Fate Decides Our Future, Volume II

by fananicfan

Welcome to the continuation of Fate Decides Our Future, Volume I. The series of stories has been divided to make individual parts easier to access. If you haven't read Volume I, you need to read it before you start to read Volume II because each story builds on previous ones, making the separate volumes one continuous story. If you have read and enjoyed Volume I, I hope that you enjoy Volume II just as much. Thanks again for reading, and please let me know that you are reading it by leaving your feedback.

CHAPTER NINETEEN - BELATED VALENTINE'S DAY

PART ONE – Bad Timing

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007

RABB HOME

AROUND 1715

MAC'S POV

Since I nearly always pick up Ty and bring him home with me, I know the routine. Ty rushes in the door to put away his backpack and wash his hands before going to the kitchen to see what he can do to help Harm with dinner.

I'm glad that they're so close, but it has its disadvantages. For instance, I have only a small window of opportunity to get to the kitchen to see Harm before his helper arrives.

I enter the kitchen this evening, needing as much time as possible to get some comfort from my handsome husband. With all of the things in our life that's up in the air, having a baby and discussing adoption among them, I haven't been sleeping well lately and I'm so tired today that my body aches all over.

Harm is stirring something on top of the stove when I enter. "Whatever we're having, it smells good."

He doesn't look in my direction, but he speaks. "I didn't hear you come in."

"You were probably preoccupied with your cooking duties," I tease.

"How was work?" he asks.

"It isn't everyday that a retired admiral comes into my office and spends thirty-one minutes ranting and raving that the charges against his lieutenant commander son should be dropped, so it certainly was a different kind of day." He still hasn't looked in my direction.

"What did his son do?" Harm asks casually.

"He refused to show his ID at the gate for starters. Then he spewed out a tirade of four letter words at the gate guard before finally showing his ID. Once on the base, he was pulled over for driving erratically and was arrested for driving under the influence. From the rant in my office, I'm under the impression that the admiral thinks that his son has the right to do as he pleases because he's an admiral's son."

"And what did you say to the admiral?" Harm asks, still not looking at me.

"I told him that I hadn't brought the charges against his son and, therefore, I couldn't drop the charges. However, I'd speak to the base CO to see if some amicable solution could be worked out. Of course, he told me that, if I'd earned my bird as a lawyer, I should be able to convince the CO that the charges should be dropped and that the man who arrested his son should apologize to him for inconveniencing him and casting dispersions on his character."

"It sounds like hot tempers run in the family," Harm comments matter of factly.

Harm finally turns, not to look at me, but to reach for a spice. Then he quickly turns back to his pot on the stove. I don't have time to wait for him to tell me why he's acting this way because Ty will be in here any minute.

"Harm, what is it?"

"What's what?"

He's avoiding answering me, so it can't be good. "Why haven't you at least looked in my direction since I came in?"

He stops stirring the pot and stands perfectly still before he turns towards me, but he doesn't make eye contact. "Because I have something that I need to tell you, and the timing of it makes it hard for me to say."

"Just tell me what it is," I say, fearing the worst.

"I've been summoned to Washington. I leave tomorrow morning," he says with a sigh.

I swallow hard. "How long will you be gone?" I ask nervously.

"I'll be in Washington through Friday," he replies.

"But you're supposed to leave Friday for your quals," I remind him.

"I mentioned that to General Cresswell when he called me this morning. He called me back just before I left the office for the day to tell me that arrangements have been made for me to fly my quals on that side of the country. I'll fly out of Andrews to the Patrick Henry on Saturday morning and back to Washington on Wednesday, weather permitting. I'm not due back here until Thursday."

"Why does the general need you in Washington?" I ask, wondering what's going on.

"It's my understanding that the general was just in charge of informing me of my trip, but it's Senator Proxmeyer who's requested my presence in Washington as her personal advisor on some hearing that's slated to begin the day after tomorrow in the Senate," Harm explains.

