Twisted Timing
Chapter 21
A/N: As some of you may already know, Bombardier Howard Trevor Wheble1 RHA, (I found out his whole name and rank from TnJAGAz's AN in Tears for Allah – Ch. 37.), known to us in the Fanfiction world as 'byrhthelm' passed on 6 October 2016. Trevor was a good friend to me as through the FF Private Messaging and our personal e-mails, I bounced ideas off him. He even allowed me to copy some parts of his stories into mine as they fit the various situations I was writing. In this story he gave his blessing to my writing Loren & Tuna marrying as well as Loren & Meghan being sisters and cousins to Mac & Diane. I always gave him credit for the copying and/or inspiration. During my writing of the part of my story "Timing is Everything" where Mattie Grace Johnson was being adopted by the Rabbs, Trevor was writing the same part into his story, "Giving it A Try". I was amused by our unstated competition and inspired to write my part and try to get it done along with his. I think we posted the finale of the adoption at the same time on the FF Board. I will miss his inspiration, wisdom and grasp of minutiae in detailing his stories.
Also I found out that mkim had also passed away. I enjoyed her stories, especially, "Will You Always Be There". I used some of Sarah Rabbs rehab profession history from that story and acknowledged it in this story. Thank you for inspiring me Kim.
I leave with this prayer, "Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. Let their souls and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen."
AN-2: The different portrayal of Chloe Madison was recommended by our other FF colleague 1 Jagged Outlaw Queen
Friday October 10, 1997
1530 Local Time
JAG Headquarters
Washington Navy Yard, SE
John Farrow's trial went along with a lot of drama. Harm had to go to Haiti with the photographer who took pictures of the attack to get a witness. They found Antoinette Malidor, teaching English to her school class and brought her back. AJ objected but Harm and Sarah double-teamed him and got the judge to allow her testimony. While Harm wasn't allowed to ask her directly who had killed her son, he asked if she blamed Col Farrow. She said "Yes! She then stood up in the stand she shouted, "I blame all of you, because you stand by and do nothing. The soldiers come, rape, murder, take children and train them to kill - and you do nothing. You give food, shovels but you don't protect us. Even when YOUR OWN PEOPLE are killed - YOU DO NOTHING. Finally this one (pointing to Farrow) sends in soldiers to fight and you want to punish him!" "I don't understand your country," she said through tears, "DO YOU?"
Eventually of the jury, announced the verdict that they found Farrow guilty of disobeying orders. It was surprising that when it came to announce the penalty the foreman said, "The jury agreed to No Punishment."
Farrow asked AJ, "What does that mean?"
AJ answered "They heard you. Public opinion changed. You're a hero."
Farrow smiled at that as he shook his hand.
AJ and Traci found it very amusing when they were all leaving the courtroom together, Farrow asked Sarah, "So Mac even though you won your case and you're no longer prosecuting me, would you like to go for a celebratory drink and maybe catch up on some old times?"
Sarah smiled her sweetest smile and held her briefcase in front of her with both hands to keep from pointing to Harm when she answered, "Sure John, can my fiancé join us?"
"Uhm sure why don't you ask him?" Farrow answered with some disappointment at seeing that she was attached.
Turning her head she asked, "Harm want to join us?"
"I'd be delighted," Harm replied with his own smile.
Seeing that he would be embarrassing himself Farrow demurred with, "Uhm, you know as I think about it I just remembered, I need to get back to my unit," He turned to AJ and taking his hand said, "Thank you admiral for a job well done."
"You're welcome colonel. Try to stay out of trouble."
Turning to Sarah and Harm, Farrow shook both their hands saying, "Congratulations to you both on your impending wedding. Good luck." Then he turned and walked away.
The JAG officers waited until Farrow get on the elevator and the doors closed in front of him before AJ said, "That was entertaining."
The three junior officers chuckled along with their admiral as they took the next elevator to Operations on the third floor.
Thanksgiving Day 1997
Rabb Farm
Belleville, PA
After the Farrow trial Sarah and Harm tried a few cases and advanced in their studies at the Command & Staff College. One of their cases took them out to California again to investigate a case of a female Marine Cobra named Sara Gilbert pilot who disobeyed an order from her commanding officer telling her to discontinue having an affair by her gunnery sergeant Cobra crew chief. Congresswoman Bobbi Latham became involved and it became another nasty political affair. It ended with the discovery that Gilbert got pregnant by the gunnery sergeant and the commanding allowing Gilbert to pass her flight qualifications at the top of her class and accept and administrative discharge.
