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Chapter Eleven
O740 EST
North of Union Station
Mattie was grateful to be able to sleep in until 0700.
She trudge down the hall, and heard Harm singing to Mackenzie.
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day
When its cold outside, I’ve got the month of May
I guess, you’d say
What could make me feel this way . . .
“My girls,” Harm sang out.
“Hey Dad, are you still going to drop me and Gina off at work before getting Mac? What time is Grandma and Granddad coming in?”
“Yes, I am still going to drop you to
off, and your grandparents are coming in at 1200. Then if Mac feels up to it,
then I will pick you up, drop Gina off, and we will all go out to eat at Vincenzos.”
“Are we meeting with realtors tomorrow?”
“We will handle one thing at a time. I
am planning on getting a listing, driving by those houses, and then seeing the ones we are interested in. Don’t worry Mattie, I’m not going to leave you out.”
“Since I didn’t have time to make breakfast because of Miss Stinky over there,
I am going to bite the bullet and get you Burger King.”
“Yes! Getting a little sister is so
worth this.”
“Come one kiddo. Lets get going.”
Harm was playing super dad all day. He dropped Mattie and Gina off and had to stop by a 24 hour supermarket to pick up some more baby food,
and then was able to make it on time to Bethesda.
0900 EST
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Harm pulled the SUV to the patient discharge area and got Mackenzie out of the carrier,
and brought her in. Mac was sitting by the reception desk and filling out paperwork. A doctor was waiting with her. He saw
Mac’s face light up when Harm walked through the door.
“Hi, you must be her husband. I am Commander
Wayne. I have some discharge instructions for you guys to listen to.”
Mac didn’t bother correcting him. “Commander
Wayne, I am perfectly okay taking care of myself.”
“Mac, you have had a concussion, a few broken ribs, and your wrists have had stitches
in them. You are staying with me. Enough
said.”
“Harm, I can take care of myself,” she said trying to make a point, she tired
to get out of the wheelchair and got dizzy.
“Colonel, if you try something like that again, you are liable to fall, stay seated,”
Commander Wayne scolded. “Well, Commander it looks like you have your work
cut out for you. Here is some antibiotic cream for the stitches on her wrists,
bandages for her ribs and wrists, and pain killers for her back. The welts on
her back should go down in the next day, they have already gone down some. She
should be good to go. Colonel, try not to do any heavy lifting with those ribs
and back. You maybe able to lift the baby, however I wouldn’t until I felt
almost 100%. Come back in three days to get the stitches removed. Please allow people to help you out. Have a nice day.”
Just then the Admiral called Harm’s cell phone.
“Admiral.”
“Rabb, I know I gave you the day off, I need you in here for two hours tops. Don’t bother changing into uniform if you are out already. Some logistical stuff with an airplane crash.”
“Aye sir. As soon as I drop off Colonel
Mackenzie, I will be there.”
“See you in a few.”
A volunteer followed Harm out to the car and helped get Mac situated.
“Mac, I am going to drop you off at my apartment and then run back to JAG for a couple
of hours, I am needed for some paper work.”
“Just go straight in. I can handle a
couple of hours. I won’t even do any work.
I will just check my emails and return phone calls.”
“Mac, that is work.”
“Harm, I feel completely fine. If you
drop me off, I will just do it from your place anyway.”
“You win. To JAG we go.”
“What about the baby?”
“She does fine there. I have a playpen
set up for her in the office. She will conk out anyway in about 20.”
0945
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
“Commander Rabb reporting as ordered sir.”
“At ease Rabb. I must say, it is weird
seeing you in your civvies.”
“Feels weird being here in the office not in uniform.
Colonel Mackenzie came in, against my better judgment.”
“Thank you for letting me know. I will
stop by her office and makes sure she doesn’t over do it. I just need you
to review this video tape and audio tape on this crash. I am sending Roberts
and Berringer out to investigate. I know Roberts has done this type of thing
before, but this is your forte. Point them in the right direction. I need you active on this case, but with the family developments being as fresh as they are right now,
you will just be over the phone. If it is necessary to send you out will it be
a problem?”
“Sir, I have the utmost confidence in Commander Roberts, but if I am needed, I will
have my mother stay in DC a while longer.”
“Good. Dismissed.”
Harm executed an about face, and walked into the bull pen.
He walked back into his office and picked up the carrier with Mackenzie and headed to the conference room to use the
VCR.
About an hour later, Mac walked into the conference room and heard Harm talking.
“Did you know that Daddy left Jordan to fly those? Yeah, he did. You know, Aunt Mac thought I left her, but I didn’t. I
would never leave your Aunt Mac. Did you see what the pilot just did there?” He point to the screen. “He powered
down instead of adding power. You add power just incase you miss the wire and
have to go around again. He powered down and lost a lot of altitude causing a big boom.
Daddy did that a long time ago. It hurt a lot, and I was in traction for
three months, and had to learn to walk all over again.”
“Hey Flyboy. I didn’t know that.” Her stomach started growling.
“Hey Mac, I didn’t see you there. The
ramp strike is something I don’t like to relive. As soon as I explain my
notes to the Admiral and to Bud, I will swing by Beltway Burgers and grab you something to eat. Can your stomach handle that?”
“Yeah.”
“Give me five.” All of the sudden,
Mackenzie started reaching for Mac. Mac reached over.
“Mac, do you think you should?”
“Well, hand her to me and we will find out.
I promise, if I think I can’t I will hand her over. But I need to
hold her, she is just so pure and innocent.”
Harm handed the baby over just as Bud and the Admiral was heading into the room to see
Harm.
“Sir, Bud, I just finished up my notes. I
could be pilot error or mechanical error. I couldn’t figure out much. I wrote down what he should have done, but didn’t do.”
“Thank you for coming in on your day off Rabb.