I move to him, and his arms wrap around me. I feel his lips against my temple before he whispers in my ear. "I'm not going to be here on Wednesday," he says with a sigh into my ear.

I look up to question the oddness of his statement because I don't know why Wednesday is so important that he mentions it specifically.

"Since I wasn't here last year for Valentine's Day, I wanted to make it up to you this year. I made reservations for the dinner and dance at the Hotel Del Coronado for us," he explains.

I start to tear up. I've been doing that a lot lately. At least this time, the sentiment of the evening that he had planned and the separation that's foiled his arrangements give me an excuse for my tears if I can't hold them at bay.

"I'm sure that it would've been a wonderful evening," I say with a sad smile.

Our time to discuss this ends seconds later when Ty enters the kitchen to help his dad with dinner.

MASTER BEDROOM

AFTER TY IS IN BED

I walk into our room to find Harm's bag on the bed. He's packing or, more precisely, checking a list against the bag that he had packed for this weekend's trip out to the America for his quals.

"Need any help?" I ask.

He shoves a couple of sheets of paper that are stapled together in my direction as he begins to speak. "She couldn't call me to Washington just to advise her. No, she's got to take full advantage of my presence and have me attend a few parties so that she can be seen in the company of the Navy to show her support of the military."

I take a look at the top of the first page. It's his itinerary for his time in Washington.

"You can skim through the list and check to make sure that I've got the right uniforms for the various things that she expects me to attend while I'm there," he suggests.

I start scanning the schedule. Tuesday evening, reception dinner - service dress blues required. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, hearings - uniform of the day. Friday evening, benefit gala and dinner - dress mess uniform required.

"Harm, you've been through this kind of thing before. Does the name Bobbi Latham ring a bell? Why are you so worked up about it this time?"

"Because this time the Senator is messing up my plans…I'm going to miss out on too much. I'm not going to be able to give you the Valentine's Day evening that I'd planned. Then there's that child care/art day camp that Mattie put together for the President's Day holiday on Monday when students from her high school who are studying child development are going to get hands-on experience, and the kids who are signed up will have art classes and lunch. I was supposed to be there to help supervise, and Ty is going. Now I'm leaving Mattie short an adult and I won't be there to have fun with our son. I'm leaving before we've made a decision on whether or not to adopt the girls, and, if all that isn't enough to get me worked up, your appointment with the doctor is on Tuesday, and I won't be back yet," Harm says, furious about being called away at this time.

"Harm, you…we know that this kind of thing is part of the military life that we've chosen. We can have a romantic dinner…just the two of us when you get back. I think it's wonderful that you wanted to do something so special, but it isn't necessary. When you told the children after dinner that you had to go out of town, neither of them were upset about anything, at least after you made it clear that you were going to Washington and not a war zone."

"Iraq is probably safer than Capitol Hill these days," he mutters.

"While you were spending a little time with Ty before bed this evening, Mattie came to me with an idea that she's come up with to get someone to fill in for you at the art camp, and I think it's a brilliant plan. In fact, I wish that I'd thought of it myself." I think that I've hurt his feelings, so I try to ease my excitement. "Of course, it would be much better if you could be there, too, and we aren't sure that it'll happen because I'll have to wait until morning to make a call."

"What's her idea?"

"Mattie suggested that I call Miss Rosa and ask her if she could bring the girls to the art day camp, at least for a little while. Not only will the girls get away from the home for a couple of hours, but Miss Rosa would be around to take your place. The best and most brilliant part of her plan is that your parents as well as Mattie and Ty will get to meet the girls in a less formal setting," I explain.

"After answering their questions over the weekend, everyone in the family does seem very supportive of us adopting again, so I think that it's a great idea that everyone would be able to meet them. I just wish that I were going to be there, too." He pauses. "What's your back-up plan?" he asks.

