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.
“Mac, you look fabulous this evening...Is this really Chloe? And Mattie? You young ladies look delightful...one moment please...” AJ turned away and beckoned to two young men in the Naval Academy version of the dress uniform.
“I would like to introduce you to Midshipmen James Smithson and Midshipmen David Wyatt. Gentlemen, this is Miss Chloe Madison and Miss Mathilda Grace Johnson. Perhaps you could get them some fruit punch.”
“Yes sir...” the two young men answered in unison and then held out their arms to escort Chloe and Mattie for the evening.
“Thank you sir,” Harm again expressed his appreciate to AJ for making the evening special for the girls.
“Glad to do it. So how are things going for the two of you? Mac, are you recovering from your accident?”
“Yes sir. I plan to start back to work on Monday.”
“And what about the two of you?” AJ questioned again.
“We’re dating, sir.”
“Good. It’s a start. Francesca is here somewhere with the young man she met on our baseball travels. There’s music and dancing...and enjoy yourself, but perhaps you could stay off the porch tonight...its kind of cold out there.”
“Yes sir,” Harm and Mac both laughed as they recalled the night on the Admiral’s porch when they were there to celebrate Mac’s engagement to Mic Brumby. Harm linked this fingers with Mac’s as he gazed into her eyes. He didn’t have to say a word for Mac to know he was telling her that they belonged to each other now and he wouldn’t let anything stand between them.
“AJ?”
“Yes Harm?”
“How is retirement suiting you sir?”
“Excellent. I’ve had time to do things I’ve always wanted to do and I’m beginning a new adventure this spring when I coach the team at Annapolis.”
“You don’t feel like you’re settling sir?”
“Settling as in taking second best?” When Harm nodded he went on. “Not at all. You have to make the best of what ever comes your way. Harm, what’s prompting these introspective questions of yours?”
“I’ve been thinking about changes that might need to be made in the future...”
AJ looked from one to the other and then at their linked hands. “I don’t suppose you are going to give the new JAG the very headache I warned you two about when I introduced you years ago?”
“Sir?”
“Don’t play dumb with me...in all the years I’ve known you two, hand holding was not standard operating procedure,” AJ chuckled at their expense. “Look, I think its great if you are finally recognizing what all of us suspected for years. I’m glad I don’t have to decide what to do when you make the next step and announce you’re getting married. Instead I can look forward to it. Just give the General time to look at some options so that he doesn’t have to lose either of you if he doesn’t want to...and I don’t think he will.”
“Yes sir.”
“Thank you sir.”
“Now go enjoy yourselves and get ready to welcome in a wonderful new year.”
“Harm, you we’re thinking of retiring were you?”
“Not really...but I know one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“When retirement is right I’ll know it like he did.” Harm nodded toward their host.
“I think I will too,” Mac responded. “Hey...I think I here our song. Let’s dance.”
“What song is that?”
“Anyone that’s playing right now,” Mac smiled up at Harm.
“Sarah do you have any idea how beautiful you look tonight?” Harm asked her as they slowly danced on the designated dance floor.
“You really think so?”
“Yes...you took my breath away when I first saw you tonight and my heart races every time I look at you Sarah.”
“Do you realize that you’ve called me Sarah most of the time tonight?”
“Yes...I can’t refer to you as ‘Mac’ when you look this way...all soft...” he kissed her nose, “feminine...” he kissed her right cheek, “romantic...” he placed another light kiss on her left cheek, “and sexy...” he kissed her lips lightly pulling back and blushing when he heard a nearby giggle on the dance floor next to them.
“Good evening Mattie...Chloe...having fun?”
“Yes.”
“Where are the gentleman?” Mac asked as she turned to face the girls, although Harm still held her.
“They went to get some food and find a place to sit. We told them we didn’t need food and we want to stay here and watch you guys dance for a few minutes. We’re going to go find them.”
“Harm...thanks for everything tonight...this is wonderful.”
“You’re welcome Chloe. It will be midnight soon...go enjoy the rest of two thousand four.” Harm and Mac watched the girls move off as the music changed to a fast, upbeat tune.
“Let’s go socialize with the others,” Mac suggested.
“Alright.”
They talked to some of the judges from JAG, Captain Helfman and were husband; Admiral Morris and his wife; Captain Sebring and his date (they had heard that his wife had passed away last spring); and then they were able to meet Francesca and her date.
“It is good to see you again. I think Papa missed you while we were away this summer. I am glad that you have agreed to remain friends with him.”
“Your father has meant a lot to both of us Francesca. In fact, I often have turned to him for fatherly advice,” Mac explained to the young women that was only a few years younger then herself.
“Yes...I must admit that at one time I thought you were in line to be my step-mother, but my father assured me that was not the case.” Francesca revealed to a shocked Harm and Mac.
“You what? You thought your father and I were involved that way?”
“No...I thought you might become involved...but then I saw the two of you together and knew my Papa was right...you loved someone else and he thought of you as another daughter.”
“Does it bother you that I asked him to give me away when I was planning to marry?”
“No...as long as it doesn’t conflict with my own wedding day plans.” Francesca smiled as she saw the man in her life cross the floor to join them.
“Fran, I brought you a fresh glass of champagne. It is almost midnight...” the tall dark hair man kissed her cheek as he handed her the glass.
“I would like you to meet Harm and Sarah. They were part of my father’s family from JAG. This is my...boyfriend...Ray Martinez.”
“Nice to meet you Ray.” Harm and Mac extended their hands in greeting.
“Harm...yes I remember AJ talking about you and a Mac was it?”
“Yes...This is Sarah Mackenzie...also known as Mac.”
“I see. Well I hope we will see more of you now it looks like we will be living in the area.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll be working as a coach with the Washington Nationals team if we can get it off the ground. It’s looking good.”
“Well congratulations. If you’ll excuse us, we need to join some friends as it is almost midnight.” Harm made their excuses and escorted Mac to the area where Chloe and Mattie were talking with the two young gentleman.
Harm excused himself to get a tray of non-alcoholic champagne so they could toast in the new year together. Out of no where came noise makers and confetti pops as the count down began.
The guests began calling out the count down.
“Ten - nine - eight - seven - six - five - four - three - two - one - HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
While the crowd chanted and cheered, Harm pulled Sarah Mackenzie into his arms for a toe curling kiss. It only lasted a few seconds and then he released her wishing her a Happy New Year. Next he turned to bestow a hug and a kiss on the cheek first to Mattie and then to Chloe as he wished them a Happy New Year in turn.
The whistles and cheers of the party-goers went on for several minutes. Toasts were offered and Auld Lang Sine was sung until eventually everyone returned to eating, drinking or dancing.
Saturday, January 1, 2005
0134 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
“Goodnight, Mattie. ‘Night Chloe. See you later.” Harm hugged each exhausted but happy teenager as they excused themselves to use Mac’s bedroom and get some sleep.
“Are you going to stay?” Mac asked Harm as the door shut between the girls and them.
“I’d love too, but no...I’m going to go home and get some sleep and then later I think I’ll start moving some boxes to the new house. Walk me to the door?”
“Okay...and Harm, we can help get things moved over tomorrow you know.”
“I know...I thought you’d want to do something special with the girls.”
“We want to spend the time with you...at the new house.”
“Okay...shall I pick you up?”
“No...we’ll meet you at your apartment or the house - depending on how late we sleep,” she laughed.
“Deal...kiss me goodnight...”
“Yes...” and once again Mac’s toes curled when he kissed her. The kiss went on this time, not a brief kiss like at the stroke of midnight. “Harm...” Mac murmured against his lips.
“I can’t seem to get enough of your lips on mine tonight.”
“I know...the girls will go home Sunday and I’ll make it up to you then.”
“Alright....good-night...I love you Sarah Mackenzie.”
“I love you too Harmon Rabb.”
CHAPTER 6
Saturday January 1, 2005
1030 Local
The New House
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm had been awake and ready to get to work on the new house before nine that morning and by ten had dressed and loaded the SUV with some of the first things he wanted to have in the new house. He grabbed four folding chairs and a card table from the garage, a case of bottled water, some towels, a couple of changes of clothes, a cot, a sleeping bag his guitar and some free weights. His next stop had been a deli where he grabbed some paper plates, bowls and cups as well as plastic dinner ware (forks, spoons, and knives) some ready made salads, sliced cheeses, homemade breads, and a container of homemade broccoli cheddar soup that would serve them all.
He had just finished unloading his vehicle when his cell phone rang. “Rabb.”
“Harm? Where are you?”
“Oh Hi Mac...I’m at the new house. You guys finally wake up?”
“I’ve been awake for hours, Harm.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,,,why?”
“Why didn’t you sleep?”
“I slept Harm...but I woke up early because I was anxious to be with you.”
“Oh...I like the sound of that.”
“Good...because I like knowing where you are.”
“Keeping track of me?”
“Not much...just want to be with you.”
“Me too Mac...me too....hey you and the girls want to come over. I bought stuff from the deli to have a picnic lunch later.”
“Sounds interesting. What project are you planning to tackle today?” Mac asked.
“Well, we had just enough paint left over that I thought I would be creative with our fitness room.”
“Hhmmm...our fitness room...our bedroom...it sounds so wonderful.”
“I know...so do you have any objections to me painting the basement walls?”
“None at all. Actually the green and yellow would go good together and brighten the place up. Want another lavender bathroom?”
“Not really. Look, I think that paint store is open today. If it is we’ll stop and get some more paint.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. You trust me to get colors you can live with?”
“Definitely.”
“Good...then it’s a go. The girls are up and dressed. We’ll head out soon.”
“Be careful on the roads Mac.”
“I will Harm...” Mac answered using the same tone, the one that says, ‘I love you’ without using the words.
Mac, Chloe and Mattie had a blast at the home decorating store they found open. Not only did they get a beige paint for rooms off the kitchen as well as the bathroom and remaining space in the basement, they found borders for several of the rooms. Mac even found a border for the room they hoped to someday turn into a nursery and had it put on lay-a-way.
1158 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
“Harm? We’re here,” Mac called as she let them into the house. She checked the newly painted bedroom wing on the house but didn’t hear or see anything. Opening the basement door, she called again, “Harm?” Getting a little anxious when he still didn’t respond, she headed toward the kitchen calling again, “Harm?”
“Mac? What’s wrong?” Harm asked as he came out of the kitchen to meet her. “Where are the girls?”
“They’re bring some things in from the car. I called and you didn’t answer...I couldn’t find you...” Mac trailed off feeling a little self-conscious for over reacting.
Harm kissed her and gave her a hug. “I was out in the garage so I guess I must not have heard you at first. I did hear you call to me twice...but I guess you didn’t hear my first response.”
“I guess not...as long as you’re okay...”
“You were worried about me?”
“Yes...you’ve been on ladders and you could have slipped...never mind...you’re fine. Let’s help the girls get those things in here.”
“Okay...here...I found the garage door openers. You should put one in your car.”
“Really? You sure?”
“Mac...we’re going to be living here together, right?”
“Yes.”
“We’re getting married, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m sure.” Harm threw his arm around her and together they went to meet the girls who had put everything on the front door step. Harm and Mac brought the paint and borders the remainder of the way into the house. “Borders huh?”
“Do you mind?” Mac asked him.
“Not at all. Want some help putting them up?”
“Mattie and I are going to do the lavender room,” Chloe informed him.
“You know how?”
“Yes. Chloe helped do her room in Vermont and I just did my room by myself in Blacksburg.”
“Alright...be careful if you get up on a ladder. Mac doesn’t need anymore gray hair.”
“Harmon Rabb Junior! I do not have gray hair.” Mac stood with her hands on her hips glaring at him, while he turned away chuckling.
They decided to have lunch at the folding table and chairs Harm had set up in the corner of the kitchen. When they finished, Chloe and Mattie offered to clean up before they tackled their project.
