Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Mac closed her suitcase and lifted it off the bed. She loved their spacious bedroom, the master bathroom that they had redone and her walk-in closet. The house had been a lot of work, but it had become all they ever wanted. She grabbed her briefcase and walked through the bedroom door. She was scheduled to leave by Military transport in two hours. She was presiding over a General Court Martial at NAS Key West.

"All packed and ready to go," she smiled sheepishly as she put her suitcase and briefcase down by the stairs in the hallway.

"You have to?" Matthew wondered.

"I do," she crouched down. "It'll only be for the week; I'm back on Friday."

"Can we come to the airfield?" Claire wondered as she joined them, her older brother right behind her.

"Grandma and grandpa are here to watch us," Nathan pointed out.

Mac hugged Matthew. "I can't believe you'll be four by the time I get back."

"You'll miss cake," Claire pointed out.

"We'll have to have another one for when I get back," Mac kissed Matthew and stood. "Come here," she hugged Claire. "Be good for Daddy, okay? He'll probably need some help."

"I've got it," Claire promised.

"We know the drill," Nathan said and hugged his mom.

"I know you do," she kissed his head. "I love you guys."

"All set to go?" Trish joined them. "We'll help out, don't worry. We've got this. Right guys?"

"We always do," Claire agreed.

Mac hugged her mother in law. "What would we do without you?"

Harm and Frank joined them. "Ready?" Harm grabbed her suitcase.

"Yup," Mac let out a sigh. "Bye." She followed her husband out the door, offered one last wave of her hand and closed the door. This was her least favorite part of the job.

"You okay?" Harm took her hand.

"Yeah, just dreading being away," she smiled. "As usual."

"We can manage," Harm reassured. "Mom and Frank are around too."

"I know, but I'll miss Matthew's birthday and our anniversary," she let out a sigh.

"I'll make it up to you," he pulled her close as they neared the car. "Don't worry," he kissed her softly.

"I love you," she kissed him again. "You're the best."

"I love you too," he smiled. "We better get you to the airfield," he kissed her, then released her.

Key West, Wednesday, June 2nd

Mac was on her lunch break and had decided to eat in her office as she tried to reach her family by Skype. The morning had been busy, so she hadn't found a moment to call home to congratulate Matthew with his fourth birthday. Her baby wasn't a baby anymore.

"Hi, Sarah," Trish appeared on the screen.

"Hi," Mac's smile widened as Matthew appeared on the screen. "My birthday boy! Happy birthday!"

"Thank you," Matthew smiled brightly. "Grandpa and I went fishing, and we caught a huge fish. It was really huge mommy!"

"That's great," Mac could see the sparkle in Matthew's eyes. He loved days when he got to skip daycare and stay with his grandparent's.

"Guess what? I got a big boy bike with extra wheels so that I won't fall over!" Matthew held up a fishing pole. "And I got a new fishing pole!"

"So, you like your new bike?" Mac smiled. "I was hoping you'd like the color."

"It's so cool," Matthew disappeared off the screen.

"Matthew where are you going?" Trish appeared. "He got busy. How are you?"

"Busy," Mac pouted. "It's okay really, but I miss home."

"Everything is great. We're having everyone over for dinner and cake later," Trish turned the screen. "Look at the cake. I wasn't sure about making a basketball cake, but Harm did well. I'm pretty pleased with the result."

"Wow, that's amazing, Trish," Mac was impressed.

"I better run after that kid of yours," Trish turned the screen back.

"We'll talk later. Bye," Mac turned it off and reached for her phone, calling her husband.

"Hi, beautiful."

Hearing Harm's voice was the best medicine when she was homesick. "Hi."

"Did you talk with our birthday boy?" Harm wondered.

"Yeah, barely, he was busy. Great cake, Superman," Mac chuckled.

"I'm pretty impressed myself, although Mom helped me a lot," he laughed softly.

Mac studied the family picture she always brought with her. "I can't believe he's four. It seemed like yesterday when he was a newborn."

"He was a bit sad this morning, crawling into our bed and hugging your pillow. But he's doing fine. We're having cake later."

She could hear voices on Harm's end. "You're busy?"

