0620 Local
Rabb Residence
Alexandria, Virginia
Harm's wet feet hit the bath mat protecting the pearl white tile as he steps out of the shower. He begins to dry off then notices the time on the clock that sits on the night stand. As he walks into the bedroom he still notices Mac in bed with the covers tightly pulled over her head. "Sarah honey its time to wake up" he says softly caressing the curves of her hip.
Mac pulls down the covers from her face and gives him a small smile. "Really, then why don't you do it properly," she says with a smile that reaches to her bright eyes and arched eyebrows. He smiles at her and slowly makes his way down toward her lips. His forehead rests against hers as his eyes gaze into her pools of chocolate. Suddenly Mac pushes Harm back up to a sitting position and vomits down his bare just cleaned chest. She pulls away and looks at Harm's chest then up at his stunned face. "Oh god Harm, I'm so sorry," she says shocked at what she just did.
He pulls the towel off from around his neck and wipes up the vomit that slides down his chest. "Sarah don't worry about it. Are you okay?" he asks sending the soiled towel into the hamper. She shakes her yes, but it suddenly turns to a no as she shoves Harm to the floor and makes a break for the bathroom. He sits on the floor still dumb struck at the events. Mac's bought of vomiting can be heard through the closed door as Harm takes off his other towel and heads for the bathroom. "Sarah?" he asks knocking on the door. She let's out a small groan as she rests her back against the edge of the tub.
Harm carefully opens the door and peaks his head in. "Sarah are you okay sweetie?" he says walking up to her. He kneels down in front of her and caringly moves loose strands of hair out of her face.
"Yeah I'm okay now," she says slowly standing up. He rises up with her with his hands out ready to catch her in case. A wave of dizziness and nausea hits her again and she falls over Harm's arms for the toilet.
"Okay, that's it you're staying home today. I'll drop David off at the baby sitters and then I'll be making you a doctor's appointment," he says as one arm supports her and the other rubs her back in small circles. After her visit with the toilet he leads her back to the bed and tucks her in.
"Harm, thank you." He looks down at her with a sweet smile across his lips.
"I love you," he says before leaning down to kiss her. In return she gives him a small smile before she rolls over and pulls his pillow closer to her.
0815 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm nervously taps his pen against his desk as he stares at the phone wanting it to ring. "Excuse me sir?" Petty officer Jennifer Coates asks as she knocks on the door.
"Yes, oh come in petty officer," Harm says shaking himself out of his daze.
"Sir may I ask what's wrong?" Jennifer asks as she sits down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"Nothing, why do you ask?" he says straightening up.
"Are you sure sir, because you've been acting strange today?"
"You always know what's going on don't you Jennifer?" he laughs relaxing his shoulders. She gives him a kind smile as he leans back in his chair. "Can I be honest with you?"
"Of course sir."
"Mac's been sick lately. I set up a doctor's appointment for her today and now I'm waiting for her to call," he says glancing back at the phone.
"I see is she alright?" she asks with concern in her voice.
"I think so, but I think that were going to be expecting an addition to the family soon," he says with a hint of a small smile.
"You think so sir? That's great. Congratulations," she says with a wide smile on her face.
"Thank you, now I'm just hoping she'll call soon so I can finish this day quickly."
"Me too sir, because if she doesn't you may be late for court," she says trying to keep a serious face. Harm's face turns to shock as he remembers his court date.
"Oh shit I forgot about court." He stuffs some files from a top his desk in his briefcase and heads out of his office. "Thank you Coates," he shouts over his shoulder. She stifles a few giggles as she watches him race toward the stairs.
0800 Local
Bethesda
Bethesda, Maryland
Mac sits on a cold blue table in a sterile white room as she patiently waits for her O.B. She looks down at her wedding and engagement ring as it catches the florescent light and smiles. Her hand moves to her stomach and her smile can be seen growing bigger. 'Maybe Harm's right' she thinks to herself as softly caresses her flat stomach. As she hears the door open to the sterile room her hand jerks away from her stomach and rests it back in her lap.