Mac and Harm painted the downstairs bathroom, remaining basement walls and the rooms of the kitchen area in the soft beige and trimmed them in white. They stopped to check on the progress Mattie and Chloe were making with the border in their room. Their work passed inspection and they were granted permission to do the border in Harm and Mac’s bedroom as well.
“Harm, I think your table and chairs would be perfect in the kitchen,” Mac informed Harm as they finished their bottled water after they had finished painting the office area. They had already decided that Mac’s desk and his would fit in there easily along with two bookcases and a filing cabinet. Harm had admitted that he would eventually like to do built-ins in their office, but then they decided to wait and see if they ended up buying the house before they went to work on something like that.
“So what else do we have they would work in the kitchen?” Harm asked Mac.
“Well, what about your stools at the island?”
“Maybe...but they may be too big and we may want them in the basement more.”
“Good thinking...what about your glass cabinet or the metal rack that serves as your pantry?”
“Well, the shelf unit may work in here, but I think the glass cabinet I use with my music system needs to go in the basement. What about your portable island?” Harm asked.
“That might work...we may have to buy a few more pieces once we get settled in.”
“I think we can do that...Come here,” Harm growled softly as he pulled Mac into his arms and began kissing her and nuzzling her neck.
“Aahhh....Harm...the girls....”
“Yeah?” he kissed her throat and delicately drew his tongue up her neck and tickled her behind the ear with the tip of his tongue, sending chills along her skin and the room temperature soaring.”
“Never mind...kiss me..” Mac claimed Harm’s lips with her own and as they let their tongues duel they became aware of the gasp and then the giggles that weren’t muffled before the girls tiptoed out of the kitchen area. Slowly Harm released Mac from his arms but held her gaze with his eyes.
“I love you Sarah Mackenzie and I’m not going to hide it for long.”
“That’s for sure if you go around kissing me like that very often...especially when you don’t have your cover to hide the evidence,” Mac teased as she acknowledged his aroused state. Delighted at his blush she gave him a look between a grimace and a smile as she raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders. “Ready to see the girls?”
“Mac...you go ahead...I’ll be along soon.”
“What shall I tell the girls?”
“That I’m putting the left over paint in the garage. Now go...”
“Hey Chloe...Mattie...we really appreciate all the hard work you’ve put in on the house. What would you like to do this evening...?” Mac asked looking from one to the other.
“Pizza and a movie?” suggested Chloe.
“How original,” Mattie teased.
“Well what’s your idea?”
“I think you and I should challenge Harm and Mac to a tournament of games...scrabble, pictuary, Trivial Pursuit...”
“You and I against Harm and Mac?”
“Yes.”
“Think we have a prayer against two lawyers?”
“Ever played games with Harm?”
“No.”
“Then trust me, we have a shot,” Mattie laughed as Mac shook her head.
“Then let’s do it...if we can have pizza,” Chloe gave in.
New Year’s Day
2123 Local
Mac’s Apartment
Georgetown
“Yes! We win again, Mac!” Harm crowed as they totaled their scrabble scores.
“Be careful Harm...Mattie told us that as good as you are at Scrabble, Pictuary and Trivial Pursuit are usually your downfall,” Mac cautioned.
“Yeah, but I didn’t have you as a partner before Mac...this will make the difference.”
It did make a difference - for Mattie and Chloe. They scored point after point.
“Harm, you can’t be this bad for real,” Chloe declared.
“Sorry, Chloe...I really am that bad at games...except Scrabble.” Harm apologized.
“That’s alright...I’m getting tired anyway...think I’ll turn in.” Chloe stood up and gave Harm and Mac each a hug. Mattie followed suit and soon Harm and Mac were alone sitting together on her couch.
“I feel like my parents have gone to bed and left me alone with my boyfriend,” Mac whispered to Harm as she snuggled into his arms.
“Think they’ll be checking on us?”
“Yes...and loving anything they might catch us at.”
“Even if I just hold you a little while?”
“They’ll be hoping for more.”
“Will you...be hoping for more?” Harm whispered as his lips closed the distance between them very, very slowly.
“Yes,” Mac answered breathlessly waiting for his kiss.
“Good.” Harm grinned as he sat Mac up from him and stood up.
“What are you doing?” Mac asked incredulous that he had not followed through and kissed her.
“I want more too Mac...and I can’t promise I can keep things under control tonight if we start something.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re too much of a boy scout?” Mac asked a little put out with him despite understanding what he was saying.
“Yeah - you. Walk me to the door?”
“What for?”
“I’ll give you something to think about until we can follow through...”
Mac acquiesced and let Harm help her up. They walked to the door and he put his coat on before turning and kissing her without taking her in his arms the way they both wanted.
“When will I see you tomorrow?” Mac asked him as he started to leave.
“Oh, yeah...here, take my credit card so that you can get those window treatments. I know Chloe and Mattie were looking forward to shopping for those things tomorrow before they head home. I’ll be at the house most of the day...when I’m not packing up stuff to take over there. I might see if Sturgis or Mike is available to help me with some of the bigger stuff.”
“You really are going to move right in aren’t you?”
“Yes...and I’ll move you as soon as you tell me you’re ready.”
“We’ll talk about it more tomorrow. I love you Harm.”
“I love you too Mac...good-night.”
Harm closed the door and willed himself to walk away. He wanted nothing more then to take her in his arms and love her slow and gentle all night long. Soon he would have the opportunity to do just that. For now he would go home and pack up things to move to the house in the morning. He doubted he would get much sleep that night unless he worked to the point of exhaustion.
CHAPTER 7
Sunday, January 2, 2005
1632 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac and Harm sat in her car in front of the new house. Neither moved or spoke for close to a minute.
“Shall we go inside, Mac?”
“Sure, why not...”
“Mac, something is bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?”
“No...”
“Okay. If you change your mind, just tell me. You didn’t get a chance to see what Sturgis, Mike, Gunny and I got done today.”
“Are you sure you want to show me?”
“Yes.” Harm closed the front door after they stepped into the house from the porch. “It looks a little funny in places right now...but I think when we get done, it will be excellent.” Harm handed her a coat hanger for her coat and they hung them up in the closet next to the door. Harm slipped his boots off too, leaving them by the door on the boot mat Mattie had put down today. Taking Mac’s hand, he led her into the living room.
In front of the fireplace was the area carpet he had in the loft. He had the leather sofa on one side, and the chair on the end facing the fireplace directly. The coffee table was in the center and a floor lamp stood next to the chair on one side, while an end table was on the other side.
“I thought your sofa would look good facing mine and your chair could be on the end next to the leather one. What do you think?”
“It might work...”Mac had to give him credit. Although his furniture was here, he had set it up keeping in mind her furniture and the locations they had talked about.
“Come on,” Harm instructed as he tugged her hand. He led her through the still empty dining room. The kitchen had the glass topped table and the chairs that Harm had at the loft. The wire shelves were set up in the kitchen and loaded with some of the items Harm had put on them in the loft. The rest of the items were stored in cupboards or the refrigerator. Harms pots and pans were on the rack above the cook stove. The plates, bowls, cups, and glasses were in the cupboard.
“We can change things around later, but I thought your set would probably go in your hutch in the dining room and be used for best.” Harm told Mac.
“It looks good Harm.”
“Come on...there’s more.”
In the office Harm had set up his desk, chair, bookcase and waste can on one side of the window, leaving plenty of space for Mac’s stuff on the other side.
They moved from there without speaking until they got to the lavender bedroom. Inside, the curtains had been hung and two twins beds were set up and covered with dark purple comforters and pillow shams. One table was between the bed with a lamp positioned in the middle. A dresser was on each side of the door way leading to the bathroom.
“Harm it looks great...I’m sorry the girls didn’t get to see this.”
“I know...I’m sorry things got so screwed up this afternoon.”
“I know you are.”
“Come on...one more room to see.”
Harm led the way into the master bedroom. The bed from the loft was in here along with his bureau and his bedside tables.
“Mac, we can put your bed in here if you’d rather, or buy a new one...but I wanted us to have a bed in here for tonight.”
“Really? Why on earth would we need a bed in here? Oh, yes, you’re going to sleep here tonight in your new house. I forgot.”
“Mac, is that what’s eating you?”
“Nothing is eating me, Harm.”
“Mac answer me this - no games - are you upset because I am moving in without you?”
“No.”
“Are you upset because I didn’t get your message right away?”
“No.”
“Are you upset because I spent time here instead of with you and the girls?”
“No.”
“Then what is it Mac?”
“You! You’re spending so much energy figuring out why I’m upset when all I want is for you to love me...show you want me...” Mac’s voice broke on a sob.
“Oh Mac...come here...” Harm gently pulled her into his arms and held her. He placed kisses on her hair and ran his hands lightly over her arms and back. “Everything I did today was so we could sleep here in our new home tonight...I want to make love to you here... in our room.”
“I want that too.” Mac cried softly, the tears rolling down her cheeks. Harm bent and tried to kiss her tears away. He moved to her lips, which were salty tasting from her tears.
“Touch me, Mac.” Harm whispered against her mouth as he caressed her and then kissed her as he pulled her closer to him.
He could feel Mac’s hands sliding under his long sleeve T-shirt and her fingers against his back as their tongues dueled. He slid his hands under her sweater and he skimmed the satin soft skin of her back, echoing her moved on him. He released her a little and broke the kiss long enough to pull her sweater off over her head and help her get his t-shirt off. Mac’s tongue darted out and captured his right nipple as her right hand sought the left one. He drew his breath in with a hiss as she licked and tormented him arousing him more intensely then he had ever felt before.
As she looked up at his face, he reached between them to release the front clasp on her bra and slide the garment off her shoulders. Harm again echoed her movements by lowering his head to her breast. His right hand supported her left breast as his tongue circled and teased the right nipple. He heard her whimper and felt her knees buckle. He slid an arm around her waist to support her and draw her closer as he continued to arouse her the way she had him. Before letting her go, he let his tongue ravish the other side.
Mac held his head to her breasts, loving the attention he was giving them, but wanting to touch Harm more. She reached around him and let her hands rest on his six, as she lightly squeezed his buttocks through his jeans. He didn’t seem to notice, so she tried to slide her hands in at his waist. They were too snug, so she started to squirm for him to release her so she could begin her next attack on his delicious body.
“Mac, what’s wrong?” He asked as he stood up and let her go.
“Nothing that can’t be fixed,” Mac smiled as she reached for the button on his jeans and lowered the zipper. “I need more access,” she whispered in his ear as she rubbed her breasts against the hair on his chest and slide her hands between his jeans and his underwear, so she could caress the tight muscles she found there.
Harm cupped her still jean clad six and sucked in his breath as her hands played with his ass through the navy blue knit long leg underwear he wore. Harm maneuvered them so he could reach her jean snap and zipper as well. It wasn’t long before they were both naked and totally aroused.
Harm picked Mac up and laid her on their bed as he knelt beside her.
He had vowed that he would take this slowly this time and make sure she was ready for him. He did not want her to be sore or uncomfortable as she had been the previous time they had been together. He had planned his assault on her senses and he fully intended to carry them out as planned.
Monday, January 3, 2005
0530 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
“Harm? You awake?”
“Morning, Beautiful,” Harm whispered as he lifted his head and kissed Mac tenderly.
“I need to go home and get a uniform for work.”
“I thought you always kept a bag in your car?” Harm protested.
“I usually do. I took it out to fit in the girls’ luggage yesterday.”
“Okay. I’ll go with you.”
“Not a good idea, Sailor...we’ll never get to work on time.” Mac smiled as she kissed him, still amazed at how a man as large as he was and as powerful could be so gentle and tender and still create the most intense passionate moments of her life. No amount of urging on her part last night changed his pace or his focus. It had frustrated her to no end, until she experienced the most intense orgasm she had ever had. His patience and determination had given her something no one else had.