"I am, but nothing is more important than talking with you," he let out a sigh. "I miss you. Will you make it home Friday?"

"I will," she promised. "Is everything good on your end?"

"I got the news that a buddy of mine went missing," Harm hesitated. "Steve Campbell."

"Steve? What happened?" Mac wondered.

"I'm not sure."

She heard voices again, and Harm told someone he'd be right there. "Sorry, baby, I have to go."

"Me too. I miss you, and I love you. We can talk more tonight," she suggested.

"We absolutely will. I love you too. Bye."

Mac put away her phone and let out a sigh. Two more days.

Friday morning, June 4th

The ringing of her phone woke her up from a deep sleep. As usual, she didn't sleep very well when she was away, missing a couple of strong arms around her.

The caller ID told her it was her husband. "Morning."

"Hey baby, did I wake you up?"

"You did. I would have liked it better in person," she complained.

"Tomorrow morning I'll wake you up in person," he promised. "With kisses and a little under the sheet action."

"Promises, promises," she teased.

"I never make a promise I don't intend to keep."

"You haven't yet," she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Happy anniversary, handsome."

"Happy anniversary."

A knock on the door made her groan. "Sorry, there's someone at the door. Hang on. She got out of bed, noticed in the mirror that she was a mess before she opened the door. "Morning."

A bewildered Petty Officer took in her shorts and tank-top and messy hair, before stuttering a good morning, ma'am. "Delivery for you, from Captain Rabb," the young man handed her a bouquet of red roses. "Happy anniversary, ma'am."

Mac smiled as she smelled the roses. "Thank you, Petty Officer." She closed the door and reached for the phone. "I can't believe you arranged that."

"It would be better to be there in person to deliver them," he chuckled. "But I like it when I get to surprise you. It throws you off a little."

"I have no good comeback for that," she admitted.

"See, I managed to throw you off," he was pleased with himself.

"I love you so much, Captain Harmon Rabb junior," she let out a sigh. "I can't wait to see you later today."

"I love you too, Sarah. I can't wait to see you."

"I have to get ready for my day now. I'll see you later."

"Bye for now."

They hung up, and Mac smelled the roses again. She had a silly smile on her face, one that only one man could put on her face.

Saturday morning

True to his word Harm did wake her up with kisses and some under the sheet action. It was just about to heat up for real when an energetic four-year-old burst through the door and jumped on their bed.

"What are you doing?" Matthew wondered.

Harm moved off his wife and slumped down on his back. "Nothing."

"Mommy, I'm awake!" Matthew jumped off the bed. "I'm hungry."

"I'll be right there," Mac reached for her robe. "Give me a minute to use the bathroom."

Matthew ran out of the master bedroom, while Mac got out of the bed and put on her robe. "We have to continue this tonight."

Harm was about to respond when the phone rang. "It would appear so," he reached for it.

Mac hurried in the bathroom and went looking for the kids. She found them in the kitchen where Claire and Nathan were busy making pancakes. "Wow, you guys."

"I even started the coffee," Nathan pointed to the coffee maker.

"That's great," Mac went over and hugged them both. "It's good to be home," she declared before reaching for Matthew and hugging him close. "I have the best kids in the world."

"That's true," Nathan agreed.

Harm walked into the kitchen a little later, clad in his uniform, his hair still wet from what must have been a very short shower. "I have to go in."

"Is everything okay?" Mac wondered as she put Matthew down.

"Just a few things I need to take care of," he smiled when he noticed what the kids were up to. "You guys are making breakfast."

"Do you have time to eat with us, Daddy?" Claire wondered.

"I can't," he reached for a pancake. "I'm taking one to go."

Mac walked over. "Are you staying long?"

"Nah, a couple of hours maybe," he kissed her. "Sorry."

"That's okay," she kissed him again. "I love you."

"I love you too," he kissed her again, then reluctantly let her go. "See you guys later," he ruffled Nathan's hair. "Good job, buddy."

"Bye Daddy," Claire hugged him.

"Bye Princess," he hugged her. "Bye buddy," he hugged Matthew too."

Mac watched him leave then turned to the kids. "Looks like it's just us then."