Chapter 4
Harm had heard the whispering in the bullpen over the past week as to how well he was taking Mac's transfer, combined with his being passed over for promotion, but then he knew what they did not. Only he and Mac knew why he was not in a snit about it, like most of the staff had fully expected.
Mac was to take the next two weeks as leave. With Harm's decision to go into the reserves, she had no qualms on quickly changing her original plans. Originally she had decided to go visit her uncle Matt and then spend time relaxing, in Arizona.
This would be her last day at JAG; the staff would be together tomorrow afternoon for a farewell party at the Roberts. Vukovich, Graves, and Mayfield would be at headquarters for two more weeks, as lower ranking officers they did not have the accrued vacation time. She'd reached a point with her vacation days, she needed to use some of the days or she would lose them. She wanted to keep most for the future, hoping against hope she'd be able to take a long maternity leave, so she used just enough at this time to not have BUPERS harp at her for her unused leave.
At 0900 Harm had his signed orders in his uniform jacket pocket, ready to give to the general. He knocked at the door and soon told to enter.
"Commander, with the exception of two periods of time, you've been stationed here at headquarters for a decade; it's time that you..." Harm fully expected to hear that portion of the General's speech. Then the general gave Harm a piece of paper stating Harm was to transfer to London, England to be the liaison for Naval Intelligence; as the position didn't require captain's rank he was fully qualified for the position. The General looked as if he were going to continue.
"General, I have signed orders here; I am to enter into the active reserves. I must decline the transfer. I've been given a generous job offer in the private sector, and have already accepted the position." He took the papers from his coat pocket and gave them to Creswell to sign. The general took the papers reluctantly.
"How long have you been considering leaving the military, Rabb?" The timing seemed very fishy to the general. When the promotions list came out Monday, when Sturgis Turner was the only Commander to get the promotion Creswell was amazed how calmly Rabb took the news. He'd read Rabbi's file, this wasn't the first time the man had resigned. If Biff Creswell went just by body language, it appeared this actually had indeed been on the commander's mind for a while. To be sure, Creswell probed the commander.
"I've been thinking about it, long before Mattie's accident, I was initially offered the position at the beginning of the year" Harm admitted.
General Creswell then realized just how much he had underestimated the officer standing in front of him. He hadn't seen the growing dissatisfaction in the tall officer. He'd done a masterful job of hiding his feelings at work. Creswell tried another tack to see if the man in front of him really wanted to resign, retire, whatever Rabb called it. "Who is the job offer with, may I ask?"
Chapter 5
"MacLaren Enterprises" Creswell had heard of the company, even though they were based on the West Coast. Creswell looked impressed then scowled as a thought occurred to him. "They're based in San Diego, right, are you doing this just so you and the Colonel avoid fraternization regulations." He'd been warned by Chegwidden about Rabb and McKenzie, told about what had occurred between the two over the years.
"General, Darren, the president of MacLaren Enterprises, and I went to school together. I'm from La Jolla. You might say I'm going home. I spent a good part of my childhood at his house. His dad took me when the family went camping. His dad often joked that I was their third son. Darren and his dad both have tried to get me to join over the years, knowing full well that I would decline."
Creswell took a pen and signed the papers, albeit reluctantly. He checked his calendar before continuing. "Your last working day will be on July 1st, you are considered active duty until July 3rd. You will not transfer to London, as it would be detrimental to have you there such a short time. You will not receive any new cases, as they would have gone to others in any case unless I see fit. However, you will do whatever work I assign. If I have you working the budget the last two weeks you are here you do it besides anything else I hand you."
Harm had the feeling he'd be seeing all the Freedom of Information documents in the office for the remainder of his stay, as punishment. Creswell's face changed from stern and somewhat disappointed to almost avuncular. "Do you want me to make an announcement about this or tell the others tomorrow at the Colonel's party?"
"I'll tell a few people that really do need to know. I'll look for a place while I'm out there Memorial Day weekend" Harm was then dismissed from the general's presence.
Harm went directly to Mac's office, she was trying, without success, to do her paperwork and clear out her belongings at the same time. "its official" he told her, He couldn't say anything else; as she had Mayfield and Graves in her office. Mac beamed back at him, but was curious about the meeting. She'd get the particulars later, from Harm.
Creswell called BUPERS to get a replacement in London for Rabb, to see what could be done about keeping him in the Navy, even if it were just a pilot in the reserves, in San Diego, not realizing that Harm had started the paperwork for that the weekend before. He was surprised to find out that they had already vetted a few officers for him to choose as Harm's replacement, and that arrangements had been made for him to go into the reserves, in San Diego, before he had made the announcement to McKenzie.
Harm soon noticed the two lieutenants had left Mac's office, so he took the opportunity to walk over, on the pretext of a consultation. For the moment she closed the door. "Congratulations, mister vice president, you going to tell everyone today, or wait?" Mac said with a huge smile on her face.
"I'll tell them tomorrow-at the end of your party, if that's all right with you. It's your party not mine, I definitely don't want a party, without you here." He didn't want to put a damper on her farewell party by announcing his departure from the service. Just to cover his bases, he asked her a quick question of a legal matter that both had learned early in law school. Harm opened the door.
