AN: Hey guys, it's been a while, hasn't it? I was re-reading this story the other and decided that it was time to finish up. Only the epilogue to follow after this. Hope you enjoy!

Rutherford Residence
Port St. Lucie, FL
1103 hours local

Today is the day. I became a granddad today. And it's the most amazing feeling in the world. I don't feel that old, but Daelynn really rubbed it in. "You're a grandpa now, Dad. I get to be the cool aunt, but you're a grandfather now."

Our daughter gave birth to a beautiful little girl today. I am the proud grandfather of Ava Thalia Hall. Savannah didn't end up marrying Jeffrey after all. They split when Jeffrey was asked to move to Seattle to go work for a newspaper there. Savannah decided that she didn't want to be that far away from us; that Jeffrey for some reason wasn't worth the move.

Honestly, only Mac knows what really happened between the two, and she never spoke about it. I'm guessing Savannah asked her not to.

But, right now, the whole family is gathered here, to see our newest addition. Mac beams up at me, smiling. She's overcome her cancer, thankfully, and has been cancer free for over six years. We're all just extremely grateful that she's still around.

Bryce comes bursting in, with his on-and-off girlfriend Mia in tow. "And? Did Vannah do a good job?" he asks.

I grin at him. "Oh, yeah. She's gorgeous. Looks every bit like her mother."

Bryce grins back. "Thank god. I would feel sorry for her if she looked anything like Mitchell."

"I heard that," comes another voice from the back of the room. Mitch is grinning like an idiot, much like I was when Savannah was just born. He's extremely proud of both his girls. As he should be.

Mitchell and Savannah met when Savannah came back to Florida after college. Mitch is really a great guy. They tied the knot after three years of dating and they've been happy every since.

"Congrats, Mitch," Bryce says. "I'm sure that you've done a great job." He winks.

Mitch smiles. "Thanks, little brother. You want to see your niece?"

"Absolutely."

Mitch takes him and Mia to see Ava. We've all seen her. We're waiting to see Savannah.

Mac softly squeezes my arm. It hit me a few hours ago. This suspension, this feeling when Ava was finally here, the proud I feel of my daughter becoming a mother herself… Mom and Frank never got to experience that. They've never met any of their grandchildren. I suddenly understand what they've missed out on.

We always stood by our decision to stick to our cover story. The kids don't know anything about our former lives. We didn't want to burden them with that. But at the same time, I realize that the kids have missed out on grandparents and a real family.

Not that it really matters. Mac has convinced me that it's better to let go. It won't make any difference in the lives of our children anymore. They are happy with our good friends, which they see as our family. You can't miss something that you never had in the first place.

Mac beams up at me. "She's gorgeous," she says, directing my mind to other things.

I smile. My wife really know me well. "She is. She looks like Savannah."

"She has Mitchell's nose, though." Mac grins. "You're a grandfather, now. Who would've thought that we'd be living here, say, thirty years ago? When we just got to know each other as partners at JAG?"

I know I didn't. If I would've had it my way by then, life would've been completely different. I would still be in the Navy, or I would've been almost retired by now, but I would've served my country until I physically wouldn't be able to anymore. But on the other hand, things haven't really turned out awful altogether in the end. It might not be the choice I would've made, but it's great anyway.

"Let's go, Harm. Let's go see our kids."

The room is full when we arrive. Savannah is glowing, Bryce is being his usual bubbly self and Daelynn looks every bit the proud aunt she should be. It might now have been the path I'd chosen for myself, but I'm grateful that fate had this in store for me.

TBC