Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter :) thank you to everyone who takes the time to either just to read or read and send me all those lovely comments! Thank you all so very very much! I appreciate every one of you! :) I will take this moment though to fill you all in. My uni exams are literally just around the corner and as of next week I'm going into full exam-mode which means I probably won't be writing much at all. However this is only temporary and I expect to have Harm and Mac riding off into the sunset by next chapter heheh well maybe not like that hehe but yes, please forgive me beforehand for any delay that might happen in the next few weeks. Thank you all! Enjoy :)
At the sound, Mac turned her eyes back to the table and towards Mic who was reaching into his pocket for his phone
Taking one look at it, Mic made to move; "Excuse me a minute. I have to take this."
Standing up, he made his way towards the front door answering as he walked; "Hello."
Watching the door close behind him, Mac stalled and hesitated as she looked down at her hands. She was so embarrassed she couldn't quite bring herself to meet Harm's eyes and yet she had to. Cautiously looking towards him, she found him staring intently at the cup of coffee before him. Untouched as it lay, the heat from his eyes threatened the shake and break the cup any minute now.
Swallowing through dry lips, she began; "I'm sorry," biting down on her lower lip. "Mic can be…" God there were so many words she could use…but none seemed strong enough right now; "distasteful at best."
Harm was seething but had enough restrain left in him to hold his tongue. It was either that or risk saying something he would certainly regret. His morning was soured and had turned out quite differently to what he had pictured.
'I should have stayed at the farm.' He reproached himself keeping his eyes on the white ceramic. 'Why the fuck am I here?' he breathed heavily.
"It's really good to see you," she ventured breaking through his thoughts.
Her voice was so gentle and genuine that it pulled him in. But he didn't want to. He so desperately didn't want to look at her. He wanted to remain angry. It was just one of those…needs to keep this anger boiling…but…she was here and so close to him. Watching him with those warm eyes. He knew the moment he looked at her, his anger would fade and he wasn't ready for that. This may not be her fault but she certainly wasn't doing anything about it so instead he decided to be the stubborn one.
He refused to meet her eyes no matter how desperately she wanted him to look at her.
"He'll be gone tomorrow," she commented as she ran the index finger of her right hand along the cup handle and scratched her forehead with the tips of her fingernails on her left hand. "To be honest I'm not sure why he came down in such a hurry…"
"What did she say?"
With the phone to his ear, he looked down the street; "She's not coming back."
"Well then you're not trying hard enough are you!"
"I'm…" taking a few steps to the side as a blonde woman made her way past him; "I'm working on it father."
"You're working on it?" he repeated unbelieving.
"Father if I couldn't stop her from coming when she was still New York…how easily do you think she'll just pack up and leave again?"
"I sent you down there with one sole purpose," his previous patience now long gone. "Or was that too much for you?"
Mic couldn't even help roll his eyes. Yes. Yes. He was such a disappointment. Now if only he cared about the old man! He wasn't here to please his father. He was here to please himself! Having these days away from the horrid office working a job he cared little for was merely an added bonus.
"Do whatever you have to do but bring her back! She was one of my best lawyers and I cannot do without her! Offer her anything! Whatever she wants she can have!"
"I'll do my best."
"Your best has never been good enough Michael! I don't want words. I want actions. Bring her back!"
As the man near the front door moved aside for her, Harriet offered him a smile and continued over the phone; "I'm fine Bud! It was just a little morning sickness and I'm feeling much better."
"You don't have to be at the Bistro. The guys know what they're doing. They can handle it!"
"Bud. I'm fine," emphasizing her words as she opened the door welcomed by the warmth inside. "Besides. If I stay home I'll just feel worse. You know how much I hate not doing anything!"
Greeted by her staff she made her way to the back of the counter putting her bag down and taking a long breath; "You're at work. I'm here now. I'll text you if anything?"
"Promise!"
"Pro…" something…or rather a group of someone's suddenly caught her attention. Standing a little straighter, she quickly ended the call; "I have to go Bud. I love you!"
"Love you too darling!"
Hanging up she watched the table of four with keen interest. Her eyes narrowed as her lips twitched into a cheeky smile. As she started removing all her layers of warm clothing she wondered about the turn of events as a waiter stepped out of the kitchen with three dishes in hand.
"Sorry about the wait guys!" the waiter apologized. "So! Eggs on toast?"
"Here," Chloe mumbled as she gave a quick raise of her hand.
Mac waited for the waiter to put that down before speaking; "And the oats go there," pointing to Mattie; "and here."
"Enjoy!"
Both Mac and Mattie offered a quick; "thank you" before the two younger girls turned to their dishes. Both Mattie and Chloe dug right in. Mac however…seemed to hover over her own meal.
