Broken Bough
Chapter 10
Friday, January 3, 2003
2130 Local Time
Harm & Mac's Loft
North of Union Station
While everyone was agreeing to the plans so far, Trish asked, "What about the marriage license?"
"Oh Harm and I got that yesterday morning after we left Captain Olcott's office," Mac replied.
"Like I said, you two don't want to waste any time," Harriet commented.
Mac smiled as Harriet continued, "Between Loren and I we should haven't have any problems finding gowns that look good on pregnant women. Still I won't be as prominent as Loren will be."
Loren smiled as she suggested, "Harriet, remember that gown you wore at the Surface Warfare Ball? You looked great in that. I know it was borrowed, but why don't we go that way in deciding."
"Yeah but we still have to match to what Carolyn will be wearing, if she accepts," Harriet replied.
"And Chloe as well," Mac said.
"Come to think of it we still haven't told Chloe. I think she'll freak when she finds out. We'll hear her scream from her grandmother's farm without aid of the phone," Harm smirked.
"You know, why don't we give her call now. It's not too late," Mac suggested reaching for the phone.
"This should be good," Bud said.
Mac nodded as she waited for call to be answered. They all knew when they heard her say, "Hello Martha, it's Mac. Is Chloe there? I have some news for her."
There was a bit of wait as Mac overheard Martha call out, "Chloe! It's Mac. Pick up the phone in the living room."
Mac heard the click as first Chloe picked up the extension and then Martha hanging up. Then she heard the inevitable, "Mac, happy New Year! What took you so long to call?"
"Well I've been busy. Harm and I celebrated New Year's Eve together then we just lay around relaxing, enjoying being engaged..."
That was all Mac got out as Chloe screamed over the phone, "You guys are engaged!"
Everyone sitting around the living room smiled as they heard the scream as Mac waited for Chloe's excitement to die down.
"Yes he asked me New Years Eve and I sat yes on the stroke of midnight," Mac explained.
"When are you getting married?" Chloe asked.
"This Valentine's Day at a Friday evening mass," Mac replied.
"Wow I can't wait to be there," Chloe gushed.
"Well, tell Martha that you and your father and your grandparents will be getting an invitation by the beginning of next week. Also Chloe Harm and I want you to be in the wedding party as a junior bridesmaid," Mac said.
"Oh I can't wait. That means I have to get a new dress and everything. OH it's gonna be so great," Chloe gushed.
"Well we'll look forward to seeing all of you next month. Tell your Dad hi and Happy New Year from Harm and I," Mac said.
"I will Mac and congratulations. I'm so happy for you guys," Chloe said as they completed the call.
When Mac pressed the off button on the portable phone she smiled and cementing her tongue to cheek said, "Well I guess she was happy for us."
"What ya think! Loren said.
The rest of the evening went along as the group finalized a few plans.
It was Harriet who reminded that it was time to put any more planning on hold as she said, "I think it's time we get AJ home to bed."
"Yeah you're right, he hasn't made a sound since he went into the bedroom to watch his movie. He must be exhausted," Loren said.
Harriet got up and walking over to the bedroom she looked in on AJ. The TV that Harm installed there was showing the DVD Screen saver and AJ was fast asleep in the middle of Harm & Mac's big bed.
Harm was right behind Harriet as he said, "Let me get his jacket and while you get his stuff together, Bud and I will get him into the car.
"Okay Harm," Harriet said.
Harm put on his bomber jacket and got AJ's coat. He and Bud managed to get him zipped up in it without waking him. Without any effort Harm picked his godson up to hold him so that his head was against his shoulder. In his sleep AJ propped his little hands on Harm's shoulders and buried his head into the crook of Harm's neck. Harm carried his precious bundle out of the room and meeting Bud on the way went down the elevator with him.
While Harm and Bud went down to the Roberts' minivan, Harriet said her goodbyes. "It was so nice to finally meet you Trish I know we'll have a good time planning this wedding."
"Me to Harriet, it'll be fun. Now I need to find a hotel. I planned my flight so quickly that I forgot to make hotel reservations."
"Trish why don't you stay with me at my apartment, it has an extra bedroom," Loren offered.
"I don't know. You have your job and you don't need the extra stress of being pregnant and entertaining me," Trish tried to demure.
But Loren wouldn't have it as she said, "I will need help planning the wedding for Sarah and I could use the company. Besides we can have another girly night with Sarah and you can dish on all of Harm's little secrets."
Trish smiled at Loren's cheekiness and replied. "You know that does sound like fun. Besides it'll save me a lot of money. It would have cost a fortune to stay in DC for a month and a half."
"Good you can ride home with me tonight," Loren suggested.
"Fine let me say good night to Harm and Sarah and we'll get going then. I'm exhausted from all that traveling on a round trip across the country in three days. I wasn't even over the jet lag before I got on another plane to come back," Trish said.
