It started with a kiss…
By Nettie
Disclaimer: I don't own them, just having fun.
Sincere apologies for the delay the site wouldn't let me come and play...
Here's the final instalment - enjoy!
-----------------------------Promises--------------------------------
THURSDAY 1753
Harm was still at work when Trish rang Mac, again waking her.
"So, do you want us to come with you to the clinic or do you want to come by here first, Trish?" Mac asked her caller.
"Well, Sarah, there's been a change of plans. I need your help but only if you're up to it," Trish said.
"Sure, what do you need?" she offered.
"We won't be able to get to Washington tomorrow. Frank's chest infection is a little more serious than first thought. He has pneumonia," she replied, her voice tired and weary.
"Oh, Trish, I'm sorry to hear that. How is he?" Mac asked, these two people were like her parents, she hated the thought of either of them being so unwell.
"The doctor admitted him to hospital this morning; he's on a couple of IV drips and feeling decidedly unwell. He keeps telling me he's alright and for me to go alone but he's really quite ill and I don't want to leave him," she explained quickly.
"That's certainly understandable," Mac replied.
"So, if at all possible, could you pick up the results, you and Harm?" she asked with a degree of uncertainty.
"Of course."
"I'll phone the clinic now and make the arrangements."
FRIDAY 1630
Harm and Bud entered Mac's apartment chatting about Bud's latest court victory.
"About time you two got here," said Harriet making her way over to her husband. "What kept you?"
"The General wasn't impressed with us both leaving early," answered Harm moving through the room to embrace Mac. He kissed her forehead and then her lips.
"Did you explain that I was here and needed to get home?" Harriet asked.
"I did, sweetie, and he conceded saying pregnant women should never be messed with. So, are you ready to go?" Bud asked, kissing his wife's cheek.
"Not really," Harriet replied sitting down again.
"But Harriet, Harm and Mac need to go out."
"Ah, actually no we don't, plans have changed," said Mac, taking Harm's hand and sitting down on the sofa.
"Again?" asked Harm exasperated. "What now?"
"Harriet and I picked the results up at lunchtime, they're sitting there." Mac pointed at three envelopes resting on the mantle clock.
"Why three?" asked Bud before noticing his wife's look and quickly stopping.
"Probably copies," guessed Harm. "I suppose I should open it," he continue reluctantly, staring at them.
"Only if you want too, there's no rush," soothed Mac, running her hand over his back and studying the intense concentration on his face. It was as if he was trying to see through the envelope without moving.
"We can go if you'd like some privacy," Bud offered.
"No, no, stay, please," Harm said, his eyes never leaving the mantle.
Harm slowly got up and moved across the room. All three observers seemed to hold their breath as Harm's hand reached out for the first envelope. They all saw his nerves in the slight tremble of his hand as he picked it up and opened it, carefully removing the letter it contained. He read it to himself, mumbling as he went. "Tests conducted indicate the likelihood of Alyssa Jane Stevens being the biological child of Patricia Rabb Burnett and Harmon Rabb Senior (deceased) is 96.7," he read aloud.
"That's pretty conclusive," said Bud, not sure how to read his friend's expression.
"Congratulations," offered Harriet.
Mac hugged and kissed him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think so. I've had a week to get used to the idea." He smiled at his friends, "I have a sister called Alyssa." Another round of congratulations were offered.
"What about the other envelopes?" Harriet asked, knowing full well what they contained.
"What are they Mac?" asked Harm, still holding onto her, needing her physical support as much as her emotional support.
"Open them and find out," she smiled, letting him go and gently pushing him back towards the mantle.
Harm picked up the second envelope and opened it totally unprepared for what it contained. Once again he began reading it to himself, mumbling as he went. "Tests conducted indicate the likelihood of Sergei Zhukov being the biological child of Pitchta Zhukov and Harmon Rabb Senior (deceased) is 92.18," he read aloud. "Wow!" he was stunned.
