Somewhere in Iraq

Unknown time, unknown location

Lieutenant Colonel Sarah “Mac” Mackenzie and her now ex-boyfriend Clayton Webb looked at each other.  At least this time when the got taken for hostage, help would be coming soon.  She hoped Harm wouldn’t see this on ZNN

“Sarah you have to believe me.  I thought we would be safe in a US ran prison.  I never thought the prisoners would begin to riot.”

“No Clay.  I can’t believe it, I need to stop saying yes to these damn missions.”  Her wrists were rubbed raw and now bleeding where the rope was cutting into her flesh.  She had gotten a bad concussion from when the prisoner had hit her. 

A man came in yelling something in Frasi, calling Mac a bitch and telling her she was dirty.  He tied a rope around her neck, and started tugging on it.  Mac with all her marine strength and pride refused to be treated like that. 

“Go to hell,” she said in Farsi.

“Allah will not allow this,” he replied in English.

“All men who do not love their neighbors as they love themselves are sinning.” Webb pointed out.

“Women are not equals here, and this bitch needs to be put in her place.” 

Mac got up to attack only to be pushed to the floor and kicked.

Webb started screaming, and a shot was fired as Mac lost consciousness.  She felt herself drift into a happy state.  She found herself walking around a two story house.  Much nicer than the one she grew up in.  She heard soft lullaby being sang, “when Mackenzie smiles” was the last bit she could make out.  She saw Harm laying the baby down in the crib, and gesturing her to come home.

Chapter Seven 

0300 EST

A couple days later
North of Union Station

Harm woke up with a start.  Another nightmare.  He felt Mac’s pain.  A nagging sixth sense told him to go turn on ZNN.  He could see her so clearly.  She was being held up, suspended by the ceiling being hit by a belt.  He could see her lose consciousness, the men cutting her down, the thud to the floor.  He saw her captures put a rope around her neck, and try to make her crawl on all fours.  He heard Mackenzie wake up.  Her little body obviously jet-lagged from the time difference in Germany.   Well if he couldn’t hold the big Mac, he would definitely hold the little Mac.

He picked up his daughter, sang softly to her, and warmed up her bottle and made himself some coffee.  This was going to be a long night.

“Hi Mackenzie, are you saving Daddy from a nightmare?  Or is Daddy chasing away yours?”  He sat down on the sofa, and tried to figure out how he would handle this newest dream.

He turned on ZNN and warmed up a bottle for Mackenzie.  He stared at the screen.  He saw Mac being forced into a compound, she was limping.  God-she was hurt, but at least he knew she was alive. 

“This footage was taken from a couple of hours ago. There was a prison uprising here at the US ran prison.  Several prisoners are shouting for reform and say that they will kill one hostage at a time.  We were able to make contact with a Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, a marine lawyer, who is fluent in Farsi and was here interrogating some prisoners.  They have already killed on hostage, and will kill more.  For latest on this story, you can visit our website www.znn.com.”

Harm picked up the phone and tried everyone he knew, but no-one knew anything.  He started packing his sea bag to go after her, but then he saw her name sake trying to prop herself on all fours, and then he thought of Mattie.  He had given everything up for her once, and it almost killed him.  He couldn’t leave his children fatherless for a woman who didn’t love him.

Same Place

0630

Harm must have dozed off, because Mattie came trudging in and woke him up.

“Dad, come on, get up.”

“Mattie?”

“Dad, I will take care of Mackenzie if you jump in the shower.”

“Mattie, what are you doing up so early?”

“Dad, I knew you would need help this morning, you haven’t been getting any sleep again, so I set my alarm.  I would stay and baby-sit, but I start my job as a camp counselor today.  Remember, Gina’s mom is picking me up at 0800, and you have to get to work.  Go!”

“Aye ma’am.”  He saluted Mattie, and gave her a quick peck on the head.  He was so worried about Mac and figured the quicker he got to work, the sooner he would find out about Mac.  Mattie popped some toast in the toaster, jammed it up for her and Harm, feed and changed Mackenzie, and even remembered to put together the diaper bag for him.  At 0715, Harm was running out the door with a piece of toast in his mouth, a diaper bag hung over his shoulder, a baby carrier in one hand, and a briefcase in the other.  Mattie smile, and took a picture of him.  She was going to frame that one. 

