Family Matters

Chapter 8

Sunday, February 14, 1999

1430 Local Time

Rabb Farm

Belleville, PA

Harm began his plea, "Jennifer Coates you are the special lady that I have been waiting all my life for. I told you once before that our meeting on Christmas Eve was my present sent from above. I love you with all my heart and I would be honored if you would be my wife. Jennifer Coates, will you marry me?

Jennifer Coates stood there with tears running down her cheeks. Here was the man she had fallen in love with just a month and a half ago, asking her to marry him. It was like all her dreams coming true at once. She knew there was only one answer, but she was all choked up and all she could do was nod.

Still with that Harm slipped the ring onto Jennifer's trembling finger. When Harm got up and before he could do anything, Jennifer threw herself into his arms and laid a long, slow deep kiss on him.

When they came up for air Harm said, "I guess the answer is?"

"YES! Yes Harmon Rabb I will marry you," Jennifer exclaimed.

"Jennifer you've made me the happiest man in the world," Harm said before their lips were locked again in another long kiss.

When they broke this time Jennifer held her hand up to admire the ring as she said, "This is so beautiful."

"It was my mom's from my dad. She gave it to Gram to give to me when she got engaged to Frank. I've been waiting for the right girl to come along so that I could ask her and surprise, you came along."

"Oh Harm I'm so happy you waited. Now let's not wait. Let's go tell you Grandmother and your sisters," Jennifer was beginning to say.

Harm interrupted her with, "I believe they already know. I told Sarah that I was coming up here with you and that I was going to ask Gram for the ring. Gram didn't wait for me to ask her, she just gave it to me and told me that Sarah had already called and told her."

"Well at least I know they'll be happy that you asked," Jennifer said happily.

"Yeah there's that. You know I hope no one's told my mom yet. I want to be the one to tell her. I can just hear her scream of joy on the phone," Harm said in joyful anticipation.

"Well come on then, let's get back to the house and call her," Jennifer said pulling her now fiancée along.

Harm happily let himself be dragged along until they got to the edge of the field behind the barn. He dug his heels in and using his size and weight to his advantage, pulled Jennifer into his arms and laid a searing kiss on her. Jennifer happily reciprocated.

When they broke for air, Jennifer looked at the barn and sultry said, "To bad it's winter, we could go into the hay loft and make passionate love."

Harm took a long look. He turned back to Jennifer with a gleam in his eye. Jennifer saw the look and was about to protest before Harm picked her up into his arms and carried her into the barn.

"Harm no, not now, your grandmother," Jennifer said excitedly. Still she didn't protest, struggle or demand to be put down as he carried her into the barn.

Before Harm could say anything in response he and Jennifer heard, "Your grandmother what?"

Harm whirled around with Jennifer in his arms and came face to face with Sarah Rabb. She had come out to get some things from her cold storage locker. Jennifer didn't know it, but Gram heard what Jennifer said about the hayloft.

Gram had a neutral look on her face, but you couldn't miss the twinkle of merriment in her eye. She put a bit of reproachful tone in her voice as she asked, "I hope Harmon that you before you make passionate love to Jennifer in my hayloft, you at least had the decency to ask her to marry you."

Harm and Jennifer blushed the deepest red Gram had ever seen a couple blush. What further amused her was Harm still hadn't put Jennifer down. Jennifer, in an effort to save them from further embarrassment, held up her left hand for Gram to see, "Yes Gram he did."

That cracked whatever artificial veneer of reproach Gram had as she shrieked, "Hallelujah!" and opened her arms wide as she approached the happy couple.

Harm had the sense to put Jennifer down and welcome Gram as she engulfed the two of them in a tight hug.

When she released them she said, "Come on inside so we can call Trish. I bet we'll hear her scream from La Jolla without help from the phone."

"I'd make that bet," Harm said as they walked into the house.

Gram picked up the kitchen phone from the wall and dialed the number by heart. Harm and Jennifer heard only Grams side of the first few seconds. "Hello Frank, it's Sarah. Yes is Trish there? And Frank you can get on the other extension. (Gram waited a few seconds) Hello Trish I have someone here who needs to tell you something. Here Harmon." Gram finished handing him the phone.

"Hi mom happy Valentine's Day, how are you?" Harm began. He had a devilish smile as he prolonged his mom's agony.

"I'm great Harm. What do you need to tell me and your father?" Trish asked hopefully.

Jennifer softly punched his arm and silently mouthed, "Tell her!"

"Well mom, dad, Jennifer and I are en.." Harm started but had to pull the phone away from his ear as Trish did indeed shriek for joy into the phone. Jennifer smiled as she also heard the shriek very clearly. Gram playfully opened the back door and stuck her ear out as if to wait for the actual scream to arrive from La Jolla.

After he heard the noise die down Harm pulled the phone closer and asked timidly, "Mom, are you still there?"

"Yes Harm I'm still here. I'm so happy for you. Is Jennifer there, put her on the phone," Trish joyfully commanded him.