"Hello Sarah, it's been some time since I've seen you," Dr. Nemo says giving Mac a welcoming smile.
"Yeah it has been. I think the last time we saw each other was after my check up," Mac says with a small nervous laugh.
"That's right. How are you, David, and Harm doing?" she asks as she pulls out a few things for her exam.
"Great. David just turned two and we celebrated at the beach. Actually that's why I'm here. You see I think Harm and I celebrated a little too much. So now I think I'm pregnant," Mac says with a laugh as the doctor sits down in front of her.
"Ahh! I see. Well then I think we should run some tests and see what the results have to say." She takes out a small tube with a needle attached and takes a hold of Mac's arm. "You ready?" Mac nods her head then closes her eyes as she prepares herself for the needle. After a few more tests are run the doctor exits the room and leaves Mac to nervously fidget.
A little over 20 minutes go by and Mac still sits on the cold blue table as she waits for the doctor to return. She finishes the last page of a parenting magazine when the doctor renters the room. Mac watches Dr. Nemo make her way around to the chair in front of her and sit down. "Well I've looked over the results and all I can says is that David will be getting a brother or sister in about eight and a half months," the doctor says with a wide grin on her face. A smile filled with laughter breaks out across Mac's face as her body relaxes in relief.
"Thank you so much," Mac says surprising her doctor with a hug. As she pulls back her cheeks become a little red as she recalls the previous moment. "Sorry about that."
"It's okay I've had much stranger reactions," she laughs. Mac thanks the doctor once more and begins to get dressed.
0836 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Petty Officer Jennifer Coates sits at her desk quietly sorting through files when her phone interrupts her. "Petty Officer Coates," Jennifer says into the phone.
"Jennifer, this is Mac. Is Harm around?" she asks as she slowly makes her way back to JAG headquarters.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but he's in court. Would you like me to take a message?" she asks grabbing a pen and paper.
"Yes, tell him he was right and I'll be there soon. He'll know what I mean." Mac says with a large grin on her face.
"Yes ma'am I'll get the message to him as soon as possible." She hangs up the phone and looks down at the message. A smile forms on her face as she wonders what Harm's reaction will be.
Twenty minutes later out of the corner of her eye Jennifer notices Harm exiting one of the elevators. "Sir may I have a minute with you," She says running up to him.
"Of course Coates, what is it?"
"Well sir the Colonel just called and says that you're right," Jennifer says plastering a knowing smile on her face. Harm stares blankly back at Jennifer as he tries to absorb the news.
"You mean I was right, wow that's a first. Wait I was right," he says with his eyes bulging out of their sockets.
"Yes sir and she told me to tell you she'll be here soon."
"Thank you Jennifer," he brings her into his arms and hugs her tightly. "Thank you so much." He hands off his briefcase and quickly rushes back towards the elevators.
After his anxious ride down the elevator he rushes outside and impatiently waits for his red corvette to pull into the parking lot. After a few minutes he sees his classic corvette pull in and watches as it parks right in front of him. He rushes to the driver's side door and like a true gentleman opens the door for Mac. She looks up at him and begins to laugh at the goofy smile on his face. "I'd say judging by that smile on your face and you being here to help me out of your car. That you've heard," she says slipping his arms to rest on her hips.
"Yep, and I'm the proudest that a father can be right now," he says leaning down to kiss her.
"Good glad to hear it. Now how do you think we should tell David?" she asks gazing up into his eyes.
"Anyway, either way he'll be happy to know that he's going to have a baby brother or sister." He pulls her closer to his body and kisses her passionately.
Two Month's Later
2130 Local
Rabb Residence
Alexandria, Virginia
Mac sits on the large comfortable bed with thousands of different types of pictures surrounding her as she looks and makes a decision about each picture. A small knock brings her back to the master bedroom and out of the future nursery. "Come in," she says resting against the headboard.
