Harm came back upstairs and found Mac asleep with the baby safely nuzzled in the bassinet next to the bed that he kept in his room in case Mackenzie decided to stay up all night.  He had talked to the pediatrician about Mackenzie’s sleep patterns, but the doctor said it would just take her some time to get on a schedule, and just as long as she was happy and healthy, than that was all that mattered.

0800 EST

Mac woke up and smiled at the sight that was in front of her.  Harm was asleep with Mackenzie on his lap, and she was awake watching MASH.  Mackenzie smiled as Mac made her way towards Harm.  She leaned down and kissed his check.  He woke up and looked at her.

“Hey, sorry if we woke you.  Mackenzie wanted to watch MASH this morning.”

“Well, I reached for you this morning around six, and you weren’t here.”

“I hope you weren’t disappointed, Mackenzie woke up and wanted her morning bottle, which she then decided she didn’t want.”  He waved the full bottle in his hand.  He put the baby in the bassinet.  She looked at him and started to whimper.

“Hey, am I spoiling you to much?”  He picked her up and she stopped whimpering.  “I must be.”  He kissed Mackenzie on the forehead.  “Does she feel warm to you again?”  He handed Mackenzie over to Mac.  Mac put a hand on her baby’s head.

“Yeah.” 

Harm slipped into the bathroom and grabbed the thermometer.  He put the thermometer in her ear.  “Mac, its at 100.1 again.  She seems to be getting little fevers lately.  I’m gonna call my mom.”  He reached for the phone and dialed the familiar numbers.

“Hello?”  A sleepy voice said over the phone.

“My God Mom, I am completely sorry, I forgot about the time change.”

“Harm, who’s sick?”

“Well, Mac and I woke up this morning, and Mackenzie is running a low fever again.  Is it normal for her to have these almost every month?  She ran a low fever about a month ago.”

“Harm honey, you did that.  You were fine, and you were an awful baby, you had the croup.  I was up with you all night in a steamy bathroom.  Your father was so sweet, he would come in and relieve me, bring water, or sing to you to get you to calm down.”

“Mom, I’m sorry for waking you up.  I just freaked out.”

“So, what is Mac doing there?”

“We had a late night.  Call me when you are more awake, and I will fill you in on the details of everything.  Sorry for waking you up mom, I love you.”

“I love you too Harm.”

They hung up the phone, and Harm went to the medicine cabinet and pulled out some baby Tylenol.  Mac sat there and watched Harm give her the medicine and put her in the bassinet.

“What did your mom say?”

“To calm down, give her some medicine, and that I was worse.”

“Ah,” Mac sighed.  “Becoming parents make you paranoid.”  She looks down at Mackenzie.  “Harm, how can you love someone you just met?”

“How can you not?  You know, before Mackenzie came along, I thought my life was complete.  I had Mattie, and as a consequence of that Jen.  I love those two, and I would never ever take any of that back.  The moment I saw Mackenzie on my desk I was scared and confused.  I went to sea duty soon after little AJ was born and was out with the CIA when Jimmy was born, so I this is my first real experience with a baby around five months.  I wouldn’t change any of it.  It is innate.  Loving Mackenzie came as easily to me as breathing, loving Mattie came so easy too.  For the longest time, I thought what defined me was flying.  My heart sores with love for my girls.”

Mac got up and crossed the room.  She traced the outline of his face with the pads with her fingers.  He captured her hand in his bigger one.  She leaned up and kissed him.   “Well, now you must know I love you, I kissed you with your morning breath.”  Mac says to him with a grin on her face.

“Well Mac, I love you too.” 

Chapter 28

Sunday Morning

Rabb Household

Harm muddled over his feelings.  He loved his Marine.  He knew he had since she helped him on to the helicopter on their first case.  Harm listened to Mac and Mackenzie in the nursery over the baby monitor.  Mackenzie finally had a mother who would love her and protect her with her own life.  He smiled when he heard Mac blow a raspberry on Mackenzie belly – eliciting a joyful laugh from the infant.  He sighed with contentment when he hard Mattie enter the room settling in to play with them.

“Mac, do you think Dad has told Gram yet about you being Mackenzie’s mom?”