Colonel, I don’t want to see you back until the doctor clears you. If
I need you that badly, I will send paperwork home with you.” Admiral Jonas
said with a smile.
“Commander, while I was waiting for you notes, I took the liberty of pulling some
local real estate listings. It only took a couple of minutes.” Bud said when the Admiral had left the room.
“Thanks Bud. The Admiral did inform
you I would be in touch?”
“Yes.”
“Good Bud. Have a good day. We will see you when you get back.”
1200 EST
Dulles International Airport
Washington, D.C.
Harm, Mac, and Mackenzie waited by the luggage terminal to see Frank and Trish. They spotted the couple walking hand-in-hand down the terminal.
“Mom, Frank, over here.”
“Son!” Trish walked up and hugged Harm.
“Sarah, we heard about your terrible ordeal.
Are you alright to be running around like this?”
“I’m okay ma’am. I need
to start getting back to normal.”
“There hasn’t been a ma’am since Harm’s great-grandmother. Call me Trish. Harm, hand me my beautiful
granddaughter. Mackenzie Nicole. You
have Harm’s eyes!”
“Frank, is she always this gushy?”
“Just wait till you see what she brought for the kids. You’d think she bought out toy store.”
“Mom, you didn’t.”
“Harm, they are my grandchildren.”
“Lets go back to the loft, and get Mac and Mackenzie settled down.”
They drove back to the loft. Both Mac and
Mackenzie both drifted off to sleep. Harm picked Mac up, and his mom took the
baby. Harm settled Mac in his room and came back out to visit with his parents.
“Harm we have arranged for a car and driver for the week. Harm you really need to get a bigger place.”
“Mom, I know. I am working on that. I just don’t know if I can afford much with the prices be as high as they are.”
“Harm, your mother and I are going to help you out with that. You never asked for anything. You never asked for a car when
you were sixteen, we didn’t even have to pay your college tuition.”
“What about Russia Frank?”
“You did what you had to do for the closure you needed. I’m just glad you told us that time instead of running off.
I told you once, I may not have a biological son, but you are the closest thing I have to one.”
“Frank, I can’t.”
“Don’t do it for you then, do it for Mattie and Mackenzie, and the future kids
you may have.”
“We are jumping the gun. We haven’t
even found a place yet.” Harm pointed out.
Just then, Harm’s home phone rang.
“Rabb.”
“Commander, this is Lieutenant Blumenthal down at Bethesda.”
“Hello.”
“We have your test results. I put a
rush on them because of the way you were treated by Lieutenant O’Donnel. The
test has concluded with 99.5% accuracy that you are the biological parent of the child in question.”
“Thank you Lieutenant.” Mackenzie
had waked up from her nap and wanted to be held by her daddy. “Guess what
Mackenzie, you are definitely mine.” He blew a raspberry on her tummy,
and she started laughing.
“Oh Harm, I am so happy for you.” Mac
said as she was stepping out of the bedroom.
“Mac, what are you doing up?”
“Well, I want to take a shower, but all my clothes are back at my place.”
“Mac, why don’t me and Frank take Mackenzie to your place, we will pick up
what you will need for a few days, and you can start a shower.” Trish offered.
“Don’t go to trouble on my account.”
“Oh, no problem. I’m sure the
driver will know where to go if you give us the address.”
Harm started packing the diaper bag just in case.
He reached under his bed for diapers, put fresh clothes from the Baby’s Galore bag in the diaper bag, reached
in the cupboard where his wine glasses were replaced by baby bottles and Gerber baby food.
“Well Harm, it looks like you have it figured out.”
“Don’t knock it. I have had an
entire three days to become an infant’s dad. With Mattie, at least I had
time to adjust. Okay Mackenzie,” he said lifting her from Trish’s
arms, “Be good for Grandma and Granddad. If she cries, sing her some oldies.”
“Harm, I know it has been a while, but I think I can figure it out.”
“I know mom, its just, you know.”
“I know Harm. First time dads’
are the funniest.” With that she took Mackenzie and Frank out the door.
Chapter 12
Harm finally thought he would be able to start putting things in a more orderly fashion
when he heard Mac struggling in the bathroom.
“Mac?”
“Harm, I need your help.”
He walked in there to see a very frustrated Sarah Mackenzie struggling to get her shirt
off.
“What do you need me to do marine?”
“I need help with this shirt.”
“Okay.” He stood behind her and
lifted the shirt up over her head. She was heavily bandaged. He vowed to himself that she would never be hurt again.
“Harm, can you help with the bandages. They
have these bandaged real tight.”
Harm handed her a robe. “Here, put this
on, with the open side to the back. This way I can help you without causing any
undo embarrassment on anyone’s part.”
She slid the robe one as he instructed, and he carefully began to unwind the bandages. His breath was hot on her neck. It woke
up the feelings she had for him that she thought were long dead. ‘Don’t go there, he just got thrown into a ready
made family. He wouldn’t want to take on a mess like me. Besides, I can do everything without him, I am a strong independent Marine!’ she thought.
“Mac, in case I haven’t told you, this past month has been hell without you.”
“Watch out sailor. You are actually
beginning to sound like you need me.”
“Sarah, I always need you,” he
stared deeply into her eyes. Who would ever want to hurt her? He quickly changed
the topic. “Look all done. I
have some baby wash in the shower if you want to use that. It has lavender in
it, always calms the baby down.”
“Why is the baby wash in the shower?”
“To cut down on time this morning, I took a shower with Mackenzie. She was up at the crack of dawn, and when I woke up again, it was already 0700.”
“I wish I had a video camera for that one.”
“Red light Colonel,” He said with a smile.
“Okay, I will leave a shirt and some sweats on the bed.”
“Thanks Harm.” She walked into
the bathroom to take a shower.
