A/N: Just want to put a reminder out there since I might have some new readers since I have not updated in a while so I just want to set some things straight. I am not a doctor so I do not know anything about the condition Mattie had in the last episodes of the show. I am making it up as I go along, symptoms and all. So Please remember that this is a fiction story. I know I am spending a lot of time on Mattie, but Mac and Harm will get there share during the wedding and Honeymoon. I also do not think it would be fair to make Mattie just all the sudden better. So it is my story and I can do what I want.. Thanks for reading…please review it helps a lot to get feedback!
3 AM
Mac woke up to Mattie moaning and being restless. She was awake and probably had been all night.
"Mom?"Mattie said quietly.
"Yeah sweet heart. Did you sleep at all?"Mac asked.
"No, but I saw that you were so I did not want to wake you."Mattie said.
"Are you still in pain?"Mac asked.
"Yeah. Why is this happening? I thought things were going well. I mean I can walk again. This is so frustrating."Mattie said.
"I wish I could make it better. I would take it away if I could."Mac said. "Now I am going to sneak down stairs and get some ice and some more medicine."Mac said.
"Ok I will be here."Mattie said.
Mac kissed Mattie on top of the head and then as quietly as she could went down to the kitchen to gather the things to help Mattie. To her surprise someone heard her coming down the stairs because he was not sleeping well either. Harm walked in and wrapped his arms around Mac. She jumped a little realizing that she was not alone.
"Sorry Marine I did not mean to scare you."Harm said.
"Hey, Did I wake you when I came down stairs?"Mac asked. "I tried to be quiet."Mac said.
"No I was already up. Why are you up?"Harm asked as he turned her around. He saw how tired she was and knew that Mattie was having a rough night.
Here come the emotions again. Between this week and not getting a lot of sleep they just over came her. Not to mention her hormones going crazy because of a little someone growing inside of her. Harm just stood there and held her. He knew that's what she needed right now. He did not know why and was quite surprised, but he just held her. He walked her back into their room to not wake anyone up. They sat down on the bed.
"Mac please talk to me."Harm said.
"It is Mattie.. Its everything…Its just all so wrong."Mac said in between sobs.
"Mac what is wrong our wedding. Living together moving, out here."Harm was panicking now.
"Oh NO Harm. No nothing to do with us. I Love You. Mattie is a teenager Harm. I am so tired of her being hurt and not being able to act like it. I want her to run up our stairs in a rage of anger and slam the door because we told her she could not go to a party. Just to see her run up the stairs. I want her and John to go for a run on the beach. I want to stop seeing the pain and darkness in her eyes and see the joy that she had the day I first met her and saw how much she loved you. I just want her to be a kid."Mac said.
"You are such a good mother to her you know that."Harm said. Tears began to slip down his face to. He could not believe how quickly Mac has fallen in love with Mattie. It made him love her so much more. It filled his heart with so much love that he could hardly stand it.
"That's what is so hard about this Harm. I can usually fix everything. I knew where you were in the water when your plane crashed. There were so many times that we have taken each others pain away but, I can not help her. She is so lost and confused and she is slipping further and further away. She needs hope and I do not know how to give it to her."Mac said still crying.
"Babe you are giving her hope. I see the way that she looks at you. The way that she loves you and the way that you love her. You are giving her hope by just holding her and staying up with her. I mean this week is a perfect example. This is our week and yet your heart has been with Mattie all the time. And I love you so much for it. We are a family. It is not me and Mattie and I am marrying you. Not anymore we are one big family. You treat Mattie like she is your daughter. Mac I can not tell you how much it warms my heart."Harm said.
"Thank you Harm for always making me feel like I am worth something."Mac said. "Thats why I knew you were different. Even when I threw every other guy in your face engagement rings and all.. (Mac smiled)…you still respected me. You Loved me even when I made it hard. You held my hand when you had no idea what was in it for you. You walked away to give me the time that I needed. You promised me the greatest gift before you even knew me. No matter how much I pissed you off you were still there. Thank You. For never giving up on me. Everyone in my life has given up on me. You have never given up on me totally and boy did I try to run. I just want to give Mattie that same gift."Mac said still very emotional.