Harm gave Jennifer the phone and she said, "Hi Mrs. Burnett."

That was all Jennifer got out as Trish insisted, "Now I said at Christmas, there will be no Mr. or Mrs., it's either Trish or mom," Trish commanded. She continued, "So tell me did my son ask you nice and romantically?"

"Yes he did. He showed me where everyone scratched their initials and said he wanted to see mine above his, like Sarah and Diane had their husbands' initials. Then he did the whole down on one knee thing opened the box and asked. How could I say no." Jennifer happily stated.

"Oh my dear I'm so happy for the two of you. I know it's very sudden, but you have to let me throw you an engagement party. Don't say no. Harm is the last of my children to get married and I want to have as many memories of the event as I can."

Jennifer was so touched by Trish's happiness and enthusiasm that she could only give one answer, "Okay I'll let you know when it's a good time. Let me discuss it and a few other things with Harm first."

"That's fine dear. Now let me talk to Harm please," Trish said.

As Jennifer gave the phone back to him, she gave him a peck on the lips. Harm draped one arm across her shoulders and held her to him. Jennifer settled under his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Hi mom," Harm began.

"Harmon now you treat that woman right. I don't want to hear of any fights or disagreements over this wedding. Just leave it to Jennifer and me, understood?" Trish commanded.

"Yes ma'am," Harm said.

The rest of the phone call went as expected with promises to see each other soon, finishing with the usual 'I love yous' and so forth.

When Harm hung up the phone he gave Jennifer another kiss.

"Now that's enough of that you two. Harm, go on get out of here. Jennifer and I have dinner to fix. You two have a long drive home tonight. Besides I want to see how well she cooks. She's going to have to cook well to keep up with you," Gram said as she shooed Harm out of the kitchen.

Jennifer happily took the apron that Gram offered and set to work. She and Gram put together a nice meal. Gram was happy because Jennifer was indeed an excellent cook. She knew her grandson was in good hands.

After dinner, Harm and Jennifer went upstairs to pack for their trip home. Harm put their bags in the trunk while Jennifer hugged and kissed Gram goodbye. Harm went over and did the same. Gram put both her hands on his shoulders and held him at arms' length to say, "Now Harmon, be good to that girl. She's the best thing to ever happen to you and I want to see a "Save the Date' notice soon."

"Yes ma'am. Once we have a date settled, we'll send yours first," Harm promised. He kissed her one more time and then got into the car and they drove away.

Monday, February 15, 1999

0745 Local Time

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

Harm was whistling as he signed in at the guard desk. He took his ID card from the lance corporal and went to the elevator.

"That's a man in love corporal," the gunnery sergeant in charge said.

"How can you tell gunny?" the corporal asked.

The gunny held up his own left hand showing his wedding band. "Because I know, that's why. Besides I'm the gunny. What I say goes."

Harm was twirling his hat again as he went through the double doors of the bullpen. After he put his things down in his office he went to the break room. The first person he encountered was Carolyn Imes. "Good morning Carolyn. How was your weekend?"

"Uh fine Harm how was yours?" Carolyn asked in return. She was stunned. Harm never talked about his weekends. Well not since before Christmas. She thought, 'I bet it has a lot to do with that Lt. Commander he was with at the New Year's ball.'

"Oh my weekend was great. I got engaged," Harm announced.

Carolyn nearly did a spit take on the coffee she was sipping. As it was she managed to swallow it but not without a bit of choking.

Harm went over to her and gave her a napkin asking, "Are you alright Carolyn?"

After wiping her eyes and coughing a bit to clear her throat Carolyn was able to answer, "I'm fine Harm. I was just a bit surprised. I thought you said you got engaged."

"I did. Jennifer and I went up to my grandmother's farm in Pennsylvania and I asked. She said yes."

"Well I'm very happy for you Harm and what is her name again?," Carolyn said going up to him and chastely kissing his cheek. She wiped her SWAK from there.

Harm said, "Thanks Carolyn and it's Jennifer. She's a surgeon at Bethesda."

"A surgeon and a lawyer in the same family, that's some combination. Your kids won't be able to decide who they should take after," Carolyn teased.

"Well before we have kids that have to decide on their profession first let's get married," Harm responded in kind.

"Get married, who's getting married?" Harriet asked from the break room threshold. She had only heard the last two words of Harm's sentence.

"Uh Jennifer and I are engaged. I asked her yesterday," Harm said.

With that Harriet squealed with joy and practically jumped onto Harm to hug him to smithereens.

"Uh thank you Harriet," Harm said a bit embarrassed at the display.

Carolyn just looked at him with amusement. She asked, "Did you tell your sisters?"

Harm had disengaged from Harriet as he answered, "Yeah I saw Sarah and Frank this morning at breakfast and I called Diane this morning and told her. They both said the same thing."

What was that?" the two women chorused.

"It's about time," Harm said.

