A Nickel Trumps a Dime of Fate
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG or any of the characters. I just take them out and play with them on occasion before replacing them safe and sound back on the shelf.
Part 8
13:05
Monday, Christmas Day
25 December 2006
The Burnett Home
La Jolla, California
Mac watched the house come into view as Harm maneuvered the car into the driveway. She rested her head back against the seat; the activities of the last 24 hours were fast catching up with her. They'd stopped at the Worthington home before traveling on to the Burnetts. Harm discovered that he inadvertently still had Julia's suitcase in the trunk. Apparently when Julia left the night before, she'd forgotten to ask for her luggage…or more likely didn't want to interrupt the heated discourse occurring in the study. Luckily she had a family member of similar size and had survived nicely without her packed clothing.
They decided to swing by the house to give Julia her things and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. On second introductions, Mac had to admit that Julia was a lovely person. In fact, if she lived closer, Mac would have found her a wonderful friend. Julia made sure that Mac understood, in no uncertain terms, that she and Harm were just friends. Harm only ventured out of the house for social occasions when required by office. Julia had served as his date for those rare occasions. He'd made it perfectly clear he wasn't interested in anything more.
As they were leaving the house, Julia pulled Mac in for a hug and told her to hold on tight to her sailor, he was a one in a million kind of guy. Releasing Mac, she moved on to Harm and gave similar advice. Mac was a beauty who clearly was worth the effort and wait. She wished both of them luck and requested an invitation to the wedding with a mischievous wink and a grin.
As they drove toward La Jolla, Harm had reached for her hand, "Mac, I just want to make sure you understand about Julia?"
She smiled with reassurance, "Harm, I understand she was nothing more than a friend. Besides, even if she had been, I didn't have a hold on you. You were free to see whomever you wanted."
He rolled his eyes in animated disbelieve, "Mac, you've always had a hold on me, whether I wanted to admit it or not. I always belonged to you, even when I was actually with someone else." He brought her hand to his lips for a kiss, "How about you? Did you ever consider seeing someone else?"
She smiled at his attempts at nonchalance, "Harm, there was no one for me either. In the event that I had a social engagement associated with work, I was lucky enough to have one of our D.C. friends around."
"Like who?"
"Well, once Bud was working a case in San Diego and was able to act as my escort. A couple of times Sturgis was around." She turned to look at him more fully, "You knew he and Varese are getting married, right?"
Harm shook his head, "I had no idea. He and I kinda lost touch?"
Mac grinned, "You should see him…he's practically ecstatic. I can't remember ever seeing him more animated and bubbly. I think Varese is really good for him…she got him out of his funk or whatever his problem was in the last couple of years." Her eyes lit up, "And then there's the Admiral, he happened to be in town for a few baseball games and attend a couple of receptions with me."
"How is AJ? I haven't heard from him since his dining out?"
She laughed, "I think he's in love."
Harm's eyebrows raised in surprise, "Really? With whom, I mean after Meredith, I didn't think he'd ever go that route again."
"Weelll, as a matter of fact…it's with someone who's an old flame. I don't think he ever really got over her." Harm took his eyes off the road and glanced over in question. "AJ seems to be spending a lot of time in Italy."
Harm shrugged his shoulders, "His daughter lives there."
Mac shook her head and grinned impishly, "Francesca spends most of her time traveling between Milan, Paris or New York. No, this someone happens to be his ex-wife…although, I suspect, not an ex for much longer."
Harm chuckled, "He got back together with his ex?"
Mac nodded, "Yeah, and you should see him…he's almost giddy. I don't think I've ever seen him so happy. You know, those last two years at JAG were really tough on him. The SecNav came down hard after the Lindsey report, then you went on trial, I went on that fiasco to Paraguay, you resigned your commission. I think he felt he lost control of his people…that he failed us all in some way. He said, he knew it was time to move on, but he wished it had been on better terms."
He winked, "Wait until he hears about us, he'll never believe it."
She laughed, "Don't be so sure…I think he had us figured out long before we did. Remember, he's the one that told us not to get too close way back in the Rose Garden."
Harm stared ahead, "Yeah, and he did ask me what I would do to keep you."
She shook her head, "Harm, we were idiots…or blind fools, I not sure which. At least we got it right now."
