
“I missed you. I can’t wait for you to move in here with me.” Harm murmured between kisses.
“Harm, we can’t do this too fast, you know.”
“I know...but if I’m going to be here, it makes sense for you to stay with me when you can. This is so close to JAG.”
“I know...I’m looking forward to when I can officially live here with you.” They kissed again until Mac suggested they should get to work before the girls discovered them making out.
They painted the walls a soft medium loden green. Harm had originally thought it looked a lot like Marine green, but lighter, until Mac had shown him the difference using paint chips. He had then agreed to her plan willingly. The ceiling and trim would be the soft pearly gold and the color would carry through to the bathroom and the closets.
The fireplace and large windows in the bedroom as well as the built in shelves in the closet which would be painted in the pearly gold, kept the room from being too dark. The bathroom cabinets were in the pearly gold while the rest of the trim was in white. The porcelain was in white and the fixtures in the burnished nickel.
It didn’t take long for the green paint to go on. Mac focused on that while Harm continued with the pearly gold color. When they were finished, they went to check on the girls. They were admiring their work in the lavender room.
“It looks great girls.” Harm praised them.
“We did the trim work downstairs too Harm.” Chloe told him.
“Very nice...all of it?” Harm asked with a strange look on his face.
“All the pieces you had on the saw horses. We didn’t touch what was in the other piles around the basement. Was that wrong?”
“No...it was good. Although some of the other trim work with be done the same color.”
“Show us and we can work on that next,” Mattie offered.
“Okay.”
Harm took them all downstairs and showed them what would be done in white and pearly gold. They went up stairs again to look at the master bedroom. Chloe and Mattie were impressed with the color scheme. They returned to the basement and were told that if they finished down there the room could use a second coat in about an hour.
Harm and Mac then worked in the room they hoped would someday be the nursery. The color had ended up being an ‘almond butter’ color - not quite yellow and not beige either. It was a soft and warm color but almost neutral. They left the ceiling and trim in white for this room. When they were finished they checked the hall and decided that the walls did not need a second coat, nor did the bathroom and laundry room area. They were just finishing the second coat in their bedroom when Mattie and Chloe joined them.
“We’re done.”
“Great...”
“And we cleaned our brushes and rollers and put the lids back on the paint.” Mattie added.
“Wonderful.”
“Thank you girls for your hard work,” Harm smiled at them. “We’re about done here and then I think we need to call it a day...go back, get some rest, and then get dressed up for our night out. What do you say?”
“Rest? You think we need rest? Harm, we’re teenagers...we can go all night...not like you aging types,” Chloe grinned.
“Oh really? Well, then I guess you’re old enough to decide for yourselves if you need rest. Would you object to Mac and I have some quiet time this afternoon?”
“No problem, Harm.”
“Thank you,” he smiled and shook his head at the two teenage girls while he wrapped an arm around Mac. “What do you think? Want to get away with me for a little while this afternoon?”
“What did you have in mind?”
Harm raised his eyebrows and then smiled. “Shopping and then I really do want to go home and rest and clean up before I pick my girls up for tonight.”
“Sounds good. Harm, why don’t we take my car tonight? You drive.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Great. Why don’t you take them back to your place and I’ll be along soon.” Harm kissed Mac once again and then watched her gather up the girls.
1400 Local
Old Post Office Mall
Washington DC
As Harm and Mac approached the jewelry store where he had bought Mattie’s charms and Mac’s necklace for Christmas, Mac realized what Harm was planning.
“Harm?”
“I know you can’t wear it on your hand yet, but I’d like to know we have picked it out...okay?”
They approached the counter and the clerk that had waited on them before greeted them with a smile.
“Are we looking at more charms today?” she asked.
“No...we’d like to see some engagement rings. Actually, Mac, why don’t you give me a few minutes to look and then you come back and see what I’ve chosen?”
“Alright...I’m going into the card store next door. I’ll be back.”
“Okay, I want to see some rings that are simple yet elegant...plain but dazzling,” Harm instructed the girl behind the counter.
“You don’t want much...”
“I do but I’ll know it when I see it. I know what she likes.”
“I bet you do,” the girl muttered as she turned and presented Harm with the first try of rings. Harm rejected them all as too fussy.
The second tray was brought forward and one ring caught his eye. It had a wider band and was in gold. There were three diamonds, a one carat solitaire in the center with half carat diamonds on each side. Harm set it on the empty tray on the counter.
A third tray was brought out. These rings were in platinum and one antique looking ring caught his eye as a possibility. Again there was a one carat solitaire in a filigree cut band. While it was ‘fancy’ it had an old world charm that he thought she might like.
A fourth tray produced two possibilities. The first one was gold, the other platinum. The gold sported a square cut solitaire with diamond cuts on the setting to give it an illusion of more. The platinum setting was an unusual design and the pear shaped solitaire while attractive some how looked like it was missing something. Harm asked and was told there was a matching wedding band. The clerk found it and when the two were together the setting turned into a ‘love knot’ surrounding the stone. Harm thought that Mac might like that one as well and it made its way to the tray as choice four.
Fifth and sixth tray was produced yielding nothing. Finally, on the seventh tray, Harm found ‘it’. Similar to the antique looking ring and the one with diamond cuts, it also had a pear shaped one carat diamond stone.