“I don’t know sweetie.  But the one thing I do know is to never rush your father, he will make his decisions in his own time and what he thinks is best.”

“Mac, do you think my mom would be upset with me if I loved you like a mom?  I mean, you gave me to Dad last Christmas, and I had hoped that you and him would always get together, and that would make you my stepmom.”

“I don’t think your mother would mind if you loved me, she would only want you to be happy.  I’ll let you in on a little secret, I think of you as one of my daughters to.”

“Thanks Mac.”

“Do you want to join me and Mackenzie for a walk around the land?”

“Well, Gina is still asleep in the FROG, I’ll leave her a note.”

“Okay Mattie, we will meet you downstairs.”

She walked into the master bedroom to find Harm staring at the phone.

“You know you have to tell her sometime or another.  I am taking the girls out, but then again, I know you used your little spy machine to ease drop,” she said pointing to the baby monitor.

“Thanks for taking the girls.  I will call her today, besides, she will be really happy.”

“What if she isn’t happy about it?  What if she thinks I will beat the children like I was beaten?”

“Mac if I thought you was capable of beating children, I wouldn’t have let you close to them, besides, you never did anything to harm Chloe.  I think you are a wonderful mother.  Calm your fears.”  He gave her a hug and said, “Go take the kids out while I tell my mother the good news.”

“See you in an hour.”

“Bye Honey.”

“Bye Babe.”  She laughed at their terms of endearment.

He walked her down the stairs and waved goodbye to them.  He reached for his phone and dialed his mother’s familiar number.

“Hello?”

“Hi Frank.  Is Mom around so she can pick up a connection, I have news I have to tell you guys.”

“Trish, your son is on the phone with more news, find a chair to sit down in!” Frank said chuckling.  “You know, your kind of news is bad for the heart son.”

“Frank, I know, trust me, I don’t look for these situations, situations find me.”

“Hi Honey,” Trish said picking up the phone.  “I am sitting down next to Frank on the patio, now you can tell us your news.”

“Well, Mom, Frank, Mackenzie’s mother has contacted me.”

“Oh my God.” Trish muttered.  “What does she want?”

“She wants to be a part of Mackenzie’s life.”

“How big a part?” Frank asked.

“Pretty big.  I think me and her are going to figure out a way to work this out.”

“We will pay her off!” Trish exclaimed.

“I don’t think she get paid off Mom.  Sarah isn’t the type of woman to walk away easily from her responsibilities.”

“Sarah?”

“Sarah Mackenzie, you met her.” Harm said grinning.

“That is great news, tell Sarah I absolutely adore her.  Fate has figured out a way to keep you two together.” Frank commented.

“Harm, I am putting a package in the mail for you.  You should get it tomorrow,” his mom said.

“I’m glad you guys are okay with Mac being her mom.”

“Harm, she is already a big part of your life.  Be sure to call your Grandmother and let her know.  She will want to have you and the family up for Thanksgiving.”

“I’ll call her soon Mom.  I love you guys.”

“We love you too son.”

Chapter 29

JAG Headquarters

Harm returned from lunch with Mac.  He saw that the messenger had dropped off the package that his mother had sent to him.  He opened it up and several things came falling out.  He found a new package of pacifiers for Mackenzie, baby booties, his christening gown, and his mother’s engagement ring.  He looked at the simple solitaire and decided that it wasn’t the right time and put the ring aside in his drawer.  Mac came in to his office asking his opinion on a case when Harriett Sims came walking in looking as pregnant as ever.  

“Sir, ma’am,” Harriet knocked on the door to Harm’s office.  After the switches in Admirals, Admiral Jonas had done some office reassignments, so Harm ended up with a fairly bigger office than the closet.

“Harriet, you can call us Harm and Mac.  You aren’t in uniform.  Please take a seat.”  Harm said, moving his office chair over to her.  He figured it would be easier for her to get up with the arms.

“Harriet, what are you doing here?”  Mac asked her.

“Admiral Jonas asked me to come in to discuss the annual 4^th of July picnic. Everyone is expected to attend this afternoon staff meeting.”

Just then Harm’s phone rang.  “Rabb speaking.”

