Chapter Thirty One

Georgetown University Emergency Room

Harm rushed to the emergency room and burst through the doors.  He ran to the desk.  “I’m looking for Mathilda Johnson.”

“Who are you?”

“Her legal guardian, Harmon Rabb.”  He showed his military ID.

“Exam room 4.”

He ran to the room.  He saw the nurse and Mattie’s riding instructor from camp was with her.  Mattie was looking groggy.

“Hey baby, Daddy’s here.”

“Daddy.”  She reached for him.  He walked over to her, and kissed her cheek. 

“Sweetie, I think you gave me a nice heart attack.”  He looked at her for the first time.  She had her left arm in a sling, and her right leg in a cast.  She had a noticeable bump on her forehead and a cut above her eye.

“Andrea, what happened?” He asked Mattie’s riding instructor.

“Mattie was taking the kids on a trail ride.  She was riding with one of the younger campers.  There was a gunshot, and Mattie managed to get the camper off of the horse, but the horse was bucking pretty hard.  Mattie was able to calm the horse, but while she was dismounting there was another gunshot, and it spooked the horse bad.  The horse bucked hard and threw her.  Mattie was doing everything right, the horse just was too spooked.”

Harm swallowed hard.  “She was wearing her helmet, right?”

“Of course Commander.”

The doctor walked into the room.  “Mr. Johnson?”

“I’m Commander Harmon Rabb.  I’m her adoptive father.”  The doctor gave a skeptical look, and then when he saw how tender Harm was with his little girl, he began to ease up a bit.

“We are going to take her down for some CAT scans.  We want to make sure that there is no permanent damage to her brain.  We already took x-rays of her collar bone and ankle.  The ankle wasn’t badly broken and shouldn’t take too terribly long to heal.  She can probably have a walking cast by the end of the week.”  The doctor explained.

Harm held Mattie’s good hand, and felt her squeeze when the doctor mentioned damage to her brain.  “Don’t worry honey, I have gotten so many concussions in my time, I think I am going on six.”

She chuckled a little, “That explains a lot.”

“Keep joking around Kiddo, and we will see if Santa visits you this year.”

“I don’t think Santa could top the gift I got last year.”

“Did Santa get you a car?” The nurse asked politely.

“No, she got me a dad.”  Mattie said. 

The nurse just smiled, really unsure of what to say.  Harm went with her to the CAT scan suite.  She saw the machine and looked at her dad with wide eyes.

“Daddy, please don’t make me go in there.” She pleaded with him, “Dad, don’t make me go in there.  Please, I hate little spaces.” She repeated.

“Honey, look at me.   I would never make you do anything unless it was absolutely necessary.  Mattie, I never knew that you were scared of small places.  You are fine when you are flying the Steerman with me.  Honey, I can’t go in the room with you, but trust me, if anything starts to happen to you, I will get to you within a heartbeat.”  She squeezed his hand again with reassurance.

“I love you Daddy.”

While Mattie was in the scan, Harm tried to call Tom but there was no answer at his house, work, or cell.  He then called the social worker on the case to let her know what had happened.

After the scan, they went back down to the emergency room.  Harm sat on the edge of her bed, moving the hair out of her face.  She had changed his life in an instant.

The doctor walked in with the scans, and showed them to Harm.  “Mattie has a pretty bad concussion.  I want her to stay awake for around 12 hours.”

“When can I take her home?”

“As soon as I sign the discharge papers.  Here is some pain medication for her wrist.   The stitches are butterfly stitches, they will fall out in a couple of days.  Also, she will probably have a bad headache the next couple of days.  Give her some of these.”  He ripped out the prescriptions.

“Can you call these into drugstore so I can pick them up on my way home?”

“Why not Bethesda?”

“Because I’m only her legal guardian for right now, so I can’t put her on my military insurance, but hopefully that will change in a few months.”

“I will call these into the drugstore near your house.”

“Thank you doctor.”  The nurse was situating Mattie in her wheelchair.

“Dad, I’m sorry.”

“Honey, why?”

“I told you I would be careful, I promised, and I just couldn’t get off fast enough.”

He got down to eye level.  “We know riding can be dangerous.  But you did nothing wrong, and the horse was spooked.  I am going to call the police to report the poachers though.  There is no hunting in those woods.  I am just so grateful you are okay.  Besides honey, it is my fault.  If I had let you skip work today, you wouldn’t be here all stitched up and casted up.  You do know I would trade places with you in a heart beat, right?”

“Yeah Dad I do.  I am so glad you came today.  Did you call Tom?”

“I tried all his numbers, but he was no wear to be found.”

The social worker walked up talking to the other social worker of the hospital.  “Commander, I came as soon as I could.  Mattie, I need to talk to you alone, and the other social worker, Ms. Crane, is going to need to talk to your guardian.  It’s just routine.  Don’t worry.”

“The camp already called on the poachers Commander.”  Andrea said.  “That should take one thing off your mind.  Mattie, I will see you once you get back to work.  Bye.”

Harm nodded and waved goodbye.  “Dad, why do I have to talk, I’m to tired to do this now.”

“I’m sure it will just be a few minutes Mathilda.  Cooperate and the sooner we get to leave.”

“Commander, I realize how hard this day has been.  Can you tell me why Ms. Johnson was here today?”

“She got into a work related accident.  She was riding a horse and work, and got thrown off.”

“I understand you have horses at home.”

“That I do with a riding instructor to teach Mattie and when she is older enough, Mackenzie, the proper ways of riding and how to avoid injury.  Mattie started taking lessons last week, but already knew the basics.”

In the room, Mattie was being asked many different questions.  “Mattie, do you resent Harm for making you get a job?”

“No.  He said it helps build responsibility, and it is a fun job.  Today, I wanted to skip, but Dad wouldn’t allow me to.  He said that it shows good discipline to do things we don’t want to do.  I love him.  My dad told me the sweetest thing today.”

“What was that Mattie?”

“He said that he would take away all the pain I am going through and take it on himself.  My real dad never said anything like that.”

“Okay Mattie.  You realize that this was just a formality, and that you Commander Rabb is not in trouble.”

“Yes.”

She wheeled Mattie out of the room.  “Commander, Mattie, you guys must really care for each other.  You got here within 25 minutes of the call.  When you guys go to court again, this will look remarkably well on the court record.”

“Thank you.  I am going to take Mattie home now and pick up her prescriptions.  We will be by soon for your next home inspection since you moved.”