The couple took advantage of the proximity to LaJolla to visit Trish & Frank to celebrate their engagement.
Now it was Thanksgiving. Harm was waiting and looking out the front window of Sarah Rabb's farmhouse for Joanne and Robert Schonke to arrive from New York. The Larkins, including Moochie were already there. Sarah Rabb also extended an invitation to Loren & David Medwick and Meghan O'Hara to come for the holiday. After all the two twins were family, or shortly would be. Loren and David accepted as David was on leave from his squadron. Meghan accepted conditionally pending her Secret Service duty schedule protecting the First Lady.
Harm saw a red Ford Taurus start to pull into the driveway. He went outside and was waiting as it pulled up to the porch. Harm opened the passenger for Joanne to get out. Joanne came out of the car right into Harm's outstretched arms and let herself be enveloped in his hug.
After she laid a good kiss on his cheek she hugged him a little tighter saying, "Happy Thanksgiving Harm. Where is everyone? You weren't waiting out here in the cold all this time?"
"No, no I watched for you from inside. Also everyone is inside. Loren, Sarah and Diane are helping Mom and Gram in the kitchen. Katie is giving Loren's husband Tuna a tour of the farm with Moochie. Come on in."
"Tuna, who's Tuna?" Robert asked as he shook Harm's hand.
"Uhm I should have said David. Tuna is his call sign that his shipmates on the Patrick Henry gave him," Harm explained.
"I love you squids and your nicknames," Robert said with a smirk.
"Now Robert, be nice," Joanne cautioned her husband.
Harm smiled at the marital byplay as they walked into the house. The first persons they encountered were Tom and Frank, who were getting up from the sofa. Harm introduced Frank to the Schonkes.
"Dad, this is Sarah's mom Joanne and dad Robert Schonke."
"Pleased to finally meet you," Frank replied as he shook Robert's hand and shared a quick hug and cheek to cheek kiss with Joanne.
At that Diane and Sarah came into the living room from the kitchen. They both had on turkey themed aprons that they wiped wet hands on.
"Mom, Dad I'm so happy to see you," Diane exclaimed as she and Sarah went to hug their parents. Immediately behind them were Loren, Gram and Trish.
Harm took up the introductions, "Robert and Joanne, this is Sarah and Diane's cousin Loren Singer-Medwick, my grandmother Sarah and my mom Patricia."
When Joanne and Robert went to embrace Harm's mom, she said, "Please call me Trish."
They all settled in after that with the women congregating in the kitchen and the men sitting down to watch football.
As the women got into the kitchen, Katie and Moochie came in with Tuna.
"Grandma!" Katie exclaimed as he saw Joanne and went over to receive her affections.
After Katie left to see her grandfather and Tuna hung his coat up, Gram handed him a cup of hot coffee and asked, "Did Katie show you all around the farm David?"
"Katie took me everywhere, even to the top of your mountain. My goodness what a view," Tuna said as he appreciatively sipped his coffee. He took his coffee into the living room to meet the Schonkes.
It wasn't long after that dinner when was served. The table was filled with all the usual dishes for the holiday. Gram put Harm at the head of the table with Sarah on his right and Diane on his left. Gram sat at the opposite end from Harm with Frank on her right and Robert on her left.
"Harmon lead us in grace please," Sarah Rabb instructed her grandson.
"Thank you Gram. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; Bless us oh Lord and these, thy gifts which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen."
After everyone joined in the Amen, there was a knock on the front door.
"Now who could that be?" Gram said as Harm got up to answer the door.
When he opened the door he was surprised to see, "Meghan, you made it."
"Hi Harm. I'm glad I made it. I traded this weekend for Christmas weekend," Meghan replied as Harm took her coat and received a quick hug and kiss.
As Meghan entered the dining room Gram was setting another place and Tuna was placing a chair beside him opposite Loren. As Meghan sat, Harm made the introductions, "Joanne, Robert, Mom & Dad, as you can see this is Loren's sister Meghan O'Hara."
"Happy Thanksgiving everyone," Meghan said as she sat down.