"See you at lunch, commander." The door to her office now open. They'd been talking quietly. Trouble loomed ahead, as Vukovich was coming towards her office; so they needed to get back to business and that was what they did. No one was aware of the upcoming change in Harm's status at headquarters with the exception of Mac, Harm and the General. The only ones who needed to know until lunchtime.
For old times sake they went to Beltway Burgers. "It's the last one for you, until you're here for a conference. So let's splurge." Harm, quite easily, persuaded her to get the Bruto Deluxe; it was their largest burger on the menu. She rarely got the burger; as it was too big for even her appetite. The cheeseburger had three hamburger patties, cheese on each slice; each slice was a different type of cheese. It had everything you could imagine on it. Pickles, onions, horseradish sauce, tomatoes, mustard, ketchup, mayo and bacon strips. Mac told Harm he'd have to eat a portion of it, as there was no way she could finish it. To her surprise, it was his plan all along. He didn't eat red meat all that often, but he'd be moving away from Beltway Burgers soon.
Jennifer Coates was also at Beltway, she didn't go often since Harm had somewhat convinced her to not eat as much red meat, she went twice a month and this was one of those times. Harm and Mac invited her to join them, as the place was crowded during the lunch hour. They told her of Harm's decision. On the way to the fast food place they discussed who should be told ahead of the group, both felt strongly Coates had a right to know, more so than most, because of her rooming with Mattie the year before. Mattie would be moving to California and Jennifer would not be able to see her former roommate often.
"I'm going to miss you, sir. And if I may say, I think you seem about as happy as I've ever seen you." As next-door neighbor of Harm and roommate of Mattie; Jennifer had seen a side of Harm most of staff didn't have a chance to. "Don't worry about me telling anyone I don't think anybody would believe me." They thanked her for her discretion in the matter. They then ask her not to say anything to Mattie unless Mattie said something to her as they were headed to Blacksburg later that evening.
Mac met with the movers after work, as she was putting, with the exception of a suitcase, everything she owned onto a moving van, which would reach San Diego before she arrived. She'd arranged to store most of her things until she decided where to live at the Burnett's. Trish had insisted. She was thinking about staying in the BOQ until Harm moved to La Jolla. By then he'd have a place or be in the process of building. She knew she wanted to find a place somewhere close to his. It was something decided on their flight to Blacksburg to see Mattie. She didn't want to be a burden to the Burnett's and felt living at the house would be an imposition, as she wasn't family.
To be sure they had enough time to get everything accomplished during the next twenty-four hours they'd taken a commuter flight to Blacksburg instead of the four hour drive.
Mattie was stunned to hear Harm had decided to leave the Navy. "You didn't have to do it, throw away your career just because of me" she wailed. She'd lost her father because of the accident, he'd not been able to take it; the court had quickly relinquished custody to Harm. Now Harm was giving up the Navy and moving across the country because of her accident. Harm realized what she was thinking and set Mattie straight.
"I haven't been happy at JAG for a long time, truthfully, since before when I was out of the Navy just before we met, if I really think about it. The timing works out perfectly for me to leave. I have a great job lined up; you're going to move to the same rehab center I was at back in '91, and its only miles from my parents. I haven't decided to build, or to find a place for us. I was thinking about a duplex. It'll be a few months before you can live at home, Mac needs a place to live while stationed in San Diego, when you've graduated from high school, or maybe college, you can move in there, you'd have your independence, kinda like the apartment, only by yourself." Harm knew the teen had wanted to attend Annapolis, but chances were slim now, due to her injuries.
Mac looked over at Harm, they hadn't discussed this, her first thought Harm was making decisions for her, but she grasped it would be the best solution to her housing needs. The only question was how long it would take to find or have a house built. "Don't worry, kiddo, we'll get your opinion, like what colors you want, that sort of thing." Mattie seemed to be agreeable to the idea if she were able to give input.
Harm and Mac left the hospital early as it had been Mattie's first full day of physical therapy and she was exhausted. They drove over to the hotel where Harm arranged for a suite, it was actually cheaper than getting two rooms. On the short drive from the hospital, Harm seemed distracted to Mac, but they'd both had a hectic and stressful couple of months and she didn't think anything about it. She figured it with everything going on in his life he could seem distracted occasionally.
When they reached the suite, Harm asked Mac to come to his room when she had put her suitcase away. "Mac, I'm sorry if I jumped the gun about the house, I really should have asked you before saying anything to Mattie." He really didn't want to mess up with Mac right now.
"No, problem Harm, it makes perfect sense, you'll get use out of a duplex. Mattie will be able to have her independence this way, once she's finished with high school, if she doesn't recover as fast as she wants to." She sat down on the small sofa, relaxing for the first time in over a week; she was now on leave for the next two weeks. She now had time to charge her batteries before starting her first command. Eventually you can rent my side out."
Harm sat down next to her, "Mac, Sarah, I'd like to say something. I know we haven't been dating very long, but we've known each other for such a long time." He took her hand, "Sarah, for a guy who's spent most of the past decade stating my case in court, I'm finding myself at a loss for words, except for two. "Marry me."