“You going to shower here?” Harm asked her hopefully.
“No. I’m going to throw on my clothes and go. You’ve got another hour before your alarm will go off. I just didn’t want to sneak out of bed without you knowing what I was going to do.”
“I love you...”
“I know...I love you too. See you at JAG.” Mac slid out of bed. Harm watched her in the pale light as she dressed and then left the room. She went into the kitchen and started the coffee for him so it would be ready by the time his alarm went off.
0740 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm arrived early at JAG and went into his office to submit his change of address to BUPERS and for his file at JAG. He left his phone number the same for now, as he was using his cell phone and having calls diverted to his cell phone.
“Good morning, Commander,” Mac called from his door way.
“Good morning Colonel. How was your time off?” Harm played along.
“Fabulous. I got to spend time with the man I love.”
“I bet he enjoyed that.”
“Well, I certainly enjoyed last night and I think I probably owe him after that.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t keep score. He just wants you to be happy.”
“ I am very happy, Commander.”
“That’s good.”
“Team is waiting for us in the conference room if you’re ready,” Mac told him.
“Ah yes, the real world awaits. Lead on.” Harm grabbed his files and notepad and headed after Mac to visit the team. He and Mac had already agreed that he would take the lead on today’s meeting as she had been out longer. “Good morning, team. Hope everyone had a good holidays - even though of use that were on call. Major McBurney, what you got for us?”
“Thank you, sir. Welcome back Colonel.”
“Thank you Major...let’s have the updates. I’m anxious to get back to it.” Mac instructed him.
“It’s actually been a fairly quite holiday week. I had two disorderly charges and one unauthorized absence. The UA has us stumped, as the person that has was reported UA has also been reported as a missing person. That call came in Saturday and Gunny has been investigating that one. He had some connections we were trying to capitalize on. With the disorderlies, both individuals have admitted to the charges and both commanding officers have offered them disciplinary letters and two months at half pay.”
“Do you need help on the UA?” Harm asked.
“Not yet sir. I’m going to join Gunny later and see what we’ve got. I’ll let you know if we get any leads.”
“Very good McBurney.”
“”Lieutenant Jacobs, give us your update.”
“Yes sir. I caught seven cases.”
“Seven?”
“Yes sir.”
“Let’s hear it,” Harm instructed.
“I answered calls at Pax River, Norfolk, Quantico, Anacostia, Lejuenne, and Cherry Point.”
“We’re waiting for details Lieutenant, not a travel itinerary.”
“Yes sir. At Pax River I went to investigate a mishap in the research lab. I believe that the chief engineer should be charges with reckless endangerment and recommended such to the commanding officer. At Norfolk, I was called in on a simple assault which I am still investigating and a missed movement charge. I need to go back down there today to do more work on both of those cases.
“At Quantico the commanding officer asked us to come in and investigate some missing supplies in the warehouse. At Anacostia one of the detainees has been charged with disorderly conduct, a drill Sargent at Lejuenne has been accused of reckless endangerment and issuing illegal orders and I went out to begin an investigation at Cherry Point on a helo collision. I have appointments tomorrow to follow up on those.”
“Is Sargent Cate helping with any of these cases?”
“No sir.”
“Why not?”
“She’s more clerical support then investigator.”
“I see,” Harm thought for a moment. “Colonel Mackenzie, as Lt. Jacobs seems to have an abundance of cases on her plate, and you need to pick up some to get started, what would you suggest?”
“Well, Commander, I think that you should pick up the Cherry Point investigation and I believe Sargent Cate was once stationed there. She probably would be of significant assistance to you. I think I’d like to follow up with the cases from Lejuenne and Quantico.”
“But Ma’am!”
“Yes Lt. Jacobs?”
“Those are my cases,” protested Beth Jacobs.
“ No Ma’am...you picked up those cases for the team, but you did not act as a member of a team. The protocol is to pick up every other case while on call and then bring them to the team for assignment. You neglected to do that. I should by all rights, write up this incident and place it in your file instead of leaving this as a blip on a fit rep report.”
“Ma’am, I am a team player.”
“Then demonstrate those team skills, Lt. Jacobs.” Harm ordered. “The colonel and I will discuss the letter for your file and get back to you when we have agreed on a plan of action.”
“That will be all for now. Dismissed.” Mac turned to Harm. “You handled that well, Sailor. I’m impressed.”
“Feeling a little more confident that I don’t suffer from wandering eye?” Harm smiled as he whispered to Harm before opening the conference room door and stepping into the stream of traffic that would take them back to their offices.
“Yes...but don’t get cocky,” Mac warned Harm with a laugh.
“Sometimes I can’t help it when I’m around you,” Harm whispered before he picked up his pace to return to his office.
Mac laughed again as she watched him take off. She and Harm were enjoying leading a team together and Mac had come to respect the way Harm rallied the team; calling them on un-team-like behavior and praising them for working smart. With her day cut out for her, Mac took a deep breath and jumped in with both feet.
2038 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm was sitting in the office area reviewing more files when he heard the garage door open. Getting up to open the door leading into the garage he called out.
“Mac, is that you?”
“Yes...were you expecting someone else?” Harm cringed at her tone and realized that for her first day back she had put in a long day and was exhausted.
“No...I was hoping it was you. Have you eaten?” Harm asked as he took her briefcase and kissed her as she reached him. He slid one arm around her back for support.
“No,” Mac muttered as she leaned against him. She was exhausted and needed his strength right then to keep her on her feet.
“Why don’t you go change and I’ll fix you something to eat?”
“Don’t bother.”
“Mac, its no bother...and you need to eat.”
“Okay...something light?”
“Soup?”
“Perfect. I’ll be back in a minute.” Mac dragged herself to the bedroom and Harm watched her go until she was out of sight.
Quickly he made a bread bowl and warmed up the soup they had made together. It was almost a chowder with its cream base and filled with chunks of chicken, carrots, potatoes, and corn. He grabbed two spoons and two bottles of water while setting the water to boil in case she wanted tea. Mac appeared as he set the soup on the table, now dressed in a long flannel nightgown and matching fuzzy slippers.
“Harm I can’t eat all that?”
“Willing to share?”
“You haven’t eaten either?”
“Waited for you.”
“Dig in.” They ate in companionable silence at first and then Mac set her spoon down and sighed.
“Too much too soon today Marine?” Harm gently asked.
“The case itself and the travel wasn’t the problem, it was undoing the damage the Jacobs had already done. It’s going to make it almost impossible to get a clear picture of anything as she compromised almost every investigation scene and witness with her tactics.”
“That bad?”
“Worse.”
“Why, Mac?”
“Because if I make a complaint about her after the way things went down when the team first firmed - you know before Christmas - then she’s going to say I’m setting her up and making it worse because I have a problem with her - over you.”
“Do you still feel that way?” Harm asked.
“No...you have managed to convince me beyond any shadow of doubt how you feel about me...but I can’t very well testify to that now can I?”
“No, I don’t suppose you can. What if we talk to Creswell, openly and honestly and ask for her to be reassigned so that she can have a fair shot at being evaluated fairly by another commanding officer?”
“That might work. If we present it that we are trying to give her a fair deal...Creswell appreciates honestly and corrective action.” Mac explained. “Harm this was wonderful but I think I’m too tired to do anything tonight.”
“Even sleep?”
“No...I think I can handle sleep.”
“Good. Why don’t you go crawl into bed and I’ll be in shortly after I clean up the kitchen.”
“I love you, Sailor.” Mac kissed him and headed for the bedroom.
She was asleep ten minutes later when Harm joined her.
CHAPTER 8
0730 Local
Jag Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
“Good morning, Coates. Any chance we could get in to see the General this morning?”
“I think so sir,” she smiled as she buzzed the General. “Sir, Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie would like to see you this morning. Do you have time now?”
“Send them in Coates.”
“Go ahead.”
“What can I do for you this morning, Commander? Colonel?” asked the General would seemed to look small behind the huge desk.
“Well, sir, we have a slight dilemma with Lt. Jacobs. Ordinarily we would evaluate her openly and honestly, but as Lt. Jacobs has an issue with us seeing each other, we felt for her to get a fair evaluation should would need to be reassigned to another team...maybe another location,” Harm tried to explain the situation without going into too much detail.
“What kind of an issue does she have?”
“Well, sir, before we talked things out, I wasn’t sure how he felt about me and I judged his behavior from how he was when we first met, not on the person he had become.” Mac explained. “I’m not proud of it but I reacted less then professionally at some things that Jacobs said and did. If I had stayed out of it, Commander Rabb would have used a more professional way to deal with it then I did.”
“Were you in uniform when you acted less then professionally?”
“In uniform?”
“Colonel, do not start the echo again...I asked if you behaved unprofessionally while in uniform.” Creswell repeated.
“No, sir. I was not in uniform and it was not in public; it was when the team met at Commander Rabb’s apartment.”
“Are you trying not to tell me that a junior officer made a pass at a senior officer?” Creswell questioned with his eyebrows raised.
“She made comments to me and other female officers about Commander Rabb that were not appropriate,” Mac responded.
“So you think you’d rather have her reassigned then write her up and deal with hollow accusations against you in retaliation?”
“We thought that it might be more fair to her. However, Commander Rabb and I have discussed putting a letter of reprimand in her file for two separate incidents. The first would be her comments about a senior officer and the second would be her lack of willingness to work as a part of the team.”
“Ever heard of the ‘teachable moment’- Commander? Colonel?”
“Yes, sir...you take advantage of a situation to teach a lesson or concept,” Harm explained.
“Commander do you have your teaching credentials as well?” Creswell asked with a half smile.
“No sir, but I’ve picked up a few of these terms this past year raising a teenager.”
“That’s how I learned the term myself,” Creswell smiled. “I want you to use this whole situation as a teachable moment with Lt. Jacobs. Let her know that we have discussed options and that if her team work and skills do not improve I will not hesitate to reassign her as we have two other potential candidates waiting for their chance to get in here. Anything else?”
“No sir.” Harm and Mac answered in unison.
“Dismissed.”
“Aye, aye, Sir.”
Returning to Harm’s office, they discussed who would call in Lt. Jacobs to deal with which issues and when this would be done.
“Harm, I think it would be best if I wrote a letter to her addressing the comments and leave it at that. I think we need to focus our energies on her lack of teamwork and her carelessness at investigation sights.”
“You’re right Mac...but I just had another idea. What if we called NCIS and sent her on a little field trip?”
“You mean like, visiting Ducky’s and Abby’s labs?”
“Yes, but I also mean so that she can follow an investigation through from beginning to end as an investigator and not focus on the litigation aspect.”
“Why wouldn’t we send the others?” Mac asked.
“I happen to know up close and personal that Mike has experience working with NCIS. Gunny has experience in investigation already and Jan is mostly clerical and research. I don’t think it necessary for the others. ”
“Shall I call to set it up?” Mac asked.
“Sure...but make sure that you talk to Gibbs directly about the idea if you can. While you do that, I’m going to call Jacobs in and tell her a story about a former Lieutenant stationed here that had aspirations of manipulating her way to the top here at JAG.”
“Singer?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Did you and she...?”
“Maaccc....don’t even go there. She made eyes at me a few times and I informed her I had no interest in her what so ever and to save her kissing up tricks for someone that would appreciate them.”
“Good answer, Sailor,” Mac winked as she started to leave Harm’s office. “Oh Harm, before I forget, you said to let you know when I was ready to have my stuff moved into the house...”
“Yes,” Harm froze with a half smile on his face.
“Any time you can set it up,” Mac smiled.
“Yes, Ma’am!” Harm gave her the full wattage of his smile and watched her walk away. The grin never left his face while he called Lt. Jacobs. “Lt. Jacobs, this is Commander Rabb. I need you to meet with me in my office now.”