Harm poured champagne into Meghan's glass then picked up his champagne glass to make the holiday toast. "We are gathered here to celebrate and give thanks in the gifts we received this year and the new family connections that will solidified when Sarah and I are married next spring. In the spirit of my bride-to-be Sarah's, my sister-in-law Diane's and their Cousins Loren and Meghan's Irish heritage I say this toast, that also coincidentally fits with our naval professions. Let our joys be as deep as the oceans and your troubles as light as the foam. Let us find sweet peace of mind where ever we may roam. God bless us everyone."
"Here, here," everyone replied.
Dinner was served and the extended family enjoyed the holiday and the weekend spent together.
Christmas Day, 1997
0630 Local Time
Sarah's Apartment
Georgetown, NW
The weekend after Thanksgiving Harm and Sarah moved his possessions out of his loft to her apartment. Harm rented it furnished to Meghan. The only thing he took and switched with Sarah's apartment was his bed. It was custom made longer for his tall frame. Sarah found it to be comfortable for her as well.
Now Harm and Sarah were lying spooned with each other as the first light of the day began filtering into their bedroom.
They were awoken by a knock on their door, and the call of "Hey you two are you up yet? We have to open presents." from their teenage girl holiday house guest.
As he woke up Harm remembered back to the previous day.
Flashback
Christmas Eve1997
1130 Hours Local Time
JAG headquarters
Washington Navy Yard, SE
JAG Chief of Staff Commander Matt Simms was speaking on the phone with Admiral Chegwidden, "Sir the weather reports are saying that the snow storm is getting worse."
"Well Commander, what do you recommend?"
"Well sir, let the officers and NCOs with families go. I'll stay with Lt. Cmdr. Rabb and Major Mackenzie. They are also volunteering to stay behind until about 1500 to handle any cases that may straggle in."
"Okay make it so. Keep me posted if you hear that it gets worse. I'll be here at Dulles waiting for Francesca's flight. I hope it comes in before they close the airport," AJ said.
"Thank you sir and good luck with that sir, Merry Christmas," Matt said.
"Thank you for that commander, Merry Christmas to you and your family."
They ended the call at that. Matt got up and stuck his head out the door. He saw his cousin, Lt-JG Harriet Simms walking by. She had been assigned to JAG headquarters as an assistant office manager the previous October.
"Harriet!"
"Yes sir," Harriet answered with a smirk.
"Knock it off Harriet. There's no one else around that you have to be militarily correct," Matt said with a smile. He went on, "Start securing the office for the holiday. The admiral said we can get out of her by 1500 as long as there are no new cases."
"Yes sir Matt," Harriet replied cheekily.
Matt smiled at her as he asked, "Where are Harm and Sarah?"
"Last I saw them was in Harm's office."
"Okay thank you. Are you and Bud still giving out gifts at the Children's ward at the hospital?"
"Yeah he's getting them ready now. We even have elf costumes."
"Cute," Matt said in exaggeration as he stepped away to look for the two officers.
He saw through the glass doors that Sarah was perched on one corner of Harm's desk as they were having a pleasant conversation. He knocked before he opened.
The affianced couple turned and stood to snap to attention, but Matt waved them off saying, "Admiral Chegwidden approved our plan to close the office with the three of us staying."
"Okay that will give me time to deal with our only case that Sarah and I were speaking about," Harm said.
"Who's taking the case?"
Sarah answered, "I am. It's a DUI, a psychologist named Jordan Parker, assigned to Bethesda, had an accident as she left the hospital. She skidded on some ice and took out a nativity crèche set up across the road. When the police came and gave her the usual breathalyzer test, she showed above the legal limit. She swears that she only had one serving of egg nog at the hospital Christmas party."
"So based on that what can you do?" Matt asked.
"Well it turns out that she has a cold. As she went into her purse to take some liquid cold medicine, I asked to see the label. I pointed out that there was alcohol in the medicine."
"When did she take it?" Matt asked.
"Just before she left her office."
"So you can get it dismissed?" Matt asked.
"I think so. I'm calling the convening authority, as soon as Harm calls a judge he knows," Sarah said with a smile.
"Good we may get out of here by 1500 hours after all," Matt said cheerfully.
As the trio sat discussing the case, Harriet was going around the office locking file cabinets and shutting down computers. As she came around a corner she was called over by a female corporal from the Headquarters Marine Detail with, "Excuse me lieutenant, can you take charge of this young lady?"
