Chapter Eight

0750 EST
JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

The rest of the weekend just went by with the two falling more in more in love, something that they both didn’t know was possible.  Monday morning came, and with that work did. 

They bumped into each other on the elevator and smiled at each other.  “Good morning Commander Pookie, were you able to pick up Mattie last night?”

“Yeah, Ms. Lydell was able to bring the girls into town to McDonalds,” Harm said shuddering at the thought.  “So did you sleep well last night Colonel Sugarbum?”

“No, I guess I got to used to a certain Commander in my bed with me.”

“Good, I missed you to.”  He hit the stop button on the elevator and pulled her close.  He tilted up her chin and kissed her on the lips waiting for her to invite him in for a deeper kiss.  He got his wish.  After they parted, she smoothed her hair and sauntered over to the button and they went into work.

“I’ll see you at staff call Harm.”

“Can’t wait to see you again.”  He entered his office winking at her as she stole one last glimpse of him.

Staff call came and they sat through the updates on the cases and since it was the Christmas season, not many new cases were passing through the office other than drunk and disorderlies.

“Colonel, is that alright with you?” Admiral Chegwidden asked.

“Sorry sir, what was that again?” Mac asked embarrassed that she was caught daydreaming about the glorious weekend.

“Since Harriet is pregnant, she didn’t feel like hosting the annual Christmas party this year.  Can’t say that I blame her, but she was able to plan it.  It is at McMurphy’s Tavern on the 24^th at 2000.  The rest of the crew will be able to make it, how about you?”

“I will be there also sir.”  She replied to her commanding officer.  She looked down at the legal pad she was doodling on, all it had was the word HARM on it.  She put her hand over the doodle so hopefully Admiral Chegwidden wouldn’t see it.

“Good to hear Colonel.  Staff meeting adjourned.”  They all rose and watched him leave the room.

“Penny for your thoughts Mac,” Harm said tossing her a penny.

“Oh, they are worth so much more that that.  I was thinking of you.”

“Well, I feel flattered.” He looked around the conference room and saw that it was completely empty.  He kissed her on the cheek and held her close.  “What time should I pick you up for the Christmas party?”

“And what makes you think that I am going to go with you?”

“Because you are my Colonel Sugarbum.” He said kissing her on the cheek and leaving her in his wake of confusion.

Chapter Nine

1900 EST

December 24^th

North of Union Station

“Harm!” Mattie screeched coming down the hall in between their apartments.

“Yeah Matts?” Harm hollered back.  Days like this he was glad that they were the occupants on that floor.

“You got packages today from Gram.” Mattie answered him.  

“Can you open it?  I am sure she showered you with gifts this year.”  Harm said knowing this his mom probably did spoil Mattie that year.  She had spent a week in California with his mother right before school started that resulted in him having to make three trips from the car to the apartment.

Mattie started opening up one of the packages and gasped.  “Um, Harm, are we planning on moving soon?”

“Well, that is in the works,” he answered from his bedroom trying to pick out a top.  “Why?”

“Just wondering.”

“Explain.”

“Well, Grams sent you her engagement ring, and I just thought that we would want a bigger house with all the little Mackenzie-Rabb children running around.” Mattie said coming into his bedroom. 

“Mom sent the ring with her presents?!  Mattie, I was going to discuss this with you.  I am planning on asking Mac to marry me sometime soon.”

“Don’t you think you should try to date?”

“Mattie, we have known each other for ten years, I have taken her out plenty of times.”

“Well, point taken.  Well, ask her today then.”  Mattie simply stated.  “I like her, she would make a good stepmom.”

“Mattie, that is kinda soon don’t you think?”

“No, you guys already know each other, no need to date as you pointed out, and there is so much sexual tension between you guys that . . .”

“What do you know about sexual tension young lady?” Harm asked.  He laughed at the thought that Mattie had no clue that the two had started dating, so he wanted to shift the conversation around.

“Relax Daaad.  I had to take sex ed last year, remember you signed the permission slip.  Besides, during break I started watching soap operas.” She said watching him try on another sweater.  She walked over to the closet and pulled out his dark grey turtle neck sweater and threw him a pair of black pants and pulled out his shoes.  “Now that I have you dressed, I’ll run down to my apartment and change quickly.”

“Thanks Mattie.  Change quick though, we have to pick up Mac in thirty.”

“Don’t worry, I have my clothes laid out already.” She said exiting the apartment. 

Harm quickly changed and surveyed the damage that his mother’s shopping spree caused to his apartment.  Typical teenager, she had opened up all of the boxes but left a mess in the wake.  He straightened up a little piling the presents underneath the tree.  He walked over the closet and pulled out more gifts he had gotten for Mattie.  He looked on the coffee table and saw the ring sitting there.  He made up his mind and put the ring in his pocket.  Slipping on his jacket he heard Mattie locking up her apartment.