"Peggy. Since she sold her business and took that advisory position with the purchasing firm, she's bored. She's always trying to get me involved in some new hobby that she's trying out. Last week it was tennis and the week before that it was pottery. I'll get her to agree to an art class at our weekly lunch on Wednesday afternoon." Harm looks a little defeated. "Your family wants you around, but we don't want you to feel badly about doing the job that you love. It's a good thing, Harm."

He offers a half smile. "I suppose you have a plan for your doctor's appointment, too," he mutters.

"I plan to go. I know that you're worried because I get a little depressed each month when Dr. Daniels tells me that I'm not pregnant, but don't worry. I'll be okay."

"But what if she says that you're pregnant this month? I won't be there to hear the news first-hand."

"Well, I hate to say it, but I don't think that there's much chance of that happening. I know that I should try to keep a positive attitude, but every month that goes by that we're told that the pregnancy test is negative just makes it that much harder." He reaches for me, and we wrap our arms around each other. "We're going to be fine here, so let's get you packed so that you can get a good night's sleep." I give him a gentle hug around the waist.

"Do I have to go?" he asks, sounding like a little boy before giving me a kiss that's loving and inviting.

When he pulls his lips away from mine, I open my eyes to see an inquisitive look in his eyes, and it takes me a moment to remember the question. "Yes, you have to go..." I reply, shaking my head at his foolishness. "...but I'll be here when you get back." I stop there, but before we pull apart, I add. "I know that the timing of this trip isn't the best, but we can't say that about your return. I'll be between cycles and available to finish what you were trying to start with that kiss, so make sure that you get a good night's sleep before you head home, too. Now, back to packing!" I order.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2007

VINNIE'S BISTRO

LUNCHTIME

Peggy and I arrive at about the same time and meet each other coming across the parking lot.

She and I have formed a mutually beneficial friendship, and I've enjoyed having someone who understands the inability to have a child and the emotions that come with it while, at the same time, being able to set aside that negative bond to enjoy the other things that we share in common, like shoe shopping.

Today, I'm trying to keep my emotions in check. At work, I haven't been able to resolve the problems of the retired admiral's son to the satisfaction of the aforementioned admiral, and Harm's absence while we're contemplating adopting again is stressful on the family.

I'm pleased that Mrs. Morales thought that the girls coming to the art camp was a good idea, especially since Abigail likes art so much. She also liked the idea that their prospective grandparents and siblings were going to be there for them to meet. However, Mrs. Morales wasn't going to be able to stay long, so I needed to draft Peggy into attending to help monitor the event.

I told Peggy about the girls last week at lunch before we'd been able to meet them and, as if she knows that I want to talk about them, as soon as we're seated, she asks about them.

"So, Mac, how was the meeting with the girls on Saturday?"

"The meeting was wonderful. I think that the little one, who goes by Sami, has Harm's heart already. She's a real cutie and a bit precocious. The older one is sweet and shy. It was heartbreaking when we had to leave without them."

"You've already decided to adopt them?"

"No, we haven't. There are so many things to consider. We have decided to let Mattie and Ty meet the girls before we talk about it anymore. If the girls don't seem to get along with Ty, the decision will be much easier. Ty and Mattie are already our children and our top priority."

"That makes perfect sense. When are you planning to have them meet?"

"Monday, if you're free."

"What do I have to be free to do?"

I explain the whole idea of having the children meet at the art day camp and, with Harm being away, we need another adult to help supervise. When I tack on, "Please, because I could use the moral support if something goes wrong and they hate each other," I get a commitment from her to come, and I breathe a sigh of relief before she sends me into shock with news of her own.

"Mac, I have to tell you that I was being a little selfish by asking you about the girls as soon as we sat down."

"Asking me about the girls that I might be adopting was selfish? I don't think so."

"The asking part may not have been, but asking as soon as we sat down so that we could get it out of the way sure was." She pauses and takes a deep breath. "I have something that I want to tell you, and I didn't want to blurt out my news first."