"Mac you are giving her that. I could thank you for loving me to. I have not always been a prince charming. I put my career and yours on the line so many times. We were just meant to be."Harm said. "We were meant to be together and our love will make miracles for Mattie and for that promise we made five years ago."Harm said as he moved his hand and massaged her stomach. Mac just lost it even more.
Harm picked her up and layed her in their bed, and kissed her.
"I Love you so much."Harm said with tears in his eyes.
"I Love you too."Mac said putting her hand on top of his on her stomach.
Harm wiped the tears from Mac's eye and he could see a sparkle there that was new. Even admits all the hurt there was a sparkle, but he knew she would tell him when she was ready.
"Oh Mattie."Mac said as she was calming down. "I came down to get her medicine and water and ice. I have to go back up there. She needs me."Mac said as she began to get up.
"No Mac you are going to sleep in our nice warm bed. It is my turn."Harm said as he gave her another kiss.
"Thank You Harm for tonight. This was amazing. I have never felt so loved in my entire life."Mac said.
"You are welcome. Thank you for opening your heart to me and letting me know what is going on, so I can better help you."Harm said.
"Love you."Mac said as she drifted off to sleep. One of the last things she thought was a comment to the baby growing inside of her. You daddy is going to be so happy to hear about you and I have just the way to tell him. Just stay safe in there and grow nice and big and healthy so that your dad and me and your big sister Mattie can love you. And with those thoughts Mac drifted off to sleep.
Mean while with Harm
A soon as he left their bed room he went into the kitchen got those things and even a little snack and headed upstairs.
Knock..Knock.. (Lightly of course because people were sleeping). Then he opened the door.
"Hey dad."Mattie said.
"Hey sweetheart."Harm said as he walked to the other side of the bed and sat down. He gave her the medicine and the water and some ice.
After Mattie took the pills and water she patted the spot next to her. Harm sat down and Mattie leaned against him.
"Dad you look like you have been crying. I am sorry that I have been ruining you and Mac's week. This was supposed to be a great week and a fun time."Mattie said.
"Mattie we have been having fun and you have not ruined anything and we are not going to talk about that anymore ok."Harm said.
"Deal. Is Mac ok?"Mattie asked. Always caring so much about other people.
"Yeah she was just tired so I told her I would take this shift."Harm said.
"Oh ok. I feel like I am a newborn and it is your turn to do the feeding."Mattie said with a smile.
They both just laughed. "I am so glad that you are mine."Harm said.
"I Love you to dad."Mattie said.
"Is the medicine working?"Harm asked.
"Yeah, thanks for getting it for me."Mattie said.
"You are welcome, my pleasure."Harm said.
"I am really looking forward to Saturday. You are going to die when you see Mac."Mattie said and then smiled.
"Now there is that smile that I love so much."Harm said.
"Dad when did you first fall in love with mom?"Mattie asked.
"Pretty much the first day I met her."Harm said with a small chuckle.
"Why did it take you so long to tell her how you felt?"Mattie asked.
"oh Mattie, If I had the answer to that question I would be a rich man."Harm said.
"Yeah it did take you a long time to come around. I could tell how much you loved her when we were spending time out on the hanger together."Mattie said.
"Yeah I think you helped me back to her without even knowning it. Because you had no idea who she was at that point."Harm said.
"Oh the hanger days. I knew you were so unhappy there. It was funny seeing you try to enjoy being at the hanger. Sure you could fly everyday, but you were not happy."Mattie said.
"Nope you were right I belonged at JAG with Mac. I just could not see it at the time. I was blinded by hurt and now I look back on it, I think I put most of that hurt their."Harm said.
"It was a rough road for your two, but you made it with flying colors. I am the luckiest daughter in the world. I have the best parents. I have never seen two people who were so meant for each other."Mattie said.
