Right now I had this ridiculous mental image of marching up and down the square with the Colour Sergeant when I REALLY want to go to my piano lessons...
Ups...
Sorry, wrong show. :P
Right now I had this ridiculous mental image of jumping up and down, clapping, and exclaiming in a REALLY bad Marylin Monroe imitation, with a cheesy grin and holding down my pants because of the fan under my feet "You love me! You really love me!"
I'm bettin' y'all really grateful right about now for the mental image I just put into yer heads, huh? :P
I love being evil. :D
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"Right where you were." Jen shook her head and Harm joined in, assuring the girl "Nothing's changed, Matts. Just because there's a baby in the picture doesn't mean we love you any less or that we don't want you in our lives."
"In fact." he took a breath to fortify himself "I haven't even talked with Jen about this since there really was no time, but now with this new development I think there's a good chance you'll stay with us for more than 6 months... Since it wouldn't be just me now, but Jen and I applying together, I think we have a pretty good shot at adopting you..." he paused, searching her face for any indication on what she might think about it, but it was blank with shock.
Unsure of what was going on in her mind he finished cautiously "That is, if you want it?"
Next thing he knew Mattie was choking the life out of him and Jen with her tight embrace. Both women were bawling and Harm rolled his eyes, dreading the future of having to deal with two women, emotional at the same time. Thankfully his son helped him balance the estrogen out a bit, though having another son some time in the future to help further wasn't an all too unattractive idea...
Suggesting that to Jen right then probably wouldn't have been smart, though. It could've been all the excuse she'd need to go through with her rusty spoon promise. Harm shuddered at the thought.
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Holding onto Mattie as they cried Jen asked herself why hadn't she come up with this scheme herself, it was so simple. It also had a pretty good shot at working. The answer to that question wasn't long in coming: Harm had definitely had his life changed, but hers hadn't changed any less and she'd been through more than he today. He'd had the time to think about things, while she'd been thrown from one situation into the next one and all attention-consumming enough to stop her from concentrating on anything but what she was going through at that second.
Ever since she'd collapsed in the bullpen her world had been a whirlwind, at first filled with pain, confusion and fear. Then the fear of death had disappeared, to be replaced with the fear of giving birth when it was discovered she was in reality pregnant and not having a ruptured bladder. After she'd given birth the pain had gradually subsided, leaving behind confusion over how she could've been pregnant in the first place and fear of the future: how would she turn out as a mother and how would she be able to provide for her child and herself on the measly pay she received as a Petty Officer in one of the most expensive cities in the country.
Then everything was forgotten at the sight of her son's eyes, the eyes she knew so well...
The memory of that morning came back, waking up naked in Harm's bed in his arms and then doing the Walk of Shame, thus answering the important how, when and who.
With the identity of her baby's father discovered all the worry had faded aways. There was no stranger who'd received her one-time-only gift and left her a present of his own, only a man she knew well and respected more than anyone else. Not to mention liked and loved...
The relief at the truth of her baby's paternity was so great all her other worries slipped away, unimportant for the moment.
Suddenly, before she could really take a breath, life started up again and took the fast lane.
Then, after Harm had left to pick up Mattie she had promptly fallen into a deep sleep brought on by the physical and emotional exhaustion of the day, leaving her no chance to think about her current situation and all the doors and possibilities it had opened and closed at the same time. She'd woken up only when Mattie had excused herself, thinking she'd gotten the wrong room, taking up all her attention again.
On top of that, she was still sore, exhausted and desperately in need of a shower.
Yet through all these issues and minutaes of her suddenly married maternal life a beacon shone, filling her heart with happiness at seeing all she had ever wanted within her grasp.
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"There's more, Mattie..." Jen finally saw the chance to reveal the last secret.
"How could there be more?" Mattie wondered aloud "Hasn't it been enough?"
"Harm and I got married today. A friend of Harm's from the CIA then made it look as if we've been married since before Harm returned to JAG."
Mattie observed them for a short while before shaking her head in bemusement, still too stunned to be surprised "You two are just full of surprises today, aren't you?"
Turning to look at Harm she raised an eyebrow "That's why you figure you'd have better chances at the next custody hearing, huh? A married couple with a child instead of a single man..."
Harm nodded, pride at her intelligence shining in his eyes.
"Now that all is settled..." Mattie said with a fake pompous air, as if she'd just closed negotiations between two corporations, worth billions of dollars; effectively ending that line of conversation and directing them to the more important things "How about introducing me to the little guy here?"
Jen smiled and angled the baby so Mattie could see his sleeping face.
"Mattie, meet your new brother."
Mattie leaned in, closely examining the small face, satisfied to confirm her secret suspicion that Harm and Jen would make beautiful babies, a suspicion born from a wish for the only two important people in her life to find happiness together.
"He looks a lot like you and Harm." she finally decided "What's his name?"
When she didn't immediately get an answer Mattie looked inquisitively at her hopefully-future parents, who were looking quite embarrassed.
"We haven't gotten that far yet, Mattie." Jen finally admitted sheepishly "Everything's been happening so fast we haven't even had time to pick a name."
Harm looked equally embarrassed, but only shrugged mutely "It's been a busy day, Matts."
"You can say that again." Jen muttered, looking at the bundle in her arms.
"It's been a busy day." Harm repeated mischeviously, eyes sparkling with humor, causing Mattie to giggle softly and Jen shake her head in exasperated amusement.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Jen frowned, but there was a twinkle in her eyes.
"If you haven't come up with a name can I make a suggestion?" Mattie looked at them hopefully.
"Sure, go ahead."
"How about William?"
Harm looked thoughtful "William. William Rabb. A good, strong name." he nodded approvingly.
"I like it too." Jen responded, looking down at her son "What do you think? Do you feel like a William?"
The baby of course said nothing, just slept on.
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