A/N: Well, here we are again! As always, THANK YOU so much, for all of the great feedback! It keeps me motivated! Enjoy…
19:41 EST
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, MD
Harm returned to the surgical floor, and asked the nurse at the desk where to find Mac. Following her instructions, he entered a section labeled 'Post-Op/Discharge', where another nurse took him to the curtained-off cubicle where Mac was. He smiled when he saw her sitting up in the bed.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, moving to kiss her gently on the forehead.
"Okay," Mac replied. "A little disoriented still, but they say that will pass. How is Miranda?"
"Fine," Harm assured her. "I fed her a bottle, changed her, and put her down before I left."
"I probably shouldn't go see her tonight, then?" Mac asked, clearly disappointed.
"Are you feeling up to it?" Harm asked, concerned. "You just had surgery."
Mac smiled at him. "I'm fine, honest. It always takes me a bit to clear the cobwebs from the anesthetic, but I feel fine."
"If you're sure," he told her.
"I'm sure," Mac replied. "I want to see my baby before I go home."
Harm smiled at her. "Yes, ma'am," he said, winking at her.
Fifteen minutes later, a volunteer was wheeling Mac to the NICU, Harm close behind. They stopped outside the prep room, and Mac thanked the woman for her help.
Once they'd donned their clothing covers and washed their hands, they went to the door of the NICU and buzzed to be let in.
They entered the NICU, and made their way to Miranda's corner, their steps slowing when they saw her incubator was missing.
"Tessa?" Harm asked, looking towards the nurse who was sitting at the desk, doing paperwork. "Where's Miranda?"
Tessa looked up, surprised to see them. "Radiology," she said, standing and moving towards them. "She had some tests ordered, so they came and took her a few minutes ago. They should be bringing her back soon, if you'd like to wait."
Harm and Mac both relaxed, thanking her before they sat down. As usual, Harm sat in the recliner, while Mac sat in the rocker. They spoke quietly while they waited for Miranda's return.
"I gave Bill the next few weeks off," Harm told her, referring to their gardener.
"Why?" Mac asked, surprised.
"I figure I'm going to be home, so I may as well do the work myself. If I decide it's too much work, or that I'd just prefer to pay Bill to do it, then I'll call him back and resume his services," he explained. "Bud doesn't have a gardener, and his lawns always look terrific."
"Bud's yards aren't nearly as big as ours," Mac pointed out. "Plus, we have the rose garden, too."
Harm paused; he hadn't thought of that. "Well, I'd still like to give it a go before I decide."
Mac smiled. "Whatever you want to do, dear."
Harm raised an eyebrow, cocked his head, and pointed a finger in her direction. He was saved from replying, when an orderly rolled Miranda's incubator into the room.
"Here's your girl," he said, as he moved it back into position and plugged it back in.
Harm and Mac thanked him, as they stood and moved to stand beside her.
He nodded to them, and quietly left.
"I have to get her vitals before you hold her," Tessa told them. "Just give me a minute, please."
Harm moved aside to allow Tessa to do her job, while Mac sat back down in the rocker, and they watched silently as Tessa moved with quick, gentle efficiency.
It only took her a couple of minutes to get the information she needed, and to record it onto Miranda's chart. "All set," she told them, smiling.
Harm carefully lifted Miranda out of the incubator, as Mac opened her blouse, and then he handed her over. "Here you are, Mommy," he said, kissing Miranda softly on the forehead.
Miranda's eyes opened and she immediately began 'rooting'.
"I just fed her about a little over an hour ago," Harm said, surprised, taking a seat in the recliner.
Mac smiled at him, as she adjusted Miranda to allow her to nurse. As soon as Miranda had latched on, she relaxed completely, letting out a slow breath.
"There's just no substitute for mommy," Tessa told him, smiling. "Sometimes they need to nurse as much for comfort, as for hunger; don't take it personally."
Harm nodded, smiling again.
Mac nursed Miranda for about ten minutes, just sitting in silence and looking into the infant girl's eyes. When Miranda was satisfied, and had fallen asleep, Harm came and picked her up, kissing her tenderly before putting her back into the incubator. "G'night princess," he said softly. "We'll be back tomorrow."
22:07 EST
Rabb Home
Clifton, VA
Mac came out of the bathroom, and crawled into bed. She turned to face Harm, who was sitting up in the bed, reading a book.