The corporal was standing with a tall teenage girl who was about eighteen, wearing a white snow jacket, over blue jeans and red snow boots with a pink wool cap on her head. She was pulling a suitcase on wheels and had a backpack on her shoulders.
"Oh sure Corporal," Harriet said. As she approached, she asked, "How can I help you miss?"
"I'm looking for Lt. Cmdr. Harmon Rabb."
"Uh sure honey, uhm how do you know the lt. commander?"
Harriet heard from behind her, "She's my pain in the ass cousin, Chloe Madison."
Harm had been standing and waiting just inside his office after Gunny Walters had called up to Harm to notify him that Chloe was being escorted up to the 3rd floor.
"Well Merry Christmas to you to Harm," Chloe said as she quickly approached his open arms with her own arms open. They collided and shared a hug. Harm lifted her wool cap enough to kiss her forehead.
He said, "I see you got here in one piece."
"Yeah it was a little hairy flying through the snowstorm, but as you see I got here. Also it's easy to get here by the Metro from National Airport. I just took the Yellow Line to L'Enfant Plaza and changed to the Green line to here," Chloe answered.
"Good, I'm glad Aunt Marianne called to let me know you're coming and to meet me here. Come on in here and I'll introduce you to my fiancé."
They entered the office to see a smiling Sarah standing waiting for them. "Sarah Mackenzie, my cousin, Chloe Madison. She's a freshman at NYU in Manhattan, majoring in Communication Design."
Sarah put her hand out, but Chloe eschewed that and wrapped her in a warm embrace. Sarah could only reciprocate.
As they came apart Chloe stuck her tongue firmly in her cheek and said, "So you're the woman crazy enough to marry my idiot cousin here."
Sarah looked at Harm in surprise as she said, "You two must have been quite the pair back in the day."
"Yeah, Chloe was born when I was in 5th grade a year after Aunt Marianne, my Dad Frank's younger sister by nine years, married Uncle Roger, who's a stationary engineer for Southern California Edison. Every time I went to pick her up as a baby, she would start crying. They lived in LaJolla not far from my house and they were always over. They're flying in tomorrow and asked if Chloe could stay with us."
"Good thing I have the extra room in my apartment. I use it for my study, but it has a convertible bed you can fold out and use,' Sarah said. She added, "Tell me how it was with you two growing up."
"Well as we got older I would babysit for her a lot. She was a real terror, always getting into things. One time while I was minding her, and she was supposed to be taking her afternoon nap, she woke up and got hold the baby powder bottle that I left on the changing table next to her crib. I heard this giggling from her room. When I went in to check, I saw baby powder all over the crib, all over the floor and all over her. She looked like Casper the ghost. "
Sarah and Chloe chuckled at the memory. Chloe added, "He forgets that he always doted on me.
"Which you took advantage of," Harm retorted.
As they laughed, Harm said, "The summer after my crash, she came to Gram's farm to try and cheer me up. She also helped Samantha and I restore Sarah"
"You didn't mention that when you told me about the restoration," Sarah said in surprise.
"Well, all I was able to do was bringing out food and drinks and paint the plane a little. We would spend hours well into the night working. Heck Harm and Sam had me crawl into the small spaces they couldn't reach to make connections. Gram used to bring dinner out to us and more than once remind us to go to bed," Chloe furnished.
"Yeah she did come in handy, come to think of it," Harm replied with a smile.
Before the two cousins could go any further Sarah stopped them with, "You two can tell your stories tonight at home and tomorrow when we all have dinner at the apartment. Come on Chloe. Leave your stuff in the office. We have to be here a while yet. We'll go to the commissary and get something to eat."
The two women left the office at that.
End of Flashback
"Why did you agree to take her in when your aunt called last week?" Sarah asked half asleep.
"Because mom and dad didn't have room at the Watergate apartment with both Samantha and Gram staying there for the holiday," Harm patiently explained.
"Oh yeah that," Sarah grumbled as Harm got up. He put his feet into his slippers, shrugged into his bathrobe and went out to meet the ebullient teenager.
"Good morning and Merry Christmas Chloe," Harm said as he endured a hug from her.
"Come on Harm cheer up. Just wait until you and Sarah have your own kids. Then they'll be jumping on your bed to get you up to open presents."