Harm gave her a nod and looked at Mattie.  His cell phone started ringing.  He looked down and realized it was his mother.

“Hi Mom,” He said into the phone.  “Mattie’s will be okay.  She has a concussion.  We will have to keep a really close eye on her the next couple of days.  I’m going to put her on the phone.”

“Hi Grandma.”  The social workers realized that Mattie had found herself a great family.  They nodded off and wrote up in the report it was a work accident, and Mattie received excellent care.

“Mathilda Grace you gave me a heart attack.  How can I finish up shopping with you in the hospital?”

“Gram, finish up.  My dad is taking me home as we speak.”

Harm got the phone from her.  “Mom, can you pick up some DVDs for Mattie.  I think she deserves the new edition of Dirty Dancing and whatever movies you think she will like.”  Mattie’s face lit up as he hung up the phone. 

“Dad, can we go now.”

“Sure honey.  I’m going to stop and pick up food for the JAG crew on the way home.  What do you want to eat?”

“Mr. Ho’s House of Noodles?”

“Works for me kiddo.”

He got her home without incident.  She was feeling dizzy, so Harm insisted that he would carry her in.  Mac was waiting impatiently for them to come.  Frank and the guys were out finishing up painting the booths. 

“Everyone, they are here.”  Mac called out to them.  She ran out to them.  Harm had Mattie in his arms.  “Mattie, honey, are you okay.  Is something broken?  Harm, why are you carrying her?”  She kissed her on the forehead. 

“Mom, you smell good today.”

“No honey, it’s Mac.”

“I know, but can I call you Mom from time to time?”

“Of course you can baby.  Mattie I was so worried about you today.  I was hysterical.”  Mac gave Harm a long look.  “As for me smelling good, your dad got this for me for Christmas last year he gets me perfume every year for Christmas.  Maybe this year he will get me something different.  Honey, of course I was worried about you.  I love you, don’t forget that.  Let’s get you inside and get you settled.  Your grandmother has put the baby down in the nursery, but you are going to be settled in the pool house where me, you, Harriet, Jen and your grandmother are going to watch girly movies and bake snacks.”

“Sounds great.”  Harm still had his little girl in his arms.  He realized how close he was to almost losing her today.  He put her in the pool house on the sofa bed that he brought in from storage.   Mac had made up the sofa bed for her, making her promise not to fall asleep for at least ten more hours.  He walked into the small kitchen and brought her a tray of food.  He set down the tray of food, and gave Mattie a quick hug, he then left to go on a walk.  Mac started to disperse the food to the rest of the work crew when she realized that Harm was no where to be found. 

Chapter Thirty-Two

Same time

Harm’s house

Third of July, setting up for the carnival

Mac walked into the pool house when she spotted Harm’s mother looking off into the distance.  She had went into the house looking for Harm, she had checked his bedroom, the nursery (where Mackenzie was playing soundly by herself), the kitchen, the basement gym, but Harm was MIA for a lack of a better term.  ‘I hope he doesn’t close himself off to me again’ she thought to herself.  She held her daughter in her arms, “Mackenzie, what’s wrong with your daddy?  Did you keep him up last night again?”

Mackenzie smiled when she heard the mention of her dad.  “Da!”

“Da, it’s always Da, why not Ma?”  She tickled her baby’s feet and put her in the playpen.  “What’s going on with him Trish?  Mattie’s safe and sound.”

“It is not my place to tell.  Leave the baby with me, I’ll watch the girls, you go to Harm.  You should find him by the stables.  Mac, don’t push him to hard, this is one memory that he hasn’t dealt with too much yet.”  Trish said cryptically. 

She walked down to the stables, to find him sitting on the fence that ran on the back side of his property.  She could hear him sobbing silently.  Mac watched his shoulders rise and fall, shuddering ever so slowly with each breathe he took.  It was tearing her heart out.  She shed a tear for him.  She walked up behind him and wrapped her hands around his shoulders.  “Honey, it will be okay.  You didn’t lose her today.”

Tears were freely flowing down his face.  She hadn’t seen him like that since they found out that Bud was going to be okay.  “God Sarah, I could have lost my daughter today.  I don’t think I could handle losing her.  Mattie gave me back my life, gave me a reason to live and love again, if I had lost her like Lane, well . . . ” He trailed off hanging his head in his hands.

Mac stopped to listen to him, it hit her how much Harm defined himself now by being a father.  “You didn’t lose her today.  She is a little banged up, but she is a tough kid.  Harm, who was Lane?”  She quietly probed him and ran her hands through his hair.

“Lane was my best friend growing up.  His dad was killed shortly after Dad was declared MIA.   We were inseparable because we understood each other’s pain.  Lane and I went riding one night, and we got caught in a storm.  Lane’s horse got spooked and threw him, and when another crack of thunder hit, I was thrown, and hit some rocks.  I was wearing my helmet,” He handed her a helmet that had a crack running down the center of it; the helmet had Hard Head written on it.  “Trotter ran off to the stables, Lane’s horse trampled over Lane.  He didn’t make it.”

“Oh God Harm.  You don’t blame yourself for that do you?”

“It was my fault we were out there.  I got mad at Mom.  She was going to be gone for the semifinals for football.  I was quarterback, and I wanted her there.  Being around the horses always brought some peace back in my life.  I ran into Lane down at the stables, and he followed me out as I angrily got myself ready to ride.  We had been missing for a couple of hours when Frank figured there was something wrong.  Frank found us out on the beach.  He once told me I gave him a full head of grey hair that day.  I wasn’t ever going to ride again, but Frank said that if I let my fears control me, then I would never be able to live a full life.  What Frank told me that day has given me so much resolve.  I let Mattie ride because it is something she loves.  I won’t make her get back in the saddle, but I know she will.”

Mac wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.  “You have had enough loss in your life.”

“I agree Son.” Frank said from behind.  “Mac, can you give me and him a minute, I need to speak with him.”

“Sure.  Mac picked up Harm’s cracked helmet and walked into the stables to feed the horses.

“Frank?!  How did you know where we were?”

“You know Harm, when I found you out on the jetty, it was the most horrible day of my life.  Worse than the day we found out your ran off to find your father.  You helmet was cracked down the middle, blood was seeping out, and you weren’t responding to anything.  I was so scared.  The only thing I wanted to do was trade places with you.  I knew you would be down here because I know you.  You were thinking about Lane.”

“Yeah.”