"How? Why?" was all he managed looking at Mac, tears shining in his eyes.
"Your mom thought it was only fair that since you were finding out the truth about your sister that you also find out the truth about your brother," she replied squeezing his arm.
"But how did they do the tests?" he asked, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Your mom rang Sergei and organised the necessary samples from him and his mom to be sent over. They used the DNA from those envelopes and some of your DNA on hair strands I gave them," she said, raking her fingers through his hair.
"Wow!" he replied, rereading the letter again, just to be sure.
"That's terrific news, Harm," said Bud patting his back. "You're a lucky man, a brother and a sister."
Harm sat down on the sofa with a sigh. He loved Sergei so much but there had always been an element of doubt, now there was none. They were brothers and nothing could ever change that.
After several minutes passed Harm looked up at the third envelope, the eyes of Mac, Harriet and Bud followed him.
"I can't possibly have another sibling, can I?" he asked more to himself.
"Open it and find out," said Bud, eagerly retrieving the envelope and handing it to him.
Harriet moved next to Bud and left Mac standing on her own at the end of the sofa. Harm took a deep breath; he had no idea as to what this envelope would contain. The format was the same and he read down mumbling to himself. "Tests conducted indicate the likelihood of the unborn child being the biological child of Sarah MacKenzie and Harmon Rabb Junior is 98…" He stopped reading and looked up at Mac before rereading the letter again.
Finally he stood up and walked to her. "We're pregnant?" he asked in barely a whisper.
"We are," Mac smiled.
"This hasn't been a stomach bug?" he asked, his hand resting gently on her abdomen.
"Uh, uh, morning sickness," she grinned.
"We're going to have a baby?" he said quietly.
"Yes we are," she confirmed just as quietly.
"We're going to have a baby!" he repeated loudly and enthusiastically before hugging her tightly and kissing her passionately, his tears finally spilling over.
Harriet and Bud offered their congratulations. "Great news, isn't it?" Harriet said but Harm and Mac were caught up in their own little world of tears and kisses and didn't hear. Eventually, Bud and Harriet extended their best wishes again and left.
"I must ring mom," Harm said after another long and passionate embrace. He picked up the receiver and hit five on the speed dial. The phone was answered instantly. Trish had been waiting anxiously for three hours.
"It's all positive mom," Harm started the call.
"All three?" she asked almost breathlessly
"Yes, all three. I have a sister, a half brother and a baby on the way," said Harm caught up in the rush of emotion.
"Our family's growing quickly," Trish said.
"It's all good though. Do you think we can arrange dinner with Alyssa?" Harm asked quickly.
Harm and Trish chatted excitedly about the changes in their family for a while longer until Harm finally said goodnight.
"I love you mom," he said sincerely, "but come Christmas, just remember who your favourite is," he threw in for good measure.
In bed later that night, when Harm had the chance to reflect on the events of the evening, it dawned on him that he wasn't the first to know about the baby.
"Mac?" he called quietly, gently rubbing her arm.
"Hmph," she groaned nearly asleep.
"Did my mom already know you were pregnant?" he asked, his hand pulling at her arm.
"Hmph, yeah," she mumbled before burying herself further into his chest.
"What about Bud and Harriet?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"Hmmm," she replied.
"Oh," he said, just a bit disappointed, he would have liked to have known first and instantly his thoughts turned to his dad, he could understand why his mom had kept the secret the second time around.
Noting his disappointment Mac looked up at him and caressed his face. "Harm, babe, if it's any consolation, I wasn't the first to know either. Harriet knew before I did." She reached up and kissed him, before grinning widely.
"What's that smile for?" he asked kissing her back.
"I'll let you tell the General, after all you chickened out of telling him about us after London," she grinned again.
"The opportunity never presented itself," he said defensively. The he paused and drew a deep breath. "So what do I say exactly?"
"Use the same explanation," she kissed him again.
"Oh yeah!" said Harm. "Hey General, it started with a kiss…"
