Decisions
DISCLAIMER: Okay…I'm not doing these things anymore. Just refer to the first 5 chapters.
A/N: Hey all! I'm back from my camping trip. I had a great time, and I got two chapters written over the weekend! I'll post chapter 8 as soon as I finish typing it. I'm claiming author's privilege again here. Frank has a sister. That's how it's going to be. ) Thank you so much to my reviewers. All your great comments are keeping me inspired to write. Well, here's chapter 7!
JAGJAGJAGJAGJAG
SUNDAY
AIRPORT, MAC'S POV:
"I really wish you didn't have to leave so soon, Trish. You just got here. We just met and I feel like I need to spend some more time with you."
"I know, Sarah, I wish I could stay longer, too. That's what I planned on doing, but with everything going on back home, I really can't."
"I know. Just call us when you get back to La Jolla so that we know you made it there okay."
"I will, Dear. I'll see you both soon. Bye Mattie."
Trish gave both Mattie and I a hug, or in Mattie's case, as close to a hug as her wheelchair would permit, and walked out to the private jet, where the pilot was waiting for her. She had gotten a call from Frank late yesterday afternoon saying that his younger sister, who had been about 8 months pregnant, had gone into premature labor and asked her if she could come home. So, here we were again, saying goodbye. I hope I get another chance to see her before we move to London, so I can get to know her better. Harm was right, she really is an amazing woman.
"Hey, Mac, can we head to Beltway Burgers? I'm so hungry!"
"Absolutely, Kiddo, you read my mind!"
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BELTWAY BURGERS, MATTIE'S POV:
"So, have you heard from Harm at all today? I was kinda hoping that maybe he'd be back in time for Tuesday. He shouldn't miss my custody hearing."
"I agree, he shouldn't. I haven't heard from him yet today, but he did call last night and said he might be able to make it back if he can talk they seller down a little by tomorrow on a house he found. He said he'd let me know. Are you getting anxious?"
"A little…I know I shouldn't be, but I still am. What if the judge doesn't see Harm fit to be my guardian if he's not there on Tuesday?"
"Mattie, I really don't think that's going to happen. Harm's a great father to you, as the social worker's reports clearly state. Plus, once we explain why he's not there, if he's not there, then I highly doubt that any judge would see his absence as a reason to take you away from him."
As soon as those words made it out of Mac's mouth, her cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
I watched patiently as Mac spoke with the person on the other side of the line. Telling by the look on her face, she was pretty confused.
"Yes, who is this?"
As she listened to the speaker, I could see the confusion on her face grow to a questioning annoyance. This couldn't be good. I may not have been around her all that much since I first came to be with Harm, but I've definitely seen and heard enough to know that no one wants to be on the receiving end of this marine. Wow…that sounded like Harm. I swear I'm getting more and more like him every day…not that that's a bad thing, of course.
"Captain Rabb, he's no longer a commander, and, why would he do that? Last time we spoke with him he agreed to this."
She started listening again, and all confusion left her face. Her look went stone cold in half-a-snap. I could definitely tell that she had just gone into full lawyer mode. No, this is most definitely not good.
" The Captain is out of the country at the moment, but I would be more than happy to meet with you and discuss this."
Okay, now she was definitely perturbed. Somebody's gonna get it, and I sure hope it ain't me!
"That's fine, I'll be there."
Mac slammed her phone closed and put it back on the table.
"Oh…kay, what was that all about?"
"Mattie, that was Tom's lawyer…"
"…And?"
"Tom changed his mind about giving up his rights. He's going to fight us on this, Mattie."
"But we still don't have anything to worry about, right? I mean, you said it yourself. Harm's a good father, and any judge would be able to see that. Besides…I want to go with you guys. Doesn't that count for anything?"
"Of course it does. And if the judge hears you say that, it will help our case even more. But, Mattie, Tom's lawyer is Drake Preston. He's one of the best civilian lawyers in DC, if not the state of Virginia. If there's a way to get you back to Tom, he would most definitely be the one to find it."
"So, then, what's going to happen?"
"I'm meeting Tom and Mr. Preston in 45 minutes at the Lincoln Memorial. I'm hoping that I can talk Tom out of contesting the case. I have just enough time to drop you off at JAG before I have to be there. Jen can take you home with her from there."
"No, I want to go with you."
"I don't know, Mattie, maybe you sh…"
"Mac, it's my life that is going to be affected here. Shouldn't I be allowed to hear what's going on? I'm going."
