A Happily Ever After

Disclaimer: Not mine...never will be, but I wish I owned DJE. The doctor at Bethesda is MINE. :)

AN: Follows "The Reason" and "We're Here Now". Sorry for any mistakes.

October 5, 2004

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

0900 Local Time

Everyone was gathered around the bullpen as ordered by the General. People were conversing wondering what brought about this gathering. Speculation was on high at that point and everyone was worried. Who knew that this would actually be to announce good news.

"Everyone here is about to be witness to some very good news." The General spoke to his personnel as he turned to Harm who was standing very closely to Mac.

Harm looked at everyone and cleared his throat and took Mac's left hand in his. "Um, as of a week ago, Lt. Colonel Mackenzie and I are engaged." He smiled and brought Mac's hand up to his lips.

Cheers erupted around the work place. Most of the people present had seen this ten-year relationship flourish and wither and flourish again and they were all glad that this was finally the way it should be.

"When are you guys going to tie the knot?" Asked Sturgis.

"We have agreed on November 13." Mac said.

"Sir, how did you keep this to yourself for a week?" Bud asked amazed.

"Well, Bud, Harriet is not here." Harm said and everyone laughed. They all knew that the lieutenant was an observer and without her, the office was much more in the dark.

"And there's one more thing. You decide whether it's good or bad news." After a minute of holding tightly on to Harm's hand and gathering her strength, she spoke. "Commander Rabb will be leaving us for JAG in Washington in six days." Gasps were heard around the bullpen as people registered the news.

"Sir, it's going to be different without you around." Bud said in a rather sad tone.

"Bud, I'll see you more than you think. I'm still the godfather of your son. Remember?"

"Yes, sir but it's still going to be different."

After everyone congratulated the new pair and wished Harm well, they resumed to their duties. The workers were all happy and for the first time in a long time, JAG seemed to be once again a pleasant place to work at.

Harm was in his office placing his belongings in boxes. In a short while he would be ready to transfer. He knew that he would eventually feel reality hit him when he would find himself in another JAG building without the familiar faces, but right now he was ecstatic. He couldn't quite believe it that Mac and him were to be married in five weeks. It was unreal. How long had it been since they met and had been afraid to reveal the true inner feelings of their heart? It seemed like forever to him now. He felt as if he had been engaged to Mac since the beginning. Just as he smiled at the thought of Sarah Mackenzie, she walked in to his office.

"Nice smile. Hey sailor." Her face was lit with a smile matching his.

"Hey marine. What brings you down to this part of the building?"

"I came to see how my fiancee was doing with the packing. Need some help?"

Harm walked toward her and kissed her on the cheek. "Always."

"I still can't believe that you are going to be leaving. It just seems unreal."

"I was just thinking the exact thing. But you know... this is all worth it." He hugged her and nuzzled his face in her neck.

One Week Later

JAG Headquarters

Washington, D.C.

1230 Local Time

Harm was in his office going through a file that he had just been handed. Everyone was asking if they could help with anything or help him get acquainted with the staff. The working atmosphere was nice and he was glad that he had gone with this decision and had not made a rash decision in leaving the Navy. It was just then that nostalgia hit him in the heart. He missed his old job. He missed the glass doors with the JAG insignia on it. He missed Bud, Sturgis, and Mac. Sure he saw them everyday after work, but it was not the same thing. He had Mac all to himself and he was content, but sometimes it was hard to adjust. On a happier note, recently they began to look for a house to buy together. "Together", now that sounded good. They were happy and anxious now that they were a month away from being husband and wife. He sighed. He missed walking into her office.

"I know...I'll call her." So he did.

"Colonel Mackenzie."

"Colonel Rabb?" He teased.

She knew exactly who it was and she couldn't have been happier to hear his voice.

"No, not yet flyboy. It's good to hear your voice."

"You act like we haven't seen each other in ages."

"Hey, you called me remember?"

"OK, I give up. I just needed to hear you. I love you."

Mac smiled into the phone. "I know you do."

"And?"

"And...what can I do for you Commander Rabb?"

"Mac...!"

"And I love you, too." She laughed.

"Hey, I was just thinking about that house we are looking for."

"Yeah...what about it?"

"Maybe we can go look at this house I saw. It's perfect...not too far from either JAG quarters. It's big, good for plenty of kids and a dog." He was babbling.

"Harm, honey, breathe. We can go look at it when ever you want."

"Good. How about today after work? We can ask Harriet and Bud to help us decide. What do you think?"

"That sounds great, but how about we look at it first and then we ask them to see it?"

"Whatever you want, Sarah."

There was a moment of silence on both ends. They were both ready to start the new chapter of their lives. They had waited long enough and it was about time.

"Oh, Harm, Harriet and I are going out tomorrow at lunch and after work to look for some wedding necessities. We might have to take the weekend too. Will you be ok without me?"