"Hey, you feel better?" Harm asks sticking his head into the room.
"Yeah," she says with a small smile on her face as she rubs her three month along stomach.
"Good, because I have a little guy here who wants to say goodnight to his mommy," he says pushing the door open more showing her that he has a very sleepy David on his hip.
"Aww, well bring my baby over here," she says opening up her arms. Harm carries David over to Mac and carefully places him in her arms.
"Hi mommy," David says looking up at her with his beautiful blue green eyes.
"Hey sweetheart, are you ready to go to bed?" she asks running a hand through his messy, dark brown hair. He nods his head yes and softly rests his head against her chest.
"Well then, I guess we should get you to bed right." David wraps his small arms around his mother's neck as she slowly gets up. Harm watches Mac carry David down the hallway and hears her singing an old Farsi song softly to him. Harm looks back at the bed and laughs at all the pictures lying on the bed. He pushes a few pictures out of the way and makes himself comfortable on the bed.
After about a minute or two Harm watches Mac walk into the bedroom with a beautiful smile cascading across her face. "Hey you're in my spot," she says giving him a sneaky smile.
"Yeah, but it looked so comfortable so I thought I'd lie down," he says with a big flyboy grin on his face. She shakes her head at him. He pats the spot in front of him inviting her onto the bed. Mac laughs as she slowly crawls on to the bed next to him. "So I see you've been planning out the nursery?" he says wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Yep, and I think I've finally figured it out," she says leaning back against his chest.
"Good, then that means I can finally have my side of the bed back." She gives him a good smack on the arm as she lets out a little laugh. "So tell me this master plan Colonel," he says softly caressing their unborn child.
"Well I was thinking we do the whole room in a beach scene. The beach at sunset, you know like the sunset under which this one was conceived," she says delicately rubbing her tummy. He gives her a small smile and tenderly kisses her behind the ear.
"I remember that sunset, boy do I remember that sunset," he laughs as he rests his head on her shoulder.
"Harm," she says shocked at his deep tone of voice.
"What? Just showing my love for you," he says kissing her on the cheek. She gives him a little laugh then plants a small kiss on his lips. "But I do need to make a suggestion, just one tiny little adjustment to the plan." Mac gives him a quizzical look as he slowly entangles his hands in hers.
"And what would that be?"
"Well since I have this small inkling that this little one is going to be a girl. I was thinking a single white rose. Just a small painting of one, but it will symbolize our love for one another." He looks at her and sees a few tears wanting to flow out of her eyes. "Sweetie what's wrong?" he says softly caressing her cheek.
"Nothing, I love that idea it's perfect," she says pulling him down to her lips.
Three month's later
1013 Local
Rabb Residence
Alexandria, Virginia
Harm leans against the small toddler bed in David's room as he watches his son try to find some toys to play with. After he has emptied half his toy bin, David walks over to his father and holds up a carrier in front of him. "You control!" David yells as he drops the carrier in his father's lap.
He looks at David and places his finger to his lips. "Remember buddy mommy's sleeping and we have to be extra quiet," he says as he sees his son nod in understanding.
"Daddy why is mommy fat?" David asks blatantly. Harm tries to suppress his laughter, but is apparently having a hard time.
"Son mommy's not getting fat. Remember we told you that mommy is having a baby, your baby brother or sister." David nods his head and crawls onto his father's lap. "Well the reason your mommy's tummy is getting bigger is because the baby needs room to grow."
"Oh." He looks up at his father and shoves the carrier back in his face. "Play daddy," he says looking up at him with pleading eyes.
"Alright we'll play, but just don't mention this fat thing to your mommy ok."
"Now what was that Harm? Don't mention what to mommy?" Mac asks as she leans against the door frame to the bedroom.
"Oh nothing, David and I were just discussing what to get the baby," he says smiling up at his wife.
