Decisions
DISCLAIMER: As much as I wish I did, I don't own JAG. I'm writing this useless piece of fan fiction because I want to.
A/N: Thanks to Staz, alix33, SamBrace, Abigaile, CharmedAli, daisymh, froggy 0319, E.T.W, and michelle UK for reviewing the last chapter. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Y'ALL ARE AWESOME!
A/N 2: I'm taking writer's privilege with this chapter. In my story, if you're military, you can go to the gate to see someone off at the airport. That's just how it's going to be here. I wanted Mattie and Mac to watch Harm's plane leave, and this was the only way I could really do it. Sorry if some of you don't like it, but that's just how I want it here. Anyway, here's chapter four. Enjoy!
JAGJAGJAGJAGJAG
AIRPORT, MATTIE'S POV:
Two days later...
Mac and I stood with Harm at the gate, waiting for his plane to start boarding. Due to the weather in London, the flight was delayed by about a half-hour. And on top of all that, we were pretty early, anyway. But, then again…when you're with two military officers, one of them being Mac, it's hard to not be early.
Forty-five minutes later, departure reports were saying that the weather still wasn't letting up, and that they may have to re-route to Dublin, or some other major city airport in the UK to avoid problems with some of the already agitated passengers.
"You know…if I had opted for flying Sarah on my own instead of flying commercial, I could have been in London by now."
"Well, Harm, look on the bright side…"
"And what side would that be, Marine?"
"At least you're sticking around us a little longer. And, by doing that, you're postponing that little…umm…chat Mattie and I are planning on having with your mother while you're gone."
With those words, Mac burst out into laughter, and Harm went pale…again, like he had every time we talked about calling Trish while he was gone. For instance, yesterday, while we were all having dinner at this little restaurant not far from Mac's apartment, Trish called Harm on his cell phone. When he looked at the caller ID to see who it was, I swear he was more frozen than a statue in the middle of winter! It was hilarious!
Anyway, I asked him if he was going to answer his phone, and when he didn't do anything, Mac grabbed it out of his hand before he could pull it away from her. She saw who it was and couldn't help but put one of those mischievous grins on her face…you know…a lot like the grin Harm has when something's going on inside his head that probably shouldn't be. Well, she answered the phone, and I swear Harm just about died.
Mac told Trish that he was going to London for a few days, and that the two of us wanted to talk with her for a while, and just trade Harm stories. At that point, I think Harm's face was battling between going beet-red and casper-white. It was so perfect! Just when I thought his reaction couldn't get anymore priceless…Mac started giggling almost uncontrollably. Apparently, by the amused look she was giving Harm, Trish had just told her something that I know he wishes she hadn't. The look on his face was pure gold, I tell you! If only I'd had my camera with me!
Later, we found out exactly what it was that Trish had told her. I guess when Harm was about four, he and Trish went to Trish's father's funeral. In the middle of the service, Harm said that he had to go to the bathroom, and that he would be right back. Without really thinking about it, Trish said 'okay' and let him leave. When he came back into the service, she looked over at Harm, and just about died at what she saw…Harm had taken some of her makeup out of her purse when she wasn't looking and went to the bathroom to put it on! He had blotches of powder on his cheeks and nose, and his lips…and the entire area of skin around them…were covered in red lipstick! Trish leaned down to him to quietly ask him why he was wearing her makeup, and he could only smile and reply, very loudly, "Grandpa's wearing makeup, too!" Apparently, Harm had somehow seen some of the preparations for the funeral, and saw the mortician putting makeup on her father for the funeral. Everybody in the service, including the minister, turned to see a young, makeup covered Harmon Rabb Jr. and his mortified mother.
When Mac told me that last night, I cried I was laughing so hard! We gave Harm beef about it the rest of the night. This morning, Mac came by to pick us up from Harm's apartment. As soon as we got in the car, she pulled out her powder compact and handed it to him, asking if he needed a touch-up. He just put his head in his hands and asked to oblivion 'why me?' It was perfect, because earlier I went into the bathroom after he brushed his teeth with one of my lip glosses and tossed it to him, and then just walked out like it was no big deal. Needless to say, he's never going to hear the end of it from us…and there's more to come while he's gone, too! Harm's response to Mac's comment brought me back into the real world.
"I'm really not looking forward to learning about the things she's going to tell you two while I'm gone. I'm also not looking forward to hearing about the things you have to tell her, either."