“Commander Rabb, this is Nikki down in the daycare.”

“Hi Nikki.  Is there something wrong?”

“Well, Mackenzie is being extra fussy, and she just seems to be needing either you or Ms. Mackenzie.”

Harm hung up the phone.

“Harm, what’s wrong with Mackenzie?”  Mac asked.  Since Mac had told Harm that she was Mackenzie mother, they had fallen into a routine to where Mac would spend the weekends at Harm’s and would come in on most week days.  They still haven’t told everyone in the office, but had remembered when they told the admiral.

--Flashback--

“Coates, is the admiral free?”

“Sir, he and Admiral Chegwidden are getting ready to leave for their weekly lunch date.  But, if you are going in to tell him, I am sure you can tell Admiral Jonas and Admiral Chegwidden at the same time.”

“Sure Coates.”

Harm and Mac stood at the door, and knocked.  “Enter.”

Harm and Mac walked into the room and stood at attention.  “At ease.” Admiral Chegwidden said.  “Sorry, Jonas, force of habit.”

“It’s alright Chegwidden.”  He addressed his two officers, “What can I do for you?”

“Well sir, I thought it would be appropriate to tell you that Mackenzie’s birth mother had contacted me.”

“Why is the Colonel here?   Is she representing you in a custody hearing?”  Jonas asked.

“No, sir, there won’t be one.”  Mac stated.  “The mother has agreed to let the Commander keep Mackenzie underneath his care.”

“That’s a relief.  I’m attached to that little tyke.”  Admiral Chegwidden spoke up.  Since AJ had retired, in between his trips with Francesca he had picked up little trinkets, and would drop them by the Rabb and Roberts households.   He would bring Dammit along and Harm would allow the dog to run around the yard. 

“Well sir, I’m glad you have taken such an interest.  Mackenzie just happens to be my daughter.”  Mac said.  Jonas sat in his chair quietly.  “Since I am still recuperating, and the Commander has set up such a lovely home for his children, I don’t see how I would be a good mother, uprooting my child.  However, I will be spending time at the Commander’s house, and we didn’t want it to lead to a court marshal.”

“Well, thank you for informing me of the Colonel.”  Jonas said.  “Commander, I envy you.  You have three beautiful women who love you.” 

“Yes sir, I love them too.”  Chegwidden stood there in shock.  He had waited for years to hear Rabb utter those words. 

Mac stood there shocked, “You’re former CO has informed me of your ‘working’ relationship, and don’t look so surprised you two.  Just as long as you can keep the relationship out of the office, do what you must for your family.  Keep me apprised of any further changes in your relationship.  I need to know if you guys decide to get married so I can see if there is a way I can keep both of you.  If that is all, then you are dismissed.”

The officers snapped a salute, and executed a perfect about face.

“Well AJ how did you know?”  Jonas said reaching into his pocket.

“Well Jett, lets see I know my old staff well enough to know that Jen was smiling way to early at work today, and Harm and Mac looked anxious.  When we were helping them move, I was holding Mackenzie, and I noticed a look that the baby gave Harm when she was tired is the same look Mac has at the end of the work day.  Pay up.” 

Jett Jonas took out his wallet and pulled out a twenty.  “Well, you sure called it.  But I will win on the announcement of their engagement.”

--End Flashback--

“Mac, Mackenzie is just needing her mom or dad.”  The words just slipped out, Harriet looked wide eyed.  Mac looked at Harm and nodded.  He jogged down the stairs to pick up the baby.  Mac explained the situation to Harriet.  She then decided it would be good to inform the entire staff to stop the scuttlebutt.  Rumor had been flying the past couple of weeks.

JAG daycare

Harm walked down to the daycare and put in his security code in the keypad and reached the infant section.  He found Mackenzie there crying her eyes out.  He reached down into her crib and started stroking her back.

“Wanna come to work and see mommy, the Admiral, and your older sister Jen?  Will that make you feel better?”  He cooed in her ear.

“Well Rabb, I wouldn’t mind having her in the staff meeting.  What’s wrong with her?”  Admiral Jonas asked as he was settling in his grandchild.  “My wife has a spa day, so I brought in Alina.”  He said gesturing to his toodler.  He said goodbye to his grandchild has he walked out of the daycare.