“I’m just working on a case sir,” she hedged.
“Now, Jacobs, that’s an order.” It wasn’t often that Harm resorted to his command voice, as it wasn’t his style. Now, the smile was gone again and the hardness was in his voice. When Beth Jacobs entered his office and was greeted with that hard voice barking, “Leave the door opened, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I think its time to hear a little story of a former Lieutenant that was stationed here. Like you, she was very ambitious and driven to be a high achiever. There is nothing wrong with having lofty goals and setting out a plan to achieve those goals. In fact, it is commendable. However, in her drive and blind ambition she forgot she was also human and that human’s need help from time to time. A team of people working together is a powerful and amazing thing. She forgot that. She forgot that treating people with respect, would earn her respect; she forgot that for everyone that she helped, she was doubling her knowledge and resources because those that she helped would be there at a time when she would need help.
“Instead she alienated everyone with her sneaky and underhanded, lone wolf tactics. One thing she did for this place was draw people closer together, even if it was to commiserate over how much they hated her for her attitude and approach.
“We all tried reaching out to her at times. She was quick to judge and she trusted no one. She tried flirting with me because at that time I was drawing high profile cases and she wanted in on those cases. It didn’t work with me. I never asked to work with her and often requested she be removed from my cases.
“About two years ago, she found herself in a situation where she needed help and she had no one she felt she could turn to. She was planning to take leave for awhile and four months later her body was found in a tree near the Potomac. She was alone, pregnant and because she was leaving and no one had established enough of a relationship with her to exchange emails, phone numbers or anything, no one knew she was even missing until her body was found and identified.
You remind us a lot of that Lieutenant, in the way you approach things, and we are not going to stand by and watch this happen again to someone. You will either work as part of our team and establish the kind of relationship with the team members that comes from working long hours closely together on case after case, or you will be reassigned. General Creswell has approved this option and in fact has names of two more people that are eager to work in this type of setting. Have I made myself clear?”
“Crystal, sir.”
“Excellent. Colonel Mackenzie, please join us. Were you able to set things up?”
“Very easily as a matter of fact.”
“Would you give the details to Lt. Jacobs,” Harm asked with a touch of authority softened by pleasantness.
“Agent Gibbs is expecting you at NCIS headquarters. They are just finishing up from one investigation and will catch the next one that comes in. Once there you will respond from beginning to end on an investigation as part of Gibbs’ team. You are to follow his and Agent Todd’s directives, observe how a team works together and works through differing personalities, theories, and points of view. You will see how team members get assigned tasks and bring them back to the team and how they share their information and pool resources. You will take on this assignment as an investigator. There is no chance you will litigate the case. Don’t let that cloud your decisions or experience. Any questions?” Mac asked the Lieutenant.
“No Ma’am.”
“Lt. Jacobs, take advantage of the experience. You can learn a lot from it. You are dismissed.” Harm watched her turn and leave without a word. “You know, Mac, if I was as mean as I sounded with her, I would write her up for being disrespectful.”
“But you aren’t mean.”
“Not intentionally at least,” Harm said thinking about things he had said without considering how they would sound.
“I’ve got to get back to my cases from yesterday. Talk to you later?”
“Of course.”
Friday, January 8, 2005
1940 Local
Benzinger’s Restaurant
Falls Church, Virginia
“This has been one hell of a week, hasn’t it sir?” Gunny asked Harm as they sat at the table waiting for the rest of the team to join them.
“It has been that, Victor. You know, I knew sending Jacobs to NCIS would make us short staffed but I still feel it will be worth it in the long run. What I happened anticipated was how complicated some of these cases were going to turn out that she has caught on her own and that we all inherited.” Harm confided in Victor Galindez.
To the casual on-looker, these two good looking men, probably military types due to the hair cuts, were equals enjoying a friendly drink after work. They had changed into civilian attire prior to going to Benzinger’s. When they were like this they allowed themselves to enjoy their friendship and forget the more formal behavior an enlisted man would show an officer.
“Victor, is there any chance I could borrow some of your muscle power this weekend for a few hours?”
“Mac moving in?”
“Yeah.”
“Good for you. How’s tomorrow afternoon?” Vic asked.
“That would be great.”
“What would be great?” Mac asked as she approached the table still in uniform.
“Hey Mac. Victor can help get your things moved tomorrow afternoon. How would that be?” Harm smiled as he pulled out the chair next to him for Mac.
“Great. Thanks Gunny.”
“No problem Ma’am. Glad to help.”
“I still appreciated it. We’ve been bringing a few things over almost every night this week, but there’s big stuff that really need two people and I still can’t lift like that for another couple of weeks.”
Mike McBurney and Jan Cate joined them then, dressed in civilian attire. Mac felt a little out of place with the more casual team members until Jan suggested she could get something out of her seabag in the car and change in the restroom. With that done and feeling more comfortable in jeans and a sweater, Mac was able to relax with the team. They ordered dinner and while they waited talked a little about their cases.
In the course of the investigations they had caught to start the new year, they had been able to sort out about half and were waiting on forensic reports on another quarter of the cases. That left a quarter of their cases going no where, a state that none of them were happy with.
“I’m on desk duty this weekend, and I can run a few more internet searches this weekend and see if it turns up anything,” Jan Cate offered as the waitress brought their meal.
“Shall we meet at 0730 Monday to review any new information before staff call with the General?” Harm proposed. They all agreed that would work.
Over dinner, they were laughing and talking about the worse presents that had ever gotten, when a familiar voice spoke next to them.
“May I join you?”
“Beth!”
“Lt. Jacobs!”
“Have a seat. We hadn’t heard from you and weren’t sure if you would be joining us or not. Let’s get you a menu.” Everyone was all welcoming her and talking at once. Everyone noticed the brightness in her eyes, but no one comments about it, instead focusing on making her feel welcomed and getting her needs met.
“I’m not really hungry...may be I’ll just have a cup of soup.” The waitress took her order and was back quickly with the steaming crock like bowl.
“So Beth, how did your stint with NCIS go?” asked Harm.
“Well, sir, I appreciate your humor and leadership style a lot more for one thing,” she smiled as she thought about the caustic comments and barbs Agent Gibbs was known for throwing at his team. The two people that he didn’t seem to have major issues with were Abby and Ducky.
“I know what you mean,” Mike McBurney spoke up. “I caught a couple of cases with Gibbs. I respect him because he won’t stop until he’s got the truth, but he can also make you look bad as a lawyer. Right Commander?”
“Yes, well, I was certainly glad he didn’t take things at face value.” Harm squirmed a little thinking about his experience being investigated by Gibbs and his team. “But I agree with Mike...I respect Gibbs because he believes in getting at the truth.”
“I saw that myself this week. I hadn’t finished introducing myself when we got a call. It was a grizzly case and it took everything in me to keep it together. Seeing pictures is one thing, seeing it when the pictures are being taken is quite another.” Beth spoke quietly giving the sense that she was seeing it all again in her mind’s eye.
“At first, it looked like it was pretty cut and dry. The whole team was there together for thirty six hours and took turns catching a couple hours sleep. I’ve got to tell you, Abby is priceless the way she can process information and make Gibbs listen to her. Ducky is a hoot...he gets to rambling at times but he doesn’t miss a trick...and he is so respectful to the bodies when he talks to them as he cuts them up that it makes it so much easier to deal with.”
“Yeah, well, lets not go there while we eat, please,” Mike pleaded.
“Sorry, Mike. Abby said to say hello after she asked Gibbs if she could do that and he gave his consent. What was with that?” Beth asked.
“Abby called me directly with information on a case once, before she contacted Gibbs. He wasn’t happy about it.”
“I can imagine. Colonel, were you able to salvage any of the cases I botched up?”
“Most of them, yes. We have had quite a week ourselves, but I think we’ll be okay. So did you finish the investigation?”
“Yes. We wrapped up just before I came over here. You know, it’s a whole different world at NCIS then at JAG, and yet, I can see now why certain things should and shouldn’t be done. Thank you for sending me over Commander Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie.” Beth nodded to each in turn in appreciation.
“If it helped you, Lt. Jacobs, that’s the important thing.”
“I think it had sir. Thank you again.”
They had finished their meal, when Harm suggested that they plan to gather at his new place the following week. Some how it went from the weekly team gathering on a Friday evening, to an open house a week from Saturday. The implications began to sink in about the time Harm and Mac got back to the house.
“Harm, did we just agree to everyone - including the other team - coming to the house all at the same time - as an open house - like a party?” Mac shook her head as she stepped into the house behind Harm.
“Yes, we did.”
“Think we should cancel it?”
“No...I have another idea...”
“Uh-oh! What now?” Mac half laughed.
“Well, I got a call today that your engagement ring is ready. Why not announce our engagement at the same time?”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“But we told the General that we would wait as long as we could to announce our engagement.”
“So...I’m tired of waiting...”Harm grinned as he took Mac in his arms and looked into her eyes. “I know what I want Mac...you. It took us so long to get here...I don’t want to put our lives on hold anymore. Say you’ll marry me as soon as we can get the arrangements together. Please?”
“Harm...I’d like to...”
“Please don’t say wait!” Harm interrupted her.
“I wasn’t going to...hear me out, Sailor.”
“I was going to suggest that maybe we could get married around Valentine’s Day. What do you think?”
“I think that I’ll go along with whatever you say, as long as I don’t have to wait much longer.”
“And what exactly is it you are waiting for, Mr. Rabb....I don’t recall you’ve been missing out on anything in the bedroom lately...or several other rooms of this house...” Mac raised her eye brows at him, reminding him of their passion the past two nights, as they made love in various rooms in the house.
“I can’t call you my wife yet, or Mrs. Rabb...you are going to take my name aren’t you...I mean I hadn’t asked, and if you don’t want to, I’ll understand...”
“Yes, Harm, I am planning to become a Rabb...I kind of like the sound of Mac Rabb,” she grinned at him and then laughed at the face he made.
“It sounds like something off a fast food menu!”
“Well, you always call me Mac, so that would make me Mac Rabb.”
“I call you Mac, because you told me to call you Mac. Are you telling me that I won’t get decked if I start calling you Sarah all the time?”
“I like the way my name sounds when you say it.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay Sarah...I think I’ll start the transformation now.”
“So...what else have you been waiting for since I agreed to marry you...now that we know it wasn’t making love or old fashion sex!”
“Watching you fill out with our baby...”
“Oh Harm...” he heard the catch in her voice before she buried her head into his chest. “What if I can’t give us the child we want?” was the muffled question he heard coming from chest.
“We’ll enjoy trying and if that fails, then we’ll try scientific methods, and if that fails, then we can see about getting a surrogate, and if we can’t do that then we’ll adopt or take in foster children...but we will have a family and raise our family together. I promise you that, Sarah...look at me...I promise you we will have a family - even if it isn’t the traditional family that everyone else has. Now don’t give up hope yet...remember the doctor said things looked good when they examined you after the accident. I think being positive is going to be a factor.” Harm lightly kissed her lips and then just held her as he rested his face against the top of her hair.
“Come on...let’s get some sleep. We’ve got to get you moved in tomorrow.” Harm ushered Mac toward the bedroom.
Once they were settled in bed, Mac propped her head up on one arm and looked over at Harm.
“Harm, what would you think of having the wedding right here in front of the fireplace.”
“In our bedroom?”
“No! In the living room - you did that on purpose didn’t you?” Mac caught the glint in Harm’s eyes.
“Sorry Sarah...couldn’t resist...Will there be enough room?”