“Make sure you are warm Mattie.  It is pretty cold out there tonight.”

“Okay Harm.  I also wrapped the gifts for all your co-workers and they are already in the Lexus.”

“What would I do without you?”

“I don’t know, lets not find out.”

1930 EST

Mac’s Apartment

Georgetown

“This can’t be happening,” she screeched at the top of her lungs.  She looked at her bed and saw the pile of clothes.  She heard the knock on the door and called for him to enter.  “Come in Harm!”

“It’s not Harm, it’s Mattie.  Harm is keeping the car warm.”

“Mattie, I can’t figure out what to wear!” Mac explained when Mattie saw her standing there in a robe.

“Clothes would be a good start.  Let me look.” 

“You look great.”  Mac said commenting on Mattie’s choice of clothing.  She was wearing a light purple turtle neck, a black skirt that hit right below the knees, and black tights to keep warm.

“Thanks.  Harm took me out shopping.  I didn’t have a lot of winter clothes, and you know Harm.  Ah, ha I found it.”  Mattie said pulling out a dress.  It was one of Mac’s favorite dresses that she hadn’t found the occasion to wear it to.  It was subtly alluring with a lace bodice over champagne lining that dipped both front and back to a scalloped V-neckline.  The sheer three quarter length sleeves of lace added a graceful touch and it fell right below her knees.  Mattie pulled out Mac’s winter dress coat which was grey.

“Good choice honey.  Can you run to the guestroom and grab everyone’s gifts.”

“Sure Mac.”  Mac quickly slipped on the dress and gave herself a once over as her and Mattie left to meet Harm in the car.

“You know, if Harm doesn’t think you look good, he is blind.”  Mattie commented going down the steps.

“Thank you Mattie.” Mac said smiling at the young girl.

They reached the car and Harm popped the trunk to help the girls with the gifts.  “Both of my girls look wonderful tonight.”

“Thanks Harm,” Mac said, “Mattie helped.”

“Matts, you have been real helpful lately.  Thanks Kiddo.”

“No problem Harm.” She said slipping into the car.  “You know what I need?”

“I knew this was too good to be true,” he said putting the car into reverse.

“A license.”

“Mattie, I have given it some thought and decided that you do need one, and as soon as the weather clears up, I will take you to the DMV.”

“Really, thanks!” She screamed with excitement.  Harm grimaced at the loudness and Mac just laughed.

“Mattie, this doesn’t mean you can be out all ends of the night, and it doesn’t mean you can go driving around DC.  Understand?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good.  We will talk about more ground rules when it gets closer and you pass the test.”

“When can I drive your vette?”

Harm looked perplexed.  “One thing at a time right now Mattie.  Let’s just make it through the party.”

Chapter Ten

McMurphy’s

Georgetown Area

1958 EST

Harm pulled into the parking lot.  “See Mac, I told you we would make it on time,” he announced pointing triumphantly to the clock in his car.

“Yeah, only because we didn’t catch a single red light here,” she said laughing.

“Hey guys, quit bickering already and help me unload the lot.” Mattie ordered the couple. 

They gave each other a quick smile and Harm helped Mac out of the car.  “Mattie, Mac get inside, it is cold out here, I will bring in the rest of the gifts.”

“Yes sir.” Mattie said obediently getting out of the snow into McMurphy’s.  She looked back and saw Harm and Mac arguing over why she didn’t go inside like he had asked.

“Come on Mac, I don’t want you getting sick,” he said exasperated with her.

She grabbed some gifts.  “I am a Marine, I can handle the cold.”  Harm raised an eyebrow up as her skirt blew up in the wind.  They made it into the building and placed the gifts underneath the tree that Mike had put up during the weekend.

“Colonel, Commander, I have your regular drinks waiting with your daughter.” Mike called at the bar.

“Thanks Mike,” Harm called back finding Mattie sitting at a booth with Sturgis and Varese.

“So Uncle Sturgis, what else did Harm do at the Academy?” She asked right when Harm walked up with Mac.  Harm glared at Sturgis.

“What’s wrong Harm, don’t want Mattie here to find out about your wayward younger days?”

“I was an upstanding youngster.  Don’t listen to your Uncle Sturgis.”

“Why listen to Sturgis when she can listen to me,” Admiral Chegwidden said coming over sliding into the booth.  “Hello there Mattie.”

“Hello Admiral Chegwidden.” Mattie said scooting over to make room for him. 

“No ranks today Mattie.  Call me what you normally do when you come over for English tutoring.”  Mattie turned toward her guardian and he gave her a nod.  Their relationship had gotten better over the past year and Mattie started looking at the Admiral more as a grandfather, and sometimes called him Gramps affectionately. 