“Bye Dad, love you.”  With that, Mattie locked up Harm’s place and ran down the hall to start her day.  She decided that tomorrow she was going to set her alarm for 0600 instead.

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

0815

The admiral stood looking out his window and noticed Rabb running late.  “I will cut him some slack this morning.”

“What did you say sir?” PO Coates asked.

“Sorry Coates, I must have been talking to myself.  You are Rabb’s daughter’s roommate correct?”

“Yes sir.”

“How old is the oldest Rabb daughter?”

“Mattie, the Commander’s ward, is 15 sir.  A great kid.  She actually set her alarm this morning to help the Commander out before she went to work herself.  I only beat him hear because I left 15 minutes early, sir.”

“Well Coates, it sounds like Mattie has her work cut out for her.  I only hope she can handle all these new adjustments.  Tell the Commander to see me as soon as he can get in here.  It’s okay for him to bring in the baby.  Dismissed Coates.”

“Aye, aye sir.”  Coates turned in left.  Maybe working for this CO wouldn’t be as bad as she thought.  She entered the bull pen to see Commander Rabb watching ZNN while juggling a bubbling baby.

“Commander Rabb, the Admiral would like to see you.  He said it was alright for you to bring Mackenzie in with you.”

“Thank you Coates.”

Harm dropped his briefcase, cover, and Mackenzie’s diaper bag in his office.  He looked at the picture of him and Mac at some state function and whispered, “I could sure use your help around now.”  Mackenzie started laughing and gurgling.  “Come on, and lets go meet the admiral.”  He grabbed her and walked through the bullpen.  He noticed that Bud wasn’t back from the investigation in Norfolk yet.  Harm made a mental note to stop by and thank him for the camera.

“Commander Rabb reporting as ordered sir.”

“Well, you better get at ease as soon as possible Rabb.”

“Commander, since Colonel Mackenzie is gone, I am going to ask your advice, take it as temporary Chief of Staff.  Ah, I take it you decided to keep the baby?”

Harm wanted to explode and ask him about Mac, but he waited and figured it would come with time.  “Yes sir.  Her name is Mackenzie Nicole Rabb.  Sorry I brought her in today.  Mattie had to go to work.  With your permission sir, I would like to take a long lunch to go to Bethesda to get the necessary blood work done, and to get her health checked out.”

“That’s fine.  Rabb.  Commander, would you be interested in a daycare in the building?  I understand that many of our JAG staff have children, along with the Judges, and other personal in the building.  I believe there is a 2000 square foot office on the second floor that is vacant.  It has been something that Admiral Chegwidden had proposed about a year ago, however it just got approved about a month ago.  Staff has been hired, but it could use a new coat of paint and other things.  I was thinking since the JAG staff will reap the benefits, maybe after lunch, whoever is free can start painting?”

“That is an excellent suggestion sir.  I am sure the staff will oblige, bring it up during the staff meeting.  My mother and stepfather are arriving in tomorrow.  If it isn’t done, I am sure we can enlist their help.”  

“Excellent Commander.  I take it you want me to add Mackenzie to the list of children enrolled,”  Harm nodded, “Also, I take it you have seen what is going on in Iraq.  There is another reason I called you in here.  Your daughter’s name sake was taken hostage yesterday afternoon when some prisoners started an uprising.”  Harm sank to a chair.  “Commander, its okay.  She has already been rescued and is on her way to the states as we speak.  She has a concussion, and was beaten, but other than that she was in good health.”

“Thank you sir for the briefing.”

“Bethesda will call as soon as she gets there, but she won’t be allowed visitors until tomorrow because she still has to be debriefed by Langley.  That’s all.  Dismissed.”  Just as Harm headed for the door, the admiral stopped him.  “Harm, I know I haven’t been here but just a month, but if you need help handling anything, please, let someone know.”