"Good let me use the bathroom. Junior here seems to like to rest himself or herself on my bladder. Then I'll get my coat and we'll be on our way," Loren replied.
When Harm came back up to the loft, Mac explained his mother's accommodation plan.
"That sounds like a good idea," Harm said.
When Trish was ready to leave, she gave Harm a kiss goodnight and walked with Mac down to Loren's car. Loren was coming out of the bathroom and Harm was waiting with her coat. When he helped her shrug it on he said, "Hey come here."
Loren turned and Harm surprised her by enveloping her in a tight hug. Getting over her surprise Loren hugged him back just as tightly.
"Thanks for taking care of my mom, Loren," Harm said in a hoarse whisper.
She pulled away a little and said, "Lower altitude "Uncle" Harm."
When Harm did so, Loren cupped his face with one hand on his cheek while she sweetly and lovingly kissed the other cheek. While she wiped the lipstick mark off she said, "You're welcome Harm. She's a very sweet lady."
"Yeah, but don't let her spoil you, and she will try," Harm teased.
Loren smirked knowingly saying, "Hey maybe I can use a little spoiling. God knows I barely got it from my own mother before she passed away."
"Well there is that. Come on I'll walk down with you," Harm said.
When they got to the car Harm helped load his mom's two pieces of luggage it in the backseat. Trish said, "Don't worry darling, I'll be able to pull it out and roll it along when Loren and I get home.
"Okay and Loren call me when you get home so that I know you two got home alright," Harm said.
Loren just waved in acknowledgement as she got into the car.
After Loren buckled in and drove away she said in familial exasperation, "That son of yours is one overprotective nudge."
Trish smiled as she said, "Well get used to it. You'll find that Harm will protect to the death those he loves the most, especially those in his family. And I know that you are in that category."
"Well I'm honored to be in that company then," Loren said hoarsely.
Trish was a bit alarmed by that as she asked, "Loren you give me the idea that there are not a lot of people in your life that you are friendly with."
Loren sighed before she said, "Well you're right about that. When we get to my or rather our apartment, we'll sit and I'll tell you my whole story," Loren said reassuringly.
"Can't wait to hear it dear," Trish said.
After they got home and Loren hung up with Harm, Trish volunteered, "Why don't I make us some tea while you make whatever preparations you need to make. Then we'll sit and talk. I could use the unwinding. Thank goodness tomorrow's Saturday. Do you have to be anywhere in the morning?"
Loren answered from the extra bedroom, "No I usually take advantage and sleep late. Junior here appreciates that."
Trish chuckled at that as she said, "Good then we'll have that talk."
While Loren got the guest room ready Trish found what she needed in Loren's kitchen and made the tea.
As they sat and enjoyed the brew, Loren told Trish her story. After they said goodnight and Trish was laying in bed she said to herself, "My son picks the most wondrous women to love and share his life with."
Saturday, January 4, 2003
1130 Local Time
Loren Singer's Apartment
Georgetown, NW
Loren woke to the smell of fresh bacon and coffee. At first she was alarmed but then in the next second, she remembered that she had a new roommate in Trish.
Trish was already dressed in her casual clothes of loose jeans, and a pink button down blouse. She had house slippers on her feet.
Trish brightened when she saw a bed disheveled Loren wander into the dining area. She asked, "Loren did you sleep well?"
Loren brushed a massive amount of hair from her face before she answered with, "Yeah Trish. Junior here is like a bed warmer. Since I've gotten a bit big, I just fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow."
"Yes it was the same way when I was carrying Harm," Trish replied.
"Trish if you don't mind my asking what was it like raising Harm on your own while his father was deployed?" Loren asked.
When she saw the look of sadness cross Trish's face, she thought she crossed a line that she shouldn't have. But she was put at ease when Trish smiled and said, "Oh Harm was a handful. He kept getting up everyday hoping his dad would be walking through the door. The worst part was the summer when he was sixteen and he left home without my permission to go Vietnam to look for his father."
Loren was so surprised at that revelation that she jerked her head back like it was slapped. She recovered to enough to say, "I had no idea. He never told me that. But then again we've only begun to get along in the last few months. He's really a great guy. Sarah is so lucky to have him. But you have to tell me about his trip to Vietnam."
"Well it was just after when I had no choice but to declare his father dead. Then shortly after and Frank and I married, he found out about a man named Stryker. Stryker was making promises of finding non-returned POWs and MIAs," Trish began. She told Harm's story all the way till when he saw his teenage guide Gim getting killed by Laotian border guards.
Trish finished with, "He didn't talk about the trip for a very long time. At the time all I knew was that he came back a very changed person. I strongly believe that he did a lot of growing up then."
"Sergei told me about Harm senior and how he died protecting his mother from being raped by some rogue Russian soldiers," Loren began.