He placed their joined hands on his thigh and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand, "Yeah, we did…we may be slow, but at least we didn't settle for less than the best."
They spent the remainder of the ride in comfortable silence. When they stopped in front of the house, he ran around the car to open her door. Extending a hand, he pulled her out of the car and into his arms, "You look exhausted, Marine." He held on tight, rocking them to and fro in a soothing motion. When he heard her yawn, he pulled back and smiled, "Let's get you inside. Maybe after dinner, we can both take a nap." His grinned, "I'll even show you my old bedroom…I'm sure Mom won't mind in the least that I have a girl in my room." He leaned in for a quick kiss then tugged on her hand to drag her up the drive.
The engrossed couple failed to notice the parted drapes and the three smiling faces celebrating their moment of victory. Frank snuck into the room and barked, "That's enough you three…can't you give them a little privacy? And don't hit them up with 20 questions as soon as they walk in the door."
Dinner was a lively affair. Everyone took the time to catch-up on the latest news. After a brief gift exchange, all parties scattered in opposite directions. Mattie headed out to spend the evening with Jen. Frank and Tom Johnson retreated to the study to catch the football game. Trish and Evie retired to the back patio to exchange the latest, well everything. And Harm dragged an exhausted Mac up the back stairs and into his old childhood haunt.
She smiled as they walked into the room, "Your mom didn't change much in here." She ran a finger over the top of the dresser, taking in the row of sports trophies and ribbons. Turning around in a circle, she was met by posters of Tomcats being catapulted into flight, landing on carriers, glowing in afterburn. She laughed at an old Academy photo of a young cadet Rabb with Keeter and Sturgis.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bed, "I thought you were tired?"
She stifled a yawn, "I am, but this all so enlightening. I can't wait for your mom to show me the old family photo album." She laughed when his eyebrows hit his hairline, "I don't suppose there are any pictures of a naked baby Rabb?"
He pulled her to his side and tucked her in tight, "I don't know about baby pictures, but…" he leaned over to whisper in her ear. He laughed when she ducked her face into his neck with a blush. Kissing the top her head, he whispered, "Let's get some sleep…I'm exhausted."
Trish found them tangled together in slumber an hour later. She watched her son smile in his sleep as he slipped his hand beneath Mac's sweater and ran his fingertips along the skin of her lower back. Mac snuggled in closer and slipped her leg between his. Trish grinned in delight at the scene; her son finally had what he loved most. She tiptoed into the room and laid her bundle on the bed. Turning to leave the room, she noticed Mac's necklace laced between the fingers of her left hand. Trish tipped her head back and released a silent 'hallelujah' into the air. Walking out the bedroom door, she whispered to her partner in scheme, "Now for those grandkids."
Mac awoke slowly and stretched into the warmth at her side. She wrinkled her brow in concentration. Shaking her head, she swore she remembered something about grandkids in her dream. Looking around the room, she caught sight of an album resting at the foot of the bed. Wiggling out of Harm's embrace, she reached for the album, suppressing a giggle with her hand. Ask and ye shall receive, she mused as she flipped through the pictures of a little boy sailor.
Harm found her with tears in her eyes several minutes later. Instantly concerned, he sat up and pulled her into his arms, "Mac, what's wrong?" She ran her fingers over the photo of a chubby angelic faced cherub, the baby version of her sailor. He looked over her shoulder at the album in her lap. "Ah, I see Mom has struck again." He teased in her ear, "I know the thought of me as an out of control toddler is a scary prospect, but I promise that I don't act like that anymore." When his joke failed to relieve the emotional distress, he sobered, "Sweetheart, what is it?"
"This is how I always imagined my child would look," she whispered in despair.
He took her hand, "Funny, when I imagine my child, she always looks like a miniature version of you."
She looked into his eyes, "You imagined our child?" He leaned his forehead against hers and nodded. She stroked his cheek, "When?"
He pushed the album aside, "Well, the easy answer would be when I proposed the baby deal on the steps of JAG…but, the honest answer is about two seconds after you pulled me into that helo in the deserts of Arizona."
"You imagined our child back then?"