“It wasn’t your fault, and what happened to Mattie wasn’t your fault.  I put your lunch in the kitchen for whenever you are ready for it.”  Frank squeezed his shoulder.  “You know, your mother was there for me when I found you.  I was a mess.  Even though you hated me, I loved you fiercely.  Let Mac help you through this.”

“I will.  Thank you Frank for everything.  Somehow, saying thank you doesn’t even seem enough anymore.”  Frank gave Harm a quick smile and headed off to finish up setting up.

Mac came out of the stable when she saw Frank walk by.  She walked behind Harm and held him.  “You okay?”

He gave Mac a quick hug.  “I love you.  Thank you for this.”

“Harm, we are a family, we are parents.  I may not be Mattie’s mother, but I was scared to death when Frank called the admiral to let him know.  The admiral called it a day and told everyone who could to come out here and to help out.”  She told him as he went to stroke Tommy who gently nuzzled Harm.

“Mattie is a trooper.  Go out with me tonight.  Mattie already told me to take you out, so don’t worry about her.  Jen is going to stay and help my mom and Frank with the girls.”

They walked back up to where everyone was finished setting up the booths enjoying the Chinese food that Harm had picked up.  Jen, Harriet, and his mother were hovering over Mattie.

“Dad, Aldo’s called to confirm your reservation for tonight at 7:00.”  Mattie relayed to him.  “Were you going to take Mom out?”

“It was a surprise, but since your accident, I don’t think I should.  I need to be here for you.”

“That’s right Mattie.  We should be here taking care of you.”

“No.  You are taking Mom out for a night on the town.  Gram, Gramps, and Jen are here.  I am fine.  If you don’t go, I will be mad.  You guys haven’t had any time for yourselves lately.” 

Mac sighed, “If your father says its okay, we will go.  Where are we going?”

“Aldo’s.”  Harm supplied.

“Harm, it’s already 1400.   I don’t have time to go home, get changed, and for us to make it to Baltimore.”  Mac screeched at him.

“You can get ready here Ma’am.”  Harriet said.

“Harriet, I keep a couple of spare outfits here, nothing that would be appropriate for a nice dinner.”  Mac pointed out.

“Well, Sarah, darling, I thought of that when I heard Harm speaking to Frank.  I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of picking you out a dress, and I picked up some makeup if you don’t have any.”  Trish told her.  Trish could be just as devious as her son.

“How did you know my size?”

“I used your pants size and your bra size to have the clerk help me.”

Mac turned to glare at Harm.  “What, I didn’t have anything to do with that.  I just thought a night away from my kids would be nice for once.  If you want me to cancel, I’ll call the maitre de right now and cancel.  Besides, I can keep an eye on Mattie this way.”

“Don’t you dare.” Mattie said.  “Dad, I’ll be fine. Gram is here, Jen is here.  Go, have fun with Mac tonight.”

Mac looked at everyone and agreed she would go.  Harm was grateful that his mother had gone the extra mile and thought of something he wouldn’t.  He left the women to talk in the pool house. 

He heard the baby crying over the monitor just as he cracked open a beer with the guys in his kitchen.  The guys started laughing at him as he put down his beer bottle and started to prepare her baby bottle.  Harm bounded up the stairs and brought Mackenzie into the kitchen.  He sat down on the bar stool and gave her the bottle, as he picked up his beer.

“So, has being a father changed you Rabb?” the retired Admiral Chegwidden asked.  He had come in to help them with the carnival.  The rest of the men were sitting there waiting for an answer.

“Well, Mattie and Jen eat junk food like it is going out of style, Mackenzie costs me an arm and a leg in diapers a week.  There are struggles to get Mattie out of bed on time for work, and Mackenzie cries at night.  In all honesty sir, it has made me a better man,” he answered.  He started burping Mackenzie.  “I couldn’t imagine my life being any better.”  Frank had his hand on the intercom button, and the women heard his response in the pool house.

Mattie looked at Mac, “You know, I’m crazy about my dad, and if you hurt him . . .”

“You know Mattie, I have loved your father for so long, I don’t even remember a time where I did not love him.  Even to this day, your dad still amazes me.”  She heard him tell the men he was going to go to the nursery.  That is when Frank let his hand up on the intercom.  Mac slipped away to go see the man that she loved.

She walked up behind him in the nursery and watched him play airplane with Mackenzie.  As he brought her into descent Mac wrapped her arms around him.  She nibbled on his ear, and whispered, “You are the love of my life.”

He gazed into her eyes, and put the baby in the crib.  Mackenzie sat there and watched her parents kiss.  She clapped and laughed with delight.

Chapter Thirty Three

1700 EST

Harm’s House

King George, MD

Harm had taken his shower downstairs at his mother’s persistence.  The women wanted to be upstairs to help Mac get ready.  Harm had situated Mattie in the living room and had put Mackenzie in the pack-n-play.  His mother had gone above and beyond the call of grandmother hood.  She had not only bought Mattie 15 DVDs, but she also got her a portable DVD player to watch them on.  He put on Shrek on the big TV though keep the children occupied.  Harm was pacing waiting for Mac to descend the stairs when he heard a knock on the door.  He looked out the window and saw Admiral Jonas and Admiral Chegwidden conversing on the front step.

“Sir, did you come to check out the progress of the carnival?”  Harm said addressing Admiral Jonas.

“AJ filled me in on the progress.  How is Mattie doing?”

“She has a concussion, but is doing fine.  Coates is going to stay and help my parents with things.”

“Rabb, I received a call from the SecNav.  It seems that he will not allow you to drop your fight status this year.  It seems that the Navy is trying to keep up the fighting forces for the war on terror.  I have been at his office all day trying to talk him out of it, but he won’t allow it.”

“When do I leave for my quals Sir?”

“Unfortunately, you leave within the next couple of weeks for the Patrick Henry.  Captain Ingles is looking forward to having you.”

“I suppose I can get Jen to help Mac watch the kids.  My parents can’t stay any longer than Tuesday. Is it okay if Mattie goes to JAG?  She won’t be going back to work until next Monday.”  Harm asked.

“I could use some extra filing hands.  I’m sure Coates wouldn’t mind the help.” Admiral Jonas said smiling.

Harm invited everyone inside.  He insisted that they stay for dinner, they had ordered enough for everyone.  Admiral Jonas and Admiral Chegwidden looked up the steps and saw Mac exiting down the stairs.

“Rabb, you are one lucky SOB.” Jonas said under his breathe.