“She didn’t sleep much last night, might be cranky.”  He picked up her baby bag and shifted her so she was comfortable.   He made his way up to his office to put down the diaper bag and to make his way into the conference room where everyone was assembling.  Harm took a seat next to Mac, and Mackenzie reached for her mom.  Harm forgetting his briefcase went out to go get it.

“You see, the Commander can’t handle his own kids, I told you so,” one of the support staffers started to whisper.

“Yeah, I bet he is taking advantage of the colonel.”  Another one said.  “Why can’t he just leave her alone.”

Harm walked into the room and Gunny pulled him aside quietly.  Gunny had informed the commander on what he had heard, and he wasn’t please.  He called the two ensigns front and center.  The Admiral was standing in the doorway watching Rabb and Mackenzie rip the younger officers apart.  He decided there was no way he could tear the duo apart.  He realized that both of them would make great commanding officers.

The Admiral stepped into the door, and Gunny yelled for everyone to come to attention.  “Rabb, good job son.  Good to see becoming a parent hasn’t made you soft.  Colonel Mackenzie, Commander Rabb, I heard you guys wanted to make an announcement.”

“Yes sir. We have known this now for a couple of weeks.  Colonel Mackenzie is the biological mother to Mackenzie.  The rumors can stop flying now.”

“Consider that an order,” the admiral added.  “Congratulations again Colonel and Commander; now for the business at hand.  I have received a call from the park that we have reserved for the 4^th of July picnic.  There has been a slight problem, a septic tank underneath the park has bust.  Lt. Simms, it is nice to see you again.  Have you made any progress with finding a new place?”

“Well sir, because of the late scheduling of the event, I couldn’t find another venue.  The picnic will have to be cancelled.”  Harriet answered.

Right on cue, Mackenzie started whimpering and reached for Harm. He gently stroked her back.  “What did the picnic entail, and how large of an area did you need?”

“We have rented a jump castle, a climbing wall, a blow up obstacle course, a blow up ball pit, a small Ferris Wheel, and a teacup ride.  We also have different booths for about a dozen games.  The park was about the size of a football field.”

“Well, I don’t think we should cancel the picnic.  In fact, if we open it up to the public and sold tickets, we could donate the money to a charity.”  Harm said.

“Rabb, we still don’t have a place to hold it.”

“When I purchased my house, we had a lot of five acres, and most of that is cleared because it used to be a horse ranch from what I understand.  The old owners of the land were having a stable built on the back acre.  My parents had purchased a couple of more acres right beside my lot for an investment area.  We could use the land for the picnic if it is big enough.”

“It’s a generous offer, but I wouldn’t feel safe letting your house be open to the public, things could go missing.”

“Well, we could post a guard outside of the house, and one inside,” Gunny spoke up.

“I also have a security system.  As for bathrooms, I would leave the pool house open.  All there is in there is a small tiled bar and a bathroom.  I haven’t stocked the bar with anything but junk food for the kids.  However, by the end of the week, I will have a couple of horses.  Mattie talked her grandfather into giving her equestrian lessons, and he went overboard and is sending out Trotter and Tommy.  We could use Mattie’s riding ring and allow the kids to have horse rides.”

“Rabb, good thinking.  But how will we get the word out?”

“Mattie works at a day camp, and could tell the parents there, and I am sure we could get the local churches and daycare to make the announcement.” Mac spoke up.

“Commander, it’s a great idea, but how are we going to raise the money for the food in such short time.  We don’t have enough funds for a large scale picnic.”  Harriet pointed out.

“Local grocery stores may donate some food, if we say we have a large corporate sponsor.  I know that the Bi-Lo sponsors local places.”

“Who could be that corporate sponsor?”

“Burnett Industries and Art Galleries.” Mac stated.  “Frank mentioned on the phone they were looking for a tax break the other night.”

“Good thinking.  I’ll call Frank as soon as we get out.”

“Rabb, why don’t you call now?  I can’t give you another case until you clear up some, and there aren’t really any that are pressing.”