‘Sarah Mackenzie is taking a shower in the bathroom,’ he thought like a hormone
stricken teenager. He looked around his apartment and started straightening it
out, amazing how much mess one little baby can do.
Harm walked out into the living room and saw the listings that Bud had printed out. There were a couple of houses in Bud and Harriet’s neighborhood he decided to
check out. There was also another one about five miles away from their place. It seemed perfect. He circled that one
and called the realtor to make an appointment.
“Hello, Wong’s Realty Olivia Wong speaking.”
“I need to make an appointment to see the property that was on the internet.”
“What time would you like?”
“Well, I have to pick up my teenager at 5:00, and she would like to see the house too.”
“How about 5:20 tomorrow sir?”
“That’s great.
I didn’t think you guys showed after 5:00.”
“We show until 7:00
because of working people. Can I have your name?”
“Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.”
“I will see you tomorrow.”
Harm sat down the sofa and started resting his eyes.
Mac came out of the shower and snuggled next to Harm.
1600 EST
North of Union Station
Harm awoke with the feeling of dead weight on his arm.
Mackenzie was wailing in the bedroom, and Trish was trying to calm her down.
He looked down and saw Mac lying on his arm. He shifted and wondered how
she could sleep through the baby crying. The drugs must have really knocked her
out. He got up.
“Hi Harm. I was trying to keep her quiet. She was doing great the entire day.”
“I think she is jet-lagged still.” He
claimed her from his mother’s arms. “You know what baby, we have
to get your body adjusted to here. So you get to take a little nap. But then we are going to look at some houses with your big sister.”
Trish watched as he prepared a bottle.
“You know Harm, there were days I never thought I would get to see my grandkids.”
“Well, she was born unconventionally. Think about what Jordan
has taken away. I didn’t know about her until a few days ago. I didn’t see her birth, or help my wife through labor. I
just always thought I would have a chance at that.”
“You will one day Harm.”
He saw that Mackenzie was fast asleep in his arms.
He still had the pack-n-play put up, so he went to his bed, stripped down the covers, and used his pillows for a barrier. He looked at his watch and realized he would have to wake up Mac.
“Mom, where is Frank?”
“He is coming from the hotel darling. He
put up our bags with the driver. When he gets here we will pick up Mattie.”
He went over and woke Mac up. “Sarah,
my mom is here with your clothes, and Mackenzie is asleep in my room, so keep it down when you are changing. I also called a realtor today, and made an appointment to see a house at 1720 tomorrow, and I guess we
will see more during the day. I made reservations for Vincenzos today at 1900
at Mathilda Grace’s request. Now if you don’t feel like going,”
he started.
“Harm, I feel fine, I just needed a good rest.”
“Just let us know if you need to come back here.”
“I will Trish. Now let me go get ready,
and we can go get Mattie.”
Mac changed in the bathroom and she heard Harm getting Mackenzie ready. “Hi Mackenzie. I told you that you wouldn’t get
a long nap, we have to get you on Eastern Standard time baby, and right now, you operating on ZULU isn’t helping Daddy
out any. Looks like that needle stick caused a nasty bruise on my angel. I’m sorry baby, Daddy didn’t want to hurt you.” He kissed her tummy. “Do you want yellow or pink?”
“I think she looks good in the yellow, and pink is too girly.” Mac supplied
as she walked into the room.
“Pink it is.” He put her in a
buttercup yellow shirt and a pink jumper. “I figured a compromise.” He tickled Mackenzie and she started to squeal.
They heard Frank walk in. “Come on my
women, let’s go get my other woman.” Harm said to them.
“Women?” Mac said, punching him in his arm.
“Hey Mac, watch the bruise. Besides
I’m carrying precious cargo.”
“The big, bad Harmon Rabb hiding behind his daughter.”
“Oh Mac, you wound me.”
The playful banter was slowly coming back between the partners. Mac finally was able to see that no matter what happened in both of their lives that Harm would always
be there for her.
Trish and Frank were waiting by the door. “Harm,
we have her car seat in the Escalade. The driver is waiting for us downstairs.”
“Thanks Frank.” They watched in
fascination as Harm locked Mackenzie into her car seat, and she smiled in fascination at her daddy.
They picked up Mattie who was excited to see what she got to go home in and Escalade fully
equipped with a driver, “Dad are we going to go to Vincenzos?”
“Yeah. But first I am going to the baby
store to pick up some clothes for Mackenzie. I only got five outfits the last
time, and I didn’t know she would need more.”
“Good. It will keep you from doing laundry
everyday.”
They picked out some beautiful baby clothes for her.
Trish went wild, as Frank had predicted, and then took Mattie out to pick out some new jeans and shirts.
“My daughters need bigger closets than me.” He sighed.
“Well Harm, they are girls. All they
need in life are 1)Good man, 2) Good careers, and,” Mac started
“Lots of comfortable shoes.” Harm finished.
“How many shoes did my mom buy for those kids today?”
“Five for Mackenzie and three for Mattie.”
“I own four pairs!”
“Flyboy, you wouldn’t understand.”
“Harm, darling, now you own five more pairs.
Mattie and I thought it would be nice if we got you some running shoes, some loafers, and some flip-flops.”
“Mom, I’m a grown man with children, I think I can buy my own stuff.”
“Harmon David Rabb Jr. You are my child,
and I will spoil you whenever I want to.” He blushed at his mother using
his full name.
Dinner was wonderful. Mattie was able to change
into a new outfit which she couldn’t help but gush over. Mac enjoyed it
because for the first time in a long time, she realized that this was a family she could belong to.
Chapter
13
0030 EST
North
of Union Station
Mackenzie
woke up the entire apartment with her cries. Harm reached down into the playpen
and picked her up and started singing to her. Mackenzie immediately calmed down
with her father’s soothing lullaby with her name in it.