Sarah was wearing a full length black lace dress.  She held a clutch purse in one hand, and was wearing stiletto heals.  He extended his arm out and guided her down the stairs.  Harm was wearing a dark grey suit with a dark blue shirt and tie that complemented his eyes.  Mattie sighed and realized that their family was going to be complete.  He looked at Mac.  “You take my breath away.”  He gave her a kiss on the cheek.  “Give me a moment.”

He walked away from her and walked into his office.  Mattie came in after him.  “Dad, are you going to give Mac what I think you are going to?”

“Sure am Kiddo.  I have been holding on to this for much to long.”  He opened up the wall safe and pulled out a small slender box.  He nodded at Mattie, and she walked and sat down on the couch, and watched her father walk behind Mac and place a black pearl pendant around her neck.  “While I was stationed on the Pat 4 years ago, I saw this in a local shop while on liberty, and bought it.  I have held on to it, waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”

She looked at him and smiled.  Mattie snapped a picture of the two.  Admiral Jonas walked into the kitchen to pretend he didn’t see the electricity between the two.  Harm gave his arm to Mac and walked out to the yard when they saw a stretch limo.

Harm turned around and looked at his mother.  “Harm, I wanted this to be a perfect night, I had Marcus trade in the Escalade for a stretch limo.”

Mac was standing there in awe.  “I have never been in a limo before.”

“Well it will be a first night for a lot of things.   Just let me make this night just for me and you.”  As if right on cue, Mackenzie reached for her parents and started whimpering.

Mac reached for her girls.  Mattie hugged Mac, and Harm protected himself with a burping rag and kissed Mackenzie goodbye.  “Mac have a good night with Dad.”

“Honey are you sure you will be fine?”  Me and your dad can do this another night.”

“Yeah Mattie, if you are feeling bad at all, I’m not going.” Harm said.

“Dad, Mom, go, have a great night . . . Do I have to make that an order?”  Mattie said in her best AJ voice.  She looked at her Uncle AJ.  “Sorry Uncle AJ, I couldn’t resist.”

“She’s right.  Go, or I will make it an order,” their old CO said. 

“Okay.”  They turned away from their family and walked away.  Waving goodbye on the front porch stood their family, albeit a nonconventional family, but a family – Admiral Chegwidden was supporting Mattie, Admiral Jonas was holding a leased Dammit, Harm’s parents, and their girls:  Mattie, Jen, and Mackenzie.  He looked at Mac, and smiled.  “There is our family.”

“I know Flyboy.”

The ride in the limo was exquisite; they had non-alcoholic champagne and strawberries on the drive to Baltimore.  Half way through the drive he looked at Mac.

“Our love is so magical.”

“I sure hope not.  Love can sometimes be magic.  But magic can sometimes be an illusion.  And if this is an illusion, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“You know, I am the luckiest man alive.  I love you, and that is not an illusion.”

He looped his arm around her, and drew her in close.  Just then, Always by Bon Jovi came on, and he started singing it to her in her ear. 

“And I will love you always . . . . Take a look at my face/There’s no price I won’t pay to say these words to you,” he sang.

The song ended and he held her close in his arms.  Her perfume of lavender and vanilla made her irresistible.  She was thinking her life was perfect, she could smell his Drakkar.  The limo driver put down the partition and announced that they were at the restaurant.

Harm looked at his watch.  “Sarah, we have a about a half an hour until dinner.  There is a small jewelry store next to the restaurant, I would like to go and get Mattie a small gift.”

“Sure no problem.”

People on the street took notice of the handsome couple walking with their arms linked.  They were envious of the obvious love that flowed effortlessly like a river between the two of them.

They walked into the store.  Harm walked over to the counter that had a variety of bracelets displayed.  A salesman looked at the couple and discretely walked over to them.

“Hello, I am Hansel.  How may I help you today.”

“Hello.  My name is Commander Harmon Rabb, I am looking for something special for my fifteen year old.”

Hansel had a gleam of recognition in his eyes.  “Well Commander, we have a fine selection of sweet 16 presents that would do nicely for a father/daughter momento.  May I suggest a stunning platinum plated charm bracelet.”

“Yes Hansel that will do nicely.”

Mac walked over to a display of picture frames.  Harm caught her looking away, so at that moment, they went to the register to ring up his purchase.  He discretely handed a small package to the Commander.  “The young Ms. Coates was in here today inspecting this.  She said it would do splendidly.”

“Thank you for your discretion.  Also, I would like to have a five-by-seven frame engraved with a special inscription if you can do so by the end of tonight.  The driver will be in with further instructions.”

“As you wish sir.”

Harm left all but one package with the clerk, and called Marcus to let him know to go by the jewelry store to pick up the packages for him.  He led his Marine into Aldo’s to enjoy their night away from the children.

Aldo’s was raved among the locals and revered in the papers.  It was situated nicely on Baltimore’s inner harbor.  They were seated in a small dining room where they gazed into each other’s eyes.  The waiter came and read the specials.  Harm ordered the Zuppa di Pesce alla Calabrese which consisted of Day Boat Filet of Fish, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels and potatoes in tomato-infused bouillon.  Mac ordered the grilled prime filet mignon, with seared hudson valley foie gras, Italian black truffle, porcini and wild mushrooms sauce with four cheese risotto.  Harm handed the menus to the waiter and held his hand out to Mac.  He took her hand and pressed her palm to his lips.

Mac could see in the intensity building in his dark blue eyes.  He put down his water goblet and gave her a dazzling smile that would always make her go weak in the knees.  The sting quartet started playing an all too familiar song, “Unforgettable.”  He helped her up to feet and gracefully led her to an open area where they could sway to the music.  Since they were in a small private dining room, it felt like they had the whole room to themselves.

“Je T’aime,” Harm whispered to her.

“Harm, I don’t know French,” she sighed into his chest.

“You know Farsi and Russian.  I know French.  It means I love you.”  He held her close forgetting the outside world. 

The waiter placed their food on the table and waited for refilled their drink orders.  Harm led her back to the table and pulled out her chair.  Before sitting, he gazed into her eyes.  “I could get lost forever in those eyes.” She murmured.

They sat down and ate their food in companionable silence.  Harm brought out his cell phone only once to make sure that Mattie was doing fine.   After dinner they walked around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and took in the sights that were all around them, the lights, the water, and the boats.  She started shivering and he reached from behind and put his jacket around her shoulders. She sunk into him, and he placed a light kiss on her neck.  The sensation that she felt on her delicate patch of skin there would forever brand her forever his.