Everyone shared a smile at that. Harm turned to Harriet and with a mock command tone said, "Now, lieutenant, except for Bud, keep the news to yourself. Allow me the pleasure of telling my own good news myself please. Here I'll make it even easier for you, that's an order!" He softened his order with his patented flyboy smile.

Harriet snapped to attention as she said, "Aye, aye sir, I'll let you have all the fun."

"Good besides I think the admiral would appreciate that I do it as low key as possible," Harm said.

"That would be a first commander," AJ said from the door. He added, "And what would you need to be low key about?"

The three officers snapped to as Harm answered, "My engagement to Dr. Coates, sir."

AJ surprised him as he crossed the room and offered his hand and said, "Congratulations, I had a feeling that was going to happen sooner rather than later."

"Thank you sir," Harm said happily accepting the well wishes.

"Just make sure my wife Sydney and I get a 'save the date' just as quickly,' AJ said with a grin.

"Aye sir and I'm sure she'll get a bridal shower invite as well," Harm said.

"Oh I'm sure she'll get one. They know each other from Bethesda. Frankly I'm surprised I haven't herad the news from Sydney herself yet," AJ said with a grin.

Everyone shared a laugh before he sobered up saying, "Alright I'm sure the lt. commander wants to spread his news on his own time, right now if you have your beverage of choice ready, let's get some work done today."

"Aye, aye sir!," the three chorused.

Friday, February 19, 1999

2130 Local Time

Jennifer's apartment

Georgetown, NW

Jennifer and Harm were lounging on the couch watching a movie. They both had endured long, hard weeks at work. Jennifer had five straight days of trauma surgeries while Harm and Sarah had a very rough two days in West Virginia dealing with anti-government separatists.

It started when Navy SEAL Medal of Honor winner Lt. Curtis Rivers is fired upon while on a training mission. He returned fire only to discover that he may have shot a seemingly unarmed 14-year-old boy. During Harm and Sarah's investigation, they discovered that the boy may have been accompanied by his uncle, a fugitive wanted by the F.B.I.

To complicate matters Rivers went UA to track down the fugitive and he was captured by the separatists. Harm and Sarah went after him. After trying to evade the separatists and their hound dogs, Harm and Sarah found themselves not only investigating the case, but trying to defend Rivers in a kangaroo court comprised of the separatists of who blamed him for the death of a young boy.

"I tell you Jennifer if it wasn't for Matt and NCIS intervening, I can't say what would have happened. The Feebies were more interested in capturing that Warren Toobin than they were in saving, Rivers, Sarah and I."

"Did they get him?" Jennifer asked.

"No, Matt and his team did. They came on the case when they heard Rivers went UA. When they got there, Matt told the Feebie agent in charge to shove his authority up his.."

"Be nice Harmon," Jennifer lovingly chastised him as she snuggled deeper into his body.

Harm sighed as he continued, "Well Matt was also instrumental in getting us out alive. He went right up to the leader of the separatists, who was also the father of the dead boy, and told him "If anything happens to the lieutenant, major and the commander, you Mr. Yarrow will be the first person I shoot. And I don't shoot to wound or capture."

"What happened then?"

"Yarrow's daughter convinced him to back down saying to that she didn't want to lose him to," Harm answered.

"Boy I don't have to just worry about you getting hurt flying. Just being a lawyer is hazardous enough," Jennifer commented.

"You got that right."

Jennifer had a gleam in her eye as she asked, "And what's this Sarah told me about you shooting up a courtroom?"

"Oh that," Harm said sheepishly. He went onto explain. "Well afterwards I had to apologize to the court and pay for the damages and so forth. Sarah said I was lucky that I wasn't dishonorably discharged."

"Yeah there is that," Jennifer replied.

"I tell you though it was funny the way Sarah ducked under our table. When I told her how funny she looked ducking, she said, "Marines don't duck they take cover," Harm chuckled.

"Hoo yah for Sarah," Jennifer said chuckling softly.

"Speaking of Sarah, she and Frank are going to look at a house in McLean tomorrow. They wanted to know if you and I want to tag along. You interested?" Harm asked.

"Sure that sounds like fun. We can make a day of it," Jennifer agreed.

"Good they'd like to meet us at about 1100 or 1130," Harm said.

"Great that just late enough for us to sleep in after we do what I have in mind for tonight," Jennifer said seductively.

"Oh and what is that?" Harm asked as he pecked at her lips.

"You know it's recommended in many medical journals that after the strenuous week we professional people had, that we use leisure activities and playtime to work off that stress," Jennifer said kissing him back.

"Oh what activities and playtime do you have in mind Dr. Coates?"

"Oh just this," Jennifer said kissing him deeply and reaching for his jeans button. She then spoke to Harm in the sexiest voice he ever heard, "What do you say we go into the bedroom and play doctor, commander."

"Oh I'm always ready to follow my doctor's orders," Harm replied as he got up to carry her into the aforementioned bedroom.