“Hey
baby, why were you so upset?” She wasn’t wet, she wasn’t hungry. But she did feel a little warm. Mac woke
up and was standing in the kitchen. “Mac can you bring me the baby thermometer?”
Mac
brought out the baby thermometer and held it to her ear. “Harm she is at
100. She probably hadn’t felt well the entire day.”
He
grabbed the baby Tylenol and put her in cooler pjs. “Okay Mackenzie, this
one time you can sleep with Daddy.” He sang her the lullaby that he had
learned so long ago.
“Harm,
where did you learn that lullaby?”
“My
dad used to sing it to me. I don’t remember him singing it to me, but my mom used to have a tape of him singing it to
me, she sent it with all the other tapes. All I did was change some of the words.”
“It’s
beautiful.”
Mackenzie
fell asleep right before her father fell asleep on the big recliner. Mac threw
a blanket over them and fell asleep on the couch. The rest of the night was uneventful.
0900
EST
North
of Union Station
Mackenzie
woke up to find her grandparents in the kitchen. She started gurgling and woke
up her father.
“Mackenzie,
give Daddy another hour.”
“Harm
you were always a pain to wake up in the mornings.”
“Hi
Mom. Will you take Mackenzie’s temperature.
She was a little high last night.”
“Mac
woke up a couple of minutes ago. I sent her to the showers. She was looking so much better.” Mackenzie went into
her grandmother’s arms. Trish stuck the thermometer in, “98.2 Harm.”
“What
was it last night?”
“100.1”
“She
probably didn’t feel well all yesterday, and had a 24 hour bug.”
“Thanks
for the reassurance Mom.”
Harm
waited for Mac to get out of the shower, and was getting ready to take one himself when he stopped her in the bedroom.
“Mac,
I was thinking about us last night. And I know this sounds really weird, but
I loved having you here with me, and I know you may not be ready to date since you and Webb just broke up, but I was wondering
if I could take you out tomorrow night.”
“Harmon
Rabb, are you asking me out on a date?”
“Kinda
lame huh.”
“No,
it’s really romantic, and yes. But tomorrow, you have to let me spend it
at my apartment. I haven’t been there in ages.”
“After
you get your stitches out.”
“Okay.”
1200
EST
132
Jericho Drive
Rosslyn,
VA
They
all loaded out of the Escalade. This was the fourth house they had seen that
morning. The house was nice, three bedrooms, two baths. The kitchen had older appliances and needed to be re-floored.
The
realtor was real pesky too. She keep following them around. “This house is going at a real steal. $200,000.”
“Thank
you, we will be in touch.”
Harm
and the crew all left that house, and crossed it off their list.
“Maybe
we should take a break and get some lunch.”
“Good
idea Frank.”
“Harm,
if you don’t mind me asking, how much do you have in your bank account?”
“Well,
Mom, about $3,000. Last year when I quit the Navy, I went a couple of months
without working. Then I went to work for Mattie.
And before that I was in the brig.” Mac felt some pangs of guilt.
“Harm,
you know it shouldn’t be that low. You haven’t even touched the trust
fund that your Uncle Kyle set up for you.” Uncle Kyle was Harm’s
mother’s brother. His Uncle Kyle hated the fact that his little sister
married a Navy man, but after Harm Sr. went down and left Harm and his mother alone, he set up a trust for Harm. Harm never wanted to use it because of the deep resentment that his uncle harbored for his father. Harm figured he would only use it in case of emergencies.
“Well,
I got Mattie’s schooling to think about. That is what his trust will be
going for.”
“Harm,”
Frank started, who had been silent, “Mattie and Mackenzie are the light of our lives, as well as yours. Keep your apartment, and lease it to Jen Coates at something she can afford. Your mother and I want to buy you a house of your choosing. I
want my grandkids to have the best of everything. And as for college tuition,
the day you told us about Mathilda, the company set up a college fund for her, and Mackenzie’s is being set up as we
speak. I hope this wasn’t too presumptuous, but I never had to use company
benefits before with you, so I want to use them on the grandkids.”
“Frank,
I’m speechless.”
“Use
your trust fund from your Uncle Kyle as retirement money.”
“Frank,
I can’t accept this.”
“Harm,
please, as one father to another. Do what is best for you children.”
“Well,
you could always have an extra bedroom in the house for me and Frank,” his mother piped up.
“You’ve
got it Mom.”
“Why
don’t we go to the bank, let me transfer money into the account, and then go get lunch.”
1720
EST
1395
Kalmia Drive
King
George, VA
The
driver pulled up to a beautiful manicured lawn. It was being constructed, but
Harm wanted to see it nonetheless. The realtor was sitting on the front porch
waiting for them.
“Hi
I am Olivia Wong. I am actually surprised that anyone would want to see this
place.”
“I’m
Harm,” he shook her hand. “This is my family. Mattie, my mother, Trish, my stepfather Frank, my partner, Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, and this is Mackenzie.”
“Let
me start you with the basics. The owner wants this home sold quickly, but it
hasn’t budged since it has been on the market, and he didn’t even want to finish the construction. It is a newer home, started construction in mid 2001, halted in 2003. For completion, the floors need to
be put in, walls painted, the cosmetics. It has the aged brick look, it will
have around 3000 heated square feet, not including the furnished room above the garage, it is also heated. There is a triple car garage.” She lead them into the
home. “The last owner was having this home custom built for his wife. I
will stay in the foyer so you guys can look around at your leisure.”
Harm
took Mackenzie and Mac and went up the stairs. There was a foyer upstairs to
where they could look down to the downstairs. There was a master bedroom that
had a huge walk in closet and a see through fireplace between the bedroom and smaller room off to the side. The bathroom and a garden tub and a dual head walk in shower. What
Harm loved the most was there was a sitting area that was huge that was near a bay window.