0015 EST

Harm’s house

The limo ride home was uneventful.  Mac spent most of it lying in Harm’s arms.  Upon arriving at the house, Harm didn’t want to wake his most precious package of the night. Marcus gave him the packages and bid him farewell.  Harm got Mac up the stairs and into the room he dubbed “theirs.”  Even though Mac didn’t officially live with Harm, he still thought of it as their room.

He placed her on the bed, and removed her shoes.  He placed Mattie’s present on the night stand, and went down to his office.  He finished wrapping up Mac’s gift and found her standing in the doorway yawning.  He quickly put the package behind him.  She was still in her dress.

“Sarah, honey, you should go to bed now.  We have a huge day tomorrow.”

“Not without you.”

He went into her open arms and hugged her close.  “I never want to let this night end.”

“What is in your hand Flyboy?”

“Something I got for you.  Let’s go to the bedroom, get ready for bed, and when we are safe and sound in the bed, I will let you open it.”

He handed her the present, and picked her up.  He carried her up the stairs, mindful not to make any noise.  He went down the hall and checked on Mattie.  She was asleep with Jen lying next to her and The Sound of Music playing.  He checked his watch, it had been 12 hours since the incident.  He breathed a little easier.

He walked into Mackenzie’s room and checked on her.  She was a perfect sleeping little angel who would soon be up terrorizing the house.

He walked back into his bedroom and found the love of his life waiting for him so she could open her gift.

“Well, you waited long enough.”

She tore open the silver paper and gold bow to show the silver frame that Harm had purchased earlier.  The inscription read Nunc Scio Sit Quit Amor. 

“What does the inscription say?”

“It’s Now I know what love is.”

Inside the frame was a picture of them taken earlier in the day.  Harm had put the necklace on her, and she was touching the part of her neck where the pearl fell.  He was standing behind her placing a kiss on her bare shoulders with his arms around her waist.   Now Harm and Mac really knew what love was.

Chapter Thirty Four

0900 EST

Harm’s House

King George VA

The morning came too early for Harm.  He looked at the woman that was tangled up with him.  He pondered why they had slept tangled with each other, holding on to each other for dear life, in a bed that was as big as a lake.  As she stirred in his arms, he held her even tighter, willing the sun to go down.

He knew right then he could hold her forever.  If he untangled his arms and legs from her prone form, he would be missing her presence immensely, but alas he untangled himself from her and slipped on a shirt.  “What are you doing getting out of bed?” she asked him still sprawling out in his bed, the soft yellow sheets a stark contrast to her olive tone skin.

“Well, its Friday, we have a vacation, don’t you want to run with Mackenzie?”  Just then her high pitch wails started.  He smiled at Mac, and went to retrieve her from the nursery.  Mackenzie was sitting in her crib crying as if the world was coming to an end.  “Come on baby, daddy and mommy are enjoying our break.”  He picked her up and went down into the kitchen.  He made a pot of coffee when he noticed that Admiral Chegwidden was asleep on the couch.  He took six mugs and put them on the counter.  The hot brown liquid started spilling out of the coffee maker, and as if on cue, Mattie, Jen, AJ, his parents, and Mac came down.  Mac was wearing her jogging outfit.

“Thanks for the coffee hun.”  Mac said reaching over and kissing him on the cheek and grabbing the baby.  “Has the little Marine been fed yet?”

“Fed, diapered, cleaned, and her jogging outfit is on the top of the dryer.  Try not to jiggle her as much this time.  I know how you like to dance with her in the middle of the park.  I folded up the jugging stroller, it’s in the Lexus.  And she is not a marine, she is a princess who flies fighter jets.”

“Oh you know me so well.”  Mac went by Mattie and kissed her on the forehead.  “Do you feel well enough for the carnival today?”

“Yeah.  I guess, I’m bummed though, Dad said he won’t let me ride today.”

“Well, at least it is only until you get an all clear from the doctor.  I figured we could skip the father/daughter ride for the day,” he said, watching her face fall, “But, we could do a father/daughter breakfast, maybe at Cracker Barrel if that is what you want.”

“Dad, you are the best!” She hobbled her way up the stairs to get ready. 

“Good morning sir.  I hope we didn’t wake you up last night.”

“Sorry for crashing like that Harm.  No Sir, I’m retired remember, and standing in your house in a pair of your pajamas.”

“Mackenzie had spit up all over AJ’s shirt, and she flung baby food all over his jeans.  So I did a load of laundry,” his mother explained.  “He was so tired, I made up the couch for him seeing that he lives a good 45 minutes away.”

“That’s fine.”

“Well, everyone knows where the showers are.  The carnival is scheduled to start at 1300, fireworks are being set up behind the stable.  The horses are going to be in the stable and they should be fine.”  Mac came back with Mackenzie dressed in her jogging outfit. 

She handed Harm the baby for her second cup of coffee.  “The rides should arrive at 1000.   AJ, you are staying right?”

“Of course.  I’ll make sure things run as smoothly as a ship.  Go attend to that bubbly teenager.  Mac have a good run.  The showers will be free by the time you guys get back.  Go, it’s an order,” he said with a smirk.

Harm bounded up the stairs and tossed on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.  He ran down the stairs and found Mattie waiting for him.  “New ‘vette or old ‘vette, your choice.”

“Old ‘vette.  Top down.”

He gave her a high five and helped his little girl down the porch steps in time to wave goodbye to Mac and Mackenzie.

The retired admiral and his parents watched the father/daughter pair pull out of the drive.  “You guys did a good job raising him.”

“Really?”  Trish asked, “I always thought he was a royal pain in the six.”  She joked using a navy term that Harm Sr. would use with her.

AJ laughed.  They walked inside to find Jen straightening up.  “Come here my other granddaughter,” Trish said to her. 

Jen walked up to her.  “Yes ma’am.  Do you need something?”

“Don’t ma’am me.  You can call me gram.  You know I think of you as a granddaughter to me.  Yesterday with all of the fuss with Mattie, me, Frank, and Harm forgot to give you something.”

“Gram, you don’t have to do that for me.”

“And you didn’t have to help my son out for the past couple of months.”  She handed Jen a set of keys.

Jen just starred at them.  “I can’t accept this.  I don’t accept charity.”  Everyone knew her car needed more repairs then what she could make, not like her salary could afford it.

“Of course you can.  Frank is the owner of several car dealerships.”

Frank looked up, “Well, if you can’t accept it, then how about I make a good deal.”

“That seems reasonable, but I still don’t think I could afford a,” Jen looked down at the keys, “Jeep Liberty?!  I know I won’t be able to swing that.”