“Depends on who we invite, I guess. If we have Trish, Frank, Grandma Rabb, Tom Boone, Sergei and Galina, Mattie, Tom, Chloe, Kyle, Jennifer, Bud and Harriet, AJ, Victor, Mike, Beth, Jan, Sturgis and Varese, Keeter, Skates and her husband...that’s twenty-five with us, and if we have a buffet we can seat everyone without too many problems. We can do this Harm.”
“I know...can we get some sleep now?”
“Sure thing, old man....”
“Old Man! I’ll show you...” Harm pounced on Sarah, tickling her first and then changing to caresses until they both gave in to their passion for each other once more.
CHAPTER 9
Saturday, January 15, 2005
1854 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac and Harm had spent the day putting final touches on the house and preparing for the party. Harriet had volunteered to take over the organization on the event from home. With two new babies, she wasn’t sure they would be attending, but she did want to contribute to the party however she could. Organizing who would bring what became her focus.
Harm had made two pans of lasagna which were in the oven, one meat and one veggie. Mac had made a sheet cake and decorated it. Each person that came was assigned a type of dish arranged by Harriet. Some would bring salads, others main dishes, some condiments or relishes, a few would bring rolls or garlic bread. Harriet was sending over a veggie platter and a fruit platter.
Mac was putting together a punch bowl while Harm started the mulled cider. The refrigerator was stocked with beer, wine and mixers and people were asked to bring their own bottle of hard liquor if they chose to imbibe of the harder spirits. They would then take what they didn’t consume home with them.
Bud arrived with Harriet’s offerings and helped put out nuts and pretzels around the house as Harriet had told him he should do. He shared a fruit punch with them and took a tour of the house commending them on such a great deal. Harm and Mac decided to tell him about their engagement so that he could tell Harriet for them.
“Bud, did I show you the present I got from Harm?” Mac asked as she held out her left hand to show Bud the ring now in place on her left hand.
“No...Wow! Is that an engagement ring? Did you too decide to get married?” Bud asked in wide eyed wonder.
“Yes Bud...tell Harriet that you guys will need to arrange some babysitters so that you can stand up for us at our wedding next month.” Harm grinned at his friends’ shocked expression.
“We’d be honored, sir. Have you told the General?”
“Not yet. We’ll tell him Monday morning.”
“Well Congratulations on the house and the engagement. If you have a chance, why don’t you stop over tomorrow. I know Harriet would love to see the ring for herself.”
“Alright. What would be a good time?”
“Why don’t you join us for dinner - around thirteen hundred?”
“Great. Thanks Bud.” Mac hugged him and thanked him again for his help.
The rest of the guests began to arrive. Harm and Mac greeted them as they arrived and told them to feel free to look around. They had taken the first few guests on a guided tour and then the early guests showed the later arrivals around for them.
Once everyone had arrived, Harm asked for their attention.
“We’ll eat in a few minutes, folks, but before we do, I want to thank you all for coming here tonight. This started out as our weekly team get together and then grew into a house warming. Well, now this gathering has another purpose. As many of you know Sarah Mackenzie and I have had a pretty special and unique relationship for over nine years now. Sometimes we’ve not been very happy with one another and other times we’ve been in total sync. Well, over the holidays, we decided it was foolish to wait any longer. I’ve asked her to marry me and she said yes.”
“Congratulations!” several people called out. A line formed to see her ring and extend best wishes. As people moved away, they headed for the kitchen and the food that was set out on the counter and stove top. People filled their plates and found a seat at a table or on the sofa where they held their plate.
Mac and Jen were in the kitchen cleaning up after most of the people had left. Harm was seeing that the last few guests had a safe ride home.
“Have you told Mattie and Chloe, Ma’am?”
“Yes. They haven’t seen the ring, but they know he asked and I said yes. “
“I think that’s great.”
“Me too. You know, Harm knows me so well that he picked out five rings and had the clerk display them. He told her which one he thought I would pick and he was exactly right.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Yes...he is...and I’m lucky he was willing to let me work some things through so that we could be at this point.”
“Will one of you have to transfer out not that you are getting married?”
“We don’t know for sure until we see the General. I think he’s going to try to pull some strings so that we can continue to work together. Will you try to get us in to see him before staff meeting Monday?”
“Not a problem.”
“Thanks Jen.”
“I guess I better get going.”
“Did you find a new apartment?”
“Yes, I did. It’s not far from here actually. It’s like a mother’s in law apartment over a garage. It’s here in Falls Church but in the other directions from JAG. Still it won’t take me long to get home.”
Jen slipped into her coat and Harm and Mac stood arm in arm watching her leave. Once she had driven down the street, they turned off the outside lights, locked the door and turned off the lights that were on throughout the house.
It was well after midnight by the time they reached the sanctuary of their room. Harm took Mac into his arms once again. He didn’t think he could ever get enough of her. Her caresses on his body set him afire every time with some new sensation or current. As her hands slipped inside his boxers and between his legs, he inhaled sharply as he felt her fingernails delicately trace lines along his arousal before she cupped the full weight of his package in her hand, caressing and lifting the fullness. Her tongue darted out and traced his lips and then the shell of his ear. Feeling her tongue in his ear while she played with his balls, was almost more then he could take already.
“Harm...”
“Sarah...”
“Lay down...I want to give you something?”
“What?”
“Lay down first...and let’s take these clothes off of you.” Mac released him and helped him to undress. When he was naked and laying on the bed fully exposed to her, she smiled as she studied him from head to toe, enjoying seeing his body react to just her gaze. Mac, slowly removed her own clothes while he watched. His arousal grew. Mac caressed her own body and reached between her own legs touching herself briefly.
“I’m so wet already...I can’t wait to feel you inside me...” Mac said in her most sultry voice.
“Sarah...let me touch you...”
“Not yet Harm...” slowly Mac positioned herself over him and guided his arousal to her moistness. She lowered herself on him until he was totally buried inside her. Slowly she started to undulate her hips. Grinding herself against his pelvis. His eyes watched her movements and his hands settled at her hips to help guide her. She rested her hands on his forearms to help support herself as she rode him.
Harm’s tongue licked his lips wanting to suckle her erect nipples that bounced just out of reach above him. Mac smiled knowing the effect this was having on him as she felt him harden even more inside her.
“Does this excite you Harm? Do you like it when I get aggressive like this?” Mac asked as she rocked and rotated her hips while keeping his hands in place on her hips.
“Yes.”
“No problem with me being on top?”
“No.”
“Be honest with me Harm...isn’t there something you want to do that you can’t do when I take control like this?”
“Yes...”
“Tell me about it...talk to me...”
“I want to take your breast into my mouth and suck and play with your nipples...they are so large and beautiful...”
“Tell me more Harm...you can only take one in your mouth at a time, so what would you do with the other one?” Mac purred.
“Let me show you...”
“Not yet...talk to me...state your intentions...” Mac picked up the pace of her movements and Harm tipped his head back as he tried arching to meet her thrusts.
“Take your nipple in my fingers and roll it between my thumb and finger...pinch a little...God I want to touch more then your hips!”
Mac smiled and slipped her legs over Harm’s arm, anchoring him down even more. With him still inside her, she sat on him and reduced her movements to ripples and waves. With her hands now free, she touched her nipples and doing what he had described.
“Is this what you would do to me, Harm?”
“Yes...”
“What about this?” Mac asked as she lowered her head and reached out her own tongue to touch her own nipple. She smiled when she felt him pulse inside her as he closed his eyes.
“Can’t take much more...move faster, Sarah...please!”
“In a minute Harm...” Mac released his arms and swung her legs behind her once again, so that she could lift up with her knees. She then leaned closer to him so that her breasts were only an inch from his face. “Harm...go ahead...show me what you would do with your mouth.”
Harm lathed each nipple and breast with his tongue. He circled one then the other before bringing his hands up to palm her large breasts and the erect nipples. He then suckled one breast, while he pinched and teased the other one with his fingers as he had told her he would do. Mac began to slide off his body and position herself beside him on the bed. Harm turned so that instead of taking the top position they lay side by side, facing one another while he was still buried deep inside of her. Harm began to thrust into her as he pulled her close and held her steady by holding her firm six. It was a little awkward at first getting their legs positioned so that it would be comfortable, but Harm lifted her legs and draped them across his hips so that her feet were against his six. She could then help the thrusts. Once they found their rhythm, it didn’t take long for Mac to start breathing as rapidly as Harm was.
“God, Sarah...the things you make we feel...the things I want to do and say to you...”
“I know, Harm...I know...I want to feel you explode inside me...”
“I want to feel you explode all around me - now, Sarah...let it go now!”
The sounds of their passion escalated until they called out each other’s name and made some guttural sounds that reflected the primitive, baser needs they had stimulated and answered in each other. Fully sated, Harm rolled Mac over and wrapped himself around her spoon fashion. They were both asleep almost immediately.
0402 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm came awake instantly, Mac still in his arms. His hand slid to caress her belly and as he let it rest there he smiled. He had been having a beautiful dream about the wedding, picturing Sarah walking toward him and then smiling in to his face as she promised to love and cherish and stand by him forever and as he promised to do the same to her. As he had looked into her eyes, a vision had come to him of a beautiful baby with light green eyes and dark hair with Sarah’s smile. He had heard a child’s voice say, ‘I’ll see you soon Daddy.’ It had been so real that it had woken him up. He had touched her belly then wondering if in fact they had conceived a child this night. He didn’t know if he should say something or not. On one hand, she did tolerate his more metaphysical moments and she did admit to having some of her own...at least to him. Still taking it for granted that she was pregnant, would not be right for either of them at this point. They needed to wait until they could reasonably take a home test before they called the doctor to confirm a pregnancy. Harm relaxed, decided it was wishful thinking and fell asleep once again.
Mac had felt Harm jump and then caress her stomach. She had done the same thing only seconds before Harm had, but remained still in his arms not letting him know she was awake. She didn’t want to face him until she had processed her dream. In it she was looking and looking for something and when she finally found it she raced toward with all the speed and power she had until they had collided. The impact had thrown her for a few seconds, but then she had the most wonderful feeling of being complete and whole. She was filled with hope, joy and a love that just would not go away. That was when she had opened her eyes and felt Harm’s hand on her belly. Mac was aware of the tension in him and then felt him relax and fall asleep again.
Sarah Mackenzie also noticed the feeling of being complete had stayed with her. It had not gone away when she awoke from the dream as it had in the past. She vowed to make a note of this in her diary in case it became a reality. She also knew she would start marking off the calender.
Harm woke again three hours later with his arousal pressed between their bodies. She was still spooned inside his space. She lay on his arm, and he began to caress her breast. She wiggled her butt against him. He slid his palm down her side and across her butt slipping his fingers between her legs. Her moist heat was waiting for him. Using her juices to lubricate himself, he moved so that he could enter her from behind. He inserted the tip and began moving his hips in gentle thrusts until he had entered her. He heard her moan and he kissed her ear, running his tongue inside the shell. He felt her press back against him. This time their love-making was slow and dream-like, but no less satisfying for either of them.
Monday, 0730 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
“Good morning, Jen. Can we see the General?” Mac asked.
“He said to come in when you arrived.”
“Thanks Jen.”
{Knock-knock}
“Enter! Good morning Commander Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie. To what do I owe this early Monday morning meeting?”
“General when we talked awhile ago, I said I would keep you apprized on the status of the Colonel and my relationship. We’ve announced our engagement and set a wedding date,” Harm announced.
“I see. And when is the magic date?”
“February eleventh, sir.”
“And how much leave time are you requesting?”
“Three days, sir.”
“No long honeymoon?”
“Sir, Commander Rabb and I decided that this is what we wanted sir. It will be a simple wedding in our own home. We are going away for a couple of days, but we would rather take the time off later.”
“It certainly didn’t take you long to get to this point. I thought I would have at least six months before this would take place.”
“Yes sir. The Commander and I have waited, probably longer then we should have, to get to this point. But now we are ready and we just want to be married and live our lives together and have a family.”