There was a door that connected to a small office, or could be a small nursery.
They walked out the door of the office back to the hallway. The rest of
the rooms upstairs would do nicely for Mackenzie’s room when she got older or a room for Mattie. There were four bedroom upstairs and two baths.
They
ran into Mattie and his parents on the stairs.
“Dad,”
Mattie whispered, “I love this place!”
“Mattie,
we will talk about it later.”
Downstairs
they found a formal dining room, a living room, a huge kitchen. The kitchen was
barely finished. Harm could see the places that would hold the appliances. He imagined stainless steel and hardwood floors.
He imagined cherry wood counters and a grey faux marble countertop. There
was a door leading to a screened in patio. He walked out there and saw an L-shaped
pool with a water slide.
“This
place must cost a fortune.” The realtor just walked out the door. Mac went to go find Frank and Trish.
“It’s
actually a sad story why this house was never finished. The previous owner was
an architect, and he was building this house for his wife. She worked in the
wing of the Pentagon that was attacked. She was killed. His children convinced him to try to finish the house as a tribute, but after his son was killed in a car
accident, he gave up on the house. It would have been beautiful house. He put in the L shape pool to for his wife Laura.”
“Very
touching.”
“Your
partner’s name is Sarah Mackenzie?”
“Yes.”
“I
just heard her name on the news. She was caught up in the prison uprising wasn’t
she?”
Harm
shuddered, “Yes she was. Very fortunate she was able to make it out of
there.”
Mrs.
Wong, sensing a change in conversation started, “The owner is asking price almost $300,000. With allowances to get the house finished. The price is high
due to the acres that come with it, I believe this house sits on almost 5 acres. I
will call him tomorrow if you are interested.”
“I
am interested, but not ready to put down an offer. I have other houses to look
at.”
“Understandable
Commander.” Her cell phone rang, “Commander I have to take this,
give me a minute please.”
“Sure,
Mrs. Wong.”
His
family was inside listening to the conversation. Mattie felt some hope. Mac knew this place was perfect for him, but was almost too big. They walked outside to the Escalade.
“I
know you loved the pool Mattie, but let us look at some other places first.”
“Okay
Dad, but keep an open mind too.”
“Okay
Matts.”
“Commander,
Colonel, wait please.”
“Mrs.
Wong?”
“That
was the owner of the house. He said that since the Colonel almost sacrificed her life in the war against terrorism, and that
Commander Rabb had saved his youngest son’s life once when he was aboard the Seahawk, something about leading a dirty
nuke away, that he would sell this to you for $150,000 and the cost of finish construction.
It was estimated to be around $50,000, for the electrician, the plumber, the floorers, the kitchen people, and the
painters. However, he needs to know now.”
Frank
looked at Harm and nodded. “Harm, this is the best deal.”
“Mrs.
Wong, lets go and start the paperwork.”
They
got back to her office, Trish, Mattie, and Mackenzie went to find a soda shop, and to find a place to eat. Harm, Mac, and Frank stayed to work out the details. They
met up with construction company that was going to send out a team of men in the morning.
The projected time of finish was just a week.
0700
EST
North
of Union Station
Mackenzie
woke up and made her presence known. Luckily Harm had set the playpen next to
the couch were he bunked.
“Hey
there Mackenzie.” She looked up at him with big blue eyes. “Lets go get some breakfast.”
He
started a pot of coffee, started eggs for Mattie, and warmed a bottle up for Mackenzie.
“Do
you know how much Daddy loves you? This much!” He opened his arms as wide as he could when he put her in her high chair.
“You
are such a sap Harmon Rabb. I was wondering how are they getting along at JAG
without us.”
“Well,
I have been helping Bud with the investigation when he needs it, I have no active investigations at the moment, but I do have
to go back on Monday. I have only had about three days off this week.”
They
heard the sound of Mattie unlocking the door. She came in wearing her camp uniform. “Hi Dad, Mac, Mackenzie.”
“Mattie,
eggs are on the stove, your glass of O-J in the fridge, and toast coming up.”
“When
did you become domesticated?” Mac questioned.
“For
your information, I have always been domesticated. Remember my meatless meatloaf? Mattie, your grandparents are picking you up in the Escalade. They thought you and Gina would want to ride in style. Just
you and Gina, the driver is going to drop you off and come back here.”
“Deal
Dad. Mac, this is so cool, I get to go to work with a chauffer.” Just then Frank and Trish knocked on the door, and Mattie answered it.
“You guys are so cool. I’m going to work now. Bye Dad, Love you. Love you too Mac and Mackenzie.”
“Harm,
what did you feed her?” Frank asked.
“Eggs,
toast, but she is has coffee dripping into her at night.”
They
all went out to breakfast when Mac and Harm were ready. He noticed that Mac was
healing nicely. “Hey do those stitches come out today?”
“They
do. I made an appointment before I left.”
“What
time?”
“1100.”
His
phone rang.
“Rabb
speaking.”
“This
is Admiral Jonas.”
“Sir.”
“I
know I gave you the day off, but I need you here today. I have a meeting with
the SecNav at 1300. Another case has come across my desk. Whenever Colonel Mackenzie gets back, I will need her and you one this one.”
“Aye,
aye sir”
“Mom,
Frank, can you guys watch Mackenzie and Mattie until tonight. I am taking Mac
out.”
“Sure.” Trish got this huge smile on her face. They
decided that Mackenzie would spend the day with her grandparents. Harm told them
not to do anything extravagant with her, but he knew otherwise.
Harm
changed into his uniform. Mackenzie reached for her Daddy just as he walked out
of the bedroom. “Now you want me, when you can get me really dirty? Come here wiggle worm.” He grabbed
a burping rag. “Daddy's little girl paints the world with her magic wand,”
he started to sing.