"Yes Harm told me that story shortly after he and Mac returned from their first trip to Russia," Trish confirmed. She continued, "It was right after I heard that story that Frank and I renewed our marriage vows. We felt guilty about getting married thinking that there was a chance that Harm Sr. may be alive. Also after that Harm and Frank started to get along a bit better."
Loren nodded as she said, "What I really would like is a bit of advice in raising a child as a single mother."
"Loren there is no advice I can give you except that you need to love your child, but have a firm hand. Get involved with everything they are into, especially at school. Make time to be there for all his or her important events. Also don't forget that you'll have great support from Harm & Sarah. If there is one thing you can depend on from my son is that he will not ever abandon his friends or family."
Loren nodded at that feeling very good knowing what sort of family she was going to bring her baby into.
1430 Hours
Baxter's Printing Shop
Georgetown, NW
When Mac and Harm walked up to the counter of the print shop a slightly over middle aged African American gentleman asked them, "Good afternoon, I'm Martin Baxter. What can I do for you good people?"
Mac stuck out her hand and replied, "Hello I'm Sarah Mackenzie and this is my fiancé Harmon Rabb. We just got engaged last New Year's and we're planning to get married this coming Valentine's Day."
Mr. Baxter was a bit taken aback, but recovered well as he said, "Well I see that this will be rush job. Just a second let me get the specialist in that."
With that he turned his head and raising his voice he said, "Angelique, can you please come out front? We have to do another fast one."
Turning to Mac and Harm he said, "My daughter is the nuts and bolts of this place. She'll guide through anything that you need."
"Thank you," was all Mac said before a very pretty girl with braids walked out from the back saying, "Yes dad?"
Motioning toward them Mac Baxter said, "This is Sarah and Harm. They're getting married this Valentine's Day. I'll leave them in your capable hands." With that he turned and walked away.
Angelique came from around the counter and shook hands with Mac and Harm. "Won't you please come into my office and we can get started." They walked into an office off to the side of the reception area.
As Mac and Harm entered the office Mac asked, "Another fast one?"
"Yes we specialize in getting invitations out fast. This being DC we understand that there are a lot of military personnel living here. Lots of times there are a lot of couples wanting to get married quickly before either one or both of them are getting deployed," Angelique explained.
Mac and Harm smiled at that knowing that they came to the right place.
Angelique then asked, "How did you hear of us?"
"You made the wedding invitations for our friends Bud and Harriet Roberts," Mac explained.
"Oh yes I remember them. How are they doing?" Angelique asked.
"Well they have a son, who we love to spoil as he's also our godson,' Mac answered. She didn't want to burden Angelique with the fact that the Roberts lost little Sarah.
"So seeing that you want to get married quickly are either of you in the military?"
"Yes I'm in the Navy and Sarah is in the Marines," Harm explained.
"Oh good what do you do?"
"Well we're in the Navy JAG Corps. Sarah is a judge at the Navy Yard LSO and I'm a litigator/investigator at the Falls Church JAG Headquarters," Harm explained.
"So you want to get married quickly because one or both of you is going to be deployed," Angelique asked.
"No not likely as we're both somewhat senior in rank, we stand a very small chance of being deployed or assigned to an out of country billet," Mac explained.
"Okay then so do you want to use your ranks in the invitation?"
"Yes we do. We were thinking that we would use something like this," Mac said as she reached into her briefcase and withdrew a form.
Angelique scanned the simply printed form that said,
Lt. Colonel Sarah Catherine Mackenzie, USMC
Commander Harmon David Rabb, Jr., USN
Request the honor of your presence for their celebration as they go forward together
In Holy Matrimony
Friday, February 14, 2003
Nuptial Mass to take place at 7:00 pm at
St. Mary, Mother of God R.C. Church
727 5th St NW, Washington, DC
Reception at half past eight at the
Army Navy Club on Farragut Square
901 Seventeenth Street, NW, Washington, DC
Dress uniforms invited
Angelique smiled at the choice of wording. She said, "This is doable. How many are you going to need?"
"Let's start with two hundred. Is there any way you can help us get some invitations out over the internet," Mac asked.
"Yes I can help with that. I can E-Mail you a copy of the finished product in a PDF. It will have all the same styles that you will choose," Angelique explained.
"Great that will speed up the process. Harm and I plan to give out a lot of the invitations at our offices. The rest we thought we'd E-Mail out to our friends that are deployed or assigned out of the area. We figured to keep the actual mailing to a minimum," Mac explained.
"Great, now let me get our catalogue of stationary that you can choose from. By the way I would assume that you need this done by the middle of the week?" Angelique asked.
"You can do that?" Mac and Harm both asked together.
Angelique smiled and said, "Yes I can. Once I program our computer, the printing press will make everything up within forty eight hours. I can get started today. I can have a sample ready by Monday. Once you approve that, I can get the rest done in twenty four hours, you can pick up everything on Thursday," Angelique explained with a smile.
"Oh that's so great," Mac gushed. Harm smiled and nodded his approval. Angelique proceeded to take them through the process.