“You have a dollar?”

“Sure,” she handed him a dollar. 

“Okay, it’s been paid for.”  Frank winked at her.  “Jen, we are your family.  We love you regardless of blood too.  If anything we understand it is that it isn’t blood that makes you family.”

AJ smiled at the scene.  He knew that his former yeoman didn’t swallow her pride easily.  He gave Jen a fatherly smile.  

“Jen, honey, the car will be arriving around noon.” Trish said.  “Why don’t you get ready for the day, and the men will clean up the coffee.  I’ll start some French toast for those who want it.” 

Trish called the Roberts and Victor Galindez to invite them for brunch.  They agreed.

The JAG family was going to a carnival today.

The Cracker Barrel Restaurant

0945

“Dad, do you think Grandma and Grandpa have told Jen yet about the car?”

“I think so Kiddo.  Speaking of gifts,” he pulled out an oblong box.  “I saw this last night and thought of you.”

She unwrapped the box and pulled out the bracelet that he had chosen for her last night.  She pulled it out, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  On the bracelet he had picked out several charms – an anchor, a ship, a horse, and a biplane.  “I figured we could add charms as we saw fit.”  He put the bracelet around her wrist.

Their food came out and she was so hungry she started shoveling the food in her mouth.  “Did you not eat at all last night Mattie.”

“No, last night I was so nauseous, I didn’t even try.”

“Eat up Kiddo, today is going to be a long day.”

South Point Park

1000

Mac and Mackenzie whirled down the path.  Mackenzie was squealing with delight and clapping her hands.  She stopped at the swings like she always did and picked her up and pushed her in the swings.

She swung her and tickled her feet eliciting a beautiful laugh that came out of her mouth.

She saw the flyer announcing the carnival and fireworks for the Toys for Tots.  She smiled at the good that the JAG crew was doing.  She heard several parents in the park talking about the fourth of July carnival.

Mac picked Mackenzie up out of the swing and slid with her down the slide.  She saw one of the parents walk up to her.

“Aren’t you Colonel Mackenzie?”

“Do I know you?”  She said switching Mackenzie to another hip.

“No, I saw you on TV during the trial.  I just wanted to say that I admire your courage.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Isn’t that Commander Rabb’s baby?”

“Yes, I am,” Mac stopped her thought for a moment and then said, “I am helping the Commander out considering he is swamped with the carnival today.”  She was proud of her child, but didn’t want the entire world knowing just yet.

“Do you know if the Commander is taken?  I have been thinking about going to his house several times, but always stopped myself.”

“I believe he has recently started seeing someone.”

“Oh.”

“Are you taking your kids to the carnival today?” Mac asked politely changing topics.

“I’m planning on it.”

“Good, the money raised goes to an awesome cause.”  She walked away with Mackenzie in her arms. 

She raised her up and jiggled her in the air singing her a silly song as they pranced and danced back to the stroller.  She strapped her in the stroller and jogged back to the car.

Chapter Thirty Five

1100 EST

Harm’s House

King George, VA

Harm pulled into the driveway right after Mac did.  He helped Mattie out of the car.  Over the top of the house he could see that the Ferris wheel was up and he could see the ticket booth being resurrected.  He helped Mattie up the stairs of the house where Mac and Mackenzie were waiting for them.

“Hey Mac, you are looking all sweaty.  How’s my baby girl?”  He tickled her tummy.  He lifted her up and smelled the sour milk.  “Mac, did you jiggle her again?”

“What, she loves it.  It is only in the car when she gets a little sick.”  She smiled at him.  “Besides she loves wearing her bananas and milk in the park.”

“Ugh.  I’ll take her in the shower with me so she can get clean again, I guess I’ll take downstairs.  It looks like my mother has already laid out our clothes.  You would think she would let me pick out my own clothes.”

“Well, flyboy, she has laid mine out too.”

Mattie started laughing at them.  “Wait a minute, mine are down here too.  Gram!”  Mattie shouted as she got inside.  “Mac, did you see what dad got me?”  She dangled the bracelet up.

“It’s beautiful.” His mother said descending the stairs looking like a million dollars.  “Mathilda darling, you really shouldn’t scream like that.  It isn’t good for the vocal chords.  Now what do you need?”

“Mom, why are our clothes laid out?”

“Naturally, to make sure everything is in good working order,” AJ said coming out of the bathroom downstairs.  “You guys are running late.  Commander, I suggest you get ready, you have to debrief the security crew who are coming in 30 minutes.  Colonel, you have to help Harriet with the bake goods stand.”

Harm and Mac looked at each other and grabbed their clothes.  He grabbed a diaper for Mackenzie.  While putting things up in his house, he had learned that he needed to keep certain things accessible for easy access.  He kept diapers in the nursery, in his bedroom, in a basket in the hall closet, the pool house, and his office.  His mom laughed when she realized how many hiding places he could find.  He went into the downstairs bathroom and took his shower. 

Harm walked out of bathroom a couple minutes later after singing Jailhouse Rocks to Mackenzie.  He was wearing a pair of cargo khakis and a navy blue polo shirt.  Mac was coming down the stairs wearing a white linen A-line skirt that fell mid calf and a yellow three quarter length sleeve baby fit shirt.  Mattie came down after Mac wearing a pair of bootcut jeans paired with a brown belt and a t-shirt that sported the American flag.  Harm picked up the dress that his mother had bought for Mackenzie, a little navy blue dress, trimmed with white with dandelions all over it.  They stood in front of his mother for inspection.

“Ok Mom, does this meet your inspection.”

“Yes, and don’t you guys look darling.  I couldn’t resist myself yesterday when I went shopping.”

Harm looks at his mom, and said, “I think you should start resisting yourself.”

Jen came in wearing almost the same outfit as Mattie, just with a red shirt with the American flag on it.  “Commander, the Admiral just pulled up.  Gram, thanks for the clothes.”

“Okay, thank you Jennifer.  Watch the baby Mac, I have to go find shoes.”

“No you don’t Harm, I got all three of you new Rainbow flip-flops.  Your shoes were so old, I wanted to replace them.”

“Trish, I don’t know what to say other than thank you.”  Mac said.

“I want to get a family picture,” AJ said as he walked into the room.  Jen started to slip out of the room.  “That includes you too Jennifer.”  Harm’s parents, Jen, Mattie, Harm, and Mac holding Mackenzie all stood in front of the staircase.  AJ snapped the picture.  “Mr. and Mrs. Burnett, you have a very lovely family.”