“Aye, aye sir.”  Harm turned to leave the room when Mackenzie reached for him and smelt her foul diaper.  He picked up her baby bag and left the room.

“You turned him into a domestic ma’am.” Harriet commented.

“No Harriet, I had nothing to do with that.  Coates and Mattie had a head start with him way before I entered the picture.  Harm should be back soon, he got used to changing those smelly things in two minutes flat.  Also, this is Harm’s mother’s number.  Give her a call when he says that it’s a go.  She will be more than happy to help you plan.  You shouldn’t do all this being pregnant and raising two more.”

“Thank you ma’am.  I will do that.”

Back in Harm’s office, he deftly changed Mackenzie with one hand, while talking to Frank on the other.

Ring.  . . Ring . . . Ring

“Burnett Industries, this is Alma, how can I direct your call?”

“Hello Alma, this is Harm.  I need to speak to Frank.”

“Who are you?”

“Sorry, you must be new, I’m his stepson.”

“Oh right, the Commander in the Navy.  We have seen several pictures of you in his office.  Right away Commander.”

“Harm, its Frank.  What’s up?

“Well, the JAG Corps is looking for a corporate sponsor to help us with a picnic.  Would Burnett Industries and Art Galleries be interested?”

“We would Harm.  What is the picnic for?”

“Well, it was going to be a small 4^th of July picnic.  But then I got the idea of opening it up to the public, using the land that the house is one, and we are probably hire a life guard and riding instructor to take care of the pool and stable areas.  We are going to charge admission and sell tickets for the rides and charge for the food.  We are then going to take the profits and probably use the money for something like Toys for Tots.”

“Sounds like a great plan.  There are two stipulations.  The Burnett Logo has to be displayed somewhere, of course along with whatever logo you guys may choose, and your mother and I should be there.”

“Frank, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  You guys are always welcome out here.  You know that.”  Mackenzie started wailing again. 

“Harm, she is sounding a little ill today.  Have you taken her in to the doctor’s office yet?”

“Not yet.  I’m gonna make her an appointment.  She’s been waking up in the middle of the night and running a low grade fever.  Most of the time Tylenol works, but today it hasn’t helped.”

“Well Harm, you should go do that.  Send Mattie and Mac my love.”

“I will Frank.  Thanks for doing this.”

“No problem.  We will get the ball rolling on the food and other expenses.  Thanks for getting me out of a headache.  Bye Son.  Bye bye Mackenzie, Granddad loves you.”

“Bye Frank.”

He picked Mackenzie up and moved her to the pack –n- play and called an appointment in for her, something wasn’t right with his baby and he knew it.  She fell asleep while he was making the appointment.  Her pediatrician said he could see her at 1500.  Harm picked up the baby monitor and picked up Mackenzie’s diaper bag and headed back into the meeting.

In the conference room, the Admiral was going handing out the cases that would be handled by the junior staff.  Harm walked in.

“Where’s Mackenzie?”

“She fell asleep while I was on the phone making arrangements with Frank.  I put her in the pack–n-play.” He pulled out the baby monitor and placed it between him and Mac. “Burnett Industries agreed with two stipulations.  The first one was they had to have a logo properly displayed, which isn’t a problem.  We could do a banner with the logo along with the JAG emblem, and the second one is that a representative of the company has to be here.  So my mother and Frank are coming out for that week.”  He sighed, it was going to be a huge undertaking.  It would be worth it though. 

Harm pulled Jen and Harriet aside after the meeting.  “Ladies, I need your help with something for the carnival.”  They put their heads together and started whispering while Mac headed off the meet with her client.

He got the rest of the day off for Mackenzie’s doctors appointment.  Mac asked to get the rest of the day off two, but the Admiral said she could go as soon as she finished her work.  Harm walked into the pediatric office with Mackenzie.  She immediately looked at the environment and started to get tears in her eyes.  Harm settled her on his lap and calmly stroked her back.  He started singing soft Beatles lyrics to her in the office.

Women in the office were looking at the tall Naval commander singing softly to his little daughter.  They were beginning to take bets on whether or not he was married, and they didn’t see a wedding band.  The minute Mac walked into the office though they knew that she was the one for him.  Mackenzie was lulled into a soft sleep.