"Aww, don't worry. Mom and I will still love you, no matter what we learn from Trish this weekend. In fact…we may love you even more for some of it."
"Mom?"
I could hear the surprised skepticism in Harm's voice when I called Mac 'Mom'. It was something that had been on my mind for the last couple days, and I really wanted to talk to them about it. I really want to start calling them 'Mom and Dad', but I want to make sure that it wouldn't be too weird for them or anything. I mean, after everything that just happened, and I guess is still happening, with Tom, I just didn't want to make things awkward for them.
"Umm, yeah…I kind of wanted to talk to you guys about that. Would it be okay if I started calling you 'Mom and Dad'? Since you guys want to adopt me and everything, and it's pretty much what you both are to me now anyway, I just thought maybe we could take this step, too."
It was easy to see that they were both surprised, but happy about what I had just said. I could see it in their eyes and smiles what their answer was going to be, but I waited for a response, anyway.
"Come here, Kiddo."
Harm came over to me and wrapped his arms around me in the best hug we could manage with my crutches in the way, which I had decided to use again today despite strong arguments from both Harm and Mac…Dad and Mom. He was careful not to hurt me, or squeeze me too tight, which is just one more thing I love about him. He's always thinking about me, and what I want, and how I'm feeling. It's never about him…it's always about the people in his life that he loves.
Mac soon joined in to add to the hug. Harm released me for a moment to allow her access to me, which she immediately took advantage of and placed her arms lovingly around me…it was so motherly of her that it surprised me. When she and I were in place, Harm put his arms around both of us and we just stayed like that for a while, in the middle of the airport, in a family hug. It was too cool.
"So is that a yes, then?"
They both just laughed and nodded, telling me more with looks than with words that they would want nothing more. I finally had my family.
JAGJAGJAGJAGJAG
We waited at the airport for another hour or so before it was finally announced that Har—Dad's plane was getting ready to start boarding. The bad weather in LA had finally tapered off, and they were supposed to take off in about a half-hour…for real, this time. Right before the first boarding call, we heard someone calling out to us, and turned to see none other than Trish Burnett running toward us.
"Mom! What are you doing here?"
I could tell that Dad was trying not to notice the knowing glances going between me, Mom, and Trish…who I guess could be Grandma now…I'll have to ask her that this weekend.
"Well, Sarah and Mattie told me that you were going to be in London for a few days, so I decided to come out here and keep your girls company while you're away. Oh, Sarah, I brought those photos you wanted."
"What photos?"
The panic in Dad's voice made it clear that he knew exactly what photos as well as he knew how the majority of our time together was going to be spent. His cheeks turned bright red at the sight of a photo that Trish pulled out of her purse to show Mom, who burst out into laughter. I peeked over her shoulder to see a picture of a young boy, in what used to be a nice dress suit, covered in makeup. I assumed that this was a picture that was taken during his grandfather's funeral after he put Trish's makeup on. His once white shirt was now covered in a cream-beige colored substance with slight hints of red at the collar and cuffs of the sleeves, where he most likely blotted and wiped at his face.
Dad took the picture out of Mom's hand to get a better look at it, then groaned and handed it back to Trish, who stood there with a pleased smile on her face.
"That doesn't even scratch the surface of our weekend, Dear."
"I know, Mother, I know."
"NOW BOARDING ROWS 20-25 ON FLIGHT #244 TO LONDON."
"Well, that's me. I guess I'll see you when I get back."
Dad hugged me one more time and gave me a kiss on top of my head, which I find that although it can be slightly humiliating…seeing as how I AM sixteen, I also find it to be so completely cute and dad-like of him. Next he went to Trish, giving her a hug, and telling her to at least save a few stories for things like his birthday and holidays. At this, she just laughed and told him 'we'll see'. Letting go Trish, who came to stand by me at that point, Dad walked over to Mom and wrapped her up in a tight hug, whispering something in her ear that I couldn't hear from where I was standing. Giving her a quick kiss, he told her he loved her and boarded the plane.
JAGJAGJAGJAGJAG
A/N: Well, there's chapter 4. I need some ideas for some good Harm stories for Trish, Mac, and Mattie to share. Review and give me some good ideas. They can be stories of Harm when he was a kid, stuff from Mac on crazy stunts he may have pulled at the office, in court, on assignment, etc., or from Mattie about just some fun stuff that's happened between the two of them. Just let me know what you all think!