"I think I'm going to skip our morning run tomorrow, if that's okay with you," she told him.
Harm looked at her. "Of course," he replied. "Dr. Martindale said you need to rest for the next forty-eight hours, and especially this first twenty-four. I'm not supposed to leave you alone, so I think I'll skip the run tomorrow, too. I'll get plenty of exercise doing the yard work tomorrow."
Mac smiled softly, nodding. She yawned, and placed her palm on his covered thigh. "Good night, Harm," she said. "I love you."
Harm set his book aside, flipping off the light and scooting under the covers. He turned on his side facing her, and pulled her close, kissing her lips briefly. "Good night, Ninja Girl," he whispered. "I love you, too."
Mac smiled; he hadn't called her that in awhile. She slipped into sleep in just a few short minutes.
Harm just lay there holding her, listening to her quiet breathing. He silently gave thanks for the woman in his arms, the child that they would be bringing home in a few days, and the teenager that was such a part of his life. His girls. He smiled at that thought, as he closed his eyes.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. Mattie!
He realized that he hadn't seen her in weeks, and she hadn't been to see Miranda at all. No, no, no… he had to fix that.
Determined that he would contact Tom and Mattie first thing in the morning, he finally closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
07:45 EST
Rabb Home
Clifton, VA
"Ma-ac," Harm called softly. "Hey sleepyhead, breakfast is served," he said, setting the tray he carried onto the night table, and leaning forward to kiss her awake.
Mac opened her eyes slowly, squinting at the bright sunlight streaming in through their windows. "Mmm… why'd you let me sleep so late?" she asked
"Because you had surgery yesterday, and went to bed late," he responded, brushing her hair from her forehead. "You needed the rest."
Mac nodded, lifting up enough to kiss him again. "You're right, I did need it; thank you."
"Do you want to eat breakfast here in bed, or out on the balcony?" Harm asked. "It's nice out there right now."
"Have you eaten yet?" she asked. "If not, I'd like to eat out on the balcony with you."
Harm smiled. "No, I haven't eaten yet, and I'd love to join you for breakfast." He carried the tray out to the balcony, setting the meal on the small table.
Mac came out a few moments later, wrapped in her black and red silk robe. "It looks delicious," she told him, taking the seat Harm held out for her.
Harm helped her to be seated, and then told her he was going to go and get his breakfast.
Mac sipped at her coffee. Though she'd had to switch to decaf since she was nursing, she still enjoyed her morning cup of java.
Harm returned with his own breakfast, setting it on the table and taking his seat.
Mac put some syrup on her homemade banana nut pancakes, and then took a bite. "Ohh… Mmm… Harm, you've outdone yourself!" she said, smiling.
Harm returned her smile. "Anything for you, my love," he said.
They talked over breakfast, making plans for their Independence Day barbecue, before Harm changed the subject.
"Mac, would it be okay if Mattie came and stayed with us tonight?" he asked. "She hasn't seen Miranda yet, and I'd like her to come and stay for a couple of days or so."
"Of course it's okay," Mac told him. "Mattie is always welcome here, anytime. She is part of the family, after all."
"Thanks, Mac," Harm said. "That means a lot to me. I'll see if Tom can bring her out to Bethesda this afternoon. If not, maybe he can bring her to the house this evening, and she can go with us tomorrow," he said.
"That's fine," Mac said, smiling. "While you're on the phone with him, find out if Mattie can come for the week of the Fourth; she and Chloe can hang out together."
Harm nodded. "That sounds good to me."
When they were finished eating, Harm told Mac to relax, and he would clean up before he went out to work on the yards.
"You don't have to wait on me hand and foot, Harm," Mac told him. "I can help you out."
"You are going to rest today and tomorrow… after that, you can go back to business as usual," he told her. Softening at her look, he cupped her cheek in his palm. "Mac, please, just humor me for a few days… please?"
Mac sighed, and then smiled, turning her head so she could kiss his palm. "Okay," she conceded, knowing that he only wanted what was best for her.
"I love you," he said, leaning forward and kissing her softly.
"I love you, too," she said.
Harm began cleaning up the dishes, piling them onto the tray, before he stepped back into the house to take them down to the kitchen.