“And what are your future plans regarding your careers?”
“Sir, I think I’d like to finish out my twenty and then retire to civilian life - maybe go on reserve,” Harm explained.
“Colonel?”
“I have a few more years to go until I can retire with my twenty. I had hoped to stay with JAG, sir.”
“Well, I appreciate your honesty and I will see what I can do.”
“Thank you General.”
“Thank you sir.”
“See you at staff meeting. Dismissed.”
“Damn!” Gordon Creswell watched the door close and then slammed his fist on the top of his desk. He hated to admit it, but he didn’t want to lose Rabb. Of all the Navy men he had known, Rabb was the most unusual. He wasn’t afraid to get dirt on his face, and when he stood tall and proud he didn’t make it feel like he was pulling a power-play. In the courtroom the man had skill and knowledge with the daring and tenacity that fighter jocks seem to be born with and he used to full advantage. He could think of several commanding officers that would jump to have Rabb serve under them despite his somewhat colorful history, he was worth it. AJ Chegwidden had seen that and known what to about it. It was time to call for his opinion.
“Admiral Chegwidden, This is Major-General Gordon Creswell at JAG. I hope I’m not disturbing you to early, but I need your advice.”
“General...what’s Rabb done now?”
“”Set a wedding date with Colonel Mackenzie.”
“He finally figured it out...good for him. Now you are trying to decide what to do about having one of them reassigned...”
“Yes.”
“Talk to Secretary Sheffield. He likes Rabb and he would probably be willing to have him assigned to his office and then loan him to you at JAG when he didn’t need him.”
“Is that what you would have done?”
“Yes. And if that didn’t work, I was thinking about asking NCIS to take him TAD. He’s always enjoyed investigations, sometimes more then the litigation.”
“He’s damn good at both.”
“Yes. I take it he isn’t giving you too much trouble.”
“Actually, he hasn’t given me any. He and Mackenzie are leading a team of Marines. They catch the investigations and then decide if the team is going to split for prosecution and defense, or if the team takes one point of view then another team is assigned the opposing view point.”
“Teams...investigations through sentencing....interesting approach.”
“Thank you for your suggestions, Admiral.”
“Not a problem. Good luck General.”
Three days later
Creswell’s Office
JAG HQ
“Coates, have Rabb and Mackenzie join me ASAP.”
“Yes sir.”
{Knock-knock}
“Come in. Colonel...Commander...I’ve just heard from Secretary Sheffield. Commander Rabb, it seems that you and the Colonel have impressed the SecNav several times over the past year and he feels breaking you up as a team would be detrimental to JAG. He has asked to have you placed under his command. You will be involved in weekly meetings in his office, and your team will often be called in to investigate and litigate matters for his office. The rest of the time you will continue being placed here, and working with your team in at least an advisory capacity. He has instructed me to add a new lawyer to your team and had suggested that perhaps assigning you your own administrative assistant.”
“Yes sir. Thank you sir.”
“There’s one other thing. Your team will have a few more Navy personnel added to it. Lt. Commander Tracy Manetti has requested being assigned to work with your team and I am going to reassigned Petty Officer Coates as your personnel assistant. I feel she will do well with your team and can probably learn to do some investigations as well. I am bringing in my former assistant who is due for a promotion anyway and has been overseas for several years. Will this work for both of you?”
“Yes sir! Commander Manetti has been assigned temporary duty here before and we worked some cases together. She will be a welcome addition. Does Petty Officer Coates know about her new assignment sir?”
“Not yet. I will inform her of the pending change as soon as I know when Sargent Laske will be available to start.”
“Yes sir.”
“Dismissed.”
Harm and Mac exchanged smiles as they left Creswell’s office. This was turning out even better then they had hoped.
CHAPTER 10
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
0630 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
“Mac? You okay in there?” Harm called through the bathroom door.
“Harm, I must have picked up a stomach bug. I feel lousy this morning...I feel like I’m gonna throw up but I haven’t. I don’t dare leave the bathroom...”
“We have some gingerale in the refrigerator. Think that will help settle your stomach?”
“Maybe...grab me a cracker too, okay?”
Harm soon returned with the gingerale and crackers. He set an empty trash can by the bed. “Mac, why don’t you come out here...” he saw her sitting on the floor next to the toilet, very pale and shaky. “Oh Sarah! Come on Honey.” He carefully helped her to get to her feet and they made their way to the bedroom. He settled her into bed and helped hold the glass so she could sip the gingerale. Her skin felt clammy and she was trembling all over.
“I’ll call in for you. You need to stay home and if you get worse, or aren’t better when I get home, we’re taking you to Bethesda.”
“Okay...”
“There’s a can here if you feel sick. Try a cracker?”
Mac nodded and nibbled on a cracker taking another sip of gingerale while Harm called JAG for her to tell them she was staying home sick. He then took his shower and dressed for work. By then Mac had finished a cracker and about one-third of the gingerale.
“Why don’t you scoot down and try to get some sleep?” Mac nodded and Harm tucked her in. “I’ll come home at lunch and check on you,” he told her.
She just nodded and curled into the covers trying to make the dizziness and nausea go away.
As Harm left the house and headed for JAG, he started to grin. He couldn’t help it. The vision of a child popped into his mind. He hadn’t said anything to Mac about it, but now he wondered if in fact this was the first sign of pregnancy. If so, he could honestly say that he hoped she would not have a difficult time of it, as Harriet had. It would make him feel guilty and so helpless knowing he had gotten her pregnant and not able to make her feel better during the pregnancy. Shaking it off, he focused on getting to work and doing his job. It was too soon to know for sure.
Once at JAG, Harm focused on the task at hand. He received a call from the Sec Nav, asking him to meet him in his office at two. They would be reviewing some highly sensitive information and his international law knowledge would be needed.
Harm made sure the team was settled and able to function for the afternoon. He told Jennifer that he was headed home to check on Mac and then would go from their to meet with the SecNav.
“What’s wrong with her sir?”
“She was nauseous this morning and felt kind of dizzy. She was trying to nibble on a cracker and sip gingerale for breakfast.”
“Interesting symptoms, sir.”
“Time will tell Jen,” Harm smiled as he left the office.
Pleased that Jen had apparently come up with the same explanation he had, he was smiling when he drove away from JAG, expecting Mac to be feeling better and having reached the same conclusion.
1215 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
Walking quietly into their bedroom, Harm found Mac still curled up in bed. Her face was still pale, except her cheeks were flushed. Feeling her brow he couldn’t miss the heat radiating off of her.
“Mac...Sarah, can you hear me?” Harm shook her a little suddenly frightened by her lack of response. “Wake up, Honey...talk to me...”
“Harm?”
“That’s it...Mac, you’re burning up. How long you been like this?”
“Don’t know...I’m so cold...” Mac tried snuggling into his arms but kept her eyes closed.
“Are you still nauseous?”
“No...cold...want to sleep.”
“Have you taken anything for the fever?”
“No...”
Harm tried laying her back in bed so he could get her something. He was sure he had some cold and flu medicine left from his last bought and probably more that he hadn’t opened yet. He tried always keeping some on hand.
“Mac...I need to go get something for you. I’ll be right back.” He covered her up again as best he could.
In the bathroom medicine cabinet, he found the unopened bottle of multi-symptom cold medicine and a box of flu medicine packages that she must have put in there. He opted for the multi-symptom medicine until he got almost to the bedroom and remembered it contained alcohol. He turned around and replaced it in the bathroom, before grabbing the package. He headed for the kitchen to boil some water to mix the contents of the envelope in.
Once he had her ‘tea’ ready, he returned to the bedroom with it. He sat it on the bedside table and sat beside her on the bed.
“Mac, can you sit up and drink this tea I made you. It’s got medicine in it that should bring your fever down. Come on, I’ll help you.”
Carefully he lifted her up and put pillows behind her head and back. She was still covered with the comforter. He handed her the ‘tea’ and she took a few sips. He waited until she seemed to be a little more awake.
“Mac, have you had any more nausea since I tucked you in bed this morning?”
“It let up maybe an half-hour after you left. I was so tired though...I fell asleep and when you woke me up I was so cold...”
“Do you have a sore throat?”
“A little...but not bad.”
“I think you’re running a fever...I should have replaced that thermometer that got broken...”
“I have a thermometer, Harm...in the bedside table.”
Harm slid open the drawer and took it out. It was a digital readout and had the ear insertion piece on it. With Mac’s instructions he took her temperature.
“One hundred point three. Yup...you’ve got a fever. Better drink all of that flu ‘tea’ I fixed. Does that stuff work good?”
“Yes...but it doesn’t taste all that great.” Mac wrinkled her nose as she sipped some more of it. “I guess I’ve got the early stages of the flu...that comes with the stomach bug.”
“I guess its been going around the other teams. I didn’t even think about it being the flu,” Harm admitted.
“Should I ask what you thought was wrong with me this morning?” Mac asked as she looked up at him taking another sip of her ‘tea’.
“Probably not...”
“Harm...”
“Alright...I thought maybe it was morning sickness...”
“So did I.”
“You did...Yes, and I was thinking that if I was that sick already then it was going to be a long pregnancy and not much fun!”
“I wasn’t going to say anything to you...you’ll probably think I’m nuts...”
“What?”
“That night - well morning after we announced our engagement, I had this dream...I saw this baby and I heard a child’s voice say, “See you soon Daddy.”
“Wow! Have you had it since?”
“No...I guess it was wishful thinking.”
“Harm, I’ve only been off the medicine just over a month and they said it would stay in my system for three to four months...I’m sure I’m not pregnant yet...” Mac suddenly frowned and Harm jumped up not sure if she was going to throw-up or drop her tea...but something didn’t look right.
“What is it Sarah?”
“N-nothing...I’m fine...” she sipped her ‘tea’ again.
“Do you want something to eat?” he asked wanting to help however he could.
“I don’t think my stomach could handle anything yet. Thank you for asking. Harm, you need to go soon. I don’t want to hold you up.”
“You aren’t. I think I’ll go grab some salad and then I’ll be on my way if you think you’ll be okay.”
“I’ll be fine...I think this ‘tea’ is helping already and when I finish this I think I’ll go back to sleep.”
Reassured that she would be fine without him at her side, he headed for the kitchen and then back to work.
When Mac heard Harm’s car leave, she got out of bed and went to her purse to grab her calendar. Looking back over the fall months she found what she was looking for and tracked her cycle. She had never been regular when she wasn’t on birth control, but given her last cycle and her old pattern, she would give her system another few days before she gave any plausibility to Harm’s theory. Her own theory was much more likely. Whenever she got run down a little, she often started with slight cold symptoms before starting her period. Nausea also wasn’t unusual for her as part of PMS. She hoped that it happened soon so that would not be something she and Harm would have to deal with on their brief honeymoon.
After using the bathroom, Mac slid back into bed. While she was waiting to relax enough to fall asleep, she thought about their wedding. The guest list had grown and they had decided to move the wedding to chapel in Falls Church, which was available on the evening of February 11. Chaplain Turner would do the ceremony. Harriet would wear a dark red tea length gown and carry one yellow rose.
Mac had found an ivory silk gown that was classically elegant. She had decided on leaving her hair down and wearing an equally simple but elegant veil without a train. She would carry a single red rose. While the ceremony was performed, Harriet would hold both roses and afterwards, Mac would carry both roses to symbolize that love and friendship had been united.
Mac had convinced Harm that he and Bud should wear their winter mess dress uniforms seeing as it was too wintery to wear the dress whites. He had been quite easy to convince as Mac recalled with a smile. She fell asleep remembering that interlude.
1755 Local
New House
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm entered the house and a soft moaning greeted his ears. Dropping his things he dashed for the bedroom, flipping light switches as he went.