“Yeah, I think Mom and Frank did well raising me,” Harm said.  “Now if you will excuse me, I am going to check on that little surprise we talked about.”

Frank stood there stunned for a moment.  Trish looked at her husband.  Mac handed Mackenzie to her grandparents.  “You know, to this day, he is still amazing me.”

“Mac, I know the feeling.” Frank commented.

“Jen, get out here!”  Harm called to her.  Outside there were two Jeep Liberties fully loaded.  Jen and the entire JAG family along with his parents stepped out on the front porch.  “I am assuming my parents have already told you about the car.” 

“You were in on it?”

“Of course.  I picked out the color – the green one.”

“Well, tomorrow morning, after we get finished cleaning up after the carnival I would love to take you out for a ride, and to lunch,” Jen said to her former roommate.  “If it is okay with Harm of course.”

“Yeah Jen, its okay with me.”

“Frank, what is the other car for?”  Mac asked him.

“Well, Harm and I thought we could sell off raffle tickets for the car, winner gets the car.”

“It’s too much.” Mac said.

“Well, it is a last year model that hasn’t sold yet, and it has 4,000 miles on it from test drives.  So, we can use this as another tax write off,” he explained.  “Harm actually came up with the idea.”

They set the car up in the front lawn, and Jen moved her new car off to the garage area.  They watched as a group of Marines dropped in.  Harm walked over to them, and gave them the rundown, and gave them a list of people who would only be allowed in the house.  The JAG crew all had to work an hour at the booths, and other military personal around the area all pitched in.  It was the SecNav’s idea.  The JAG crew would take the first hour.  They all went to their places and waited for the people to start coming.

1300 EST

Harm’s House

Fourth of July Carnival

Harm, Mac, and Mackenzie worked the ticket booth for the first hour.  The tickets were 50 cents a piece or 25 for ten dollars.  The children of the military personal could by an armband for 10 dollars and ride as many rides as they wanted, but still had to pay for games and food.  The SecNav arrived at the carnival followed by the ZNN crew.

Harm and Mac stood up and saluted out of force of habit.  “Don’t bother you two, it is your vacation.”

“Sir, how can we help you?”

“ZNN is going to do a piece on how the military helps families all over the world, including here in the US.  I thought this would be a feel good piece.”

“That’s fine.”

“Who is the owner of this house?” The SecNav asked.

“Actually sir, I am.” Harm answered.  He was surprised that the SecNav didn’t know that it was his place.  “All the shots have to be outside, I don’t want anyone watching the news in Leavenworth seeing the inside of my house, or the house for that matter.”

Harm’s parents walked up behind them to take Mackenzie around the carnival.  “Harm, we are here to relieve you of Mackenzie.”

“Thanks Mom.  It’s about time for her lunch.  The guard knows to let you guys in the house.  Mom, let me introduce you to the Secretary of the Navy.  Mr. Secretary, this is my mom, Trish Burnett, and my dad, Frank Burnett.”

“It is a pleasure to meet your both.  Mrs. Burnett, may I say that the country is forever indebted to you.”

“I know,” Trish answered.  “But, we all know that there is a price for freedom.  Now, Mr. Secretary, would you like it if I were to show you around Harm’s home.  I believe Admiral Jonas is talking to the head marine guard inside.”

“That would be lovely Mrs. Burnett.” 

Frank stood there for a moment looking at the child he has always regarded to as a son.  “Harm, thank you for introducing me like that.”

“Frank, truth of the matter being is that I was rotten to you.  I never gave you a chance, but you are my dad in every sense of the word.”

“Still, thank you.”  A crowd of people were coming up to buy their tickets.  They gave each other a nod, and with that Frank went to join his wife. 

Mac looked at him and said, “You know, I think becoming a father has made you soft.”

“No, being a father to a teenager and a baby changes your perspective.  You should know that.  And it’s true, he is my dad.  I don’t think I can ever really call him that title, but at least now he knows how I feel.”

The rush of customers was getting closer to the ticket booth.  Harm and Mac’s moment was lost in a sea of people wanting to buy tickets or bracelets.  They sold so many tickets in the first hour, they lost count of how much money was actually collected.  Harm got on the radio, and called for the marine guard to change out the lock boxes.  When they were relieved by the next group of people, Harm went off to find his family. 

It had been decided since Harm and his family had donated the land that they wouldn’t have to pay for anything.   Harm grabbed Mac’s hand and led her into the backyard where the SecNav immediately spotted them.

“Commander, I must compliment you on your beautiful home and beautiful family.”

“Thank you Mr. Secretary.”

“Do you think you could meet up with the rest of the JAG officers and your parents down at the stable?  We thought it would be the best place to set up so we didn’t capture your house in any of the shots.”

“We are on our way.”

Harm and Mac made their way down to the stable.  “Harm, look at all these people.  I never expected such a turn out.”

“Neither did I.”  They stopped and gazed at the American flag that Harm had started flying the day that they bought the house.  He even went as far as getting a pole resurrected for it. 

“It’s beautiful isn’t it.”  Mac commented.

“It wouldn’t be my color choice,” he joked, “But what is beautiful are the women and men serving underneath it.  I can think of one beauty in particular.”

She swatted his arm.  “Dad, Mac, we are all over here.  Come on and do this stupid interview so we can get back to the fun.”

Harm and Mac stopped their moment of reverie when they hear Mattie’s voice.  He took her hand and led her to the stables.

“Rabb, it is always nice to see you.  Tell me, how did you end up hosting a carnival?” Chuck de Palma asked him.

“How did you end up covering a fluff piece?” He countered back. 

“He didn’t.”  Stuart Dunston said from behind.  “I did.”

“I’m here with my granddaughters.  She wanted to ride the horse.”  Chuck said.  “These are friendly creatures right Rabb?”

“Of course.  Can we get this started?  Mackenzie has to go down for her nap soon.”  Harm said.

Mac was holding her daughter on her hip.  For some reason, Harm couldn’t resist himself.  He walked over to her, tilted her chin up, and kissed her.  “You are so beautiful.”

Harm and Mac was totally oblivious to the world at that moment.  The camera started rolling, and the JAG crew started talking about how the carnival had started out as a simple picnic, and then escaladed into a project to raise money.  Stuart got the interview he wanted and told the camera crew to stick around to capture more of the events.  They had resurrected a dance floor with a DJ where they would be able to call everyone together for the raffle.