He shrugged, "Mac, you blew me away from the start. At first, it was because of who you reminded me of, but that only lasted a heartbeat. When you put me in my place and told me my smile didn't work on you, I was intrigued…you were a challenge that made me want to know more. But it was your unwavering commitment to your uncle and your willingness to put your life and career on the line that won me over. That's who I wanted my daughter to be…strong, independent, intelligent, loyal, loving and kind." He smiled, "The beautiful part didn't hurt either. I don't know, I could just see her in you."
She placed a kiss on his cheek and leaned in to whisper in his ear, "I've got a confession to make. If you think your kiss throws off my internal clock, you don't even want to know what that smile of yours does to me."
He grinned, "Oh yeah…what about the dress whites and gold wings."
She shook her head, "No those don't do it…not that you don't look good in them." She ran her fingers through his hair, "No, my shining knight showed up in a rose garden wearing dress blues with his cover pulled low over the most amazing eyes…granted the ride on the Tomcat came later, but that real life version of my fairy tale image will always be my favorite."
He ran his lips over her cheek in a gentle caress, "You set some pretty high expectations for a guy, Marine." He kissed her closed lids.
She leaned into his touch, "Maybe…but you usually exceed them."
He whispered over her lips, "I love you, Sarah MacKenzie."
They were interrupted by a knock on the door, "Harm…Sarah…we were just about to make dinner. I thought you might like a moment to freshen up."
He rolled his eyes at the interruption, "We'll be right down, Mom."
He stood up from the bed and tugged on her hand. Pulling her into his arms, he hugged her close, "Mac, don't give up on those dreams of our children. Things have a way of working themselves out." When she started to protest, he shushed her with a kiss, "I know the doctor told you the chances were small; but I promise you, we'll make it work. If not by natural means, then we'll adopt. If Mattie has taught me nothing else, it's that you love your kids no matter how they're given to you." Interlocking their fingers, he winked, "Come on, let's go get something to eat and socialize with the family for awhile."
They arrived in the kitchen to find Trish and Frank heating up leftovers from the Christmas dinner. Harm glanced around the kitchen and family room, "Where's Mattie and Evie?"
Trish pointed to the outside deck, "Evie's sitting outside enjoying the view and Mattie's still gone with Jen. I don't expect her back until late."
Harm grabbed Mac's jacket and a chenille throw, "Hey Marine, why don't you go keep Evie company while I help with the food."
"That's OK, I can help…maybe Trish or Frank would prefer to sit outside."
Trish came over and gave her hug, "Nonsense dear, you're a guest, and besides, Evie has hardly had time to visit with you today. Now go on and enjoy the evening. We'll be out with dinner before long." Once Mac had left the kitchen, Trish nudged her son, "Anything you'd like to tell us?"
He began to cut up the loaf of crusty bread for turkey sandwiches, "What do you mean? I think you already know that Mac and I have finally worked things out."
Trish placed her arms akimbo, "Harmon Rabb, don't tell me you expect to keep that ring a secret."
His mouth hung agape, "How did you…I mean, I don't know what you're talking about." At her look of incredulity, he acquiesced, "Mom, please don't say anything. Mac wanted to keep it a secret between us for now."
"Why the heck for," she threw up her hands. "Harm, I've been waiting forever for the two of you to figure out, what the rest of us saw in an instant. It's not like you're getting any younger, mister. I would think you would want to move things along…I would like more grandchildren sometime in the near future."
He cringed, "Mom, this is the exact reason why we want to keep this quiet. You, Evie and Mattie are a bit…overwhelming. We need some time to work out logistics and to just enjoy being an us, before we think about more."
"But Harm…."
"Mom, I love you, but please just give us some time. And don't say anything to Mac about the ring."
She wrinkled her nose, "How much time? You know a wedding doesn't just happen…it takes planning and scheduling and ordering."
He sidled up to her side and placed an arm around her waist, "Mom, we'll let you know. As for all that planning and stuff, the wedding that Mac really wants doesn't require a lot of work." At Trish's frown of question, he explained, "She once told me her dream wedding would be a simple ceremony on a hillside with goats." He laughed at her shocked expression and leaned in to kiss her cheek, "It's OK Mom…I imagine we can forgo the goats, but I'm thinking a simple ceremony on the beach with a few close friends would be just about perfect."
Trish shook her head and chuckled, "Whatever it takes to get you two married is fine by me. Now about those grandkids."