“Oh
Harm, you remembered your daddy’s lullaby.”
“Yeah.”
“You
haven’t heard that in years.”
“Okay,
Mom, Frank, I have to get going, get Mac her all de-stitched. Then I am at work
until 5:00 tonight. If you need me, call,”
Harm said.
“Baby,
we will be fine. Go, let me spoil my grandbaby.”
“Love
you guys,” He held Mackenzie up, “Love you wiggle worm.”
“Da!”
she cried.
“She
just said dad!”
“Yeah,
uh huh. Harm you know better.”
“I
know Mom, but hey I can dream.”
They
went down to the Lexus. Harm drove Mac into Bethesda. “So Harm, where are you taking me tonight?”
“The
only thing I am going to tell you is to dress comfortably.”
“Okay
mystery boy.”
“I
am going to pick you up at 1900.”
They
walked into Bethesda where she checked in. When the nurse called Mac’s
name, “Harm, you haven’t left my side for days now. Please don’t
leave it now.”
“Mac
are you still having nightmares?”
“I
had one last night, and I know I am being silly, but the nightmares are so real, and then I wake up and see you, and I know
you are there, alive and well.”
He
looked into her eyes and saw fear. He knew what torture felt like, he had been
there himself in China. He held her close.
“Thank
you Harm.”
The
doctors were satisfied with her progress, the welts on her back had gone down, her stitches had healed nicely. They cleared her for limited duty starting the coming Monday.
Harm
dropped her off at her apartment. She hadn’t been there in the days she
had been home.
“Mac,
if you need me, need to talk to me, give me a call.”
“Harm,
they are just nightmares, I’m sure I will be okay.”
“Still
Mac.” He had walked her up the stairs.
He was right behind her. He whispered in her ear, “If you need me
call.”
She
turned around and looked at him. He leaned down, and tilted her chin up. He kissed her ever so slightly on the lips.
A kiss that showed how much she meant, without pushing her into the depths of passion.
His taste still lingered on her when he turned around to leave. She stood
there in the hallway “What are you getting yourself into Mac?” she wondered out loud.
1230
EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls
Church, VA
“Commander
Rabb reporting as ordered.”
“At
ease Commander.”
Harm
stood at parade rest. “Commander, take a seat. How is Colonel Mackenzie.”
“She
is doing good. She has been cleared for duty stating Monday.”
“Good. There are a couple of cases that need attention.
I have put it off for a little bit, most of the research has been done. It
will be discussed in more detail on Monday. You are acting JAG. Manetti and Matonni are opposing counsel on the conscientious objector case, they will probably come to
you to have things wrinkled out. ZNN has been calling to get updates on Colonel
Mackenzie. I have been saying no comment other than that she is doing fine. Rabb, I have confidence that you can handle anything that gets thrown your way.” With that the Admiral left to go to his meeting with the SecNav.
Just
as the Admiral predicted Manetti and Matonni were in the office squabbling out their case.
Harm gave some sound advice, but hinted to look over the law a little closer.
He called the lab to find out if there was any match on Mackenzie’s biological mother, but there was no match
yet, they did say that if a match were to be found though, the mother would be contacted first, and the mother would have
to get in contact with him due to the confidentiality issues at the clinic where the eggs were stored.
He
walked into his office, looking around he decided that it was time a more personal touch was given to his office. He saw a picture of him and Mac, and he gazed at it.
He
wished he had Mac’s impeccable timing. He would love to know how many hours
they had left until their date, so he settled for his watch. He had hoped he
wouldn’t screw things ups with her.
“1630. Only thirty minutes until I get off.”
“Counting
the minutes Sir?”
“Yea
Coates.”
“The
Admiral just called. It seems like he is letting everyone go early. His meeting with the SecNav is over, traffic is horrible, and he is heading home. He figures if he goes home, so does his crew if nothing big is happening.”
“Go
tell the crew Jen.”
Harm
left the office to go prepare for one of the biggest nights of his life.
Chapter
14
1900
EST
Sarah
Mackenzie’s Apartment
Georgetown
Mac
heard a soft but deliberate knock on the door. “Wow Harm, you are on time
today.” Harm always knew that she was beautiful, but she took his breath
away with the simplest outfit. She wore a pair of dark jeans that sat right below
her waist, a garnet baby fit t-shirt, a brown belt, and brown boots.
Mac
had always known that Harm was hot in his uniform, but who was she kidding, he would look good in a potato sack. He wore khaki slacks and a blue shirt that brought out the intensity of his eyes.
“I
try,” He said sheepishly.
“So
where are we going?”
“That’s
still for me to know.” He picked up the flowers he had down by her doorway. “These
are for you.”
“Harm,
lilies?”
“Yeah. I know we met in a rose garden, but I saw Webb send you roses every time he had to
go out of town, and thought maybe it had lost its meaning.”
“Harm,
roses will never lost its meaning when they come from you, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I will go put these in water.”
After
Mac had put the lilies in water, she and Harm headed out to start their date. She
walked out to his car, and he opened the door for her. He was always the gentleman. He pulled out a scarf.
“Okay,
I’m going to blindfold you now.”
“Kinky,”
she said with a sultry voice.
“Red
light Colonel,” flashing his famous flyboy grin.
About
twenty minutes later, they pulled up to the destination. Harm started leading
her from the car. “Okay Mac,” he stood behind her and whispered
in her ear. He gently pulled off her blindfold.
Before her was a beautiful picnic basket set on top of a huge picnic blanket that had two candles on it. He helped her sit down. They sat in a grassy knoll by the
reflection pool. Across the way there was an outdoor orchestral concert getting
ready to start.
“Harm,
how did you set this up before hand?”
“Mattie
and Jen. You just missed them driving away.”