Chapter 5
"Yes, I will." She said, crying tears of happiness. Harm then pulled out a small box from his pants pocket then went down on one knee, and put a beautiful ring on her finger. It was the ring she'd always seen in her dreams as a child. A ring she'd never told anyone about except her childhood doll. The ring she'd worn as Chris' wife was meager; the ring Mic had given her had been ostentatious. This was perfection. Mac noticed the ring looked very old.
"This ring was made for my great grandmother, by my great grandfather's uncle; it's been in the family over a hundred years. Mom gave it to me several years ago; she's had it in trust for me, after she and Frank married. I called her earlier in the week and asked her to send it."
"It's gorgeous, I never told anyone this before, but when I was a little girl this was the ring I dreamed I'd have. I love it." Harm had "borrowed" a ring of hers to make sure he'd had it resized correctly when he'd made his decision to ask Mac to marry him. They kissed and were starting to make out when Harms cell phone vibrated then rang, making them laugh as he answered the call.
"Mom, your timing is impeccable," he groaned. Mac could hear the laughter from Trish Burnett.
"Harmon, did I catch you in the middle of something?" his mother teased. His mother knew exactly what he was going to ask Mac, and approximately when. She'd kept the ring in the safe of the gallery for several years, sending it to Harm earlier in the month.
"No comment" more laughter came from the phone. "Mom, I asked her, and come sometime soon, we'll have the wedding, we haven't had a chance to set a date, I just asked her" Harm looked at Mac.
"Two minutes and five seconds ago." was Mac's reply.
"I'll give her the phone; you two can make some arrangements regarding the wedding, and other girl stuff." He gave Mac the phone; she socked him lightly for the girl-stuff comment.
Mac talked to Trish for a couple of minutes, getting directions to the gallery, in case she got into La Jolla during open hours. "I'll call you from Arizona; I can't wait to meet you either." She listened for a few minutes, and with choked voice, she said "Bye, Mom." Hearing Mac call Trish Burnett Mom moved Harm to tears.
"Harm I think we should get married Labor Day weekend, we can have people fly out. Besides, I want Mattie to be in the wedding; right now she's not ready to leave the hospital. By then she'd be able to be there." Mac said happily.
"That sounds like a perfect time. I'm not going to have much vacation time this year so a long weekend makes sense. I was thinking; I need to bring SARAH out to the coast. Why don't we take a cross-country trip in a biplane for our honeymoon?"
"As long as we plot the route ahead of time, I don't want to run into poachers, terrorists or trees." After their history with bi-planes Mac had a point, even if she were teasing her fiancé.
"Good idea." Harm said, laughing ruefully. They started to kiss passionately, Mac pulled away.
"Harm, if it's okay with you, I want us to wait. We've waited this long we can wait three months longer. However, I'd like to start taking fertility drugs, so after the wedding we can try for a little Rabb. We might never be able to have our own, I realize, but we need to try."
"I I don't think I could wait much longer than that, I haven't,...well since, Renee," he said sheepishly. Mac looked at him in amazement. Harm could be very shy about personal matters.
"Harm, that's nearly four years!"
"I know, believe me, I know." Harm dryly stated. And on that note Mac returned to her room, reluctantly, but they'd agreed to wait. She called Chloe, telling her only to keep sometime in August, if not Labor Day weekend open for a trip to California. The ecstatic teen ribbed her mentor for the years it had taken for them to reach this milestone. Mac slept soundly, dreaming of the wedding and the wedding night. In the room beside her so did Harm.
In the morning they went to see Mattie, who immediately spied the ring and squealed in delight. They told her they hadn't set a date yet, other than it would take place in California, most likely Labor Day weekend. She and Chloe were Mac's attendants. Only because Chloe had known the two for a longer period was Chloe considered the maid of honor. Mattie said "I didn't mind, just as long as I'm there, if it means I have to be rolled down the aisle in a hospital bed.
Talk then turned to what San Diego was like, including what options there were for school. If Mattie were at the rehab center there'd be tutors. Basically she'd be schooled with other school-aged patients, by a teacher and monitored by the physicians. It would depend where they ended up living what school she'd attend. Harm knew very well Frank and his mom would pay her tuition to attend one of the many private schools in the area, but he knew Mattie, she'd feel like she didn't fit in, with or without a wheelchair or walker. She'd had adult responsibilities, and whether or not she realized it, it had matured her beyond her years. At Thomas Paine High School, where she'd attended while living next to Harm, she'd had little patience for the snobs in her school, she'd told Harm she'd called them the 'silver spoon set'. A private school would most likely have a lot of students who Mattie would think fit that description. The doctor was making his scheduled visit so they discussed with him her treatment until she moved to California, and the logistics of getting her there. Harm had started the process with the rehab center before he left work the day before. It was soon time they said their good-byes.
Harm would visit her the following weekend; but Mac wouldn't see her until Mattie departed for San Diego. The short flight back to DC was uneventful and with Harm's help Mac quickly packed her vehicle for her cross-country trip.