“Thank you sir.”

The rest of the morning went on without a hitch.  Harm wanted to go into hero mode go get his marine, but he was satisfied that she was on a transport home.  He had two women in his life now that made him think about running off anyway.  Harm was just finishing some boring paperwork when a knock came on his door.

“Enter.”

“Good morning sir.”

“Bud, your wife was a valuable asset to me at the beginning of the week.  I wanted to say thanks to you and her personally for the digital camera.”

“Harriet is something else isn’t she sir.  So is everything she said true?”

“Yes.  Jordan stole some sperm I donated because of being a pilot, and stole another woman’s eggs.  Now I have little Mackenzie here.”  Harm gestured to the baby who was napping in her carrier.  “The Admiral wanted to start a nursery here, can you believe that?”

“I sure can sir.  Admiral Chegwidden had talked about that, and had Harriet write up a proposal.  Most military bases have daycares, and we should be no different.  Since it has been quiet lately, I am going to help paint today.”

“Well, the Admiral had me working on some cases that will be plea bargained, so he and I came up with a color scheme.”  He showed Bud the sketches that he was working on.  “And now I believe it is time for me and little Mackenzie here to see if she is really mine.”

Bud looked down at the sketches.  His mentor was certainly surprise.  Harm had drawn an aircraft carrier with F-14s taking off with marines standing by.  On the other walls, Harm had done color blocks of blues and greens intermingling the Navy and the Marines.

“Sir, let me help you with that.  I am heading down for lunch anyway.”

“Thank you Bud.”

“Sir, she really is beautiful.  Did you know that while you are having the DNA test ran on you, you can have it ran through the military system and see if you can find her biological mom?”

“That will be something to look into.  Thanks Bud.”  Harm said when he got down to the car.

Chapter Eight

The ride to Bethesda was uneventful.  All Harm wanted to think about was Mac, but he knew he had to keep his mind on the road for his children.  He knew she would be landing sometime tonight.  She was hurt – God, she probably was in pain, - but at least she was coming home to him. 

1200 EST
Bethesda Naval Hospital Laboratories

He walked down the hall with Mackenzie on his hip and checked in with the lab tech.

“Hi.  I’m Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.  I called this morning for an appointment to have a paternity test ran.”

“Just great, another man who is trying to skimp out on paying child support,” the lab tech said underneath her breath.  Unfortunately for her he heard, and his nerves were already on edge.

“Stand at attention Lieutenant, I am a superior officer, and as such you will treat me with that respect.  And as for you snide remark,” Harm pointed to the newspaper that was sitting on the desk, “Things are not always what they seem.”  The newspaper headline read “Major Breach and Thefts at Fertility Clinic.”  Harm didn’t care if people knew he had kept sperm at the bank.  Every fighter pilot he knew did just to make sure that they could carry on the family name or leave a legacy.

The lab tech apologized profusely and gave him the paper work.  As he was finishing up the paper work, another lab tech walked in.  “Hi Commander.   I am Lieutenant Blumenthal.  I will be taking over for Lieutenant O’Donnel.  I am going to apologize for her actions.”

“Pleasure to meet you.  I understand that you and the child in question want to be tested for paternity because of the thefts.  I wonder how many more people will be coming in.”

“Well Lieutenant, this was a little more of a special case.”

“Understandable.  Follow me.”  Harm picked up his baby and followed Lieutenant Blumenthal.  The room was sterile and cold.  “Normally Commander we would swab your mouth, and hers, but since there is so much uncertainty with her maternity and paternity, we are going to take blood.” 

Harm nodded and got his arm situated.  Lieutenant Blumenthal placed on the rubber tubing and handed him a ball.  “When I say squeeze, squeeze.  Ready, squeeze.”  He started filling the tubes up with Harm’s blood.  It was over as quick as it started.

“Okay Commander.  We are going to take the baby into the room, and get her blood.  It will be a couple of days for yours.  It can take up to a month to match her DNA having to go through thousands of people.  But at least you will have an answer.  I will call the center and get a list of women who have donated or stored to try to narrow it down, but if they don’t comply it will take a while.  Also, sometimes it hurts the parent more to see us stick the baby rather than the baby.  I have seen grown Commanders faint.”