Watching through the corner of his eye, Harm couldn't help frown and wonder…
It was a look Mac sensed as she turned to see him…catching him…smiling…
"What?" she mumbled, her own lips unable to help it and widening into a smile which she tried to contain by biting on her lower lip.
"Nothing," raising his eyebrows and looking away…despite that mischievous smile never leaving his lips.
"No," she continued to poke for an answer. "Say it."
With one arm resting across the table, he shrugged once and picked up his coffee. Taking a sip, he put it back down before giving her dish another side-glance.
"What?" she insisted, terribly tempted to physically poke him for an answer.
"Nothing. I just think that's a rather tame breakfast for someone who more or less ate a cow for lunch last Saturday," his voice gorgeously playful with just the hints of a giggle.
She made the shortest of sounds in disapproval before realizing she entirely agreed and burst out laughing, giving him the permission he needed to join her.
If it didn't look domestic before, it certainly did now! From behind the coffee machine, Harriet kept her eyes on them feeling just a little awkward at prying but too invested to look away! The temptation was too much as she made her way towards the table. She had to greet them didn't she? It was what any good hostess would do!
"Good morning!" she greeted them with a lovely a smile
"Oh hey Harriet!" Mac turned to her, face slightly flushed.
Leaning in for a kiss on the cheek, she moved around to Harm who greeted her just the same.
"Hey girls!" acknowledging them though they weren't her main concern…and neither was she to them by the teenage mumbles she received in response.
"How are you?" turning her attention to Mac and Harm.
"Good. Yeah," Mac replied for them. "How are you? Heard you were having a bit of morning sickness."
Waving her off, Harriet seemed completely unfazed; "Bud is going around telling everyone as if it's the worst thing that's ever happened to him!" all three laughing at the comment. "But I'm fine. How about you two? It's good to see you all."
The assumption loud and clear in her voice…
"Same! Yeah, we just thought we'd eat out this morning," Mac spoke before realizing what she had just implied!
'We?' Harriet thought barely containing her joy.
Harm on the other hand…well he knew who 'we' was and he didn't particularly appreciate the reminder. Picking up his coffee he decided to ignore the comment altogether. His actions however drawing Harriet's attention to the table; "Oh look at this mess! Didn't these guys clean up for you!" picking up the half empty glass of green smoothie.
"No that's…." Mac couldn't quite finish before Harriet had handed Mic's drink to a passing waiter.
"And please move this chair," Harriet added as they all watched the chair being taken away. "Ugh," briefly running her hand over Harm's shoulder. "I'll come back," mumbling as she walked away; "I'm late one morning."
Turning to Harm and finding him staring into his cup, looking just a little too pleased, Mac's feelings of guilt were quickly overridden by outright amusement. Neither had the strength for it and quickly encouraged each other's laughter.
Pushing her plate of half-eaten eggs aside, Chloe pulled out her phone again. There was a list of both texts and Facebook messages, which she quickly scrolled through:
Daniel: "Empire tonight!"
Brandon: Done!
Mel: Yeah
Daniel: Tony you in?
Anthony: I don't know man. Parents are still pissed about last week.
Brandon: Srs bro?
Brandon: Ya'll come to mine first
Anthony: Yeah
Daniel: Chlo?
George: They're not gonna let us in
Brandon: Why?
George: We need more girls
Daniel: Chlo! You coming?
Chloe: I don't know. Sarah's being shitty about yesterday
Daniel: Oh come on!
Chloe: Empire is giving me the shits anyway. Their bouncers are so agro
George: Which is why we need more girls!
Mel: I'll call Bridget
George: Chlo bring your neighbor hahahahahah
Chloe: haha yeah sure
Taking a quick look at Mattie, Chloe continued typing.
Chloe: As if. Her dad would kill us all!
Daniel: hahaha I'll handle the old man don't worry hahaha
Chloe: No. Def not bringing her
Looking up she found Mattie watching her type.
"Yes?" Chloe asked
Mattie shrugged; "Nothing. How you going with your subjects?"
Chloe shrugged; "Fine. I guess."
"Did you maybe wanna get together and study some time?" suggested Mattie
"Hey that's a great idea," Mac suddenly making an appearance
Chloe let out a sigh; "Yeah. I guess."
"Mattie's really good at English and literature if you ever need a hand with that," suggested Harm quite happily
"Well I suggested to Chloe she try out for accelerated math's. Back in New York she absolutely excelled at it!" Mac announced proudly
Despite feeling awkward and uncomfortable at that comment, there was a deep part of Chloe that felt…strangely nice about being boasted about! It wasn't something she often felt and having Mac look at her almost proudly…it was a little jolt to her system. She was so used to being the disappointment, so those words that were rarely heard, felt strangely…nice.