"Uh huh sure," she says walking into the room. David sees his mother and a bright smile forms onto his face.
"Mommy!" he says crawling down from his father's lap and toddling up to Mac. With the help of Harm Mac carefully makes it down to the floor and holds out her arms for her son to walk into.
"Hi sweetie, are you having fun playing with daddy?" she asks as he gives her a small hug. David nods yes then gently places his ear on top of Mac's stomach.
"Love you baby," he whispers. A thick sense of sweetness fills the room as Mac and Harm look at each other small tears on the rim of their eyelashes.
"You know Harm we have 30 minutes left till our appointment," she says scooting closer to him.
"I know and by my discussions with David. I think he's really excited about finding out whether he's going to have a baby brother or sister." He gives her a small flyboy smile as his arm reaches around her shoulders and he plants a small kiss on the side of her head.
1050 Local
Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland
Harm holds the small sesame street book open in his hands as he and Mac read to David. "B is for Big Bird. C is for Cookie monster," Harm says as he points to the pictures of each character. David claps his hands as his mother finishes up Elmo.
Dr. Nemo listens in from the small crack that the opened door leaves. She hears them finish the book and slowly pushes the door open. "So I'm guessing that today is a family event," she says announcing her present in the room.
"Yep pretty much, we thought it would be nice to have David meet his little brother or sister before they were born," Mac says caressingly moving her hand across her stomach.
"So that's why this handsome little guy is here," she says ruffling David's hair a little. He smiles up at her and makes the doctor blush a little. "Well I can see he's definitely got his father's smile."
"Oh yeah, makes me melt every time he flashes it at me," Mac says as the doctor helps her lie back on the table.
"So do we want to find out the sex?" the doctor asks rising Mac's shirt above her rounding stomach.
"This time around we think so," she says taking a hold of Harm's hand as he stands up next to her.
"Well then let's begin and hope that this little one cooperates." Doctor Nemo squirts a small bit of gel onto Mac's stomach and begins to run the wand around her stomach. "It looks like we have an arm here. Here's the baby's head David," the doctor points out the head to David with a little of Harm's help. "Now if this little one will just move its leg a little. Ah, there we go. Well David it looks like you're going to have to help your parents take care of your baby sister." A large smile forms on Harm's face as he looks down at Mac. He leans down and gives her a small kiss as David still watches his baby sister on the screen.
1420 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harriet sits quietly at her desk sorting through stacks of files when she feels the familiar sense of a tall naval aviator leaning over her. "How are you doing today Lieutenant?" Harm asks as she looks up at him.
"Fine sir, How can I help you sir?" she asks giving him a small smile.
"Harriet I need you to do something for me. You see the Admiral is sending me to Norfolk for the day and I promised Mac a couple of weeks ago that I'd go with her to pick out baby clothes. Now I've honestly tried to get out of it, but I can't. I was wondering if maybe you could..."
"Take her out shopping of course sir. I'll make sure she knows what's going on."
"Thank you Harriet." He reaches over her desk and hugs her. "Thank you so much." He makes a quick break for his office to grab his cover then leaves.
A couple of hours later Harriet slowly walks down the halls of the judge's headquarters in a pair of jeans and a red cotton shirt. Noticing that the Gunny's gone she walks up to the door and gives it a good wrap. "Enter," Mac yells as she finishes her struggle to button up her jeans.
"Excuse me Mac I have a message from Harm," Harriet says shutting the door behind her. Mac looks back at Harriet and a sudden bought of sadness fills the pit of her stomach.
"He's not coming is he, and he sent you to come with me," Mac says plopping down in the chair behind her.
"Well yes, but he didn't do this on purpose. The Admiral sent him to Norfolk and he honestly tried to get out of it, but he couldn't. I'm sorry ma'am," Harriet says considerately.
"It's okay Harriet. So where should we start?" Mac asks grabbing her purse and leads Harriet out to the SUV.