I can be just as stubborn as she and Harm can, and I'm determined to get my way on this. If anyone can talk Tom out of this, it's me. I trust Mac, sure, but I still want to be there. It's my life they're playing with, and I think I should have a say, dammit.
"Okay, fine, you can come. You're right, you should be allowed to hear what we're saying. I just hope I'm doing the right thing, here."
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LINCOLN MEMORIAL
30 MINUTES LATER:
"Hey, Mac, do you think after the meeting we could stop by the Wall? It's right there, and I kinda want to pay a visit to Harm's dad. He should get a chance to meet his almost-granddaughter, don't you think?"
"Sure, Mattie, we can do that. Wouldn't you rather wait for Harm to take you, though?"
"I'd really like to do it now. If that's okay, I mean."
"It's fine, Mattie, permitting this meeting doesn't take too long, of course."
Ooh, I really hope it doesn't. With all luck, all we'll have to do is tell Tom that I want to be with Harm and Mac, end of discussion, and leave. I know it's not that simple, okay? I'm not that naïve. But a girl can dream, can't she?
When we saw Tom and a man, which I assumed, being the brilliant child I am and all, was his lawyer, approach, Mac stood from the step she was sitting on in front of the Lincoln Memorial and wheeled me over toward them. Nothing but frowns and a slight nod were exchanged in greeting between the four of us as we moved to one of the benches in the park surrounding the Reflecting Pool.
"Now, Colonel MacKenzie, and Matilda, I presume…"
"Mattie," I replied curtly. Despite the slight glare I was getting from Mac, I didn't say anything more. I wasn't really up to playing nice with this guy.
"Mattie, of course…As I explained to the Colonel, Mr. Johnson has decided not to give up his legal rights to you as your father."
"Why?"
Tom picked it up from there, and started talking to me directly, instead of hiding behind the legalities supplied by his all too 'by-the-book' lawyer. I'm not kidding. This guy was in a coat and tie, on a Sunday, no less. He had a pair of wire-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, and a prim-and-proper haircut that was far too professional for my taste.
"Because you are my daughter, not theirs. You barely know this woman, and now you want her to be your mother?"
"Is that what this is about? You think that Mac's trying to take Mom's place, don't you?"
My tone was accusatory, to say the least, but I continued on without stopping for a breath and giving Tom the chance to reply.
"Well she's not. Maybe you're right, I do barely know her. But I know her a hell of a lot better than I do you, lately."
I sounded so calm in that statement that it shocked everyone in the group, including me. I don't want to hurt Tom, but I can't let him keep hurting me. Why can't he just see that?
"I'm sorry, Mattie. Okay? I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have gotten drunk after your accident. But I didn't know what else to do.The urge was so strong that I just couldn't help myself. I gave in, and I shouldn't have. I know that. And I know that I hurt you, but that's not a good enough excuse in my book to ask me to stop being your dad."
"Well maybe I'm sick of getting hurt by you. Did you ever think of that? Tom, I can't go back to you and let myself risk being hurt again. I just can't do it. I'm really sorry, Tom, but I want to be with Harm and Mac. I already told you that."
"I'm not giving this up, Mattie. If you can't understand that, then this meeting's over."
Just as Tom was about to give up and leave, Mr. Preston stepped in and stopped him.
"Now hold on a minute, Mr. Johnson. I think that the Colonel and I should have at least some word in this meeting, being the legal council and what not. Don't you agree, Colonel?"
"No, I think Mattie's said all that needed to be said on our part. See you in court, counselor."
With that, Mac and I made our way to the car. Once Mac got me into her 'vette, she somehow managed to fit my wheelchair in and climbed in herself, and we made our way to the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
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LONDON, HARM'S POV:
"Yes, sir, thank you for your time."
I hung up the phone in my hotel room, semi-satisfied with myself. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow I'd have that house ready for me and my family to move into. That's right…Captain Harmon Rabb Jr. is officially going to be a family man. I can't wait. I especially can't wait until Mac sees the ring I picked out yesterday. One of the first things I did when I woke up yesterday morning was head out to the nearest jeweler and picked out a setting and stones. I had to pay a little extra to get made quickly and rush delivered to the US, since I'll be back there by the time it's done. It's got a 1 ½ carat diamond in the center, with two 1 carat emeralds on each side in a platinum setting. What can I say…green for my marine. It was too perfect to pass up. It did cost a little more than I had anticipated, but she's more than worth it.