“If you think it is best, then we will give it a try.”

Lieutenant Blumenthal started to take Mackenzie out of the room when she started reaching for Harm.  Harm felt his heart break, but knew she would have to get used to him not always being around.  He secured the Band-Aid when he heard the unmistakable high screech wail of Mackenzie.  Harm immediately got up and went to the next room and she immediately snuggled against him.

“Hey baby, did that hurt?  Daddy’s sorry.”  He rubbed her back and she calmed down.  “I promise you, I will never let anyone hurt you.”

“And you always keep your promises.” A small voice said behind him.

Chapter Nine

Harm spun around and saw his Mac.  Her face was a little swollen and she had bandages over her wrists, but there was a twinkle in his eye that made him believe that his Mac was still in her.  She had never looked more beautiful to him.

“Oh my God, Mac, I missed you so much.  Thank God you are alive.  What are you doing down here?  When did you get back?  So much has changed in the past couple of weeks, there is so much I have to tell you.”

“Slow down Flyboy.  I just came in, and got sent straight down here for lab work to be checked for poison and other things.  Then I get debriefed.  Will I see you tonight?”

“Webb will be there for you,” Harm said suddenly remembering the cold reality, she wasn’t his to be there for.  She was with another man.

“Harm, Webb and I were never going to work out.  We are no longer together.  Who’s baby is this?”  She said addressing little Mackenzie who was still recovering from her ordeal.

Before Harm had a chance to answer, the lab tech came out.  “Colonel Mackenzie we are ready for you.  Commander we will be calling you.”

Big bad Colonel Mackenzie started panicking.  “Harm, I know I don’t have the right to ask you this, we haven’t exactly been getting along in the past year, but don’t go.” She addressed the tech “I would like the Commander to escort me in.”

“He can’t.  CIA hasn’t debriefed you yet, and will not until tonight.”  Webb said coming from out of nowhere.

“Mac, I want to be there for you always, but both me and you know the rules.  Normally wild horses wouldn’t drag me away,”  Harm said.  Just then Mackenzie who was just resting on his shoulder looked up and started whimpering.  “Mac, before you go in there, we believe this darling baby may be my daughter.  It’s a long story.”  He shifted the baby around so Mac could see her. 

“Harm, How?  Who?  When?”  Mac started.

“I know there is a twist in the story, but Rabb we have to get her tested and settled in, and that will be after the mid-day visiting hours.” Webb pointed out. 

“Mac, I will come by tomorrow, I promise all your questions will be answered.”

The tech took Mac by the wheelchair and took her in the room to start running tests. 

Harm cornered Webb.  “Not now Rabb.”

“Now Webb.  I swear, you keep getting Mac into trouble, only this time she got hurt, a concussion, slashes in her wrists, and probably some broken ribs.”

“Harm I know, and trust me there is nothing to can say.  We were arguing about you when we got captured, and we were distracted, and the prisoners we were interrogating started uprising.  Next thing we knew we were getting tied up.  Everything happened so fast.  I swear I tried to keep a hold of her, and the prisoners ripped her out of my hold.  Even though we are no longer together, I still didn’t want anything to happen to her.  We had broken up when she was given this assignment almost a month ago.  She didn’t want anything to do with the CIA, said nobody who worked for the company had a soul, but I wanted her for this assignment.”

“If I didn’t have to get back to JAG, or didn’t have children to feed, I would be right here waiting for her, fighting you.  But right now, you take care of her, and I will take your place as soon as the Admiral will let me.”  Mac had just been released and caught the tail end of the conversation.

“I know you will be flyboy.  Go tell Mattie I will see her soon,”  Mac said as they were letting her out of the sterile lab room.  “Harm, catch me up on everything tomorrow.”

“Mac, if you need me, call me tonight, I’ll keep my phone on vibrate.”

“Harm, I will be fine now I am stateside.”  She yawned, and Mackenzie yawned.  “My pain killers are getting ready to kick in and your little one just yawned.” Harm was situating Mackenzie in her carrier.