"Yeah, can't wait," Harm said with a yawn.
He reached the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker that Sarah prepared, as usual but for three, the night before. Then he went into the living room to sit on the sofa. As he settled Sarah came out and cuddled into him. He lovingly put his arm across her shoulders and pulled her close to him.
Chloe gave Sarah and Harm their presents and then started to open her presents that her parents had delivered there.
After they opened them Sarah asked, "What time are we going to church today?'
"I figure we'll go to 1230 mass. Then we'll meet Uncle Roger & Aunt Marianne at Reagan National. Their flight comes in at 1500 and then we'll go to the Watergate to meet Gram, Mom, Dad and Samantha. I'm glad the dining room and living room are nice and big. We're gonna have a lot of people for dinner," Harm replied.
"Where are Chloe's parents staying in DC?" Sarah asked.
"They're staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Alexandria, about fifteen minutes from the Watergate," Harm replied.
"Well, let's get ready to face the holiday with a good breakfast," Sarah said getting up and going into the kitchen. She poured cups of coffee for the three of them. Then they settled to prepare their holiday breakfast.
1630 Local Time
Burnett Apartment
Watergate Apartments
700 New Hampshire Ave, NW
The usual happiness ensued when the Madisons arrived at the Burnetts' apartment with Sarah, Harm and Chloe. It got even more crowed when Mike Walden, the Schonkes, Larkins, and Medwicks showed up.
"Too bad Meghan can't be here," Harm said when he hugged Loren.
"Yeah I wanted to tell her our news," Loren replied.
"What news?" Sarah asked getting her hugs and kisses from David and Loren.
"Well I have to stay off caffeine for the next eight months," Loren replied with a coy smile.
"Oh my God, you're pregnant too!" Diane exclaimed when she got her affections from her cousin.
"Yeah I'm due the end of August," Loren happily confirmed.
"Wonderful, I'm sure we'll set up lots of play dates," Diane said.
"So if you're due the end of August, that means you'll be carrying big at the wedding next May," Sarah said.
"Did you guys set a date yet?" Loren asked as they all sat in the living room.
"Yes we did. It's the week after we graduate Command & Staff College, Saturday, June 7 at St. Joseph's in Hewlett, NY and the reception is at a country club called the Rockville Links right after. It'll be an afternoon wedding with an evening reception."
"Well I'd really like to participate, say maybe a reading," Loren offered.
"Yeah that sounds good. You and Traci Manetti can flip a coin as to which reading to do."
"So after me as your matron of honor, who do you have in mind for brides' maids?" Diane asked.
"Well at first we said we wanted just two pairs after the Matron of Honor and Best man, but I forgot to add Jackie Simms. She would have killed me if I didn't ask her. So we'll have Samantha, our cousin Meghan and Jackie Simms, though I don't know who I would pair Meghan with."
"Oh she can be paired up with Tom. I'm asking my friend Jack Keeter to be my best man. He'll be paired with Diane. Also Mike thanks for agreeing to be a groomsman."
"You're welcome Harm," Mike Walden replied.
"So it's settled, our wedding party will be Diane & Jack as Matron of Honor and Best Man. Then Samantha & Mike, Jackie & Matt, Meghan & Tom, with Loren and Traci doing the readings," Sarah counted.
"Hey what about me," Chloe said piping up.
"Between now and the wedding, we'll think of something," Harm assured her as he gave a hug combined with a kiss to the top of her head
"So Mike, what time did Francesca finally get in yesterday?" Sarah asked to move the conversation along.
"About 3:00 o'clock. The weather cleared up enough for her plane to land. We all had dinner together last night at Mom & Dad's place in MacLean," Mike answered.
It was right after that all the females went into the kitchen to help while the men just stayed out of the way. Before long Gram came in to tell them, "Come on you menfolk, the dinner we women made is getting cold on the table."
As the family sat Frank stood at the head to give the holiday toast, "In the last year our family has grown as Sarah and Diane have finally been united with their cousins, Loren and Meghan and Harm & Sarah will solidify our connections to each other when they marry next spring. May we all share in their joy and may we all be here next year to experience more joy. Merry Christmas and God bless us all."
"Here, Here!" everyone cheered.
The family set to eat as they enjoyed the rest of the holiday week into the New Year was enjoyed.