“Sarah? You okay?” Harm called as he found her huddled under the covers curled in a ball.
“Yes...cramps...”
Harm felt her forehead and took her temperature. It was down to ninety-nine even, which made him feel better she wasn’t running a temperature.
“I talked to the doctor...she said this isn’t unusual.”
“What isn’t Mac?”
“Severe cramps and cold symptoms.”
“Does she think it’s the flu?”
“No. Period.” Mac gritted her teeth and moaned as another wave of cramps hit her.
“Sarah, what can I do?”
“Find my heating pad in the bathroom, please?”
“You sure? Wouldn’t an ice pack bring your fever down?”
“It’s not for the fever...It’s cramps...”
“Do need to use the bathroom?”
“NO! Are you dense? I started my period and I have cramps!” Mac yelled at him before collapsing on the bed and covering her head. “I”m sorry, Harm...I’m sorry.”
“I’ll find the heating pad.” Harm found it on the first try and returned to the bedroom to plug the unit in, before handing it to her.
“Thanks...Harm?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry I yelled at you...you’ve been so sweet trying to take care of me. I should be fine by morning.” She tried to reassure him and not laugh at his stricken look.
“It’s okay Mac...I just wasn’t thinking.”
“I was...this will work out great you know.”
“How’s that?”
“Getting this out of the way now means the timing is better for you to have your dream come true during our honeymoon.”
“Okay...want some dinner?”
“Yes...something light...maybe soup?”
“I can do that.”
Harm cleaned up after their dinner and then sat on the bed with her reviewing some files and his notes from the meeting with the SecNav.
“You know, Sarah, I could get hooked on this job in the SecNav’s office as long as I get to still work at JAG.”
“Think it will repair the damage to your career enough to keep you in beyond twenty years?”
“Maybe...but I’m not holding my breath. It has however made the idea of working with NCIS even more appealing, as long as I can be stationed close to home.”
“What if I get offered a transfer overseas?”
“Then I’d try to get a billet where you are, and if I couldn’t I would see what I could find for civilian work overseas. It’s not something we have to decide tonight.”
“No...but I’m glad we’re able to talk about it and think about options now. Neither of us are very good when we get blind-sided.”
“Do you think people were shocked when they got the invitations to the wedding?” Harm asked as he set his files aside and turned to look at Sarah Mackenzie in the bed next to him.
“I’m not sure they were shocked...but I bet anything there is some major speculation going on.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well we’ve gone from barely speaking, to dating to engaged to the wedding in a very short period of time. They are bound to think that there is a reason for the rush.”
“Has anyone said anything to you?” Harm asked Mac.
“No...but that’s why I think they are thinking it.” Mac’s logic amused Harm and he shook his head.
“I guess I can’t blame them...you get dizzy and nausea one morning and I think you’re pregnant.”
“I think with you its wishful thinking - like it is for me.”
“You could be right. You feeling better tonight?”
“Yes...I’m sorry I was such a witch earlier.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I was being kind of dense I guess.”
“You know, Harm, this is the first time I’ve had my period since we’ve been together like this. It’s not something I’ve been real comfortable dealing with in previous relationships...but somehow I’ve shared more with you then the others...maybe because you seemed to take it in stride.”
“You think so?”
“You seem so matter of fact about it.”
“Well, I mean I didn’t get to this age without having to deal with PMS at some point. And I have known you long enough so I can usually tell when you have yours...”
“You know? How?”
“The flush on your cheeks...number of trips to the bathroom...the way you rub your abdomen - like you are right now.” Harm pointed to her hand as she massaged her own stomach.
“You’ve noticed that?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t even realized that I did that.”
“Turn on your side - away from me...” Harm instructed. While Mac turned over, Harm lay down more on the bed and scooted close to her. He rested his large hand over hers and then slid his hand under hers. He slowly rubbed the area where she had been massaging. “How’s that?”
“Nice...You’ve done this before haven’t you?”
“No...why?”
“I don’t know...you just seem so calm...like you just know what to do.”
“Hey, I’m just trying to figure it out as I go Sarah...I want to do things for you.”
“Well, I’m just going to enjoy the attention. I’ll make it up to you another time, okay?”
“You don’t have to make anything up to me.”
“I know...but I will another time.” It wasn’t long before Mac had fallen asleep. It was still quite early, but Harm but his files away and got ready for bed. Sleeping next to Mac had become natural. He didn’t like sleeping away from her now.
CHAPTER 11
February 11, 2005
1850 Local
The Chapel
Fall Church, Virginia
“Mac you look fantastic!”
“Thank you Harriet...is everything ready out there?”
“If you are asking me if Harm is here, yes...and he looks so handsome. The chapel is all warm and glowing with the candlelight...Chloe and Mattie are taking their non-traditional roles as ushers to heart and delighting everyone.”
“Do you think its too weird?”
“Having Chloe and Mattie seat the guests?” Mac nodded and Harriet rushed to reassure her, “It’s wonderfully innovative...restaurants employee hostess to seat guests and no one thinks a thing of it. It’s a modern twist I would expect from you...and they are having a blast.”
“Thanks again Harriet...” Mac fussed again with her veil and turned again for Harriet’s approval.
“Perfect! You ready?”
“Yes.”
“Good...I’ll get Admiral Chegwidden for you.” Harriet picked up her flower and handed Mac’s to her before opening the door. “Admiral? The bride is ready....”
“Sarah Mackenzie....Rabb better realize how lucky he is or he’ll wish your father was alive to deal with him when I get done...”
“Thank you sir...AJ.”
The music had started and Harriet started down the aisle toward Chaplain Turner, Harm and Bud. AJ offered his arm to Mac, and with confidence she rested her hand on the crook of his elbow, gave him a dazzling smile and whispered, “Please take me to him.” They fell into step together as the music changed and the guests stood. As they rounded the corner and came into view, Harm and Mac’s eyes met and held.
AJ placed Mac’s hand in Harm’s and murmured, “Take care of each other,” before stepping back and taking his seat in the front row with Mattie and Chloe. Mac turned and handed Harriet her rose.
“Good evening,” Chaplain Turner began. “We are gathered here this evening in the sight of God to witness the exchanging of vows between Harmon Rabb Junior and Sarah Mackenzie. These two people that we love as family or friends, have been on a long journey that began in a rose garden. The day they met they were warned not to get too close as they had to work together. They took those words to heart, and although they developed the trust often seen between partners and then the friendship of two people with shared values, neither of them broke the trust placed in them as officers.
“As their feelings for each other grew, they hid those feelings pushing them back and hiding them from view. They looked for ways to escape when the emotions became too great. Sometimes in work and sometimes by finding someone else. They lashed out at one another when things didn’t work out. They had built walls so high and thick that they couldn’t see or feel what had sustained them for years - their friendship. When they each reached rock bottom, had lost hope, a child gave them the opportunity to see beyond the walls and remember the friendship.
“It was a start, and slowly they worked to rebuild that friendship...the closeness that they had been warned about at the beginning. They began to question why they would fight so hard to reestablish their friendship and why they couldn’t just move on with others. As they each began to understand that they were destined to share their lives they started to recognize that the emotions they experienced were nothing less then love.
“By the time Harm understood what had happened to him and Sarah had understood what had happened to her, they also knew that it was a huge risk to open up to the other one in that way. Love gives you the power to spread great joy or great pain. Neither Harm or Sarah wanted to experience the great pain that taking the risk and being wrong could invoke - the loss of a loved one...yet neither one could be truly happy without their other half. Each one wanted nothing but the other ones’ happiness and in a great act of unselfishness, they each allowed the other one the freedom to choose with no pressure.
“Yet somehow, they each found the courage to take the risk and admit their love and because they did they have found a greater joy then either had known before. Those of us that have watched this journey know how happy they have become sharing their love. Now having heard their story, if there is anyone that knows any reason that these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold their peace.” Chaplain Turner paused and looked around.
“Hearing nothing, we shall continue. Harm, do you take Sarah to be your lawfully wedded wife; to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“Sarah, do you take Harm to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“May I have the rings please?” Asked Chaplain Turner. Bud stepped forward and handed him the bands that they would exchange.
“Harmon, please place the ring on Sarah’s left hand and make your declaration.”
“Sarah, this ring is a symbol of the eternal love and eternal friendship that I feel for you. I vow to be faithful to you and to our love and will cherish you forever.”
“Sarah, please place the ring on Harmon’s left hand and make your declaration.”
“Harm, this ring is a symbol or the eternal love and eternal friendship that I feel for you. I vow to be faithful to you and to our love and will cherish you forever.”
“The exchange of rings and declarations is a promise to love, honor and cherish one another. Remember that sharing your thoughts and feelings is always a risk and that erring is human and forgiveness divine. Your commitment to each other and to the institution of marriage as witness today before God in the presence of family and friends is the first step on your journey through life together.
“With the power invested in me by God and the state of Virginia I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss.”
Harm stepped forward and leaned down to place a light kiss on Mac’s lips before reaching for her and pulling her into his embrace and deepening the kiss as the guests cheered. Releasing her with a grin, Harm stepped back and nodded to the Chaplain.
“May I present Mr. And Mrs. Rabb.” The guests stood, the music began and Harriet handed Mac the two roses. She held them in one hand while Harm escorted her down the aisle. A limo waited and they immediately got into the back and were driven away. In the privacy of the limo, Harm took Mac into his arms again and kissed her again.
“I love you Sarah Rabb,” Harm shouted in glee.
“And I love you. So are you going to tell me why we left our guests behind at the chapel and are riding around in the back of this limo going to some unknown destination?”
“Actually, Sarah, its to give me some time alone with you while we wait for our guests to reassemble at our house. Of course, we could fool them all and head for our honeymoon now without returning to the house first...”
“You wouldn’t?”
“Are you daring me?”
“Maybe...yes.” Mac grinned feeling delightfully naughty.
“Then lets go...the suitcases are already in the trunk...” Harm knocked on the window and it lowered. “Driver, please take us to the Honeymoon location now.”
“Now sir?”
“Yes. Our things are in the back, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but don’t you have to go back for the reception?”
“Probably, but she dared me to skip it and I can’t pass up a dare.”
“Yes, sir...the honeymoon location it is.” The window closed as Harm reached for Mac again.
“Changing your mind about the reception?”
“No...but I think we should call them and tell them what we did so they don’t worry.”
“You’re right. You have your cell phone on you?”
“No.”
“Okay, we’ll call when we get there...” He looked at his watch, “...in about an hour. In the meantime, I think we should get warmed up,” Harm growled in his sexiest voice.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Mac asked as he nibbled the chord in her neck between her ear and her collarbone.
“Wasn’t...planning...to...”he answered between kisses to her neck. “Want...to try...and...persuade...me?” he continued.
“Mmmmm...maybe in a few minutes...”Mac responded before pulling his head up so she could catch his lips with her own.
2012 Local
Rabb House
Falls Church, Virginia
“Where are they?” Trish Burnett asked Frank and AJ Chegwidden for the second time. “This isn’t like Harm to be this late.”
“Yeah, but he’s never been a married man before either,” Frank grinned.
“Admiral?”
“Yes Mattie?”
“I thought the limo driver was suppose to drive them around for twenty minutes to give us time to get here and then bring them back.”
“He was Mattie.”
“Then where are they?” Mattie asked, hands on her hips and Chloe at her side.
“Harriet? Bud? Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“No sir...although I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed their minds.” Harriet winked at her husband.
“Harriet you don’t think they took off on the honeymoon already do you?”
“I wouldn’t put it past them, sir. I mean, I can just hear one of them daring the other one to ditch the reception.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re right, Harriet. Any idea where they were going?” asked Frank.
“No...Mac didn’t even know,” Harriet told them as they waited.