"Sure, but don't get lost in a store ok."

"Shut up. So what do you want for the reception?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we already agreed on the chapel and the traditional naval ceremony. Now we have to plan for the reception. Where do you want to have it at? What kind of table settings, music, food, napkins."

"Mac-Mac-Mac, honey! Just ask Harriet to pick out all of that stuff. She did a pretty good job for hers. I don't care about all of that stuff as long as I have my bride."

Mac laughed. "Ok, I'll pick it out. Hey I have to go. The General is calling. Love you baby." She had to admit that calling him baby sounded unnatural, but it was definitely a word she could get used to.

"Love you, too. Bye."

Later that day

Tyson's Corner, Virginia

Both Harm and Mac had been really happy about getting a new house and could hardly wait to live in their own home. Harm had mentioned it to Mac that he had seen a really great house that was perfect for their working situations. He also mentioned that he had been looking at a house for Mattie and him, but that was in McLean and this house was probably the most logical.

Harm helped Mac out of the Vette and held her hand as he led her up the three steps in front of the door. The house was beautiful. It was a light brown house with a beautifully colored front door that sported a small window at the top for a luxurious look. The windows were wide and tall...perfect for the sun to shine through. It was exactly what she pictured.

"Wow. Harm this house is wonderful." She said amazed as she looked up and down the house.

"You think the outside is nice, wait till you see the inside. Come on." He smiled at her and kissed her hand.

Harm opened the door and let Mac go first. She was astonished. The inside really was better than the outside. Right when you stepped in you could see the staircase which curved from the left and led up to the second floor. To the right was the dining room, which was extremely spacious and the color would look great with a wooden dining table. The dining room led to the kitchen which was also big with an island in the middle of the room. The back of the kitchen led to a glass sliding door which opened up to the back yard.

"I could definitely see a tire swing on that tree." Mac said.

"If we get this house, I will definitely put one up. Come on there's more."

Harm led her through the side of the kitchen and the dining room to the left side of the house. The family room was huge. There was a fireplace to the left and a big window that face the front yard. It was amazing and this was only the first floor.

They went up the stairs to the second floor which was where all the rooms were located. There were three rooms and two bathrooms, all very spacious and nicely painted. The master bedroom was the most gorgeous room of all. It had an enormous walk in closet to the left of the room. A broad window that had a small place to sit or lie down on was located to the right. Everything was so beautiful, so right.

"So, what do you think?" Harm asked as he faced his wife-to-be.

"It...it's perfect Harm. I want it." She smiled with tears in her eyes.

"Then it's a done deal. All we have to do is call the realtor and deal with the paper work."

"Good. Have I told you I love you?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Harm positioned his hands on her hips and pulled her to him. "Not since I called you."

"I love you." A kiss full of passion began to build up and take over their bodies and their emotions.

"I love you, too Sarah MacKenzie." He enveloped her in an embrace and kissed her forehead.

October 24, 2004

Bridal Shop

Two weeks and counting. That's how long she had to pick out the right dress. Well, less, but she was anxious. Harriet and she had looked at so many dresses, but somehow none of them fit her personality. She wanted a nice, but not too extravagant dress. Harriet persuaded her to look at the dresses at the bridal shop. After what must have been hours of looking and modeling dresses, she finally found one that she was sure was the one.

"Oh, Mac, that's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen." Harriet looked at her friend.

Pausing for a second, Mac turned to face her. "You really think so Harriet? I want this to be perfect for both of us."

"Mac, you have Harm and he has you, I'd say that's about as perfect as it gets. Everything else is, I don't know...small." She smiled broadly.

"Oh Harriet, thank you so much." She said with tears in her eyes as she turned around again to face the mirror.

That same day

Harm's Apartment

Boxes were everywhere in his apartment. He was packing his stuff and Mac had just finished her things and brought them over to his place...she spent most of her time their anyways. In a few days they would be given the keys to the place and they would move in. They couldn't wait. Harriet and Bud had seen the house and they were taken back by the sheer beauty of it.

Harm was packing his clothes in his bedroom when Mac walked in humming a song. She looked around for her husband-to-be and spotted him in the bedroom.

"Hey hon." Harm said.

"Hi babe." She resumed her humming as she practically ran him over as she jumped on him. Harm caught her as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her hands around his neck.

"Ok. So I take it you found your dress?" He said as he held onto her.

"Yes I did. It is so beautiful Harm. You're going to like it a lot."

"As long as you're the one wearing it I know it will look gorgeous." He kissed her hard on the lips and stumbled back on the bed landing on his back with Mac still straddling his hips.

"Mmmmm...Mac, I hate to break this up, but I have to finish packing if we're going to move in by Wednesday." He said in between kisses and bites of each others lips.

"You're right. I love you, flyboy."

"Love you, too."