He
sat down, and just then he heard her stomach growling. “Harm, you better
not have packed that rabbit food you are so proud of.”
“Only
the best for you Marine.”
He
pulled out a green salad and handed it to her. “Flyboy, this better not
be for me. I hate green things.”
“Well
Ninja-girl, you should eat healthy now, you are recovering.”
“But
this,” he pause, “this is for me.” He pulled a big, luscious,
Beltway burger out of the basket.
“Harm!”
“Mac,
of course this dead cow is for you, now hand over me my rabbit food.”
“This
is exactly how I imagined a first date with you to be. Food, the orchestra, the
scenery, it is all perfect.”
“Mac,
you deserve perfection, because that is what you are.”
She
laid back into his arms after dinner. She started shivering and he wrapped his
arms around her. He started running his hands up and down her to keep her warm.
“I
wish you wouldn’t have called me perfect. I’m really not Harm. My father once told me I was a mess like my mother, and that is all I would ever be.”
“Mac
listen to me. Everyone has their different perceptions of perfect. Your father didn’t know what perfect was. You are perfect
for me, and that is all that matters. Your grace, your intelligence, and the
way you can put me in my place. All that is you, is my definition of perfection. Never let anyone tell you anything else.”
“Harm,
you outdo yourself all the time. You always know the right thing to say to me.”
“Sarah,
allow me to show you how much you mean to me.” She shivered at the sound
of him calling her by her given name.
“Harm,
you proved that to me last year. The way you look at me, not with lust, but with respect and caring. The way you say my given name.” She snuggled closer
and closer to him. “You will always be there, won’t you.”
“I
will always be there, even when you don’t want me.”
They
listened to the music, and walked around the reflection pond. It was the most
perfect night. At the end of the night he walked her up to her apartment.
“Harm,
thank you best night I have had in the longest time.”
“You
deserve it.”
He
leaned in to kiss her, and tilted her chin up. Instead of looking into her eyes,
he whispered, “Do I have a green light Colonel?”
“Red
light.” Ever the gentleman, he turned around to walk away.
Chapter
15
2300
EST
Outside
Mac’s Apartment
She
grabbed his arm and spun him around. “Damn, right it was a green light!” She flung her his neck, and her lips found his.
He was neither demand nor lustful, as the cocky aviators normally tend to be, but it was tender, and lingering. He gathered her into his arms, and she buried her face into his chest. They went into her apartment, barely every breaking contact.
All
of the sudden, Mac got a panicked look in her eyes and withdrew from Harm. She
started shaking uncontrollably when the sound car backfiring could be heard.
“Mac,
honey, what’s wrong?” He crouched down to be closer to her.
“Damn
it, I thought I could work through this. Harm, I think we are going to have to
take this slower. I’m a mess right now.”
“Oh,
honey, I am so sorry, and I will take this as slow as you need. Let me
hold you right now.”
She
fell asleep in his arms, his presence helping her through the nightmares for the night.
He put her comfortably in her bed and slipped out later on. He knew he
had to be home when Mackenzie came home the next morning.
0900
EST
North of Union Station
Harm
woke up the next morning in an empty bed, his mother and step-father were out in the living room entertaining a very much
awake Mackenzie. She started reaching for him, he felt like his heart was overflowing,
this child was a miraculous gift. It was a new day.
“Good
morning Mom. Mackenzie wasn’t too much for you last night was she?”
“Oh
no, she was a perfect angel. How was your date?” Trish said with a huge smile on her face.
“Mom,
I feel like it is going to be a brand new day, nothing can bring me down. Sarah
was so beautiful in the moonlight, I can hardly describe it. It felt like a dream. But, I am so worried about her right now. We
will be able to work things out, I know it, just perhaps not right now. I have
a feeling that something really bad happened to her over in Iraq that she doesn’t want to tell me, and until we work
through that, then I will take it as slow as we need to. But I know that she
is working through whatever it is.” He always knew how much Sarah Mackenzie
meant to him, but right now it was downright scary.
“Oh
Harm, that’s great about being able to work it out, not about the torture in Iraq.
I’ll call her, see if she is up, we will all go for breakfast to cheer her up.
We want to look at the house, and see what they were able to do yesterday. Go
jump in the shower.”
“Hand
me Mackenzie, I’ll give her a shower too.”
He
took his little girl and grabbed his robe and her robe with the ducks on it. He
took her into the shower and reached for the Johnson and Johnson ® baby wash.
“Hey
Baby, are you ready to be all clean for Mac?”
He
cleaned himself first with his body wash and then took the washed her off making sure none of the soap got in her eyes. Then he put his shampoo in his hair using one hand.
He got out of the shower and put on his dark grey boxers and black robe, and then put Mackenzie in her robe. As he was walking out Trish saw them through the glass wall in their robes and reached for the camera. She snapped a picture of them as they walked out of the bedroom.
“Great,
just what I need, another blackmail picture.”
“Mac
said she would be here in about ten minutes and Mattie is getting ready also. So
you better finish up. Give me Mackenzie, and I’ll help you get ready.”
“Thanks
Frank, you are a lifesaver.”
Harm
dried his hair. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a button down white shirt. He was putting on a belt when Mattie walked in.
“Hey
Dad.”
“Hey
there baby, you did a great job last night setting up the picnic.”
“I
take it Mac loved it?”
“She
sure did.”
“Did
you kiss her?”
“Mathilda
Grace, that is none of your business!” he exclaimed.
“Dad
and Mac sittin in the tree, kissing,” Mattie started to taunt. Harm walked up right behind Mattie and put her in a headlock and ruffled her hair. Trish was able to get a picture of that. Just then there was
a knock on the door.
“Saved
by the door kiddo.” Harm went to answer the door, and Mattie ran to the
bathroom to fix her hair. “Hey Mac!”
“Hi
Harm. You look nice this morning.”