"You think so."Harm said with a smile.
"Yeah I do. Now can you sing me a song so we can get some sleep."Mattie asked.
"You got it."Harm said as he began to sing her a song. Soon they were both asleep. With the help of the medicine and the fact that she had not slept all night she slept all the way until a descent time in the morning.
Mac got up around 8AM. She went up to check on Harm and Mattie and saw that they were sleeping so she decided not to wake either one. So she went down and began to make some breakfast for the house.
"Hey Mac."Harriet said.
"Hey Harriet."Mac replied.
"How are you going?"Harriet ask.
"I am just fine. It was another rough night for Mattie, but I am doing really well."Mac said.
"Can I ask you a question. From one women to another?"Harriet asked.
"Sure Harriet you can ask me anything."Mac said.
"Let me see how I put this, Are you eating for one or two?"Harriet asked with a huge smile.
"I do not know what you are talking about."Mac said really struggling at what to do.
"So I was right."Harriet said.
"How did you know?"Mac asked.
"Mac you are glowing and so happy and it is more than I am getting married on Saturday. The glow is all of my dreams are coming true glow. And plus I have had four kids so I know what the special glow looks like."Harriet said.
"Ok well you have to keep this between you and me. Harm does not know yet. Mattie is the only one who knows. I am going to tell Harm on our wedding night."Mac said.
"Oh this is so exciting. I am so happy for you."Harriet said. Now both girls were in tears.
"I miss our girl moments."Mac said.
"I know me too, this has been such an awesome week already. Bud and I and the kids were so looking forward to this."Harriet said.
"Good morning mom and Auntie Mac."Aj said as he came in.
"Good morning are you ready for some pancakes" Mac asked.
"Yeah, Here I made this for Mattie so that she can feel better and come and play with me."Aj said. He always cared so much for other kids.
"When she wakes up I am sure that you can give that to her ok."Mac said.
"Yeah I would like that."Aj said. Mac ruffled his hair. "Ok sit down in the chair and I will bring you breakfast.'Mac said.
Bud brought the rest of the kids down with him. Mac, Bud, Harriet helped to get them all fed and then the Roberts family got dressed for the day.
"Trish can I tell you how nice it has been to have you guys so close and how much it means to have you hear this week. Knowning that I have a mom that I can count on."Mac said.
"You are very welcome. I just love watching you and Harm interact with each other and also Mattie. You have made him into quite the family man. I just see the way that he looks at you and Mattie. I know that Harm Sr. would be so proud and you can bet that he will be looking down on your on Saturday."Trish said.
"it took me a long time to except Harm Sr. into my life. It made me mad in the beginning. I always felt like Harm was chasing a ghost. I was glad when he finally got some closure. It put a lot of walls between us, but I never left his side."Mac said.
"You were the strength he needed at the time and you will help each other through anything that will come your way."Trish said.
"Good morning ladies."Harm said as he came down the stairs, looking pretty well rested for the night that they had.
"Is Mattie still sleeping?"Mac asked.
"Yeah she is out. I think she will sleep until the medicine goes away."Harm said as he gave her a kiss. "Good morning mom."Harm said and gave her a hug.
"Good morning sweet heart."Trish said after their hug.
"Harm how are you?"Mac asked.
"I am fine, thank you for letting me sleep. Do I need to clean up breakfast or anything?"Harm asked.
"No it is all done. Not to worry at all."Mac replied with a smile.
"Thanks Mac."Harm said as he pulled her close to him.
"Did Mac sleep at all last night?"Trish asked.
Yeah she feel asleep at about 5 so I am hoping she will sleep until three or so."Harm said.
"That would be good."Trish replied.
Harm looked down because someone was pulling on his shirt. "Mac do you see anyone"He asked.
"No I do not see anyone."Mac smiled at her soon to be husband. He just loved seeing him interact with kids. It just made her glow even more.
"I feel something tugging, but I just do not see anyone."Harm said.