Since then I've been doing nothing but getting ready for this move. I got everything set up for my job here, and, with any luck, I'll have housing by tomorrow. That's what's drained me, 'cause I'm absolutely beat. I never realized how draining house hunting was…especially when it's all you do for a day-and-a-half straight. It's all worth it, though. If I can get this house before the 4:00 flight to DC tomorrow afternoon, I'll be able to make it back stateside in time for Mattie's custody hearing. I'm just about ready to submit to the calling of the land of Nod when the phone in my room rings.
"Rabb."
"Hey there, sailor, how's house hunting?"
"A chore…you okay, Mac? You sound a little stressed. Is something wrong?"
I heard the hesitation from her end, plain as day. Okay, now I'm worried. My marine doesn't act like this unless something's seriously up.
"What's going on, Mac? Did something happen? Talk to me, Marine."
"It's about Mattie, Harm…"
Immediately, I feared the worst…after-effects of her accident, another accident, or worse.
"Oh god, what is it?"
"NO! No, Harm, it's nothing like that. Mattie's just fine. She's in a shower now. Listen, Harm, there's something I really need to tell you. Just…promise me you won't say anything until I get everything out, okay?"
"Okay."
"Harm, Tom's changed his mind about giving up his rights. He's going to fight for custody."
No…no, that can't be right. He said he wouldn't fight it last week!
"Mattie and I met with Tom and his lawyer today, and he's definitely set on getting her back. There's no changing his mind. And you'll never guess who his lawyer is."
"Who?"
"Drake Preston."
"Shit!"
"Yeah, tell me about it!"
"How can he do this? He agreed to give up his rights when we talked to him last week! What the hell changed his mind?"
I didn't realize that I was yelling at her through the phone, unintentionally, of course. In fact, I was completely unaware that I was yelling until she started yelling right back.
"I don't know, Harm! You're making it sound like I did something to change his mind, and I sure as hell didn't. So stop yelling at me, dammit!"
"Then why don't you stop yelling."
My voice had calmed somewhat, but I was upset at the fact that she was getting upset with me. I didn't do anything for her to be upset at.
"Oh, quit acting like a child, Harm. We need to figure out what we're going to do. Preston's a damn good lawyer. Who knows what he's going to pull."
"You're right, I'm sorry, Mac. I just really don't want to lose Mattie. I shouldn't have yelled."
"Don't worry about it, Flyboy. I'm feeling the same way. I just feel so screwed right now. I mean, I know we've got a strong case, but we're also going up against Drake Preston in court. He's a barracuda in the courtroom."
"Well, so are you, Mac."
I learned that from experience. I'd gone up against her in court enough times and lost to know that. Granted, I'd had my share of wins, too, but I still always hated going up against Mac. Somehow my job always seemed to get harder than it did when I would go up against someone like Sturgis, and even he is a tough one. Mac's tired, frustrated sigh brought be back into reality.
" We really need you back here, Harm. Are you going to make it in time?"
"I think so. For the most part, I've got this house bagged. I just want to see if I can talk this seller down a couple more figures, then I'm coming home. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just wondering how we're going to pull this off. I mean…it's Drake Preston, Harm, Drake Preston. Have I mentioned that Tom's lawyer is Drake Preston? Who knows what he's got up his sleeve."
"We can do this, Mac. Have a little faith in us, will ya?"
"It's not lack of faith, Harm. It's lack of knowledge. With the exception of our short-lived meeting today, Preston hasn't contacted me at all. God only knows what he's got going against our case. He could bring up my alcoholism, my marriage to Chris, your tendency to be flighty at times…"
"Whoa, whoa, wait a second…what do you mean by 'flighty'?"
A small chuckle sounded from her end of the line, causing some of the tension from the day and this conversation to ease, along with sending the corners of my mouth twitching up in a slight smile.
"Exactly what it sounds like, sailor. You do have a tendency to be flighty."
"Oh yeah? When?"
"Well, there was that time that you went off looking for the Admiral when you took him up in the air and he ended up ejecting into the middle of the wilderness, you went fleeting off to Russia without a word...need I go on?"
"No, I get it. Somehow, Mac, I highly doubt that he'll get that desperate. A lot of this will depend on Mattie. If she can make it clear to the judge that she wants to be with us, then there's half of our case right there."
"Yeah, you're right. Well, I'm going to go. Mattie and I are going to do a couple things before dinner, then we're going to hit a movie."
"Hmm, sounds like fun. Tell her 'hi' for me, and tell her that I love her."
"I will, Harm. I'll talk to you tomorrow then?"
"You betcha…I love you , Ninja Girl."
"I love you, too, Flyboy. Goodnight."
"Night."
I set the phone back on the base and fell back onto my bed. With a long, relaxing sigh, I started to drift off, telling myself over and over that we were going to be okay.