“How about you and your Gramps cut a rug?” AJ asked.

“Cut a rug?” Mattie looked confused.

Harm laughed outright.  “I believe he wants to dance Mathilda.”

“Sure thing Gramps.”  The admiral slid out of the booth and offered Mattie his hand as he led the teenager out on the dance floor.

Harm took his cue and led Mac out to dance with him.  They danced to a couple of fast dance songs and then when the perfect song came on, Harm thought that it would be the perfect time.

“Mac, there is something I want to . . .” Harm started to say until he felt a small tap on his back.  He turned around and found little AJ Roberts.

“Unca Harm?”

“Yeah buddy?”

“Can I cut in and dance with Aunt Mac?”

“Sure you can sailor.”  Harm stepped aside and found Mac more beautiful than ever has she picked up her five year old godson and whirled around with him on the dance floor.  When the music had finally died down, AJ ran up to his Uncle Mikey and threw him a high five.

Mac returned to their table and found Harm sitting alone picking at the finger food that was supplied for the party.   “You started to say something before our gorgeous godson interrupted?”

“Yeah, Mac, well,” He began again, reaching for the ring in his pocket.  Suddenly a Faith Hill song came on the jukebox.

“Harm, it’s my favorite song, dance with me?”

“Anything you want honey.”  He helped her out of the booth and swayed to the music.

There You'll Be - Faith Hill

When I think back
On these times
And the dreams
We
                                    left behind
I'll be glad 'cause
I was blessed to get
To have you in my life
When I look back
On
                                    these days
I'll look and see
                                    your face
You are there for
                                    me

In my
                                    dreams
I'll always see you
                                    soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll
                                    keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be

 Well you showed me
How
                                    it feels
To feel the sky
Within my reach
And I always
Will remember all
The
                                    strength you
Gave to me
Your love made me
Make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You
                                    were right there for me 

In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In
                                    my heart
There always be a
                                    place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There
                                    you'll be

 'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You
                                    were right there for me
You
                                    were right there for me
For
                                    always 

In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In
                                    my heart
There always be a
                                    place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There
                                    you'll be

This was a song that Mattie played constantly even though it was several years old.  Harm didn’t realize that he was singing softly in tune with Mac who was singing it too, nor did they realize that they were the only one left on the dance floor.  Mike saw and smiled. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, for you viewing pleasure, the Commander and Colonel will be dancing to –“  Mike started yelling from the bar.

“Can it Mike!” Mac yelled from the dance floor. 

“Mac, there is something I want to . . .”  Just then the Admiral announced it was time for opening of the gifts.

Harm stood there on the dance floor.  Would there ever be a good time for him to ask the love of his life to marry him?

Chapter 11

Harm woke up the next morning and caught the sight of Mac’s engagement ring on his chest.  The rising morning sun pepping through the windows caught the ring just enough for the reflected colors to dance across the ceiling.  He watched the colors do their graceful ballet to the sound of the distant church bells ringing.  Together he and Mac made some memories this season that would help soothe the ache of the Christmases past.

Flashback to the night before:

The children all went towards the tree when Admiral Chegwidden announced it was time to open up the gifts.  As agreed upon before, Harm and Mac had decided that they would give their gifts to each other in private.

“Harm, Mac, come on!” Mattie said urging them along.

Mattie sat next to Mattoni’s daughter, Aida, the had quickly became fast friends being all part of the JAG family and they started talking about what they really wanted for Christmas. 

“What do you want for Christmas Mattie?” Aida asked after telling Mattie she wanted a car.

“I have a couple of things I would really like, but I really can’t say right now.”

“Well, from what I heard you didn’t get much for Christmas last year.”

“Well, whoever told you that lied.  I got the best Christmas present last year.  I got to go live with Harm.”  Mattie turned around and flashed him the sign for I Love You.  It was their gesture to each other that Mattie would flash for him when he dropped her off a school.  He flashed it back in kind and gave her his Flyboy smile.

Bud came out dressed as Santa and the children eagerly sat and waited as Harriet read the bible story of Christmas.  They started passing out the gifts one by one.  AJ tore into his large present from Harm, it was a remote control F14 that could fly around.

“Thank you Uncle Harm!”  AJ said launching himself into his godfather’s arms. 

“Don’t thank just me, Mattie helped pick it out too.”  AJ squirmed down and kissed Mattie on the cheek.

The JAG crew sat around and watched Aida and Mattie their gifts.  The office had decided on going in together to get the girls something.

Aida started squealing.  “Matts, they got us a spa day.”