“Yeah, I have to get back to JAG now.  I will see you tomorrow.  Get some sleep, you are gonna need it.”

He walked Mac back up to the ER lobby, and once he saw she was safe, he felt he would be able to leave her.  He looked at the little baby.  “Well, you are down for the count.”  He looked at her sleeping form, and brushed the dark brown strands from her eyes.  “My little angel.”  For the first time, he felt like he might be able to handle everything.

1400 EST
JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

They got back to JAG in one piece and met up with the crowd on the second floor.  They were all painting the color blocks on the wall.  “Seems like a slow week.”

“Thankfully so sir.  We heard from the Admiral that you saw Colonel Mackenzie.  How is she?”

“Bruised, but it is our Mac.”

“Where did you leave little Mackenzie?”

“Actually the Admiral wanted to keep her.”

“Well, your little girls have everyone wrapped around their fingers.  Commander, I just thank myself that you have two girls, and I will have four boys.”

“Yeah, well I thank you for pointing this out.”  He grabbed a paintbrush and began to paint in the USS Seahawk.  Around 1700 they finished working on the daycare center.  Looking around they decided that a nice toy chest could be used.  Bud called Harriet to see what she could find on the internet. 

Harm went upstairs and to grab Mackenzie.  The sight he saw was something he would never forget.  The Admiral had the baby and was playing war with her.  They had little boats inside a tub of water, and the admiral was trying to explain strategic battle plans to her.

“And then the USS Mackenzie would move into this position,”  the Admiral was trying to explain.

“Admiral, I hope she wasn’t too much of a hassle for you.”

“Well Rabb, I was certainly having fun with the princess here.  And since I needed you to paint, it seemed like a great idea.  She had about an hour long nap, and has been fed and burped.  Don’t look so bewildered.  I have children.  In fact, my 19 year old had too much fun in college her first year, so me and my wife have an 18 month old at home right now.  Keep a close eye on that teenager of yours.  Those daughters of yours are heart breakers.  I would love it if you would consider me an extra uncle for the little tyke.”

“Sir I would consider it an honor, and if I haven’t told you, it has been an honor thus far serving under you.  You know, I think I would have liked it better if they were both drab looking and not to bright, but as fate would have it, they both are gorgeous and bright.  Ugh.”

The Admiral started laughing. “Go home to your other daughter Rabb.  Take tomorrow off since your parents are coming in, Colonel Mackenzie is being discharged, and we are slow.  If anything comes up, I’ll call you.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Dismissed.”

Harm walked into his office and picked up his cell phone. 

Ring . . . Ring . . . Ring . . .

“Rabb residence, this is Mathilda speaking, how may I direct your call?”

“Hey kiddo, order a pizza.  I’m on my way home.  You know how I like it.”

“Gottcha Dad.  See ya soon.”

“Love you.”

Harm strapped the baby in the back seat and drove home.  He couldn’t believe that Mac was finally back, at least within arms’ reach, and she took some news about Mackenzie so well.   Harm touched the bruise that was forming on his arm from the needle stick, reminding himself to be mindful of Mackenzie’s when putting her into her pajamas.  On the way home, he stopped by the store to pick up some diet soda and formula.  He made Mackenzie her bottle and poured Mattie some orange soda after he got settled in.   He watched his kids playing on the ground.  Harm picked up the camera and started taking some pictures.

“Dad?”

“Yeah kiddo.”

“What are you going to be doing with Mackenzie during the day when you are at work now that I am working?”

“Well, the Admiral has started a JAG daycare.   Bud, Jen, me, and a couple of the other people in the building have painted it, and the staff is due to start next week.  It will be great.  At least when I am in town, she has a place to go.  I am thinking about having Harriet watch you and her when I have to go out for long periods of time.  Either Harriet or Mac.”

The doorbell rang and the phone rang at the same time.  Mattie ran for the phone, and Harm answered the door to pay the pizza man. 

“Dad, Mac is on the phone for you.”