“That’s it! That’s the one I think she’ll chose out of those five.” Harm’s eyes lit up and his smile was the dazzling one that took people’s breath away. He turned to see Mac walking toward them. Quickly Harm moved the rings around so that Mac wouldn’t know what order that he had selected them. Turning he folded his arms across his chest and waited.
“Let’s see how well I know you, Mac...or your taste in jewelry at least.”
Mac stepped up to the counter and looked at the black velvet lined tray with the five rings on it. All of the rings were beautiful but one caught her eye right away. The first one she picked up and slid onto her hand was ‘it’ as far as she was concerned. It was beautiful. The stone was nice but it was the overall look of the ring that took her breath away. She loved the antique style and the fact there weren’t places that would catch on things. The unusual pear shaped diamond sparkled and the diamond cuts in the gold made it seem more brilliant.
“Harm...I really love this one.”
“Congratulations, Ma’am...he said that was the one.” the clerk told her as she turned away and let the couple have a moment.
“Oh Harm, it is exquisite. You really do get my tastes, don’t you?”
“I think so. You can look at others if you want Mac.”
“No...this is perfect...well almost.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It has to be sized...”
“Okay...let’s get that done and then we need to get ready for this evening.”
1930 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
“So we’re picking Harm up?” Mattie asked.
“No. Harm’s coming here with my car. I have the Lexus. We switched this afternoon.”
“Oh! I get it...think he’ll like my dress?”
“Yes Mattie...you are stunning. With your hair up you look so grown up.” Mac told her. Just then Chloe joined them.
“Well?”
“Chloe...you’ve grown up too! Did you do each other’s hair?” Mac asked.
“Yes.”
“You’ve both done a nice job. I’m going to have to get it in gear to look good enough to go out with you.”
“Mac, you are so beautiful. Harm’s only going to have eyes for you anyway.”
“Thanks Chloe...but what do you suggest I do with my hair?”
“You said you wear it up at work, so I think you should wear it down tonight,” Chloe decided.
“I agree Mac.” Mattie chimed in. The girls then went to work on Mac’s hair. Mac was a little nervous, but considering what I nice job they had done on each other she decided to let them see what they could do. Finally when they let her see what they had done with an array of curlers, curling irons, brushes, blow dryers and spray she was speechless. They had done as good a job as an expensive salon. Her hair had enough waves to be soft and feminine without being ‘too cute’.
“You did a great job girls...thank you,” Mac hug each of them in turn.
“Ohmigod!” Chloe exclaimed.
“What? What’s wrong?” Mac asked.
“How are we going to get your dress on without messing up your hair?”
“No problem...I’ll step in.”
With another disaster diverted, they helped Mac into her ankle length gown just as Harm knocked on the door.
“Get that Mattie...Chloe, can you help me fasten my necklace.”
“Sure Mac...You looked gorgeous.”
“Thank you...so do you young lady. Now lets go show Harm how we look.”
Harm was dressed in his gray suit with the shirt, tie and tie tack Mac had given him for Christmas. He had just complimented Mattie on her burgundy velvet dress and grown up hair-do when he looked up to see Chloe in a similar dress in a dark green, almost black color. Her hair was done up in ringlets, like Mattie’s. Expecting to see Mac with her hair up like theirs, he smiled at the flowing waves surrounding her face. Her dress was in a shimmering charcoal color, similar to his shirt with threads of gold woven through it. It was strapless and clung to her figure in all the right places. Her three inch heels made her tall figure even more striking and he smiled as he realized how much easier it would be to whisper in her ear or nuzzle her neck.
“Sarah...you are so beautiful...that dress is stunning.”
“Thank you. You look quite debonair yourself.”
“I am going to be the envy of every man in the restaurant during dinner...I have not one, but three beautiful women in my life...shall we go?”
Harm watched as Chloe and Mattie led the way while he offered Mac his arm. Together they got into the new car and Harm drove them to the restaurant where they had reservations. When he turned toward Falls Church again, Mac paused thinking that he had made reservations in the city.
“Harm, where are we going?”
“Aldo’s just reopened their restaurant in Falls Church. They have a special menu this evening and guitar playing in the background. I thought it was more suitable for teenagers, while still offering us elegance and excellent dining.”
“You’ve thought of everything, Harm. Thank you,” Mac settled her hand on his thigh as they rode through the city.
The candlelight at Aldo’s combined with the guitar music made the evening magical. Despite having the teenage girls with them, it was still a romantic dinner. Mattie and Chloe exchanged glances as they watched Harm and Mac holding hands and feeding each other bites of each other’s dish. At the same time, Harm and Mac chatted with Chloe and Mattie about their plans and shared some stories about some of the people they would see that evening. They talked about Harriet and Bud’s four children and Bud’s promotion as both girls knew the Roberts family. Chloe and Mattie exchanged stories of their most embarrassing moment with Admiral Chegwidden. It was after ten o’clock when they left the restaurant and made their way to MacLean, Virginia.
CHAPTER 5
2225 Local
Retired Admiral AJ Chegwidden’s Home
MacLean, Virginia
“Good Evening..Welcome to my home...Come on in....”
“Admiral...”
“Please...AJ...”
“Alright AJ...thank you for inviting us.” Harm spoke as he usher the three ladies inside.