Harm’s mom walked up to them, “You guys did a really good job.”

“Thanks Mom.  We couldn’t have done it without the backing of you and Frank.”

“Well, we do run a business Harm.  You know, a business that supported you for awhile too.”

“Yeah Mom I know.”

“Trish stop harassing Harm, and let him be.  Why don’t me and you go to the dance floor and go cut a rug.”

“That would be lovely Frank,” Trish answered him.

“Thanks Frank,” Harm mouthed to him. 

Mattie found another camp counselor, and they went their own separate ways, but not without giving her father a hug.

“Max, keep an eye on her.  If she gets dizzy find me straight away.”

“I will sir.”

“Thank you.”

Harm and Mac decided to go to the dance floor where he found many people beginning to gather for the beginning of the dance contest.  Harm’s mother walked up to the DJ and whispered something in his ear.  Harm had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach when it came to his mother.  The contest started Harm and Mac sat on the bleachers in each other’s arms.  They contest consisted of three different dances: the cha cha, the mambo, and the tango.  They were going to be judged by a local dance troop that came in and wanted to volunteer at the carnival.  Harm thought this event had Harriet written all over it.  They watched the contest progress.  The camera crew from ZNN even stayed to tape a portion of it.

The mambo portion of the contest came on.  Harm’s mother was sitting in the next to him with a look on her face.  Jen came down and sat next to them.

“Sir, ma’am how are you enjoying the contest so far?”

“It has been delightful to watch.  Who came up with this idea?”

“Actually sir, it was mine.  I always loved dancing.”

Just then, a face from long ago appeared next to them.

“Hells bells, if it isn’t Jason Tiner.”  AJ said.

“Jen, I entered us in the mambo, are you ready to show these old timers what being young still feels like?”

“Sure Jase.”  Jen winked at her family, and started dancing with Tiner.  Mac watched them move.  It seemed as if they were doing the dance from Dirty Dancing. 

At the end of their dance, even their old CO was up on his feet applauding the officers he had come to regard as his children.

“Are you two together?”

“No, I ran into Jason at the library at school and told him about the carnival.  He wanted to come in a surprise everyone.” Jen answered her former CO.

The judges looked at each other and they nodded to the DJ as a signal to show they were ready to judge the next dance, the tango.  Harm was playing with Mackenzie and wasn’t listening to the DJ.

“The Tango is one of the most sensual dances that are danced in the world today.  But it did not start off as so.  The story of the Tango, as so it is told is that is started off with gauchos of Argentina.  The gauchos would go to the crowded bars in Argentina after work to ask the women to dance with them.  Since the gaucho didn’t shower, the woman would often dance in the crook of his right arm holding her head back.  The women would dance with their hand close to the man’s pocket as if for asking for payment for dancing with them.  The curvy fashion of the dance originated due to them having to dance around the rounded tables of the night club.

Now we call upon the couples to get ready to show off their flirtatious dancing.  We have a Raymond and Nikki de la Cruz, Jesse and Anita Longthorn, and Harmon Rabb with Sarah Mackenzie.”

Harm and Mac’s head shot up.  The rest of the JAG crew sat there and hooted at them.

“Mother!”

“Well Harmon, Frank and I did pay for ballroom dancing lessons for you, you might as well use them.”

“I’m wearing flipflops.  Besides you made me take ballroom dancing due to all those stupid functions you made me go to.”

“Come on out and join the other two groups, Sarah and Harmon wherever you are!”  The DJ called them.

Mattie came up with Max.  “Dad, Mom, I got different shoes for you.  Please Dad, you never told me you could dance.  I have heard stories about you two dancing at different events.  I would dance, but . . .” she pointed to her cast.

“Colonel, Commander, do I have to make it an order?” Admiral Jonas said showing up with Alina, his granddaughter.

“I guess not sir.”  Harm and Mac while holding Mackenzie went out onto the dance floor and waved to the crowd.  The judges took a good look at them, and the crowd clapped.

They took their seats as the first couple did a very stiff rendition of the tango.  Harm put on the pair of shoes that Mattie brought out to him, and Mac was adjusting the straps on her shoes.  “Commander, it is a pleasant surprise to learn you have talents other than flying.” Admiral Jonas joked with him.

He watched the second couple dance on the floor.  He smiled, they definitely had the rhythm down.  He was thankful that the DJ kept switching the tango music.  His mother winked at the DJ as he announced Harm and Mac’s names.

“You with me on this Marine?”

“If there is one thing they taught us in boot is how to dance!” she laughed smiling at him. 

“Well, now I know we are going to lose.”  Harm walked past the DJ stand to get to his side of the dance floor.  He noticed a bouquet of roses on the record stand and discretely picked one up. 

Tango417 (True Lies Tango) came on the loud speakers with Mac diagonally opposite of him on the dance floor.  The sound of the strings came on and Harm found Mac’s eyes from across the room, and he made his way over to her.  He stopped over in the middle of the dance floor, and beckoned her over with his finger.  As if a magnet was pulling her to him, she glided to meet him in the middle. 

He pulled the rose out from his back pocket, and ran it down her check, and placed it in his mouth.  Right before the piano stomp, she ran her hand up the material of the polo shirt, across the hard planes of his chest.  She cupped his cheek, heard the infamous piano stomp, placed her hand on the rose, took it from his mouth and stomped five times and placed the rose in her mouth.  He grabbed her, shoving her body into his.  She ran her hand down to his thigh, and grabbed and pressed her body into him.

Harm and Mac never lost eye contact.  They moved in a curvy motion across the dance floor in quick succession with the music.  Her head was placed in the crook of his arm.  At the very end he dipped her low, ran his hand up her side, he cupped her cheek, took the rose for her mouth.  He gave her kiss and handed the rose to her.  She laughed.

“Well Colonel, I definitely went to the wrong boot camp.” He whispered in her ear, causing his breath to touch her neck, eliciting a feeling she never knew before.  Unbeknownst to them, the crowd looked on in silence, watching the sensuality between the two rush in like the ocean tide.  It was Stuart Dunston who broke the silence with an applause and a standing ovation from the crowd.  Harm went back and sat with his parents leading Mac off the dance floor.

“Well Harm, if I had known you could dance so well, I would have made you dance with me more,” his mother said.  “Thank you for doing that with him Sarah.  I hope he didn’t step on our feet too much.”

“Well, I did get a thorn in the mouth.”

“Where did you learn how to dance like that Mac,” AJ asked.

“Boot,” She said laughing.