“Thanks hun.  Go get Jen.  We will all sit down for pizza.”  He told Mattie as he picked up the phone.  “Hey Mac.”

“Harm did I catch you at a bad time?”

“I told you to call me whenever, what do you need?”

“I woke up, and for the first time in a month, I felt safe and warm.  The doctors say they are sending me home tomorrow around 0900.  Will you be able to come pick me up?”

“Anything for you Marine.  The Admiral gave me off tomorrow.  How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.  You know me, I’m tough.  I can handle everything.”

“Marine, you sound exhausted, you need to get some sleep.”

“Harm,”  Mac started, but she didn’t want to explain the real reason why she called was because she keep on having nightmares about the prison uprisings.  Something was wrong with the way that prison was ran she knew it.  Those prisoners were being mistreated, and she didn’t know how she would tell the Admiral.

“Mac get some sleep.  I will be there in the morning, me and little Mac in your chariot, ready to take you home.”

“Thanks, Flyboy.  Good luck with getting the kids to sleep tonight.”

“Thanks Mac.  Sleep tight.”

Mattie walked back in the door with Jen.  “Hello Sir.”

“Jen, how many times do I have to tell you it’s Harm when we are in the apartment?”

“Only once more sir.”

“Do you guys feel like making some cash?”

“Where are you going to go sir?”

“Colonel Mackenzie just sounded like she was going through a rough period.  I was just going to run to Bethesda for a couple of hours to keep her company.”

“Sir, I will keep an eye on the girls.  No charge.”

“Diapers are kept underneath my bed, extra baby clothes are in the baby store bags in the corner, bibs are hung on the key rack, and burping rags are on top of the towels in the linen closet.”

“Dad, I have it covered.”

He picked up the keys.  Mackenzie was expecting him to pick her up too and take her along.  When he ran out the door, Harm heard the high pitch wail, and almost went back for her.  This little girl was really pulling at his heart strings.  He was standing by the door when he heard Mattie and Jen singing to her, and decided it would be best if she learned to be comforted by other people.

Chapter Ten

May 1, 2004

1900 EST

Bethesda Naval Hospital

He stood outside the hospital and pulled out his cell phone.

“Rabb.”

“Dad, Mackenzie won’t stop crying she really wants you.”

“Put her on.”

Mattie held the phone up to Mackenzie’s ear.  “Baby, its Daddy.  Listen, Daddy has to be here for Aunt Mac.  I will be there tonight.  I promise.”  Knowing full well she had no clue what he said, but hoped the sound of his voice would calm her down.

“Mattie?”

“Yeah Dad?”

“Put on a Disney movie, and just rub her back.  Hopefully that will work.  I will be home as soon as Mac falls asleep.”

“She finally calmed down.  She loves you so much, and so do I.”

“I feel the same way kiddo.  I have to go now.”

Harm walked into the hospital.  It felt like he had just left.  He hated hospitals, the smells, the sterileness.  The fact of the matter was it made Harm face his mortality.  He started remembering his times that he was there.  He headed up to reception.

“Hi when are visiting hours over?”

“You have about another hour.  Who are you here to see?”

“Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie.”

“Room 420.”

“Thank you.”

Harm got on the elevator and found her room.  He heard the soft sound of music coming from the radio.  Martina McBride filled the room with a sweet lullaby, but it wasn’t doing anything to stop Mac’s nightmare.

Mac’s Nightmare

“Sarah!”

“Harm!”

She felt herself getting ripped from his embrace.  The prisoners were holding her tightly; their grip bruising her skin.  She felt her hands being tied, the rope cutting into her wrists.  She feared that they would rape her, but hoped that their religious beliefs would stop that.  She searched the room, and saw Harm lying on the floor with a mask over his head.  There man yelling in Farsi for her to comply, or else he would die.  She stopped struggling against their hold, and did as she was told hoping to buy them some time.  The prisoners hung her by a hook that was hanging from the ceiling.  It hurt like hell, but she wasn’t going to show them that.  Just when she thought the brutal attack was done, she heard the crack of a belt, a familiar sound from childhood.  A man was still standing over Harm, this time with a long knife. 