"I know that this is probably bad timing for you with Harm away, the weight of your job and the decision that you're trying to make about expanding your family, but you've quickly become my best friend, and I want you to be the first one to know what a wonderful Valentine's Day this has been for me. Our surrogate had a doctor's appointment this morning. Mac, we're pregnant."

"Oh, Peggy, that's wonderful news. I'm so happy for you."

"Are you? Will you be okay with meeting me for lunch when I have to bring the baby with me?"

"Yes, of course, I'll be fine."

"Don't call Dan to off any congratulatory words until tomorrow. I'm going to tell him tonight at the end of our Valentine's Day dinner. How perfect is the timing to be able to give him that kind of surprise on a day about love?"

We spend the rest of lunch talking about her baby that's due in late September.

I am her friend and I'm happy for her, but on the drive back to my office after lunch, I can't keep myself from feeling jealous that she's getting her baby and I'm not.

What a wonderful Valentine's Day Dan is going to have. Why can't that be Harm's Valentine's gift?

RABB HOME

LIVING ROOM

EVENING

Ty and I are watching a PBS special on the moon when the telephone rings. I take note of the time. Harm called about this same time yesterday, so I'm sure that it's Harm calling to say good night to Ty.

I reach for the cordless handset on the end table, check the caller ID and hand it to Ty. "It's Dad," I tell him.

Even the beautiful dozen red roses that arrived at my office this afternoon for Valentine's Day from Harm gave me only a moment of cheer because I'm still trying to reconcile my feelings about Peggy's baby news. Last night, I spoke to Harm first, then Ty spoke to him, and then I spoke to him again. I don't think that I can talk to him on the phone that long tonight. He didn't want to go on this trip in the first place, so I don't want him to feel badly about not being here. If I start to get a grip on my emotions now, by the time Ty and Harm have finished talking, I'll be able to get through a brief conversation with him without getting all teary-eyed.

I hear Ty answer the phone. "Hi, Dad."

From Ty's response, I can tell that Harm must have asked how Ty knew it was him

"Mom knew, so she let me answer the phone."

I get so wrapped up with thinking about how I'm going to handle speaking with Harm tonight that I don't hear any more of their conversation, and it startles me when Ty says, "Momma, Dad wants to talk to you now."

I take the phone as I take in a deep breath. I can do this.

"Hello, Harm, the roses you sent are beautiful."

"Even if it wasn't what I had planned, I wanted you to have something that said Happy Valentine's Day to remind you that I love you. In case I don't mention it often enough -"

"- I love you, too," I say, cutting him off. I love the romantic side of him, but I can't handle this right now, not with him clear across the country when I want him here with his arms around me.

"Mac what's wrong?"

"What makes you think that something wrong?"

"The formal 'Hello, Harm' for starters. Mac, talk to me."

He won't give in until I give him something. "I miss you. That's all," I offer.

"Ma-a-ac," he draws out my name. "What's going on? If you think that keeping it from me will keep me from being upset while I'm away, you're wrong. It upsets me to think that you're shutting me out again. I thought that we were past that. Please, just tell me what it is ... or do you want me to guess? Did Mrs. Morales call and change her mind about letting the girls come on Monday?"

Damn him. He knows exactly what to say to get to me. "It isn't about the girls. It's about Peggy."

"You two have a disagreement because you wanted her to help out on Monday?"

"No, she was in such a good mood that she'd have agreed to do just about anything I asked."

"Why was she in such a good mood?"

"She'd just come from a doctor's appointment with their surrogate who was told that she's pregnant." As the word pregnant leaves my mouth, I feel the sting of tears forming in my eyes.

"I know that the news must have your emotions all over the place. You're happy for your friend and sad that it isn't us. I'm sorry that I'm not there to give you a shoulder to cry on."

"I didn't want you to feel badly about not being here. That's why I didn't want to tell you over the phone."

We spend fifteen more minutes on the phone. He mostly just listens and, by the time the call ends, I do feel some better.