"Really?" Harm asked smiling widely. "Good job! Have you thought about what you want to study?" he asked
Chloe shook her head, her phone long forgotten on the table despite its persistent pings.
"You've got plenty of time to figure it out!"
Having reached that point in the conversation where the silence had lasted long enough that they could move onto something else, it suddenly dawned on Harm…
He knew this would happen. He knew the minutes with her would melt away his apprehension and anger. It was just so easy to be around her…and slip into this…
Now here he was…feeling completely comfortable again! Like they were back were they had started and absolutely nothing had come between them! He was smiling unreservedly and it was all because of her.
It gave him the courage to jump in and ask; "Hey um. I was at my grandmother's this morning and she was wondering…whether you and Chloe would like to come to the farm next Saturday for lunch?"
There was a touch of nerves in his voice but Mac was feeling exactly the same. She couldn't quite begin to describe the joy she was suddenly feeling. They were back! He was talking to her and they were back! Was it really this simple for them to settle back into this!
The answer immediately bubbled out of her; "We'd love to!"
Smiling he dared to look her straight in the eyes. It was always a dangerous thing to do. Look at a beautiful woman in the eyes. It was a slippery slope. But she was too tempting.
Finding his voice again he nodded gently; "Good. I'll let her know."
"Thank you," she added gleefully.
"You'll love it," he added. His voice soft but not quite a whisper.
"I can imagine," she agreed knowing that anything to do with the Rabb family must be beautiful!
The anticipation gradually growing in him. So many things he could show her! So many places on and around the farm that he could take her to! He could show her his motorbike! And his plane! Don't get him started on the plane! Maybe he could take her for a ride? Maybe he could take her to…
He had to halt this! His mind was running too fast ahead of him! But there was so much to look forward to!
"Did you hear that Chlo?" Mac spoke excitedly across the table getting Chloe's attention; "We're going to Harm's grandmother's farm next Saturday."
Chloe shook her head; "I have plans for next Saturday."
"You're grounded," Mac reminded her matter-of-factly. "Your plans are my plans. We're going to their farm next Saturday. Now smile about it and at least put that phone on silent please!"
These moments between mother and daughter would have otherwise been awkward for Harm, if it wasn't because he never seized to be amazed at how well Mac seemed to manage Chloe. The girl tested her at every turn and Mac seemed to know exactly what to say and when to say it. She definitely was 'mother' material.
Conversations with his father always left him angry…and the picture perfect family he found as he stepped back into the Bistro only served to fire him off again!
Annoyed and determined he reached the table only to look around confused; "Where's my chair?"
"Oh," Mac began. "We um…had a bit of a…just grab another one," she asked him as she pointed towards an empty table.
With a piercing glare aimed at Harm, which Harm responded to with a gleeful smile, Mic turned and grabbing a chair, he dragged it back, making enough noise to make his point. Setting up awfully close to Mac, his actions merely pushed Mac further into Harm.
"Is everything ok?" Mac asked, somehow looking much smaller next to Mic
"Yeah! That was father actually. He sends his love," giving her a wide smile.
"Aw thanks," she smiled genuinely
"Well he misses you. You always were one of his best and favorites."
Mac smiled humbly not knowing exactly what to say without the risk of sounding either arrogant or ungrateful.
"Oh and guess what?" Mic asked leaning towards her as if about to share a secret and ignoring Harm altogether. "So apparently there's a really good French restaurant near where I'm staying. I just made reservations for us for tonight."
Mac frowned; "Oh…" despite feeling grateful…she wasn't necessarily happy…in fact the frown on her face was set in confusion.
"Yeah," Mic spoke excitedly as Harm continued to be ignored in the background. "Chance to get away for the night," then looking past Mac and straight at Harm he finished; "Just us two."
Unfortunately for him…Harm simply wasn't biting any of it! Not anymore! Two could play that game! If this man wanted war, well then war he would get!
Pulling his wallet out of his pocket, he flipped it open and took out some notes before leaning towards Mac just like Mic had, and smiling rather satisfied he whispered; "My grandmother will be thrilled about next Saturday!"
"What's happening next Saturday?" Mic wondered loudly
"The girls are coming over to our farm for the day!" Harm informed him just as loudly
In direct contrast to Mic's dinner reservations, Mac didn't hesitated as a wide and beautiful smile drew itself across her lips at the sound of those words.
"Is that so?" Mic asked twisting his neck just a little.
"Yeah. It's what us country people do," Harm emphasized.
Standing up, which prompted Mic to stand up, Harm held out his hand and met Mic's eyes dead on; "Nice to meet you."
"Same," Mic replied.
Following on, Mac stood along with Mattie who took her cue from Harm and figured it was time to go.
Having all said their goodbyes, Harm left Mac with a final; "I'll call you," before turning and walking away, Mattie by his side, and a deep satisfaction in his chest.