Mac stood and moved to the balcony railing, leaning against it. She inhaled deeply of the fresh morning air, and smiled, looking out over the backyard, and the forest beyond, before she finally stood and stretched. Then she went inside to take a bath and dress for the day.
11:32 EST
Rabb Home
Clifton, VA
Mac walked out to the front yard, two tall glasses of lemonade in hand. Harm had finished the backyard, and the rose garden, and was now tackling the front yard. She figured by now he'd need a break, and something cool to drink, since it was getting warmer as the day progressed.
"Hey, Sailor," she said, moving to her husband and handing him the lemonade. "Ready to take a break?" Harm gratefully accepted the lemonade, drinking half of it down in one long swallow. "Thanks," he sighed.
"You're welcome," she smiled, sipping her lemonade and eyeing his gorgeous form. He was wearing a white tank top t-shirt, and white cargo shorts. There was no doubting that Harm was in terrific shape, and he was covered in a fine sheen of sweat. She was silently cursing the 'no sex for seven days' rule, as she watched him move.
"How are you feeling?" Harm asked her.
"Great," she told him. "Don't wear yourself out, we still need to go see Miranda today," she said, smiling at him.
"Okay, okay," he said, softly. He quickly drank down the last of his lemonade, before handing her his empty glass and winking at her. "I'm just about finished here, and then I'll grab a quick shower."
"I'll make lunch," she told him. When she saw he was about to protest, she held up a hand. "I can handle making lunch."
Harm grinned, nodding. "All right then," he said.
Mac smiled at him, kissing his cheek, before she went back into the house. Once inside, she started making egg salad for lunch. She'd just gotten the fruit cut up when Harm came in, kissing her on the neck, and then grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
"I'm going to run up and shower," he told her. "That looks great," he said, nodding towards the bowl of egg salad and the plate of fresh fruit. "I'll be down in a couple of minutes."
Mac smiled and nodded. "See you in a few," she said, as he took the stairs two at a time. She put the bread into the toaster, just as the phone rang. "Hello?" she answered.
"Mac, darling," Trish's voice came through over the line.
"Trish! How are you?" Mac asked, smiling at the sound of her mother-in-law's voice.
"Terrific, dear," Trish replied. "Frank and I were wondering what you and Harm have planned for the Fourth?" she asked.
"We're having a barbecue," Mac told her. "Bud, Harriet, and the kids are coming, Admiral Chegwidden will be here, Mattie and Chloe are coming… pretty much the 'family'. Why?" she asked.
"We wanted to come and visit, but if you're going to have a house full, maybe we'd better wait," Trish said.
"Nonsense!" Mac exclaimed. "We'd love to have you! Besides, the house full is just for part of the day; we're planning a barbecue in the late afternoon, and then we're all going to go to the park, and watch the fireworks after dark. We'd love for you to come; the more the merrier," Mac told her.
"Are you sure?" Trish hesitated.
"Absolutely sure," Mac replied, as she took the bread from the toaster and made the sandwiches. "Besides, you, Frank, and Grammy need to come and see Miranda… she's coming home on Monday."
"Oh, darling, that's wonderful news!" Trish exclaimed. "In that case, we'll plan on flying out there for the Holiday. I'll call you when I have the details."
"That's fine, Trish," Mac told her. "We'll look forward to seeing you."
"Goodbye, dear," Trish said.
"Goodbye," Mac replied, hanging up the phone just as Harm came down the stairs.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"Your mother," she told him. "Your mom, Frank, and Grammy are coming for the Fourth."
Harm smiled. "Great."
Mac nodded, as she set a plate with a sandwich and some fruit in front of him. "Now we just have to figure out where to put everyone," she told him. "We only have the apartment, and the guest bedroom, and we're going to have your parents, your grandma, and Mattie and Chloe."
"Hmm; that could be tricky," Harm said. "Why don't we put Mom and Frank up in a hotel, Grammy can stay in the apartment, and the girls can share the guest bedroom?"
"We could do that," Mac agreed. "Or, we could put your mom and Frank in the apartment, Grammy in the guest room, and the girls could 'camp out' in the living room or backyard."
Harm grinned. "We'll work it out," he finished lunch, and Harm quickly cleaned up while Mac got ready to leave. In less than thirty minutes, they were on their way to the hospital to see Miranda.