“Well,
my mom picked out my clothes,” he joked. She went to swat him when he grabbed
her arm and he began to tickle her.
“I
knew it!” Mattie squealed.
“Mathilda,
why don’t we go down to the car with Frank to get Mackenzie’s car seat put back in.”
“Okay
Grams.”
“Harm,
see you down there once you put your shoes on? I was thinking on going to Leigh
and Lil’s Café for breakfast.” Trish said as she was heading out
the door with Frank.
“Sounds
good Mom.”
Harm
started searching his apartment for his shoes.
“Harm,
this is a new side for you I haven’t seen you ever have to search for your shoes before.”
“Well,
I got home last night, and kicked them off. My mom and Frank kept Mackenzie last
night in the hotel with them, but I still got up at 0300 expecting to find her awake.
So I started straightening up again, and I put them up underneath the kitchen sink,” Harm said as he was retracing
his steps.
“Come
on Harm, lets go.” They clamored down the stairs and met with Harm’s
parents. The kids were settled in to the car.
Trish smiled when she realized life was finally right with everyone she loved.
“Marcus,
take us to Leigh and Lil’s Café,” Frank said to the driver.
1030
EST
Leigh
and Lil’s Café
They
had a nice leisurely breakfast. “Hand me Mackenzie.” Harm told his mother.
He
shifted the baby on to his lap, and she smiled at her daddy. He took a little
of the fruit topping from the top of his crepes and put it on his finger. She
tasted it and was completely delighted. “You liked that didn’t you?”
He blew a raspberry on her check and Mattie stole his whipped cream. Mac reached over and wiped Harm’s chin.
“Can’t
take you anywhere, can I flyboy.”
He
reached over, “No more than you,” he pointed to where Mackenzie had threw butter on Mac’s shirt.
Frank
came back from paying the bill. “Are you guys ready to go see what they have done on the house?”
“Yeah
Grandpa. Let’s go.”
Mac
smiled and looked at Harm, “Do you think she is excited?” Mac asked dryly.
“No,”
Harm said sarcastically.
1100
EST
1395
Kalmia Drive
King
George, VA
They
pulled up to the lawn to find the fireplace finisher out looking at some plans.
“How
is it shaping up?” Frank asked the man.
“My
men and I are getting ready to put the mantles on this Monday, that is actually the last thing that needed to be done. Most of the other things like wiring and plumbing were done yesterday,” he replied.
Mac,
Harm who was armed with Mackenzie, and Mattie walked into the house. The painters
were in, and had put up the crown molding and painted the walls. Harm walked
upstairs with Mackenzie. He brought her into the room he had picked out to be
her nursery. He was having the room painted an off white. He put Mackenzie down on the hardwood floors that were just installed.
“Hey
wiggle worm, what do you think about this room, I thought it would be perfect. Let
me tell you what I am thinking about doing in her, and tell me if you like it.”
He grabbed her pacifier from the baby bag, “Right now its boring, but there is going to be lots of color in here. There are built in bookshelves and in the corner by your windows where I can put all
your books and toys there, there will be a big chair for Daddy and Mackenzie to read night, night stories in.”
Mac
started laughing in the background. “Harm, come see what they painted your
bedroom!”
He
walked across the hallway and smiled. “What? It’s a good color!” he exclaimed.
“It’s
Marine Green!”
“No,
it’s a sage green thank you very much. Besides, its an easy color to decorate
with. Plus,” he paused, and shifted Mackenzie into his other arm, “I
gave liberty to the painters, and this is what they picked out. When they said
green, I thought of a hunter green, not this,” he chided. Mackenzie started
squirming around. “Take her for me.”
“Sure.” He handed over his little girl over to Mac.
“DAD!”
he heard Mattie’s excited scream from the room at the end of the hall. He
walked to meet her. Mac stood there in the room with Mackenzie. “You know what Mackenzie, your daddy is a real hard case to figure out. I have no clue what he wants from me right now.” With
that, she took the little girl and led her down the stairs.
“Yeah
honey?”
“Can
this be my room?”
“Mattie,
you can have any room you want. Why this one?”
“Huge
closet, a built in office area, a nook for my television, how great.”
“I
thought you would want the FROG to get away from your old man.”
“Well
Dad, around you I feel secure, not like with Tom who I wanted to be away from. You
just being around makes me feel like I am worth something, and like I am important,” she said quietly. “You have done so much for me.”
“Mattie,
you are my family. I love you, you’re a smart, intelligent, and beautiful
girl. I’m glad your picking a spot in the house closer to me. It just means I can keep a closer eye on you.” He ruffled
her hair and pulled her into a hug. “It is you who has done so much for
me.”
“Harm,”
he heard his mother yell from downstairs.
“I
think when we move in here I am going to install a security system and an intercom.”
She started laughing, “Come on kiddo, lets run downstairs to meet up with your grandmother.”
They
flew down the stairs. It was amazing how much work was accomplished in the last
couple of days. “What’s going on Mom?”
“The
realtor just called, and said that the house will be ready by next Wednesday. The
owner knew the people, and had them drop everything that they were doing and put a rush job on the place. The building inspectors will give the word on that day. Also,
the house is definitely yours. Not that we doubted it.”
“How
cool. Dad we have to start packing!”
The rest of the day went by in a blur with plans to go furniture shopping next.
They
walked into the closest furniture store. They went looking around. Mattie absolutely flipped when she found the perfect bedroom set and Harm said he would buy it for her. He went to look at nursery furniture, but his mom and Mac would not let him look. He ended up picking out furniture for his new room and decided that his old furniture
would be used for one of the guest room. Since his room was suite style, he picked
out some sitting furniture his room also. While looking at decorations, he picked
out the perfect bedding set and accessories. This day wouldn’t be shaping
out so bad after all.
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