He hugged her close, "Mom, I love you, but subtly was never one of your fine points. Remember when I told you that Mac has problems with infertility? Well, subtle suggestions like that photo album just serve to remind her of what she can't have. So for both our sakes, please don't mention grandchildren."
She turned to caress his cheek, "But dear, there's other ways."
He leaned into her hand and whispered, "I know Mom, and we're talking about them. But accepting those other alternatives, means giving up on a dream…and Mac's not quite there yet. Please, give us some time to work through it, before you push the grandmother angle."
Frank walked up behind the pair, "We understand, Son. And just so you know, you don't have to contribute genetically to a child to love them like they're your own." Frank squeezed his shoulder.
Harm placed a hand atop Frank's, "Thanks, Dad…and I love you, too."
Trish blinked back tears and smiled at her two guys, "Well, I guess we should get this food out to Mac and Evie." Handing a couple of plates to Harm, she asked, "So are you going to be staying with Sarah again tonight?"
He shook his head, "No Mom, I'm gonna drive her home and then come back here. I thought I'd spend the day with Mattie tomorrow. She and Tom will be leaving in a couple of days and I want a chance to catch-up before she goes. Besides, Mac has to work tomorrow, I plan to have dinner with her after work." He leaned in to place a kiss on Trish's cheek, "Remember…subtle, don't overwhelm…that goes for me too."
17:00
Tuesday
2 January 2007
Mac watched the scenery fly past the car window. She couldn't believe how fast the week had flown by. She and Harm had spent every evening together following Christmas. True to his word, he'd taken her dancing on New Year's Eve. They'd rung in the New Year in style…together for the first time ever at the stroke of midnight.
Now they were on their way to the airport. He had a red-eye flight out to New York, before connecting on to London. She chewed on her lip trying to keep the tears at bay, while she silently contemplated the weeks until they would be together again. This was more difficult than when they weren't talking. At least then, she didn't have to think about what she was missing. Back then, she could only imagine, but now she knew how it felt to be in his arms to….
He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze, "Hey, you're awfully quiet. What are you thinking about?"
She played with the ring on the chain around her neck, "I don't want you to go." She closed her eyes, failing to prevent the tears from sliding down her cheeks.
He lifted her hand to place a kiss on her palm, "I know…I don't want to leave either. But we'll see each other again in a few weeks, you're still coming for Valentine's Day, right?"
She licked her lips, "Yeah, but that's too far away." She swiped at her eyes, "I'm sorry…I'm not making this very easy on you." He pulled the car up to the terminal in the flight departure lane. She looked up in a panic, "No, I don't wanna drop you off here. I want to park the car and come in with you."
"Mac, it'll be easier if we say our goodbyes here."
She shook her head, "No, you still have at least an hour. I wanna spend every minute I can with you, please?"
He reached out to wipe away a tear, "Alright, if you're sure, but I…"
"I'm sure…I just wanna wait with you."
They parked the car and checked his luggage at international check-in. Wandering down the terminal, they stopped at a coffee shop close to the final security clearance. Sitting at a table, they exchanged small talk and held hands, neither one wanting to break the physical connection until forced.
When the announcement came overhead for pre-boarding, he led her into an alcove and pulled her into his arms. He held her tight and felt her body shaking. "Sweetheart, we'll talk on the phone, exchange e-mails…you'll see, the time will fly by…we'll be back together in a few weeks. In the mean time, we can both contact our detailers about other billet options. I know at our pay-grade that will take some time, but other military couples do this long distance relationship thing and survive just fine."
She hung her head, "I know, but we just took so long to get to this point. I don't want to be separated anymore."
He stroked his hands up and down her back, "I know…I don't wanna be apart anymore, either. But we'll make this work, I promise…I plan to marry you, Sarah MacKenzie. And the sooner the better!" That won him a small smile. He leaned down to place a kiss on her lips, "I love you."
She returned the kiss with ardor, "I love you, too."
He pulled back slightly, "I have to go…drive home safely."
She nodded, "Call me when you get in?"
"Sure," he kissed her once more, before continuing past security.
She stood watching out the window until his plane departed the gate and taxied to the runway. Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from the glass, convinced that this separation was going to be the hardest thing she'd ever done in her life. She was finally given back her flyboy, only to have him taken away again by duty…their careers, once again, standing in the way of their dreams.
To Be Continued…