"Well I know this really sweet boutique on the outskirts of Alexandria. It's got all the clothing one would need for if they were having a girl. In fact it's where I got a lot of little Sarah's clothing," Harriet suggests getting in on the passengers side.
"Sounds like a plan. Lead the way," Mac says pulling out of the parking lot.
1736 Local
Little Miss Boutique
Outskirts of Alexandria, Virginia
In a small open mall a small boutique sits on the corner. The walls are painted pink with blankets, cute little dresses, and other baby girl clothing pinned around the store. The average woman at the counter with long blond hair watches as two women sift through the inventory. "Is there anything I can help you ladies with?" the woman at the counter asks.
"No thank you. I think we've got it," Harriet says as she sifts through a rack of small pink infant out fits. "Oh ma'am here's an outfit," she says walking up to Mac.
"First of all Harriet we're out of uniform. So drop the ma'am before I have to hurt you. And secondly this outfit is purely adorable," Mac says as her fingers trace over the stitching.
After an hour and a half of some more shopping Mac and Harriet finally reach the counter with arms full of clothing. "Wow I don't think any one's bought this much clothing at once," the woman at the counter says as she begins to ring up the clothing.
"Well judging by how fast my first child grew. It's safer to buy different sizes at once. Rather than having to rush back here every week," Mac says with a small sweet smile.
"I understand that perfectly," the woman says as she continues to scan the price tags. She finally rings up the last item and says, "Okay that will be $645.78," the woman says as she pulls out a couple of bags from under the counter.
"Wow. Do you think Harm might kill me for spending this much," Mac laughs as she slides her credit card toward the woman.
"Considering what you don't have to spend on a crib, dresser, and all that other stuff I don't think he'll mind," Harriet says.
The woman sends the credit card through then hands Mac the receipt and bags. "Have a nice night, and come back soon," the woman says as Mac and Harriet exit the store.
"Thank you Harriet for coming with me. Honestly I don't think I would've had this much fun with Harm," Mac laughs as she opens up the SUV.
"It was fun ma'am. Now that shopping for clothes is over. The only thing left is your baby shower," Harriet says with a sneaky smile. Mac gives her a nervous look as Harriet lets out a little laugh.
2100 Local
Rabb Residence
Alexandria, Virginia
Mac sits on the couch with her feet underneath her as she devours yet another Tom Clancy novel. She hears the door open and focuses in more on her novel. Harm sees his wife on the couch and lets out a little sigh. With his head hung low and a small bag in his right hand he quietly makes it over to the couch.
He sits down next to her and rests his elbows on his knees. "I'm sorry sweetie," Harm says as he places a hand over her knee.
"I don't know if I can accept that. I mean you promised me and then you didn't come. Also I could've really used your help in buttoning up my jeans," she says looking up at him.
"Aww baby I'm sorry," he says planting a small kiss on the side of her head. "So I'm guessing I'll have to pull out a few more suitcases from the guest bedroom," he laughs as he wraps his arms around her.
"Yeah I think so. So tell me what you have in the bag," she says pointing to the blue bag that sits against the couch.
"I'll show you after you tell me how shopping with Harriet went," he says bringing up the bag to hold hostage.
"It went very well. Our little girl will be the best dressed in town. Now show me what's in the bag," she says trying to grab it.
"Well it's just a small painting." He reaches in the bag and pulls out a simple painting of a single white rose.
"Harm it's beautiful," she says pulling the painting toward her. She looks it over and traces the stem and petals. Her eyes go to the bottom of the painting and see a small familiar signature. "YOU PAINTED THIS!" she says shocked.
"Yeah, I knew those painting lessons mom forced me to go to when I was young would come in handy for something," he says slowly sliding his hand across her stomach.
"I love you," she says wrapping her arms around him. She hastily plants many kisses around his face, but ends on his lips in a passionate kiss.
