Friday, October 14th
Mac put the groceries on the kitchen aisle and let out a sigh. She was all done with chores for the day and was planning on taking a nap while she waited for Mattie to come home from school. She was slowly getting used to her new situation. Putting a hand on her still flat belly she smiled as she thought about their baby growing in there. She had given up on the idea of carrying a child, even when Harm was optimistic, telling her that with the help they would be able to have their baby. She didn't believe, but now she was starting to think that there were such things as an everyday miracle.
The phone brought her out of her thoughts. "Checking up on me, Sailor?"
He laughed softly. "Just making sure you're not overdoing it," he teased. "No, I'm just wondering if we're eating out tonight? We talked about it earlier in the week."
"Why don't we just order a pizza and see a movie at home?" she suggested. "I really not feel like going out."
"Tired?" he assumed.
"Yeah, even though I slept for nine hours straight," she let out a sigh. "I'm taking a nap now."
"Sounds like a plan, babe. I'll be home around…" he hesitated. "1800."
"Okay, see you then."
"Love you. Bye."
"Love you too." She waited for him to hang up, then put her phone down. She was glad that no one saw the silly smile she had on her face because she would be accused of being totally smitten. He did that to her.
Later
Mattie, Nick, and Jane were sitting around the kitchen table working on their science project when Harm came home. Nick and Jane had both come home with Mattie after school to get a good start on their project.
"Hi," Harm smiled when he saw them.
"Hi," they said in unison. "How do you feel about uniform circular motion?" Mattie wondered.
"Physics?" Harm assumed.
"Yup," Mattie smiled. "Thankfully we have Nick to make sure our presentation is the best."
Nick turned his computer for Harm to see. "We're using the computer to design an apparatus to show how it works."
"It's going to be awesome," Jane added.
Harm nodded as he studied what they got so far. "I'm sure it will be." He focused on Mattie. "Where's Mac?"
"She just came back from her run so probably in the shower," Mattie said as she turned back to the project.
Harm let them continue and headed upstairs to see what Mac was up to. He found the bathroom door open and heard the shower running.
"Honey, I'm home," he said as he leaned on the doorframe leading to the bathroom.
Mac shut the water off and stepped out of the shower. "Hey," she reached for her towel and wrapped it around herself.
"How was your run?" he asked with concern.
"It was great," she smiled. "Don't worry, I'm being careful."
"I know," he hesitated. "Are you going to stand there dripping and looking at me like that?"
"With amusement you mean?" she wondered.
"So, my concern is amusing?" he wondered.
"It's actually really cute," she smiled sweetly, "I think I love this domestic side of you."
He chuckled. "Did I tell you about the two drunk Petty Officers stealing a chicken?"
Mac wrinkled her forehead with confusion. "Ah, no…"
"They had been out drinking one night on leave and as they walked back to base they saw chickens walking around in a huge garden. One of them decided that he was hungry and in their drunken state they took a chicken and ran," he chuckled. "I'm not kidding. It's Lieutenant Vargas case. He's stationed at Sigonella."
Mac was amused. "What happened to the chicken?" she wondered.
"One Petty Officer chickened out," he laughed by his own joke. "They brought the chicken back to barracks and let's just say that when they were woken up the next morning by a very angry NCO wondering what the hell a chicken was doing there they knew that it would be consequences."
"Did the chicken make it back home?" Mac wondered between laughter.
"Yes, they brought it back and apologized to the owner," Harm laughed softly as he stepped into the bedroom and started undressing.
Mac stepped out of the bathroom a little while later and found Harm seated on the bed with his phone. "I told Mattie we'd order pizza for everyone."
Sounds good." Harm looked up from his phone. "Sorry, just returning an email."
"No problem," she smiled as she found underwear and slipped it on. She reached for pants in her closet. "Do you have to work tomorrow?"
Harm shook his head. "Nah, I want to spend time with you. And Mattie."
Mac slipped on a sweater and walked over to him and he pulled her down on the bed and lay down wrapping his arms around her. "I talked with Grams today."
"How is she?" Mac smiled as he put his hand on her belly.
"Good," he hesitated. "I told her about the baby. I just couldn't keep it from her. But she won't tell anyone until we want to let people know."
"It's okay," Mac chuckled.
"I'm just really excited about it," he caressed her belly and moved down her body.