"Uncle Harm it's me AJ!"Aj finally said giggling.
"Oh..Hi."Harm said as he went down to Aj's level.
"I wanted to show you what I made for Mattie."Aj said showing him the card that he made for Mattie to feel better.
"Oh AJ she is going to love it."Harm said. "When she gets up you can give it to her ok?"Harm said.
"Yeah that is what Mac said."Aj said.
"Hey Harm can we go and throw a football?"Aj asked.
"AJ sweet heart Harm just got up."Harriet said.
"Harriet it is ok. I would love to AJ."Harm said. So Harm,little AJ,AJ, Bud, and Frank all went to go and throw a football.
Mac,Harriet, and Trish were all sitting on chairs watching the boys play.
"Look at Harm play with little AJ."Harriet said nodding towards the boys.
"He is going to make a great father one day. I knew he always had it in him. I had always hoped that what happened with his father would not keep him from wanting to be a father."Trish said.
"He already is a great father. You should have seen him when he first brought Mattie into his life and really took responsibility for her. It was amazing. He is different and cares for Mattie so much. These past couple of months have been very hard on him because of everything that she has had to go through."Mac said.
"How is she doing?"Trish asked.
"She has good days and bad ones, but for the most part things are moving in a good direction."Mac said.
"That is good to hear. I think John plays a role in that too."Trish said.
"Yeah he has really helped Harm and I out a lot. Because of John we have been able to have sometime to ourselves. There was a time though when she only wanted to be around us, shortly after we came back from the beach, but things have gotten much better since then."Mac said.
"Is she excited about starting school soon?"Trish asked.
"Mom what teenage girl is excited about going to school. She is excited that it is the same one that John will be at. He knows he so well. Reminds me a lot of how well Harm and I can read each other."Mac said.
"That is good and hopefully will help with the comfort level."Trish said.
"Yeah Harm and I are hoping."Mac said.
Mac heard the door bell ring so she got up to get it. Unfortunitly it woke the twins up too. Mac opened the door and John was there.
"Hey John."Mac said giving him a hug and welcoming him in.
"Oh Mac I am sorry I forgot that there were babies sleeping in the house right now."John said feeling bad for having woke them up.
"It is ok an honest mistake."Mac said.
"Where is Mac? How is she doing?"John asked.
"She had another rough night. She is sleeping, but you can stay until she wakes up."Mac said.
"Are you sure I do not want to intrude."John said.
"John you are family now so please do not feel like you are intruding. You are family and it will mean a lot to Mattie that you are here."Mac said.
"Thanks Mac. I am just doing the best that I can. It is hard, Mattie has had a rough little while. Sometimes I feel that it is unfair she has had to go through all of this."John said.
"Yeah I broke down last night with the same thoughts, but all we can do is just be their for her. Now run out and play some football with the guys and then you and Mattie can spend sometime together when she gets up."Mac said.
'Thanks again Mac."John said as he gave her a hug and then went outside to join the boys playing football.
Mac headed into the room where the twins were sleeping. "Perfect timming Mac. It is never to early to start."Harriet said.
Mac just smiled as she helped get the twins ready. Harm saw them when they came out. He was so taken aback when he saw Mac holding on of the twins that he did not see his godson coming at him full force.
"That will teach you to day dream captin."AJ said.
"I got you uncle Harm. Sac for me."Little AJ said.
"Yeah you did, but do you know what happens to little boys who sac quarterbacks?"Harm asked AJ.
"No.."Little Aj said still gigleing.
"The tickle monster comes."Harm said as he started to tickle AJ.
Mac heard little Aj laughing and what he saw brought tears to her eyes. Trish did not say anything just rubbed Mac's arm.
"I have been waiting for this day for so long."Trish said.
"Me too…Me too.."Mac said. "Thank you for raising such a wonderful son."Mac said.
"Thank you for being patient with him. You make him a better person."Trish said.
After the tickling fest was over they decided that it was time for lunch……
To be continued….