“Say goodbye to your protector.”

“No!”  She screamed, as she saw him raise his knife to Harm’s neck.

“Sarah, wake up, I’m here.  Come on.  Look at me.”

Through her daze, she heard him calling to her, felt him holding her hand.  She opened her eyes, and stared into a deep blue sea of comfort.  His eyes could always calm her soul. 

“They were whipping me.  Harm, you were there.  A man tried to behead you.” She told him while sobbing into his chest.

“No, honey, I am right here.  I’m alive, holding you.  Look I’m real.  And you are in the states.  No one is whipping you.”  He held her tight wondering what she endured in that prison.

“The nightmare was so real.  I just don’t want to go back to sleep for fear of what I might see.”

“Let me help you get your mind off of things.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“Do you remember the baby from this morning?”

“Yeah, I was kinda out of it.  You called her your daughter.”

“Long story, but here is the abbreviated version.  Jordan found out I was storing sperm at a facility outside DC in case anything ever happened while I was serving.  Well she stole my sperm, another woman’s eggs, and inseminated herself.  Mackenzie is the result.”

“Weird that Jordan named her daughter Mackenzie.  I know it’s a modern name, but she hated me.”

“Jordan didn’t name her.  Little AJ picked out her name.  Mackenzie for his beautiful Aunt Mac and I thought of Nicole because she was born around Christmas.  Jordan didn’t want to pick out a name because she knew she was dying and didn’t want to get attached.”

“Harm, how do you know she isn’t lying?”

“That is why I was here this morning with her.  We were getting a paternity test.  They are also going to check her DNA with those women who have their DNA on file.”

“What are you going to do if the biological mother wants her?”

“Jordan’s will specifically names me as the custodial parent, hopefully that will hold up even though Jordan stole the eggs.  Let’s not think about bad things.  I have the cutest picture of Mackenzie and Mattie playing together.”  He pulled out the digital camera and started showing Mac the pictures.  He handed her the camera and went down the hall to get a soda.  When he came back, she was laughing so hard, it was hurting her ribs.

“Ow!” She said through the laughter. 

“Hey marine, what is so painfully funny?”

“This picture.”  She handed him the camera.  Harm had a piece of toast hanging out of his mouth, his uniform on, and his cover on. He was juggling Mackenzie in one hand, who wanted her daddy’s toast, and his briefcase in the other with a diaper bag hanging around his neck.  His eyes told of his bewildered state, they were as big as saucers.

“Hmm, this morning.  First morning with Mackenzie having to take Mackenzie to work with me.  Thank God for Mattie, she had enough common sense to come in and wake me up before work.  She started her new job today.”

“How is Mattie adjusting?”

“Fairly well.  She hasn’t said much.  I think she is a little scared that if Mackenzie is mine, then I will love her less.”

“Do you think Mackenzie is yours?”

“I would have to say probably so.  She saw my name on the file, and stole the vile.  She does look a little like me.”

“Those blue eyes and dark hair are going to devastate the men of the world.”

“I don’t even want to think of my girls dating yet.  It’s hard to think of Mattie dating, and I think she is slowly going to start bringing up that topic.”

Mac shifted to her side.  Harm put his hand on her back, and felt her flinch.  He saw angry welts on her back.  “I’m sorry, did I hurt you?”

“No, you would never intentionally hurt me.  I think I am finally beginning to understand that.”

He held her hand and started making lazy circles with his thumbs in her palms.  “Shut your eyes, and try to sleep.  I will stay here until they kick me out.”

“Harm you have children to go home to.”

“Mac, I have a baby who is incredibly jet-lagged still, so she has been asleep for about an hour, and will wake up at about 0300 again.  I will be there for her later.”

He knew she was losing her fight with sleep.  He watched her doze off.  A nurse came in, and gave him an apologetic look.  “Commander, its time for you to go.  You can have her all to yourself tomorrow.”

“Night Mac.”  He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead.  He would be there for her in the morning.  He knew it didn’t matter what had transpired between them in the past year, they were going to find their way back to each other.