"I know," she ran her hands through his hair as he kissed her belly.
"I can't wait until it starts to show," he admitted.
"You can't wait until I'm fat?" she asked with amusement.
He chuckled. "I bet you'll look great with a baby belly. It'll make it more real, right?"
"It will," she agreed.
He kissed her belly one more time, then moved up her body. "We should order that pizza, huh?"
"We probably should," she moved her hand behind his neck and drew him in for a kiss.
"Should the parents be upstairs making out?" he questioned teasingly between kisses.
"I.." she kissed him. "..just missed you," she kissed him again. "…today."
"I missed you too," he smiled sweetly.
She reluctantly let go of him. "We better order that pizza."
Harm stood and took her hand, helping her to her feet. "Later," he leaned in and kissed her.
Mac nodded and let him lead her out of the room. Some days she just couldn't get enough of him.
The next day
Harm was worried as he stepped into the bathroom. Mac had just darted out of bed and ran to the bathroom, and she was now busy throwing up.
Harm bent down and rubbed her back. "Are you okay?" he asked with worry.
A slight nod, and then she threw up again.
He rose when she did and watched as she flushed the toilet and walked over to the sink to wash. "I feel better now," she dried her face with a towel.
Harm didn't look convinced since the color her face had was white. He watched as she headed for the bedroom again, then he relieved himself and washed his hands before following her. "Should I make you breakfast?"
"Oh God no," she mumbled from her place in bed.
"Should I hold you?" he wondered, knowing that the previous mornings when she had it this bad she had wanted him to hold her.
"Yes, please," she smiled.
He slipped into bed and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry you have to feel like this."
"It'll be all worth it when we have our baby," she pointed out. "Besides, it's not every morning that I wake up like this."
"I know, but still," he kissed her forehead.
Mac dozed off again after a little while, so Harm got up and went to make them breakfast. He knew that Mac wouldn't eat much more than a toast, but he made protein pancakes for him and Mattie.
"Morning," Mattie walked into the kitchen.
"You're up early," Harm was curious.
"Yeah, I'm meeting Jane and Nick to continue our project," she sat down. "Is that pancakes?"
"It is," he put a plate on the table.
"Is Mac asleep?" she wondered.
"She is," Harm confirmed. "We'll probably just spending the morning at home. When will you be home?"
"Around lunchtime," Mattie smiled. "Unless you want me to get lost a little longer?"
"No, of course not," Harm didn't notice her teasing tone.
"I was just teasing," Mattie looked curiously at him. "Is everything okay?"
Harm let out a sigh as he sat down. "Yeah, just worried about Mac."
"Didn't the doctor say that being nauseous was perfectly normal?" Mattie wondered.
"It is, but it's hard to see her this way," Harm hesitated. "It'll get better."
"It will be," Mattie reassured.
Harm nodded. "Did you speak to your Dad last night?"
"I did. He's doing fine. He asked about Christmas and I told him I'd talk with you guys about it," she shrugged. "I think he wants me to come there."
"You can go if you want," Harm reassured. "We're going to San Diego for Christmas, assuming Mac's okay to fly."
"I think I'd rather stay with you guys. Maybe Dad can come to stay for a few days?" she suggested.
"Of course, he can," Harm smiled. "I'm glad you're making the effort, Mattie."
"He is my Dad," she hesitated. "I don't want to let him down, you know."
Harm nodded thoughtfully. "I know, Mattie. I'm just worried that you are taking on the adult responsibility when he should."
"He isn't exactly good at taking care of himself," Mattie reasoned. "Sometimes I feel like I should be there, you know."
"I know. But you're the kid," he reminded her. "You can't be the strong one all the time."
Mattie hesitated. "I really thought he'd make it. I trusted him, and he let me down again. I don't want to be angry at him, but sometimes I can't help it. Mac says that anger will only hold me back."
Harm nodded. "I think Mac knows a thing or two about being angry at a parent. I think when she finally could forgive, she had a much better life afterward."
"That's what she said," Mattie looked thoughtful. "I'm working on forgiving him, I just don't know if I can trust him again."
"Trust is a totally different thing," Harm reasoned.
Mattie nodded. "Thanks for listening."
"Any time," Harm smiled.
Mattie smiled too. "I think I was pretty lucky to meet you. And Mac."
Harm thought about it. "We're all lucky to have found each other."