“Well, the caterer has the food ready, we might as well go ahead and eat,” Trish Burnett directed. “I’ll ring my sons neck later!”
2035 Local
Marriott
Annapolis Waterfront
Harm felt the car slow and began to untangle them from their make-out session. “I feel like a teenager making out in the back of the car,” Harm grinned at his wife.
“Yes, and you’re going to call and explain to our family and friends why we’re not there with them.”
“You think I need to go into much detail,” he asked as he touched her breast and heard the moan escape from her throat.
“I guess not...I can’t believe we did this!”
“Have you figured out where we are yet?” Harm asked as the limo driver opened the door.
“Somewhere on the waterfront...Anapolis?” Mac asked as she spotted the sign.
“Yes...I wanted to spend some time sharing more of my past with you...if we decided to go out, that is.”
“Oh we will, Sailor...we will.”
The bell hop came out and took their bags, waiting for Harm to finish signing them into their room. He led the way and Harm and Mac waited for him to deposit their bags. Harm gave him a tip and put the Do Not Disturb tag out. He turned to reach for Mac and she backed away.
“You have a phone call to make first.”
Harm picked up the phone and dialed their home number. As he expected, his mother answered it.
“Rabb Residence.”
“Hi Mom.”
“Don’t you ‘Hi mom’ me! Where are you?” Trish Burnett scolded and demanded.
“On our honeymoon...”
“Frank! I can’t believe this...”
“Mom, calm down...Mac dared me...”
“She what?!”
“Sshhhh - Mom! Is Bud right there?”
“Yes...Bud? He wants to talk to you.”
“Hi Sir...”
“How bad is it there?”
“Not bad...Harriet figured one of you dared the other to ditch the reception,” Bud chuckled.
“Yeah...Mac dared me...but I suggested it.”
“Good for you sir.”
“Enjoy the food and thank everyone for coming. I hope they’ll understand that we wasted so many years, that once we made it through the ceremony, we just wanted to be gone.”
“Just a minute sir...Chaplain Turner needs to talk to you.”
“Harmon...son, we have a problem.”
“What’s the matter Chaplain?”
“You and Mac didn’t sign the papers before you left.”
“Oh...how long do we have to get them signed?”
“Twenty four hours.”
“I see...do you feel like going for a ride this evening?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’ll call the limo driver on the cell phone...he knows where we are. If you promise to come alone I’ll send the driver to get you and bring you here. He can take you home afterwards.”
“Sounds like it would work.”
“Then we’ll make it so.” Harm hung up and called the limo driver and told him what he needed him to do. As soon as he hung up, the phone rang again.
“Hello?”
“Harmon?”
“Mom? How did you...”
“Mattie said try star 69 and when they answered I asked for you.”
“You know where we are?”
“Not really. Just that you are at a Marriot Hotel on the...”
“Okay! okay! Don’t say anymore.”
“Harmon, I’m going to put you on speaker phone so that you can explain to everyone what ‘s going on.” Trish told him. Harm did the same so that Mac could hear and be heard.
“Well, as you can tell, Mac and I changed our plans at the last minute. I hope you enjoy the food...take lots of pictures for us and save the top of the cake. We appreciate everyone coming to share the ceremony...” Harm trailed off as Mac stepped up.
“And we thank you for the gifts...we’ll finish opening them when we get home. Enjoy yourselves and I hope you can forgive us...its just...” Mac trailed off as she looked at Harm with her eyes full of love.
“You couldn’t wait any longer to have your way with him, right Ma’am?” kidded Harriet.
“Something like that Harriet...yes,” Mac agreed as she slid her hands up and down the front of his shirt and jacket before wrapping them around his waist and resting her head on his chest.
Everyone laughed.
After they disconnected the call, Harm and Mac ordered room service, and removed the DO Not Disturb sign from the door again, Harm told Mac about the pending visit from Chaplain Turner.
“Oh! And he’s willing to do this?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t think ditching the party would cause anyone a real inconvenience,” Mac lamented.
“He seemed to get a kick out of it. Now are you going to get comfortable while we wait for our food?”
“No...Not until after Chaplain Turner has left.”
“Oh yeah! That’s a good idea...I don’t think I’m thinking as clearly as I should Sarah....you’ve bewitched me.”
“Oh really...I wasn’t the one snacking on your neck on the way here. It was you that has created this frustration you know.”
“Oh really...well wait until I quench your thirst later.” Harm and Mac exchanged another sizzling series of kisses, barely keeping themselves under control, until the knock on the door interrupted them.
“Ah, come in...you can set our dinner right here,” Harm indicated, while holding Mac in front of him. Harm handed the waiter a tip and shut the door. Together they explored their meal of grilled salmon, roasted veggie mix which appeared to be summer squash, zucchini, green and red peppers and baby corn, and twice baked potatoes with a cheese sauce. They had passed on an appetizers, and their dessert was fresh fruit with a dipping sauces - one a hot fudge sauce on its own mini-fondue pot and the other a carmel dip. They had selected a pot of coffee and sparkling non-alcohol champagne. Seated at the little table in their suite, they enjoyed their meal careful not to spill on their clothes. They had just finished picking up their dinners plates and stacking them back on the cart, when the knock on the door came.
Harm rose to welcome Chaplain Turner.
“Thank you for doing this sir. We didn’t realize that our fun would make more work for you.”
“Think nothing of it, son. I might have done the same thing given the opportunity in my day. I enjoyed the ride in the limo and the looks on everyone’ faces when they realized what you had done.”
“Were they really upset?” Mac queried.
“Harm’s mother was slightly outraged that her son would do anything so embarrassing as she put it, but everyone else seemed to get a kick out of it. I think it was Mattie and Chloe that put it in perspective for anyone that didn’t.”
“Oh no...what did they say?”
“I believe Chloe said, ‘Now really folks if you had an opportunity to hang with a bunch of stuff shirts or run away with the bodacious Harmon Rabb, what would you choose?”
“She didn’t!”
“Yes, and Mathilda chimed in with, ‘and Harm’s not blind either,’ I believe.” Harm groaned as he heard Matthew Turner chuckle. “Harm every one laughed and the party went on. They’ll get over it and even your mother laughed and admitted she shouldn’t have been surprised as the two of you have never done the conventional thing.”
“Well, still...we appreciate you coming out here to make this legal.”
Matthew Turner opened the folder he carried and showed them where to sign. Once that was done he left them with some copies and told them he would file the official copies at the Town Hall in the morning and they should receive the official certificate of their marriage within a couple of weeks. After expressing their appreciation again, Chaplain Turner left, the Do Not Disturb sign was returned to the door, and Harm and Sarah Rabb got on with their honeymoon.
EPILOGUE
May 20, 2005
2030 Local
Rabb Home
Falls Church, Virginia
It was a beautiful spring evening and Harm and Mac had been sitting on the deck watching the sunset after dinner. They had gotten word that the owner had made up his mind to sell the house and Harm had immediately put in a bid which had been excepted.
They had been married a little over three months. Tomorrow they would be celebrating AJ Roberts sixth birthday. Harm couldn’t help but think about the extension on the baby deal he had offered Mac a year ago. They had been on a roller coaster ride, waiting to see if it was even remotely possible for them to fulfill that dream. Mac had been reluctant at first to even hope that it could happen but at Christmas, when they had been told that it was possible and that they shouldn’t wait, they had started to move forward.
Each month that had come and gone with no pregnancy had been taken in stride, yet Harm knew that they both were feeling somewhat disappointed each time their dream of having children together didn’t become a reality.
Tonight Mac was a little quieter then usual. He thought about the date and although it was a little early, he thought maybe she was experiencing some early PMS moodiness that he had learned to recognize. Instead of getting angry with him for being perceptive, Mac had found it endearing. Harm had also discovered that as good as their sex life was over all, Sarah Mackenzie Rabb became aggressively sexual and downright horny during the PMS phase of her cycle. These were the times that her boldness and willingness to try new things left him in awe and often speechless.
Harm heard Mac returning to the deck from behind him. He was sitting on the deck swing and she stepped onto the platform and slid into the seat beside him.
“Everything okay? You seemed a little quiet tonight.”
“Just thinking.”
“About what?”
“This.” Mac handed Harm a little white stick. He looked at it somewhat puzzled at first and then as realization began to grow, he gulped and looked down at it and then up into Mac’s eyes.
“We’re pregnant?” he whispered.
“Yes,” Mac smiled through her tears of joy but cautioned, “Harm, it’s early still and many things can happen.”
“I know...but, this tells us we are going to have a baby, right?”
“Yes it does.”
Harm reached for her then and kissed her thoroughly.
At the birthday party the next day, Mac pulled Harriet to one side and told her their news.
“Harriet, its still early and we don’t want to tell everyone yet, but...I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, Mac! That’s wonderful. Have you been to a doctor yet?”
“No. I’m going to call Monday. I did the Early Home pregnancy test on Friday morning and then repeated it Friday night. What’s more I feel it.” Mac told Harriet.
“I know...I did with the Sarah and the twins. I’m glad you told me, and I won’t say anything until you make a public announcement.”
“Harm’s probably going to tell Bud today. You know, we wanted you to know because we’ve talked about having a baby together since you had little AJ.”
“You have?”
“Yes...No wonder when you finally decided to go for it, you ditched your own reception.”
“We’re never going to hear the end of this are we?”
“No...but at least no one ended up in jail!”
Mac and Harriet laughed over the memories of Bud’s bachelor party and the ensuing fight that had landed them in jail.
January 15, 2006
1422 Local
Maternity Ward
Bethesda Medical Center
“Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Rabb. It’s a boy!” the doctor announced as Mac collapsed against Harm after the final push that had resulted in the birth of their first child.
Harm kissed her lips and whispered, “Thank you Sarah. I love you.”
“I love you...and thank you Harm.”
“You won our bet, Sarah. What are you going to name him?”
“Well, we had narrowed it down to Aaron and Matthew, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I almost went with Aaron, but at the last second, I envisioned the initials AH before Rabb and I was hearing, ‘Ah, Rabb!’ and so I went with Matthew Harmon Rabb. Matthew for both my uncle and Chaplain Turner.”
“Matt Rabb...I like it Sarah...and I promise when it comes time for us to name a girl, I’ll be equally as thoughtful about it.”
“What makes you think I’m willing to go through this again, Mr. Rabb?”
“If you’re not then we’ll adopt a daughter...”
“Don’t worry Harm. It’s not that bad...although I’m tired at the moment. Look how many times Harriet had been through this.”
“Let’s enjoy our son for now...and you get some rest.” Harm kissed her lips lightly. The nurse showed him out telling him he could see his wife once she was cleaned up and moved into her hospital room. In the mean time he was shown where his son was sleeping. He stood in the hall with another new father and watched his child sleep in his little blue cap in his little bed in another room, while all he could do was watch through the glass. After a few minutes, Harm asked to see the nurse and demanded to know when he would be able to see his son.
“In about twenty minutes you and your wife can have him in the hospital room with you. Why don’t you come fill out papers first?”
Harm followed the nurse, and then wheeled the little cart into Mac’s room bringing her baby to her.
Together they called Bed and Harriet and shared the news. Then they called Harm’s mother and grandmother. Both were excited to see the baby and when told his eyes were a blueish gray color right now, they both declared that his eyes would turn to Rabb green like his father’s had. Trish had told Mac, how she had held her beautiful blue-eyed baby and cried that first day because he had not looked back at her with his father’s eyes. Two weeks later, she went to get him one morning and when his eyes opened, they had changed from blue-gray to Rabb green.
As Harm and Mac held their son and examined his fingers and toes and in fact every inch of him, they marveled at their miracle. It had been a long road for them to walk to find their way to one another and to fulfill the promise they had made over six years ago. The past year and been a wonderful one and they had no reason to think that the rest of their life together wouldn’t be as wonderful.
THE END