“Looks it’s right before the winter formal!” Mattie squealed right back causing Harm and AJ to have a ringing in their ears.  “Thank you so much.”  Mattie went around hugging the JAG crew.

Harm looked up, “Winter formal?!  No one told me about a winter formal.”

“Yeah I did Dad, remember, I told you Max was had asked me.”

“Max?! Winter formal?!” Harm looked bewildered. 

AJ laughed at him.  “Be prepared for sleepless nights Harm.  So Miss Grace when are you bringing Max to the office to get everyone’s approval?”

Mattie blanched at the thought.  “Umm, I hadn’t quite thought of that.”

Jen came to her rescue, “He is a nice boy.  He is in the NJROTC unit of Mattie’s school, and he came over last week to help Mattie out with her history homework.  You met him in the hallway sir.  I am sure Max will stop by the office.”

Mattie smiled at her older ‘sister.’  “Thanks Jen.”

The coworkers went around exchanging their presents and then the party broke up and Mac challenged Harm to another game of pool.

“You think you can handle me Flyboy?”

“I know I can handle you Marine.”

The JAG crew went around the gathered around the pool table.  Mac went to racking the balls while Harm went to go grab her a pool stick.  She took the triangle off the table.

“I’ll break.  Hand me a pool stick Sailor.”

Harm handed her a pool stick and watched her lean down to break and he waited for her reaction.  She noticed something wasn’t quite right on her pool stick.  She brought it up and saw that Harm had placed a very elegant diamond ring on her pool stick.

She turned around and saw him down on one knee.  “I love you Sarah Mackenzie.  I always have and always will.  I kept waiting for the perfect moment to tell you, and then I realized that there will never be a perfect moment to ask you to marry me.  So, Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, will you make the happiest man in the universe and become Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb.”

She looked at him and considered an answer, “No.”

Everyone in the JAG group gasped, especially Sturgis, he couldn’t believe after her confession years ago that much had changed about her feelings.

“I will become Lt. Colonel Sarah Rabb.  I love you too Harm.” Mac answered smiling down at him.  He slipped the ring on her finger and got up.  He swept her into his arms and kissed her.

The JAG crowd cheered.  It was about time that Harm got his head of his six.  Mattie looked at Aida, “That is what I wanted for Christmas.”  Harm came up to Mattie and hugged her.

“Are you okay with this kiddo?”

“The question should be is Mac okay with this?  I mean we are a package deal, it is like a two for one special.  I like Mac, as I told you, she would make a good mom for me.” She said smiling.

Mac came up and hugged Mattie.  “Of course I am more than okay with it.  Now I order you to spend some time alone, I offered to help Aida babysit for the Roberts and then you guys are going to pick me up after midnight services.  Say Hi to Grandpa for me.”

Mattie walked away with Aida and left her guardian alone with her soon to be stepmom.  She looked at Harm, “Well you better be going if you want to see your Dad and make it on time for midnight mass.”

“Come with me.”

“It is your time with your father.”

“Well, you were with me when I found out what happened to him.  I think that you should come with me tonight and every other time we go.”

A tear slid from her eye.  It was amazing what a little snowy weekend and a game of pool could do to bring people together.  He led her out to the Lexus, but right before they made it out the door they heard Mike yell.

“Hey lovebirds, look above you!”

They were under the mistletoe again.  “Kiss, kiss, kiss.” The crowd chanted.  Before Harm could, Mac pulled him down to kiss him and they left to visit his dad.

The Wall

Harm walked down the familiar path and found his Dad’s panel with ease.  He took off his glove and connected with his name.

“Hi Dad.  I brought someone very special with me tonight.  She has saved my life so many times, I have lost count.  Can you believe it, she actually agreed to marry me.”

“It was a fairly simple decision to make sir.  I love your son so much, and as for saving his life, if I didn’t that I would be missing a part of me.  Thank you for bringing him to me.”  She touched the wall and saluted. 

Harm noticed that she was shivering a little bit and threw his jacket over her shoulders.  “Let’s get you someplace warm.  Bye Dad, I love you.”

End Flashback

Mac had the feeling that she was being watched.  “Good morning my fiancé.”

“I was thinking back to last night, when you said yes.”

“I think I said no at first, but then I changed my mind and decided to settle on you.”

“Ouch Mac, settle one me?  When then I guess you don’t need the ring if all you are doing is settling.”  He moved to slip the ring off her finger.

“Touch it and die, Sailor.” She said yawning and settling back into his arms.

“How much longer do you think it will be until Mattie comes barging through to doors?”

“Why?”

“Because I need to put some clothes on!”

He glanced at his clock, “About thirty more minutes and then we will wake up my sleeping beauties down the hall.”

“I love you Mac.”

“I love you Harm.”

Finis - Sequel to Come