“Hey, sorry, has she been seen yet?”

“No.”

She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  She stroked her baby’s cheek, and they waited.

The doctor’s appointment only took thirty minutes when they were actually seen.  The baby was diagnosed with acute otitis media.  Harm was given ear drops for her, and they thanked the doctor.

Chapter Thirty

July 3^rd

Harm’s Place

Harm was given the day off the day before the carnival to sign for the things that were needed.  Mattie wanted to skip work, but Harm wouldn’t let her.  He laughed at the thought of watching his pouty teenager sulk out the Gina’s mother car.  The items wouldn’t be delivered until the morning, but he and some of the other men had volunteered to put together the items they needed for the booths and various games. 

Harm had Mackenzie strapped into her snuggly safe to his chest.  She had been feeling a little better since her ear infection.  He hated seeing his baby in pain.  Mac had stayed with them throughout the week to help with her periods of restlessness.

Harm was out with Mackenzie by the horse stables when he heard the trucks pull up to deliver the carnival supplies.   He signed for the booths and the various materials they would need and told them to set everything but the perishables in the backyard.

He took Mackenzie down to the stables and feed the horses.  He remembered the day the horses came in.

--Flashback --

“Dad!” 

“Yeah Mattie?”

“The horses finally came can I run out to see them?”

“Yes ma’am you may.  Make sure though the trainer runs the horses through the riding ring, and make sure they get put in the right stall.  I’ll be out in a few.  Is Mac still up in the nursery with Mackenzie?”

“Yes sir.”

“Okay, I’ve keep you long enough.  Go see the horses.”

Harm was making his was to the stairs when he heard Mac and Mackenzie coming down.

“Hey, there are my other beautiful girls.  Are you ready to see the horses?”

“You know Harm, I can’t believe you had horses growing up.”

“Mac, I didn’t have horses until I was around Mattie’s age.  I learned to ride to keep my mother happy.  I rode in between football and basketball practice.  But these aren’t my horses.  They are the offspring of my original Tommy and Trotter.”

“I understand the name Trotter, but why Tommy?”

“Well you see the charcoal grey horse that Mattie loves?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, he is the same color as my F-14 Tomcat, and his predecessor rode like my Tomcat handled.”  He laughed when she swatted him.

“Come one.  If we can get Mattie to watch Mackenzie after dinner, if I bribe her  with a dip in the pool tomorrow, I will take you on a ride tonight.  We will scope out the rest of the land.”

“Sounds like a plan sailor.”

Harm walked out to the stables with Mac and went over the ground rules with Mattie, and told her if she were to ever break them, her riding days would be over.

Mac sat back and watched Harm in full father mode as he explained that even though she may have a hard head, it wasn’t that hard.

He strapped on a saddle, put a helmet on Mattie, gave her a kiss on the forehead, and watched her go around the ring.   He worried, but realized he did this as a kid, and that he could think of worse things for her to do.

--End Flashback --

Harm feed the horses, and watched Mackenzie squeal when Tommy came up and took a carrot out of Harm’s hand.

“When you get older, Daddy will let you ride the horses.”

He saw his mother and Frank walk up to them.  Frank gave Mackenzie a quick kiss on the cheek and went over to pat the horses.

“Mom, Frank, why didn’t you call, I would have picked you up.”

“Nonsense Harm.  Do you know how much time it would have taken you to get to the airport with the Mackenzie now?  And how is my granddaughter’s little ear infection?”

“Well, it’s clearing up.  She is on her last round of drops.  Mackenzie still has a little cough, but the doctor says it is probably allergies, and not to worry.”

“Harm, she should be inside resting.”  His mother insisted.

“She came with me to the stables.  She loves the horses, and it doesn’t cause her allergies.”

“Trish let the boy be.  Harm, how long has it been that you and Mac have done something together without the baby?”

“Weeks.  We know we have a built in babysitter, but Mac just can’t seem to get enough of the baby.”

“And neither can you,” his mother said.

“Touché.  I really do want to take her out tonight.  We have been really busy with work, and then we get back her, all we want to do is watch the girls.  Me and Mattie have been setting aside an hour each day to have Dad and Mattie time.  Mackenzie isn’t allowed and Mac isn’t allowed.  Lately it has been playing basketball together, swimming, or riding.”

“You and Mac need some time alone though, and since you are spending the whole day with the baby, we figured that maybe we could take over tonight and take her back to the hotel.”

“You guys aren’t staying in the hotel.  This is your home as much as it mine.  I have you guys set up comfortably in the guest room.  Most of the JAG crew is staying after the carnival to help with the clean up.  I decided to put Jen in with Mattie, the Roberts are staying in the FROG where I have put a convertible couch, and Sturgis is taking the extra room that we are in the middle of fixing up.”

“Sounds like you have a game plan all set up Son.” Frank said with pride in his voice.

“Well, with a teenager as active as Mattie and a baby, I have to have some course of action.”

“Well Harm, are you going to take Sarah out on a date?”

“I’ll ask her when she comes over later.  The admiral made it a half day at JAG, so Admiral Jonas, Bud, and Sturgis are coming over to help put together the booths for the games and food.  Harriet and Mac are coming to do some baking to sell at the carnival.”

“Well, I’m gonna take Mackenzie for a while and we are going to get her some new clothes.  She is growing like a weed!”

“Mom, don’t spoil her.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.  And I want to pick Mattie up some things she can use for the next school year.”

“Mom, these kids already have everything they could want.”

“I know, but if I can spoil my grandkids, then I will.”

“Harm, don’t try to stop her.  She was talking about this the entire trip.  Sometimes it is better just to let it go.”

“Thanks for the advice Frank.  Well, if you are going to take her, her baby bag is packed on my bed, and I’ll put her stroller and car seat in the Escalade.”

Harm got his keys and went to the garage and pulled out the regular baby stroller. “Harm, when did you get this stroller?”  Frank asked while point to the jogging stroller.

“Well, when Mac is here on the weekends, she likes to go running with Mackenzie in the morning. Mackenzie gets a big kick out of it.”

“Ah.”  Harm put together the other stroller since the Escalade had a big enough trunk for it to remain unfolded, and he strapped the car seat in.

“So where are you planning on taking Mac?”

“Aldo’s in Baltimore.  I know it is a pretty far drive and I am planning on surprising her tonight.  Frank, I want to propose to her.  I can’t imagine my life without her.”

“How do you plan on proposing?”

“That is a surprise, but I can guarantee you it will be something special.  I needed help though executing it.  It is going to be perfect.”

“Good luck Son.  Me and your Mom love her.  Also remember, women enjoy the little things in life.  I believe Mac would love to be surprised when you are going to ask, so just say what is in your heart instead of a rehearsed speech.”

Trish walked up with the baby.  She had overheard their entire conversation, and was excited.  If her son thought though that he would be able to take Sarah out on a romantic dinner and spring this on her, he was going to need some help.

“Harmon, when do you plan on proposing to her?” Trish asked.

“That’s a surprise.  I had your engagement ring re-set in platinum, I also added two more stones on the side for our daughters.  I have the perfect way of proposing to her.  I came up with a plan that I know is going to work.”

The morning went by slowly.  His mother true to her word had taken Mackenzie out so he could get started putting a booth together. 

“Harm, you are pretty good with a hammer.”

“Thanks Frank, when I was younger I used to watch Dad help Gram out on the farm, and as I got older, I watched you in the wood shop.  I know that I was a rotten teenager, but you were the best dad that you could be to a kid that wouldn’t accept you.  Luckily I have it so much easier with Mattie.”

Harm’s cell phone rang and he picked it up.

“Hello.”

“Hi.  This is Georgetown University Hospital.  I am trying to reach a Mr. Johnson.”

“Why?”  Harm’s started panicking.

“We have a Mathilda Grace Johnson in the emergency room.  She is asking for her dad.  She had a riding incident at her summer camp.”

“I’m her father.  I’m on my way.”  Harm hung up.  “Frank, Mattie was admitted into the emergency room at Georgetown.  I’m going to head down.  I don’t know what has happened to her, all I know is that she had a riding accident.  Can you wait for the JAG crew?”

“Sure Son.  Call me as soon as you can.”